Principal
Mr Gary Conwell, Principal
I’d like to wish all students, families and staff a very happy and blessed Easter. Easter marks the end of Lent in the Christian calendar, a time of reflection for Christians who deny themselves something of value to focus on prayer and doing good for others. In the gospel reading from Mk 14:1—15:47 at last weekend’s Palm Sunday mass, several people, including Father Saju, read Jesus’ crucifixion story from his temptation to his rising. There were many poignant parts of the reading, but one section stood out to me:
At noon darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon.
And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
which is translated,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
“Look, he is calling Elijah.”
One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed
and gave it to him to drink saying,
“Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.”
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Jesus, who at his lowest point, uttered this most guttural phrase in Aramaic, Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” – translated as “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Theologically speaking, Jesus is separated from the Father, and his reaction typifies all those who battle hardship and separation. This part of Jesus’ crucifixion points to the theodicy (problem) of suffering – that Jesus suffered (as do many people) despite being blameless to the accusations with which he was charged. A theodicy that the Church and many others have wrestled with over the centuries.
It also struck me that at Jesus’ lowest point, the people who watched and listened to him while he was crucified either deliberately or inadvertently misrepresented his words: Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah.” Their misrepresentation could have been due to the similarity of the words in Aramaic, or more likely, the bystanders deliberately used Jesus’ utterings to shame and ridicule him in his moment of pain. This part challenged me to think more thoughtfully towards those who are suffering and to listen to those who are in pain to hear their words and faithfully represent what they are saying.
Overall, the Easter story is one of triumph over suffering and the promise that it will be conquered once and for all.
Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Term 1, 2024
Thank you to all students and families for engaging with the College during Term 1, 2024. The year is off to a great start. Our new Year 7 students have settled well into the school year, and they are learning to manage the differences between primary and secondary school, organise themselves across multiple subjects, get involved in sports, art, and culture, and meet and make new friends. Some will take longer than others, but they will get there.
Our senior students have also started well. Years 11 and 12 can be challenging as the requirements and rigour of the school work increase. Academic success demands dedication, planning, and good time management, especially if the study pathway has many demands. It is good to see our senior students embracing the challenges of their chosen pathways in rigorous science and maths-based subjects, as well as technical and trade-based subjects and courses.
Staff
We farewell Denise Morrow after 18 years of service, dedication and enthusiasm for St Stephen’s and we wish her the best with all that life has in store for her. Many thanks, Denise, for your service and all the best for the future.
We also farewell Ms Peta Ide and Mr Laurie Green, who are leaving the College at the end of Term 1, and Mr Tim O’Hallahan, who is departing for some well-earned long service leave during Term 2. God bless you, Peta, Laurie, and Tim, for your travels ahead.
The College is advertising for teaching positions for Term 2, and we hope to finalise appointments soon.
We welcome Ms Maia Gambino, Ms Hannah McDowall, and Ms Georgia Santucci as Learning Support Officers to our Diversity Team, and Ms Llewcrisha Barney as our Indigenous Liaison Officer. We are very excited and happy to have our new staff join the College team, especially in the area of learning support, inclusion and First Nations students. We also welcome Ms Tahlia Spena, who is spending some time with us as a pre-service teacher.
Attendance
Our school has a policy of encouraging 100% student attendance – all day, every day. Every student absence requires a valid reason. Compulsory education is required by law; however, our concern is that regular absences can significantly affect student learning.
As principal, I have a responsibility under law and Catholic Education Policy to follow up on student absenteeism with parents and carers at critical points. As a reminder, see below the cumulative effect of ongoing lateness and absence:
| If a student misses | This equals | Which equates to | Over 13 years of schooling |
| 10 minutes a day | 33 hours a year | More than a week’s school | More than 15 weeks of school |
| 20 minutes a day | 67 hours a year | More than 2 week’s school | More than 31 weeks of school |
| 1 day a fortnight | 20 days a year | 4 weeks of school | Nearly 1.5 years |
| 1 day a week | 40 days a year | 8 weeks of school | More than 2.5 years |
Please encourage your sons and daughters to come to school regularly, and please reach out if you need help with this task. Our teachers, Middle Leaders, and Senior Leaders are always ready to assist.
God bless,
Gary Conwell | Principal