Welcome to Term 1 Week 5 2024
Leadership Report
Wowee…..can you believe we are in week 5 already!
It’s been a positive and busy start to the year getting to know new routines, teachers and students.
This week we are having our Parent Teacher Interviews on Tuesday and Thursday. This is always such a wonderful time to share information about your child/children with their teachers.
A little update on some of the other fabulous events that are happening at Stella Maris.
On Thursday Mrs Wickham is taking the SRC members to a GRIP Leadership conference.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to work with like minded peers and learn about the roles and responsibilities of a leader.
Here is some information about the program:
GRIP Leadership is an independent organisation that exists to train and develop leaders with a special focus on school students and the educational sector.
GRIP Leadership is a values driven organisation. The core values below represent the heartbeat of all GRIP Leadership staff and volunteers.
Core Values
GENEROSITY
Willingness to use what you have been given (time and resources) on behalf of those you seek to influence.
RESPONSIBILITY
We all have a responsibility to develop what we have and help others to live well.
INTEGRITY
A commitment to truth and honesty in dealings.
PEOPLE
Every human being is of great significance, and has a purpose to fulfil.
We hope our school leaders enjoy this special event and we look forward to watching them develop over the year.
A special event next week will be the Welcome Barbecue for our Kinder and new families to Stella Maris. This event will be taking place in the Kinder yard from 4.00-5.00pm and we can’t wait to see you all there!
Enjoy this lovely Autumn weather everyone with the crisper mornings and beautiful afternoon sunshine and remember to have some fun on the long weekend!
RE News
Reflection on the Sunday Gospel – Third Sunday of Lent - John 2:13-25
If the world is one great classroom, then God is a fantastic teacher. We have all had experience of this: the firm and gentle way that God opens our minds and helps us to understand.
Today’s readings show three different ways that God tries to get through to us. In the first reading, God sets some clear expectations for behaviour. They are all based around respect, both for the teacher and for those with whom we share the class! At the same time, God reminds us ‘I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the house of slavery.’ In other words, these are not random rules. They are designed to protect our deepest freedom. Disregarding them sends us back into captivity.
In the Gospel, Jesus is annoyed by people who think they know everything but who have not properly understood the basic lesson about justice and reverence. ‘Stop turning my father’s house into a market.’ Finally, St Paul speaks about wisdom. ‘God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.’ This is another style again: inviting us into a mystery, almost using riddles to get us to think outside the box.
It is no surprise that the Catholic community has always valued education and done a great deal to make it accessible for people around the world. Just as God teaches us, so too do we try to share the wonderful gift of learning with others.
The Gospel today says that Jesus knew what a person had in them. We should try to be the same: to see the potential, not just the surface.
Written by Michael McGirr
Religion in Kinder
God Is? A big wondering question.
Kinder read the story ‘God is’ by Mark Macleod and wondered about who God can be. Here are some of their thoughtful, beautiful responses to this bigger than life question.
Just Like Jesus Awards
Congratulations to the students that received the "Just Like Jesus" award in our recent assembly. It means that they have been 'caught' treating others in an extra respectful manner.
Uniform Shop
Opening Hours
Each Tuesday, 8.30 am - 12.30 pm
Orders placed via Qkr after 10.00 am on a Tuesday and before 10.00 am cutoff the following Tuesday will be processed when the shop is open and sent home with children on the day.
Alternatively, orders can be collected after 11.00 am on Tuesday during opening times if you prefer.
Canteen
Stella Maris Canteen Update
Did you know our school canteen managed by Jimmy Bos is part of “The SmartFood Program”?
The SmartFood Program (formerly the Canteen Accreditation Program) is a best practice model for food service management that recognises a school’s dedication to the health and wellbeing of its school community.
A SmartFood school offers a food service that provides nutritious, affordable, safe and where possible, locally sourced food prepared by the school.
Schools can aim for one of four levels of the SmartFood Award:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
Stella Maris has reached the outstanding award level of Platinum.
Platinum is only awarded to schools that demonstrate an outstanding menu, cooking ‘food from scratch’ and with a high standard of sustainability practices in their food service across the whole school.
To maintain our Platinum level we are introducing some lovely salad options which are available on Tuesdays.
These salads are made to Platinum standard and will be purchased from the amazing West Park Grove IGA.
The salad options consist of a potato salad, caesar salad and a brown rice and quinoa salad. These are healthy, hearty and most importantly delicious options for our students!
We also have our popular sushi items available on Wednesdays.
We are continually reflecting on what we do here at Stella and that includes the canteen. Jimmy has also implemented the following changes this year to help streamline the canteen procedures including:
- closing off orders on the Qkr app at 8:15am due to the earlier lunch break
- only having over the counter sales on Fridays
- organising SRC members to help with the Friday counter sales
It’s wonderful to see Jimmy and his band of ready helpers continually thinking about and implementing changes to provide our students with the most nutritious and timely lunches.
