In this newsletter:

• Principal’s message,
• A message from Mr Andrews,
• Upcoming events with Mrs Stockton-Rice,
• Parenting tip from Mr Gilchrist,
• Highlights from around the campus,
• Dates for your diary,

Principal’s Message

While Term 4 is something of a whirlwind with a lot of events and activities in every part of our school, it is a time of year which I genuinely appreciate. 

The term provides us with the opportunity to look back and reflect on how much our young people have accomplished and grown over the course of the year. This year we have also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the humble beginnings of St Stephen’s School, and how much we’ve achieved together as a community over this time. 

Term 4 brings our community together to celebrate the things that unite us, a belief in the value of serving others and a connection to God. 

It is also a time which triggers anticipation of warm weather, family fun, relaxation and holidays after another busy and satisfying year of school! 

Planning is well underway for our end of year Presentation Evenings, and in our 40th year we look forward to welcoming you all to be part of our celebrations so please make sure you book your free tickets via the link below. 

I hope, like me, you can enjoy Term 4 for all the opportunities it presents.  I look forward to seeing you soon. 

Take care and God bless,
Donella Beare

Tickets for Presentation Evenings 2024 are now available

We are delighted to present the 2024 St Stephen’s School Presentation Evenings. Please join us to celebrate all that our students have accomplished in 2024. Bookings are essential but tickets are all free of charge.

All attendees, including guests, staff, awardees and performers must book a ticket. Parking will be provided on the oval.

Book online here https://ticketing.humanitix.com/tours/presentation-evenings-2024

Mr Andrews’ Almanac

Few people would disagree that our St Stephen’s School Kindergarten is a genuinely special place to visit. Many of our current year 10 students are the first cohort that were lucky enough to attend the inaugural year of our Kindergarten. In the 12 years that has elapsed since then, our Kindy staff have fashioned what is truly a ‘child’s garden’ that impacts the lives of all who pass through. Although I am writing this for a secondary school audience, it is important to cast back and celebrate the foundation stones in the educational experience of so many of our students.  

A quality kindergarten experience is crucial as the foundation for a successful school experience. This formative stage sets the tone for a child’s entire academic journey, influencing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Our skilled kindergarten teachers play a pivotal role in this process, cultivating a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters a love for learning. They make an enormous difference in the lives of these students. 

Kindergarten, (and Pre-Kindy), is often a child’s first structured educational experience. Here, children learn essential foundation skills such as literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking through play-based activities. These early experiences are designed to be age-appropriate and relevant, harnessing the natural curiosity of young minds. By designing intentional play-based learning experiences, our staff help children develop an enthusiasm about education, which can last a lifetime. 

Without stating the obvious, our kindergarten teachers and learning assistants are not just caregivers – they are highly trained professionals with expertise in early childhood education. They understand the developmental milestones of young children and tailor their teaching strategies to meet each student’s unique needs. Without a bank of prior knowledge from previous years as students, they are often the first to unearth the learning needs and strengths in these children. What is more, their engagement with the families of our ‘Kindy kids’ sets the scene for trusting parenting partnerships that will endure throughout their time at St Stephen’s School. 

In addition to academic skills, kindergarten also places an enormous emphasis on social and emotional learning. Children learn to interact with their peers, share, take turns, and resolve conflicts. These social skills are just as important as academic ones, as they lay the groundwork for effective communication and collaboration in later years. Teachers model and reinforce positive behaviours and language, helping children build self-confidence and resilience. 

The impact of a quality kindergarten experience extends beyond the classroom. Studies have shown that children who attend high-quality early education programs are more likely to perform well in school, graduate, and pursue higher education. Publications such as this one from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University support this idea and remind us of the important fact that brains are built over time, from the bottom up. 

I am so proud of our Kindergarten and am lucky to be able to see how important it is in the context of our early primary school years and beyond. I am taking this opportunity to thank the dedicated staff who cultivate this special place. 

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

What’s coming up at Carramar

with Mrs Sarah Stockton-Rice, Deputy Head of Secondary

Term 4 is jam packed with events for every year group. Our 2025 Year 7s will attend their Induction Day. This is a really important day where we welcome our new Year 7 students with an orientation to help them settle into secondary school life. The 2025 House Captains are preparing games and other activities for our new Year 7s. 

Year 8 Camp to Rottnest. An exciting adventure where students will explore the natural beauty of Rottnest Island, engage in team-building activities, and learn about the local environment. 

Year 9 students will attend their camp, designed to foster camaraderie and personal growth among Year 9 students through various outdoor activities and challenges. 

Year 10 are looking forward to the Spring Soiree at Mindarie Marina. A beautiful dinner dance and a night to remember for the students.  

Our Year 11s undertaking exams are in the final stages of exam prep. We wish them well for these assessments. After exams, the Year 11s will enjoy their Year 11 Retreat. A time for reflection and personal development, where students can focus on their goals and build stronger connections with their peers. 

Our newly elected House Captains will be commissioned at our upcoming Awards Assembly. These young leaders are making preparations for the Captain’s Challenge, a time for team building, kayaking and hiking. 

In Week 5, our Fusion Art Exhibition opens. This showcase of creative talents is a spectacular event, displaying the work of our youngest students all the way through to Year 12. 

This term is packed with exciting and enriching activities for all year groups!  

Parenting tip

Thanks to Mr Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care (Duncraig) for this piece.

