Archive | June 2025

Term 2 – Week 10 – Notices

Dear School Community,

As we head into the final week of term, we’d like to wish you all a safe and restful holiday break. Please see below for some key events and dates to be aware of in the coming week:

Early Learning Centre (ELC)

Monday 30th June to Friday 4th July – Swimming Lessons (PP – Year 2)

Tuesday 1st July, 9am – Pre Primary Choir Performance

Wednesday 2nd July, 9am – Pre Kindergarten “When I grow up…” Day

Friday 4th July – Naidoc Activity Day & Non-uniform day fundraiser for the Falconer Family

Years 3-6

Monday 30th June, 2:30pm – 3S String Demonstration (parents welcome)

Tuesday 1st July, 2:30pm – Year 5 Band Performance (parents welcome)

Friday 4th July, 2:20pm – Captains Assembly / Rookie Debating Assembly

Friday 4th July – Naidoc Activity Day & Non-uniform day fundraiser for the Falconer Family

NAIDOC day

This year, NAIDOC Week runs from 6 to 13 July.  St Stephen’s Primary will celebrate NAIDOC Day on Friday, 4 July.  Students will mark the occasion with special activities in their classrooms. The day will also be a free dress day as part of our End of Term Fundraiser.

Students are encouraged to wear a splash of NAIDOC colour – this could be in the form of socks, hair ties, a top, wristband, or similar.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

Primary Reporting Day: Monday 28 July
Children return to school: Tuesday 29 July

As we prepare for the holiday break, I encourage everyone to take this time to rest, rejuvenate, and spend quality time with loved ones. I leave you with this Bible verse to reflect upon:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26

Wishing you all a safe and blessed holiday.

Warmest regards,

Andrew Johnston & Hannah Lockwood-Jones

Music Notes

Interhouse Music Festival – Years 3 -6

The Interhouse Music Festival will be taking place in Term 3 on Wednesday 27 August (Week 5). Students are encouraged to perform as soloists and in small groups for an adjudicator. Points are awarded to contribute to the winning house for 2025.

We are trialling a digital entry form this year.

2025 Inter-House Music Festival Primary

Entries must be submitted on the electronic form by 3:30pm Monday 18 August.

Semester 2 Music Calendar

Below is a link to an overview of ensembles and their rehearsal times and important dates for this semester.

We welcome interested new members for the following Ensembles to try for a few weeks at the beginning of term before making the decisions to commit for Semester 2.

Primary Chorale (ELC – year 4) Friday mornings 7:45 – 8:30 Primary Music Suite

Chamber Choir (Year 5 and 6) Monday mornings 7:30 – 8:30 Primary Music Suite

Primary Rehearsal Overview 2025

Primary Music Dates 2025

Year 3 to Year 6

 END OF TERM MEAL

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

 

Cheese Pizza Roll

or

Bacon Cheese Pizza Roll

$9.00

 

 

4 pack sushi – gluten free

(teriyaki chicken or tuna or vegetable)

$10.00

 

 

All meals come with:

Juice Bomb Blueberry

Freddo

 

(Please contact canteen if you require any information

on ingredients etc

9243 2434)

 

ORDER ONLINE THROUGH QUICKCLIQ

ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY

WEDNESDAY, 25 JUNE  2025 (7.30AM)

NO OTHER FOOD AVAILABLE ON 2 JULY

Term 2 Meal – Yr3 to Yr6 Yr3-Yr6 – Ordering Instructions

Term 2 Meal – Yr3 to Yr6

 

Term 2 – Week 9 – Notices

Week Ahead

Early Learning Centre (ELC)

Monday 23rd June to Friday 4th July – Swimming Lessons (PP – Year 2)

Tuesday 24th June – NIPPSA Interschool Cross Country (selected students Year 2 – 6)

 

Years 3-6

Tuesday 24th June – NIPPSA Interschool Cross Country (selected students Year 2 – 6)

Wednesday 25th June, 6:45pm – Middle School Music Concert (select Year 5/6)

Thursday 26th June, 1pm – Rookie Debating Pizza Lunch (select Year 6/7)

Thursday 26th June, 6:45pm – Primary School Music Concert

Friday 27th June, 2:20pm – 3S Assembly

Monday 30th June, 2:30pm – 3S String Demonstration (parents welcome)

 

School Disco
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make our recent school disco such a wonderful success! Despite the wet weather, the students’ dancing shoes sparkled and their joyful smiles lit up the night.  Special thanks to Melinda Sheeve for her outstanding organisation, and to the amazing parents and staff who supported the event both in preparation and on the night.  Your time, care, and enthusiasm helped create a truly memorable experience for our students – thank you!

NAIDOC day

This year, NAIDOC Week runs from 6 to 13 July.  St Stephen’s Primary will celebrate NAIDOC Day on Friday, 4 July.  Students will mark the occasion with special activities in their classrooms. The day will also be a free dress day as part of our End of Term Fundraiser.

Students are encouraged to wear a splash of NAIDOC colour – this could be in the form of socks, hair ties, a top, wristband, or similar.

Warmest regards,

Andrew Johnston & Hannah Lockwood-Jones

 

 

YEAR 3 TO YEAR 6

END OF TERM MEAL

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

 

Cheese Pizza Roll

or

Bacon Cheese Pizza Roll

$9.00

 

4 pack sushi – gluten free

(teriyaki chicken or tuna or vegetable)

$10.00

 

All meals come with:

Juice Bomb Blueberry

Freddo

 

(Please contact canteen if you require any information

on ingredients etc

9243 2434)

 

ORDER ONLINE THROUGH QUICKCLIQ

ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY

WEDNESDAY, 25 JUNE 2025 (7.30AM)

NO OTHER FOOD AVAILABLE ON 2 JUL

Term 2 Meal – Yr3 to Yr6

Yr3-Yr6 – Ordering Instructions

 

Term 2 – Week 8 – Notices

Week Ahead

Early Learning Centre (ELC)

Friday 20th June, 9am – PPS Assembly

Friday 20th June – NIPPSA Interschool Cross Country (selected students Year 2-6)

Friday 20th June – Primary School Disco

Years 3-6

Tuesday 17th June, 3:30pm – Rookie Debating Workshop for Grand Final team

Friday 20th June, 9am – Rookie Debating Grand Final

Friday 20th June – NIPPSA Interschool Cross Country (selected students Year 2-6)

Friday 20th June – Primary School Disco

Dear Families,

As we head into Week 8, there is a real buzz of excitement around the campus with a number of events and experiences on the horizon for our students across the ELC and 3-6.

Primary School Disco – Friday 20 June
The countdown is on for our 2025 ELC and Primary Disco! A huge thank you to our wonderful parent community for organising what is sure to be a fantastic evening filled with dancing, music, and joyful memories. Please remember to check the Important Information & Housekeeping document (below). Please click here for event details and ticketing information.

Disco – Important Info & Housekeeping

NIPSSA Interschool Cross Country – Friday 20 June
Best of luck to our selected Year 2–6 students who will be representing St Stephen’s at the NIPSSA Interschool Cross Country. We know you’ll give it your all and make us proud! Thank you to our staff and families for their ongoing support of our athletes.

PPS Assembly – Friday 20 June
We look forward to gathering as a community for the PPS Assembly this Friday at 9:00am. It’s always a joy to celebrate student achievements and enjoy some wonderful class presentations.

Rookie Debating – Grand Final Week!
It’s an exciting time for our Years 3–6 debaters, with the Grand Final Workshop on Tuesday, 17 June at 3:30pm, followed by the Grand Final on Friday morning. We are so proud of our debating teams and the way they have grown in confidence and critical thinking throughout the term. Good luck to our finalists – you’ve already achieved something remarkable!

Swimming Lessons (Pre-Primary – Year 2)
A reminder that swimming lessons for our younger students will begin Monday, 23 June and run until Friday, 4 July. Please ensure that all belongings are clearly labelled, and continue supporting your child in developing their independence with dressing and undressing at home. These foundational self-care skills will help make the swimming experience smooth and positive for all.

Dropping your children off at school (3-6)

We have once again, recently noticed an increase in the number of students being dropped off too early at the 3-6 campus, some as early as 7.20am. Please ensure that your child is not left at school without adult supervision before 8:10am, as this is when staff are on duty. If you need to drop your child off earlier, we kindly ask that you contact OSH Club to enquire about available bookings to support you.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. As always, it’s a privilege to be part of your child’s learning journey. We look forward to all the fun, learning, and community spirit that this week will bring.

Warmest regards,

Hannah Lockwood-Jones & Andrew Johnston

YEAR 3 TO YEAR 6

END OF TERM MEAL

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

 

Cheese Pizza Roll

or

Bacon Cheese Pizza Roll

$9.00

 

4 pack sushi – gluten free

(teriyaki chicken or tuna or vegetable)

$10.00

 

All meals come with:

Juice Bomb Blueberry

Freddo

 

(Please contact canteen if you require any information

on ingredients etc

9243 2434)

 

ORDER ONLINE THROUGH QUICKCLIQ

ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY

WEDNESDAY, 25 JUNE 2025 (7.30AM)

NO OTHER FOOD AVAILABLE ON 2 JUL

Term 2 Meal – Yr3 to Yr6

Yr3-Yr6 – Ordering Instructions

Term 2 – Week 7 – Notices

Week Ahead

ELC

Monday 9th June – Kindy Wheels Day

Friday 13th June, 9am – 1FJ Assembly

3-6

Monday 9th June – Lightning Carnival (Year 6 & selected Year 5 students)

Tuesday 10th June, 3:30pm – Rookie Debating Round 3 (Year 6/7 students)

Thursday 12th June – Year 3 Cockman House Excursion

Friday 13th June – Crazy Hair and Hat Day

Primary School Disco, Friday 20 June

Get ready for a fun-filled evening — the Primary Disco is just around the corner!  Proudly hosted by the St Stephen’s School Duncraig Primary parent community, the 2025 ELC and Primary Disco promises an exciting night of music, dancing, and fun for our students.

Please click here for event details and ticketing information.

Please note: If you purchased tickets before 5 June, be sure to check the correct disco times on the flyer below, as the confirmation email initially contained incorrect times.

 

Parking Reminder at the ELC

It has come to our attention that some parents are parking their cars in the Kiss and Drive area during morning drop-off. We would like to remind everyone that parking in this area is not permitted between 7:30-9:00am and 2:45-3:45pm.

Parking in this zone during restricted hours creates unsafe conditions, as it forces other parents and students to park further away and walk a greater distance to the gate. We ask for your cooperation in keeping this area clear during the specified times to ensure the safety of all our students.

Additionally, we kindly ask that parents refrain from parking in front of the bins near the Pre-Primary and Kindy playground. It is dangerous to reverse from this area into incoming traffic and causes delays in the flow of traffic. Please work with us to ensure the safety of all students and visitors to the ELC.

If family members or friends are assisting with the drop-off or pick-up of your children, please make them aware of these requests from the school.

Thank you for your understanding, support, and cooperation.

Warm regards,

Andrew Johnston & Hannah Lockwood-Jones

Kingsway Indoor stadium and Wanneroo Aquamotion will be running a combined 69 different programs across the sites this July school holidays.

At Kingsway Indoor Stadium, we run school holiday programs for children aged between 5 and 14 in various activities from basketball, futsal (soccer), netball, tennis and volleyball to acrobatics, cheerleading, dance and art & craft.

We were wondering if you could put something in your online newsletter and/or hand out some physical flyers to promote our upcoming school holiday programs in July.

For your reference, I have attached advertising tiles and timetables for both the Kingsway Indoor Stadium and Wanneroo Aquamotion school holiday programs which can be included in your next online newsletter.

The flyers are physical copies of the timetable in a booklet format which may be easier to get to students via note baskets if preferred.

Enrolment link is below:

New Enrolment | Envibe

If this can be included in the newsletter, that would be fantastic!

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me on the email below or contact the stadium on 9405 5645 😊.

Best regards,

Darius

KIS A5 school holiday timetable July 2025 FINAL

AQUA A5 school holiday timetable July 25 FINAL

 

 

Re: Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019). 

 

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

·         Year of schooling

·         Category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional

·         Level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice,

           supplementary, substantial or extensive.

 

This information assists schools to:

·         Formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in

           schools 

·         Consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools

·         Develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve

           educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information.

 

To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy.

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).

REVOLUTION SPORTS

Looking for a fun and active way to keep the kids moving this winter hols? 
Our Winter Holiday Floorball Camps are the perfect way to warm up the holidays with fast-paced games, new skills, and plenty of fun!

Open to boys and girls in Years 1 to 8. Beginners and experienced players welcome.

For kids in year 1-4: Our clinics are 2-hour sessions packed with skills and team work.
For kids in year 5 and above: Camps run 9am-2pm over two exciting days filled with floorball!

Don’t forget to check what date school finishes before booking.

👉 All the info + sign-up links here

Spots fill fast – don’t miss out!

Learning Enrichment Snapshot – Supporting your child’s learning: why working memory matters

As parents, we all want our children to feel confident and successful at school. One key factor in learning that often goes unnoticed is working memory—a cognitive skill that plays a major role in helping children learn, follow instructions, and stay focused in the classroom.

What is Working Memory?

Working memory is like a child’s mental notepad—it helps them hold onto information while using it. For example, if your child hears, “Get your homework folder, put on your shoes, and meet me at the door,” they’re using working memory to remember and act on each part.

It’s especially important for:

  • Following multi-step instructions
  • Reading comprehension
  • Mental arithmetic
  • Staying focused during lessons

Because working memory is still developing in primary-aged children, it’s normal for them to feel overloaded when asked to process too much at once. This can lead to frustration, distraction, or forgetfulness—not because your child isn’t trying, but because their brain is working at full capacity.

For some learners, including those with learning differences such as ADHD, autism, or language processing difficulties, working memory challenges can be more pronounced. That’s why understanding and supporting this area is a vital part of inclusive education.

How teachers support working memory at school

Our teachers use strategies informed by research to support working memory and reduce unnecessary mental load. These strategies benefit all learners, but they are especially important for students who need additional support:

  • Breaking tasks into clear, manageable steps
  • Using visuals alongside spoken instructions
  • Creating consistent routines that reduce distractions
  • Revisiting key concepts through repetition and review

These practices are grounded in Cognitive Load Theory—an evidence-based approach that recognises the limits of working memory and supports effective, inclusive learning.

How parents can help at home

There are simple ways to support your child’s working memory and learning at home:

  • Give one instruction at a time
  • Use visual checklists for routines like packing a bag or bedtime
  • Talk through steps out loud, e.g., “What do we need to do first?”
  • Build calm, screen-free time into the day so the brain has space to rest and reset

These techniques can be particularly helpful for children with learning or attention needs, offering both structure and support in their daily routines.

Want to Know More?

If you’re curious about the science behind how children learn, we recommend:

“Episode 16 – For Parents Interested in Student Learning Part 1”
The Learning Scientists Podcast
This episode offers practical advice for parents, including how to support children’s learning and memory at home. It explains two powerful, research-backed study strategies—spaced practice and retrieval practice—in a clear and accessible way.

Listen here: Episode 16 – For Parents Interested in Student Learning Part 1

 

Term 2 – Week 6 – Notices

Week Ahead

ELC

Tuesday, 3rd June – Kindy Constable Care Show Incursion (Road Safety)

Friday 6th June, 9am – ELC Worship

3-6

Tuesday, 3rd June to Friday 6th June – Year 3 & 4 Swimming Lessons

Tuesday 3rd June, 3:30pm – Rookie Debating Workshop (Year 6/7 students)

Friday 6th May – Year 6 WA Museum Excursion

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back after the WA Day long weekend! It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through Term 2. Time certainly flies when classrooms are buzzing with curiosity, creativity, and connection.

As we move into the second half of the term, we are reminded of the words of Nelson Mandela:

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Every day in our school is an opportunity to nurture growth—not only in academic learning but in character, resilience, and relationships.

Our students have been showing great persistence and enthusiasm in their learning, and it’s been a joy to see the progress across all year levels. Whether exploring new concepts in maths, diving into rich literature, or collaborating in inquiry learning, their efforts are something to be celebrated.

Thank you for the support you continue to offer at home. The partnership between school and family is a vital part of student success, and we’re so grateful to walk this journey with you.

Wishing you a smooth and positive week ahead.

 

Primary School Disco

Friday 20 June

Get ready for a fun-filled evening – the Primary Disco is just around the corner!  Proudly hosted by St Stephen’s School, Duncraig Primary parents, the 2025 ELC and Primary Disco promises a great night of music, dancing and fun for our students.

Please click here for further information and ticketing details.

Warm regards,

Hannah Lockwood-Jones & Andrew Johnston

Link to the event for tickets https://events.humanitix.com/ps2025-t2

Re: Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019). 

 

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

·         Year of schooling

·         Category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional

·         Level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice,

           supplementary, substantial or extensive.

 

This information assists schools to:

·         Formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in

           schools 

·         Consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools

·         Develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve

           educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information.

 

To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy.

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).