Love…. Binds everything together in perfect harmony.  Colossians 3:14

Our Harmony Day celebrations finally went ahead last Friday sharing the many cultures represented at Springfield. Each class held their own celebrations – finding information about what was important in student’s cultures, what their cultural dress represented and where home countries were located.

Our students over the previous weeks had decorated t-shirts with information about themselves, their culture and their strengths. These are displayed in our Hub if parents would like to visit. Prep also created a wonderful display to support the theme ‘Everyone Belongs’.  

Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. In schools we celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional owners of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world.

At St Peters Springfield we have over 30 different cultures represented.

One of my favourite stories for young children to support tolerance and inclusiveness is ‘Whoever You Are’ written by Mem Fox, a well-known Australian author. 

This story weaves its way across cultures and generations, celebrating the bond that unites us all. The book urges us to accept our differences, to recognize our similarities, and-most importantly-to rejoice in both.

This is what we do each day at Springfield within our community. Each child has a unique set of values, experiences and family backgrounds that they bring to school to blend into their class and school context. As we learn more about each person, we can understand them better and create positive relationships.

Everyone Belongs!

Debbie West-Mcinnes
Head of Primary

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

All are welcome.

This week’s video message is read by Jonathan.

View video message

Since graduating from St Peters Lutheran College Springfield late last year, Kaylee N has been keeping busy. 

In January, Kaylee was fortunate enough to be awarded a position to travel on a month-long political tour of the United States of America with United Nations Youth Australia. The tour included Boston, New York, Washington and California where she visited monuments, museums, and memorials to better understand how notable events in American history have led them to where they are now. She also had the opportunity to meet with politicians, diplomats, think-tanks, NGOs, and activists who are interacting in this tumultuous time in American history.  

Now studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Queensland, Kaylee is majoring in International Relations and Political Science hoping to adopt studies in law next year and continue in the dual degree.
 
Selected as YMCA's 2020 Youth Member for Jordan, Kaylee will serve as member of the Committee for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. 

Starting with a three–day launch weekend this month, she will attend seminars from bill-writing to media and sponsorship, aimed at equipping her with the skills needed as a Youth Member to make an impact in the community. Between launch weekend and Sitting Week the committee will meet to write Bills and Amendments. Finally, Kaylee will participate in a six-night camp in Brisbane with interactive parliamentary training and heated debates on Youth Bills during Sitting Week in September. 

Our St Peters Lutheran College community is as excited as Kaylee is for her new role. We look forward to watching her serve the community in her usual Plus Ultra manner. Congratulations Kaylee. 

Pastor Matt delivered his service online to our Primary and Secondary students throughout the week. One class was present in the Hub, with the rest of our Primary and Secondary classes enjoying the service from their classrooms. Pastor Matt's message was all about clothing ourselves in kindness and compassion and adding layers of love. A great message for celebrating Harmony Week. Thank you to Nathan Beveridge for his technical support and helping both services to run smoothly. 

Digital platforms and alternative teaching methods – understand why St Peters Springfield staff are upskilling with Digital Workshops in support of our students and families.

As part of our intentional planning St Peters Springfield teachers are preparing for a number of teaching scenarios given the possibility of school closures in Queensland. Teachers and staff have begun intensive digital workshops with the continued goal of delivering upon our mission to provide Excellence in Christian Co-education, giving every child the opportunity to learn every day. Teachers have focused on developing meaningful online resources, conducting online classes and skills to allow them to connect with students and families remotely if necessary.

Mr Craig Schmidt, St Peters Springfield Principal, says, “These workshops will provide an invaluable extended opportunity for staff to receive additional training on digital platforms. This will be effective for the provision of online learning should the school be required to close.

“We will continue to provide further training and staff will continue to develop learning resources. I commend the staff on their professional approach—they have a sincere care for, and deep commitment to, the wellbeing and education of their students. I also thank families for their understanding and support in these challenging times.”

Head of Primary School, Mrs Debbie West-McInnes, believes it is important for St Peters Springfield teachers to be confident in managing the digital tools that are available through the College to suit their year level. The training today enables them to “present online learning to our students short term or, if there is a need, long term.”

“It is important we have consistency across the year levels so parents can understand the online expectations for their children’s learning easily.”

