Mission & Catholic Identity News

Connecting Communities

Later this week, I have the fortune of attending the annual Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools Deputy Principals Association (VCSSDPA) Conference. The theme this year is ‘Leading Beyond the Gates - Connecting Communities’. At St Peter’s College we are achieving significantly in this area. Some of our work has been acknowledged lately with our Pastoral Associate, Mr. Deng Chuor, making the nationwide Educator Hot List for 2019, for his work with our refugee and migrant families.

At the VCSSDPA Conference, I will have the privilege of presenting to colleagues the great work that we are doing as a College - to build connections with our communities.

Another way that we are looking to build connection with our St Peter’s College community is with the creation of a Clemente Program in 2020.

What is the Clemente Program?

Clemente Australia is an academically approved university course for Australians who would otherwise be excluded from tertiary education opportunities. On completion of four Clemente subjects, students graduate with an Australian Catholic University Certificate in Liberal Studies. These units can be credited towards an ACU undergraduate degree when students continue their studies.

If this sounds like you or someone you know who might be interested on becoming a St Peter’s College Clemente student – please email for details and to the attached link for further information - here.

Is this what schools are all about?

Sure NAPLAN is important. Sure the Victorian Curriculum is important. But speak to anyone working in a school setting and they will mention, above all, that it is the relationships formed that are most precious whether between staff member and staff member, staff and students or most importantly student to student. As we all know, relationships can take time to form. And the strongest relationships are those built on shared experiences. Those built around a shared story.

On Tuesday, 22 October 2019 (Clyde North) and Wednesday, 23 October 2019 (Cranbourne), St Peter’s College Year 12 students will celebrate their Graduation Mass at St Agatha’s Church. An overriding theme that will run through the celebration will be the length and quality of relationships that the students have built at the College and the privilege of joining an alumni network that is 25 years old this year.

Ask any parent or guardian what their most prized asset is, and the answer will be their children. Children spend eight hours a day, five days a week at a school. That is a large portion of the child’s life till they finish their education. It is satisfying and comforting for the parent or guardian then, that their child is able to form strong relationships with members of the school community that their child attends.

Thank you

Special thank you to Mr. David Edwards and St Vincent de Paul for their kind food donation towards our Breakfast Club.

Upcoming Events

1. Sale diocese school social justice day at Lavalla College, Traralgon – Monday, 9 September 2019.
2. Sale diocese Plenary session, Warragul – Friday, 13 September 2019 & Saturday, 14 September 2019.
3. Staff Spirituality Day, Monday, 7 October 2019.
4. Tuesday, 22 October 2019 (Clyde North) and Wednesday, 23 October 2019 (Cranbourne), St Peter’s College Year 12 students will celebrate their Graduation Mass at St Agatha’s Church – 5:45pm.

Matthew Williams

Deputy Principal - Mission & Catholic Identity