In preparation for our Christmas Chapel, I have asked students and staff: ‘What is the best gift you have ever received?’ Responses have varied between: ‘my family’ to ‘bike’, ‘remote controlled car’ to ‘Beanie Boos’, to ‘my pets’ …’ and lots of other fantastic gifts.
We might like to consider the flipside of this question, that is: What is the best gift you have ever given someone? I didn’t get to surveying this question but it is an interesting question to ponder.
From these questions, comes another yet another question: Is it better to give gifts or receive them?
Christmas is certainly bound up with the idea of gifts. The commercial side of Christmas has taken gift-giving to a new level but in essence, the concept of gift-giving and receiving is central to Christmas.
God coming to humanity as a human child 2000 years ago is the greatest gift we can receive. Jesus’ great love for all people outshines any other gift we may receive in our human lives. In response, God longs for us to connect with Him and to live in relationship with Him.
This past week we have given thanks for the gifts our graduating Class of 2022 have brought to our College. What a remarkable group of young people – we thank them for not only their individual contributions to our College but for their collective legacy – their individuality, honesty, humour – their authenticity. We commend the cohort on the positive role models they have been to our student body and on finishing well. May God bless our Year 12 graduates and may they remain confident in God’s love and plans for their futures, futures filled with hope and opportunity where their gifts and talents can be used to serve and enrich our world.
We have also celebrated our Secondary Presentation Evening and we will tomorrow, celebrate our Primary Presentation Evening. Thank you to Mr Piacun, Ms Gunn, Mrs West-McInnes, Pastor Matt and all staff for supporting our students to flourish within and beyond their academic studies this year.
Our students’ gifts have also been seen at the Years 7S and 7U Wearable Art Exhibition Evening and the Prep Christmas Play evenings this week – outstanding costumes at both events. I must say, that our Prep really have a gift for singing! Well done to all staff and students involved, especially Ms Liz Perry, our Visual Art Teacher, and the Prep Teachers and Teacher Assistants.
FAREWELL and THANK YOU
A special mention of farewell and thanks to the following staff members who are not returning to St Peters next year, for the great gifts they have bestowed on our College:
Ms Claire Ellacott – we thank Ms Ellacott for outstanding teaching within Drama over the past five years.
Ms Piyumi Fernando – we thank Ms Fernando for 8 years of service as a Secondary Maths Teacher with coordination duties.
Mrs Kate Hofstee – we thank Mrs Hofstee for 8 years of service and for her leadership within the Primary curriculum domain, especially with regards to contemporary teaching and learning practices.
Mr Matthew Knight – we thank Mr Knight for 8 years of service and for his leadership within the Pastoral Care space for Upper Primary.
We also thank Mrs West-McInnes, Founding Staff member and Head of Primary, for her 15 years of outstanding service to and leadership of our fine College. Mrs West-McInnes was farewelled today with a very special Chapel involving all staff and students.
Christmas is about God’s greatest gift to us: His Son Jesus. We give thanks by being open to Jesus’ presence and influence in our lives. May every person in our St Peters Springfield community be blessed in giving and receiving this Christmas. Have a safe and happy holiday.
A reminder that classes resume on Monday 23 January 2023. More information will be emailed in due course.
Natalie Houston Principal
Ministry
Farewells and new beginnings
Last Friday we farewelled our Year 12s and they had a grand time recalling the events of their many years together. But it’s not just the Year 12s who are focussed on endings – a number of our school community are moving on and ending their time at St Peters.
Farewelling can be a time when people give you a lot of support and say charming things about you. Your friends let you know that you are loved and appreciated. Farewells can be a lovely time, but it can also be a lonely time. There’s the realisation that things will never be the same again, that friends who were with you every day will no longer be there in the same way. There is a grief that goes along with the change in friendships.
But where there is an ending, there is also a beginning – new vistas open up, new possibilities emerge, plans begin to take shape. There are new friends to find and old friends to experience in a new way. Yes, new beginnings can be difficult, but great things can come out of them, too.
