Welcome to Term 4 Week 2 2025
Principal Report
Welcome back, everyone!
I hope all our students enjoyed a restful and joyful term break, filled with fun, family time, and maybe a little adventure. I trust you are feeling refreshed and ready for the exciting term ahead.
While our Principal, Christina Hynes, recovers from her hip surgery, we wish her a smooth and speedy recovery. We are grateful to our team leaders and staff members who are stepping up to keep everything running seamlessly during this time.
Term 4 is always special, full of learning, challenges, and celebrations. We’re excited for the events that make this term memorable, from camps and the end-of-year concert to classroom projects, excursions, sporting events and performances. These experiences offer wonderful opportunities to share your talents, grow, explore, and celebrate learning together.
To our Grade 6 students and families, we wish you the very best for your final term at Stella. This is a time to reflect on cherished memories while embracing the exciting journey ahead. Celebrate your achievements, enjoy special events, and create lasting moments with friends and teachers. Be proud of how far you’ve come and make your final weeks at Stella truly unforgettable.
A little reminder to finish the year strong, show bravery, kindness, and curiosity, and give your best in everything you do.
Warm regards,
Abbey Walters
Acting Principal
External Emergency Lockdown Practice
In the near future, whilst at recess or lunch we will hold an unannounced external emergency practice with staff & students, to test our response to a potential scenario that staff identify a threat warranting the school go into lockdown (opposite to evacuation).
Like for fire evacuation drills, we acknowledge the value in testing this process.
We have plans in place to make this practice as least disruptive as possible.
If you have queries you are welcome to call our office.
2026 School Fees and Forms
Dear Families,
We are pleased to share the 2026 School Fee Schedule with you.
Please note that from 2026, the schoolbook fee will now be included within the tuition fee, simplifying the overall fee structure.
We have also attached Payment Plan Forms for those who wish to set up regular payments. Options are available for weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or quarterly direct debit payments, as well as monthly credit card payments.
You only need to complete one of these forms if you wish to establish a payment arrangement.
Forms are due back by Friday the 24th of October 2025.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. If you have any questions regarding the 2026 school fees or payment options, please contact the school office.
Classroom Placements For 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we begin planning for 2026 and considering our classroom structures, we invite any families who would like to make a specific request regarding class placements to do so in writing.
Please address your request to Mrs Abbey Walters and submit it to the school office by Friday, 31st October 2025. Requests received after this date will not be considered. Your letter should clearly state your request and include a brief reason as to why this arrangement would best support your child.
When forming class groups, we take into account a wide range of factors to ensure balanced and supportive learning environments for all students. While we carefully consider each request, it is not always possible to accommodate every preference.
We kindly remind families of three important points:
- Children adapt more easily than parents.
- All factors are considered thoroughly.
- The leadership team makes the final decision.
If your family is considering relocating or your child will not be attending Stella Maris in 2026, please notify the school office as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we plan for another successful year ahead.
Kind Regards,
Abbey Walters
RE News
Reflection on the Sunday Gospel
Lk 18:1-8
Jesus urges his disciples to pray and not lose heart, for God hears and answers prayers.
This is the first of two parables that Jesus tells in Luke 18 about prayer. (The second will be read at Mass next Sunday.) This first parable is a lesson in persistence in prayer. (Next Sunday's parable will address attitude in prayer.) While the parable seems to present prayer as nagging God for what we want, such a reading misses the point. God is not like the judge in the parable, worn down by requests and coerced to respond. The key is found in the description of the judge as corrupt and unjust. Since God can be neither, we must understand Jesus to be saying that if even an unjust judge responds to the persistence of the widow, how much more so will God listen to our prayers. God truly wants to hear our needs and respond generously. It is the final lament of Jesus that gets to the point of the parable. The lesson is about the persistence of the one who prays. God wants us to be like the persistent widow, staying in relationship with God, confident that God hears and answers prayers. Then Jesus laments, “Will such faith be found when the Son of Man comes?” In this lament, Jesus notes how easy it can be for us to lose heart.
Sacraments 2025
We hold the candidates in our thoughts and prayers as they celebrate their initiation into the Catholic Church family this week, receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist.
The candidates and their families have spent 10 weeks preparing for this special time in their Faith formation journeys culminating in a retreat over the weekend. The candidates shared a meal together and engaged in a variety of fun filled activities.
We send out many blessings for Friday with his grace, Archbishop Ireland, Fr. Jessie and their families.
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
PEG News
Dear Families,
We warmly invite you to attend our final PEG (Parent Engagement Group) meeting for 2025.
The meeting will be held on Thursday the 23rd October between 10am-11am at Stella Maris in the Staffroom.
