Learning & Teaching News
As Term 2 draws to a close, I wanted to share some updates about the support we have in place to help students stay on track and feel confident in their learning. At St Peter’s, we’re committed to building self-directed learners, and we know that when families stay involved, students are more likely to thrive, both now and in their future pathways.
Study Smart – Now in the LEC (Cranbourne Campus)
Study Smart is up and running on both Campuses and continues to be a great option for students in Years 7–11 who want to get on top of homework, prepare for assessments, or just have a quiet space to work with support close by.
At Cranbourne, we’ve now moved Study Smart from the Library into the Student Support Services Centre. This change gives students even better access to academic and wellbeing support during their study time.
The space is open after school Monday to Thursday, and we really encourage families to talk to their children about making this part of their weekly routine. Whether they need help staying organised, preparing for tests, or just a regular study habit - it’s there for them.
We know that consistent routines at home, backed by encouragement from parents and carers, can make a huge difference to a student’s learning. A small shift in habits now can build strong foundations that last well beyond the school year. In fact, research shows that parental involvement (especially when it includes setting high but realistic expectations and supporting study routines) has a strong positive effect on student achievement (Fan & Chen, 2001).
Year 12s Embracing the New Senior Study Space
Our Year 12 students are now enjoying access to the newly refurbished Cranbourne Year 12 Study Space, designed to support senior learners with quiet, purposeful areas for SAC preparation, goal-setting, and collaborative work. Created with student voice at the centre, this environment reflects the maturity and focus expected of our most senior cohort.
To help students study smarter (not just longer), we’re encouraging the use of two research-based strategies displayed on screens across the College:
The Leitner System A spaced flashcard technique that improves memory by focusing revision on the content students find most difficult (Brown et al., 2014).
Spaced Repetition A powerful method of reviewing concepts over increasing intervals to enhance long-term retention (Kang, 2016; Carpenter et al., 2012).
This dedicated space is open daily, with extended after-school access Monday to Thursday, and students are encouraged to use it to support their revision and time management in the lead-up to final assessments.
End of Semester Reports
Semester reports will be available soon, and they’re a great chance to pause and take stock of how the year is going so far. These reports give a snapshot of each student’s progress, growth, and areas that might need a little extra focus as we head into Semester Two.
We encourage families to make the time to sit down and read the report together. Celebrate the effort, the learning, and the attitudes your child has shown. And if there are subjects where things didn’t quite go to plan, that’s okay too. Use it as an opportunity to talk honestly about what support, routines or strategies might help next term.
For younger students, these conversations can really help build confidence and self-awareness. For our older students, it’s also a great lead-in to subject selection, future planning, and thinking about what habits will help them finish the year well.
Some helpful questions you might ask at home:
What are you most proud of this semester?
Was there any feedback that really stuck with you?
What’s one goal you want to set for next term?
We know that progress looks different for every learner. A report is just one piece of the puzzle, alongside classroom participation, learning behaviours, and teacher feedback.
If you’d like to follow up on anything in your child’s report, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with their teacher, Learning Advisor or House Leader.
The 2025 National History Challenge
Students in Years 7–12 are invited to take part in the 2025 National History Challenge, where this year’s theme is Conflict and Resolution. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore a topic you’re passionate about and present it your way: as an essay, video, podcast, artwork, or even a performance.
There are prizes, certificates, and national recognition up for grabs, and it’s a great addition to scholarship and university applications. You can work solo or with a group of up to four.
More information is available at historychallenge.org.au or see Mrs Ozaki or Ms Cordery if you’re keen to get involved.
Tournament of Minds
If you love thinking creatively, solving problems, and working as part of a team, Tournament of Minds might be the perfect opportunity for you.
St Peter’s will be entering 2–3 teams this year, with students from all year levels welcome to apply. Teams will work together on a challenge over four weeks, leading up to the tournament on 16–17 August at Deakin University, Burwood.
It’s a big commitment but also a great way to stretch your thinking and try something different. If you’re interested, please speak to Ms Malmo or Ms Nguyen (Cranbourne Campus), and keep an eye out for the info session coming soon.
SIS Book in a Day
The SIS Book in a Day competition is approaching, and we’re inviting students in Years 7–10 to apply for a place on the St Peter’s team. In this challenge, students will work together to write and illustrate a complete novel from start to finish in just one day. In the lead-up, the team will take part in training sessions and an author-led seminar to build their skills and prepare for the writing day.
Each team includes up to 8 students, with at least 2 students from Years 7–8. We’re looking for writers, illustrators, and potentially someone to take on a coordinating editor role. If you’re interested, please email Mr Salmon at ssalmon@stpeters.vic.edu.au with a short explanation of why you’d like to take part, and whether you’d prefer to be involved as a writer, illustrator, or both. This is a great opportunity for students who enjoy working collaboratively, thinking creatively, and seeing a project through from beginning to end.
Futures Expo and Subject Selection for 2026
We are pleased to announce that our Futures Expo will take place in Week 2 of Term 3, offering students and families a chance to explore learning areas, career pathways, and subject offerings for 2026 and beyond. Information will be shared with students early next term, but in the meantime, we encourage parents and carers to begin conversations at home about subject selection and future goals.
Subject selection is a serious process. Our timetable is built based on student preferences. We ask students to reflect deeply on their interests, abilities, and aspirations.
At St Peter’s, we encourage students to think of:
Year 9 as a time for “breadth” (exploring diverse areas of learning), and
Year 10 as a time for “depth” (refining interests and aligning subjects to senior pathways)
We’re excited to introduce a wide variety of new subjects across all learning areas in 2026, particularly at Year 9. This includes electives in Technology, the Arts, Languages, and the Applied Learning & Vocational Major stream.
Mrs Jade Smith
Pedagogical Coach
Cranbourne Campus