7 October 2014

You contribute to meeting the recurrent costs with your term school fees. You contribute towards the capital costs when you pay the annual $510 school building levy. Stella Maris school is already part of the Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) network as far as the school’s recurrent budget is concerned. At this time, as far as the capital component is concerned, the guarantor of borrowings and capital debt is the Stella Maris Parish. WHY NOW? You’ve just about paid off all the existing school building loans, thanks to your faithful contributions into the school building fund levy. However, the school is ageing and the time is approaching when older sections of the Stella Maris School need to be demolished, rebuilt or refurbished. The Stella Maris School is also approaching a time when it becomes debt free. This is an opportune time for us to be looking at a future master plan, and for us to be putting together a business case where we calculate our financial scope to be able to fund the projects that will be included in the school’s redevelopment. WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? When parishes enter into loan negotiations with the Archdiocesan bank (ADF) on behalf of their parish school, the typical life of that loan is 10 years, although such loans inevitably spread out further because of interest rate increases and other unanticipated nasties. The business case is made by adding up the government grants the school is likely to win towards the cost of some of the building projects, and the total of the annual building fund levy that each school family is required to pay. It starts to get challenging if the capacity of the school community to borrow a certain amount, (as worked out by the business case) falls short of the capital cost items that constitute the master plan. The scale of the redevelopment of Stella Maris School is huge. So I decided to approach the management of Brisbane Catholic Education to enquire if this might be a good time for BCE to take over the Stella Maris School, and relist it as an archdiocesan school. My reasoning is that BCE administers large capital investments. When they build archdiocesan schools and colleges they can negotiate more favourable financial arrangements (builders, architects, engineers, other consultants) than we can, at the parish school level.

Term 4 Week 1

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to Term 4, a very busy one ahead! This month alone, we

have the Internal Review Twilight tomorrow evening, the Musical in Week 2 (rehearsal

Wednesday and Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances), Consistency of Teacher

Judgement Day with St Peter’s Caboolture on the Monday in Week 3, two Orientation mornings on 29th

and 30th, International Teachers’ Day on 31st, 2015 budget to be drafted and Semester 2 reports to be prepared. That’s a busy three weeks!

To begin the term, I have asked Father Joe to share with you his decision to ask Brisbane Catholic Education to formally take over the governance of Stella Maris School. As you would be aware, we are presently a parish primary school, administered by BCE, but with ultimate responsibility lying with the Parish Priest. This is unlike Siena Primary which was developed as an Archdiocesan school for which Father Joe provides pastoral and spiritual support. This move will bring the two primary schools within the Stella Maris Parish into line with one another.

As Principal, I am fully supportive of Father Joe’s proposal. I am also confident that parents, students and staff will be unaware of any change to the running of the school under new governance, with our priests still providing the wonderful level of pastoral and spiritual support they currently provide us. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to make contact. More information will be provided as the matter progresses. Glenda.

Father Joe writes:

A QUESTION! Parents, what would you say if the Stella Maris parish primary school were to become an archdiocesan primary school? The reason why I ask this question is because the school is about to enter a significant stage of its redevelopment. I am referring here specifically to large ticket items such as buildings: classrooms, administration block, libraries, tuck shops, toilet blocks, and the like. These are the items that come under the budget heading capital investments. They are distinct from the recurrent expenses, such as paying the teachers, electricity, water, IT and phone, and general maintenance.

ABSENTEE LINE: 54098989 All absentees to be notified by

9.30am

DATE CLAIMER

November 8 Family Movie under the stars Christmas Carols Food - Sausage Sizzle - Pies/ Sausage Rolls - Pizza Drinks Fairy Floss/ Snow Cones/popcorn Cup cakes/Sweets Face Painting, Stalls, Raffles, Animal Farm

October 9 2014

Brook Lyndon, Valentino Grosso, Sienna Coughlan, Jessica Burrows, Sasha Pace, Damian Stitt, Reese Marinic, Toby Hodges, Alec Franklin, Brooke Ochman, Lily Harkin, Nathan Linnett, Stefan Smith, Maya Jeffs, Caitlyn Teale, Ella Flaton, Walter Nichols, Bella Hubbard, Finn Clifford,

Patrick Edwards, Lauren Chalk, Kendal O’Neal, Caleb Jackman, Tahlia Penn, Lily Henningsen,

Mia Freeman, Seth Burrows, Zoe Kretzers, Ella Warren, John Saxon, Anabella Lourenco, Carson Whitten,

Nicholas Ansell, Emma Burchell.

