Welcome to Term 2 Week 2 2025
Principal Report
Dear Families,
Term 2 has started exceptionally well, and I would like to thank you all for your continued support in ensuring that students come to school in the appropriate uniform. Considering the change in weather, please provide your children with extra uniform layers when they come to school.
Families have significantly taken up our new sports play uniform, which looks excellent. Once again, thank you. There have been considerable delays in getting the full uniform, but it has certainly been worth the wait. If any families are having difficulty budgeting for the purchase of the new uniform, please contact me.
Today, we held our Stella Maris School Cross Country. Congratulations to all participants and helpers. A big shout out to our new PE Teacher, Mrs Shaw, for organising her first cross country event and to the Marist students who assisted throughout the day. Mr Day was also instrumental in setting up for the day, so thank you, Mr Day. We can never be sure of the weather for our sports carnivals, but Term 2 often brings some precipitation and inclement weather to be cautious of.
Thank you to Mr House for giving families the opportunity to attend parent-teacher interviews this week. The final day for these interviews is tomorrow, Thursday, 8th May.
It is with a smile of appreciation and relief that I can share that my breast cancer treatments have finished. My return to work as principal is now back to a full-time capacity, although I am a little slower than I used to be. It has been a fantastic return, and the students, parents, and staff have been positive and warm in their interactions with me.
I shared with our staff recently a key aspect of Catherine McAuley’s (founder of the Sisters of Mercy) approach, which was to:
Strive for excellence in the simplest of tasks, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The past few months have certainly brought to the forefront how incredibly precious and rewarding those ordinary everyday tasks and activities are. The ordinary has become extraordinary, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Take care, everyone.
Christina Hynes
Principal
RE News
Reflection on the Sunday Gospel
Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
Jesus appears to the disciples for a third time after his Resurrection and shares a meal with them.
Today's Gospel describes what we can easily imagine as a picnic on the beach. Just as Jesus' miracle at the wedding feast at Cana blesses the love between man and woman celebrated in the sacrament of marriage, Jesus' attentiveness to food and mealtimes raises the possibility that our meal gatherings can be sacred times. In families, the domestic church, our meals together are everyday opportunities to gather and recall Jesus' presence with us. As in the Eucharist, we bring the gifts that God has given us, which have been prepared especially for our Mass, and at our family meals, we share gifts that God has given to us and that we have worked together to prepare. This includes the food on the table and also the people who gather around the table. We ask God to bless these gifts and to be present among us in all of our interactions.
Consider a recent family meal: What food was served? Where did the food come from? Who prepared the food? Who served the food? Was mealtime a happy time? Why or why not? Observe that today's Gospel tells about a meal that Jesus shared with his disciples after his Resurrection. Read aloud today's Gospel, John 21:1-14. Reflect on the Gospel reading using the questions above. Talk about ways in which this meal that Jesus shared with his disciples might remind us of the meal we share at the Eucharist. You might choose to plan a special meal together as a family, encouraging each person to participate in the meal preparation. Pray together that Jesus will make his loving presence known in your family life. Pray together the Lord's Prayer.
Project Compassion 2025
Lent, in particular, is a sacred time for Catholics to deepen our prayer life, practice self-discipline by making sacrifices, and extend kindness to those in need. These acts of devotion can take many forms, from significant commitments to small yet meaningful gestures. Project Compassion allows us to focus on almsgiving—supporting those less fortunate. Each family received a Project Compassion box to collect spare change, which will be used to assist others in need.
Now that the season of Lent has concluded, we ask that all Caritas boxes be returned by the end of the week. All monies donated by the families in our school will be forwarded to Caritas Australia to assist in providing support for those in need.
Thank you all for your generous donations.
Holy Week and Easter Remembrance and Celebrations
In the days leading up to our Term 1 school holidays, our school community gathered to reflect on the significant events of Holy Week – the most sacred and meaningful time in the Catholic Church.
Students commemorated the Last Supper by sharing a meal together following a thoughtful re-enactment. They then engaged in a reflective journey through the Stations of the Cross, led by our dedicated Grade 5 students and Mrs. Robertson. As a final act of devotion, students venerated the Cross, showing deep respect and reverence for Jesus’ sacrifice.
