Monthly Archives: January 2018

Excellence

January 31, 2018

In this week’s whole school assembly, we congratulated 2017 students who achieved great results in their chosen pathways, and congratulated current students in other areas of achievement in our school. I spoke about an Australian who has been recognised for their personal (and team) excellence, Professor Michelle Simmons our Australian of the Year. I talked about how Prof. Simmons thought at a young age about all the things that people didn’t really expect her to be able to do. When she surprised other people, she started thinking: ‘there must be other things that people don’t expect of me, let me find out what they are’. I asked our school community what you might be able to achieve, what difference you might be able to make in order to surprise me, surprise your teachers, and do the unexpected.

Other peoples expectations can be challenging, they can make us re-think our perspective.  My expectation for us all this year can be summed up in one word: Excellence. I want you to achieve excellence for yourself at school. I talked about deciding what excellence means for you. It could mean that you are giving your best, and that you are working out what you can achieve. It could mean – getting an extra three percent in a test, creating an object that has that little bit more of your creativity in it, working at a friendship that is not going so well….. Achievement is different for all of us.

We celebrated Year 12 students who have all taken completely different pathways after leaving school. All needed to have their own understanding of excellence and the belief that they could achieve the unexpected. Your pathway is uniquely yours, and your idea of excellence is yours. I encourage you to start the year well, to support your peers and encourage them, and to keep excellence as your goal. Have an excellent year!

Dr Liz Criddle

Deputy Head – Teaching and Learning

Big Splash WA

January 31, 2018

Swimming into town from 20 January  – 4 March 2018 in iconic locations around Perth. This interactive art display will be a spectacular sculpture trail for all to enjoy, and taking the family for a day out to visit the dolphins will be a must-do activity.

The Big Splash WA

The trail of dolphins will be on display for eight weeks, giving families and school groups the opportunity to visit them all.

Below is a picture of Finlay the St Stephen’s School Dolphin painted by our lovely year 12s and their Visual Art Teacher Verity Palmer.

Our talented Art Technician Claire Davenhall has a dolphin on display in Stirling Gardens in the Perth CBD pictured below as feature in The West Australian.

“Then he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, inner and outer sanctuaries.” – Kings 6:29-35

 

 

WordFlyers Parent Information Evening

January 31, 2018

 

WordFlyers Parent Information Evening

19th February

Duncraig Theatre

6:00-7:30

WordFlyers is an online literacy learning platform for students in Years 7-10. It has been designed to develop grammar, reading, comprehension, punctuation, vocabulary and writing skills in an engaging online environment. As you know, a subscription to WordFlyers was included in the booklist requirements for English in 2018. The WordFlyers Parent Information Evening will be an opportunity for parents to hear from a representative from Blake Education about what this online learning platform can offer both students and parents. Rachel King will demonstrate the functionality of WordFlyers and how it can enhance student learning, both in English and across the curriculum. Her presentation will last approximately 50 minutes and there will be an opportunity to ask questions afterwards. Howie Jakeway (Head of Learning for English and Languages) will offer a short presentation on how WordFlyers will work alongside existing Programs of Study in Years 7-10 and will also be available to answer any questions. This is an important opportunity to hear about an exciting development in the teaching of English at St Stephen’s School and we look forward to seeing you at this information evening.

Howie Jakeway

Head of Learning Area- English and Languages

Community Freezer

January 30, 2018

School Notice for the Community Freezer

We are really excited to continue with our initiative of the school community freezer. It is located in the Get Well Room in the Primary School Office. The purpose of this freezer is to support families from Pre-Kindy to Year 12 at SSS Duncraig with a home cooked meal when they are going through a very difficult family situation.

If you would like to contribute to this freezer by cooking a meal we would greatly appreciate it. We are looking for simple, nutritious meals that are both family and freezer friendly. These include meat and vegetable based casseroles, lasagnes, hearty soups and mild curries. Please do not use any nut or nut products. Please include all components of the meal e.g. “Casserole with rice” to make it as easy as possible for the families receiving the meals.

Please follow the steps below:

Read the food safety link:  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/handwashing-why-its-important

  • Choose your own recipe or look for one at:

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/collections/freezer-friendly

  • Buy the ingredients.
  • Ensure your hands are adequately washed.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/food-safety-when-cooking

  • Cook the meal.
  • Cool the meal and pack in a reusable or recyclable container (either donate a container or collect a foil container from next to the freezer at school).

 

  • Label the meal (stickers are available next to the freezer at school).

  • Freeze the meal.
  • Bring the frozen meal to school and place in the freezer for another family to enjoy!

Thank you for your support.

 

 

First Assembly of 2018

January 30, 2018

The first assembly of 2018 was held today in the gym. It was also the first assembly that the new Year 7 cohort has attended. The school band was in attendance which is always special.

A school assembly is a gathering of all or part of a secondary school for a variety of purposes, such as celebrating achievements, announcements, raise the roof with  singing, others are so quiet you can hear a pin drop but it is an ideal opportunity to communicate information on a regular basis.

Pictured below is Principal, Mrs. Donella Beare, Head of Secondary, Mr. Bruce Titlestad, and Deputy Head of Secondary, Dr. Liz Criddle.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

 

Safety Around Schools

January 30, 2018

 

A reminder from the City of Joondalup.

Vehicles which park contrary to parking signage around schools are a major hazard and impact on the safety of children, pedestrians and other road users in these areas. It is imperative that drivers are aware of, and park in accordance with, the parking conditions which apply near schools.

9836 Rangers_School Parking Brochure_DL-21m59w7

Parent Information Evenings

January 29, 2018

Do you want to know more about the exciting year ahead for your child? Parents are invited to Information Evenings for Duncraig Secondary students:

Tuesday 6 February 

Year 12 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

 

Tuesday 13 February 

Year 11 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

 

Parent Information Evenings

 

 

The Role of Student-Owned Mobile Phones at School

January 29, 2018

Dear Parents

With every student owning a tablet or laptop, the role for mobile phones at school is negligible. We strongly believe in our three guiding principles regarding the use of technology:

  1. Teaching and learning can be transformed by technology
  2. Communication and collaboration can be enhanced by technology
  3. Using technology develops students’ skills for future learning and work

In the use of technology, users agree to be responsible for their own actions, comply with relevant laws and comply with the School’s code of conduct. Personal behaviour, in online environments, must not compromise the good reputation of the School.

In the School Handbook, the following points are made:

  1. No use of phones as phones for texting or calling in class time
  2. No use in class without the express permission of the teacher
  3. Any calls for a student to be collected are made by an adult in Student services
  4. We expect students to take personal responsibility for their own phones at School

During 2018, there will be very little reason for any students to use a phone during the school day. No phones will be used in class unless the teacher specifically asks students to use phones, e.g. to photograph something on an excursion. We will be strongly discouraging the use of phones during recess and lunch: these are great opportunities to grow relationships with friends. No student should be on (or posting to) social media during the school day, or using their phone to film teachers or fellow students. No student should be viewing Netflix or YouTube instead of socialising.  It makes complete sense for a child to have their phone on public transport before and after school.

We would appreciate your assistance in 2018 in strongly discouraging the use of mobile phones during the school day. Our children do not need the distraction or the anxiety of having to check what others might be posting. This is not a change to policy, but a chance to affirm what our School policy is with an emphasis on student well-being. Phones are not banned: they have a safety function. They are not needed during the school day and we do not want to see students using phones at school unless instructed by their teacher.

 

Inter-House Swimming Results in 2018

January 29, 2018

The Interhouse Swimming Carnival will be using the Results HQ database for all our results. We are trialling this system which many schools and clubs already use.

Please note that if any family has already signed up with Results HQ in the past (e.g. for Little Athletics), you will receive a confirmation email from Results HQ. The School has not supplied the company with any details of any family, but you may already be in their data base because of your previous use of the system.

Matt Richmond

HOLA Health & Physical Education & Teacher of Psychology

ResultsHQ