A Wonderful Start to the Year
We have had such a lovely and smooth start to the year, and we couldn’t be prouder of the way our students have embraced our Influencing with Kindness theme. From helping hands in the playground to encouraging words in the classroom, it has been heart‑warming to see kindness in action across our school.
This week, our first Whole School Worship, beautifully led by Mrs Langley and Mrs Swartzentruber, focused on love, which ties in perfectly with our theme. Together, we explored the different ways we express love: how the love we have for chocolate is very different from the love we share with our family and ultimately, how great God’s love is for each one of us.
We reflected on the verse from John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Our classrooms are also working on a beautiful display for the Primary Forum, showcasing what our students believe it means to Influence with Kindness. We can’t wait to see the final result, and we would love for our community to come by in the coming weeks to admire the heartfelt ideas and reflections shared by our wonderful children.
With gratitude
Madame Pilote Mrs Langley Mr Andrews
Friendly Reminder – Class Parent Representatives
We are still looking for Parent Representatives for each class, and we would love to have a volunteer from every year level.
If you are interested in nominating for the role of Class Parent Representative, please contact Mrs Milner to submit your nomination: pacarramar@ststephens.wa.edu.au
Our first Parent Representative meeting for the year will be held in the Boardroom on Thursday 12 February at 9.00am and will run for approximately one hour.
Thank you so much for considering this valuable partnership role in our community. Your involvement makes a wonderful difference!
Thank You for Joining Us – Parent Information Evenings
Over the past two weeks, it has been wonderful to welcome so many families to our Parent Information Evenings. We truly appreciate you taking the time to connect with us. Your presence, your questions, and your commitment to partnering with our school make an enormous difference.
We deeply value this partnership, and together we look forward to creating a successful, positive, and memorable year for all our students. Below is a short summary of key reminders we shared during the evenings:
Communication: Our Leadership Team maintains an open‑door policy, and we warmly encourage you to contact us and schedule a time if you would like to discuss anything in more detail. Our dedicated staff respond to emails within 48 hours and have an auto‑reply active after 4:15pm to help support their wellbeing. If your message requires a long explanation or discussion, please make an appointment rather than using email; sometimes a face‑to‑face meeting is the best way forward. Please also note that teachers are unable to meet during Daystart, as they are focused on welcoming and supervising students.
Birthdays: We love celebrating our students! If you wish to send something in for your child’s birthday, please keep it small, simple and manageable, such as individually wrapped treats (e.g., a small chocolate) or little stickers. This helps keep celebrations joyful without disrupting learning.
Morning Supervision: A gentle reminder that staff are busy preparing learning spaces and activities before school. They are not available for meetings at this time unless previously arranged.
Tools VS Classroom Distractions: We encourage families to talk with us about the tools their child may need. If an item has been recommended by an OT, psychologist, or specialist, we will always do our best to accommodate it within the context of the classroom. We simply ask that items brought from home support learning rather than distract from it.
Turning Circle: For the safety of our children and community, please avoid parking or dropping students off in the turning circle at Reception near the Primary Admin building. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
After School Clubs: A reminder that clubs will run in Terms 2 and 3, aside from our regular after‑school sports for younger students, which run each term.
Participation in clubs is a privilege, and behaviour expectations mirror those of the school day. We appreciate your support in reinforcing this with your children.
Camp & Excursion Medications: New guidelines regarding medication for excursions and camps will be sent out via SEQTA. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need clarification.
Uniform Standards: Our students returned looking absolutely fantastic! Thank you for helping us keep uniform standards high throughout the year. Details of uniform standards can be found in the student diary.
Worship Invitation: We would love to welcome you to our weekly Worship gatherings:
- Early Years: Monday at 9:05am
- Upper Years: Wednesday at 2:55pm
If you are available, we would be delighted to see you there.
Icy Pole Sales are Back This Friday!
We’re excited to let you know that icy pole sales will return this Friday at recess! Each icy pole will cost $2, and all proceeds will be donated to charity, supporting important causes and helping our students learn the joy of giving. Thank you for your support; we can’t wait for a fun (and refreshing!) Friday!
Pancake Day
School Photos
As per email sent on SEQTA earlier today, we are partnering with Fotoworks this year to provide individual student photos as well as sibling photos.
As noted in the School Calendar, Kindy to Year 6 student photos will be taken on Tuesday 10 February 2026, and Pre‑Kindy and sibling photos will be taken on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Please be aware that sibling photos must be pre‑ordered and paid for by 16 February 2026.
All sibling photos will take place in the Primary Forum on Wednesday 18 February between 7.30am and 8.30am. Parents are asked to bring their children to the sibling photo session during this time, remain with them throughout, and then take them to class once the photo is finished.
If students arrive late to class due to sibling photos, please ensure they sign in at Student Services before going to their classroom.
There will be no catch-up session for sibling photos. Kindy and Pre-Primary students will not be attending school on this day so parents will be responsible for bringing their children to the photo shoot in their school uniform.
Uniform requirements
All students must be in full summer uniform, as outlined in the Parent Handbook (pages 16 & 17). Please ensure all jewellery and hair guidelines are followed. Students who normally wear their Phys Ed uniform on Tuesdays must wear their formal summer uniform instead. Photos cannot be taken in Phys Ed uniform.
Photo Day Schedule
8:40 am 1C & 1A
9:15 am Kindy Rollings and Kindy Hotchkin
10.15 am PPDO & PPDI
11.30 am 2SA & 2V
12.00 pm 3B & 3M
1.30 pm 4BE & 4BAR
2:00 pm 5CU & 5SI
2:30pm 6BUR & 6TE
If your child is absent on Tuesday 10 February, catch-up photos will be taken on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Please refer to the instructions in the Parent Information – Primary.docx flyer on how to order photos. Orders can be placed from today.
Should you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact Student Services.
Parent Teacher Meet & Greet – Week 4
We are pleased to share that our Parent Teacher Meet & Greet sessions will take place in Week 4. Booking information will be made available soon.
These short meetings are designed to help our teachers get to know your child a little more; their interests, strengths, and anything that will help us support them throughout the year. Please note that these sessions are not intended for academic feedback.
Each Meet & Greet will be limited to 10 minutes, as our teachers will be following a tight schedule to ensure they can meet with all families.
If you have already met with your child’s teacher this year to share information or discuss your child’s needs, there is no requirement to book another appointment, unless there is something new you wish to share.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with you and supporting a wonderful year ahead.
