Click here to register your attendance.

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A Choral Night to Remember

Saints Girls is still buzzing from last week’s spectacular Choral Night! Well done once again to Kennion for taking out the Choral Night Shield, and to all Houses for putting on an incredible show. Relive the magic with our highlights video.

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Saints Success at Summer Intercol

Saints claim the Belinda Rosser/Jan MacDonald Summer Intercol Trophy for the first time since 2019!

Last week Saints Girls took on Walford in our annual Summer Intercol Competition. We competed across five different sports – Basketball, Cricket, Rowing, Tennis and Volleyball.

Rowing kicked the competition off at Head of the River. Walford has claimed this trophy since its introduction in 2017, but our girls out-rowed Walford for the first time to claim the Rowing Intercol 5-4. Tennis was to follow on Monday afternoon held at Saints Girls, with our three top teams playing. Walford were too strong for our girls, claiming victory 66-161.

One-all after two rounds, it was anyone’s guess who would win. Basketball was held at Walford on Wednesday, with a very vocal Saints Girls’ crowd in attendance! Both our Senior A and Middle A teams dominated Walford, putting on clinical displays to come out winners 64-15 and 71-12 respectively.

Heading into Friday’s Cricket fixture, we had the opportunity to claim victory. The girls were nervous going in but showed their class in front of a huge crowd. Friends of Sport volunteers cooked up a storm on the BBQ to provide all the spectators and players with food and drink. Our girls put on a very comprehensive performance bowling Walford out for 45, and then chasing the runs down inside six overs. We passed their total two balls into the sixth over, and stand-in captain Jenna Maione stormed the field, arms aloft to celebrate the win only to be told by the umpire that they’d play out the rest of the over before finishing the game!

Despite the slightly premature celebrations, our girls had secured the Cricket Intercol trophy as well as the Belinda Rosser/Jan MacDonald Summer Intercol Trophy, ahead 3-1 with only Volleyball remaining. Walford have held the Summer Intercol trophy since 2019, so for our girls to win this back is a wonderful achievement. It is a credit to our players and coaches and the hard work they have put in throughout the term.

To finish off the week, our girls headed to Walford on Saturday morning for Volleyball. With only four of our ten teams scheduled to play, our remaining girls came along to support. Over 50 girls from Saints Girls were in attendance, the cheering at times was deafening. The Volleyball was a very tight contest, with both schools winning two matches each (Senior A 3-0, Senior B 2-1, Middle A 0-3 and Middle B 0-3). Walford won on count back seven sets to five. Despite this loss, the girls were in good spirits knowing they had given it their all.

A big thank you to all the coaches, players and supporters who contributed to this blockbuster week. All girls played with passion and spirit and cannot be faulted on their efforts.

For the following Year 12s this is the final time they will play in a Summer Intercol competition:
Basketball: Ashlyn May
Cricket: Amelia Lucas, Jenna Maione, Daniela Vari, Lydia Burrough, Madeleine Penley, Amy Dillon and Sophie Ricciuto
Tennis: Ayanna Roy, Gloria Zou and Kaylah Park
Volleyball: Ruby Adams, Labrini Psaltis and Alysa Trinh

We thank you for your contribution to summer sport throughout your time at Saints Girls. Your experience, energy and leadership will be missed by all!

Alice Johnswood
Director of Sport

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Year 12 Bakers Really Take the Cake

Over the past week the Year 12 Food and Hospitality students have been baking and decorating contemporary styled cakes which could be used for any occasion or celebration. Some of the themes the students have chosen vary from birthdays, Easter, baby showers and gender reveals. Each student has gone through the process of researching inspiration and design ideas based around current cake trends.  Each student has added their own unique style to the decorations for their cake through the planning, baking and decorating process. This has been an enjoyable experience for all the Year 12 Food and Hospitality students and we have all learnt valuable skills.

Charlie Piper
Year 12 Student

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Leaps and Bounds Dance Workshop

On March 19, the Stage 2 Dance girls were fortunate enough to attend the Leaps and Bounds dance day at The Festival Centre. During the day, we took part in Ben-Hur Winter’s Asian Contemporary Dance Technique workshop, based on traditional dance practice from the Philippines, and explored characterisation in Maddie Lochert’s Jazz workshop. These two workshops allowed me, as a dancer and choreographer, to explore unfamiliar dance styles and concepts, which I can now draw from for my assessments and compositions. A highlight of the workshop with Ben was using our name written in Baybayin, an ancient Filipino alphabet, to create shapes and movement sequences based on how we felt writing our name in the alphabet and its appearance on the page. This day was an amazing opportunity, learning from various professional dance artists and choreographers, which I hope future dance students are able to experience as well!

Alexandra Nguyen
Year 11 Student

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Easter Celebrations at Playgroup

This week in Playgroup we celebrated the beginning of Easter. The children explored an Easter themed room using all their senses.  Children tipped and poured rice into and out of plastic eggs, went on an egg hunt around the room, raced rabbits along the sensory garden and tried their hand at making playdough cookies for Easter. Through being masters of play these children are working on their gross motor and cognitive skills when exploring the Easter sensory trays.  Picking up and placing eggs in a basket promotes fine motor skills and coordination. Painting with eggs and mark making stimulates creativity and encourages perseverance and confidence. The Playgroup families all enjoyed this week’s catch up as the children are connecting with each other and forming beginning friendships.

Happy Easter from Playgroup!

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ELC – News from Learning Community 2

Exploring Pattern and Shape

Children encounter numeracy concepts throughout their everyday explorations. These seemingly incidental moments allow children to build upon their existing understanding whilst constructing new knowledge when engaging with their environment. Group time allows for children to come together and share what they know, and this term we have weaved numeracy experiences into our morning group time which we call ‘Banbanbalya’.

Our exploration of pattern has provided the children with opportunities to work collaboratively to create simple repeating patterns. This has evolved into the use of concrete materials where the children are now creating ABC repeating patterns. Developing pattern awareness supports children in identifying different kinds of mathematical relationships. It supports them in predicting what comes next, knowing that the structure of the pattern remains the same. This understanding transfers into many aspects of their numeracy learning including sequencing, counting, spatial awareness, problem solving, and eventually algebra.

Throughout these rich explorations, the children started to become aware of geometric shapes within their learning spaces. Their sense of curiosity led them to our new Learning Community 2 spaces where the children became intrigued by the beautiful circular window overlooking the outdoor space. This provided a wonderful provocation for the children as they started to spot other shapes they could see in their learning spaces. They have become aware of the attributes of shapes, using graphic materials and loose parts to express their understanding. Developing an awareness of shape supports children in their visualising skills, spatial awareness and lays the foundation for future geometry skills. As the children continue to explore their spaces, they have also started to recognise 3D shapes, so we look forward to exploring this further over the next couple of weeks.

