In this newsletter:
- Principal’s message
- Carramar highlights with Mrs Stockton-Rice
- Parenting tip from Mr Gilchrist
- Dates for your diary
Principal’s message
As the school year draws to a close, I am reminded of how much growth takes place in the quieter moments of school life. The resilience built through challenges, the confidence gained from new responsibilities, and the small but significant steps our young people take each day. Watching students mature in character as well as in learning is one of the greatest privileges of our St Stephen’s School community.
This time of year invites reflection on achievements and on the strong partnerships that support them. I am deeply grateful to our families for the trust you place in us and to our staff for their dedication and care. Together, we have created an environment where students feel seen and encouraged to stretch themselves.
As our Year 12s begin their lives beyond our gates, we give thanks for the contribution they have made to our School and pray they carry forward the values that have shaped them.
May your homes be filled with rest and connection this Christmas season and I look forward to welcoming our community back in the New Year.
Take care and God bless,
Donella Beare, Principal
Carramar highlights
with Mrs Sarah Stockton-Rice, Deputy Head of Secondary
Term 4 has been a short but jam-packed term, and I would like to acknowledge some of the events that have been taking place in the Secondary School.
Congratulations to our Year 11 students who completed exams over the last few weeks! We hope all Year 11s enjoy a restful break before undertaking their Year 12 courses. We wish those Year 11 students currently on the Vietnam Service Tour all the best for this incredible experience.
Our 2026 House Captains have completed the Captain’s Challenge. We hope this time brought our new Captains together as a group, ready to begin 2026 as our school leaders.
Our Remembrance Day Service was held within the Houses, with cadets proudly taking part in commemorating this important occasion.
Year 10 students enjoyed a fabulous evening at their Spring Soiree, filled with great food and plenty of dancing! This week, Year 10 students embarked on their Work Experience placements, and we hope the experience was both meaningful and enriching.
A number of students from Years 7–9 are participating in the Lego League competition. We wish them the very best as they showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills. This week, students in Years 7–9 took part in Social Justice Day, a time to reflect and be grateful.
We wish all members of our community a restful Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in 2026.
Fusion Highlights
Remembrance Day and Lego League
Spring Soiree Highlights
Parenting tip
with Mr Russell Gilchrist, Duncraig Deputy Head of Secondary – Care
Christmas holidays are a time for families to reconnect and recuperate after what is always a year of learning and challenges in both the workplace and in family life. Life can be a mixed bag, of joy and sadness, nothing is ever perfect and nothing is ever beyond all hope – despite us sometimes thinking everything that could go wrong, did go wrong!
For me, Christmas is a reminder of the wonderful hope we find every new day because of Jesus. We are reminded in Luke 2:10-11, which says, “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Jesus was sent as a gift from God for all people so we have nothing to fear. We are reminded that every challenge that we face, that every negative interaction or event that we experience, God is always there with us. So we are reminded “fear not”. God will never leave you or forsake you.
This Christmas time whilst eating a roast turkey or opening gifts with family and friends, be assured that the gift of Jesus is for everyone. God loves each one of us and wants to have a relationship with us, his children. When you next face a challenge that has you wondering why me, remember that God loves you and has a plan to bless you.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Dates for your diary
Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates and you can check full details of the 2026 term dates on our website.
Please note the following key dates for Term 4 in the 2025 academic year and moving into 2026:
- Friday 5 December – Term 4 ends (12.00pm finish)
- Tuesday 27 January – Primary students return, Year 7 Orientation Morning
- Wednesday 28 January – Secondary students return
- Tuesday 31 March – St Stephen’s School Worship
- Thursday 2 April – Term 1 ends