Welcome back to Term 2.

We hope you were all able to have a restful break and are ready for an amazing term.

We were all extremely buoyed by the announcement yesterday regarding the lifting of covid restrictions and hope that these changes can allow us to return to normal in most areas.

We are currently finalising what these changes will look like exactly in relation to specific areas and activities across the school and aim to notify you as quickly as possible with details of this.

With these changes, we are excited to be able to run our Mother’s Day events in both the ELC and 3-6 campuses on the afternoon of Friday 6^th May 2022.

At 1pm on Friday 6^th May, we would like to invite all mums and special guests to take part in a BYO picnic on our Primary oval. Lawn games and activities will be provided so you can enjoy lunch with your child and take part in some fun games during this time.

Over at the ELC, at 2.30pm – 3.20pm, Mum’s and special guests will be able to participate in a range of activities under the verandas of our classrooms or set up a rug and have a BYO afternoon tea.

We hope you will be able to attend these events to share some precious time with your child and to also allow them to honour you for all the amazing work you do as parents.

Please note that both of these activities are weather permitting. If the weather conditions force us to cancel either event, we will notify you as soon as we are able.

We would also like to inform you there are some changes to our Admin team at the Primary School. Alison McKillop has taken on a new role as Personal Assistant to the Deputies and will be spend time at both sites. We welcome Silvia Hoge to the Administration team at 3-6, and Debbie Schroeder the ELC. Please congratulate these ladies on their new roles.

We look forward to seeing you all over the course of this term.

Andrew Johnston & Hannah Lockwood-Jones

As we start our final week of Term 1, we would like to express our most humble gratitude to all of you for your support as we have navigated the challenges of COVID-19 and all of the changing restrictions that have come with it. Most notably, with the mask wearing for our Year 3-6 students. This was particularly challenging, but the positive way you all approached the situation was great.

You will have seen the notification outlining the easing of restrictions last week. Although it doesn’t have a significant impact on schools, there are some things that we will be able to reinstate. We are currently looking at the variety of options for next term while also knowing that the restrictions could change again between now and the 27 April 2022. We will keep you informed nearer the time as we know more.

This is also the final week for our Head of Campus Dr Darnelle Pretorius. As I’m sure you are aware, Dr Pretorius is moving to Swan Christian College in Term 2 as Principal. We are very sorry to see her leave St Stephen’s, a community she has served for a long period of time and in such an exemplary way, but we wish her all the best in the next stage of her journey. Please keep Darnelle and her family in your prayers.

With the holidays now only a handful of days away, we would like to wish you all a fantastic and well-deserved break. We pray that you will all be able to enjoy the time with your family, staying safe and well.

Blessings

Andrew Johnston & Hannah Lockwood Jones

Dear Students and Parents

As I leave St Stephen’s School may I wish you well! Thank you to our wonderful primary students and colleagues for the gift of a collage of personalised flowers and a wonderful memories book from the School.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Sincerely

Dr Pretorius

Primary Music Notes – Term 2 Rehearsals

Considering the easing of COVID restrictions, the plan is to recommence all Primary Music Ensemble rehearsals in Term 2. Rehearsals will commence in week 2 (the week starting Monday 2 May) and conductors will be in touch with more specific information.