Acting Principal’s message

It is a joy to see our Houses and ovals filled with energy once again as we warmly welcome everyone back for the start of Term 2 at St Stephen’s School.

The cooler weather has gently signalled the change in seasons, and it has been lovely to see our students embracing the winter uniform. A special highlight has been our Year 12 students proudly wearing their Rite of Passage jackets — a meaningful tradition that marks an important milestone in their final year.

I hope the holiday break provided you all with some time for rest and renewal, and that you are feeling refreshed for the busy and exciting term ahead. We have made a positive and productive start, with our senior students already focused on preparing for their upcoming semester exams, and all students engaging wholeheartedly in their learning, projects, and assessments.

For the first half of this term, I also have the privilege of serving as Acting Principal on behalf of Mrs Beare while she enjoys a well-deserved sabbatical. I am very much looking forward to supporting our wonderful students, staff, and families during this time and continuing to build on the strong sense of community that makes St Stephen’s School so special.

There is much to look forward to this term, with a range of events and opportunities for us to come together. We are excited for all that lies ahead and wish everyone a happy, rewarding, and successful Term 2.

Take care and God Bless,

Rosemarie Dunn, Acting Principal and Duncraig Head of Campus

Ms Dunn’s Digest

The highlight of seeing the return of students, walking and talking as they move to class, sharing stories during lunch breaks around the campus led me to reflect on the Easter break and how rewarding it was to have time to have meaningful conversations with my own daughters.

This looks different for each of them. I have learnt to factor one on one time at a café for one daughter whereas side by side activities during cooking or a walk works best for the other. This time is invaluable to truly focus on the individual, show interest and gratitude for the little things they do and to listen to the unknowns, with a clear intent to acknowledge, not judge and not to move into fix mode. For my daughters they appreciate that I am present and that I slow down and just be! They reminded me that’s all they really need.

Resilient Youth Australia report that over 90,000 teenagers been Years 7 to 10 say they cannot identify an adult in their lives who listen to them. It is hard to substantiate if this is reality or teenage perception and it is not that we don’t listen as much as getting the conversation started.

In building positive relationships and communication, a key component to success is highlighting and amplifying the positives in our daily interactions rather than negatives or catastrophising. A shared interest is a great starting point and helps retain connection and positivity during those challenging times where life doesn’t always unfold the way we wish it to be. It makes a big difference when we listen just to understand.

Rosemarie Dunn, Head of Campus and Acting Principal

Mrs Resta’s Reflection

As students returned to school ready to start a brand-new term. I set them a challenge. To be reflective. To look back on Term 1 and really try and pinpoint what went well and chalk it up as something to keep doing this term. Similarly, they were challenged to think about the things that they can do better and to keep these at the forefront of their learning.

Making mistakes is an integral part of learning. It is not the mistakes that hold us back it is our inability to reflect on them and to change our approach to a question, essay assignment that is the problem. Making mistakes can help powerful learning conversations with students and teachers. I encourage every parent to reiterate this message at home. To support their children when they make mistakes by encouraging them to reflect and remember the next time that they need to do something different. Reach out to a teacher for the small changes that make a mistake a right answer.

I’d like to encourage these positive conversations and reframe, this way we build resilient, reflective learners and help our students grow.

Mrs Nicola Resta, Deputy Head of Secondary – Teaching and Learning

Parenting with Mr Gilchrist

“… age shall not weary them, at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

Whilst attending a recent ANZAC Day Remembrance service, I was reminded of the wonderful gift of service and sacrifice paid by so many. Thousands of Australian men and women paid the ultimate price so that we may live in freedom.

Living in a safe and prosperous country like Australia means that we can, at times, become complacent regarding the importance of providing service to others and we sometimes don’t recognise that we as individuals can make a positive impact in the lives of others in many and varied ways. Research shows that helping others is linked to increased feelings of well-being, reduces isolation, and strengthens social connections. Acts of kindness can also have a positive ripple effect, inspiring others to follow suit and strengthening community bonds. Volunteering has been linked to improved physical and mental health, including lower rates of depression and anxiety.

There are many groups in society who volunteer their time and talents to benefit the wider community. Groups like the RSL, Lifesaving Clubs, The Salvation Army, Australian Red Cross are just a few of the agencies where people can offer help. The St Stephen’s School motto is Serve God. Serve One Another.

Finding a place where your skills and passions can be shared with others is something well worthwhile. If your child is thinking about volunteering and doesn’t know where to start, ask them what they like doing, maybe it is working with the environment, with animals, social justice or sports and leisure. Whatever the activity, serving others makes our world a better place!

Mr Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care