Welcome to Term 2 Week 6 2025

Principal Report

Dear Families,

Welcome to winter, everyone! As we now begin to experience colder periods of weather, please ensure you send your child to school with a school jacket or old-style rugby jumper to ensure they can keep warm throughout the day. Additional non-school coats/jackets can be worn to and from school for extra layers. Stella Maris beanies are now available to order from Midfords and are super warm. You will see me wear one when I am out on morning duty.

Thank you for your cheery greetings in the morning at drop-off. It’s great to connect with parents, carers and students during this time. I think my gate-operating skills are getting better. 

Car Park Safety remains a high priority for us. Please take your time in the morning through the Drop-Off Zone to ensure children can safely exit vehicles. 

Parking in our carparks is always tight in the morning, so please remember to park in an area other than the Staff Only zone. 

We appreciate your partnership in making Stella Maris Catholic School a welcoming and safe environment for all.

Student Free Day & Public Holiday Reminder

Friday 6th June: Report Writing/Planning Day

Due to the new Enterprise Agreement, Catholic Education Tasmania has mandated a student-free day for report writing and planning. 

Monday 9th June: Public Holiday - King's Birthday

There will be no school on Monday due to the King's Birthday Public Holiday. 

Have a safe and restful long weekend!

RE News

Reflection on the Sunday Gospel

Lk 24: 46-53
The Ascension of the Lord. Jesus is taken to heaven and the disciples remain in Jerusalem awaiting his sending of the Spirit.

Any family that has tried to sit down to a family dinner or packed the car for a trip has heard children argue at least once about who should sit where. To sit next to someone, especially if that person is important, is to have a place of honour. Jesus has this place of honour, seated now at the right hand of the Father (as we say in the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed), but there's more to this metaphor than where Jesus sits in relation to God. To be in the place of honour is also to be in a place of power. Knowing people in powerful places can be very helpful. Children remind us of this each time we are called upon to referee a conflict. Jesus, honoured now at God's right hand, is a powerful ally for us.

As you gather as a family, recall a time when there was a discussion, or perhaps even an argument, about where people were going to sit. Talk about why it might be important to a person to sit in a particular place. Mention that in this Sunday's Gospel we learn about Jesus' place in heaven. Read together Luke 24:46-53. Talk about how in the Creed we describe Jesus' place in heaven as “seated at the right hand of the Father.” Discuss what we might learn about the relationship between God and Jesus from today's Gospel and from the Creed and what we can learn about Jesus' relationship to us. Observe that one of the things we learn is that Jesus continues to help us from this place of honour in heaven.

Loyola Press

Sacramental Program 2025

Thank you to all families who have expressed interest in the 2025 Sacramental Program. We’re excited to support your child(ren) through this important step in their faith journey.

The 12-week preparation program will begin next week and take place at school with support from our Parish.

Further details will be sent home in the coming days to those families who have registered interest.

Project Compassion

Thank you all for your generous donations during the season of Lent this year.

It is pleasing to say that in total the school will be donating $598.95 to Caritas Australia, assisting them in making a real difference to many lives around our Country and the world.

Thank you for being the face of Jesus to others, showing our Mercy Charism in action.

Grade Level Liturgies - Grade 3 & 5

Grade 3 children and their families gathered in prayer to celebrate the gift of friendship.

The children listened to the Gospel of John – 

            One day Jesus said to His followers:” I love you all very much.

I want you to be happy like me,

So I will tell you what you must do.

Love everyone else in the same way that I have loved you. If you do I will call you my friends”.

And then reflected on the following wondering questions

             How can we be a good friend to others?

                What makes a good friend? 

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

Grade 5 students and families joined together in the Grade 5 Shaq to celebrate the word of God. Their focus of the liturgy was Seeds of Love.

The students listened to the Parable of the Mustard Seed and then participants spent some time reflecting on the word from God – 

When Jesus told this parable he compared it to loving God. When children, like you, or adults begin to love Jesus, their love is like a tiny mustard seed before it is planted in the ground. It starts out very small at first. Then when you keep on listening to what Jesus says and obeying Him, then the love grows bigger and bigger. Soon it will grow like the big mustard tree.

