St Peter's News

From our Principal 

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

 

Welcome back to Term 4. To say that we have hit the ground running is an understatement. There is always much joy at this stage of the school year as we juggle between celebrating events which are a culmination of the year that was as well as welcoming events which mark the beginning of 2025. Take the past week as an example.

 

Art and Technology Exhibition

A wonderful array of student art and technology was on show as we officially opened the 2024 Art and Technology Show. The event is a celebration of a year long process of learning and of the development of student’s creative talents. The quality of the pieces was an outstanding testament to the talents of both our students and staff. I congratulate the following students who were selected as the winners of the 2024 Principal’s Prize for Art and Technology:

 

Principal’s Art Prize

Cranbourne Campus – Michaela Lorenzin

Clyde North Campus – Luna Akbari

 

Principal’s Technology Prize

Cranbourne Campus – Jai Ortolan

Clyde North Campus – Kyah Wright

 

 

Year 12 VCE-VM Project Evening

Each year the graduating VCE-VM students present both their year’s work and their learnings to their parents and teachers. It is always a night of mixed feelings as we join in celebration of their learnings throughout their journey in the VCE-VM program with a sense of pride and joy which is also tinged with a bit of sadness as we are witnesses to the beginning of a new journey for our students beyond the gates of St Peter’s. Students spoke of the strong connection with the College and offered their gratitude many times over for the support of staff and the learnings gained.

 

 

 

Year 7, 2025 Welcome Evening 

It was wonderful to be present and feel the excitement in the air as we welcomed our incoming Year 7 students and families to their information evening this week. In 2025 we will have a combined 420 new Year 7 students across both campuses which is exciting. The essential information was shared on the night critical to a smooth transition. Our 2025 Year 12 student leaders took centre stage and together with two nervous but highly articulate year 7 students led the night and shared their St Peter’s experience. It was appropriate to have students at the centre of our information sharing. I’m sure this contributed greatly to the buzz of excitement in the air throughout the session and the hum of conversation at the end of the presentation.

 

Creative Arts Night

The third annual Creative Arts Night was another of those end of year celebrations experienced this week as a packed Geode Centre played host to a wonderful array of talented music, drama and dance students. The audience were treated to some wonderful performances from our senior drama and music students, as well as our VET music ensembles, beautifully choreographed dance items and the Cranbourne campus Drama club. Paul Kelly’s lyrics, “from little things big things grow”, struck much resonance as our performing arts students continue to grow both in confidence and performance quality. Congratulations to the 110 performers who were on stage throughout the night. Congratulations and sincere thanks are also extended to our performing arts team very capably led by our Performing Arts Leader, Nicole Lewis.

 

 

Year 12 Final Days

It will be a privilege to journey alongside our graduating class of year 12s, the class of 2024 in the coming week. A number of rites of passage mark the final days, each deliberate, collectively offering opportunities to celebrate, give thanks and also reflect on the achievement of completing 13 years of education. One of these rites of passage is the unveiling of a plaque marking their graduation. The plaque is placed at the base of a tree and is symbolic of their experience over the past 6 years. It also as acknowledges that soon enough they will be leaving the school gates for the last time. 

The symbolic gesture of a plaque at the foot of a tree, marking the graduating class’s contribution is significant. It speaks to their time at St Peter’s in particular way where:

  • The roots of their tree symbolise education as foundational to their life experiences to date.
  • The trunk, stretching up from the roots symbolises growth – Spiritually, Physically, Academically and Social-Emotionally.
  • The branches of the tree are symbolic of the Class of 2024 ready to branch off to many and varied new journeys.
  • The leaves of the tree symbolise the uniqueness of the individual making up the Class of 2024. Leaves come in different shapes, sizes and colourings. Brought together they present the tree in all its beauty and glory and symbolise an inclusive community.

 

I look forward to celebrating with our Year 12s in the coming week.

 

Building Projects

 

VCE Centre

Building has commenced this week on our VCE Centre on the Clyde North campus. This exciting project will house 13 classroom spaces and is designed to be flexible to hold our exam programs. We have been fortunate to have received a $4.5 million dollar grant from the Federal Government as a contribution to the overall build. This building is due for completion in late 2025.

 

Learning Enrichment and Student Services Centre

This refurbishment is due to commence in the next week. Located on the site of the old Administration Centre the project will provide fit for service delivery of our Learning Enrichment Program as well as provision for improved counselling services. It will also provide a conference-like space for larger groups as well as an examination centre. This is due for completion early in 2025.

 

Overall it's an exciting time to be a member of the St Peter’s College community.

 

I wish you all a safe and hope-filled week.

 

Mr Chris Black

Principal