Stella Maris Catholic Primary School

Reverence the Story of all People

Our Vision:
P.O. Box 4126 Shellharbour 2529 (02) 4296 4606 Fax: (02) 4295 1885 www.smsdow.catholic.edu.au

2 May 2013

STELLA TELLER

12/13

Dear Parents and Friends of Stella Maris, Did you ever stop to think about the fact that all material things are diminished by sharing. For example, the more people there are to share a loaf of bread the less there is for each person. On the other hand, knowledge is actually increased by sharing. Teachers and parents multiply knowledge when they share it with children. One piece of knowledge that the world could well do to share is knowledge about the Christian virtue of gentleness. Han Suyin, the renowned Chinese writer, tells us that, There is nothing stronger in the world than gentleness. This is because gentleness is true strength. It is treating other people with care, respect and consideration; it is being sensitive. The Book of Proverbs tells us, A gentle tongue is a tree of life. It promotes life in other people, because it does not hurt or pass judgement or put-down, but offers compassion and understanding. A quick look around our society will reveal people publicly yabbering loudly on mobiles, an unhealthy level of abusive and foul language, increasing levels of road rage and a frightening level of domestic violence. The antidote for these behaviours is gentleness for it brings calmness, quietness and humility. However, no-one is humble anymore; in fact, people are falsely told that to be humble means that they dont have self-esteem. Absolute rubbish! Being humble means that you dont force your presence upon others but that you do respect the presence of others and act in a manner that is refined, kindly and expressive of good manners.

George Washington had a number of self rules, the first of which stated that, Every action done in company ought to be done with some sign of respect to those who are present. The choice to treat ourselves and others with respect is in our hands and it is through our hands, our actions and the manner of our speaking, that we express the virtue of gentleness. St Paul in his letters to the people of Philipi encourages those people to, Let your gentleness be known to everyone. Margot Prior, Professor of Psychology at Melbourne University, has pointed out that when it comes to manners and respect for others, children cant just be told: Parents have to be like that themselves. Manners are learned by watching what the parent does. If the behaviour isnt passed on through parent modelling, it becomes so much harder for the child as the child grows older. Children need boundaries and they sometimes need to be told what behaviour is okay. Once again it is St Paul in his letters to the Christian community in Philipi, who reminds us to, Show a gentle attitude towards everyone. If we are gentle, we reveal the strength of our character precisely in our ability to remain calm and unruffled in very trying situations. When others observe such self-control, they admire our character; they trust us, they confide in us and are open to our suggestions. Gentle people have great influence, precisely, because they are gentle and kind and gracious. While gentleness may not be in vogue, in todays world it is certainly due for a return. Perhaps, whoever said, Today I will walk on the gentle side of the street, has put up a choice that is well worth considering.

Principal: Mr Paul Brady Our Vision: Reverence the Story of All People

God, our Father, We thank You for the gift of gentleness. We know that it has companion gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness and faithfulness, all gifts of the Spirit Your Son promised to send us. We ask that these gifts be alive in us and observable to our children, so they become part of their lives. Amen. Peace and Best Wishes

Instilling a sense of gratitude in our children can be especially hard in a world where many of us have an overabundance of goods. Grace Before Meals is a good way to remind them (and ourselves!) that everything we have comes ultimately from God. Grace Before Meals "Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive, through Christ our Lord. Amen." The Guardian Angel Prayer Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love entrusts me here, ever this day [night] be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. Glory Puljak - Religious Education Coordinator

Religious Education News

Gospel for today: ...I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I..." [John 14:28] All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour Mass times: All Saints Church College Ave, Shellharbour City 6:00pm Saturday Vigil 9.00am Sunday, 5.00pm Mass at Stella Maris Year 4 will be celebrating Mass on Tuesday 14 May at 9:45. Parents and friends are welcome to join us. Confirmation 2013 Candidates for Confirmation will be presented at any Mass on the weekend of Sunday 19 May (Pentecost Sunday) Recollection: 19 May 11:00am-1:00pm These two hours are an opportunity for Confirmation Candidates and their parents to spend time together in prayer and discussion. Reconciliation & First Holy Communion Partners Programme The first sessions of Partners in preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will commence on: Sunday, 12 May at 2pm Wednesday, 15 May at 7.30pm Thursday, 16 May at 1.30pm Thought for the Week Teaching your children how to pray can be a daunting task. The best place to start is with common prayers for children that can be easily memorized. The Grace Before Meals and the Guardian Angel Prayer are prayers that even very young children can learn by repeating them daily.

