It was particularly pleasing to see so many of our incoming Year 7 (2025 and 2026) students and their families also visiting Stella. Thank you to Petra Morrell and the Community Engagement Team for organising a great night. Thanks too to the Administration and Property Teams for their efforts in ensuring the campus looked amazing. The Teaching Staff and students worked together to give our prospective students a true Stella experience and there were many happy families enjoying the night.

Lent to Easter

Holy Week is next week, and we will hold our liturgy with the whole community next Thursday. Thank you to the Pastoral Care classes for their efforts with Project Compassion. We have already raised a significant amount for Caritas’ needy communities.

I encourage all our Stella families to take the opportunity over Easter to refresh and renew themselves. The break presents families a chance to attend Holy Week and Easter services together. You can find parish information on the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay website: https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/

Holy Week Prayer

Loving and gracious God
Here I am, participating in the journey of Jesus to the Cross
I walk alongside as best I can….
May the Holy Spirit reveal to me
The saving power of the life, death, and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ.
May my relationship with Him be renewed
My trust in Him deepened
My joy increased as I choose to participate in His Mission every day.

AMEN

(Broken Bay 2024 Lenten Program)

Stella News

Thank you to parents/carers who have provided feedback on our new look e-newsletter. We are currently working with our provider to simplify the layout to present all content on one page with minimal click-throughs. We plan to bring this new version to you next term.

Mathematics in Years 11 and 12

Government plans to make mathematics compulsory in Years 11 and 12 from 2025 have been scrapped. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has clarified this week, that mathematics will remain optional for students in Years 11 and 12.

This impacts our Year 10 students as they begin thinking about subject selections for Year 11 next year. The only compulsory subject in Years 11 and 12 is English.

Now that we have confirmation of the plan for mathematics, we will communicate our timeline for the Year 10 subject selection process, to students and parents, via email next week.

Year 10 Subject Selections

Our Year 10 students will begin preparing for Year 11/12 subject selection shortly. This program runs throughout Term 2. Please note the Parent Information Night (Wednesday 29 May in the Theatre at 7.00pm) and the MSTeams Forum (Wednesday 12 June from 4.30pm - 5.30pm) in the timetable below.

Careers Expo

St Augustine's College extends an invitation to Year 10 - 12 students and their parents/carers to attend their inaugural Careers Expo on Monday 6 May from 4.00pm - 7.00pm. Visitors will access up-to-date information from a vast and diverse array of Institutions that will assist students with study options and career pathways post school.

This event is free to attend. Students are required to attend in full school uniform. Further details in the flyer below.

Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH)

On Monday 18 March, four senior students visited AYAH on behalf of our Stella community to deliver a series of care gift packs. This was a gesture of care from our Stella community to show support of the patients at the hospice who are facing challenges due to their life-limiting illnesses. A special thank you to Pascaal M, Isabelle C, Ruby A and Caitlin T for reaching out to the AYAH patients and staff. An extra special thank you to Ms Genevieve McGrath (Executive Assistant to the Principal) for kindly gathering the items in the care gift packs with careful thought and consideration that will provide comfort and practicality for the AYAH patients and their families at such a difficult time.

Belle C relayed the following about her experience of visiting the hospice:

“I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to visit the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) in Manly. It was truly eye-opening and made me feel grateful for the small things that most of us take for granted. The incredible staff members at the hospice have an amazing drive to help others and are extremely strong, as are the patients and families of the patients. I was moved by the patients' love of life and positivity in a situation that most of us can only imagine. It was very shocking to learn that the AYAH is the only of its kind in Australia, meaning that other young people around Australia who suffer from life threatening diseases are unable to receive sufficient care for their demographic as they would be put into palliative care alongside elderly people. This made me feel even more grateful for the facilities at AYAH and I hope that there will be more places like this built around Australia to improve the quality of life for young people whose lives are threatened by genetic disorders. I urge each of you to look up the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice in Manly and have a look at their incredible work and show your family and friends.”