Looking after yourself 

Looking after your emotional wellbeing can help you navigate some of the challenges of raising teenagers. The following ideas are taken from https://raisingchildren.net.au/ The Australian Parenting website. This site suggests ways to help you to Look after your own wellbeing while parenting teenagers. Consider the following. 

1. Keeping things in perspective can help with this. For example, if you’re having an argument with your child, you could try asking yourself, ‘Do we really need to fight about this? Can I let this one go?’ When you let go of small issues, you save your energy for more important issues like your child’s health, safety and wellbeing.
2. Looking for positives can help with your emotional wellbeing too.  For example, if your child offers to help someone out, you might say to yourself, ‘Nice – I’m glad I’ve taught my child to think about others like that’. It’s time to congratulate yourself on all the good work you’ve done to get your child to this stage.
3. Activities like mindfulness, muscle relaxation and breathing exercises can help you learn to calm down and relax. This is good for your wellbeing generally, and it can also be useful in challenging situations. For example, these strategies can help you manage natural and common emotions like stress, anxiety and even anger in healthy ways.
4. Family rituals can build family togetherness and wellbeing. They can help you all feel positive about your family relationships. And rituals help teenagers feel loved and part of the family. No matter how bored they might seem, teenagers find rituals comforting. Examples might include a regular Sunday night dinner, regular family outings or religious ceremonies.
5. Self-compassion helps you be kind to yourself as you navigate the challenges of raising teenagers. Self-compassion is good for you, because it reduces stress and anxiety. And it’s good for your child, because you can better support your child when you’re feeling good yourself. Self-compassion also sets a great example for your child. 

Campus highlights

Mr Lilly’s Year 10 Outdoor Education students hitting the bulls eye …. well, nearly!

Winners are grinners, clearly! Congratulations to all our award winners!

Dates for your diary

Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates and full details of the below events.

Join us for a wonderful evening of family-friendly fun!

– Food trucks
– market stalls
– live entertainment
– face painting, and
– a cuddly animal farm!

Opening night – Tuesday 5 November

Please join us at 6.30pm in the Primary Forum for the official opening before we all make our way to the Tech Hub to enjoy the vast array of amazing student works on display!

If you can’t make it to Opening Night then make sure you drop in before Tuesday 12 November, any school day between 8am and 4pm.

In this newsletter:

• Principal’s message,
• A message from Mr Andrews,
• Our WA Charity Direct Student Committee needs your help,
• Upcoming events with Mrs Stockton-Rice,
• Parenting tip from Mr Gilchrist,
• Highlights from around the campus,
• Dates for your diary,

Principal’s Message

It’s an exciting and invigorating time of year on so many levels.  

The sun is shining, the mornings are brighter, trees are in bud and there is excitement for the warmer months ahead after an especially wet Winter.  

For our Year 12s and their families there is a similar sense of anticipation for what comes next. Of course, there is the challenge of final exams, assessments and completing certificate requirements for our VET students, although there is also the expectation of the innumerable options and opportunities for our students after graduation. They have all come so far, and we are very proud of all of them.  

As parents and educators, we have done all we can to nurture and develop our young people and now must trust them to step forward with greater independence than ever before. They have all come so far, and we are very proud of all of them. 

As we head into the last week of term, Year 12s, I encourage you all to continue carrying yourselves with dignity while enjoying this wonderful time of celebration. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and your families.

Take care and God bless,
Donella Beare

Can you help? The WA Charity Direct Student Council needs you

Would you like to support children undergoing cancer treatment, assist women experiencing homelessness, enable research into melanoma or help to foster literacy by funding a “Story Dog”?  By making a donation to the St Stephen’s School WA Charity Direct Student Committee you can help fund a range of important not-for-profit projects. Read the full story and find out how you can help here.

Mr Andrews’ Almanac

International Day to Protect Education from Attack  

International days and weeks serve as opportunities to inform the public about important issues, rally political support and resources to tackle global challenges, and celebrate humanity’s accomplishments. While these observances existed before the United Nations was founded, the UN has adopted them as effective tools for advocacy.  

One such observance was the International Day to Protect Education from Attack on September 9th. This day underscores the importance of safeguarding educational environments, especially in conflict-affected areas. Education is a fundamental human right, and protecting it ensures that children and youth can continue learning even in the most challenging circumstances. This day reminds us of our collective responsibility to create safe and supportive learning environments for all students. 

 Reflecting on this day in our local context can be challenging. For us, attending school is not a dangerous activity that defies an ideology or government order, nor does it attract the risk of harm or death. This is a privilege that is all too easy to overlook. Understanding the context for whom this day is set aside can be almost impossible. 

“Those who have the privilege to know have the duty to act.” This is a quote attributed to Albert Einstein.  

It is undeniable that we belong to Einstein’s privileged cohort, especially when we consider the educational challenges faced in places like Gaza, Sudan, or Congo. While taking action to help those who risk their safety to attend school may seem like a lofty objective, simply being aware of and considering these issues fosters empathy and lays the foundation for social action and change. 

If you’d like to know more about International Day to Protect Education from Attack, perhaps to discuss it in an age-appropriate way with your children, please visit the website of the United Nations. 

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

What’s coming up at Carramar

with Mrs Sarah Stockton-Rice, Deputy Head of Secondary

Year 11s Mentoring Year 8 Students
This term, our Year 11 students have taken on the role of mentors for the Year 8 cohort. This initiative has fostered a supportive environment where younger students can seek guidance and build confidence. The mentorship program has been a great success, with both year groups benefiting from the shared experiences and knowledge. 