ELC Learning Community 2

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Music Masterclass at Saints

We are looking forward to guest musician Matthew Jones visiting Saints Girls next Thursday. He will be working with our Senior music students and string players. Matthew is a highly skilled Alexander Technique practitioner and will be supporting the girls in finding an optimal posture when playing their instruments. He will also be running a Masterclass with some of our advanced strings players and Senior String Ensemble.

Matthew enjoys a diverse performing and teaching career, equally at home as a soloist or chamber musician playing both violin and viola, performing classical or contemporary repertoire or improvising. He gave a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall recital debut in 2008, and until 2018 was a member of Ensemble MidtVest. Matthew was violist of the Badke Quartet when they won the 2007 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition.

Matthew is the Head of Chamber Music and Professor of Viola at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, having joined the School as Senior Tutor of String Chamber Music in 2011.

In recent years he has premiered concertos by Tolibkhon Shakhidi, Derek Ball and Gordon Crosse. Matthew has recorded 23 solo and chamber CDs, including five for Naxos which include ‘Britten: Reflections’ with pianist Annabel Thwaite, named Chamber CD of the Month by BBC Music Magazine.

Born in Swansea, Matthew is also a composer, mathematics graduate and teacher of the Alexander Technique and Kundalini Yoga. In the capacity of Alexander and Yoga/Meditation teacher he has worked individually with more than 1600 musicians. Matthew frequently presents workshops on empowering musicians and enhancing performance, clients of which have included world-renowned conductors and soloists, world champion athletes and orchestras including the New World Symphony, Melbourne Symphony and the European Union Youth Orchestra.

Sally Rounsevell
Director of Music

 

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Music Day Camp – Thursday 11 April

Music Day Camp will be held on Thursday 11 April throughout the school day giving our Junior and Intermediate music groups an opportunity to enjoy some extended rehearsal and sectional time.

Between 3.30 and 5pm, our Senior Ensembles will present some of their music, motivating our youngest musicians, demonstrating what is possible if they continue in their ensembles.  Then the day will finish with a ‘big sing and play’ involving all 300 musicians playing of a medley of ABBA tunes.

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Vacation Care Bookings are Open!

Our next awesome instalment of Junior School Vacation Care is almost here. We have some great activities guaranteed to keep the children entertained through the break. With an array of excursions and on-site adventures, there is plenty of fun to be had.

April 2024 Vacation Care Program

Places are limited, so secure your booking now – click here

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Bookings Now Open for ELC Vacation Care!

School holidays are around the corner, so if you would like your child to attend ELC during this time, please click here to access our online booking form.

ELC Vacation Care will run from Monday 15 April – Friday 26 April. 

Vacation Care runs similar to a normal day within the ELC, led by Valentina Fernandes in Learning Community 1 and Liz Ewers in Learning Community 2. Our days are filled with a range of creative, inquiry-based and hands-on experiences, using our indoor and outdoor spaces as well as our ELC Community Garden and the School lawns. Children will frequently participate in music, dance, picnics on the lawns, gross motor and cooking experiences.

Children will need to bring their own packed lunch, hat, water bottle and a change of clothes each day. ELC children can attend Vacation Care in casual clothing; however, it is important for the children to wear appropriate footwear. Due to allergies, we kindly ask that you do not pack nuts or nut products in your child’s lunch box. A healthy morning and afternoon tea and late snack will continue to be provided to children.

As ELC Vacation Care is staffed based on bookings and catering, please make your bookings by Thursday 11 April 2024 (Week 11). Due to limited spaces during ELC Vacation Care, please book early!

*Please note that ELC Vacation care is strictly for ELC-enrolled children.

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Old Scholar Musicians Hit the Stage at the Festival and Fringe

We are incredibly proud of the many musicians from Saints Girls who have either pursued music as a profession, or undertaken music study upon leaving school.

Recent Old Scholars include vocalists  Georgie Raft (singer/songwriter, recording artist), Sammi Keough (lead singer of Tonix, composer, Fringe artist)  Emma Kavanagh (State Opera, Music and Production Coordinator for Australian Girls’ Choir), Chelsea McGuinness (Jazz singer, composer, speech pathologist with special interest in voice), Dr Erin McKellar (composer, jazz singer, Fringe artist), Marley Banham (Music Theatre Adelaide Uni), Meena De Silva (contemporary/pop vocalist, singer/songwriter), Sarah Brownridge (Jazz singer and Fringe artist), Alex De Porteous (cabaret performer and Fringe artist), Alex Grave (Opera singer UK, and Speech pathologist specialising in vocal health) and many, many more.

This year we congratulate four of our Old Scholars and ex-Enchante vocalists who have performed in the 2024 Fringe and Festival. Emma Kavanagh (Kilburn 2014) performed as part of State Opera SA in the festival piece ‘The Nightingale and Other Fables’. Dr Erin McKellar (Patteson 2013) launched her newest music theatre comedy ‘Who Killed the Dog?’, while our newest Old Scholar Samantha Keough (Patteson 2023), presented a music theatre parody of Kath and Kim titled ‘Fountain Lakes’ and becoming a weekly Fringe Award winner!  Cabaret artist Alex De Porteous (Patteson 2016) performed in three Fringe shows including the fire and circus spectacular ‘Inferno’, ‘Rouge goes Rogue’ and ‘Ce Soir a Paris’ in Gluttony.

It is amazing to see so many of our Saints Girls’ Old Scholars successfully undertaking tertiary music studies and establishing successful careers in music. Congratulations to all!

Sari Noble
Director of Choirs

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Shakespeare on the Lawn – Next Week!

We are super excited for our Year 10 Drama and Dance production of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on Chiverton Lawns on 5 April. A collaboration between Performing Arts and our Visual Arts’ students who are creating amazing costumes and beautiful pendant flower lamps to hang from the trees. It includes the work of Food Technology students who are preparing picnic hampers for the event.

This will be a wonderful community event, where you will be able to catch up with other families and the wider School community on our beautiful lawns and be entertained by our Year 10 Arts’ students.

Friday 5 April from 5.30pm, Chiverton Lawns

• 5.30pm – Set up your picnic spot, collect food orders, be entertained by our musicians.
• 6.30-7.30pm – Performance.
• 8.30pm – Event finishes.

The performance is free of charge and bookings are open! Please click here to prebook your attendance and food.

Due to the high volume of ticket sales, bookings will close on Monday 1 April at 5pm. Pizza orders are available until Monday at 5pm, Picnic hampers are sold out.

Be quick! It will be a magical evening not to be missed.

