Term 1, Week 4

The day has arrived!

On Friday at 9am, after you drop off your ‘little one’, you are welcome to gather on The Green and witness the Official Opening of the Nature Playground.

After much planning and anticipation over the last nine months and, watching it take shape ever so slowly, the staff and students are really excited to be able to finally use this wonderful facility for play, exploration, imagination and physical challenge.

Please join us, if you are able, for the 10 minute ceremony after which each class will be rostered on for a briefing by their teacher prior to a 20 minute play-time.

A lovely way to commence 2021!

Yours in Service

Brett Roberts

Head of Campus

 

Children’s University is Back!

We are excited to be re-launching Children’s University Australasia at SSS Carramar this year.  This is a great way to foster the life-long love of self-directed learning among our students.

Students use their “Passport to Learning” to record their learning throughout the year and qualifying students celebrate the journey of their learning at a graduation service hosted by ECU Joondalup at the end of the year.  More information can be found at https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/childrens-university/

The program is open to students in Year 4-6 and will have an annual fee of $31.50 (including GST).

Students enrolled previously who need a Learning Passport to be re-issued will be at the cost of $11 (including GST).  Students who still have their passport from 2019 will be able to continue to use it this year.

We are able to offer 30 places in this program.  Given the expected high demand we will have for participation in the program, please send an email to the CUA Coordinator, Janelle.Morris@ststephens.wa.edu.au , to register your expression of interest.  Please include your child’s name and class.

Further information, consent and payment forms will be forwarded to successful students.  Placement in the program will be based on the order that expressions of interest are received by the CUA Coordinator.

Our new ‘Buddy Program’ was launched last Wednesday!

Primary staff have put together a new “Buddy Program” this year where all senior students from Years 3 to 6 have been teamed up with little ones from Kindy to Year 2. “Buddys” will be meeting every fortnight this year to do some activities together. We believe that this experience will be beneficial for both young and older students. Activities will be based on a theme and this term, we are focusing on “Harmony”. Once again, our values of Service, Care and Community in action J! We believe this new initiative will provide opportunities for:

Active listening ▪ Being empathic ▪ Negotiating ▪ Cooperating ▪ Being positive ▪ Sharing ▪ Taking turns ▪ Including others ▪ Treating others with respect ▪ Friendliness ▪ Being kind

We would love you to discuss the program with your child at home. Our next “Buddy Session” is scheduled Wednesday 3 March.

 

Wonderful ‘Junk Robots’!

Last week, our Year 3 students proudly displayed the “Junk Robots” they created at home earlier in the term. They invited the Kindy students and their teachers to come along and view their hard work. The Kindies were amazed by what had been created and will be taking inspiration for their own junk projects in the coming weeks. Well done Year 3s!

Applications for Year 7 Academic Scholarships for 2022 are now open!

Does your child excel in the classroom? Applications for Academic Scholarships are now open for students heading into Year 7 in 2022.

Scholarships are open to new and current students. The process includes testing in March next year and, if awarded, grants partial or full remission of School tuition fees for the student’s entire Secondary education at St Stephen’s School, subject to ongoing performance and yearly reviews.

See where a scholarship could take your child at https://www.ststephens.wa.edu.au/enrolments/scholarships or contact the School Registrar at scholarships@ststephens.wa.edu.au.

 

Term 1, Week 3

Year 3 – 6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival

A reminder that the Year 3 – 6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival is taking place next Thursday 25 February at HBF Arena Joondalup. Students must arrive at school by 8.25am, in order for the buses to depart at 8.45am.

What to bring/wear:

  • Students must bring all food and drink they require for the day – the Café is not accessible.
  • House Uniform, towel, thongs/sandals and bathers – no two-piece bathers.
  • Labelled school bag or alternative backpack
  • Swimming caps and goggles are highly recommended – we encourage students to wear swimming caps that match their House colour for extra House spirit!

COVID-19 Venue Restrictions

Due to strict COVID-19 venue capacity restrictions that HBF Arena Joondalup and VenuesWest must adhere to, we are unfortunately unable to have any spectators at our Swimming Carnival this year. No parents/guardians are permitted to spectate students at HBF Arena Joondalup. We appreciate your support in this matter.

We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing your children swim at the 2021 Primary Interhouse Swimming Carnival!

Microsoft Teams

Dear Parents

We intend utilising Microsoft Teams for part of our teaching and learning this year. If you or your child has not downloaded it yet, could you please follow the below “Instructions” and login using your child/children’s school username and password.

Kind regards

Jenny Mallis (Digital Learning Specialist)

 

Scholastic Issue 1

Scholastic Issue 1 is available for viewing, ordering and payment online using the following link www.scholastic.com.au.  Click on the Shop tab (Loop for parents) to order. There will be no catalogues distributed for issue 1. The due date for orders is the 22 February 2021.

 

Icy Poles

Please note that Captains will start selling Icy Poles this Friday 19 February at Recess for 60 cents 😊. Sales will take place in classroom courtyards. Proceeds from the sales will be going to charity.

Northway Uniting Church – 2020 Christmas Appeal

Dear parents and children

Thank you so much for your abundant and caring gift donations for the 2020 Christmas appeal! We were able to distribute approx. 300 gifts last year – the majority to DCP Joondalup and also some to foster families in the area and families in need identified through a school chaplain in the area.

It is a joy to be part of such a generous and caring community that is St Stephen’s Carramar – please be assured that you have spread joy and love to others!

With Warm Regards & Thanks

Jennifer Sealey & Karen Hutchison (coordinators Christmas Appeal)
Northway Uniting Church

 

 

 

Term 1, Week 2

WELCOME BACK ,TAKE 2!

Dear Families,

We made it! You made it! And your beautiful children made it! Let’s give ourselves a big round of applause (it wasn’t too bad eh!). You may not be able to see our smiles with our masks on,  but we can assure you that everyone is SO happy to be back :-)! We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your understanding and assistance with the distancing and restrictions that are in place for this week. We have had a beautiful start to the week and the community has been amazing. Children have shown such resilience and we are extremely proud of them.

All things being equal, please note that the Year 1 & 2, 3 & 4 and 5 & 6 Parent Information Evenings have now been rescheduled for the 15th, 16th and 17th of February respectively. If current restrictions are eased over the weekend (ie masks and numbers in venues), we will confirm, on Sunday afternoon, the following:

Year 1: Monday 15 February, 6.30pm – 7.30pm  (Primary Forum)

Year 2: Monday 15 February, 6.30pm – 7.30pm (Library)

Year 3: Tuesday 16 February, 6.30pm – 7.30pm  (Library)

Year 4: Tuesday 16 February, 6.30pm – 7.30pm (Primary Forum)

Year 5: Wednesday 17 February, 6.30pm – 7.30pm (Primary Forum)

Year 6: Wednesday 17 February, 6.30pm – 7.30pm (Library)

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us or your classroom teacher.

Kind regards,

Mr Roberts and Madame Pilote

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR ROBERTS

Dear Families, Parents and Carers

Welcome to 2021! I realise you have received a lot of correspondence over recent weeks form our Principal, me and your child’s class teachers so, I will make this relatively brief.

I am giving a devotion to staff on Friday where I am going to ask them to reflect on what they see. We can view things similarly but, can also view things quite differently. In both instances, we should harness each other’s vision. What do you see?

Fish or birds?

 

An old woman or a young woman?

In these ever-changing times we must seek to see the positive. Like Captain Sir Tom Moore, recently deceased at 100 years of age, would repeatedly say: “Today is a good day, it has its ups and downs but, it is a good day and tomorrow will be a better day”.

 

While in the above landscape, we may see a jagged, harsh formation, eroding and attempting not to crumble, I encourage you to ‘see’ through the window and observe a horizon that is green, where waters flow and where the sky is clear – this is us this year! Resilient, agile and knowing that “today is a good day and tomorrow will be a better day”.

Thank you for your support, understanding and positive feedback to the start of 2021 and we continue to look forward to working in partnership with you to seek the best possible outcomes for our students.

Yours in Service,

Mr Brett Roberts (Head of Campus)

 

SCHOOL PHOTOS (take 2!)

Please note that our school photos have been rescheduled for Tuesday 16 March for all Pre-Primary to Year 6 students. Students need to be wearing their white school shirts (3-6) or stripy shirt (PP-2) for the photograph. Children need to have the correct hair accessories and jewellery (please refer to the student handbook). No house shirts on this day.

Our Kindy photos will take place Monday 22 March and our Pre-Kindy photos will remain Wednesday 17 February.

 

ST STEPHEN’S SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS

BEFORE SCHOOL TENNIS LESSONS – TERM 1, 2021

We will be conducting before school tennis lessons at St Stephen’s Carramar in Term 1 2021, to allow your child to start the day in an active and engaging manner. Details of the program are as follows:

Day: Thursday mornings – commencing Thursday 11 February, 2021

Time: 7.30-8.15am, $130 / child (8 weeks)

To Register please email info@poptennis.com.au or call Glen on

0433 340 646 with the following information:

-Child’s Full Name

-Child’s Date of Birth

-Mobile number

-Email address

 

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

After School Clubs are back for Term 1! Teaching staff are offering a wide variety of after school clubs to keep students in Pre-Primary to Year 6 active and engaged in Term 1. From 6.00pm Wednesday 10 February you will be able to register your child in one of the following After School Clubs: The Kilometre Club, Drawing Club, Early Years Cooking Club, Homework Club, Science Club, After School Sports or Board Games. Please use the following link to register https://portal.ststephens.wa.edu.au/parent-and-student/plan-the-day/primary-school-clubs.html

 

FIRE TECH

An after-school club with a difference!

St Stephen’s School is excited to announce we will be running a pilot program with leading STEM Education partner Fire Tech Australia for an after-school club in Term 1 at both our Carramar and Duncraig campuses.

Available to students from Years 5-7, they will have the first chance to explore the world of 3D modelling and robotics to create real world solutions in the St Stephen’s Imagineers Club.

All equipment is provided – students just need to use the power of imagination, creativity and innovation! Experienced tutors will guide students through activities that will engage engineering principles before their prototype is modelled, designed and printed in 3D and then brought to life using Robotics kits.

The Club will run every Thursday from Week 3 in Term 1 (February 18) from 3.30-4.30pm.

It will be in the Study Lounge in the Library at Carramar and in the Glenda Parkin Building at Duncraig.

The Club will cost $210 for seven weeks of learning and care, with only 25 spots available at each campus so get in quick!

Book now – St Stephen’s Imagineers | Fire Tech Australia (firetechcamp.com.au)

Please contact communications@ststephens.wa.edu.au if you have any queries.

DISABLED PARKING BAY

A reminder that the disabled parking bay is reserved for drivers who hold an ACROD Parking Permit ONLY. We appreciate your cooperation with this matter.

 

NORTHWAY UNITING CHURCH 

Sometime last year, the Beldon Uniting Church and  the Carramar Uniting Church amalgamated to form the NorthWay Uniting Church. The newly appointed Minister is Rev Dr Sonny Rajamoney. The worship services at Carramar will be held in the school auditorium, every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 10.30 – 11.30am, followed by refreshments etc. Rev Rajamoney will be in his office at the school every Wednesday from 9am. Please make an appointment before you plan to meet with him. His phone contact is 0421 332 747, and email address, minister@northwayunitingchurch.org.au

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP

Dear Families,

Wow! Where have we found ourselves again! Interesting times in an interesting world!

We just wanted to touch base with you to reassure you that there is no reason for worry or fear about your child’s learning journey at this point in the year and to inform you that there will be more formal communication from the School regarding the week ahead and the plans for any ongoing face-to-face disruption. Your child is at the forefront of our thinking and we ask that you convey to them our love and thoughts and reassure them that we will look after them. Please also inform your child that their teacher is preparing something for them which will be posted on their Year Level Blog. We would appreciate if you could look at it with them later today or first thing tomorrow morning.

Please feel free to email us if you have any questions but, as mentioned, a formal communication will be emailed to you later today.

Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with you and let’s hope that it will only be for this week.

Yours in Service,

Mr Roberts and Madame Pilote