Agenda Items will be:
- Christmas Raffle Preparation
- 2026 PEG meeting times and events
We sincerely thank our PEG members for their continued support, enthusiasm, and involvement throughout the year.
Kind Regards,
Abbey Walters
Acting Deputy Principal
Fathers' Day Breakfast and Stall
At the end of Term 3 our amazing PEG group held the Fathers' Day breakfast and stalls. A massive amount of work from PEG members and the broader school community was undertaken and resulted in a very successful event.
We would like to thank the following businesses for their support towards the breakfast and stalls.
1) Domino's Burnie
2) Hungry Jacks
4) Kmart Burnie
5) Coles Burnie
6) West Park Grove Nursery
Thank you to Jo, Carla, Aleisha, Cassie, Flo, Cass, Costance, Beck, Hayley, Courtney, Christine, Rosey and Stella Staff.
Without these amazing Mums who help with preparation for both the Father's Day Breakfast and Stall it would have been impossible.
Uniform Update
Midford would like to let you know that their East Devonport store is relocating to a new address: 60A Stewart Street, Devonport.
If you would like to do a fitting our shop at Stella Maris is open on Friday mornings, 8.45am - 9.45am.
New Trading Hours for Midford Devonport:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to our new location.
Library News
Issue 7 of the Scholastic Book Club is out. This is the last one of 2025, great for Christmas gifts! Catalogues will be sent to classrooms today.
Please have your orders in by Wednesday October 29th 2025.
Footy Colours Day
At the end of Term 3, students and staff came dressed in their favourite sporting colours to celebrate the upcoming AFL grand final. Lots of friendly banter was on display, and students and staff had lots of fun singing their club songs in the MPR.
Our school community raised $252.00 for the children with cancer cause.
Prep 4 Sunshine Time
Our Prep 4 class took advantage of a sunny day recently to complete their maths tasks in the fresh air.
Grandparents Day
Kinder Grandparents Day
Green Team News
The school garden area has had a lot of work done recently which is really exciting.
Some of the work includes:
-Three timber garden beds constructed and filled with high quality soil and compost.
-Seedlings planted in those three beds including tomatoes, cucumbers and beans.
-Two rows of raspberry canes planted and mulched.
-A strawberry patch being introduced.
A big thank you to Katrina, Jeremy Day, Mr Carlon, The PEG for their donation of the timber for the garden beds and West Park Plants Plus for the gardening supplies.
We look forward to the warmer months and keeping you updated on our movements around the school environment!
Mr Carlon
Parent Resources
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday 20th - Friday 31st October - Learn To Swim Grade 4,5,6
Monday 27th October - Inter-school Chess Final (selected students)
Wednesday 29th October - Scholastic Book Orders Due
Thursday 30th October - Kinder Wonder Walk - Rhododendron Garden
Monday 3rd November - Recreation Day Public Holiday
Tuesday/Wednesday 4th-5th November - Grade 5 Camp
Wednesday 5th November - Whole School Liturgy
Wednesday 5th November - Hobart Hurricanes Clinic - In Class (Prep-Gr 4)
Thursday/Friday 6th-7th November - Grade 6 Camp
Tuesday 11th November - Kinder Firefighter Visit
Wednesday 12th November - NW Athletics (selected students)
Wednesday 12th November - Prep Paper Making & Park Excursion
Thursday 13th November - Kinder Grandparents Day (2.15pm - 2.45pm)
Friday 14th November - Grandparents Day (12.20pm - 1.20pm)
Friday 14th November - Humphries Cup Commences (selected students)
Friday 21st November - Schools Triathlon Challenge
Monday 1st December - Grade 6 Marist Orientation Day
Monday 8th December - Reports Live/ Book Packs Home
Tuesday 9th December - Grade 6 Fun Day
Tuesday 9th December - 2026 Classroom Orientations (10.00 am-11.00am)
Wednesday 10th December - Whole School Mass
Thursday 11th December - Christmas Concert - Marist Harcombe Centre (5.30pm - 7.00pm)
Friday 12th December - Grade 6 Award Assembly (2.00pm - 2.40pm)
Friday 12th December - Hobart Hurricanes After School Program Commences
Monday 15th December - Grade 6 Graduation Liturgy (9.00am - 10.00am)
Monday 15th December - Grade 6 Dinner (5.00pm - 7.00pm)
Tuesday 16th December - Kinder Graduation
Tuesday 16th December - Term 4 concludes - Final day for students
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
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
Friday 23rd October - Student Free Day
Recreation Day - Monday 2nd November
Friday 18th December - Term 4 concludes
* Stella Stars Early Years Learning - Every Wednesday - bookings via Facebook
Outside News
Noticeboard
14 Nov 2025 - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM