23 Term 2 Week 3

OPPORTUNITIES TO CELEBRATE:

I don’t think we take enough time to celebrate things in our life! Our lives are so busy and hectic, opportunities to say well done and acknowledge great things occurring in our school or general life are often forgotten.

This week, we have had three such opportunities that should not go unnoticed:

MOTHER’S DAY:

On Monday we had over 100 mums / grandparents join us for our Mother's Day Liturgy. While it needed to be ‘different’ than our normal Mother’s Day breakfast, it was none the less a great opportunity to say ‘thanks’ as a collective community. Thanks for the amazing job our Mums do in our lives. As role models, as people who can be counted on, as people who give strong, unconditional love.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK:

This week was also Catholic Education Week. This was an opportunity to say thanks for the 102 Catholic Schools in SA. Catholic Schools in SA have been around for over 150 years. They have a clear and guiding purpose – to help create “thriving people, capable learners and leaders for the world God desires”. At Stella, we are very proud of our Catholic tradition and history and we believe that our Catholic tradition permeated through all we do and all decisions we make. We are very grateful for our Catholic school!

VOLUNTEERS WEEK:

May 15 -22 was also National Volunteer Week. This is a great opportunity to acknowledge the volunteers in our community who make such a great difference to our school life. The ‘theme’ for this years Volunteers week is ‘The Change Makers”. There is no doubt that Stella is a better place thanks to our volunteers. From our School Board and P and F Committee, to our library volunteers, sport coaches, reading helpers, book coverers and everything in between, our school is a much richer place thanks to those who volunteer their time. The other day I walked through the Reception class corridor as they were heading off to the Zoo excursion. It was so heartening to see so many parent volunteers with smiles on their faces as they prepared for the excursion.

So thank you – to all those who volunteer their time – for a short, long, ongoing or once off time! We appreciate it!

Thanks!

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:

We congratulate the many students who participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. After a number of preparation sessions, it was a lovely celebration on Tuesday night. This sacrament is the first of three which these students will be involved in over the next few years of their faith development.

PARENT WORKSHOPS:

We held some popular Parent workshops throughout Term 1 and we are pleased to announce workshops occurring in the next few weeks with the following focus areas:

Approaches to Literacy at Stella - What we do and Why - and how you can help at home - Monday 22^nd May - 9:00am and 6:30pm (this is the same workshop repeated twice).

The Resilience Project at Stella - What is it and how can it help create thriving and flourishing people - Monday 12^th June - 9:00am and 6:30pm.

We look forward to presenting these workshops to you and seeing you at these workshops.

As well as these workshops, we are also pleased to host a consultant from Mission Australia who will be at Stella Maris this Tuesday 23^rd May from 1:30 - 4:00pm. Catholic Education SA in partnership with Stella Maris and Mission Australia are offering parents the chance to meet in person with a consultant who specialises in NDIS funding and support. 

There is no need to make an appointment, just come to the front office and we will direct you to the Mission Australia consultant. 

COMMUNICATION:

We aim to ensure that we keep you well informed and updated in term of both whole school and class information and events. We do this in the following manner:

• For Whole School information - this is generally sent via email to parents by Ella Kirkham, Carol McNicol or myself. At the beginning of each week we provide a Weekly update about specific information for the week ahead or general school reminders. This email is sent to the email address listed on your enrolment form - unless you have advised us of a change to this address. If you would like these emails sent to a different address, please contact Carol in the front office to do so. 
• For Class based information - each classroom teacher will use See Saw to communicate specific information about class, year level or individual student information. 
• For Sport information - See Saw is also used to communicate with parents about Sporting information.
• For Whole school emergency or time sensitive information - often a text message will be sent if there is specific and vital information for parents. Often this is followed up with an email from the school. 
• The School Newsletter is sent fortnightly and includes general 'community news' and information about the life of the school. To receive the Newsletter you need to subscribe to it - which can be done here: https://www.smps.catholic.edu.au/news-events/enewsletters

NCCD:

In 2016 the Federal Government implemented the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability. This is an annual, national collection of data that anonymously counts the number of school students with a disability and the level of educational adjustments they are provided with.

The Disability Discrimination Act and Disability Standards use a very broad and inclusive definition of what constitutes a disability, it does not necessarily require a medical or professional diagnosis.

This can include students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, auditory processing disorder and health conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes and asthma.

The decision as to whether a particular child falls within this definition for this data collection relies on the professional judgment of school staff about each child's additional educational needs. Throughout the year, parents of students who are counted on this list, are consulted with and provided with information about the adjustments occurring for their child. If you have a question regarding whether or not your child will be counted on this list, or you do not wish your child to be included please contact me as soon as possible.

2024 PLANNING:

Believe it or not, we are beginning to plan for the 2024 school year. Enrolments and enrolment interest at Stella Maris is at an all time high and we have very limited places available throughout the school.

As such, I would ask that if you know for any reason you will not be returning to Stella Maris next year you let me know as soon as possible. If you have pre-school student looking to start with us in the next few years, we would also ask that you ensure they are currently on our ‘sibling list’ of enrolments and that you have completed an enrolment form for them.

As always, please know that my door is open and I am always interested to hear from you about any aspect of your child’s growth and development.

James

Dear families and friends,

Congratulations to Brooke, Hayden, Isabel, Patrick, Katie, Chase, Finn, Tate, Joel, Grace, Raphael and Willow, who had their First Reconciliation on Tuesday night.  These young people gathered with their families for a special liturgy, presided over by Fr Joseph. Following the homily, the First Reconciliations began and when all the children had experienced this sacrament, the liturgy resumed.  We finished the evening with lots of photos being taken.  The students were all smiles after their very first Reconciliation with Fr Joseph – a very positive experience of this healing sacrament.

Next term, the Sacramental Programme continues, with students who are 10 years of age and over invited to prepare for their Confirmation and First Eucharist.  If you have not registered your child/ren yet, there is still time.  Please email me and I will send you a Registration Form at  tanya.stott@smps.catholic.edu.au 

Mothers’ Day Liturgy

On Monday morning, the church was filled to bursting with students, staff and most important of all, lots of mums, toddlers, babies, grandmothers, aunties, carers and even a few grandfathers!  After enjoying a cuppa and some sweet treats, our liturgy began at 9am.  Songs were sung, heartfelt student written prayers were read, a story shared with the voices of Reception to Yr.6 students and finally a special blessing created by students from the Social Justice group bestowed upon our treasured guests.

God of blessings,

May you bless these beautiful women in our lives.

May they be blessed with happiness.

Be with them and guide them in their life journey.

May they live their lives to the fullest.

May we always remember and be grateful for all they do for us.

May we return to them, all the love and care they have given to us and more.

Loving God, we ask your continued blessings on these women who are so special to us – our mums, our grandmas and nanas, our aunties and all the women who care for us.

Amen.

Written by the 2023 Social Justice Student Group for all the wonderful women in our lives.

Our Lady Help of Christians Whole School Mass & Stella Day

Families and friends are very warmly invited to join us next Wednesday May 24 at 9.15am for our whole school mass to celebrate our Patron’s feast day and our school.  We will continue the celebrations after the mass with a yummy treat and afternoon buddy activities. 

I will leave you with a compilation of the prayers written by R to 6 students for the recent Mothers’ Day liturgy.

Loving God,

May you always stay with our beloved mums and support them throughout their lives.

Help mums to keep happy and not stressed during rushing times.

I pray that all mums can have a wonderful day, full of love.

Help my mum be blessed by you and all other mums too.

I pray that all mums should be blessed by us and other people, so they feel happy and loved.

I pray that all mums are given a hand to do all the things they need to do.

I love the best cuddles from my mum.

Amen

Many blessings,

Tanya Stott

Dear School Community,

26th May is National Sorry Day, and precedes Reconciliation Week which runs from 27th May - 3rd June.

National Sorry Day is a chance to "reflect on the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians, in particular The Stolen Generations, and the profound grief, suffering and loss that they have experienced. We are Sorry."

The symbol that represents the Stolen Generation, and National Sorry Day is the Sturt Desert Rose. 

Emily Hughes

Pastoral Care Support