Principal
Mr Gary Conwell, Principal
Faith continues to anchor the life of our College and give direction to all that we do. Our Opening Liturgy provided a prayerful beginning to the year, reminding us that Catholic education is about formation as much as it is about learning.
It was a privilege to welcome Bishop Joe Caddy to St Stephen’s Catholic College for our Opening Liturgy and the blessing of the Innovation Centre. His presence reminded us that we are part of a wider diocesan family, united in mission and purpose. His encouragement affirmed the important work taking place within our community as we seek to form young people who live out our College and Catholic values in practical and life-giving ways.
Our celebration of Ash Wednesday was a particularly meaningful moment for the College community. The liturgy text invited students and staff to reflect deeply on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—not as rituals to be endured, but as intentional practices that help shape who we are and how we live. I thank Janai Sugars and all staff who assisted in preparing and supporting this important celebration as we began the season of Lent together. I think the prayer text exhorting us to feast on helping others and fasting on those things that don’t help others was something to think about going forward.
Learning, Leadership and Community
Across the College, students are being encouraged to take responsibility for their learning, to persist when work is challenging, and to engage thoughtfully with feedback. These habits matter. Learning flourishes when students feel safe, known, and supported, and when expectations are clear and consistent. I thank families for their continued partnership in reinforcing routines, attendance, and a positive approach to learning.
Recently, our student leaders participated in a Leadership Retreat. I thank Jayarani Salerno, Janai Sugars, Janeka Reys, Troy Brunjes, Sonya Barnes, Richard Baker, Sam Malcolm and Rachel Brown for their generous engagement in this important work with our students. Their willingness to help our students find their leadership voice strengthens our student body and more importantly prepares our students for their roles as College leaders. The way all year levels interacted was really good to see in action.
Our Swimming Carnival was another highlight of the term and a wonderful example of community spirit in action. I thank Jason Atkins, our Middle Leader for Sports and Events, and Linda Bale, along with all staff who assisted on the day, for ensuring the event ran smoothly and provided a positive and inclusive experience for our students. Attendance and participation was high – as well as the heat – and overall the day was everything we want in a sports day.
Wellbeing, Partnership and Looking Ahead
The wellbeing and safety of our students remains our highest priority. Much of this work happens quietly through pastoral care, guidance support, and safeguarding processes, always with the aim of ensuring students feel safe, heard, and supported. I also wish to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of our staff, including those who have joined us this year, whose commitment plays a vital role in shaping a positive and caring learning environment. Formally we welcomed the following staff at our Opening Liturgy, and I thank them for their strong start to the year:
Teaching Staff
Mr Martin Burke - ITD
Mr Jason Atkins - ML Sport & Activities
Mrs Julia Debel - returning maternity leave
Non-teaching Staff
Ms Natuna Mackay - Learning Support Officer
Mr Patrick Aloia - Learning Support Officer
Mrs Jay Geddes - Learning Support Officer
As part of our forward planning, the leadership team has begun early work on our timetable and Home Form structures for 2027. This work is focused on ensuring balance, consistency, and strong learning conditions as the College continues to grow enrolments. There are no changes affecting students this year, and the proposed adjustments for 2027 will be communicated clearly to parents later in the year, once planning is further refined. Home form will be configured to align more closely to our pastoral middle leader vertical structure and the timetable cycle and structure of the school day changed to enable greater flexibility to coordinate staff and student classes.
Finally, we welcome Mikey von Bardeleben back to St Stephen’s Catholic College. Mikey will be working with us over the next two weeks as part of our 4D instructional work, supporting observation and feedback processes to teachers about their classroom practice across the College.
Gary Conwell