In this Newsletter:
- A message from Ms Dunn,
- Secondary Highlights,
- Parental Guidance,
- Notice Board,
Ms Dunn’s Digest
As Term 2 draws to a close, all students are encouraged to be kind to themselves over the next few weeks by eating sensibly, enjoying nature and sleeping well. This is also a time to take the opportunity to reflect on their progress to date. Their reports complement the assessment results and comments to date. I would encourage students to reflect on their strengths and areas in which they can improve. It is an opportunity as a family to discuss where and how they think they can continue to improve and thrive.
For families with younger children, we understand the importance of providing our young ones a safe environment, caring and loving relationships for our child’s development and good mental health through their formative years. When I read the caption for the TED talk by seven-year-old Molly Wright from Queensland. “What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?” I was hooked.
This outstanding young person clearly breaks down the research-backed ways parents and caregivers can support children’s healthy brain development. She highlights the benefits of play on lifelong learning, behaviour and well-being, sharing effective strategies to help all kids thrive by the age of five. Molly illustrates her big ideas about brain science.
(This TED Talk was produced in collaboration with Minderoo Foundation as an educational tool for parents and caregivers around the world and is supported by UNICEF.)
Rosemarie Dunn – Head of Campus
Secondary Highlights
The final weeks of Term 2 have seen considerable activity with both the Year 11 and 12 Retreats taking our Upper School students off campus.
The Year 12s attended the annual retreat at Swan Valley Adventure Centre during Week 8 . Students engaged in thought-provoking discussions on topics ranging from the impact of fame to persistence and the lengths parents go to to support their children. On Day 2, alumni speakers included: Tara Jeisman (2016), Simon Newton (1999) and Tim Barnes (1997). Their insights on life and willingness to share their stories were particularly inspiring for our Year 12 students, as they consider life post-school. Staff provided a great combination of workshops including volleyball, knitting and a very popular, live-action version of the computer game “Among Us” expertly run by Teegan Dean.
Well-deserved thanks to Mr Boyd Herewini, Miss Stef Ntoumenopoulos and the staff who facilitated this event which is a much-loved, school tradition.
Sincere thanks also to Mrs Sarah Cooke and the staff who attended the Year 11 Retreat at Fairbridge, Pinjarra over Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Week 9. The focus of this retreat is on students’ growing awareness of significant social issues, including homelessness, and a comparative appreciation for their own context as students at St Stephen’s who are prompted to “Serve God. Serve One Another.”
The Year 10 students didn’t miss out at the conclusion of Term 2 either, with the annual LIFT Week in action. This series of tertiary tours, excursions and workshops encourages students’ independence and decision-making as they approach Year 11. Students visited UWA, TAFE, Notre Dame, Curtin University, Murdoch University, ECU, AGWA, WA Museum Boola Bardip and The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS). Students also completed the Keys4Life pre-driver education program to help them start their journey towards becoming safe drivers.
Parental Guidance
Reward, Recharge and Reflect
At the end of a busy term it is time to have a well earned break. Hopefully Semester 1 was a successful one for each of our students. Whether it was in your academics, sport, music drama, arts, the list goes on, I pray that there has been moments of joy and pride in what you have achieved.
Over the next 3 weeks I would like to encourage students and their families to Reward, Recharge and Reflect.
Reward – take the time over the break to reward yourself by doing something you love. Many have worked hard to achieve personal bests at school and this involves hard work, sacrifice and time. As a result, activities that you might otherwise engage with have been put on hold. Take the time to reward yourself and do them now!
Recharge – For many student the holidays will simply be a time where you need to recharge the batteries. Recharge and replenish your energy stores as this time is yours to use as you will. Not being at school from 8.25am – 3.20pm or CAS sport or band practice or simply study pressures. Recharge for the new semester so you are fresh and ready for the next challenges that come your way.
Reflect – Finally with the end of a semester you will soon have access to all your subject grades. Does your mark reflect your ability or could you have done more? How did you use your class time? Did you make the most of your teacher’s expertise? Did you organise yourself well to prepare appropriately for your assessments? If the answer is yes, well done! If the answer is perhaps not then reflect on what needs to change to ensure you achieve your potential in Semester 2.
Happy holidays,
Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary (Care)
Notice Board