Makaria’s Dragon Boat Victory
Congratulations to Makaria House for their triumphant win in the annual dragon boat race! The Makarian team showed teamwork and determination, securing the win. This victory is a testament to their hard work and spirit. Well done, Makaria! 

Bake Sale Success
Our recent bake sale was a huge success, raising over $3000 for the Melanoma Institute. This charity is close to everyone’s hearts, and the funds raised will go a long way in supporting their vital work. A big thank you to everyone who baked, bought, and donated. Your generosity is truly inspiring. 

House Captains’ Efforts and Upcoming Colour Run
The 2024 House Captains have shown incredible dedication and leadership throughout the year. Their final event, the Colour Run, promises to be a fun and vibrant celebration. Let’s make this event a memorable one! 

A Note to Year 12 students
To our Year 12 students, you are just one week away from your high school graduation. This is a significant milestone, and we are incredibly proud of all you have achieved. As you prepare to embark on new adventures, remember that you will always be a part of our school community. Best of luck in your future endeavours! 

Parenting tip

Thanks to Mr Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care (Duncraig) for this piece.

With the changing of the seasons and the arrival of warmer weather, more and more opportunities to get out and about arise. The school holidays are just around the corner and it is a good opportunity for families to reconnect away from the busy-ness of life.  

During these holidays I encourage families to plan to make the time to ‘do something together’. Perhaps you could go to a movie, go camping, ride your bikes or go for a walk to the beach. For some, going out for a meal together may be the opportunity to catch up and simply ‘chew the fat’. It doesn’t matter what we do to connect, what works for some families won’t work for others. The key to connection is being intentional, being relational and creating multiple opportunities to engage with one another outside the hum drum of everyday experiences. It is these shared activities, both the big events and little simple things, that strengthen our relationships, building trust and a sense of belonging. Enjoy catching up with your loved ones. 

Campus highlights

Makaria came up trumps in the dragon boat event. A fitting outcome for the House of the dragon!

Our budding entrepreneurs at the Certificate IV in Business marketing expo

Our Year 12 Food General and Certificate II in Hospitality students also outdid themselves in their final practical session at St Stephen’s School – even making all the preserves from scratch!

Dates for your diary

Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates and full details of the below events.

• Wednesday 18 September – Graduation Dinner
• Thursday 19 September – Grads worship, House farewells, Year 12 parent and student morning tea and sausage sizzle
• Friday 20 September – last day of Term 3
• Tuesday 8 October – first day of Term 4 – see page 30 of the Parent Handbook for guidance on uniform
• Thursday 5 November – Fusion exhibition opening night

In this newsletter:

• Principal’s message,
• A message from Mr Andrews,
• Upcoming events with Mrs Stockton-Rice,
• Parenting tip from Mr Gilchrist,
• Highlights from around the campus,
• Community notices,
• Dates for your diary,

Principal’s Message

Term 3 has definitely begun on a very high note with the season of The Addams Family well underway as I write. I am so very proud of our community coming together and drawing on each other’s skills, experience and talents to produce such an excellent show! If you haven’t bought tickets yet, I sincerely encourage you to make some time to come along with the family. It’s funny, visually stunning and both the dramatic and musical performances are of an incredibly high standard.   

Thank you to all our staff who have gone above and beyond to support our student actors and musicians to shine in what I am sure will be a memory of a lifetime.  

It’s a bittersweet time of year for everyone at secondary level. We’re proud to see how far our Year 12s have come and can sense their readiness to take the next step into the world and yet it’s only a few short weeks before we will say our formal goodbyes at our graduation events. I trust that everyone will enjoy this time together. 

Finally, good luck to all students who are taking part in the Athletics Carnivals next week! 

Take care and God bless,
Donella Beare

Mr Andrews’ Almanac

I want to bring your attention to some specific areas of online behaviour that demand our vigilance. Whilst these matters may reside in the domain of parents of high school students, parents of younger children will also benefit from paying attention. 

In our rapidly evolving digital age, it is crucial that we stay aware of our children’s online activities. We must recognise that we are not immune to the various trends and challenges others face. Educating ourselves about the challenges facing parents and schools across the nation is one protective measure we can be proactive about.  

Two significant concerns featured in recent news reports is the potential for our children to fall victim to sexual extortion by third parties or become involved in the creation and dissemination of deepfake content.  

• Sexual extortion, or sextortion, is coercion where someone is forced into sexual acts or providing explicit material under the threat of exposure of private information or images. A perpetrator may contact a child online, build a relationship to gain their trust, and persuade them to share private photos. They then threaten to share these photos unless the child meets their demands, continuing to intimidate and manipulate the child. 

• Deepfakes are artificially generated videos or images created using advanced technology to make them appear incredibly realistic. These can be used to spread misinformation, bully, or manipulate individuals. These images are becoming increasingly easy to generate. 

To safeguard our children, here are three parental tips: 

1. Talk about online dangers: Explain to your, (age appropriate), child that deepfakes and online tricks can be misleading. Teach them to check if online content is real and to think carefully about what they see online. 

1. Keep an eye on their online activity: Know the platforms your child uses. Use parental controls to limit access to harmful content and make sure they only talk to people they know. If they make a mistake online, talk about it openly. 

