From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

Assessment and Reporting has reached fever point and it is during this pressure time that we need to find the time to be present in the moment and approach the challenges we have in our daily lives with calmness. Strategies which staff and students have gained from our Strive and Thrive program including mindfulness exercises are essential as we enter a very busy period in the school calendar.

Plenary Council

The Plenary Council 2020 has moved into its next phase of preparation today with the

announcement of the National Themes for Discernment that emerged from a historic process

of listening to the voices of more than 222,000 people. Between May 2018 and March 2019, almost 17,500 submissions, from individuals and groups of all sizes, addressed the Plenary Council’s central question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?”

The next stage of the process (after the dialogue stage) is the Discernment stage. The outcomes of Stage 1 include the establishment of six National Themes for Discernment. These flow from that primary goal of being a Christ-centred community of people. These six National Themes for Discernment invite people to reflect, to pray and to consider how God is calling the People of God to be a Christ-centred Church in Australia. These six are:

Missionary and Evangelising
Inclusive, Participatory and Synodal
Prayerful and Eucharistic
Humble, Healing and Merciful
A Joyful, Hope-Filled and Servant Community
Open to conversion, Renewal and Reform.

At St. Peter’s College we often refer to our central mission to be Christ-centred in our thoughts words and actions. This phrase encourages dialogue with our students around what it means to be Christ-centred. It can challenge the notion that attendance at Church for instance enables someone to tick a box to say “I am Christ-centred”. In fact unless an individual is “Christ-like” in their interactions with others, attendance at Church becomes largely insignificant. We are called to be humble, forgiving and loving, to be patient, kind and caring. This takes place beyond the walls of Church, it happens when we meet people along life’s journey.

I look forward to sharing with you and inviting you to continue the conversations around the six themes

Thanksgiving Program

In last week’s newsletter you would have come across an information sheet on the St Thomas the Apostle Parish stewardship program. Next Wednesday, June 19th there is to be a Parish Future Forum at 7.30 pm at St. Peter’s College Clyde Nth Campus (upstairs Lyons Building). All are welcome to attend.

School Improvement Plan

Over the past months there have been many references to our School Improvement Plan. In the coming week all families will be receiving their own copy of the plan. Why is it important for families to receive such a document? This booklet outlines the school directions for the next four years. They are presented under three central themes: Catholic Identity and Religious Education, Learning and Teaching and Leadership. Our critical challenge at St. Peter’s College is threefold:

Build the collective efficacy of teachers, leading to improved student outcomes
More than 12 months growth in Literacy and Numeracy in 12 months
Develop all leaders to be instructional leaders

What are instructional leaders? Instructional leaders attend to the quality and impact of all in the school on student learning, ensuring that disruption to learning is minimised, have high expectations of teachers for their students, visit classrooms, and are concerned with interpreting evidence about the quality and nature of learning in the school.

This booklet will be a reminder of our improvement plan and the evidence-based approach being taken to lead us to success. Success of the plan will lead to success for your child especially by way of opportunity for all to maximise learning outcomes. It is important work and work we are required to do together.

Enjoy the week ahead

Mr Chris Black

Principal