2027 Term Dates

To assist with holiday planning next year, please find below the term dates for 2027.

School Photo Days

Wednesday 3 June - Main Photo Day (PC Group and Portrait Photos)

Wednesday 10 June - Sibling and Absentee Portrait photos

To order, please visit: www.advancedlife.com.au and enter online order code: KY8 HAC 97W

OR have your child collect an envelope from Student Services, place cash into the envelope along with the order and your child will be required to hand the envelope to the photographer on the day.

Additional Information

• Sibling Photos - You need to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope (collect from Student Services) first thing in the morning on the day of photography.
• Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately.
• Package delivery - School photographs will be returned approximately 6 weeks after the day of photography. Please note this delivery timeframe is dependent on proofing and additional photography days at your school.

Community News

Snow Gear Available

Lifeline Brookvale has contacted the College and asked us to advise our families that they have received a LOT of snow gear in great condition (all different brand names). If you missed out on the Aldi sales, pop in to Lifeline Brookvale to check out what's available.

Parent Information Session

At KYDS, we know that supporting youth mental health means supporting the entire family network. That is why we are thrilled to open registrations for our upcoming series of Free Parent Information Sessions, running throughout June and July. There will be both face-to-face and online options.

Supported by Northern Beaches Council and Dee Why RSL, this series offers evidence-based guidance to help parents confidently navigate the modern complexities of raising adolescents. Whether you are struggling with screen-time battles, feeling disconnected from your teenager, or looking for ways to handle intense emotional outbursts, these workshops provide a safe, collaborative space to find answers.

Click the link below to learn more about each topic, session types and times and secure your seat:

Parenting a Screenager: Learn practical strategies to manage screen time, set healthy boundaries, and understand the digital world your teenager lives in.

The Power of Connection: More Than Words: Discover how to strengthen your relationship with your teen and keep the lines of communication open, even when they seem to pull away.

Emotional Regulation – Feelings Without the Fireworks: Equip yourself with tools to understand adolescent brain development and de-escalate high-tension emotional moments at home.

Gala Ball Announcement

Announcing Stella’s 95th Anniversary ‘Legacy of Lights’ Gala Ball
Saturday 12 September 2026

Save the date for one of the biggest and most exciting celebrations of the year, Stella’s 95th Anniversary ‘Legacy of Lights’ Gala Ball!

Bringing together parents, staff, alumni and friends of the College, this (student-free) event will be the ultimate whole-community occasion of our anniversary year, a fabulous evening of fun, festivity and celebration as we honour 95 remarkable years of Stella.

The venue is confirmed, the dress code is set (black tie with a touch of sparkle, shimmer or shine) and Sydney’s ultimate party band, Party Latte, is officially booked and ready to keep the dance floor full all night long.

Start organising your table of 10 now, because tickets will be limited and are expected to sell very quickly (individual tickets also available).

This is one celebration you won’t want to miss! Look out for the ticketing announcement towards the end of term.

Please contact Sue Homann, Community Engagement Manager, if you are keen to learn about sponsorship packages for this milestone celebration.

Year 12 Study Skills Seminar

As part of our commitment to supporting Year 12 students in achieving their personal best, Year 12 attended a study skills seminar titled Maximising Your Results on Monday 25 May. The session, led by Dr. Prue Salter, offered a wealth of actionable strategies designed to empower students with the tools they need to stay organised, focused, and thoroughly prepared for the final challenges of Year 12.

The seminar delved into advanced research on how the brain learns most effectively, highlighting practical ways students can optimise their study habits. Dr. Salter emphasised the importance of creating effective study notes, not just as a way to summarise content but as a powerful tool for understanding and memory retention. Students reflected on their current study techniques, identifying methods that worked well and exploring new strategies to enhance their learning. The session also provided guidance on structuring independent study during term time and holidays, focusing on the importance of consistent preparation and proactive revision.

In addition, Dr. Salter shared detailed advice on planning study time in the lead-up to exams, including strategies for balancing workloads and staying on top of revision schedules. A highlight was the guidance on holiday study, ensuring students make the most of their time outside of term. To further support Year 12, students will receive access to a follow-up video in Term 3, after their Trial HSC exams. This video lesson will walk them through mapping out their study time from the end of classes to their final exams, helping them approach their final weeks with clarity and purpose.

All secondary students at our school also have access to an excellent study skills website, which offers additional resources to refine their skills. Visit www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and use the username: stellamaris and password: 52success to start improving your results today!

