The old expression, ‘just like riding a bike’, came to mind on Monday when our Year 2-10 students returned to school. There were a few nervous students wondering how things would be on their return. Our students and staff resumed face to face learning exactly where they left it in Term 1 Week 10. Working together as a class comes as second nature and it was easy to settle back into the school routine.
The enjoyment on the faces of students and staff being in class taking part in more hands on, interactive small group and whole class activities was clearly visible. So too was the joy of being back with their friends. There was chatting, laughter and connections throughout the days at school this week.
The time of online learning whether at home or at school will be an interesting memory for us all. Our Year 3 teachers organised an activity on their first morning back, asking questions about the students’ time of online learning during this COVID 19 change. Enjoy the photos included in the article of our Year 3 students sharing their thoughts. Year 3 S sent out a happy welcome back photo to their families as well.
What they liked……
Having a sister and dog as a study buddy
Hanging out with family learning
Taking photos to send to my teachers of my learning
Maths online
Wearing free dress while learning
Typing messages and asking questions to their teacher
Seeing and chatting to their class in Zoom Meetings
Having mum or dad to help them
Sleeping in
Talking on the phone to their friends
Having lots of little breaks throughout the day
Listening to teachers read their class novels
Reading to their teacher during the individual meetings
Playing class games in Zoom Meetings
Learning in the toy room
What they missed…….
100% was seeing their friends
What they were looking forward to now back at school…..
Having lunch with their friends
First break
Playing with friends
Art
Trying their best
We have had discussions during out virtual staff meetings, as to what we will continue to use from the set of skills the students and staff have learnt in this time. Each student has come back with an abundance of skills in self-managing, problem solving, flexibility, persistence, grit, time management, collaboration, adaptability and technology know how. Our staff will continue to build upon the skills developed so we move forwards with what we have learnt during this time.
Our staff were so appreciative of all the support of families during the online learning program. Working together in partnership creates supportive learning environments for our students.
Take care.
Debbie West-McInnes Head of Primary
Ministry
It’s a new day. It’s a new way.
“See I am making all things new” – God
“How are you?”
“Fine.”
“Really?”
“Oh, I meant, I’m F.I.N.E. That’s Frantic, Insecure, Neurotic and Exhausted.”
The pace of modern life had left many of us feeling fine in all the wrong ways. Family, work, school, co-curricular activities, hobbies, recreation, exercise, community service, worship … these are all great things, but they are hard to keep in balance. And that’s apart from any struggles we are going through. Sometimes the busyness and the rush to endless activities has made us feel frantic, insecure, neurotic and exhausted.
And then … coronavirus!
In my life, it meant some changes for work - no Community Celebrations, no Youth Nights, no Sunday Worship but lots of time on Zoom and Teams. At home it has meant no transporting children to gymnastics, Parkrun, part-time work, cross country, hockey and debating. On balance, there has been more time and availability. I’ve started reading books again. I’ve watched some movies, which hadn’t happened since I can’t remember when. I’ve been averaging an extra bike ride each week.
As we come together again in community God is giving us a new start where we have opportunity to choose just how much of the busyness we bring back. It’s a new day. It’s a new way. Indeed, God specialises in making things new.
“See, I am doing a new thing” Isaiah 43:19
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
“See, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5
Now as community life returns I don’t want to lose the good things I’ve enjoyed during the restrictions. I’m looking for the newness of life that God is giving. It may be the cliché of the moment, but clichés usually describe something true – do we want life to return to “normal”? I’ll be more than fine if it doesn’t!
What new thing is God doing in your life right now?
With the easing of restrictions, students have returned to school as of Monday the 25 May.
A reminder for all motorists that school zones are in force, given there will be an increase of pedestrian and traffic around schools, with students returning to school this week.
Ipswich Police will focus on monitoring the road activity around pickup and drop off times in school areas as they are becoming progressively busy and congested, with motorists needing to be mindful and observant of children as they can be unpredictable and easily distracted.
The standard operating times for most school zones in Ipswich is between 7am and 9am and between 2pm and 4 pm, with some schools operating in 40km/h zones all day from 7am to 4pm.
Ipswich Police are encouraging all motorists to be patient, and abide by the reduced speed limits, while approaching and driving through marked school zones.
Slow down and be on the lookout for children travelling to and from school whether on foot, riding on a bike, in a car or using public transport. Drivers are reminded to check their surroundings for any of the following signs for school zone parking and pickup:
Parking limits (i.e. 15 minutes);
No stopping signs;
Yellow edge line (stopping and parking is prohibited);
No parking signs;
Loading zones; and
School crossings.
There are no excuses, take responsibility for your driving by obeying the speed limits, observe road rules, conditions of the road and be patient, avoiding distractions to ensure that children are safe around schools.
