St Peter's News

From our Principal 

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

Already over half way through Term 2. So much has happened and still so much more to look forward to including the much-anticipated St Peter’s Day festivities.

 

Last Friday we welcomed many of the most senior Catholic leaders and administrators to St Peter’s College. Amongst the leaders on-site were James Merlino, Chair of the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA), Elizabeth Labone, Chief Executive Officer of VCEA and from the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) we were blessed with the attendance of Paul Velten, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kirrily Bridger, Chief Finance Officer and Dermot Cannon, General Manager: Infrastructure and Support Services. The theme of the meetings was centred on how to support the growth of our region and the current and future educational implications for St Peter’s. Key agenda items included the future multipurpose hall facility on the Clyde North campus, managing the enrolment growth on both of our current campuses and the future development of the third campus in Clyde. The day should be marked as one of the more significant in determining the future directions of the college as we continue to strive to cater for the local needs of the community for the now and the future.

 

 

Student Services Centre is Open for business

 

The Student Services Building (formerly the Administration building), has undergone a transformation over the past twelve months and is now operational. This facility houses our Learning Enrichment team, Student Counsellors, classroom/s for literacy support and a Year 12 quiet study space. This last functional feature will enable Year 12s to come into this centre and work quietly with extended hours providing an ideal working space for individuals and small groups. The design and creation of these spaces has had students at the very core of our thinking. The outcome has been quite exceptional providing students and staff with a facility that offers the opportunity for students to feel supported by the services provided.

 

 

 

School Advisory Committee

 

The St Peter’s College School Advisory Committee is a critical body that has a specific purpose which is to:

  •  act as an advisory body to the principal on matters concerning education in the school 

  • act as a forum for discussion on matters concerning education in the school 

  • provide a link between the parish priest, principal, teachers and parishioners in relation to the provision of Catholic education in the parish community 

  • promote community development by fostering a strong inter-relationship between the parish, the primary school and Catholic secondary colleges.

 

The responsibilities of the committee includes:

  • promoting the Catholic ethos of the school 

  • providing feedback on and review of school policies 

  • planning for the future of the school and its ability to accommodate future enrolments 

  • providing advice on budget planning and finance-related matters 

  • contributing to the selection process for the school principal 

  • providing advice on the appropriate provision of faith development and Religious Education programs 

  • promoting child safety in the school

 

The St Peter’s College membership structure is:

  • School Principal: Mr Chris Black

  • Parish priests 

    • St Agatha’s Parish – Fr Antony Rebelo

    • St Thomas the Apostle Parish – Fr Denis O’Bryan

  •  Parent 1: Chair: Principal nomination – Keith St Mart (CRA)

  •  Parent 2: Tim Cortese (CRA)

  •  Parent 3: Laura Bell (CLN)

  •  Parent 4: Naomi Bartlett (CLN)

  • Representative from DOSCEL: Liz Jones

  • Two parishioner representatives (nominated by the parish priest): 

    • 1 from St Thomas the Apostle – Marilyn Gonsalves

    • 1 from St Agatha’s – Tony Lupeamanu

  • Other persons co-opted by the Principal: 

    • Business Manager of the College – Phillip Mustey

    • Staff Representative of the College – Bradley Scammell

 

Recently an Annual General meeting was held with all positions being locked in for a further twelve months. Agenda items for discussion included: Enrolment demographics and building projects including an update on the progress of the VCE centre of excellence on the Clyde North campus. A presentation of the St Peter’s Child Safety policies and protocols was also presented. This is a necessary part of the training as this committee has responsibilities to ensure they understand the importance of and be in possession of knowledge of the current Child Safety practices enforced. At the next meeting we will welcome a new member to the committee Laura Bell, a Clyde North parent. Our attention will also turn to the outcomes of the Curriculum Review which are in the final stages of approval. I take this opportunity to thank each member of the committee for their support and for being so generous with their time. 

 

Please keep in your Prayers

 

Finally, I ask all our community to continue to keep the Santiago family in your thoughts and prayers. A recent update from the family indicates that both Sandra and Angela remain in hospital with Angela appearing to be out of danger but still in ICU. According to the latest news it will be many months before Angela and Sandra will be back in Australia. Devastatingly it will be without a husband and father and without a daughter and sister.

 

 

Blessings for the week ahead.

 

 

 

Mr Chris Black

Principal