Women and Children First Homework Club

Throughout this term some senior students have been generously giving up their time and volunteering at the Women and Children First Refuge to help support several primary aged school children in a homework club. It is really inspiring to hear back from the students about their community service and the rewarding nature of their role with the children at the homework club. Not only are they supporting the children to achieve academically, but they are also providing a sense of normalcy with peer relations at a time of transition and upheaval in these young children’s lives. A big shout of recognition to Ava N, Jasmine K and Caitlin T and Millie O’S for their involvement with this important work.

Ava N relayed the following:

“Participating in the homework club has been a rewarding and truly special experience that I believe is making a difference in the community and to individuals. At the program, I have formed connections with a few of the kids and I look forward to seeing them each week and spending time helping with their homework and bonding over our favourite chip flavours.”

Project Compassion

As Easter draws nearer and the Lenten period comes to a close, we will be taking stock of the tremendous generosity that has been exhibited so far through the large quantity of donations received for Project Compassion.

A BIG thank you to students and their families and to the staff for supporting this charity.

The top three PC classes so far are:

• 7.1 with $326
• 9.6 with $285
• 10.1 with $179

An extra special shout out of recognition goes towards Riley R from PC class 7.1. Riley addressed the whole school community at the Harmony Day Assembly about her efforts to raise approximately $200 to date off her own back. It was inspiring to hear Riley talk about her hints and tips for raising money and that it is a whole community affair. Thank you, Riley, for speaking to the whole school community with such confidence and clarity.

Mufti Day for Harmony Day and World Disability Day

Tuesday was a big success with students and staff participating in Mufti Day which resulted in a myriad of orange splashes of colour and crazy pairs of socks to mark recognition and support for Harmony and World Disability Day.

This is an important event where we draw attention as a community towards the importance of inclusivity of all and the acceptance of multicultural viewpoints and diversity. In terms of being an inclusive community, our mark of recognition via the Mufti Day will result in funds raised that will go directly towards our sister school Mater Dei. The students at Mater Dei have intellectual disabilities and every cent that goes towards their purchasing of equipment and technology counts towards enhancing these student’s ability to have their gifts and potential nurtured and flourished so that they in turn can participate fully within the community.

A BIG thank you to the whole school community again for their support of this fundraiser.

Broken Bay Swimming

Congratulations to the Stella Swimming team who competed at the Broken Bay Swimming Championships on Tuesday 12 March. The Stella swimmers were outstanding, with amazing performances from so many of our swimmers! The highlight of the day was our intermediate relay team, who had big wins in both the 4 x 50m relay and the medley relay!

A huge congratulations to Jess O, who was named 15 years Broken Bay Age Champion. Zara D was runner up in the 16 years.

We have four students who have been selected to compete at the NSWCCC Championships in April: Zara D, Zoe B, Mila C and Jess O. Congratulations to these girls on this fantastic achievement!

Well done also to the girls who finished with top three performances in their events:

Jess O, Charlie C, Piper B, Emma C, Zara D, Ella B, Zoe B, Mila C and Katie F.

Good luck to the swimming team who is competing at IGSA this Friday.

Stella Cross Country

The Stella Cross Country carnival will be held on Tuesday 2 April (the day after the Easter long weekend). The races will be held around the lagoon and on Manly Beachfront. Distances for the races are:

• 12 – 13 years: 3km
• 14 – 18 years: 4km (please note that 18 years will run 6km at inter school carnivals)

Students have been sent the link to register. Anyone interested in competing must register by Monday 25 March.

A Consent2Go with all details will be sent to participants next week.

Stella Athletics Carnival

The Stella Athletics Carnival will be held on Tuesday 30 April at ES Marks Kensington. This is the first day of Term 2. More information will be sent to students in the coming days.

Peninsula Cup Touch Football

Congratulations to the nine Stella teams who played in the Peninsula Cup Touch Football Competition. It was a short but fun competition, against lots of other Northern Beaches schools including Mater Maria, Oxford Falls and St Luke’s.

The Stella teams played well all season and showed so much improvement from the start of the season.

We look forward to the NSW Touch Regional Gala Days in Term 2.

Term 2 Sports

The Sport Department is busy planning Term 2 sports. Registrations will be sent out next week. Some sports have already called for expressions of interest, including water polo, hockey and netball.

