“It doesn’t matter if you win or lose; it’s how you play the game.” How many times have you heard this saying or said these words to another person? The way we “play the game” or “do life,” is an important concept that we should regularly reflect upon. I would suggest that more and more, the messages that our children are receiving each day unfortunately indicate, that it doesn’t matter how you play the game. They are hearing the message that mediocrity is cool and that standing out or performing well or at your best is not. Today young people use the word SWEAT or SWEATY, to describe the behaviours of someone who is trying their best. This is intended to be a negative term, but I ask the question, when did doing your best and giving 100% effort become uncool? Certainly, it’s a given, that for any individual to become successful in life, that giving 100% in all that you do, is the number one prerequisite to master. We can’t control our talent, but we can control our efforts. There are many well-known stories of successful people, people like, Bill Gates, Michael Jordan or Dr Fiona Wood who, in their pursuit of excellence, are well known to many; these people are always working to their full potential. We must not forget or ignore the fact that successful people have failures and setbacks, on the contrary, they have many failures, but these people are not deterred from attaining goals based upon another person’s negative words or demeanour. Accepting mediocrity or “near enough is good enough” attitude is simply not an option. Clearly not every young person will become a famous international success story, so does it matter how you play the game? If we want our young people to successfully manoeuvre through the challenges that are presented to them throughout life’s journey and to be the best that they can be, we need to be teaching them from a young age that doing your best, in all things, on all occasions, is a worthwhile practise. Whether our students are great mathematicians or not, literary scholars or not, athletes, thespians or musicians, the list goes on, they need know that a mediocre effort doesn’t cut it. It doesn’t matter if you are the best at something, the worst at something or if you find yourself somewhere in the middle, our mantra should always be that giving 100% is how the game should be played. Russell Gilchrist Dean of Parresia
Maths Club
Every Wednesday in the Library from 3:30-4:30 Mathematics teachers make themselves available to provide help and tuition to students with their Mathematics learning. If students need extra help in maths coming to Maths club should be one of the first things they do! Come along with questions that you need help with, or just use the time to do your maths homework in a setting where you can get help straight away when you get stuck. This is something that all who come benefit from, from Year 7 to Year 12, and at all levels of ability from the weakest to the strongest maths student.
A Knight’s Tale – Year 11 Drama
Year 11 Drama are in the mist of studying “Drama Performance Events” learning how to plan, develop and stage a full theatre performance. Each student has been in charge of a different department; publicity and marketing, stage design, costumes, hair and make-up, lighting and sound, props and directing. Next Tuesday they will perform their play “A Knight’s Tale” for Years 3 – 6 during their Drama lesson, so they can evaluate the effectiveness of the performance.
Fairy tale Folly – Year 9/10 Drama
Year 9/10 Drama have been busy organising sets, costumes and rehearsing their fairy tale play; “Fairy tale Folly”. The play is a mixture of multiple fairy tales which have been mixed up and require the audiences help to put the stories back into the storybook. 9/10 Drama will perform to Year 1 and 2 students next Wednesday. Year 1 have recently studied fairy tales which raises the pressure and expectation on the 9/10 Drama students to create believable characters.
Love Languages Posters Competition
At the end of Term 2, Year 7 students had to be creative and express the reasons why they love learning languages and particularly French. Students selected Julia’s poster to represent St Stephen’s in an inter-school competition organised by Modern Language Teachers Association with the support of the WA Government and the Office of Multicultural Interests. Julia’s poster has been short listed and selected to be displayed in the MLTAWA’s online gallery in celebration of Languages Week 2020. Julia received her certificate of merit during last Assembly.
Let’s cook French specialties !
On Tuesday 8 September, Year 8 students enjoyed preparing two traditional French recipes. On the menu, delicious croque-monsieur and apple cakes. A fun way to learn about French language and culture.
LAW Society Mock Trial SSS Carramar defeat Hale School
With a very inexperienced but enthusiastic team, St Stephens Carramar was able to defeat Hale School 134-126 in a civil matter that involved a damaged burger restaurant, ‘Meat is Murder’ chants and a red mohawk ! This concluded an abbreviated competition for 2020 on a winning note. Team (L-R) Joshua Plummer (Teacher-in-charge), Abigail Legge, Tahlia Beckitt, Riana Shah, Tegan Shirdon, Emily Forsythe, Eloise Hanna, Darcy Beckitt & Sarah Wordsworth (Coach). Absent: Peter Ferreira
School Holiday Program
Are you all sorted with your school holiday plans? With less than two weeks to go, make sure you book in for the best learning experience around! In partnership with St Stephen’s School, Fire Tech Australia have over 20 exclusive courses designed to educate, entertain and inspire the next generation of innovators, with courses suiting children aged 6-9, 9-12, and 12-17. There are limited seats available so hurry and get in quick! https://www.firetechcamp.com.au/
WA POLICE FORCE ABORIGINAL CADET PROGRAM – Now open
Do you know someone who would make an excellent Cadet? The Western Australia Police Force is looking for applicants to join the Aboriginal Cadet program. The program provides participants with a first-hand view of the dynamic and exciting world of policing. Cadets gain exposure to a range of unique policing activities and get a true taste of what it means to be part of the WA Police Force family. We encourage you to identify members of the community who may be suitable for the program and to speak with them about this exciting opportunity. Applicants must be between 17 – 25 years of age and of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander decent. Cadets are paid during their training and will earn a nationally accredited qualification (Certificate II in General Education for Adults). The next cadet intake is scheduled to commence in early January 2021 and applications from both metropolitan and regional locations are being accepted. An Aboriginal Cadet Program Information Session is scheduled for Saturday, 10 October 2020 at 9:00am at the WA Police Academy in Joondalup. Potential applicants are encouraged to book via the Step Forward website. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the recruitment and selection process and what it is like to be a cadet in the WA Police Force. To learn more and to download an application form, simply visit the Step Forward website. If you would like any further information, or should an applicant require support with their application, the Police Recruiting team is available and happy to assist. Ph: (08) 9301 9707 police.recruiting@police.wa.gov.au Thank you for supporting the program. POLICE RECRUITING WA POLICE FORCE