A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Confucius
In 2008 I started my very first Cornerstone article with this quote by Confucius knowing that the steps we were taking as foundation staff of St Peters Lutheran College Springfield were important for the growth and future development of the College. What would our commitment lead to? What would the school look in 15-20-30 years?
As the staff and students gathered for the first time there was excitement and some nervousness to be involved in this foundation school. Education was the core focus but one of our main priorities was connections and relationships. It was important to make the students, staff and families feel that St Peters was the place to be ( just like the words in our St Peters school song). It was from these important building blocks that our St Peters community began to flourish and continues to do so.
Fifteen years have now passed by and the building blocks and priorities are still the same. We take the same journey each day with each student by developing connections and relationships so that each student feels valued. Students are valued for who they are as well as their strengths so that they are engaged to learn each day and be the best person they can be in all areas of development.
The role of an educator is one of passion and privilege. The passion has to be there to continually find new ways of engaging students and lighting the ‘fire’ for learning. The privilege is getting to know each child enrolled no matter whether you are a teacher, administrator or corporate staff member and make a difference. I have loved being an educator over the past 40 years in so many varied roles.
As I look back at the journey and many steps taken over the past 15 years it has been a blessing to be part of an educational community that has a special feeling of connection, support and appreciation. My hope for retirement is to take some slower steps and take new journeys always keeping the wonderful memories of the special people I have met at St Peters Springfield.
Life is full of journeys that God has called us to follow.
Gods blessing to our St Peters Community as you finish the school year, enjoy Christmas celebrations with family and friends.
Take care
Debbie West-McInnes Head of Primary Years
What's On
Thursday 17 November - Thursday 30 November
Thursday 17 November – 2nd Hand Uniform Shop (7.30am – 9am)
Thursday 17 November – Secondary Presentation Night (7pm start)
Friday 18 November – Valedictory Ceremony (7.30am Nibbles, 8.30-10am Ceremony)
Friday 18 November - Year 1-4 Orientation Program (1.15pm-2.15pm)
Tuesday 22 November– Year 7S & &U Wearing Art Showcase (Junior High Precinct) (5.30pm – 7pm)
Wednesday 23 Prep S Christmas Play (6pm-7pm)
Thursday 24 Prep T Christmas Play (6pm-7pm)
Thursday 24 November – 2nd Hand Uniform Shop (7.30am – 9am)
Friday 25 November – Primary Celebration Morning (8.15am – 9am)
Tuesday 29 November - Term 4 Concludes
Thursday 30 November – Last day of school
Please note that Christmas school closure will be from Friday 23 December 2022 at 3.45pm until Monday 9 January 2023, 7.45am
2nd Hand Suitcase Rummage Sale
Ministry
A Blessing for the Year 12s
As our College community farewells the Year 12s this week, here is a blessing that will be used in their Valedictory Dinner. It is a non-traditional paradox blessing created by a Benedictine Nun, Sister Ruth Fox, as she farewelled students in her Catholic school. It is a prayer of blessing for our graduating class of 2022 as they continue their journey through life enfolded in God’s grace, using their gifts to forgive, serve and heal others:
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that in God’s grace, you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen.
Tim Jarick College Pastor
Arise Christian Community Church
Arise is a Lutheran community that meets at St Peters, Springfield. It’s a place where you can come to know God’s love through Jesus, and find light and hope for your life, and connect with other families from St Peters and the wider community.
In our service you will hear God’s word, sing, pray and share in Holy Communion if you want to. There’s a message for the kids too.
Queensland Raceway at Willowbank will be hosting a learner driver event on Wednesday, December 14, with the support of police from Ipswich Highway Patrol.
Learner drivers will have the opportunity to experience how to respond to emergency vehicles and personnel in a controlled environment.
The purpose of this event is to provide learners with familiarisation of what happens when they have to either make way for emergency vehicles to pass or when they are being pulled over for an interaction with police.