Netball: teams will play in the Peninsula Cup competition on Tuesday afternoons in Term 2

Hockey: teams will play in the Mollie Dive Competition on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings at Barker

Water Polo: teams will play in the NSSWPA competition at the Warringah Aquatic Centre.

• Year 8/9 will play on Monday evenings.
• Year 10 – 12 will play on Friday evenings.

Students have been sent the link to register for these sports.

All other registrations will be sent next week.

NSWCCC Sport Trials

There are a number of NSWCCC sport trials in the coming weeks or early next term. These trials are for students who have a high level of experience (representative). The level for NSWCCC trials is extensive representative experience. There are also strict age requirements, which vary across different sports. If you need more information, or wish to register your child to trial, please click on the link to the websites below.

Only students with high level representative experience will be approved to attend trials.

NSWCCC nominations

Please go to the NSWCCC website to register for any of the following sports: AFL, Basketball, Hockey and Water Polo.

https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc

AFL

• NSWCCC GIRLS 15 YEARS & UNDER AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL (AFL) - closes 12 April 2024.
• NSWCCC selections - Monday 6 May & Tuesday 7 May at Wagga Wagga.
• The cost is $90.

Basketball

• NSWCCC 16 YEARS & 18 YEARS BASKETBALL - closes 3 May 2024.
• NSWCCC selections - 18 Years Monday 13 May, 16 Years Tuesday 14 May at Sutherland.
• The cost is $45.

Hockey

• NSWCCC 15s & OPENS HOCKEY SELECTIONS - closes 3 May 2024
• NSWCCC selections - Monday 20 May at Bathurst.
• The cost is $45.

Water Polo

• NSWCCC 17 YEARS & UNDER WATER POLO SELECTIONS - closes 17 May 2024
• NSWCCC selections - Monday 27 May at Ryde, 12pm - 3:30pm.
• The cost is $35.

Local Sports Champions

Stella has had lots of students achieve outstanding results in various state championships over recent weeks. Some of these amazing results include:

Surf Lifesaving: NSW Championships

• Zoe B: Gold medal – NSW State Champion Lifesaver
• Eva R: Silver medal – Junior NSW Lifesaver of the Year
• Amelia M: Gold and Silver in the 2km and 1km beach relay events

NSW Junior Athletics Championships

• Lyla R: Gold in the U15 Steeple Chase; 7^th in the U15 1500m
• Avie R: Silver in U15 Long Jump, Bronze in U15 100m, 6^th in U15 200m
• Pip Q: Gold in U16 1500m, Bronze in U16 3000m, 4^th in U16 800m
• Elisabeth P: Silver in U17 Discus
• Erin H: 4^th in U18 high jump

All of these athletes have now qualified for the NSW team to compete at the Australian Athletics Championships in Adelaide in April.

Farewell to Father David

On Sunday 10 March, three Stella students performed at St Mary’s Manly as part of the farewell to Father David. This event also served to welcome in the Priests Fr Chima, Fr. Marek and Seminarian Matthew. Thanks to Siena A, Pascaal M and Scarlett O for a fantastic performance that was very well received by the parish community.

Dance News

All dance groups are now well underway and training hard for the competition season.

• Competitions will be entered over the next week and dates will be confirmed soon.
• Don’t forget to send Miss Jones your outside school Dance Studio competition dates so clashes can be avoided.
• Costumes will also be ordered soon.

Dance timetable

Open Night

A huge thank you to the stunning dancers who performed at Open Night last Wednesday. The Extension Traditional Contemporary Company performed Adam Blanch’s piece, “The Grey Area”, with a high level of technique and professionalism. The girls represented Dance at Stella with excellence, receiving outstanding feedback and accolades. The girls who performed are: Ella D, Vianney S, Amy B, Lunetta B, Ashlee G, Ava R, Gabriella W, Maya M, Myah S, Emilie F, and Samantha O.

Here we are, almost at the end of Term 1—so "what is happening next term?" I hear you cry! Here are some key dates for your calendar.

