Principal's Address

Dear Families,

It has been a fabulous fortnight full of activities and learning.

We are continuing with school tours and getting a great deal of interest from local families wishing their child to attend Stella Maris. Our next School Tours are on Wednesday June 10.

Feast Day

Yesterday we celebrated our Feast Day and the 70 year anniversary of Stella Maris P.S. We began with a whole school Mass that finished with the commissioning of our Mini-Vinnies. We had many in attendance including parents, former Principal (Graham Spence) and our local member (alumni) Brad Rowswell. Students worked in classrooms learning about our history and working on a new school prayer. We were fortunate to have parents (alumni) speaking to students about their previous experiences at Stella Maris. Lunch was generously provided by our wonderful Parents & Friends volunteers. We finished the day with students sharing their prayers and activities in front of a large cohort of parents. Thankyou to Mrs Greenway for her organised to ensure a wonderful celebration and recognition of our school.

Athletics

Two weeks ago we held our whole school Athletics Carnival. It was wonderful to our junior students joining us for the occasion. It was attended by a very large amount of parents - we thank you for your attendance. We were blessed with stunning weather and a packed schedule. We congratulate Green House for finishing First, for Tyson (Year 6) for being the inaugural winner of the Stella Surge (400m) and all students for their participation. The event results will be used to select students to represent Stella Maris in athletics next term (Years 3-6). Thankyou to all staff for their hard work and to Mrs Mitchell for her preparation and facilitation of the carnival - it was a successful day for Stella! Years 5/6 participate in Basketball Hooptime on Friday June 12.

Closure Day

Friday June 5 is a school closure - students will not be able to attend on this day while the staff participate in professional learning on Religious Education.

Empowering Students through Safety & Sexuality Education

During our parent Community Conversation, feedback was provided for the school to provide education on Family Life. The company (SE4Schools) works in a number of Catholic primary schools in Melbourne and comes highly recommended.

Students will participate in classes on: August 6, 20 & 27

Please below the content for sessions with students and parents. We are planning on scheduling each year. Please note that parent consent will be asked prior to participation.

1. Sexuality Education (Years 3–6)

Format: 3 x 60-minute sessions (flexible to 50 mins where required).

• Years 3/4: Focuses on families, bodies, and bodily autonomy (consent). Optionalmodules on reproduction or body image/self-esteem.

• Years 5/6: Explores puberty, physical/emotional changes, and reproduction. Includes anonymous Q&A and homework designed to spark family discussion.

2. "Feeling Safe" Protective Behaviours (Prep–Year 6)

• Format: Annual 1-hour session (45 mins where necessary for younger students).

• Focus: Using Protective Behaviours Australia guidelines, students learn skills to prevent abuse, understand consent, and build the confidence to seek help.

3. Connecting FamiliesParent/Carer Information Evenings

A 45–60 minute Zoom session to brief parents on curriculum requirements and how topics are handled during a school program in the classroom. Date for parents to be confirmed.

Parent Community Conversation - March 30 2026

This summary provides an analysis of the parent feedback for the school during the Community Conversation on March 30. 

Please note that not all parent responses are reflected in this summary but they are still being considered by the school Leadership Team. Below is a summary of the key pillars of Stella Maris school life:

Family Engagement, Barriers to Engagement, School Fit, School Climate, Student Safety, Communication and Catholic Identity. 

1. Family Engagement

What Works Well:

Stella Maris excels in daily responsiveness; parents appreciate that teachers typically respond to queries within 24 hours. The Parents & Friends Committee is viewed as a vital asset for community building and fundraising. Digital tools like Seesaw and nForma are praised for keeping parents connected to their child's learning and school reminders. Furthermore, homework is seen as a positive bridge that keeps parents aware and informed of the current curriculum being taught.

Areas for Growth:

Parents also requested more practical guidance on how to support their child’s specific needs at home, particularly regarding Maths and Reading strategies.

Responses: In 2026, the school leadership is exploring pathways to provide more opportunities for parental engagement and learning in: 

1. Maths. 
2. Cybersafety.
3. Health.

The school is progressing towards the full implementation of a parent School Advisory Committee. We are investigating the option of parent information evenings (with more information to follow).

2. Barriers to Engagement

What Works Well:

The staff’s approachability remains a consistent highlight, and parents feel that the community truly looks after one another and the sense of belonging for students is highly nurtured.

Areas for Growth:

The most significant barrier noted is the lack of on-site before and after school care. Parents would like longer notice to be able to attend school events. Creating more opportunities for the students to engage with the broader local community, such as local aged care facilities or childcare centres.

Responses: 

1. TheirCare has been engaged to provide Before/After Care from Term Three.
2. The school is providing more notice prior to upcoming events and provided access to a Stella Maris Google Calendar.
3. Students have been entered into more extra-curricula events such as: GATEWAYs, representative sport (ie Hooptime) and Maths competitions.
4. Students will be engaged with more local organisations with the newly commissioned Mini-Vinnies. 

3. School Fit and Academic Transition

What Works Well:

Parents believe the school is an excellent fit for instilling wellbeing and core values. Children express a high level of pride in their school and the community is described as beautiful and supportive.

Areas for Growth:

Parents are aware of the transition to secondary school and increased pedagogical consistency across the school and with MACS. For Family Life to be introduced for students from Years 4-6.

Responses:

1. We have increased the amount of staff attending MACS professional learning to further develop pedagogical consistency in all curriculum areas.
2. Family Life (Sex Education) has been booked for Term 3 and communicated in this week’s newsletter.

4. School Climate and Environment

What Works Well:

The school's physical and cultural climate is a source of pride. Multicultural celebrations and the welcoming of diversity are seen as major positives. The new reception area has made the school feel more professional and inviting. Specialized subjects are highly motivating for students.

Areas for Growth:

Parents highlighted facility-related issues, specifically the need for a better oval and updated playground equipment. Suggestions included replacing cubby houses with more modern play structures and creating a dedicated play area for Prep students. 

Academically, parents would like the current reports to be easier to understand.

Responses:

1. We have upgraded facilities - front garden and have plans for a new kitchen garden.

2. School Reports have had some changes made this year and will be explained in a letter sent home shortly.

    

5. Student Safety and Wellbeing

What Works Well:

The small school environment is seen as a protective factor, allowing teachers to be more aware of individual issues and address physical conflicts quickly. Physical security measures like high fencing and visitor lanyards are appreciated.

Areas for Growth:

While physical safety is strong, parents are concerned about cyber safety and would like to see professional-led training for students and clear methods for dealing with conflict.

Responses: 

1. Cyber safety sessions to be booked.
2. Our PBL team is improving our school response to conflict resolution. 

6. Communication Systems

What Works Well:

The dual-platform approach using Seesaw for classroom work and nForma for administrative updates is effective. Most parents feel they can easily secure face-to-face meetings when needed.

Areas for Growth:

The feedback indicates a request for real-time progress updates rather than waiting for end-of-semester reports or parent/teacher conferences. 

Responses:

1. We have increased communication through Assemblies, Newsletters, nForma notes, teacher absences, Social Media and SeeSaw.

7. Catholic Identity

What Works Well:

This remains a core strength of the school. The ‘values-based’ Catholic education is highly regarded, and mass participation is seen as an excellent way to build student leadership. The inclusion of families in liturgies and the acknowledgment of other religious festivals live out the school's mission.

Areas for Growth:

While the Catholic identity is strong, parents want students to be empowered to make their own choices regarding their beliefs. They also suggested teaching children how to live out Catholic values in their daily social interactions and decision-making.

Responses:

1. The school has an innovative approach to teach Religious Education and has a comprehensive Sacramental and Liturgical Program.
2. The students participate in numerous social justice initiatives, highlighted by our Mission in Action day in Term One.

Please click HERE to add the Stella Parent Calendar to your own Google Calendar.

#CourageAlways

Simon Millar

Principal