Musical Thank You - I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the staff, students and parents who gave up their time over the holidays to prepare for the Wizard of Oz performances in a week’s time. The vision, energy, expertise, time and commitment needed to produce something on this scale is substantial, so to one and all, THANK YOU. I know your efforts and sacrifices will be well-worth it and you will be justly proud of your achievements together—as will we all. Ins and Outs Tuesday 7 October - Michael Fitzpatrick in for Retreat Day with Years 6 and 7 students Wednesday 8 October - Area Supervisor, Paul Blundell in for Internal Review Twilight Thursday 9 October - Siena staff to see Year 7 teachers for Year 8 student transition.9.40-10.45

Rhonda Thornton and Paul Blundell in for meeting re

change of governance

Uniform Shop Hours Monday 8.00am - 10.00am

Wednesday 10.15am - 3.15pm

Thursday 8.00am - 1.00pm

NSW University English Competition Thirty Stella Maris children participated in the NSW University English Competition in July. The following students received either a Credit or Merit. CREDIT: Lewis Teed, Grace Camp, Makedde Cranley, Teddy Huby, William Brown, Samuel Henrick, Lily Foott and Matthew Haley MERIT: Nicholas Nikov, Christopher Hall, Mau Naufahu, Sarun Lamb, Brandon Roberts, Estelle Tonkin-Farr Congratulations to all students who participated. Certificates will be awarded at Thursday’s Assembly.

So far BCE management are supportive regarding the transfer of our redevelopment project to them. So much so, that they have discussed the proposal with Archbishop Coleridge who is also likely to be supportive. WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO! The same people will be servicing the same loans (school families), but with BCE as guarantor there ought to be greater flexibility, more cost savings, and better loan spreads, in the financial mix. WHAT ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARISH? For the parish school to become an archdiocesan school I would be signing off on assurances that the school will continue to receive the same pastoral services and other spiritual backing of the Stella Maris parish. I would also be surrendering my “final say” in the kind of redevelopment that BCE might instigate. The parish would always retain title to the ownership of the land and buildings at the school site. WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT? There needs to be proper consultation among all stakeholders, including school and parish for the above proposal. This needs to include a meeting of school staff and parents where we can sit down face to face with BCE management. At this initial stage I would be interested to receive feedback from you parents because, for sure, you will be raising more questions. All of us need to be appreciative that the principal, Ms Glenda Morgan, has successfully steered the school along a consistent financial path. Thanks to her sound management, our proposal to make the Stella Maris parish school into an archdiocesan school is that much more attractive to BCE.

Fr Joe Duffy, parish priest

MUSIC NOTES QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We’re off to see the wizard, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” ~L. Frank Baum ~

MUSICAL NEWS – ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’ -Students are asked to check the rehearsal schedule very carefully to ensure they are at the scheduled rehearsals this week. There will be NO Wednesday rehearsal this week. HOLIDAY WORK AND REHEARSALS - Thank you to all parents/grandparents/caregivers/Stella staff/ friends and family members who assisted with painting during 5 days of the holiday break. There was a LOT of painting completed, sets built, and costumes created during this time, which helped immensely with our two intense days of rehearsals with the students. These two days were very productive due to the hard work put forth by absolutely everyone. The children are to be congratulated for the excellent behaviour and effort put forth during these long rehearsals. Thank you also to the musicians who took time out of their holidays to ensure we were able to piece the entire show together. Thank you one and all!!! T-SHIRTS - Thank you to Glen from Molleedooka for our shirts and to Vicky Linnett for the wonderful design. Don’t forget, students are permitted to wear these tomorrow Wednesday 8 October and Friday 10 October with their school shorts. TICKET ORDERS - Don’t forget to get your tickets ordered as soon as possible as seats for each performance are limited. The Wednesday matinee school performance is for staff and students only. There will be no tickets available for this daytime performance and parents/guests will not be able to attend this final dress rehearsal / performance for the school. If you haven’t purchased your tickets already, they are available online at: http://www.trybooking.com/105181 DATE CLAIMERS The Wizard of Oz – Week 2 – Monday 13 October and Tuesday 14 October (during regular school hours) The Wizard of Oz - Final Dress Rehearsal Wednesday 15 October (during regular school hours) The Wizard of Oz – Thursday 16, Friday 17 & Saturday 18 October INSTRUMENTAL NEWS Recruitment for students interested in joining the tuition program in 2015 to learn a musical instrument, singing and speech/drama will commence early in term 4. Please look out for further information in the newsletter. Term 4 lesson timetables were emailed to all enrolled families last week, so please check your inbox! If you did not get the timetables, please email us at StellaMarisMusic@bne.catholic.edu.au. Lessons and ensemble sessions begin on TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER. 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. Musically Yours, Inez Durrer Todd Wynyard Classroom Music Specialist Instrumental Music Coordinator idurrer@bne.catholic.edu.au twynyard@bne.catholic.edu.au

