23 Term 4 Week 3

World Teachers' Day

Friday 27^th October was World Teachers’ Day in Australia, where we acknowledge and celebrate the amazing work that our staff do each and every day to support the young people in our school. This year the theme was ‘Hats off to Teachers’ as we thank them for their commitment, dedication and expertise that they bring to their role.

A big thank you to Caitlin Paynter for the time and effort she put into working with students to create a video for all staff, and to our P&F who provided a coffee to each staff member on Friday.

Hats off to all staff at Stella Maris, and thank you!! 

Year 4 Camp

Last week, our Year 4s travelled to El Shaddai in Wellington for their action packed school camp. This camp offers a range of experiences for students including rock climbing, swimming, archery and team bonding games. Students returned from camp just as happy and excited as the day they left and all account were that they’d had an amazing time. School camps are a wonderful experience for students and it is great to see them try new things and interact with their peers outside of the school environment. We thank our staff, including John Pipicella, Cody Kelsh, Tanya Stott, Paul Hegarty, Brooklyn Linke and Tony Carbone, for not only attending and supporting students while on camp, but also for the great deal of preparation that goes into ensuring that camps are successful. Once again, hats off to our staff!!

Transition

This week we welcomed 46 new Receptions and their families for their first transition visit in preparation for 2024. Within this group, we welcome 28 new families who are beginning their journey with us. Our new students will join with our current mid-year group to form our three Reception classes for 2024. The transition program will continue for three more weeks, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I know you will join us in welcoming our new students and families into the Stella community.

Pat Testing And Data Collection:

One of the important elements of our work is collecting data which provides us with information about student progress, development and growth. This is done by our teachers on a regular basis through ongoing assessment collection.

However, we also use a number of assessments which all students sit on a regular basis to determine achievement and growth from year to year. One of these is our PAT testing. PAT – which stands for Progressive Achievement Tests occur for all students in Year 1-6 each year. They are similar in nature to NAPLAN testing (they are online and have a similar format) and are used widely across Australia and internationally.

Over the last two weeks, students have been completing tests in Reading and Maths (Yr1-6) and Spelling and Grammar and Punctuation (Yr 3-6). These results will be analysed by our classroom teachers and leadership, both at an individual student and class and whole school level to keep track on development and identify areas for increased focus and attention. This data is also used to shape planning for 2024.

Thank you as always for your ongoing support of our school.

Kind Regards

Ella Kirkham

Dear families and friends,

This week we celebrate All Saints Day (November 1^st) and All Souls Day (November 2^nd).  Our Year 4 classes thoughtfully led our whole school in prayer and reflection on Thursday afternoon, in acknowledgement.  They highlighted some of the many qualities Saints displayed in their lives. We can all aspire to be Saints, guided by love, compassion, justice and having the courage to do what is right for the benefit of others and our world.  Being human, Saints aren’t perfect - they just kept trying to be the best version of themselves that they could be!

Especially on All Souls Day, our prayers and thoughts go out to all those in our community and in the wider world, who have lost loved ones.  May precious memories be a source of great comfort, 

 joy and peace.

Social Justice and Charity Focus Organisations – Semester 2

Our Catholic Identity is a living entity, expressed in a myriad of ways each and every moment within our Stella community.  It includes creating an awareness of the plight of many in our community and wider global family who require compassion and practical support, as well as fund raising for Charity Organisations.  During Semester 2, our focus has been on the following Catholic Charity Organisations (the Vinnie’s Christmas Appeal will be launched in Week 5).

 As a result of the superbly organised, inventive and fun filled Market Day, our Yr. 6 classes raised $1505.63 to be donated to Catholic Charities in support of the following local South Australian organisations; Centacare, the Hutt Street Centre, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and St Patrick’s and Our Lady of La Vang Special Schools. 

Last term, our Year 3 classes held their ‘pop-up’ Pre-loved Toy Shop.  Through their hard work and generosity, the classes raised $320.80 which they have donated on behalf of the Stella Maris community to Catholic Mission. 

“We share in God’s mission to reach out, give life by sharing our personal and financial resources to: - proclaim the Gospel, - serve people in need, - act for peace, justice and creation; In partnership with local churches, so that all may have life in Christ. (Catholic Mission)

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Toy Collection

Just giving families the heads up that we will be launching the annual Vinnie’s Christmas Toy Appeal in Week 5 of the term.  A member of our local St Vincent de Paul Society group will be speaking to our whole school at a special mini assembly that week.  More information will be shared with you closer to the time.

