At the Academic Honours Assembly earlier this year we heard from the Year 12 Dux of 2020, Hope W. Hope spoke eloquently and inspired our Secondary students. Wise students will have listened carefully and reflected on her words of experience and advice, some of which I have reproduced below.

Hope received an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) of 99.50 as well as a special commendation from the QCAA (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) for having achieved an ‘A’ in six or more subjects. Not only was she Dux of Year 12 but also the recipient of the Springfield City Group Excellence in Learning Award and Subject Awards for Chemistry, Legal Studies, Mathematical Methods, Physics and Specialist Mathematics.

Assisted by a full university scholarship, Hope is now studying in the field of medicine, pursuing the dream she has had since before she even started school.      

As parents, we seek to support and guide our children so that they achieve to their potential and so that the doorways of possibility are open to them. St Peters staff support parents in this endeavour by providing guidance and advice to students informed by their experience and expertise. Even so, despite all logic, some students will listen more carefully to their peers, to whom they can relate more directly, than to adults. To this end, in Senior School at St Peters, students hear from current university students through the Elevation Study Skills Program delivered across Years 10, 11 and 12. The 2020 Dux is one of those peer voices too, and I include below a verbatim excerpt of Hope’s address to the Secondary students outlining her strategies for academic success. 

Tips from the 2020 Year 12 Dux in her own words:

• It all starts in the early grades. … Start working from day dot, don’t wait until it counts in Year 12. If you study early, you learn what works for you and will transition more seamlessly into your senior education.
• Listen and actively participate in class. I know everyone says to listen to your teachers but, coming from a past student, it’s true. Always ask questions. Go above and beyond when asking for help. That’s a teacher’s job – to help you, so don’t feel embarrassed for not understanding a question or concept. Put your hand up to answer questions, even if you’re not 100% confident it is right. Your teachers will see the effort you are making, and they only want the best for you.
• Take notes for the chapters when you do them in class. Answer the chapter questions as you go. So, when it comes to revision, you’ve already done half the work and will avoid a massive cramming session. At exam time, take notes according to the syllabus points and write out any related worked examples, to make sure you know everything that will be covered in an assessment item.
• Use all of the resources available to you. Do every practice test you can, through the QCAA samples or even in the online textbooks. If a teacher quickly mentions a question in passing, go home and do it.
• Don’t underestimate the importance of submitting a draft! Put all of your effort into the draft so it is the best possible piece of work you can submit at that time. This way, instead of teachers fixing things like spelling and grammar and paragraph structure, they can help with the finer details that will take your work from a 70% to an 80%, for example.
• Stay balanced. Exercise and eat well and plenty as growing adults. Seek help, either talking to your parents or even seeing a doctor, if you feel you need it. If your mental health suffers, so will your school performance. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen plenty of times. Keep spending time with friends and family – it doesn’t hurt to take two hours off of study on the weekend to see a movie or grab a nice lunch. Take frequent breaks, and don’t force yourself to study when you’re tired or your brain simply won’t absorb any more information. Please take care of yourself.
• My final piece of advice is to stay humble. Even with success, think it won’t come again. It may sound pessimistic, but it works. For example, when I got Dux of Year 11, I told myself everyone was hot on my tail and, if I wanted it again, I had to work even harder. Things don’t come easy just because one thing has worked out for you. It’s tricky, but you have to find the perfect balance between believing in yourself that you will do it, and thinking you won’t get it in order to find the optimal environment for your best study.

In addition to being highly focussed, balanced and capable, Hope has an attitude of gratitude that has contributed to her success. This was clearly expressed at the Honours Assembly as she expressed her gratitude for the support of her extended family and as she individually acknowledged each of her Senior teachers. It was quite plain that she took full advantage of the expertise of her teachers in pursuit of full understanding. Such an attitude sees and makes the most of possibilities and opportunities, even amidst hardships and challenges.

Congratulations, Hope. We will follow along with your journey over the years ahead and we hope that others will be inspired by your accomplishment as they also seek to live out our Plus Ultra motto – ever higher, more beyond.

Craig Schmidt
Principal

Thursday 11 March
Year 10 Dinner, 6-9 pm

Friday 12 March
Year 3 Excursion to Robelle Domain

Tuesday 16 March
Harmony Day Celebration

Wednesday 17 March
Swimming Year 3-Year 6

Thursday 18 March
Prep/Kindy Group Tour, 9-10 am

Imagine what would happen if I threw a pebble into a pond. It’s going to create a splash, and then a ripple. If you were to use that pebble in a sling-shot or to throw it at someone, you would hurt them.

The same stones can also be used to build walls – barriers between people, or perhaps more positively, retaining walls which help use land more effectively. They can be used to make beautiful mosaics that all can enjoy, they can be skipped across water in times of leisure, used as a garden mulch to retain water in the soil, make a path…the uses are endless.

But ultimately, it is the way we choose to use the ‘rocks and pebbles’ at our disposal that makes a difference in the ripples we create. How we can we use those gifts, those messages at our disposal to work with and positively influence those around us?

This is a message that Jesus preached in his time on earth. Sometimes when the time was appropriate, he would cause a stir, throw a great big rock into the pond of complacency to stir things up. But more often he spoke words of comfort and peace to those needing such a message. Jesus told us that he would be a rock, a refuge, a strong place in times of trouble.

And as I look around at the world today, I see disasters, I see divisions, I see fighting and people who can’t agree. I see people who are confused, troubled. I see faiths that have trouble finding common ground. What is the message that our world, that our school even, needs?

This is a question that we are forced to ask in our school… What message does Christ give us who are living in this world, in this school, Christians and non Christians alike?  What is the core of the gospel message - what is the message that unites and opens dialogue and soothes the violent ripples?

It is summed up in a well known text – That by God’s ‘grace we have been saved, through faith’. God loves his creation, each one of us so much, that Jesus came into the world, to spread the word of God’s forgiveness, to die for the sins of the world. He came to bring peace, with God and with each other. He tells us that God can indeed be a refuge and strength for us.

Chaplain Kirstin
St Peters Indooroopilly

On the mornings of Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 May, Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will be involved in National Testing for literacy and numeracy as part of the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

On Tuesday 11 May, students will complete the Language Conventions Test and the Writing Test.  Reading skills will be tested on Wednesday 12 May with Numeracy skills being tested on Thursday 13 May. The timetable for NAPLAN is below.

Language Conventions includes spelling, grammar and punctuation. Numeracy includes number, space, algebra, function and pattern, measurement, chance and data. Years 3 and 5 students are not permitted to use a calculator for the Numeracy test, however Years 7 and 9 students will complete both calculator and non-calculator elements.

NAPLAN is aligned to the Australian Curriculum: English and the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. Questions are multiple choice or require a short written response. This year, the Writing task will require students to write either a narrative or a persuasive text. This will be evident from the stimulus they are given and we will not know what it is until the day of the Writing test. There will be one Writing prompt for students in Years 3 and 5, and a second, different prompt for students in Years 7 and 9.

National Testing provides information on how students are developing in the specified areas in relation to national benchmarks.  The tests also useful provide useful information which assists in improving teaching and learning.

Teachers will expose students to similar test formats and question types through an integrated approach in the lead-up to national testing.  NAPLAN tests are one aspect of the school’s assessment and reporting process, and do not replace the extensive, school-based assessments of student performance.

Parents, guardians and caregivers can support their children by making them feel comfortable about the purpose and nature of the tests and encouraging them to do their best.  They can also assure students that the tests will give them an opportunity to show the knowledge and skills learned in class.

All students are encouraged to participate in NAPLAN tests. Students with a disability may qualify for adjustments that reflect the support normally provided in the classroom. Mrs Stephanie Wise, the Exceptional Learners teacher, will contact you if your child is eligible for special provisions for the tests.

A formal exemption may be granted for a student with significant intellectual disability and/or significant coexisting conditions, or for a student who has recently arrived in Australia and has a non-English speaking background. Parents or carers may withdraw their child from the tests to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing.

For more information, please visit: http://www.nap.edu.au/home and NAPLAN on Paper: Information for Parents and Carers

For further information regarding NAPLAN or the processes for adjustments, exemption and withdrawal, please contact Susan Levitt (Prep – Year 6 Curriculum Leader).

Our new Occupational Therapist, Sarah Shakibaie from Ready kids will be our new therapist at St Peters Springfield. Sarah will be providing OT support on Fridays during the school term. This is a fee for service arrangement. If you feel your child would benefit from accessing this OT service, please contact Mrs Stephanie Wise (Exceptional Learners Teacher). s.wise@stpeters.qld.edu.au

On Tuesday 16 March we will be celebrating Harmony Day which is an important day in our school calendar. This day embraces the cultural diversity in our school community. Primary students are able to celebrate this day by wearing items of clothing from their traditional culture. On this day we are also organising activities with a Harmony Day focus.

If your child would like to share something from their home culture, please feel free to send this item to school on this day. Please name all items sent to the school. Your child might like to share a cultural song, book, or activity that represents their culture and share this with their class. If you would like to share a video or song please email your child’s teacher.

Students are also able to wear a plain coloured shirt on this day to which they might like to add a printed flag from their family’s cultural background or one of our Australian flags - the Australian National Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag. Students are able to bring their school uniform in a bag so they can change into this later in the day if needed.

We are looking forward to a day of cultural celebrations with our classmates.

Hello, Families of SPLC Springfield,

I hope 2021 has been treating you all well.

I wanted to reach out and let you know about two-parent sessions we are running next Friday, the 19th of March.

Our Primary families have been invited to these sessions that will run concurrent to the School Disco. We would like to extend the invitation to our P – 12 parent community and let you know that ALL PARENTS are welcome to come along to these sessions!

These two sessions will focus on UNPACKING PERMA. Perma is a Positive Education Framework that we are using to help embed Wellbeing into our School Community.

In the session, we will dive into what Positive Psychology is, why we are focussing on Wellbeing. We will also discuss technology and how we can best use it to benefit our kids and focus on RELATIONSHIPS, how to help and how to listen! It would be our hope that you leave the session with a greater understanding of wellbeing and some tools for your parent backpack, to enhance your own, and your children’s mental wellness and positive relationships.

The sessions will run for an hour, the same session will run twice, and you are more than welcome to come along.

Details: Two Sessions

• 4.30 – 5.30pm
• 6.00 – 7.00pm

When: Friday the 19th of March, 2021.
Where: The Hub.

We would love to see you all there, and look forward to running more parent sessions throughout the year.

Take care,

Sarah
Careers and Guidance Counsellor

Dear Primary Families

Please find attached information about our three discos that the P&F are organising for Friday 19 March. 

This year due to increased numbers in the Primary school we are running three discos ……

Prep     3.30 – 4.00 pm
1 – 3     4.30 – 5.30 pm
4 - 6     6.00 – 7.00 pm

During the Year 1-6 Discos we will be running two Parent Information sessions that will be provided by Mrs Sarah Johnson, our St Peters Springfield Counsellor.  These two sessions will focus on UNPACKING PERMA. PERMA is a Positive Education Framework that we are using to help embed Wellbeing into our School Community.

In the session we will dive into what Positive Psychology is, why we are focussing on Wellbeing. We will also discuss technology and how we can best use it to benefit our kids and focus on RELATIONSHIPS, how to help and how to listen! It would be our hope that you leave the session with a greater understanding of wellbeing and some tools for your parent backpack, to enhance your
own, and your children’s mental wellness and positive relationships. 

The sessions will run for an hour, the same session will run twice, and you are more than welcome to come along.

Details: Two Sessions
4.30 – 5.30pm  Year 1-3 Disco time
6.00 – 7.00pm  Year 4-6 Disco time

 Where: The Hub.
 We would love to see you all there, and look forward to running more parent sessions throughout the year.

PERFORMANCE AT ASSEMBLY

Congratulations to Kelina O, for her moving performance at Senior School Assembly on Tuesday.  Kelina performed her own composition, “Rocket Man”, which she wrote to mark the passing of her Uncle Roy. 

PIZZICATO STRINGS

With the continued growth of the Strings Programme at St Peters, a new ensemble was launched last Friday. Pizzicato Strings is an ensemble for our elementary strings players and is being conducted by Ms Celine Crellin, our Strings tutor.

Four of the more advanced players – Jack S, Quinn F, Erin D and Krishna B – have taken on the leadership role of mentoring the less advanced players.

Congratulations to our young performers.  We look forward to hearing you play at upcoming events.

Both performances are available for viewing on the school Facebook page.

QGSSSA Swimming Championships

Congratulations to all girls who represented the College with distinction last Wednesday night at the QGSSSA Swimming Championships. In an outstanding team performance, St Peters won the Mollie Gould trophy for the 8th year in a row and by the biggest ever margin of 167 points. St Peters also won the 14 years, 15 years, 16 years and Open Age group and narrowly missed winning the 12 years by 1 point. St Peters also won the Senior and Junior Brockway trophies! Congratulations to the following girls who contributed to the team result:

There were a number of individual performances on the night including Mollie O who broke the Open Girls 50m and 100m Freestyle records and Ella R who equalled a 17 year record in the Open Girls 50m Butterfly. Other students to achieve individual success were Claveria J-T, Jillian F and Jessica-Marie G all placed top 3 in their events with Jess winning her 50m Free. Many girls achieved great success in their relays which contributed to the overall team success. Special mention to Jessica-Marie G who swam at her final QG Swimming Championships. Jess represented the College for many years!

Many thanks to parents for your support of your daughters as this result could not be achieved without your efforts!

“Don’t deprive yourself the opportunity for a good time. The beauty of life heavily depends on the quality of memories we have left behind.” Vincent Okeke

EIGHT IN A ROW – WHAT AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE FROM OUR 2021 QGSSSA SWIM TEAM

Firstly, to recap on last week’s QGSSSA Swimming Championships, congratulations to all the girls, this win was the biggest winning margin we have ever seen in the QGSSSA Competition – AMAZING!

Congratulations also to the following girls for their record-breaking swims, some amazing results!

17 Years 50m freestyle – Division A – Mollie O’C 25.84
17 Years 50m Butterfly – Ella R 27.82
17 Years 100m Freestyle – Mollie O’C 55.41
15 Years 4x50m Freestyle Relay Division B – Terangimarie M, Poppy B, Emmilia McL & Sienna O – 1.56.26

GIRLS SPORT LEADERSHIP

It is with great pleasure that we announce our 2021 Girls Sport Captains, we look forward to a great year of Girls Sport with our captains leading the way. 

Congratulations CLAUDIA L & ASHLEIGH S

Congratulations also to the girls that have been selected in our 2021 Open Teams, this is the pinnacle of Girls Sport at St Peters and we are very proud of you all.  

QGSSSA SWIMMING: Sarah A, Lucy C, Mia C, Mila C, Isabelle C, Brianna F, Jess G, Ailin L, Stef McC, Mollie O’C, Lara O, Ella R, Leilani R & Sophie R
Congratulations to our Swimming Captains: Stef McC & Sophie R and Vice-Captains: Ely P & Ella R

QGSSSA BASKETBALL: Kayla G, Toby S, Sophie B, Aldora T, Sonia McG, Alice J, Gabby N, Leila J & Ella M
Development Players - Charlotte B, Sophie D & Millie B
Congratulations to our Basketball Captains: Gabby N & Alice J and Vice-Captains: Charlotte B & Sonia McG

QGSSSA FOOTBALL

Mia C, Thalia S, Julianna G, Claudia L, Leticia ML, Cassie H, Georgie H, Gabby S, Bec Q, Kate E, Rachel B, Ellie S-S, Sophie M, Kaylee B, Jess Mac & Sophie A
Congratulations to our Football Captain: Kate E and Vice-Captain: Lauren S

QGSSSA TOUCH

Kianga B, Stephanie B, Renee C, Shaniqua E, Shanteal H, Ella H, Jess H, Laylani V, Madeline vdM, Jess T, Sophie T & Ash S
Congratulations to our Touch Captain: Kianga B and Vice-Captain: Steph B

QGSSSA SOFTBALL

Steph B, Remaya B, Hilal D, Isabelle P, Matilda P, Ash S, Maddie S, Ellie S-S, Rachel W & Kate E
Congratulations to our Softball Captain: Matilda P and Vice-Captain: Steph B

BWPI WATER POLO

Mila C, Ruby G-D, Ella H, Clarinda H, Anna K, Claudia L, Zoe M, Lucy P, Sophie R, Madi S, Jamie S-S, Abi W & Meg W 
Congratulations to our Water Polo Captains: Claudia L & Anna K and Vice Captains: Milly T & Zoe M

QLD SCHOOLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Well done to our St Peters Beach Volleyball Players who represented our College so amazingly well last Sunday and Monday at the Queensland Schools Beach Volleyball Championships at Coolangatta. With three girls teams competing and two teams coming away with medals, gold & bronze, this was an outstanding result.

• Intermediate Division 2 Pairs – Bronze Medallists | Congratulations Remaya B & Helena B
• Year 9 Division 2 Quads – Gold Medallists | Congratulations Daisy M, Ava S, Emmilia McL, Charlotte C-P & Juliet W

A massive thank you to Mr Donatini for his work in giving our students this opportunity, thanks also to the coaches and parents who took time out to both coach and manage these St Peters teams. Your commitment over the past weeks has been very much appreciated – Thank you!

Luke Donatini
Boys Sport Coordinator 
3377 6234  |  l.donatini@stpeters.qld.edu.au

With only a few weeks until the end of Term 1, and only one round of Term 1 sport remaining for Cricket, Volleyball and Open AFL, it is more pertinent than ever to stress the importance of finishing well. With may great results over the past seven weeks in Boys’ sport, we forget sometimes that it is easily to become complacent and start to focus on the next thing.

I would encourage all St Peters boys to really work hard on finishing off Term 1 well.  Whether it be on the sporting field, off the sporting field or most importantly in the classroom, please focus on finishing off well and without complacency. Stay focused and enthusiastic until the very end.

We often speak about and hear dialog surrounding commitment and honouring our commitment to the tasks at hand. This is so truly within the sporting realm. A sign of good discipline is the ability to finish well. This also brings with it the satisfaction that you have completed the task (the game at hand, the season to the end) to the best of your ability. From this sense of satisfaction comes the feeling of success and accomplishment which I find is so very important leading into your next task (or sporting endeavour).

This Week in Sport

This Saturday sees our last round of AIC Term 1 Sport. For Round 7, St Peters will compete against Iona College in Opens AFL (Friday afternoon), and in Cricket and Volleyball on Saturday. Our Senior teams, Years 10 to 12, will be competing home at St Peters and our Junior teams, Years 7 to 9, are away at Iona College venues.

For some teams, Round 7 is an important one as they will be playing for an AIC Premiership. We wish each St Peters team the best of luck and encourage them to lift and live up to our College’s motto of Plus Ultra.

Please ensure you check the St Peters App for both venue details and time of games.

Success at Qld Schools Cup Beach Volleyball Championships

On Sunday 7 and Monday 8 March, St Peters was represented by three boys’ teams and three girls’ teams at the Queensland Schools Cup Beach Volleyball Championships, Coolangatta.

