As educators at St Peters Lutheran College, we aim to create an environment that encourages our students to be curious, ask questions, and seek answers. This is where our focus on inquiry-based learning comes in. Inquiry-based learning is a student-centred approach that emphasises asking questions and investigating the answers. It helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving and research skills which are essential for success in the 21st century. In this article, we explore the power of inquiry-based learning for students in primary school. 

Inquiry-based learning encourages students to take an active role in their education. Instead of simply memorising facts, they learn how to ask questions, investigate answers, and solve problems. This process allows them to engage with the content in a meaningful way, develop a deeper understanding of the subject and make connections to real life situations and scenarios. 

Inquiry-based learning is an effective approach for teaching 21st century skills because it emphasises critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. These skills are essential for success in the modern workforce. We are preparing students to have the skills to adapt to rapidly changing technologies, work in teams, and solve complex problems. They learn to analyse data, identify patterns, and draw conclusions based on evidence.  

Creativity and innovation are invited to flourish in an inquiry setting. Students are encouraged to think outside the box, ask unconventional questions, and explore new ideas. They are given the freedom to express themselves in unique ways and to develop their own solutions to problems. This approach to learning fosters innovation and creativity, which are essential for success in a rapidly changing world. 

In conclusion, inquiry-based learning is a powerful tool for students in primary school. It encourages active learning, fosters critical thinking, develops research skills, promotes creativity, and builds self-confidence. By incorporating inquiry-based learning into our classrooms, we can help our students develop the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. Inquiry-based learning may sound, look and feel different from traditional teaching methods but different can be great! Research has shown that it is an effective approach to teaching and learning. By allowing students to have a voice, choice and agency of their learning, it increases their levels of interest, enjoyment, and motivation.  

We can’t wait to share more of our inquiry journey with you!  

Prueann Browning
Head of Primary Years

• 27 April - Central District Cross Country Year 4 - Year 12
• 01 May – Labour Day Public Holiday
• 02 May - Secondary 3 in 1 Conference
• 02 May - P& F Committee Meeting (HUB)
• 03 May - Year 6 Leadership Assembly 8:15am
• 05 May – P&F High School Trivia Night 7:00pm - 9:00pm)
• 06 May - Lutheran Primary Cross Country
• 10 May – Mother’s Day stall (main event)
• 10 May - Year 8, 9, 10 and 12 Drama Theatre excursion QPAC
• 12 May - Mothers' Day Breakfast 7:30am & Chapel 8.20am
• 12 May - Mothers' Day stall (follow up)
• 15 May - Semester 1 Sec Sport Photos at Indooroopilly
• 15 – 19 May - Under Eights Week (Prep and Year 1)
• 16 May - Sem 1 Showcase 7:00pm
• 19 May – Ipswich Show public holiday - Normal School Day
• 19 May - Semester 1 Pri Sport Photos at Indooroopilly
• 19 – 21 May - Evolution Dance Comp (TBC)

Arise is a Lutheran community that meets at St Peters, Springfield. It’s a place where you can come to know God’s love through Jesus, and find light and hope for your life, and connect with other families from St Peters and the wider community.

In our service you will hear God’s word, sing, pray and share in Holy Communion if you want to. There’s a message for the kids too. 

We’d love for you to join us!

For more information contact College Chaplain Pastor Matt Wilksch: m.wilksch@stpeters.qld.edu.au.

You may like to view Sunday’s service on Facebook at this link: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ariselc/posts/?ref=page_internal

E:  arise@stpeters.qld.edu.au
M:  Pastor Matt Wilksch: 0447 656 793
FB:  @ariselc

Mourn with those who mourn, from Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome

Each year as Anzac Day arrives, two experiences loomed large for me. The first was visiting the JEATH War Museum and the War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. The museum is a recorded history of the WWII period when Prisoners of War worked on the Thai Burma Railroad. The War Cemetery in the same town is a commemorative graveyard where small headstones remember over 7000 soldiers who died whilst in captivity. Carefully reading many headstones noting the name and age of those who had died, I remember weeping as the atrocities and the loss of life of young men and women became very real to me. Despite knowing of my own grandfather’s service in the war, this history which had previously felt remote now felt close, a story more connected to my own.

The second experience came almost a decade later when I participated in an Anzac ceremony at Gallipoli. This experience also moved me enormously, but this time it was because the place was beyond crowded with young Aussies and Kiwis who had chosen to spend time and money travelling to the place where their forbears had given their lives for the kind of just world they believed in. That day in Gallipoli, I felt a renewed sense of respect and pride in my fellow young Aussies and Kiwis who wanted to remember and pay their respects, honouring this ultimate sacrifice.

Today we also know that many servicemen and women who have returned from service abroad, continue to bear the physical, spiritual and psychological scars from their time serving in these places of conflict and suffering.

I am thankful that Anzac Day falls soon after Easter when we rediscover the God of compassion. In the lead up to the Easter narrative, John’s gospel tells us that Jesus finds himself confronted by the death of his friend Lazarus, and the deep grief of Mary and Martha. What was Jesus’ response? John simply says, Jesus wept. John’s account of this story reminds us that Jesus Christ, God with us, is always deeply with us in our grief, horror and suffering.

In his tears, Jesus reminds us that God is compassionate, God literally suffers with us. For me this story is also an invitation to be a person of compassion, to enter into the suffering of others. To mourn with those who mourn as St Paul reminds us. It is my experience that beauty and hope find their roots in this shared suffering. Like that day in Turkey, I took solace in the faces of thousands of young people who wanted to remember together.

We do not always have the strength to turn our eyes to the conflicts and suffering in our wider world, but let us hope and pray that we can embrace our humanity, remembering that when we are present to grief and suffering together with one another, and with God, beauty is found there and hope can grow.

In hope,

Stephanie Maher
Director of Identity, Formation and Service

I would like to acknowledge the huge efforts of Stephanie Wise who once again organised a most poignant, memorable service. I’m sure this was an extra special one for Stephanie with her son, Pilot Officer Christopher Wise, as our guest speaker.

I know I speak for others when I say that Christopher’s speech had many powerful messages, one of them stemming from the question: ‘Why not focus on the most successful of the ANZAC battles, the Battle of Beersheba?’ As Christopher mentioned, the most beautiful and strongest character traits can emerge in the most difficult of challenges, in the case of Gallipoli, great mateship, compassion, courage and service, qualities that Christ showed himself. Christopher is clearly an outstanding young man, a credit to his parents, helped along by the excellent grounding he had here at St Peters Springfield also.

Pastor Phil Cutcliffe also played superbly, as he did at the Dawn Service at Robelle Domain.

Our students gathered at Robelle Domain for the Greater Springfield RSL Sub Branch Dawn Service. Our Captains and selected Primary students placed wreaths at the ADF Memorial. I urge everyone to get along to this service next year as it is particularly moving.

Natalie Houston
Principal

The St Peters Springfield P&F Committee invites all Year 7-12 Students to the Teen Trivia Night on Friday 5 May from 6:00pm-9:00pm.

Get your tables of 8 together, name your team, and RSVP to p&fspringfield@stpeters.qld.edu.au by 3 May.

There will be prizes for the best themed table! We can’t wait to see all Secondary Years students there, dressed in their best costumes!

This week our secondary choir, Con Brio, led the Anthems and hymn at Monday’s Anzac gathering. Under the direction of Ms Emma Anstey, the choir sang beautifully and in a manner which reflected the importance of maintaining the Anzac tradition. Congratulations to all students involved.

We congratulate Year 8 student Billy McBride who joins a number of our young musicians mentioned in last week’s newsletter to participate in the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) hosted annually by Griffith University.

Dr Bradley Voltz
Coordinator of Performing Arts (Cocurricular)

Over the holidays I was sent an article by American arts educator Jonathan Kurtz which posits that “the arts are essential because humans are inherently creative beings and must be given opportunities to develop their creativity in order to fully understand themselves and participate in a pluralistic society”. 

In a speech given in 1962 former President John F. Kennedy claimed that “as a great democratic society, we have a special responsibility to the arts, for art is the great democrat, calling forth creative genius from every sector of society.” Kennedy often emphasised arts education and the creative mind as essential components of a free society that promotes equal opportunity for all. While much has been published concerning the relationships between Arts education and Mathematics and reading comprehension, this article presents an even more fundamental argument in favor of the Arts in education.

You may wish to read the entire article, which can be found here.

Dr Bradley Voltz
Coordinator of Performing Arts (Cocurricular)

St Peters Chess, Rugby and Football Round 1 

Games Friday 28 April & Saturday 29 April

On Saturday 29 April (this coming weekend) St Peters Rugby and Football Year 4 - Open teams will compete against St Edmud’s College and a range of other College’s in Round 1 games. Please check the draws for Rugby and Football carefully to ensure you know where you are playing.  