Upon returning to school, the community came together in joyful prayer and song to celebrate the Resurrection and the hope brought by the Risen Christ.
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
Uniform Update & Ordering
New Uniform Items Available
We are pleased to introduce the following additional uniform items, now available for purchase:
- Navy tights (to be worn under skorts) – $15
- Legionnaires hat – $20
- Art smocks – $15
- Beanies - Midford to advise us of the estimated time of arrival, not currently in stock
- Longer Socks - Arrival 10--12 weeks
Please note: Specialty orders are to be made directly through Midford.
Stella Maris Shop
- The uniform shop will be open every Monday from 2:30 to 3.30 p.m. This will allow families to try on stock and then order online.
Midford East Devonport Trading Hours:
Orders are processed online, through their Website: https://www.midford.com.au
- 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 contact Midfords at info@midford.com.au or 0410684589.
Stella Cross Country
Well done to all the students who competed in today’s school cross country! Despite some challenging weather conditions, particularly for certain grades, everyone showed great courage and determination. For some, it was a fun experience; for others, a real test of endurance. The red faces, wobbly legs, and puffed-out cheeks at the finish line were clear signs of how hard everyone tried. You should all be very proud of your efforts.
A big thank you to the families and friends who came along to support, and a special mention to Mike and Varieta McKenna for their invaluable help in running the event.
Marist students continue to shine as volunteers at Stella sporting events. They are true assets—always willing to step in, take on any role, and help ensure everything runs smoothly.
Thank you, MRC, for your continued support.
We now look forward to the NW Combined Cross Country on Friday, 16 May, where selected students from Grades 3-6 will proudly represent Stella Maris.
Mothers Day
Please send children with small notes and coins in a zip lock bag named.
Mothers Day Music
Mr Hart has been creating some wonderful music with our students to honour the wonderful mums and significant others in their lives.
Lower Primary Song
Upper Primary Song
Cancer Council Fundraiser
Student Initiatives
Several of our students who attend the Revolution Dance Twirl school are fundraising in an initiative, DANCE FOR SICK KIDS!
If you would like to donate please click on the link below.
Grade 2 Room 8
This week, our Grade 2 class learned about the importance of ANZAC Day and the brave men and women who served our country. We created meaningful artwork, using our handprints to symbolise holding a bright red poppy—a powerful reminder that “I remember those who fought for me.” It was a special time of reflection, learning, and gratitude.
Important Upcoming Dates
CLICK TO SYNC TO YOUR CALENDAR
Friday 16th May - NW Cross Country (selected students - approx 9.00am - 1.30pm)
Monday 19th May - Grade 6 Marist Transition Day
Tuesday 20th May - PREP Madagascar Musical Excursion
Wednesday 21st May - Grade 3 Madagascar Musical Excursion
Thursday 22nd May - Grade 1 Madagascar Musical Excursion
Friday 23rd May - Student Free Day: Staff Discernment Year Day
Friday 13th June - Grade 2 Burnie Library and Museum Excursion
Friday 6th June - Student Free Day: Staff Planning Day
Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday
Friday 13th June - Grade 2 Burnie Library & Museum Excursion
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
Monday 18th to Friday 22nd August - Book Week
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
2026
Friday 6th February -Term 1 commences for students
Monday 9th March - Eight Hour Day Public Holiday
Easter - Friday 3rd April - Public Holiday
Monday 6th April - Public Holiday
Tuesday 7th April - Public Holiday
Thursday 16th April - Term 1 concludes for students
Monday 4th May - Term 2 commences
Wednesday 21st May - Grade 3 Madagascar JR Excursion
Thursday 22nd May - Grade 1 Madagascar JR Excursion
Monday 8th June - King's Birthday Holiday
Friday 10th July - Term 2 concludes
Tuesday 28th July - Term 3 commences for students
Thursday 1st October - Term 3 concludes
Monday 19th October - Term 4 commences
Recreation Day - Monday 2nd November
Thursday 11th December - Christmas Concert PM
Friday 18th December - Term 4 concludes
* Stella Stars Early Years Learning - Every Wednesday - bookings via Facebook
Outside News
