Duncraig Secondary Snapshot – Week 6, Term 4

marie.hoy / / 2023

In this Newsletter:

  • Principal’s message,
  • A message from Ms Dunn,
  • A reminder about pick up and drop off at the Duncraig Campus,
  • Christmas Markets thank yous,
  • Seeking feedback from the Class of 2025 and their families,
  • Secondary highlights,
  • Noticeboard,

Principal’s Message

Term Four is most definitely the pointy end of the School year, with exams, final assessments, reporting and a whole host of end-of-year events. As we round out all the activities associated with 2023 preparations are also well-advanced for 2024 with orientation for Year 6 students moving into secondary and the appointment of our 2024 School Captains. 

It can be a stressful time of year for parents and young people alike. When we look at our calendars and the volume of commitments associated with the end of year it can be overwhelming. If we pause, though, and look at what each event represents it can help put things into perspective. End of year events are about celebrating relationships strengthened, experiences shared and both individual and team achievements. My hope is that we can all find enjoyment in what the next few weeks of term have to offer us. I look forward to celebrating with you all that 2023 has given us when we gather for Presentation Evening on 5 December.

Until then, take care,
Donella Beare

Ms Dunn’s Digest

One of my favourite days is Kindness Day on the 13 November. It is the perfect time to stop and think about how kind we’re being, however, we don’t need to only think or be intentional with our kindness on one nominated day.  Imagine what the world would be like if each person did one kind thing for someone else. Some simple ideas to getting started and discuss as a family: 

  • Compliment the first three people you talk to. 
  • Say good morning to the person next to you at the shops or in the school carpark. 
  • Pick up litter. Spend 10 minutes cleaning at the beach or park in your neighbourhood, or the school play area. 
  • Place uplifting notes in your child’s lunchbox, library books, or on their computer screen. 
  • Dedicate 24 hours to spreading positivity on social media. 
  • Send a warm message to a friend telling them how awesome they are. 
  • Be kind to yourself.   

 

Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams 

Take care,
Rosemarie Dunn – Head of Campus

Ongoing traffic challenges 

The safety of students, staff, parents and visitors is our priority, and it is the responsibility of all members of our community. The safe, orderly flow of traffic can only be achieved with the cooperation and patience of all drivers.  

Here are some simple guidelines designed to minimise risks and assist with traffic flow during busy periods: 

  • Be aware that many of our younger students may not be as visible as adults, particularly when you are reversing your vehicle. 
  • Stay below the maximum speed limit of 10 kilometres per hour at all times. 
  • Be aware of pedestrians, in particular, by stopping to give way at pedestrian crossings. 
  • Use the designated drop-off and pick-up areas, moving towards the front of these zones to allow access to other drivers behind you. 
  • Please do not collect or drop off students outside the designated areas, as this disrupts traffic flow and increases the risk to our community’s safety. There have been instances of students being dropped off or collected at designated crossings and on the main driveway. 
  • Observe the one-way system, as pedestrians will be anticipating traffic to flow from one direction only.  
  • Please do not leave your vehicle unattended or waiting longer than 10 minutes in front of Student Services or Hepburn Ave pick up/drop off zones.  

 

We do understand that traffic flow within the school at peak times can seem stressful, but please be patient and courteous towards staff and other members of our St Stephen’s community. We encourage the students to walk or cycle to school, if possible, and whenever possible organise a later collection time by 5-10 mins in order to alleviate traffic.

Christmas Market Extraordinaire 

A huge thank you to the Christmas Market Committee lead by Melinda Shreeve, Julie Wookey and Melinda Emmens, plus the innumerable volunteers and our fantastic sponsors. The relaunch of the Christmas Market at Duncraig on 4 November was highly successful and it was heartwarming to see our community engaged in the many fun activities on offer, purchasing gifts in the lead up to Christmas at the markets stalls and enjoying time with family and friends. These community events can only be achieved by much time, planning, organisation and sponsorship. Much appreciation to all involved! 

Seeking your feedback – Class of 2025

This note is for students who are currently in Year 10, who will eventually be in the Class of 2025.

We are currently in the planning process of a proposed Service Learning Tour to Vietnam in January 2025 for students who will then be commencing Year 12. We are investigating this option as a replacement for the RAW Impact Cambodia Tour due to costing.

At this stage, our thoughts are that the tour will:

  • Cost between $4200-$4500. (based on current prices and not including fund raising component) Involves working with Hearts for Hue, a local NGO, assisting the construction and decorating of a music room for the Quang phu Kindergarten in Hue.
  • Occur during January holidays prior to the School Ball and run for 11 days.
  • Begin with a flight to Ho Chi Min. We will then travel to Hue for six days of engagement before returning to Ho Chi Minh where we will take in the historic sites such as the war museum, Central Palace, China Town, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office, Jade Emperor Pagoda, and travel along the Mekong Delta to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

 

We would appreciate your feedback on this proposal, so please complete this survey by COB Wednesday 22 November, 2023.

Any questions please feel free to contact Service Learning Tours Officer, Donna Wilson –  089 243 2458 or donna.wilson@ststephens.wa.edu.au

Secondary highlights

Never a dull moment!
It’s a short term but we’re packing plenty in! We were wowed by the student artwork on display for Synthesis and had numerous wonderful nights of drama with MaDD Night  and the Year 8 performance of ‘Disconnected’ by WA playwright, Donna Hughes. We’ve welcomed our new Year 7s who will join us in 2024 and named our School and House Captains for next year . We’re looking forward to their formal handover at the Presentation Evening in a few weeks. We’ve had Outdoor Ed camps to Kaadadjan and surfing lessons at Trigg, and our Year 7s had a great time at the Super Series. We’re extremely proud of our debaters, too! Victoria Hill and Jacob Atkinson took out the British Parliamentary Debating Grand Final  and were joined by Elissa Grove and Joshwa Ruiz to form the St Stephen’s School Junior Debating team and were the first ever St Stephen’s School team to make it to the WADL grand finals!

 

Noticeboard