Students were left with a challenge – to reflect on the gifts that God has given us and take them with us, to use for his work and for good, as we leave this space today.

Kinder Enrolments 2025

The Resilience Project in Grade One

Students have been learning about Gratitude. In this lesson, they reflected on their personal strengths and favourite qualities. Together, they explored what makes them unique and expressed gratitude towards themselves and others.

Reconciliation Week 2025

Last week, each class celebrated Reconciliation Week. Students remembered our history and learnt about different cultures, with a focus on promoting kindness, respect and understanding. This year's theme was "Bridging Now to Next". The key themes that shaped this learning were:

- Understanding: Learning about our shared history. 

- Respect: Valuing everyone’s culture and traditions. 

- Friendship: Building strong relationships within our community. 

- Listening to stories: Understanding the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

- Creating Future Together: Working as friends for a brighter tomorrow. 

Father Jessie visits Kinder

The Kindergarten students were privileged to welcome Fr. Jessie as part of their learning about the Church. During his visit, Fr. Jesse spoke about his role within the Church and shared with the children the special garments he wears during Mass. His presence provided a meaningful experience, reinforcing the important message that the Church is not merely a building where we gather to pray and celebrate God’s word, but also a community of people.

Library Updates

Library Hours - The library is open until 3:10 on Monday to Thursday. Why not pop in after school for a speedy borrow? Before school is also an option. Doors open at 8:30! Parents are welcome.

Premier's Reading Challenge - All students from Prep to Grade 6 have been signed up to the Premier's Reading Challenge. The challenge, which begins on June 16, 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. 

Scholastic Book Club - Apologies, but we are still waiting on a few orders. Please make contact if you have not received your Issue 3 order by mid June. Issue 4 catalogues were distributed this week.  

Happy reading!
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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

Stella Maris Shop

• The uniform shop will be open every Monday from 2:30 to 3.30 p.m. 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.
  

Hot Chocolate Day - Thursday 12/6

Please see the information below about our upcoming Hot Chocolate Day. The SRC are raising funds for new sports equipment. All orders and money must be in by Tuesday the 10th.

Parent Information & Resources

Bravehearts- Ditto's Keep Safe Adventure Show K-2

Dear Parents and Caregivers,
On Thursday, 5th June, classes from K-2 will be viewing and participating in a live show from Bravehearts. The interactive show teaches young children essential personal safety skills and knowledge. The show will star Braveheart's lovable lion cub 'Ditto' and a specially trained presenter. Parents and caregivers are welcome to watch the show if interested in the content that will be discussed. Please contact your childs' teacher if you wish to attend. 

Please find more detailed information attached. 

Kind regards,
Melina Triffett- Health Teacher & Early Years Teachers 

Cancer Council Fundraiser

We are very pleased to announce that we raised over $700 for Cancer Council in our "Pop of Yellow & Biggest Morning Tea" Fundraising Day! Thank you to all students, families and staff who participated in this event. It was such a lovely day. 

School Netball Reminder

There will be Saturday School Netball this weekend, even though it is a long weekend. This is to ensure that the full 10 week roster is completed. Additionally, the final rounds for Primary School and High School GF's will play on Saturday 5^th July which is the first week on school holidays. 

Rosie Psychology

Here is some information about our Psychologists who are visiting us in late June. They will be working with some of our students and some students from other Catholic Education Tasmania schools. 

They are a great resource and we are very lucky to have them coming up to work on the NW Coast! 

Important Upcoming Dates

CLICK TO SYNC TO YOUR CALENDAR

Friday 6th June - Student Free Day: Staff Planning Day 

Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday

Friday 13th June - Grade 2 Burnie Library & Museum Excursion

Tuesday 17th June - Tas All Schools Cross Country 

Friday 20th June - Netball Tasmania Primary School Championships

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 

Monday 18th to Friday 22nd August - Book Week

Friday 26th September - Term 3 concludes

Monday 13th October - Student Free Day

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

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