24 Term 1 Week 5

As we approach the half way point in the term, let's take a moment to look back on the wonderful and busy start we've had. Read on as we look back on the major happenings of the last four weeks, which includes the appointment of our Year 6 Leaders (as pictured above). Well done and congratulations to William, Karny, Zac, Emilia, Millie M, Darcy, Maddie, Lachie, Noah, Ashlyn, Millie C and Fraser.

Over the last four weeks, we have had the opportunity to gather as a whole school community to welcome a new year, and to look forward to all that the 2024 school year will bring. Our Opening Mass in week 2 set the scene for this, as we focused on our 2024 school theme and committed to a year of sustainability and stewardship in our school community. It was a chance for all of us—students, staff and families—to come together and celebrate the start of a new school year.

The start of the school term has been enriched through not only our Opening Mass, but also through the celebration of Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. We enjoyed delicious pancakes (over 400 cooked- thanks team!) and learnt about the origins of Shrove Tuesday, followed by participating in Ash Wednesday liturgies. We acknowledged the beginning of the very important season of Lent. Lent is a period of forty days leading up to Easter. It is a time of prayer and reflection on the way we live our lives and we are challenged to be ‘better people’. Traditionally it is a time where we might ‘give something up’. This year we are also challenging our students to ‘take something on’ – something that may make a difference for other people in their lives. Jesus taught us and challenges us to be true peacemakers. This Lent our challenge is to live our life as compassionate peacemakers. What a world we would have if this was our reality.

These significant events for our Catholic community were also an opportunity for students to represent Stella Maris beyond our school. On Shrove Tuesday Kaylee, Jed, Indie, Karny and Miss Clark attended the Project Compassion launch for 2024 at School of the Nativity at Aberfoyle Park. They attended a liturgy and shared a morning tea of pancakes with other guests. Last Monday, our Year 6 classes also attended the annual Caritas Fun Run along with 8 other Catholic Schools in the Southwest Region. Students were encouraged to think about how they could assist with this year’s Project Compassion campaign. They have chosen to do this by selling ice blocks to our school community- which I’m sure will be well received by all!

The last few weeks have also involved…….

During week 4, we held Parent Teacher Conversations, with excellent uptake from families. These conversations were held earlier in the term than usual and were a great opportunity for families and teachers to discuss how students have settled in this year and to share any required information, goals, concerns etc. Our teachers certainly enjoyed meeting with families and learning more about your children through you, their first educators!

Over the last few weeks, we have also conducted our 2024 Student Leadership appointment process. This process, as it always is, has been a rigorous one, aimed at ensuring students are provided with an opportunity to showcase their leadership potential in various ways and to prepare them for future leadership and 'real life' positions. This year, we have 4 School Captains and 8 House Captains who will assist in leading our school throughout the year. This year saw 46 students (77%) in the Year 6 cohort apply for one or more positions. The process involved students writing a letter to the leadership team, presenting to either their cohort or the year 3-6 cohort, followed by an interview with the leadership team. All students were remarkably impressive and should be extremely proud of themselves for the way they went about this process, irrespective of the result. We see great potential for all of these students in their leadership journeys.

We are thrilled to announce the following Captains for the 2024 school year:

School Captains: William, Karny, Zac and Emilia

House Captains: Millie and Darcy (Carmel House), Maddie and Lachlan (Sontrop House), Noah and Ashlyn (Polding House), Millie & Fraser (Murphy House).

Yesterday we had the opportunity to present our School Captains and House Captains to the school community at a whole school Community Prayer gathering. We thank our Year 6 Cohort, Miss Moroney, Mr Hill and Miss Penney for their preparation and running of our first Community Prayer. Thank you also to the families who were able to join us.

I’m not sure that this would be an update or a newsletter article without mention of our current building project. As you likely know through James’ email updates and works onsite, our major building project is almost complete. I was looking back at previous updates and at this time last year, we were reporting on the start of civil works and the building site looked like a big pile of dirt. We have come so far! It has been a long and challenging project but we are very excited about the upcoming move and to welcome our school community into this beautiful new space. We thank the school community (and our neighbours) for your patience and flexibility over the last 12 months.

As we come to an end of week 5, and we say goodbye to Summer and hello to Autumn, we are grateful for many things that have come our way already this year. Although it has been a busy start to the term, our commitment to the learning and overall wellbeing of our students, and partnerships with families remains a part of who we are at Stella Maris. It is a special place to be and we look forward to continuing to work as a community to ensure that Stella Maris continues to be a place where we can all thrive.

We thank you for your ongoing support of our school and welcome you to contact us any time something arises that you would like to discuss.

Kindest Regards

the Leadership Team

Dear School Community,

I'd like to introduce myself as Pastoral Care Worker here at Stella Maris. Mental Health and Wellbeing is deeply embedded in our School's Identity and is an integral part of who we are and how we play, work and learn at Stella Maris. I am a qualified Social Worker and am available Monday to Wednesday for all Parents, Teachers and Students. You are welcome to email me at the address below if you'd like to find out more. We are in for a very exciting year at Stella Maris - New Building, new staff, new students and families, new garden and new adventures! 

Emily Hughes

Emily.Hughes@smps.catholic.edu.au

A reminder to all families that have elected to pay their 2024 school fees in 3 instalments, the first instalment of payment of fees is due Friday 1^st March.

Please email kathy.groat@smps.catholic.edu.au if you require any further information.

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