23 Term 3 Week 1

We welcome a new term with enthusiasm and renewed energy, we celebrate our Parish Saint and the important role of Grandparents, we continue our building work and look forward to many great events throughout Term 3. Welcome to Week 1 of Term 3!

WELCOME TO TERM 3:

It’s great to be back! As I wandered through classrooms this week, I was so pleased to see smiling faces and a readiness to learn. I asked all classes “How were your holidays?” – The answer back was generally “great” or “fun”. I also asked our students who was pleased to be back? And I can report in all honesty that the very high majority of students all indicated that indeed it was great to be back! Although some of the kids will tell you that they ‘want more holidays’ – I can assure you that deep down they are all very excited to be back at school. There are smiling faces, friends they haven’t seen in a while, games they haven’t played and a structure and routine which although they need a break from, provides them with a great sense of calm and peace.

It was also a delight to welcome 24 new students and their families to Stella Maris. Of these, 14 are brand new to our school. We are very pleased that you have chosen us to support your child’s educational journey. We very much look forward to working with you over your journey with us.

FEAST OF ST ANN AND JOACHIM:

On Wednesday it was the feast of St Ann and Joachim. Our Parish is known as St Ann’s Parish – named after Ann – who was the mother of Mary and Grandmother of Jesus. Grandparents are so important in our lives. Having recently endured the death of my mum (and Nanna to my own kids) the love, presence and joy that Grandparents bring to our kids is often something we take for granted. I often joked to my own parents that I sense they love their ‘Grandkids’ more than me! But on reflection, I think it is just a very different love to that of a parent. They have fun, they laugh and give lollies and they provide a sense of the ‘past’ that is so important to our kids.  

We also acknowledged the many Grandparents not with us anymore who bought so much joy and love to our world.

BUILDING UPDATE:

If you’ve done a drop off this term, you will see some significant movement on our building project. The Steel is continuing to be erected and major work has also occurred in Syme Avenue.

Over the coming weeks, work will continue to ramp up with further steel erection and then the external building works occurring. At this point, Sarah Construction are still confident of a December finish and so we are hopeful of being in the building to start the 2024 school year.  

REPORTS:

On Tuesday you would have received your child’s Progress report for Semester 1. As the name suggests, this was a ‘progress update’ on how your child is tracking thus far this year. This formal report is one of a number of ways in which we communicate to you about your child’s holistic development. I hope you found the information useful.

Next week we will follow these reports up with parent-teacher conversations. Details on how to book these conversations have been sent a couple of times via email.

I meet with each of our teaching staff individually regularly, and having read the reports, will be challenging our staff to think about how we can ‘progress’ a student in each learning area of their learning development – not matter what ‘grade’ they received. While it’s not realistic for all students to receive an A grade, it is possible for ongoing improvement and progression. Our staff are committed to ensuring that your child achieves their absolute best while here at Stella Maris.

PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES AT STELLA:

I am pleased to let you know that Marnie Stewart - Registered Psychologist starts with us here at Stella on Friday of this week. Marnie offers a range of services and will complement the already strong Pastoral Care and Wellbeing focus here at Stella. Should you want any further information about Marnie and what she can offer - as well as how to book her, please contact me here at school.

PARENTS AND FRIENDS EVENTS:

Our Parents and Friends remain a very vibrant group this year! Coming up quickly will be one of the most highly anticipated nights of the year – “Stella Quiz night”. You can see the advertisement with full details in todays newsletter. Please note that tables are selling fast, and with a cap on numbers, they will sell out. Get in fast to secure your ticket (either by booking a table or individual tickets for the night via QKR).

EMAIL COMMUNICATION:

One of the key ways I communicate with parents is via email. This year, I have trialed sending whole school weekly updates to all parents via the email address we have on file. On Wednesday of this week I sent an email out to all parents regarding a number of important messages and reminders to begin the term.

We have been notified that at times these emails are going straight to Spam or Junk files, and some parents have chosen an email address which they rarely check and as such not getting the information in a timely manner. We would ask that you ensure that you have received these emails and if a change of email address is required, you contact Carol in the front office. 

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 ASD, 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 well and truly in planning mode for 2024. 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.

Our 2024 and 2025 Reception enrolments are now at a maximum number and a waitlist has had to be started. If you have a sibling due to start at Stella Maris in 2024 or 2025, you should have received an email from Carol regarding this. If you didn’t, it means we don’t have the necessary paper work at school and so we would ask that you contact Carol in the front office to ensure we have them on our list asap.

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.

Take care,

James

INDUCTION SESSION FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS will be held on FRIDAY 4 AUGUST 2023 at 2.30PM

Stella Maris Parents and Friends have been working behind the scenes to create a fun evening for you all on 5th August. If you are still undecided if you want to come, please join us for an interactive quiz night with games, nibbles and laughter. Tickets are still available through QKR. If you are wanting to be seated with a big group I would suggest booking a table to ensure you sit together.

Once again we couldn't do this without the help of our sponsors. We thank all families who have helped with donations for our auction and raffle and hope that we can help bring more awareness to support your business.

THANK YOU to the following businesses and families for their kind support and donations:

Fastbreak Basketball Academy

Sueanne Wells Organic Skin Care

Bodico - Brows, skin and body

High Quality Car Sales - Quigley Family

Bespoke Facial Clinic - Grantham Family

Rosie Barlett and Family

Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers - Labbozzetta and Papalia Family

Orange Movement PT

That's Dancing

Seacliff Beach Hotel

Flaunt It - Hair and Beauty

Main & Cherry

Silk Laser Clinic - Hancock Family

Blooms by Bec

Bliss Beauty & Float

Violi Construction - Violi Family

Hugh Hamilton Wines

Pastel and Palm - McCarthy Family

CW Wines

Patritti Wines

Berri Estate Wines - Penney Family

The Bampton Family

Marion Sports Club

Drakes Foodland - Twigden Family

Thankyou,

Parents and Friends Committee

Students commencing at Cabra in Year 7, 2024 will be invited to attend an Orientation Day held in Term 4 on Thursday 24 November 2023.

For any families who may be considering enrolment at Cabra in Year 7, 2026, applications will close at the conclusion of Term 1, 2024.