This is when Jesus words in Revelation speak loudest to us: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelations 22:13.) Jesus reassures us that he is with us in our endings and in our new beginnings. He supports us in our tears and in our celebrations. This is referred to in our chapel, the Alpha and Omega – Α Ω – set in stone on our altar. We are reminded of Jesus’ continual presence in our lives; no matter where we may roam his is always there for us.
Endings and beginnings can be difficult and somewhat lonely times, but we are not alone. God gives us the strength to approach difficult situations, to face new friends, to farewell leaving friends. He comforts us in our grief, knowing that in God’s family we are never really far apart.
God bless Chaplain Kirstin Indooroopilly College
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.
We are pleased to notify our community that 2023 Secondary (Years 7-12) resource ordering is now live for St Peters Lutheran College Springfield. Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 will be informed of their timetabled elective subjects before the end of the year.
For Year 8 and 9 elective subjects, please see a ‘quick reference’ guide below:
Subject
Box of Books
Arts
No text required
Cultural Studies
No text required
Dance
No text required
Drama
No text required
Entrepreneurship
No text required
Fashion & Textiles
Design Technologies texts required
Games Development
Design Technologies texts required
Law and Order
No text required
Mechatronics
Design Technologies texts required
Media Studies
No text required
Music
No text required
Research & Reason
No text required
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
‘Believer’ Arts Project
This year, we launched of our inaugural Performing Arts Project – BELIEVER, inspired by One Voice Children’s Choir’s rendition of Believer by Imagine Dragons. Over the course of the semester, our Years 4-12 students produced a music video celebrating the many gifts and talents of our St Peters community. The project aimed bring the students together through the performing arts, fostering relationships between our Primary and Secondary students. Students were able to step into the spotlight (or behind the scenes) to share their gifts in music, dance, drama, hair & make-up, costuming, film & TV… and the list goes on.
We have been so fortunate to work alongside such talented students and are immensely proud of what they have been able to produce. We hope you enjoy the fruit of this very enjoyable project.
Caitlin Knight & Riley Langlands Teachers
Sport
QGSSSA Girls Sport
Girls Sport Coordinator – Anne-Marie Champion
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Winston S Churchill
As we come to the end of 2022, my third year in the role of Girls Sport Coordinator, it has been another year of challenges and I would like to say a big thank you to the St Peters Community for your support throughout the year. Without a doubt the highlight has been getting the opportunity to meet and support our amazing cohort of girls. Girls, you have represented our College in many ways, and we thank you for giving all you do for St Peters Sport, we are very proud of you.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing coordinators and coaches, who work so hard behind the scenes, thank you for providing opportunities for our girls to engage meaningfully in a wide range of sports.
I wish all our St Peters families a very happy and healthy holiday. I hope after the year it has been you get to spend some quality time with your families. Merry Christmas and we will see you in 2023 for another wonderful year of Girls Sport.
2022 GIRLS Sportsperson of the Year
Congratulations to all the girls who, over the last week, have been awarded a Sport Award, either Bronze, Silver or Gold. To win one of these awards you have given and achieved a lot on the Sporting fields for St Peters and we thank you for your efforts.
I would also like to congratulate our 2022 winners of the St Peters Girls Sportsperson of the Year.
Well done:
Year 7 – Charlotte W Year 8 – Summer P Year 9 – Sophie S Year 10 – Brogan T Year 11 – Tayden T Year 12 – Zoe M
The inaugural Junior Australian Rules season has come to an end, the girls have done an incredible job, the improvement from Week 1 has been pleasing to watch and is exciting for the future.
We have had wonderful support from our parents, thank you and we are very appreciative of the amazing work of our coaches. We now look forward to the Senior Australian Rules season in Term 1 next year.
Rescheduled Gala Day No 1 Results
Year 7
Round 1 – Brisbane State High 11.5.71 d St Peters 0.0.00
Round 2 – Moreton Bay College 4.4.28 d St Peters 0.1.01
Year 8
Round 1 – St Peters 7.7.49 d Brisbane Girls Grammar 0.2.02
Round 2 – St Peters 8.7.55 d St Aidan’s 1.0.06
Year 9
Round 1 – St Peters 6.8.44 d St Hilda’s 1 1.1.07
Round 2 – BYE
Please see below some initial information re 2023 Girls Sport, further details to follow early next year 😊
PLEASE NOTE: THE TERM 1 TRAINING SCHEDULES WILL BE ON THE ST PETERS APP AS SOON AS THEY ARE FINALISED
This Saturday 26 November is Round 6, the final round of the first half of the 2022/2023 BWPI season. Well done to all girls, the first half of the season has been a successful one. Thank you to our Coordinator Tracey for her tireless work, it is greatly appreciated, and a big well done to our team of awesome coaches.
Good luck girls for Round 6, enjoy your last game before the break.
Round 5 Water Polo Wrap up
U12 D2 - This was a close game and our girls showed great patience and smarts with the ball. Maddie N was taking on instructions and communicating with her teammates making Coach Holly happy so she was awarded the Push Pop Award! Special mention to Addie who attacked the opposition goalie to score a goal.
U13 D2 - has improved out of sight. This team’s defence was on point not allowing Mermaids to score all game. Chloe scored two great goals. Great to see excellent passing and movement in attack from all players.
U13 D4 - Definitely 'Team of the Week' with their first win of the season!! Zoe was on fire in both defence and attack, her goal with a couple of seconds left on the clock to end the game on a high won her the team award. Heidi is always up and down the pool and being impressive. Well done girls and to both Coaches Mila and Sophie.
U14 D1 – Playing for the first time in the long and narrow shaped pool at Marist, the girls were down 2-4 at half time and lost the second half 2-5. Sophie M and Ada McN impressed winning the prizes.
U15 D3 - Maddie won the prize again with another impressive performance from the fast left hander. A little slow to start the game with Coach Tenealle thinking they need to warm up better for next week’s game. The half time score was 5-2 to us. Amelia in goals was in full communication mode calling girls back to cover in defence she set the standard for a great second half and keeping the opposition scoreless. Passing was better this week. A great team performance and good result today.
U15 D4 - A big loss today but this team played some great polo. Coach Sophie was happy with the improvement in their goal side defence and the driving in attack. With the bye last week two awards were given out, Caitlin showed some crafty plays and Emily R pushed herself to win the push pop award.
U16 D2 - A big win over the bottom of the table BGGS. Avi had loads of fast breaks and goal attempts and was awarded the team award for her efforts. Everybody pulled their weight in the team today; our defence was dominant, and we saw some attacking brilliance. Zoe chased down a rebound and shot an awesome goal. Amelia swam right into the cage and slammed dunked a goal then later in the game nailed a great back hander into the net. Gabbi scored three strong goals and her strong swimming showed as she was on top of the water looking strong all game. Beth and Hannah had it all over BGGS with their defence stealing many balls. Rose had her usual honest game saving shots and keeping BGGS to a 0-score line. Maddie M has returned from Ironbark with lots of energy. Grace and Lila were both going into Centre forward position and looking dangerous. Great team effort today 16’s!
U18 D3 - Although the score line was very one-sided Coach Claudia said there was many positives especially in the first half of the game. Poppy was awarded the Push Pop today for her great efforts in getting up and down the pool.
OPEN – The girls fought hard and went down by one goal, 9-10. An extremely tight contest that went right to the wire against Loreto. Special mention to Maizy our fabulous goalie for her goal today!
Please CLICK HERE for the Round 6 Draw, it can also be found on the St Peters App.
Open Team trials/training - will recommence on Monday January 30 (Week 2), 3.30pm – 5.30pm. All other teams trials/training will commence on Monday February 6 (Week 3), 3.30pm – 5.00pm.
Sign on information will be emailed early in Term 1.
Open Team trials/training - will commence on Monday January 30 (Week 2), 3.30pm – 5.00pm. All other teams trials/training will commence on Monday February 6 (Week 3), 3.30pm – 5.00pm.
Sign on information will be emailed early in Term 1.
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.
Please CLICK HERE for the Holiday Training Schedule, it can also be found on the St Peters App at the completion of the term.
SWIMMING FOR FITNESS
Coordinator: Mr Peter Dawson – p.dawson@stpeters.qld.edu.au
The final pre-season Swimming sessions at the 50m pool will be held next Monday 28 November.
