Catholic Identity & Mission News

Greetings from the Year 12 Retreat! This week, our Cranbourne Year 12 students gathered at Camp Rumbug in Foster, and next week it will be Clyde North’s turn to enjoy their time away. 

Across three days and two nights, students and staff step back from the busyness of school life to pause, reflect on their journeys so far, and consider the hopes they hold for the future. 

Throughout the Retreat, we explore several key themes, including one drawn from scripture: “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.”  And many of our whole-group sessions centre on Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and how they can inspire us—head, heart, and hands—to rethink how we believe, feel, and respond as young people in today’s world. 

Our 2026 Annual Theme, “Let all that you do be done in love,” (more on this theme in our first newsletter next year!) guided students as they reflected on their future leadership roles and created their Mission Statement banners. These banners feature “We will…” declarations grounded in our pillars of Faith, Education, and Service, as well as our ROCKS values—Respect, Organisation, Collaboration, Kindness, and Safety. The cohort has embraced these as the attitudes and behaviours that will shape their leadership in Year 12. As tradition holds, the banners will now hang in each campus’ Student Reception during their Year 12 year. 

Of course, there was also plenty of fun, including the much-loved newspaper fashion parade and student-led evening activities. Each day concluded with peaceful Examen reflections before bed. Student engagement and enthusiasm were exceptional, and it was wonderful to see the entire year level share such a meaningful experience together. Sincere thanks to everyone involved, especially our wonderful Student Executive teams and the amazing staff who supported the Retreat programs. 

This Sunday, a group of 20 students and 3 staff will proudly represent the College at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF), held over three days in Melbourne. The ACYF is a national gathering of young Catholics, established more than a decade ago by the Australian Bishops. It brings together young people from across Australia—and even some from overseas—to connect with one another, deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to live their faith, and experience the richness and diversity of the Church in Australia. 

The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne is delighted to host this year’s Festival, which will run from Sunday 30 November to Tuesday 2 December. St Peter’s College is equally excited to have 20 students and 3 staff participating as Pilgrims of Hope, representing our community with enthusiasm and faith. My thanks for Mr Tishan Lokuge, Ms Andreia Mendoza and Mr Aidan Stewart for leading our students in this special experience.  

Finally, as this is my final newsletter article for the year, I would like to wish all members of our College community a very happy and holy Christmas. Thank you for all your support for the College’s Catholic Identity and Mission this year. I will look forward to working with you next year when we will continue being the reason for hope by ‘let[ting] all that we do be done in love’!  

Ms Fiona McKenna

Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity & Mission