Providing learner drivers with practical experience of what to do will improve their driving confidence for when they see the flashing lights and hear the sirens of emergency vehicles.
Please provide to your Learner Drivers for their interest and attendance.
Throughout the year, a number of students across Years 3-10 participated in the APSMO Maths Olympiad, the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) and the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS), in the areas of Mathematics, English and Science. We would like to acknowledge all of these participants who spent time in preparation to achieve commendable results.
APSMO Maths Olympiad
In 2022, St Peters Lutheran College Springfield submitted one team in the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad (APSMO). This is an annual contest which has been operating since 1987, and every year schools from all over Australia, New Zealand and other neighbouring countries take part. The Olympiad consist of five separate contests held between March and September. The overall aim is to encourage students to develop important mathematical problem-solving skills in an enjoyable environment.
Competing in the Junior Division, each week the following students were involved in training sessions; where they worked collaboratively to develop the skills and techniques required to solve complex maths problems.
Year 5
Srish G Charlie M Nolan S Mihika R Coraline D Jason L David K Asher C
Year 6
Jacob T Tejas B Jake T Krishna B Sarayu K Randiv K Jenita C Sanvi D R Shanaya D Amani V Sophia D S Sofia P
These students competed against both other members of their team for individual awards, as well as representing our school for a team award. Congratulations to each of the following students on their achievements:
Highest Individual Score at SPLC SFD: Tejas B
Top 10% of Competitors Nationwide: Tejas B and Krishna B
Top 25% of Competitors Nationwide: Amani V, Jake T and David K
Australian Mathematics Competition
The Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) is one of Australia’s largest school-based mathematics competitions. It features unique problems designed by Australia’s leading educators and academics, with the goal to demonstrate the importance and relevance of mathematics in students’ everyday lives. Congratulations to Tejas B (Year 6) for receiving the Best in School award, and to the following students who achieved in the top 20% percent of Australian competitors:
Year 3
Mayar A Aaroosha J Viaan P Edmund A
Year 4
Osborn Wang Sartaj P
Year 6
Tejas B Krishna B Amani V Adrita P
Year 7
Rheese B
Year 9
Ryan Z
International Competitions and Assessments for Schools
The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in the areas of Mathematics, English and Science. Congratulations to the following students who received Principal Awards for the highest performing student in each sub-school against the Australian percentile:
Science
Primary: Nithika S (Year 3) and Amani V (Year 6)
Secondary: Chen A (Year 8) and Sarah K (Year 8)
English
Primary: Amani V (Year 6)
Secondary: Medha C (Year 7)
Maths
Primary: Krishna B (Year 6)
Secondary: Ryan Z (Year 9)
We look forward to the next round of competitions in 2023.
Susan Levitt 5S PC Teacher P-6 Assessment & Reporting Curriculum Leader
Wellbeing on Wellness Way
Gratitude is the Attitude
When you are grateful, your perspective changes. And when your perspective changes, your world changes. You have the power to boost your happiness (and the happiness of your family) when you choose to focus on the positive, even when life seems hard.
Think of the biggest struggle you've got right now. What's good about it? How can you say "at least" when you think about it?
What are you grateful for when it comes to the kids? I'm grateful my kids still call me Daddy. Melts my heart even when they drive me mad. What are your kids grateful for? Ask them.
Gratitude is an attitude! A disposition that can be developed and improved over time.
Start a list of things you are grateful for today!
This Semester, 26 students from Years 5 and 6 participated in the St Peters Springfield Upper Primary Intra-School Debating competition. Students competed in seven teams comprised of 3-4 members each and participated in 3 debates held after school on a Wednesday over Terms 3 and 4.
Teams each had their own coach, with whom they met with regularly to plan and organise their arguments and rebuttals as first, second or third speaker on a rotational basis. The teachers involved did an impeccable job of supporting the students with practice lunch time sessions and running mock debates to help prepare the students for the next round.
