Welcome to Term 4 Week 7 2024

Principal Report

Dear Stella Maris Community

Christina recently bravely shared the news of her cancer diagnosis.  

During her absence, I will be acting in the Principal role and Abbey Walters and Sue Drane will be sharing the Acting Deputy role.

Please keep Christina and her family in your thoughts and prayers as she begins her treatment.  

Mr Ben McCulloch

25 Years of Kindergarten at Stella Maris

On Fridays this month we have welcomed our 2025 Kindergarten students and families for their Kindergarten Orientation sessions. It is such a special time in the life of the child and family as they take the leap into ‘big school’. As leaders of the school, it is a great opportunity to advocate for the wonderful things Stella Maris Catholic School offers, and we highly regard the trust that parents and carers place in us when they make the commitment to join our school community. 

2025 will mark 25 years since the commencement of Kindergarten at Stella Maris. In the year 2000, Principal Kathleen Siggins employed the late Annette McCulloch to establish the first Kindergarten. Together, with Annette as classroom teacher and Moira Marshall as teacher assistant, they developed a strong educational program that would play a crucial role in early childhood development and the laying of foundational skills, essential for life-long learning at Stella Maris and beyond.

Since the year 2000, our enrolments have steadily grown, and our learning spaces have been continually improved and updated. What has not changed however, is how our Kindergarten program continues to foster social, emotional, and cognitive growth through structured play and interactive learning experiences, helping children to develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. 

Kindergarten continues to serve as an important transition from home to school, promoting independence and adaptability, whilst instilling a love for learning. By engaging young learners in a supportive environment, Kindergarten lays the groundwork for academic success and personal development for students on their learning journey at Stella Maris and in their future educational endeavours.

Ben McCulloch 

RE News

Reflection on the Sunday Gospel –

John 18:33b-37

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

Jesus is questioned by Pilate about the charge brought against him that he is “King of the Jews.”

Understanding today’s feast of Christ the King may be particularly challenging. While most of us do not have direct experience with kings or royalty, we have a sense of who they are. We know that royalty have sovereignty over their kingdoms. We know that those who are subjects to royalty offer them allegiance and honour. To understand how Christ is our king, we extend and magnify what we know to be true of the best of human royalty. Christ’s kingship extends to all places, all people, and all times. Christ manifests his kingship through his death on the cross in which he offered salvation to everyone. Those who can see with eyes of faith recognize Jesus to be our heavenly king.

As you gather as a family, recall that this Sunday is the last Sunday in the Church year and on this Sunday we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. Talk together about what it means to be a king or queen. How do those who are subjects behave toward royalty? Invite children to role-play what one does in the presence of royalty. Read today’s Gospel, John 18:33b-37. Ask your family to discuss these questions: Does Pilate treat Jesus like royalty? (No.) What does Jesus say about his kingdom? (It is not of this world.) Talk about how your family shows honour to Christ our King.

Loyola Press

In November, WE Remember

During November, staff and students have taken time to honour and remember loved ones who have passed away. As part of this meaningful time of reflection, a special tree has been set up, adorned with flowers placed by students to commemorate those they hold dear in their hearts.

Stella Stars

Sessions: 9.15 am - 10.45 am & 12.00 pm - 1.30 pm

Bookings through Facebook: Stella Stars Early Years Learning

Last Session for 2024 is Wednesday 4th December

Uniform Update

It is wonderful to see the new uniform starting to transition into the school. We have welcomed feedback on its quality, comfort, and presentation and are currently working with Midford to explore an additional/alternate-fitting shape for the polo top to ensure comfort and presentability for all students.

As the remaining items (i.e., track jacket) become available, we will update you. 

Hours

The Uniform Shop will be open every Monday from 1.00pm  -3.30pm from 25th November 

Bookings not necessary 

Kindergarten 2025 Fittings

Will be held on orientation days in November (15th, 22nd & 29th November)

Please keep an eye out via your emails and Compass for further details next week

School Canteen

Last orders will be Tuesday 10th December

First Aid Incursion

On Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th November, Clive from St John's Ambulance Tasmania visited Stella to undertake First Aid sessions with the students. 

All classes from Prep-Six participated and were taught some very valuable First Aid skills.Students were shown the correct way to bandage a knee and then practised doing so with supplied bandages.  Some classes even practised CPR on training dummies and learnt how to use a training AED machine. 

Thank you to all students for participating and being respectful during the learning sessions. We value the time that Clive gave us in completing those sessions with our students.

Mrs Triffett

Health Teacher 

The Green Team

The Green Team art project is coming along nicely, with the first of three panels nearing completion. It has been a huge job of sorting bottle tops into colours, transferring the artwork onto the plywood panels and then attaching the bottle tops using screws. Thank you to everyone who has helped with the project so far and keep your eyes peeled for more progress! Mr Carlon and the Green Team Leaders

Library News

Dear students,

All books are due at the end of next week (December 6)! 

If you return your books by then, you will go into the draw to win a family pass to the movies!

I have printed lists for everyone who still has books out. Come and see me or get your adults to email me if there are books on your list that you have already returned. My email address is tanya.boon@catholic.tas.edu.au.

You can also log onto your account here to check your current loans. 

Library Monitors will start visiting all classes daily – so put your return books in your classroom library tub.