Kate Burnett
Head of the Arts

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Summer Interhouse Meal Deal

The Friends of Sport (FOS) will be cooking up a storm at Summer Interhouse on Friday 12 April. Offering delicious Cheeseburger Meal Deals (pre-order only), includes a burger and drink (vegetarian option available). A sausage sizzle will also be available on the day (no pre-order required) – $3, EFTPOS and cash accepted on the day.

Reception to Year 2 lunches will be delivered to classrooms, and Years 3 to 12 will collect theirs from the FOS barbecue area.

To get you into the Summer Interhouse spirit, House hats, water bottles and wristbands can also be pre-ordered. Supporter caps and branded keyrings are available for purchase at the School Shop.

Click here to pre-order your daughter’s Cheeseburger Meal Deal or House merchandise before 5pm, Monday 8 April.

All proceeds raised by the Friends of Sport directly benefit our Saints Girls and their sporting endeavours.

Thank you for your kind support.

Friends of Sport

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Winter Uniform Appointments

A reminder that it’s time to check Winter Uniforms ready for the start of Term 2.

To avoid long wait times on the first day back at school, click here to book a School Shop appointment to purchase any Winter Uniform items required.

Middle and Senior School students are welcome to visit during their recess or lunch breaks and can pay via their Flexischools card, EFTPOS or cash.

Alternatively, School Shop items can be purchased online via the Flexischools platform.

School Holiday Opening Times

Tuesday 23 April, 9am – 4pm
Wednesday 24 April, 9am – 4pm

The School Shop will resume regular hours on Monday 29 April.

Monday to Friday: 8am – 4pm (closed for lunch 12 – 12.30pm).

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Absences from School

If your child will be absent from school/ELC or is arriving late or leaving early, please notify the School via one of the following methods:

Text: 0428 601 957
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8334 2200

Please ensure to include your child’s name, the name of the ELC Room, Class or Home Group and the reason for the absence i.e. illness/appointment/family/sport etc.

If notifying via email, feel free to ‘cc’ the teacher of the Room/Class/Home Group as well.

It would be appreciated if notification is received prior to 9am.

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Sports News

Sport Results

Wednesday 20 – Monday 25 March

BASKETBALL

Senior B: Saints (64) v Walford Senior B (15)

Senior C: Saints (25) v Immanuel Senior C1 (27)
Best Players: Hope Sanders-Wills made some great shots throughout the game, including an amazing three pointer just before half time to give us the lead. Played great defence getting some fantastic blocks, as well as rebounding hard. Summer Bament played with grit and intensity until the final siren, was always attacking in offence, scoring some tough baskets, played great defence applying pressure to the opposition.
Superwomen: Emily McCorley was the primary ball carrier and did superbly, keeping her cool and using her skills to navigate the pressure defence in the last quarter. Made some great passes for open shots to teammates and defended well. Charlie Piper ran hard both ends of the court, particularly in defence where she saved countless baskets from being scored. She wasn’t afraid to shoot the ball and rebounded hard all game.

Well done to all the girls this week, to get the result we did despite only having four players is a credit to the team’s grit, skill and hard work this term!

Middle A: Saints (71) v Walford Middle B (12)

Middle C: Saints (22) v Wilderness Middle White (22)
Incredibly impressed and proud of the way the girls played. The girls defence was unbelievable tonight. Everyone’s dribbling and passing ability has dramatically improved since the beginning of the year. We fought and clawed our way back to even the scores with 2 minutes remaining, and even had a couple of chances to make a game winning shot.
Best Players: Rishita Raghav and Eva Morton
Superwomen: Christina Zhu and Evie Murphy

CRICKET

Year 5/6 White: Saints (3/31) v Seymour Year 5/6 Purple (6/41)
Best Players: Grace Lin and Liza Rana bowled really well, both taking a wicket!
Superwoman: Samaira Soodan smashed some quick runs, almost getting the girls over the line in a close game.

TENNIS

Experienced Blue: Saints (5/5/24) v Pembroke Blue (1/1/9)
Best Player: Emily Wang
Superwoman: Amelia Bartter

Intermediate Navy: Saints (1/1/9) v Concordia (5/5/27)
Best Player: Emma Humzy-Hancock
Superwoman: Mila Nicholls

Beginner Blue: Saints (0/0/6) v Seymour Beginner Green (4/4/15)

Beginner White: Saints (15) v Pembroke Red (19)

TOUCH FOOTBALL

Middle A: Saints (2) v Seymour 1 (3)
Best Player: Vienna Howes. Vienna played a great game today and consistently improves every week.
Superwomen: This week goes to both Maisy Ion and Vienna Howes. Throughout the game they defended like champions. Although we did not win the score could have been very different if it was not for their defensive efforts.

Middle B: Saints (3) v Pembroke 3 (2)

Senior A: Saints (7) v Seymour 1 (2)
Best Player: Ava Field
Superwoman: Lara Maione did a great job coming up from Senior B.

VOLLEYBALL

Year 4-6 Blue: Saints (3/44) v Seymour 5/6 Green (0/60)
Best Player: Michelle Zurauskas actively went for the ball throughout the entire game and demonstrated a strong serving technique. She also used her voice and suggested calling strategies that the whole team could use.
Superwoman: Raashee Singh, our captain this week, served exceptionally well – especially in the last set. Each week Raashee’s serve has improved and this was clear in the match as she swung through the ball with confidence and achieved great height and depth, winning us multiple points.

Year 4-6 Silver: Saints (2/62) v Seymour 5/6 White (1/64)
Best Player: Colette Palmieri was very confident all around the court and a great team captain. She kept the team’s spirits up even when we were losing and scored our winning point. She was very strong at the net and scored us lots of point from her spikes.
Superwoman: Ava Duldig was very strong at the net and hit her spikes strategically in the gaps. She had a great service game, helping us win lots of points with difficult placement of the ball. Her serves continuously improve each week.

Year 5-6 White: Saints (2/50) v Seymour Purple 5/6 (0/45)
It was a very close game for the girls, and they did a fantastic job in maintaining composure and pushed through even the toughest moments!
Best Player: Olivia Ianniello showed great leadership to help her teammates.
Superwoman: Alice Bigg did great serving, took initiative to take on serving first in second set, showed great determination to take control.

Senior A: Saints (3/75) v Walford Senior A (0/52)
Best Player: Annabel Keough
Superwoman: Anna Venning took feedback onboard for spiking and nailed her spikes in the final set.

Senior B: Saints (2/69) v Walford Senior B (1/61)
Best Player: Kiera See
Superwoman: Kazuha Ohishi, although her first game playing for Saints Girls she gelled really well with the team. She showed great understanding and performed really well, especially with her super strong serves.