1. Promote good online behaviour: Stress the importance of being kind and responsible online. Help them see how their actions can affect others and the possible consequences of sharing harmful content. 

For additional resources, I encourage you to visit the website of the eSafety Commissioner: www.esafety.gov.au. This is a valuable resource for parents who are teaching their children to ‘swim between the flags’ in online environments. 

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

What’s coming up at Carramar

with Mrs Sarah Stockton-Rice, Deputy Head of Secondary

“IT’S IN THE BAG” campaign
For the sixth year in a row, we will be running our “It’s in the Bag” campaign”! This initiative aims to support women and girls in need by collecting essential items such as toiletries, hygiene products, and small personal care items. Students are encouraged to bring used handbags, backpacks, and donations, which will be packed into bags and delivered to a drop-off point in late November. This is a great opportunity to live our school motto of ‘Serve God, Serve One Another’ and make a positive impact in the lives of women and girls in need. Donations can be brought to my office in the Administration building or to any of the Deans offices. More information about the It’s in the bag campaign.

Science Week Showcase
Science Week is just around the corner, and our Science staff have an exciting lineup of events planned for their Science Showcase! Highlights will include a keynote address by WAs Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Klinken on Wednesday 14 August at 6.45pm as well as a number of hands-on activities for students in Years 6-12. Science Week is a fantastic opportunity to ignite your curiosity and discover the wonders of science. Tickets for the Science Showcase are open to students from Years 6 – 12 and their parents. Places are free but booking is essential. Book online here.

Athletics Carnival
Get ready to show your school spirit at our annual Athletics Carnival! This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a variety of track and field events for all students to participate in. Whether you’re a sprinter or enjoy field events, there’s a place for you everyone. The carnival will take place on campus, Wednesday 7 August and all parents are welcome.  

Bake Sale
We are excited to announce a school-wide bake sale taking place on Thursday 22 August! Both primary and secondary House Captains will be selling delicious bakes at recess, with a variety of homemade treats available for purchase. All proceeds will go towards the Melanoma Institute of Australia. Don’t miss out on this chance to indulge in some tasty treats while supporting this important cause! 

Parenting tip

Thanks to Mr Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care (Duncraig) for this piece.

“Citius, Altius, Fortius” – Swifter, Higher, Stronger

With the arrival of the 2024 Paris Olympics, I have found myself spellbound by the performances of these elite athletes. Their individual brilliance and successes have been captivating. However, amongst appreciation of these performances, I have been reflecting on the question, what characteristics do each and every one of these athletes, have in common and what lessons can we learn from their greatness. 

 For me, there are four clear themes that allow for their success. 

1.  Defining a vision and set SMART goals – Each athlete knows what they want to achieve and set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound goals. The vision is to be the best athlete they can possibly be, to be an Olympian and possibly a gold medallist. 
2.  Embracing failure or setbacks as a stepping stone – Each athlete at Paris has experienced disappointment through combinations of injury or poor form, bad luck or technical glitches. Working through these setbacks has built resilience and determination to do better and to overcome. 
3. A growth mindset – The Olympic athlete is never satisfied that they have performed the perfect race. With the achievement of a personal best comes the new goals: faster times, lifting heavier weights, finding a new more challenging limit. The athlete attitude that he or she can always improve and should never be satisfied. 
4. Determination to do their best – Each athlete has given hour after hour of their very best in both in training and in competition prior to the Olympics. Doing your best on all occasions, regardless of the situation, prepares the athlete for excellence. Hard work is required whether performing in front of the 100,000 spectators or alone in the backyard or the family home.

At St Stephen’s School, we know that God wants us to give of our best for the sake of others. So let’s apply these lessons to our everyday living being the best person you can possibly be, determined to do better and to overcome when challenges arise, understanding that we each can always improve and by simply doing your best on all occasions, you can make a difference. 

Campus highlights

Some highlights of The Addams Family in rehearsal!
We look forward to sharing photos from the live show in our full school newsletter in Week 6. In the meantime, these are a few fun pics of our cast and crew in rehearsal. Thanks to alumnus, Callum Smith, from CSmith Photography for capturing these moments for us! A few tickets may still be on sale by the time you read this. Bookings can be made online here.

HASS ON TOUR!
During July, 48 Year 9 students and six staff from the Carramar and Duncraig campuses participated in a 10-day educational tour to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. This extensive cross-campus HASS Tour was an incredibly busy one, and everyone enjoyed the new experiences and friendships that were made.  

While the Tour was bookended by visits to the MCG and Sydney Opera House, in Canberra the group attended the old Parliament and current Parliament Houses, Questacon, the National Museum, the Australian Mint, the National War Memorial and the Australian Institute of Sport. There was even time at the Thredbo ski-fields, where the students very much enjoyed the snow. They absorbed a considerable amount of Australia’s history, culture and democracy, with education and fun going hand in hand as it should.  

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributes funding of $510 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. 

Special thanks to our Tour Coordinator, Mrs Taylor as well as Mr Barnes, Ms Erasmus, Mr Osborne, Ms Koutsoukos, and Ms Glacken for working with the awesome students who participated in this very successful tour. 

COMMUNITY NOTICES

A leadership opportunity for your kids!
Host a visiting Japanese student in August for a short 13-night stay and give your child the opportunity to connect with a new culture and enrich their worldview. The program is available across both Duncraig and Carramar school campuses from 23 August – 5 September.

