Term 1, Week 7

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…)

CHARIS	MAKARIA	PARRESIA
23	108	130

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.