Louise Yeates
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

Library News

Madison M completed the purple Bookmark Challenge receiving a merit and a Knud sticker.

Madison read:
1. Freedom Swimmer
2. Life on the refrigerator door.
3. Once
4. Tales from a tall forest

Congratulations on your determination, Madi.

Year 9 - Fantasy, Dystopian, Supernatural Genres

Knud and K9 (the robot dog in our dystopian robot display, named after the robot dog in Dr Who), read The Birds, a dystopian short story by Daphne du Maurier. Knud and K9 discovered the short story (only 39 pages) plot was different from the movie, and the end more haunting.

Book Banter...

Tilly B from Year 8 chats about - Keeper of the Lost Cities

Genre: Adventure/fantasy
Age: 10-15 Years
One sentence plot: Sophie is a gifted girl who discovers she belongs in a hidden world filled with secrets, danger, and has powerful abilities she is only beginning to understand.
Setting: Elven-Goblin-Magical world.
Favourite character: Sophie, the half human and half Elvin, who doesn’t fit in.
Describe in four words: Page-turner - twist and turns
Rating: Couldn’t put it down. ⭐⭐ ⭐

Click image below for Hyper-link to Pinterest Board and Goodread Reviews.

Online Auction Now Live!

We are excited to launch the 2026 Online Auction in support of the Happy Days Cambodian Village School in Siem Reap. In June, 40 students and seven staff members will travel to Cambodia to volunteer within the school community and support meaningful educational initiatives.

This year, the group is aiming to raise funds to purchase 60 bicycles for students who often walk up to two hours each way to attend school. A bicycle can make an enormous difference to a child’s access to education and daily life.

We invite our school community to support this important cause by bidding on auction items generously donated by local businesses or by making a direct donation through the auction page. Every contribution will go directly towards supporting the students and families connected to our Cambodian partner school.

NSW All Schools Swimming

Congratulations to the Stella open 4 x 50m freestyle team who represented NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday 21 May. The Stella team, consisting of Jess O, Zara D, Mila C and Charlie C had an outstanding swim, finishing in fourth place and just outside of the medals. Well done to all members of the team on being the fourth fastest team in the state!

CGSSSA Cross Country

The CGSSSA Cross Country Carnival was held at Bicentennial Park on Friday 15 May. Stella had a big team representing at this event, and we had fantastic results across all age groups. It was wonderful to see so many of the Stella students enjoying themselves running the 3, 4 or 6km races, and cheering their team mates on all day. Well done to all students on their performances on the day. Special mention to the students who finished in the top ten in their age groups:

Lucy T, Ella F, Ellie O, Hana G, Eloise N, Sarah C, Sabine C, Tilly D, Mia V, Bella R, Emily C, Piper B, Amelia M, Andrea N, April U, Zaylee Z, Chloe S and Mila C.

Good luck to the following students who have now been selected to run at the NSWCCC Championships in late June:

Lucy T, Ellie O, Hana G, Sarah C, Bella R, Piper B, Emily C, Amelia M, April U, Zaylee Z and Mila C.

Bill Turner Soccer

It has been a busy week for our Bill Turner soccer squad who have played their round 2 and 3 games in recent weeks.

The round 2 game saw Stella come up against a strong Pittwater House team at Cromer Park. The Stella team scored early in the first half and went into the break with a 3 – 1 lead. Another strong team performance in the second half, saw the Stella team take a good win 4 – 1.

Round 3 was another great game for the Stella team, against Forest High. We were lucky enough to play the first ever official match on the new Forest High synthetic field. The Stella team dominated from the start, and won the game 9 – 0.

The competition gets a little harder from this point, with Stella to play a tough Brigidine team in the round 4 game on 11 June. Good luck Stella!

NSWCCC Football Championships

The NSWCCC Football Championships were played at Valentine Park on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May. Stella had four students selected to play in the CGSSSA team – Charlotte C, April U, Sophie L and Camille C (Gracie B also selected, but ruled out with injury).

The CGSSSA team had a very successful tournament, winning their pool to progress through to the grand final against Sydney Catholic Schools. It was a close grand final with CGSSSA successful in winning 1 – 0, to be named NSWCCC Champions. The Stella students played a dominant role in the team throughout the tournament, Special mention to Camille and Charlotte who have been named in the NSWCCC Open Soccer team and will now play at the NSW All Schools Championships in June.

Emerging Matildas

A huge congratulations to Evie M and Gracie B, who have been named in the Emerging Matildas U15 team of the tournament! This comes after playing in the Emerging Matilda’s Championships in Melbourne in the April holidays. Both Evie and Gracie were part of the victorious NSW sky team. Evie was also named vice captain of the NSW team and MVP of the whole tournament.

Congratulations Evie and Gracie!

Snowsports

Stella will be entering teams into the Northern NSW Interschools Snow Sports championships, which will be held in Thredbo from 7 – 10 July (in the school holidays). All students have been sent a link to register interest in joining the Stella team. Please note that this is appropriate for students with skiing/snowboarding experience. All students are to travel and stay with their own families for this event and will be under the supervision of their family for the event.

Athletics Squad

The Stella athletics squad will commence training later this term in preparation for the Stella athletics season in Term 3. Information has been emailed to students who placed in events at the Stella athletics carnival. The squad is open to all students, so if there is any student who would like to join the athletics squad and they did not receive the email, they should email Mrs Jenny Wickham to express interest in joining the squad.

The squad will train on Wednesday mornings and compete at Friday evening carnivals in Term 3.

NSWCCC Rugby League

Congratulations to Lara M who has been selected into the NSWCCC U16 Rugby League team! Well done Lara.

NSW All Schools Hockey

Best of luck to Rileigh S, Isla S and Hannah L who will represent NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools State Hockey Championships in Newcastle this week!

Good luck also to the Stella hockey team, who will play in the semi-final of the Mollie Dive Hockey competition next week.

NSWCCC Netball

Congratulations to Ava S who represented CGSSSA at the NSWCCC Netball Championships last week!

Soccer Skills Clinics

Stella is offering soccer skills clinics for any interested students in the last two weeks of this term. These clinics are being run by our soccer coach, Shay Hollman. Shay is a Stella ex-student, former Young Matildas player and current Sydney FC player. These will be held on Monday and Wednesday mornings at Keirle Park.

These will be also offered as part of our Term 3 sports.

Term 3 Sports

Registration for all Term 3 sports will be emailed to students in the next two weeks. Students will be sent the information and links to express interest in the sports that they would like to participate in Term 3.

Extra curricular sports on offer in Term 3 include:

• Peninsula Cup Soccer
• Soccer skills clinics
• Athletics squad
• Basketball
• Tennis squad
• Run Club
• Pilates
• Group Fitness
• Tennis lessons
• Year 7 water polo (tbc)

Lucy on the World Stage

Congratulations to Year 9 student, Lucy M, who represented Australia at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships held in Orlando, Florida from 23–25 April.

Competing in the Youth All Girls Median division, Lucy and her Australian teammates delivered an outstanding performance, taking home the gold medal against teams from six other countries around the world.

This incredible achievement is a testament to Lucy’s dedication, athleticism and teamwork. Well done, Lucy!

Winter Performing Arts Series

Tickets are now available for the Winter Performing Arts Series. The Showcase of Music will be held on Wednesday 17 June. Due to popular demand, a third Celebration of Dance show will be held on Tuesday 23 June from 7.00pm (the shows on Friday 19 June are sold out). Please note a limit of four tickets will apply.

A full line-up of performances for the Showcase of Music will be released once auditions have concluded.

The Celebration of Dance will showcase all dance groups, elective classes, and HSC works from this year. All routines are new and this will be their first time on stage. The groups involved are:

• Ext Jazz Company
• Ext Commercial Jazz Company
• Ext Lyrical Company
• Ext Contemporary Company
• Ext Hip Hop Company
• Senior Jazz Company
• Senior Lyrical Company
• Junior Jazz Company
• Junior Lyrical Company
• Junior Contemporary Company
• Junior Hip Hop Company
• Year 8/9 Jazz Ensemble
• Year 8/9 Lyrical Ensemble
• Years 7-9 Contemporary Ensemble
• Years 7-9 Hip Hop Ensemble
• Year 7 Jazz Ensemble (Monday)
• Year 7 Jazz Ensemble (Thursday)
• Year 7 Dance Performance Group
• Year 8 Dance Performance Group
• Years 9/10 Dance Performance Group
• Year 9, 200 hours Elective Dance
• Year 10, 200 hours Elective Dance
• Year 10 Accelerated Dance
• Year 11 Elective Dance
• Year 12 HSC Dance Core Performance pieces

Addams Family Update

Due to a clash with another College event, there will no longer be a show on Friday 28 August. Instead, we have added a show on Wednesday 26 August! The full updated schedule is below and has been posted on the Stella app.