Middle A: Saints (0/40) v Walford Middle A (3/75)
Best Player: Nishka Soodan – smart, creative game play to find points in many situations. Good leadership for team positioning.
Superwoman: Jasmin Cetinkol – brought spirit and positivity to the game, cheering, and encouraging teammates both on and off the court.

Middle B: Saints (0/42) v Walford Middle A (3/75)
Best Player: Abbie An, played very well under pressure and was able to maintain consistency throughout the game.
Superwoman: Olivia Lu, despite being down score wise, Olivia was able to maintain a positive attitude and support her teammates for the whole game. This mentality is something leaders display. Great credit to her for this, and her gameplay.

Saints Students Represent SA in Lacrosse

Congratulation to Alannah Godfrey (11SEL), Dani Cox (12KEN) and Ashlyn May (12KIL), who on Thursday head off to Victoria to represent South Australia in the U18 National Lacrosse Championships. The Championships will take place at Footscray Lacrosse Club from Friday 29 March until Tuesday 2 April, against teams from Victoria, Western Australia and New Zealand.

Well done on your State selection girls, and good luck!

SA State Age Swimming Championships Success

Alice Braithwaite and Ella Pearce competed in the four day SA State Age Swimming Championships, both achieving podium finishes in their respective events!

Alice achieved Silver in the 16-18 Years 800m Freestyle and Bronze in the 100m Backstroke. Ella finished with a Bronze Medal in the 15 Years age group.

Both girls are off to the Gold Coast to represent South Australia at the National Championships, with Alice competing in the 200m Backstroke and Ella in the 50m Butterfly and Medley Relay.

Good luck girls! We look forward to following your success in the pool.

Saints Girls Picked for State Hockey Team

After a lengthy selection process, Phoebe Lucas and Matilda Paterson have been named in the Under 16 South Australian State Hockey team!

Phoebe and Matilda were invited to be a part of a squad of 40 athletes to attend the state selection process after their strong performance in last year’s State Zones Carnival. Since then, Phoebe and Matilda attended three selections camps, before attending a final selection day where the squad was reduced to a team of 16.

Congratulations to both girls on their selections. Unfortunately, Pheobe will not be competing in the championships after sustaining an ACL injury.

The National Championships are held in Hobart, from 4 to 11 April.

Annie at Adaptive World Surfing Tour

Annie Goldsmith has just returned after competing in the first leg of the Adaptive Surfing World Tour held in Australia for the first time, in sunny Byron Bay.

Held on the 17 to 22 March, Annie found time to enjoy a leisurely surf every day, but when it came down to business, she competed in the Prone Assist Classification where she finished 2nd overall!

The first leg of the World Tour drew 90 competitors from 15 different countries, competing across ten different individual surf classes.

Annie now has her sights set on the second leg of the tour, which is being held in Hawaii in May!

Staff v Students Touch Football Match

After going down 4-2 last year, the Staff team sought redemption in the annual Staff v Students Touch Football match. The Staff team consisted of Mr Searle, Mr Eglinton, Mrs Risbey, Miss Brennan, Ms Perkas, Ms Sutton, Mr Bassett, Miss Harper and Miss Johnswood.

Mr Bassett found the try line first, after a show of athleticism, he strutted back to the half-way line, leaving the ball behind for the Student team to collect. This behaviour was quickly addressed by referee Alice Braithwaite, and Mr Bassett was sent back to collect the ball for the opposition.

From here, the Staff team slowly began to unravel. Staff were on the back foot as the Student team really started to hit their straps. Miss Brennan and Mr Searle did a lot of the heavy lifting, trying to gain precious territory and create scoring opportunities for their team.

Chloe Richardson showed blatant disregard to the teachers as she carved her way through the Staff’s defence. Miss Johnswood felt personally attacked, as Chloe appeared to target her and exploit her Touch Football inexperience (agility). One by one, more students got involved in picking apart the many gaps of the Staff team. Staff believe it was the football boots and matching uniforms that contributed to the Student’s superior team cohesion, pace and agility, as the likes of Ava Field, Lucy Lowry, Lucy Mitchell, Elodie de Wit and Emily Ketteridge weaved in and out of traffic, having no trouble finding targets through the middle of the ground. Anna and Phoebe Russell lurked on the wings, leaving Staff in their dust as they burned past.

Staff put their bodies on the line, with Ms Sutton making a brave attempt at a touch on the wing, that saw her almost end up in Ferguson Park whilst Mr Bassett pulled up lame, grasping at his hamstring after a short sprint effort.

Referees Alice and Daisy Braithwaite managed the game and large personalities with grace, laying down the law and unafraid to award penalties should someone step out of line. There were, however, murmurs amongst the Staff team that referees exhibited bias towards the Student team, with the possibility of nationally accredited referees to be appointed to next year’s match and beyond.

The students had staff covered in all aspects of the match, with staff humbly going down 5-2. It was fantastic to see so many girls and Tig the School mascot on the sidelines! Staff look forward to the next match and will be holding staff trials very soon, in an attempt to bolster the team.

Has your daughter been achieving amazing things at a regional, state, or national level in sport? We would love to hear all about it! Please send any information through to Megan Harper: mharper@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

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Head of the River Highlights

The 2024, SA Schools’ Head of the River was contested on Saturday 16 March, with Saints Girls crews achieving incredible results!

Summary of results:

• 1st – Schoolgirl Year 7/8 B Coxed Quad – winning the Olympia Aldersey Cup
  Layla Dodd, Jess Woods, Roslyn Stavrou, Jemima Vikor-Lam, Lois Burton-Howard (cox), Olivia Bridgman (coach)
• 1st – Schoolgirl Year 7/8 C Coxed Quad – claiming the Margaret Brown Cup
  Emily Boase, Matilda Davidson, Ruoran (Aurora) Chen, Matilda Birmingham, Mila Fassina (cox), Pearl Richards (coach)
• 1st – Schoolgirl Year 7/8 D Coxed Quad – bringing home the Victoria Basedow Cup
  April McCabe, Erin Maynard, Ruby Kelly, Claris Stolcman, Abigail Hawkes (cox), Scarlett Papps-Burford (coach)
• 2nd – Schoolgirl Year 8/9 B Coxed Quad
  Diya Bhinder, Matilda Wilkin, Zara Perrone, Matilda Simonis, Grace Mayen (cox), Sadie Vikor-Lam (coach)
• 2nd – Schoolgirl Year 8/9 D Coxed Quad
  Piper Lawes, Gabriella Davi, Grace Cao, Chelsea Francis, Matilda Birmingham (cox), Georgie Owler (coach)
• 3rd – Schoolgirl Year 8/9 A Coxed Quad
  Ava Fox, Zalia Valmorbida, Cleo Connor, Isabella Huf, Charlotte Catchpole (cox), Jamie Becker (coach)

This is the best medal tally the school has ever achieved at Head of the River, and narrowly missed out on achieving line honours in a few races.  Congratulations to our Schoolgirl Year 7/8 A Coxed Quad who placed 4th by 0.30 seconds, and our Schoolgirl Year 8/9 C Coxed Quad placed 4th by 0.69 seconds!

