From the Heart; a Leadership Reflection

Celebrating Harmony Day 

Harmony Day is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity. It is a day to celebrate the many cultures that make up our community and to reflect on the importance of respect, belonging, and understanding.

Our students engaged in meaningful activities throughout the day last Friday. Through thoughtful discussions and group activities, they reflected on what it means to be inclusive, kind, and accepting of others. The connections formed during our buddy session at the end of the day reinforced the value of unity, reminding us that, regardless of our backgrounds, we all belong. It was heartwarming to witness students’ enthusiasm and deep appreciation for the diversity around them.

Thank you to our staff and students for embracing the spirit of Harmony Day with such enthusiasm and care. Let’s continue to celebrate and practise these values every day!

Madame Pilote           Mrs Langley                Mr Andrews

Children’s University

All students should now have their passports.  Thank you for your patience while they arrived.  I hope everyone has managed to log on to the portal and find some interesting things to learn.  Now might be a good time to explore what else is on the portal and find a learning destination to visit during the upcoming holiday break.

Here is an activity I found from the Australian Sports Museum on the portal that I thought was interesting.  Feel free to give this one a try and bring your booklet and evidence in for me see – 1 hour for each activity you do!

Australian Sports Museum

STEPS:

1. Download this booklet or see the attachment.
2. Read the instructions for each activity and complete those that you like.
3. Receive a 1 hour stamp for each activity you complete (possible 5 hours if you complete all the activities).
4. Submit completed booklet/activities to your coordinator.

I hope you all find the joy in learning 😊

Easter Meal Deal

Mother’s Day Stall

Crazy Hair Day

Cards for Charity Sale!

This term, our talented students in the Cards for Charity (CFC) after-school club have been working hard, using their creativity and dedication to make a difference. They have spent countless hours designing and crafting beautiful handmade cards, all in support of a great cause!

We are excited to announce that these heartfelt creations will be on sale on Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 & 9 April, during Recess in the Primary Forum. Each card is just $2, and every dollar raised will go directly to charity.

By purchasing a card, students not only support our students’ hard work but also contribute to a meaningful cause. So, come along, pick up a card (or a few!), and spread kindness while making a real impact.

Let’s show our support for our young changemakers and their incredible efforts! 

Easter Raffle – Win a Basket of Treats!

 The Primary Captains are hosting an Easter Raffle and you have the chance to win a basket full of delicious Easter treats, kindly donated by Mrs Sabine Winton!

It’s super easy to enter:

1) ‎Visit the Primary Forum any morning before school (between 8:15am and 8:30am) from Thursday 27 March to Wednesday 2 April inclusive to

grab your $2 ticket.

2) Keep your fingers crossed for a chance to win!

All the money raised will go towards the Semester 1 Captains chosen charity. The winner will be drawn at the Year 2 Assembly on Friday 4 April. Good luck!

Running Club

Week 8 House Points – (drum roll please…)

Congratulations to PARRESIA for running the

most laps in Week 8!

100 LAPS RUNNING CLUB

Congratulations to Evan Sutcliffe (Year 2) and Naisha Kasad (Year 2) for completing 100 laps on their running club card! Congratulations Aiden Kilian (Year 6) for completing 500 laps on his running club card! Well done everyone!

Please note, there will be no Running Club Thursday Week 10 due to staff members being on camp. Looking forward to seeing everyone running week 11 for our last running club of the term!

Art Competition

Parent Series – Hot Topics

Carramar Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/cht2025-t1

Duncraig Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/dht2025-t1

A message from our Primary captains

From the Heart; a Leadership Reflection

Service in action; Year 6 students shine at Regents Garden 

In last week’s blog, we explored “Service” as one of our school’s core values. This week, our Year 6 students brought this value to life through a meaningful service learning experience at Regents Garden.

During their visit, students connected with residents through word games, demonstrating kindness, patience and a genuine desire to engage. Their thoughtful approach created a warm and joyful atmosphere, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.

This opportunity allowed students to put teamwork and empathy into practice. They supported each other, adapted to the needs of the residents and built connections that deepened their understanding of what it truly means to serve others.

We couldn’t be prouder of our Year 6 students. Their impeccable manners, respect and attentiveness embodied the very essence of our school’s values. The smiles they brought to the residents and staff were a testament to their compassionate hearts and willingness to give back to the community.

Inspired by their experience, many of our students have expressed a desire to return and continue their service. We encourage families to find ways to engage in volunteering together. Whether big or small, these acts of kindness help build empathy, strengthen family bonds and create a culture of care within our broader community.

