Welcome to Term 4 Week 9 2023

Deputy Principal Report

Dear Stella Maris Families 

It is with great thanks that we conclude the 2023 academic year. As shared at recent celebratory events, we thank parents and carers for their partnership in 2023. It was great to witness the excitement of students during Monday’s orientation. The new year will provide wonderful opportunities to strengthen existing bonds and to create new connections. 

We wish all students, staff and families a safe and Merry Christmas. 

Kind Regards,

Mr Ben McCulloch

Welcomes & Farewells

We welcome the following educators to our staff in 2024. It is very exciting to see the diversity in knowledge and experience that these teachers will bring to our school. 

Emily Probert 

Previously a Stella Maris student, Emily is returning home after several years working in education across Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. She is currently teaching Prep at Whitefriars Catholic School, Woodville Park, SA. We look forward to the knowledge, professionalism and interpersonal skills that Emily will bring to our Early Years Team. 

Claire Guest 

Claire is transferring to us from St Joseph’s Catholic School Rosebery. There she is currently teaching Grade 1/2. At St Joseph’s Claire is an Instructional Leader in Teacher Practice (ILTP). Claire is also completing her Graduate Certificate in Theology with Campion College.   This knowledge and experience will be a welcome addition to our staff as we continue our journey in embedding high impact teaching practices across the school. 

Kelsey Stribbling 

Kelsey is relocating to Tasmania after teaching in Catholic Schools across Western Australia. She is currently completing her Masters of Education (Early Childhood Education) with Edith Cowan University. Kelsey will bring a great passion and energy to our Middle Years Team. 

Montana Bradley

Montana is transferring to us after 6 years at St Peter Chanel Primary Catholic School, Smithton. Montana is a well respected teacher with strengths in upper primary education. Her ability to build  relationships with students and implement high quality curriculum will be a strong addition to our primary team. 

Anna Hart 

Anna Hart is also transfering to us from St Peter Chanel Primary Catholic School, Smithton. There she is a Literacy Leader and Curriculum Coach. We look forward to Anna joining our Upper Primary Teaching Team. 

At the end of this year we will be farewelling the following staff. 

Mrs Catherine Gbenga will be taking leave for 12 months to pursue opportunities with the Department of Education. We wish Catherine all the best on this endeavour and know that she will be greatly missed by her colleagues. 

Mrs Barbara Bickerstaff will be taking long service leave for the first half of 2024. We wish Barb all the best and hope that this time of absence is one of rest and relaxation. 

Miss Alexandra Seaton has been successful in securing a teaching position in the middle years at Marist Regional College. We thank Alex for her commitment over the past two years with us and wish her all the best in her new role. 

Mr Steven Jackson will finish up with us at the end of the year. Steve will be continuing his part-time role at Sacred Heart Ulverstone and exploring relief opportunities across the region. We thank him for his partnership with Mrs Varieta McKenna in Grade 4 in 2023. 

Mrs Carine Kruger will also finish up with us at the end of the year. Carine has dutifully supported us in a contracted relief capacity in 2023.  We look forward to exploring relief opportunities with her in 2024. 

Mrs Angie Consodine will be taking leave for 12 months to pursue opportunities with the Department of Education. We thank Angie for her work this year and wish her all the best for 2024. 

Mr Brad Nairn has finished his 12 months leave without pay and secured a Teacher Assistant position with Marist Regional College. Thank you Brad for your commitment and dedication across many of our year levels in your time at Stella Maris.

Mr Ben McCulloch will be taking parental-leave for the first half of Term 1 as he and his wife Jacqui expect the arrival of their third child. 

Trial Change to Play at Eating Times in 2024

In Term 1 of 2024, the school will be trialling a slight change to play and eating times. The approach detailed below has been trialled and implemented in other regional schools. 

The rationale behind the change is that it promotes student regulation after playtimes, increases productive learning time and ensures that students are being provided with sufficient time to eat, i.e, not rushing with food to hurry out to play. 

What this means is that at the typical eating time students would instead go straight out to play and then eat upon returning to the classroom. After the first play break students would have their most substantial meal.  

The following is a schedule outline.

Specialist Timetable 2024

In 2024, the school will implement a change to the specialist timetable. What this will look like is Grades 1-3 having the majority of their specialist subject block (e.g, P.E, Music) on a Tuesday and Grades 4-6 having the majority of their specialists on a Thursday. Other early years classes will have their specialist subjects spread throughout the week as appropriate. 

The intent behind this is to build in blocks of release time for teachers to collaborate on professional duties. Another key benefit of this approach is that it allows for greater consistency of timetabling core subjects throughout the week - please see an example below. 

Uniform Shop

Opening Hours

Tuesday 30th January 2024

10.00am - 2.00pm

With our transition to our new uniform mid 2024 our current uniform is available at a 50% discount

Assembly Awards

Congratulations to our latest award recipients who have been working hard and inspiring us through actively living the school values in their work and actions towards their peers and staff. 

SPIRIT OF JESUS AWARDS

Grade 6 Awards 2023

GRADE SIX AWARDS 2023

LEADERSHIP AWARDS:

Sponsored by STELLA MARIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

For the four students who have shown outstanding leadership, in their roles as School Captains.

Elkie Cunliffe

Greyson Boxhall

Sofia Gbenga

Rhys Williams

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT : RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AWARDS

Sponsored by THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

For the students who contribute in a positive way to Religion lessons, prayers and Liturgies.

Charlie Brown

Eva Bakes

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT : LITERACY AWARDS

Sponsored by BURNIE EMU BAY LIONS CLUB

For the students who have shown outstanding academic achievement, particularly in the Literacy area.

Daisy Gillies - Fielding

Maeve Hart

HIGH ACHEIVEMENT AWARD: MATHEMATICS AWARDS

  Sponsored by THE KERGER FAMILY 

For the students who have shown outstanding academic achievement particularly in the area of Mathematics.

Minh Nguyen

Josephine Kelly

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT: SCIENCE AWARDS

For the students who have shown outstanding academic achievement particularly in the area of Science

 Sponsored by the BURNIE CITY COUNCIL

Xavier Logan

  Sponsored by the Stella Board of Management

Rhys Williams

HIGH ACHEIVEMENT: HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES AWARDS 

  Sponsored by DR SHANE BROAD MP & ANITA DOW MP

For the student who has shown outstanding achievement, particularly in the area of Humanities and Social Sciences..

Charlie Brown

Xavier Logan

HIGH ACHEIVEMENT: PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS 

  Sponsored by the BRADDON LIBERAL TEAM 

For students who have shown outstanding achievement, particularly in the area of creativity when presenting in the areas of music and drama.

Jasper McCarthy

Elkie Cunliffe

HIGH ACHEIVEMENT: VISUAL ARTS AWARD

Sponsored by LYNNE FERGUSON 

For students who have shown outstanding achievement, particularly in the area of creativity in the area of visual arts

Tessa Sailiai

Elsie Boon

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT: HEALTH & PE  AWARD

Sponsored by STELLA MARIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

For the students who has exhibited outstanding achievement in both Health and Physical Education

Archie Munday

Jakai Wescombe

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: 

Sponsored by SENATOR ANNE URQUHART & GAVIN PEARCH MP

For the students who has exhibited outstanding sportsmanship, and a positive approach to sport.

Cassidy Ryan

Lucy Williams

VALUES, CHARACTER & COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD:

Sponsored by MARIST REGIONAL COLLEGE

Awarded to the students who have demonstrated the MRC values of Hospitality, Respect, Justice, Compassion, and Responsibility in their local community.

Peyton Gillett

William Heyworth

DILIGENCE AWARD: 

Sponsored by MS RUTH FORREST MLC & THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

For the students who show diligence in all areas of school life: socially, academic, technological and sporting.

Minh Nguyen

Josephine Kelly

STELLA MARIS SCHOOL COMMUNITY – MERCY AWARD:

  Sponsored by The Knights of the Southern Cross 

For the student who has been outstanding in “Daring to Step Out and make a Difference – Just Like Jesus did”. 

