Tag: Parents

Rite Journey Starts

March 15, 2018

This morning marked the start of the journey to adulthood the start of the Rite Journey program.

The program will be over long before any of the Year 9s are adults – and each of them will mature differently and at different paces at different times. Over the next 10 years they will outgrow and be outgrown by friends and they will start to have a real sense of who they are and who they might aspire to be.

The Rite Journey program takes several key qualities and strengths: it requires a willingness to trust others; it requires the courage to tackle tasks and possibly fail; it requires the maturity to decide to do something to the best of ones ability and to care for and respect the trust of others.

Today is called the “Departure” because is a ritual marking the start of the journey. The walk up the coast is a metaphor to remind them that they are starting something, the Rite Journey.

“The Rite Journey is already one of the best initiation into successful adulthood programs for adolescents in the world . My congratulations for such a fine trail blazing initiative.” – Peter Ellyard, Author “designing 2050′

Coffee & Conversation

March 14, 2018

Transitioning into Secondary School can be a bit daunting for students and parents as their children move into the next stage of their schooling. We have an event coming up for parents of Year 7s to come and chat and see how they’re adapting in class.

This Friday (March 16) Duncraig Secondary will hold their first Coffee and Conversation for 2018 where Year 7 Coordinator Suzy Mettam will discuss the transition into Secondary in the Community Room from 8.30-9.30am. Attendance is free. Contact the School for more information.

Year 10 Even Year Testing

March 13, 2018

The annual benchmark testing of Year 10 students will take place on Monday 26 March and will follow the schedule below:

8:45am start – students go to their Period 1 class for the roll to be taken, then take move to the gym with their teacher

10:45 – recess

11:05 – 2nd session

12:30 approx finish – students will return to their Period 4 class

 

 

Mobile Phone Use

March 9, 2018

St Stephen’s is very privileged to have such supportive parents. This is evident with the new directive of limiting students access to mobile phones during school hours. Having this message reinforced at home has been fundamental in making this initiative a success.

Did you know?

Nomophobia is the irrational fear of being without your mobile phone or being unable to use your phone for some reason, such as the absence of a signal or running out of minutes or battery power. A phobia is an irrational fear. Do you know this word? Nomophobia is a term describing a growing fear in today’s world — the fear of being without a mobile device, or beyond mobile phone contact. Among today’s high school and college students, it’s on the rise. An increasing number of college students now shower with their cell phone (one of the most important reasons for water-proof mobile phones!). The average adolescent would rather lose a pinky-finger than a mobile phone.

It has been most pleasing to see evidence of mobile phones at School decreasing. We would appeal to parents not to call their children during the School day – this places students in a compromising position. In the case of an emergency, please contact student services. Thank you for the continued support of both parents and students as we pursue the mental health and intellectual benefits of school being a “no phone zone”.

 

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1

UWA Course Information Evenings

March 6, 2018

Year 10 – 11 Course Information Evenings
Giving students a head-start on making their Year 10/11 experiences a positive one.
Date: 19 March 2018

Year 12 Course Information Evening
Advice on UWA courses, admission requirements and key dates for 2018.
Date: 19 March 2018

Year 10 – Individual Advisory Sessions
School holiday sessions designed to help students answer questions about future study.
Date: 17-19 April 2018

 

Sarah Cooke

Careers Advisor

 

Year 8 Immunisations (HPV & ADACEL)

February 28, 2018

The first of the Year 8 immunisations (HPV and ADACEL) will be held on Thursday March 8th commencing at 0845.

If your child is having these immunisations can they please wear sport uniform to school.

Can you please ensure that your child has had breakfast and something to drink before arriving at school.

Erica Doody-Burras

School Nurse

Emails and Mobile Phones

February 26, 2018

Thank you to all parents and students for using regular email rather than direct message in SEQTA.

I have asked staff not to read emails in the evenings and not to respond to emails at night – and not to send emails to parents or students at night expecting, or hoping they will be read that evening. We are all part of families – and that time is important. While teachers often mark in the evenings, dealing with emails after 6pm is an unnecessary and unproductive activity when they should be unwinding ahead of another day at work.  The same should apply to weekends and public holidays.

As staff, we always endeavour to reply to emails within 24 to 48 hours of receipt. Please factor in evenings and weekends when anticipating a reply from teachers. Teachers will extend the same courtesy to families.

I would also like to thank families for their support of a School where mobile phones are not in evidence: while some phones have been confiscated, it is a joy not to see students on phones at every opportunity. There are sighs as phones are put away at the start of the day – and some students grab for their phones at 3:20pm with relief at being re-united. Most students are managing really well without a phone as a constant companion and source of music all day long. Thank you parents for your support.

Bruce Titlestad

Head of Secondary School