 ✔️ Create Friendships: Welcoming a student sparks real friendships and cultural connections that last a lifetime.
✔️ Cultural Enrichment: Share your daily life and learn about Japanese customs and traditions firsthand.
✔️ 24/7 Bilingual Support: Receive 24/7 bilingual support and a $650 payment to help cover costs.
Apply via this link 👉 https://www.goldil.com.au/st-stephens-aug 

Do you have any old glasses sitting around at home?
As part of our Service Learning tour to Vietnam in January 2025, one of the organisations we are partnering with, Hearts for Hue, have informed us that they would sincerely appreciate any donations of old reading glasses. We have placed a collection box in Secondary Student Services at Duncraig, and Student Services at Carramar for you to drop in any old, unwanted glasses. Thank you for your support!

Dates for your diary

Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates.
Please click on the images below to book for each event (aside from the prayer group for which no booking is required).

In this newsletter:

• Principal’s message,
• Community spirit,
• A message from Mr Andrews,
• Parenting tip,
• Highlights from around the campus,
• Community notices,
• Dates for your diary,

Principal’s Message

It has been a busy and fulfilling term for us all at St Stephen’s School. After starting the term literally with a bang when we achieved our goal of attaining the world record for most confetti cannons launched simultaneously, our students have gone on to some excellent achievements in the Arts, interhouse and inter-school sports and we have supported our senior students through the first round of major exams of 2024. 

We’re also releasing tickets for The Addams Family on Monday, so I encourage you to book your tickets quickly to avoid disappointment and come along to support our incredibly talented performers from both campuses. You will receive an email from me on Monday morning so keep an eye out for that. 

Thank you to all our staff for their commitment to coaching, rehearsals, clubs, debating, extra academic support and running retreats and excursions which enrich the lives of our students and help to make our school community a vibrant one. 

I trust that you all will enjoy a happy, safe and peaceful mid-year break. We look forward to welcoming you all back for Term 3. 

Take care and God bless,
Donella Beare

Community spirit 

One of our students, Darcy Metcalf, was involved in a life-changing car accident in 2023. He spent four months in Royal Perth Hospital and is currently undergoing intensive rehabilitation in Fiona Stanley Hospital. His recovery is slow but progressing. He’s reached a point where he’s nearly ready to be home with his family, and his medical team are working towards discharging him within the next eight weeks. Chailee Richards, a close family friend has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for renovations to the family home that will accommodate Darcy’s wheelchair and future independence. Please keep Darcy in your prayers, and visit his Go Fund Me page to contribute in any way you can. Thank you on behalf of Darcy, his family and his great support network. 

Mr Andrews’ Almanac

The ‘K -12 Advantage’ 

When parents choose to enrol their primary-aged child in a K-12 school like St Stephen’s School, there is a corner of their minds that entertains a vision of the future. That vision is of their son or daughter as an almost fully formed adult, graduating from school as a successful Year 12 in control of their place in the world as it takes shape in front of them. In this message, I wanted to highlight the advantages available to students when they enter our primary school and one day graduate from our secondary school. Other students who join us at any point in the K-12 schooling journey will leverage these advantages as well, as they are inducted into a positive learning environment, they in turn make their own valuable contribution to it.  

Knowing the whole child 
Understanding their personal learning strengths and challenges allows educators to tailor their approach to meet individual needs effectively over the long term. This deep knowledge fosters an environment where students feel seen and understood, enhancing their motivation and engagement. Teachers can identify and nurture each child’s unique talents while providing targeted support to overcome difficulties. This personalised attention not only boosts academic performance but also builds confidence and resilience, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning. 

Leaping life’s hurdles
A supportive school environment is crucial in helping students navigate the hurdles they all encounter during childhood. Whether it’s addressing learning difficulties, family issues, or social struggles, school acts as a stable pillar in the student’s life. By fostering a safe and responsive environment, the school becomes an anchorage, ensuring students have the resources and guidance needed to weather storms, learn from errors, and emerge stronger and more resilient. 

Consistent values and culture 
Over the years, students internalise the school’s positive tone and standards, which guide their behaviour and decision-making. This continuity in values promotes a cohesive and supportive community where respect, integrity, and responsibility are paramount. As students progress through different stages of their education, the consistent culture reinforces positive behaviour and attitudes, ensuring that they not only excel academically but also develop into well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society. 

Whilst the ‘safe-harbour’ of a K-12 school does change shape around the child over time, the reassuring constants remain close at hand. Our secondary school is a distinctly different environment to primary school and yet there is a golden thread of continuity that ties the past version of the student to where they are today and to where they will be when they graduate. 

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

Parenting tip

In this edition we thank Duncraig Dean of Carana, Stuart Gale, for sharing his insights and experiences relating to social media, technology and teens.

As we all know, technology plays a huge role in our lives and most of the time for the better. However, we do know that teenagers can struggle to regulate their own screen time and need assistance and guidance in managing their online interactions, and whether they know it or not (or even like it or not) they actually do need us to help keep them safe online.

As a parent of three teenagers myself, I am all too aware of the influence technology can have in our homes and on the lives of our kids. In my own home, we have had to address our use of mobile phones and computers and put strategies in place to help keep our kids safe online.

Social media
There are potential dangers online that many teenagers come across daily. Social media can be a huge part of a teenager’s daily life, and used well it can be beneficial, but there are many traps kids can fall into.

