Term 3 Week 5

The ‘Happy Climber’ continues it's journey, we celebrate a pair of ‘special weeks’, we ask for your thoughts about our school in the form of our LLL Survey and we acknowledge students who have received the sacrament of Confirmation this week. This is Week 5 of Term 3.

The image above is a beauty! A number of years ago, the statue of Jesus which now sits at the front of our deck area was deemed no longer able to sit atop the Church roof. It was offered to the school and I am really glad Sean Hill said he would happily find a place for it within the school.

It is the most powerful and important symbol of our Catholic faith – Jesus on the Cross. Over the last few months, we have had a native plant commonly known as the ‘Happy Climber’ start to make it’s beautiful purple way up and around the statue. It adds to the power of this image. I often have parishioners pass comment at how nice it is to still have this ‘statue’ as part of our parish. Recently a parent sent me a picture of this and asked me to pass on her deep thanks for the work of our dedicated and passionate groundsman Kos in keeping our grounds looking the way he does – I couldn’t agree more. And Kos was a big instigator of this statue and the ‘Happy climber’ addition and the joy it brings to many. Good on you Kos!

CONFIRMATION CEREMONIES:

On Wednesday and Thursday night this week, we had a large number of our Year 4 and 5 students receive the sacrament of Confirmation. This is a special and significant celebration in their faith journey. The students were dressed beautifully and their behaviour spoke volumes for the seriousness of the occasion. Fr Joseph oversaw the ceremonies beautifully. I wish to congratulate the 36 students who received this sacrament and wish them well as they continue their faith journey.

In the next few weeks they will also receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion, another major milestone for them.

I want to thank and acknowledge Sue Schulz (Parish Pastoral Coordinator), Paula Clark (APRIM) and John Pipicella for their support in organising and preparing the students for these experiences.

SCIENCE AND BOOK WEEKS:

We celebrate and acknowledge a couple of important weeks this week and next. This week is Science Week, with the theme Food: Different by Design - an opportunity to celebrate the great things which Science and Scientific thinking brings our world.

Book Week is next week and the theme this year is Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds. During this time schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. It allows us to focus our attention on the love of reading and the enjoyment books bring to our lives. Ella Kirkham has detailed our school activities in celebrating these weeks in her article this week.

PARENT-TEACHER CONVERSATIONS:

This week has allowed us to ‘touch base’ with parents through our Parent-Teacher conversations. I think we would all agree that conversations over the phone aren’t ideal. We would much prefer to have you here at school in a face to face mode. None the less, I hope you have heard from your child’s class teacher about their progress, development and future goals for 2021.

This formal conversation opportunity should not take away from your chance to meet or hear from your child’s teacher about any aspect of your child’s holistic development at any time through the year. The relationship between home and school is an essential one for the success of your child here at school.

PUPIL FREE DAYS:

As you know we have a Pupil free day coming up on Friday the 10^th September. On this day we will hold a Staff Reflection day and this will involve all staff and be held off site. This is an important day for us to spend time reflecting on our ‘Catholic calling and school experience’. As such, please note that the front office will be unattended on this day.

As you know we cancelled our planned Pupil free day for August 6^th (Week 3) after our COVID interruption. This was to be a full staff Maths PD and we have managed to re-book our facilitator for Monday 11^th October (first day of Term 4). As such, with the School Boards permission, we have made this a Pupil free day. I am aware that this Pupil free day when added to the current one’s already advertised on Friday 22^nd October (day after Concert) and Friday 10^th December (last day of term) is quite a few to have in one term. All schools are encouraged and entitled to hold 5 pupil free days a year, it has just worked out that 3 of our 5 will take place in one term. This is quite unusual and unlikely to happen again. As always, Camp Australia will have care available from 8:00 – 6:00pm on these days for any families who require it.

SURVEYS:

Early last week you received an invitation to complete our Catholic Education SA “Live, Learn, Lead Survey”. These surveys which all Catholic schools are completing with parents, students and staff will provide us with important information about ‘how we are going’ in the key areas of school improvement and progress. At last count we had around 60 parent responses. It would be great to get this figure up to 100.

How to complete the survey:

• For each statement, you are asked to rate how well you think the school is performing by clicking on one of six responses. The responses are numbered 1 to 6, with number 1 being the lowest or worst rating and number 6 being the highest or best rating.

• There are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers. Your opinion is what is wanted.

• Please be sure to answer all questions.

• Some statements may be fairly similar to other statements. Don't worry about this. Simply give your opinion about all statements.

To get started, go to www.NSIPartnerships.com.au and enter the access code – SMSLLLP

COVID REMINDERS:

As the unfolding events interstate remind us, we remain cautious and vigilant about the COVID challenge and continue to take on the advice from SA Health and CESA. Unfortunately, the restrictions remain as they are for the time being. This means:

• Limiting adults on site (unfortunately this has meant the cancellation of our planned Father’s Day breakfast this year). Our P and F are currently working on an option for Father’s Day gifts to be purchased, more info will follow shortly.
• Masks must be work by all parents who enter our school gates

2022:

We are well and truly in planning mode for the 2022 school year. We are finalising enrolments and continue to receive lots of interest in various year levels. To allow us to plan as effectively as we can, I would ask that you let me know if you do not intend on being here at Stella Maris next year. If you know of anyone who wishes to enrol with us, please encourage them to contact us here at school as soon as possible. 

MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN:

I say it often, and I do mean it! Please know that should you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s growth, development or wish to share any celebrations or otherwise with me, my door is open, my phone is on the hook and my email is checked regularly.