Our Intermediate - Open Chess teams will also play against St Edmund’s College on Friday afternoon away at St Edmund’s.

Please do check the St Peters App for all details regarding venues and times of each game for this weekend trial games.

Uniform Requirements for Term 2

As boys will be aware, Rugby, Football, Rowing and Cross Country will have College Uniforms that each boy is required to wear for games and competitions. If you have not purchased the correct uniform, please do so asap! No slides are to be worn before or after games.

Game Day Student Supporters

As a College, we value the support given to our sporting teams by other students. We do expect students supporting to be in Formal Uniform for the duration of their time supporting either at home or away venues. It is an expectation that students dress as they would normally at school during the week. We look forward to seeing great support throughout the term at our Rugby and Football games.

2023 AIC Cross Country & Runners Club

Each boy from Years 7 - 12 has been emailed and alerted about signing on and participating in Cross Country for St Peters. We strongly encourage any boy who is looking at participating in a Term 2 sport (Rugby and Football) or a Term 3 sport (Basketball, Tennis and Track & Field) to get along to at least one Cross Country or 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 QGSSA. Let’s work hard in 2023 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.

CROSS COUNTRY CAMP

We are seeking expressions of interest for St Peters students attending the 2023 St Peters Cross Country Camp. It is intended to be a three day and two night camp which we are conducting on Saturday 29 April to Monday 1 May 2023.

Camp Details:

Venue: Sunshine Coast - Alex Park Convention Centre
Depart: Saturday 29 April
Return: Monday 1 May approx. 12:00 pm
Cost: approx. $375.00 per athlete

Please complete the form below if you wish your daughter/son to attend the St Peters Cross Country Preparation Camp. Please understand that the St Peters Cross Country Preparation Camp will involve high level coaching with students expected to participate in all aspects of the camp.  

Camp Registration - CLICK HERE

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.

Term 2 AIC Sporting Coordinators – St Peters Boys Sport 

If the sport specific information you are looking for, in relation to Term 2 AIC sports for St Peters, cannot be found on the St Peters App, please contact the below sport specific sports representatives directly:

Rugby Coordinator: Mr Jack Sims – j.sims@stpeters.qld.edu.au
Football Coordinator: Sports House – football@stpeters.qld.edu.au
Chess Coordinator: Mr Wolf Stuetzel – w.stuetzel@stpeters.qld.edu.au
Cross Country: Mrs Kerry Schreiber – k.schreiber@stpeters.qld.edu.au

What a great way to start Term Two with Basketball, Football and Touch fixtures recommencing after the holidays with some amazing results against Somerville House last Friday afternoon/evening. We look forward to playing Brisbane Girls Grammar for Round 5 this Friday, please check the St Peters App for draws and bus details.

Pre-season Rowing is underway, Rhythmic Gymnastics has commenced, our Cross-Country girls are training hard, and it is just over three weeks until the QGSSSA Championships.

Reminder – due to the Public Holiday next Monday, there will be no Girls Sport training sessions on this day.

INTER-HOUSE CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL

The Year 7 – Year 12 Inter-House Cross Country Carnival was held last Thursday. The carnival, rescheduled from Term 1 due to the heat, was full of colour, school spirit, lots of smiles on faces and students happy to be back at school! Thank you to all involved for giving the students this wonderful opportunity, it was extra special to see our Year 12 students enjoying their last Cross Country run at St Peters.

CONGRATULATIONS – OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

National Age Swimming Championships

Over the holidays at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, approximately 40 students from St Peters Western attended the Australian Age Swimming Championships.

St Peters Western again took out the overall honours as champion club with a total of 3680 points, 1900 points in front of 2nd placed Nunawading. This is another outstanding achievement by our students who were superbly coached by Richard Sleight, Andrey Pianca, Jacob Hansford and Sienna McDonald.

A huge number of students did personal bests, made either A or B finals and represented the College with pride.

Congratulations to all our St Peters girls who competed with special mention to the following girls who gained a podium finish in their individual event/s, many winning relay medals also – amazing!

Amazing Individual Performances

Gold Medals and National Champions

• Amelia W (Year 12)
• Jaclyn B (Year 11)
• Ainsley T (Year 10)
• Olivia G (Year 7 SFD)
• Indi C (Year 10)

Silver Medals

• Jaclyn B (Year 11)
• Kaci C (Year 9)
• Olivia G (Year 7 SFD)
• Ainsley T (Year 10)

Bronze Medals

• Coco McGrath (Year 8)
• Hannah Morton (Year 11)

Congratulations to Amelia W & Jaclyn B who after outstanding results at the Australian Age Championships have been selected in the Junior Australian Dolphins Team for the 2023 World Championships in Israel in September. What an amazing effort we are very proud of the girls.

Congratulations also to Georgia P & Zimmy Mc who had outstanding performances at the recent Queensland School Sport Swimming Championships. Both girls have been selected in the Queensland team and will compete in Sydney in August, what a fantastic effort by Georgie and Zimmy.

These amazing results are not achieved without a lot of hard work, well done to our students and their families for their continued support. Special thanks to all coaches and to Mr Lohe and Mr Nodwell who managed the team, it is a big job and their passion and support is outstanding.

Australian Track & Field Championships

A total of 23 St Peters Students competed at the Junior/Senior National Track & Field Championships held at QSAC over the holidays. Our students came away with 9 Podium finishes including 2 Australian Champions (2 x Gold, 4 x Silver & 3 x Bronze).

Added to this – 2021/2022 Old Scholars - Torrie Lewis, Hilal Durmaz and Kayla Newberry also competed in the U20 Open Championships. 

• Torrie L - Australian Champion (Opens) in 100m & 200m (fantastic achievement)
• Hilal D - 3rd in U20 Long Jump & U20 100m
• Kayla N - 2nd in U20 Heptathlon

It was an all-round fantastic performance for St Peters in Track & Field at a national level.

Congratulations to all students who represented Queensland at these championships, a number of students did personal bests and represented the College with pride.

Amazing Individual Performances

• Claire R (Year 7) – Gold and National Champion - U13 1500m
• Milla R (Year 10) – Bronze U17 400m Hurdles
• Allira T (Year 10 SFD) – Silver U18 Shot Put
• Toby S (Year 12 SFD) – Silver U18 High Jump
• Zoe C (Year 10) – Silver U18 Triple Jump
• Issy Palmer (Year 11) – Bronze U18 100m Hurdles

Well done to all students and congratulations to our medal winners, we are very proud of your efforts.

2023 AUTUMN FIXTURES – FOCUS ROUNDS

Last Friday our senior students came out in force to support our Basketball girls for the second Focus Round for 2023. It was a great round of fixtures and the Open Basketball Team responded well and came away with a great win. Well done to our captains 😊

Let's go saints!

Round 6 - Friday May 5 – Football v St Aidan's @ Toowong FC

AUTUMN FIXTURE SPORTS – BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL & TOUCH

Please see the St Peters App for training details.

Good luck to all our girls competing this Friday against Brisbane Girls Grammar.

Date claimers:

Round 5 v Brisbane Girls Grammar (A) – Friday 28 April
Round 7 v Brisbane State High (A) - Friday 12 May
Round 8 v Ipswich Girls Grammar (H) - Thursday 18 MAY
Round 9 v St Hilda's (Gold Coast) - Friday 26 May

AUTUMN FIXTURES - BUS TRANSPORT

All girls are expected to take the school buses provided to the Autumn Fixtures each Friday afternoon for away games or our home fixtures at UQ or Toowong FC. Bus details are always provided by the Sport Coordinator and are on the St Peters App. If students are driving, an email from parents to both the coordinator and myself are required giving permission.

The weekly draw is placed on the St Peters App as soon as it is finalised each week.

QGSSSA BASKETBALL

Coordinators: Mrs Anne-Marie Champion – a.champion@stpeters.qld.edu.au
                     Mr Matt Allen-Ankins – m.allen-ankins@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Date Claimer: Old Scholars Game – Tuesday 2 May, 5:00pm, further details to follow.

Let’s get along and support the girls, this is a great event.

For more information CLICK HERE.

Basketball Round 5 v Brisbane Girls Grammar, Friday 28 April – Please CLICK HERE for the draw

QGSSSA FOOTBALL

All enquires – football@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Football Round 5 v Brisbane Girls Grammar, Friday 28 April – Please CLICK HERE for the draw

QGSSSA TOUCH

Coordinator: Ms Anne-Marie George - a.george@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Touch Round 5 v Brisbane Girls Grammar, Friday 28 April – Please CLICK HERE for the draw

QGSSSA CROSS COUNTRY

Coordinator: Mrs Kerry Schreiber – k.schreiber@stpeters.qld.edu.au

It has been a busy few days for Cross Country with the Brisbane Girls Grammar meet held at Rangakarra on Wednesday afternoon. St Peters had many runners missing due the district Cross Country trial held at Limestone Park on Thursday. Well done to all runners.

All details for the remainder of the season including the St Peters 2023 Cross Country calendar can be found on the St Peters App.

Do your best to attend as many of these sessions as you can, with Wednesday sessions being a priority.

Community Run Club - join our Running Community on Friday mornings - meet at 6.30am at the St Peters Bus Stop.

Date Claimers: 

St Aidan’s Invitation Meet: Wednesday 3 May
St Margaret’s/Clayfield College Invitational Meet – Wednesday 10 May
St Peters Cross Country Camp: Saturday 29 April – Monday 1 May
QGSSSA Cross Country Championships – Saturday 20 May

CROSS COUNTRY CAMP

We are seeking expressions if interest for St Peters students to attend the 2023 St Peters Cross Country Camp. It is intended to be three days and two nights camp which we are conducting this Saturday 29 April to Monday 1 May 2023.

Camp Details:

Venue: Sunshine Coast - Alex Park Conference Centre
Depart: Saturday 29 April
Return: Monday 1 May approximately 12:00pm
Cost: approximately $375.00 per athlete

Please complete the form below if you wish your daughter/son to attend the St Peters Cross Country Preparation Camp. Please understand that the St Peters Cross Country Preparation Camp will involve high level coaching with students expected to participate in all aspects of the camp.  

Camp Registration - CLICK HERE

Girls Rowing

Coordinator: Mrs Helen Allard – h.allard@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Thank you to the girls who have signed on to row in 2023. If you are thinking about Rowing, it is not too late, please email Mrs Allard.

The first official training (on the water) started last Wednesday morning for the Open girls and on Saturday for all other girls.

Date claimer: Rowing Camp - Term 2, Saturday 17 June - Friday 23 June.

An important event on the Girls Rowing calendar is the Rowing Camp, this will be held on the first week of the school holidays at the end of Term 2.

Please mark these dates in your diaries.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Coordinator: Mrs Nicole Maynard – n.maynard@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Thank you girls for a fantastic week of RG training!

This week, performance groups were confirmed. All girls worked in their groups learning new choreography, learning formations with their apparatus and practising core skills needed to learn the routine.

Remember you must email Mrs Maynard if you’re unable to attend training – n.maynard@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Please be mindful to keep your group training time consistent throughout the season.

Date Claimer: QGSSSA Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships – Friday 4 August (Week 4, Term 3). The 2023 Rhythmic Gymnastics Calendar can be found on the St Peters App

As always, keep up the great work, keep practising and keep smiling.

I look forward to seeing you all at training next week - Mrs Maynard

Anne-Marie Champion
Girls Sport Coordinator

The Football Support Group are hosting their annual Trivia Night and invites the whole College Community to come along for a fun filled night. No Football knowledge is required. Bring your own food. Drinks must be purchased at the bar. 

Date:          Sat 6th May
Time:         6:00pm  
Venue:       Café 45, Indooroopilly Campus
Cost:          $20.00 per person
Tickets Available here

On Friday the 21st of April, we had the pleasure of one of our 2020 graduates visiting us! We love when this happens, and we loved seeing Laura Gonzales.

She updated us on her life, she is very happy and loving what post school pathways have opened up for her.

Laura has just completed her enrolled nursing course at TAFE. She is working in an aged care facility, which she loves. One of her jobs this week was to take an elderly patient on a walk and Laura took her around the building and when they got back, the lady said to Laura that it was the best morning she’d had in a long time and could they do it again, Laura told her she’d be back tomorrow! And this story is what we love to see, our old scholars going out into the World and making it shine brighter.

Laura always had this knack. She lights up a room. Looking to the future, Laura is in the final stages of application to a graduate program in Anaesthetic Nursing – she would love to work in Theatre – and if she gets into that program she’ll be a specialised nurse. Her back up plan is to enter Semester 2 into a Bachelor of Nursing to become an RN.

Laura is also working in disability support. It was so wonderful to see her and we are so proud of all she is doing.