On Saturday, 1 June our Open Day was held. I was delighted that this year we had a 50% increase in registrations for this event. We are encouraged by this increase in interest and our continued growth. Most families who join us do so because of word of mouth so I thank you for your support and advocacy. We do not, however, take such growth for granted and continue to seek out ways to refine the education and service we provide.

I have been enjoying meeting current and new families over recent months through enrolment interviews and speaking with prospective students about the two expectations of all St Peters students and staff being that we live out our Plus Ultra motto and treat everyone with Care, Dignity and Respect. For three or four-year old children, this is often restated as trying their best and treating others kindly.

Our College motto, Plus Ultra, meaning ‘ever higher’ and ‘more beyond’, calls us simultaneously to the heights of personal excellence and human endeavour, and beyond the visible to the spiritual life, the foot of the cross and eternity. 

To reach those heights of excellence, feedback is essential. While I speak to many parents around the school and at various events, I am conscious that I do not get to see all families and hear how they are travelling as parents in our St Peters community. As such, I will be sending out a very brief online survey to provide opportunity for you to communicate with me about what has delighted you, what you most appreciate and what frustrates you. 

Parents sometimes email when they have been particularly pleased with something that has happened. This strongly reinforces what they value and encourages and inspires staff in their work which is to everyone’s benefit. It is also helpful to know what frustrates you so that we can explore how we may be able to alleviate this. Not all frustrations are easily or immediately solvable but they are unlikely to be solved at all if they are not made known.  

In the next few days you will be given the opportunity through a short survey to affirm that which you value most and constructively provide feedback as to what frustrates you. I am keen to hear your voice and encourage your response.

I have also attached some photos taken at the beginning of this week on the new Junior High building project. They have started pouring footings on the lower level and completing the ground work for the upper level foundations. Since these photos were taken they have commenced constructing the solid fencing around the site to replace the existing mesh fence. 

Please keep our community in your prayers as we navigate the final few weeks of term.

Craig Schmidt
Principal

Good chaplaincy – people experiencing God help from someone who understands.

At last week’s Qld Lutheran Pastor’s Conference, I heard from 3 Lutheran pastors working in different chaplaincies. J works in a country congregation, and when his beeper goes off during the week in his little town, he has five minutes to be at the fire station, fully dressed, ready to go. He is one of only two who are generally available in the little town during the working week. He’s not just a trained auxiliary firefighter, he is also the emergency services chaplain for the whole region. When he turns up to visit the regional city firies on his big motorbike, they know that he is one of them – he’s done the training, he’s attended fires and accidents; he is a safe and understanding person to talk with - and they do.

H is police chaplain for the Townsville and Mt Isa regions. When he does a road trip to visit the outlying police stations, it’s over 4,000 kms. He is a visible sign that the system cares about them and how they are, not just how they are performing.

K is a long time armed forces chaplain, who’s been to Afghanistan and many other places. He is proud that constant reviews of army chaplaincy reveal that no one else can replicate what chaplains offer. They are a force multiplier, because they care for body, mind, and soul. They hear people’s stories and pain. They help people through grief and loss, birth and death. They have a ministry of influence, not control.

Chaplaincy here at St Peters is a little different, because a major part of our work is helping with the regular chapels. But the same principals apply – chaplains listen well, and know what life is like for children, youth and adults. Because of that, their message and approach is credible, in chapel and personally, and people find strength and help through that. All of that is a sign that God is with each one of us - in our failures and our successes, our disasters and our dreams, and in our becoming who we are meant to be – people who are unique, and reflect something special and precious of God.

Pastor Michael Mayer

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

Go Blue for Autism is a national fund-raiser that helps people with this disability. On 30th May, the Year 7 students co-ordinated the 2019 Coin Trail, raising money for this cause. This activity taught us that people with autism are just like us, but they sometimes need a bit of help. Our total funds raised were a whopping $2 801.70! Our combined coin trails were 429.64 metres long. These are coin trail records! 

Year 6S were the Primary School winning class for both amount of money and length of trail. They raised $241.45 with a trail that measured 63 metres. In the Secondary School, Year 8S won both categories as well, raising $157.30 on a trail that was 30.24 metres long.

Years 7S & T were extremely proud that their co-ordination resulted in this record-breaking achievement. We are excited that the funds raised will purchase resources for the AEIOU Centre at Camira, and our Exceptional Learners’ Department here at school. Thank you Mrs Wise and all the students who made special efforts to make this day a success.

Paige Grose 7T

Toohey Forest is one of the few remaining green zones in Brisbane, harbouring native plants and animals once common across South-East Queensland.  This “little piece of heaven” was the venue for the Year 9 Science excursion.  Field studies provide students with the opportunities to observe and experience the application of research principles in the real world. In addition, the study of the environment can enable us to not only understand the world we inhabit – but also to develop an awareness of the interconnectedness of life.   

While at the Toohey Forest Environmental Education Centre, our Science classes learned how to use field guides to identify flora and
fauna, use data loggers to record abiotic data (such as air and soil temperatures), and identify aquatic organisms under a microscope. 

They engaged actively with the presenters and program and demonstrated creative thinking and co-operative research skills. 

D-Day: the day on which an important operation is to begin or a change to take effect.

Last Friday, Year 11 and 12 students retreated from the normal routine, and were encouraged to ponder ’discernment’.

In a conference style format, speakers shared with students their stories, lives and encouragement to discern. The speakers included Pastor Matt, Pastor Thomas, Mrs Johnson, Mr Schmidt, Mr Dan Terry, a Pastor with significant experience working with Red Frogs, and Mr Michael Anglin who talked about the law and faith.

Mrs Anglin catered with aplomb, and this was appreciated by the students.

Students provided excellent feedback that will assist in building on the successes of the day, when planning the next Senior Christian Studies Retreat.

The mobile blood donor centre is visiting Springfield Bunnings between Monday 8 and Saturday 13 July 2019.

St. Peters Lutheran College Springfield has joined the Blood Service’s Red25 program. Be sure to ask to join our Red25 group so that we as a school community can track how many lives we save together.

To Book please visit the Event booking page on Eventbrite. *Tickets selling fast!

Congratulations to all involved in the inaugural Art and Music Soiree last week.  Held in cooperation with Aveo Springfield, the audience soaked up the festival atmosphere as they strolled between performance venues, admiring art and knitting displays and enjoying presentations by ensembles, before picking up a burger and coffee or soft drink. 

Thanks to our St Peters ensembles and directors – Poco Voce (Ms Grennan), Piccolo Voce (Ms Grennan), Allegro Strings (Ms Crellin), Burgundy Band (Ms Hill), Gold Band (Ms Hill), Platinum Band (Mrs Brighton), Cantabile Strings (Ms Crellin), Dance Troupe (Mr Knight) and Bella Voce (Ms Grennan). Yr 7 and 8 Music and Drama students also gave captivating and entertaining demonstrations, showcasing their classroom work, guided by Ms Hill, Ms Grennan and Mrs Ellacott.  Artwork by Junior High and Senior School students, beautifully displayed by Ms Price, filled the Auditorium with colour, complimenting the displays from Aveo residents. A knitting display from Aveo residents and our St Peters “Knit and Natter” group, under the guidance of Naomi D and Mrs Boase, was an inspiration to those crafty people among us. Performances by Aveo performance groups, Jacaranda Jam, Jam Jugs and The Sparklers, rounded out a varied and full programme.

Open Day is a chance to showcase student talent to our wider community and perspective parents. Thanks to the following students (and their parents) for performing on Saturday morning – Mikayla B, Lowana C, Fletcher H, Sarayu K, Sarah M, Kon M, Taashya P, Jonathan R, Tiare R, Adam V, Maxim V, Georgia W and Aiden W

Our school is privileged to be receiving a visit from Pali High, a school visiting us from USA.  Our band and string students will be participating in shared rehearsals and a lunchtime concert, led by visiting clinicians. 

This event will take place on Wednesday 12 June.

The newfound talent and skills of Yr 3 Music Education Through Recorder, Yr 3 Music Education Through Strings, Yr 5 Music

Education Through Band, and Fella Voce and Mezzo Voce choirs will be showcased during a short concert on MONDAY 17 JUNE, commencing at 8.30am. Please note that this concert has been rescheduled from June 10 due to a clash with a sporting event. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend and support students.

Chloe C, Yr 4, has been very busy in the past 3 weeks competing in the Wynnum Manly and Ipswich Junior Eisteddfodau, and participated in a total of 11 vocal sections. She achieved 9 first placings, 1 second placing and 1 third placing, along with awards for the Junior Vocal Highest Aggregate Score Award (7-10Yrs), Music Theatre Highest Score Award and Examination Levels Highest Score Award in the Wynnum Manly Eisteddfod and the Junior Vocal Bursary in the Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod.

Congratulations Chloe.

Photo Gallery below from Music Week