24 Term 2 Week 5

Hello and welcome to the half way point of the term! It has been a very busy start to the term and I would like to begin by thanking the school community for the support and well wishes on my recent appointment as Acting Principal for the remainder of the school year. I am very excited to take on this opportunity within a school and community that I know and love.

Catholic Identity

At Stella Maris, our Catholic Identity, which reflects who we are and what we do, is at the heart of everything that we do at Stella Maris. Since the last newsletter (in week 1), we have had many opportunities to gather as a school community to celebrate our Catholic Identity through the many celebrations we have had. This includes our Mother’s Day Liturgy, our Whole school Mass, on the Feast of Mary Help of Christians and Community Prayer gatherings. It has been wonderful to see families join us for these events.

This term we have also introduced Class Liturgies as a way of helping our students to make links between classroom learning, Scriptural texts - including the Gospels, and how we are called to follow the example of Jesus in the way that we live. A number of our classes will prepare and celebrate a class liturgy this term, with the remaining being scheduled next term. Families will be invited to these liturgies, which are scheduled on a Thursday afternoon at 2.30pm in the Church.

Catholic Education Week

We recently celebrated Catholic Education Week, which is an opportunity to celebrate the 101 schools, 53000 students and 8500 staff who form Catholic Education in South Australia. It is a week to celebrate the excellent teaching and learning that takes place in Catholic schools every day and an opportunity for families, students and staff to reflect on what they love about our Catholic school and what makes our schools so special. For me, as a leader and a parent, I find it difficult to narrow down the things that I love the most. I love the community and the genuine partnerships that we develop with families. I love that our schools are inclusive and encourage and support students to be themselves in an environment where their needs are met. I love that each and every one of our students contributes to our school through their personalities, their passions and the many strengths they show on a daily basis. I love coming to work each day, where we have expert teachers and staff who are not only dedicated and committed to every one of the students in their care, they are collegial and huge supporters of each other. Most of all, I love that we are a part of Catholic education, where our Catholic faith, traditions and ethos are at the centre of all of the wonderful things that we do and experience. How lucky are we!! 

National Reconciliation Week

This week has been particularly special as we celebrate National Reconciliation Week.  The theme for this year is "Now More Than Ever," which emphasizes the importance of continuing the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people despite the challenges faced along the reconciliation journey. This is also a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Yesterday during Community Prayer, I spoke to students about how I grew up in Port Augusta and I remember a number of occasions where Adnyamathanha elders would visit the school and share stories, cook damper or kangaroo on a small fire near the oval or play music for us. Although these activities were wonderful, it was the learning and sharing of stories that was the most important part. That is what I hope students got out of the activities and community prayer this week, learning more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, so they can make a difference in the ‘now’ and into the future as we continue our journey of reconciliation.

Celebration of Learning

At Stella Maris, we believe that community engagement and partnerships with our families is key to the success and culture of our school. We also know that when parents are more involved and engaged in their child’s learning, and a strong home-school relationship exists, there is a much greater likelihood of student engagement, positive wellbeing and successful outcomes. On Wednesday June 19th, parents are invited and encouraged to engage in our Celebration of Learning open morning / afternoon. Further information will be emailed early next week. In short, classrooms will be open from 8:00 - 8:45am and again from 3:00 - 5:00pm. Parents will be taken on a 'learning tour' by their child - including a tour of the classroom and some of the learning that they have completed and encountered in the last term and a half.

Mid Year Receptions
In week 7, we will welcome 21 new reception students to Stella Maris as they begin their school transition visits prior to starting school in term 3. This new reception class will be taught by Milano Vizarri, who is very familiar with the Stella Maris community through his previous ESO role and his current role as Performing Arts specialist. I know you will join us in welcoming our new students and their families to our Stella Maris community.

Parent Opportunity

Catholic School Parents of South Australia (CSPSA), which is connected to the Catholic Education Office SA, is an organisation that aims to promote and support parents and families by providing a voice for education and issues which affect their children. They regularly host seminars and information nights on a range of topics that are highly relevant and engaging. They have information on their website https://cspsa.catholic.edu.au/home and we regularly advertise upcoming events.

CSPSA are hosting a Cybersafe parent engagement evening at St Martin de Porres Catholic Primary School, Sheidow Park (see flyer below) on 19^th of June and registrations are now open for this event. This is a FREE event for families/carers & educators. Families can register via either of the links below:

CESA Registration Centre https://registrationcentre.cesa.catholic.edu.au/event-5732346

Events page on the Catholic School Parents SA Website https://cspsa.catholic.edu.au/newsroom/events

We look forward to a wonderful second half of term 2!

Kind Regards

Ella Kirkham

Dear School Community,

I'm very excited to continue our Garden Produce Stall on a Tuesday, straight after school, on the courts in front of the playground. We accept a coin donation, available on QKR also for your convenience. The produce comes from our school and community garden and we also accept produce donations from school families if you have any surplus in your garden. 

I would like to thank you!

Emily Hughes

Emily.Hughes@smps.catholic.edu.au

Dear School Families,

Stella Maris Parish School is a place that believes in and fosters the values of Inclusivity, Compassion, Courage and Respect. We can see this in our learning, our classrooms and our school yard. We are always looking for new ways to model and practise these values and have identified an opportunity to offer more diverse play options to our students. 

Indoor Lunch Time Clubs will be held throughout the term on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They will have a General Theme each day so students can know what type of activity to expect.

Monday - Board Games

Tuesday - Mindfulness Club

Wednesday - Art Club 

Clubs will be held on the ground floor of the new building and will begin after student's eating time. The pack up bell will go 10 minutes before the lunch bell to allow students to pack up and have time to use toilet and have a drink before going back to class. 

Play is an essential part of the school day, and is important for boosting social connection, emotional wellbeing and also for self regulation. Play looks different for all students and we are hoping that the clubs offer a different style of play to that already on offer in the park, the playground and courts. Students will have an inviting space to play in a small group or to still feel connected while playing alongside others, and to follow their interests that benefit from a quieter area. The library has offered a space for students in the past and can now be redefined for a quiet reading space during the lunch times it is open.

Year 6 students will help in the promotion of these clubs to all students, please look out for the posters around school and take the opportunity to talk to your child and hear what they have to say about what play options they enjoy accessing and meets their needs during the school day. 

We are so lucky to have so many options here at Stella that includes;

The Park, Basketball Courts, Playground (Everyday)

Library (Tues - Thursday)

Lunchtime Clubs (Monday - Wednesday) 

School Garden (Monday Recess times).

Thankyou,

Emily Hughes

Pastoral Care Support 

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

There are a couple of vacancies for violin lessons at Stella Maris Parish School this term.  Lessons are held at Stella Maris on Wednesday mornings.  The violin is such a beautiful and versatile instrument and as they come in many sizes, are suitable for children of any age to learn.  Jenny McDonald is an experienced violin teacher and has a Bachelor of Music Teaching Degree as well as Suzuki Teacher accreditation.

Please phone Jenny on: 0410 441 974 for more information.