Over the last few terms, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with our Year 11 students participating in our newly formed ‘Propel’ Leadership Program. I have discussed things such as being a leader at a round table (like King Arthur) where everyone has equal status and no-one is better than the next person, using space and design to set the tone of a meeting (Boardroom v lounges and a coffee table), of the need to be aware of the ‘pulse’ of their year group, why it is important to trust their experts and how to hold people accountable through having difficult conversations rather than finger-pointing.

During these conversations, the students’ thirst to learn ‘how’ to lead was amazing and the questions they asked were many, varied and really thoughtful. What they also prompted me to discuss was the need for leaders to have a vision so that the direction of the year group, school, institution or organisation is clear, defined and can be owned by everyone.

The vision then gets down to values. What do we truly value and what do we feel can be let go or compromised? What is important for us to succeed, to make a difference, to leave a legacy, to define who we are? Important questions with answers that are of even greater importance.

And, when answered, it becomes the responsibility of the leader to ensure that that thing is not abandoned when times are difficult, when obstacles are put in the way, when perhaps the magnitude of the task seems insurmountable or when people constantly criticise and seek for the negative – if it is truly valued, it is a responsibility to see it done, retained, accomplished, enculturated.

Beyond that, it is the responsibility of the community, who own the vision, to also work for the collective and the realisation of those values.

In 2021, parents, just as our Year 12 leaders grapple with these ideas, I invite you to similarly consider the conversation of role-modelling, understanding a vision, knowing the values that create the vision and the responsibility to affect that vision. We have an outstanding School, supported by an outstanding community, and it is together that we will continue to prosper and ensure that the future is bright for every student that walks through our door.

Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Brett Roberts

Head of Campus

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

Tickets for our cross campus production, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe are on sale NOW.

Due to current COVID restrictions we are limited to the number of tickets we can sell, so it is worth getting in quick! Please note, if/when COVID restrictions are lifted we will release more tickets, but government guidelines restrict us from selling the full capacity of the theatre at this stage.

C.S Lewis’ original work is reimagined in this contemporary interpretation of a much loved classic. Year 7-12 students from both campuses take us on a magical tour through the wardrobe and into the Land of Narnia. A feast for the senses, including incredible puppetry and stage combat, this production is sure to delight young and old alike.

Yr 8 War on Waste

Year 8 students got fired up over plastic pollution after watching an episode of War on Waste in Science. Mr Hayward and Mrs Smoker’s classes then did an audit of the plastic they collected from different areas around the school. In the space of 25 minutes, armed with buckets and gloves, students collected a total of 607 separate pieces of plastic and other rubbish. Nearly half the plastic was made up of food wrappers, plastic bags and other packaging.

As a follow up to this activity, students will discuss better ways of reducing their plastic waste and how some of these plastics are recycled.

 

Sports Awards Evening

Carramar students celebrated sporting achievements of 2020 at the annual Sports Awards Night recently.  Each sports team’s Most Valuable Player and Best Team Player were awarded on the night, as well as Emblems, Colours and Wreaths. Students who broke school records were also acknowledged at the event.

Adam Dwyer

St Stephen’s School Scholarships

 

Yr 9 Christmas Card Collaboration

Co-curricular collaboration took on a festive feel in Science this week, when the Year 9 students mentored Year 5’s with creating a Christmas card, complete with copper tape conductors, an LED bulb and a beautiful Christmas design.

Year 9’s rose to the occasion most wonderfully and a great time was had by all. A fiddly exercise but well worth the care and attention it required, as Year 5’s came away with a beautiful Christmas card that they had made themselves.

Year 9 Science students had recently learned about electricity and electrical circuits and their teachers, Mrs Corrigan and Mrs Smoker, had put a great deal of time and effort into planning and implementing this lovely activity. Well done to all.

Elizabeth Kirby

HoLA Science

School Fee Payment Options

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

In 2021, the School will be simplifying the annual school fee notification and payment selection process for parents. Parents / Guardians will no longer be required to re-select a preferred payment method and frequency at the start of the school year.

The payment method (direct debit, or credit card, or BPAY) and frequency of payment (weekly, fortnightly, monthly, three instalments or annual upfront) that you had in place in 2020 will continue automatically in 2021.

