In this newsletter:

• Principal’s message,
• A message from Mr Andrews’,
• Secondary highlights,

Principal’s Message

The end of another school year is upon us and with that comes a myriad of emotions. Anticipation of the upcoming summer break, quiet contemplation about what was achieved over the course of the year, regret that perhaps we didn’t achieve all that we wanted to, excitement at seeing another group of students graduate from St Stephen’s School and sadness as we say goodbye to staff and students who leave us at the end of this year. Each emotion reflects a part of life in a school and we give thanks for the opportunities that this year has provided. Thank you to our school community of parents, students and volunteers for your ongoing support. Our community is at the heart of St Stephen’s School and makes it the Christ-centred, student-focussed, community-based school that it is. I wish you a safe and happy Christmas, and look forward to seeing you in 2024. 

Until then, take care
Donella Beare

Mr Andrews’ Almanac

Just as a ship drops its anchor to secure a safe mooring, so too should we anchor ourselves in the practice of rest during this holiday.  This idea of taking a break might seem counterproductive. However, it is crucial to recognise that rest is not simply the absence of work; rather, it is a deliberate act that rejuvenates our minds, bodies, and spirits. The Christmas break offers a precious opportunity to pause, recharge, and reflect—a chance that we should embrace wholeheartedly.

Amidst the joyful chaos of festivities and reunions, it’s easy to set aside the importance of rest. Yet, it is during this time that we must consciously drop anchor, finding moments of tranquillity amidst the celebrations.  

Research consistently highlights the immense benefits of rest on our overall well-being. It enhances our cognitive abilities, boosts creativity, and improves our emotional resilience. By giving ourselves permission to rest, we not only recharge our batteries but also pave the way for greater productivity and success when we return to our endeavours. It is an act of self-care. 

Therefore, as we approach this holiday season, I urge each one of us to drop anchor deliberately. Embrace the gift of rest with open arms, recognising its transformative power in restoring our spirits and preparing us for the upcoming year.  

May this Christmas break be a time of joy, peace, and rejuvenation for each member of our school community. I look forward to greeting all students, parents and staff as they return in the new year refreshed, recharged, and ready to embark on new challenges with renewed vigour.  

Wishing you all a restful and joyous holiday season.  

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

Secondary highlights

Phew! What a busy term!
It’s been an incredibly busy few weeks as we round out 2023. As well as exams and final assessments, our Year 11s went on Retreat, we had our final Service Learning sessions for the year, announced our new House and School Captains and our Year 9s had an awesome camp at Rotto. 

As always, Presentation Evening was a fitting celebration of excellence in all its forms at St Stephen’s School. Congratulations to Shailin Mandalia for receiving the “Best All Rounder Award” for his contribution to all aspects of school life. Our Sports Awards recipients for 2023 are Alistair Cross and Serian Lockwood-Jones.

The Dux of Vocational Studies is Jacinta Randell, and the Dux of Qualitative Studies – the top overall student in the humanities subjects – is Serian Lockwood-Jones. The Dux of Quantitative Studies – the top overall student in all areas of Mathematics, Science and Technology – is Diemont Ferriera.

The final presentation of the evening was the St Stephen’s Award which goes to the student who embodies all the St Stephen’s School stands for from Years 7 -12. In 2023 the very deserving St Stephen’s Award winner is Bridie Le Cornu. Congratulations to you all, and to all students from Years 7 – 12 who were recognised for their achievements and contributions.

Coming in September 2024 

We are excited to announce that the historic Lou Morrison Kimberley Tour for Year 8s will have a new look next year, exploring more back to country opportunities for our students and reconnecting with old acquaintances.  

We are currently working on a new itinerary that will hopefully include visits to Larrawa Station, a fully operational cattle station, Mimbi Caves where we will tour the amazing caves and engage with their local community, camp at Merry Pool and Parry’s Lagoon, participate in a Welcome to Country, dot painting and Aboriginal language lessons at Laarri Gallery as well as enjoy the gallery art display, and return to Frog Hollow where we will camp and participate in activities with the students of Purnululu School. Before flying home, you will be able to enjoy a visit and dinner at Lake Argyle. These are just some of the new additions to the tour.  Further information to come early in Term 1 2024. 

Source: Donna Wilson – Service Learning Tours Officer 

2024 School fee payment options 

In 2024, similar to 2023, parents/guardians will not be required to re-select a preferred payment method and frequency at the beginning of the school year.  The payment method (direct debit, or credit card, or BPAY) and frequency of payment (weekly, fortnightly, monthly, two or three or four instalments or annual upfront) that you had in place in 2023 will continue automatically in 2024. 

The dates to note for payments (based on frequency) next year are:  

• 1 upfront payment due on 29 January 2024 (2% discount); or 
• 43 weekly payments starting on Monday 29 January 2024; or 
• 22 fortnightly payments starting on Monday 29 January 2024; or 
• 22 fortnightly payments starting on Monday 5 February 2024; or 
• 10 monthly payments starting on Friday 2 February 2024; or 
• 10 monthly payments starting on Saturday 17 February 2024; or 
• 2 instalments on 18 February 2024 and 18 July 2024; or 
• 3 instalments on 18 February 2024, 18 May 2024 and 18 August 2024; or 
• 4 instalments on 5 February 2024, 22 April 2024, 29 July 2024 and 14 October 2024. 

(Where a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, payment will be processed on the next business day.) 

You will not be required to take any action, unless you would like to change the method of payment or frequency of payments. In which case, please contact the Accounts Receivable team on 9243 2103 or email accountsreceivable@ststephens.wa.edu.au as soon as possible. 

If you wish to change your credit card, or bank account details, you are able to do this at any time throughout the year via the Parent Portal. Click on the ‘School Payments’ tab and select login under Manage stored cards and direct debits to bank accounts or use the following link https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/ManageStoredCards.aspx 

In January 2024 your annual fee invoice will be available for you to view on the Parent Portal in the ‘School Payments’ tab by logging into Statements and receipt history or use the following link https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/fin.aspx 

Source: Accounts Receivable team

Dates for your diary

Remember you can always visit the St Stephen’s School calendar for key dates
See our website for 2024 term dates

• From 12.30pm Wednesday 6 December – Monday 15 January – Student Services reception closed
• Wednesday 20 December 2023 – Wednesday 3 January 2024 – St Stephen’s School administration closed
• From 16 January 2024 – click here to view Carramar Uniform Shop opening times
• 29 January 2024 – Pre-Primary – Year 6 return
• 30 January 2024 – Years 7 – 12 return

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

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.

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! 

Noticeboard

In this Newsletter:

• Principal’s Message,
• A message from Mr Andrews,
• Secondary Highlights,
• Upcoming events,
• Noticeboard

Principal’s Message

The best part of my job is acknowledging student endeavors, and this term we have had an extraordinary number of opportunities to recognise and celebrate the skills, achievements and commitment of our students. We have honoured the contributions of our athletes and our artists, our musicians, our actors, our film makers and our student leaders. I look forward to celebrating the year’s academic achievements at our various Presentation Evenings next term. I may be accused of bias, but I am constantly amazed and impressed by the strength of character, humility and sheer talent of our young people. 

It is an especially poignant week as we say goodbye to the Class of 2023. I am so proud to see how each of them has grown and developed over the years and look forward to learning of their progress as they go on to the next stage in their lives. For now, we wish all our 12s well as they complete exams, assessments and their certificate training requirements. As ever, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.   

Donella Beare

Mr Andrews Almanac

For the last almanac of the term, as our year 12s depart, I have included a shortened version of my Graduation Dinner address to our leaving class of 2023 and their parents.

Each year, as this season rolls around, amateur and pro crayfish enthusiasts gear up to catch the coveted Western Rock Lobster. While we eagerly anticipate months of devouring these lobsters with garlic butter and sharing them with neighbours, they rarely cross our minds the rest of the year.

 The crayfish sports a robust exoskeleton, its armour against threats. But as it grows, this shell becomes restricting. What follows isn’t pleasant. Seeking refuge among the reef, the crayfish absorbs water, exerting pressure on its old exoskeleton, ultimately causing it to crack at designated weak points. Though not painful, it’s undoubtedly uncomfortable.

 As the lobster wriggles free from its broken carapace, it becomes its most vulnerable. With the moulting process complete, it patiently awaits the new shell’s growth, one strong enough to protect it in the wild ocean.

This discomfort signifies growth.

 To our graduating Year 12s, the strange emotions you’ve experienced recently may indicate that you’re preparing to moult, to shed your skin. You might feel vulnerable and uncertain during this phase, retreating to your caves, perhaps even until very late in the morning.

Growth and change are often accompanied by discomfort. You’ve left the safety of school behind, and not everyone feels liberated. What lies ahead? You may feel adrift, as if you’ve run aground, wondering why the wind has left your sails.

 Remember: this discomfort is temporary. It’s the hallmark of growth.

You’ve grown strong during your time at St. Stephen’s. Even when you felt stressed or unsure, you were building an armour that has brought you to this special graduation day.

To the graduating class of 2023, St Stephen’s School wishes you all the best. The best of fun. The best of luck. The best of health. And every joy that can be conjured over many, many years. We look forward to seeing you return in new skins. Congratulations and thank you for your contribution to St Stephen’s School.

Take care,

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

Secondary Highlights

It’s been an incredibly busy term!
After four weeks of very friendly but fierce competition from basketball to netball, cricket and volleyball our staff took out the 2023 Leavers’ Shield. Year 12 Certificate IV Business students showcased their marketing skills and pitched to prospective customers at the 2023 Marketing Expo. Students developed products and services ranging from holiday-themed cookies to ‘Zen teas’ and an ap dedicated to finding the perfect wave. Our athletics team won the junior boys’ champion shield and placed equal third on 1545 points at the ACC Carnival. 

Our Year 11 Outdoor Ed class met every Thursday with their Year 3 buddies. It was an opportunity for our Year 11s to practise their leadership and team building skills and our Year 3s had huge fun with the older students! The Photography Competition has returned, brilliantly bringing to life the Seussian theme, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” while the Drawing Competition is themed ‘From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.’ Visit the SSS Facebook page to vote for your favourites. This term we also welcomed students from Dalton School in Japan who shared some insights into what it’s like to be a high school student in Japan.

Public notices

In this Newsletter:

• Principal’s Message,
• A message from Mr Andrews,
• Secondary Highlights,
• Upcoming events,
• Noticeboard

Principal’s Message

At St Stephen’s School we believe in the ethos of ‘lifelong learning’ and so staff began this term with our annual whole school StaffExpo. Two days of professional development underpinned with the philosophy of professional development and personal growth. This year our theme for StaffExpo was on Stewardship – A Global, Professional, Personal Perspective.

A range of guest speakers addressed topics including sustainability, environmental building design, wellness, nutrition and resilience. Our staff spent time in learning areas across the School developing curriculum, addressing changes in educational practices and looking at ways to improve teaching and learning for our students.

There have been many events for our students to embrace over the first half of this term beginning with the exciting HASS tour for 50 Year 9 students from our Carramar and Duncraig campuses. Thank you to all the staff involved in providing our students with these experiences. The Term 3 Newsletter has more on this event.

Some of our secondary students have enjoyed volunteering to help our younger students succeed. Including assisting with the Duncraig primary musical Seussical, as part of the backstage crew and the Year 12 students at Carramar who helped with the inaugural Kindergarten athletics carnival.

This is a snapshot of the variety of events and opportunities that our St Stephen’s School staff and students have taken part in during the term. As we look towards the end of term and the upcoming break our focus moves to Year 12 exams, completion of VET certificates, final assignments and Year 12 graduation. Good luck to everyone.

God Bless,

Donella Beare

Mr Andrews Almanac

Embracing Error: The Priceless Lessons of High School

High school is an invaluable time in a young person’s life, marked by academic challenges, social growth, and self-discovery. Amid the whirlwind of adolescence, it is inevitable that mistakes will be made. But far from being something to dread, these mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning, making high school a truly “cheap” place to stumble and rise again.

The phrase “school is a cheap place to make mistakes” is a reminder of the safe and supportive environment that high schools provide. Unlike the realities of adulthood, where errors may carry significant consequences, the school years offer a unique cushion of understanding and guidance. This nurturing space allows students to experiment, try new things, and occasionally falter without the burden of long-term repercussions.

One of the most critical aspects of embracing mistakes in high school is the invaluable life lesson of resilience. Every stumble and setback is a chance for students to build their mental fortitude and develop coping strategies. Learning to pick themselves up after a fall fosters a sense of perseverance that will serve them well in the face of future challenges.

Moreover, making mistakes exposes students to new experiences and broadens their perspectives. It encourages them to venture beyond their comfort zones, discovering hidden talents and passions they might not have otherwise explored. In the safe cocoon of the school environment, they can test various paths and uncover their true interests and strengths.

High school also serves as a laboratory for decision-making. It is a time when students must navigate a myriad of choices, both academically and socially. Some choices may lead to unfavourable outcomes, but this process helps them hone their critical thinking skills and better understand the consequences of their actions.

Educators and parents play a crucial role in instilling this mindset. By reframing mistakes as stepping stones toward progress, teachers can encourage a growth mindset in students. Parents can also support their children by being understanding and guiding them through the lessons they can learn from, their missteps and critically, not ‘swooping’ in to help them avoid any misstep.

Importantly, the acceptance of mistakes promotes a culture of open-mindedness and empathy in schools. When students witness their peers making mistakes and bouncing back, it fosters a sense of understanding and support. This atmosphere of compassion creates a positive learning environment where everyone feels encouraged to learn, grow, and share their experiences without fear of judgment.

Take care,

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

Secondary Highlights

We are so proud of our PE students who provided support to the Primary students at their Athletics Carnival, these students embody the St Stephen’s School spirit of helping one another. Well done to all volunteers!

Our Year 11’s danced the night away on their annual river cruise

House Captain elections! The votes have now been counted by the West Australian Electoral Commission, so the House Deans will use the information to make the selections for Captains in 2024!

Upcoming Events 

Our talented Primary students will be performing in Seussical the Musical from the 4th to the 8th of September, to purchase tickets click here

 Public Notices 

In this Newsletter:

• Principal’s Highlight
• A message from Mr Andrews,
• Secondary Highlights,
• Parental Guidance,
• Upcoming events,

Principal’s Highlight

I’d like to urge you all to make time to come and hear from Linda Stade, our next Parent Seminar Series presenter. Lindahas a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of adolescent friendships and some practical advice to help parents support their children in meeting relationship challenges. She will be at our Carramar campus on the evening of August the 2^nd, click here for tickets.

Mr Andrews Almanac

As time-poor contemporary humans in the midst of the 2020’s, we all want our spare time to be used well, intentionally and fruitfully. I developed my own strategy for using holiday time well and to provide a sense of accomplishment in any given day.

I called it the M.A.T.E. strategy and I have rolled out this challenge to countless students, staff and families across the years.

There are four elements to getting a ‘M.A.T.E’. and the goal is to achieve all four in one day, ideally accumulating a M.A.T.E. each day.  M.A.T.E. stands for :

M – Maintain and repair your environment​

A – Artistic or personal endeavour​

T – Time taken for yourself or spent with family​

E – Exercise the mind or body​

Everyone’s  M.A.T.E will look vastly different. For example:

M – Tidy the bedroom

A – Practice a musical instrument

T – Eating dinner with the family

E – Go for a run

Or

M – Make a bag of clothes for a charity shop

A – Make something from Five Minute Crafts

T – Read some of a novel

E – 15 minutes on the trampoline

Of course, I am not welded on to this strategy. Even when I am at my most dedicated, some days I’ll only get a MAT, or an EAT or an AM. Some days, and forgive the obvious joke here, I will finish the day with no MATEs at all. This is all a bit of fun of course, but it does give you cause to think about using time well, as well as giving structure to the day for children going into the longer mid-year break. Give it a go at your house and I’d love to know how it went when we all get back in Term 3.

Take care,

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

Secondary Highlights

Senior Production rehearsals are continuing. Mark the season of Chamber Music by Arthur Kopit in your calendar: the 10^th and 11^th of August.

Year 11s and 12s have had their Semester 1 examinations and year 10s have had their first taste of extended assessments in exam conditions.

Our Outdoor Education students braved the elements, hiking and climbing along the Cape-to-Cape trail.

MAKURU CONCERT

The amazing Makuru senior music concert took place and wowed us all – congratulations to all involved.

YEAR 12 RETREAT

Our year 12s had an emotional and nostalgic time on their last retreat at St Stephen’s School.

Parental Guidance

Reward, Recharge and Reflect

At the end of a busy term it is time to have a well earned break. Hopefully Semester 1 was a successful one for each of our students. Whether it was in your academics, sport, music drama, arts, the list goes on, I pray that there has been moments of joy and pride in what you have achieved.

Over the next 3 weeks I would like to encourage students and their families to Reward, Recharge and Reflect.

Reward – take the time over the break to reward yourself by doing something you love. Many have worked hard to  achieve personal bests at school and this involves hard work, sacrifice and time. As a result, activities that you might otherwise engage with have been put on hold. Take the time to reward yourself and do them now!

Recharge – For many student the holidays will simply be a time where you need to recharge the batteries. Recharge and replenish your energy stores as this time is yours to use as you will. Not being at school from 8.25am – 3.20pm or CAS sport or band practice or simply study pressures. Recharge for the new semester so you are fresh and ready for the next challenges that come your way.

Reflect – Finally with the end of a semester you will soon have access to all your subject grades. Does your mark reflect your ability or could you have done more? How did you use your class time? Did you make the most of your teacher’s expertise? Did you organise yourself well to prepare appropriately for your assessments? If the answer is yes, well done! If the answer is perhaps not then reflect on what needs to change to ensure you achieve your potential in Semester 2.

Happy holidays,

Sarah Stockton-Rice, Deputy Head of Secondary

Upcoming Events –

• 2nd July – 9th July – NAIDOC WEEK

• 17th July – 2023 HASS Tour

• 2nd August  – Parent Series: Friends & Frenemies with Linda Stade

• 3rd August – Senior Production: Chamber Music by Arthur Kopit

Term 3 Highlights to look forward to –

• Student Leader elections
• House Athletics in week 3
• Science Week in week 4
• Leaver’s Shield in week 6
• ACC Athletics Carnival in week 7
• Grads Dinner and Grads day!

In this Newsletter:

• A message from Mr Andrews,
• Secondary Highlights,
• Parental Guidance,
• Upcoming events,

Mr Andrews Almanac

Embracing the Journey: Childhood Extends Beyond High School

As exams and deadlines loom for our senior secondary students, I am often reminded that these semi-formed adults are indeed still children in many ways. Biologically, adolescence does not end until the early 20s, when our children are well into the cut-and-thrust of making big life-moves. When our students graduate, they are still children, despite the trappings of adulthood afforded to them.

As time races on, I’d like to provide a few thoughts on how to slow down, observe and nurture the last stages of a childhood.

Celebrate the Small Milestones: Acknowledge each step and pause to shine light on the little moments, getting L-plates and driving lessons, first jobs and the last of the school camps are all features of the journey.

Foster Curiosity, Exploration and Personal Growth: It is never too late to try something new and whilst our adolescent children are generally locked onto favourite activities and pastimes, trying something new that promotes togetherness has many benefits for all.

Embrace Life Skills: As our children approach adulthood, it becomes crucial to focus on developing practical life skills. Teaching them essential skills such as financial literacy, problem-solving, time management, and effective communication is important. These skills empower them to become independent, responsible individuals.

Accept the Role of Error: I always say that high school is a ‘cheap’ place to make mistakes. We can also learn the value of error and learning from it in these formative years.

Take care,

Bennet Andrews, Head of Campus

Secondary Highlights

Arts Tour

Over the April school holidays our Senior Arts students went on the trip of a lifetime to Sydney and Melbourne to be completely immersed in the Arts. Students had a great time together and are sure to remember this trip for the rest of their lives. Thanks to the staff who went along for the ride!

Lest We Forget

Our ANZAC service took place in bright sunshine as students returned to school for Term 2.

Senior Production

Rehearsals are continuing. Put the 10th and 11th of August in your calendar for the ‘Season of Chamber Music’ by Arthur Kopit.

House Cross Country

Our House Cross Country was run and won in week 4, congratulations to Parresia House for taking out the win.

Careers Expo

On Wednesday, 17th May our Year 10 students from both campuses, engaged in the 2023 Careers Expo on the Carramar campus. Thanks to Sarah Cooke and Rob Crewe for their coordination of this annual event which connects our students with workplace and tertiary providers. The opportunity to gain information and ask questions ahead of subject selection for upper school was invaluable for students’ decision making.

Sport 

Our Basketball, Netball, Soccer and AFL teams have been in action against other schools across the term. Several teams experienced success and progressed to the top 16 schools across the state before bowing out. The Senior Netball team and the Junior AFL teams have upcoming fixtures against schools from across the metro area, with our Netballers hosting the next round on August 1st.

Parental Guidance

Families throughout Australia come in many varied shapes and sizes. Regardless of the size or make-up of any family, 3 distinct features stand out when considering the development of children and youth. 

Supportive structures – for family environments to be successful in developing children under our care, we need to have support networks surrounding them. A home life that provides for the needs of a child’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. 

Consistent messaging – for young people to grow into mature adults contributing to society, consistency in our approach to discipline and expected standards of behaviour is essential. The idea that “we walk the talk” is imperative. Our young people will follow the example that is provided for them. Consistent messaging with appropriate boundaries and consequences for behaviour, provides our young people with clear guidelines for how to live their lives. 

Unconditional love – without a doubt there will be times where your child will make errors in judgement, engage in dangerous activities, perhaps participate in undesirable activities. Appropriate discipline and sanctions must always be combined with unconditional love. If your child knows that they are loved, regardless of the mistakes they make, they will find comfort that they are not defined by their mistakes and that they can approach their parents or other family members with confidence when looking for guidance and wise counsel. 