The impulse to obsessively check Snapchat and achieve ‘streaks’ can be a pressure for our kids, the constant ‘ping’ of notifications coming through at all times of the day or night can lead to anxiety and interrupt regular sleep patterns. Location and privacy can also be problematic if the settings aren’t managed carefully.

The internet
The internet can be all pervading in our homes if we let it and so it is helpful for us as parents to be aware of what our kids are watching and participating in.

Pornography is all too easy for our kids to access. In a recent Australian study of 15–29-year-olds, 100% of boys and young men and 82% of girls and young women reported ever viewing pornography. The median age for first exposure was 13 years for boys and 16 for girls. Clearly, the young people in our care are certainly in that ‘at risk’ phase so we must be vigilant.

Online gaming
Gaming can also be of concern for some of our kids. Games are becoming more violent and more realistic in their violence, and sexual references and nudity regularly appear in video games that our children can access. Exposure to racist, misogynistic, and extreme perspectives are concerning, especially when teenagers don’t yet have the tools to analyse these ideas.

What can we do?
In the context of these issues, an important first question is whether we are comfortable with devices being in our kids’ bedrooms outside of our direct supervision. I encourage you to think carefully about this one, and to make the call and remove them if you are concerned. Your kids may not like this to begin with, but it will help them, and the whole household, in the long run.

Fortunately, there is a lot of help and advice available to parents. Of course, we must work with our kids to educate them and keep them safe at the same time.

There are also safeguards we, as parents can apply to our kids’ computers and phones to restrict certain content, turn off the device at night, and restrict what is watched or downloaded.

Below are some links to guide you through the process of setting up safeguards on your child’s device whether they have an Apple or Android device.

If you have an iPhone or Apple computer, you can use Apple screen time:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iphb0c7313c9/ios

https://support.apple.com/en-au/108806

Family sharing lets you set up permissions for your child’s Apple device from your own device:

https://support.apple.com/en-au/108380

Microsoft family safety for Microsoft devices:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/microsoft-365/family-safety

For Android mobile devices:

https://families.google/familylink/

Parental control apps

There are also many apps that parents can download onto our own phones to set up safeguards on a teen’s device.

https://www.techradar.com/best/best-parental-control-app-of-year

https://au.pcmag.com/parental-control-monitoring/44998/the-best-parental-control-software

https://www.safewise.com/au/best-parental-control-apps-software/

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/parental-controls

We urge you to seriously consider applying these, regardless of how well it appears your teen is using technology. I use these with my own kids not because I don’t trust them, but because I know the world they live in can be extremely difficult to navigate. There are temptations and pressures in their world that we just didn’t have when we were kids and it’s our responsibility to help them work through these pressures as best they can. It’s not about trust, it’s about guarding their minds and their hearts.

If you have any questions or would like some further guidance in any of these matters please don’t hesitate to be in contact with your teen’s Dean of House or Campus leadership team. As the saying goes, ‘we’re all in this together’ so if we can work in partnership our children can only be better off.

Stuart Gale – Dean of Carana, Duncraig campus
(on behalf of the Deans at Carramar and Duncraig)

Campus highlights

ACC Cross-country
Our Carramar and Duncraig students made us all proud at the recent ACC Cross-country competition! A huge congratulations to Dean Skroza who took out the U14 gold and Aaron Cockburn, who ranked in the top ten for his age group. We’ve also just heard that Aaron has been named as part of the “train-on” team in the School Sport WA Cross-country team which means he will benefit from all the training and coaching of the state team and may have the opportunity to compete in Melbourne! Congratulations, Aaron! Well done all and thank you to our staff for their coaching and ongoing support of our teams to help them perform at their best! 

Carramar talent on show!
Our recent Makuru Showcase was a fitting celebration of music at our Carramar campus. The crowd were treated to a broad range of musical styles from a moving version of ‘How Great is our God’ by the Senior Choir to some funky pieces by our Jazz Band and the Year 10 Rock Band! Congratulations to all our students, and thank you to Year 8 student, Fletcher Woodfield for his sound and lighting support for the show. Thanks to our amazing staff, especially Michelle Williams and Sarah Blanchard, for nurturing our talented musos! 

Year 10 Subject Selection Week
In Week 8, Year 10 students sat their Semester 1 exams and took part in a week of Subject Selection preparation. They went through a series of elective subject rotations, undertook an Introduction to Leadership, participated in a panel discussion with alumni and practised for the Term 4 Spring Soiree. 

Upcoming Thrift Ball
The Captains have been busy making their final preparations for tonight’s Thrift Ball. Our Year 11 and 12 students have been invited to find their best thrifted outfits dating all the way back to the year 2000. Some staff have been able to reach into the back of their closets for the Y2K outfit while students have had great fun looking for clothes from the ‘olden days’. We know they will have a fantastic evening and the weeks of planning will be worthwhile!

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Train with AFL pros
Calling all footy players aged 14-17! Join the Athletic Institute to train like the pros with football skills from AFL player Elijah Hewett, mindset training by premiership player Mark Hutchings and fitness testing benchmarked to AFL standards and more! Don’t miss this chance to elevate your game, book now at https://athleticinstitute.com.au/ 

Do you have any old glasses sitting around at home?
As part of our Service Learning tour to Vietnam in January 2025, one of the organisations we are partnering with, Hearts for Hue, have informed us that they would sincerely appreciate any donations of old reading glasses. We have placed a collection box in Secondary Student Services at Duncraig, and Student Services at Carramar for you to drop in any old, unwanted glasses. Thank you for your support!

