Both the Weekend West and The Sunday Times featured St Stephen’s School and the FIRST LEGO League which took place at the Carramar Sports and Leisure Centre last weekend.
Hundreds of people watched 24 teams take on the FIRST LEGO League at the weekend. Some of the teams travelled from as far as Mount Magnet and Dongara to take part in what was a fantastic community event presented by Curtin University.
The West Australian & The Sunday Times
Carramar was the place to be on Saturday. The Sports Centre was abuzz with anticipation and excitement as competitors arrived.
Well done to everyone.
The event even made the Weekend West.
‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” – Corinthians 10:31
Today, the new Year 7 cohort for 2018 met with fellow students, and staff. This is the first time they been together on campus for the first time!
Mr Bruce Titlestad, Dr Liz Criddle, Mrs Tracey Gray, Mr Richard Deck and Mrs Suzy Mettam were there to greet families as they arrived.
After activities in their new homerooms the students went off to explore the campus.
“Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” – Romans 15:7
Ms Ntoumenopoulos and Mr Lance Owen accompanied eight Year 11 students from across our campuses on the St Stephen’s Global Programs visit to Bethany Home in Malaysia. The life-changing trip saw the group live and work at Bethany Home – a school for students with various disabilities – helping with daily tasks and leaving their mark with a beautiful mural on the buildings.
“It’s a privilege to leave a part of ourselves at such a beautiful place, although the etchings Bethany Home has left on us cut far deeper and will no doubt last much longer,” Duncraig English and Drama Teacher Ms Stefani Ntoumenopoulos reflected.
See more about their adventure at Bethany October 2017 Tour
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Today as part of their Service Learning, A7 and Mr Jakeway visited CATA at Warwick Community Centre.
CATA, Creative and Therapy Activities, provides innovative services and creative opportunities that promote people’s lifelong well-being in a safe, enjoyable and supportive environment.
The students involved were:
Thomas Garnett
Tiana Rasdien
Emma Cornelius
Lee Ditmanas
Nataya Naumovski
“And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
A wonderful time was had by all on the recent HASS Canberra Tour. This tour was made possible due to the funding and support of the Australian government. The financial support provided through the PACER contribution alleviated financial stress and allowed more students to participate in this excellent learning experience.
Students were privileged to have a personal meeting with the Governor General of Australia, His Excellency, the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove. Immediately after, Sean MacMillian played a beautiful piece of music in the Drawing Room. Recent guests to this room include former President, Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II. Our students then lost themselves in the Australian War Memorial and followed this with a visit to New and Old Parliaments. Other Canberra highlights included CSIRO, Anzac Walk, Mount Ainslie, Australian Institute of Sport and Questacon.
Students then travelled to Melbourne and after a night walk in central Melbourne and Federation Square, woke up early to visit the Islamic Museum. Students were given the opportunity to see the contributions of the Islamic community and were interested to find Muslims have been in Australia before Federation (1.1.1901). Students asked engaging questions which dispelled many myths they had about the Muslim community. Students then went to the Melbourne Gaol to experience the grim history of the colonial prison system. Students were then impressed by the lights of Melbourne via the Eureka Skydeck. Our second last day involved a visit to Sovereign Hill where students saw gold poured and went down an old mine. They were also excited to see see the original Eureka Stockade Flag. We ended our trip with a tour to the MCG and shopping at the Victorian Markets.
Verity Palmer and Matt English both agreed that they felt privileged to be involved on this tour and enjoyed themselves due to the excellent behaviour of our students. The students were joyous, courteous and an excellent representation of St Stephens. I hope parents and the school are as proud of their behaviour and care shown to each other on this trip as I was.
Leeanne Shanks
Humanities and Social Sciences
“The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” – Proverbs 18:15
On Thursday C5 went on a Service Learning Excursion to St Nicolas Anglican Church in Warwick.
What is Service Learning you may ask? Its a form of experiential education where learning occurs through a cycle of action and reflection as students. . . seek to achieve real objectives for the community and deeper understanding and skills for themselves. In the process, students link personal and social development with academic and cognitive development. . . experience enhances understanding; understanding leads to more effective action.
Student Benefits of Community Engagement
Learning Outcomes
Personal Outcomes
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35
Selecting a school is a major decision. It is less about predicting the sort of person your child will become and more about providing them with a diverse range of possibilities which will enable them to experience success within a safe and secure learning community.
To develop an understanding of St Stephen’s, we warmly encourage families to attend one of our Tour Mornings. These mornings give families the opportunity to see the School ‘in action’. Many families comment that these tours have allowed them to experience the intangible qualities of St Stephen’s educational offering, beginning a valuable and long-lasting partnership between home and school.
Families are welcome to attend both the Primary Campus, and Secondary Campus. Prospective students are very welcome to attend with their parents or guardians. Places at these Open Mornings are limited, so bookings are essential.
Even though the weather was wild and windy it didn’t stop perspective families coming along. Parents were greeted by Principal Donella Beare and Registrar Gayle Pieterse, School Executive were introduced followed by a short briefing from the Primary School Head, Mrs Tracey Gray, and then Head of Secondary, Mr Bruce Titlestad.
This was followed by a walking tour of the campus, concluding with morning tea. Our Registrar and other key staff members were available to answer any specific questions the families may have.
For more information: Admissions Information
St Stephen’s students showed their Courage to Care by attending an exhibition at ECU. Students were instructed how a closed mind and a closed society led to the Holocaust and the murder of six million Jews and 5 million ‘undesirables’. Students completed practical and engaging activities which challenged their concept of being an upstander instead of a bystander. The concept of being an upstanding citizen is an idea which Australian’s have often expressed as many believe everyone should get a ‘fair go’. Student realised that by becoming a bystander, horrible and irreversible damage can be caused within a society. As Edmund Burke stated ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’.
Leeanne Shanks
Humanities and Social Sciences
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
As we edge towards finer weather, we are sure to come across more bicycles on the roads around St Stephen’s. Please remind your children of the importance of obeying road rules, particularly around local, busy intersections. Students riding to and from school should be encouraged, but also reminded that standard road rules applying to motorists also apply to cyclists using or crossing a road.
Mr. Andrews
“God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1