Month: February 2022

Doing a Bradbury” – an unexpected or unusual success –

2022 Winter Olympics Reflections

Sunday night saw the completion of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Sixteen days of competition, including times of heartache & pain, incredible achievements, pride and at times pure joy. Throughout the past 2 weeks, secondary students have been reflecting on the value of competition and giving your best – accepting challenges as opportunity for growth, rather than being boxed in by fear of failure.

Australia has never been a Winter Olympic powerhouse, but we have seen some wonderful achievements at these Olympics – 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze, our best medal tally ever! For me, these Olympics have reminded me of one particularly amazing achievement by a former Australian Speedskater, Steven Bradbury way back in 2002.

Steven Bradbury won a gold medal in Speed Skating (1000m) in the most amazing circumstances. He won his heat, then in the quarter finals only the first 2 skaters  progress – Bradbury came 3^rd but progressed as the 2^nd skater was disqualified! In the semi-final, only the first 2 skaters progress to the final and during the last lap with Bradbury a long way back, 3 of the other 4 skaters fell over, so Bradbury progressed to the gold medal race. In the final, Bradbury while dead last, well behind the leading 4 skaters by at least 10m, watched in amazement as a collision of skates saw all 4 skaters in front of him fall. Only Bradbury remained, skating on past the disaster zone to win the gold medal. The vision is in the youtube clip below should you wish to remind yourself.

https://youtu.be/vN7ih576VYM

There are many life lessons we can learn from Steven Bradbury’s experience, but I have taken the following lessons from our unexpected Winter Olympic gold medallist.

1. It takes hard work to be successful.

Bradbury spent hours and hours training, over and over and over again just to qualify for the Olympic games.

2. In every adventure, as in everyday living, we all need to overcome different obstacles.

Bradbury overcame many serious injuries and pain. 3 Olympics of heartache were part of his journey. Facing challenges and hard work builds resilience – it doesn’t need to defeat us.

3. You impact others every day with the attitude and effort you bring.

• Bradbury won Australia’s 1^st Gold ever (2002), now 6 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze
• From Bradbury’s success others saw possibilities in themselves

4. You can’t win a race, a competition, an audition or a job if you’re not in the event!

Yes – Bradbury was lucky – but he made it to the start line. He said I’ll give it a go and see what happens. Don’t let “what if’s” or the “if only” dictate your life experience. Substitute these statements with “why not” and “absolutely, you bet”

As the 2022 school year is still so very new. I encourage every St Stephen’s student to take every opportunity, to challenge yourself to be involved in every aspect of school life. Invest in your School, in your House, in your Homeroom and in the lives of others within our school. Give of yourself. Your talents. Your skills and have an attitude that says “I will”. With this mindset, I have no doubt that you will be “doing a Bradbury”, that is you will achieve an unexpected or unusual success in much more than you could have possibly imagined.

 Mr Russell Gilchrist (Dean of Parresia)

WINTER OLYMPICS

WORKS OF ART

Carramar Year 11 and 12 Visual Art students have been learning new techniques from the professionals. Last week, they were delighted to attend a practical workshop hosted by award-winning WA visual artist Camilla Loveridge on encaustic wax transfer.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Carramar Secondary students made waves at HBF Arena during the Interhouse Swimming Carnival last week.  Although the carnival had to be run over three separate time slots during the day due to covid restrictions it was an exciting day with students actively participating and showing great sportsmanship. There were great competitive races and plenty of  laughs all round in the novelty races. Parresia lived up to their polar bear mascot taking out the top spot with 2732 points, followed by Makaria (2603) and Charis (2540).

AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT

Over the Christmas break some dedicated students from the Senior Guitar Ensemble were involved in an exciting music project. Year 10 student Nathaniel Walker arranged the theme to the movie ‘Interstellar’ for the ensemble and selected students recorded the work in a professional studio under the direction of their director Mr Darryn Santana. The session was filmed and edited by our Music Tutor and alumnus Ms Gina Craven. This is the product of inspired and motivated students, facilitated by dedicated staff.

Congratulations and thanks to Nathaniel Walker, Charlie Schoeman, Damon Mansfield, Aaron Popich, Liam Gordon, Megan Van Reenen and Noah Carter.

