When work started on the new Junior High Precinct, I watched impatiently for the building to take shape. Machines drilled and hammered, dust drifted across the Concourse and industrial-level noise disturbed the rhythms of school life.
Weeks went by and still no walls appeared; workers efforts concentrated on the excavated bottom of the hillside. How long, I wondered, before we see some ‘real’ building? But, of course, the builders were doing ‘real’ building. They were ensuring that the foundations were strong; that they would bear the weight of the structure that was to come.
As with constructions, communities must be built on solid foundations if they are to prosper and grow. St Peters Springfield is blessed to be just such a community and each year on Founders Day we honour the people who had the vision and determination to create a school founded on the rocks of faith and pursuit of excellence. However, the Founders Day service is not just anchored in the past. It also acknowledges the future through the installation of new staff and presentation of the Year 12 cohort. But we look forward in confidence only because we are assured that our foundations will withstand the challenges that inevitably come.
Junior High
This year, our Year 9 students will have a new opportunity to take on a position of leadership through the creation of the role of Junior High House Captain. We currently have a representative from each Pastoral Care class as a member of the Student Executive Team and the creation of House Captains will allow more students to accept a position of responsibility. Each house will have two Captains who will assist the Senior Captains at interhouse carnivals, help lead assemblies and chapel services and help organise house activities.
The Year 9 Pastoral Care teachers and Mrs Boase, the Junior High Key Pastoral Care teacher will mentor both the captains and the SET representatives and guide them as they develop their leadership skills.
Sue Grotherr Head of Secondary School
What's On
Term 1 Week 2 2020
Thursday 6 February
Yr 6 Leadership Day LYQ
Friday 7 February
Community Celebration 5:00pm -7:00pm
Tuesday 11 February
CD Swimming Ironbark Information Session 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday 12 February
Yr 7 Camp Yr 5 Information Session 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Thursday 13 February
Yr 7 Camp
Friday 14 February
Yr 7 Camp
Important Notices
2021 Year 7 & Year 10 Academic Scholarships
Registrations for Year 7 and Year 10 Academic Scholarships are still open. To register visit the Springfield Academic Page. The cost of registration is $100.00. Registrations close on Friday 7 February.
The Academic Scholarship Test will be held at Indooroopilly on Saturday 15 February 2020.
Important Note for Year 7/2021 candidates. In 2019 the College created a class in Year 7 called the Bonhoeffer Class. Please read the downloadable flyer (PDF) regarding the Bonhoeffer class. It is strongly advised that students entering Year 7 in 2021 who wish to be considered for the Bonhoeffer Class sit the 2021 Academic Scholarship Test.
For further information regarding Academic Scholarships, please contact Enrolments: (07) 3470 3888 or s.enrolments@stpeters.qld.edu.au
Ministry
Welcoming Strangers
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2
I’m not sure if I remember my first day of school precisely, or whether I just think I do because of the photos. In one I am at my front door with my big brother, dressed in a royal blue skivvy and grey jumper. In another I’m waiting for the bus holding my school case. I have a big smile on my face – I was so excited to go. I also have memories of school being a challenge at times, more socially than academically. Making friends was not always easy, and sometimes impossible. I remember one bus trip home to a friend’s place, where there was no spare seat. I had to stand up with a whole bus load of big kids staring at me, with no one offering to help me find a seat or wriggle up so I could squash in. I felt exposed and frightened. But I remember another trip when an older boy, also a stranger, showed me the trick to tying my shoe laces successfully. I felt jubilant, and so proud when I showed my parents I could do it on my own. A welcoming stranger can give an enduring blessing.
First days are big days. When you start at a new school, enter a new community or simply do something with a new group of people, it’s a big day. We start as outsiders. We need the welcome of those around us to help us.
Jesus calls us to welcome the stranger. He showed in his life many times when he was willing to include those whom society had excluded, to draw the outsider in. The woman at the well, blind Bartimaeus, people with leprosy, people with demons, “tax-collectors and sinners”, the woman with bleeding, the Roman Centurion and his sick servant, and the list goes on. Jesus welcomed strangers when no-one else did, bringing to them the love and mercy of God.
Jesus came as a stranger to this world. He needed the kindness of strangers to welcome him when his parents fled to Egypt when he was a baby. He then showed kindness to strangers wherever he went, and in so doing brought the love of God into their lives.
If you are new to St Peters this year, I pray you will find a warm welcome. I pray you will find a community shaped by our Lord Jesus and his unconditional welcome. If you are returning to St Peters, I pray you will find great blessing in extending a welcome to all who are strangers.