October 7 (not 14)P & F Meeting in the Staffroom @ 6.30pm October 15 - 18 Musical “The Wizard of Oz” October 20 Pupil Free Day October 29 and 30 Orientation Mornings 9-12 October 31 International Teacher’s Day November 8 P & F Family Movie Night—”Stella by Twilight” November 11 P & F Meeting in the Staffroom @ 6.30pm November 26 Tuckshop Helpers Lunch December 1 Year 7 Dinner Dance December 2 Year 6 Dinner Dance December 3 Years 6 & 7 Graduation Liturgy December 5 School year ends

Wed 08/10 Thurs 09/10 Fri 10/10 Tues 14/10

T Gorring L Martin

N Burrows S Thompson

L Mancini

Group 1

A Brunswick, B Gibberd, C Crowe, C Tonkes, E Judd, J Camp, K Collins, K Czosnek, K Walsh, L Wallace, M Sutton, M Housego, N Mac Minn, P Siddans, S Eggmolesse, S Kelm, T Whitten, L Smith, T Sealy.

Muffin Mixes & Fruit Salad Items

THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL Fried Rice & Chicken

$4.00 Gluten Free $1.00 extra

Siena Outside Hours Care

Coordinator: Gemini Williams Mobile: 0487002228 Email:sippydownsoshc@bne.centacare.net.au We are taking expressions of interest for the pupil free day on Monday 20th October. Please complete booking form attached and have it returned no later than Thursday 9th October. We will contact parents by email on Friday 10th October if we have the numbers to open.

DATE CHANGE: Due

to Melbourne Cup day we have made the Year 8s for 2015 after-

noon Wednesday 5 November. “St John’s College invite parents and Year 8 students for next year to our Familiarisation / Orientation afternoon on Wednesday 5 November, 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Our Year 11 students will take any families who are interested in a college tour between 3.30pm and 4.30pm. There will be an information session from 4.30pm to 5.30pm followed by afternoon tea”.

SIENA COLLEGE IMPORTANT INFORMATION

FOR CURRENT YEAR SIX AND SEVEN PARENTS The Siena Uniform Shop will be conducting fittings for the 2015 Grade 7 and Grade 8 Siena College students on the following days from 12.30pm – 5.30pm:

Tuesday 14 /Wednesday 15/Thursday 16 October Tuesday 21 Wednesday 22/Thursday 23 October Tuesday 28/Wednesday 29/Thursday 30 October Wednesday 5 November/Thursday 6 November Tuesday 11/Wednesday 12 /Thursday 13 November Tuesday 18/Wednesday 19 /Thursday 20 November Tuesday 25/Wednesday 26 /Thursday 27 November

Uniform fittings are by appointment only – strictly 30 minutes.

Please make your appointments as soon as possible by ringing the uniform shop anytime on 5456 4397 and leaving a message otherwise the shop is open Tuesday/Thursday 8-11am and Wednesdays 8-10.30am.

During our uniform fitting times listed above we will have a representative from Athlete’s Foot Sunshine Plaza to fit the correct school shoes for your child as well. There is no obligation and you can get your child’s foot measured and fitted with the correct shoe size. You can then then pay in January 2015 and collect the shoes from the Athletes Foot shop at Sunshine Plaza or Kawana Shopping World.

By making these appointments we hope to save you from being stuck in long queues in January. We do take into account the growth spurts many children have over the holidays. We strongly encourage you to fit your child on these dates, especially with a larger cohort joining Siena College in 2015.

Mrs Gill Thompson Convenor