Principal
Mr Gary Conwell, Principal
St Stephen's Catholic College
Celebration of Excellence
Our Celebration of Excellence was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the achievements of our students and, just as importantly, the work behind those achievements. Awards recognise success, but they don't always show the struggle that came before it: the concept that didn't make sense the first time, the assignment rewritten after feedback, the disappointment of getting something wrong, and the decision to have another go. Sometimes the struggle is not the obstacle to learning; sometimes the struggle is the learning. St Paul reminds us to:
“run with perseverance the race that lies before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
This perseverance is something worth celebrating in our young people. I congratulate all our award recipients and thank our staff and families for the encouragement, high expectations, and support they provide. A particular thank you to Simon Vaughan for leading the Celebration of Excellence, and to the many staff who presented awards, prepared citations, supported our arts performances, and worked behind the scenes. Events like this take a great deal of work, and the professionalism, generosity and pride in St Stephen's throughout the evening made it a fitting celebration of our students.
Year 12 Graduation
Our Year 12 Graduation was another very special occasion as we farewelled the Class of 2026. For most of their lives, our graduates have had parents, carers and teachers providing much of the structure around them. Increasingly, responsibility for the people they become now passes to them. My final message to our Year 12s was simple. Take with you the values that have helped form you at St Stephen's: Faith, Service and Courage. Have the courage to pursue what is good, particularly when it is difficult. Have faith when the road ahead is unclear. Wherever life takes you, retain enough concern for others to ask, "How can I help?" and "What can I do?" The words of the prophet Micah capture much of what I hope for them:
“to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
A particular thank you to Janai Sugars for coordinating the Graduation, together with our Year 12 Homeroom Teachers, Pastoral Leaders, College Leadership Team, administration staff and all those who supported our Year 12 students and their final events. To our parents, carers and families, thank you for the sacrifices, encouragement and love that have brought these young people to this point. To our graduates, you leave St Stephen's with our blessings, hopes and prayers. Trust in the Lord, have courage and use your gifts in the service of others.
From November 2, I will be undertaking a secondment with Catholic Education Services as Acting Director School Performance (P–12 & Secondary). I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Catholic Education across the Diocese for this short period and equally grateful to colleagues who have agreed to take on additional responsibilities while I am away. Simon Vaughan will serve as Acting Principal; Jay Salerno as Acting Deputy Principal; Sam Malcolm as Acting Assistant Principal – Students; and Kristy Braes as Acting Middle Leader – Pastoral, McAuley. I thank them and our staff more broadly for their willingness to step forward and support the College's continued work.
20th Year Celebration Evening
Finally, our 20th Year Celebration Evening is now not far away. On Saturday, November 21, current and past members of the St Stephen's community will gather at the Holy Spirit Centre from 6.30 pm to 11.00 pm to celebrate 20 years of faith, learning and community. Over those two decades, thousands of students, families and staff have contributed to the story of St Stephen's. No school is built by one person or one generation; each adds something to what has gone before and leaves something for those who follow. I warmly encourage current families, past students, former staff and friends of St Stephen's to join us. Twenty years is a good moment to pause and give thanks: for the people who had the faith and courage to begin St Stephen's, for those who have shaped it along the way, and for the young people and families who continue to give our College its purpose. St Paul writes:
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
There is something of the St Stephen's story in those words. Many people have planted and watered over the past 20 years. We have much for which to be grateful, and much still to look forward to.
Trust in the Lord.
2027 School Year Commencement
To support the introduction of our new Vertical Pastoral Care Classes, Year 7 and Year 12 students will commence the 2027 school year on Wednesday, January 27, the day following the Australia Day public holiday. Students in Years 8 to 11 will commence on Thursday, January 28.
This staggered start will allow our senior students to help welcome and support our newest students as they begin their journey at St Stephen's, and to create a space for Year 12 students to create their own bonds.
Gary Conwell