Term 4 Edition 17/26 - 29 October 2026 - Stella Maris College Manly

From the Principal
Notices
Curriculum News
Duke of Edinburgh News
Performing Arts News
Sports News
Uniform Shop News
Canteen News
P&F News
Calendar Dates

From the Principal Notices Curriculum News Duke of Edinburgh News Performing Arts News Sports News Uniform Shop News Canteen News P&F News Calendar Dates

In this Edition

From the Principal

Welcome to Week 4!

Sharyn Quirk

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we move into Week 4 of Term 4, there is much to celebrate and reflect upon across our College community. From the extraordinary celebration of Margaret Duffy's 100th birthday, to the warmth and friendship of our Alumnae High Tea, recent weeks have reminded us of the enduring connections that make Stella Maris College such a special place. Alongside these celebrations, our students continue to demonstrate commitment, resilience and achievement in their learning and beyond.

Celebrating 100 Years of Margaret Duffy

One of the most memorable occasions of this term was our celebration of the 100th birthday of Margaret Duffy, our oldest living alumna. What a privilege it was to welcome Margaret, together with her family, back to Stella Maris College to celebrate this extraordinary milestone.

Our whole-school assembly took us on a journey through ten decades of Margaret's life, with students sharing stories, lighting candles and reflecting on the remarkable changes she has witnessed over the past century. The beautiful performance by Year 8 student, Clara M, of We'll Meet Again, one of Margaret's favourite songs, was a particularly moving moment.

I could not have been prouder of our students and staff. The care, thoughtfulness and genuine warmth with which everyone embraced this celebration were extraordinary. From those who helped organise the occasion to the students who participated and those who listened so attentively, every contribution reflected the spirit of hospitality and belonging that we hold dear at Stella.

What has stayed with me most is that the celebration did not end when Margaret left the College. Throughout the following days, students and staff continued to speak about the occasion and the joy it had brought them. This, perhaps more than anything, speaks to its significance. Margaret came to celebrate her birthday with us, but in doing so, she gave our community a wonderful gift: a reminder of the enduring power of connection, gratitude and the friendships that span generations.

As we celebrate our 95th anniversary this year, Margaret's story reminds us that the true legacy of Stella Maris College lives in the women who have walked through our doors and continue to carry its spirit into the world.

Celebrating Our Alumnae – A Time for Remembrance and Connection

Last Saturday, we had the pleasure of welcoming our alumnae back to Stella Maris College for our High Tea, another special occasion in our 95th anniversary celebrations.

Before the celebrations began, we gathered in the College Chapel for a Remembrance Liturgy, taking time to remember with love and gratitude those members of our Stella community who have died. It was a meaningful opportunity to honour the lives of former students, staff and friends who have contributed to the story of our College. It was also a time to give thanks for the friendships, shared experiences and enduring sisterhood that have connected generations of Stella women.

The liturgy provided a beautiful beginning to an afternoon filled with warmth, laughter and reconnection. There is something particularly special about seeing generations of Stella women come together, renewing old friendships, sharing memories and reminiscing about their school days. The stories and conversations were a wonderful reminder that the bonds formed at Stella extend well beyond the years spent in our classrooms.

Reflecting on the afternoon, particularly following our celebration of Margaret Duffy's 100th birthday, I was reminded that belonging to Stella is not simply about the years spent at school. It is about being part of a community whose friendships, values and shared history continue to connect us throughout our lives.

My sincere thanks to everyone who joined us and to those who contributed to making both the liturgy and High Tea such meaningful occasions. As we celebrate 95 years of Stella Maris College, it is these enduring relationships, and the opportunity to remember and celebrate them, that remind us of the richness of our history and the strength of our sisterhood.

My sincere thanks to Sue Homann and Nanette Bowen for their extraordinary organisation of this event. Their attention to detail, thoughtful planning and commitment to creating such a welcoming and memorable occasion were evident throughout the afternoon. Thank you also to Mitch Smith for coordinating the sound and music, and to our two talented Year 10 students, Kate C and Katie C, whose delightful musical performances added so much to the atmosphere of the High Tea. I am also grateful to Jiani Chen, Jacki Reimer and Michelle Hamilton for their valuable assistance and to Ryan Hills for his care and efforts in preparing the venue, ensuring the grounds were beautifully presented for the occasion. It is through the generosity, dedication and teamwork of our staff and students that such special occasions are made possible.

