Welcome to Term 1 Week 6 2025
Principal Report
Dear Families,
As we move well and truly into Term 1, I would like to express my gratitude for the good wishes, thoughts, and prayers sent to me during my extended leave. I am excited to be back at Stella Maris on a part-time time for the remainder of Term 1. I intend to be back on a full-time basis from Term 2.
A shout-out to everyone for your patience with the new school uniform. The school is a sea of blue, and the students look very comfortable in their Smart Play uniforms. Mrs Cheryl Gration has been leading the implementation and communication of the uniform with Midfords this year, and we very much appreciate her time, patience, and professionalism in her role as Uniform Manager.
Please mark Friday, April 4th, in your calendars. We will be holding our Stella Maris Athletics Carnival on the Marist Oval. Mrs Murton and Mrs Shaw, our outstanding PE Teachers, have created a terrific program.
2025 Student Free Days that Catholic Education Tasmania has mandated are as follows:
Term 1: Friday 11th April: System-Wide Staff Spirituality Day
Term 2: Friday 23rd May: Discernment Year - Staff Day
Term 2: Friday 6th June: Report Writing/Planning Day
Term 3: Monday 21st July: System Wide Insight Professional Development Day
Term 4: Monday 13th October: System Wide Insight Professional Development Day
Have a fantastic fortnight everyone!
Warm regards
Ms Hynes
RE News
Reflection on the Gospel. Luke 4: 1-13
In the desert, Jesus is tempted by the devil.
In Luke's Gospel, the story of Jesus' temptation in the desert appears just after Jesus' baptism and before Jesus begins his public ministry. We can imagine this as a time of transition, a turning point in Jesus' life. Perhaps we can liken it to one of the important turning points in our own lives: the decision to marry, the birth of a child, the acceptance of a new job, or the decision to move to a new home. After the moment of decision, having reached the point of no return, we sometimes begin to wonder if we are prepared and ready for the task before us. Turning points can be times of doubt and insecurity. Jesus' response to the temptations of the devil offers an example of responding in faith when our doubts and insecurities tempt us to distrust God's sufficiency. Jesus rebukes the devil by quoting Scripture. Each citation is an affirmation of trust in God. We learn to trust in big things by practising trust in little things. Our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving invite us to trust God in these small ways. They remind us that God will suffice for us. They prepare us to trust in God in all things, especially in moments of doubt and uncertainty.
As a family, talk about ways in which trust has been built among members of the family. Observe how being trustworthy in small matters enables us to trust one another in more important matters. Offer specific examples if possible (e.g., children who establish their responsibility in household tasks can be granted greater independence and freedom to choose how they perform these tasks). Today's Gospel shows us how Jesus trusted God in all things. Read aloud today's Gospel, Luke 4:1-13. Discuss how Jesus showed his trust in God when he resisted the devil's temptations. Invite family members to name times when they have trusted God in matters small or large. Write a family prayer together. You might write the prayer so that each line begins with a letter in the word “trust.”
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday, March 5th, the school came together to celebrate Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Students took part in a Prep-2 and 3-6 liturgy and received ashes on their foreheads. These ashes, made from burned palm leaves from last year’s Palm Sunday help us to reflect, say sorry for our mistakes, and try to be like the person of Jesus.
Launch of Project Compassion 2025
As Lent commenced, Stella students from Grades 4 to 6 had the privilege of welcoming representatives from Caritas Australia to officially launch Project Compassion 2025. During the visit, students gained valuable insights into the vital work carried out by Caritas Australia, engaging in meaningful discussions and posing thought-provoking questions.
Additionally, our Student Representative Council (SRC) attended an Ash Wednesday Liturgy and a Q&A session with Caritas Australia representatives at Marist College. They joined fellow students from Catholic schools across the North West Coast, fostering a shared commitment to faith, compassion, and social justice.
Stella Stars
Sessions for 2025
Every Wednesday 9.15 am - 10.45 am and 12.00 pm - 1.30 pm
See our Facebook Stella Stars Early Years Learning for more information
Canteen
A new item has been added to the Qkr! app for the canteen menu.
If your child has brought home a canteen IOU Note, you can now pay for this IOU electronically. Just select 'IOU Note Payment' on the next available day in the app, enter the amount stated on the note, add to cart and then pay for it.
It is essential though that the date of lunch order and the child's name is given, so the IOU can be taken off our records.
Uniform Update & Ordering
Dear Families,
Thank you for your continued support and patience while transitioning to our new Smart Play uniform.
Please see the details below clarifying the current roles and responsibilities of Stella Maris and our suppliers, Midfords.
Midfords will take full responsibility for all uniform orders in the coming weeks. Our uniform officer, Cheryl Gration, will coordinate the delivery of the uniform orders once they arrive at Stella Maris.
Stella Maris
- The uniform shop will be open every Monday from 2.30-3.30 pm. This will allow families to try on stock and then order online.
- To deliver stock to families upon arrival.
- To communicate information that Midford has provided.
Midford
- Processing online orders.
- Communication about deliveries.
- Notifying parents about stock availability.
- Delivery of stock to Stella Maris.
- Providing an estimated time of arrival for backorders.
- The shop is open in Devonport so that parents can buy directly from Midfords.
- Organising a pop-up shop at Stella Maris.
Midford Trading Hours:
- Monday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm
- Wednesday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm
- Friday 8.30 am - 12.30 pm
- Saturday 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
If you have any ordering enquiries or concerns, don't hesitate to get in touch with Midfords via the following: info@midford.com.au or 0410684589.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Can you spare some time to help sort through our old uniform so we can send this to it's future home?
Please let our office staff know if you can help.
Assembly News
Classroom Awards
Well done to students who were recognised for their efforts and application in their learning in their classrooms
Stella Cup
We would like to congratulate Miss Wilkins and the students from Grade 6 Room 15 for their positive behaviours in last week's assembly and showing:
-Reverence when entering/exiting assembly
-Clapping in a responsible/respectful way (no yelling or screaming)
-Standing up/sitting down silently for the National Anthem
- Right Time Right Place (RTRP) when watching the PBS videos
Swimming Carnival
Our students had a wonderful day at the recent NWCSSA Swimming Carnival, achieving some great results and displaying fantastic sportsmanship.
It was lovely to see them cheering each other on and making the most of the experience.
A big congratulations to all who participated.
St. Patrick's Day
Green Team News
School News
Important Upcoming Dates
CLICK TO SYNC TO YOUR CALENDAR
Wednesday 12th - Monday 24th March - Naplan Testing for Grades 3 & 5
Monday 17th March - Grade 4 Formation Day Camp Clayton
Monday 31st March - Kindergarten Athletics (2.00 pm - 2.45 pm)
Wednesday 2nd April - Grade 3 Wings Wildlife Excursion
Friday 4th April - Stella Athletics Carnival
Friday 4th April - Inter-School Chess (selected students)
Sat/Sun 5th & 6th April - BTAS Primary School Championships
Thursday, 10th April - Term 1 concludes
Friday 11th April - Student Free Day: Staff Spirituality Day
Monday, 28th April - Term 2 commences
Wednesday 7th May - Stella Maris Cross Country
Friday 16th May - NW Cross Country (selected students)
Friday 23rd May - Student Free Day: Staff Discernment Year Day
Friday 6th June - Student Free Day: Staff Planning Day
Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday
Tuesday 17th June - Tas All Schools Cross Country (TBC)
Friday 20th June - Netball Tasmania Primary School Championships
Monday 30th June - School Photo Day
Friday 4th July - Term 2 concludes
Monday 21st July - Student Free Day
Tuesday 22nd July - Term 3 commences
Friday 26th September - Term 3 concludes
Monday 13th October - Student Free Day
Tuesday 14th October - Term 4 commences
Monday 3rd November - Recreation Day Public Holiday
Wednesday 12th November - NW Athletics (selected students)
Friday 21st November - Schools Triathlon Challenge
Monday 1st December - Grade 6 Marist Orientation Day
Wednesday 17th December - Term 4 concludes - Final day for students & teachers
* Stella Stars Early Years Learning - Every Wednesday - bookings via Facebook
Outside News