Although headwind conditions did not allow crews to produce PB performances, it was excellent to see our Schoolgirl First Eight and Schoolgirl Year 9/10 A Coxed Quad achieve PBs in terms of margin within their respective events. Their improvement throughout the season bodes well for their future as the Senior Squad for 2024/25!

Head of the River also doubles as our Intercol fixture against Walford, which is decided on an aggregate result across all divisions and contested by both crews. On these results, St Peter’s Girls’ School won our rowing Intercol with Walford for the first time by a margin of 5:3!

Thank you to all the students and families who attended Head of the River and supported our crews throughout the day. Head of the River is a truly special event, and a large part of what makes it so special is the atmosphere. Throughout the day the support from our community was incredible, the compassion (and creativity!) of our students was on full display!

Our sincere thanks also go to the Friends of Rowing for their incredible efforts in setting up for the day and making the Saints Girls marquee a festive environment for our community.

Lastly, well done again to our students and coaching team on their efforts, and their outstanding results!

Brynley Millward
Director of Rowing

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Our Year 10’s Present Shakespeare on the Lawn

The Year 10’s have been working hard preparing for Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on Chiverton Lawns on 5 April. This exciting venture is a collaboration between Performing Arts and our Visual Arts’ students, creating amazing costumes and beautiful pendant flower lamps to hang from the trees. This also includes the work of Food Technology students who are preparing picnic hampers for the event.

This will be a wonderful community event, where you will be able to catch up with other families and the wider School community on our beautiful lawns and be entertained by our Year 10 Arts’ students.

Friday 5 April from 5.30pm, Chiverton Lawns

• 5.30pm – Set up your picnic spot, collect food orders, be entertained by our musicians.
• 6.30-7.30pm – Performance.
• 8.30pm – Event finishes.

The performance is free of charge and bookings are open! Please click here to prebook your attendance and food.

The delicious, themed picnic hampers created by the Year 10 World of Food students include a wonderful selection of tasty items such as home-made quiches, quince paste, dips, lavosh, cheeses, cured meats, baguettes and crackers, presented with a custom-made cheese board. They will also include lovely, sweet treats such as brownies and fresh and dried fruits and will serve at least four people as an entrée.

Drinks will be sold by the Friends of Arts on the night and St Peter’s Girls’ picnic blankets will be available for purchase.

Any profits from the sale of the picnic baskets will be donated to the House Charities.

It will be a magical evening not to be missed!

Kate Burnett
Head of the Arts

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Saints Girls Achieve Success in the Pool

Year 11 students Elysia Scarr and Emma Everitt recently competed at the South Australian State Age Swimming Championships and achieved outstanding results. Elysia said ‘This is the biggest event on the swimming calendar for South Australia, where swimmers come from all clubs, including interstate to compete against one another and try to attain national age qualifying times.’

Elysia placed 1st in the 50m and 100m Backstroke and 3rd in the 50m and 100m Butterfly and the 200m Individual Medley. While Emma placed 1st in the 16-18 years 800m Freestyle, 2nd in the 16-18 years 200m Medley and 16 years 200m Butterfly, and 3rd in the 16 years 200m freestyle and 16-18 years 400m Medley. In addition to these amazing results Elysia accumulated 4 National Age qualifying times and 1 National Open qualifying time while Emma achieved 4 National Age qualifying times and 3 National Open qualifying times to compete in the Gold Coast in April. We are incredibly proud of both students and wish them all the best for the upcoming National competition.

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Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion at Saints

At St Peter’s Girls’ School, diversity is embraced and celebrated with enthusiasm, particularly on Harmony Day. This special occasion, observed annually on 21 March, is a time when students and teachers come together to appreciate the cultural tapestry that make up our school community. Throughout this week, classrooms were hubs of cultural exploration and students eagerly participated in various activities designed to foster understanding and appreciation for different traditions.  Harmony Day is a wonderful reminder that with all our differences, we also share a common humanity, and should strive to create a harmonious and inclusive society.

Helen Smith
Deputy Head of Junior School

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ELC – News from Learning Community 2

The Evolution of our Inquiry: Educators’ Gaze Verses the Child’s Gaze

This Term our central idea has been ‘A new environment can inspire curiosities’.

At the beginning of the Term, we naturally felt that the children in the Erindale room would focus on the current building works. This space has been a hive of activity as you can imagine, and we thought the busyness would grab their attention. We have spent time together discussing possible inquiry experiences and prefiguring where we could take this investigation. We began introducing this concept during our group times; however, as it happens a lot of the time when you are teaching young children, their attention was elsewhere.

The children have been drawn to the outdoor spaces with their attention placed firmly in the sandpit area. This space was constructed several years ago with children at the heart of the design. They can easily access and use water in their play and this space is such an import opportunity for sensory, imaginative, and messy play to occur. The element of the large, coloured rocks is a direct link to the Dreamtime Story of the Rainbow Serpent. This connection has now fuelled our learning and the children have been exploring the story of the Rainbow Serpent. Rather than directing our learning in an unauthentic way, we have and will always continue to observe, listen and respond to the focus of our children. We can see the deep literacy opportunities this inquiry has had, and the children have been given the opportunity to listen to the story in many ways and have been encouraged to retell the story themselves through many creative outlets. This reflection of our learning so far is a wonderful reminder of what we gain from listening to children, and to value the gaze of the child, trusting the direction it takes us in.

Laura Reiters
Learning Community 2 – Erindale Room

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Futures Eco-Market Day

Futures is an innovative aspect of the Middle School curriculum enabling Year 7 students to work together and develop practical skills in applying entrepreneurial thinking to run a business. This term Year 7 students will run an Eco-Market where students sell the products they have designed and created.

The theme for this term’s Futures project is products that are upcycled and/or eco-friendly, hence the creation of an ‘Eco-Market’. Through upcycling, we can keep more waste out of landfill and give ‘things’ a new life.

The Eco-Market will be held during lunch time on Wednesday 3 April in the Gym. Year 4 to 12 students are invited to attend and can purchase from a range of products that have been made. Prices range between $2 and $10. Please note this event is cash only.

The Year 7s looked at Middle School students as their customer segment this term and created products with them in mind. However, many products will also be appealing to younger and older students. Products such as candles, jewellery, jewellery holders, book safes, and plushies are just a few of the goods on offer. We look forward to welcoming students from Years 4 to 12 to experience the Eco-Market, purchasing something that has been given new purpose, and supporting our efforts toward sustainability.

