Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. Lao Tzu

Last year, we were privileged to hear Kath Koschel speak to our Year 6-12 students to focus on Kindness. She shared how she started The Kindness Factory# one small act which encouraged us to be part of the 1,000,000 acts of kindness campaign. Our Primary and Secondary students took part in this campaign completing acts of kindness at school and at home. We were excited to hear last week that Kath reached her target of 1 million acts of kindness and we were blessed to be part of this challenge.

Over the past few weeks I have heard many stories about acts of kindness happening throughout the world. It has been locally when helping an elderly neighbour asking if they would like groceries or taking them a meal due to self-isolation or to world new stories where Captain Tom raised millions of pounds for the NHS.

An extra act of kindness relating to this story, was from the Canadian singing artist, The Weeknd who was vying for the top music chart spot with Captain Tom – he told all his fans to vote for Captain Tom to help him celebrate his 100th birthday meaning he would not achieve the top spot.

Paying tribute to Captain Tom on Twitter, The Weeknd said on Thursday evening: ‘everyone in the UK please support @captaintommoore / @mrmichaelball single so this incredible 99 yr old war veteran, walking for the British National Health Service @NHSuk & now raised $35 Million can have a No 1 for his 100th birthday in the UK!XO

We may not be able to raise millions of dollars or give away a top spot in the charts, but we can show kindness in small ways every day. I encourage you to continue to support each other at this unusual time in our lives so others can feel valued, supported and connected.

Primary Highlights

Over the past two weeks there have been many highlights in our Primary School learning.

• Year 3 Bingo game to practise times tables as well as Funky Friday where the students and staff wore a funky hat;
• Year 5 Scavenger Hunt for PC time;
• Year 2 students sharing their fairy tale performance videos – confidence, persistent, organised!
• Year 6 Lip Sync Battle;
• Year 1 sharing more fabulous JOY projects;
• Game of Kahoots for our Year 4-6 students and staff;
• High number of students joining in class meetings;
• High number of completed work samples submitted onto the designated areas to show engagement in learning;
• Students gaining more confidence in using the platforms for learning.

We look forward to hearing the buzz of students in our classrooms and play areas soon.

Kind regards

Debbie West-McInnes
Head of Primary

It may be a time now to ‘dream big’ and to reflect on what we would like to see carry over into the new ‘normal’, insights we have gained – about ourselves or others, about the world in which we live. What would we like to see actioned or changed in our own lives?

I assume that we will be grateful for things that we took for granted ‘before’; will celebrate when we can see and communicate ‘face to face’ again, when we can laugh together, can hug a friend, and can go for long walks again. Will we have recognised the basic, simple things that make life worthwhile and meaningful?  And how may that change the way we may want to live ‘after’?

I wonder. I heard an epidemiologist state the other day, that it won’t be possible to go 'back to normal', because the pandemic has questioned the way we lived. That reminds me of Easter, the event that has questioned humankind at its core; when the one who in God’s name proclaimed mercy and forgiveness for all, was told: “We don’t need that!” and crucified him. Still, God resurrected Christ and confirmed at Easter the way Jesus had lived, and the message he had shared: That was the dream God had in mind for us, to live in a new way that would further life. Easter is God’s calling for us to listen to his word and to work for a better world. In contrast to the 'wake up call' of the pandemic, the fundamental one on Easter assures us, that we can succeed, because God is with us in the crises and will lead and guide us into his future. God will grant strength to the weary, increase the power of the weak, courage to the destitute, and hope to all (Isaiah 40).

We are challenged to change habits, to adapt to a different mindset. The call to a new way of life requires a change of heart and a new way of living. No, we can’t go back to 'normal' as it was before. The pandemic has made that clear. But we are encouraged to dream big, to dream this new world and be creative how to bring it about.

The pandemic has shown how deeply connected and interdependent the global community has become. That challenges us to rethink how resources can be shared justly and equally so that everyone benefits. Easter calls us to a new way of life, to treat both, our neighbour and strangers with respect and care. It challenges us to accept responsibility and act in a compassionate way towards others and the environment. Easter is the call to live in a way that life is sustainable and brought about, the breath of life breathed and believed in and for all. The ‘new normal’ may become the realisation of God’s dream for our world and you and I participating in it!

Let us celebrate life and together heed the call!

Arise Worship

This week’s message is “The Good Shepherd”.  In this message we hear how good leadership is precious and how ultimately Jesus is the only true Shepherd who leads his sheep to good pastures. 

Please find our services at:

https://www.facebook.com/ariselc/

Please note our current circumstances:

• Sunday Worship physical services are closed until further notice due to social distancin g restrictions
• A pre-recorded service will be available on the Arise Facebook page from each Sunday morning:  @ariselc
• My contacts are:  M:  0447 656793 | E:  m.wilksch@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Pastor Matt Wilksch

St Peters offers students in Years 3-12 the opportunity to participate in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) in English, Mathematics and Science. The competitions are conducted at school on the following dates, which have been set by the UNSW Educational Testing Centre:

• Science – Wednesday 19 August  2020
• English – Wednesday 26 August  2020
• Mathematics – Tuesday 1 September 2020

All ICAS competitions will be undertaken online. The participation cost for each competition is $15.95 (incl GST).

Payment

If you would like your child to participate in any of the competitions, please visit the new online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment to UNSW Global.

The web link is: https://shop.unswglobal.com.au/pages/pps

Once here, you will need to enter the SPLC SFD unique access code: ERX223

Payments are not able to be accepted by the college. Registrations are now open. The online payment closes Tuesday 22 June 2020, after which time no registrations are able to be accepted.

IMPORTANT:  Please enter your child’s name accurately into the system as it will appear on their ICAS certificate.

