Llewellyn Jones (1978 - 1983)
If you are reading this article years from now in your treasure trove of memorabilia from 2020, you’ll be reflecting back on what was 'The Pandemic Year'. Or at least the onset of life with COVID-19, which we all hope will come to a resolution soon. It was also to be the year we celebrated a diamond anniversary – 75 years since St Peters Lutheran College commenced. This was indeed how we started 2020 before restrictions forced us to postpone many of our planned events throughout the year which were to be great opportunities for Old Scholars to come back and reconnect with each other and their old stomping ground. We hope that the easing of restrictions will allow us to reschedule many of these activities in 2021. Which, incidentally – will be the 75th Anniversary year for SPOSA.
We did manage to get the year started with a fabulous Founders Day which featured a parade of old school uniforms from past decades and a retelling of what it was like in each of those decades by alumni, many of whom are now teachers at the school, including our first student Neville Stallman. How appropriate to have that representation and a privilege to have Neville and his wonderful family present for the milestone occasion.
The pandemic, unfortunately, put the kybosh on most concerts and reunion events this year, although it was very pleasing to see a reunion of past School Captains before restrictions kicked in, and the Old Scholars vs Current Students football match did kick-off. At the socially distanced David Brown Cup - the Old Scholars were outmanoeuvred by the younger opposition, this time round!
SPOSA has also again supported the prizes for SPYGT (St Peters You’ve Got Talent) an exceptional online event this year. And before restrictions, we hosted the Scholars Assembly morning tea for 2019 graduates, and the Ross Roy and Archives Tour for Year 2s and 7s which is a tangible way to connect current students to the history of the school.
Credit must be given to the 2020 cohort of students who have had a diabolical year to navigate and SPOSA is doing what we can to assist and support current students by connecting past students as tutors to coach those who are just a few years behind them. If your child would benefit from some tutoring, or you would like to offer your services as a tutor, please register your interest with the SPOSA Office. SPOSA has also put together a montage of support messages from alumni to the current Year 12s who have the double-whammy of a new national exam system and the pandemic limitations on normal schooling.
We’ve done our best to utilise this time to pivot and address other things such as a refurbishment of the SPOSA Offices and museum. Please feel free to drop in and say hello! We are located at the P&F Building at the top of the Mayer Oval - we’d love to see you.
Our database has also had a refresh and is in constant need of updating. Did you know that we have 20,716 Old Scholars? It’s an almost perfect 50/50 split of boys and girls, and 814 of these are from the Springfield campus which will soon be celebrating its first major anniversary of 10 years.
We are also gathering the stories of 75 'Plus Ultra' Old Scholars as a living history across the generations and as a recognition of the many different ways that we, as Old Scholars lead lives that reflect on the good values we have built on since our time at St Peters. Our sincere gratitude to our Alumni Officers, Sasha and Rowena, who do all the organisational heavy lifting for SPOSA with heart and imagination. And our thanks to the members of the committee and our volunteers who help with contributions of their time that keep us connected.
In this 75th Year – SPOSA will be supporting the 'To The Moon And Back' organisation founded by Old Scholar Ella Hussey-Simmonite (2019) with charity socks that recognise our belief that we are all connected by our common bond to St Peters, our shared experiences and our support of each other, now and always. That we are indeed 'Saints for Life'.
Llewellyn Jones (1983) SPOSA President
