The week ahead:
ELC
Friday 11 October – Pre Primary Pirate Day / Camp
3-6
Wednesday 9 – Friday 11 October – Year 6 Camp
Dear Community,
Welcome back to Term 4! We hope you had a wonderful break and are feeling refreshed for the exciting term ahead. It’s hard to believe we’re already in the final stretch of the year, but we have plenty of enriching activities, learning experiences, and special moments planned as we finish off 2024.
This term brings us many opportunities to celebrate your children’s growth and achievements. One of the highlights will be our Presentation Night, where we’ll come together to reflect on the progress and accomplishments of each child. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
We also look forward to Orientation Day, where the children will visit their new classes for next year. This is such a valuable experience in helping them feel confident and comfortable as they prepare for the next step in their learning journey.
Reminders for the coming term:
Class Placement 2025
As we prepare for 2024, we would like to take the opportunity to inform you of the process we use when placing students in their classes for next year. Please note that all teachers place students after examination of several factors which include:
- Social and emotional concerns
- Friendship preferences
- Academic ability
- Staff observations
Your child’s current class teachers construct their class lists in collaboration with their partner year group teacher(s), Learning Assistants and Specialist Teachers. Where possible, the teaching staff will provide experiences for students to interact across the classes to also observe student interactions with students not currently in their class.
Once the teachers have completed their class list recommendations, they are forwarded on to the Primary Leadership Team to be reviewed.
The process of creating class lists is done carefully and over a period of time. Please be assured that every decision we make is in the best interests of your child and understand that, while we recognise the uniqueness and preferences of each student, we will not guarantee a preferred placement.
Please, can we encourage you to trust in the professionalism and dedication of our staff as they consider the many factors in placing your child in a particular class and not make requests for preferred class placements for your child.
You will be notified of your child’s teacher in January 2025 before they commence school.
Uniform
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. Towards the end of last term, we noticed some instances of girls wearing the Mary-Jane shoe (open T-bar shoes). As we approach the coming year it is important that you review the uniform guide to ensure that purchases align with the school uniform expectations.
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.
Parking reminder at the ELC
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.
ELC before and after school play
If you choose to stay and play at the ELC after school, we kindly remind you to supervise your children at all times while on school grounds. At the ELC, we have playground expectations that include being kind to others, not running with sticks, not throwing stones or mulch, and generally maintaining and caring for our play spaces. We kindly ask for your support in ensuring these expectations are upheld during playtimes after school.
Please ensure that all families leave the premises by 3:40pm, as the OSH program uses the outside space after this time. If your children would like a longer playtime, please use the oval and playground, which have no time restrictions.
Cards that Count
St Stephens Primary School is once again taking part in United WA’s Fundraising Appeal “Cards that Count”, a school fundraising initiative that transforms student artwork into beautiful, professionally printed greeting cards, tea towels, tote bags and more. Each purchase helps support people who are at risk or experiencing homelessness.
This year, United WA has partnered with Crazy Camel to streamline the ordering process. Students have completed their art templates in class, and their designs are now available for ordering at: www.crazycamel.com.au/36686
Online ordering will be open from Tuesday 8th October – Wednesday 23rd October. Completed orders will be distributed to students by their class teachers in early November.
36686 – St Stephen’s School Duncraig – Preview All Products
As always, we are here to support you and your children throughout the term. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, feedback, or concerns—we’re in this together!
Looking forward to a wonderful Term 4 filled with learning, laughter, and memorable moments.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
Warm regards
Hannah Lockwood-Jones & Andrew Johnston
