Welcome to Term 1 Week 2 2025
Principal Report
Dear Parents and Carers,
A warm welcome to all families to the 2025 academic year. A particular welcome to those students and their families who are new to our school. I pray that across the year you build new connections within our community.
This year I undertake my leadership position with a renewed understanding as a parent who is now officially on the school journey myself. It was with great excitement and pride that I sent my daughter Valerie off to enjoy her first day in Kindergarten here this week.
It is a fitting time to acknowledge the responsibility that parents entrust us with each day. It is a huge privilege and one which we do not take lightly.
In the lead up to the first day, a sharp focus for our staff has been to gain clarity on “the little things” that we need to get right to ensure a predictable, safe and calm climate here at Stella Maris. We strongly believe that a collaborative and consistent approach to the small, visible things will set the strong foundation we need for a successful year of learning in each classroom and across the school. All staff understand their commitment to the small things such as monitoring how students move around the school, manners or how they speak to staff and students or how their uniform is presented.
Thank you to all staff for their engagement and preparation over the past few weeks. Grounds, administration and teaching staff have put in the hard yards to ensure the first week of school will be a great one.
Next week Principal Christina Hynes will be visiting to work with the leadership team as she prepares for her return midway through the term. We keep her in our thoughts and prayers as she continues her treatment.
Wishing your family a blessed and joyful year ahead.
Sincerely,
Ben McCulloch
Acting Principal
RE News
Reflection on the Nativity of the Lord Mass – Luke 5:1-11
The fishermen (Simon, James, and John) leave their fishing boats and follow Jesus.
In the people whom Jesus chose to be his closest friends—his disciples—we see many of the characteristic foibles of ordinary human beings. We also see the ways that God uses the gifts he gave us to transform us into new people, the agents through whom God will lead others to Jesus and to his kingdom. Let's consider the person Jesus chose to be a leader among the disciples and whom he sent to “catch people.” Based on the evidence found in Scripture, we can imagine what Peter must have been like:
- Peter seems unafraid to speak his mind, yet he is also able to take direction. In today's Gospel, Simon Peter lowers his nets as Jesus commands, but not before reminding Jesus that he and his partners have been fishing all night and haven't caught anything.
• Peter is a leader, a spokesperson for others. Today's Gospel suggests that Simon Peter was a leader in his fishing business. When Simon Peter chooses to follow Jesus, others become Jesus' disciple as well. - Peter's personality and charisma seem to make him the centre of attention; yet Peter learned to be transparent, to let others see Jesus through him.
- Peter possesses a dynamic and open relationship with Jesus. Peter often approaches Jesus and speaks what is in his heart.
Gather as a family and spend some time imagining the person of Simon Peter. Consider these questions: Is Peter someone you would like to be friends with? Why or why not? Do you consider Peter a good leader? Why or why not?
Stella Stars
Sessions for 2025 resume Wednesday 12th February
See our Facebook Stella Stars Early Years Learning for more information
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday the 4th and Thursday the 6th of March.
Bookings can be made via Compass/Conferences soon. A notification will be sent when this becomes available .
Uniform Update & Ordering
Dear Families,
Thank you for your continued support and patience whilst we transition to our new Smart Play uniform.
Please see the details below clarifying the current roles and responsibilities of Stella Maris and our suppliers, Midfords.
In the coming weeks Midfords will take full responsibility for all uniform orders. Our uniform officer Cheryl Gration will coordinate delivery of the uniform orders once they arrive at Stella Maris.
Stella Maris
- The uniform shop will be open every Monday from 2.30-3.30pm. This will give families an opportunity to try on stock and then order online.
- To deliver stock to families upon arrival.
- To communicate information that Midford has provided.
Midford
- Processing online orders.
- Communication about deliveries.
- Notifying parents about stock availability.
- Delivery of stock to Stella Maris.
- Providing an estimated time of arrival for backorders.
- Shop open in Devonport for parents to buy directly from Midfords.
- Organising a pop up shop at Stella Maris.
If you do have any ordering enquiries or concerns please contact Midfords via the following: info@midford.com.au or 0410684589.
Library News
Dear Parents and Carers,
As your child begins to independently bring home library books for another year, here is some information to help you see exactly what has been borrowed!
Each student has a library account, which you can access from home. To view current loans, reserve or renew a book, go to: http://stellamaris.softlinkhosting.com.au
Your username is the student’s first and last name (with a space between)
Your password is student (which you are welcome to change)
The library is open 8:30 – 3:10 from Monday to Thursday and during lunch and recess Monday to Friday, although this is a limited access.
Books can be returned to the library, the front office or to the library tub in your child's classroom.
If you have any questions or concerns you can drop into the library or email me at tanya.boon@catholic.tas.edu.au.
Happy reading,
Tanya Boon
The Resilience Project
Stella Maris Catholic School is very excited to be implementing and participating in ‘The Resilience Project’ by Hugh Van Cuylenburg in 2025 and beyond.
The Resilience Project (TRP) is a positive mental health program focusing on the key pillars of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and, Emotional Literacy (GEM).
You can find more detailed information on this via the compass post on 11/2/25.
Kindergarten & New Families Welcome BBQ
First Day in Prep
Some images of our prep students excited for their first day back at school.
Student Achievements
Quinley and Piper Sucic both travelled to Hobart along with Elke & Micah Dicker (Cooee & Burnie Primary) to compete in the Little Athletics State Relays Championships.
Against 7 other teams they won gold in all the events which included the 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, a medley Sprint relay and the field relay (Quinley discus and Piper long jump). It was a fantastic effort against the some of the fastest girls their age in the state and to come away with the 4 gold medals is a huge achievement.
School News
Important Upcoming Dates
CLICK TO SYNC TO YOUR CALENDAR
Tuesday 25th February - Welcome BBQ for Kindergarten & New Families (4.00pm-5.00pm)
Tuesday 4th & Thursday 6th March - Parent Teacher Interviews
Tuesday 4th March - Shrove Tuesday
Wednesday 5th March - Ash Wednesday Liturgies
Monday 10th March - Eight Hour Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 11th March - NWCSSA Combined Swimming Carnival (selected students)
Wednesday 12th - Friday 21st March - Naplan Testing for Grade 3 & 5
Monday 31st March - Kindergarten Athletics (2.00pm - 2.45pm)
Friday 4th April - Stella Athletics Carnival
Sat/Sun 5th & 6th April - BTAS Primary School Championships
Thursday 10th April - Term 1 concludes
Monday 28th April - Term 2 commences
Wednesday 7th May - Stella Maris Cross Country
Friday 16th May - NW Cross Country (selected students)
Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday
Tuesday 17th June - Tas All Schools Cross Country (TBC)
Friday 20th June - Netball Tasmania Primary School Championships
Monday 30th June - School Photo Day
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 12th November - NW Athletics (selected students)
Friday 21st November - Schools Triathlon Challenge
Wednesday 17th December - Term 4 concludes - Final day for students & teachers
* Stella Stars Early Years Learning - Every Wednesday - bookings via Facebook
Outside News
Noticeboard
09 Apr 2025 - 9:15 AM to 1:30 PM
Stella Stars Early Years Learning
Session 1: 9.15am - 10.45am
Session 2 12.00pm - 1.30pm
Bookings via Facebook - Stella Stars Early Years Learning
Read More