In this newsletter:

• Acting Principal’s message
• Ms Dunn’s Digest
• Mrs Resta’s update
• Parenting with Mr Gilchrist
• Dates for your diary

Acting Principal’s message

As we embrace the season of Makuru, a time of growth and reflection in the Noongar calendar, I want to thank you for your continued support and engagement across the whole school. It is a privilege to serve as Acting Principal and to witness the care and commitment that define our school community. 

I’d like to highlight an important initiative from the Department of Education: the WA Student Assistance Payment (WASAP). This program provides financial support to all families with students enrolled in WA schools, including ours. Every student is eligible, and I encourage all families to consider making a claim, regardless of financial need. 

The payment offers: 

$150 for each student in Kindergarten and Primary School 

$250 for each Secondary School student 

Currently, only 50% of our families have claimed this support. With the deadline approaching on Friday 4 July, we are encouraging all remaining families to submit their claims and take advantage of this opportunity. 

 Resources and instructions are available at: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/wasap/schools 

 Thank you for your continued partnership in nurturing a thriving and inclusive learning environment. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to enrol@ststephens.wa.edu.au 

 Bennet Andrews, Carramar Head of Campus and Acting Principal 

Ms Dunn’s Digest

As the term is nearing a close, semester 1 reports are being discussed at home and goals for the remainder of the year are set, here is some food for thought from Summer Allen, Ph. D Researcher with the Greater Good Science Center. 

 The Study suggests that prospecting about your future can enrich your life in at least four ways:

 Helps us make more prudent decisions 

 Prospection helps us decide how to act. Several studies have examined how thinking about the future shapes our decision making. Of particular interest is the psychology that drives our process of deciding between receiving something now, versus receiving something of greater value later. Visualising a specific probable future counteracts the effects of smaller intermediate rewards. Think about when you fantasise about your next vacation or decide whether it would be better to take the stairs or the elevator. Our prospection can cast far into the future. A phenomenon known as “delay discounting”. 

Motivates us to achieve our goals if we do it right 

 Prospection has another important application. It motivates us to achieve our goals. Having positive expectations – optimism – could increase our ability to achieve our goals, but just fantasising about the future can actually decrease the chance of achieving what we want. How do we turn these fantasies into behaviours? Optimism is the key, it is being able to draw a contrast between our fantasies and our current reality, which allows us to see barriers that must be overcome. One study asked students to mentally contrast their positive fantasies about benefiting from a vocational training program with aspects of the program that could impede their progress. This reflection caused students who expected to do well, commit themselves more to the program, and those who expected to do poorly, committing less – again highlighting the importance of optimistic expectations to success. The study suggests effectiveness of mental contrasting is due to ‘energisation,’ meaning when people have high expectations for succeeding at something, considering what might impede their goals gives them energy to try to overcome those barriers. In other words, it helps to stress yourself out a little bit. Mental contrasting, in conjunction with ‘implementation intentions,’ planning to move past barriers, helps reach goals. The WOOP acronym: Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan or WOOP type intervention improves academic performance. 

 Improves psychological wellbeing 

 There is evidence that prospection may improve psychological health more generally. Psychologists Martin Seligman and Anne Marie Roepke, note people with depression imagine possible futures that are more negative than people without depression. They tend to overestimate risk and have more pessimistic beliefs about the future. Therefore, targeting negative beliefs about the future can be helpful. ‘Future Directed Therapy’ induces participants to spend less time dwelling on the past or current struggles. Instead, they are asked to spend more time thinking about what they want from the future, while developing skills to reach future goals. 

There’s another technique that may help improve psychological health – ‘Anticipatory Savouring.’ Taking time to simulate and enjoy a positive experience in advance, thinking about the upcoming vacation, or meal with friends, can allow you to derive benefits from the experience twice. Studies show savouring an upcoming experience heightens people’s enjoyment both during and remembering the experience later. One way to engage in anticipatory savouring, suggested by Roepke and Seligman, is to modify ‘three good things’ gratitude exercises. Instead of writing three good things that happened today, you can write three good things you anticipate happening tomorrow and what you can do to make it more likely that it will happen. 

Makes us kinder and more generous 

How we think about the future doesn’t just influence our own lives. It can also influence how we treat other people. Picturing yourself helping someone in the future may make you more likely to do so. People who were asked to imagine the helping scenario more vividly, by picturing the event in a familiar location, were even more willing to help.  

 Another study found that when people think more broadly about the future consequences that come from helping others, they might feel inspired to behave in more prosocial ways. 

 While there is a lot left for researchers to discover about prospections, you don’t need to wait. You can try your own experiments. See if prospection helps you to live a more generous, happier, and more meaningful life.  

 Rosemarie Dunn, Head of Campus 

Mrs Resta’s Reflection

Term two is typically a busy term as we wrap up the final exams and tests for Semester 1 reports. 

Thanks to all parents and families who made an appointment to see their child’s teachers in the Year 11 and 10 Parent teacher interviews. Building relationships with your child’s teacher is fundamental to wellbeing and welfare of all students. As the famous quote says: 

 ” It takes a village to raise a child” 

This term has seen many awesome cross curricular, enriching opportunities for our students. 

There has been in house Rookie WADL debating, an excellent chance for students to polish the craft of public speaking. The HASS department have run field trips to Subiaco and Fremantle as students study how cities are formed and the infrastructure around planning these. 

The PE department has been busy with Cross Country and Inter House surfing events that have enthused students even with the recent wild weather. 

Science students showed a range of projects to parents and peers in the Year 8 and 9 Science evenings. 

The Arts have welcomed visiting Artist Andy Quilty, who held a workshop for year 10 students last week. Music ran their annual music camp in preparation for a fabulous middle school concert next week. 

Our Year 11 and 12 students had the opportunity to make lifelong memories on their annual retreats. Year 11 at Fairbridge Farm, where the highlight of the camp was the African drumming. Year 12 had an emotional time reliving their high school journey.  

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

Parenting with Mr Gilchrist

Cyber Safety Tips – VPNs: What are they and why are they not allowed in schools? 

 You may have seen advertisements promoting the use of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) on television, radio, or online. While VPNs have legitimate personal uses, they are not permitted on student devices at St Stephen’s School. This guidance aims to help parents understand why. 

What is a VPN? 

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted connection between a device and another network over the internet. VPNs are commonly used to: 

• Hide IP addresses and browsing activity 

• Access content that may be blocked in a specific region 

• Add privacy when using public Wi-Fi 

These features can be helpful in some personal contexts, but within a school environment, VPNs can pose significant risks—particularly to device security and student safety. 

Why VPNs Are Not Allowed at School?

Although VPNs offer some privacy protections, they are unsuitable for student use in a school setting. The main concerns are: 

Security Risks and Unsafe Software 

Many free or poorly-developed VPN services are not secure. They may collect personal information, track online activity, or expose devices to malware. When a student installs one of these VPNs, it puts their personal data—and sometimes even the school’s systems—at risk. This goes against our duty to provide a safe and secure digital learning environment. 

Disruption to Learning Tools 

VPNs can interfere with access to school learning platforms, testing systems, and security tools that rely on trusted network settings. This can hinder students’ ability to participate in online assessments, lessons, or access educational content. 

Prevention of Safe Monitoring 

Schools use monitoring tools to help ensure student safety online. VPNs can block these tools from working correctly, making it harder to detect concerning behaviour or provide early support. 

Inappropriate Content Access 

VPNs can allow students to bypass the school’s internet filters, accessing sites that are blocked for good reason, including those that may be inappropriate, distracting, or harmful. 

Supporting Your Child’s Online Safety 

At St Stephen’s School, student wellbeing—both in the physical and digital world—is a top priority. The decision to block VPNs is one of several safeguards designed to protect students and maintain a safe learning environment. 

We encourage you to talk regularly with your child about their use of technology and help them understand how to stay safe and responsible online. If you have any questions or would like help reviewing your child’s device, please don’t hesitate to contact our ICT team. 

Mr Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care

Secondary Highlights

Andy Quilty Workshop

Inter House Surfing

Year 9 Science Presentation

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Dates for your diary

Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates  and you can check full details of the 2025 term dates on our website.

Please note the following key dates for Term 2 /3  in the 2025 academic year:

• Saturday 28 June to Tuesday 8 July – Bali Tour  

• Sunday 29 June to Sunday 6 July – HASS Tour  

• Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July – Year 10 Lift Week  

• Friday 4 July – Term 2 Ends  

• Monday 28 July – Year 7 to 9 Reporting Day 

• Tuesday 29 July – Students Return 

• Thursday 7 August – Year 7 Immunisations 

• Monday 11 August – Alethea Week 

• Tuesday 12 August – Interhouse Athletics 

• Wednesday 13 August – Science Showcase (Carramar Campus) 

• Monday 25 August – Year 12 Cohort Photos 

• Wednesday 27 August – Interhouse Music Festival 

• Friday 29 August – Year 11 River Cruise 

• Saturday 30 August – St Stephen’s School Foundation Event 

• Tuesday 2 September – 12 ATAR Music and Drama Evening 

• Tuesday 2 September – Arts Assembly 

• Monday 8 September – OLNA Round 2 Begins 

• Friday 12 September – Year 8 Lou Morrison Kimberly Tour begins 

• Friday 19 September – Year 10 and Year 11 French Tour begins 

• Wednesday 24 September – From 1pm Year 12 Grads Festival 

• Thursday 25 September – Year 12 Grads Day til 1pm 

• Friday 26 September – Year 12 Graduation Evening 

• Friday 26 September – Term 3 Ends 

• Saturday 27 September – ATAR Practical Exam, Drama, Music, Phys Ed Studies begins 

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

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.  

Molly’s Ted Talk 

(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

‘Friends or frenemies’ will help you guide and support your child through the challenges of building and maintaining friendships. Linda Stade – Education Writer is a WA-based education writer, speaker, and consultant who works with parents and teachers to help grow happy, healthy kids who thrive on learning. Linda has enjoyed 30 years in schools and working with young people and today has a 35k strong social media following and writes a practical and relevant fortnightly parenting blog.