Dear parents/caregivers,

Thank you for the warm welcome I have received from students, staff and parents as I begin my short assignment here at Stella Maris School. I was delighted to spend some time at the P&F BBQ on Saturday

afternoon. Congratulations to all who made it happen and were part of the gathering.

I have had the privilege to attend a number of Covenant presentations by classes. These covenants are important because they represent an aspirational plan for the year. The covenants have been developed with the careful guidance of

their teacher and reference to the values that make Stella Stars.

I will spend one day this week with the Year 6 children at camp. The children and teachers have been preparing enthusiastically for the experience. As school leaders I am sure that a great deal of emphasis will be put on developing the skills

that a leader needs. Students who develop competencies across a wide range of skills- academic, spiritual, emotional and social

and who see themselves as successful will be well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

Have a great week.

Ian C Morice Acting Principal

3 March 2015

Thank you to everyone who came to the P&F Welcome BBQ on Saturday! Those that were there would agree it was a lovely afternoon - kids were entertained the whole time (thanks so much Ayesha Dellit - you and Daisy did an awesome

job!, a cool breeze in the shade, awesome music and a few drinks - what more could you ask for! Congratulations to Dan and Fiona Annand who won the Maleny Cuisine Hamper! Thanks again to Marina and Will Nicholl for donating

this fantastic prize. First and foremost, a HUGE thank you to Jim and Sheralee from Grant’s Meats for donating the sausages. I am fairly sure there were a lot of people lining for thirds and fourths so definitely a winner! Support a Stella family, do yourself a favour and go and visit Jim on Aerodrome Road for the best quality meats! Also thanks to Graeme and Brett of Djembe Love Duo for the fabulous music! If everyone had been rushing around all morning (like us) the mood definitely changed when they started pumping out their tunes – soooo relaxing!! Some other quick thank you’s:

Shayne Simpson Mansfield for her raffle ticket selling abilities!

Mary and Dee (the delightful daughters of Elizabeth Corcoran and Leanne Wiseman) for selling as much as they could with so much

enthusiasm!

Damien Faux, Matt Wall and Tim Jones for helping my hubby with the BBQ!

Simone Wall for picking up some awesome prizes for the kids!

Leanne Wiseman for helping me with everything!

Again thanks to everyone for coming, the P&F really appreciates your support!

Expressions of Interest for Reception Secretary Position The wonderful Margo Edwards has been granted leave to travel the world with her husband who is taking well-earned long service leave.

We wish Margo and Darrell a safe, happy and energising few months, knowing we will miss Margo and look forward to her return.

This part-time, fixed-term position is for 18 hrs a week (6hrs each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), starting as soon as possible

from Monday 16th March and finishing on Wednesday 4th November, 2015

Those interested in this position should submit their Resume (including qualifications, recent work history and professional referee details)

and Expression of Interest addressing, briefly, the following criteria via email to imorice@bne.catholic.edu.au. The successful applicant

will:

Understand and demonstrate commitment to Catholic ethos;

Have successful experience in office reception; an educational setting of advantage;

Have demonstrated ability to work as a productive and harmonious team member;

Project a welcoming, positive, helpful, reliable, punctual and committed presence;

Demonstrate unwavering confidentiality in conduct of this role;

Have or is eligible for a Blue Card/child related employment;

Be technologically-literate and interested, having successful experience in use of various programs.

EOI close 12pm Monday 9th March. Availability for interview Tuesday/Wednesday essential.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

As we enter the third week of Lent, it is perhaps timely that we look at what Lent really means to us. For me it is a time to reassess life choices to make sure that I am giving time and energy to those things that matter most. I was quite fortunate last week to attend a Leadership Forum on the North Coast which, as it turned out, was just what I needed to recharge the batteries with wonderful

speakers who really hit the right spot with their wisdom and humility.

One of the speakers, Br Damien Price, a Christian Brother, has taught for over thirty years in schools throughout Queensland and has been involved in working with disadvantaged youth, homeless men and women, refugees and Asylum Seekers for the past twenty years. Damien has Masters Degrees in Counselling and Pastoral Guidance with his Doctor of Philosophy degree focussed on the sense of self that youth grow into as they engage with homeless

people over an extended period of time.

One of the things that Damien said that really brought the message home to me was that, just as Jesus did, “We come as guest into the presence of the other—to the innate gift of the other. We come into the sacred space of the other knowing there is a unique and sacred

story there and all story is sacred—it is indeed Holy Ground.”

And in that space—having come gently and respectfully and slowly as guest—we choose to be deeply present; and our presence will say, will whisper, ‘You are loveable’. In all of this, we are gifted by

all of the above happening back to us in the sacred relationship.

Damian named both justice and spirituality experiences as key for mission effectiveness. Our young people need to have their civic identity supported, challenged and grown. Our youth are ‘makers of history’ and need to experience their own ‘agency ‘ - their ability to make a difference. We live in an age of global citizenship where our

young people are truly global citizens and are makers of history.

In supporting our Project Compassion appeal, I am sure that many of our students are making sacrifices to be able to contribute financially to support those who need help with the basics of human life—food, shelter, clothing and health. They are being members of the global community with each and every cent they contribute to the Project Compassion appeal as a sign of their concern and love for the other—no matter where or who they may be. I am so very

proud of them all.

God bless,

CHIILDREN’S SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Parent Information Evening: Monday 9 March 2015 Stella Maris Church (37 Baden Powell Street, Maroochydore) starting at 7.00pm (for approximately an hour). One or both parents must attend of this session. Children do not attend. No booking is necessary to attend, just come if this Parent Information Night suits you. Information sessions for future programs are being held on Monday 25 May 2015 and Monday 17th August at St Catherine of Siena Church (58 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs). The family proceeds to the next stage only after parents have

attended one of these sessions.

Judith.

3rd Week of Lent

Siena Catholic College Year 7 Enrolment for 2016

Last week, College Principal, Mr Graeme Hight, and the Siena College Captains spoke to the Year 6 class

at Stella Maris and handed out Enrolment Application packs to students. Packs were also left for students who were absent. The contents outlined the necessary steps for parents to take if they wish their son / daughter to be considered for Year 7 at the College in 2016. Parents are reminded of the Information Sessions being held at the College on either Sunday 8 March or Monday 9 March. Please contact the College office either by email ssippydowns@bne.catholic.edu.au or phone 5476 6100 to register – this is for catering purposes. Enrolment applications are requested to be submitted by Thursday 2 April. Enrolment interviews will commence

mid-March and hopefully be completed early in Term 2.

St John’s College, Nambour Year 7 2016 Enrolment Interviews

Parent/Carer’s information:

A Parent Information Evening will be held on Tuesday 10 March at 7pm at St John’s College in the Multi-Purpose Centre.

Enrolment interviews will be held from Monday 23 March to Thursday 2 April 2015.

At St John’s College we provide quality education in an environment that nurtures children in their Catholic faith.

Choosing food for life

The Centacare Wilcannia-Forbes ‘Manage Your Income, Manage Your Life’ program (supported by Caritas Australia) is helping First Australians, like Karen, to take control of their money, and choose and prepare nutritious food to ensure a healthier future for their

families (www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion).

Your donation to Project Compassion 2015 helps First Australians in remote communities

gain the skills to make healthier food choices.

Prep Enrolment 2016 Enrolment is now open for the 2016 school year with children turn-

ing five years of age before 30 June, 2016 eligible for Prep. Exist-

ing families, please complete and return application forms, with

accompanying documentation, as soon as possible to allow deter-

mination of places available for new families to Stella Maris. Next

year we return to four classes of Prep students. Thank you for

spreading the word to friends and family that Applications and

information are available on our website

www.stellamaris.qld.edu.au

MUSIC NOTES

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Music isn’t just learning notes and playing them, you learn notes to play to the music of your soul.”

~ Kate Greenwood ~

TIP OF THE WEEK Practice is most valuable when you are fresh, not worried about of things and most importantly when you are not tired. This means fewer errors!! TWELVE BENEFITS OF MUSIC EDUCATION The second benefit of music education: 2. There is a causal link between music and spatial intelligence (the ability to perceive the world accurately and to form mental pictures of things). This kind of intelligence, by which one can visualize various elements that should go together, is critical to the sort of thinking necessary for everything from solving advanced mathematics problems to being able to pack a book-bag with everything that will be needed for the day. Check out this Ted Ed lesson! - http://youtu.be/R0JKCYZ8hng CHOIR NEWS Thank you to all parents and students who have returned their commitment form for each of our three choirs. If your son/daughter did not receive a permission form please see Mrs Durrer. Well-done and happy singing! INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS Sincere thanks to those parents who advise tutors and ensemble leaders when their children will be absent. All students are essential and play an important role so please keep this up! ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE - Thursday 26 March String Ensemble to perform (Mrs Salmon will advise students). Parents are most welcome! Parents are required to advise tutors directly (via phone, email or text) if their child will not be present at a lesson due to sickness. A message on the school absentee line is not sufficient as this is often not cleared till later in the day and office staff are not responsible for advising tutors. Tutor email and phone contacts can be found on the top left corner of your lesson timetable. Email can also be sent to StellaMarisMusic@bne.catholic.edu.au. If you have queries regarding anything musical – please feel free to catch up with us before or after school, by contacting us in writing or via email. Inez Durrer Todd Wynyard (Classroom Music) (Instrumental Music) idurrer@bne.catholic.edu.au twynyard@bne.catholic.edu.au

March 10 P & F 6.30pm in the Staffroom

4-6 Year 6 Camp

18 School Board

April 2 Holy Thurs liturgy 8.55am Hall.

Last day of Term 1

20 Term 2 begins

24 School Cross Country 9.00am-10.45am

June 26 Last Day of Term 2

July 13 Term 3 begins

September 18 Last Day of Term 3

October 5 Labour Day Holiday

6 Term 4 begins

Online workshop series for National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

We are involved in the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence To support the National Day of Action, the Department of Education and Training (DET) will host a series of interactive online cybersafety workshops for parents, teachers and students titled “Mind your step’.