Yours in service

Madame Pilote       Mrs Langley             Mr Andrews

Harmony Day

We will be celebrating Harmony Day on Friday 21 March. Students are encouraged to wear an orange t-shirt on the day. This is not a fundraising event, it’s a day where we are reminded of the importance of cultural diversity. A very special buddy session will be held in the afternoon and we look forward to sharing some pictures of the event with our community soon.

Congratulations to our swimmers!

A huge congratulations to all Year 3 to 6 swimmers for their outstanding efforts and contribution to the success of our 2025 Swimming Carnival! Your dedication, sportsmanship, and team spirit were truly commendable.

A special congratulations to Parresia, this year’s champion, who proudly received the Swimming Shield at our Assembly last Friday.

Running Club

WEEK 7 Running Club House Points: (drum roll please…)

Congratulations to PARRESIA for running the most laps in Week 7!

100 LAPS RUNNING CLUB

Congratulations to Kobie Georgel (year 3) Ekam Mahal (year 1) for completing 100 laps on their running club card! Congratulations to Elsie Shaw (year 5) for completing 400 laps on her running club card! Outstanding effort and commitment to Bernard Streeter (year 2) for completing 600 laps on his running club card! Well done everyone

Children’s University

We have another full program this year with no more available spots for 2025.  It is great to see so many keen learners in our community.

I hope to have the passports to new students this week.

Please see below one of the online learning activities from the CU portal.  This one is inspired by Harmony Day.

Complete these Harmony Day Activities.

Each Activity is worth 30mins.

1. Learn to say hello in 7 different languages

Write down the language and how they say hello.  Bring it in to show me.

1. Bake a cake

Cake is the harmonious result of mixing different ingredients together.
Create your harmony day cake and bring me a photo.

1. Aussie Art

Choose and Australian artist, what techniques do they use from different cultures eg. dot painting, batik, mosaics, origami. Write down your findings.

1. Create a Harmony Day Poster

Maybe you could use one of the art techniques you learned about in the Art activity.  Bring in your poster to show me.

1. Dinner Time

Plan a menu for your household. What dishes would you serve? Are they from your cultural background or a different one? Write down your menu to show me.

1. Take a walk

Note down how many local buildings have design features that have been inspired by different cultures. Which feature is your favourite? Why?  Take a photo to show me.

From the Heart; a Leadership Reflection

The importance of developing empathy in young people

At St Stephen’s School, we believe that fostering empathy in our students is essential in shaping them into compassionate, respectful and responsible individuals. Empathy is a skill that not only strengthens relationships but also builds a sense of community and belonging.

One of our core school values, Service, is deeply connected to this concept. When students engage in acts of service, whether within the school or in the wider community, they learn to step into someone else’s shoes, recognise different perspectives and develop a genuine desire to help others. Through service, empathy becomes more than just an idea, it transforms into action.

Developing empathy is a shared responsibility between home and school. Parents play a vital role in nurturing this quality by encouraging kindness, modelling respectful behaviour and discussing real-world issues with their children in an age-appropriate way. Simple daily interactions, such as asking a child how their friend might feel in a certain situation or encouraging them to help a sibling, lay the foundation for empathy to grow.

Together, as educators and parents, we have the privilege and responsibility of shaping young people into well-rounded, caring citizens of the future. By reinforcing the value of service and encouraging empathy in all aspects of life, we can create a generation that not only understands the importance of compassion but also actively contributes to making the world a better place.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students develop into kind-hearted, socially responsible individuals.

Madame Pilote      Mrs Langley       Mr Andrews

Early Years Worship next week (Week 8)

Please be advised that due to NAPLAN testing, Early Years Worship will not take place next Monday morning. Our Year 3 and 5 students will be completing a portion of their NAPLAN assessments at that time, and maintaining silence in the Primary Forum area is essential to ensure optimal examination conditions. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

WEEK 6 Running Club

House Points: (drum roll please…)

Congratulations to PARRESIA for running the most laps in Week 6!

100 LAPS RUNNING CLUB

Congratulations to Tanya Kasad (year 5), Yashni Hirani (year 3) Harper Bryne (year 4) Rowan Couto (year 4) for completing 100 laps on their running club card! Congratulations to Daniel Wei (year 3) and Jamie Muir (year 2) for completing 200 laps on their running club cards! Outstanding effort and commitment to Caleigh Schoeman (year 3) for completing 700 laps on her running club card! Well done everyone!

Children’s University

Welcome to all the existing and new students to the program for 2025.  Now that the registration process for this year should be complete, I am hoping the passports will arrive for new students in the next few weeks.  In the meantime, here is an idea posted on the CU portal to get you started.

International Polar Bear Day

Create your own fluffy polar bear face! On a paper plate, use cotton balls, black and white paper, and textas to make a cute polar bear. Glue the cotton balls to the plate for the bear’s fur, and use the paper and textas, or any other items you have to add eyes, nose, and mouth.

Remember to bring your final creation to me at a passport stamping session to earn yourself 1 hour.  Stamping sessions are every Thursday morning in the primary forum.

Harmony Day 2025

We will be celebrating Harmony Day on Friday 21 March. Students are encouraged to wear an orange t-shirt on the day. This is not a fundraising event, it’s a day where we are reminded of the importance of cultural diversity. A very special buddy session will be held in the afternoon and we look forward to sharing some pictures of the event with our community soon.

Lost Property

The below items are looking for their owner.

Makaria polo top – size 8c

Parresia polo top – size 12c

School shorts – size 6c

Pink jacket – size 7

A reminder to please remember to put your child’s name on ALL items that they bring to school.

Lost property is located just inside the Reception Office entrance (from the Primary Forum).

Auskick

Developing teamwork and collaboration in children

As our senior students are preparing for the Interhouse Swimming Carnival tomorrow, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the essential life skills of teamwork and collaboration.

Learning to work well with others teaches kids communication, empathy, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Here are some ways we can encourage teamwork and collaboration in children, both at school and at home.

1. Encourage group activities

One of the best ways for children to develop teamwork is by engaging in group activities. Sports teams, drama clubs, and group projects at school all require children to work together toward a common goal. At home, board games, puzzles, and family projects can provide similar opportunities.

2. Teach effective communication

Good teamwork starts with clear and respectful communication. Encourage children to express their thoughts, listen to others, and ask for help when needed. Practising “I” statements (e.g., “I feel happy when we work together”) can help children learn how to communicate effectively without conflict.

3. Promote problem-solving together

Encourage children to solve problems collaboratively rather than individually. When challenges arise (whether it’s a disagreement with a friend or a tough homework) guide them to work together to find a solution rather than jumping in to fix the issue for them.

4. Model teamwork as adults

Children learn by example, so it’s important for parents and educators to model collaboration in their own actions. When they see adults working together (whether at school, in the community, or within the family) they begin to understand the value of teamwork.

5. Encourage a growth mindset

Collaboration is not always easy, and conflicts can arise. Teaching children that mistakes and disagreements are learning opportunities helps them build resilience and the ability to work through challenges with others.

At our school, we continuously foster teamwork in students through collaborative learning experiences, buddy programs, and leadership opportunities. We encourage parents to support these efforts at home by providing children with opportunities to work together, communicate effectively, and develop empathy.

Together, we can help raise children who not only work well with others but also lead with kindness and cooperation.

The Primary Leadership Team

Year 3 – 6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival – Important

Students must arrive at School no later than 8.10am tomorrow to meet their teacher outside their classroom.

Year 3 – 6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival Presentation

Please note that our 2025 Interhouse Swimming Carnival medals’ presentation will be held at our next Assembly on Friday 14 March.

Week 5 Running Club House Points: (drum roll please…) 

Congratulations to MAKARIA for running the most laps in Week 5!

Reminder: Canteen Order Deadlines

Dear Parents

A friendly reminder that canteen orders must be placed no later than 7:30am if ordering online. If you prefer to place an order in person, morning orders at the canteen close at 9:00am.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us ensure a smooth and efficient service for all students.

The Canteen Team

Harmony Day 2025

We will be celebrating Harmony Day on Friday 21 March. Students are encouraged to wear an orange t-shirt on the day. This is not a fundraising event, it’s a day where we are reminded of the importance of cultural diversity. A very special buddy session will be held in the afternoon and we look forward to sharing some pictures of the event with our community soon.

Wanneroo Library – The Boost Program

Wanneroo Public Library – 3 Rocca Way Wanneroo

Friday 28 March 9:30am – 12:30pm for Part 1 and then return on Friday 4 April for Part 2

Cost: FREE – bookings essential as places are limited

Participants will receive a pack of information and activities to support you in helping your child on their ‘learning to read’ journey.

Registration is by email natasha.stoiche@wanneroo.wa.gov.au or call 9405 5954. If you are interested in the program, but not available on those dates, please email Natasha and she will advise when the next round is offered.