St Peter's News

From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

We are nearly two weeks into a return to face-to-face teaching. From my discussions with both staff and students this has been warmly welcomed. There is an energetic and lively feel in the air. Whilst some students might have experienced a bit of a rocky re-entry when getting used again to routines, rules and expectations, overall it has been a very smooth transition. Students should be congratulated for their resilience and adaptability in what has surely been one of the most bizarre, and at times challenging term.

St Peter’s Day

This year St Peter’s Day takes on a very different approach. Due to the restrictions in play, the usual whole school mass and festive celebrations has been replaced by a liturgy. Held in an extended tutor group, the liturgy will be a simple affair which focuses on the inspiration which is our patron saint. In my view simplicity, in our current context, is not such a bad thing. 

 

Who is Peter?

‘Peter embraced the teachings of Jesus’, and a focus on action. ‘Feed my sheep, look after my lambs’ was the mission entrusted to Peter as instructed by Jesus. It is focussed on action and contains a powerful message of action. There is a great clarity in Peter’s life that is evident firstly not in what he does but in how he answers the question of Jesus, “Do you love me?” This fundamental life changing encounter with Jesus is the source of all that follows in his life. This relationship with Jesus is foundational for everything else in his life.

Hans Urs von Balthasar in his writing’s stresses that in the Petrine charism and tradition the authority of Peter comes firstly from his holiness, his relationship with God in Jesus, and secondly from the ministry (Leader & Teacher, Bishop of Rome/Pope) entrusted to him as the first disciple of Jesus.

 

Peter has been characterised as:

  • Strong and courageous yet vulnerable and weak
  • Loyal
  • The human disciple – faithful and devoted, yet at the same time questioning of authority (even Jesus)
  • Flawed, a sinner yet first chosen and looked up to by all. He was rash and often chastised by Jesus for thinking of himself
  • Keeper of the keys representing the Keys to the Kingdom of God
  • Someone who became a fisher of people rather than a fisherman of fish. When presented with this new role he was unquestioning, loyal and faithful in this mission.
  • The first Pope – upon this rock my Church will be built
    • His mission (as was the mission of the disciples after the death of Christ) was to share the Good News of the risen Christ. He was missionary in his work
  • An exemplar of the servant leader (Servant of Christ, Servant to the early Church)

We as the college community of St. Peter’s College are called upon, in our daily interactions, to model Peter as faithful servant to God and God’s people. The St Peter’s day liturgy will be celebrated next Thursday, 25 June 2020.

Prevent, Keep, Enhance

Staff were asked to nominate one approach or learning which took place during remote schooling that they wish to prevent, keep and enhance. It is beyond doubt that the experience of remote schooling has caused reflection and ultimately will cause permanent changes to the way learning is delivered. Here is a snapshot of some of the responses:

 

Prevent

  • Disengagement.
  • A feeling of the same old thing
  • Assuming students have understood what I am teaching
  • Photocopying too much.
  • Reliance upon textbook
  • Teacher talk
  • Student reliance on teacher as font of all knowledge

Keep

  • Focus on engagement - we have had to work hard to keep students learning. This has forced us to be creative
  • Good rapport with students
  • Allowing the students time to work independently.
  • Building relationships with students
  • Instant good quality feedback
  • Using electronic workbooks, submission via SPACE instead of by hand, electronic feedback
  • Humour

Enhance

  • Student engagement and behaviour management (by better understanding and implementing WSAPB).
  • More variability in the classroom as done in remote learning
  • Use of student feedback to inform my teaching
  • My knowledge of students so I can develop better relationships with students.
  • Differentiating the learning to suit students. Improved explicit teaching at key learning times

COVID-19 Update

Whilst the college has ensured students and staff return to learning and teaching in the safest possible environment inclusive of the introduction of a comprehensive range of protocols and practices, the college executive have completed an exercise exploring a situation of what if a positive COVID-19 was reported at the college.  This important exercise should give assurance to all that we are prepared for any eventuality. Please refer to your respective Head of Campus section in this edition to be briefed on the process which would occur if this eventuality ever was realised.

Dates to remember:

Term 2 concludes:       Friday, 26 June 2020, 3.20 pm

Term 3 commences:   Tuesday, 14 July 2020

 

 

Enjoy the week ahead and stay well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Chris Black

Principal