CHRIST vs COVID
As we begin to exit these restrictions and learn to deal with COVID in our world, the next few months promise to be an exciting time for many. As restrictions of state and international borders begin to ease, many families and friends separated by the pandemic are looking forward to sharing with each other, face to face, for the first time, in a long time.
Throughout the past 2 years, the first thing that has come out of our mouths, has tended to be the lasting impact of COVID. Many infections and sadly deaths, multiple variants and restrictions have impacted the entire world. Restrictions have hardened and eased, hardened, and eased, and this continual state of the unknown, what next and the what if, has tested and unsettled the mental, social, and emotional fabric of both individuals and society at large. Now as we approach the new normal, I would like to think that individually and as a school community, we could focus on substituting our COVID commentary to a Christ inspired commentary.
Using health guidelines similar to COVID, I believe we can help to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy by substituting hand sanitiser, masks, PPE, head protection, quarantine and self-isolation with the following:
Hand sanitiser – using our hands to do the work of Christ. Hands that could bring joy, peace, and love to both those who need it by serving others
Masks – rather than simply covering our mouth from coughing. Perhaps we could think of the mask as something that we should use in helping to protect us from speaking poorly of others. To help us share words that build up and show care and concern for all people not the bring others down.
PPE – gowns and headshields – Wearing a garment of righteousness so that our hearts don’t become hardened to hearing about those who are in need – famine, disease, financial distress and political unrest. When we see hurt and injustice, our fight for justice is so important, particularly for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Head protection – substituting the protection so that our thinking involves changing our thoughts to an ‘others first’ mindset.
And finally moving from quarantine and self-isolation – to a focus on engagement, supporting the broader community through volunteering and service.
Jesus Christ has set an example of how we should live. Philippians 2: 3 – 4 says “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” As we exit COVID may we each appreciate, the positive impact we as individuals can have on the wider community.
Russell Gilchrist (Dean of Parresia)
Remembrance Day – We Will Remember Them
Staff and students from Yrs 3-10 commemorated Remembrance Day with a special service to remember those who died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and armed conflicts.
Year 10 Spring Soiree
We had a sensational evening. AQUA, the new venue was fantastic. Students enjoyed access to the aquarium including the underwater tunnel. Mr Batten took some great photos of the students in front of a gorgeous sunset backdrop.
The highlight of the evening was of course the dancing, especially the ‘Heel & Toe Polka’.
The Year 10’s truly rose to the occasion and displayed great composure and etiquette throughout the entire evening. I am personally very proud of them.
It was a night, with many memorable moments that I am sure they will all cherish for years to come.
Awards:
Best female dressed: Ellie Dobson
Best male dressed: Dante Sinagra
Ms Manners: Isabella Kerrigan
Mr Manners: Alistair Cross
Best male dancer: Alex Williams
Best female dancer: Neha Jim
Gillian Erasmus
Year 9 Outdoor Education – Rottnest Camp
Last week the year 9 Outdoor Education class were blessed with three wonderful days at Rottnest where they were able to experience the underwater beauty found right on Perth’s doorstep. Students made the most of the conditions to fine tune their snorkelling skills and were joined on many occasions by dolphins, sting rays, cuttlefish, octopus and hundreds of various fish species. In addition to the underwater experiences, students took a moment to remember fallen soldiers at the Oliver Hill Gun Battery, find out more about the Indigenous spiritual connection to the island and the changing way that we have interacted with Rottnest over the last 100 years.
Craig Thomas
Ethics Olympiad 2021
On Monday 8 November, two teams from St Stephen’s competed in the 2021 WA Middle School Ethics Olympiad via Zoom, having spent 4 lessons with Mr Bosma and Ms Phillips learning about various ethical frameworks and interrogating the case studies to be addressed on the day of the competition. During the Ethics Olympiad, the teams discussed the ethical dilemmas posed by the 8 different case studies such as the right to be forgotten on the internet, and whether it’s a lie if you believe it. The competition was of a high calibre and the Olympiad included teams from Aquinas, Scotch, Iona Presentation College and Penrhos College. Although St Stephen’s did not proceed to the next round, the teams should be extremely proud of their efforts. Congratulations to all involved on a magnificent Olympiad!
Sarah Phillips
Service Learning – Gingin
Last Thursday, a number of Year 9 students offered their labour to residents in Gingin who for various reasons need a little help. It was a warm day and little to no shade to begin with. This did not deter any of our students who worked diligently and did an amazing job and learned a few new skills which I am sure they will be using to help their parents in their own gardens.
Mark Batten
Carramar Secondary Presentation Night 2021
The St Stephen’s Carramar Secondary Presentation Evening will be held on Monday 6 December 2021 in the Sports & Learning Centre at Carramar beginning at 6.45pm. Parents will be advised if their child will be receiving an award, in the week prior to the event. Please follow the link below to secure tickets for your family: https://events.humanitix.com/csp2021
Is a Library Book Lurking in Your House?
Could families please have a look at home for library books that may have been forgotten and return them to the library? We will be very appreciative of these lost books returning to the library so they may be read again.
Library books will have stickers on the spine showing letters, numbers or genre symbols. The book will also have a Carramar Library stamp in one of the first pages.
We would love to have these books back.
Amanda Roberts (Teacher Librarian – Carramar Secondary)
Christmas Backpack Appeal
Please donate items to help fill backpacks for those students that will be facing a new year without the necessary stationary. Your child’s Homeroom teacher will have a list of allocated items for students to donate.
Backpacks will be donated to the Smith Family and No Limits.
Donna Lund (Service Learning Coordinator)
Share the Dignity
Each November ‘Share the Dignity’ donate thousands of bags to those in need across the country filled with essentials and special gifts to make Christmas one to remember. Essential items could include soap, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitary products etc and for something special maybe book, drink bottle, face/baby wipes, makeup, jewellery, socks, nail polish, movie tickets are just a few suggestions.
Over the past 4 years our Year 9 – 12 girls at Carramar have been collecting, packing and delivering these bags to women of need. 2020’s campaign will run from the 20th of November until the 28th of November.
We need YOU to help us break our previous bag record of 100 handbags for woman in emergency accommodation situations.
Please consider donating your pre-loved handbags (or thin out your partners collection) – or pop into your local Salvo’s and grab a bag there. We also want all of those unopened hotel toiletries hiding in the back of your bathrooms – that might never get another chance see the light of day!
Donations can be left at Reception or student’s can leave at Sarah Stockton-Rice’s or Lesley Nation’s office in Charis.
More information on Share the Dignity can be viewed by clicking on the below link:
https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/itsinthebag
Lesley Nation
2022 Secondary Booklists
The 2022 Secondary Booklists are now available via the Parent Portal or via this link: https://portal.ststephens.wa.edu.au/parent-and-student/plan-the-term/book-lists.html
Mastermind – Jump Start Program
St Stephen’s School has no affiliation with this company and the post is simply an ad for their services if required.