Thanks,

James

CONFIRMATION & FIRST COMMUNION

On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, 36 Students from Stella Maris were Confirmed by Fr Joseph Raja at Holy Spirit Church.

As this was a very special occassion for the children and their families, all were well prepared and dressed beautifully to celebrate this next Sacrament in their faith journey. The children showed great reverence throughout the ceremony and especial so during the 'laying on of hands' and whilst being 'annointed with the oil of Chrism'.

I would like to thank all families who helped to prepare their children for Confirmation and particularly all those who led one of the Family Faith Groups.

A special thank you is extended to Sue Schulz our Pastoral Associate, who oversees the Sacramental program and runs a number of the Family Faith Groups. Thank you must also be extended to Father Joseph and Deacon Andrew who conducted the celebration.

We ask you to please continue to keep the following students in your prayers as they now prepare to celebrate their First Holy Communion in the coming few weeks; Logan, Violette, Zion, Shant, Tegan, Sophie, Rosie, Emily, Marcus, Sacha, Darcy, Phoebe, Sienna, Timothy, Errin, Matilda, Zuri, Cian, James, Mary, Blake, Emily, Louisa, Ella, Emily, Tyler, Grace, Annalise, Sophia, Hamish, Noah, Diana, Noel, Fraser, Levi and Elise.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES 2021 APPEAL

During the month of September Catholic Charities holds a fundraising appeal to support the agencies which they fund. These agencies include; The Hutt Centre, Our Lady of La Vang School, St Patrick’s Special School, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, SA Catholic Deaf Community and Centacare Catholic Family services.

The oldest student in each family will receive an information leaflet about each of these services. The leaflet has a fundraising envelope attached to it. If you are able to support the work of Catholic Charities please fill in the donation envelope and send it off to Catholic Charities in the reply-paid envelope.

If you would like to watch the lauch video please access this at the following link, Catholic Charities Appeal Video   April 2021 720p 

SOUTHERN CROSS

The current edition of the Catholic newspaper put out by the Archdiocese called,’ The Southern Cross,’ is available at; www.thesoutherncross.org.au

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

Take pride in who you are and what you can do.

God’s Blessings,

Paula Clark

APRIM

National Science Week

This week is National Science Week, Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. It is celebrated in universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres across the country.  National Science Week was established in 1997 and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Australian scientists, while also encouraging younger people to be fascinated by the world we live in. The theme for this year is Food: Different by Design, which covers a broad range of areas in food production and sustainable agriculture, while exploring topics such as biosecurity, food technology and laboratory-developed foods. Students at Stella Maris have engaged in a range of class based activities, such as designing food packaging, and also had the opportunity to explore and sample some of the foods growing in our garden.

Book Week 2021- 'Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds'

Book Week will be celebrated next week (week 6), with the 2021 theme being ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’. Students will have the opportunity to engage in a range of activities throughout the week, including class based and library activities. They will also get the opportunity to share some of their great work in book week assemblies.

On Wednesday, we will be holding a ‘Stella Maris Book Swap’ where students are invited to bring in pre-loved (good condition) books to swap with others of their choice. Families that were here in 2019 may remember this event, which was a hit with our students. Students will be able to swap like books for like books- ie. Picture books for picture books and novels for novels etc. Please see the attached flyer and students can start bringing in the books that they would like to swap.

Please note- we will not have a parade this year. This decision was made in line with previous years, where we would not usually have a dress up parade in a concert year. We would also have been unable to invite parents to a parade due to COVID restrictions.

Homework Club

We are looking forward to Homework club recommencing in week 6 of this term, following a successful trial in term 2. Homework Club will continue to be run in partnership with Sacred Heart College (Senior School), through their MSol program. This will involve a group of SHC senior students coming to Stella Maris to support students with their homework.

MSol is a social justice group aimed at supporting those with needs through fundraising, awareness campaigns and/or outreach. MSol was established through ‘Marist Solidarity’, one of the four branches of the Marist Association for St Marcellin Champagnat, whose main focus is on charity and outreach to support local and global communities.

This program will run on Monday afternoons from 3pm-4pm in the Resource Centre, during weeks 6-10 of term 3. It is offered to students in years 4-6.

Please register your interest using the following link https://forms.office.com/r/yTGMXctpbU

A confirmation email will be sent to registered families during week 5.

Classroom Pulse Check In 

As a school and sector, we are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all students, in order for them to thrive. This commitment saw the introduction of the Classroom Pulse Check In, which is completed by all students in week 5 of each term. This Check In is in the form of a brief survey, which has been developed to ascertain how students are currently feeling about their experience in school. Furthermore, it provides us with an immediate snapshot of how they are doing, which assists us in supporting any social, emotional, or learning needs that they may have.  

Parent Workshop: Resilience, The Heart Of Wellbeing

Please see the flyer below for details of a CESA parent workshop focusing on resilience, that is being offered at Christ the King on the 15^th of September. Places are limited and registration is necessary. All details can be found on the flyer below.

Kind Regards

Ella Kirkham

Assistant Principal ( Learning & Wellbeing)

Conflict is an inevitable part of life. It is often something we don't enjoy, and can even actively avoid. Interestingly, the Chinese word for conflict "consists of two symbols - one means danger and the other opportunity." If we approach conflict in the right way - it can help us strengthen and develop our relationships. Let us have the courage to face conflict, and to use it to make change, not to hide from it. 

Emily Hughes

ESO|Pastoral Care Support