Students committed to completing their speeches at home and were commended for their efforts in constructing mature and sophisticated pieces of work. They researched and reflected on some important 21st Century issues affecting society on a local, national and global scale. The topics for this Term included: We should all be vegetarian; Boxing and MMA fighting should be banned; and Age should not be a limitation on who can represent us in the government.
Students were able to enhance their skills in research, critical thinking, reasoning, collaboration, and public speaking. They have enhanced their ability to structure a strong persuasive argument, articulate in a clear manner and address an audience effectively. Thank you to all students who participated. We look forward to watching you continuing to enhance your debating skills in the years to come.
Mr Matthew Knight Upper Primary Debating Facilitator
Secondary Years
Junior High Electives
I am thrilled to share that in 2023, St Peters Lutheran College Springfield will introduce vertical Year 8/9 elective subjects. Our elective suite includes a diverse range of subjects across the Arts, Technologies, and Humanities disciplines, promoting student agency, engagement, and choice.
Students will select two electives per semester (a total of four electives in 2023)—each studied for three lessons per week. Year 8 learners are required to select one Arts subject and one Technologies subject per year (in alignment with National Curriculum requirements). Further, all students will engage in a Research and Reason, a bespoke subject tailored to support students in developing critical, collaborative, and creative thinking dispositions. The Course Guide and link to online subject selection via Web Preferences will be emailed to all current and future Year 7 and Year 8 students this week. I encourage students to monitor their inbox carefully. Families, please engage in discussion with your children to explore subject offerings. All elective subjects have links to senior pathways. I recommend that students select subjects that they like, that they succeed in or that intrigue them. Parents, guardians, and caregivers will need to provide permission for subject selection via digital signature (request generated by each student as the final step of online subject selection).
Please note the due dates Sequel and Box of Books provide for online resource ordering to be finalised. If you have any questions about online resource ordering, please contact Reception on (07) 3470 3888 or springfield@stpeters.qld.edu.au.
Kind Regards, Sarah Gunn Director of Studies and Pedagogy
The Arts
Week 7 | Term 4
Music and Speech & Drama
We have many students involved in the Private Tuition program here at the college, from Prep – Year 12. Some students prepare for external examinations in their chosen specialism, please see some excellent results below.
AMEB Speech & Drama results
Thirteen students took AMEB exams (Australian Music Examinations Board) this term, from Preliminary level to Grade 8, in both Speech and Performance and Voice and Communication.
Congratulations to these students:
Adam Varghese - Gr 8 Voice and Communication A+
Taashya Padmawansa - Gr 6 Speech and Performance A
William Varghese - Gr 4 Speech and Performance A+
Additionally, seven students recently took ASCA exams (Australian Speech Communication Association) in Grades 1,2, Performance Certificates and Musical Theatre. These ASCA exams have an audience for students to become more confident in their performance skills. Thank you to Mrs Wilson for her expert teaching in Speech and Drama.
Piano exams- Australian College of Music
Mrs Pomerenke organised piano exams for her students to take place at school during week 6, in total 14 students from Year 1 through to Year 11 took Prep 1 Level to Grade 6 level piano. For these exams students prepare set pieces, scales, and complete sight-reading, aural and general knowledge tests. A lot of dedicated work goes into the preparation of these external exams in both Music and Speech and Drama. We look forward to students receiving their results soon.
Music Education Showcase
At the start of week 7, Mrs Doyle and Ms Crellin ran the Music Education Showcase Concert on the concourse. Isobel Beren and Leanne Matsika were the student comperes and did a fantastic job! This concert represents a culmination of 6 months’ work for both the Yr 3 Music Education through Strings and Music Education Through Recorder, and Yr 5 Music Education Through Band and Yr 5 Music Education Through Ukulele. Students have worked with their teachers to learn the fundamentals of instrumental technique, tone production and music literacy skills. Parents and carers were treated to pieces such as Reggae on A and D, Long Legged Sailor, Rocky Mountain and Good King Wenceslas. Well done students and thankyou to all the teachers involved.
