Assistant Principal
Students
Mrs Jayarani Salerno, Assistant Principal Students
Thriving Together: A Term of Courage and Community
Term 3 has flown by, filled with opportunities for growth, connection, and challenge. It’s been inspiring to see students stepping out of their comfort zones and engaging in a wide range of activities that build resilience and community spirit.
Highlights included the Year 9 Camp to Mungalli Falls, where students embraced the rainforest environment, tackled challenges, and bonded as a cohort—many showing real maturity and leadership. Our Year 7s also had a fantastic experience at TEEC in Tinaroo, forming new friendships, developing teamwork skills, and growing in confidence.
Our Student Agency Team has been hard at work finalising new seating around the College. At the same time, our College Captains confidently presented the Term Report at the Family College Connect, continuing to lead the way in student voice and feedback.
Throughout the term, we have worked closely with students to help them develop strategies for managing conflict, navigating setbacks, and making positive choices. At St Stephen’s, we recognise that young people are still developing emotionally and cognitively. That is why we are committed to walking alongside them with care, guidance, and understanding.
Uniform and Grooming Reminders:
- Hat: Navy blue College hat (clearly labelled with the child’s name) must be worn every day to and from school.
Formal Uniform:
- Boys: Formal light beige shirt with navy blue dress shorts (not pastoral shorts).
- Pastoral and Formal shoes: Flat-bottom or volley style shoes are insufficient and are not permitted for both formal and sports shoes. Below is an example of unacceptable sports shoes
Hair:
- Students must have a natural colour or shade. Hair shorter than a ‘number 2’ clip is not permitted.
- Girls with hair touching the collar must have it tied back using College-coloured hair ties.
- Boys’ hair must be conservatively cut, above the collar, not falling across the face. Mullets are not permitted.
- Make-up: Any form of make-up, including eyelash extensions, artificial nails, and nail polish, is not permitted.
- Jewellery: Students may wear up to two small silver, gold, pearl, or gemstone round earrings. No other visible body jewellery is accepted, including nose piercings (clear piercings or band-aid coverings are not accepted).
Pastoral Sports Shorts Update:
A friendly reminder that the old pastoral sports shorts will be phased out at the end of 2025. As part of the 18-month transition, all students are expected to wear the new pastoral sports shorts from the beginning of 2026. These can be purchased in Mareeba at Tina’s Fashions.
We wrapped up the term with a joyful celebration on St Stephen’s Day—a perfect reminder of the strong community spirit that defines our College.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to work together.
Wishing all families a safe, restful, and blessed holiday break.
God bless
Jayarani Salerno