Updated performance dates:

• Show 1 - Wednesday 26 August @ 6:30pm (Understudies)
• Show 2 – Thursday 27 August @ 6:30pm (Mains)
• Show 3 – Saturday 29 August @ 2:00pm (Mains)
• Show 4 – Saturday 29 August @ 6:30pm (Mains)

We're back in full swing and rehearsals are going brilliantly! A reminder to all students involved in the production to regularly check Teams for the latest updates to the rehearsal schedule.

We can't wait to share this wonderfully weird and spectacular show with our school community. 🖤

Exciting Announcement - Japan Tour 2027

Students and parents are invited to attend an information evening proposing a Music tour to Japan in 2027 with Hayes Music Tours.

• Date: Tuesday 16 June
• Venue: Star of the Sea Theatre
• Time: 5:30pm to 6:30pm

If you cannot make the evening, it will be live streamed. A link to the recording will also be provided after the evening.

The tour will be a 7-10 day itinerary, flying to Tokyo and travelling through to Nagasaki. The tour will include performances, attending music events, and outreach with our two Sister of the Good Samaritan schools in Sasebo. We will be departing at the end of September 2027.

This tour is open to all students enrolled in Years 7 to 11 for 2027, not just current band or ensemble members.

Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival

On Wednesday 27 May the Performance Band performed in the Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival at Killarney Heights High School. The festival is held in Term 2 each year and the aim is to provide a formal, non-competitive opportunity for ensembles that is a positive and encouraging experience. At the conclusion of our performance, we had the wonderful experience of receiving professional feedback of us from an experienced musician and band director, Derek Barg. The performance was also recorded so we can’t wait to hear the wonderful music we played. Thank you to our wonderful conductor, Juliet Ivkovic, and the Music teachers, Leanne Haines, Lotus Kypriotis, Janella Fyfe, Rob Sutcliffe and Evan Browett who attended, played and supported the Stella girls.

Reconciliation Assembly: Royston Noell performs with Stella Choirs

This week, the College held an assembly to recognise and reflect on National Reconciliation Week. The combined Junior and Senior Choirs, conducted by Mrs Lotus Kypriotis, had the absolute privilege of working with Royston Noell, a proud Thanakwith and Wagadagam Indigenous singer, originally from Mapoon in Far North Queensland. Royston was also the winner of Australian Idol in 2023. The combined choirs performed backing vocals on a moving rendition of My Island Home and Royston also performed his own song of Invincible. We were also treated to a Q and A between Royston and Brooke Prentice that showed his advocacy for the Aboriginal culture and how he has used his music to overcome many hurdles in his life. This was followed by an encore performance of My Island Home which had all the students in attendance up out of their seats singing.

Dance News

Stella Dancers Win!

On Saturday some of our dance students attended the first competition of the season - I’d Rather Be Dancing (IRBD).

Due to the competition being so early in the year, only three of the Extension Company Teams competed. We competed against most of the local schools including Oxford Falls Grammar, Brigidine College, Freshwater Senior Campus, Narrabeen Sports High, Loreto Kirribilli, Ravenswood, Wenona, SCEGGS Redlands, Kuringai High and more.

Despite only just finishing their routines, having costume shipment problems (not all sizes arrived), only having one rehearsal with their props, and illness striking mid performance, all teams placed!

What made me most proud was the way the girls arrived prepared, carried themselves professionally, and represented Stella Maris with pride.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to Kylie Abbott who assisted me with managing the girls. Kylie’s kind, calm, patient demeanour, coupled with her incredible enthusiasm and support, lifted the girls’ confidence and spirits, so they could shine as bright as a Stella star! Your help is invaluable.

Thank you to the phenomenal dance teachers who helped make these results happen: Rochelle Jones, James Maras, Michaela O’Flynn, and Bella-Joy Lye.

If you see any of the girls around the College, please say congratulations.

IRBD Results:

• 1^st Place - Extension Lyrical Company. “Miss You”
• 1^st Place - Extension Hip Hop Company “Hey Mama”
• 3^rd Place - Extension Jazz Company “Purple Hat”

Upcoming Events

Stella Fellas Barefoot Bowls – Sunday 31 May

Calling all Dads and male carers! The Stella Fellas are hosting a Barefoot Bowling afternoon on Sunday 31 May. It promises to be a fun afternoon with food and bowls.

