Understanding Australia's New Social Media Laws

From 10 December this year, age-restricted social media platforms will be taking steps to prevent under 16s from creating or keeping accounts on (likely) Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube. There are more recent suggestions that it will also include WhatsApp, Roblox, Reddit and Discord. Considering these upcoming changes, provided below are fantastic resources for parents and students to support them through the transition ‘off social media’.

CRTL SHIFT has created a new, easy-to-read guide to help student (and parents, and educators) to understand the changes to Australia’s minimum age requirements for social media platforms. This short, student-friendly resource explains what’s changing, why it matters, and how young people can protect their digital content and rights. Written in plain language – no jargon, no scare tactics – it breaks down the law so young people know exactly what to expect and how to stay safe online. We will be discussing the content with our students in Year meetings and in Pastoral lessons and we encourage families to continue the conversation at home to reinforce these important messages.

Community News

Australian Schoolgirl Football Selection

Congratulations to Jade G (Year 12) who has been selected into the Australian Schoolgirls Football team! She will tour the UK in January with the team, playing two international games, as well as matches against professional clubs. This is an amazing achievement, which tops off an outstanding year for Jade in her final year of school football. This year Jade represented Stella at the CGSSSA, NSWCCC and NSW All Schools Championships. Well done Jade on making your first Australian team!

NSW All School Athletics

The NSW All Schools Athletics Championships was held at Sydney Olympic Park over the school holidays. Eight talented Stella athletes competed at this event against other students from all over NSW. Their performances were absolutely outstanding! These students have trained hard over several months and they were rewarded with their amazing results.

Nearly all of the Stella athletes made finals in their events, which is a significant achievement against the best athletes in the state.

Special mention to the students who won NSW medals:

• Leanne B: Gold 🥇 in the 100m; Gold 🥇in the 200m
• Elisabeth P: Silver 🥈in the discus
• Amelia M: Silver 🥈in the 3000m (and 6th in the 1500m)
• Philippa Q: Bronze 🥉in the 3000m; Bronze 🥉in the 1500m
• Ellie F: Bronze 🥉in the 100m

Well done to the other students who competed and made finals:

• Sarah C: 6th in 1500m, 7th in 800m
• Bella R: 5th in 400m, 4th in 800m
• Pilard S: 7th in 400m
• Sophie R: 100m

Leanne, Elisabeth and Amelia have now been selected into the NSW Athletics team and will compete at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Melbourne in December. Well done!

Hockey

Congratulations to Isla S and Hannah L who represented NSW at the U14 National Hockey Championships in Brisbane in the holidays. The girls played some excellent hockey at the highest level. The team went through the tournament undefeated and were unlucky to lose the grand final by just one goal, finishing with the silver medal. Well done Isla and Hannah on this fantastic achievement.

Touch Football

Well done to April U, Ellie F and Charlotte B who played at the Touch Football National Youth Championships in the holidays. Their team played well all tournament, finishing in 4^th place overall. Well done to Ellie who was one of the top try scorers for the entire tournament!

IGSA Golf

The IGSA invitational Golf Championships will be held at Pennant Hills Golf Course on Thursday 6 November 6. Students with golf experience are welcome to attend (no beginners). An expression of interest form has been sent to all students. Anyone interested will need to complete the form by the end of this week.

Term 4 Sport Dates

There are a number of representative sport carnivals this term. Students should remember to keep an eye on their emails for details of the events if they are interested in trialling for teams.

• 21 October: CGSSSA Volleyball
• 23 October: IGSA Gymnastics
• 5 November: CGSSSA Aquathon
• 6 November: IGSA Golf
• 11 November: CCC Water Polo (Year 7 – 9)
• 14 November: CGSSSA Tennis
• 18 November: CGSSSA Cricket
• 25 November: CGSSSA Touch
• TBC: CCC Cricket Cup

Performing Arts: 2025 Live at Sunset Series

There are a number of performance evenings taking place here at Stella in Term 4:

The Drama Gala

Tuesday 11 November at 6:30pm

A Celebration of Dance

Fri 14 November at 5:00pm & 7:00pm

Music Ensembles Evening

Tuesday 18 November at 6:00pm

‘Fig Day Out’ Showcase of Music

Wednesday 26 November at 6:30pm
* Auditions for ‘Fig Day Out’ will take place starting Monday 27 October (details to come).

Hot Potato Band incursion

Friday 7 November, Workshop Period 4 (Performance Band, String Ensemble, and selected singers) and Concert in Period 5 to all Year 7.

This incursion is an excellent opportunity for Performance Band String Ensemble and some selected singers to experience a music workshop with a professional band. The afternoon will conclude with a performance to Year 7 students in the theatre.

Encore Nomination

Congratulations to Isabella (Bella) C on being nominated for ‘Encore’ 2025. Bella worked tirelessly in Music during her time at the College and was continually engaged with many of our ensembles. We are all thrilled and very proud of her.

President Role - P&F

We are a great team of parents who work together to encourage the parent community at Stella to thrive. We are still searching for the head honcho, a President, for next year.

The President provides leadership and direction for the P&F by working collaboratively with the Principal and Executive Committee to support the school community. They chair meetings, ensure agendas are prepared and minutes endorsed, and promote the aims of the P&F in all dealings. The President supports fellow committee members, ensures meetings run efficiently, and presents the annual President’s Report.

If you are interested, please know you will be supported by a great bunch of parents. Please reach out to Catherine Fitzgerald, P&F Secretary via email.

Ladies Long Lunch

At the end of last term, 45 parents and carers got together at Teddy Larkins for a fabulous lunch. All years were represented and it was a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other. This will be an annual event so if you weren’t able to make it, we encourage you to come next year.

Red Earth Immersion 2026: Launch and Parent Information Evening (online)

Walk alongside community. Hear the Dreaming.

Join the Red Earth Parent Information Night on Monday 27 October at 6.00pm.

A unique chance for students to be welcomed onto the homelands of Traditional Owners in Cape York.

This unforgettable journey offers students the opportunity to:

• Experience cultural practices like bush medicine and dot painting
• Connect around the campfire, hearing Dreaming stories from the people themselves
• Make new friends, build resilience, and gain a deeper understanding of Country and culture

Families are warmly invited to our Online Parent Information Evening to learn more:
📅 Monday 27 October, 6:00pm
RSVP: using the link below

https://events.humanitix.com/stella-maris-college-and-red-earth-immersion-parent-information-evening-bmrdb97l

A recording will be emailed Tuesday 28 October to all families.

Let’s inspire our students to step beyond the classroom and walk alongside community in this extraordinary experience of learning, friendship, and connection.

Please visit the YouTube clip for information:

https://youtu.be/TkJlrx6NTUw?si=UYewzK0cp1hyjAnK

During term, the Uniform Shop is open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 8.00am to 4.30pm and can be emailed on uniform_books@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au

Summer Uniforms

Summer uniforms are now available. Year 9 are required to buy the senior dress for next year. If students are currently wearing the tailored shorts, there is no need to change for Year 10.

Dresses are $86. Tailored shorts are $53, the short sleeve white blouse is $40.

Purchases should be made by November 18.

Fittings are restricted to recess and lunchtimes only until November 6. From 11 - 18 November, before and after school fittings are available.

Students in other years requiring a fresh dress can purchase online.

Short sleeve blouses are available online.

Please follow this link to the Uniform Shop Online Store https://uniformshoponline.stel...

Many online orders are to be collected. Orders are ready for collection from Recess after the order has been placed. Reminders are only sent as a last resort.

Second Hand Uniforms

2025

2026