Student Learning Conferences (SLCs)

Student Learning Conferences (SLCs) provide an opportunity for parents, teachers and students to discuss student progress to date in 2026, and to collaboratively set learning goals and strategies for ongoing improvement.

• SLC #1 30/03/26 Term 1 Week 10
• SLC #2. 29/04/26 Term 2 Week 2
• SLC #3 5/5/26 Term 2 Week 3
• SLC #4 22/07/26 Term 3 Week 1

Bookings have already opened to Year 11 and 12 families with the other year groups opening at 2:00pm on:

• Years 9 & 10 – 23 March
• Years 7 & 8 – 31 March (the day after SLC #1)

MS Teams

This year’s SLCs will again be conducted through MS Teams. In preparation, your daughter(s) will be instructed as to how it will work.

Login instructions

Interviews are booked online through an external provider called Booked. Please do not attempt to use your Stella Online login, or your past login details for Booked (previously known as PTO), as neither will work. Instructions for obtaining login details are below and are clearly explained within the document. Although you will be able to obtain login details, please be aware that you will only have access to book at the times/dates mentioned above. We highly recommend that you leave a gap between interviews (i.e. do not make bookings back-to-back). Use a computer to access Booked, rather than a phone or tablet.

One set of interviews

Currently only one parent (Carer 1 as registered on our records) has been set-up in Booked to avoid both parents inadvertently making a booking. Once the booking is made however, both parents can attend the interviews, on separate devices if needed. In this scenario, the teacher will “call” the student’s laptop (as per all interviews), and any parent not physically sitting with the student will be waiting in the MS Teams lobby (more info to follow) once they click on the teacher’s link.

Shared custody arrangements

We recognise that shared custody arrangements can make SLCs more complex for families. However, we are unable to offer separate meetings for the same student. Many of our teachers are fully booked and unable to accommodate all existing requests, so allocating two slots for one student would not be fair to other families. In addition, our conferences are student-centred, and the student’s presence is essential to meaningful discussions about their learning. Attending two meetings with each teacher places undue stress and anxiety on the student. We aim to keep the experience supportive and positive for them, and suggest the following options to support shared participation:

• Divide subject areas so that each parent can attend some conferences.
• Alternate attendance year by year.
• Use SEQTA to stay informed about your daughter’s progress and feel free to contact staff via email with any concerns.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation and please refer to further instructions on the College app.

Careers Expo

St Augustine's College has extended an invitation to Stella families to attend its Careers Expo on Tuesday 28 April - details below:

Waves of Grace Concert and Logo Competition to Commermorate 150 Years of St Mary's Parish

Stella Maris College hosted a combined schools concert in partnership with St Mary’s Parish last Saturday evening, bringing together talented students from Stella Maris College, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, St Paul’s Catholic College and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School. The evening was a wonderful celebration of music, creativity and community, with students from all four schools showcasing their talents in front of an appreciative audience. We were delighted to share the occasion with Fr Chima from Manly Parish, and we thank Simon Hyland for his support in bringing the schools together to make this collaborative event such a spectacular success.

We were honoured to have our very own Stella student, Heidi R, selected as the winner of the 150th anniversary logo design competition for St Mary’s Manly & Freshwater Parish. More than 20 designs were submitted, and Heidi’s concept was chosen as the inspiration for the final artwork which was refined by a local artist and adopted as the Parish’s official logo.

Here is some feedback from the audience from the night:

"It was wonderful to work alongside all our schools to celebrate the beginning of the Manly/Freshwater Parish 150th Anniversary through the Waves of Grace Concert. The event was a great success and our students enjoyed the opportunity to preform!"

St Mary's Catholic Primary School Principal

"It was wonderful to collaborate with our parish schools and launch the 150^th Anniversary for Manly/Freshwater Parish with the Waves of Grace Concert. It was a huge success, and I hope we can find opportunities in the future to work together.

Thank you to Sharyn and the Stella team for hosting the event."

St Paul's Catholic College Principal

Community News

Point Break Theatre Co presents - A Few Good Men

"A Few Good Men" by Aaron Sorkin. Presented by Point Break Theatre Co. Plays six shows only at Star of the Sea Theatre, Manly. 20 - 29 March.