Welcome Back A warm welcome is extended to all families to the new term. This term is only nine weeks long but will be packed with a great deal of activity. We look forward to working with you once more. We also welcome the Dickey family to our school, especially Harrison (5B) and Mitchell (3B). Uniforms The Uniform Shop is now well stocked with Winter uniforms. It will be open again on Monday morning. If you need to purchase an item please take this opportunity. Given that we now have enough stock there should be no reason for students not to be wearing correct Winter uniform from Monday week onwards. If there is a problem I would be grateful if you could let me know through your childs teacher. Thank you. Staff Development Day Early Notice As previously advised we have been allocated an extra Staff Development Day this year to prepare teachers for the introduction of the new Australian Curriculum in 2014. This day will be held on Tuesday, 11 June (after the Queens Birthday long weekend). As usual this day will be pupil free. Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction which can sometimes quite severe, even life threatening. We have a number of children at our school who are allergic to nuts. A reminder to parents not to send nuts or nut products to school. Thank you for your co-operation.

Principal: Mr Paul Brady Our Vision: Reverence the Story of All People

Gold Awards Congratulations to the following students on receiving a Gold Award: Bianca S 2G, Imogen Q 2B, Julian T 4G, Jordan V 5/6G. Principals Awards Congratulations to the following students on receiving a Principals Award: KB Lara C, Ava B, Remy K, Kye L KG Emily C, Brian B, Chelsea S, Sibeal M 2B Georgia H, Maiya M, Isabella T, Imogen Q 2G Ryan R, Jay D, Kodee B, Kiara F, Caitlyn W, Tobias C, Cooper R, Liam B, Ky B, Brock A, Grace S 4G Kasey R, Lachlan C, Nicholas C, Olivia B, Paris A Award Assembly As it is the first week of term there will be no class presenting this week. Head Lice There has been a reported case of Head Lice at the school. Can you please check your child/rens hair and treat if needed. Shellharbour City Councils Reconciliation Week Writing Competition National Reconciliation Week is held annually from May 27 June 3. Each year Shellharbour City Council hosts a Reconciliation Flag Walk for schools, and we have participated in this important event since its inception in 2009. This year the council is encouraging school children to take part in a writing competition, with the winners reading their poem or story at the Flag Raising Ceremony at this years Reconciliation Flag Walk on Monday May 27. The topic for this writing competition is What does the word Reconciliation mean to you? If you would like any further information please see me. Entries are due by Friday, May 17. Mrs Sykes Numeracy Problem of the Week The new problem for this week is: Mrs Brady is an excellent baker. She decides to bake some yummy cakes for the teachers at Stella Maris. Each cake requires four eggs. How many cakes can Mrs Brady bake if she has one dozen eggs? Please put your answer (and your problem solving strategies/drawings) in the red box next to my stairs or give to me by Wednesday 8 May. You must show your working out to receive your SMIGGLE reward! The answer will be revealed in the newsletter on Thursday 9 May. Good luck! Mrs Honey, Numeracy Coordinator

