From our Principal 

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

It seems like it was only yesterday that we welcomed all to the beginning of the academic year, yet here we are 10 weeks on and a quarter of the way through the academic year.

COVID still lingers. This is evidenced through a steady but manageable number of positive cases surfacing in both staff and students. In this context it is important to highlight that the most commonly heard comments throughout the term have included:

From students: “it is good to be back” and, “learning is so much fun when we are at school”.

From staff: “students are really engaged in their learning”.

The memories of lockdown and remote schooling, it would appear, are still raw and there is a general sense that we collectively should be making the most of our schooling.

School Review

As mentioned, several times this year, St. Peter’s College finds itself in a review year. The cyclical nature of schools ensures that a review of school performance, based largely on improved student outcomes, leadership and Catholic Identity and Religious Education occurs every four years. This year a new review tool has been utilised. Criteria and evidence-based the tool holds international acclaim as a rigorous evaluation process which, if utilised correctly, can lead to clear directions being realised. One of the tools greatest strengths relates to an opportunity to discuss both achievements and identify areas of growth yet to be achieved. It provides an opportunity for a large number of voices (key stakeholders) to be heard. From this, assessments are made by aligning outcomes to set criteria.

St Peter’s College held its formal review on March 22-24, the purpose of which was to:

1. Evaluate our impacts of the past four years to understand both our strengths and challenges
2. Ensure a rigorous evidence-based approach to our reflections was undertaken
3. Ensure a range of stakeholders were engaged in the process
4. Ensure an accurate assessment of data was undertaken
5. Identify clearly the directions for improvement over the next four-year period ensuring they are: evidence based, high leverage, fit for purpose and aligned with the Diocese priorities

The end result of the process was a report generated to assist the college in the development of our nest four-year plan. The outcomes of the review have been presented under 12 high leverage themes. They are:

• Recontextualising Dialogical Communities
• High Quality Religious Education
• Parish/School Partnerships
• An explicit improvement agenda
• Analysis and Discussion of Data
• A Culture that Promotes Learning
• Targeted Use of School Resources
• An expert teaching team
• Systemic Curriculum delivery
• Differentiated Teaching and Learning
• Effective Pedagogical Practices
• School-Community Partnerships

Commencing next term, and in a variety of forums, the outcomes of the review will be made known. I look forward to sharing with you the successes achieved over the past four years and the recommendations stemming from the review which will guide our work for the next four years.

The Easter Story

A staff member once said to me that one of the problems about Easter is that for schools we hear about the sadness and tragedy around the death of Jesus prior to students going on holidays and then, when they return, the joy of the Easter message is somewhat lost. There is much that we can take from this school of thought. When you think about it, we don’t read half a book, nor do we seldom stop halfway through a television series. We also don’t go to the end of the story without knowing everything that occurs in the lead-up to the grand finale. The true message of Easter is one of hope and joy of the risen Christ. It is an invitation to renew our love for Christ in thought, word and action. However, to fully understand the Easter message we need to be part of the story which commences at the Last Supper, takes us through a journey to his crucifixion and finally be filled with joy in the realisation and understanding that Christ is Risen. It is in this awakening and understanding of sacrifice  that we have the opportunity to recommit to doing God’s work. 

What is God’s work you ask? Firstly, it is understanding, then a commitment to, the building of the Kingdom of God which is built on three pillars, Faith, Hope and Love, the most important being Love.

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed

Wishing all the blessings of the Easter season, may the holiday ahead be an opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and reinvigorate.

Mr Chris Black

Principal