A Marine’s death at Guantánamo is brushed off as routine—until a trial cracks it open. An untested Navy lawyer stumbles into a case that pits conscience against command. Behind salutes and speeches lies a brutal code: obey, or be broken. As tempers flare in court, the line between duty and guilt disappears. A Few Good Men is a showdown over power, honour, and the cost of silence.

A Few Good Men Cast: Bailey Parker, Julia Grace, David Allsopp, Michael Haratzis, Lee Sarich, Ale Feudal, Liam Dewar, Jared Coughlin, Alexander Wright, Bron Calcraft, Will Rodriguez, Andy Hastie, Jacob Gardner, Josh Stanes.

Directed by Paul Winchester & Blair Cutting. Costume by Marisa Newnes, set design by Michael Haratzis, lighting by Michael Arnott. Stage Managers / Sound Op Max Quirk and Kayla Stubbs

Prophetic Voices: Year 10 Stella Students Inspired to Lead for Social Justice

Last Wednesday, a group of Year 10 Stella Maris students participated in the first Prophetic Voices online session for 2026, joining students from all ten Good Samaritan Education (GSE) schools from across Australia to explore important social justice issues together. The initiative provides a valuable opportunity for students to share ideas, reflect on the challenges facing society, and inspire action within their own communities.

During the session, students from Stella Maris College Manly, Lourdes Hill College and Rosebank College shared their Social Justice initiatives. Our Stella students spoke about the many ways the Stella community supports others through initiatives such as Project Compassion, the Vinnies appeals, food drives and the Winter Sleepout, which raises awareness and funds for those experiencing homelessness. It was wonderful to see our students engaging thoughtfully in discussion, asking insightful questions and listening to the perspectives and initiatives being undertaken by other schools. They also handled the Q&A session with remarkable insight and composure.

Students also heard about creative ways other school communities advocate for social justice. One particularly inspiring initiative was a student-run weekly podcast where topical issues are debated and discussed. This idea strongly appealed to our students, who are now considering it as a possible future initiative at Stella.

A highlight of the session was a presentation by digital wellbeing expert Matthew Esterman, who spoke about social media, Ethical Technology and Digital Citizenship. His insights encouraged students to think critically about the role of social media and artificial intelligence in their lives, and how young people can use technology responsibly while protecting their wellbeing.

Prophetic Voices continues to be a powerful opportunity for students to connect with others who share a passion for social justice, gaining new perspectives and inspiration for future initiatives. As the year unfolds, our students are excited to build on the ideas discussed and continue developing projects that promote awareness, compassion and justice within the Stella community and beyond.

A special thank you to Lola H, Akira A, Jessica P, Eva S, Ilenia M, Erin R and Ella M for representing Stella Maris so thoughtfully.

Jessica P said: “A guest speaker spoke about current challenges linked to social media and AI, giving a modern perspective on how these issues affect people and communities today.”

Eva S said: “The conference gave us many new ideas and perspectives, and over the coming year we hope to use this inspiration to develop new initiatives that continue to promote social justice in our local community”.

Erin R reflected: "This year, I am one of the students partaking in the Prophetic Voices initiative. A course that unites many schools to support and inspire each other in making a difference. We got to share achievements of the Stella community. In addition, we were able to learn about the initiatives of two other schools involved and were privileged to hear from a guest speaker on current issues related to social media and the use of AI. We have taken some inspiration, and over the year, we look forward to starting up some new plans to inspire social justice in our local community."

Ilenia M stated: “Prophetic Voices has allowed me personally to explore the growing shifts and changes in our community. Our session this week reflected heavily on the issue of social media, how we can use it effectively and leisurely without platforms dictating too much of our lives. Working with other girls in my year, we were all so interested in what Mathew had to say about the impact of AI. We had a rich discussion and had an increased awareness of problems in our local area. Prophetic Voices enabled me to express my concerns to wider society as well as a voice to express the things that I think can work well.”

CGSSSA Netball

Congratulations to the Stella Netball teams who competed at the CGSSSA Netball Championships at Netball Central on Tuesday 10 March. All three Stella teams played exceptionally well all day. Well done to the junior and intermediate teams who finished 4^th overall. A big congratulations to Ava S and Summer B who have been selected into the CGSSSA netball squad for 2026!

Swimming

It has been a big week for the Stella swimming team who competed at the IGSA Championships at Sydney Olympic Park on Friday 13 March, and the CGSSSA Championships at Ryde Aquatic Centre in Tuesday 17 March. The Stella team recorded outstanding results at both events!

Stella had a competitive team competing at the IGSA event. We had strong results all day, and were proud to win our division! Special mention to the students who made finals on the day: Zara D, Jess O, Chloe W, Ella T, Kiera C, Piper B, Charlie C. Well done to the whole team – IGSA Division 3 Champions 2026!

It was a much bigger team of over 40 Stella students at the CGSSSA Championships. The Stella swimmers dominated in the pool all day, winning many medals and achieving lots of personal bests. A highlight of the day was the Stella Open 4 x 50m freestyle relay team (Zara D, Jess O, Mila C, Charlie C) winning the gold medal against some very tough competition! More detailed results will be posted in the next newsletter, including students who have been selected to swim at the NSWCCC Championships later this term. Congratulations to the students who won medals on the day: Keira C, Piper B, Chloe W, Charlie C, Zara D, Jess O, Alice W, junior freestyle relay (Piper B, Keira C, Chloe W, Eve S), open freestyle relay (Zara D, Jess O, Mila C, Charlie C), junior medley relay (Chloe W, Ella T, Keira C, Piper B), and open medley relay (Zara D, Jess O, Mila C, Charlotte C).

Rugby League

Congratulations to Lara M (Year 11) who has been selected to represent CGSSSA/Broken Bay at the Sydney Metro Rugby League games and selection trials later this term.

Tildesley Tennis

The prestigious Tildesley Tennis Tournament was held at Pennant Hills Park on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March. Stella had a very young, but talented team, who has been training hard since last October for this event.

The standard of tennis was extremely high, and the Stella players matched it with the best!

Day one was the singles matches. Stella had ten students playing on day one: Poppy H, Filippa S, Georgia B, Sophia C, Alex W, Ella L, Zoe N, Maya H, Bianca T, Mila C.

Our singles players had amazing results, with Zoe, Ella, and Poppy winning their way through to round 2. Filippa had a strong 8 – 1 round 2 win to progress through to round 3. The most exciting match of the day was from Georgia B, who was down 6 – 1 to a strong opponent, but fought back to an 8 -6 win to progress through to round 3!

Day two was doubles day. We had ten strong (and young!) players on the courts again this day: Mia V, Poppy L, Harriet P, Ava S, River L, Orla C, Freya S, Lily G, Tilly D, Florence M, Grace T. With all students in junior years, we were proud of their great results. The teams all did well winning games in some close matches. Poppy and Mia progressed the furthest on day two – an amazing result for year 7 students! Full results will be published in the next newsletter.

It was a fantastic couple of days, with lots of amazing tennis, wonderful cheering and Stella spirit, and even fantastic cakes in the famous Stella Tildesley Cake competition! Well done to the whole team on an outstanding Tildelsey campaign.

Cross Country

The Stella cross country carnival will be held on Monday 30 March from 8.50am – 11.20am. Students have been sent the details to register, and will be emailed all details next week.

Term 2 Sport Registrations

Registrations for Term 2 sports will be emailed to all students on Monday 23 March. Parents will be emailed information regarding each sport, but students will be required to register themselves for the sports that they are interested in participating. Some of the sports on offer in Term 2 include netball, hockey, water polo, group fitness, sprint training, run club, badminton, tennis and Pilates.

Drama News

The Addams Family Musical

Our cast have been hard at work bringing The Addams Family to life, with rehearsals now well underway. From energetic dance numbers to perfectly timed comedic moments, students have been dedicating countless hours after school to develop their characters, learn choreography, and refine the many technical elements that make a musical production so special. We can’t wait to share this wonderfully weird and spectacular show with our school community in Term 3.

Donations Needed for Gold Duke of Edinburgh Cambodia Fundraiser

The Year 11 and 12 Gold Duke of Edinburgh students are preparing for a life-changing service trip to Cambodia this June and are calling on the Stella community for support. As part of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, the students will travel to Siem Reap where they will continue Stella Maris College’s long-standing partnership with the Happy Days Cambodian English School, a charity founded by Mike Pawley that provides education and support for children and families in rural communities.

For more than ten years, Stella students have worked with the Happy Days Charity to help create opportunities for young people who would otherwise have limited access to schooling. During this year’s visit, the students hope to make a meaningful contribution by raising funds for essential resources for the local community, including 40 bicycles to help children travel safely to school, ceiling fans for Propel Primary School, and six sewing machines that will allow village mothers to make clothing and bags for their families.

To support this important work, the students are holding an online auction fundraiser and are seeking donations from families, friends and local businesses. Items such as gift vouchers, experiences, products, or services would be greatly appreciated and will help make the fundraiser a success. Every contribution, big or small, will directly support the students’ efforts to improve access to education and opportunities for children in rural Cambodia.

If you are able to donate an item for the auction or would like more information, please contact Linda Silburn via the College on 9977 5144 or email linda_silburn@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au.

Thank you for your continued generosity and for supporting our students as they strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Kangaroo Valley Gold Adventurous Journey

On Friday last week, 41 girls set off on the Kangaroo Valley Gold Adventurous Journey. It was a wholesome, challenging and memorable experience that strengthened the bonds not only between friends, but also with the teachers who kindly volunteered to accompany us. The hike didn’t exactly go to plan, as extreme weather conditions required a change of route. The girls responded really well to this challenge, continuing with their canoeing each day until the end and still enjoying their time out in the valley.

We have also had a huge 125 Year 9 students sign up for the Bronze Award, which makes me very excited for the year ahead. In their training session last Tuesday, they learnt the ways of the Trangia and how to set up their Award, so I’m eager to see how you all progress through the year towards your Pack and Paddle Adventurous Journey. Just a reminder to organise your assessors for the Skill, Physical Recreation and Service sections of your Award so you can begin logging your hours as soon as possible.

Thirty-two girls are set to go on their Snowy Mountains hike, and it was great to see your faces at the lunchtime meeting on Tuesday. The girls began planning their meals for the trip and preparing for their shopping day on 27 March. Just a reminder to finalise your grocery list before that Friday so you know exactly what you need and it’s simply a matter of ticking items off the list.

If students have any issues, questions, or Award suggestions, the Duke of Ed team is available for in-person Award assistance every Tuesday, or students are welcome to get in touch via email.

Sanna M
Duke of Edinburgh Prefect

P&F Term 1 General Meeting

The P&F General Meeting took place on Thursday 12 March. Click here for the minutes of the meeting.

Open Night BBQ - Thank you!

The P&F extends a sincere thank you to the wonderful team of parent volunteers who gave their time on Open Evening to cook and serve the barbecue for our visitors and student helpers.

On a very busy evening, this dedicated group worked tirelessly behind the scenes, cooking close to 1,000 sausages! Their generosity, good humour and willingness to lend a hand created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the many prospective families who visited the College.

This is a terrific example of the spirit of the P&F in action — parents coming together to support the school community in practical ways and helping make important events such a success. We are very grateful for your time, energy and enthusiasm. Thank you!

Upcoming events

Luna Park Family Day

Tickets will soon go on sale for a Luna Park visit for Stella families which is planned for Saturday 2 May. Watch out for tickets in the WhatsApp groups in the coming weeks. Tickets are $40 for adults and children over 132cm tall.

Trivia Night - Friday 12 June

Back by popular demand, Trivia Night is almost here! This parents-only favourite promises plenty of laughs, friendly competition and a great night out at the Manly Leagues Club. Start forming your tables of 10, dust off your best costumes, and get those thinking caps ready — you won’t want to miss it. Tickets go on sale in Term 2.

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

Campion has delivered the King Richard III text that was on back order for Year 12. Please ask your daughters to collect these as soon as possible.

On Tuesday 24 March, the Uniform Shop will be closed from 8.30 – 11.00am.

Winter Uniforms

Winter uniforms and accessories are now available. Year 7 and 10 students are to be fitted in the Uniform Shop.

For families in Years 7 and 10 that still need a winter fitting, there are booking timeslots available on https://www.trybooking.com/DJO...

Only one booking is required for your daughter, parents don’t need a slot

The last day to be fitted for junior and senior blazers and senior skirts is April 2. This is the last day a top up order for these can also be placed.

Year 11 students require a Senior pink blouse only. They can be ordered online. Sizes are the same as the Junior white blouse.

The summer dresses have been packed away to make space for the winter uniform. A few sizes have been kept aside till the end of term. These can be ordered online.

The tracksuit delivery has arrived. We now have track tops and track pants in all sizes.

Please encourage your daughters to collect their online orders.

Online Uniform Orders

2026 Pricelist

Second Hand Uniforms

Week commencing Monday 23 March

Week commencing Monday 30 March

Term 1

2026 Term Dates