From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

It is hard to believe that we have passed the half-way mark of Term 1. Where has the time gone? It is a reminder that we need to grasp each and every chance that comes our way before the opportunity is lost.

Secondary School Strategy for School Improvement

A number of staff attended the launch of the Secondary School Diocese of Sale Strategy this week. The Strategy is challenging schools like St Peter’s to embrace a vision for learning which leads to each and every child maximising their true potential. It was encouraging that we at St Peter’s are in alignment with the policy direction of the diocese when it comes to school improvement. Some initial take-aways from the launch include:

Reading behaviour at age 7 is the highest predictor of school completion
Reading behaviour, including at the secondary level, is inextricably linked to performance
There requires to be a balance between rigour and engagement
The single most significant impact on learning is the effectiveness of the teacher in the classroom
Expert Teacher practice includes: targeted teaching, evidence-based teaching practice and the collective efficacy of all

I couldn’t help but reflect, as we were discussing what we as a school are required to focus on, what advice can be shared with parents. My single piece of advice is to support your child’s reading. Encourage them to read, cajole them to read, read with them, take them to the library, discuss their English novels. This would be a significant starting point.

The Easter Season

The Season of Lent is upon us. This weekend we see the final “Ordinary Sunday” replaced on the following Sunday with the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday commences the season of Lent and for our students this will be marked by Ash Wednesday services at the beginning of the day. We have had a strong association with Caritas who each year launches their Project Compassion program to coincide with the Lenten season. Almsgiving is one of the three pillars of our Lenten practice, the others being prayer and fasting. St Peter’s College is this year hosting the 7 secondary colleges of the Sale Diocese next Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday). As Project Compassion is launched students will participate in a liturgy led by Bishop Patrick O’Regan and hear from a representative from Caritas Australia as Project Compassion launches its annual Project Compassion project. Lent is an opportunity for reflection. Lent is also an invitation from God to spend more time in his presence. It’s an opportunity to open our hearts more fully to what it is He calls us to be and to do. We lead incredibly busy lives yet the invitation is there to reflect on where we are in our relationships with others and with God. The launch of Project Compassion also is an opportunity to reflect on what we do and what we can do better to support the needs of others, particularly the most marginalised and vulnerable.

High Achieving Students-Congratulations to Hasrat Gil.

Hasrat Gill (Year 8) has been selected in the U/14 Melbourne Stars Metro Representative Team competing in the newly formed Youth Super Series. The Youth Super Series will involve three matches on March 17 and 24. The league consist of the Renegades Country, Renegades Metro, Stars Country, Stars Metro. In essence this is an all-star squad made up of the players within the aligned regions. We congratulate and wish Hasrat the best of luck for the coming competition.

Mr Chris Black

Principal