In the beginning the Holy Spirit hovered over the brand new unworked earth, helping life to slowly hatch out and develop (Genesis 1:2). I love that image, and I believe that the Holy Spirit still hovers over everything, holding us all together. I believe that new and unexpected things still emerge. Students from 9B shared in a video Chapel what good things they and their families had done during the 'At Home' phase. I’m well aware that not everything has been easy, but I am so encouraged by the caring that has been shown.

It was a new beginning at the first Pentecost, 50 days after Easter (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit, in a rushing wind and flames of fire that settled on the first believer’s heads, changed whole attitudes and beliefs. Scared, disheartened, discouraged disciples became brave, certain and immovable. They knew that Jesus was alive, that he was God’s Son, the Christ. They could now understand that Jesus’ death on the cross was not some bad accident, but part of a much deeper plan to work good. His love was stronger than death, his forgiveness more powerful than the worst sins, so they spread the word about Jesus, wherever they ended up.

New life and forgiveness still work. The Holy Spirit is a giving, gifting God. No matter what situation you are in, you can ask for a gift you need to live your life in a better way. A change of heart or way of seeing, a strength inside you, a change in the things round you, courage, hope, the power not to worry so much. The Holy Spirit loves to take some Jesus quality, and make it a part of you. Ask, and receive (Matthew 7:7).

Pastor Michael Mayer

Reminder for Year 10 parents: Please return signed consent forms for Meningococcal vaccinations ASAP to Senior School Reception.

The Multicultural Committee has put together a mini newsletter to keep the College community up to date with their events and bits of interesting information and family sharing from our committee members. You can read the third newsletter here.

Credit for the compilation goes to Cherise M. Articles from Committee members.

All families would have received an email from the St Peters Future Foundation with regards to the launch of the Annual Giving Appeal. 

This year has been unlike any we’ve faced before. I am mindful of all the uncertainty and hardship our nation, and indeed many of our community members, have faced in 2020. It is for this reason that I would like to draw your attention, in particular, to our Scholarships and Bursaries Fund. Through this fund, philanthropy has opened the doors to a St Peters education for many students who would otherwise be unable to attend the College.

While times are tough, I would encourage you to consider supporting this year’s Appeal. Your gift will enable us to help families in need and to provide a standard of education, facilities and experiences of the highest calibre, inspiring a new generation of students to achieve their very best and to make a difference in their communities.

All gifts, of any size, will make a difference. Donations to the St Peters Lutheran College Future Foundation, of $2 or more, made before June 30 are tax deductible from your 2019/2020 tax return.

Thank you to those families who have already donated. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Tim Kotzur
Head of College

Are you interested in creative writing? 

Maybe you are looking to kick start your efforts in writing for a wider audience? Entering a writing competition could be the perfect opportunity to hone your skills and showcase your talents. Firefly now hosts a regularly updated page of external writing resources and competitions.

https://stpeters.fireflycloud.net.au/exceptional-learners/external-academic-competitions/writing-competitions

If you are a parent or member of the St Peters community and have expertise you would be willing to share, or if you hear of any writing competitions that are not already on the Firefly page, please let me know. 

If you are a student and would like feedback, encouragement, or further information please contact Mrs Gold (G&T Coordinator, P-12, ELD) a.gold@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Middle School Ethics Olympiad

The Ethics Olympiad is a wonderful opportunity for students to examine, consider and discuss interesting and relevant ethical cases. It is different to a debate in that students are rewarded for excellence in moral and ethical thinking and collaboration, rather than having to argue for a particular position. 

In preparation for this event, students will be required to meet with me one lunchtime per week (Wondering Wednesdays) to explore practice cases and develop skills. Eventually, only two teams (i.e. a maximum of ten students) will be able to participate, but I would like to provide prospective team members with an opportunity to build their philosophical reasoning and critical thinking skills before the teams are selected. Please be aware that participation in the skill building sessions does not guarantee a place in the final teams.

I would like to begin training prospective candidates at the beginning of Term 3. To register your interest and availability please fill in and return the form available on https://stpeters.fireflycloud.net.au/clubs-groups-and-societies/ethics-olympiad

For further information, please contact Mrs Gold (G&T Coordinator, P-12, ELD) a.gold@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Kind regards,

Anni Gold

DID YOU KNOW?

