Dear Community,

We hope this email find s you well. Please see some important information below.

Week ahead;

ELC

27 February – 2 March – Parent Teacher Interviews

3 March – Worship

3-6

27 February – 2 March – Parent Teacher Interviews

3 March – 5MF Assembly

Parent interviews 

This week at the ELC and 3-6 parent meetings taking place. The meetings are an opportunity to speak with the teacher to see how your child is settling into their new class. Due to the high number of meetings taking place, time is limited. Please support our staff and others in the community by ensuring that you keep to your meeting time. If meeting time over runs, it will impact others and staff managing this load.

Signing in and out

Just a reminder for all parents and guardians, can you please ensure students are signed in at the Primary office by a parent/guardian when arriving late to school or leaving early. Students of a Primary age are not to permitted to sign themselves in or out.

Students in our community

We have been contacted by Glengarry Primary School over concerns at the speed which some of our students are cycling past their school. A student was almost knocked down by a speeding bike late last week. If your child cycles to school, please talked to them about safe speeds and cycling especially around school and pedestrian heavy areas.

As we approach the long weekend and the mid-point in our term, we wish you best wishes for the week and a relaxing long weekend.

Hannah Lockwood-Jones & Andrew Johnston

The Book Fair is coming to the 3-6 Primary Library in Week 6!

 It will be open on Tuesday 7^th March and will be here until Friday 10^th March.

 Come by before school (8:00 – 8:30am) or after school (3:10 – 4pm) to support our school whilst getting your hands on the best new children’s books!

Last week felt like we had well and truly got into the swing of the year and it was really great seeing the students all settled and really engaged in their learning across all year groups.

In some year groups, we did see several students who were unwell and either took time away from school or ended up going home at some point. We would like to encourage all of you to stay at home if you are unwell, not only to ensure that you can get better quickly but also to avoid others becoming unwell too. We know coming to school is important, but being well and staying safe always comes first.

Below is a list of the things that are going on throughout this week, but we would also like to notify you that the parent / teacher interview slots are open so you are able to book a time to talk with your child’s teacher about how they are settling into the year and discuss opportunities and targets for them moving forward.

Week ahead:

ELC

21 February – K-2 Music Incursion, ‘Walking in the Wilderness’

24 February – Kindy Picnic & Rainbow Day

24 February – 2K Assembly

3-6

21 February – Musica Viva Concert

ELC – Pre Primary playground

Our Pre Primary and Kindy parents will be aware that the fencing surrounding our new playground has come down. All parents are able to use the Pre Primary gate to enter the school now that the fencing has been removed. In place of the fencing,  tape has been set up to cordon off the area. The playground is very close to opening but have some final elements that need to be added and completed. We kindly ask that you do not let your children play on the playground before and after school whilst further work is carried out. Thank you for your continued support.

ELC – Footwear labels

At the ELC the students have the opportunity to take their shoes off. It is beneficial for them to play in water creek, walk and run barefooted, feeling and navigating different terrains.

Whilst we love the children taking their shoes off, occasionally we miss place our shoes! To assist us in ensuring that the right shoes and socks go home with the right owner, can you please ensure that you label both shoes and socks.

Many thanks for all your support on behalf of the ELC staff.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day

In recent years, we have received some feedback from you regarding these events. The main concerns raised have been relating to the time of day these events run, and the challenge parents have attending 2 events if they have children in both ELC and 3-6.

After careful consideration and in alignment with our Carramar campus, we have made some adjustments to the way we celebrate our special celebration days. Firstly, we will aim to rotate the times of these events each year. This year’s event will take place in the morning and next years in the afternoon. The second change is that we will no longer hold two events at both the ELC and 3-6. We will continue to acknowledge these events/celebrations with all students participating in activities in their class. There will be one community event for ELC families at the ELC. At 3-6, a class will acknowledge these celebrations in their assembly.

Further information around upcoming events and activities will be posted on the class and Primary blogs.

Blessings,

Andrew Johnston and Hannah Lockwood-Jones

PARENT / TEACHER INTERVIEWS 2023  

Monday 27 February – Thursday 2 March

This is an opportunity for students, parents and teachers (Pre-Primary to Year 6) to meet in person or via TEAMS and discuss how 2023 has commenced. Appointments are in 10 minute intervals. Online interviews will be conducted utilising your child’s Teams account.

The Parent Portal can be accessed using the following URL: https://portal.ststephens.wa.edu.au/ Under Plan the Term > click on Interview Bookings > then Login to EdInfo to book an interview. Once in EdInfo, click on the Interviews tab and select your preferred time with the teacher.

Booking sessions open on Friday 17 February at 4pm and close on Sunday 26 February at 4pm.

Parents, to log into the Parent portal, use your parent username (e.g.12345@parent.ststephens.wa.edu.au) and parent password.

If you need to reset/modify your password, please go to https://password.ststephens.wa.edu.au. If you require further assistance, please contact the ICT Parent helpdesk at: https://help.ststephens.wa.edu.au/ or phone 9243 2160.

Kind regards,

Hannah Lockwood-Jones & Andrew Johnston

Parent Interviews Week 5 Feb 2023 (PP – 6)

We hope this blog post finds you all settled into the new school year.

The year has started well. Over the last week, our students in Year 2 had a wonderful Science incursion. They had an opportunity to participate in lots of hands-on experiments and explore forces and movement as they research for their inquiry. Our Year 5 students took part in a band demo, with lots of fun and excitement as the instruments were demonstrated by Year 6 and high school students. Across the other year levels, the students are settling well into their classes.

It is wonderful to see the school community reaching out to our new families. Please continue to extend a warm welcome to them all and introduce yourself and your family. Moving schools can be an emotional time, but this can be greatly eased when new friendships and connections are quickly made.

Please take note of some things happening this week:-

ELC:

Wednesday 15 Feb – Pre-Kindy Photo Day & Catch Up Photos

Friday 17 Feb – Worship

3-6:

A message from Mr Parker;

Dear Year 5 and 6 Parents

I regret to inform that due to unforeseen circumstances, surfing lessons for year 5 and 6 students have been rescheduled for later dates in term 1. Surfing dates will now be as follows;

Year 6 – Tuesday 14 March to Friday 17 March (week 7)

Year 5 – Monday 27 March to Thursday 30 March (week 9)

Lesson times are yet to be determined and will be communicated when complete.

The delay is certainly disappointing, however it may give some students a bit of extra time to master their cutbacks or tube riding.

Parent Interviews

In Week 5 there is an opportunity for you to meet with your child’s teacher and discuss how they are settling into their new class. Parent meetings can be organised face to face or online through TEAM’s. Meetings are set to 10 minutes to ensure that all parents have the opportunity to meet with the teacher. This is a busy period for our teaching staff and we ask that you work with us in keeping these meetings on time. If you do require a longer meeting, please contact the teacher. You will shortly be notified as to when the online booking system will be available.

Service Learning

At our 3-6 Worship assembly this Monday morning, Mr Steven reminded us of the significance of our school motto – Serve God, Serve One Another. We reflected on the importance of caring for one another, our wider community and those in need further afield. As a community we were encouraged to look for ways in which we can help those around us and serve in different areas to make a positive impact on others. St Stephen’s School strives to grow students awareness of others needs and grow our empathy for others. We are fortunate to be active in several Service Learning opportunities as a school which are greatly supported by you our families, and the local community. Our hope as a school is that our students will continue to serve when they leave the school and be the impact of positive change in our world.

“This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you.” John 15:12

Kind regards,

Hannah Lockwood-Jones & Andrew Johnston

St Stephen’s Primary – World’s Greatest Shave 2023

There are many worthwhile causes to support throughout the year and this is one that I would like to draw attention to. In 2014, my then three year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Thanks to a privileged medical system and God’s mercy, my daughter is now fit and well. She is in her sixth year since treatment finished and her recovery has been very positive.

Throughout that treatment period and even beyond, the support for families dealing with blood cancers has been amazing. Fundraising initiatives like the Greatest Shave helped our family through a difficult time of our lives. We are extremely grateful to all of the selfless people who have generously given to this cause.

To further the cause, I would like to support the World’s Greatest Shave at St Stephen’s School. For those interested in supporting this fundraising effort, these are the details…

1. Our Greatest Shave Day will be held on Wednesday 5  April(second last day of term 1)
2. Participating on the day can be done in the following ways

1. Register online with parent permission (parents please email me at daniel.parker@ststephens.w.aedu.au to express consent), fundraise and then have hair shaved or cut (you must be registered and have sent in parental permission and fundraised to do the shave or cut)(some students like to participate by cutting off their pony tail)
2. Don’t register online, but still colour your hair at home or wear a wig and then bring a donation on the day

1. Students/staff/parents can support by giving online or registering as a participant at the link below

st Stephens School 2023 | World’s Greatest Shave | Leukaemia Foundation

*Under the red box saying “donate our team”, in little text it says “sign up and join our team” – click on that to join.

I am fully aware that there are many worthwhile causes to support, so please do not feel any obligation to give to this fundraising, but of course we welcome it if you are willing and able.

Mr Daniel Parker – Primary PE Specialist at St Stephen’s Duncraig

Year 3 & 5 NAPLAN INFORMATION:

Parents and carers of Year 3 and 5 students please be aware that tomorrow, Tuesday 14 February your child will bring home an information brochure regarding NAPLAN 2023. Please make sure you receive this from your child and if you have any questions, please contact Mr Johnston, or visit nap.edu.au.

A full timetable of test dates will be sent out closer to the testing time to enable you to advise any music tutors and specialists so that lessons can be rearranged.

Welcome to Week 2,

A big thank you to all the families that came along to the parent information session last Wednesday. It was great to have the whole 3-6 community together and to be able to pass on the information collectively in one night.

We have received some really positive feedback from the evening and we are grateful for all of you that have reached out to share your thoughts on the way it was run, which was different to previous years. As ever, we are reflecting on how it went with a view to making things even smoother for next year and we welcome any feedback, positive or constructive you may have.

Last week, we noticed that there were some issues at the end of the school day in relation to congestion in the school driveway with cars queuing for the kiss and ride and blocking the exit road from the school.

We understand that the layout is difficult, especially as there are parents collecting students from the secondary school as well but ask that you could please avoid blocking the drive by waiting at the appropriate place on the turning circle. There is signage there to direct you if you are unsure.

A gentle reminder that tomorrow is photo day for years 3-6. Please ensure your child comes to school in their formal uniform and not the PE uniform with the exception of 6O & 6L who will have the opportunity to change into their formal uniform before their photos.

Here’s a look at the week ahead:

ELC

8 February          Yr2 ‘Science Alive’ Show on Push/Pull Forces

10 February        K-2 School Photo Day

3-6

7 February          3-6 School Photo Day

10 February        3-6 Catch up Photo’s

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Andrew Johnston and Hannah Lockwood-Jones

State girls U12 cricket trials

Girl’s Sate 12’s nominations for 2023

The 2023 nominations are now open for girls who are 11 or turning 12 before December 31st, 2023.  The national championships for this competition will be held from June 2nd-June 9^th in Darwin this year.

Trial 2 will be held on Sunday 5^th February at Murdoch University Playing Fields – Wagtail Close, Murdoch – time to be confirmed this week.

Trial 3 (if required ) will be held on Sunday 19^th February if required. Murdoch University Playing Fields – Wagtail Close, Murdoch – time to be confirmed this week.

Candidates need to be available for potentially all three trial dates.

There will be representatives from the WACA to assist in the selection process.

Participants will take part in net batting and bowling and some fielding activities.  It is not essential that children who are trialling play for a current club, but this would be an advantage as the format will be similar to games that are currently played.

To register please fill in the form at the link below and pay the $20 registration fee.

https://www.schoolsportwa.com.au/product/cricket-interstate-girls-12s-nomination-form/

MUSIC NOTES

All Primary Music Ensembles (except Guitar Ensemble) start in week 2.  This is a summary of rehearsal days. Please note that Primary Chorale has changed this year to be on a Thursday.

Primary Music Calendar 2023

YR’S 3 – 6 SCHOOL PHOTOS 2023

Photos will be taken on
Tuesday 7 February
From 9am
In Cousins Hall
Please remember to come to school dressed in your normal school uniform with hair neatly done.
Please bring your Sports uniform in your school bag – if you have Phys Ed lesson after the photo shoot.
Students who are scheduled to have a music lesson, please contact your tutor to make an alternative time.
On Tuesday, the photo order envelope will be handed to students by the photographer once their photos have been taken. The envelopes will be sent home in the diary on that same day.
Credit card payment orders can be made online, there is no need to return the envelope to school if a credit card payment has been made.
For cash or cheque payment orders, the envelope must be returned to the Primary Office by Tuesday 14 Feb.
9.00am 3L
9.30am 4S
9.50am 3Z
10.10am 4L
Recess 10:40 – 11:00am
11.05am 5MF
11.35am 6O
12.05pm 6F
12.25pm 5MC
Lunch 1 – 1.40pm
1:45pm 5S
2:15pm 6L
*Catch up Photo Day: Friday 10 February

ELC Photo Roster – Friday 10 February 2023

On Friday, the photo order envelope will be handed to students by the photographer once their photos have been taken. The envelopes will be sent home in the diary on that same day.
Credit card payment orders can be made online, there is no need to return the envelope to school if a credit card payment has been made.
For cash or cheque payment orders, the envelope must be returned to the ELC Office by Friday 17 Feb.
8:00am – Staff Individual Photos
8:45am to 9:15am – 2K
9:15am to 9:45am – Kindy- KFG
9:45am to 10:15am – Kindy- KGL
10:15 to 10:45am – Kindy- KMN
Recess: 10:35am to 11:00am
11:00am to 11:30am – 2R
11:30am to 12:00pm – PPL
12:00pm to 12:30pm – 1B
12:30pm to 1:00pm – 1E
Lunch: 1:00pm to 1:40pm
1:40pm to 2.10 pm – PPB
Catch up Photo Day: Wednesday 15 February
ELC Pre-Kindy Photo Day: Wednesday 15 February
PK1 9:15am to 11:00am PK2 11.45 to 1.30