Healthy Living The healthy lunch box award this week goes KB. Why is it important to eat breakfast? Eating breakfast helps you: concentrate gives your brain energy. be active gives you energy so you can have fun in the playground. learn the foods you eat help you to see; help you listen and help your brain work What happens if you dont eat breakfast? If you dont eat breakfast you feel hungry. Feeling hungry is your bodys way of saying it needs food. Your body needs food like the engine of a car needs petrol to keep you going. What is a healthy breakfast? Wholegrain breakfast cereal (like wheat biscuits) + lite milk. Top Tip: skip the sugar but you can add fruit or sprinkle on sultanas instead. Wholemeal toast or crumpets. Top with thinly spread fruit jam or vegemite + lite cheese. Porridge + lite milk + berries or dried fruit. Fresh fruit + a tub of lite yogurt. To drink: 100% fruit juice or refreshing water or glass lite milk. Diocesan Cross Country Next Tuesday, 7 May, our school Cross Country Team, together with Mrs Flood and Mr Brown, will travel to Cambewarra (Nowra district) to compete at the Diocesan Cross Country Carnival. We wish all athletes the very best of luck and are confident in their ability to perform well on the day. Coles Sports Equipment Parents and children will remember that last year we raised over 30000 points in the Coles Sports Equipment Promotion. This week we received this sporting equipment. It includes lots of new Netballs, Softballs, T Ball bases, Baseball mitts and a wide variety of small game equipment for various Gross Motor activities. Thank you once again to the many families who supported this promotion. CANTEEN ROSTER 6 May 8 May 10 May Tahra Garcia, Melissa Somerset, Maree Chin Amanda Stannard, Tracey Lockeridge, Sarah Cororan Melinda Fitzgerald, Vicky Murray

Principal: Mr Paul Brady Our Vision: Reverence the Story of All People

Mothers Day Raffle Raffle tickets are being sent home today with your eldest child. Tickets are $2 per book and will need to be returned to school by Friday, 10 May. Donations are being requested for prizes in our Mothers Day Raffle. If you are able to assist please give any donations to the office. Thank you in anticipation. If you are able to assist with the wrapping of the raffle prizes on Thursday, 9 May from 1pm 2pm please let the office know. Thank you. Woolies Earn and Learn We have registered for the Woolies Earn and Learn promotion. You can help our school acquire some great educational resources by collecting Woolworths Earn & Learn Points for every $10 you spend from Monday 8 April and Sunday 9 June 2013. Either place your completed sheet in the marked Collection Box at the local Woolworths or bring into school. Thank you for your support. St Marys School Reunion There will be a 30 year reunion in 2014 for all students who were in Year 10 1982 or Year 12 1984. To register please email reunion@stmarysclassof84.com or phone Ann on 42717680.

May 6

Kinder 2014 Interviews begin English Books go home this week 7 Diocesan Cross Country Carnival 8 Stage 3 Corpus Christi Production 9 Year 2 Excursion to Minnamurra 10 Mothers Day Stall P & F Disco 14-16 NAPLAN Year 3 and Year 5 14 Parent Information Night (Oral Language) 22 Stage 3 AFL Carnival 27 Reconciliation Week Walk 28 Parent Information Night (Numeracy) June 1 7 8 11 14 Working Bee Year 4 Excursion to Police Boys Club Queens Birthday Long Weekend Staff Development Day Half Year Reports Kinder Excursion to Art Gallery 17-20 Parent Teacher Interviews 19 Netball Gala Day 21 School Athletics Carnival 25-26 First Reconciliation 28 Last Day of Term

Parent Conference 25 & 26 May 2013 Parramatta

Parents and carers are encouraged to consider attending the 10th Biennial Catholic Schools Parent Conference being hosted by the Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) on the weekend of 25/26 May 2013. The Conference is an opportunity for parents and school staff from Catholic schools throughout NSW and ACT to gather and listen to a great line-up of speakers on topics like: How to Motivate Your Child, Cybersafety, Shaping Your Child's Genius as well as a Q&A panel. Participants are also encouraged to bring their smart technology, (iPhone, ipad, android, tablet) and learn how to connect to what their child is learning in school today and what education of the future promises. For more information and registration form visit the CCSP website www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au. The Wollongong Diocesan P&F Forum will subsidise the cost to each schools P&F of registering two parent representatives to attend all or part of the Conference. Any queries regarding payment can be directed to Rebecca Hill, Wollongong Diocesan P&F Forum @rebecca.hill@dow.catholic.edu.au or on 4253 0993.

Mr Paul Brady Principal Inserts/Attachments: Parenting Information/ P& F Newsletter

Principal: Mr Paul Brady Our Vision: Reverence the Story of All People