Dates for your diary

Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates

• Friday 28 June – last day of Term 2
• Monday 22 July – first day of Term 3 – winter uniform

In this newsletter:

• Principal’s message,
• A message from Mr Andrews,
• A moment of appreciation for parents
• Dates for your diary,

Principal’s Message

We’ve had a beautiful start to our 40th anniversary year, with such a lot happening in every part of our school.

I’m delighted to see our students settling in positively in a new academic year, and some wonderful inter-House spirit alive and well in our swimming carnivals. Congratulations to all our swimmers who put in such a fantastic effort for their Houses, to our staff who organised and ran the carnivals and to everyone who was able to come along and support them.

Our music staff and students are busily rehearsing for our Night of Giving Thanks which is coming up on Tuesday 26 March. If you haven’t already done so, please book your free tickets. This is one of the most beautiful events of the School year as we celebrate and give thanks which is especially apt in our anniversary year. I hope to see you there.

We’re also looking forward to our Guinness World Record attempt which has been re-scheduled for Friday 19 April – the end of the first week of Term 2.  The schedule will be the same as our original date, with some additional reminders coming out in the first week of term. If you have any questions, though, please reach out to our Community Relations team 

We’re now just one week away from Easter which is one of the most important seasons of the year for my family, and I am very much looking forward to an opportunity to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Easter. No matter how you celebrate, may it be a time of rest, relaxation, peace and stillness.

Take care and God bless,
Donella Beare

Mr Andrews’ Almanac

As parents, each year we bear witness to the cycle of House school carnivals – swimming, cross-country and athletics – and everything that comes with that. We celebrate success in many forms and encourage participation in turn, depending on the abilities and various proclivities of our children. I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the true nature of these events. It is a common thread and collective goal that the real victory lies not in the winner’s circle but in the shared experiences of participation.

All schools work to protect the qualities of their carnivals. They are not just about races and competitions; they are celebrations of camaraderie, personal growth, and the joy of movement. Embracing the value of participation reinforces a culture where every student, regardless of skill level, finds a place on the podium of personal growth.

At St Stephen’s School, our strengths are that we run events that build on a foundation of House spirit, teamwork, inclusivity and sportsmanship in a fun and low-pressure environment. Our carnivals are more about active participation and safe risk-taking than it is about achievement in general and yet we still devote significant effort towards recognising achievement, skill development and personal improvement. For many of our students, the House carnivals are the launch-pad on to School representation… and perhaps further.

For both students and parents, it is easy to forget the broader aims amongst the spirit of healthy competition. Beyond the thrill of competition, the carnival experience teaches invaluable life skills. Students learn the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and embracing challenges with a positive mindset. For some, medals and trophies come naturally with the territory. For others, the mere idea of attending an event like this is anxiety inducing. As in every facet of the student experience, we continue to recognise the diverse skills and talents amongst our students whilst always working to extend students beyond their comfort zones.

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

A moment of appreciation for parents

As parents and carers, we often find ourselves making sacrifices for our children. Driving the kids to football or netball training, an extra music concert or drama performance may arise, perhaps it is spending extra time helping our kids with their homework or supporting their learning. The list of sacrifices is never ending and whilst we do these things because we care, they do come at a cost. A sacrifice of time, of finance or perhaps to our own opportunity to find rest and recoup ourselves from our own daily grind. 

Young people don’t always know how to express their appreciation for all that parents do as an expression of their love and whilst we don’t sacrifice for the accolades, be encouraged that they do appreciate your efforts and hopefully one day, they too will understand the importance of sacrifice for the sake of others.

Finally, as Easter draws near, I am reminded of the incredible sacrifice Christ made for each one of us. He made himself nothing so that you and I might spend eternity with Him in heaven if only we would ask Him into our lives. Happy Easter! 

All the best,
Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care (Duncraig Campus)

Secondary photo highlights

Art excursions, pancake day, interhouse swimming carnivals, camps, Harmony Day bake sales and so much more, we’ve packed a lot into this short 9 week term!

Dates for your diary

Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates

• Tuesday 26 March – St Stephen’s School Night of Giving Thanks 
• Thursday 28 March – last day of Term 1
• Tuesday 16 April – students return for Term 2 – Winter uniform
• Friday 19 April – Guinness World Record attempt
• Tuesday 23 April – K-12 Interhouse Cross-country

In this newsletter:

• Principal’s message,
• A message from Mr Andrews’,
• Tips for parents at the beginning of a new school year,
• Year 12 Commissioning
• Parents’ Series 2024 – Hot Topics: an invitation to our first event,
• School-based immunisation,
• Absentee procedure,
• Safety on e-rideables
• Dates for your diary,

Principal’s Message

It’s been a wonderful – albeit very warm – start to 2024.

We are delighted to welcome a new group of Year 7 students to Secondary with all the energy, enthusiasm and potential they bring. Welcome back to all our returning students, and to any new families joining us for the first time. We also acknowledge our Year 12 students, the Class of 2024, and the important leadership role they play in our School community. May each of you carry a strong sense of the support of our community throughout this important year.

In our 40th year, we celebrate our shared history as one community across two campuses. In each of these forty years, generations of staff and students have contributed their own entries to the story of St Stephen’s School, and in this anniversary year together we will together create many more memories.