Gold Band
Gold Band had an open rehearsal at the start of the Music Education Showcase in week 7, entertaining parents and carers before the showcase commenced. Thank you to them and their conductor, Mrs Doyle.
Mrs Lissa Sullivan-Ward Secondary Music Teacher
Visual Art Authentic Experience
Students of Year 11 Visual Art experienced presence, served each other, the community, and made artworks immersed in the landscape of St Peters Ironbark. They experimented with diverse art making approaches to develop an inquiry question for their projects. Renieke van Jaarsveld (SPOSA 2020) joined the group and shared insights from her journey as a young artist. The students will use their immersive art retreat experiences to develop artworks. We look forward to seeing how their work unfolds!
Wearable Art Showcase
Students of 7S and 7U (and a few from 8S) are currently creating wearable artworks for their classwork and assessment in Visual Art. Wearable Art combines the ideas and processes of sculpture, architecture, and performance art, while incorporating a concept. Throughout this unit of work, students apply the Inquiry Learning Model to develop their work.
Students will display their work at the Wearable Art Night on campus at St Peters Springfield on Tuesday, 22 November (Week 8) from 5.30pm (for a 5.45pm start), with an expected completion of 7.00pm. You are invited to attend to support and engage with the showcase event. To attend the event, please register here: https://bit.ly/wearableart2022.
Sport
QGSSSA Girls Sport
Girls Sport Coordinator – Anne-Marie Champion
“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” Randy Pausch
This week is always a sad one as we farewell our Year 12 students. As I have been sorting through photos, I have realised how lucky I am to work with such amazing girls in the field of Sport that has been such a big part of my and my family’s lives.
Together with our Sport House team, as the girls venture off in various directions, we thank them for everything they have done for the College and for Girls Sport, we have enjoyed watching them grow to the fine young ladies they are today. Good luck and remember to keep embracing the benefits of physical activity beyond school.
I must take this opportunity to thank our 2022 Girls Sport Captains, Captains Milly T and Kayla N, and Sport Spirit Captains, Emily G and Sammi N, who I have loved working with this year. They have done an incredible job leading the way to improve our culture which is exciting for the future. We saw the continuation of the ‘Focus Rounds’, where students were encouraged to come and support our Open teams, these were an amazing success and another opportunity for our students from both campuses to come together as one.
Well done Milly, Kayla, Sammi & Emily! You have set an example for our future Girls Sport Captains to follow and we thank you and wish you well. I am certainly going to miss our regular meetings.
2022 AFLW Premiership Cup comes to St Peters
For the first time, the AFLW Premiership Cup, Australian Football women's most prestigious piece of silverware will travel to South Australia, Queensland and Victoria and visit local communities, football clubs, schools and NAB AFL Auskick centres. The journey commenced in Adelaide last Friday and arrived in Queensland on Tuesday. From Brisbane the cup will travel to Cairns before heading to Victoria for the final leg of the Tour.
Today it was St Peters' turn to have a firsthand look at this amazing piece of silverware. St Peters was selected as the school the cup would visit in Brisbane to recognise Old Scholar & current Brisbane Lions player Greta Bodey.
There was lots of eager students (and staff) gathered around to have a photo with the cup, this was especially exciting for our very keen Junior Australian Rules girls.
The Brisbane Lions will take on the Adelaide Crows this Friday 18 November, 6.40pm at Metricon Stadium. GO LIONS!
The fourth and final rescheduled Gala Day No 1 is on this Saturday morning. This inaugural Junior Australian Rules group of girls have embraced this wonderful opportunity to learn this great game in its first year in the QGSSSA. The girls have done an incredible job, the improvement from Week 1 is pleasing and exciting for the future.
Thank you to the parents who have been a wonderful support each week and special thanks to all our coaches.
