Friday 25 October

Day for Daniel;
Boarder Focus Weekend;
Years 11 - 12 FIRST Global 2019 | Dubai;
Years 5 - 12 AIC Athletics Championships | UQ Athletics Centre.

Saturday 26 October

Years 11 - 12 FIRST Global 2019 | Dubai;
Boarder Focus Weekend;
Years 10 - 12 QGSSSA Senior Badminton;
Years 5 - 10 MSW Cricket;
Years 5 - 12 All Bands Finale Concert | PAC, 6:30pm.

Sunday 27 October

Years 11 - 12 FIRST Global 2019 | Dubai;
Boarder Focus Weekend;.

Monday 28 October

Year 12 QCAA Assessment Restricted Period;
Years 12 IB Study Leave;
Year 11 Experience Biology Day | UQ, 9:00am - 2:30pm.

Tuesday 29 October

Year 12 QCAA Assessment Restricted Period;Years 9 & 10 QUT Power of Engineering | QUT Gardens Point;
Years 7 - 9 QGSSSA Junior Softball;
Parent Symposium: Michelle Mitchell - Parenting Teens in the Age of a New Normal | PAC, 7:00pm.

Wednesday 30 October

Year 12 QCAA Assessment Restricted Period;
Years 12 IB Study Leave;
Years 5 - 7 Specialist Netball Coaching Session | Harts Road Courts, 6:45am;
Year 10 The Rite Journey - The Abyss Activity | Brisbane City, 8:00am.

Thursday 31 October

Year 12 QCAA Assessment Restricted Period;
Years 12 IB Study Leave;
Primary Years PSG Meeting | P&F Centre, 8:20am;
Years 7 - 9 QGSSSA Junior Softball;
Years 7 - 9 2020 Euler Classes Information Evening | PAC, 6:30pm.

World Teacher Day

This Friday 25 October, schools around Australia will celebrate World Teacher Day. World Teacher Day is a time to acknowledge those who teach in our College and thank them for what they do. At St Peters we will celebrate and recognise our teachers and staff with a special breakfast put on by the College Prefects.

Since its inception, St Peters has been blessed with dedicated and committed teachers. The College and its students have been and are fortunate to have teachers who value high quality learning outcomes, a values-based education, pastoral care that goes the extra mile, a sense of community, a sense of service, a commitment to valuing the learner as a whole person, and a desire to help children and young people grow and develop. 

Teaching is truly a noble profession. Teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions. In our classrooms are future Prime Ministers and Nobel Laureates, entrepreneurs, musicians, engineers, researchers, social workers, soldiers and doctors. In the words of Martin Luther, when schools flourish, all flourishes. Teachers have the capacity to touch and change the lives of young people for the better, not only for today, but for the rest of their lives.

At St Peters we give thanks for our teachers and for all the gifts and talents that they bring to the College, and pray that they will continue to find satisfaction and meaning in the important work that they do.

Rites of Passage

Last Saturday evening the Class of 2019 celebrated their Valedictory Dinner. With the rain from earlier in the day having cleared up the evening proved to be a thoroughly wonderful occasion. The Red Carpet arrivals in the Chapel forecourt witnessed an interesting array of modes of transport. As they exited their arrival vehicles our young ladies looked very beautiful in their formal dresses, and our young men looked quite dapper in their suits. This was followed by what seemed like a million photos to remember the occasion. (Has there ever been a more photographed generation?) From there it was over to St Lucia Golf Course for an evening of fine dining, speeches and dancing. The Year 12s appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves on their special night. 

In many respects, the Valedictory Dinner is an important Rite of Passage for our young people. There will be other Rites of Passage for our Year 12s in the coming weeks as they end their time at St Peters, such as their final Assembly and the Guard of Honour. We don’t just do these and other ceremonies because they are nice things to do.  Rites of Passage are important. They address the physical, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual changes happening in students’ lives in a safe and structured way, and celebrate the growth of the students in these areas that have occurred to date. They also help to show students by example that they are cared for and loved. Additionally, they provide a safe means for young people to share and discover who they really are. Finally, they encourage students to consider the ‘childish’ behaviours and attitudes they are ready to let go of and to begin considering the adult they are becoming and the contribution that they might make to the world. St Peters does Rites of Passage well. It does so, because they are an important part a holistic education – an education that has both breadth and depth; an education that focuses on the whole person.

Tim Kotzur
Head of College

In Term 2, a group of students from Years 8, 9 and 12 went to an Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) Awareness Day at Redeemer Lutheran College where they learned about some of the challenges ordinary people in poor nations face. One of the things we discovered was the importance of education for providing a better future for individuals and communities. Out of this grew a project to support a community in South Sudan to build their own school, facilitated through ALWS.

Our St Peters Lutheran College and congregational communities joined forces and through various fund- and awareness raising activities, from a movie night, to a community focus day, several ALWS 'Walk my Way' events and the Primary Years offerings managed to raise a total of $8,987!!!

This allows us to support not only the building of the school but also to provide educational materials, toys and playground equipment!

Thank you everyone for your efforts. Please keep South Sudan and the people who will benefit from this project in your prayers, that they may find ways into a stable, safe and peaceful future. 

Pastor Thomas

All families are reminded that the new style formal uniform is compulsory as of 2020.

Students are not to wear a combination of old and new uniforms. 

As per email from Deputy Head of College, Lisa Delaney, on 2 December 2019, always refer to sub-school handbook for comprehensive uniform requirements.

2020  |  Compulsory Girls Formal Uniform 

Primary Years (Years 1 to 6)

• Girls Dress
• St Peters formal socks
• No change to the sports uniform

Junior High & Senior School (Years 7 to 12)

Terms 1 & 4

• New Grey St Peters skirt – no shorter than the base of the knee
• New Grey St Peters pants
• New Blouse with crest embroidery
• St Peters formal socks
• Tie
• Formal Hat

Terms 2 & 3

• As above PLUS
• Blazer – must be worn to and from school
• Optional: Black opaque tights/ St Peters Pullover

Hats, blazers, ties, socks and shoe requirements all remain the same.

2020  |  Compulsory Boys Formal Uniform

Primary Years (Years 1 to 6)

• New Grey shorts
• New Short sleeve shirt with crest embroidery
• No change to the sports uniform.

Junior High & Senior School (Years 7 to 12)

Terms 1 & 4

• New Grey shorts (Term 1 & 4) or trousers (all year)
• New Short sleeve shirt with crest embroidery
• Black belt
• Tie (optional)
• Socks: Short SPLC grey socks with trousers OR Knee high grey socks with shorts
• Formal Hat

Term 2 & 3

• New Trousers
• New Short sleeve shirt with crest embroidery
• Black belt
• Tie
• Socks: Short St Peters grey socks with trousers OR Knee high grey socks with shorts
• Formal Hat
• Blazer – must be worn to and from school
• Optional:  St Peters Pullover

Hats, blazers, ties, socks and shoe requirements all remain the same.

If you have any questions, please email uniform@stpeters.qld.edu.au.

The 2019 BrisWest TL Interschool Readers’ Cup Competition is in full swing.

Following in the footsteps of our Years 11 and 12 students who defended St Peters' colours in the beginning of the week at Indooroopilly SHS, Sophie R, Sarah A, Sophie H, Victoria H, Grace S and Claire S, participated in the Year 10 event held at Stuartholme on Wednesday night. While the Cup did not come home with us this year, the competition was challenging and fun and certainly represents a fantastic way to encourage reading.

Last night it was St Peters’ turn to host the tournament, with Year 9 students Lillian K, Melinda H, Cassie H, Lauren F, Phoenix T, Srishti P and Ava M, competing against ten other teams from a range of neighbouring schools. Both teams competed enthusiastically and displayed comprehensive collaborative skills. Well done for taking on this legendary literacy quiz!

Next week, we look forward to encouraging our Years 7 and 8 students for their respective contests. Best wishes to all.

We wish our IB students all the best as tomorrow is their last day of classes. They will then be on leave to prepare for their exams starting in Week 5, 4 November. Our QCAA students are on the home stretch as their classes finish at the end of next week. Students are encouraged to keep their study routines and healthy sleep patterns to ensure they are best prepared for the exams ahead.

Year 11 students have received their exam schedule which starts in Week 7, 22 November. Most subjects have begun Unit 3 work and students are to be commended in their approach to the importance of this milestone. 

Teachers, students and parents connected last Tuesday at the parent teacher interviews. Whilst this is a long day for the teachers and parents, feedback is always overwhelmingly positive. Much organisation goes into this evening to maximise time with teachers and efficient and smooth transitions between classrooms. Thank you to our Academic Operations team who work tirelessly behind the scenes and a special thank you to three very enthusiastic and helpful students who volunteered to run the 'Helpdesk' for the evening. Ellyse, Tahlia and Yulia from Year 9 were a wonderful addition to the evening, attending to the parents needs on the evening. From set up to directions and general assistance with a smile, the girls showcased our College values and what it means to be a St Peters student. Thank you girls for being great ambassadors of the College.

Rachael Turnbull
Head of 7-12 Curriculum - Students

Recently a number of Years 7 - 9 students were invited to take part in the Royal Australian Chemical Institute ANCQ. The top 10% of students are awarded a high distinction. St Peters students was awarded 21 high distinctions, six with excellence, 35 distinctions and 24 credits. Alex A achieved 100% on the quiz and was awarded and RACI ANCQ achievement badge.

Good luck to Year 10 students preparing for the science exams in Week 4. The timing of the exams is to prepare students for both the QCAA and IB examination schedules. 

Year 6 Exhibition

In the final year of the PYP our Year 6 students carry out an extended, in-depth, collaborative project known as the PYP exhibition. This involves students working collaboratively to conduct an in-depth inquiry into real life issues or problems.  Students collectively synthesise the essential elements of the PYP in ways that can be shared with the whole school community. In 2019, the Year 6 students inquired into the unequal distribution of resources in the world under the transdisciplinary theme of 'Sharing the Planet'.

The emotional growth of the students is evident throughout this journey and they delve into the content and plan to make the world a safer place where the resources are shared more evenly. Last Thursday evening was the opening of the exhibition in The Dron Auditorium and concluded with the students singing Wav'n Flag (conducted by Jenny Flottman and accompanied by Christian Gante) as a promise to make change in the future. Preparing the students for the exhibition is a multi-pronged approach, thank you to all the mentors, specialist teachers, and most importantly Simone Mitchell, Penny Patterson, Deb Batchelor, Melissa Terry, Lauren Coote and Samantha Cummings for their commitment to this event.

Year 5 Kokoda experience

Yesterday, the Year 5 students were involved in an excursion to Mt Coot-tha. The purpose of this excursion was to recognise the legacy left by past ancestors during World War II while engaging in a challenging experience set to build resilience, endurance and persistence.  Developing leadership through increasing confidence, self-esteem and respect when working in teams was experienced throughout the day.  It is also hoped that the students embraced the concepts of forgiveness and sacrifice through identifying with different perspectives.  

Year 5 Kokoda Challenge was an assault on Mt Coot-tha by the Year 5 cohort and teachers. The students showed grit and perseverance- this was not a relaxed bushwalk, but thoroughly worthwhile!

Grandparents Day

On Wednesday morning, the Lower Primary precinct was alive with some of the older members of our community – we celebrated Grandparents Day. The morning commenced with a lovely chapel service which acknowledged their contribution to the lives of our students and was quickly followed by a short music concert which showcased some of the Lower Primary skills in this area. The grandparents were then escorted back to classrooms where they were able to see how learning takes place in 2019. We concluded the morning with our annual morning tea celebrations with the scones created by our Senior Hospitality students being the favourite! Thank you to all our Grandies who were able to come along and share in the lives of our young children.

Pam Carden
Head of Primary Years

On Saturday night, Year 12 Students dressed in all their splendour attended their Valedictory Dinner at Hillstone. It was a memorable evening that commenced with the red-carpet arrival of our graduating students. It is a wonderful community event, and it was terrific to see a large crowd supporting the occasion. If you were unable to attend, but would like the opportunity to see the arrivals, you can CLICK HERE to view. 

Students are to be commended for their conduct. The night was a great blend of fun and sentiment – there were great dance moves and lovely speeches made.  It was certainly a memorable occasion and one that I hope the students will look back on fondly.

Last week the Year 12 students also attended their final Senior School assembly.  It was an opportunity to show our gratitude to the graduating class of 2019, and also showcase the talents of our current captains, Ella, Ben, Imogen and Rupert.  To view a commemorative video from this occasion, please CLICK HERE. 

On the student free day earlier this week, a number of Year 12 students participated in the Safe Drive program at Willowbank. The students were given opportunity to drive in various conditions, and experience challenging emergency braking situations. As well as the practical components of the course, students were also taught about maintaining a vehicle and what to look for when purchasing a car. The theoretical components also helped students see the importance of safe driving speeds, avoiding distractions while driving and how to keep safe as a passenger. Overall, the students learnt a lot from the experience, and are better prepared for the responsibilities of driving.

To complement this opportunity, Year 11’s participated in the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) programs this week. An experienced representative helped with practical and powerful workshops to change the way young people think about road safety.

Students went through interactive sessions and were challenged to change the way they think about road safety; participating in stopping distance demonstrations, devising personalised strategies, gaining an understanding of their individual risk profile and getting tips from road safety experts on how to protect themselves, their friends and family.

We are fortunate to be able offer these programs to support our Academic Care and Wellbeing and Lifeskills curriculum.  It is wonderful to see students engage in these opportunities and no doubt benefit from them.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” Maya Angelou

Primary Co-Curricular Sport Term 4

The following sports are on offer in Term 4.

• Years 4-6 Girls Basketball
• Years 4-6 Girls Touch Football – TRAINING POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER
• SPW Squad Swimming Training
• Primary Years Rugby
• Master Blaster Cricket
• Years 4-6 Pre-season Cricket Training

Years 4-6 Girls Basketball Training

Years 4-6 Girls Basketball Training will be run in Term 4. While there will be no games, the sessions will provide girls with a great foundation to play Basketball in future years in the QGSSSA Seasons. Sessions will be held at the St Peters Outside Gym Courts, 3:30pm – 5:00pm. Training will  continue through to Wednesday 27 November.

Years 4-6 Girls Touch Football Training

Years 4-6 Girls Touch Football Training will be run in Term 4. While there will be no games, the sessions will provide girls with a great foundation to play Touch Football in future years. Sessions will be held at Harts Road Oval, 3:30pm – 5:00pm. Training will start on Wednesday 30 October and continue through to Wednesday 27 November.

SPW Squad Swimming Training

With the warmer weather approaching, St Peters Western Squad Swimming Training will be in swing throughout Term 4. An information email will be sent to all Prep – 6 parents regarding the training offered and requirements for all swimmers looking to participate.

Primary Years Rugby and Cricket

An email has been sent to all parents regarding the Term 4 Primary Years Rugby and Cricket Sessions. It would be great to have big numbers at the sessions learning the skills required to play Rugby and Cricket. The Rugby and Cricket sessions in Term 4 will be part of the Primary Years paid sports program and there will be a cost for the activities.

Years 4-6 Preseason Cricket

All Years 4-6 boys interested in improving their cricket skills are welcome to attend Preseason Cricket training at the Cricket Nets throughout Term 4. Training will be held on Wednesday afternoons, 3:30pm – 5:00pm. There is no need to sign on, just come along to the sessions.

Training Times

Years 4-6 Girls Basketball Training

• Wednesday afternoon | 3:30pm – 5:00pm, Outside Gym Courts

Years 4-6 Boys Preseason Cricket Training

• Wednesday afternoon | 3:30pm – 5:00pm, St Peters Cricket Nets

Primary Years HPE

Swimming: Tuesday 8 October – Friday 29 November

Save the Date:

Primary Years Inter House Swimming Carnivals

St Peters 25m Pool

Friday 8 November

Track & Field

Coordinators:
Mr Shaun Nodwell:  s.nodwell@stpeters.qld.edu.au
Mr Jeremy Lohe:  j.lohe@stpeters.qld.edu.au
Mr Darren Grose:  d.grose@stpeters.qld.edu.au

The recent wet weather has all but put a dampener on some of our preparations for the AIC Athletic Championships, with cancellations of many of our field events and hurdles at our final two Meets this term. Nonetheless, our athletes have remained and competed at the AIC Championship on 24-25 October this week. Congratulations to our Athletes who represented the College at these championships. There will be a report on the AIC Track and Field Championships in next week's Boys Sport Rock Article.

Prior to our AIC Championship this week, several of our Athletes travelled up to Cairns representing our Metropolitan West region in the Queensland Track and Field Championships. There will be more information to come also in next week’s Boys Sport Rock Article.  Congratulations to those students who competed in this event.

Volleyball

Coordinator: Mr Darren Grose d.grose@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Our AVSC training has been in full swing in preparation for our Nationals tournament down at the Gold Coast in December. Next week, we will also be having some trial matches for our AVSC teams on Thursday against Ambrose Treacy College, so make sure you keep an eye on the St Peters App for those details shortly.

As of next week, our Volleyballers will be in full 'pre-season' mode also with all of our age groups training in the gym. Please see the weekly training schedule below;

Please note:  In week 4, there will be trial games in the gymnasium on Thursday so the non-AVSC Year 8 boys will train on the outdoor courts on this day.

MSW Cricket

Coordinator: Mr Josh Singh j.singh@stpeters.qld.edu.au

On Saturday, the St Peters U13 Div 1 cricket team (2/145) defeated UQ 10/77. St Peters won the toss and put UQ into bat. With some quality line and length bowling early by Ashish N, Jacob T and Brendan M UQ were under pressure at 3/8. Terrific fielding from Noah J and Jack W created 2 run outs and when Jack W and Fletcher H picked up wickets before drinks UQ were in real trouble at 7/38 going into the break. Following the break Kristian F and Tim F finished off the UQ innings who were all out for 77.

Defending only 77 UQ threw everything at the St Peters openers trying to get the early breakthrough but Liam B and Jamie N got St Peters off to a good start with an unbeaten 35 run opening stand after 6 overs. With strong contributions from Noah J, Ashish N and Kristian F St Peters passed UQs score with no wickets down in the 15th over going on to reach 2/145 in the 24th over before rain stopped play.

AIC Water Polo

Coordinator: Mr Alex Lawn a.lawn@stpeters.qld.edu.au

St Peters kicked off their AIC Water Polo season with training on Friday afternoons.  This year, rather than playing a match each week, all games will be played this coming weekend on Sunday, at a Gala day where all AIC teams will come together and play a round robin style tournament.  This year we again have our Junior (7 & 8), Intermediate (9 & 10) and Senior (10 - 12) teams competing in this tournament and I would like to wish our boys all the best for Sunday’s games.

Yours in Sport,

Darren Grose
Boys Sport Coordinator

The weeks are flying and as we head into the final stages of Week 3 we have recently had a record number of our students attend the Schools State Track and Field Championships held last weekend in Cairns. The climate was hot, but not unexpected, with some great performances and some tenacious races by many of our students here at St Peters. In recent years our students have progressed both interest and in skill in track and field and we celebrate in our community now some amazing athletes. When this article was written the Championships were still in progress so next there will be an update on the results of the competition. 

Water Polo

Coordinator: Mrs Jenny Pavlides, email:  waterpolo@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Well done to all our Water Polo teams for the great games you played in Round 2 of the 2019 - 2020 BWPI season. All teams are displaying a lot of promise so early in the season. 

Good luck to all teams in their Round 3 games. 

Rugby Sevens

Coordinator: Trent Hacking

Congratulations to the girls who participated in St Peters' very first girls teams to be involved in Rugby Sevens. Rugby Sevens for women shot to the spot light at the last Olympics and it is very exciting to be involved in a growing sport. Thank you to Mr Gouws and Mr Hacking for their coordination and passion to make this happen.

Badminton

Coordinator: Mrs Jenni Gagen

The Year 10, Senior and Opens Badminton competition takes place very shortly. For the individual Badminton draw for each of the competitions please check the St Peters App. 

We really hope all our Senior Badminton teams enjoy their day of competition which is almost here. Please remember to arrive at the venue with plenty of time to warm up and to bring a water bottle and nutritious food for the day. 

Good luck to all teams. 

Junior Softball (Years 7 - 9)

Coordinator: Ms Natalie Holman

Junior Softball games for 2019 start in the next few weeks.

All draws with the game and bus departure details are now on the St Peters App for each of the afternoons so please check this for more information. Please check bus departure times carefully as bus departures are different depending on your team. 

For games girls are asked to wear their HPE uniform, long St Peters socks and a hat. We also recommend girls bring sunscreen, a jacket (just in case), a water bottle and nutritious food to each game day as well. 

Please note that each afternoon the bus logistics and number of games played changes depending on the team you are in, so you need to check the draw carefully each time. 

Swimming Fitness

Coordinator: Mr Peter Dawson

In Term 4 swimming sessions start at the 50m pool for any girl in Years 6 – 12 wishing to do pre-season QGSSSA swim training. These sessions will be held on:

• Monday afternoon | 50m pool – 3:30pm – 4:15pm
• Thursday afternoon | 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. These sessions are free.

Have a great week in sport

Kelli Rodman and Kerry Schreiber

The Walter Taylor Ward office and Cr James Mackay are hosting their first Halloween on the Green! A family friendly and safe evening to enjoy celebrating all things spooky.

5-8pm Sunday 27th October at the Old Indooroopilly Bowls Club (Indooroopilly Greens)

Perfect for children aged 3-10years.

There will be a Magician, Free Face Painting, Slushies, Popcorn and Fairy Floss, Scary Biscuit Decorating and much more. 

Don’t forget to come dressed in your spookiest outfit for the Zombie Parade and buy a Sausage for dinner to support the Mens Shed