Brett Lee, creator of Internet Education and Safety Services (INESS) and DET’s Cybersafety team will facilitate six interactive online safety workshops from 10 – 20 March 2015.

For workshop sessions and to register, visit

http://behaviour.education.qld.gov.au/bullying-and-violence/

Pages/Mind-your-step.aspx

Christine Craig - Guidance

Counsellor/ Psychologist

March 05 2015

Jayden Busst, Jake Fink, Macy Tamatea, Tyler Darcy, Thomas Campbell, Siena de Sivla, Aiden Cracknell, Riley Brown, Riley

Paul, Jackson Stibbard, Ethan Sturgess, Caitlin Leask, Brooklyn Maas, Lachlan Spivey, M’Lea Michael, Ilaria Commisso, Libby

Latimer, Max Furniss, Emily Austin, Lily D’Souza, Saxon Cracknell, Kunica Lamb, Charlotte Maher, Holly Wessely, Bella

Sedden, Joshua Skogvold.

Come to school on the 18th of March with a wacky do and don’t forget to bring a gold coin in for the Leukaemia Foundation. But sadly, no hair spray or aerosol at school. You are allowed ribbons, headbands, wigs, etc. Thanks

"Thanks to everyone who helped out at the working bee on Saturday. Our facilities are now clean and organised !

We still require players in the Under 9's and Under 10's teams. Contact the club if you're interested.

Coastal District Swimming Carnival - Congratulations to Dylan Casey who placed third on the day in the 100m 11 Yrs Boys Breaststroke at the Dis-

trict Trials.

Netball Trials - Trials will be held on Monday 9th March 3.25 - 4.30pm at Kuluin State School Hall. Students that are selected in this team will then attend the Coastal District Netball Trials at Caloundra Indoor Sports Stadium on 18th March from 8.45am - 3.00pm. Students that are 12 Years and under may attend. There will be two age groups - 12 Years and 11 Years. Please let Mrs Till know by the 5th March if you will be attending. This is a different process to previous years, and if you don't attend the trials on the 9th March you will not be considered for selection.

Process for District Trials - It is the students responsibility to collect a Coastal District "District Trial Permission Form" from Mrs Till or from the Portal. This Permission Form must be completed in full by parents/caregivers and brought back to school to be signed by Mrs Till. Students must bring this signed Permission Form to the Selection Trial. NO PERMISSION FORM - NO TRIAL!

Please check the Parent Portal for updated District Trial Dates, Times and Venues

Wednesday Thursday Friday Tuesday

N Charlesworth F Annand

R Gall

S Thompson M Wigan L McClure K Barbuto

E Barnes S Wall THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL

Fish & Wedges $4.00

Group 2

A Brown, B Gardner, C Edwards, D Cracknell, E Peters, J Connelly, K Hardner, S Mann, L England, S Thompson, Michael, R Brady, T Talbot, T Bernhagen, A Charlton.

Suggestions for required items are: Packet Mixes (Pikelet – Chocolate Muffin – Chocolate Cake) Icing Sugar – Eggs –Sugar – Cocoa – Butter – Coconut – Dates – Fruit or Salad Items (particularly apples for the slinky machine.)

PLEASE REFER TO THE NEW MENU ON THE PARENT PORTAL

Both Workers and Ingredients Rosters are also available on the Parent Portal.

http://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/

By the volume of orders from Issue 1, it is obvious that parents at Stella Maris regard reading as a valuable and worthwhile activity, and Scholastic BookClub a worthy provider of quality books. To make the ordering process manageable in the future, we will be moving to LOOP ordering only. Catalogues for each issue will be distributed to the children throughout the year as nornal, however the only option for ordering and payment will be via the LOOP site provided by Ashton Scholastic. This allows parents to enter their children's orders directly online and pay online. No order forms or payments will be returned to the school. Upon closing date, Scholastic will collate all online orders, pack and post to the school for distribution to the children. Volunteers will be called to assist with the sorting of the orders when they return to school - communication will be made via the newsletter each time, or if you are willing to assist, please email Allison Brown on

ajbrown@bne.catholic.edu.au to advise of your willingness to assist. With enough helpers this process should only take 1-2 hours.

Student Protection Parent Volunteers If you wish to volunteer in a classroom in 2015, it is compulsory that you have completed the necessary Student Protection training within the last 12 months. If you are new to the school, or your previous Student Protection induction was completed in 2013 or earlier, you will need to complete this training again. The following documents are available for you to read on the Parent Portal in the "Forms" section -

Volunteer Student Protection Handbook

Student Protection Volunteer Code of Conduct

Student Protection Information for Families brochure Upon completion of reading these documents, please print out and complete the Volunteer Student Protection Registration Form (also available in the "Forms" section of the Parent Portal) and return to Christine Craig when attending one of the scheduled follow up meetings as listed in the “Announcements” section of the Parent Portal.