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Learning, Perseverance and Assessment

For many of our students, these weeks have also been a time of considerable academic focus as they navigate their final assessments for the year.

Our Year 10 students have completed most of their final assessments last week, marking another important milestone in their learning journey. I congratulate them on their efforts and encourage them to take pride not only in their results but also in the preparation, persistence and growth that have brought them to this point.

Our Year 9 students are now in the midst of their own assessment period. I encourage them to remain focused, approach each task with confidence and remember that success is not simply measured by a mark. It is also found in the willingness to challenge ourselves, learn from feedback and persevere when things become difficult.

Our Year 11 students have also received their final Year 11 reports and, as of the beginning of Week 3, have officially commenced their Year 12 journey. This is an important milestone and an opportunity to reflect on the learning, achievements and challenges of the past year. I encourage each student to take the time to consider the feedback provided by their teachers, recognise where they have made progress and identify the areas in which they can continue to grow.

The value of these reports lies not simply in the marks achieved, but in the lessons that can be taken forward. Year 12 is a marathon, not a sprint, and the habits, resilience and commitment developed now will provide a strong foundation for the year ahead. My encouragement to our newest Year 12 students is to aim high, remain open to feedback and approach this final chapter with confidence, purpose and a willingness to embrace the opportunities before them.

At this time of year, balance is particularly important. I thank our families for the encouragement and support they provide at home, helping their daughters manage the demands of assessment while maintaining a healthy perspective on learning and wellbeing.

Year 12 Retreat – Faith, Courage and New Beginnings

The Year 12 Retreat marks a significant milestone for our Year 11 students as they officially begin their final year of schooling. It is a symbolic moment of transition, providing an opportunity to step away from the busyness of school life, reflect on the journey so far and consider the young women they aspire to become.

Central to the Retreat is the opportunity for faith formation, inviting students to deepen their understanding of themselves, their relationship with God and the values that will guide them beyond Stella. Grounded in our Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition, the experience encourages reflection, prayer and meaningful conversations about faith, purpose and the responsibility we have to ourselves and others.

At the heart of this experience is also an invitation to consider the choices we make and the courage required to make them. As our students enter their final year, they will face important decisions, new responsibilities and opportunities that will challenge and shape them. The Retreat encourages them to reflect on what matters most, to listen to their hearts and to have the courage to remain true to their values, even when the path ahead may be uncertain.

It is also a time to strengthen friendships, deepen their sense of belonging and recognise the importance of supporting one another. While Year 12 will undoubtedly bring academic challenges, it is equally an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth, leadership and the creation of lasting memories.

My hope is that our students carry the reflections, friendships and experiences of the Retreat into their final year, approaching the months ahead with faith, confidence and courage, and remembering that their worth is measured by far more than their academic achievements.

My sincere thanks to Anna Nasr our Dean of Mission & Identity, and the Year 11 Pastoral Care team for their thoughtful preparation, care and commitment in providing this important experience for our students. Their dedication ensures that our young women begin their final year feeling supported, connected and encouraged to embrace this significant chapter of their lives with strong minds and open hearts.

Outstanding Achievement at the Future Problem Solving National Finals

I am delighted to share the wonderful achievements of four of our Year 9 students who represented Stella Maris College at the Future Problem Solvers National Finals in Melbourne.

Congratulations to Mabel B, Ella C, Maya H and Lucy M, who reached the finals of the Action Plan Presentation category, placing them among the top eight teams in Australia.

This is an outstanding achievement in a competition that challenges students to think critically, creatively and collaboratively as they explore complex issues and develop solutions to future challenges.

Equally impressive was the way these young women represented our College. Their teachers described them as conscientious, exceptionally well prepared and wonderful ambassadors for Stella.

Remarkably, this was the second consecutive year that the team qualified for the National Finals, and I understand they are already determined to make it three in a row next year!

While they did not progress to the World Finals, their achievement deserves enormous recognition. We are immensely proud of their commitment, teamwork and willingness to challenge themselves at a national level.

