St Peter's News

From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of term. We have much to celebrate and yet so much still to achieve.

SIS Big Night Out

I was privileged to be in attendance at the Big Night Out this week, an occasion, held at the Drum Theatre Dandenong, where a celebration of the arts is expressed through music, dance and drama. Most of the Southern Independent Schools (SIS) events are organised around one school competing against another. This is on the sporting field, in debating, chess, teen chef and so on. The Big Night out is structured differently and provides the opportunity for schools to perform as an individual school but also perform together in some impressive ensemble pieces. I’ve always thought that anyone who puts themselves out on stage are incredibly courageous. Out there you are exposed and have nowhere to hide. I applaud our students for their contribution to what was an impressive night of showcase to the Arts. My thanks is also extended to a large number of performing arts staff who supported our students and the event itself.

 

School Advisory Committe

The School Advisory Committee operates as the principal consultative and advisory body in the school. The School Advisory Committee is advisory to the principal. This body acts as an adviser on strategic planning, support to the principal, school improvement and development, policy and general leadership, the sole purpose ultimately being to serve and work toward the mission and vision of the school.

The change in governance has required of us to change the structure of this committee. With the change in structure it was felt important to maintain as many of the existing members as possible as we transition to the new arrangement. I thank each current member for their ongoing commitment to supporting the work of the college. The structure for 2019-2020 is listed below:

  • School principal (ex-officio)
  • Parish priests
    • St Agatha’s Parish – Fr Joseph Abutu
    • St Thomas the Apostle Parish – Fr Denis O’Bryan
  • Parent 1: Chair: Ken Barnes (Principal nomination)
  • Parent 2: Tony Coco
  • Parent 3: Sharon Glover (Parents and Friends Representative)
  • Parent 4: Stephen Van Der Velden
  • Representative from DOSCEL: Oronzo Farina (ex-officio)
  • two parishioner representatives (nominated by the parish priest):
    • 1 from St Thomas the Apostle – Vacant
    • 1 from St Agatha’s – Vacant
  • other persons co-opted by the principal
    • Business Manager of the College – Phillip Mustey (ex-officio)
    • Staff Representative of the College – TBA (ex-officio)

At the AGM on May 8th we will welcome two new members, one a parish representative from St Agatha’s and the other a parish representative from St Thomas the Apostle. We look forward to introducing these two new additions to our school community next term.

Yr7 Enrolment 2020

A new feature of the enrolment process for 2020 is that each Yr 7 applicant undergoes a formal interview with a member of the leadership team. This has been a wonderful opportunity to hear of the reasons for enrolling at St. Peter’s College. Equally it has been important to articulate who we are as a Catholic College and the vision and mission we aspire to. The one question I always ask the students is: “What does it mean to be educated in a Catholic school?” There are some blank faces and that’s okay but there are many others with shiny faces who talk about a Catholic school as a place where you learn about God and about Jesus. Sometimes they go on to say we learn about the person Jesus wants us to be. They are rich conversations and enable both parents and students to connect in and subscribe to enrolment in a Catholic school at a much deeper level.

If you have not yet placed an application in for Yr 7 2020, or know family or friend who haven’t, now is the time as offers will be made in the coming weeks and places are limited.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

Mr Chris Black

Principal