Dear Families, Parents and Carers,
As we commence Week 3 of the term, we pause to position ourselves with purpose, for the task of teaching and learning that lies in the weeks ahead.
The time for students to settle in and set themselves for the demands and expectations of their new courses has passed and a number of important co-curricular events such as the Swimming Carnival and Yr 12 Commissioning Service have been held, setting the scene for our school community to thrive in 2021.
In particular, I want to commend our Yr 7 and Yr 11 students who have handled the two biggest transitions in secondary education with confidence and commitment.
In this article, I want to highlight a couple of special programmes that are of particular focus in the early part of the school year. They are incorporated into our lower secondary teaching and learning programme, impacting and enhancing student outcomes. The first is a programme we have been running for a couple of years, explicitly dealing with digital literacy whilst the second is a new initiative for 2021 and explores personal and character development.
Academic Skills Programme
The Academic Skills Programme is taught in Years 7 and 8 and was born of a recognition that students inhabit a huge digital world and live surrounded by a massive mountain of information. It is an essential need for them to be able to access, evaluate and use this information effectively, critically and purposefully. Our teacher-librarians work in collaboration with Year 7 & 8 classroom HASS teachers to guide students through specific research endeavours to;
- search for relevant and authentic information
- evaluate information for credibility, relevance and suitability
- process, synthesize, evaluate and present information
- cite sources correctly
Students passing through the programme have demonstrated clear improvement in important skill components such as note-taking, reference lists and use of appropriate sources. Ultimately these improvements should lead to higher results and young people better prepared for life beyond school.
Yr 9 Compass
In recent years, students in Year 9 have participated in a program designed to facilitate their maturing towards being independent, responsible and secure adults. It has challenged them by exploring such questions as: “Who will I be?” “What will I value?” “For what will I stand?” “How will I treat people?”, as opposed to the normal questions contemplated such as: “What will I do?” or “What will I achieve?”
The program has been presented in fortnightly sessions and taught as part of the Biblical Studies and Health Education Program. Also, it has been supported by the independent living and reflection components that are embedded in the Year 9 Camp. It has a Christian foundation and is built around biblical knowledge and understanding. In 2021, we have decided to call this Yr 9 program “Compass” and to develop it further, with some added experiences. In particular, because the program merges into the Yr 9 Camp at the end of the year, we will “bookend” the student development with an overnight retreat experience at the start of the program.
To this end, Yr 9 students will have a one-day “Compass Retreat” at Kaardijan on Friday, March 6. It is hoped that the “Compass Program” will provide students with skills around personal development and self-reflection and be part of a student’s continued progression as they mature into the “Propel Program” for Student Leadership in Yrs 10 /11.
These two programmes, amongst others, work alongside our classroom teaching and learning as we aim to enhance the secondary experience of our students, facilitating their growth and maturing into secure young adults who will make a positive difference in their world.
Stephen Meagher
YEAR 12 COMMISSIONING ASSEMBLY
On Friday 19 February, we continued the tradition of commissioning our Year 12 students as leaders of the School. In presenting them with a red tie, to symbolise their seniority and the responsibilities to the community that go with the position, we also asked the group to commit to upholding the School motto (Serve God, Serve One Another), to pursue excellence in all things, to support the core values of SSS (Learning, Faith, Service, Care and Community) and to be role models in courtesy and tolerance. Congratulations, Year 12s, and we ask that many blessings be upon you in your final year at St Stephen’s.
Mr Roberts and Mr Meagher
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
It was great to get back into some sport for what promises to be a busy 2021 on the sporting fields. There were some great results in the pool and it was awesome to see smiles on the students faces. Final results were:
Junior boys: Makaria, Junior Girls: Parresia, Senior boys: Charis, Senior girls: Parressia
Overall winning house: Charis
Adam Dwyer
HORTICULTURE CLUB – Yr 7 & 8 REC PROGRAM
This year Mr Crewe and one of the Year 11’s Henry Baker, who will be undertaking a Certificate in External VET in horticulture this year, have decided to band together and start a horticultural club. The group has met once so-far through the Yr 7 & 8 Rec Program and are very excited about a number of potential plans. Whilst they are still planning exactly how and what they will do, they are determined to plant, grow and produce edible gardens. They aim to engage the community and perhaps raise money for charity.
The group has also received a flood of Woolworths seed packs, from staff, which they will be starting to plant this week.
Rob Crewe
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
STUDENT ABSENCES
Anticipated absences should be notified via email to ABSENTEECARRAMAR@ststephens.wa.edu.au or by phone message to 9306 7100 or SMS to 0428 863 144.
Parents are requested to phone Student Services and leave a message on the morning of the Student’s unexpected absence or use the ABSENTEECARRAMAR email or SMS. If for any reason a student must leave the school during the day, parents must advise Student Services by phone, email or a note presented by the student to Student Services. Secondary students must follow the following procedure:
• Notes are to be presented to Student Services prior to the commencement of the school day. Details of student departure will then be recorded for teachers’ information.
• Parents are then requested to collect and sign out students only from Student Services, located in Reception. When students return to School after a temporary absence, they must enter through the Reception and record their return time on the sign out sheet at Student Services.
• If secondary students are late to School they must enter through Reception and present at Student Services with a parent or a signed note explaining their absence. A parent may also phone ahead or email ABSENTEECARRAMAR@ststephens.wa.edu.au advising that their child will be late. Students will be issued with a late slip for entry into class.
2021 SECONDARY ASSISTANCE SCHEME
The State Government through the Western Australian Department of Education provides an allowance to assist eligible families with secondary schooling costs. Parents/guardians must apply for the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS) each school year (annually) – applications do not carry forward to future years. To be eligible for the allowance the parent/guardian must hold a Services Australia (Centrelink) or Veterans’ Affairs card that represents a statement of income for the family.
The allowance consists of two components:
$115 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian.
$235 Educational Program Allowance paid directly to the school.
Application is made by the parent or guardian for student/s enrolled in Years 7–12 studying a full-time secondary course at a Western Australian non government (private) school.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Parent or Guardian must hold one of the following cards:
Centrelink Health Care Card
Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
PLEASE NOTE: The only Veterans’ Affairs Card that meets the criteria is a blue card that is issued each year and expires in December each year. This card is income means tested.
Further Information and application forms can be obtained from Reception.
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
Opening night is Wednesday 24 February, limited tickets still available.
SCHOLARSHIPS 2022
NORTHWAY UNITING CHURCH 
Sometime last year, the Beldon Uniting Church and the Carramar Uniting Church amalgamated to form the NorthWay Uniting Church. The newly appointed Minister is Rev Dr Sonny Rajamoney. The worship services at Carramar will be held in the school auditorium, every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 10.30 – 11.30am, followed by refreshments etc. Rev Rajamoney will be in his office at the school every Wednesday from 9am. Please make an appointment before you plan to meet with him. His phone contact is 0421 332 747, and email address, minister@northwayunitingchurch.org.au
MASTERMIND
