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
2024 has been a whirlwind year, filled with many wonderful events celebrating our forty-year history, and at this point of the year we have the opportunity to celebrate our reason for being – the students of St Stephen’s School.
I have the enormous privilege of watching our young people at both campuses begin their school lives as nervous little ones, going on to graduate from primary into high school and finally making their own way into a future beyond school. It is a progression of which I never tire, as each year group carries a different spirit and leaves their own legacy in our school.
I am extremely proud to be part of the community of educators whom you have entrusted with the pastoral care and education of your young people. I look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate our students’ individual and collective achievements at our upcoming Presentation Evenings.
I look forward to seeing you there, and wish you well for a safe, happy and restful festive season and blessed Christmas.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
Take care and God Bless,
Donella Beare, Principal
Tickets for Presentation Evenings 2024 are still available
Tickets are still available for the 2024 St Stephen’s School Presentation Evenings. 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
As we approach the end of the year and the festive season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the battle between real and fake. This theme resonates deeply, especially during a time when we are bombarded with information from all directions.
One story that beautifully captures this theme is the famous letter written by eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon to the New York Sun in 1897. Virginia asked a simple yet profound question: “Is there a Santa Claus?”
The response she received from editor Francis P. Church has become legendary. He wrote, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist”. Church went on to explain that the most real things in the world are those we cannot see. He said, “You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart”.
He also mentioned that even if you hired men to watch all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, they would not see him, but that does not mean he isn’t real.
In my own family, as the parent of two teenage daughters, I often find myself navigating the delicate balance between what is real (important) and what is fake (unimportant). From social media to peer pressure, our children face challenges that can blur these lines. It’s our role as parents to help them discern the truth and focus on what truly matters. Especially during the busyness of the season, it’s essential to spend time on the important things—family, love, and generosity—without getting distracted by the unimportant.
Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. We wish you and your families a joyous and peaceful holiday season.
Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus
Carramar highlights
with Mrs Sarah Stockton-Rice, Deputy Head of Secondary
This term has been filled with camps, exams and awards. Students and staff have enjoyed many Service Learning opportunities and sporting events.
This past week, our Year 10 students had the pleasure of attending the much-anticipated Spring Soiree at the Mindarie Marina. This elegant dinner dance provided a wonderful opportunity for students to celebrate their transition to upper school in a relaxed and cultured environment. The evening featured a delicious two-course meal, great music, and partner dancing, with awards given for the best manners and dancing. It was truly a night to remember!
In addition to the Spring Soiree, our Year 10 students are currently participating in work experience across various industries. This week-long program allows them to gain valuable insights into the professional world and explore potential career paths. From working at Edith Cowan University to gaining hands-on experience at local businesses, our students are making the most of this opportunity to learn and grow.
We are also wrapping up our Share the Dignity campaign this week, which has been a tremendous success thanks to the generous contributions and support from our students and community. This initiative aimed to provide essential items to those in need, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming response. Your kindness and dedication have made a significant impact, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated.
Everyone is looking forward to the Christmas break and a time for us all to relax and unwind. I hope you and your family take the time to enjoy one another’s company and look forward to everything that 2025 has to offer.
Some Term 4 camp highlights
Year 9 Camp
Year 9 Outdoor Ed – Wadjemup (Rottnest Island)
Year 11 Certificate II Outdoor Recreation camp – Kalbarri
Captains’ Challenge – the Class of 2025 student leaders were put through their paces!
Parenting tip
Thanks to Mr Russell Gilchrist, Deputy Head of Secondary – Care (Duncraig) for this piece.
With summer holidays around the corner, there are many opportunities for our students to experience the great outdoors. During these holidays I would encourage our students to get out from behind their computer screens, to be active and perhaps start something new.
Things to do that come to mind include:
- Go to the beach
- Learn to surf or go for a snorkle
- Take a bike ride
- Walk through the national park or follow a hiking trail
- Go camping or fishing
- Go on a picnic
The list of possibilities is endless and they don’t require you to be super fit or even particularly organised but by being active your children will be helping their mental health and build closer connections with those who they choose to share their experience.
Hopefully at the end of the summer break some of these activities may become part of their weekly routine, providing a place of comfort, security and significant personal face to face connections. Merry Christmas!
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 1 in the 2025 academic year:
- Tuesday 28 January Primary students return, Year 7 orientation
- Wednesday 29 January Secondary students return
- Tuesday 8 April St Stephen’s School worship
- Friday 11 April Term 1 ends