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Principal: Mr Paul Brady

Our Vision: Reverence the Story of All People

Stella Maris Catholic

Primary SchoolOur Vision:

Reverence the Story of all PeopleP.O. Box 4126

Shellharbour 2529 (02) 4296 4606

Fax: (02) 4295 1885

www.smsdow.catholic.edu.au

7 March 2013 06/13

STELLA TELLER

Dear Parents and Friends of Stella Maris,

Probably, we have all had the experience of

tramping along through life, day after day, hopingthat God will announce that He is with us all the

way. While we are not exactly looking for brightlights or a thundering voice from heaven, wewouldnt mind some sort of sign that He is there.The ever practical St Teresa of Avila assures us thatHe is, when she says, The Lord walks among the

pots and pans.

Teresas statement is much the same as saying thatwe can have something in every pocket or pursewithout being aware of it, but we make it our ownin so far as we become aware of it. Likewise, Godis present within us through Baptism; it is up to us

to realise this presence.

In our society today there are many roads tosuccess: money, glamour, power, prestige and soon. It takes some people longer than others to

realise that these cannot satisfy us with the kind ofsatisfaction we truly want. Each of us is a unique

being but we each need to feel the presence of love,care and forgiveness. This we can experience in the

awareness that God cares about each of us in amanner tailored to our uniqueness, God loves usindividually and God forgives us on a one to onebasis. God is always present.

There was a time when each of us started the dayeither at home or a school with a prayer to put usinto Gods presence in a deliberate manner. Maybeit was, The Morning Offering which might havegone something like:

My God I offer You this dayall I shall do or think or say,uniting it with what was done onEarth by Jesus Christ Your Son.

However, our spiritual life over the years mighthave slipped into the storage file and its space takenby a variety of activities. Perhaps our spiritual lifehas been somewhat like driving in a car whilelistening to the radio. We have the radio tuned intoa favourite radio station but some kilometres downthe road, the station begins to fade and suddenly thesignal goes altogether. We have driven out of rangeof the stations signal. The signal is still there,

were just not picking it up. Spiritually, we havelost contact with God because we have lessened ourprayer life till it is nil.

Cardinal Fulton Sheen once said, Sometimes theonly way that God can get into our hearts is tobreak them. Perhaps we tend to use prayer as a lastresort when it should be our first line of defence.We pray when there is nothing else we can do,whereas, we should pray before we do anything atall. Prayer can be so simple, as easy as opening a

door and slipping into the very presence of God.

There, in the stillness, we can petition or simplylisten. Just to be there in His presence is prayer. Ifwe are hungry enough, we will get something toeat; if we are hungry enough for God, we will

find a way into His presence.

If we happen to be in the car that has lost touchwith the radio signal, perhaps we could takeadvantage of an opportunity in the life of ourchildrenmaybe their Communion Day,Confirmation Day, School mass, etc, to redirect our

car and come back into signal range.
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God,

Replace the tension within us

with a gentle relaxation.

Replace the turbulence within us

with a soothing calm.

Replace the anxiety within us

with a quiet confidence.

Replace the fear within us

with a strong faith.

God, lead us gently into Your presence.Amen.

Peace and Best Wishes.

Religious Education News

Reading for today ...And Moses, entering into the

midst of the cloud, went up into the mountain: andhe was there forty days, and forty nights." [Exodus

24]

All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour

Mass times: All Saints ChurchCollege Ave, Shellharbour City6:00pm Saturday Vigil9.00am Sunday, 6.00pm

Season of Lent

This Sunday is Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sundayin Lent. We've passed the midpoint of Lent, and theChurch offers us a little break today, substitutingrose vestments for the penitential purple usuallyused during the Lenten season and reciting theCreed for the first time since Ash Wednesday. If

our Lenten fasting has been strenuous, now is thetime for a little celebration; if we still haven't quitehit our stride, now is a good time to redouble ourefforts, starting with Confession. St. JohnChrysostom, in a famous Easter homily which isstill read in Eastern Orthodox and many EasternRite Catholic churches on Easter, reminds us that itis never too late to get our spiritual house in order--both the man who has fasted from the beginning ofLent and the one who only fasts for a day or so at

the end share in the joy ofEaster.

Catholic Schools Week LiturgyNext Week is Catholic Schools Week. We will becelebrating with a Liturgy under or COLA at9.00am on Tuesday 12 March. Parents and friendsare welcome to join us followed by CatholicSchools Week activities.

Mass at Stella Maris

Years 1 and 2 will be celebrating Mass at 9.45amon Tuesday 19 March. Parents are welcome to joinus.

First Holy Communion

Parishioners of All Saints Catholic Parish whowould like to present their child (Year 3 or older)should attend one Information Session on 10 Marchat 10:15am or 14 March at 7:30pm. Meetings arefor parents only in the Grealy Centre.

Confirmation

Parishioners of All Saints Catholic Parish who

would like to present their child for Confirmationshould attend one Information Session on 17March at 10.15am or 21 March at 7:30pm.Themeetings will be held in the Grealy Centre.