NW Combined School Athletics

On Wednesday, November 20^th  our largest ever team of fifty Stella Maris students travelled to Penguin to participate in track and field events. All students were very competitive and participated enthusiastically throughout the day.

Piper Gleeson and Meg Rawnsley were outstanding in the girls’ distance events. The Grade 5 girls, Amelia, Ivy, Giselle, Bella and Meg dominated the 100 and 200m events, winning every heat in their age group.

A very special thank you to Mrs Drane, Mrs Dick and Mrs Faulkner for their support. Also, a thank you to Jeremy, who transported and handled the tent as well as assisting with marshalling.

Mrs Varieta McKenna.

Triathlon

On Friday, November 22^nd the school triathlon was held in Devonport in perfect conditions. The school was represented by sixty enthusiastic entrants.

Hudson Buckley was very competitive in the Grade 6 individual event. Willa Munday and Isaac de Gooyer gave their respective teams a great start after the swim leg. Bella Lapham-Targett confidently completed a 4km ride as part of the Grade 6 girls’ team.

Grade 3 had the highest number of entrants taking on the event for the first time. They exhibited great determination as they tackled confusing transitions.

Once again Mrs Faulkner and Mrs Dick worked tirelessly to provide support and supervision. Jeremy provided transport for the bikes as well as returning with the tent. A big thank you to the parents who helped transport, erect and dismantle the tent. Several parents also provided support and supervision for young teams and their help was greatly appreciated.

Mrs Varieta McKenna.

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The Giving Tree

Fundraising Update for the St. Vincent de Paul  Giving Tree

Room 15 is excited to share that we are just $69.45 away from reaching our fundraising goal of $1500 for the St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to this total. We would like to give a special shout-out to Ibrahem Al-Sharmi in Room 13 for his generous donation, which has helped us reach our current amount.

In addition to our fundraising efforts, we are also collecting new wrapped presents for children. Please remember to write the approximate age of the child on the front of the gift. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need this holiday season! Thank you for your continued support!

You can still enter our lucky draw by purchasing one of our fantastic cards! With each card you buy, you will receive a raffle ticket for the afternoon draw, where two lucky tickets will be drawn. You could win one of our beautiful framed artworks or a mystery bag full of surprises!

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need this holiday season! Thank you for your continued support!

PEG Christmas Raffle

This year the PEG group has worked hard to organise a Christmas Raffle. Children will be sent home this afternoon with a raffle book containing 10 tickets at $2 per ticket.

Please return raffle tickets by 10am 12th December 2024.The raffle will be drawn on Thursday the 12th of December.

Please see below Prize list, Information and a Donators list.

Extra raffle books will be available at the Front Office.

School News

Outside News

Burnie 321-Go

Congratulations to all of our amazing Stella students who participated in the recent Burnie 321-Go.  Stella Maris had the highest per capita participation rate of any school in the Harcourts Burnie 321 Go Kids' Race.

Based on school census data Stella Maris achieved 32% participation.

As a result Stella Maris will receive a $500 Intersport sports equipment voucher.

Important Upcoming Dates

CLICK TO SYNC TO YOUR CALENDAR

Friday 29th November - It Takes A Spark STEM (Selected Students)

Monday 2nd December - PREP Wings Wildlife Excursion

Monday 2nd December -  Uniform Shop Open 1pm-3.30pm

Monday 2nd December - Grade 6 Marist Orientation Day

Monday 9th December - Book Packs Home with Children

Monday 9th December - End of Year Reports Home

Monday 9th December - Uniform Shop Open 1pm-3.30pm

Tuesday 10th December - Grade 6 Fun Day

Tuesday 10th December - 2025 Classroom Orientations 10.00am -10.45am

Thursday 12th December - End of Year Concert 2024

Friday 13th December - Grade 6 Awards Assembly

Monday 16th December - Grade 6 Liturgy and Dinner Celebrations

Monday 16th December - Uniform Shop Open 1pm - 3.30pm

Monday 16th December - Grade 5 Movie Excursion

Tuesday 17th December - Last Day of Term 4: - Final Day for students & teachers

2025

Tuesday 21st January - Uniform Shop at Stella Open 12.00pm - 4.00pm

Wednesday 22nd January - Uniform Shop at Stella Open 10.00am-3.00pm

Thursday 23rd January - Uniform Shop at Stella Open 9.00am-12.00pm

Friday 7th February - Term 1 2025 commences

Monday 10th March - Eight Hour Day Public Holiday

Thursday 10th April - Term 1 concludes

Monday 28th April - Term 2 commences

Monday 9th June - Kings Birthday Public Holiday

Friday 4th July - Term 2 concludes

Tuesday 22nd July - Term 3 commences 

Friday 26th September - Term 3 concludes

Tuesday 14th October - Term 4 commences

Monday 3rd November - Recreation Day Public Holiday

Wednesday 17th December - Term 4 concludes - Final day for students & teachers

Outside News

The Burnie Junior Cricket Club are looking for Under 12 players to play in the 2024/2025 Spring and Summer Rosters.  Games are played Sunday mornings  beginning  at 10am and finishing around 12:30pm  are played under the 20/20 format. Training is on Tuesday nights from 4:30pm – 6pm at the West Park undercover nets, under the guidance of  Rob Stewart  and Nick Imms. No pervious cricket experience  is needed. Old and New players are welcome. 

Please contact Nick on 0417 574 052