22 Term 3 Week 9

We pray for peace in our community and world, we congratulate students on their First Holy Communion, we prepare for our annual Market day and we prepare for a busy Term 4. This is Week 9 Term 3.

PEACE:

On Wednesday the world celebrated International Day of Peace – the 21st September. Peace is such an important word in our Catholic tradition and offers us a great reminder of our most important calling as human beings. While we often hear the word ‘Peace’ and think automatically of wars, conflict and large scale worldwide challenges and issues, peace is something we all have the opportunity to model. Humans are hardwired to connect – our connection to each other is what makes us so different from all the other creatures on earth. In essence, peace is about living without conflict or hatred – being ‘connected’. In every interaction we have with those in our lives we can choose to be peacemakers. Jesus taught us about bringing and sharing peace among all people of all cultures, races and sexes. This is our challenge today.

Have you ever tried doing a random of act of kindness? How can you better spread Peace in your family, our community and our world today?

SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:

On Sunday the 11^th September, a number of our students continued on their Sacramental journey by completing their First Holy Communion at a parish mass. We congratulate these students on their preparation and for continuing on this important journey in their faith lives.

YEAR 6 MARKET DAY:

A very important day in our school life is ‘Market Day’. Markey day is when our Year 6 students plan, organise and run various activities / stalls / events and games which all students are invited to participate in.

The day has a couple of important functions. Firstly, it forms an important part of the Year 6 Business and Economics curriculum. Students learn about profit and loss, how to set up and run a business, the costs associated with various elements of running such a business and how to ensure they market and promote their businesses in a way which garners interest. It is also a major fundraiser for our Catholic Charities month – which occurs in September. Our Year 6 students have been busily preparing for most of the term and are very excited about Market day – to occur next Wednesday 28^th September. All students are encouraged and invited to bring along some money to spend on the day. It is ‘cash’ only, which also allows for some financial literacy practice among students as well.

We look forward to a great day!

EMOTIONS:

The end of a term is always a tricky time. Given the busyness of this term, I sense that this has been particularly the case over the last week or so. Students are tired and in need of a break from the rigours of school. Often, when this occurs we see an escalation in behaviours which we know are not desirable or part of our school expectations or values. Often this is due to what we call ‘big emotions’ taking over our thoughts and therefore our actions.

Over the last week, classes have revisited their code of conduct and spent time re-connecting and having fun throughout the week. We are all looking forward to an end of term break.

ENGAGEMENT WITH LYN SHARRATT – CLARITY:

Lyn Sharratt is a world renowned Educational expert from Ontario, Canada who has written a number of books on Educational reform and school improvement. Her work with both John Hattie and Michael Fullan is a staple for most schools.

It has been very pleasing therefore to see a strong partnership established between Lyn and all Catholic Schools in South Australia. All schools are currently undergoing training in her ‘Clarity’ work. This is effectively underpinned by 14 parameters which she believes are the ‘essentials’ to school success. On Wednesday, Paula Clark, Ella Kirkham and I attended a whole day workshop with Lynn where the Clarity work was unpacked and detailed.

This is important work and we certainly took a lot of ‘affirmative’ things away in terms of areas in which we are doing an outstanding job already. As always, we are always looking for ways to improve and innovate here at Stella and we look forward to sharing with further our work in this area.

A BUSY END TO THE TERM:

As we continue to count down to the end of a busy Term 3, we also prepare for a number of major whole school events both in the last week of term and at the beginning of of Term 4. As I often say, one of the most important ways parents can be ‘involved’ in their child’s learning is by ensuring you are aware of all the school events and activities occurring. I’d ask that you note the following key dates and events for the remainder of the term:

• Thursday 22^nd September - National Public holiday - no school or OSHC
• Wednesday 28^th September - Year 6 Market Day - more information to be provided in coming days
• Friday 30^th September - Italian Day - Gelato and Pizza lunch available via QKR! Last day today!
• Friday 30^th September - End of term - 3:00pm finish
• Monday 17^th October - School returns
• Monday 14^th November - Pupil Free day
• Friday 18^th November - Sports Day - Bowker Street Oval
• Monday 28^th Friday 2^nd - Aquatics - Swimming week 
• Wednesday 7^th December - End of Year school Mass - 9:00am
• Thursday 8^th December - Carols in the Reserve - Christmas Carols / night at school - 5:00 - 8:00pm
• Tuesday 13^th December - Year 6 Gradation Liturgy - 7:00pm
• Wednesday 14^th December - Final day of Year
• Thursday 15^th and Friday 16^th - Pupil Free days

As the term draws to a close, I wish you all a great last few days of the term and a very enjoyable break.

Take care

James.

THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST COMMUNION

On Sunday, 11 September, 17 students from Stella Maris celebrated their First Holy Communion at the 9.15am Parish Mass at Holy Spirit Church. On the following Saturday night, Amelie Mooney also celebrated her first Holy Communion at Holy Spirit Church.

SOUTHERN CROSS:

The current edition of the Catholic newspaper put out by the Archdiocese called, ‘The Southern Cross,’ is available at: www.thesoutherncross.org.au

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

A kind word spoken can make another’s day. A kind word not spoken leaves an empty hole.