Celebration of Excellence

Recently, we gathered as a community to celebrate the achievements of our students at the Celebration of Excellence. It was a privilege to welcome families, staff, and distinguished guests, including Mr Wayne Wood, our newly appointed Deputy Executive Director. The evening was a testament to the hard work, grit, and determination of our students — and to the dedication of our staff and families who support them.

In my address, I reflected on the purpose of Catholic education. Drawing from The Importance of Education (Second Vatican Council), I reminded our community that education is not only about academic success—it is about the formation of the whole person: socially, culturally, economically, and spiritually. At St Stephen’s, we strive to embody this mission by offering diverse, inclusive, and future-focused pathways that empower every student to thrive. “True development must be integral; it must foster the development of each person and of the whole person.” —Pope Paul VI.

Our students’ achievements in subject scores, literacy, writing, and post-school destinations show that we are “punching above our weight.” With strong NAPLAN results and 96.4% of our 2024 graduates engaged in further education, training, or employment, our students are not just learning about success—they are living it. “Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.” Epictetus

I would like to publicly acknowledge all our awardees: your success is the embodiment of our mission, and your effort and hard work has borne reward for you – well done!

To our families and staff: thank you for your unwavering support and dedication.

Year 12 Graduation

Our Year 12 Graduation was a moving and memorable occasion. We celebrated not just the end of schooling for our students, but the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Whether they began in Year 7 or joined us later, each graduate is part of our story—and we are part of theirs.

In my graduation speech, I spoke about virtue and conscience—two pillars of Catholic theological thought that guide us in living good lives. Drawing from St Thomas Aquinas, I reminded our students that wisdom (prudence), justice, courage (fortitude), and temperance (self-control) are not abstract ideals, but practical tools for navigating life’s challenges “Virtue is a habit that enables us to act well”—St Thomas Aquinas.

I also spoke of conscience as our inner sense of right and wrong, guided by God’s truth and grace. Listening to our conscience enables us to act with integrity, seek forgiveness, and cultivate virtue. It also helps us to regard each other more than ourselves, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” Philippians 2:3–4.

To our graduates: you are transitioning from one existence to another. You will face hardship, but also joy, love, and purpose. Go forward with faith, service, and courage. Be a light for the world. You carry with you our blessings, our hopes, and our prayers.

Gary Conwell

ssm.principal@cns.catholic.edu.au

Cairns Diocesan News

Edition 45 | October 2025