Upcoming Events

• 31st May – 2nd June – Year 12 Retreat

• 1st June  – ACC Interschool Cross-country

• 14th June – The Makuru Music Concert

• 21st June – Volleyball competition

• 22nd June – World Religions excursion

The Captain’s Challenge Camp

Our newly elected House Captains for 2023 recently spent three days and two nights in Dwellingup immersed in the Captains Challenge. As the name suggests, this camp incorporates a series of activities designed for participants to be pushed beyond their comfort levels both mentally and physically. All students carried their own food, cooking equipment and sleeping bags, as well as clothing, in their backpacks for the duration of the Captains Challenge. Effective teamwork and communication skills were paramount for the success of the camp. Even prior to attending, it was necessary for the students to consult with each on decisions such as meals and the distribution of the cooking equipment.

Hiking and canoeing were the main activities of the camp and each presented challenges that our students were required to problem solve individually and as a team. Day 1 saw our students throw their shoes to the opposite side of the river and form a chain in the water enabling each backpack to be passed safely across. Day 2 required our students to waterproof their backpacks and all the items in them for the canoeing journey. The rapids ensured a thrilling and fun day with a less than expected number of backpacks falling overboard. The true test was how well these floated owing to effective waterproofing. Day 3 set a cracking pace of hiking through the Bibbulmun Track though the rains from the day and previous night set the scene for a slippery and muddy encounter. In addition, both nights were spent on different campsites making it necessary to unpack and pack each day; this was particularly the case for the hoochies.

In true Captain spirit, our students embraced every minute of the camp with positivity and a ‘can do’ attitude that was inspiring. They showed an incredible capacity to adapt as the weather turned from fine and sunny to cold and wet, all the while, investing themselves fully in the camping experience. On our return to school, the House Captains, their families, Mrs Stockton-Rice, the Deans and Mr Kirby, were afforded the opportunity to reflect on the past few days over afternoon tea. Students had clearly gained personal insights and enthusiastically shared their thoughts on leadership and teamwork. We would like to acknowledge the outstanding attitude, contribution, and performance of each of the House Captains on their camping challenge.

Suzy Mettam – Dean of Parresia

SPORTS PRESENTATION EVENING

The annual Sports Awards Night was once again a roaring success on Tuesday 15 November. We have had another very successful year on the sporting field. It was great to see so many students and parents there to congratulate all the school team award winners, state representatives, ACC champions, All stars, school record breakers, Athlete Development Program winner (courtesy of the Athletic Institute) Colours, Emblems and Wreath recipients.

-Adam Dwyer

FRENCH CULTURAL IMMERSION

On 15 November the Year 9 and 10 French students enjoyed a gourmet escape at Maison St Honoré in the Swan Valley. During this excursion to a French Café and Macaron Factory, students put their knowledge of French language to good use by ordering their lunch and tasting the delicious homemade macarons.

Laurence Kuntz

YEAR 9 COMPASS PROGRAM

Year 9 completed their compass program on Monday 28 November with a breakfast together with parents and families. They had a fantastic time with Adam and Matt from Armed for Life, who helped students prepare for life as adults with a particular focus of resilience, relationships and decision making.

It also included a lot of fun!

David Bosma

YEAR 9 COMPASS KAADADJAN CAMP

Last week the Year 9 students ventured down to the Kaadadjan Centre for their Compass camp.  The themes of “Adventure, Connection and Challenge” set the tone for the three days with opportunities to experience mountain biking, archery tag, high ropes course and hiking.  Students were encouraged to reflect on their growth over the year and set goals for the type of adult they wished to become.  Cooking their meals and sharing tents allowed them to build stronger connections with their peers, whilst the activities gave them a chance to be supportive friends.  Unfortunately, the students could not break the hoodoo of the yearly “spotlight” challenge, with the teachers easily defending their flag and maintaining the title for another year.

At the end of the three days, students hiked out of the Kaadajan Centre with all their equipment back to Dwellingup and “civilisation”.  It was a great location and occasion to celebrate this milestone of the Compass Program for the students.

Craig Thomas

MUSIC & COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS

St Stephen’s School is offering a range of new Scholarship opportunities in 2024. From instrumental music to community excellence, academic and regional Scholarships, there is a variety of programs on offer which aim to encourage and recognise students in their pursuit of excellence.

For further information and how to apply click here: https://www.ststephens.wa.edu.au/enrolments/enrolment-information/scholarships/

2023 SCHOOL FEE PAYMENT OPTIONS

In 2023, similar to 2022, Parents / Guardians will not be required to re-select a preferred payment method and frequency at the start of the school year.

The payment method (direct debit, or credit card, or BPAY) and frequency of payment (weekly, fortnightly, monthly, three or four instalments or annual upfront) that you had in place in 2022 will continue automatically in 2023.

The dates to note for payments (based on frequency) next year are:

1 upfront payment due on 31 January 2023 (2% discount); or

43 weekly payments starting on 2 February 2023; or

22 fortnightly payments starting on 2 February 2023; or

22 fortnightly payments starting on 9 February 2023; or

10 monthly payments starting on 2 February 2023; or

10 monthly payments starting on 17 February 2023; or

3 instalments on 18 February 2023, 18 May 2023 and 18 August 2023; or

4 instalments on 2 February 2023, 2 April 2023, 2 July 2023 and 2 October 2023.

You will not be required to take any action, unless you would like to change the method of payment or frequency of payments. In which case, please contact the Accounts Receivable team on 9243 2103 or email accountsreceivable@ststephens.wa.edu.au as soon as possible. Please note that there will be a surcharge of 0.9% on all credit card payments.