Our first whole of community event is our Night of Giving Thanks on Tuesday 26 March. Please mark this date in your diary and keep an eye out for booking details closer to the event. I hope to see you there as we celebrate and give thanks for the many blessings with which our School has been graced.

Until then, take care,
Donella Beare

Mr Andrews’ Almanac

Embarking on the journey of high school will be at times exciting and daunting for our Year 7 students. To ease this transition, many schools, including St Stephen’s School, organise a series of unique and crucial experiences early in the school year. Your child, whatever their age, will remember orientation to high school and those first days setting foot on campus. Coming up very soon is the Year 7 Camp.

The intentional timing early in Term 1, holds value in fostering a sense of camaraderie and connection among students.

For those transitioning from our Primary School, the camp serves as a bridge, allowing them to forge new friendships and strengthen existing ones in a different environment. Simultaneously, for students arriving from local, regional, or international destinations, the camp becomes a melting pot of diverse backgrounds, creating a tapestry of cultures and perspectives.

The early timing of the camp ensures that students build a support system right from the start. Engaging in team-building activities, sharing laughs in the dining hall, and navigating challenges together creates lasting bonds that extend beyond the camp. This sense of unity not only enhances the overall high school experience but also contributes to a positive and inclusive school culture.

Some students will feel some nerves at the prospect of going on camp. We make camp a compulsory activity as we see the value of participation every year, when the newest cohort to our Secondary School return with a stronger sense of self, bonds and group identity. This is also true of all of our camps and retreats. Please encourage your child to see camp in a positive light in the lead up.

I want to take this chance to thank our Dean of Parresia House, Mrs Suzy Mettam who has made preparations for this group of Year 7s.

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

Tips for parents at the beginning of a new year

The beginning of a new academic year brings new experiences for each of our students. Work at school will be different from earlier years. Perhaps the content is more difficult, the workload greater or the time constraints tighter.

Friendship groups change, relationships can become complex and as a result, it is important that parents and carers provide support for our students, addressing these changes not with anxiety, fear or apprehension but rather address the experiences head on as challenges and opportunities to grow. 

We know that a safe and supportive home life, where health and wellbeing are encouraged, is paramount in helping to provide a solid foundation on which students can prepare for academic success. Here are a few hints that might assist you to support your children throughout this year.

All the best,
Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care (Duncraig Campus)

Year 12 Commissioning

In the first week of term, we held our Year 12 Commissioning, which is one of many beautiful traditions in our School. It’s an opportunity for the Year 12s, as the most senior students in our school, to publicly commit to their role as leaders, mentors and role-models in their final year. Their red Year 12 ties are a symbol of this commitment and a reminder of what it means to be a true servant leader in our school.

Parents’ Hot Topics 2024 – Learn more about our pastoral care system in our first session

In 2024, we are introducing a series of parent seminars entitled “Hot Topics”.

Feedback from our parents/guardians through our satisfaction surveys has indicated interest in more opportunities for parents to be involved in the life of the school. While this has been challenging between 2020 and 2022, we are excited to re-engage with parents in our 40th anniversary year. “Hot Topics” will be a practical series, covering a variety of contemporary issues in K – 12 education, providing you with an opportunity to grow your understanding of our philosophy and response to a range of current educational issues. The first “Hot Topic” will look at our approach to contemporary K-12 pastoral care. Incorporating our Six Pillars of Care, this seminar will have an emphasis on our IGNITE pastoral program, and will be presented by members of our leadership team, our Deans and other members of our pastoral care support team.

Each Term we’ll address a different “Hot Topic” and alternate between or a morning or afternoon session.

Tickets are free but booking is essential – click here to reserve your seats.

School-based immunisation program for Year 7 and 10 students

  Year 10 students are scheduled to receive MenACWY (Meningococcal ACWY) vaccine on Wednesday 21 February 2024. 

•  Year 7 students are scheduled to receive HPV (Human Papilloma Vaccine) and dTpa (Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis) vaccines on Tuesday 6 August 2024. 

•  VaccinateWA (VWA) online platform will be used to gain parent/carer consent for student vaccinations. School-based immunisation program healthywa.wa.gov.au – please see the “How to provide consent section for VWA” 

More details will be emailed directly to parents and guardians

Source: Katie Farmer, Nurse – Carramar Campus

What to do if your child is absent or running late for school

If your child is running late, leaving early or will be absent from school for the day please let our friendly team at Student Services (Reception) know.  You can:

• email absenteecarramar@ststephens.wa.edu.au, 
• phone 9306 7100, or
• SMS 0428 863 144

Remember that, if students arrive late or leave before the end of the school day, they need to sign in and out at Student Services. Full details of our procedures can be found on p. 32 of our Parent Handbook.

Source: Student Services – Carramar Campus

Safety on e-scooters

Technology is changing rapidly, and the use of e-scooters and other electric rideable devices are being used for commuting and recreational purposes. New rules have now been introduced to keep e-riders and other West Australian road users safe. 

Please have a look at the Road Safety Commission website for information related to e-rideables and young people.

Dates for your diary

Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates

• 12 February – Interhouse Swimming Carnival, Challenge Stadium
• 13 February – Pancake Day: a whole of campus event run by House Captains
• 14 February – R U Legal: Year 11 and 12, Year 5 and 6
• 14 – 16 February – Year 7 Camp
• 26 March – St Stephen’s School Night of Giving Thanks