Welcome to Term 2 Week 8 2025

Principal Report

Dear Families,

We hope you are all keeping warm now that the weather has turned windy and wet. Please stay safe on the Tassie roads by buckling up and driving to the conditions. Safety is our absolute priority at Stella Maris Catholic School, and we welcome feedback on any areas we can improve.  

We want to bring to your attention some child safety resources that are available to parents and volunteers:

    1. The Australian Government's E-SAFETY COMMISSIONER - Online safety for children

 https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents:

TOPICS INCLUDE:

• Online safety basics
• Safer gaming for families
• Prevent child sexual abuse online
• Focus on under 5’s
• Cyberbullying
• Parental Controls     

    2. PROJECT PARADIGM - An Australian program working to end child exploitation

https://projectparadigm.com.au/

    3. DANIEL MORCOMBE FOUNDATION - Making Australia a safer place for children

https://danielmorcombe.com.au/

Here are links to two of their valuable resources:

• Conversation cards - 20 cards to spark conversations about personal safety https://danielmorcombe.com.au/keeping-kids-safe/keeping-kids-safe/conversation-cards/
• Fact Sheets - Keeping Kids Safe resources https://danielmorcombe.com.au/keeping-kids-safe/keeping-kids-safe/fact-sheets/
  

RE News

Reflection on the Sunday Gospel

John 16:12-15 Whatever the Father has is mine. The Spirit of truth will guide us.

Think of the last time you witnessed an act of selfless love in your family. Parents and caregivers of all kinds are called upon to act selflessly every day. Family life calls us to share selfless love with one another.

God is the model for us of selfless love. There was no need for God to create our planet or the creatures that inhabit it; it was an act of selfless love. There was also no need for God to send his only Son to save us. That too was an act of selfless love.

As we draw closer to God and the mystery of the Trinity, we learn about God's love. God has lavished us with love in the persons of the Son and the Spirit, who in turn nurture in us the desire to do the same. When we open ourselves to be filled with an awareness of the divine life within us, we participate in the endless spiral of love that leads to eternal life. Whenever we share selfless love in the family, we are sharing in the life of the Trinity.

Grade Level Liturgies - Kinder

Kinder children and their families gathered in prayer to celebrate the gift of Creation.

The children listened to the creation story from Genesis 

We then joined together for prayers of thanks:

• For the light and the sky...
  Thank you, God!
• For the trees and flowers...
  Thank you, God!
• For the sun, moon, and stars...
  Thank you, God!
• For the birds and the fish...
  Thank you, God!
• For the animals and for me...
  Thank you, God!

Thank you to all those who could join us in this special prayer experience.

Grade 6 students and families joined together in the Grade 6 Shaq to celebrate the word of God. Their focus of the liturgy was using your gifts to help others.

Students listened to the Gospel of Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Students then spent some time reflecting, guided by the following wondering questions

I wonder what it means to be a light in someone else’s life?

I wonder when you have helped someone and it made a difference?

I wonder how we can show our light even when things are hard?

I wonder what special gift or talent you have that you can share with others?

Students spent the final moments of the Liturgy receiving the Light to go out and shine for others.

To remind us that we are each called to bring light into the world, each of us will now receive a star. On each star are the words “Let your light shine.” These words remind us that no act of kindness or leadership is too small, and that we are always called to shine brightly.

Uncle Hank visits Stella

This past week, we have had Uncle Hank Horton at Stella. The children and staff always thoroughly enjoy having Uncle Hank in our school community. He shared valuable insights and information about reconciliation, reminding us all of the significance of acknowledging and respecting the cultures and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The children participated in interactive activities such as painting with Ochre. Thank you, Uncle Hank, for sharing your knowledge and wisdom! 

Sacrament Learning in Grade One

Sacraments are an important part of Catholic life. They are gifts from God that allow us to connect in a deeper way with our faith. In Grade 1, we are learning about the Sacrament names, and which categories they belong to (Initiation, Healing and Service).

Kinder Enrolments 2025

PE with Madi & Shaz from Wynyard Gymnastics

We are super lucky to have the lovely Madi and Shaz from Wynyard Gymnastics with us for PE until the end of the Term. The students have loved their lessons so far! 

Farewell Autumn, Hello Winter!

The Kinder students recently had fun farewelling the season of Autumn with our friend Jeremy.

Bravehearts Visit to Stella

We loved having the team from Bravehearts visit us again in Week 6. Bravehearts is focused on preventing and treating child sexual abuse, offering resources and support for children, young people, families, and the wider community.

Staff Farewells & Welcomes

Farewell...

We recently celebrated the incredible careers of three amazing educators in the Stella Maris Community. Mrs Barb Bickerstaff, Mrs Lynne Ferguson, and Mrs Liz Murton have all had incredibly impactful careers here at Stella Maris. As a staff, we held a morning tea to farewell them and wish them all the best in their retirement. They will always be a big part of Stella Maris! Thank you for all you've done, Barb, Liz, and Lynne. 

We also farewelled Mr Weibren Veenstra, who has been with us at Stella since 2017.  Weibren is moving to WA with his family for new career opportunities. We wish him all the very best! 

Catherine Robertson also left Stella Maris for a new role elsewhere. We thank Catherine for her kindness, creativity, and commitment to her students throughout her Stella Maris journey. She will be very missed! 

Welcome...

A very big welcome to two new, wonderful educators who have joined us at Stella Maris. Ms Natasha Everett has started at Stella as our new Drama teacher, and Mrs Abbey Wagner has joined our team as our new STEM Teacher. 

Student Achievement

Giselle from Kinder Blue entered a statewide art Competition and was first placed in her category. There were 396 entries from all across Tasmania. She won $50 and a big bag of art goodies. 

Giselle's brother, Jet, from Grade 4, also placed, coming second in his category.

Well done, Giselle & Jet!

Every minute counts...

Every minute counts when it comes to learning! This powerful infographic from Catholic Education Tasmania highlights the long-term impact of even small amounts of missed school time. Just 10 minutes a day adds up to nearly half a year of lost learning over 13 years. Regular attendance matters because every moment at school builds toward your child’s success.

Library Updates

The Premier's Reading Challenge has begun! All students from Prep to Grade 6 began the Premier's Reading Challenge on Monday. The challenge is to read 10 books in 10 weeks. Every book read is logged and will earn points for the students' House Team. The winning House will enjoy an Epic Afternoon of Play at the end of Term 3. 

Special visitor: Leigh Hobbs is visiting our school in Term 3! The one-and-only creator of Old Tom, Horrible Harriet and Mr Chicken. He is coming as part of a Children's Laureate Week pilot, where Stella Maris gets Leigh for free, and acts as a hub for neighbouring schools.We invited students from all of the primary schools in Burnie to share in this wonderful opportunity.  Exciting times!

Book Week 2025: This year's Book Week theme is "Book An Adventure"! Celebrating 80 years of Book Week, this theme conjures characters trekking through jungles, flying airplanes and making fantastical journeys abroad. Pop your thinking caps on: Book week is nine weeks away.

Tanya Boon

Stella Stars

Sessions for 2025 

Every Wednesday 9.15 am - 10.45 am and  12.00 pm - 1.30 pm 

See our Facebook Stella Stars Early Years Learning for more information

Uniform Shop Updates

Stella Maris Hair Accessories are now available to order online!

Stella Maris Shop

• The uniform shop will be open every Monday from 2:30 to 3.30 pm. This will allow families to try on stock and then order online.

Midford East Devonport Trading Hours:

Orders are processed online, through their Website:

https://www.midford.com.au

• Monday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm
• Wednesday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm
• Friday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm
• Saturday 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
• If you have any ordering enquiries or concerns, don't hesitate to contact Midfords at info@midford.com.au or 0410684589.
  

Cancer Council Fundraising Efforts

We are so pleased to announce that the SRC and Mrs Wickham have led our school community to raise an amazing total of $2201 for Cancer. As promised, Will Grice shaved his head on Friday in our Assembly! He was joined by his friends Fletcher Agar and William Jordan, who also shaved their heads in support. Well done, boys! 

A big thank you also to Kazie-Jo Smith, who volunteered her time and skills to shave the boys' heads. 

Parent Information & Resources

Important Upcoming Dates

CLICK TO SYNC TO YOUR CALENDAR

Monday 30th June - School Photo Day

Monday 30th June - Student Reports Live On Compass

Tuesday 1st July - Parent Teacher Night 1

Thursday 3rd July - Parent Teacher Night 2

Friday 4th July - Term 2 concludes

Monday 21st July - Student Free Day

Tuesday 22nd July - Term 3 commences 

Tuesday 5th August - Catholic Education Week - Grade 6 Excursion

Monday 18th to Friday 22nd August - Book Week

Wednesday 27th August - Dockers Football Begins 4 Weeks 

Monday 1st - Friday 12th September - Learn To Swim Grade 2 & 3

Friday 26th September - Term 3 concludes

Monday 13th October - Student Free Day

Tuesday 14th October - Term 4 commences

Monday 20th - Friday 31st October - Learn To Swim Grade 4,5,6

Monday 3rd November - Recreation Day Public Holiday

Wednesday 12th November - NW Athletics (selected students)

Friday 21st November - Schools Triathlon Challenge

Monday 1st December - Grade 6 Marist Orientation Day

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

2026

Friday 6th February -Term 1 commences for students

Monday 9th March - Eight Hour Day Public Holiday

Easter - Friday 3rd April - Public Holiday 

Monday 6th April - Public Holiday

Tuesday 7th April - Public Holiday

Thursday 16th April - Term 1 concludes for students

Monday 4th May - Term 2 commences

Wednesday 21st May - Grade 3 Madagascar JR Excursion

Thursday 22nd May - Grade 1   Madagascar  JR Excursion

Monday 8th June - King's Birthday Holiday

Friday 10th July - Term 2 concludes

Tuesday 28th July - Term 3 commences for students

Thursday 1st October - Term 3 concludes 

Monday 19th October - Term 4 commences

Recreation Day - Monday 2nd November

Thursday 11th December - Christmas Concert PM

Friday 18th  December - Term 4 concludes

* Stella Stars Early Years Learning - Every Wednesday - bookings via Facebook

Outside News

2026 Somerset Roos Junior Football Program!

We’re now recruiting Under 12 and Under 14 players. 

If your child is keen to play footy — whether they’re new to the game or already love it — this is a great opportunity to build skills, have fun, and be part of a supportive club environment.

 All skill levels welcome
 Great coaching & team culture
 Learn, grow, and enjoy the game.

See attachment for contact details. 

 Join the Roos family in 2026!

I am delighted to introduce myself as the new coach at the Burnie Tennis Club. My name is Gabriel Fernandez, and I come from Costa Rica. I have been involved in tennis for over 30 years. 

I am now thrilled to share my knowledge and passion with the community of North West Tasmania, a region that has deeply impressed me with its stunning landscapes and strong sense of community. I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received and look forward to helping players of all levels grow in both skill and confidence.

My goal is to promote an inclusive and positive environment—one that encourages development, teamwork, mutual respect, and most importantly, a love for the game.

Tennis is a fantastic way to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors all year round. It not only promotes physical health but also helps develop coordination, concentration, and confidence. Children, in particular, benefit greatly from tennis—they learn important life skills such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience, all while having fun in a supportive and active environment.