Kyle Martelle, Joni Combe, Randal Irvine, Ann Li, and Thomas Bassett
Year 7 Futures Teachers

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Vacation Care Bookings are Open!

Our next awesome instalment of Junior School Vacation Care is almost here. We have some great activities guaranteed to keep the children entertained through the break. With an array of excursions and on-site adventures, there is plenty of fun to be had.

April 2024 Vacation Care Program

Places are limited, so secure your booking now – click here

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Bookings Now Open for ELC Vacation Care!

Dear ELC Families

School holidays are around the corner, so if you would like your child to attend ELC during this time, please click here to access our online booking form.

ELC Vacation Care will run from Monday 15 April – Friday 26 April. 

Vacation Care runs similar to a normal day within the ELC, led by Valentina Fernandes in Learning Community 1 and Liz Ewers in Learning Community 2. Our days are filled with a range of creative, inquiry-based and hands-on experiences, using our indoor and outdoor spaces as well as our ELC Community Garden and the School lawns. Children will frequently participate in music, dance, picnics on the lawns, gross motor and cooking experiences.

Children will need to bring their own packed lunch, hat, water bottle and a change of clothes each day. ELC children can attend Vacation Care in casual clothing; however, it is important for the children to wear appropriate footwear. Due to allergies, we kindly ask that you do not pack nuts or nut products in your child’s lunch box. A healthy morning and afternoon tea and late snack will continue to be provided to children.

As ELC Vacation Care is staffed based on bookings and catering, please make your bookings by Thursday 11 April 2024 (Week 11). Due to limited spaces during ELC Vacation Care, please book early!

*Please note that ELC Vacation care is strictly for ELC-enrolled children.

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Musician Paves the Way for Change

Many of our talented musicians pursue further studies in music upon graduating from school. At just 28 years old, Erin McKellar (Patteson 2013) recently achieved her PhD, completing her dissertation titled ‘A Box of Memories – Altering Perspectives on Dementia Through Documentary Music Theatre.’

As an artistic researcher, Erin’s endeavours have gained recognition from esteemed academics, setting the stage for future investigations where artistic expression fosters deeper comprehension and brings about transformative shifts in mindset.

Her scholarly contributions to music mark a significant progression in academic dialogue, offering fresh perspectives on the convergence of music, well-being, and community engagement.

This accomplishment is truly remarkable, and we are incredibly proud of Erin’s achievements as a composer, change maker, singer, and now doctor.

Congratulations Dr McKellar!

Sari Noble
Director of Choirs

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ELC Parent-Teacher Conversations

ELC Parent-Teacher Conversations will take place on 2, 3 and 8 April (Weeks 10 and 11), with bookings opening on Tuesday 12 March.

This is an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher and discuss their learning. From these discussions, future goals for your child may be created to ensure they reflect the perspectives of parents and educators.

Bookings can be made via myLink:
Log in to the myLink Parent Portal with your username and password. The username is your ID number followed by @stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

If you don’t know your password, use the link provided on the login page to reset it.

Once you have logged in and arrive on the Welcome page, click the ‘Community Portal’ tab in the top menu, then click the ‘Interviews’ tab and select the required cycle; you can log in and change your booking any time up until 5pm Wednesday 27 March.

If you require myLink assistance, please contact the IT Hub via 08 8334 2227 or helpdesk@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au.

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Summer Interhouse Meal Deal

The Friends of Sport (FOS) will be cooking up a storm at Summer Interhouse on Friday 12 April. Offering delicious cheeseburger Meal Deals (pre-order only), includes a burger and drink (vegetarian option available). A sausage sizzle will also be available on the day (no pre-order required) – $3, EFTPOS and cash accepted on the day.

Click here to pre-order your daughter’s cheeseburger Meal Deal before 5pm, Monday 8 April.

Reception to Year 2 lunches will be delivered to classrooms, and Years 3 to 12 will collect theirs from the FOS barbecue area.

To get you into the Summer Interhouse spirit, House hats, water bottles and wristbands can also be pre-ordered. Supporter caps and branded keyrings are available for purchase at the School Shop.

All proceeds raised by the Friends of Sport directly benefit our Saints Girls and their sporting endeavours.

Thank you for your kind support.

Friends of Sport

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The ELC Coffee Van is Coming Back this Term!

Dear ELC families,

The ELC Coffee Van is coming to St Peter’s Girls’ ELC on Thursday 28 March on Chiverton Lawns (located adjacent to the ELC).

All ELC families are welcome to enjoy a coffee and hot cross bun on us! This event offers families a wonderful opportunity to engage with the ELC community at morning drop off.

Due to allergies, babycinos will not be available. We also ask families to avoid bringing hot drinks into the ELC; instead, please use the School’s path to exit.

We look forward to seeing you there!

ELC Coffee Van
Thursday 28 March (Week 9)
Chiverton Lawns
7.30am – 10am

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Anzac Day Poppies

Ms Stef along with members of the Environment Club have been busy crocheting poppies for Anzac Day. These hand-made poppies will be on sale during lunchtime in Week 9 for $3 with all proceeds going to our local RSL.

Januri  Wagaarachchi
Environment Club Captain

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School Shop Notice

School Shop Opening Hours

Monday to Friday: 8am – 4pm (closed for lunch 12 – 12.30pm).

Parents can order items via our Online School Shop. This is now accessible via the Flexischools platform which also administers our Online Tuck Shop. To sign in or sign up to Flexischools, click here

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Absences from School

If your child will be absent from school/ELC or is arriving late or leaving early, please notify the School via one of the following methods:

Text: 0428 601 957
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8334 2200

Please ensure to include your child’s name, the name of the ELC Room, Class or Home Group and the reason for the absence i.e. illness/appointment/family/sport etc.

If notifying via email, feel free to ‘cc’ the teacher of the Room/Class/Home Group as well.

It would be appreciated if notification is received prior to 9am.

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Sports News

Sport Results

Wednesday 13 – Tuesday 19 March

BASKETBALL

Middle A: Saints (39) v Immanuel Middle A (25)

Senior B: Saints (36) v Immanuel Senior B Gold (27)

CRICKET

Senior A (3v4 Final): Saints (1/60) v Seymour Senior A (8/45)
Best Player: Daniela Vari 2/9
Superwoman: Lucy Lowry for her leadership shown on the field and her match awareness.

