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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

14 February 2013 03/13

STELLA TELLER

Dear Parents and Friends of Stella Maris,

It is not uncommon to see the members of a football

team wearing a black armband; they do so as asymbolic mark of sorrow and respect to honour the

passing of a person who has been a close associateof their club. Likewise, those who come to supportthe players are decked out in their tribal colours toshow their willingness to be identified as clubfollowers or supporters. They come to the game

prepared to support their team not only by theirattire but by living the game with their heroes and

expressing their support both physically andemotionally; the true believers are those who canstick by their club not only during the good timesbut when times are rather bleak.

At this time of their year, as Lent approaches,Christians are presented with the opportunity togive expression to the type of supporters that theyare. Some supporters celebrate only the happy timesin Jesus life such as Easter and Christmas. As truebelievers, we should also watch and pray withHim on Holy Thursday, stand by Him on GoodFriday and join with Him in prayer and fastingduring the forty days of Lent.

We are all familiar with the saying that, Beauty isonly skin deep and its hidden caution, that weshould look more closely at the inner-person, where

we will find the core values of the person. Lentoffers us the opportunity to get beneath the skinof our life and get in touch with the core values ofour relationship with God through Jesus, who cameand lived our way of life. It is an opportunity tostrip away the false images of God that weourselves have created over the past year.Lent is a time when we can choose to put ourselvesto the test both physically and emotionally by some

acts of fasting and abstinence, periods of soberreflection and self-examination and perhaps somespiritual redirection. It is a time to grow incloseness to Jesus who can bring wholeness andhealing to our lives, as He did to those who askedHim for it, no matter how varied their circumstance.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent andthe chance to receive a cross of ashes on ourforehead to symbolise our oneness with Christ andour own mortality. We leave the Church with themark still on our foreheads so that we carry the sign

of the cross out into the world. However, that is theonly time in Lent when we are encouraged to be

external in what we do.

Jesus told us not to babble on with our prayers asdid the Pharisees of His time, but to pray sincerelyto God in our hearts. He told us not to make a fusswhen giving money or goods or to seek publicacknowledgement but to give unseen, except byGod. As for fasting: we are told not to makedeclarations about what we do, nor to look gloomyabout it, otherwise we are doing it simply foracclaim from others.

Its a sobering thought to realise that if we give

up things such as T.V. watching, alcohol, etc, weare giving up things that most people in the worldhave never had at all. So what are the things that are

really meaningful to us: our time, given fully toassist people in need; our pride, through an act oflong overdue reconciliation with another person;some finance, earmarked for an unnecessary luxuryitem but now given to an aid organization thatprovides basic food items to the dispossessed? Sohow will I, this coming Lent, renew my Christiancommitment and express through my life, Christsmessage of love, care and forgiveness?
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Lord, I belong to Your tribe of Christians.

Help me, this Lent, to be more tribal in my

fellowship with You. Amen.

Peace and Best Wishes

Religious Education NewsGospel for today `This people honors me with theirlips, but their heart is far from me...' [Mark 7:6]

All Saints Catholic Parish ShellharbourMass times: 6:00pm Saturday Vigil9.00am Sunday, 6.00pm

Season of Lent

Lent is a time of preparation for the death ofChrist on Good Friday and His Resurrection onEaster Sunday. It is a period of 40 days of

repentance, with prayer, fasting and abstinence, andConfession. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 46

days before Easter Sunday. The key tounderstanding the meaning of Lent is simple:

Baptism. Preparation for Baptism and for renewingbaptismal commitment lies at the heart of theseason. Since the Second Vatican Council, theChurch has reemphasized the baptismal character ofLent, especially through the restoration of the

Catechumenate and its Lenten rituals. Ourchallenge today is to renew our understanding ofthis important season of the Church year and to seehow we can integrate our personal practices intothis renewed perspective.Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to

understand the meaning of Your Son's death and

resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your

Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy

Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Beginning of the Year Liturgy

There will be a Liturgy to celebrate the beginningof the Year and to induct our School Captains on

Tuesday, 19 February at 9.00am under our COLA.All families are welcome to join us.

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 whowould like to present their child for Confirmation

should attend one Information Session on 17 Marchat 10.15am or 21 March at 7:30pm.The meetings

will be held in the Grealy Centre.

Thought for the Week

We generally think of14 February as StValentines Day. We dont know whoValentine was, but there are many legendsabout him. One of the stories names himas a Bishop when the Roman Emperor ofthe time made it a law that no Roman soldier shouldbe allowed to marry. The Emperor thought that hissoldiers would not fight well if they were afraid to

risk dying in battle because of great love for theirwives and families. The story tells us that BishopValentine said that the emperors law was not right;it was unjust - men and women have the right tomarry and have families. Soldiers began to

approach the bishop, and so he arranged marriagessecretly. Word got back to the emperor, butValentine was courageous in speaking before him:I have promised to serve God who loves us, and Iobey his laws. According to this legend, BishopValentine was put into prison where he died on thisday - a patron saint of all who are in love.

Glory Puljak - Religious Education Coordinator

P & F Welcome BBQ & Disco

All families are encouraged to join us on Friday nightfor an opportunity to welcome our new families. Wewould be grateful if you could complete and returnthe food order slip which accompanied the letter assoon as possible. This function is a family night and

therefore children should be accompanied by theirparents.

Thank YouI wish to thank all the parents who helped out at theRotary Markets Barbecue at Little Park last yearespecially those who organised the stall throughoutthe year. For a variety of reasons the barbecue stallwont be continuing this year, however, the P & Fwere able to raise valuable funds for the school andfor this we are most grateful.

Congratulations

We congratulate the McMullen family (Bree [1G])on the birth of a boy they have named Davey who

was born on 7 February.

P & F General MeetingOur first P & F general meeting for the year will beheld on Tuesday evening in the library from 7pm. Atthis meeting an election will be held for a new P & FPresident. Nominations for the position should bereceived at the school office by Monday, 18February. At this meeting we will also be discussingthe Autumn Fair. If you have offered to help with astall or in any other way it would be good if youcould attend this meeting.
http://catholicism.about.com/od/Catholic-Dictionary/g/Lent-Definition-Of-Lent.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/prayers/f/What_Is_Prayer.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/p/Fasting.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/p/Abstinence.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Why_Confession.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Why_Confession.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/p/Abstinence.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/p/Fasting.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/prayers/f/What_Is_Prayer.htmhttp://catholicism.about.com/od/Catholic-Dictionary/g/Lent-Definition-Of-Lent.htm

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Diocesan Pastoral Planning

On Monday you would have received a copy of theDiocesan Pastoral Planning Workbook. Theworkbook entitled Parishes working togetherexplains the current and future needs of parishes inour Diocese. A letter of explanation accompanied theworkbook. I would encourage you to take the time toread the workbook and respond if you wish throughthe suggested contacts. In our parish two education

meetings (21 February and March 7) will be held anda Regional Consultation evening will also be held onApril 4.

Parent Information NightsA reminder to parents that the next Parent

Information Night is on Monday evening.Monday 18 Feb: Year 16pm Year 27:15pmWe look forward to seeing as many parents aspossible on this night.

Pastoral Support Worker

You may remember last year I mentioned that we hadreceived a grant from the CommonwealthGovernment to employ a school chaplain. A numberof schools in the diocese also received a grant. The

diocese has decided to call people employed in thesepositions Pastoral Support Workers. I am happy toannounce that Mr Grant Dodds has been appointed toour school. Mr Dodds will be starting with us nextweek. More details about Mr Dodds position will be

sent home to parents soon.

Fee Statements

Fee statements for Term 1 are going home today. Ifyou have not yet paid your childs Resource andExcursion fees please finalise these promptly. If youare experiencing difficulties in the payment of schoolfees please arrange to meet with the Principal.

Please note, if you have made any payments by

BPay or Direct Debit since 6 February please

deduct these from your outstanding balance.

Queensland Flood Appeal

In aid of the victims of the recent Queensland Floodswe will be holding a Mufti Day next Friday, 22

February. Children who choose to wear suitableclothes are asked to pay a gold coin donation.Whatever is collected will be matched with school

funds and a donation sent to the Red Cross.

Kinder Enrolments 2014

Application forms for Kinder 2014 will be availablefrom the school office from Monday, 18 February.All forms should be returned by Friday, 12 April.Interviews will be held during Term 2. I would begrateful if you would spread the word in thecommunity.

Absentee Notes

When writing an absentee note could you pleasemake sure you include a reason for your childsabsence. Under new state government regulations itis not sufficient to just write a note stating that yourchild was or will be away.

Literacy - Reading Comprehension

Our whole school focus in Literacy this year is to

improve all students comprehension in reading.Teachers are explicitly teaching all children fromKindergarten to Year 6 how to use a variety ofstrategies to deepen their understanding of the texts

they read. You can support your childscomprehension by discussing and asking questions

about the books your child reads.Therese Peterson Literacy Co-ordinator

Gold AwardsCongratulations to Monique B 2G, Jessica P 5B andGiselle S 5B on receiving their Gold Award.

NumeracyIn Numeracy this year, one of our main focuses is

teaching students to successfully solve problemsindependently. Problems will be embedded in daily

learning experiences, as well as in assessmentactivities. Multi-step problems (problems with morethan one step) and problems involving a variety of

operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication anddivision) will be explicitly taught. Each class has a

set of problem solving steps that they use to solvemulti-step problems. These steps are listed below so

you can assist your child/children at home inproblem solving also.Step 1Students read the problem (or if inKindergarten, read the problem together.)Step 2Find the key words and key numbers.Step 3Students ask themselves What do I needto find out? (Get your child to put the problem intotheir own words.)Step 4 - Students ask themselves What operationdo I need to use? (Is it an addition, subtraction,multiplication and/or division problem?)Step 5Think about/estimate what the answer

could be. Students ask themselves Does theanswer make sense?)Step 6Students use the operation(s) to find theanswer.Step 7Express the answer verbally (Years 3-6can express the answer in words.)Problem solving will be discussed in more detail atour second Numeracy Parent Information Night thisyear. The date of this night will be confirmed soon.Meanwhile, happy problem solving!

Mrs Kate Honey Numeracy Coordinator

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Problem of the Week

Mrs Puljak needs to know which one of these

equals 564?

a) 5+6+4

b) 50+60+40

c) 500+40+6

d) 500+60+4

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

me by Wednesday, 20 February. You must showyour working out to receive your SMIGGLEreward! The answer will be revealed in thenewsletter on Thursday, 21 February.

Mrs Honey

Representative Sport

Earlier this week Taj M. attended Diocesan Trialsfor Basketball. As a consequence he has beensuccessful in gaining a place in the DiocesanBasketball Team. Congratulations Taj.

Student AchievementRecently Liam and Alex B. attended Soccer Trialslocally and as a result both boys have been selectedto travel to England. Once there, they will play and

train with English Premier League teams in theirrespective age divisions. Congratulations boys,what a great opportunity!

AFL and Rugby League Development Clinics

Later this term a number of our senior students willhave the opportunity to be introduced to the game

of AFL. Over the next two weeks, as part of their

regular weekly PE lessons, they will also beinvolved in skills clinics run by AFL developmentofficers. Rugby League development officers willalso be working with our Infants children over these

two weeks. As a consequence of these clinics therewill be some changes required to class PE times.

PE Time ChangeWeeks 4 and 5

All Primary Classes (3-6) will have their PE lessonof a Wednesday next week and the week after(20 & 27 February). Also, all Infants classes (K-2)

will have their PE lesson of a Thursday next week

and the week after (21 & 28 February). Sportsuniform is to be worn on these days please.

Healthy Living

Accompanying this newsletter is the first in a seriesof Healthykids tips on staying healthy. Thispromotion is an initiative of the NSW Departmentof Health, NSW Department of Education and theHeart Foundation. Periodically throughout the yearparents can expect to receive other such pamphletsas they become available.

Healthy Lunch Box Award

The Healthy Lunch Box Award is presented weeklyto the class which shows the greatest commitmentto choosing healthy food for lunch and recess. Thefirst of these awards will be presented to 5B at thisFridays Assembly.

Clean Up Australia Day

Stella Maris will again be participating in Clean Up

Australia Day this year. The date for our Clean Upday will be Friday 1 March. On this day studentswill participate in cleaning up not only our schoolgrounds but also the local playing fields and

harbour foreshores. Whilst Shellharbour Councildoes a great job in supporting our efforts by

providing rubbish bags, gloves and a collectionservice it is advisable for students to bring along apair of their own gardening gloves on this day ifpossible.

CANTEEN ROSTER

18 Feb T Garcia, M Somerset, M Chin

20 Feb L OBrien, R Farrer

22 Feb M Fitzgerald, V Murray

February

15 P & F Welcome BBQ

18 Parent Information NightYrs 1 & 219 Beginning of the School Year Liturgy and

Installation of CaptainsP & F Meeting

March

1 Clean Up Australia Schools Day6 South Coast Swimming Carnival9 Working Bee * (Please note change of date)11 Catholic Schools Week13 Kinder 2014 Open Morning

19 P & F Meeting20 Kinder 2014 Open Morning

23 Autumn Fair29 Good Friday

April11 End Term 1 for students12 Staff Development Day

Mr Paul BradyPrincipal

Inserts/Attachments: Parenting Information /P&F Newsletter

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