If you wish to change your credit card, or bank account details, you are able to do this at any time throughout the year via the Parent Portal. Click on the ‘School Payments’ tab and select login under Manage stored cards and direct debits to bank accounts or use the following link https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/ManageStoredCards.aspx

In January 2023 your annual fee invoice will be available for you to view on the Parent Portal in the ‘School Payments’ tab by logging into Statements and receipt history or use the following link https://edinfo.ststephens.wa.edu.au/fin.aspx

All the best for the holidays and wishing you a Happy Christmas,

From the Accounts Receivable Team

PRESENTATION EVENINGS 2022

Booking link Carramar Secondary: https://events.humanitix.com/cspe2022

A NIGHT ON THE GREEN

CARRAMAR RESOUCE LISTS 2023 (YEARS 7-12)

Students are supplied with a list of essential items and texts which have to be purchased for school. This is handled by Campion Education WA.

Resource lists will be available online through the Campion website.

From Friday 11 November –  Friday 2 December 2022

(If ordered after this date, the goods may not arrive on time for the new school year and a charge of $8.00 per order will be incurred.)

Order online at   www.campion.com.au

• Click on “Online ordering for parents and students”
• Create your account
• Select St Stephen’s School – Carramar and enter the Resource List code, BCY7
• Select the year level and then choose the items you wish to purchase

‘Personal items for student use’ and ‘Parents to Supply’ is a personal choice as to avail from Campion or from your preferred stationery stockist.  Please note that items ticked as “Compulsory Subscriptions” need to be purchased directly from Campion.

Understanding that “back to school” can be an expensive cost to families, our staff have made a conscious effort to keep the cost to a minimum.

Date of delivery is the week ending Friday 20 January 2023  (only for orders placed prior to the cut-off date).

SECONDARY ASSISTANCE SCHEME (Years 7 to 12)

The State Government through the Western Australian Department of Education provides an allowance to assist eligible families with secondary schooling costs.

The allowance consists of two components:
▪ $115 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian.
▪ $235 Educational Program Allowance paid directly to the school.

To be eligible Parents or Guardians must hold one of the following cards:
▪ Centrelink Health Care Card
▪ Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
▪ Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card

Applications are to be completed at school during Term 1 only (2023)

Applications close Thursday 6 April 2023

Please ask school Reception for further information.

STEM WORKSHOP 2023

Soft Skills- are they really ‘soft’?

I recently attended a conference on innovation in education. Some of the topics covered included entrepreneurship, technology and jobs of the future. Alongside the techspeak and global focus, there was the common thread of ‘soft skills’. This has caused me to reflect on the term ‘soft skills’. Soft skills include the following- integrity, dependability, effective communication, team-work, problem solving, critical thinking, organisation, adaptability, willingness to learn and empathy. Now I don’t know about you, but I read that list and I don’t consider it ‘soft’. I consider these essential.

At the recent Year 10 Spring Soiree, I witnessed our young people displaying many of these soft skills. Dependability- they showed up, on time and followed the given dress code. Team-work and the willingness to learn were all displayed at the event and in the lead up as the students learned some formal dancing. They adapted when their dance partner had two left feet and communicated effectively when dancing with staff whose skill set lies elsewhere.

Although there may be many hard skills required for the jobs of the future, my take-away is that these are of little use without the (not so) soft skills.

Sarah Stockton-Rice

Deputy Head of Secondary

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2022

On Friday 11 November students, staff and community members came together in the Primary Forum to commemorate Remembrance Day. As is the tradition, those who died and suffered while serving in Australia’s armed forces in war and conflict were remembered.

CARRAMAR 2023 CAPTAINS

Congratulations to the following students who have been appointed Captains for 2023. The Captains will be officially announced and given their badges at Presentation Evening.

SPRING SOIREE

Last week the Year 10 students attended the annual Spring Soiree. It was a beautiful evening organised by Gillian Erasmus. Mr Batten filled the big shoes left by Mr Gilchrist and took on the role of dance instructor. The students danced the night away, showing off their new dancing and etiquette skills.

The staff at AQWA were very impressed with our students and commented several times on the manners displayed throughout the night.

Sarah Stockton-Rice

SECONDARY ASSISTANCE SCHEME (Years 7 to 12)

The State Government through the Western Australian Department of Education provides an allowance to assist eligible families with secondary schooling costs.

The allowance consists of two components:
▪ $115 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian.
▪ $235 Educational Program Allowance paid directly to the school.

To be eligible Parents or Guardians must hold one of the following cards:
▪ Centrelink Health Care Card
▪ Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
▪ Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card

Applications are to be completed at school during Term 1 only (2023)

Applications close Thursday 6 April 2023

Ask school Reception for more information

LEGO TEAM NEWS

Another fantastic effort from our FRANKENBRIK LEGO team on Saturday 12 November.

We just missed out on the top prize for the robot run but receiving the second place trophy is our best result so far.

We also received the runner up trophy  for the Core Values task.

The Carramar and Duncraig Primary teams also had a great day both getting winner trophies and making it through to the nationals.

Congratulations to the following secondary students on an awesome achievement.

• Aden Randell
• Luke Shirdon
• Steven Trinh
• David Bejan
• Elijah Bosma
• Jackson Proctor
• Fateh Hundal
• Jacob Stapleton

Tim Drake

CARRAMAR PRESENTATION EVENING

Booking link Carramar Secondary: https://events.humanitix.com/cspe2022

HOLIDAY WORKSHOP

BASEBALL

Carramar year 7 and 8 students competed in the Baseball WA championships today at the Baseball Stadium in Thornlie. Both teams played very well and there was an amazing amount of improvement throughout the day. One of the teams nearly went through the day undefeated, losing to the eventual winners Mazanod in the last round to leave them in 2nd place.

-Adam Dwyer

A NIGHT ON THE GREEN

It is with great excitement that we invite our school community to the inaugural “Night on The Green” on Saturday 3 December from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. If you would like to be involved and give a couple of hours of your time to help on the day, please contact Bronwyn (bronwyn.doak@yahoo.com) or Karen (hinder@internode.on.net ).

This parent led event is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, but also for everyone to get some Christmas shopping done! Many of our Christmas Markets stall holders will have Eftpos machines, but some may only accept cash (something to keep in mind).

Students will be able to get their picture taken in our special Santa’s Grotto this year! A lovely souvenir to share with family and friends. Please note that the photographer in charge will be able to take cash only ($5).

A lot of time and effort have been invested by parents to ensure that this event is a memorable one for all. We look forward to our community get-together and hope to see you there!

RESOURCE LIST 2023 (Yr 7-12)

Students are supplied with a list of essential items and texts which have to be purchased for school. This is handled by Campion Education WA.

Resource lists will be available online through the Campion website.

From Friday 11 November –  Friday 2 December 2022

(If ordered after this date, the goods may not arrive on time for the new school year and a charge of $8.00 per order will be incurred.)

Order online at   www.campion.com.au

Click on “Online ordering for parents and students”

Create your account

Select St Stephen’s School – Carramar and enter the Resource List code, BCY7

Select the year level and then choose the items you wish to purchase

‘Personal items for student use’ and ‘Parents to Supply’ is a personal choice as to avail from Campion or from your preferred stationery stockist.  Please note that items ticked as “Compulsory Subscriptions” need to be purchased directly from Campion.

Understanding that “back to school” can be an expensive cost to families, our staff have made a conscious effort to keep the cost to a minimum.

Date of delivery is the week ending Friday 20 January 2023  (only for orders placed prior to the cut-off date).

Campion is located in Malaga (Monday – Friday) on telephone 6240 2778 

NEW BUS ROUTE

WAAPA SUMMER SCHOOL 2023

Join us at WAAPA in January 2023 for fun, new friends and lots of performing! This summer WAAPA is offering a range of performing arts courses as part of our school holiday program for secondary school students. Classes for young people from Year 7 to 12 in Acting, Dance, Screen performance, Jazz and Music Theatre means there is something for everyone with a passion for the arts. Our wonderful staff cater for all abilities and experience levels. For information about the many courses on offer please visit Summer School 2023 or contact Gabrielle Metcalf at explore.waapa@ecu.edu.au or 9370 6775.

St Stephen’s School has no affiliation with this company and the post is simply an ad for their services if required.

2023 JANUARY HOLIDAY CLASSES

St Stephen’s School has no affiliation with this company and the post is simply an ad for their services if required.

Year 9 students in Western Australia outperformed the other states in both numeracy and reading on NAPLAN and are the third best in writing, thanks to a requirement that they demonstrate basic skills before they enter an academic stream for their senior years.

While the most recent National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy report shows some shocking results for Year 9 students, including an all-time low for reading in 2022, West Australian students continue to outperform other states.

The reason is easily pinpointed: in 2013, the State Government under premier Colin Barnett determined that any student in Year 10 who wished to go on and sit the West Australian Certificate of Education at the end of Year 12 had to first sit a basic literacy and numeracy exam in Year 10. It was introduced in 2014.

It is known as the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA), and students in the top two bands in NAPLAN in Year 9 are exempt.

The impact was immediate, says Steve Humphry, a statistician and expert in educational assessment, measurement and evaluation at the University of Western Australia who has done extensive analysis of NAPLAN scores in the state. He also headed the team that “crunched the numbers” between 2011 and 2016.

“We thought there was something wrong with the WA data in 2014 because of the jump,” Dr Humphry said.

“There was an obvious and very noticeable jump in literacy and numeracy scores for Year 9 students in WA.”

The OLNA effect has made a difference ever since. In 2022, WA’s Year 9 students scored an average of 585.1 with 92.2 per cent of students meeting the national minimum standard. It was followed by Victoria (584.6 and 91.6 per cent), NSW (580.5 and 90.2 per cent), South Australia (571.3 and 87.9 per cent).

WA also tops the states for numeracy in Year 9, but is slightly behind Victoria and NSW for writing.

Extract from Financial Review – 31 October 2022

YEAR 10 OUTDOOR ED SURF CAMP

Last week our Yr 10 Outdoor Education students ventured to Lancelin for the culmination of their surfing unit to test out their skills in a new environment. Heading up at lunchtime, the students had the challenge of setting up their tents in very windy conditions before a short walk along the beach to familiarise themselves with the following day’s surfing location. After dinner we headed to the nearby jetty to try our hand at fishing. Although it was difficult to get our lines out, a few lucky ones were rewarded for their patience and perseverance. The next morning the weather was kinder as we spent our time enjoying the rolling waves of Lancelin’s back beach!  It was great to see a lot of students catch a wave with a few “party waves” also to be had.

Craig Thomas

JAPANESE STUDENT VISITORS

Dalton School Tokyo Year 9 students have been experiencing life at St Stephen’s School, with two groups of students visiting our Carramar and Duncraig campuses this week to learn about school in Australia and connect with students as part of a study tour organised by Gold Educational Tours. Year 9 and 10 St Stephen’s School students have buddied up with our Japanese visitors in some of their regular classes and during special activities including cooking bush tucker, learning calligraphy, climbing wall sessions and an introduction to some much-loved Australian sports (cricket and football).

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF CAMPUS – CARPARK ETIQUETTE

The safety of families in our car park areas is a significant concern and it is paramount that, as a community, we show courtesy and care in this area. Please drive slowly at all times and only park in designated areas. Furthermore the turning circle at the end of the Staff carpark near Reception is not to be used as a student drop off or pickup point.

Thank you for your cooperation

Bennet Andrews – Head of Campus Carramar

CARRAMAR RESOURCE LISTS

(Years 7 – 12 in 2023)

Students are supplied with a list of essential items and texts which have to be purchased for school. This is handled by Campion Education WA.