• Loyal, honest, attentive
• Positive thinker and demonstrates positive vibes around them
• Stands up for what is right – not afraid, no nonsense
• Willing to help and support anyone – nothing is too much trouble
• Always gives their best in all areas.
• Equitable in their treatment of others

Jasper McCarthy

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL: 

Sofia Gbenga

Rhys Williams

Sophie Waugh

Joseph Chandler

Amara Gbenga

Elkie Cunliffe

William Heyworth

Maeve Hart

Greyson Boxhall

Jasper McCarthy

LIBRARY MONITORS:

Daisy Gillies- Fielding

Indy Keep

Jett Arnold

Niamh McFarlane

Eva Bakes

Evie Rawlings

Lucas Owens

Zeke Hayes

Henry Watson-Paul

Elsie Boon

Sky Saltmarsh

TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS: 

Macklan Votavota

Tyson Norton

BURNIE YOUTH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: 

Charlie Brown

Elsie Boon

Azra Khan

HOUSE CAPTAINS

Hollows (Red)  

Darcy Pinner

Josie Kelly

Mawson (Green)

Amara Gbenga

Xavier Logan

Lyons (Yellow)

Layla Duniam

Jessica Wyllie

Flynn (Blue) 

Evie Rawlings

Lucy Williams

SPORT LEADERS

Oliver Pointon

Peyton Gillett

Layla Duniam

Ollie Radford

Henry Vincent

Josiah French

Lucy Williams

Finn Pinner

Campbell Dow

Jakai Wescombe

Archie Munday 

JUSTICE CREW

Lilli Pisano

Zeke Hayes

Lachie Redman

Lucas Owens

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jessica Wyllie

Charlie Brown

GREEN TEAM

Zeke Hayes

Joseph Chandler

Darcy Pinner

STUDENT LIASION

Darcy Pinner

STELLA STARS TEAM

Hadley Pilkington

Tessa Sailiai

Xavier Logan

Josephine Kelly

Taya Howard

Farewell Stella Families

Thank you to the families leaving this year for your contributions to our Stella Family, we wish you all the best for your next chapter in your children's education.

Jett Arnold

Eva Bakes

Caleb Boyd

Joseph Chandler

Ivy Clifford

Taj Cumming

Campbell Dow

Layla Duniam

Amara and Sophia Gbenga

Daisy Gillies-Fielding

Ezekiel Hayes

Maddison Hughes

Jasper McCarthy

Minh Nguyen

Lucas Owens

Finn and Darcy Pinner

Lilli Pisano

Oliver Radford

Evie Rawlings

Cassidy Ryan

Tella Sailiai

Skye Saltmarsh

Marcos Simpson

Chiedza Chindewere

Madelyn Kelly

Joshua and Hanna Jobin

Hugo Kelly

Henry Vincent

Henry Watson-Paul

Jakai Wescombe

Lucy Williams

Jessica Wyllie

Student Leadership & Positions of Responsibility 2024

Congratulations to the following students who have been nominated by their peers for Leadership positions in 2024.

Leadership Positions

Student Representative Council Captains:

Chathri Sanathana

Jenson Hearps

Stevi Turnbull

Lennon Reynolds-Hamisi

Student Representative Council Members:

Paxton Coles

Maeve Stephen

Elliott Loring

Esther Calvert

Sports Captains:

Hollows - Tyger McGaffin & Tayla Smith

Flynn - Emmie Wood & Ethan Bradow

Mawson - Jasper Smith & Duke Horrack

Lyons - Hazel Wells & Lincoln Boxhall

Positions of Responsibility

ATSI Representatives:

Evie Baker & Elliott Loring

Burnie Youth Council: 

Ryan Stone & Grace Williams

Library Monitors:

Brooke Voss, Elimie Bonneville, Mia Chen, Lucas Jones, Angelise Kennedy, Makenzie Faulkner, Bella Lapham-Targett, Annabelle Oliver, Maggie Clarke

School Photographer:

Alistair Gates

Green Team Leaders:

Sophia Williams, Finn Sharman and Albie DeGooyer

Stella Stars:

Ivy Pringle, Hazel Wells & Maeve Stephen (Term 1 & 2)

Mia Chen, Noah Fitzmaurice & Abigail Edwards (Term 3 & 4)

Kindergarten Graduation

When I Grow Up

Our 2023 Kindergarten Classes finished off their wonderful first year at Stella Maris last week with their graduation. Thank you to all the families that attended this memorable event.