Ecological Conversion – one step at a time

September 1^st last term was designated as a ‘World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation’ and coincided beautifully with our Staff Reflection Day.  The day’s theme was ‘Called into Relationship…Relationships Inspiring Action’ and aligned perfectly with a key strategy of our Annual Improvement Plan; ‘Demonstrate a commitment to ecological sustainability and care for God’s planet.’  Julian Kluge from the Religious Education Team at the CEO, facilitated our day and at the end, staff were asked to reflect on the messages and provocations they had experienced and name and commit to specific actions to deepen their commitment to caring for creation.

 This information has been collated and it has been decided that in Term 4, all classes would focus on two initiatives;

• Save energy by switching off lights and devices when not in use
• Correct use of the Recycling, Compost and Landfill bins

Small steps, but important ones to build upon our understanding, processes and commitment to ecological sustainability.  Our Year 2 classes launched  ‘Switch it off’ to the whole school earlier this term and our very talented Music Teacher Victoria Traeger, has written a song ‘What goes where’ to help us with the bins!

I am aware that many families are also very passionate about Ecological Sustainability and commend your efforts and the example you set for your children.  It would be wonderful if as a school community, we could reduce the amount of plastic packaging in Recess and Lunch foods – too much of this goes to land fill!

I will leave you with some wisdom from the Encyclical ‘Laudato si’ instigated by Pope Francis…

“We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world… the environment is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.”

Many blessings,

Tanya

Dear School Community,

We know that life is full of ups and down, we all have challenges that we face and can learn and grow from. This is true for our children also, even though we sometimes wish we could shield them from discomfort or uncomfortable feelings. 

There are many sources of help and information out in our community to support you and your child through a challenging time. We have a Parent Library here at Stella for books on many different topics, the following websites and Phone Numbers are also very useful;

raisingchildren.net.au  (information on many different topics)

kidshelpline.com.au (support for children, information and a helpline phone number)

parenting.sa.gov.au (helpline phone number for parents, information guides and also parenting webinars)

If you would like more information about a particular topic or where to look for support you are welcome to chat with me, or send me an email at Emily.Hughes@smps.catholic.edu.au

Thanks

Emily Hughes

Pastoral Care Support 

𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑽𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒆𝒆 | 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱!! 🐝🪴🥕 

Stella Maris has been successful in winning a $1000 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant, and need YOUR help!  

Sunday 12th November, 9am - 12pm 

Come and help us revamp our Veggie Garden for our students to enjoy. 

Jobs big and small like; shifting soil, making wicking garden beds, raking old surface, laying fresh topsoil and bark. Even creating worm farms!  

No need to bring any equipment, just yourselves and your suncream and hats.  

Free Sausage Sizzle and cold drinks to be supplied. 🌭🥤 

For Health and Safety reasons we can only fit 20 volunteers so please grab this opportunity to create a special space our students will love to learn and play in! 

If you have any skills or interest in this area please email Emily to register at Emily.Hughes@smps.catholic.edu.au 

Stella Maris School Sports Day will be held at SA Athletics Stadium, Mile End on Friday 10 November. The day will commence at 9am and conclude at approximately 2pm.

Aquatics Consent Forms have been distributed - please return theforms as soon as possible.

UNIFORM SHOP - Belgravia Apparel

Stella Maris is one of the many online schools we cater for at Belgravia Apparel Campbeltown meaning that school stock is held in the back storeroom and not on display.

To avoid long waits and disruptions to other customers who have appointments we ask that you please book for an appointment on the below link.

https://www.belgraviaapparelschools.com/collections/stella-maris-parish-school

Thank you

Please contact the office if you would like more information.

Lessons commence week of Monday 16 October 2023

On November 1st, Christians commemorate All Saints' Day, a time to honour all the Saints, known and unknown. All Saints' Day serves as a reminder of the lives led by these individuals and the impact they had on the world. It inspires us to follow in their footsteps, striving to make the world a better place. Following this, All Souls' Day on November 2nd is a time for families and communities to come together and offer prayers for their deceased loved ones.

As we commemorate All Saints and All Souls, let us remember the wisdom and love that those who have gone before us shared with the world. Let us strive to live courageous lives, inspired by their examples, and hold our departed loved ones close to our hearts.