Glory Puljak - Religious Education Coordinator

Catholic Schools Week

Next week is Catholic Schools Week. The theme thisyear is Every Child Counts. As you would have

seen from my letter to you yesterday there are anumber of activities we have planned and parents andgrandparents are especially invited to join us onTuesday and Thursday.

Tuesday 12 March

9am Liturgy9:30am Children as Teacher (classroom visits)

10:15am Morning TeaWednesday 13 March

9am Open School for Kinder 2014

Thursday 14 March

1:45pm School Assembly

Launch of Anti-Bullying PlanGrades will share a song

Friday 15 MarchYear 6 Leaders Day at Nazareth2pm School Award Assembly

Thank you

Thank you to the parents and family members whocollected and donated Woolies Earn and LearnDockets last year. This week we received a large

consignment of Numeracy and Literacy resourceswhich we are thrilled about.

Mufti Day

Tomorrow we will be having a Mufti Day to raisefunds to purchase items for the Autumn Fair. Theusual gold coin donation applies, however, if youhave more than one child at the school and you arefinding things difficult financially at the present time,one donation will suffice.

Diocesan Pastoral Planning

As a result of reading the workbookParishes

working togetherwhich all families received recentlythere is an opportunity now for parents to respond.Attached to last weeks newsletter was a feedbacksheet. I would be grateful if you could take the time
http://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/f/Laetare_Sunday.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/Catholic-Dictionary/g/Lent-Definition-Of-Lent.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/b/2011/03/31/the-midpoint-of-lent.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/Ash_Wednesday.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/p/Fasting.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/f/Why_Confession.htmhttp://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/earlychurch/p/johnchrysostom.htm?terms=john+chrysostomhttp://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/earlychurch/p/johnchrysostom.htm?terms=john+chrysostomhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/thesaints/qt/Chrysostom_EH.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/What_Is_Easter.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/What_Is_Easter.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/thesaints/qt/Chrysostom_EH.htmhttp://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/earlychurch/p/johnchrysostom.htm?terms=john+chrysostomhttp://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/earlychurch/p/johnchrysostom.htm?terms=john+chrysostomhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/f/Why_Confession.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/p/Fasting.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/Ash_Wednesday.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/b/2011/03/31/the-midpoint-of-lent.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/Catholic-Dictionary/g/Lent-Definition-Of-Lent.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/f/Laetare_Sunday.htm

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to complete the sheet and return it to school. As Ihave previously stated, this is an important time inthe development of our Diocese and all stakeholdersshould have the opportunity to respond to theBishops invitation for feedback.The second information meeting will be held tonightin the Grealy Centre from 7.30pm.

Working Bee

On Monday a note was sent home asking for helpersfor the Working Bee on Saturday (from 1pm). Iwould be grateful for more helpers as we want theschool grounds looking good for the Autumn Fair.

Staff Member of the Week

Our staff member of the week is MrsJanet Sykes. Mrs Sykes is currentlyteaching Year 3B. Mrs Sykes is a longterm member of staff at Stella Mariswho contributes generously to our school not only asa valuable classroom teacher but also in many ways

behind the scenes. We thank Mrs Sykes for her goodwork with the students and staff of Stella Maris.

Uniform Changeover

After the school holidays the children change to

Winter uniform with short sleeves. Long sleeves areworn after the long weekend in June. If you need toorder Winter uniform items I suggest you order them

from the Uniform Shop as soon as possible.

Kinder Enrolments 2014

Application forms for Kinder 2014 are now availablefrom the school office. All forms should be returnedby Friday, 12 April. Interviews will be held duringTerm 2.

Kinder 2014 Open Days

Parents who are interested in seeking enrolment fortheir child in 2014 are invited to attend one of two

Open Days on 13 and 20 March from 9am10:30am. Senior students will act as guides and take

parents on a tour of the school.

Catechists Needed

Catechists are needed in our parish to assist with

teaching Religious Education to students in localstate schools. If you have one hour per week that youor someone in your family could give please contactMelissa on 0408531974. Full training is provided forvolunteers.

Premiers Reading Challenge

Our school will be participating in the 2013Premiers Reading Challenge. We are very proud ofthe fact that for the past two years, 100% ofchildren from Kindergarten to Year 6 havesuccessfully completed the Challenge. The

Challenge aims to encourage students to develop alove of reading for leisure and pleasure, and toenable students to experience quality literature. TheChallenge also helps to develop essential learninghabits: being organised, meeting deadlines, beingaccountable and taking responsibility for theirreading. It is not a competition but a challenge toeach student to read, to read more and to read morewidely.

The Challenge is available for all children fromKindergarten to Year 6 and finishes in September.Kinder to Year 2 children need to read 30 booksand Year 3 to Year 6 need to read 20 books tocomplete the Challenge. All students who

successfully complete the Challenge will receive aCertificate and appear on the PRC Honour Roll.

Therese Peterson Literacy Coordinator

Funding of Catholic Schools

Accompanying todays newsletter is an update for

parents from the Catholic Education Commission

regarding State Government funding to CatholicSchools. I urge you to read this important notice.

Numeracy Problem of the Week

Thankyou to all the children who solved last weeksProblem of the Week. The answer was A6 groupsof 5 pens is the same as 3 groups of 10 pens.Excellent problem solving! I loved your working outand your pictures this week too! The new problem for

this week is: Write down all the letters of the

alphabet in capital letters. Which letters are

symmetrical? Circle the letters that have one or

more lines of symmetry. Draw all lines ofsymmetry on the letters that are symmetrical.

Please put your answer (with your working out) inthe red box next to Mrs Honeys stairs or give to me

by Wednesday 13 March. You must show yourworking out to receive your SMIGGLE reward! The

answer will be revealed in the newsletter onThursday 14 March.

Mrs Honey, Numeracy coordinator

Award Assembly

Tomorrow Year 5B will be sharing at the Award

Assembly beginning at 2pm.

Gold Awards

Congratulations to Ceilie C 6B on receiving a GoldAward.

Principals Awards

Congratulations on receiving a Principals award:KB - Jay C, Reon M, Noah J KGElle C, Jake P,Emily C 1BIsabella S, Isabelle D, Abbie R,Ava R 2BJessica R

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School Anti-Bullying Plan Launch

Next Thursday at 1.45pm, as part of CatholicSchools week, we will be holding a specialassembly to formally launch our new Anti-BullyingSchool Plan. This plan has been in draft form overthe last twelve months and has undergone anexhaustive development process. Input has beenreceived from students, parents, Catholic Educationpersonnel and teachers alike. Mr Noel Henry from

the Catholic Education Office will be present andparents are invited to attend this most importantoccasion.

National Anti-Bullying Day Friday March 15

Next Friday, 15 March, is National Anti-bullying

Day. This is an annual event that Stella Maris isregistered to participate in. During the day studentswill be engaged in specific learning activities whichhave an anti-bullying message. Parents and studentsmay wish to visit the following website

www.bullyingnoway.gov.auto participate in this

event at home.

Year 6 Leaders Day/ Stage 2 Hosting Nazareth

Year 4

Due to the Year 6 Leaders Day taking place atNazareth next Friday 15 March, we will be hostingYear 4 Nazareth students at our school. Thesestudents will take part in an Activity day with ourStage 2 students. During the day they will be

involved in sporting activities as well as the sharingof class work with each other.

Clean Up Australia Day - PostponedLast week we had to postpone Clean Up AustraliaDay due to the weather so tomorrow Stella Mariswill once again (weather permitting) try toparticipate in this important community event.Students will be cleaning up not only our schoolgrounds, but also the local playing fields at KeithHockey Oval. Whilst Shellharbour Council does agreat job in supporting our efforts by providingrubbish bags, gloves and a collection service it isadvisable for students to bring along a pair of their

own gardening gloves on this day if possible.

South Coast Swimming Carnival

Yesterday, 27 of our students competed in the

South Coast Swimming Carnival at Corrimal Pool.Stand out performers for Stella Maris were Sydney

B., Lexie B., Maddison F., Mitchell M. and LachlanC. all of whom will now go forward to trial forplaces in the Diocesan Swimming Team.Congratulations to all of our swimmers for youroutstanding behaviour and your dedication both to

training and as shown at Corrimal.

School Cross Country Carnival

Week 10 of this term will see the running of ourschool cross country carnival. Students can startpreparing for this by doing some extra running withmum or dad. The date for this carnival will beFriday, 5 April. Parents intending to come alongand support their children are asked to pleaseconsider putting their names forward to help out. Itis a great way of enjoying the day and meeting new

parents. Dont worry if you have little experience aswe provide a fantastic on the job trainingprogram. All offers are accepted!If you would like to help out please complete theslip below and return it to Mr Brown asap.

Cross Country Carnival Helpers NoteI . am available to assist at theCross Country Carnival on Friday, 5 April.The age grouping and time I would be able to assistis: (please circle) Primary Classes 8:30- 11:00 /

Infants Classes 11:0012:30/ Both Infants and

Primary 8:30- 12:30 ORThe job I would mostprefer is:(please circle) recording/ribbons

CANTEEN ROSTER

11 Mar Melissa N, Dolores M

13 Mar Julie K, Elizabeth P, Polly M

15 Mar Vanessa O, Tammy K, Michelle M

March

8 Autumn Fair Mufti Day

9 Working Bee11 Catholic Schools Week

13 Autumn Fair MeetingKinder 2014 Open Morning

19 P & F Meeting (& Autumn Fair)

20 Kinder 2014 Open Morning21 Autumn Fair Final Meeting

23 Autumn Fair29 Good Friday

April11 End Term 1 for students12 Staff Development Day

Mr Paul BradyPrincipal

Inserts/Attachments:Parenting Information, P&Fnewsletter, CEC newsletter
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