End of Year Mass

Christmas Concert - Kindergarten

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to those who attended our Stella Maris End of Year Concert. We received some very positive feedback about the format and location of the event. We apologise for the technical difficulties experienced. Please see below links to the photo montage for each grade that were unable to be viewed last night. Additionally, please note that these YouTube videos are ‘unlisted’ and are only visible and accessible via the links provided.  

A huge thank you again to all involved, particularly Mr Nick Hart. 

Kindergarten https://youtu.be/0ObwgEJOFps

Prep https://youtu.be/DkB6vBFrATQ

Grade 1 https://youtu.be/v-_r4B7MoKk

Grade 2 https://youtu.be/dhEv-fzejE8

Grade 3 https://youtu.be/_uOqiwj7a-g

Grade 4 https://youtu.be/az8YRDfu9gg

Grade 5 https://youtu.be/Kjb--ZsWsMg

Grade 6 https://youtu.be/0_ASgvBPyDY

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Prep Wild On West Excursion

Our Prep students had a fun filled excursion to Wild On West last week, we are so proud of their behaviour and all enjoyed the day out to celebrate the end of 2023.

Stella Maris Giving Tree

We are grateful for the support extended to Room 15's initiatives for the Giving Tree this year. Vinnies and City Mission have noted an increased need among families this Christmas season. In response, we endeavored to make a positive impact by soliciting present donations and engaging in fundraising efforts. I am pleased to share that we successfully raised $1628.70, which was spent during a shopping spree at Toyworld this week.

A special thank you goes to those who generously contributed to this amount and to those who participated in the auction for the handmade shoe rack created by the boys, a venture they undertook to raise funds. Liz S, we hope the shoe rack proves to be helpful. Your support and generosity have been genuinely appreciated by both the students in Room 15 and Ms Wilkin and have made a meaningful difference, especially during this festive season.

Ms Wilkin

School News

Library Competition

Congratulations Emilie Bonneville! 

Of the 278 students who brought their books back in time, Grade 5 student Emilie was the lucky student who won the family pass to the Metro Cinema. 

I wonder if she will let her family join her!

Merry Christmas all,
Mrs Boon

Important Upcoming Dates

Helpful Tip

Click on the SCHOOL CALENDAR LINK and download the School Calendar dates to your smartdevice.

Last Day of Term 4 2023 for Students - Wednesday 13th December

Tuesday 30th of January 2024  -  Uniform Shop Open 10.00am - 2.00pm

First Day of Term 1  for Students - Wednesday 7th February 2024

Good Friday 2024 - Friday 29th March 2024  (Public Holiday)

Easter Monday   - Monday 1st April 2024 (Public Holiday)

Easter Tuesday  - Tuesday 2nd April 2024 (Public Holiday)

End of Term 1  - Thursday 11th April 2024

Start of Term 2  - Monday 29th April 2024

Kings Birthday  - Monday 10th June 2024 (Public Holiday)

End of Term 2  - Friday 5th July 2024

Start of Term 3  - Tuesday 23rd July 2024

End of Term 3  - Friday 27th September 2024

Burnie Show Day  - Friday 4th October 2024 (Public Holiday)

Start of Term 4  - Tuesday 15th October 2024

End of Term 4  - Wednesday 18th December 2024

Student Achievement

Jakai competed in the School Sports Australia Track & Field Championships in Launceston in late November. He ran the 1500m, gained a PB, and finished 13^th in Australia. He also ran the 800m, gained another PB, and finished 12^th in Australia. Over the weekend, he competed in the Australian All Schools Track & Field Championships in WA.  He ran in the U14 boys 400m where he finished 10^th in Australia, gained himself a PB & a National qualifier for the Australian Athletic Championships in Adelaide in April 2024. Overall he was thrilled with his results running against some very talented athletes from all around Australia.

Well done Jakai!

Outside News

Badminton - How do to become part of this great sport?

To learn more about becoming involved in badminton in the Burnie area contact Bev Robtham on 0417 359 525.