In this Newsletter:
- Principal’s message,
- A message from Ms Dunn,
- Secondary Highlights,
- Parental Guidance,
- Notice Board,
Principal’s Message
At St Stephen’s School we believe in the phrase ‘lifelong learning’ and so staff began this term with our annual whole school StaffExpo. Two days of professional development underpinned with the philosophy of professional development and personal growth. This year our theme for StaffExpo was on Stewardship – A Global, Professional, Personal Perspective.
A range of guest speakers addressed topics including sustainability, environmental building design, wellness, nutrition and resilience. Our staff spent time in learning areas across the School developing curriculum, addressing changes in educational practices and looking at ways to improve teaching and learning for our students.
There have been many events for our students to embrace over the first half of this term beginning with the exciting HASS tour for 50 Year 9 students from our Carramar and Duncraig campuses. Thank you to all the staff involved in providing our students with these experiences. The Term 3 Newsletter has more on this event.
Some of our secondary students have enjoyed volunteering to help our younger students succeed. Including assisting with the Duncraig primary musical Seussical, as part of the backstage crew and the Year 12 students at Carramar who helped with the inaugural Kindergarten athletics carnival.
This is a snapshot of the variety of events and opportunities that our St Stephen’s School staff and students have taken part in during the term. As we look towards the end of term and the upcoming break our focus moves to Year 12 exams, completion of VET certificates, final assignments and Year 12 graduation. Good luck to everyone.
God Bless,
Donella Beare
Ms Dunn’s Digest
Term 3 has been abuzz with activities, events and opportunities for our students to explore their passions and showcase their learnings and talents. A highlight for me were the NAIDOC assemblies in week 1 where our Year 7 – 10’s were treated to live music and a talk on Indigenous History whilst our Year 11 & 12’s enjoyed a wonderful talk looking at the history behind why Australia will be hosting a referendum this year.
Throughout the term our students have been participating in a myriad of activities including Interhouse Athletics, swimming lessons, Book Week, Interhouse Music Festival and the highly anticipated Primary Musical, Seussical the Musical, which was an absolute joy, with our senior drama students assisting back stage. There is still so much more to come to conclude the term!
I have enjoyed sharing many of these experiences with the students and hearing about their learnings and reflections.
As parents, alongside learning we want our children to be resilient and have the toolkit to overcome challenges and difficulties. This link provides some elements to support resilience and emotional regulation at home – Resilience and Emotional Regulation
Take care,
Rosemarie Dunn – Head of Campus
Secondary Highlights
Term 3 has been very busy so far, NAIDOC Week events in week 1, the House Athletics Carnival, ABODA Band Festival, Science Week, Book Week and our talented debaters made it to the WADL Debating finals.
Some photo highlights include the mocktail party organised by Year 11 hospitality students for the top readers in Year 7 as part of book week, our inter-hour Choir competition and our inter-house Music festival. Thanks to all staff and students who have helped to make these wonderful events a success.
Parental Guidance
On Friday 25 August the Duncraig Year 11 students shared together in a River Cruise. The theme for the evening was “A Night at the Movies” and I’m our students did not disappoint with their creative costumes, and masks. This wonderful highlight of a Year 11’s school year reminded me that sometimes as people, we too can put on masks that hide our identity in our everyday life, masks that allow us to fit in with the crowd or simply be someone who we are not.
God has given us each our own gifts and talents, He wants us to share these gifts with others.
In 1 Peter 4:10-11 it says “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
As parents and influencers of young people, may we always encourage our children to be their true and best self.
Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary (Care)
Notice Board