Tickets are $29.

Any questions, please contact Nick Poutney on 0418 383 336.

This is a dad-only event.

P&F Annual General Meeting – Thursday 4 June

We will be holding our annual general meeting on Thursday 4 June, 6.30pm in the Library and online. If you are interested in being a member of the P&F, please contact Catherine at catherinefitzgerald@hotmail.co.uk

The AGM agenda can be found here.

Please join us online via the following link.

Trivia Night – Friday 12 June @ Manly Leagues - Tickets Now on Sale

Get ready to paint the town (and your table) red—or blue, or neon green! We’re back for another night of wit, whimsy, and high-stakes competition, but this year, we’re doing it in Technicolour.

🤓 The Night: Whether you’re a human encyclopaedia or just here for the buffet and the vibes, grab your brightest gear and join us for the highlight of the school calendar.

🌈 The Vibe: High-energy trivia meets a rainbow explosion. This year, it’s not just about what’s in your head—it’s about what’s on your back! Each table will be assigned a specific colour - information to follow shortly on available colours. Go as big or as subtle as you like. Whether you’re rocking a full-body monochromatic suit or just a funky pair of socks, represent your hue with pride! Bonus points (and major bragging rights) may or may not be awarded for the most coordinated table...

🏆 The Prizes: We’ve got massive hauls for the winning teams, plus "spot prizes" for those moments of brilliance (or hilarious failure) throughout the night.

💡Pro Tip: Start thinking about your outfit now. A little bit of "Green with Envy" or "Feeling Blue" goes a long way when there's a trophy on the line!

🚀 Ready to Play?

🎟️ Tickets & Teams & Colours - First in, best dressed for the table colour of your choice! Available here!

💰 Price: $70 per person (includes a full buffet dinner to fuel your brainpower). Grab a squad of 8 to 10, or sign up solo/as a pair and we’ll match you with your future trivia teammates! Tables at this event sell out faster than a chocolate crackle at a primary school bake sale! Don’t miss your chance to shine, showcase your skills, and see which colour reigns supreme.

🎨 Colour Selection: We will be in contact with information on table colour allocations - if you have a burning desire for a particular colour - first in, best dressed.

Class of 2026 Father/Daughter Dinner - Friday 26 June @ Manly Wharf Centre - tickets on sale!

You and your Year 12 daughter are invited to share an evening in the company of the Class of 2026 and their fathers and 'father figures'.

Friday 26 June 2026 | 7pm -11pm | Upper Level, Manly Wharf (above Felons)

Dress: Cocktail

Ticket Price:

• Adult (>18): $180
• Underage daughters: $135

Price includes: 2-course sit down dinner, 4-hour beverage package (non-alcoholic for U18s), cocktail (and mocktail) on arrival, big screens for slide show, DJ & lighting.

Ticket deadline: 3 June, 2026

Note: We need to sell a minimum of 100 tickets to cover event costs. If we do not reach 100 by June 3, we will refund the ticket price and NOT proceed with the event.

Table plans will be worked through with students.

The event is for fathers and father figures (uncle, brother, friend’s dad or any other adult that the student would be comfortable attending with - if that is a mum, that’s ok). Given alcohol is available, the event has the College’s blessing but will not be associated with the event in any form.

Questions: Contact your host, Luke Hannan, 0404 841 764

WhatsApp Parent Groups

The P&F administers year level WhatsApp group to share information relating to P&F activities. It's also a great place for parents to ask any school-related questions. Please find below the links for each year level.

Uniform Shop News

The Uniform Shop is open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 8:00am to 4:30pm during term and can be emailed on uniform_books@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au

The Uniform Shop will not be open during the July holidays.

The last day of trading this term is Tuesday 23 June. The shop reopens on Tuesday 21 July. The Uniform Shop will be closed on 24 and 25 June for stocktake. No purchases/returns/exchanges are possible on those days.

Year 7 students studying Art next term should order and collect their Art Pack before the end of this term.

Please encourage your daughters to collect their online orders.

Online Uniform Orders

The Online Store can also be found on the Stella app by following “Links”.

2026 Pricelist

Second Hand Uniforms

Week commencing Monday 1 June

Week commencing Monday 8 June

Term 2

2026 Term Dates

2027 Term Dates