• P&F Annual General Meeting – Thursday 16 May
• Stella Fellas Trivia – Nomad Brewery – Sunday 19 May
• Vivid by Night at Luna Park – Saturday 10 June

Finally, we need your help with donations for the Mother's Day Raffle. More details are below!

Mark your calendars – P&F Annual General Meeting, Thursday 16 May, 7.30pm

Are you interested in the P&F and maybe getting more involved? We have our Annual General meeting on Thursday 16 May from 7.30 pm. If you are interested in attending, watch out for more details at the start of next term. If you want to be kept informed, drop us a note at pandf@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au, and we will add you to the list.

Calling All Stella Fellas - Join Us for Trivia Fun!

Hey fellas, get ready for an afternoon of excitement and friendly competition because the first Stella Fellas event of 2024 is on the horizon!

Join us at Nomad Brewery in Brookvale on Sunday 19 May, 2024 for an unforgettable trivia showdown from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.

This event, exclusively for dads and male carers, promises to be a blast! With Nick Poutney as our charismatic host and the Nomads team keeping the energy high, you're in for a fantastic time.

Plus, your $10 ticket purchase goes directly to supporting the school musical – talk about a win-win!

Secure your spot now by grabbing your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/CPYGG.

Vivid by Night – Luna Park in the Dark!

We need your help determining how many families or girls would be interested in a trip to Luna Park in Term 2 on Saturday 10 June. Please take a minute and let us know if you are interested by completing the expression of interest so we can open sales early next term!

Tickets are just $42 for adults (ages 14 and over) and $32 for ages 13 and under. The whole family is welcome. This event will start early in the evening, the time to be confirmed, but it was 5.00pm -10.00pm last year.

Please take two minutes to show us if you are interested in attending.

https://forms.gle/WZVupPSzwC3pSdnA7

Mother’s Day Breakfast – Call out for Raffle Prize donations

As we gear up for our annual Mother's Day Breakfast on Friday 10 May, the P&F always helps organise a raffle. Last year, your incredible generosity helped us raise just under $2,500 towards Northern Beaches Women's Shelter, which provides crucial shelter and support to vulnerable women and their families. We're aiming even higher this year, but we need your help to achieve our goal.

Could you contribute a prize for our raffle? Your donation, no matter how big or small, will help us raise vital funds. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those in need.

If you can contribute a prize or would like more information, please click below to provide more details. One of the P&F team will contact you closer to the event.

Click here to provide details https://forms.office.com/r/LDkvyGddeV?origin=lprLink or use the QR Code below:

Open evening BBQ – Thanks!!

We are saying a heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who supported the Open Evening BBQ. We can’t do these things without the generosity of your time, and it gives prospective parents another great lens on Stella when they see the parent/carer body with their sleeves rolled up, standing over a hot grill! Thanks to all the legends who gave up their time!

Here is a list of the P&F WhatsApp Channels and the admin(s) who look after them:

The Uniform Shop is open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 8.00am to 4.30pm during term and can be contacted via email:

uniform_books@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au

Winter uniforms are to be worn from Week 3 of Term 2. During Weeks 1 and 2, either summer or winter uniforms can be worn. If wearing winter uniform during these weeks, stockings and blazer must be worn.

Winter uniforms are now available to Year 7, Year 10 and new students who started from Term 4 last year.

Year 10 students are requested to come at Recess and Lunchtime only. Parents have been emailed details.

Year 11 can purchase the pink senior blouse.

If you require a junior or senior blazer or senior skirt, I need to see you by lunchtime, Thursday 28 March. This will allow time to place a top up order if required.

If you come after this date, you will be fitted in the next available size.

Please ask your daughter to collect their online orders from Recess after the order has been placed. Please use your daughter’s name on the order.

Please follow this link to the P&F Facebook second hand page:

Week commencing Monday 25 March

Week commencing Monday 1 April

Week commencing Monday 8 April

Term 1

Wednesday 31 January - Friday 12 April

Term 2

Tuesday 30 April - Friday 28 June

Term 3

Tuesday 23 July - Friday 27 September

Term 4

Tuesday 15 October - Tuesday 3 December

Term 1