On behalf of the St Stephen’s Catholic College family, I extend my warmest wishes for Advent and Christmas to all our families, caregivers, staff and students. This season reminds us of the words of Isaiah, who long ago, foretold an aspect about the coming of Jesus:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”(Isaiah 9:2)

In Advent, we reflect on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. It calls us to prepare for Christ’s coming, to reflect on our lives, and to make His love real in the world. In Jesus’ love, there is no separation, no fear of the unknown, only His peace.

We began the year with our Opening Mass, commissioning our Year 12 leaders to serve with faith, courage, and service. Throughout the year, our students from Years 7 to 12 embraced opportunities to grow as learners and leaders. They prayed together, reflected on scripture, and lived out the Gospel in practical ways—through Rosies outreach, Project Compassion, and the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. These acts of service remind us that faith is not passive; it is a journey we walk together.

Our students faced academic challenges with determination, and their efforts bore fruit in outstanding NAPLAN results, particularly in writing and grammar, academic excellence in their subjects, and excellence in their pathway choices of traineeships, apprenticeships, and work experience. They showed courage on the sporting field, winning the overall trophy at the District Track & Field Carnival, and in the Great Wheelbarrow Race, where our senior team placed first overall, competed in school tournaments and round robins, and gave their best for their college and for their friends. They brought creativity and collaboration to life in our first musical production of Matilda JR, and they triumphed in debating and reading competitions across the diocese and state – just to name a few of the endeavours our students undertook throughout the year.

This year also connected us to the wider Church with the election of Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian priest, and was an historic moment that resonated deeply with our College’s Augustinian tradition. As St Augustine called people to interiority and listening deeply to God, Pope Leo began his papacy with a call to synodality. Synodality is that form of listening, participation, and communion where we walk together in faith and unity. Both men, St Augustine and Pope Leo, call us to turn inward to encounter God and then turn outward and give of ourselves in service and love to our fellow human beings.

In this same spirit, Pope Leo prayed the following during the Pentecost Mass in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican City:

"The Holy Spirit comes to challenge us, to make us confront the possibility that our lives are shrivelling up, trapped in the vortex of individualism," he said. "Sadly, oddly enough, in a world of burgeoning 'social' media, we risk being ever more alone. Constantly connected, yet incapable of 'networking."' The Spirit "put us in touch with our inmost self, beneath all the masks we wear. He leads us to an encounter with the Lord by teaching us to experience the joy that is his gift", and to have one's life become a place "of welcome and refreshment."

We also welcomed the appointment of Bishop-elect Joe Caddy as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Cairns. The appointment of Bishop Joe by Pope Francis had been keenly anticipated in the Cairns Diocese for several years since the retirement of Bishop Foley. Bishop Joe has since taken up his position at the head of the Diocese, bringing with him a wealth of pastoral experience and a deep commitment to social justice. Bishop Joe will preside over the College Opening Mass next year, and we are looking forward to his visit immensely.

Amid these milestones, I reflect on the daily acts of kindness and encouragement that often go unnoticed: a student helping a peer, a teacher giving extra time to a student who is struggling, a family supporting school life, and other acts of faith, service and courage in the life of our school. These moments embody the spirit of synodality, where we serve each other as well as look to our own interests.

As the year closes, we give thanks for staff who have served our students with dedication and now move on to new chapters. We farewell Mrs Yui Taniguchi, retiring after serving St Stephen’s since 2008; Jennifer Tahir, on maternity leave; Mr Colin Free, retiring after 20 years with Catholic Education Cairns; and Hadyn Steele and Maia Gambino, who leave our learning support team to begin their teaching careers. We wish them every blessing for the future.

To all families, thank you for your trust and partnership throughout 2025. Your support makes our mission possible. As we look ahead, may we continue to nurture faith, service, and courage in every student, and may the light of Christ guide us into the new year.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

(Num 6:24-26)

God Bless

Gary Conwell

ssm.principal@cns.catholic.edu.au

Bibliography

Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns. (2025). New Bishop of Cairns ordained. https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au/new-bishop-of-cairns-ordained/

Great Wheelbarrow Race. (2025). 2025 results. https://greatwheelbarrowrace.com.au/2025-results/

The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition. (2011). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025, June 8). God’s love breaks down walls, opens borders, dispels hatred, pope says. https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/gods-lovebreaks-down-walls-opens-borders-dispels-hatred-pope-says

Vatican News. (2025, May 8). Biography of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/biography-of-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html

Vatican News. (2025, May 13). General Secretariat of Synod welcomes election of Pope Leo XIV. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-05/general-secretariat-of-synod-welcomes-election-of-pope-leo-xiv.html

Vatican News. (2025, June 8). Pope on Pentecost: The Spirit shatters our inner chains and transforms us.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-06/pope-leo-xiv-pentecost-8-june-2025-mass-homily-sunday.html

Vatican News. (2025, June 26). Pope: Synodality is an attitude that helps Church foster communion. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-06/pope-leo-xiv-council-synod-church-synodality-communion.html

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