Resource lists will be available online through the Campion website.

From Friday 11 November –  Friday 2 December 2022

(If ordered after this date, the goods may not arrive on time for the new school year and a charge of $8.00 per order will be incurred.)

Order online at   www.campion.com.au

• Click on “Online ordering for parents and students”
• Create your account
• Select St Stephen’s School – Carramar and enter the Resource List code, BCY7
• Select the year level and then choose the items you wish to purchase

‘Personal items for student use’ and ‘Parents to Supply’ is a personal choice as to avail from Campion or from your preferred stationery stockist.  Please note that items ticked as “Compulsory Subscriptions” need to be purchased directly from Campion.

Understanding that “back to school” can be an expensive cost to families, our staff have made a conscious effort to keep the cost to a minimum.

Date of delivery is the week ending Friday 9 December  (only for orders placed prior to the cut-off date).

Campion is located in Malaga (Monday – Friday) on telephone 6240 2778 

A NIGHT ON THE GREEN

It is with great excitement that we invite our school community to the inaugural “Night on The Green” on Saturday 3 December from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. If you would like to be involved and give a couple of hours of your time to help on the day, please contact Bronwyn (bronwyn.doak@yahoo.com) or Karen (hinder@internode.on.net ).

This parent led event is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, but also for everyone to get some Christmas shopping done J! Many of our Christmas Markets stall holders will have Eftpos machines, but some may only accept cash (something to keep in mind).

Students will be able to get their picture taken in our special Santa’s Grotto this year! A lovely souvenir to share with family and friends J. Please note that the photographer in charge will be able to take cash only ($5).

A lot of time and effort have been invested by parents to ensure that this event is a memorable one for all. We look forward to our community get-together and hope to see you there!

FUSION

STRENGTHENING CHILDREN & TEENS AGAINST ANXIETY

PRESENTATION EVENING 2022

NEW BUS ROUTE

WAAPA SUMMER SCHOOL 2023

Join us at WAAPA in January 2023 for fun, new friends and lots of performing! This summer WAAPA is offering a range of performing arts courses as part of our school holiday program for secondary school students. Classes for young people from Year 7 to 12 in Acting, Dance, Screen performance, Jazz and Music Theatre means there is something for everyone with a passion for the arts. Our wonderful staff cater for all abilities and experience levels. For information about the many courses on offer please visit Summer School 2023 or contact Gabrielle Metcalf at explore.waapa@ecu.edu.au or 9370 6775.

St Stephen’s School has no affiliation with this company and the post is simply an ad for their services if required.

Children’s Week WA runs from October 22^nd to the 30^th. The theme of Children’s Week 2022 is, ‘All children have the right to a standard of living that supports their healthy development and wellbeing’. Healthy development can only occur when we understand why students behave the way they do.

So, what is the definition of ‘behaviour?’ The answer is perhaps an obvious one but consider this – a child’s behaviour is their story. In psychology, this theory is called narrative identity. It is the integration of a reconstructed past, a perceived present, and an imagined future.

When students ‘act-out,’ when they show kindness or when they feel as if we want to retreat, this is the telling of their personal stories. When we stop questioning the logic of a child’s behaviour and start to examine the story that brought it about, we develop empathy for each other.

This notion helps understand why students need each other and the significant adults in their lives. Each year at St Stephen’s School, we are privileged to see positive student stories acted out in class, on school camps, through student mentoring, when moving from Primary to High school and on the first day of Kindy through to the splendour of the year 12 ball. Our students tell their stories through active community service and when voicing their House or School spirit through their united performances on the field, in the pool, in the heat of debating or in musical harmony.

The extension of this notion that our stories are being played out in behaviour, is that we can all work to shape our narratives and improve our conduct and responses. In this way we can learn efficacy, cultivate empathy and grow human capacity, both in ourselves and in others. We pride ourselves on how we listen to the stories that our students tell about themselves and how we support them to shape a positive vision of themselves in the future.

For more information and resources on National Children’s Week, please follow this link.

Bennet Andrews

Head of Campus

YEAR 11 OUTDOOR ED CAMP TO KALBARRI

Last week 18 students and 3 staff took on the challenge of hiking for three days through the magnificent Kalbarri gorges. Students had to be self-sufficient, carrying all of their supplies and equipment as they scrambled over rock ledges, along river beds, and across water crossings.  After thirty challenging kilometres over three days, students were rewarded with a meal at a local restaurant. Hopefully, the sore muscles and blisters will pass shortly, but the memories will last a lifetime!

Craig Thomas

STUDENT ABSENCES/LATE ARRIVAL

It is the responsibility of all parents/guardians to notify the school of any absences or lateness of arrival to school. This can be done via email to absenteecarramar@ststephens.wa.edu.au, phone 9306 7100 or SMS to 0428 863 144. If for any reason a student must leave school during the day, parents must advise Student Services by one of the above methods or a note presented to Student Services at the beginning of the school day. All students whether arriving  late, departing early or attending an appointment and returning to school must sign in/out at Student Services. Further information on absences can be found on page 32 of the parent handbook.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

PRESENTATION EVENINGS 2022

Join us as we celebrate the talents and achievements of our students at our annual Presentation Evenings in December. Bookings are now open for each event via events.humanitix.com/tours/pe2022

NEW BUS ROUTE

FUSION 2022

STRENGTHENING CHILDREN AND TEENS AGAINST ANXIETY

TRANSPERTH SCHOOL BUS SERVICE 2023

MARITIME DAY 2022

St Stephen’s School has no affiliation with this company and the post is simply an ad for their services if required.