As conversations begin around subject selections for 2021, students in Year 10 considering an IB pathway are encouraged to read the information booklet on Firefly and ask any questions they might have. Mrs Midgley gave an overview last week and more in-depth subject information will be presented in Form time in Weeks 8 and 9. Parent information is scheduled for the start of Term 3. The IBDP journey is worth exploring. Make sure your Senior course is the right one for you.

Contact r.midgley@stpeters.qld.edu.au

St Peters Lutheran College will once again be involved in the ICAS International Competitions for English, Mathematics and Science.

All competitions will be held before school from 7:40am. Testing will extend into Period 1.

• Science - Wednesday 19 August (Week 6B)
• English - Wednesday 26 August (Week 7A)
• Mathematics -Thursday 3 September (Week 8B)

For more information, click here.

Primary Years Wellbeing - click 'n' collect

We are fortunate to have many resources available for parents in our Primary Years’ libraries and offices. The list of topics in the attached document is certainly not exhaustive but gives you a snapshot of what we have available to lend to families with Primary aged children. Some of these resources are to be shared with your child, while others are designed to arm you with knowledge and ideas.

If these topics spark interest, and you would like some reading material on any of these topics, please email primarywellbeing@stpeters.qld.edu.au. As parents and guardians are currently not permitted to come on to campus, Cameron Glass and Lia Sabri will package up what you need and send them home with your child (discreetly of course), in the form of a Primary Years Wellbeing – click ‘n’ collect.

Feel free to use this service now or in the future. All you need to do is email primarywellbeing@stpeters.qld.edu.au  with the topics you are wanting and your request will be handled from there.

Cameron Glass and Lia Sabri
Deputy Heads of Primary Years

Developing a Growth Mindset

Developing the right mindset early on is crucial for a successful, happy life. When children learn that putting forth effort and using the right strategies can help them get better at things, they feel empowered, and try harder. When they know their brains are capable of growing, they become more confident, resilient, and less afraid to fail! 

Children who understand that the brain can get smarter—who have a growth mindset—do better in school because they have an empowering perspective on learning. They focus on improvement and see effort as a way to build their abilities. They see failure as a natural part of the learning process. In contrast, students who have a fixed mindset—those who believe that intelligence is fixed—tend to focus on judgment. They're more concerned with proving that they are smart or hiding that they're not. And that means they tend to avoid situations in which they might fail or might have to work hard.

Many studies show that children who have a growth mindset respond differently in challenging situations and do better in school over time. Therefore, students all through the Primary Years are encouraged to explore and work on developing a growth mindset. The language we use with the children is specific and targeted to have them focus on reflection and improvement. Below are some tips for you as parents to ask questions to build a growth mindset for them.

Safety of students in the Primary Years

Please remember that the safety of your child at school is paramount to us as we know is it to you. When entering and exiting the campus grounds we continue this duty of care. We are therefore only using the dedicated and published entry and exit points on both Harts Road: the two-minute zone, and the three spaces on Lambert Road: Prep Kiss and Go, the regular Kiss and Go and finally the Pedestrian Kiss and Go.  

This DOES NOT include the pedestrian steps adjacent to Kiss and Go, so please do not encourage your child to wait there for you. Pedestrian access down these steps is not permitted for children as this leads directly onto the very busy Lambert Road.  A small number of parents are calling their children down to this area to avoid the busyness of the other pick up areas – however, this severely compromises the safety of both those children and others. This also applies to the exit blue gate of the pedestrian Kiss and go.  This is only the exit and parents are required to enter the college to collect their child from the Grey Umbrella area when choosing this option.

We have also had reports that families are crossing Lambert Road away from the clearly designated Pedestrian traffic lights. Please note the orange on the road which denotes the 40 kilometre zone is not a pedestrian crossing and parents should not be using this to jaywalk across to the other side.  The only means of crossing the road is the pedestrian traffic light.  Please model safe behaviour for your children and ensure you use the facilities as they are to be used.  Similarly please DO NOT do a u turn on Lambert Road before the traffic lights.  This is extremely dangerous for the other drivers on the road and once again is not a safe practice to model in front of children.  Your attention to these important matters is required.

