“If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be”. This quote is by the American poet, Maya Angelou. The quote captures the essence of the work I have been carrying out with the year 9 girls over the last term. We have looked at the difference between fitting in and belonging. The year 9 girls came up with some incredibly insightful and often profound differences between fitting in and belonging. They explained that fitting in is external, it’s for other people and it’s hard work. They went on to share that fitting in is fake and you don’t feel like you’re being authentic or making real friends. Belonging on the other hand is internal, genuine and a lot easier than trying to fit in all of the time. Belonging, according the girls, means that you have “found your people and your place, so that’s where you fit”. I found their awareness of these differences to be a stark contrast to what most students this age practice.
We also looked at the differences between perfectionism and healthy striving to do your best. This exercise was more difficult until the girls realised that the differences between perfectionism and healthy striving were the same as the difference between fitting in and belonging. One is for others and appearances, the other is for you.
So why do our girls try to fit in and aim for perfection rather than belong and strive for excellence? They want to connect. We all want to connect. We are a social species and if COVID has taught us anything, it’s that we share the basic need for connection with other people. As adolescents, our need to connect to our peers outweighs our need to be true to ourselves. Being true and authentic versions of ourselves takes courage and courage takes time to develop. As our children grow up and are given the opportunity to develop courage by facing their fears, they will develop the courage to be their authentic selves. “Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing up means that we face our fears. We are able to say, I have fallen, but I will get up”, eloquently put by Maya Angelou.
Take care
Sarah Stockton-Rice
SSS Dance Company Audition Dates 2021
For further information and audition forms please see Mrs Nation.
Yr 8 Camp – Rottnest Island
Last week, Year 8 students attended their HASS and Science camp to Rottnest Island. They had a packed few days of activities such as bike riding around the island and snorkelling, as well as learning about the complex history of Rottnest Island and the different ecosystems present. As well as this, students had the responsibility of budgeting for and cooking their own meals – staff were even lucky enough to sample some of these meals in a MasterChef style challenge! Overall, students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and learnt a lot about Rottnest that they didn’t know before.
Eleanor Glacken
Year 11 ATAR Exam Schedule
Fusion Opening Night
Due to Phase 4 restrictions, the number of attendees for the Fusion 2020 Opening Night in the Technology Hub will be capped. Staff, students and parents wishing to attend this event from 6.30pm will need to secure a free ticket through Humanitix. Please click on the link to secure your ticket. https://events.humanitix.com/fusion2020
The Fusion exhibition for 2020 opens on Thursday, 5 November in the Technology Hub with viewing to begin at 6.30pm, with formal presentations beginning shortly after 7pm. Delicious refreshments will be available.
Staff, Parents and students are, alternatively, invited to view the exhibition during school hours until 12pm on Tuesday 10 November – without a ticket.
Lesley Nation
House Captain Voting
Yesterday the Year 7-11 secondary students at Carramar had the opportunity to excise their democratic right and vote for their 2021 House Captains. Voter turnout reached an all-time high and the senior Politics & Law students running the election had to work hard to ensure secrecy and peace around the polling booths. With support from the West Australian Electoral Commission, the day was a big success. Next step – counting the ballot papers…
Josh Plummer
Book Week 2020
During Week 2 the Library and English Departments collaborated to celebrate Book Week. The theme this year was Curious Creatures and Wild Minds.
To engage the senior school students in Book Week this year, Kahoot Quizzes linked to the Book Week theme were held every lunch time in the library and we were fortunate enough to get the Year 6 students to come along too. A few students were lucky to walk away with some prizes to reward their knowledge of books.
We also held a dress up day connected to the theme and we had quite a few students dress up. We put on an afternoon tea for the students who went to the effort to get into costume and awarded prizes for the best dressed students.
Overall it was great week. Many thanks to the parents who helped out with their child’s costume and to the students who got involved in the book week celebrations.
Mr Morris
Containers for Change Program
St Stephen’s School has partnered with Good Sammy, who is an official collection organisation for the Containers for Change Program launched on October 1 this year. Please collect eligible containers and help provide meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Our bins are located at:
Early Learning Centre – entrance to Reception
Duncraig Primary – entrance to Reception
Carramar Primary – entrance to Reception and near the Nurse’s office
Pétanque Tournament has started!!!
Year 7 and Year 4 are competing side by side for their respective houses in a Pétanque Tournament. This first meeting was about getting used to the rules of the French game. Tournament will start in week 4. Students will compete every second Wednesday.
