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.