Also, a reminder, that parents and other members of the community are not permitted on campus unless they are accessing OSHC or have a prior arrangement to do so. If you are required to collect your child earlier than the end of the school day please email their class teacher and either lpattendance@stpeters.qld.edu.au or upattendance@stpeters.qld.edu.au so your child is available and waiting for you in the office for collection.  You will still be required to sign your child out as is our normal process when a child leaves for an appointment.

Thank you to all those families who are showing patience, courtesy and understanding through these busy times. Once again, if we all continue to observe these well-resourced drop off and pick up areas, as well as the protocols set in place, we will protect the safety of our community.

Pam Carden
Head of Primary Years

As we approach the end of Term 2, Junior High students appear to be more settled and are now becoming focussed on assessment. Teachers have commented that, on the whole, most students seem to be organised and on track with their preparation for assignments and exams scheduled over the next couple of weeks. For those students who aren’t, or who feel they need some additional assistance, we urge them to take advantage of the many avenues of support available in Junior High.  Academic support is offered by subject teachers in various departments, but also by the International Baccalaureate students from the Senior School who make themselves available for tutoring sessions for Junior High students at lunchtimes on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. (Years 7 & 9 – 12pm in DO13; and Year 8 – 1pm in D09).  Please encourage your child to attend these sessions is you feel they would benefit from additional academic support at this point in time.

SAFE BEHAVIOURS

As a College, a key priority in caring for our staff and students is to provide a safe environment for them.  Students have a part to play in acting responsibly and are continually reminded of the need to ‘think before they act’ in order to consider how their actions impact on others. In particular, students have been reminded about respecting each other’s personal space, their belongings and their physical rights.  While social distancing measures are not mandatory for students in classrooms, it is important that they respect the rights and ‘personal space’ of others, particularly their teachers.  Not cramming walkways or locker areas or congregating in groups is an expectation we have of our students, particularly at this point in time with COVID-19 restrictions still in place.

This is part of creating a broader environment within the College where treating others with care, dignity and respect is not only an expectation but the ‘norm’. Young people are heavily influenced by the media and St Peters students are not immune, particularly to the impact of social media. Unfortunately, teenagers sometimes forget that the inappropriate language and anti-social or negative behaviours they see on their screens or hear in music are very often the opposite of what is acceptable in the real world - and are certainly considered unacceptable in a Christian school environment such as St Peters.

We will continue this conversation with students in a variety of forums – in the classroom and as part of our Chapel services and our assembly presentations.  Your support in reinforcing positive behaviours at home is much appreciated.

BEHAVIOUR IN PUBLIC

Students are reminded that when in uniform they are representing the College and that their actions and language reflect on the College as a whole.  This particularly applies to students using public transport to and from school.  We support Translink’s expectation that ‘school students give up their seats to adults who are standing’.  It is disappointing that over the last few weeks we have had complaints from members of the public regarding our students not doing the right thing on public transport. I ask that you take a few minutes to have a conversation with your child about your expectations of their behaviour when ‘out in public’.  The College’s stance is that when in uniform, every one of our students is an ambassador for the College and that our reputation in the wider community is largely dependent on their behaviour and the impression they make with members of the public.

Kelly Fox
Acting Head of Junior High

“The world will ask you who you are, and if you don’t know, the world will tell you.” Carl Jung

Boys Sport Coordinator: Luke Donatini
Girls Sport Coordinator: Anne-Marie Champion
Primary Sport Coordinator: Peter Dawson

TERM 3 SPORT SIGN-ONS

Over the past two weeks we have emailed all students alerting them to SIGN ON for all Term 3 Sports they wish to participate in for both AIC Sport and QGSSSA Sport. Below is a list of Sports on offer for both our Boys (AIC) and Girls (QGSSSA). All ‘Sign On’ registration will close this Friday 12 June, it is important for all students to attend to this.

AIC Boys Sport Sign On

• AIC Basketball and AIC Tennis opened on Monday 1 June
• AIC Football, AIC Rugby and AIC Chess opened on Tuesday 2 June
• AIC Track & Field opened on Monday 8 June
• AIC Cross Country opened on Tuesday 9 June

To access the Sign On forms, Boys will need to open the link sent to them via email on the above outlined date.

Parents are encouraged to remind their son/s to sign on for the above sports, so they do not miss out on playing a sport they wish to participate in in Term 3 of 2020.