Gala Day No 4 Results
Year 7 Round 5 – St Margaret’s 3.2.20 d St Peters 2.5.17 Round 6 – Brisbane State High 11.8.74 d St Peters 0.1.01
Year 8 Round 5 – St Peters 5.13.43 d St Margaret’s 1 0.1.1 Round 6 – St Peters 11.8.74 d Ipswich Girls Grammar 0.2.02
Year 9 Round 5 – St Aidan’s 5.3.33 d St Peters 4.5.29 Round 6 – St Peters 3.4.22 d Moreton Bay College 2.3.15
Congratulations to our 2022 Junior Australian Rules Awards Winners:
Year 7: MVP - Amy S; Coaches Award - Ruby T Year 8: MVP - Stella S; Coaches Award - Remi C Year 9: MVP - Grace D; Coaches Award - Isabelle G
Good luck girls for the final Gala Day this Saturday!
Please CLICK HERE for the RESCHEDULED Gala Day No 1 Draw, it can also be found on the St Peters App.
PLEASE NOTE – QGSSSA Senior Australian Rules & Softball are played in Term 1, girls cannot participate in both sports, they must choose one.
St Peters play in the QGSSSA Softball Competition which is played in Term 1 next year.
2023 Game Days are scheduled for Saturday February 4, 11, 18 & 25 with a WWD held on Saturday 4 March.
Trials for our 2022 Open/Senior Softball teams are now complete, well done to all girls involved. Our coaches are working hard to finalise the teams which will be named early next year.
U12 D2 were dominant and strong. This little team was super excited that our Water Polo Captains were cheering them on today. There is no better way to learn school spirit than by seeing your Years 11 and 12 peers pool side and leading by example. This team is full of swim fit future stars. However, Lucy S shone the brightest today receiving the award for the ‘Player with the best game Craft’.
U13 D2 team was depleted due to clashes of Netball Rep trials, Australian Rules and sickness. With only one sub they moved the ball around well giving them lots of attempts at goal. Emma played a smart game and Georgia was physically strong. The team award went to Jessie M with her numerous saves in front of the goals.
U13 D4 This game was extremely tight. With our 12’s playing the game before at All Hallows a mad dash over to Stuartholme to get the girls to the pool before half time paid off when we levelled the score 3-3. Unfortunately BGGS scored two quick goals late in the game. Eve, in goals, was fantastic, even the opposition coach commented on what a great game she played (he is a Premier League Goalie) so this compliment was extra special. A couple of thing’s need working on; 1: not going for the ball with two hands, and 2: getting back in defence. Greer’s fitness showed as she was strong in both attack and defence winning the Crafty Team Award.
U15 D3 lost 3–5; the Crafty Player of the team went to Emily R. Emily was awarded the prize due to her strong game in both attack and defence. Anni H was also clever. Romi scored a powerful goal from about seven metres out. Coaches, Rob and Tenealle, were disappointed with the teams pass placement and execution throughout the game. The poor passing lead to soft turnovers. However, to only lose by two goals it shows that all team members fought hard for the whole game.
U16 D2 Set up the win early scoring some quick goals. It was great to have Amelia, Maddie and Elspeth back from Ironbark but with girls coming back it also means we have lost Charlotte and Alex for the last couple of games of the first season. Beth was defensively strong in Centre Back. Chloe E scored a couple of exciting fast break goals and was awarded the Crafty Team Award. Due to having a bye last week Coach Jane gave the Skittles Award to Elspeth who played in goals in the second half. This team was full of encouragement for each other, and you could see the girls enjoying playing for each other. Zoe scored an absolute cracker of a goal. Special mention to Gabbi for her great goal. Lila K also scored a great goal and passed some great balls into Grace D who was powerful in Centre Forward. A great team performance although coach Jane was a little concerned about losing intensity in the second half.
U18 D3 Lost 6–10; Lila G-D had a hot hand scoring some great goals. Steph F had an awesome game as Goalie. I didn’t get to watch this match but from all accounts it was a little messy with patches of brilliance. Lila was awarded the Crafty Award for her performance.
