Through my education, I didn't just develop skills, I didn't just develop the ability to learn, but I developed confidence.
Michelle Obama

On Monday night, the Springfield Primary Schools debating competition began.  There are 4 debates over the next two months including the schools of St Peters Springfield, The Springfield Anglican School, Good Shepherd Catholic School and Springfield Central State School.

Our first night was one of excitement and nervousness as for many it was their first debate. One of the adjudicators commented as to how surprised she was with the quality of the debates especially for the Year 5 teams.

One of the strengths of the teams was their confidence in presenting their arguments in front of an audience with many people they did not know.  It also showed in their rebuttals which are the most difficult part of a debate.  Each team member had listened, related their rebuttal to a point and did this with confidence and commitment.

In our practice sessions, discussions were on the structure of the debate, the way to present their speech and what the opposing team might present as their arguments.  But most importantly a large part of our discussion was about developing their confidence which included goal setting and resilience.

Each student set goals for themselves to ensure they had a clear understanding of what was expected. The students knew how many points they had to raise during the debate and also how many rebuttals to work towards.  Each of our students worked hard on these goals to support their team.

We also discussed resilience and that it was important to learn from their experience at the debate as well as the adjudicators feedback.  That each debate is a learning time – that there will be times where they succeed but other times there will be disappointments. It is how you manage the disappointments that is the most important part and what steps can be put into place to do better next time.

So many factors play a part in developing confidence!

Debbie West-McInnes
Head of Primary

Last term I had the privilege to take a group of Year 8, 9 and 12 students to an ALWS (Australian Lutheran World Service) Awareness Day at Redeemer Lutheran College in Rochedale. We were acquainted with the challenges faced by people living in poverty or stuck in refugee camps in Africa - people who often have to choose between things that we consider basic needs, things like clean water or healthy food, an education or medicine, a proper toilet or a home to live in. 

ALWS are working with various poor and refugee communities around the world to empower them to build a better future for themselves. 

Out of this day has grown a joint project between the College community and the St Peters congregation to help fund the building of a school in South Sudan, a region struggling with civil war and in consequence having many displaced persons and destroyed villages and schools. The communities there see schooling for their children as the best way forward into the more positive future.

We are seeking to raise $6300 which would provide a basic school for a village. This makes us part of an integrated education plan to:

• support 840 children enrolled in Early Childhood Education 
• construct 4 Temporary Learning Centres using local materials 
• provide teaching and learning materials for Early Child Development  
• support and train incentive teachers and support staff 
• build children’s psychomotor skills by providing recreational materials and outdoor play equipment

I have been impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and effort to promote this project and raise funds. In recent weeks we have had a sausage sizzle and bake sale on two community focus days, sold drinks on the P&F Fun Day and held a Yr 7 & 8 movie night, all of which raised about $1300.

Our next activity is open to both the school and congregational community and involves a walk up to Mt Coot-Tha on Sunday 28 July (from 12pm). You can join the walk or donate toward a person doing the walk, which will support our project. This link allows you to register as walker and/or donate: https://walkmyway.org.au/groups/st-peters-community-mt-coot-tha
(If you select donate, then please tick “I would like to donate to team” and select “St Peters Lutheran community”. This will then support our effort. You can also see the total raised so far. Tax receipts are available from ALWS.)

Or if you are really energetic, you can join the 25km Walk my Way Queensland walk (ALWS) on August 4 in Noosa – also chose the “St Peters Lutheran Community”:  https://walkmyway.org.au/teams/st-peters-lutheran-community.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

I am inspired by the willingness of our community to share their gifts with others and join together in this and so many other efforts to provide help and hope to our local and global neighbours. May the Lord bless you as you are a blessing to others!

Jesus says: … whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matt 25:40)

Pastor Thomas.

Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela

Winter is here! Come and join in the warmth of our Campfire on the Concourse, toast a marshmallow or two and share in the warmth of our community. We’ll hear how the fire of Pentecost fired up Jesus’ disciples for their work of God’s love making people’s hearts burn within them.  

5pm - Campfire on the Concourse with marshmallows
6pm - Worship – family friendly worship service
6:45pm - Sausage Sizzle

We’d love for you to join us!

Pastor Matt Wilksch
m.wilksch@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Parents are invited to bring your pre-school aged children to Arise Playgroup to meet other parents and little people for play and friendship.  

Playgroup happens each Thursday during Term time from 8:30 - 10:30am.
Playgroup meets in the OSHC Room (MB07).  

For more information, please contact the co-ordinator Dee, through College Reception on 3470 3888.  

Lutheran Youth of Queensland are offering their amazing Winter Camps again for the enjoyment of children and teenagers. A group of Springfield students will again attend the CLW Camp at Koojarawon, Highfields from 8-12 July.  Go to www.lyq.org.au/camps to register.  

On Wednesday 22 May, the St Peters Springfield Dance Troupe travelled to QPAC to attend a showing of a ballet piece called ‘The Masters Series’. This two piece performance was an amazing experience! The performances displayed were called ‘Serenade’, choreographed by George Balanchine, and ‘Soldier’s Mass’ choreographed by Jiří Kyliȧn. 

‘Serenade’ incorporated dancers with beautiful, flowing dresses, as well as choreographic and structural devices such as accumulation, unison, canon and repetition, all contributing to a breathtaking performance. ‘Soldier’s Mass’ was an all-male piece which focused on the horrors of war, expressing technical ability, power and masculinity. 

Prior to watching these performances, we enjoyed looking through a box of flashcards gifted by the Queensland Ballet. These cards categorised ballet movement skills, structural devices, dynamics, time and space. These cards all helped us recognise the different movements during the piece! They are sure to come in handy in producing some of the dances ahead of us!

Emily C and Abbie M
(Year 10 Students)

The Year 6 Leader Shirts arrived this week and students commenced wearing them from Tuesday. All of our young leaders were excited to receive their shirts, which will be worn in Canberra and will assist our younger Primary students in identifying them in the playground. Our Year 6 teachers reinforced that the shirts are to be worn with pride, as an acknowledgment of their work with our Primary lunch time clubs.

Our 2019 Prep students had a problem and they wanted to solve it. At the beginning of Term 2, we had twelve sports balls to play with at lunch play, but by Week 5 there was only one left! 

What could we do?  How could we find them? Where had they gone? Who could help us?

There were many questions to be investigated. It was a journey of collaboration and the Preps willingly immersed themselves in how we could solve this problem. The decision was made that we needed help on a grand scale. We brainstormed that we could create posters and write letters to get the message out to the whole school. Posters were placed around the school and then there was a buzz of energy amongst the student body as everyone was helping the Preps solve their problem. We had delivered a message and it was heard loud and clear by our community.  We now have a full container of sports balls that we can use each day.

Solving an authentic problem engages children in meaningful learning that gives them the skills they will require in their future careers. Through group collaboration and communication they build solutions that are creative and innovative. 

Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove, was the title for this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) on Wednesday 22 May 2019. NSS is held annually as part of Library and Information Week.

Every year the chosen picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously around Australia, in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places. This is the 19th successful year of NSS and it gets bigger and better every year!

Congratulations to Jonathan R who recently competed in the Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod. Jonathan was awarded Second Place for both the Age Solo and Nursery Rhyme items, and received Very Highly Commended awards for the Sacred Solo and Musical Theatre items.  Jonathan is a student of Ms Sharon Johnson, our school Vocal Tutor.

Our Private Tuition Recitals will take place next Thursday, 6 June. All recitals will be held in the Performing Arts Building. The Prep – Year 2 recital will commence at 3.00pm, Years 3-6 will commence at 4.45pm and Year 7-12 will commence at 6.00pm. All family and friends are welcome to attend to support our performers.