Stand up for Safety; Set a safe pace around your school and stick to the 40km/h speed limit.
International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)
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.
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.
Susan Levitt Prep – Year 6 Curriculum Leader: Assessment and Reporting
Around the College
Gift to students from P&F
A very big thank you to our P&F for donating a small hand sanitizer that can be attached to student's school bags. Hand washing and use of sanitizer are part of our daily routine to keep healthy.
Celebrating our dedicated teacher assistants
This week our dedicated teacher assistants returned to the classrooms working with our teachers in their teams. Over the past five weeks they had a different role – supervising our ‘at school’ students working through the online learning planned by our teachers. Last Friday we celebrated the importance of their role and discussed the highlights and challenges of their roles. They reflected on skills they had learnt, how they learnt about students individually, and how rewarding it was to see the students growth in their learning during this time. These new understandings will take their work in a new exciting direction. Congratulations to our teacher assistants for all your hard work.
Premier’s Reading Challenge 2020
The Premier’s Reading Challenge has begun for 2020 with the reading program running from May 11 until August 28.
Every Primary student who completes the challenge will receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier. Mrs West-McInnes will present these certificates during the Premier’s Reading Challenge celebration weeks of 2 – 13 November 2020. There is a prize for one student in each sub-school (Lower Primary and Upper Primary) who reads the most books during this time.
Prep to Year 2 should read or experience at least 20 books,
Years 3 and 4 should read at least 20 books, and
Years 5 to 6 should read at least 15 books.
Our Primary School also uses this reading challenge for a Inter-House Competition. The house that reads the most books in this challenge has their house name added to the Premier’s Reading Challenge book. Leichhardt has won the past two years! Which house will win this year??
Tuckshop Daily Specials
The Arts
Ensemble Rehearsals and Private Tuition
It has been wonderful to have the majority of students returning on-site this week.
Music ensembles are resuming rehearsals at school, while carefully maintaining social distancing and hygiene procedures. Some ensembles are resuming this week, and others next week.
Private Tuition lessons will also return to the at-school format. Studios have been equipped with screens and hand sanitiser, tutors will be mindful of distancing and hygiene procedures. In some instances (eg large group lessons), alternate venues within the school have been sourced to enable a safer environment. The use of Zoom has provided a valuable platform for the continuation of skill development and repertoire consolidation, however, tutors are keen to work with students in the “real world” again.
Tertiary Preparation Workshop 2020
This year, Open Conservatorium will be presenting the Tertiary Preparation Workshop (TPW) 2020 online. The course will run from Monday 29 June – Thursday 2 July 2020. Cost is $150.00 (inc GST), and delivery will be via zoom. REGISTER NOW to get ahead of the audition pack!
Sport
Sport
“And that is what I wish for you: to start living today, not tomorrow.” Connor Franta, A Work in Progress
Boys Sport Coordinator: Luke Donatini Girls Sport Coordinator: Anne-Marie Champion Primary Sport Coordinator: Peter Dawson
Term 2 – Week 6
A very warm welcome to all St Peters students returning to regular school hours this week. We hope that you all have eased back into the routine and look forward to seeing you all playing sport for St Peters very soon.
The Physical Activity/Fitness Sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons continue this week, please remember St Peters Run Club is also running on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
Please note: RUN CLUB MEETING POINT – Harts Road Oval at 3.30pm – 4.45pm.
AIC & QGSSSA STATEMENTS – Please click below for the link to the UPDATED Roadmap to Recovery statements from the QGSSSA & AIC Management Committees in relation to the recommencement of Sporting Activities.
REMINDER - YOU WILL FIND AMAZING SPORT RESOURCES ON THE SPORT FIREFLY PAGE
FIREFLY - RESOURCES – COLLEGE LIFE > SPORT – AT HOME > SPORT SPECIFIC
If you have any questions about any of sport specific, please email the relevant coordinators of your interested sport.
Primary Sport
It is great to see all the full cohort of Primary Years students back on board this week. As with Years 7-12 Sport, a return to Primary Sport will be dependent on the easing of government restrictions particularly to those relating to; limited gatherings in a facility and outdoor community sport.
During Term 3, AIC sport will go ahead in a revised format. Years 4-6 Boys will be invited to play Basketball, Tennis, Football and Rugby over the course of the term.
First Half of Term 3
AIC Basketball (Years 5-12)
AIC Tennis (Years 5-12)
Second Half of Term 3
AIC Football (Years 5-12)
AIC Rugby (Years 5-12)
AIC Chess (Years 5-12)
Sign on information for each sport will be emailed to parents (Years 4-6) and students (Years 5 and 6).
AIC Cross Country (Years 5-12) – Wednesday 12 August
Further information pertaining to the venue and exact formation of the day will be disseminated over the coming weeks of Term 2 and early Term 3, whilst keeping in line with the ever changing COVID-19 government restrictions and guidelines.
AIC Track & Field (Years 5-12)
It is proposed that the AIC Track & Field Championships will be conducted on Friday 9 Octoberand Saturday 10 October.
Western Districts Netball Association
WDNA is hoping to return in Term 3 for a revised Day season. WDNA is governed by Netball Queensland and will be required to follow directives made by the overarching body. Netball Queensland is set to meet on Monday 1 June to plan the remainder of 2020. It is understood that decisions made at the meeting on 1 June will be communicated through to individual clubs and associations. It is hoped that St Peters Netball will have the opportunity to play in the WDNA competition in some capacity this year.
It is hoped that Primary Girls Metro Meets will also go ahead in Term 3 giving St Peters Years 4-6 girls a chance to compete against other girls at the informal events.
Year 7-12 Girls QGSSSA Sport
This week we officially welcomed back our full cohort of students and what a great buzz there is around the College.
Last week Mr Kotzur and all the QGSSSA School Principals met to map out the remainder of the year regarding the return of play for all Sporting Activities.
Below are some key points from the Roadmap to Recovery statement from the QGSSSA Management Committee.
Term 3 Winter Fixtures (Hockey, Netball, Tennis and Volleyball) will commence with minor modifications to the schedule. Round 1 fixtures have been cancelled to allow team selections and trainings to occur in Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 3, with the season to officially commence in Round 2. All other Term 1 and 2 sports are confirmed as cancelled for 2020 – this includes Cross Country, Basketball & Football.
As one of the Association's largest participation sports, QGSSSA will investigate the possibility of competition for Touch Football in Term 4 for Years 7-11.
The 2020 Rhythmic Gymnastics competition (which was scheduled in Week 4 of Term 3) has been cancelled due to the shortened timeframe for preparation and the safety concerns and associated risks to participants and spectators gathering in large numbers in an indoor facility.
Track and Field Athletics will run as scheduled in Term 3.
Term 4 sports of Badminton and Junior Softball will also run as scheduled.
BSRA Rowing
BSRA Heads are meeting this week and we will update you with further information regarding competition in Term 3.
Date Claimer: 24 June – 29 June | Rowing Clinic (at BBC Rowing Sheds) for all BSRA Rowers.
GIRLS SPORT SIGN-ON
Netball | Volleyball | Hockey | Tennis | Rowing
Next Monday June 1 we will be commencing sign-ons for all Term 3 Sports.
Girls will be sent an email with a link to sign-on.
Once girls have registered for their Sport, Coordinators will be in touch with further details of training/trials and venues.
PLEASE NOTE: Trainings will be restricted under the current COVID-19 guidelines.
Years 7-12 Boys AIC Sport
Boys Sport (Years 5-12)
Associated Independent Colleges (AIC) Boys Sport
Great news! We can now confirm that AIC Sport will recommence in Term 3 of 2020. The following structure will take place with regards to individual sports.
First Half of Term 3
AIC Basketball (Years 5-12)
AIC Tennis (Years 5-12)
Second Half of Term 3
AIC Football (Years 5-12)
AIC Rugby (Years 5-12)
AIC Chess (Years 5-12)
(There will also be trial games for each sport in the weeks preceding competition games)
AIC Cross Country (Years 5-12) It is proposed that the AIC Cross Country Championship will be conducted on Wednesday 12 August.
Further information pertaining to the venue and exact formation of the day will be disseminated over the coming weeks of Term 2 and early Term 3, whilst keeping in line with the ever changing COVID-19 government restrictions and guidelines.
AIC Track & Field (Years 5-12) It is proposed that the AIC Track and Field Championships will be conducted on Friday 9 October and Saturday 10 October with several lead up meets scheduled prior to the championship dates. Again, as with AIC Cross Country, more information will be provided over the coming months.
St Peters Boys Sport will continue with the current fitness sessions being offered and all boys (Years 7-12) will be advised when individual training will be commencing for each sport.
St Peters Years 7-12 AIC Sports Sign-On
Now that we have certainty surrounding the above-mentioned AIC sports, we will be conducting the following ‘sign-ons’. Boys, please keep out an eye out for emails advising you of the following sign-ons.
AIC Basketball and Tennis – Years 7-12
AIC Football, Rugby and Chess - Years 7-12
AIC Cross Country - Years 7-12
AIC Track & Field – Years 7-12
Boys will be sent an email with a link to sign-on for all sports played in Term 3.
Once boys have registered for their sport/s, their Coordinator will be in contact with them regarding training times and venues.
It is important to note that training will be restricted under the current COVID-19 guidelines.
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:
