Category: Staff

Importance of Road Safety

October 13, 2017

Parking and overall traffic congestion around schools is an ongoing issue and is further exacerbated with vehicles parking in contradiction to parking signs, on footpaths or in dangerous locations such as on bends at intersections.  So to minimise this issue below are a few suggestions to ease stress during these periods:

  • Organise with your child to meet in a pre-arranged location away from the busier areas after school.
  • Tell your child/ren that you will arrive a little bit later after the final bell and advise them to wait within the school grounds until you get there.
  • Use the Kiss and Drive if there is one at the school and ensure you use it appropriately.  This means if your child is not there, drive around until you see your child waiting.
  • Park further away and walk to meet your child.

 

 

Thank you for being considerate of our students and the communities safety.

 

 

Captain’s Commissioning Service

October 10, 2017

St Stephens Secondary Duncraig would like to congratulate our new School and House Captains.

To mark these appointments, we would like to welcome your to attend our Captain’s Commissioning Service on Monday 16th October at 10.05am in the Gym.

So long, farewell. The Class of 2017 say goodbye

September 22, 2017

Thursday was all about celebrating the Class of 2017.

Year 12 families were invited to attend this special farewell.

The day started early with the house farewells, after which parents were invited to enjoy a relaxed and delicious morning tea before they made their way to the gym for the traditional, and much anticipated, leavers assembly.

At the assembly, students had the opportunity to thank and farewell staff and put their own unique perspective on their time at St Stephen’s. Mr. Titlestad addressed the students and wished the group every success in their new ventures beyond the school.  After some video compilation’s, Mr. Richmond spoke. The theme of the assembly was the Oscars.

The Year 12 chosen speaker was Tim Corey who spoke on behalf of the leavers and was thoughtful and articulate as he spoke of being proud of the school he has been a part of, and thanked teachers and Mr. Titlestad for everything they have done.  It was an excellent opportunity for the Year 12 group to reflect on their time at St Stephen’s, and on what lay ahead for them in the next phase in their life journeys.

If that wasn’t enough, the cohort also had the Graduation Dinner at the Joondalup Resort later that evening.

Here are a few snap shots of the morning activities:

 

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3

Hospitality Successes

September 18, 2017

Last night Vicki O’Connor and I had the pleasaure of attending the HGT ( Hospitality Group Training) Youth Skills Showcase at the Hyatt ballroom. The top 20 young apprentice chefs in WA had been selected to create and present the food. The theme for the night was Australia and featured amazing Australian food and flavours.

We were delighted to see that  Tegan Cardosa, current Year 12 student and completing a Cert II Hospitality front of House certificate in External VET was there, having been selected to help serve the 500 guests.

Then we noticed that Zac Tholen was one of the chefs selected to work in the kitchen in the entre team. I later discovered from his mother that Zac created and was responsisible on the night for the vegetarian entre option for those with dietary needs. Zac is a 1st year apprentice chef at North Beach Deli. Zac left school at the end of last year from year 11 wanting to follow his passion for food.

The highlight of the evening was seeing Sean Woolford (Class of 2014) as Chef de Cuisine for dessert. He created the dessert ( see the picture below) and was responsible for leading the team of dessert chefs for the night. Sean is  finishing his apprenticeship in January next year and is currently at Hillarys Yacht Club a la carte restaurant. It was great to hear him speak about his dessert via video link from the kitchen.

Strawberry gumleaf cake and lilli lilli/orange maramlade, served with vanilla panna cotta , chocolate macadamia crumb and rosella puree.

The students and their families were pleased for me to circulate their photos and their story of success. Sean said he would love to talk to other Hospitality students . I have never heard him speak so passionately.

Cathy Trethowen

VET Liaison Officer

Pictured below: Sean Woolford.

Zac Tholen.

Tegan Cardosa (without tie).

‘Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.’ – Hebrews 13:2

R U OK? DAY

September 14, 2017

Duncraig Secondary was awash with yellow today as staff and students embraced R U OK? Day.

R U OK? Day is an annual day in September (the second Thursday) dedicated to remind people to ask family, friends and colleagues the question, “R U OK?”, in a meaningful way, because connecting regularly and meaningfully is one thing everyone can do to make a difference to anyone who might be struggling.

Staff enjoyed a lavish and delicious morning tea.

Gold donations were gratefully received.

 

 

 

Record Breaking

September 12, 2017

A record number of food was collected for Food Rescue last week by our Service Learning Coordinator Donna Lund.

Donna takes a food cart around to cafes and restaurants around Perth CBD and collects left over food for the homeless. 

Who is Food Rescue…

Food Rescue is a UnitingCare West program feeding disadvantaged people in Western Australia.It aims to alleviate hunger by rescuing perishable, fresh and nutritious food from cafes, caterers, supermarkets and wholesalers and delivering it to disadvantaged, vulnerable people.

The program assists a variety of people in need including people experiencing homelessness, women and children in crisis, vulnerable young people, indigenous communities, elderly people, refugees and new arrivals and families on low incomes.

Food Rescue relies on the support of public donations, corporate funding and the dedication of volunteers.

‘Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.’ – Isaiah 58:7

Message from the Head of Secondary

September 7, 2017

 

The Year 12s have just started their mock exams and at the end of this term will have Grad’s Day and their Graduation Dinner. The end of this part of their education journey is close at hand. Suddenly the weight of external exams weighs heavily on the students who have chosen that pathway and the reality of the world beyond school is more focused than before. Some students are planning what they will do for leavers (“Stay safe and responsible” is our hope!); some are planning for their Service Tour to India and others are planning time with parents and friends on short fishing trips! Within weeks, the Year 12s will be back here for the final Awards night.

At a time like this, it is easy to make decisions informed more by impulse and excitement than good sense. All of our students are fine young people. As parents reflect back to the end of their schooling, you may have shared stories of the antics of your Year 12 group with your children. You may have deliberately not shared stories in case your child mistakes that sharing for permission!

In the run up to graduation, I expect every Year 12 student to treat the School and the School community with respect. In the decade that I have headed the Secondary School at Duncraig I have had the privilege of  being able to proud of the conduct of our Year 12s. Years ago I was placed with the unfortunate position of having to report vandalism to the police, barring some students from Grads Day and having others write their exams at another venue. I expect our Year 12s to look after each other and to have the strength of character to re-direct any foolish and impulsive decisions that might be made by a friend. This is true at School over the next months and this is equally important at Leavers. You have come this far and no tragedy should change your future. Be safe, be careful and make good judgements as you celebrate. Our students come from fine families who have chosen St Stephen’s because of their shared values. Our students understand that they are the holders of the reputations of their families and of the School. Each of our Year 12s deserves more than to be let down now.

As our ATAR bound students prepare for exams, I would encourage each student to maintain their energy. The people around us are powerful in shaping our mood and our enthusiasm. This is the time to work hard, to work cleverly and, when appropriate, to work with other people. Study with a friend, work through old papers, answer a question and then swap and get another opinion on whether what you have written is good enough. To use a metaphor, you are on the final straight: your legs will ache as you keep pushing forward and keep your speed up. The time to sit back will be after you cross that finish line marked by that last exam. Eat well, sleep well. Apply the advice so many people have given you. The best you can do now is to give all you possibly can.

To the class of 2017 – you are entering an adult world and you now carry adult expectations. You have youth and energy to forge forward in a world that needs each of you. I hope that the exams treat you well and that you have the opportunity to show all that you have learned with confidence and joy. On behalf of all those who have taught you, I wish you every joy and success.

 

Mr Titlestad

 

Celebrating Sporting Achievements

September 5, 2017

Duncraig celebrated student sports achievements today in the gym.

Principal Donella Beare and guest speaker Brad Ness presented awards, colours and certificates.

The students enjoyed the talk by Paralympic Brad Ness.

Brad was a sports-mad teenager who excelled in swimming, tennis, hurdles and his favourite code, AFL. As a teenager, he worked as a deckhand aboard a high-speed ferry between Rottnest Island and Fremantle, before losing his leg when he was 18.  Australia chose Brad to be the flag bearer for the 2016 Rio Paralympics opening ceremony. Brad made his Paralympic debut at Sydney 2000 as the Rollers missed the medals, but has been part of remarkable success with the team ever since. A silver medal at Athens 2004 was followed by gold in Beijing four years later, with London 2012 bringing about another silver.

Mr Titlestad, Head of Secondary, closed the assembly with a prayer.

Guests, awardees and parents were then invited to the Community Room for a morning tea.