Congratulations to Kye VB and Bradley S for taking out Bronze (3rd Place) in the Intermediate Division 1 Pairs. A sensational result indeed – Well Done!

Also, a special mention to Jai D and Thomas R for their 4th placing in the Intermediate Division 1 Pairs and Ricky G and Matt C for finishing off 3rd in their Pool and 11th overall in the Senior Division 1 Pairs.

A massive thank you to the coaches and the parents who took time out to both coach and manage these St Peters teams. Your commitment over the past weeks have not gone unnoticed – Thank you!

2021 AIC Cross Country & Runners Club

Earlier this week we emailed each boy from Years 7 to 12 about signing on for Cross Country. We do strongly encourage any boy who is looking at participating in a Term 2 Sport (Rugby and Football) or a Term 3 Sport (Basketball and Tennis) to get along to at least one Cross Country / Runners Club session. This is a fantastic way to improve their overall fitness and will stand them in good preparation for their up and coming team sporting season.

Cross Country at St Peters has traditionally been well received and very competitive at both AIC and QGSSSA. Let’s work hard in 2021 to maintain this high standard and consolidate on past years participation and performances. Training times for Cross Country can be found on the St Peters App. Boys can also find more details about Cross Country from the weekly sport email sent to them.

Term 2 AIC Sports – Sign On for Chess, Rugby, Football and Cross Country

ALL boys in Years 7 to 12 are strongly encouraged to ‘Signing On’ for the Term 2 sports of Chess, Rugby, Football and Chess. All students are requested to check their St Peters Student Email account and sign on via the links within the Sign On emails sent out to them.

Term 2 Pre-Season Training

As of next week, all year levels from 7 to 12 should be well into pre-season training. Please ensure that you check both the St Peters App and/or make contact with the relevant sports coordinator in relation to Term 2 Pre-Season Training. Sporting Coordinators email contact details are outlined below.

Wet Weather and Cancellations

With regards to wet weather and any unforeseen or potential cancellations of AIC sports, please ensure that you keep an eye out for notifications and alerts via the St Peters App. We will endeavour to keep everyone updated on both training cancellations and game day changes as the week progresses.

Dress Standards at St Peters AIC Sporting Training and Games

A reminder that all our boys do need to be dressed correctly at both AIC training and games.

AIC Volleyball

Correct Training and Playing Uniform Requirements:

• At Training – All St Peters AIC Volleyballers are to be where their St Peters Sports Uniform to Volleyball training.
• At Games – All St Peters AIC Volleyballers must be wearing their numbered volleyball shirt and maroon PE/Sports Shorts.
• NO sports/PE shirts are to be worn at AIC games. WHITE SOCKS ONLY are to be worn at AIC Volleyball Games.

AIC Cricket

Correct Training and Playing Uniform Requirements:

• At Training – all AIC cricketers must wear their ‘Program Shirt’ to their first training session of the week. The second training session you are to wear your ‘Sports Uniform’.
• At Games – All St Peters Cricketers are to arrive to their game wearing their ‘Program Shirt’ and then get changed into your playing whites just before the start of play.

St Peters Student Spectators on Gamedays

Should any St Peters student be attending a St Peters sporting event/game outside of normal college hours, it is expected that they be dressed in St Peters apparel whilst attending these events.

If the sport specific information you are looking for cannot be found on the St Peters App, please contact the below sport specific coordinators directly,  

• St Peters Cricket Coordinator: Mr Gary Munday – g.munday@stpeters.qld.edu.au  
• St Peters Volleyball Coordinator: Mrs Danielle Tucker – d.tucker@stpeters.qld.edu.au   
• St Peters Swimming Coordinator: Mr Peter Dawson – p.dawson@stpeters.qld.edu.au    
• St Peters Opens AFL Coordinator: Mr Mark Holman – m.holman@stpeters.qld.edu.au
• St Peters Cross Country Coordinator: Mrs Kerry Schreiber – k.schreiber@stpeters.qld.edu.au

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. 

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: