From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

Last weekend we marked World Mission Sunday with the theme: ‘We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard’. In a message to his people this week, Pope Francis challenges us to reflect that, “to be on mission is to be willing to think as Christ does, to believe with him that those around us are also my brothers and sisters”. In an invitational way Pope Francis encourages us to be open to Christ’s “compassionate love touching our hearts and making us all true missionary disciples”.

When we think of mission it is often about those selfless missionaries that packed up their belongings to share in the good news to those parts of the world where the Church is new, young or poor. There are those parts of the world which very much need those critical elements of support, yet at this point in a worldwide pandemic I can’t help but be drawn closer to home and to our own needs. As a community, slowly coming back together after such a long period in isolation, there is a calling in each and every one of us to share in the powerful gospel message of faith, hope and love. This can be expressed in very simple ways: a listening ear, a caring deed, a smiling face, an offer of help, a kind word or reaching out to someone who is lost or alone.

The value and importance of community right at this moment cannot be over stated with the re-establishment of connections and the renewal of friendships and relationships. These are critical to a sense of belonging. Brene Brown says it best: “A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick”.

Many things are priorities upon a return to face-to-face learning but none I would argue is as important as “to love, be loved and to belong”.

Students are back

Last Friday there was a strange sound in the air, the voice of students was heard! It was wonderful to welcome back our students and it was lovely to catch-up with many. There was a resounding Yes to the question, “is it good to be back?” This response was coming from the vast majority of students as well as staff. The nervousness associated with a return, from both staff and students, evaporated soon enough and was replaced with an air of excitement as connections lost between friends were found and learning patterns began to be re-established. It would be easy at this point in time to focus on what I have missed in my learning and what do I have to catch up on; I’d like to flip that around and ask the question what did I learn and how did I learn it during the remote setting? There is little doubt that the toolkit for learning has grown for students over this time of remote schooling and I would be encouraging all students to continue utilising these skills and strategies learnt and not shelve them. There will still be a place to utilise these to enhance learning in this new and for the time being unfamiliar learning setting called face-to-face learning.

Good luck

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Year 12s this week who commence their final examination program. It has been a tough road for these Year 12s. We are incredibly proud of their achievements to date and we know that they will be giving it their all. Year 12 and Year 11 parents and students attempting a Unit 3/4 exam should have received two letters this week outlining the expectations and approaches to the examinations in relation to our current COVID environment. I encourage contact with our Senior Years Curriculum Leaders and COVID Managers with any query emerging for parents or students.

Reminder – unwell students

As students return to face-to-face learning it is timely to remind all that students MUST NOT attend on-site if they are unwell. The symptoms to watch out for in respect to COVID are:

• fever
• chills or sweats
• cough
• sore throat
• shortness of breath
• runny nose
• loss or change in sense of smell or taste.

Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Please ensure you comply with this request to ensure the health and well-being of all is maintained at the highest possible levels.

Again, it has been wonderful to have our staff and students back amongst us this past week and we look forward with renewed hope and anticipation for the remainder of the school year.

World Teachers Day

Australia will celebrate and thank the teaching profession on World Teachers’ Day on Friday, 29 October 2021.  Teachers (with support from Parents and Carers) have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of children and students, their families, and communities. I'd like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the St. Peter's College community, to acknowledge our wonderful staff, both teaching and non-teaching for the dedication and commitment they bring to their daily work with our students.

Congratulations

Congratulations is extended to Poppy Gardner who has recently received a contract with the Melbourne Renegades and is moving into a Female Cricketing Hub in Tasmania from Sept 23 until next year to be able to play out the summer season.

All the best for the week ahead

Mr Chris Black

Principal