Pastor Matt Wilksch Springfield Chaplain
Community Celebration - Friday 7 February 2020
Walking on Water
You are invited to join the St Peters Community at the first Community Celebration for 2020. Come ready to get wet as we play water games on the Oval. Join in worshipping with a service led by Year 3 students. Share in a sausage sizzle to complete the evening.
5:00 pm Water Games – bring your swimmers and your water pistol
6:00 pm Worship – Walking on Water with Year 3
6:45 pm Sausage Sizzle (gluten free and vegetarian options available)
ARISE 3RD BIRTHDAY - Sunday 9 February 2020
Arise Lutheran Church is the new congregation that meets at St Peters, Springfield. This weekend we celebrate 3 years since commencing in 2017. We’ll celebrate with our usual family-friendly worship service at 9am, followed by Morning Tea. There will be cake! You are invited to join us this Sunday, and to join our community for worship, friendship and to grow in faith and love.
Arise - A New Way
In this week’s video message Pastor Matt starts a series about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus starts his teaching with ‘The Beatitudes’. Jesus says the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who seek righteousness, are blessed. It’s a radical new teaching; a new way to look at life. Do you know this new way?
Arise is a Christian Community where people gather each Sunday morning at 9am in the St Peter’s Hub, to meet Jesus the Light of the World. "Arise, shine, your light has come!" Isaiah 60:1
A visitor in a recent review wrote, “It's an experience of warmth, welcome, acceptance … The messages are relevant to my everyday living … Hugely hospitable.”
All are welcome.
Secondary Years
Psychology Student Experiments
Attention: Senior Secondary Students may be recruited for Psychology Student Experiments.
Our students of Psychology must complete a number of practicals as described by the Psychology Syllabus (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority; 2019) as part of their course of study. The mandatory and suggested practicals outlined in Syllabus relate to memory, sleep, concentration, learning, attitudes and visual perception.
Consequently, students in the Senior School (Years 10 – 12) may be asked to be participants in these investigations during the 2020 school year. They will be provided with information as to how the study will be conducted and what their involvement will entail before they agree to participate. Please note that their participation will be entirely voluntary, they will be free to withdraw from the experiment at any time and to withdraw their data and responses. The investigations should not have any impact on their normal learning and assessment program. In addition, all responses will be de-identified and the procedures will be monitored by the teacher.
If you do NOT wish your child to participate in the studies can you please email Dr Michelle Thygesen (m.thygesen@stpeters.qld.edu.au) and your child’s name will be included in a list of non-participants.
Dr Michelle Thygesen 7-12 Science Coordinator Secondary Biology and Psychology Teacher
Empower! Endeavour! Experience! Achieve!
St Peters Lutheran College Springfield offers students in Years 9 – 12 the opportunity to participate in the highly valued Duke of Edinburgh Award Program.
Past recipients experienced the joy of succeeding at goals that they set for themselves in four areas: physical fitness, a non-physical skill, volunteering and through the completion of an ‘Adventurous Journey’.
Students in Year 9 can record their Ironbark 4-day hike for their Adventurous Journey for the Bronze Award, if they are registered before leaving for Ironbark.
If you would like to learn more about the Duke of Edinburgh Program, please attend an information session 5:15 – 6 pm on Tuesday, 11th February in the Hub. For the convenience of Year 9 parents, this meeting will be held just prior to the Ironbark Information Session.
If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please email an expression of interest to Mme Rae Morgan (Award Leader) at r.morgan@stpeters.qld.edu.au by Monday, 10th February.
Senior Jerseys
Our Year 12 cohort received their fantastic Senior Jerseys last week. The Senior Jersey is a rite of passage and cements in their mind they are now ‘Seniors’. The cohort chose the design when they were in Year 11 and now have the opportunity to wear them with pride. The jersey is a symbol and a privilege for our senior students as it recognises their final year of schooling and becomes a lasting momento of College life.
Primary Years
New Prep play area
It's exciting for our school families to see the new additions to the Prep/OSHC play area that were installed over the holidays. Our new slide, cubby house and digging patch have been well used already and thoroughly enjoyed. Providing equipment to promote gross and fine motor skills is important in early childhood development. Fun times ahead at Prep and beyond!
First Primary Assembly
On Wednesday we held our first Primary Assembly with our Prep to Year 6 students. During assembly we focus on our school values and important events around the school. Principal Awards are handed out and this week our Prep students received a Principal’s Award for their confidence in starting school at St Peters. During assembly we also congratulated Alexa and Agum for winning the poster competition, their poster will be turned into stickers to be placed on our recycling bins around the College so everyone can recycle properly. Thank you to all families and friends who attended our first assembly.
