From our Principal
Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
As this is the last newsletter of the term it provides me with the opportunity to reflect back on the term that was (including events still to come).
St Peter’s Day
Speaking of events still to come, next week we will be celebrating St Peter’s Day. It is one of the most significant and much anticipated days on the school calendar. It begs the question, “Why?” What is so important about this particular day? Putting aside that the day, in part, is about fun and providing the opportunity for students and staff to be released from the classroom environment and have the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company; the day highlights the fact that we are a Catholic school which aligns very much with the story of Peter, our patron saint and the person who the college was named after. The feast of St Peter and St Paul is celebrated on June 29. The celebration provides us with an opportunity to be inspired by Peter’s love for Jesus. It is also an opportunity to reflect on Peter’s own faith journey, one involving contradiction and failings but equally one of courage, devotion and commitment. An inspirational story in itself.
St Peter’s Day is one involving a faith celebration – an opportunity to give thanks for Peter’s contribution to the establishment of the early Church. It is a day that brings community together, it’s a day where staff and students have the opportunity to smile and enjoy each other’s company. In a world where there is much violence, unrest and hardship we need these moments or pockets of joy.
Happy St Peter’s Day.
Staff Achievements
At this time of year and ahead of the St Peter’s Day celebrations those staff who have offered great service to St Peter’s College are celebrated. I take this opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate the following staff who this week have received service awards for their significant contribution to St Peter’s College. They include:
10 Year Service awards
Caroline Angus
Gerard Brown
Robyn Cardamone
Rupert Cranswick
Simon Gardiner
Kim Lace
Karen Williams
Anthea Zafiropoulos
20 Year Service Award
Faye Parfett
The Term that Was
Congratulations to all, both staff and students (not to mention parents) for all that has been achieved throughout this term. Term 2 is often one dominated by assessment and reporting as our program for curriculum delivered is shaped by the length of a semester. The plethora of events undertaken is inspiring as much as it is mind-boggling. My congratulations are offered to anyone and all who have participated in some way in the following: prayer group/s, feast day masses, athletics and swimming carnivals, e-sports, ANZAC day ceremonies, reflection days, involvement with Catholic Education Week, SIS sports, ambassadors for school tours, Mother’s day breakfast, pastoral program activities, Career’s days, student leader formation days and the list goes on……..
It is not a coincidence that our highest-performing and most successful students are those that involve themselves in the many and varied activities and events that are on offer. A student engaging in this space develops critical life skills that assist in their development. Skills such as communication, problem-solving, the capacity to compromise, team-work and creativity. My encouragement is always for each and every student to at least “have a go” at one event or activity, you never know where it might lead you.
Alumni Network re-launched
Many would remember that we celebrated our 30-year anniversary last year. Next year we will celebrate the 30-year reunion of our first group of Year 12 graduates. In recent days I met one of our ex-students from the foundation group of Year 12s who explained that in the first graduating group there was only 33 candidates. Each year the size of our graduating class has grown to the point where this year combined across both campuses we are likely to celebrate the graduation of 312 young people. As our community, inclusive of the graduating classes, continues to grow it is important that the link between the past and the present is not only maintained but enhanced. Apart from celebrating milestone celebrations such as 10 year and 20-year reunions, the stories of past students can enrich our college and in particular provide inspiration for our students to aspire. This year off the back of last year’s anniversary we have re-launched our alumni association. If you are a past student or know of others that are, I strongly encourage you to re-connect. Later on in this email you are provided with the opportunity to click on a link to register. We'd love to have you on board.
Reminder
We have two school closure (student free) days taking place in the coming weeks. They are:
July 4
July 21
Enjoy the week ahead and the holidays soon to arrive.
Mr Chris Black
Principal