My sincere thanks to Cath Douglas and Christina Kalinic for their dedication in preparing and supporting the students throughout this experience. Opportunities such as these are made possible through the generosity and commitment of our staff, and I am grateful for the encouragement they provide.

Looking Ahead

As the term continues, I am reminded that a flourishing school community is shaped by much more than the events on our calendar or the achievements we celebrate. It is found in the everyday interactions, the kindness extended to others, the courage to try something difficult and the sense of belonging that connects us across generations.

Whether celebrating a remarkable alumna, reconnecting with past students, persevering through assessments, reflecting on the journey ahead or representing the College on a national stage, our students and wider community continue to demonstrate what it means to live our motto, Strong Minds and Open Hearts.

Thank you to our staff, students and families for the many ways you contribute to the life of Stella Maris College.

Sharyn Quirk
Principal

Notices

Don't miss this edition's important notices...

Protecting Student Images Online

At Stella Maris College, photographs are an important way of celebrating College life and sharing the learning, achievements and experiences of our students. As technology changes, we also need to rethink how we share images online. Advances in artificial intelligence and image-manipulation technology mean that once an image is shared publicly, particularly on social media, we cannot guarantee how it may later be accessed or used.

Moving forward, we will take a more considered approach to the images we share publicly. You may notice fewer close-up or clear front-facing photographs and more images taken from a distance, from behind or over the shoulder, as well as group photographs and images that focus on students participating in an activity.

This is not about stopping the sharing of photos. We still want to celebrate the wonderful learning, achievements and experiences happening at Stella. It is simply about being more thoughtful about how and where we share images, while taking all reasonable steps to protect the privacy and digital identity of our students. We also ask families to be mindful when taking and sharing photographs at College events, particularly when other students are identifiable.

This is the beginning of a broader approach to how we manage and share images at Stella Maris College. We are currently developing additional guidance for our community that will help us continue to celebrate the Stella story while keeping student safety, privacy and digital identity at the forefront. More information will be shared with families as this work develops.

Curriculum News

News from our academic departments...

Inclusive Learning News

Future Problem Solvers (FPS) National Finals

Congratulations to the Year 9 students who represented the school at the Future Problem Solvers (FPS) National Finals in Melbourne. This team demonstrated outstanding teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills throughout the year, placing them among the top 10% of competitors in Australia. Even more impressively, this is the second consecutive year that these students have qualified for the National Finals.

The FPS program challenges students to investigate real-world issues while thinking analytically, creatively, and futuristically. This year's National Finals topic was 'Surveillance'. The students performed exceptionally well under pressure, developing an innovative and well-considered action plan to address future challenges in this area. Their efforts saw them progress to the finals of the Action Plan Presentation event, placing them among the top eight teams in Australia. What a fantastic achievement!

Congratulations to our Year 9 FPS National Finalists:

Mabel B
Ella C
Maya H
Lucy M

Cath Douglas
Head of Inclusive Learning

Languages News

This week, our Year 8 Spanish students had the opportunity to explore a little of the rich culinary history of the Hispanic world. They thoroughly enjoyed tasting nachos while learning new vocabulary and discovering the cultural and historical significance of Hispanic cuisine.

Cultural fact: Many traditional Hispanic dishes have very humble origins. In the past, landowners often gave leftover food to enslaved people and workers. These leftovers were commonly mixed together and served with limited attention to hygiene, sometimes on plantain leaves. Over time, people transformed these simple ingredients into delicious meals full of flavour and creativity. As generations passed, many of these recipes evolved and became some of the most famous dishes in Hispanic cuisine today. Isn't it fascinating that some of the world's most celebrated foods began as simple meals made from leftovers? Ms. Gonzalez

Comments from the girls:

"I loved the nachos lesson. The history about the slaves was really interesting and the new cooking vocabulary was too. We learnt that carne, queso, tomate, sal, pimienta and cebolla, means meat, cheese, tomato, salt, pepper and onion. The nachos at the end tasted amazing and I found the history really interesting. I really liked this lesson. Gracias!"

By Mila O

"In Mexico, the slaves were served scraps such as leftover mince, avocado, onion, etc and together it made what we call nachos as a real dish today. I learned how to say words like onion, tomato, avocado, and meat. The meat and beans had so much delicious flavour, as well as the Pico de Gallo and guacamole. I will be definitely making this at home and teaching my whole family how to as well. Thanks, Ms Gonzalez!"

By Indigo B

"The history of nachos is that it was a mix of leftovers put together and given to the servants. There were onions (cebolla), tomatoes (tomate), meat (carne), cheese (queso). The nachos were really good and yummy and I loved them. Los nachos Estaban muy ricos!"

By Saskia C

"The history of nachos was very interesting because it is shocking that something that started as leftovers for the slaves could become worldwide renowned and sometimes fancy like modern nachos. The food was very, very delicious and it was made with carne, frillas, cebolla, tomate, aguacate, cilantro and sour cream."

By Hailey R

Duke of Edinburgh News

Welcome to Duke of Ed News!

Linda Silburn

Co-ordinator of Duke of Edinburgh Award

Earlier last term, Ms Little and Mr Malomitis and the team at Black Diamond Adventures had the pleasure of guiding the Silver Duke of Edinburgh students from Stella Maris College on their Adventurous Journey through Kangaroo Valley. Over four days, the group explored the river and the surrounding bushland, experiencing the challenges of carrying their gear, setting up camp in different locations, and working together to complete the journey.

The adventure began at Bendeela, where the students set off by canoe to explore the river, making their way towards Acacia Flats. Along the way, the group stopped at Farmers Flat for lunch before continuing along the river to their first campsite. After a day of paddling and exploring the waterways of Kangaroo Valley, the students arrived at Acacia Flats and settled into camp for their first night in the bush.

Day two brought a change of pace as the group swapped their canoes for hiking packs and set off towards Griffins Farm. The walk began with a climb up the hill before reaching Jack’s Corner Road, where the students continued along the track towards the farm. After making their way through the bush with everything they needed for the journey, the group arrived at camp and enjoyed a well earned cool off in the creek before settling in for the evening.

On day three, the group retraced their steps towards Acacia Flats, passing through the familiar bushland around Jack’s Corner before reaching the river again. From there, they climbed back into their canoes and paddled downstream to Farmers Flat, where they spent their final night outdoors. After several days of hiking, paddling and moving between campsites, it was a chance to enjoy the last evening together in Kangaroo Valley.

Bear Cottage Christmas Wrapping

Each year we are very excited to support the Bear Cottage Christmas Wrapping store at Warringah Mall by offering volunteer wrappers. Shifts are two hours long, and all proceeds from the wrapping go directly to Bear Cottage to support unwell children and their families. If you or your daughter are keen to volunteer, please register your interest via the link below.
You must:

Be reliable and punctual to your shift
Have basic wrapping skills
Be over 15
Proudly represent the College
Be friendly and confident in your communication skills

Click here to sign-up

Before signing up to a shift, please make sure you are able to attend

Thanks everyone!

Performing Arts News

Sunset Series Tickets on Sale!

Evan Browett

Head of Performing Arts

Performing Arts Sunset Series

Celebration of Dance

Friday 13 November
Tickets: $10
Early Session: 5:00pm; Late Session: 7:30pm (Limit: 4 tickets per sale)

Ensembles Evening

Tuesday 17 November
Tickets: free event
Time: 6:00pm

Drama Gala

Thursday 19 November
Tickets: $10
Time: 6:00pm

Showcase of Music - Fig Day Out

Wednesday 25 November
Tickets: $10
Time: 6:30pm

(Purchase your ticket on the seating plan in this link because in the case of wet weather, this event will pivot to the Theatre)

Drama News

Norm and Ahmed Live Performance and Q&A

On Monday 26 October, Year 12 Drama students had the opportunity to experience one of their HSC set texts, Norm and Ahmed, come to life through a live performance, followed by an engaging Q&A session. Seeing the play performed on stage allowed students to connect their classroom learning with a real theatrical experience, deepening their understanding of the text, its themes and the choices from the very actors themselves involved from both a practical and analytical perspective. 

Music News

Fig Day Out

This week has been busy with over 70 students auditioning for our annual outdoor festival-style Music night Fig Day Out taking place on Wednesday 25 November. The standard has been extremely high, and we congratulate all the girls on presenting such well prepared auditions.

Term 4 Dates

Term 4 is a busy time for the Performing Arts with a number of performances and excursions.

Wednesday 4 November: Performing Arts excursion to ‘Six’ the musical
Wednesday 4 November: Jazz on the Rooftop
Thursday 5 November: Performance Band tour to Mater Dei
Monday 9 November: Year 10 Rock Night

Dance News

Dance Night: Friday 13 November - Tickets On Sale NOW!

The Semester 2 Dance Night showcases all of our dancers from beginner performance groups, competition teams, elective dance classes, solo items, and composition creations. The focus of the Semester 2 Dance Night is on the Junior, Years 7-10 students.

Tickets for Dance Night on Friday 13 November will open for general sale from Thursday 29 October.

There will be an initial maximum allocation of four tickets per family to ensure everyone gets to see their daughter/s perform. From Friday 30 October you can then go back into the booking site and purchase more tickets if you wish.

Please remember to select the show time you would like to purchase tickets for. There are two shows - 5:00pm and 7:30pm. Both shows are the same. Tickets are $10 per person.

Tickets sell out very fast so it is best to book ASAP to secure tickets.

The link to the tickets is below:

Celebration of Dance: Friday 13 November

Early Session: 5:00pm
Late Session: 7:30pm (Limit: 4 tickets per sale)

Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/DQUQJ

Sports News

Welcome to Sport at Stella!

Jenny Wickham

Head of Sport

Volleyball

The CGSSSA Volleyball Championships was held at Camellia Indoor Sports Centre on Tuesday 20 October. Stella had three teams compete at this event. It was a tough competition and the Stella teams played hard all day, having fun and improving lots as the day went on. Well done to all members of the teams on a great day of volleyball!

Cricket

Congratulations to the Stella Maris cricket team who have won the inaugural Manly Plate Cricket Championship. Stella was proud to be part of the first girls' schools cricket competition, which was held in conjunction with the boys' competition, the Manly Cup and Manly Shield.

The Stella team was outstanding, going through the championship undefeated with strong wins against Northern Beaches Christian School, Narrabeen Sports High, Pittwater House and St Paul's. The team was led by captain Teaghan F, who also shone in both batting and bowling all day. Well done to all members of our young team on winning the Plate:

Poppy L, Sami P, Georgia P, Neve K, Cara F, Heidi R, Ouvea M, Teaghan F, Viv T, Gracie B, Zoe V and Taylor P.

Equestrian

Congratulations to Kayla R and Seren F who recently travelled to Tamworth to compete in the Inter-School Horse Extravaganza. This is the biggest and most competitive schools equestrian event in NSW, and the Stella team had a fantastic time competing. Seren and Kayla competed in several events across the championships, including dressage, jumping and sporting, having outstanding results across the board. Well done Kayla and Seren!

P&F Facebook second hand page

Uniform Shop News

Welcome to the Stella Uniform Shop

Gail Hickey

Uniform Shop

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

Booklists

All booklists for 2027 are now published. Go to www.campion.com.au
Use code Q6TP when ordering.
Orders should be placed by 13 December 2026.
All students have been emailed a pdf.

Holiday Closure

The Uniform Shop will close for the year on Wednesday 25 November for stocktake. Please ensure online orders are collected by then.

New item!

For girls playing extra-curricular sports, there is a new large sports bag available. The cost is $32 and they are available online or in the Uniform Shop.

Year 10 can purchase the Senior Bag online. Collection is strictly from Advancement on Thursday 12 November.

Junior and senior dresses are now available online. Year 9 will need to buy the senior dress before 24 November for Year 10 2027.

In Term 4 until November 10, purchases can only be made in the Uniform Shop at Recess and Lunch. Online orders can be collected all day.

Online Uniform Orders

Online Uniform Shop

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

2026 Pricelist

Pricelist

Second Hand Uniforms

Canteen News

Thank you to next fortnight's volunteers!

Majella Brady

Canteen Manager

On behalf of myself and all the canteen staff, we would like to thank our wonderful volunteers for 2026. Without your time and generosity, it would be impossible to open our doors every morning to the students and staff. You make every day a joy to work, and it is great to share so many laughs along the way. If you would like to volunteer for another year, please let me know. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact me on canteen@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au or Majella_Brady3@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au

Week commencing Monday 2 November

Monday 2 November	Tuesday 3 November	Wednesday 4 November	Thursday 5 November	Friday 6 November
Belinda Robinson	Jo Ross	Francine Scali	Catherine Nel	Simone Selinas
Jo Robinson	Barbara Gardiner	Julie Martin	Kelly Hindman	Alexandra Gardiner
Victoria Pearse		Joke op de Beeck	Bronwen Osborn	Maria McNamara
		Cathy Dickons		Help needed

Week commencing Monday 9 November

Monday 9 November	Tuesday 10 November	Wednesday 11 November	Thursday 12 November	Friday 13 November
Emma Mciver	Sarah Olofinsky	Ana Paula Matias	Lorelle Gina	Natalie Moschou
Help needed	Leesa Shannon	Help needed	Anna Anderson	Sarah Reynolds
	Sara McHugh		Jackie Scala	Help needed

https://events.humanitix.com/stella-thrift-and-thrive-market-day

P&F News

Thrift & Thrive Fast Approaching

Catherine Fitzgerald

P&F Secretary and Marketing/Communications Officer

Stella Thrift & Thrive Market Day - Saturday 7 November

Thrift & Thrive | What parents and carers need to know

With the Stella P&F Thrift & Thrive Market Day fast approaching on Saturday 7 November, here’s everything families need to know before the day and what to expect when you arrive.

Before Market Day

Final uniform drop-off date:

Friday 30 October, 8.30 am–11.30 am
Room G103, best entrance via Eurobin Ave
Bring clean, good-quality Stella uniforms, uniform items and selected curriculum items to donate or re-sell for credit.

Please note that if you cannot make it this Friday for drop off, please hand in any unwanted uniform items to main reception. If credit for uniforms is required, please leave your name attached to the bag containing your uniforms so we may issue a credit to you on the day.

On Market Day

Saturday 7 November
10am–2pm
Stella Maris College

Families will be able to:

Shop quality pre-loved Stella uniforms, accessories and selected curriculum items
Browse student-run Thrift Racks and pre-loved fashion
Enjoy food, coffee and entertainment
Use eligible Thrift & Thrive credit vouchers towards Stella pre-loved uniform purchases
Pay for Stella uniform purchases by EFTPOS or cash

The event will proceed in wet weather, with undercover areas available.

Need more information? The full FAQ is available on the Humanitix event page:
https://events.humanitix.com/stella-thrift-and-thrive-market-day

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there and giving plenty of Stella uniforms and great clothes a second life.

Free tickets are available now:

Students can still book their own Thrift Rack or trestle table to sell pre-loved fashion:

Clothing rack: $50
Trestle table: $10
Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/stella-thrift-and-thrive-rent-a-rack

We need volunteers

We’re looking for volunteers to help on Market Day with set-up, stalls, general support and pack-down.

If you can spare some time, please sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4CADA823A5FA7-65940175-thrift

Stella Ladies Long Lunch 2026

What an afternoon!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the Stella Ladies Long Lunch 2026 at Teddy Larkins. This year was our biggest Ladies Long Lunch yet, bringing together mums and female carers from across the Stella community for an afternoon of great food, conversation and connection.

It was especially lovely to welcome some of our incoming 2027 Year 7 mums and carers, giving them the chance to meet other families and start making connections before the new school year begins.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the afternoon such a success, and congratulations to our lucky door prize winner, who took home a $100 Teddy Larkins voucher and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.

We loved seeing so many year groups together, catching up with old friends and making new ones.

Thank you for making it such a fantastic afternoon. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.

WhatsApp Parent Groups

The P&F administers year level WhatsApp groups 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.

Group	Link
Stella Fellas	https://chat.whatsapp.com/KHHVDH2ziSE3ZNiIaxXwmz
Year 7	https://chat.whatsapp.com/FDginYElxctEKLnBEBB5WV
Year 8	https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ei4hhynH65F5NDujXxAOar
Year 9	https://chat.whatsapp.com/HX4qaM6t93jKEga1Xo7FsB
Year 10	https://chat.whatsapp.com/LUydz4A57KYAXKMo1oXJUp
Year 11	https://chat.whatsapp.com/DTV8mc1S1RgDu8Bw2WEzce
Year 12	https://chat.whatsapp.com/FRJGN19CzemFX00c8N5hYF

Calendar Dates

Term 4

29 October	Year 7 2027 Twilight Social
4 November	Jazz on the Rooftop
7 November	P&F Thrift & Thrive Market Day
11 November	Year 7 2027 Parent Welcome & Information Evening
13 November	Semester 2 A Celebration of Dance
19 November	Semester 2 Drama Night
25 November	Fig Day Out
27 November	Years 11, 9 and 8 End of Year Award Presentations
30 November	Years 10 and 7 End of Year Award Presentations
1 December	Final day of school

2026 Term Dates

2026 Term Dates	Start Date	End Date
Term 4	Tuesday 13 October	Tuesday 1 December

2027 Term Dates

2027 Term Dates	Start Date	End Date
Term 1	Friday 29 January	Friday 9 April
Term 2	Wednesday 28 April	Friday 25 June
Term 3	Tuesday 20 July	Friday 24 September
Term 4	Monday 11 October	Friday 3 December

Stella
News

Term 4, Edition 17/26
29 OCTOBER 2026

NewsletterHighlights

Calendar Dates
P&F News
Curriculum News

IN THIS EDITION

Also in thisEdition

Term 4, Edition 17/26
29 OCTOBER 2026

From the Principal
Notices
Curriculum News
Duke of Edinburgh News
Performing Arts News
Sports News
Uniform Shop News
Canteen News
P&F News
Calendar Dates

From the Principal

Welcome to Week 4!

Sharyn Quirk

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Celebrating 100 Years of Margaret Duffy

Celebrating Our Alumnae – A Time for Remembrance and Connection

Last Saturday, we had the pleasure of welcoming our alumnae back to Stella Maris College for our High Tea, another special occasion in our 95th anniversary celebrations.

Learning, Perseverance and Assessment

For many of our students, these weeks have also been a time of considerable academic focus as they navigate their final assessments for the year.

Year 12 Retreat – Faith, Courage and New Beginnings

Outstanding Achievement at the Future Problem Solving National Finals

I am delighted to share the wonderful achievements of four of our Year 9 students who represented Stella Maris College at the Future Problem Solvers National Finals in Melbourne.

Congratulations to Mabel B, Ella C, Maya H and Lucy M, who reached the finals of the Action Plan Presentation category, placing them among the top eight teams in Australia.

Equally impressive was the way these young women represented our College. Their teachers described them as conscientious, exceptionally well prepared and wonderful ambassadors for Stella.

Remarkably, this was the second consecutive year that the team qualified for the National Finals, and I understand they are already determined to make it three in a row next year!

Looking Ahead

Thank you to our staff, students and families for the many ways you contribute to the life of Stella Maris College.

Sharyn Quirk
Principal

Notices

Don't miss this edition's important notices...

Protecting Student Images Online

Curriculum News

News from our academic departments...

Inclusive Learning News

Future Problem Solvers (FPS) National Finals

Congratulations to our Year 9 FPS National Finalists:

Mabel B
Ella C
Maya H
Lucy M

Cath Douglas
Head of Inclusive Learning

Languages News

Comments from the girls:

By Mila O

By Indigo B

By Saskia C

By Hailey R

Duke of Edinburgh News

Welcome to Duke of Ed News!

Linda Silburn

Co-ordinator of Duke of Edinburgh Award

Bear Cottage Christmas Wrapping

Be reliable and punctual to your shift
Have basic wrapping skills
Be over 15
Proudly represent the College
Be friendly and confident in your communication skills

Click here to sign-up

Before signing up to a shift, please make sure you are able to attend

Thanks everyone!

Performing Arts News

Sunset Series Tickets on Sale!

Evan Browett

Head of Performing Arts

Performing Arts Sunset Series

Celebration of Dance

Friday 13 November
Tickets: $10
Early Session: 5:00pm; Late Session: 7:30pm (Limit: 4 tickets per sale)

Ensembles Evening

Tuesday 17 November
Tickets: free event
Time: 6:00pm

Drama Gala

Thursday 19 November
Tickets: $10
Time: 6:00pm

Showcase of Music - Fig Day Out

Wednesday 25 November
Tickets: $10
Time: 6:30pm