AIC Cross Country (Years 5-12) – Wednesday 12 August 2020

Further information pertaining to the venue and exact formation of the day will be disseminated over the coming weeks of Term 2 and early Term 3, whilst keeping in line with the ever changing COVID-19 government restrictions and guidelines. 

AIC Track & Field (Years 5-12) – it is proposed that the AIC Track and Field Championships will be conducted on Friday 9 October and Saturday 10 October.

If you have any questions about any of the above AIC sports, please contact the relevant coordinators:

AIC Cross Country Coordinator:
Mrs Kerry Schreiber – k.schreiber@stpeters.qld.edu.au

AIC Track & Field Coordinators:
Mr Luke Donatini – l.donatini@stpeters.qld.edu.au
Mr Jeremy Lohe – j.lohe@stpeters.qld.edu.au

AIC Tennis Coordinator:
Mr Matt Stubbings – m.stubbings@stpeters.qld.edu.au

AIC Basketball Coordinator:
Mr Orhan Memedovski – o.memedovski@stpeters.qld.edu.au

AIC Football Coordinator:
Mr Nathan Edwards – n.edwards@stpeters.qld.edu.au

AIC Rugby Coordinators:
Mr Juan Gouws –  j.gouws@stpeters.qld.edu.au
Mr Trent Hacking – t.hacking@stpeters.qld.edu.au

AIC Chess Coordinator:
Mr Gil Bygraves – g.bygraves@stpeters.qld.edu.au

QGSSSA Girls Sport Sign On

• QG Netball, QG Volleyball, QG Hockey, QG Tennis and BSRA Rowing opened on Monday 1 June
• QG Track & Field opened on Monday 8 June

We have had an amazing response to our Term 3 Girls Sport Sign Ons – if your daughter is yet to sign on for her chosen Sport, we ask her to please do so before this Friday 12 June.

It is great to see our Rowing girls commence training this week under the strict guidelines put in place by the BSRA. We are looking forward to seeing the girls back on the water this Saturday, please see the schedule sent by Mr Hicks.

Unfortunately, trials/trainings for all QGSSSA Sports cannot proceed until the QGSSSA association has given approval for all school to do so. We are working hard behind the scenes to be ready to start training as soon as permission is received.

If you have any questions about any of the above Sports, please contact the relevant coordinators:

QG NETBALL
Coordinator: Mrs Champion – a.champion@stpeters.qld.edu.au

QG VOLLEYBALL
Coordinator: Mr Singh – j.singh@stpeters.qld.edu.au

QG HOCKEY
Coordinator: Mr Glass – c.glass@stpeters.qld.edu.au

QG TENNIIS
Coordinator: Ms Franco – r.franco@stpeters.qld.edu.au

BSRA ROWING
Coordinator: Mr Hicks – p.hicks@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Primary Sport

A return to Primary Sport will be dependant on the easing of government restrictions particularly to those relating to limited gatherings in a facility and outdoor community sport.

It is hoped that in the next few weeks we can return to a level of normality in Primary Sport. Fingers crossed that we have a full quota of sport in Term 3 of 2020.

During Term 3, AIC Sport will go ahead in a revised format. Years 4-6 Boys will be invited to play Basketball, Tennis, Football and Rugby over the course of the term.

Sign on forms have been emailed to all Boy’s parents in Years 4-6.

Boys must complete the Basketball and Tennis sign on forms before attending Basketball and Tennis trials – these have been sent to all parents and preseason trials are now being run during Sport for Life.

First Half of Term 3 – Week 1 – Week 4 Term 3

• AIC Basketball (Years 5-12)
• AIC Tennis (Years 5-12)

Sign on and Preseason information for Football, Rugby and Chess will be emailed to all Years 4-6 Boys Parents early Term 3.

Second Half of Term 3 – Week 5 – Week 9 Term 3

• AIC Football (Years 5-12)
• AIC Rugby (Years 5-12)
• AIC Chess (Years 5-12)

Sign on information for each sport will be emailed to parents (Years 4-6) and students (Years 5 and 6).

AIC Cross Country (Years 5-12) – Wednesday 12 August 2020

A Years 5 and 6 Cross Country DRAFT Team will be created following the conclusion of the time trials in HPE class. Members of the AIC Draft Team will be emailed a Cross Country Training Program for the June/July Holidays.

Further information pertaining to the venue and exact formation of the day will be disseminated over the coming weeks of Term 2 and early Term 3, whilst keeping in line with the ever changing COVID-19 government restrictions and guidelines. 

AIC Track & Field (Years 5-12) – it is proposed that the AIC Track and Field Championships will be conducted on Friday 9 October and Saturday 10 October.

Western Districts Netball Association is hoping to return in Term 3 for a revised Day season. WDNA is governed by Netball Queensland and will be required to follow directives made by the overarching body. Netball Queensland met on Monday 1 June to plan the remainder of 2020. A plan has been put in place for the WDNA Clubs and St Peters will be following this plan during its return to Netball Training and games. At this stage we will be aiming to return to training on Wednesday 15 July on Harts Road Netball Courts.

It is hoped that all St Peters Netball Team will have the opportunity to play in the WDNA competition in some capacity this year – further information will be sent through from WDNA as it is confirmed.

Inter Lutheran Athletics is set to return in Term 3 with the Carnival taking place in late August. A Primary Years Boys and Girls Athletics Team will be named to compete at the Carnival early in Term 3.

Tennis is a sport loved by many at the College hence why the P&F (Indooroopilly) are currently working towards establishing a Tennis Parent Support Group. This will be an opportunity for tennis enthusiasts to support the Tennis program at St Peters as well as engaging in social activities with parents/guardians and friends of the College.   

With the COVID-19 restrictions easing many people are excited about getting back out on the court.  Social tennis afternoons will be commencing on Sunday 26 July at the Lohe Street courts.  This is an opportunity for parents/guardians and students to play some tennis and have some fun.  This will be a regular event run on the last Sunday of each month.    

If you are interested in getting involved in the Tennis Parent Support Group or playing social tennis, please contact Robert Barber (Acting President P&F) - Ph 0458 254 488 or email pf.indooroopilly@stpeters.qld.edu.au. 

St Peters Find your Future Program

The P&F, in conjunction with the Careers Centre and SPOSA, are developing links to industry to complement and extend the current St Peters Career Development Program which will be called the St Peters Find your Future Program. Your involvement within this program is being sought.

The 'St Peters Find Your Future Program' will assist our students in making informed decisions about their future by increasing their exposure to industry by listening to specialists and engaging in work experience opportunities.

It is envisaged that together, the St Peters Career Development Program and the St Peters Find your Future Program will assist students in their post school exploration by:

• Increasing their knowledge of self (abilities, skills, values, interests, preferences and influences);
• Providing opportunities for students to explore the world of work through listening to industry specialists, watching videos, podcasts and work experience);
• Identifying gaps in their skills and identifying training pathways to fill those gaps;
• Increase their knowledge of the labour market; and,
• Develop skills linked to seeking employment (writing a Resume’, completing employment applications, interview skills, and setting up a LinkedIn profile). 

We are seeking parents/guardians and friends of the College to get involved in the program. 

Currently, we are putting together Q&A sessions on careers/work roles that students have expressed an interest in.  Attached is a link for an iMovie that was recently filmed – An Insight into a Career in Psychology. We are wanting to film more of these Q&A sessions hence the call-out to those working in the following fields:

• Engineering;
• Science - Pure Science, Biomedical, Biotechnology;
• Law;
• Business – Management, Human Resources, PR, Marketing;  
• Commerce - Accounting, Economics, Actuarial Science, Financial Banking, Property Estimating;
• Allied Health – Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology, Nursing, Doctor, Exercise and Nutritional Science;
• Computer Science /IT – in particular CODE and Data Science;
• Creative Industries – F&TV, Media, Graphics, Industrial Design;
• International Studies – International Relations, International Business; and,
• Other: Aviation, Architecture, Property Economics, Hospitality /Event Mgt, Humanities (Arts), Politics, Philosophy, Economics (PPE), Languages.

If you are interested in getting involved in any capacity within the broader program, your involvement does not need to be limited to the Q&A sessions.  It may include being interviewed on your area of expertise, assisting with filming and editing, offering tips on addressing selection criteria, setting up a LinkedIn profile, offering students work experience within your organisation, offering to chat one-on-one with interested students etc. All offers of assistance will be appreciated.

Please complete this online form to register your interest in participating in this program.

Please contact St Peters Community Liaison Officer, Kathryn Lorraway, on Ph: 07 3377 6155 (Direct) or Email: k.lorraway@stpeters.qld.edu.au.