Opens This low scoring game was closely contested. We went into the halftime break 2-0 up. With Mr Kotzur and Mrs Champion cheering, the girls toughed it out to win by one (3-2). Amazing Remaya B our Goalie was awarded the team prize.
Please CLICK HERE for the Round 5 Draw, it can also be found on the St Peters App.
Preseason training for the 2023 Open Basketball team is now complete for 2022, the final session concluded on Monday, it was great to see many new faces and the girls training hard in preparation for the 2023 season.
Training/trials will commence back in Week 2 of Term 1 on Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings, please watch the St Peters App for further details.
Preseason training for the 2023 Open Football team is now complete. Well done to the many girls that attended the sessions offered in Term 4 this year.
Training/trials will commence back in Week 2 of Term 1 next year, please watch the St Peters App for further details.
The weights room will remain open over the holidays for all students on a St Peters Athletic Development program.
It is strongly recommended that those currently completing an Athletic Development program continue to do so. For those students interested in joining the Athletic Development program, it is an opportune time to do so as the gym will be considerably quieter over the holidays.
The holidays schedule will be released next week but please contact Mr Smith if you have any questions or you are interested in commencing.
SWIMMING FOR FITNESS
Coordinator: Mr Peter Dawson – p.dawson@stpeters.qld.edu.au
Swimming sessions have commenced at the 50m pool for any girl playing Water Polo or wishing to do pre-season QGSSSA swim training. These sessions will be held on:
Monday afternoons 50m pool: 3:30pm – 4:15pm
Thursday afternoons 50m pool: 3:30pm – 4:15pm
There is no need for girls to sign on for these sessions, simply turn up to the pool for the sessions you can make.
AIC Boys Sport
“What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose.” Andre Agassi
St Peters Semester 2 Sport Awards Presentation
This week was a special week for may of our students who have participated in sport this year. On the evening of Tuesday 15 November, we celebrated our Semester 2 Sports Awards where we recognised the wonderful achievements and sporting prowess of so many St Peters students. It was a terrific night of celebrations and a great opportunity to sit back and reflect on the 2022 year of sport at St Peters.
Congratulations to all the award winners and thank you for the sensational contribution you all have made to enhancing and supporting our College’s sporting programs.
Shining Bright On the World Swimming Stage
2022 has been a wonderfully successful year for St Peters swimmer Josh S (Year 12) who has achieved some amazing results on the world stage whilst also staying committed to his studies and well grounded.
After being selected and named in 2021 into the Australian World Junior Swimming Team, Josh competed at the 2022 Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide in May where he won Bronze in the 800m Freestyle and placed a credible fifth place in the 400m Freestyle and fifth in the 1500m Freestyle.
These great performances secured his further selection into the 2022 Australian Junior Dolphins Swimming Team to compete at the 2022 Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii in August. It was at these Junior Pan Pacific Championships in August of 2022 where Josh (whilst swimming for Australia) performed amazingly and found some sensational form and confidence.
At the conclusion of the four days of competition, Josh completed his international swimming campaign with a stunning four Gold Medal haul. Securing two record breaking performances (400m freestyle & 4 x 200m freestyle), he also recorded the highest points (28 points) scored by a male competitor across their individual events at the 2022 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. This being of Australia’s best performances at a Junior Pan Pacific Championships.
Josh S swims a 3:48.36 in the 400m Freestyle to break a 12-year record at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships. The first time a swimmer has gone under 3:50 in this event. (Photo courtesy Jon Reiter and Swim Swam)
We, at St Peters, are extremely proud of Josh and what he has been able to achieve in his Senior year at St Peters both in and out of the pool. He has been a wonderful role model and leader whilst being a St Peters Boarder for the past six years. We are confident that Josh will continue to achieve more amazing success and we wish him well in all his goals and endeavours to wear the green and gold for Australia in the years to come. A true Plus Ultra effort indeed!
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:
