The Week Ahead:

 

Early Learning Centre (ELC)

Friday, 29 August 9:30am – ELC Book Parade

Years 3-6

Tuesday, 26 August – Year 3 & 4 Digital Learning Journey “ Robotics Workshop

Wednesday, 27 August – Interhouse Music Festival

Friday, 29 August 8:40am – Primary Book Parade

Coming up – the second Year 2 transition next Monday, 1^st Sept

Dear Parents and Community,

It has been a joyful and busy week across our school, filled with learning, creativity, and the excitement of Book Week preparations. With workshops, and special activities happening across year levels, there is a wonderful sense of celebration in the air.

At the Early Learning Centre (ELC), the children are especially looking forward to their Book Parades. As part of the festivities, our youngest ELC learners will also be stepping into the world of Where’s Wally ? Across the Primary, there’s plenty to celebrate too from the Year 3 & 4 Digital Learning Journey and Robotics Workshop to the Interhouse Music Festival, and of course, the Primary Book Parade on Friday morning 8.30am. Coming up, we’re also looking forward to welcoming our Year 2 students for their second transition session on Monday, 1 September.

Book Week is such a special time to bring stories to life and encourage a love of reading. We are so grateful for the creativity and support of our staff, parents, and community in making these moments so meaningful for our students.

 

Book Week Parade

The countdown is on for our Book Week Parade this Friday, and excitement is in the air! We hope you and your children are having fun creating costumes and getting into the spirit of the celebration. If you’re looking for inspiration or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or Robyn McLoughlin, we’re happy to help.

Parades:

3-6 – Friday, 29 August at 8:40am in the Primary Library

ELC – Friday, 29 August at 9:30am on the oval.

Where’s Wally? A Book Week Adventure at the ELC

As part of our Book Week celebrations, the ELC children will be taking part in a very special “Where’s Wally?” adventure. Odlaw has been up to his sneaky tricks and has hidden Wally’s belongings all around the ELC!

The children will step into the story, becoming little detectives who search high and low to help Wally find his missing hat, cane, scarf, and other treasures. This playful activity not only brings the magic of the story to life but also builds important literacy skills — encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, and imagination. There is also news of Odlaw appearing somewhere in the ELC this Friday too.

Book Week is all about celebrating stories and characters we love, and this adventure gives our students the chance to live inside the story together. We look forward to the fun, teamwork, and joy as they help Wally and celebrate their success with a special reward at the end.

Wally’s Lost Things

Odlaw’s been busy, he’s had some fun,
He’s hidden Wally’s things, every one!
A hat, a cane, a scarf so bright,
Now we must help to set things right.

In the ELC we searched all around,
So many treasures waiting to be found!
Niah and Mia were quick and keen,
The very first to spot Wally’s cane!

Behind the blocks or under a chair,
Wally’s belongings are hiding there.
Work together, use your eyes,
Each little find will bring a surprise.

When all is gathered, we’ll cheer “Hooray!”
We’ve helped our friend in the best of ways.

Warmest regards,

Music Notes

Interhouse Music Festival is on Wednesday 27 August in the Primary Village.  The session times for each year level are:

9:00 – 10:40        Year 6

Session 1 9:00 – 9:50

Session 2 9:50 – 10:40

Morning Tea

11:00 – 11:40 Year 3

11:40 – 1:00 Year 5

Session 1 11:40  – 12:20

Session 2 12:20 – 1:00

Lunch

1:40 – 2:40 Year 4

2:45 – 3:10 Assembly

The running order can be accessed from the link below.

(Link to Spreadsheet)

Early Learning Centre (ELC)

Friday 22 August, 9am – Assembly (Kindy Ramsey)

Years 3-6

Monday 18 August, 12:00 noon – Primary Musical Performance “Peter Pan” Matinee session

Monday 18 August, 5pm – Parent Information Session (Year 3 camp)

Wednesday 20 Aug – Friday 22 August, 6:45pm – Primary Musical Performance “Peter Pan” – evening session

Book Week

This week marks the celebration of Book Week!  Please note that Duncraig ELC & Primary will hold their Book Week Parade next Friday, 29 August, to accommodate Carramar Primary’s parade this Friday. We look forward to a fun week of reading and activities for all students.

 

Lost Property

During the winter months, we have accumulated many sports jackets and jumpers in our lost property collection. We have returned all named items to their owners. If your child is missing clothing, please visit the Primary Administration Office to see if we have any items that belong to you. Any unclaimed clothing items will be handed over to the uniform shop at the end of Term 3.

Warmest regards,

Colour Blindness

It’s good to know if a child is colour blind, as they may struggle in school with activities that use colours, such as drawing and sorting blocks.

Colour blindness might become obvious after the age of 4 years and is more common among boys. Children who are colour-blind can see as clearly as other children but cannot tell the difference between some colours or see colours differently from other children. This usually happens with reds and greens, and sometimes with blues and yellows.

 

If your child is colour blind, it’s good to inform their teacher about the condition. This will allow the teacher to choose activities that don’t involve spotting colour differences.

 

For further details, please see Raising Children Network.

 

If you have any concerns, colour vision testing can be performed by some General Practitioners (GP), eye specialists or optometrists.

Color Blindness

Scoliosis

Early detection of scoliosis is crucial for managing child’s spinal health and ensuring the best possible outcomes. Scoliosis is a condition where the spine twists and curves sideways. It is more common in girls than in boys and typically becomes noticeable during growth spurts.

 

Most cases of scoliosis develop in otherwise healthy children, and the exact cause is often unknown.

 

Parents and children can look for signs such as uneven shoulders, uneven shoulder blades, a slightly tilted head, a noticeable curve in the back, or one hip being higher than the other. These can be spotted with a simple examination of your child’s back.

 

For more details on scoliosis and how to check for it, please see Raising Children Network.

Scoliosis

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we step into another exciting week at St Stephen’s, there’s plenty happening across the Early Learning Centre and Primary. From special learning experiences to Book Week preparations, our students have a range of opportunities to explore, create, and grow.

Below you’ll find all the key dates, reminders, and updates to help you stay connected and ensure your child is ready for the week ahead.

Early Learning Centre (ELC)

Monday, 11 August 12:30pm to 3:10pm – Year 2 transition to Primary

Thursday, 14 August – Year 2 ScienceFest

Thursday, 14 August – Perform Education Incursion “Treasure Hunt for Book Week”

Friday, 15 August, 9am – ELC Worship

Years 3-6

Thursday, 14 August – Cranial Challenge (selected Year 5/6 students)

 

 

Key Reminders for the Week:

• Morning Routines:  To ensure a smooth start to the day, we encourage you to arrive on time. A good morning routine sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
• Year 2 Orientation: We’re thrilled to be helping our Year 2 students transition to the next stage of their school journey. If you have any questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
• Book Week Preparations: With Book Week just around the corner, the excitement is building! We hope you’re enjoying the process of preparing costumes with your children. If you need any inspiration or ideas, feel free to ask us or Robyn McLoughlin

Co Curricular Clubs

We are excited to launch the Co-Curricular Activities this week!  These activities are a wonderful opportunity for students to learn new things, develop positive social skills and enjoy being a part of the broader St Stephen’s School community.  There are a few spots remaining in the following clubs, so if you haven’t already received confirmation for a Club, please click here to make a booking:

• Fitness Club (Pre Primary – Year 2)
• Paint by Numbers (Years 3 & 4)
• Chess Club (Years 3 & 4)

All confirmed Club bookings are for the full 6-week duration, and we encourage consistent attendance to maximise the benefit for all participants. Your child’s active involvement will greatly contribute to the success of the club.

Dogs

Just a reminder that pets are not allowed onto school property at any time unless prior arrangements have been made with your child’s teacher.  Thank you for your understanding.

Warmest regards,

Support those doing it tough with the Breakfast Blitz 

We’ve teamed up with ABC Radio Perth and Uniting WA for Breakfast Blitz, a community campaign to support people facing homelessness in Perth.

We’re collecting non-perishable breakfast items for the Tranby Engagement Hub, Perth’s only 365-day crisis support centre for people experiencing homelessness.

What you can donate: 

• Coffee, tea, long life or powdered milk
• Raw sugar, spreads (Vegemite, peanut butter, jam, honey)
• Cereal (Weetbix, oats, cornflakes), cereal bars
• Tinned fruit, baked beans, spaghetti

Donations can be made at your student services desk or Duncraig administration from now until Friday August 15.

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

 

 

The week ahead

 

Early Learning Centre (ELC)

Thursday, 7 August, 9:10am – Library Incursion (Kindergarten)

Friday, 8 August – Pyjama Day (Kindergarten)

Friday, 8 August, 9am – Assembly (PPM)

Monday, 11 August, 12:30pm to 3:10pm – Year 2 transition to Primary

Years 3-6

Tuesday, 5 August – Primary Captains Handover Lunch

Wednesday, 6 August – Australian Mathematics Competition (selected students Years 3-6)

Thursday, 7 August – Cranial Challenge (selected Year 5/6 students)

Friday, 8 August – Assembly (6M)

Co Curricular Clubs

We are excited to relaunch the Primary Co-Curricular Clubs in Term 3, offering students in Pre-Primary to Year 4, the opportunity to try something new, develop positive social skills, and connect with the wider St Stephen’s School community. Clubs will run during lunchtime, commencing in Week 3 and continuing for six weeks, concluding in Week 8.  Due to the Primary Production of Peter Pan and associated rehearsals, students in Years 5 and 6 will not participate in clubs this term.

As places are limited and allocated on a first-in basis, we ask that each child enrol in only one activity and commit to attending for the full six weeks. To help ensure more children have the opportunity to participate in clubs they may have missed out on previously, students will be required to select a different club from the one they booked last term.

Bookings will open on Monday 4 August at 6pm via the following link:

https://bookwhen.com/ststephensschool_duncraig

We look forward to another engaging and enriching term of Co-Curricular Clubs!

Uniforms

Can we please ask that you refresh your understanding of the uniform guide to ensure that your children come to school with the correct uniform. Additionally, hairstyles and jewellery should align with the school’s uniform standards.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Uniform Guidelines

Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum

Over the course of this term, the students across the ELC and Primary will be learning about protective behaviours through the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC). Protective behaviours is a compulsory part of the curriculum and this program is regarded as one of the best ways of delivering this sensitive topic by schools both nationally and internationally.

 

The KS:CPC is an evidence-based child safety and respectful relationships curriculum. It was developed collaboratively with child protection experts, teachers, educational leaders and other professionals, and has international recognition.

 

The KS:CPC is divided into 5 documents specific to the age and year level of students, starting from age 3 and progressing to age 17+. 

 

The KS:CPC is predicated on two main themes which are presented through topics and activities of increasing complexity. The two KS:CPC Themes are:

 

Theme 1: We all have the right to be safe

Theme 2: We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust.

 

The two KS:CPC Themes are explored through four Focus Areas, which are examined in growing complexity in accordance with the age of the students. The Focus Areas are:

 

Focus Area 1: The right to be safe

Focus Area 2: Relationships

Focus Area 3: Recognising and reporting abuse

Focus Area 4: Protective strategies

 

The activities are structured in a sequential nature and at an age and developmentally appropriate level covering a range of topics.

 

It is also important to note that any teacher who delivers this program must be trained and I am pleased to say that all classroom teachers and specialists who deliver this program have been trained and we have one member of staff in the primary school who is qualified as a trainer.

 

Over the course of the term, we will use this blog as a way of providing you with bits of information to keep you informed and hopefully alleviate any concerns you may have.  We will also provide you with any suggestions of how to tackle any questions or discussions should your child continue to talk about it at home. This will include the language used so all conversations can remain consistent.

 

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

More Seats Released for Dancing at the Drill Hall!

Due to overwhelming demand, we’re excited to announce that more seats have been released for Dancing at the Drill Hall, our much-anticipated St Stephen’s School Foundation fundraising event.

Set to be a night of music, memories and meaningful impact, this special evening will feature a live auction with an incredible selection of items, including a stunning custom-designed necklace from Egoli Place of Gold Jewellers.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this memorable event supporting the St Stephen’s School Foundation.

Limited additional seats now available secure yours today at https://events.humanitix.com/datdh

We can’t wait to see you on the dancefloor.