In the event of further school closures due to COVID-19 and cancellation of the competitions, UNSW will refund payments. However outside of this, no other refunds are able to be given, including for student absence due to illness.

If you have questions regarding ICAS, please contact Susan Levitt s.levitt@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Susan Levitt
Prep – Year 6 Curriculum Leader: Assessment and Reporting

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 we were unable to pack and send boxes to the Troops this year. However, we have been able to donate the food that we had collected to the Micah Project, they are an organisation that provide food for the homeless and people who have left Domestic Violence situations.

Thanks to all that helped.

“Sometimes the sun shines and it still rains. The weather changes all the time. You can too.” Iain S. Thomas

Boys Sport Coordinator: Luke Donatini

Girls Sport Coordinator: Anne-Marie Champion

Primary Sport Coordinator: Peter Dawson

We hope you are surviving At Home Learning during these trying times.  Last week saw the launch of our ‘Term 2 Sport – At Home’ programs. The programs include general fitness exercises and circuits, Pilates, and various sport specific activities.

Please take the time to listen to the welcome address from Mr Shaun Nodwell, St Peters Director of Sport.

If you have any questions about any of sport specific, please email the relevant coordinators of your interested sport.

We look forward to you joining in on these sessions and enjoying what has been put together.

The Important Value of Exercise 

Research cites the direct link between academic performance and physical health. It is crucial for online students to have regular bouts of exercise during times of study to enhance their overall wellness.

Reasons for this include:

• Improved Physical and Mental Health
• Effective Brain Development
• Enhanced Memory
• Better Concentration
• Regulated Mood
• Reduced Stress
• Reduced Eye Strain and Headaches
• Increased Motivation and Productivity
• Better Sleep Quality
• Improved Academic Performance

To read more on why online students should be supplementing exercise with their studies click on the link below.

https://www.onlineschoolscenter.com/10-benefits-of-yoga-and-exercise-breaks-while-studying/

OLD SCHOLARS SPORTING HIGHTLIGHTS

Over the course of the next few weeks St Peters Lutheran College Sports House are extremely thrilled to highlight a selection of Old Scholars who have excelled within their chosen sport. Some are now retired from competitive sport, whilst others are still pursuing their sport dreams and ambitions.

It is certainly a great achievement, whilst a student, to proudly represent St Peters at the highest level, it is another to take your passion and talents to the next level and compete nationally and/or internationally.

This week we are honoured to showcase two great swimmers to have come out of St Peters Lutheran College; Maddie Groves and Jack Cartwright.

Name: Maddie Groves

Graduated from St Peters: 2012

Sport:  Swimming

Achievements:

Olympic Games

• 2016     SILVER              200m Butterfly
• 2016     SILVER              4 x 100m Medley Relay

World Championships

• 2015     BRONZE           4 x 100m Medley Relay          

Pan Pacific Championships

• 2018         GOLD              4 x 200m Freestyle Relay

Commonwealth Games

• 2018     SILVER              100m Butterfly
• 2014     GOLD               4 x 100m Freestyle
• 2014     GOLD               4 x 200m Freestyle
• 2014     BRONZE           200m Butterfly

Nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’ Maddie Groves attended St Peters Lutheran College 2008 – 2012. Maddie was an incredibly gifted swimmer who had a natural ‘feel’ for the water. She began swimming competitively at 12 years old and commenced St Peters Lutheran College and swimming at St Peters Western Swimming Squad in 2008.

Maddie flourished as a Junior as a freestyle and butterfly swimmer. She was a major player in St Peters QGSSSA Swimming Premierships in 2011 and 2012. During 2012 she commenced training in Michael Bohl’s High Performance SPW Squad and at it was here that she started to reach her true potential. In 2013 Maddie became National Champion in the 200m Butterfly, a title she went onto defend in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

As a member of the Australian Swimming Team she has stood on numerous podiums on the International stage, medalling at the Pan Pacific Championships, The Commonwealth Games and the Swimming World Championships. Swimming at the Olympics is the sport’s pinnacle and at the 2016 Rio Olympics Maddie raced the 200m Butterfly brilliantly, leading throughout the race and was only beaten to the Gold by 0.03. She left the games with two Silver medals. Congratulations Maddie on your career to date and all the very best for the future.

Name: Jack Cartwright

Graduated from St Peters: 2015

Sport:  Swimming

Achievements:

World Championships

• 2017     7th                    100m Freestyle
• 2017     4th                    4 x 200m Freestyle Relay                     

Pan Pacific Championships

• 2018     SILVER             100m Freestyle
• 2018     SILVER              4 x 100m Freestyle Relay
• 2018     SILVER              4 x 200m Freestyle Relay

Commonwealth Games

• 2018     GOLD               4 x 100m Freestyle Relay
• 2018     GOLD               4 x 100m Medley Relay (Games Record)

Jack Cartwright commenced at St Peters and the SPW Swimming Squad in January 2014. Shortly after arriving he sneezed viciously and broke his rib, effectively benching himself for Term 1 of 2014. After this memorable start to his SPW training life Jack has been a brilliant worker. Pushing hard for every improvement he has made through his swimming career.

The hours hard work in the St Peters pool began to pay off when he was selected on the Junior Australian team in 2016. He travelled to the Junior Pan Pacific Championships where he won six medals, four of them gold. A member of the SPW High Performance Swimming Squad, Jack trains under Dean Boxall. He lists his career highlight as breaking 48 seconds for the 100m Freestyle at the World Championships in 2017, a swim that placed him seventh in the world. Jack repeated this feat as a lead out swimmer for the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The team went onto win Gold and break the Games Record.

Well Done Jack, you are a wonderful product of St Peters competing for Australia on the world stage.

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: