Dear Parents, 

Last week we had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate the end of our school year at different events. The Year 1 & 2 Nativity went ahead and was a truly lovely performance. Presentation Nights for Years 3 & 4 and Years 5 & 6 showcased sensational singing and fantastic montages of learning and events in the school year. It was a celebration for all that has been achieved. On behalf of the school, we would just like to thank you for your patience and support as we navigated the Covid restrictions to hold these community events. For the ELC Nativity parents, there were very tight restrictions on ticket allocation and for some Primary parents who attend both Presentation Night celebrations, this meant leaving seating to return and then listen to some elements of the evening again. Thank you so much for your selflessness in doing this. We appreciate your compliance which shows support for the school and community.

We have now come to our final week of school for 2020. It is a fun-packed week with lots of events happening across the Primary School. On Tuesday 8 December our Year 6 students have their Graduation at 8.45am in the Gymnasium. Morning tea will then be served in the foyer at 10.00am. At 10.30am the Year 6 students will leave the school to compete in an Amazing Race around the city centre.

On our last day, Wednesday 9 December we will have our Year 2 Farewell Assembly at 9.00am in the ELC Forum. All Year 2 families are invited to this event.

The ELC will finish at 12.50pm to provide families with the opportunity to collect their children and then go to the Primary School (collect older children if needed) ready for the Family Picnic. All 3-6 students will finish at 1.00pm. The Family Picnic, for parents and students K-6, will be located on the Primary Oval from 1.00pm – 2.00pm. There will be some inflatable ‘slides’ for the students to play on, some of which involve water, so be sure to be prepared for that. All children must be supervised by a parent or guardian.

As we end this year there are a number of staff that we will sadly say good bye to:-

Mrs Michelle Boyd has been on leave for this year and has decided to not return to her fixed position. Mrs Boyd has worked at the ELC for a number of years. We are so pleased that she will continue her work at the ELC relief in positions.

Mrs Rachael Fleet will be leaving us to have her first baby due before the end of this year. Mrs Fleet has been a wonderful Kindy and Pre Primary teacher. She has been at the ELC for six years, previously working at the Carramar campus. We wish her all the very best as she begins a new season in her life and we look forward to her return in the future.

Ms Amy Kirkness joined us this year as a Year 1 teacher, covering maternity leave. We would like to thank her for all her hard work and care for the students. Ms Kirkness also is starting a exciting season in her life as she will become Mrs Charles in a few weeks. We wish you both the very best for your future together.

Mrs Crackle also joined us this year, as Year 2 teacher. Mrs Crackle is due to have her first child early next year.  She has been a fantastic  teacher and a wonderful addition to the ELC team . We wish you all the best.

Mrs Sarah McGrath will be leaving us at the end of this year as she is due to have baby number two soon. We would like to thank her work in Year 4 and wish her the very best with baby No.2.

You will be notified of staffing for 2021 before the children return to school.

Finally, on behalf of all the staff at the ELC and Primary School, we would like to thank you for your support over this year. We have navigated many changes and alterations throughout this year. To the many parents that showed additional care, patience and kindness to staff, it was truly appreciated and reflected the heart of our community.

We look forward to seeing you all when the students return on Friday 29 January 2021. To those students moving on to the Secondary School, we wish you the very best for the next part of your educational journey.

We pray that you have a wonderful and safe Christmas holiday.

God bless.

Hannah Lockwood-Jones and Jarrod Heglund

2021 School fee payment options

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

In 2021, the School will be simplifying the annual school fee notification and payment selection process for parents. Parents / Guardians will no longer be required to re-select a preferred payment method and frequency at the start of the school year.

The payment method (direct debit, or credit card, or BPAY) and frequency of payment (weekly, fortnightly, monthly, three instalments or annual upfront) that you had in place in 2020 will continue automatically in 2021.

The dates to note for payments (based on frequency) next year are:

1 upfront payment due on 29 January 2021 (2% discount); or

43 weekly payments starting 4 February 2021; or

22 fortnightly payments starting 4 February 2021; or

10 monthly payments starting on 2 February 2021; or

10 monthly payments starting on 17 February 2021; or

3 instalments (BPAY only) on 18 February 2021, 20 May 2021 and 19 August 2021

You will not be required to take any action, unless you would like to change the method of payment or frequency of payments. In which case, please contact the Accounts Receivable team on 9243 2103 or email accountsreceivable@ststephens.wa.edu.au as soon as possible.

If you wish to change your credit card, or bank account details, you are able to do this at any time throughout the year via the Parent Portal. Click on the ‘School Payments’ tab and select Manage stored cards and direct debits to bank accounts (https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/ManageStoredCards.aspx).

On 11 January 2021 your annual fee invoice will be available for you to view on the Parent Portal in the ‘School Payments’ tab – select Statements and receipt history (https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/fin.aspx).

All the best for the holidays and wishing you a Happy Christmas,

From the Accounts Receivable Team.

For those who did not bring in their gold coin donation, please do so tomorrow.

Non-uniform day – Monday 7 December –

All funds raised go to ‘Kids in Care’

The last Yrs 3 – 6 non-uniform day for this year is raising funds for ‘Kids in Care’.

Funds raised go towards the foster children’s Christmas party, through Department of Child Protection and Family Support – Joondalup District.

Please bring in your gold coin donations to your class teacher.

Many thanks for your attention to this valuable cause that is sure to see many children encouraged and card for this Christmas.

LEGO MASTERS

The FIRST Lego League RePlay challenge was mastered by our Carramar Primary team at the weekend! The team won each category and the regional competition, Carramar Secondary placed second and Duncraig Primary also placed to advance in the competition. Our four teams worked hard in the lead up to the big event, creating robots and developing innovation projects. Congratulations to all students involved and thanks to staff and parents who assisted our teams. We are looking forward to the national competition at Curtin University on December 12!

SINGING SPECTACULAR
Primary students at Duncraig showcased their singing talent at the annual Choral Festival last week. This year’s event was adjudicated by Mary-Anne Goyder, who gave constructive feedback to students and chose a winning class from each year group. Students performed to a very high standard and impressed the audience with their performances throughout the day.

ELC GARDEN PROJECT

In Term 3, with the help of a PALS grant, we started work on our new garden at the ELC. We now have a beautiful vegetable garden, an area growing Noongar bush tucker and a new outdoor classroom space. The Pre-Primary and Year 2 children have recently reaped the rewards of fresh vegetables, which we have used to create some delicious foods.

Many people worked on the project including Sarah Mornement, the school maintenance team, Robyn Mcloughlin and her team of budding artists from the primary school and the staff and children of the ELC.

NOTE FOR PARENTS

At the end of Term 4 our school day will finish early.

The ELC students will finish at 12.50pm and Yrs 3 – 6 students will finish at 1.00pm.

There is no supervision after 1pm and we ask parents to collect their children promptly.         

Family Picnic from 1pm – 2pm on the Primary Oval

Parents and students from K – Year 6 are invited to join in for a family picnic on the Primary Oval. The School will organise some fun and games which include 2 bouncy castles and 2 water slides. BYO picnic, blankets, shade, sportswear that can get wet, towels, sunscreen, hats, etc. If parents wish to purchase an ice cream, snow cone or coffee, vans will be on site.   Please note that this is strictly a non-alcoholic and smoke free event.   Please consider Covid-19 social distancing measures.

As this is a community event, children need to be supervised by parents at all times, including on the School’s play equipment. Although teachers may be in the area they will not be available for supervision during this time.  Students must have a guardian present when attending this event.

We hope you will enjoy this time with friends across the primary school and we look forward to a fun afternoon to finish off the year.