A gentle reminder to please only give your children money to buy themselves an item at the Friday counter sales. We have noticed that some children are buying items for their friends. This is kind and generous but has created problems in the past and is not permitted. Thankyou for your understanding and support.
Congratulations Jimmy & your canteen crew for attaining Platinum level for our school canteen.
Updated Menu
Stella Stars
Sessions: 9.15 am - 10.45 am & 12.00 pm - 1.30 pm
Bookings through Facebook: Stella Stars Early Years Learning
Naplan 2024 - Grade 3 & 5
Our Grade 3 & 5 students will be undertaking Naplan testing from March 12th - March 22nd.
Please see the attached flyer for more information on Naplan.
Grade 1
Grade 1 Class 5 - Maths learning
Grade 1 Class 6 - Science and HaSS learning
Grade 1 have been learning about timelines in Science/HaSS.We created our own timelines ranging from when the students were babies, to what they want to do when they're older.Next we will be creating a timeline for the seeds we are planting this week.
Buddie Day Grade 1 & 5
Clean Up Australia Day
Clean Up Australia Day
Can you imagine the good we could do, if all of Australia came together on one day and took practical action to improve the environment? It's hard to believe that what was started over thirty years ago, by Ian Kiernan, AO, an "average Australian" who had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard has now become the nation's largest community-based environmental event, held annually on the first Sunday in March.
Last Friday as a whole school community we came together to help improve our beautiful school environment. We all went out to the playground after assembly with plastic bags and lots of energy.
Bags were filled and our school environment was left spick and span.
Congratulations everyone, the school looks fantastic!
Here are some photos of Mrs Willliams and the Grade 2 students ‘doing their bit’ to help!
The Green Team News
The Green Team have had a busy start to the year, with a couple of meetings underway already. We have been working with Michelle from Bunnings to come up with some ideas for the year. Students will be working to refresh the worm farms, organise the composting for Stella and look at planting new vegies in our garden beds. We have some big plans for the year, so keep your eyes peeled for news of projects and fundraisers. Mr Carlon.
BNA Winter Netball
The annual BNA Winter Roster begins on Saturday May the 4th.
Please confirm your child's interest via Compass/Events by Wednesday 20th of March.
The roster begins on Saturday the 4th of May and concludes on Saturday the 21st of September.
Parent participation with coaching, umpiring, scoring and canteen is required.
Parent Resources
BASKET CASE
by Steve (Mr P.) Puccetti
Our very clever Mr Puccetti has been busy creating this wonderful new book with the help of former student Chia Gbenga's amazing illustration talents.
Books are available from the school office for $20 (cash only)
Important Upcoming Dates
CLICK TO SYNC TO YOUR CALENDAR
Tuesday 5th & Thursday 7th March - Parent Teacher
Monday 11th March - Public Holiday (Eight Hour Day)
Tuesday 12th March - Kindergarten & New Families: Welcome to Stella BBQ (4 pm - 5 pm)
Tuesday 12th March - School Advisory Board Meeting No. 1 (5 pm - 6 pm)
Tuesday 12th March - NW Swimming Carnival (selected students)
Tuesday 12th - Friday 22nd March - Naplan Testing Grade 3 & 5
Wednesday 13th March - Whole School Liturgy 11.45am
Friday 29th March - Good Friday (public holiday)
Monday 1st April - Easter Monday (public holiday)
Tuesday 2nd April - Easter Tuesday (public holiday)
Monday 8th April - Kinder Athletics (TBC)
Wednesday 10th April - Stella Maris Athletics Carnival
Thursday 11th April - Last Day of Term 1
Monday 29th April - First Day of Term 2
Saturday 4th May - BNA Netball Winter Roster
Friday 24th May - Stella Maris Cross Country Carnival
Friday 7th June - NW Catholic Schools Cross Country Carnival (selected students)
Monday 10th June - King's Birthday (public holiday)
Tuesday 18th June - All Schools Cross County Symmons Plains (selected students)
Monday 1st July - School Photo Day
Friday 5th July - Last Day of Term 2
Tuesday 23rd July - First Day of Term 3
Saturday 21st September - BNA Winter Roster Concludes
Friday 27th September - Last Day of Term 3
Friday 4th October - Burnie Show Day (public holiday)
Tuesday 15th October - First Day of Term 4
Wednesday 20th November - NW Athletics (selected students)
Friday 22nd November - All Schools Triathlon Devonport
Tuesday 17th December - Last Day of Term 4 : For Staff & Students
Outside News
