Cranbourne Campus News

 Austrian psychologist and Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, spent much of his life studying the human search for meaning. Frankl found that our search for meaning came from one of three sources 

1. love, 
2. courage in the face of difficulty, and 
3. purposeful work.

There is a whole thesis in Frankl's first two points of love and courage, and whether as a society we have enough of either; however, it's the third source of meaning - work - that I would like to touch on this fortnight.

Finding meaning in our work lies at the heart of why, at St Peter's, we place such a strong emphasis on student voice and creating meaningful opportunities for students to serve.

In our last newsletter, we shared how our VCE Vocational Major students led the ANZAC service for the residents of Botanic Ridge Retirement Village. This event perfectly illustrates how students can find purpose in their actions and contribute meaningfully to the wider community.

Similarly, when our campus was used as a polling station during the recent election, we put out a call for volunteers to help run the traditional democracy sausage sizzle. It was truly heartening to see so many students eagerly put their names forward, willingly giving up part of their Saturday. As I stood alongside them with tongs in hand, I watched with pride as they worked collaboratively, engaging with voters, problem-solving, and enjoying every moment. There were no complaints or expectations of recognition—just genuine joy, teamwork, and a clear sense of accomplishment from serving others.

Monday's Mother's Day breakfast offered another shining example. Beyond the sea of smiling faces in the Hall, it was the presence of our SRC students—who had planned and run the event—feeling affirmed and appreciated that stood out. Their efforts brought joy to others, and in doing so, they experienced the deep satisfaction that comes from meaningful contribution.

These moments reflect the strength and effectiveness of our student leadership team. I’m fortunate to meet regularly with our Captains and see firsthand how they’re growing in their roles. Their commitment to improving the student experience—across all year levels, not just their own—has been outstanding. They sacrifice their lunchtimes and stay back after school, purposefully working together to build a stronger sense of connection and participation across the campus. Their efforts are transforming our school environment and creating a positive culture rooted in service and engagement.

Authentic student voice and meaningful opportunities to serve remain powerful catalysts for building belief, confidence, and growth in our young people. Just as importantly, we are deeply grateful to work alongside such remarkable students each day—young people who consistently show a genuine willingness to step up and serve their community.

Mr Jeremy Wright

Deputy Principal - Head of Cranbourne Campus