Term 3 in focus

holly.mason / August 8, 2025August 7, 2025 / 2025

In this newsletter:

Principal’s message
Ms Dunn’s Digest
Mrs Resta’s Reflections
Parenting tip from Mr Thomas
Public notices
Dates for your diary

Principal’s message

As Term 3 unfolds, I continue to be inspired by the energy and dedication of our students and staff. It’s wonderful to see both campuses buzzing with learning, activities and meaningful connection across all year levels.

A special congratulations to our Carramar Secondary students who participated in this week’s Athletics Carnival, your enthusiasm and House spirit were a joy to see! Best of luck to our Duncraig students as they prepare for their carnival next week.

With Year 12s entering their final months at St Stephen’s School, we acknowledge both the anticipation and emotion that come with this season. It’s a special time to reflect on their journey and look ahead with hope and pride.

We’re also preparing to welcome cyber safety expert Kirra Pendergast to our Duncraig campus in Week 7 for a parent presentation on navigating social media and keeping our young people safe online. I encourage all families to attend this important event.

Please continue to check our online calendar and social media channels to stay connected with the many exciting activities happening throughout the term.

Take care and God bless,

Donella Beare, Principal

Ms Dunn’s Digest

I hope everyone has enjoyed a well-deserved break and are now re-energised for a busy term ahead.

A warm welcome to our new families joining the St Stephen’s community. We look forward to meeting you in the near future.

An interesting piece I read to reflect on for the start of term and recent parent/teacher meetings.

Boosting motivation to increase learning

We all know people who are naturally motivated in life, who will have a go at anything and keep going until they reach their goals. I read an article that discussed what parents can do to help to increase motivation in children, and how to avoid decreasing it!

Motivated students aren’t always the highest achievers in the class, they are the students who have a “can do attitude”, who are willing to give anything a go and will persevere with a task, even if it becomes difficult. And, of course, these attributes lead to progress and success.

Dr Andrew Martin, a leading expert on child motivation refers to motivated kids as “boosters” who have “a natural belief in themselves and their capacity to achieve”. Furthermore, he defines “those who restrict their chances of success through fear of failure and avoidance as ‘mufflers’; and those who self-sabotage and believe they have little control over whether or not they succeed as ‘guzzlers’”. So, what can parents do to “push the boost button” and increase motivation?

Try to focus on success, rather than failure. Often parents and teachers focus on mistakes made and what a child cannot do, without acknowledging learning achieved or skills attained. Remember to recognise progress made, whilst continuing to make plans for future learning.

Teach your child new, resilient thinking habits. Build success into their lives, challenge negative thinking and catastrophising, recognise their strengths, and acknowledge improvement.

As parents and as teachers we must encourage, recognise, and acknowledge perseverance in students. We should aim to praise effort and perseverance – rather than ability. After all, ability is innate, but effort and perseverance can lead to improvement. So, rather than saying “you are so clever”, you might praise the effort taken to learn a difficult concept.
Avoid always assessing your child’s progress in relation to others by only comparing them to the ‘standard’. It’s important to assess their individual improvement or effort, to increase their intrinsic motivation. This is more motivating than a desire not to let you (or the teacher) down through their placement in a cohort. Ask your child how their achievement compares with their past achievement, what effort they put in, what they learnt. These questions tell you more than a class average and they build motivation.

Rosemarie Dunn, Head of Campus

Mrs Resta’s Reflection

This Term started with a celebratory assembly to acknowledge the following students and their achievements in following areas.

2025 WA Economics Competition.

This competition drew in over 5,000 participants from across the state. Among those thousands, several of our students have stood out. They not only received Distinctions, placing them in the top tier of all participants, but even more impressively — all of these students advanced to the Grand Final round. Reaching the Grand Final is an outstanding achievement that reflects a strong understanding of economics. These students performed exceptionally well under pressure, standing among the very best young economists in Western Australia.

Even more remarkably, four of these students achieved a perfect score, answering 100% of the questions correctly in the final round. Congratulations to Zachary Walker, Felix Boswell, Danika Marsh and Melissa Selby.

ADP Awards

Our wonderful Athlete Development Program (ADP) in partnership with Athletic Institute presented some recent specialist awards. Congratulations Carly Moore (Gymnastics), Ella Harbison (Athletics), Noa Langhi and Mateo Langhi (Martial Arts), Tyson Jones (Swimming), Blake Sexton (Baseball), Charlotte Caldwell (Horseriding), Owen Challen (Boxing) and Willow Potter (Triathlon). Which leads us to our….

ACC Awards

Our cohort of ACC ALL STARS has grown with Jack Whyte, Jesse Whyte, Joe Bridgeman, Martin van Staden and Lucia Petropulous all becoming ACC Swimming All Stars. Congratulations also to Isabella Heathcote for becoming an ACC Cross Country All Star.

STEM Awards

Congratulations to Elissa Groves and Joshwa Ruiz who were the TOP ATAR students for Science and presented with STEM Awards by Dr Masoumeh Zargar from the School of Engineering at ECU.

Mrs Dunn welcomed the following new staff to Duncraig Secondary.

Mr Kenneth Taylor – Maths
Mr Harry Tanner – HPE
Ms Antonella Raschilla – Science
Ms Anne Butler – English/Drama
Ms Gabrielle Watts – English/Drama
Mr Jorgen Torgersen – HASS

We have had many success stories of our student’s achievements over the holidays in their own personal passions. Please check our socials for their stories.

In addition we welcomed back Year 9 students form the Bali Tour and HASS Tour.

This Term we will be saying Bon Voyage to the French Tour who depart in the last week of term. We look forward to hearing about your adventures.

Additionally, look out for our Arts Assembly and our Sports Award Assembly where we will be celebrating our top performing ARTS and Sports students.

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

Parenting tip

with Mr Craig Thomas, Carramar, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care

The Power of Unplugging: Why Families Need Screen-Free Time

Recently, a video popped up on my social media reflecting on the 10th anniversary of a spoken word video by Gary Turk titled “Look Up”. At the time, the video invited us to pause, reflect and reconsider the way that we engage with technology and highlighted that although there are endless connections with social media, it is leaving individuals feeling more isolated. It’s message was clear – disconnect to reconnect. After 10 years, Gary recently released a follow-up with a tragic twist. Technology has continued to evolve over that time but the core issue still remains: we spend more time online and less time truly living.

Let’s face it, screens are like that clingy friend who never wants to leave your side. They’re fun, helpful, and always around… but sometimes, they just need a little space. In a world where notifications buzz more than bees and scrolling can feel endless, taking a break from digital devices isn’t just refreshing, it’s essential.

Disconnecting from devices has been shown to improve mental health, strengthen relationships, encourage creativity and improve quality of sleep.

So how can we follow Gary’s advice and “Look Up?” Whether it’s swapping TikTok for a walk, or trading gaming time for a good old-fashioned board game, unplugging gives our minds a chance to breathe, our eyes a rest, and our relationships a boost.

What does unplugging look like?

Create Tech-Free Zones: Designate areas like the dinner table or bedrooms as screen-free spaces.

Set a Digital Curfew: Agree on a time each evening when all devices are turned off.

Lead by Example: Children model what they see. When parents unplug, kids are more likely to follow.

Plan Screen-Free Activities: Try a family picnic, a nature walk, or a weekend without devices.

This week, I encourage families to take on the challenge of unplugging by trying one of the suggestions. We all might be surprised by what we discover when we simply “look up”.

Look up

Look up 2 – Ten Years later

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 3 in the 2025 academic year:

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 to 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

Rounding out Term 2

fairlea.baxter / June 27, 2025 / 2025

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

Term 2 in Motion

holly.mason / May 9, 2025May 8, 2025 / 2025

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

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

Secondary Highlights

Easter Assemblies 2025

Year 12 Leavers Jackets

Cross Country 2025

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 in the 2025 academic year:

Wednesday 14 May – Careers Expo
Monday 19 May to Friday 30 May – Semester 1 Exams (Year 11 and 12)
Wednesday 4 June to Friday 6 June – Senior Music Camp
Thursday 5 June – ACC Cross Country
Friday 13 June – House Surfing
Wednesday 18 June – Hot Topics
Wednesday 18 June to Friday 20 June – Year 11 and 12 Retreats
Friday 20 June – Rookie Debating Grand Final
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 12 Lift Week
Friday 4 July – Term 2 Ends

Goodbye Term 1

holly.mason / April 10, 2025April 10, 2025 / 2025

In this newsletter:

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

Principal’s message

As we reach the end of a rich and rewarding first term, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the commitment and endeavour displayed by staff and students at St Stephen’s School. We are a community and work together to provide opportunities for all. It has been wonderful to watch our students, both new and old, take on the year with enthusiasm and determination.

This week, we came together for our Night of Giving Thanks – a truly special occasion where we reflected with gratitude on the people and moments that shape our community. This year’s event had particular significance as we bade a special farewell to our outgoing Chair of Council, Mr Kevin Smout, and welcomed the incoming Chair, Mr John Sobolewski.

As we approach Easter, a time of deep significance, I hope you find the opportunity to pause, reflect, and devote time to loved ones. May this season bring you rest, renewal, and peace.

Take care and God Bless,

Donella Beare, Principal

Ms Dunn’s Digest

As the holidays draw near, I always look for interesting reads or podcasts. Mel Robbins never fails to deliver practical, sage strategies in making life easier whilst offering a balanced approach to achieving success. My latest Mel podcast didn’t disappoint and one that can be applied to yourself or your family. Here is the link if you are interested in listening.

Let Them Theory

I would also like to wish all our community a safe holiday and let the beauty of Easter fill your heart with faith, hope and love. May your Easter be a time for you to rejoice and be thankful for the gift of life and surrounded by love.

Rosemarie Dunn, Head of Campus

Mrs Resta’s Reflection

We have a few changes to our Graduation 2026 (this will affect our current Year 11 students.) A communication has already been sent to parents of the cohort, but we have amended for a recent update:

Term 3 2026 will be dedicated to Teaching and Learning – no graduation events will take place during this term.
Exams and work experience will continue to be held in the second week of the October term break.
Graduation celebrations will be held in Week 1 of Term 4, 2026.

Week 1 (13-16 October 2026)

Examination Students: Final preparation for the final WACE exams with Revision Seminars Monday – Thursday a.m. Students will receive feedback on mock exams and guidance for upcoming WACE exams.
General & VET Students: Dedicated time to complete any outstanding work in scheduled catch-up sessions.

Thursday 15th October 2026

Graduation Fun Events 12.00pm – 3.20pm

Friday 16th October 2026

Graduation Day (Worship, Assembly, House Farewells)
Graduation Dinner

Put a note in your 2026 diaries this will certainly be a great day!

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

Parenting with Mr Gilchrist

The Hidden Risks of AI: What Parents Need to Know

With an ever changing world of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly shaping the way children learn, play, and interact with technology. While AI offers many conveniences, it also presents risks that parents should be aware of.

Misinformation & Deepfakes

AI-generated content can be misleading or entirely false. From chatbots providing incorrect answers to deepfake videos that appear real but aren’t, children may struggle to distinguish fact from fiction. Teaching our kids to verify sources and think critically is crucial.

Privacy Concerns & Inappropriate or Harmful Content

Many AI-powered apps and websites collect data on users, including children. This information can be misused or sold, leading to privacy breaches. Parents are encouraged to monitor their child’s online activity and review privacy settings on AI-based platforms.

AI-generated media isn’t always child-friendly. Some AI chatbots and image-generation tools have been known to produce inappropriate, violent, or disturbing content, even when safeguards are in place. Additionally, AI-curated social media feeds can expose kids to mature themes. Parents should use parental controls and talk to their children about reporting unsafe content.

Addiction & Overreliance

AI platforms are designed to keep users engaged, which can lead to excessive screen time. Moreover, AI tools that assist with writing or problem-solving may cause young people to rely on technology instead of developing their own skills.

What can I do to help your children?

Encourage critical thinking – Teach your child to question what they see online.
Set digital boundaries – Limit screen time and monitor AI interactions.
Use parental controls & remind students to think before you do! – Restrict access to age-appropriate content and the importance of responsible technology use.
Stay informed – Keep up with AI trends and general safe online practices to better guide your child’s online experience. Sites such as: https://www.esafety.gov.au/ and https://www.safeonsocial.com/

Wishing you and your children a safe and joyous holiday break.

Mr Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care

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 in the 2025 academic year:

Wednesday 30 April – ANZAC Day Assembly
Tuesday 6 May – House Cross Country
Wednesday 7 May – Senior Music Concert
Wednesday 14 May – Careers Expo
Monday 19 May to Friday 30 May – Semester 1 Exams (Year 11 and 12)
Wednesday 4 June to Friday 6 June – Senior Music Camp
Thursday 5 June – ACC Cross Country
Friday 13 June – House Surfing
Wednesday 18 June – Hot Topics
Wednesday 18 June to Friday 20 June – Year 11 and 12 Retreats
Friday 20 June – Rookie Debating Grand Final
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 12 Lift Week
Friday 4 July – Term 2 Ends

Welcome to 2025!

marie.hoy / February 7, 2025 / 2025

In this newsletter:

Principal’s message,
Social media shake up – important information for all parents,
Ms Dunn’s Digest,
Mrs Resta’s Reflections,
Parenting with Mr Gilchrist,
A note from our school nurses,
Public notices,
Dates for your diary,

Principal’s message

I am delighted to see our Houses and ovals brought back to life by the presence of our students for what I am sure will be another wonderful St Stephen’s School year!

I trust that you have all had a restful and restorative holiday break and are ready for a jam-packed term. It’s certainly been a busy start for us all and there are a lot of events to bring us together. Please keep an eye on our school calendar linked below so you have every opportunity to participate.

One of the key issues parents speak to our pastoral care team about is social media and with the imminent changes to the age limit for social media access (see full details below) it is vital that we all stay up-to-date on what this means for our young people and inform ourselves about the broader issues relating to young people and online engagement. To that end, I am really pleased that we have been able to secure Kirra Pendergast to present on “Staying safe on Social” on Thursday 6 March at 7pm in the Duncraig Theatre. Kirra is an international online expert, with experience in advising young people, families and governments so I am extremely interested to hear what she has to say. Please book now as places are limited.

I look forward to seeing you there and wish you well for an enjoyable term.

Take care and God Bless,

Donella Beare, Principal

Social Media Shake-up

On November 28, 2024 the Australian Federal Government passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill. The new legislation will make it illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to use certain social media platforms starting in 2026.

This includes Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X.

The legislation aims to protect young Australians from online harms and ensure their safety and well-being. Social media platforms will be required to take reasonable steps to enforce this age restriction. In good time, the Government has indicated they will provide guidance for parents, carers, and children to help them navigate this change.

This means that if your child will be 15 or younger in 2026, it is advisable to start preparing now by removing their access to social media. Additionally, if you have not yet given permission for your child in this age range to use social media, we strongly advise against doing so.

This legislation aims to protect young people in Australia at a critical stage of their development. As a School we support this new Bill, which has largely bipartisan support from both major parties.

The Bill will place the responsibility on social media platforms, not parents or young people, to take reasonable steps to ensure fundamental protections are in place. This is about protecting young people – not punishing or isolating them – and letting parents know who is in their corner when it comes to supporting their children’s health and wellbeing. The evidence on the potential and real harm caused by poor social media conduct and online victimisation is extensive.

From the introduction of this Bill onwards, our school will face significant limitations in addressing pastoral concerns that originate on social media. If a student has a social media account which contravenes the new legislation, our capacity to intervene in issues such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or other social media-related concerns will be more restricted.

We understand that for some, this may be a significant adjustment, but it is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of our students. By taking proactive steps now, you can help your child transition smoothly and comply with the upcoming regulations.

We will continue to provide updates and government materials throughout 2025 to help you and your family navigate this legislative transition.

Ms Dunn’s Digest

Welcome back to all returning families, and a very special welcome to students and families joining our community for the first time. I am always extremely grateful to our St Stephen’s School community for the positive support we receive and share with students, parents and the broader community. This was showcased at our annual Year 12 Ball held on 23 January and we look forward to all the great things 2025 will bring through the year.  

Over the next few weeks there will be several events to provide an opportunity to meet current families and staff. Please check the school calendar for these events through the year.  

A gentle reminder that students are to wear their summer uniform throughout Term 1. The Uniform Shop is open on Tuesdays 8am-4pm and Thursdays 1pm-4pm. Details of uniform requirements can be found in the Parent Handbook on the Parent Portal.

Like most schools, we have roads and drop-off/pick-up areas that become extremely busy. Before and after school in particular, are bad times for traffic congestion. The safety of students, staff, parents and visitors is our priority. Please make use of the drop-off zones to minimise congestion in these areas. We also ask drivers to please keep traffic flowing and avoid stopping for prolonged periods.  

Year 12 Commissioning ceremony – Friday 31 January

Rosemarie Dunn, Head of Campus

Mrs Resta’s Reflection

We are starting 2025 with the roll out of our wellbeing program which has been rebranded IGNITE. This program acknowledges that academic success and student wellbeing are intertwined. Our IGNITE whole school approach is research-based and aimed a nurturing the holistic development of our students.

The program is based on six pillars.

I – Individual Student Voice The program provides opportunities for student advocacy and seeks to empower students to take ownership of their education.

G – Growth through Leadership Through leadership experience provided in the program students learn to collaborate and make a positive impact on their community.

N- Nurturing inclusivity and diversity Our inclusive environment values individual difference and promotes a culture of empathy and acceptance.

I-Integrated community partnerships While partnering with organisations we enrich student experiences by providing real world opportunities.

T- Thriving through active engagement We encourage our students to put their faith into action by actively engaging in service and outreach.

E- Empowerment for a sustainable future We empower students to take ownership of their future world. Equipping them to make a positive impact on our global environment.

Make sure to look at your child’s timetable and ask them about IGNITE!

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

Parenting with Mr Gilchrist

As the new academic year begins, a fresh start with new goals is often front of mind for both students and staff alike. When setting goals for 2025 it is important that students apply the ‘SMART’ goal principle.

What exactly is the goal? Be specific. Perhaps it is achieving a “B grade” for maths at the end of 2025 or maybe it is to become involved in more co-curricular school activities.

Is this goal measurable? Knowing what percentage equates to a B grade is helpful and being aware of when the many co-curricular opportunities run is essential. Last year your child may have achieved 65% and knowing that 68% was the cutoff for a B is perhaps the motivation for that 3% increase.

Improving that small amount may be possible by ensuring that the student is diligent in double checking their work and submitting all tasks on time. The jump in the grade may be achievable by the end of Semester 1 but it may take until the end of the year. Further involvement with co-curricular events may require some rearranging of other tasks so you can do more.

Whatever the goal, be it academic or personal, as parents you can support your child by regularly checking in with them regarding the hopes and dreams for 2025.

I encourage parents to take the time to find out what goals your child has for 2025 and in doing so, working together, we can help our students to achieve both their short-term and long-term aspirations.

Mr Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care

A note from our School Nurses

We have noticed a number of students arriving at school in the morning requesting medication. To ensure the smooth operation of our Health Centre, we kindly request that medications such as paracetamol, antihistamines, and ibuprofen be administered at home before school or be provided by parents for minor ailments. Please note that these medications will only be dispensed as determined by the School Nurse, and not from the Health Centre before recess.

Public 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.

Welcome Year 7 Parents

A warm welcome to all the new families who have joined St Stephen’s School in 2025.

To help you connect with other families you’re invited to join the ‘Class of 2030 SSS’ Facebook group. You will be asked to answer some security questions but once you’re part of the group it will serve as a useful way to communicate with one another, ask questions and organise social get togethers like parent nights or family days.

Please note this group is not run by the school but by volunteer parents however the School’s parent code of conduct applies to all users of the Facebook group. To remind yourself of the code please visit the Parent Portal: Plan the day>Policies, forms and handbooks>Parent Policy, Form and Handbook Centre>Parents and Wider School Community Code of Conduct Policy.

To join the group simply follow this link – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1MMpbcyPHK/ or scan the QR code.

The parent volunteers are also organising a parent sundowner. All Class of 2030 parents are welcome. Details below.

Please note the following key dates for Term 1 in the 2025 academic year:

Wednesday 12 February – Secondary School photo catch up day

Thursday 13 February – ATAR, General and VET Information evening 6.30 – 7.30pm

Wednesday 19 February – Year 7 Camp, Year 8 Camp

Friday 21 February – ACC Swim Camp

Tuesday 25 February – The Arts Tour information evening, 6.45 – 7.30pm Cousins Hall

Thursday 27 February – ACC Swimming Carnival

Thursday 6 March – Parent Series, Kirra Pendergast “Safe on Social”

Wednesday 5 March – Year 7 SEQTA evening 6.30 – 7.30pm

Tuesday 25 March – Music ensemble photos, 7.45am

Tuesday 8 April – St Stephen’s School worship. Tickets available mid-term.

Thursday 10 April – The Arts Tour departs

Friday 11 April – Term 1 ends