St Peter's News

From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

It is hard to believe we are two-thirds of the way through term one already. Enjoy this edition of the newsletter that attempts to paint a picture of our dynamic and engaging learning environment.

Swimming Carnivals

Both campuses have participated in their house swimming carnivals and both have been won by Assisi House. On the Cranbourne (CRA) campus the margin was a solitary point and on the Clyde Nth (CLN) campus the margin separating first and second was a mere three points. In respect to the house spirit shields these were awarded to Avila on the CLN campus and Glowrey on the CRA campus. Finishing positions in the end count for little when compared with the wonderful community spirit evidenced in both events. The work of the House Captains was extraordinary and should be acknowledged here. Congratulations to all involved. From these carnivals an inter-school team will be formed.

Cranbourne

Clyde North

Year 7 Camp

This week we have our Year 7's experiencing camp. On the CRA campus it is the first three days and on the CLN campus it is the second half of the week. The Yr 7 camp signals the end of the formal transition program. Commencing back in October of last year when parents and students arrived for their first information evening, the program of events and programs has progressively expanded and intensified to a point, it is hoped, where students now have a sense of belonging. This camp enables connection with their peers and connection with staff. It is a formative program which provides opportunities for friendships to flourish and connection to community to be cemented. We wish both staff and students the best for what is anticipated to be a successful experience for all.

Harmony Day

Harmony Day is fast approaching, in fact next Tuesday will be our day of celebration. At St Peter’s College it is a day to celebrate the many cultural backgrounds present within our own community. The collective ethnic backgrounds provide a rich tapestry from which to draw upon. The day is celebrated with cultural food, costumes and performances. The message of Harmony Day is “Everyone Belongs” and the celebration of the day coincides with the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. St. Peter’s College is blessed to be a community which embraces students and their families from many and varied cultures. The 2016 Census Data reveals the following:

  • nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was
  • we identify with over 300 ancestries
  • since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia
  • 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia
  • apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi
  • more than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia

These results are very reflective of our own demographics. Our profile includes students born in 44 countries other than Australia. This makes St. Peter’s College a very rich experience for our students. At St. Peter’s College everyone belongs. Our multi-cultural community is not unique but what is special about St Peter’s is that we are welcoming of all. This gives us our identity and sends a message loud and clear that each of us is built in the image of God, that we are called, each and every day to, love our neighbour as ourselves. Sometimes this can be challenging, yet we, first and foremost, are a faith-filled learning community and our calling is to embrace all who cross our paths. I’d like to acknowledge the many, too numerous to mention who will make Harmony Day 2020 such a memorable celebration I'm sure.

Enrolments 2021

Just a reminder to submit enrolment forms for 2021 Year 7 enrolment ASAP. Enrolments have formally closed, however there is still time to enrol.  Places are limited. Please contact Wendy Height, the College registrar on 5990 7777 urgently if you need to enrol.

Lent

Our Lenten period has begun. One tradition is a calling to fast during Lent. The Bible has many references to fasting. It was a way of making penance and of attaining conversion. Through the practice of fasting, Christians imitated Jesus who fasted during forty days. Fasting helps to attain the freedom of mind, self-control, and perhaps a critical vision of reality. It is an instrument to free our mind and not allow one to be transported by any breeze. Fasting can also be a form of identification with the poor who are obliged to fast the whole year and eat meat very rarely. Often we relate fasting to giving up something.  A suggestion to all during this Lenten season is to perhaps give-up on gossiping and anger. Imagine a world free of gossip and anger, now that would be a world to live in.

High Achievers

Congratulations to past students Mikayla Van Der Velden (CRA) and Cassandra Gueverra (CLN). Both these talented artists, from the Class of 2019, were invited to showcase an artwork from their VCE folio.  “The Emergent 2019” is an exhibition run by the City of Casey for any student who has completed a Unit 3 & 4, in Art, Studio Arts, Visual Communication Design and Media. The exhibition is open from 29 of February 2020 through to 15 March 2020 at Bunjil Place. If you get a chance it’s well worth a visit.

 

Congratulations to Shahd Mohamed, Year 11, who came first in the Victorian U18 400M race at the Victorian Athletics championships last weekend. Shahd not only placed first but achieved a personal best time. Next stop, the Australian Championships. Congratulations Shahd.

Enjoy the week ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Chris Black

Principal