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About Stella Maris

After Shellharbour Catholic Parish was formed in 1953, Father Smyth sought permission to commence a Catholic school. In 1958, Bishop McCabe of Wollongong approached the Superior General of the Sisters of Charity and the Sisters came to Shellharbour to open a new school. Father Ekerick, appointed parish priest on the death of Father Smyth, opened Stella Maris as a memorial to Father Smyth, in May 1958.

When the school began there were two sisters on the staff and forty six students from Kindergarten to Year 4. The first principal was Sister Regina Munce. School enrolments grew to 200 in 1961, with the introduction of a bus that brought children from Warilla. In 1961, the Mother's Club was formed and their main work was fund raising for the development of the school playground and to maintain the upkeep of the school and its facilities.

Seven Sisters of Charity have guided Stella Maris in faith, hope and love as educational leaders since the school's foundation. Sr Colleen Mills, who retired in 2009, was the last Sister of Charity principal in all of Australia.

Today Stella Maris School has an enrolment of over 370 students and 30 staff members. 

The school enjoys the close proximity to the beautiful Shellharbour Village and its sandy beaches, rock platform and tranquil boat harbour – providing an ideal outdoor learning environment for our students in their natural setting.

Read more about What We Offer at Stella Maris.


Principals (1958 – present)

1958 – 1959   Sr Kathleen Munce

1959 – 1964   Sr Aloysia Weston 

1965 – 1970   Sr Kathleen Munce

1971 – 1976   Sr Virginia Wilkinson

1977 – 1978   Sr Judith Garvey

1979 – 1982   Sr Margaret Guy

1983 – 1989   Sr Patricia Walker

1990 – 1999   Sr Edith King

2000 - 2009   Sr Colleen Mills

2010 – 2013   Mr Paul Brady

2014 – 2015   Mr Frank Wafer

2015 – 2015   Mrs Jan Hutton

2016 – 2022   Mr Danny Sykes

2023 - present Mrs Belinda Hughes


A Catholic School in the Diocese of Wollongong

Catholic schools have a long and proud history in the Australian educational landscape. Originally established by orders of brothers, nuns and priests in the nineteenth century, they are now almost entirely staffed and led by lay people.

Catholic systemic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong are either parish primary schools like Stella Maris, or diocesan secondary or K-12 schools. They are all co-educational schools. (The diocese also has another seven independent congregational secondary schools, some of which offer single-sex education.)

Catholic schools have a unique character because as well as being places where learning is highly valued, they are places where priority is given to a values-based education in the Catholic faith. This involves all staff and students proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. Staff identify strongly with their school and take pride in their work and the school’s achievements.

Visit the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) website here

Beautiful Harbourside Location - View from Above

Stella Maris is located in the beautiful, picturesque seaside setting of Shellharbour Village. The sandy beaches, rock platform and tranquil boat harbour provide an ideal outdoor learning environment for our students.

 There are many benefits to the school's location for students and families, including:

  • Access to wonderful natural facilities for students to engage with, learn and play
  • Close to Little Park and the harbour – ideal for class rewards and parties
  • Close to Beverly Whitfield Pool and South Beach – used for school sport
  • A five minute walk to Keith Hockey Oval – used for lunchtime play for Stage 2 and 3 students
  • Closest Catholic primary school to the Shell Cove Marina.