In this Newsletter:

Principal’s message,
A message from Mr Andrews,
A note from Mrs Stockton-Rice,
Secondary highlights,
Noticeboard

Principal’s Message

Term Four is most definitely the pointy end of the School year, with exams, final assessments, reporting and a whole host of end-of-year events. As we round out all the activities associated with 2023 preparations are also well-advanced for 2024 with orientation for Year 6 students moving into secondary and the appointment of our 2024 School Captains.

It can be a stressful time of year for parents and young people alike. When we look at our calendars and the volume of commitments associated with the end of year it can be overwhelming. If we pause, though, and look at what each event represents it can help put things into perspective. End of year events are about celebrating relationships strengthened, experiences shared and both individual and team achievements. My hope is that we can all find enjoyment in what the next few weeks of term have to offer us. I look forward to celebrating with you all that 2023 has given us when we gather for Presentation Evening on 4 December.

Until then, take care
Donella Beare

Mr Andrews Almanac

Must weighty things also be heavy?

Parenting is a profound journey marked by an array of challenges, some light and joyous and others heavy with complexity. Just as the weight of these challenges can vary, so too does the way parents perceive and approach them. Understanding this connection is vital for parents to effectively guide their children through life’s challenges.

The perception of parenting challenges as difficult or manageable can significantly impact how parents address them. Those who view these challenges as overwhelming may experience stress and uncertainty, while those who see them as surmountable are better equipped to support their children.

To navigate these challenges effectively, parents should strike a balance between acknowledging the weight of their responsibilities and recognising their capacity to carry them. Similar to breaking down a massive challenge into smaller, more manageable steps, parents can break down obstacles into actionable, bite-sized tasks. Seeking support from others, whether through sharing experiences with friends, family, or consulting with professionals, can further reduce the perceived heaviness of these challenges.

We come across many different approaches to parenting. One truth that is almost universal is – ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ Parents who can wear the weight of a challenge with apparent ease almost always have children who are able to travel through high school with a similar perception to the roadblocks they encounter. Modelling your capacity to meet the weighty challenges of the world will benefit your children down the track, as they will in turn shrink their own mountains into molehills.

As parents, we play a pivotal role in shaping our children’s resilience, problem-solving abilities, and overall well-being. By understanding the interplay between challenge perception and parenting, we can approach these hurdles with empathy, confidence, and strength.

Take care,
Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

#inthebag – donate to Share the Dignity

For the last few years, our senior girls have been involved in the Share the Dignity‘s – “It’s in the bag” collection. We collect old handbags, backpacks, beach bags and more! We fill the bags with hygiene items such as shampoo, soap, tampons, wash cloths, nappies etc. and donate the filled bags.

These filled bags go to women in crisis. Some have found themselves experiencing homelessness, some are fleeing domestic violence alone or with their children. They are making choices that no women should have to make. They are having to choose between feeding themselves and their children or preserving their dignity.

How can you help? We need your old handbags, clutches, children’s used back packs, anything!! We make use of every single bag donated to us. If you would like to donate items to go into the bags that would be amazing but it’s really the old preloved bags we need.

In addition to gathering donations, our students have also raised more than $300 in a bake-sale which will go towards period products to fill donated bags. If you would like to make any donation, please feel free to drop off to the Carramar Campus reception. Thank you 🙏🏻

Sarah Stockton-Rice, Deputy Head of Secondary

Seeking your feedback – Class of 2025

This note is for students who are currently in Year 10, who will eventually be in the Class of 2025.

We are currently in the planning process of a proposed Service Learning Tour to Vietnam in January 2025 for students who will then be commencing Year 12. We are investigating this option as a replacement for the RAW Impact Cambodia Tour due to costing.

At this stage, our thoughts are that the tour will:

Cost between $4200-$4500. (based on current prices and not including fund raising component) Involves working with Hearts for Hue, a local NGO, assisting the construction and decorating of a music room for the Quang phu Kindergarten in Hue.
Occur during January holidays prior to the School Ball and run for 11 days.
Begin with a flight to Ho Chi Min. We will then travel to Hue for six days of engagement before returning to Ho Chi Minh where we will take in the historic sites such as the war museum, Central Palace, China Town, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office, Jade Emperor Pagoda, and travel along the Mekong Delta to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

We would appreciate your feedback on this proposal, so please complete this survey by COB Wednesday 22 November, 2023.

Any questions please feel free to contact Service Learning Tours Officer, Donna Wilson – 089 243 2458 or donna.wilson@ststephens.wa.edu.au

Secondary Highlights

Never a dull moment!
It’s a short term but we’re packing plenty in! We were entertained by our musos at Kambarang and wowed by the student artwork on display for Fusion. We’ve welcomed our new Year 7s who will join us in 2024 and named our House Captains for next year – all pictured below. We look forward to their formal handover at the Presentation Evening in a few weeks. We’ve had Outdoor Ed camps to Kalbarri, Lancelin and Rotto, and we had 21 secondary students represent us in the Secondary Champion Schools Triathlon event. While Year 11 and 12 exams continued for most of this week our 11s have rounded out the week with some respite on retreat in Baldivis and our Year 9s are looking forward to next week’s camp at Rottnest Island!