Chess Mates is teaching at St Peters Lutheran College!
Chess Mates specialises in teaching chess to children of all age groups and skill levels. Our team is dedicated to teaching chess in a fun and engaging way, so that children of any age can join in regardless of experience level. We teach younger students through songs and stories, for older or more advanced students we teach openings, strategies and forward planning. We don’t focus on winning (in fact, we teach kids how to deal with winning and losing). Instead, we focus on making new friends and having fun while learning.
Classes are held Fridays from 2:45 to 3:30pm in the Hub (starting Friday 6th February). The cost for the classes is $14 per lesson.
If you have any questions about the classes please either e-mail: info@chessmates.com.au or call Ash on 0415 256 452.
After School Stem Club
Sport
St Peters Springfield
Tennis – Australian Schools Teams Tennis Championships
In early December last year, 4 students represented the College at the Australian Tennis Schools teams event. St Peters did exceptionally well! Michael K in Year 10 was part of the boys team which finished 3rd and took out the Bronze Medal which was incredible. The boys team also won the prestigious Sportsmanship Award. Sophie J Year 12, Hayley J Year 10 and Allya N Year 9 were part of the girls team which finished 7th overall in Australia! This is an outstanding result for the College and shows the depth of the program!
Australian Schools Track and Field
Kiara C in Year 11 placed 10th at the Australian Schools Track and Field Championships in early December in Perth in the U16 Girls Shot Put. This was out of a field of 23 so she did a great job!
Australian Schools Nitro Schools Teams Events
Kiara C and Shanteal H in Year 11 both competed as part of the St Peters Intermediate Girls team along with 6 other girls from Indooroopilly. The girls did an outstanding job on the day and took out the Bronze Medal! They competed against 15 other girls teams from around the country. The amazing part was that this was a 16 years and under competition with the St Peters team fielding 3 16 year old girls, 3 15 year old girls and 2 13 year old girls. A brilliant achievement by these girls!
Netball – Australian U21 Squad
Martina R in Year 11 has been selected in the Australian U21 Netball training squad. This is an outstanding achievement by Martina who only turns 17 Christmas day this year! For a 16 year old to be selected is just incredible. She will train and trial with this squad over the next 12 months to hopefully be selected in the Australian U21 team to play at the World U21 Championships next year. Congratulations Martina!
Netball – Queensland U17 Team
We also congratulate Martina R, Kiara C and Larika M in Year 11 who have been selected in the Queensland U17 Netball team to compete at the National Championships over the Easter Holidays. The girls have gone through an extensive process with the final 12 team members selected from an initial squad of 26. We look forward to hearing how the girls go and them representing the College in QGSSSA Netball in Term 3.
Netball – Australian Indigenous Teams
Congratulations to Haley G S H in Year 11 and Taylah H in Year 7 who have both been selected in their respective Australian Indigenous teams. Hayley has been selected in the 16s Australian Indigenous Netball Team and Taylah in the 13s Australian Indigenous Netball Team as well as the 12s Australian Indigenous Netball Team to play at the Nationals 10-12 yrs SSA Netball Championships in September, 2020 Sydney.
Rugby – Queensland U18 Rugby Academy
Congratulations to Keynan T and Lopeti F in Year 12 and Kadin P in Year 10 who have both been invited into the Queensland Reds U18 Academy. This is an outstanding achievement by these students. Keynan, Lopeti and Kadin will attend a range of training days with the academy in preparation for Queensland U16 and 18’s later in the year. Well done boys!
Futsal – Australian Championships
Congratulations to Xavier F in Year 6 who over the holidays represented Queensland at the Australian Futsal Championships. Xavier put his best game forward and was rewarded with selection in the Australian U11 Futsal team to compete in Italy at the Montesilvano Cup. This is a wonderful reward for the many hours Xavier trains. Well done Xavier!
WDNA Girls Primary Netball Year 3 – 6
We are aiming again to have St Peters teams entered into the Western Districts Netball Association competition made entirely of girls from St Peters Springfield. Girls will play in teams based of their date of birth. Girls from Years 3 – Year 6 in 2019 will be eligible to play in this competition. Please note that 8 Year old girls in Year 3 will need play up in the 9 Year old competition.
Please click on the link to register your interest for the 2020 season: Registration link
St Peters Lutheran College Springfield Sport Bus
It is wonderful to see the number of students using the Sport bus to participate and represent the College in Sport. As we have increased numbers, it is essential that all students using the bus place their name on the Sport Bus Manifest in advance so that all students can be catered for.
Could parents please: Fill in the online consent form to give permission to travel on the Sport Bus: Talk with your child about the importance of taking responsibility for their sport by adding their name as required. This will help with planning purposes and enables us to make sure all students are catered for.
Representative Sport is an important pathway to enabling our students to achieve individual success and to further their sporting development. Girls and boys aged 10 - 19 years are entitled to attend the Metropolitan West Sports selection trials which includes a district trial with Central Comets in the sports they currently play at St Peters. Exceptions to this would include sports that are not offered to students such as orienteering, baseball, etc.
In 2020, students must nominate through the Sport Coordinator, Mr Jeremy Lohe with final nominations approved by the Sport Coordinator.
Please also familiarise yourself with both the Representative Sport Policy and the Central District Sport Calendar:
I do hope all our students have had a great first week back at school and are back into the daily routine of both academic studies and cocurricular activities.
Last weekend we saw our Junior and Senior School Boys participate in trial games of AIC Cricket, Volleyball and AFL. Playing St Edmunds College in trial games served extremely beneficial for all our teams and their respective coaches to reflect on what great work they have achieved, what needs to be consolidated and what areas need to be addresses for positive improvement.
This coming weekend will see St Peters compete against Marist College in Round 1 of Cricket, Volleyball and AFL. Traditionally, games against Marist College have been heavily contested and this weekend will be no different. It is vitally important that all our students strive to exhibit positive traits of enthusiasm and passion together with a resounding level of good sportsmanship whilst both on and off the field of play.
2020 AIC Ecumenical Service
At the start of the school year, all member schools of the Associated Independent Colleges (AIC) come together to celebrate the commencement of the AIC sporting year. The annual Ecumenical Service is a gathering of Heads of Colleges, Dean of Students, Student Sporting Leaders and Heads of Sport to celebrate the important sporting values upheld by each college of AIC. The 2020 Ecumenical Service was held at St Patricks College Shorncliffe today.
Congratulations First VI Volleyballers and First XI Cricketers
I would like both acknowledge and congratulate the selected members of the St Peters 1st VI Volleyball team and Cricket 1st XI squad who were presented this week on Senior Assembly.
St Peters First VI Volleyball
Wilson L (C), Jimmy S, Noah S, Max N, Andrew M, Huy T, Daniel W, Sam W
Coach: Kylie Marshell
St Peters First XI Cricket
Tom S(C), Eashan N (VC), Hugo M, Lachlan D, Daniel D, Ben R, Sam B, Ben M, Oscar W, Vedit C, George Y, Eashan R.
Both 1st VI Volleyball and 1st XI Cricket are playing at home this weekend. We encourage all students and parents to attend and offer support to both our cricketers and volleyballers. A large part of our sporting program is also community engagement. It is a great environment to connect and socialise with other students and parents of St Peters Lutheran College.
AIC Sport Round 1 – St Peters Vs Marist College
For full details of times and venues for this weekend’s AIC Round 1 games against Marist College, please refer to the St Peters App. If the sport specific information you are looking for cannot be found on the App, please contact the below sport specific coordinators.
If students are unable to attend some training sessions, it is vital that their absence is communicated to their coaches firstly, then their coordinators or myself.
This week our 2020 QGSSSA Swimming and Senior Softball seasons will get underway with the BGGS Invitational Swimming Meet tomorrow evening, Friday 7 February, and our first round of Softball games on this Saturday morning, 8 February. We wish all girls competing for the first time this season, or the first time for St Peters, the very best of luck and we hope that you enjoy your first sporting experience for the year.
This week our Basketball, Football and Touch seasons commenced with trials/training for all our Open teams.
Next week all other team trials/training will get underway – all details are on the St Peters App.
Cross Country training has started also and this Friday morning sees the first Run Club for 2020.
We encourage girls to come in to Sports House if they have any questions regarding the Sports on offer this term.
At St Peters, we pride ourselves on many things but when it comes to Sport we particularly value commitment and communication. Commitment to a team is something we emphasise in Girls Sport and parents we would appreciate your support in reiterating the importance of honouring a commitment. When girls sign on for a Sport it is important they consider whether they can uphold this commitment for the season. Each sport will have two training sessions and a game/meet each week in season and it is vital that girls do their best to attend these sessions. If they are unable to attend a session we ask the girls to please communicate this with their coach and the coordinator of the Sport.
Congratulations to Lara O (Year 11) who has been selected for the second year in the Queensland Thunder squad for the Australian Women’s League Water Polo. This is the highest level of competition in Australian Water Polo and we wish Lara all the best in her endeavours. Lara was also a member of the extended Australian U18 squad.
Congratulations also to Olivia R (Year 11), Marina R (Year 11), Kiara C (Year 11) and Larika M (Year 11) who have this week been selected in the U17 Queensland State Netball team – Congratulations girls and all the best as you prepare for Nationals, we are very proud of your efforts.
Last Saturday saw the Water Polo teams take to the water for the first game of the second half of the season. After an eight-week break from competition, there were some tough games as we came up against teams who had recently participated in the Australian Youth Championships. Our U13B team and U14B team both had great wins on the weekend, well done girls. We hope to see you all at training, working hard to improve your skills.
WET WEATHER - SPORT TRAINING CANCELLATIONS
If rain is predicted, please keep an eye on student emails and the St Peters App for notifications.
SWIMMING
The first official QGSSSA Swim meet is on this Friday 7 February. This meet is hosted by Brisbane Girls Grammar School at the Centenary Pool, Spring Hill. If you are attending please ensure you sign on. A bus will be provided leaving the St Peters bus stop at 3.30pm. The estimated finish time of the meet is 7.30pm and the bus will return to the St Peters bus stop @ approx. 8.00pm.
Thank you to all girls who remain committed to our Senior Softball teams. Training sessions will continue every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 6.15am -7.30am.
The first round of games is this Saturday 8 February and continues 15 Feb, 22 Feb, 29 Feb, 7 March and (14 March if wet weather occurs). – GOOD LUCK GIRLS!
Water Polo is well under way, please see the St Peters App for training details.
The draw for this Saturday’s games will be on the App as soon as it is finalised – ALL THE BEST GIRLS!
AUTUMN FIXTURES – BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL & TOUCH
Well done to the girls trialling for our Basketball, Football and Touch Open teams, it is great to see all girls giving their best and trialling with such enthusiasm.
For all other teams, please see the St Peters App for training details – trials will take place during these training times in the first few weeks.
Open Trials began this week and will continue Monday afternoons 3.30pm – 5.30pm and Wednesday mornings 6.15am - 7.30am All other teams begin training next week – Details are on the St Peters App.
Open Trials began this week and will continue Monday afternoons 3.30pm – 5.00pm and Wednesday mornings 6.15am - 7.30am All other teams begin training next week – Details are on the St Peters App.
Open Trials began this week and will continue Tuesday & Thursday afternoons 3.30pm – 5.00pm All other teams begin training next week – Details are on the St Peters App.
Cross Country pre-season training has commenced this week. There are many training sessions to choose from – please check the St Peters App for further details.
Do your best to attend as many of these sessions as you can, with Wednesday sessions being a priority.
Run Club starts this week also! Join our Running Community on Friday mornings - meet at 6.15am at the St Peters bus stop.
All girls interested in Athletic development in the Gym with Mr Hacking, please contact him to arrange a meeting.
Anne-Marie Champion Girls Sport Coordinator
Date Claimer | 2020 QGSSSA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2020 QGSSSA Track and Field Championships will take place ON THE STUDENT FREE DAY at the end of Term 3 – Thursday 17 September.
Date Claimers - Term 1
Tuesday 11th February – Central District Swimming
Wednesday 26th February – Metropolitan West Swimming
Thursday 27th February – Year 4 – 6 Inter-House Swimming
Friday 28th February – Year 7 – 12 Inter House Swimming
Monday 2nd March – AIC Swimming Championships
Wednesday 4th March – QGSSSA Swimming Championships
Communication of Sport Information
Information regarding the St Peters Lutheran College Springfield Sport program will be communicated through a range of modes including email, St Peters App and Cornerstone. Students and parents will primarily receive information from the Head of Sport at Springfield but at times may also receive information from the Girls and Boys Sport Coordinators or individual Sport Coordinators. Parents and students are encouraged to download and use the St Peters App for information regarding the Sport program.
St Peters APP
Please download the St Peters ‘app’ today!!
All information regarding the St Peters Lutheran College Sport program including sport training times and venues, draws, coordinator details and wet weather arrangements can be found on the St Peters App.
*Please ensure that you update your preferences in the Settings> Subscriptions section of the app so that you only receive information from your appointed Campus or area of interest that are relevant to your family e.g. Springfield or Sports.
The app can be downloaded free through iTunes or Google Play, please search for St Peters:
