I recently participated in an ISQ Parent Engagement Masterclass to foster stronger connections between home and school. The masterclass is attended by parents, teachers and school leaders from schools around Queensland.

The Masterclass began with an engaging session led by experts in parent-school relationships. They emphasised the critical role of open and effective communication in a child's academic and social development. By establishing strong lines of communication, parents and educators can create a unified support system that helps students thrive inside and outside the classroom.

One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the introduction of practical strategies for enhancing parent engagement. These included:

• Establishing consistent and transparent communication channels, such as newsletters, emails and parent-teacher conferences.
• Organising events that welcome and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our College community, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity.
• Encouraging parents to volunteer in various College activities, providing them with a firsthand understanding of their children's learning environment.
• Offering workshops and training sessions that equip parents with the tools and knowledge to support their children's learning at home.

The Masterclass concluded with a commitment from all participants to continue working together to strengthen the partnership between school and home. By fostering an environment of mutual respect, trust and collaboration, we can ensure that our students receive the comprehensive support they need to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.

We are excited to implement the ideas and strategies discussed during the workshop. A short survey that can be accessed here, which will give us data and ideas for improving our communication between school and home. This survey should be able to be completed in under 5 minutes.

Stay tuned for updates on our progress and upcoming events aimed at enhancing the school-home partnership. Let's continue to work together to make our College a place where every student can thrive!

Survey can be found here: https://forms.office.com/r/LGsfGBzaTa

Mrs Lia Sabri
Head of Primary Years

Head of Springfield, Mr Craig Brown, cordially invites you to join us for a Twilight Tour and the opportunity to experience the St Peters Springfield campus.

The Twilight Tour will commence at 5:00pm, with registrations from 4:45pm. Immerse yourself in our state-of-the-art classrooms, modern facilities, and dynamic learning spaces. Learn about our College's educational philosophy and seize the opportunity to ask any questions you may have for existing staff, students and families.

Click here to register online.

We look forward to welcoming you!

• WHEN: Tuesday 10 September 2024, registrations from 4:45pm, tours from 5:00pm-5:45pm
• WHERE: St Peters Springfield, 42 Wellness Way, Springfield Central

Join us for an inspiring session with Dr Justin Coulson, renowned co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance. As the founder of happyfamilies.com.au and the author of nine best-selling books on raising resilient children, Justin is recognised as one of Australia’s most trusted authorities on parenting, relationships, and wellbeing.

We’ve all heard the news. A former Sydney schoolgirl. A petition. Literally thousands of stories of sexual assault. Non-consensual sexual encounters that are claimed to be common-place occurrences at parties for teens.

And our kids think it’s normal. They think it’s just how things are.

How are we supposed to talk to our children – our teenagers – about consent, respect, alcohol and other drugs, staying safe, and all of the risks they face? Between us not knowing what to say, or when or how to say it, and our kids not willing to hear it, we’re in a tough spot. But we have to have the conversations. We must. So where do we start?

Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts and father to six daughters, has put together a presentation designed specifically for parents of high school students. In this session, you’ll hear:

• What teenagers are getting up to in terms of alcohol, drugs, pornography, and sex;
• Why they think they know everything (and why it’s so hard to teach them anything);
• Simple ways to have the conversations your teenager needs to have in a way that invites them to want to listen;
• The critical things every parent must do to reduce the risk that their child will be either a perpetrator or a victim of non-consensual sexual activity (assault).
• Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and tools to have those difficult conversations with your child/ren around sex, consent and staying safe. This is an event not to be missed.

All proceeds from the Symposium will be donated to a children’s charity. 

Purchase your tickets here for $5.00

Thank you for your ongoing support and I look forward to seeing you at Symposium 2.

• 25 JULY – Allegro Strings – Beenleigh Eisteddfod
• 25 JULY – Year 6 Speech Choir – Ipswich Junior Speech Eisteddfod
• 25 JULY – Central District Track & Field – 25 to 26 JULY
• 31 JULY – Math’s Olympiad 3 – Years 5 and 6
• 6 AUGUST – Year 10 Immunisations
• 7 AUGUST – Prep and Year 12 100 Day Celebration
• 12 AUGUST – Secondary ICAS English
• 13 AUGUST – Primary ICAS English
• 14 AUGUST – EKKA – Normal School Day

This is a short prayer for people who are feeling lost. It comes from an artist and writer called Scott Erickson. Through reflecting on this prayer, we are invited to admit our lostness and in turn, let God bring a sense of belonging to us. Enjoy it as you read it slowly and meditatively, with lots of pauses in between.

God...
I feel so lost.
And it is the most devastating feeling
To be lost.
From You.
From me.
From everybody and everything.

Thankfully You knew we would all come to this moment...
So you gave us the gift of Lost Stories....

The shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one lost sheep.
The woman cleans her entire house looking for the lost coin.
The father throws a party when the lost son is finally returned to his seat at the family table.

I am lost
But not to You.
I’m lost to me,
Lost to the self that doesn’t work anymore.

May I see my lost-ness
not as sign of being forgotten,
But a necessary preamble
to the celebration
of my belonging.

Read the original here

Tim Jarick
Indooroopilly College Pastor

Arise is the church community that meets at St Peters Lutheran College, Springfield. Each Sunday at 9:00am we meet for worship and friendship at the College. From its beginning in 2017, we have met in The Hub. Following the completion of the Junior High Precinct extension, Arise will now trial using the space in the Junior High Foyer. The trial will run for several weeks, after which we will decide if we stay in the Junior High Precinct, or if we return to The Hub.

Parking for Arise will now be in the Visitor’s Carpark on Nightingale Avenue, instead of the Staff Carpark on Wellness Way.

You are invited to join us in worship and in Christian community. We would love to have you share this journey with us.

If you have any questions about Arise, or Sunday worship, please contact me.

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

The College is blessed to be experiencing unprecedented growth and interest in enrolment.

Families with children already at St Peters Lutheran College Springfield wishing to enrol a sibling in 2026 or beyond are reminded to submit an online enrolment application for your child, if you have not already done so.

Please note that due to the very high demand for places, applications for siblings commencing in 2026 should be received before the end of Term 3, 2024. A link to our online enrolment application form can be found here - Enrol with Springfield. Sibling interviews are anticipated to commence in Term 4, 2024 and continue through into Term 2, 2025.

Please note that enrolment with our Kindergarten is separate to this, and families must ensure that they have registered their interest for a place directly with our onsite Kindergarten.

Families seeking enrolment in 2025 are urged to make immediate contact with the enrolments team to discuss availability. For further information, please contact the Enrolments Team via s.enrolments@stpeters.qld.edu.au or phone 07 3470 3888.

Enrolments Registrar

We have welcomed Term 3 with lots of winter themed crafts, continuation of our cultural craft, cooking club and NAIDOC week. Below are two highlights of the last two weeks!

Our Cultural Collective - Meeting 1, Term 3

Last Wednesday, we held the first Cultural Club meeting for Term 3. It was wonderful to have a great turnout from the students. During the meeting the students shared their cultural backgrounds with each other. We then determined which cultural heritage we would focus on for the following week and what activities the children would like to do. Using a random process we selected ‘First Nations’ heritage as our focus and the children decided upon dance and exploring indigenous tools for the activities. As a result, we have some fun and informative experiences planned. A big thank you to all the children who attended! The next cultural heritage that we will be focussing on will be Belgian/Belgium!

NAIDOC Week Beading

To help celebrate NAIDOC Week, children made bracelets and necklaces using red, black and yellow beads. NAIDOC Week (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) is a week dedicated to celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This fun activity allowed the children to grow their understanding and support NAIDOC Week, while working on their fine motor skills. The children loved this activity and are eager to do some more bracelet and necklace making in the future.

Coriena Wain
OSHC Assistant Service Leader

In the Primary Years, we have actively been engaged with the Primary Years Programme (PYP). The PYP, developed by the International Baccalaureate (IB), is an innovative educational framework designed to cultivate young learners who are inquisitive, knowledgeable, and compassionate. Teachers have been busy restructuring their units to align with the PYP structure. Our dedicated teachers guide students through transdisciplinary themes that integrate all Australian Curriculum subjects and Christian Studies.

A core principle of the PYP is fostering international mindedness. By celebrating cultural diversity and promoting global awareness, we nurture students who respect and understand different perspectives, preparing them to be active, thoughtful members of a global community.

The PYP also places a strong focus on developing essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Through engaging and interactive activities, our students learn to work effectively with others, solve problems creatively, and express their ideas confidently.

These skills are Approaches to Learning (ATLs) and are essential skills that help students become effective learners. The ATLs are organised into five broad categories, each encompassing a range of skills that students develop through inquiry-based learning. Here are the five categories of ATLs in the PYP:

1. Thinking skills:
   • Critical thinking, Creative thinking, Transfer, Reflection, Innovation and invention.
2. Social Skills
   • Developing positive interpersonal relationships and collaboration, Social and emotional intelligence, Conflict resolution, Empathy, Responsible citizenship.
3. Communication Skills
   • Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Non-verbal communication, Presenting, Viewing and interpreting.
4. Self-Management Skills
   • Organisation, States of mind (mindfulness, perseverance, emotional management, self-motivation, resilience), Time management, Goal setting, Reflection and metacognition.
5. Research Skills
   • Formulating questions, Observing, Planning, Collecting data, Recording data, Organizing data, Interpreting data, Presenting research findings.

These skills are integrated into the curriculum and teaching methods of the PYP, helping students to develop as independent, lifelong learners who can engage with the world around them thoughtfully and effectively. As we continue to implement the PYP, we remain committed to creating an environment that supports lifelong learning and personal growth. We are excited to share this transformative educational experience with our students and community.

Lia Sabri
Head of Primary Years

Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.

Beenleigh Eisteddfod

The Grainger Concert Band, Kats-Chernin Wind Ensemble, Allegro Strings and Cantabile Strings participated in the Beenleigh Eisteddfod this week. Congratulations to all students who made a concerted effort to prepare for this Eisteddfod. Results will be shared in the newsletter next week.

Ipswich Junior Speech Eisteddfod

Year 6 participated on Thursday at the Ipswich Junior Speech Eisteddfod. Mrs Wilson and the students have worked hard to prepare their performance of Revenge on Wheels by Lyn Hurry.

The students have been learning the importance of pause and comic timing, balancing emotional changes as a group and having fun too. Lyn Hurry was an Australian poet whose children attended St Peters Indooroopilly in the 1990s. Her son received a Matilda award for acting in 2023.

Primary Years Lunchtime Concert

The Arts Captains are presently organising a Primary Years Lunchtime Concert in consultation with the Instrumental Tutors. The Concert will be held at 10:10am on Wednesday 14 August on the Concourse.

Save the Date

Save the date so you can attend Drama Troupes inaugural performance of the Emperor’s New Clothes to be held on the Pupil Free day, Friday 30 August, in the Learning Commons at 6:00pm. There will be no admission charge for this event, but reservations will be required. Thanks to Mr Kirkham, Ms Yates and members of Art Club who are assisting with props and set design visuals. This event presents a wonderful opportunity for Arts collaboration and celebration.

Studio Recitals

Private Tuition Studio Recitals will be held on Monday 19 and Thursday 22 August with three recitals each afternoon. A form will be sent to parents to nominate students in consultation with their Private Tuition tutors in the coming weeks. Performance number limits will apply so don’t delay with your response. We are excited to announce that these recitals will be held in the new Learning Commons with entry by JHP Foyer and musicians Green Room JHP 00.

Upcoming Events

Primary Years Lunchtime Concert: Wednesday 14 August

Studio Recitals: Monday 19 August and Thursday 22 August

Geraldine Campbell
Performing Arts Co-ordinator

Representative Sport

This week St Peters has 48 students competing at the Central Comets District Track & Field Trials. All the best to these athletics as they showcase their talents.

From Thursday to Sunday Asher B (Year 9) is representing Met West at the 14-15 Years QRSS State Championships for Rugby Union. All the best to Asher, play well.

Springfield Students in QGSSSA & AIC Firsts Teams

St Peters Springfield has a number of students playing in QGSSSA or AIC Firsts teams this term. Well done to the following students:

QGSSSA

• Netball: Ella M Co-Captain (Year 12), Mia H (Year 12), Leilani F (Year 12) and Jazelle D (Year 12).
• Rowing: Tiare R (Year 12)
• Volleyball: Macy G (Year 9)
• Hockey: Caitlin M (Year 10)

AIC

• Tennis: Rahul K (Year 10)
• Basketball: Atem K (Year 11)
• Rugby League: Beau B (Year 11), Ben F (Year 12)

Years 3-6 Running Club – starting Week 4

In Week 4, Running Club for Years 3-6 will start on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 2:30pm – 4:00pm in preparation of our Athletic Carnivals. Mr Brayne will coach these sessions on the school oval with a particular focus on Sprints, Middle Distance, Relays, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put and Discus. Please email Mr Brayne on n.brayne@stpeters.qld.edu.au if your child will be attending, so we can register for this. There is no cost for these sessions.

Years 4-12 Running Club – concluding in Week 3

The Running Club conducted by Mr Brown throughout the year to this point will continue this week, but will be concluding in Week 3 of this term, the last session is on Thursday 25 July. This club has focussed on distance training since Term 1, through Cross Country season and will cease now that the athletics season is upon us and students have opportunities both with the Years 3-6 Running Club with Mr Brayne and the Track and Field Training listed below. We would like to thank Mr Brown, Mr Kirkham and Mr Gustafson for their involvement with students and conducting these sessions.

Track & Field Training

A reminder for all students in Years 4-12. Track and Field trainings are on offer every Wednesday and Thursday morning here at the Springfield campus. Trainings start at 6:15am and finish at 7:30am. There will be no training on Thursday 25 July due to Central Comets District Track & Field Trials.

AFL Auskick

AFL AusKick will also be offered with information being finalised between AFL and St Peters. An email will be sent home informing parents on how to register for AFL.

Brendan Johns
Head of Sport

Last weekend we hosted Ipswich Girls' Grammar in Round 2 of QGSSSA Winter Fixtures. Overall, it was a successful round of fixtures particularly for our older teams.

This week we are expecting a very competitive round of fixtures against Brisbane State High School. Please note that Tennis is being played on Friday night. We also have some teams in Volleyball and Netball playing in alternative draws on Saturday. Please watch for communication from you respective Sport Coordinators and check the St Peters App for weekly draws.

A reminder that our expectation is that any absences from training or fixtures are communicated to the relevant Sport Coordinator in advance. Please ensure that you arrive on time for your warm up or duty and in the correct playing uniform. Good luck to all teams!

All results and ladder positions can be found at the QGSSSA website.

Round 3 vs Brisbane State High School – Saturday 20 July

• Hockey
• Netball
• Tennis
• Volleyball

Rowing

It was an historic BSRA Regatta #1 for the St Peters Girls Shed with the 1st VIII finishing on the podium for the first time in 14 years – we finished 3rd behind 2024 BSRA Head of the River Champions All Hallows and St Margarets. Congratulations to Mac B, Poppy Y, Steph P, Bella B, Tiare R, Yoyo W, Mia M, Lily R, Remi C (Cox) and Coach John Pettigrew. An amazing start to an exciting season.

St Peters continued our dominance of the Senior 4+ event winning both races – warmest congratulations to Sofia B, Alex W, Sadie H, Morgan D, Abi H, Tess C (Cox) and Coaches Jack Bowser and Vadim Frolov.

Several of our individual scullers also finished on the podium – congratulations to:

• Year 8 sculler – George P – 1st
• Year 10 sculler – Stephanie P – 1st
• Year 11 sculler – Poppy Y – 3rd

Our Year 8 1st Quad also had a successful first regatta finishing 3rd in their first race and 2nd in round 2. Congratulations to George P, Olysia G, Jemma H, Asher W, Martha B (cox) and Coaches Peter Hicks and Jack Bowser.

We return to Wyaralong Dam again this Saturday for Regatta #2 – Parents can find the Draw which includes race times and all the information they need on the Sports App> Rowing.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Well done to our teams who competed at the St Margaret’s Invitational Meet last Friday. This week we had our team presentation and final full-dress rehearsal in preparation for the QGSSSA Championships on Friday 2 August. We wish you all the best with your final preparations!

Track & Field

Well done to all girls who competed at the Northern Eagles District Trials last week. Good luck at the Met West regional trials next month.

We need all girls who intend on representing the College at the QGSSSA Track and Field Championships to attend training regularly. It is important that that you are consistently at training in the lead up to the first meet next Friday 2 August. Please look out for the Meet 1 Program and Sign on which will be sent via email and published on the App.

Please check the St Peter App to ensure you know when sessions are on for Sprints, Middle Distance, Throws and Jumps. If you have any questions around the QGSSSA Track and Field program, please see Mr McGregor-Lowndes.

Sign-on

Later this week we will be inviting girls to sign on for the following sports –

• Water Polo
• Badminton
• Cricket
• Junior AFL (Years 7-9)

This information will be shared via email and will be posted on the St Peters App. If you have any questions, please contact Mr McGregor-Lowndes.

Term 3 Sports Coordinators

Before reaching out to one of our lovely coordinators, please first check to see if the information you require is available on the St Peters App.

Girls Sport
Andy McGregor-Lowndes – a.mcgregor-lowndes@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Track & Field
Andy McGregor-Lowndes – a.mcgregor-lowndes@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Rhythmic Gymnastics
Emily Moore – e.moore@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Rowing
Helen Allard – h.allard@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Netball
Hannah LeSage – h.lesage@stpeters.qld.edu.au and Emily Moore – e.moore@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Hockey
Cameron Glass – c.glass@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Tennis
Lija Marshall – l.marshall@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Volleyball
Laura Buckby – l.buckby@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Andy McGregor-Lowndes
Acting Girls Sport Coordinator

Congratulations and thank you

Leading into Round 1 of AIC we announced our St Peters 1st IV Tennis, 1st V Basketball and our Senior Rugby Team last Thursday night. It was a combined gathering where we were able to acknowledge and congratulate the selected members of each respective team.

Mr Tim Kotzur attended to address and present the players with their playing shirt. It filled me with great honour to see the young men take pride in their uniform and to finally get their hands on the first jerseys and being the inaugural tenants of the first Rugby League jersey.

We do encourage all students and parents to support to our Tennis, Basketball and Rugby League players over the course of their respective sporting seasons. A large part of our St Peters sporting program is also community engagement. Sport at St Peters is a great environment to connect and socialise with other students and parents.

Please refer to the St Peters App for details of times and venues for all AIC Round 1 games this coming Friday and Saturday.

Rugby League News

For the 2024 inaugural Rugby League season, the program was fortunate to secure the service of current Queensland State of Origin assistant coach, Brett O’Farrell (Tackle Tec). Known to his players as ‘Bumper’, on a weekly basis he has worked with Junior and Senior team on all aspects of their defence. As evident by our strong performances so far, coach Bumper's work has been valuable to both playing groups. Bumper has provided with the necessary skills to succeed in contact as for many of the boys this is their first season of Rugby League and have handled the transition from Union with distinction.

Last week our Senior Rugby XIII had a bye, so all eyes were on our 7B who turned up with an emphatic win against St Edmunds College, further building on their detailed pre-season. This round our attention turns to Round 2 with fixtures to be played at Iona College. Our 7B will play against St Laurence’s while our Senior XIII will play Iona.

basketball News

Basketball started the season with 9 wins against St Edmund’s College with majority claiming aggregate points from the away trip! This week we back up against St Laurence’s away again with games on both Friday for Primary and Saturday for Secondary.

Morning training sessions remain a key focus with low numbers across the board. Each team is allocated a morning and afternoon session and are reminded to attend both to assist their personal, team and coaches development of a winning team.

track & Field News

With the first Track & Field meet for boys fast approaching in little under a month on 22 August, it is essential that boys are attending their nominated sessions consistently. Athletes should prioritise Tuesday afternoon sessions at UQ and also sprinters on Wednesday afternoon at Mayer oval for best opportunity for selection and preparation for Relays.

CLICK HERE for the AIC Track and Field schedule

AIC GOLF News

On Monday our Golf team will compete at the AIC Championships at Keperra Golf Club. Students are reminded that practice facilities are available from 6:00am, with team meeting at 7:10am and first tee at 7:30am. Students will compete for both the best Gross team score and the best net score, as well as individual prizes. Students are reminded to wear golf shoes and pants.

this week in sport

AIC Track and Field, Rugby League, Tennis and Basketball are the current IN-SEASON BOYS AIC SPORTS this term and training is currently well underway.

For details of times and venues for this weekend’s Round 2 fixtures please check the information on the St Peters App.

ROUND 2 AIC DRAWS

BASKETBALL 

RUGBY LEAGUE 

TENNIS 

For our St Peters sporting programs to positively develop and grow, it is paramount that our students attend training sessions for their chosen Sport, so they can improve and refine Sport-specific skills and build cohesion amongst their teammates.

If students are unable to attend some training sessions, it is vital that their absence is communicated to their coaches firstly, and also the respective coordinator/s.

TERM 3 AIC SPORT COORDINATORS

St Peters AIC Track and Field:
Mr Daniel Fraser - d.fraser@stpeters.qld.edu.au

St Peters AIC Rugby League:
Nathaniel Bartlett - n.bartlett@stpeters.qld.edu.au

St Peters AIC Tennis Coordinator
Mrs Lija Marshall - l.marshall@stpeters.qld.edu.au

St Peters AIC Basketball Coordinator:
Miss Georgia Smith g.c.smith@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Please also CLICK HERE to access the AIC Sporting Calendar for 2024.

Matchday expectations 

A reminder that all St Peters boys do need to be dressed correctly at both AIC training and at AIC games. All uniform items can be purchased from Shop45 or via School Locker, please refer to the website for opening hours. For matchdays enclosed footwear must be worn to games, no slides or Crocs are to be worn at St Peters or associated AIC schools.

Basketball

Correct Training and Playing Uniform Requirements

At Games – All St Peters AIC Basketballers must be wearing:

• St Peters jersey
• St Peters maroon PE/sports shorts
• Joggers must be worn at all times – No slides or thongs are to be worn at any time

Rugby League

Correct Training and Playing Uniform Requirements

Training – students must wear their ‘Program Shirt’ to their training session.

Games – students are to arrive at their game wearing:

• St Peters ‘program shirt’ and then get changed into their jersey
• Mouthguard is mandatory
• Long maroon football socks
• Joggers must be worn at all times – No slides or thongs are to be worn at any time

Tennis

• Students to wear full PE uniform with tennis hat to games. First IV to wear the First uniform presented at the start of the season.

Track & Field

• Students to wear the Track & Field singlet to all meets

ST PETERS STUDENT SPECTATORS ON GAMEDAYS

Please note, dogs are not permitted on campus to accompany spectators to watch Football or Rugby fixtures (service dogs permitted).

Should any St Peters student be attending a St Peters sporting event/game outside of normal College hours, it is expected that they are dressed in St Peters formal uniform. Should a student not be wearing the correct attire when attending a sporting event/game, they may be asked to leave the venue.

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.

Daniel Fraser
Boys Sport Coordinator