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

1 upfront payment due on 29 January 2021 (2% discount); or

43 weekly payments starting 4 February 2021; or

22 fortnightly payments starting 4 February 2021; or

10 monthly payments starting on 2 February 2021; or

10 monthly payments starting on 17 February 2021; or

3 instalments (BPAY only) on 18 February 2021, 20 May 2021 and 19 August 2021

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 Manage stored cards and direct debits to bank accounts (https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/ManageStoredCards.aspx).

On 11 January 2021 your annual fee invoice will be available for you to view on the Parent Portal in the ‘School Payments’ tab – select Statements and receipt history (https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/fin.aspx).

All the best for the holidays and wishing you a Happy Christmas.

From the Accounts Receivable Team

Walk to Water Day

St Stephen’s Carramar ran Walk to Water Day on Friday 27^th November. The day is about remembering the great privileges we have in Australia to access clean water and sanitation and to think about our role in helping those who do not have this opportunity. Students participated in three activities over the day.

The Compassion Australia education session was designed to stimulate the experience of living in poverty. Students participated in ‘the village game’ and had to make difficult choices in order to survive. Throughout the session we reflected on the importance of empathy, compassion and generosity; as students learnt the value of how these values transform the lives of those facing hardships.

The Walk to Water session involved students carrying plastic bottles, buckets, cans, plastic bags and even eskies filled with water from Da Vinci Park back to school. The Year 8 students walking in the cool of the day, carried an incredible 349.5 litres of water. The Yr 7’s achieved a respectable 269 litres and finally the Yr 10’s managed to drag back another 195 litres, with Cody Ryall bringing back 38 litres by himself. This meant that we moved an incredible  813.5 litres over our 3.5 km track.

Students also had the opportunity to learn about some of the positive solutions people are bringing to water issues globally watching “Brave Blue World” and to recognise our excellent facilities here at school through conducting a water audit.

Students legs and arms may have been sore but our hearts were moved, as we reflected on how lucky we are to live in Australia, where our drinking water and sanitation is so clean and accessible.

Mr Gilchrist, Miss Erasmus, Mr Batten & Mr Bosma

Yr 7 Team Building

On Wednesday 1 December, all Year 7s travelled to Camp Keram and Outback Splash for a team building experience. The students spent the day rock climbing, high ropes and water sliding. A great day of fun was enjoyed by all.

Russell Gilchrist

Yr 11 Retreat

During week 7, the Year 11s had the opportunity to spend time together and connect as a cohort as part of their retreat program.

Over the 3 days at Fairbridge Village in Pinjarra, the Year 11’s learnt about and reflected on the theme of choices. Two questions were asked as part of the retreat program, ‘How do I make good choices for myself?’ and ‘How do I make good choices about the way I treat others?’

Several guest speakers developed this theme in relation to their own personal stories. The Year 11’s also enjoyed a number of activities, the highlights being the yoga and drumming sessions, the filming of their Year 11 video and of course time spent with friends in the campsite’s pool.

The very high standard of behaviour together with the Year 11’s readiness to join in all activities made the time away a very enjoyable experience for all the students and staff involved.

Madame Harris and Mr Grove

 

Hair-raising Fundraiser

Year 7 students Lucy Rivers and her friend Saanvi Shah decided in year 6 that they wanted to grow their hair and donate it to Sustainable Salons in NSW, to be made into wigs for people suffering from hair loss due to illness or cancer. This year, having grown their hair past the required minimum length of 20 cm’s, they approached their Dean Mr Gilchrist for permission to promote their cause and have raised $160.

Lucy had 28cm cut and Saanvi 30 cm. A local hairdresser, Monika’s Hair Studio, gave them a discounted hair cut of $20 each as she was so impressed by their selfless act at such a young age.

Parents of the girls, Mrs Shah and Ms Rivers were present and are immensely proud of the girls sacrifice for others.

Well done girls, we are very proud of you both.

Mr Gilchrist

Digital Media Literacy

Recently, Year 8 and Year 10 took part in a new program in line with the Federal initiative to improve youth digital media literacy. Mr Crewe and Mrs Roberts presented sessions looking primarily at the dynamics of social media and how to understand news in a ‘fake-news world’.

Whilst we often hear the negatives associated with social media it is crucial for students to understand that their future job hunting will be largely influenced by their online profiles. The significance of their personal branding going forward, needs to be understood if they are going to have a positive presence online.

The students responses included comments such as, “ I didn’t realise how much of me was already online, I am going to think about what I post much more carefully in future”. Others left the session checking their security settings.

Mr Crewe & Mrs Roberts

Youth Forum on Climate Change