General News

Tuesday, 31 January

STUDENTS RETURN

Term 1 Begins

School Photos

"From the College Archives"

In 2011, teacher, Ms. Shannon Maher and students Bronwyn McInnes, Mitchell Fly, Adam Villante, Sarah O’Brien, and Jake Spring made the inaugural trip to Bishop Epalle Catholic School (BECS), which is situated on the outskirts of Honiara, capital of Solomon Islands. This was to be the successful pilot trip to Honiara and since 2011 St. Peter’s College and BECS have developed a strong relationship.

The scheme, which is now known as ‘Solomon Islands Immersion,’ is offered to graduating students as an alternative to ‘schoolies week.’ Students apply to the scheme early in their final year at St. Peter’s College and work to raise funds for the BECS community. Students undertake to pay their own expenses. Part of the rationale is that if they attend ‘schoolies week’ they would pay their own expenses. 

After the examination period, students, and their adult companions, who are staff members, head off to Honiara. Students are assigned to a local family and live with the family for a period that is usually between seven and ten days. The group is also able to attend BECS classes and interact with the local students during the local end of school year activities, as well as some ‘firsthand’ service work at BECS.

Over recent years the immersion has been on hold due to COVID. One year, 2014, the immersion was cancelled because local Solomon Island elections forced the closure of the airport and BECS ended its academic year early due to fears of civil disturbance and many students having to travel to outer islands because their families needed to their home islands to vote. 

BECS is a parent funded school. Funds raised by St. Peter’s College community have provided a vehicle that is used as a school bus and helped fund a building that has been named the St. Peter’s Building (pictured below). Principal, Mr. Christopher Black attended the official opening of the building in November 2017.

BECS is named after Jean-Baptiste Epalle, a Marist bishop. According to the Marist history site, he was mortally wounded when landing on Santa Isabel Island on 16 December, and died on the ship on 19 December, aged thirty-seven.

Greg Nelson

College Archivist

St. Peter’s College Parents & Friends

The Executive may be contacted through the College:

President: Ms Naomi Bartlett (College Advisory Board Representative)

Secretary: vacant

Treasurer: Mrs Marzena Mansilla

P&F Committee Representative on College Advisory Committee: Ms Naomi Bartlett

To Contact St. Peters College Parents & Friends Executive:

Entertainment Fundraising:

Each year St. Peter’s College P&F with staff and students raise vital funds for our sister school Bishop Epalle Catholic College in the Solomon Islands.

This year we are kicking off our campaign with 20% of each sale of the ‘Entertainment’ membership to go towards their computer lab requirements, with the aim of further linking their Senior students with our St. Peter’s College Senior students and teachers.

And there is something in it for you too. With your membership you can save well over the cost of your membership in discounts on holiday activities, dining, travel, shopping and much much more.

The Entertainment Book is a local, national and international restaurant and activity guide which provides hundreds of up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers for the finest restaurants, cafes, attractions, activities, retailers and hotel accommodation.

Membership gives you exclusive offers that are virtually restriction free, offers to enjoy all year long.

The Entertainment Digital Membership puts the value of the Entertainment Book into your Apple or Android smartphone. With ‘near me’ technology and the ability to show and save using your phone, this is perfect for the person on-the-go, with no Card or Voucher to present.

By clicking on the link below you will ensure that the fundraising dollars from each membership purchased comes to St. Peter’s College Fundraising initiatives.