Our St. Stephen’s School community is one of great resilience. In the face of pressure and challenge, resilience refers to an ability to bounce back and get on with the task at hand.
As 2020 dawned, terms such as “social isolation”, “lockdown” and “on-line learning” were relatively unfamiliar but in the months ahead, they would find their way into our everyday language. That teaching and learning continued in an organised, effective and purposeful fashion during the “Covid upheaval”, is a great testimony to the resilience of our students, families and staff.
Resilience is a character trait that is well needed in our current culture. A recent report, “The Future of Education”, conducted by McCrindle Research, highlighted the tension that exists between the teaching and learning of core skills as compared with the development of character traits such as resilience. The results around the development of character traits in schools were interesting. Amongst parents surveyed, 57% favoured an increased focus by educators on the development of character/wellness traits like resilience, as well as, leadership, empathy, adaptability and persistence. Amongst educators surveyed, 58% favoured a greater focus. Increasingly, these traits are being seen by the community at large, as essential components for success.
At St. Stephen’s School, an intentional focus on the well-being of other people is a key to developing these character traits in our students. This aligns with our school motto: “Serve God, Serve One Another”. Recent and planned activities in this arena of school life include meal preparation alongside the Heathridge Salvation Army, a Secondary-wide collection of socks as part of the Uniting WA Winter Appeal, garden maintenance for elderly residents in Gingin, knitting of squares for winter blankets, the post-Covid re-establishment of the SSS Lakeside Joondalup Food Rescue and partnering with Rocky Bay to support some of their recreational-based therapies.
It is a great encouragement to see the heart of our community for the well-being of others. As well as fostering the character traits we are seeking to nurture, student exposure to the work performed by so many community groups models a commitment to purpose and achievement. These ongoing activities are House-based and form part of our Homeroom Curriculum.They will remain central to the education of our students, as we seek to grow young men and women of faith with the capacity and confidence to change the world.
In Christ
Mr Stephen Meagher
Deputy Head of Secondary
French Incursion
On Wednesday 12 of August, Year 7 and Year 4 students met.
A fun time for singing to practise time and sharing facts about a sustainable environment. Year 7 assisted their buddies in finalising their drawings for a competition.
All students enjoyed it so much that we will meet again on French Day held on Wednesday 26 August
Madame Richardson 😊
Primary French Teacher
Arts Tour 2021
WHO: Current Year 10 + 11 interested in the Arts. Priority given to students studying an Arts subject in 2021 – Cross Campus.
WHEN: 30 June 2021 to – 7 July 2021 (June/July School Holidays)
WHERE: Melbourne + Sydney
WHAT: Visit art exhibitions, museums, theatre shows, music events, drumming lessons, shopping and much more
WHY: Because it is unbelievable fun for people who love The Arts!
ACTION: Expressions of interest will be taken in Term 4…………………….Deposits taken early Term 1, 2021
Science Week is here!
SCIENCE WEEK 2020
The week you’ve all been waiting for is finally here – Science Week! This year’s theme is Deep Blue – Innovation for the future of our Oceans.
Most of the problems facing our deep oceans, require innovation in Science and technology to help overcome. Issues like over-fishing, plastic and chemical pollution, and changes in ocean temperatures and acidity, are some the problems threatening the health of our oceans and survival of many marine species. To raise awareness amongst our student body, there are a number of activities that will be conducted during Homeroom this week – videos to watch, daily Homeroom activities and prizes to be won.
The Library has also got on board most wonderfully. The Library has been decorated with mobiles and posters. Visuals are streaming on the screens all day and there are puzzles and books on display in keeping with the theme, with which students can engage. Heartfelt thanks to the Library team for their enthusiasm.
As part of Science Week, a very special and unique opportunity has been made available to our Year 11 and 12 Biology students on Wednesday 19th August. We are one of 10 Perth schools who will be participating in a real time webinar on conservation genomics. CONSERVATION GENOMICS is an innovative and emerging area that can play a powerful role in saving many endangered species!
This one-day online event will showcase the exciting work of a unique global collaborative project by DNA Zoo. Since 2018 DNA Zoo have mapped over 100 endangered species genomes using innovative, open access software encouraging a global effort to save Australian species.
Our Yr 11 and 12 Biology students will get a sneak peak at a new social enterprise, BioBarcode Australia. Students will get to see their new way of bringing DNA technologies to schools and the community, which includes digital PCR and virtual reality innovations to “walk through” chromosomes. We will be guided by a guest DNA Zookeeper in person at our school this Wednesday 19th August.
Thank you, in anticipation, for your engagement with Science Week.
Mrs Kirby
Image courtesy of The rise of Australian marsupials (Authors Karen H. Black, Michael Archer, Suzanne J. Hand, and Henk Godhelp, 2012)
CHARIS CHAMPIONS
Numero Competition
Congratulations to students that competed in the Numero competition held at the Carramar Campus and the Numero Competition Finals held at Duncraig Senior High School.
School Tours
Do you have friends or family considering St Stephens Carramar for their child’s education?
We regularly conduct small group school tours to give prospective families the opportunity to ask questions and tour the school while it is operating.
Our next group tours are
Primary School Thursday 1 September 1.30 pm
Secondary School Thursday 1 September 2.30 pm
Whole School Thursday 5 November 9 – 10.00 am (bookings available online)
November School Tour Booking Link
Places are limited and bookings essential. Please contact our Admissions Department to book in to our September Tours. Ph. 9243 2108 or email admissions@ststephens.wa.edu.au
The Show Must Go Online
If you missed the curtain call, you can still view the show for the next two weeks via the following link
Carramar Campus:
The Show Must Go Online! CARRAMAR 2020
Password: TSMGOCAR
Clubs and Extra Curricular Activities
Psychology Club – Every Wednesday Lunch time S1
This week’s topic “Why do we believe in the supernatural?”
Contact: Mrs Smoker
St Stephens School Foundation Gala
