In this newsletter:
- Acting Principal’s message
- Mr Andrews Almanac
- Carramar highlights with Mrs Stockton-Rice
- Parenting tip from Mr Gilchrist
- Dates for your diary
Acting Principal’s message
As we embrace the season of Makuru, a time of growth and reflection in the Noongar calendar, I want to thank you for your continued support and engagement across the whole school. It is a privilege to serve as Acting Principal and to witness the care and commitment that define our school community.
I’d like to highlight an important initiative from the Department of Education: the WA Student Assistance Payment (WASAP). This program provides financial support to all families with students enrolled in WA schools, including ours. Every student is eligible, and I encourage all families to consider making a claim, regardless of financial need.
The payment offers:
$150 for each student in Kindergarten and Primary School
$250 for each Secondary School student
Currently, only 50% of our families have claimed this support. With the deadline approaching on Friday 4 July, we are encouraging all remaining families to submit their claims and take advantage of this opportunity.
Resources and instructions are available at: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/wasap/schools
Thank you for your continued partnership in nurturing a thriving and inclusive learning environment. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to enrol@ststephens.wa.edu.au
Bennet Andrews, Carramar Head of Campus and Acting Principal
Mr Andrews’ Almanac
We’ve seen a heartening trend this year: more new families joining our community, and more familiar names returning – this time as parents. It’s a joy to welcome the next generation of St Stephen’s School students, and to see alumni entrusting us with their own children’s education. It speaks volumes about the strength of our shared values and the enduring sense of belonging that defines our school.
As we grow, so too does the diversity of our community. And while we often think of diversity in terms of culture, faith, or learning needs, it also includes the quieter, less visible experiences—changes in family structure, financial strain, or the emotional weight of transitioning to a new place. These are not always easy to talk about, and they don’t always show up in obvious ways. But they are part of the experience of our community, and they can manifest as stress.
At St Stephen’s School, we are committed to being a place where every student is known, and every family is seen – not for their circumstances, but for their courage, their presence, and their contribution to our shared story. Whether you’re new to our campuses or have been part of the journey for years, whether your child is only starting to put roots down in our community or you are part of our alumni returning with your child – thank you for the role you play in shaping this great place. Finally, can I urge you all to consider the notion of collective responsibility and look out for those who may be experiencing challenge. A warm smile in the carpark, a kind message, or a quiet check-in with someone who seems a little out of step – these small gestures build the kind of school where everyone feels they belong, and it is the responsibility of us all.
Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus
Carramar highlights
with Mrs Sarah Stockton-Rice, Deputy Head of Secondary
The latter half of term 2 has been busy and productive! Year 10 Careers and Assessment Week went exceptionally well, with students showing great focus and enthusiasm. Meanwhile, our Year 11 and 12 students have returned from their exam break, ready to dive back into Term 2.
This week, we celebrated student achievements at the Semester 1 Awards Assembly, and the 2025 House Captains are gearing up for the much-anticipated Year 11/12 Thrift Ball, happening tonight! According to the Captains, it’s going to be, “the best one ever!”
Subject Selection Interviews for Year 10 students moving into Year 11 have begun with Mr. Rob Crewe, helping students make informed choices for their senior years. Next week, the Year 10 Outdoor Ed class will also head off on their Outdoor Ed Camp — a great way to wrap up the term.
After that, we’ll be heading into a well-deserved three-week holiday. Enjoy the break, stay warm, and we’ll see you refreshed and ready for Term 3!
Dance Life Unite Competition
Year 9 Compass Morning
Semester One Subject Awards Assembly
Parenting tip
Cyber Safety Tips – VPNs: What are they and why are they not allowed in schools?
You may have seen advertisements promoting the use of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) on television, radio, or online. While VPNs have legitimate personal uses, they are not permitted on student devices at St Stephen’s School. This guidance aims to help parents understand why.
What is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted connection between a device and another network over the internet. VPNs are commonly used to:
- Hide IP addresses and browsing activity
- Access content that may be blocked in a specific region
- Add privacy when using public Wi-Fi
These features can be helpful in some personal contexts, but within a school environment, VPNs can pose significant risks—particularly to device security and student safety.
Why VPNs Are Not Allowed at School?
Although VPNs offer some privacy protections, they are unsuitable for student use in a school setting. The main concerns are:
Security Risks and Unsafe Software
Many free or poorly-developed VPN services are not secure. They may collect personal information, track online activity, or expose devices to malware. When a student installs one of these VPNs, it puts their personal data—and sometimes even the school’s systems—at risk. This goes against our duty to provide a safe and secure digital learning environment.
Disruption to Learning Tools
VPNs can interfere with access to school learning platforms, testing systems, and security tools that rely on trusted network settings. This can hinder students’ ability to participate in online assessments, lessons, or access educational content.
Prevention of Safe Monitoring
Schools use monitoring tools to help ensure student safety online. VPNs can block these tools from working correctly, making it harder to detect concerning behaviour or provide early support.
Inappropriate Content Access
VPNs can allow students to bypass the school’s internet filters, accessing sites that are blocked for good reason, including those that may be inappropriate, distracting, or harmful.
Supporting Your Child’s Online Safety
At St Stephen’s School, student wellbeing—both in the physical and digital world—is a top priority. The decision to block VPNs is one of several safeguards designed to protect students and maintain a safe learning environment.
We encourage you to talk regularly with your child about their use of technology and help them understand how to stay safe and responsible online. If you have any questions or would like help reviewing your child’s device, please don’t hesitate to contact our ICT team.
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 2025 term dates on our website.
Please note the following key dates for Term 2 in the 2025 academic year:
- Saturday 28 June to Tuesday 8 July – Bali Tour
- Sunday 29 June to Sunday 6 July – HASS Tour
- Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July – Year 10 Lift Week
- Friday 4 July – Term 2 Ends
- Monday 28 July – Year 7 to 9 Reporting Day
- Tuesday 29 July – Students Return
- Thursday 7 August – Year 7 Immunisations
- Monday 11 August – Alethea Week
- Tuesday 5 August – Interhouse Athletics
- Wednesday 13 August – Science Showcase (Carramar Campus)
- Monday 25 August – Year 12 Cohort Photos
- Wednesday 27 August – Interhouse Music Festival
- Friday 15 August – Year 11 River Cruise
- Saturday 30 August – St Stephen’s School Foundation Event
- Tuesday 2 September – 12 ATAR Music and Drama Evening
- Tuesday 2 September – Arts Assembly
- Monday 8 September – OLNA Round 2 Begins
- Friday 12 September – Year 8 Lou Morrison Kimberly Tour begins
- Tuesday 23 September – Year 10 and Year 11 French Tour begins
- Wednesday 24 September – From 1pm Year 12 Grads Festival
- Thursday 25 September – Year 12 Grads Day til 1pm
- Friday 26 September – Year 12 Graduation Evening
- Friday 26 September – Term 3 Ends
- Saturday 27 September – ATAR Practical Exam, Drama, Music, Phys Ed Studies begins