Please click the link below to see the wonderful things our students get up to in their free time, and do congratulate them next time you pass them in the halls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypwPohGDpIU

Michelle Williams (Music teacher)

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.

Applications close: 8 April 2022

Dear Families, Parents and Carers,

Welcome to 2022!

A new academic year has begun and, with this new year, comes the opportunity to set a new direction; a new course, for 2022. It is a short period during which goals and aspirations can be set to facilitate a healthy outcome for the school year ahead.

Recently, I read an article entitled, “Things I Wish I Knew Sooner”. The article had a list of habits, attitudes and practices that, if adopted, would lead to greater success in the future. The advice that most grabbed my attention was this: “Attach yourself to a mission, a future, and a set of values.” In 2022, this will be our encouragement to each St Stephen’s School student.

To this end, we will encourage students to devote themselves to strong academic progress and mastery in their course of study. We will challenge them to commit to engage with the co-curricular life at St Stephen’s School including, carnivals, Service-Learning, theatre productions, sporting teams, music ensembles and choirs, as well as a variety of academic clubs and competitions. Involvement in these aspects of school life will increase their capacity and their appreciation for community values. Also, in 2022, students will be encouraged to explore their future pursuits in life. A clearly defined, long-term goal can have a significant, positive effect on achievement and well-being.

The school year has begun in a richly diverse manner.  Already, there has been a number of significant events that have occurred. These include:

• The Year 12 School Ball
• The Year 12 Commissioning Service
• 90’s Club / VET High Achievers Assembly
• “Welcome Back” House Assembly
• Year 7 Orientation Day
• School Photos
• Parent Information Evenings for Years 10, 11 and 12

Whilst Covid-related repercussions may impact the school’s agenda, we will continue to focus on our intended and planned quality educational programme for all students and their families. Should adjustments be required, the school will communicate such changes to families in good time.

We embark on 2022 with enthusiasm and good expectation, as we seek to grow young men and women of faith with the capacity and confidence to change the world.  We look to foster maturity, independence, a commitment to purpose and achievement, as well as a heart to Serve God, Serve One Another.

Stephen Meagher (Deputy Head of Secondary)

YEAR 12 BALL

Last Friday night our Year 12 students enjoyed a fabulous evening at the 2022 School Ball. It was a perfect night filled with good food and even better company. Dressed in their suits and glittering ballgowns, they danced the night away at Fraser’s, King’s Park. A truly memorable night.

Sarah Stockton-Rice

CROSS-CURRICULAR PRIMARY-SECONDARY SCIENCE COLLABORATION

Last week, Year 6 students visited the Secondary Science building, in the first of many cross-curricular learning activities facilitated by Mrs Smoker in S2. Year 6’s are learning about Earth and Space this term and, in last week’s activity, created a model of the layers of the Earth using Oreo biscuits, chocolate sauce and M&M’s. Year 6’s had lots of fun with this activity. In fact, one might say, they ate it up!

TOUR OUR SCHOOL

See what St Stephen’s School has to offer your family at our Twilight Tours. We welcome the wider community to register for the tour to explore the campus and facilities. Register here: https://loom.ly/lbXwnvw

AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS

YEAR 8-11 ST STEPHENS SCHOOL DIARIES – DELAYED

There has been a supply chain issue which has led to the diaries being delayed. It is hoped they will arrive by the end of this week.

If you have any further queries please contact Sarah Stockton-Rice.

TRAFFIC CROSSING WARDEN

The WA Police Force Children’s Crossing Unit have advised they have a shortage of Traffic Wardens which has left quite a few crossings being unattended. If any parent/grandparents etc are interested in becoming a Traffic Warden they can contact the Children’s Crossings Unit direct on 6274 8731 for an application pack.  If successful in applying for the position and passing the training, you may be placed at the school crossing, if it is one of the unmanned crossings only. It is also a paid position . It would be highly recommended that any potential candidate on a pension contact Centrelink to discuss.  The current pay rate is around $25.58 per hour – two hours per day/five days per week.

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.

Applications close: 8 April 2022

MASKS

Please ensure students carry spare masks in their school bags as back up for broken or misplaced masks.