Monday afternoons 50m pool: 3:30pm – 4:15pm
Thursday afternoons 50m pool: 3:30pm – 4:15pm
Please note: There is no need for girls to sign on for these sessions, simply turn up to the pool for the sessions you can make.
These pre-season sessions will commence again in 2023 on Monday 30 January, 2023 (Week 2).
AIC Boys Sport
"The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before." Steve Young
Last week we celebrated our Year 12 students graduating and finishing their schooling at St Peters Lutheran College. It was wonderful to acknowledge and reflect on their participation within sport at St Peters and what they had achieve both on and off the sporting field in 2022 and the years prior. We would like to thank all our 2022 Year 12 students for their wonderful contribution to St Peters Sport. Their involvement and participation have made a positive impact on our sporting program and its current success. Thank you! With the last few days of the 2022 school year ahead of us, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in St Peters Boys Sport in 2022.
Thank you:
to all the students who participated and competed with enthusiasm, pride and commitment,
to the coordinators for all their hard work and dedication to making our sporting program what it is,
to the coaches for their enthusiasm, knowledge and guidance, and care provided to the students in 2022,
to the Sports Support Groups for their hours of support and fundraising, and
to the parents for allowing their son/s to partake in our St Peters Boys Sport programs and for turning up and supporting our College at games and fixtures in 2022.
Lastly, I wish you all a very safe and happy festive season and a well-earned rest for our boys. We now look forward to the commencement of the 2023 sporting year with great enthusiasm.
2022 St Peters Sporting Awards
Congratulations to the following boys who have been named as 2022 St Peters Sports Persons of the Year. Congratulations on a great year of sport and what you have achieved in 2022.
Year 12 Samuel R
Year 11 Dudley R
Year 10 Harrison C
Year 9 Elijah K
Year 8 Beau G
Year 7 Thomas S
Basketball Australia National Performance Camp
In January of 2023, Basketball Australia is set to conduct a National Performance Camp at their Centre of Excellence in Canberra where 25 of the best emerging basketballers from around the country have been invited to attend. St Peters student, Cooper R (Year 11) has been invited to attend the National performance Camp from 23 -25 January 2023.
Cooper has played an enormous part of our St Peters Basketball Program not only as an exceptional player but also as a role model and mentor. Congratulations Cooper on what you have achieved and continue to achieve both on and off the basketball court. Well Done!
2023 Term 1 AIC Sports – Pre-Season Training
Our 2023 Term 1 Boys Sports pre-season training and preparations are now up and running.
All boys currently in Years 6 to 11 have been emailed information regarding ‘sign on’ and training days and times. We do ask that if a boy is interested in participating and have not yet signed on, please do so as soon as possible.
Training times /schedules are posted up on the St Peters App. We request that both students and parents please check the St Peters App for days and times of their respective sport training.
We do ask all boys to keep checking their emails for more important information pertaining to 2023 Term 1 sport.
Dress Standards at St Peters AIC Sports Training Sessions
An important reminder to all students about our college’s expectation surrounding correct dress standards at St Peters AIC training sessions:
All students training for Volleyball, Australian Rules and Cricket must be dressed in the correct St Peters Sports/PE uniform (including socks – if football socks are required, these are to be St Peters Football Socks).
Cold Weather – only the St Peters track top and track pants are to be worn if warm clothing is required.
Footwear – joggers/football boots are to be worn at all times by those students participating at any St Peters training session. No open footwear (eg. slides or thongs etc) are to be worn at any time.
For further information about what is happening with 2022 Term 1 pre-season sports, please contact one of the below St Peters Coordinators:
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.
St Peters Athletics Performance Program
The St Peters Athletic Development Program (ADP) is open to all St Peters students (Years 7 to 12) across all sports and all level of athletic ability. All sport specific programs, as well as our general athlete development programs, are well planned and supervised by experienced coaches under the guidance and direction of Mr Leigh Smith and his staff.
The program will also run during the upcoming school holiday vacation period. Please also refer to the St Peters app for information about ADP training times and days or CLICK HERE.
For further information about the St Peters Athletic Development Program (ADP) please contact Mr Leigh Smith directly – l.smith1@stpeters.qld.edu.au
St Peters 2023 Boys and Girls Football Skills Clinic
Boys and Girls Football clinic
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:
