Lovely ANZAC Day Service

We would like to thank all families who attended our ANZAC DAY Service last week. It was a special time given to reflect and honor those who have served (as well as those who still serve) our country, making it possible for us to enjoy the freedom we have. Lest we forget.

2021 Cross Country Carnival

Congratulations Charis for being the Primary Champions of our 2021 Cross-Country and Makaria for being the whole school champions! Photos of our year level champions will be posted on the PE Blog soon. Well done to all our participants!

Term 2 After School Clubs

After School Clubs are back for Term 2! This term we have four after school activities on offer for students to enjoy. Bookings will be available from 6.00pm Wednesday 28 April.

Tuesday – Aladdin Production Design Crew (students in Year 3 to 6)

Thursday – After School Sports (students in Pre-primary to Year 2)

Thursday – Homework Club (students in Year 4 to 6)

Thursday – Mathletics Club (students in Year 3 to 4)

Remember to only register your child for activities available to their year group. Please use the following link to book https://bookwhen.com/ststephensschool_carramar

Library Helpers Needed

Mother’s Day Stall

As mentioned last week, our Mother’s Day Stall is scheduled to take place next week. All Year 1 to Yr6 teachers and learning assistants will be accompanying students to the Primary Forum between 8:30AM and 9:30AM to purchase a gift for their mum (please refer to flyer for specific dates and times students will be attending). Our Pre-Kindy, Kindy and Pre-Primary students have been allocated specific dates and times to come accompanied by a parent, but we will need to confirm with you (no later than Monday) if this will still be a possibility (following our Premier’s announcement in relation to restrictions moving forward).

Children’s University

I hope students were able to complete some learning opportunities over the holiday, either through the events run by ECU or by exploring the online portal.   There was a great ANZAC day learning opportunity posted as part of the April challenge that allowed students to be creative in how they presented their learning.  I am excited to see what May’s challenge will be.

I am encouraging students to be responsible for their own learning by exploring the online portal, keeping their own log in details, a portfolio of their learning and keeping their passports in a safe place.  If however, you would prefer for me to keep their passports, as this is the official record of their learning, I am able to do so.

The next passport signing session will be in the library at lunch time this Thursday 29 April.  They can bring me any work they have completed and I will also review any submissions they have made on the online portal at this time.  I also have a list of hours accrued during Term 1 through the after school clubs offered by SSS that can contribute towards their graduation.  It is important students bring their passports to this session.  I can’t wait to hear their stories.

Scholastic Book Club

Friday 7 May

Important Message from Mr Roberts

Dear Families

Welcome to Term 2! We are really excited at the many events that are to occur over the coming eleven weeks and are well prepared to weave them in amongst our core business of teaching and learning! I hope that your holidays were enjoyable and that you had some great quality time with your children.

Friday will be a significant day as we start our term with both, sombre reflection and boisterous exertion. Our tradition of holding an ANZAC Day ‘dawn’ Service will start the day on the slope near the Secondary Administration building. We use this time to reflect with sorrow and thankfulness on those men and women who gave their lives in battle in order to protect and preserve the freedoms that we enjoy in this most beautiful country of ours, Australia. I would like to extend to you, your family and your friends therefore, the warmest of invitations to join us at 7.45am as we mark ANZAC Day, a day of remembrance, with respect, dignity and prayer.

After this, please feel free to attend our K – 12 Inter-House Cross Country Carnival which will take place on the oval from around 8.45am. All students will be participating in an effort to have their House crowned ‘champion’ and you will see wonderful interactions between senior and junior students throughout the course of the morning. Additionally, at this event, we will be christening ‘Betty’, our Service-Learning caravan, as she offers snacks and drinks for purchase by students and parents for the very first time. It has been a long time coming, this project, so stay tuned for more information regarding the initial idea, the journey of refurbishment and the intended use of her from this Friday onwards.

I wish you a great term and many blessings.

Mr Brett Roberts

K-12 Inter-House Cross Country Carnival

The St Stephen’s Carramar K-12 Inter-House Cross Country Carnival will be held this Friday 23 April (Week 1, Term 2). The event will run from 8.30am – 10.40am on the Secondary School oval. Classes will resume as normal after recess time.

Students in Kindy – Year 1 will participate in a Lap-a-thon run in a special sectioned off area on the Secondary Oval. Students in Year 2 – 6 will compete in a Cross Country race, along with some House team games run by Secondary student leaders on the oval.

Reminders for students: 

• Students in Year 2 – 6 must be at school by 8.25am.
• House Sports Uniform
• Water bottle
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Asthma puffer if required

 Approximate Cross Country event start times:

8.50am: Year 5/6 Boys 2.5km                                  

9.10am: Year 5/6 Girls 2.5km

9.30am: Year 4 Girls & Boys 2km                 

9.55am: Year 3 Girls & Boys 1.5km                     

10.20am: Year 2 Girls & Boys 750m 

COVID-19 Safety Protocols 

Parents/guardians are welcome to spectate this event, but must not interfere with the students at any time. Parents/guardians may spectate their children from a distance around the outside of the oval, but must not interfere with the team games taking place in the middle of the oval. We appreciate your support in this matter.

Betty the Service Learning Caravan

Our Secondary hospitality students will be selling some small refreshments from “Betty” the caravan for students to purchase at the carnival. Students may bring a small amount of money if they wish to purchase something at the end of the carnival (before Recess time).

We look forward to seeing all our students bring their best House Spirit down to the oval this Friday!

Mother’s Day Stall

Our Mother’s Day Stall is back in 2021! Please note that a lovely group of volunteers will be running the stall in our Primary Forum from 3 – 7 May. More details coming soon.

Our Captains in action!  

Three of our Primary Captains were given the opportunity to serve the wider community by taking part in the Food Cart program during the last week of Term 1. The group headed off to Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre straight after school and collected food items from dedicated cafes and retailers to be handed over to those in need. This activity truly reflects the importance our school attaches to our values of care, service and community. Well done Captains!

A lovely way to end the term 

As part of our “Buddy Program”, junior and senior students joined forces in an “Easter Pencil Treasure Hunt” last term J!  Our senior students have been demonstrating some lovely leadership skills in mentoring and helping our junior students throughout Term 1. Our new “Buddy Program” was very successful last term and we look forward to the many activities students will share together again this term.

A reminder that we need costumes!

The St Stephen’s Carramar costume shop is up and running. We are now accepting donations of costumes.

• Please leave any donated costumes in the Donation Box located in the Primary Forum
• Each costume, with the related accessories, should be bagged together
• If you are donating more than one costume please bag them separately
• All donations should be clean and in good condition ready to go
• We will be accepting both child and adult costumes

This is a great opportunity to fundraise and support our SSS families with low cost options for costume hire.

Bronwyn Doak and Karyn Hinder

Term 2 After School Clubs

Stay tuned for After School Clubs on offer in Term 2. The list of available clubs and the booking link will be in next week’s blog.

Lost Property

Please remember to check lost property if your child has misplaced a hat, drink bottle, shoes, lunch box or anything else. Lost property items will be on display inside the entrance to the Primary Forum (entrance between the office and Kindy) from Monday 29 March. There will also be a display of second hand uniforms and school bags available for a gold coin donation.

Traffic Warden

We have a relief traffic warden who is able to assist on the children’s crossing on St Stephens Crescent (near Palmerston Crescent – west).  Gareth will start tomorrow morning and remain on the crossing until further notice.

Uniform Shop

A reminder that the Uniform Shop is experiencing delays with the delivery of some winter stock as COVID has disrupted supply and shipping chains. To assist with uniform requirements, it will be open Wednesday 14th April from 12.00pm to 4.00pm .

Children’s University- Passports Have Arrived!!!

The exciting moment has arrived where students can be issued with their passports. Remember, if you are a previous member you will not be issued another passport, but continue to use your previous ones. New members can come and collect their passports from me during our next stamping session in the library on Thursday 1 April during lunch.  I would love to see the photos or drawings of the lunch box/picnic students may have created as part of the March Challenge at this time too.

School Holiday Program

In the last blog, the holiday program run by ECU was published.  Some people have had trouble finding the link.  Please click on the link below:

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=735973&

Holiday fun at the Zoo

The Children’s University WA Partnership (ECU and UWA) would like to invite CU members to a discounted CU at Perth Zoo Day.

As with ALL School Holiday Activities adult family members must attend this event with their children, it is an opportunity for a family day out at a discounted rate.

Purchase Tickets: https://payments.uwa.edu.au/CUPerthZoo2021

More ways to learn

There are multiple ways you can earn hours towards your graduation.  Each time you find and complete a new learning activity (i.e. something that is not listed on the CU website, Facebook page or portal) we ask that you complete an entry in your Portfolio (details attached).

Happy Easter

Wishing all our families a very blessed Easter and a wonderful school holidays.

After School Clubs

A reminder that After School Clubs finish this week (ending Friday 26 March). After School Clubs will not run during the last week of Term 1.

Stay tuned for After School Clubs on offer in Term 2.

School Photo Order Due Date

A reminder that tomorrow, Friday 26 March is the due date for returning school photos envelopes. Orders placed after this date will need to be placed online directly with Photo Hendriks. The school will not accept photo envelopes after Friday 26 March.

Lost Property

Please remember to check lost property if your child has misplaced a hat, drink bottle, shoes, lunch box or anything else. Lost property items will be on display inside the entrance to the Primary Forum (entrance between the office and Kindy) from Monday 29 March.

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is experiencing delays with the delivery of some winter stock as COVID has disrupted supply and shipping chains. It will be open Wednesday 14th April from 12.00pm to 4.00pm .

Harmony Day Fun

Take a look at the fun that was had by all, celebrating Harmony Day last Friday.

Children’s Crossing Traffic Warden

The Traffic Warden who works at the children’s crossing on St Stephens Crescent (near Palmerston Crescent (west)) Tapping is unable to work from today until further notice.  Unfortunately there is no relief staff available to cover the position.  Please take appropriate action and inform your child to be vigilant whilst crossing without a warden present.

Traffic Warden State Management Unit
Western Australia Police Force
T: (08) 6274 8734

CU – ECU April School Holiday Program Session Information

School Photo Order Due Date

The due date for returning school photos envelopes is Friday 26 March. Orders placed after this date will need to be placed online directly with Photo Hendriks. The school will not accept photo envelopes after Friday 26 March.

The St Stephen’s Carramar costume shop will be up and running soon. To get a head start we are now accepting donations of costumes.

• Please leave any donated costumes in the Donation Box located in the Primary Forum
• Each costume, with the related accessories, should be bagged together
• If you are donating more than one costume please bag them separately
• All donations should be clean and in good condition ready to go
• We will be accepting both child and adult costumes

This is a great opportunity to fundraise and support our SSS families with low cost options for costume hire.

Bronwyn Doak and Karyn Hinder

Tomorrow is the day we’ve all been waiting for!!!

As mentioned on our Primary Blog over the last few weeks, we will be celebrating Harmony Day tomorrow (Friday 19 March) and encourage students to wear an orange t-shirt and their school sports shorts for the day.

As part of tomorrow’s festivities, our students are invited to take part in a Colour Run in the afternoon! This activity will not be compulsory. However, all students are encouraged to participate and enjoy the celebration. Please note that for this activity:

• Students will be permitted to change during lunch from their orange t-shirt to another t-shirt (preferably white). Please keep in mind that t-shirts will come home looking quite different and you may not be able to use them again!!!
• Upon reflection, and in case colours “land” on your child’s sports shorts and turn out a little difficult to wash off, we are happy for students to bring an extra pair of old shorts to change into prior to the Colour Run.
• We will be asking students to remove their shoes for the purpose of this activity
• Students may choose to wear goggles for this event
• We recommend for students to bring a towel to dust themselves after the event. Parents may want to bring a few garbage bags to protect their car seats on the way home too!

We look forward to celebrating Harmony Day tomorrow and look forward to sharing some photos of our festivities on the Primary Blog next week!

Kind regards

Madame Pilote 😊

Harmony Day

A reminder that we will be celebrating Harmony Day this Friday 19 March. We would love our students to wear their Sports shorts and an orange t-shirt for the day. Our Year 4 to Year 6 students will be joining our High School students on the Oval for an afternoon of activities (1:45pm to 3:15pm) led by our Propel Program students. Our Junior students (PP to Yr3) will take part in special activities on the Green from 2:45PM to 3:15PM, also led by our Propel Program students. One of the activities is a Colour Run! We suggest students bring a spare t-shirt (white if they can) to change prior to the afternoon activities or they can wear their orange t-shirt if they prefer. Please keep in mind that t-shirts will come home looking quite different and you may not be able to use them again !!! Please see our Colour Run FAQs document below.

COLOUR RUN: HARMONY DAY & SSS FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS

What will the Colour Run involve?

The Colour Run will involve students running along a short course and through coloured powder.

When/where will the Colour Run take place?

The Colour Run will take place this Friday, 19 March, on the school Oval for our Year 4 to 12 students (between 2.00pm – 3.00 pm) and on The Green for our PP to Year 3 students (between 2.45pm – 3.15 pm).

What do the students need to wear?

The optimal effect of a Colour Run occurs when participants wear a plain, white t-shirt.  Old clothes that you will not mind getting slightly stained (see below regarding possible staining). As Primary students will be wearing an orange t-shirt on the day, we are happy for students to keep wearing their orange t-shirt for the Colour Run, if families are happy to dispose of it at the end of the day. We do not take any responsibility for costs associated with the removal of colour.

Do all students need to run?

The Colour Run will not be compulsory. However, all students are encouraged to participate and enjoy the celebration.

How is the colour administered?

For our Year 4 to 12 students, there will be colour stations along the course on the Oval. At these stations, students will run along a short course whilst the colour powder is dispensed. All colour powder will be aimed between shoulder & hip level.

For our younger ones, we will set up a running course on The Green. Designated staff and High School students will be stationed along the course to gently dispense colour powder along the way. All colour powder will be aimed between shoulder & hip level.

What is the colour made from? Does it stain?

The coloured powder we are using is made from 99% corn-starch and natural food grade dyes. We’ve been told it doesn’t stain, but it’s best to wear old sneakers or opt to run with bare feet. We do not take any responsibility for costs associated with the removal of colour.

Will the colour stain my hair?

The coloured powder does generally wash out of hair, however if you are concerned, rubbing coconut oil through hair prior to the event will help prevent colour attaching to the hair follicle. Oiling your hair before the run will help the colour wash out. If you’re having trouble washing it after the event, bi-carb soda and anti-dandruff shampoo will help get the stubborn colour out! We do not take any responsibility for costs associated with the removal of colour.

Will the Colour ruin clothes or running shoes?

The colour does wash out after the event. As with anything dirty, the sooner you wash it, the better. We suggest wearing items that you wouldn’t mind getting colourful. We do not take any responsibility for costs associated with the removal of colour.

Do the “Colour Zones” affect runner vision? Or breathing?

The colour powder used at The Colour Run event is certified non-toxic and free of any heavy material. Our bright colours are Cornstarch and Food grade dyes. As with any substance, you want to keep it out of your eyes and our colour throwers will make sure to aim low as kids pass by. Some Colour Runners opt to wear glasses or goggles for their eyes and use a bandana or dust mask for their mouths. We suggest our Primary students to bring goggles on the day.

Do you have “cleaning stations”?

Students should BYO a towel to school, or have their parent or guardian bring one at collection for a good dusting off after the event. With a good dusting, you aren’t 100% clean, but you should be good for the drive home. It is actually pretty fun to see people still coloured up walking, riding and driving home from school.

How does the colour affect the inside of cars?

Most people bring some towels for the insides of their cars, just in case. It’s like driving home from the swimming pool in your swimsuit. We do not take any responsibility for costs associated with the removal of colour.

Our school core value of SERVICE in action!

As part of our Service Learning program, a group of Year 6 students volunteered their time with the Salvation Army in Merriwa last week, moving donated goods from a 20 foot container all the way to their Op Shop! The Salvation Army staff were extremely grateful for the extra pairs of hands! Well done, Year 6s, SSS is very proud of you 😊!

Still looking for national flags from around the world

As part of our Harmony Day celebrations, we would like to display as many flags from different countries in our Primary Forum. If you have a flag you could lend us, please send it to your classroom teacher with your child. Please ensure it is labelled so we can return it to you after Harmony Day. Thank you to all families who have already sent us flags 😊!

School Photos

A friendly reminder that our school photos will take place 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. Please note that our Kindy photos will take place on Monday 22 March.

Kind regards

Madame Pilote

Connecting in Conversation

Scholastic Book Club

Thursday 18 March 

Eco Warriors

The Year 4s focus on sustainability during the year as part of their HASS and Science curriculum.  With this in mind they will be looking at ways in which the Primary School can become more eco-friendly.

As a school we would like to reduce our carbon footprint by recycling other items which can harm our environment.

• Already all classes recycle paper/cardboard, which is collected by our Eco Warriors each week.
• There is also are recycling bins at Reception and outside the Forum for cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles in support of the Salvation Army. We encourage our community to support this by donating these items.
• The following items are now being collected and the appropriate bins are outside the Year 4 classrooms, in the red area:
  • Bread Ties
  • Plastic bottle tops
  • Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D and 9V batteries – both rechargeable and non-rechargeable)

Making everyone aware of ways in which they can RECYCLE, REUSE AND REDUCE is an important part of the Year 4’s learning and we look forward to a positive response from our wonderful community in our appeal.

Harmony Day

We will be celebrating Harmony Day next Friday 19 March. We would love our students to wear their Sports shorts and an orange t-shirt for the day. Our Year 4 to Year 6 students will be joining our High School students on the Oval for an afternoon of activities (1:45pm to 3:15pm) led by our Propel Program students. Our Junior students (PP to Yr3) will also take part in special activities on the Green from 2:45PM to 3:15PM, also led by our Propel Program students. One of the activities is a Colour Run! We suggest students bring a spare t-shirt (white if they can) to change prior to the afternoon activities or they can wear their orange t-shirt if they prefer. Please keep in mind that t-shirts will come home looking quite different and you may not be able to use them again 😉!!!

Harmony Day Meal Deal

Looking for national flags from around the world

As part of our Harmony Day celebrations, we would like to display as many flags from different countries in our Primary Forum. If you have a flag you could lend us, please send it to your classroom teacher with your child. Please ensure it is labelled so we can return it to you after Harmony Day.

Children’s University – Up for the challenge?

Every month Children’s University sets a new challenge for its members.  This is one of the ways students can earn hours towards their graduation.  Below are the details of the March Challenge of the Month.

“March 7 is Clean Up Australia Day. For this month’s challenge create a ‘litter free lunch box’ to take to school or on a picnic with your family. Try to think of imaginative ways to pack your favourite food and drink items that avoid using disposable packaging. Draw and label your lunch box contents or take a photo and show your school coordinator for a stamp and up to two hours in your Passport.”

I will be stamping passports in the library once a fortnight for any students who have completed tasks.  Lunch time Thursday 18 March will be the first passport stamping session.

Let’s all rise to the March Challenge of the Month as it is not only a great learning opportunity but it will make our Earth a little healthier too!

Parent Teacher Interview Reminder

Please note that our Kindy to Year 6 parent-teacher interviews will take place in Week 7 (Monday 15 March to Friday 19 March). An email with instructions as to how to book a suitable time was  sent to all families last week. Interviews will be scheduled for 10 minute blocks. Please book by Thursday 11 March.

St Stephen’s School Scholarships

Does your child excel in the classroom? Applications for Academic Scholarships are still 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.

Feel the Excitement – Children’s University!

There was an influx of interest following last week’s announcement and presentation to the students informing them that ECU’s Children’s University would be running again in 2021.  There are a few spots remaining in the program.  If your child is interested in one of the remaining places, please email Janelle.Morris@ststephens.wa.edu.au to register your expressions of interest.

Students involved in the program for 2021 will receive information packages at the end of this week. The program is open to students in Year 4-6 and will have an annual fee of $31.50 (including GST). More information can be found at https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/childrens-university/

Worship

We are very pleased to inform our community that starting this Friday 5 March, parents who wish to attend Worship (K-2 from 9AM to 9:30AM and Year 3-6 from 2:55PM to 3:20PM) will be able to do so. Please note that a designated parent area will be marked off. We appreciate everyone’s support in respecting the restrictions in place. We look forward to welcoming our community again to this very special time of the week.

School Banking

We are currently looking at the possibility of starting School Banking again and are looking for volunteers to help with the process. Please email Madame Pilote (isabelle.pilote@ststephens.wa.edu.au) if interested.

Swimming Carnival results are in and special presentations this Thursday morning!

Our Year 3 to 6 students did an AMAZING job last week at our Interhouse Swimming Carnival! Who will be the winning House? Please note that our Swimming Carnival Presentations will take place on The Green this Thursday 4 March from 8.30am – 8.50am. All welcome.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Please note that our Kindy to Year 6 parent-teacher interviews will take place in Week 7 (Monday 15 March to Friday 19 March). An email with instructions as to how to book a suitable time has been sent to all families today. Interviews will be scheduled for 10 minute blocks. Please book by Thursday 11 March.

The moment we’ve all been waiting for!

It has been wonderful to witness the excitement of our Early Years students following the official opening ceremony of our brand new Nature Playground last Friday. The pictures say it all 😊!

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.