St Peter's News

From our Principal 

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

Already we find ourselves half-way through Term One. As the saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun”. There has been much to celebrate and much to engage with over this short period of time. The swimming sports have been run and won with a wonderful sense of community emanating from these opportunities to come together. Production rehearsals have commenced and of course the Year Seven camps have concluded this week. 

 

Our Year Seven camps are a significant step or marker towards a successful transition from primary to secondary. I take this opportunity to thank all staff who have supported and led these successful experiences. We know from past experiences that instilling in students a sense of confidence and belonging within our community can lead to successful learning outcomes. The Year Seven camp is a significant building block towards future success.

 

Our School Improvement Journey

 

For those new to St Peter’s and even those who have been with us for one or more years it is important for you to gain a sense of what our school improvement priorities. We are currently in the third year of a four-year Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP). Each year we establish a set of strategic goals to achieve. These are articulated through a series of specific actions and are captured in our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP). The narrative of the SIP and indeed the AIP for 2025 is focussed on two imperatives which are listed below:

 

  1. Growing staff confidence that all students will achieve.

  2. Prioritising improving student confidence in their learning, leading to improved student outcomes.

 

This year the focus will be on five actionable goals. These are listed below:

 

  1. Develop professional collaboration and collective efficacy in teacher and leader practice 

  2. Collaborative Teaching Team practices drive collective efficacy and are evidence-informed 

  3. Develop inclusive practices through differentiation and cultural awareness through the school with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; EALD students, neurodiverse students, and others experiencing marginalisation.

  4. Increase the opportunities for middle leaders to develop and lead initiatives (that are aligned with College Priorities).

  5. Continue to provide ongoing professional learning to assist staff to build Catholic schools as dialogical communities utilising recontextualised and dialogical approaches.

 

Whilst there is a lot of education speak in the language associated with goals the ultimate drivers of school improvement in 2025 at St Peter’s College in summary the foci of improvement can be summarised as supporting teachers to be expert teachers in the classroom, ensuring learning opportunities are provided to all students wherever they are on the learning continuum through the effective development of leaders to drive our school improvement journey. And at its heart we need grow the confidence of teachers that students will achieve and for students to have the confidence that they can achieve. It’s an exciting body of work to be a part of. One where students are at the centre and parents and teachers are walking side-by-side our young people.

 

 

The Lenten Season has begun…..

 

As we enter the season of Lent, the most important of the Christian seasons, we embark on a sacred journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, lasting 40 days, mirroring the time Jesus spent fasting in the desert. It calls us to deepen our faith, reflect on our lives, and grow closer to God through acts of sacrifice and kindness.

 

During this season, we are invited to pause and consider how we can renew our hearts and minds. Whether through giving up something we enjoy, spending more time in prayer, or reaching out to help those in need, Lent reminds us of the importance of selflessness and spiritual growth.

 

Prayer for Lent

A prayer that provides us with great insight into our calling through Lent (and beyond) comes to us in the following words:

 

The Fast Life

 

Fast from judging others;

Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from fear of illness;

Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute;

Feast on speech that purifies.

Fast from discontent;

Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger;

Feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism;

Feast on hope.

Fast from negatives;

Feast on encouragement.

Fast from bitterness;

Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern;

Feast on compassion.

Fast from suspicion;

Feast on truth.

Fast from gossip;

Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm;

Feast on prayer that sustains.

Fast from anxiety;

Feast on faith.

 

- Author Unknown

 

May this Lenten season provide all with the opportunity to walk with Christ, seeking His guidance and grace as we prepare to celebrate the joy of His resurrection at Easter.

 

 

Mr Chris Black

Principal