Learning & Teaching News
Celebrating Staff Success in Postgraduate Study
A number of our St Peter’s College staff are approaching the completion of their Master of Evidence-Based Teaching through the University of Melbourne. This is an outstanding achievement that reflects our collective commitment to continual professional growth and excellence in teaching. This postgraduate study equips our teachers with contemporary, research-informed practices that strengthen learning across all subject areas.
The focus areas explored by our staff in their final capstones are both diverse and impactful. Topics include literacy intervention strategies to enhance whole-school reading comprehension, explicit teaching and peer-mediated instruction to improve collaborative learning, and approaches to strengthen knowledge recall through interleaving, brain dumps, and elaborative interrogation. Others have investigated how structured lesson phases can drive explicit teaching and improve student outcomes, as well as the effectiveness of modelling in promoting conceptual understanding. Each of these inquiries contributes to a shared goal: ensuring every St Peter’s student benefits from teaching that is both evidence-based and deeply reflective of best practice.
Farewelling Our Year 12s
Our Year 12 students are now in the final stages of their VCAA examinations, following their recent graduation celebrations. The final weeks of their schooling have been marked by impressive focus, perseverance, and camaraderie. Across both campuses, students have supported one another with collaborative study sessions, peer-led discussions, and a shared determination to finish their VCE journey with pride.
We offer our deepest gratitude to our dedicated Year 12 teachers, who have gone above and beyond to prepare students for success by marking countless practice papers, hosting revision sessions, and providing encouragement at every step. A heartfelt thank you is also extended to Nigel Patawaren and Irene Balder, our Senior Years Curriculum Leaders, for ensuring the exam period ran seamlessly. Their leadership balanced VCAA compliance with compassion, ensuring a calm, supportive environment that allowed every student to perform at their best.
Looking Ahead to 2026 Curriculum
Earlier this year, we shared news of the exciting curriculum refresh taking place for 2026. This next stage of development continues to build on our commitment to offering engaging, future-focused learning that reflects both the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 and the diverse interests of our students. Across all faculties, staff have collaborated to design new electives that foster creativity, critical thinking, and transferable skills for an evolving world.
Among these new offerings are CTRL Data and AI Explorers, two innovative Digital Technologies electives that immerse students in the ethical, creative, and analytical dimensions of data, automation, and artificial intelligence. In the Humanities, Intro to Sociology: Why Are People Like This? invites students to investigate identity, culture, and social behaviour, building pathways toward VCE Sociology. The Mathematics faculty will introduce Depth & Discovery, a Year 9 elective designed for students who enjoy stretching their mathematical thinking. Through problem-solving, investigations, and extension tasks, learners will deepen conceptual understanding and strengthen confidence in preparation for advanced pathways in Mathematics.
A highlight of next year’s curriculum innovation is Art History, a cross-disciplinary elective that bridges Humanities and the Arts. Students will explore artistic movements from ancient civilisations to the 21st century, interpreting artworks as historical sources that reflect the social, political, and cultural contexts of their time. Through curation, exhibition design, and research writing, students will learn to connect creativity with critical inquiry. An excursion to the National Gallery of Victoria will offer further opportunities to analyse professional exhibitions and experience art in context.
Together, these new and revitalised subjects represent our shared focus on designing learning that is rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the world our students are entering. By strengthening pathways between the middle years and VCE, St Peter’s College continues to nurture curiosity, confidence, and capability and preparing students not only for success in their studies, but for meaningful engagement in a rapidly changing future.
Pre-Service Teacher Reflection - Matilda Babinczky from Federation University.
This term, we were delighted to welcome Matilda, a Federation University pre-service teacher, who joined the Physical Education faculty under the mentorship of Leigh Murphy. Matilda has quickly become a valued member of the team, embracing every opportunity to learn from staff and students. As part of our ongoing partnership with universities, St Peter’s College regularly welcomes pre-service teachers to provide authentic, supported experiences that develop the next generation of educators while enriching our own learning community.
During her placement, Matilda enjoyed working with Year 9 students, noting how open and respectful they were. “I was nervous they might be reluctant to try my activities,” she shared, “but they all jumped in. Some ideas weren’t their cup of tea, but they all gave it a go!” She credits Leigh’s mentoring for modelling strong classroom management and positive engagement strategies. “Leigh gets every student involved...even the ones who aren’t keen at first. He helps them move out of their comfort zone and try new things.”
Matilda’s highlight was joining the Year 9 Camp, which she described as a valuable opportunity to learn alongside students rather than simply instruct them. “Ocean kayaking was completely new to me, so it was great to jump in and have a go together,” she reflected. “Camp gave me the chance to practise behaviour management and relationship-building in real time. These are things you can’t learn from a textbook.”
As she prepares to continue her teaching journey, Matilda expressed deep gratitude for the collaborative culture within the PE team. “The teachers here are so supportive and always bouncing ideas off each other,” she said. “I’ve learned that teaching is never something you do alone. That sense of teamwork and shared purpose is something I’ll carry into the future”
Mrs Jade Smith
Learning & Teaching - Pedagogical Coach & Leadership Team Member