Principal’s message

2024 has been a whirlwind year, filled with many wonderful events celebrating our forty-year history, and at this point of the year we have the opportunity to celebrate our reason for being – the students of St Stephen’s School.

I have the enormous privilege of watching our young people at both campuses begin their school lives as nervous little ones, going on to graduate from primary into high school and finally making their own way into a future beyond school. It is a progression of which I never tire, as each year group carries a different spirit and leaves their own legacy in our school.

I am extremely proud to be part of the community of educators whom you have entrusted with the pastoral care and education of your young people. I look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate our students’ individual and collective achievements at our upcoming Presentation Evenings.

I look forward to seeing you there, and wish you well for a safe, happy and restful festive season and blessed Christmas.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Take care and God Bless,

Donella Beare, Principal

Tickets for Presentation Evenings 2024 are still available

Tickets are still available for the 2024 St Stephen’s School Presentation Evenings. Bookings are essential but tickets are all free of charge.

All attendees, including guests, staff, awardees and performers must book a ticket. Parking will be provided on the oval.

Book online here https://ticketing.humanitix.com/tours/presentation-evenings-2024

Ms Dunn’s Digest

As the year winds down, let us embrace this holiday season as a gift – a time to renew our minds, bodies and spirits. Just as the vibrant summer fun fosters growth, let us also take time to rest, reflect, and care for ourselves, as Jesus invites us to find peace and restoration in Him. Self-care is not only an act of renewal but a foundation for creativity, enabling us to approach the new year with fresh ideas, energy and inspiration.

This Christmas, may you be filled with the light of Christ, the joy of loved ones, and moments of peaceful reflection. Let us cherish the gift of His love during Christmas. Allow it to guide and nurture our creative spirits.

I look forward to greeting students, parents and staff in the new year ready to embrace fresh opportunities with faith, energy and imagination. Wishing you a joyful holiday season.

Rosemarie Dunn, Head of Campus

Mrs Resta’s Reflection

This is by far one of the more exciting times of the year. A time to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our students, and a time to say one last farewell to our Year 12 graduating Class of 2024.

At Duncraig campus we are looking forward and finalising our Presentation and Awards Evening that takes place on Tuesday 3 December. We look forward to seeing many of our families there as they enjoy the accolades of a fruitful 2024.

On another high note. St Stephen’s School, Duncraig entered our first Ethics Olympiad. Mrs Amanda Rogers, our Gifted and Talented teacher, organised this opportunity and nine students across Years 7 and 8 participated.

The teamwork shown by the Year 7 team was mentioned by more than one judge during the day. The Year 8s listened to every piece of feedback and totally changed their approach and switched up their presentations.

I’m so proud to announce that St Stephen’s School Duncraig (White Team) won the Bronze Medal in the Year 8 competition! Honourable mentions were also awarded to the Year 7 Purple Team by the judges!

Well done and congratulations to all involved. We are excited for what the future holds for St Stephen’s School, Duncraig in this space.

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

Parenting with Mr Gilchrist

With summer holidays around the corner, there are many opportunities for our students to experience the great outdoors. During these holidays I would encourage our students to get out from behind their computer screens, to be active and perhaps start something new.

Things to do that come to mind include:

Go to the beach
Learn to surf or go for a snorkle

Take a bike ride

Walk through the national park or follow a hiking trail

Go camping or fishing

Go on a picnic

The list of possibilities is endless and they don’t require you to be super fit or even particularly organised but by being active your children will be helping their mental health and build closer connections with those who they choose to share their experience.

Hopefully at the end of the summer break some of these activities may become part of their weekly routine, providing a place of comfort, security and significant personal face to face connections. Merry Christmas!

Mr Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care