“It is also important we understand the different needs of our community so that they are able to access the online learning we are providing for them if there is a school closure.”

Mr Nathan Beveridge, IT Systems Support and Technologies Teacher, led the digital workshops. “This gives our staff an opportunity to consolidate a lot of the professional development they’ve been doing for years. They will spend some time intensely preparing the baseline resources they will need to hit the ground running. As the weeks go on, teachers will spend more in-depth time putting more detailed resources together. Further workshops will prepare teachers with the best practice for the days and weeks ahead.”

St Peters has been blessed since 2015 by the wonderful service of Mrs Jocelyn Potter, first as part of the Food Services team at Indooroopilly and, from April 2017, as Tuckshop Convenor at Springfield.  Mrs Potter has a great heart for the St Peters community and provided exceptional care and service through the tuckshop on a day-to-day basis and for many special events. She always served with joy and passion which encouraged and lifted us all. On many occasions Mrs Potter has described her role here as her ‘dream job’ so it has been with great sadness that circumstances arose that have resulted in Mrs Potter needing to return to New Zealand. It has been her desire to see out Term 1 at St Peters, however, with current restrictions she will need to fly out at the end of this week.

We are tremendously grateful to Mrs Potter for all that she has brought to our St Peters community. She will be greatly missed.

Today will be Mrs Potter’s last day and tomorrow will be the last tuckshop day this term. The tuckshop will be closed next week. We do not know the landscape for schools beyond Term 1, but when school resumes fully the tuckshop will be open four days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Year 4 students have been working incredibly hard over the past couple of weeks on their assessment for their ‘Endangered Animal’ unit. They were required to research their animal of choice and also create a 3D version of them using newspaper and tape. After a primer coat students worked hard with the finer details adding all the colour and brilliance to their animal artwork. Dinah and Saurya said it took them “two weeks to finish as they had to write everything up" and create their animals. Their favourite part was the painting! Congratulations everyone on working so hard.

The Secondary Executive Team (SET) sold bundles of delicious Easter Eggs to fundraise for events which may be held later in the year, such as Cultural Fest, or to support our village partnership or sponsored child, Alfred. This week the team distributed orders they had collected from all classes in Secondary (Years 7 – 12). Eggs were distributed while maintaining a socially acceptable distance!

Thank you to our senior students for helping to raise raise money and awareness for Springfield's village partnership and our sponsor child Alfred. Secondary students and teachers wore their crazy socks for a fun and colourful Friday. 

In the final instalment of this three-part series from Bigger Better Brains, Dr Anita Collins outlines the impact of music learning upon cognitive control, attention and memory.

Fact: Music Learning Helps Cognitive Control

• Music learning increases cognitive processing speeds
• Music learning improves inhibitory (impulse) control
• Music learning enhances control of hyperactivity
• Music learning enhances neural networks that are engaged in creativity
• Music learning enhances divergent thinking
• Music learning enhances the ability to switch tasks efficiently
• Music learning improves cognitive control
• Music learning improves cognitive flexibility

Fact: Music Learning Helps Attention and Memory

• Music learning improves the ability to modulate attention levels
• Music learning increases attention stamina
• Music learning improves verbal memory and verbal fluency
• Music learning improves focused attention for language learning
• Music learning improves attentional filtering of speech in a noisy environment
• Music learning improves selective and divided attention
• Music learning improves working and auditory memory
• Music learning has been found to increase IQ scores by an average of 7 points

Please follow the link provided to see more of Dr Collins’ advocacy: https://youtu.be/ueqgenARzlE?t=2

Ensemble Rehearsals

The Music Department is planning to maintain our ensemble rehearsals for as long as possible. We will continue to observe social distancing recommendations, have hand sanitiser readily available and will continue to rehearse in large areas. With respect to mental health, Lifeline recommends the continuance of regular programmes, to maintain connectedness with friends and colleagues to reduce levels of anxiety and isolation. We look forward to seeing everyone at rehearsal this week to share the joy of music making within a safe environment. 

Arts Performances

Unfortunately, in the current health climate, there will need to be a large degree of flexibility around the delivery of our scheduled performances. Relevant information will be distributed through Cornerstone and selected channels.

Happy Holidays!

After a term that has been full of unique challenges for all of us, best wishes to all families for a quiet and healthy break. The Music teachers and tutors look forward to working with you all during the following term.

“Together we can get through anything”

With so much uncertainty in our world today, and with no St Peters Sport to write about, I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you over the coming weeks some of mine and other members of Sports House favourite St Peters Sport highlights.

I will also introduce you to our Girls Sport Prefects and share with you their St Peters Sport journeys. 

St Peters Sport Highlight

Many of you are aware that my two daughters played Sport over many years at St Peters.

The first memory I would like to share was from last year, my eldest daughter Georgia who through all her years of Sport at St Peters never won a single game of Netball, Basketball, Softball etc against the powerhouse of Brisbane State High School.

Last year when coaching the 8A Basketball team, in what was a very close game the girls gave Georgia her first win against BSHS by 2 points. The girls were ecstatic and for Georgia there were tears of joys as a group of Year 8 girls gave their all for St Peters.  

Introducing our Girls Sport Prefects

Our 2020 Girls Sport Prefects were certainly not hard to select – all three girls, Zoe P, Jaymie R and Nina Z have all played sport for many years for St Peters. The week, Zoe P has shared with you some of her journey.

My St Peters Sporting Journey – Zoe P

I began at St Peters in Year 2, participating in Inter-Lutheran Cross Country and Track & Field from Year 4 onwards, as well as playing in the Year 4 Mixed Netball team. Once moving to Middle School (Now called Upper Primary) I was a member of the Years 5 & 6 Netball and Touch teams.

Year 7 began a long history of QGSSSA sport and competitions I have competed in. In Year 7, I decided to try Football for the first time, although I loved this sport and the program in Year 8 I decided to switch back to my favourite sport, Basketball.

This year I was named the 2020 Basketball Captain. As Basketball is 'my sport' this was a massive accomplishment and I am very proud to be the Basketball Captain for 2020.

I have also been extremely fortunate to be a member of the St Peters Volleyball Community since Year 7, playing and successfully winning five premierships in a row (Years 7, 8, 9 and two Opens premierships). This year I was once again named the Volleyball Captain for 2020.

As both sports are very important in my life, I am very grateful to be leading the sports and the girls to become better athletes and people, both on and off the court.

Most memorable St Peters Sport moment

As I have participated is various sports over my time at St Peters, I have very fond memories of all my teams, coaches and seasons. Both of my most memorable moments are from Basketball. In 2018, my Year 10 Basketball team (Rachel, Anneliese, Meillyn, Catherine, Tyla, Ebony and Molly) successfully won a 10A premiership, but this is not the biggest accomplishment that season, it was the energy and enthusiasm that these girls had. Everyone always turned up to training with a smile on their faces ready to go, always wanting to train harder and learn more. This attitude was carried forward the following year in the 2019 Opens Basketball team who after 10 years broke Brisbane State High School Open team winning streak and successfully gained us the title of 2019 Opens Premiers. Our coach last year shared with us a quote that I think perfectly sums up the season and year that the 2019 Opens Basketball team enjoyed. “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships” - Michael Jordan.

What is means to me to be a St Peters Sports Prefect

As a member of the St Peters Community I have always loved being heavily involved in the wonderful sport programs and opportunities offered here at St Peters. Since learning of Sport Prefects/Captains at St Peters in Year 7, it has been one of my biggest goals to become the St Peters 2020 Sports Prefect. As the College shifted their leadership structure in 2019, I was slightly devastated as I thought it did not allow me the opportunity to apply for this role. I was shocked and extremely excited when I found out I would be a 2020 Sport Prefect as it meant I am able to give back to the sporting community that has put so much time and effort improving not only my sporting abilities but leadership capabilities. I would sincerely like to thank Mrs Champion, Mr. Nodwell and all the other member of Sports House who have given me this opportunity to lead and encourage the entire St Peters sporting community in 2020.

Something funny about myself

Towards the end of Year 6 (2014), Water Polo was offered as a Term 4 (Year 6) and Term 1 (Year 7) sport. Some of my friends decided it would be a good idea to try out for the U13 St Peters team, and being the sporty person I am, I decided I’d have a go as well. I successfully made it and after my first game I discovered that I can’t swim, I just drown. Straight after the game (28 min) I hopped into the car with my parents and I immediately fell asleep because I was so exhausted. This is how I learnt that I am much better at land sports, than water sports!

Congratulations to our Premiership Teams

Lastly we would like to congratulate our 2 Premierships teams in Girls Senior A1 Softball team and Water Polo Open U18 team. Well done girls you were all amazing and played with great spirit and determination. Below are a selection of photos from the season.

To all our Families, please take care during these very uncertain times.

Anne-Marie Champion
Girls Sport Coordinator

2020 St Peters Sports Prefects

Earlier this year we were privileged to announce our 2020 St Peters Sports Prefects. The three young men who were bestowed with this leadership position, alongside their three female counterparts, are John R, Daniel D and Jimmy S.

Rather than just introducing them to you and acknowledging them as our St Peters Sport Leaders, I thought it may be fun to get to know them a little better. So, I came up with a few questions which were presented to them. These are some of their responses:

John R (JR), Daniel D(DD)

What is your favourite sport?

• JR - Rugby League
• DD - Rugby Union

To date, what is your greatest sporting achievement?

• JR - Making my First XV Rugby debut for St Peters in Year 10
• DD - Playing for the First XV in 2019. It was an honour to represent the College at that level. 

What is your most memorable sporting moment?

• JR - In Year 8 when our First XV Rugby side beat Marist at Marist and we go to sing 'In the land' with the players afterwards, or when QLD won eight straight State of Origin series’.
• DD - The most memorable sporting moment for me would be beating Marist in Year 10 playing Cricket. We managed to win from a losing position, and is a day that has stuck with me ever since. 

What is your favourite meal?

• JR - Chicken Katsu Curry
• DD - My favourite meal is the standard steak, chips and salad. You cannot go wrong with that. 

Before a sporting event/game, do you have any set routines or rituals?

• JR - Playing shorts go on first, followed by socks, then boots and always jersey last. Socks start up at my knees to begin the game.
• DD - I do not have any particular routines before a game, but I generally like to keep to myself and prepare mentally before a sporting game to ensure that I am best prepared. 

If you could invite to dinner any five people (sporting or non-sporting) who would you invite?

• JR - Kevin Walters, Alfie Langer, Carl Barron, Brian Fletcher, Nathan Hindmarsh
• DD - Darren Lockyer, John Eales, Allan Border, Michael Hussey and Roger Federer

What good advice to you have for our younger St Peters students?

• JR - Always be the hardest worker in the room and let your actions speak for themselves.
• DD - Get involved with any sport that you can and make the most of every minute you are participating and representing the college. Make sure to have heaps of fun whilst also working hard, especially since you are generally playing with your best mates.  

Isolation fitness ideas

With AIC sport now officially cancelled for the remainder of Terms 1 and 2, pre-season training and games also cancelled for Rugby, Football and Chess, it is an extremely trying time for us all, but more so for our students, who have been so enthusiastically looking forward to the Term 2 competitive season. 

However, we are committed to ensuring that we support our students as best we can by offering them some viable options to staying engaged, fit and healthy. Over the coming weeks we will upload to Firefly some fitness ideas, skills, circuits and other related activities for students to follow, enjoy and stay engaged with St Peters Sport whilst at home. 

Special Congratulations

After the conclusion of AIC Cricket and Volleyball (Round 6), special mention must go to the following teams for their aggregate placing for 2020.

• 9A Volleyball Team – 1st Overall and AIC Premiership
• 11A Volleyball Team – 2nd Overall
• 7A Volleyball Team – 2nd Overall
• 8A Cricket Team – 2nd Overall
• 8B Cricket Team – 3rd Overall

I would also like to acknowledge the achievement of Kye V who recently competed for Queensland at the Australian Beach Volleyball Championships on the Gold Coast. Kye and his fellow Queensland team mates won the Championships in their age division and secured the Gold Medal. Congratulations Kye on your achievement and a great year of Volleyball in general.

I would truly like to wish everyone well and hope that we all can work together as a community to ensure that our students stay upbeat and positive during these challenging and trying times. I would like to see all our students at St Peters to remain focused, engaged in their studies and ensure that they are working on keeping fit and honing their skills as best as possible.

Luke Donatini
Boys Sport Coordinator
l.donatini@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: