From our Principal
Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
Term Four is always an exciting term where the cyclical nature of education results in, amongst other things, a welcome to the Year Seven class of 2026 and the farewell of the Year Twelve class of 2025. There is much to celebrate as many events are held signalling the end for some, and the beginning for others.
Whilst we speak of celebration there is also much to feel to feel sad about as one of our own students was called far too soon from this world and into the loving embrace of God’s arms. Natarsha Perera was laid to rest last Sunday in front of grieving family, school friends and teaching staff. Her battle with a rare form of bone cancer began in March 2024 and in the end despite the best efforts of many Natarsha died on Monday October 6. At the funeral both Ms Julie Banda and myself had the privilege of speaking. Julie spoke of the precious words Natarsha chose to use when speaking on behalf of all students at this year’s Mother’s Day breakfast. For my words I chose to focus on not only the words of comfort which can be found in our school motto: “Be Not Afraid” but to rephrase our acronym ROCKS as a tribute to Natarsha where R reflected her Resilience, O her Optimism, C her Courage, K – Kindness and S – Strength. Natarsha has been an inspiration to us all and whilst she is now at peace our attention turns to supporting her sister Nikeesha (Year Eight) and brother Saseth (Year Nine) as well as parents Ishani and Buddhika.
Grant Natarsha Eternal Rest, O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
Amen.
In my brief introduction I referenced the many events signalling the end point for our Year Twelves. This has commenced with our traditional Art and Technology Shows. The events are designed to showcase the creative talents of our students and these were certainly on display this week.
I take this opportunity to congratulate our students for their contribution towards the beautiful creations on show. Special congratulations to our 2025 Principal Prize winners for Art and Technology:
Principal Arts Prize winner (Cranbourne) – Joanne Seng
Principal Arts Prize Highly Commended (Cranbourne) – Chiara Quattrocchi
Principal Arts Prize winner (Clyde North) – Brody Kozak
Principal Arts Prize Highly Commended – Madz Michaud
Peter Young Technology Award (Cranbourne) – Isabela Figurek
Peter Young Technology Award (Clyde North) – Philomena Rode
My thanks are extended to the wonderful team of Visual Arts and Technology Staff for not only supporting the night but for providing guidance and inspiration to our young people throughout the year.
Farewell Year 12s
Next week we will farewell the class of 2025. We look forward to a number of rituals each one designed to celebrate thirteen years of education. One of those important celebrations is our Valedictory Mass. The mass signals the end of their faith journey at secondary school. Graduates are extended an invitation to continue to nourish their faith beyond St Peter’s gates is as part of a life-long commitment. Our graduate outcomes speak to this when it states that we strive to inspire our students to:
Appreciate the value of participating actively in a faith-filled community.
Serve their community and the wider world as Christ did, in thought, word and deed.
Our Year Twelve staff-student morning tea provides an opportunity for our students to say thank-you to the staff who have supported their secondary education journey. This also speaks to one of our graduate outcomes, “be the agents of change inspired by the ROCKS of St Peter’s College - to be respectful, organised, collaborative, kind and safe”. Our graduation assembly is an opportunity for family and friends to join us to celebrate thirteen years of education. It is in this forum that we remind our students and their families to be inspired by and reminded of the critical importance to be life-long learners and in particular enact the following graduate outcomes, “act creatively, communicate effectively, think critically and collaborate widely”, “strive to be literate, numerate and technologically competent as effective global citizens and most importantly, be hope-filled and resilient in facing life’s challenges.
The final event is the Valedictory Dinner, it is a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to give thanks for the role of family throughout our young people’s learning journey. With parents as the first educators of our young people it is very appropriate that this is the final chapter in the celebrations. For those who are part of our VCE-VM program, or not undertaking a scored VCE we take this opportunity to wish you well for the next part of your journey. For those undertaking a scored VCE we wish you well for the exam program ahead. To all students then, you remain in our thoughts and prayers as soon you leave our gates for the last time and you are asked to remember our motto: “Be Not Afraid” as you travel life’s journey, it will hold you in good stead through both the good times and the challenging times.
High Achievers
Congratulations to our Westside Story production team who continue to get the plaudits they so thoroughly deserve. This time the cast have been nominated for a swag of Lyrebird Awards for this year's school production of Westside Story.
The Lyrebird Awards (or Lyrebird Drama Awards) are annual awards that celebrate and recognize excellence in non-professional theatre and performing arts, primarily in the eastern and south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Established to encourage participation and artistic merit, the Lyrebird Awards have both adult and youth categories, with the youth awards specifically acknowledging the achievements of young performers and programs in schools and community groups.
Congratulations to all for the following nominations.
BEST SOUND - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Joshua Daly - West Side Story
BEST COSTUME - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Collette Lark and Nicole Lewis
OUTSTANDING DANCE NUMBER - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Gee Officer Krupke
OUTSTANDING DANCE NUMBER - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - America
BEST ENSEMBLE - MUSICAL UNDER $40K - West Side Story
BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMER - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Allizhia Dela Cruz
BEST CAMEO PERFORMER - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Allizhia Dela Cruz
BEST SOLO SONG (MALE ROLE) - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Maria - Jamie Bryant
HIGHLY COMMENDED PERFORMANCE - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Matthew Kariman
HIGHLY COMMENDED PERFORMANCE - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - William Pereira
BEST PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING FEMALE ROLE - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Antonia Rojo
BEST CHOREOGRAPHER - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Keyane Dalton
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Nigel Patawaran
BEST DIRECTOR - YOUTH MUSICAL UNDER $40K - Nicole Lewis
BEST YOUTH PRODUCTION - MUSICAL UNDER $40K - West Side Story
Congratulations to Nate Mills
This November a Year 7 student on our Cranbourne Campus, Nate will travel to Japan with his team Shorin Kempo Australia, to compete in the prestigious WKO Okinawa Rookie Challenge. This international event is a rare opportunity and a well-earned reward for Nate’s years of dedication, discipline and growth in martial arts.
Having just turned 13, Nate has been training in Karate for over 7 years. He has always enjoyed competing locally, especially within his dojo, but his passion for competing really came to life after representing his dojo Casey Elite Martial Arts at the Riverina Championships in Griffith, NSW in October last year.
Since then Nate has gone from strength to strength. In June, he took first place in his division at the Gold Coast Budo Challenge, and in August, he proudly placed 4th in his division at the Australian Championships in Sydney.
Nate’s upcoming trip to Japan marks a major milestone in his martial arts journey, and we’re incredibly proud of his achievements so far. We wish him the best of luck as he prepares to represent Australia on the world stage!
Enjoy the Week ahead and stay safe.
Mr Chris Black
Principal