In this Newsletter:

• Principal’s message,
• A message from Ms Dunn,
• Parenting note,
• Secondary highlights,

Principal’s Message

The end of another school year is upon us and with that comes a myriad of emotions. Anticipation of the upcoming summer break, quiet contemplation about what was achieved over the course of the year, regret that perhaps we didn’t achieve all that we wanted to, excitement at seeing another group of students graduate from St Stephen’s School and sadness as we say goodbye to staff and students who leave us at the end of this year. Each emotion reflects a part of life in a school and we give thanks for the opportunities that this year has provided. Thank you to our school community of parents, students and volunteers for your ongoing support. Our community is at the heart of St Stephen’s School and makes it the Christ-centred, student-focussed, community-based school that it is. I wish you a safe and happy Christmas, and look forward to seeing you in 2024. 

Until then, take care,
Donella Beare

Ms Dunn’s Digest

It is always a pleasure to join together with parents, our partners in learning, to acknowledge important milestones in the students’ lives and to celebrate their successes. Both the Primary and Secondary Presentation Evenings were joyous acknowledgements of the collective efforts of our students. The achievements of the year give a sense of pride in goals met, challenges surmounted and optimism as we look forward to what can be achieved in the New Year.

To the Class of 2023, thank you for being advocates and leaders of the School. We wish you well in your future endeavours.

As the holidays begin and Christmas approaches, we wish all parents and students a restful holiday and well-earned break, with time spent enjoying family and friends.

Take care,
Rosemarie Dunn – Head of Campus

Parenting note

As we finish another school year, take time to rest and recuperate, the Christmas holidays allow families to spend  valuable time together. The business of the year means that time with loved ones can often be reduced to a quick phone call or text message when what we really need to do is sit down and chat face to face with one another. This Christmas holidays, take the time to organise to catch up over coffee and cake, meet on the golf course, spend time playing board  games with the kids. Whatever you choose, it does not matter but make a concerted effort to build relationships with  those who matter. Spending time together allows us to build stronger connections and support networks. 

All the best,
Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care

Secondary highlights

The annual secondary Presentation Evening was a showcase of student talent across the breadth of teaching and learning at the school. Several musical items were enjoyed by the school community and a number of different awards were presented. Students were recognised for academic achievement, for their willingness to serve their community as an involved citizen, and for extensive commitment to learning areas.  

Awardees included Ben Lyon the inaugural recipient of the Maths Medal, Kayla Allmark and Amberley Grace for the Athlete Development Program Scholarships, Victoria Hill and Nathasha Ruiz were recognised for leadership, and Abbey Carpenter and Maichael Noye for citizenship. Major award winners included – 

• Sportspeople of the year: Tahlia Papworth, Oliver Bridgman, Hayden Windsor  
• The Vocational Dux Proximae: Hollie Dalwood  
• The Vocational Dux: Sholai Cantwell 
• Academic Dux Proximae: Nathasha Ruiz 
• Academic Dux: Thomas McIntyre

The St Stephen’s School Award recognises an individual who demonstrates noble characteristics and attitudes such as respect, empathy and gratitude within our community. This year’s recipient is committed to learning, shows a willingness to serve and endeavours to empower the people around them – we congratulated Braden Gostlow on achieving this award. 

While we are incredibly proud of our awardees, we want to celebrate and acknowledge the work of all our students. The significant efforts of our students and their ability to keep a growth mindset is fantastic. I encourage all our students to continue to strive to be their best.  

Dr Liz Criddle
Deputy Head of Secondary – Teaching and Learning 

Coming in September 2024 

We are excited to announce that the historic Lou Morrison Kimberley Tour for Year 8s will have a new look next year, exploring more back to country opportunities for our students and reconnecting with old acquaintances.  

We are currently working on a new itinerary that will hopefully include visits to Larrawa Station, a fully operational cattle station, Mimbi Caves where we will tour the amazing caves and engage with their local community, camp at Merry Pool and Parry’s Lagoon, participate in a Welcome to Country, dot painting and Aboriginal language lessons at Laarri Gallery as well as enjoy the gallery art display, and return to Frog Hollow where we will camp and participate in activities with the students of Purnululu School. Before flying home, you will be able to enjoy a visit and dinner at Lake Argyle. These are just some of the new additions to the tour.  Further information to come early in Term 1 2024. 

Source: Donna Wilson – Service Learning Tours Officer 

2024 School fee payment options 

In 2024, similar to 2023, parents/guardians will not be required to re-select a preferred payment method and frequency at the beginning of the school year.  The payment method (direct debit, or credit card, or BPAY) and frequency of payment (weekly, fortnightly, monthly, two or three or four instalments or annual upfront) that you had in place in 2023 will continue automatically in 2024. 

The dates to note for payments (based on frequency) next year are:  

• 1 upfront payment due on 29 January 2024 (2% discount); or 
• 43 weekly payments starting on Monday 29 January 2024; or 
• 22 fortnightly payments starting on Monday 29 January 2024; or 
• 22 fortnightly payments starting on Monday 5 February 2024; or 
• 10 monthly payments starting on Friday 2 February 2024; or 
• 10 monthly payments starting on Saturday 17 February 2024; or 
• 2 instalments on 18 February 2024 and 18 July 2024; or 
• 3 instalments on 18 February 2024, 18 May 2024 and 18 August 2024; or 
• 4 instalments on 5 February 2024, 22 April 2024, 29 July 2024 and 14 October 2024. 

(Where a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, payment will be processed on the next business day.) 

You will not be required to take any action, unless you would like to change the method of payment or frequency of payments. In which case, please contact the Accounts Receivable team on 9243 2103 or email accountsreceivable@ststephens.wa.edu.au as soon as possible. 

If you wish to change your credit card, or bank account details, you are able to do this at any time throughout the year via the Parent Portal. Click on the ‘School Payments’ tab and select login under Manage stored cards and direct debits to bank accounts or use the following link https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/ManageStoredCards.aspx 

In January 2024 your annual fee invoice will be available for you to view on the Parent Portal in the ‘School Payments’ tab by logging into Statements and receipt history or use the following link https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/fin.aspx 

Source: Accounts Receivable team

Dates for your diary

Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates
See our website for 2024 term dates

• From 12.30pm Wednesday 6 December – Monday 15 January – Student Services reception closed
• Wednesday 20 December 2023 – Wednesday 3 January 2024 – St Stephen’s School administration closed
• From 15 January 2024 – click here to view Duncraig Uniform Shop opening times
• 29 January 2024 – Pre-Primary – Year 6 return
• 30 January 2024 – Years 7 – 12 return

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

In this Newsletter:

• Principal’s message,
• A message from Ms Dunn,
• Secondary Highlights,
• Parental Guidance,
• Notice Board,

Principal’s Message

The best part of my job is acknowledging student endeavors, and this term we have had an extraordinary number of opportunities to recognise and celebrate the skills, achievements and commitment of our students. We have honoured the contributions of our athletes and our artists, our musicians, our actors, our film makers and our student leaders. I look forward to celebrating the year’s academic achievements at our various Presentation Evenings next term. I may be accused of bias, but I am constantly amazed and impressed by the strength of character, humility and sheer talent of our young people. 

It is an especially poignant week as we say goodbye to the Class of 2023. I am so proud to see how each of them has grown and developed over the years and look forward to learning of their progress as they go on to the next stage in their lives. For now, we wish all our 12s well as they complete exams, assessments and their certificate training requirements. As ever, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.   

God Bless,
Donella Beare

Ms Dunn’s Digest

You know that feeling, particularly at the end of a busy term, when there’s a storm brewing. Tempers feel fragile and ready to shatter with a wrong look or word or when you take a deep breath out instead of a deep breath in. 

Teens read emotion from the amygdala. The amygdala is the fight or flight response part of the brain and when it’s on, it will tend to interpret neutral emotion more often as negative. When it reads a threat, it will organise to fight it (argue) or flee it (ignore, be silent). 

 In that space, there will be little to do but wait until they’re ready to step out of the ring. To do this, let them know you’re there, without trying to change them in that moment, ‘I know you’re really angry at me/sad/scared. I want to understand what’s happening for you, but I can’t do that while you’re …. I’m here for you when you’re ready to talk.’ 

 When we respond with empathy it helps big emotions become more manageable and safer to let go of.  When we are open, often without realising it, we have one hand on the amygdala, soothing it gently to calm and maintain that safe presence – eventually.   

That’s not to say not joining in the fight or waiting it out is easy. Both will take the strength of a warrior.  It’s a time of learning and growth and patience for all of us.   Please take the time to refresh, recharge and reconnect over the school break. 

Take care,

Rosemarie Dunn – Head of Campus

Farewell to Pippa Travaglione, Head of Learning Area – The Arts

At the end of Term 3 we say a fond goodbye to Pippa Travaglione as she moves to Scotch College in Term 4. Thanks to Drama teacher, Teegan Dean, for sharing an excerpt from her poetic farewell here.

In the realm of arts, she held the reins,
A visionary leader with creative gains.
Head of Department, she guided with grace,
leaving a mark none can erase.

So, let’s raise a toast to journeys anew,
to horizons uncharted, skies so blue.
Your time here, etched in stories we tell,
Farewell, dear leader, in arts you’ve cast a spell. 

Secondary Highlights

Term 3 has been an incredibly busy one!
After some fantastic individual and team performances Carana came through as the stand-out winners of the Inter-House Music Festival. We’re incredibly proud of our athletics team for coming second overall in the ACC B Division with the boys taking out the overall shield! Swingin’ at St Stephen’s in partnership with WAYJO was a tear-away success with our Swing Band blowing everyone away with their soulful performances. 

Our Cert IV Business students impressed with a variety of products including next-gen fitness tracking rings, GPS-enabled golf balls and sleek solar powered camp kitchens at the Marketing Expo. We also recognised a huge number of students for their personal achievements and contribution to sport and the arts during the Sport and Arts Assemblies.

Parental Guidance 

Graduations, Challenges and an Exciting Future 

Our Year 12s have just celebrated the amazing achievement of completing 13 years of schooling.  Well done! Finishing school is an outstanding accomplishment and provides an opportunity for us to reflect on not only the past successes but also, the times where students have overcome challenges and displayed high levels of resilience from good old hard work. 

School can be a challenging environment. It’s a place where people are faced with studying in a specific learning  environment, constantly learning new content, mixing with a wide variety of people with differing attitudes, values  and beliefs and dealing with the challenges of peer pressure, all whilst dealing with hormones running wild in a growing body.  

 Equally, however, schools like St Stephen’s are also wonderful places for building lifelong friendships. They provide us each  with an appreciation for people, where we learn to respect difference and are encouraged to be our true selves. Graduation  from St Stephen’s is not the end but the beginning of an exciting adventure of change, challenge and possibility. We  want our students to move forward with confidence in who they are and what they can achieve. Class of 2023, all the  best for an exciting future. Share who you are and your talents with all those people whom you will meet. 

Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary (Care)

Notice Board

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.

In this Newsletter:

• A message from Ms Dunn,
• Secondary Highlights,
• Parental Guidance,
• Notice Board,

Ms Dunn’s Digest

Term 2 has so far been a hive of activity with Mother’s Day celebrated at the ELC, clubs, camps and the Interhouse Cross Country which brought an energetic air through all the events. These fabulous opportunities provide all students a time to connect and participate with peers and staff are always on hand to encourage and guide our students to ‘give it a go and dare to be their best self’. 

Many of our students will have started preparing for upcoming tests, assessments and exams. Managing workloads can be tricky at times as the amount of work due varies across the term. How students think and act at these times can transform or hinder their experience of stress. The TED talk by Kelly McGonigal on How to Make Stress Your Friend provides food for thought in all we do and the impact it can have on our wellbeing and performance. When you choose to view your stress response as helpful, you create the biology of courage. When you choose to connect to others under stress, you can create resilience.

To watch this TED talk with your child (or for your own wellbeing) simply follow this link – Ted Talk – Kelly McGonigal 

Rosemarie Dunn – Head of Campus

Secondary Highlights

Arts Tour

Over the April school holidays our Senior Arts students went on the trip of a lifetime to Sydney and Melbourne to be completely immersed in the Arts. Students had a great time together and are sure to remember this trip for the rest of their lives. Thanks to the staff who went along for the ride!

Year 10 Careers Expo

On Wednesday, 17th May our Year 10 students across both campuses, engaged in the 2023 Careers Expo on the Carramar campus.

Thanks to Sarah Cooke and Rob Crewe for their coordination of this annual event which connects St Stephen’s School students with workplace and tertiary providers. The opportunity to gain information and ask questions ahead of subject selection for upper school was invaluable for students’ decision making.  

Look out for more information about our upcoming Subject Selection Information evening in the Duncraig campus theatre on Monday, 19 June 2023 at 6:45pm.    

Exam and assessment preparation

Our Year 11 and 12 students have been hitting the books; revising for and sitting Externally Set Tasks (ESTs) and exams this term. In Education Plus, students have covered exam taking strategies and deconstructing exam questions in preparation. Exams can be a very stressful time for your child (you might even remember how you felt back in high school), as a parent you can help by providing a peaceful home study environment, ensure your child is eating nutritious meals and be conscious of how long your child spends studying. Encourage them to take breaks where they go for a walk and get away from their study space. We wish all our students the best of luck during exam time!

Parental Guidance 

IMADE – I Make A Difference Everyday

In a world highly influenced by digital media and other technologies, we often find ourselves wondering whether the messages we are presenting to our children are getting through and question, does that which we say and do, make a difference?

Access to the latest iPhone, iPad, apple watch, Macbook Pro or various android devices, means our young people have access to knowledge from around the world at their fingertips. Those influencing our children, both good and bad, come from all around the world. Despite this access, it is essential that we as parents and educators never underestimate the significant impact, we have on our kids every single moment, of every single day.  

Every day we all make a difference to the lives of the people we meet. The words we say, the jobs we perform, the attitude in which we “do life”, is noticed. Most importantly, our young people learn from and are guided by the principles they see exhibited by significant people in their lives.

My encouragement to parents, family members and significant others, is for us to each to recognise that

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY

 you are significant. Never underestimate how much you are needed. 

Russell Gilchrist – Deputy Head of Secondary Care

Notice Board

Our co-curricular offerings have recently been updated. If your child is interested in additional tutoring or extra-curricular activities you can find the timetable via the Parent Portal under “Plan the Day – After School Clubs”

Subject Selection Information evening for Year 10’s will be held in the Duncraig campus theatre on Monday, 19 June 2023 at 6:45pm