Senior B White (Grand Final): Saints (2/76) v Scotch Senior B (4/60)

Year 3/4 Blue: Saints (5/84) v Wilderness Year 3/4 Blue (5/110)

TENNIS

Experienced Blue: Saints (3/3/18) v St Ignatius (3/3/20)
Best Player: Elina Liu
Superwoman: Victoria Teo

Intermediate Navy: Saints (16) v Scotch A2 (20)

Intermediate Silver: Saints (5/5) v St Ignatius Blue (5/21)
Best Player: Grace Lin
Superwoman: Charlotte Kelly

Intermediate White: Saints (6/8) v Concordia (6/27)
Best Player: Kate Yin
Superwoman: Isla Bembridge

Senior Division 1.2: Saints (40) v Scotch 1 Gold (31)

Senior Division 3.3: Saints (6/6/41) v Scotch 3 Gold (3/3/33)

Senior Open A: Saints (10) v Walford Premier League (72)

Senior Division 1.2: Saints (3/3/29) v Walford Gold (6/6/39)

Senior Division 3.3: Saints (27) v Walford Blue (50)

TOUCH FOOTBALL

Middle A: Saints (4) v Sacred Heart 2 (1)
Best Player: Wei Ning Khoo. Wei Ning improves every week. She is new to the game and has picked it up very quickly. Proving to be a very effective and skilled player, Wei Ning scored two tries.
Superwoman: Lucille Trengove. Lucy played a great game, her focus on key skills had a positive impact, resulting in some tries being scored.

Middle B: Saints (1) v Cabra 1 (2)

Senior A: Saints (1) v Pembroke 1 (2)

Senior B: Saints (5) v Wilderness 3 (0)

VOLLEYBALL

Senior A: Saints (1/57) v Concordia A2 (2/54)
Best player: Annabel Keough
Superwoman: Januri Wagaarachchi  demonstrated grit and confidence throughout the match showing great improvement! Well done!

Senior B: Saints (2/59) v Immanuel Open B2 (1/58)

Senior C: Saints (0/49) v Pembroke Open C Blue (3/75)

Senior D: Saints (0/46) v Concordia Senior C4 (3/65)
Best Player: Ashmitha Ramesh
Superwoman: Lyra Cox supported the team out with lots of energy.

Middle A: Saints (1/53) v Immanuel Middle A (1/55)

Middle B: Saints (0/33) v Immanuel Middle B2 (3/68)

Middle C Blue: Saints (1/58) v Immanuel Middle C2 (2/65)
Best Player: Anisha Pahuja
Superwoman: Ruby Pahuja

Middle C White: Saints (1/50) v Immanuel Middle C4 (2/63)

Middle D Blue: Saints (0/39) v Immanuel Middle C5 (3/65)
Best Player: Elizabeth Ran
Superwoman: Anna Tickner

Middle D White: Saints (0/57) v Immanuel Middle C6 (3/75)
Best Player: Maddie Romeo
Super Woman: Christine Zhang.

Year 4-6 Blue: Saints (3/76) v Seymour 5/6 Blue (0/6)
Best Player: Sophie Blake attacked the ball with confidence when she was in the setter position. Directing the ball downwards and into gaps on the opposition’s side of the court, leading us to win the point.
Superwoman: Clara Toh, played her strong underarm serve, serving the ball high and deep over the net when she was in the back position.

Year 4-6 Silver: Saints (2/72) v Seymour 5/6 Purple (1/57)
Best Player: Samaira Soodan served consistently with her underarm and had many long serving runs, helping the team get a great lead. She even attempted her overarm serve which was great to see.
Superwoman: Penny Coulter covered the entire court and tried her hardest to keep the ball up in every single play. She kept the team spirit up by cheering her team mates on. After serving underarm consistently, Penny had two very successful overarm serves which lead us to win the last set.

Year 4-6 White: Saints (3/75) v Seymour 5/6 Green (0/50)
The team executed the diamond formation and had a few attempts at a dig/set/spike, which is amazing, and also trying over arm serving.
Best Player: Violet Tulloch
Superwoman: Alice Bigg

WATER POLO

Senior A: Saints (19) v Wilderness Senior A (1)

Senior B: Saints (3) v St Dominic’s 1 (12)
Best Player: Shea Forster for great goal keeping and setting up girls to succeed at the goals.
Superwomen: Matilda Joy, attentive to coaching instruction and feedback.

Senior C: Saints (13) v Seymour Senior C (2)
Best player: Isla Fahey showed great work in defence with lots of steals and delivered good strong goals.
Superwoman: Grace Marshall saved lots of goals and did great passes.

Middle A: Saints (9) v Loreto 3 (5)

Gisele’s Athletics Achievements

Gisele Chernishev has been very busy competing in multiple Athletics Events over the past few weeks! On Sunday 10 March she competed at the Senior Athletics Championships where she achieved a PB in the U13 Women 200m Sprint with a time of 28.69, securing Silver in doing so.

On Saturday 16 March Gisele raced at the Little Athletics State Individual Championships, where her Silver placings in the U13 Women’s 200m and 400m saw her qualify for Nationals!

This is a fantastic achievement, and we wish Gisele all the best for Nationals. Nationals will be held in Adelaide from 14 – 18 April.

Elodie’s Future Athlete Opportunity

Congratulations to Elodie de Wit who is one of only 20 athletes selected to attend a Future Athlete Camp, facilitated by the Pho3nix Foundation!

Hosted by Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist John Steffensen and four-time World Champion triathlete Chris McCormack, this five-day intensive camp provides mentoring, activities and training in areas such as, nutrition, media training, conditioning and recovery.

Go well, Elodie! We can’t wait to hear about it upon your return.

Summer Interhouse

Summer Interhouse occurs every year on the last day of Term 1 and is a competition in between each House to compete for the overall shield. It is an opportunity for students to participate in their chosen co-curricular sport/s and showcase their skills and knowledge of the game whilst playing with girls in their house.

The sports included in this event are Basketball, Volleyball, Touch, Cricket, Tennis and Rowing. To ensure each sport can have adequate game time, we have scheduled for some sports to be played at lunchtime during the week. Middle School Basketball will be the first sport to compete at lunch on Monday 8 April, followed by Middle School Volleyball at lunch on Tuesday. Both Middle and Senior School touch will compete on Wednesday 10 April at lunch. All students will meet on the oval on Friday 12 April at 1.15pm to demonstrate their House spirit through cheers. All remaining sports will play immediately after this with Round 1 going from 1.30pm-2.05pm, Round 2 from 2.05pm-2.40pm and finally Round 3 from 2.40pm- 3.15pm. Afterwards, all students will go to the Chapel for the announcement for the overall winners!

This event is always a fun way to end the term and is an opportunity for everyone to support their House and friends whilst playing sport. We would love to see everyone cheering and bringing their House spirit to each sport throughout the week!

Lara Maione
Aerobics Sport Captain

Excellent Equestrian Results

Amazing results were achieved by Inge R, Annabelle Knowles and Aurelia Pyne at the South Australian Equestrian Interschool State Championships held over the 16 and 17 March!

Their strong performance saw them place just 50 points behind the 3rd placed school, which is a phenomenal feat, given the Saints team was made up of only 3 students, in a field of 23 school teams.

Aurelia had a great weekend and added two more strong qualifying performances. She competed in the Combined Training 60cm where she easily met the qualifying scores and achieved a personal best dressage score of 67% in doing so.

Inge was crowned the Overall Intermediate Show Horse Interschool State Champion and in addition to the state title, achieved two more outstanding qualifying performances in her Combined Training events by placing 3rd and 6th.

Annabelle successfully retained her Intermediate Show Hunter Interschool State Champion title, even though taking a risk by competing on a different pony! Annabelle was also named the Working Hunter Reserve Interschool State Champion after winning the 65cm course and rounded out her tournament with a 6th placed finish in the Dressage.

The girl’s strong performances put them in good stead for selection in the South Australia National Team, set to compete in Tamworth in September. Well done girls, your endless hours of training and caring for your ponies is paying off!

Lynne Spry Water Polo Cup

The Annual Lynne Spry Cup took place last Friday 15 March and was fiercely contested between Saints Old Scholars and our current Senior A team.

The Senior A Team found the back of the net first, courtesy of a Zara Trim bullet. Both keepers had their work cut out for them, with shots being fired from all directions. Claudia Pearce was gallant as keeper for the Senior A team, blocking several scoring attempts made by the Old Scholars. Old Scholar and current Adelaide Jets team member, Nikki Miller (Patteson 2019), scored twice in quick succession to put the Old Scholar’s noses in front. Senior A’s thought they’d scored an equaliser after Alice Braithwaite snuck one through, only for it to be disallowed as the referee deemed the ball to have deflected off a player’s head! Olivia Reynolds made sure of a penalty shortly after, reducing the margin to 3-2 in favour of the Old Scholars at the main break.

Physicality lifted in the second half, with the Old Scholars utilising their full bench to have fresh legs in the pool, the Old Scholars drew first blood, extending their lead to 2 goals. The Senior A side fought back by scoring a third time, but one last goal from the Old Scholars put the match out of reach, finishing 5-3 victors.

School Spirit was alive and well at the Lynne Spry cup, being well attended by students and staff. Students took advantage of the free bus from Saints and several girls attended after having played and won their school Cricket Grand Final! There were plenty other girls who transported themselves to the cup to support their school friends. Many spectators were watching Water Polo for the first time, their lack of experience didn’t stop them from holding their posters high and cheering loudly for the competitors!

Thank you to all students, coaches, staff, and spectators involved in the Lynne Spry Cup!

2023-24 Athletics SA State Track and Field

It was a very successful weekend for Saints students at the Athletics SA State Track and Field event, with seven girls making it through to the Final in their respective events!

In the U13 age group, Gisele Chernishev showed her strength in the sprints, finishing 4th in the 100m Final and 2nd in the 400m and 200m, where she achieved a PB with a time of 28.69 in the 200m. In the longer distance track events, Gracie Sheridan skills were on display, finishing 2nd in the 800m and 1500m Final.

Lucille Trengove had a very solid performance across the U15 Long Jump and Triple Jump events, placing 2nd and 4th respectively. Lucille also hit the track, finishing 3rd in the 200m and 100m Final.

India Goodall blitzed away from the rest of the field in the U16 800m Final, with another 1st place finish. India also finished 3rd in the 400m!

Ava Field and Elodie de Wit competed in the U18 age group, with Ava securing 3rd place in the 800m Final whilst Elodie held on for 2nd place in the 1500m Final!

In the U20 10000 Walk Final, Daisy Braithwaite had a fantastic race, finishing 2nd with a time of 56:51.

The Open Women 200m Final was as tight as they come, with the top five being split by just over half a second. Charlotte McAuliffe placed 2nd, less than a 10th of a second behind 1st place. In the 400m Final, Charlotte had a very strong run securing a 1st place finish!

Well done to the athletes who finished top two in the finals as they have secured their place in the South Australian State team to compete at Nationals. The state team will be named in coming weeks, and we are hopeful that the strong results from the other girls will be enough to be named!

Saints Win Cricket Grand Final

After an undefeated season, our Senior B White team found themselves sitting atop the ladder and set to play Scotch in the Grand Final. Having won by 45 runs last time they met, the girls were favourites heading into the game, but there were still nerves amongst the camp.

Saints won the toss and sent Scotch into bat. It wasn’t long before the first wicket fell, with a cracking run out from Amy Dillon, sending the opening batter packing. It would be a few overs before the fall of the second wicket, but some tight end to end bowling kept the pressure on Scotch before Maddy Penley got the breakthrough, clean bowling the batter. The girls were excellent in the field, attacking the ball, making Scotch second guess running between the wickets and reducing them to singles. Two more run outs came, and Saints had reduced Scotch to 4/60 at the end of the 12 overs.

With the winner of the Senior B Cricket being determined by the total of runs scored divided by the total of wickets taken after 12 overs, the girls knew that they needed to average 15 runs per batter.

Winnie Vartuli and Sophie Ricciuto opened the batting, with Winnie facing the first 11 deliveries and scoring a quickfire 17 before being dismissed. Enter Matilda Paterson, who was aggressive from the get-go, scoring off the first ball she faced and clearing the boundary with her time at the crease. Sophie Ricciuto was patient at the other end, rotating the strike but struggling to get on strike herself! The girls scored quickly, and when Soph’s wicket fell, Saints were 2/30 which put even with Scotch on average. This meant that whilst we were scoring quickly and set to surpass the total required, we had to ensure that we valued our wickets.

After facing 20 deliveries, Matilda was forced to retire, which saw Tiana Trench and Amy Dillon the girls at the crease. Tiana and Amy combined nicely, finding the gaps to keep the run rate ticking over. After facing 20 balls themselves, they too had to retire. Come the last over, Saints had scored 13 more runs than Scotch and Coach Brynley Millward was frantically crunching the numbers, trying to determine how many wickets Saints could afford to lose without falling below the required average. It did not matter though, as Saints didn’t lose a wicket and we were victorious with a total score of 2/74.

It was very nearly a Saints v Saints Grand Final, as our Senior B Blue side finished equal second, but just missed out on percentage. Well done to both teams!

Senior A Cricket Team Win Play Off

After winning the toss, Saints elected to bowl first. It took four overs for us to get the first wicket, with the pace from a Lydia Burrough delivery rattling the stumps of the Seymour batter. From here, wickets fell steadily. Saints built the pressure with their relentless effort in the field, with run outs coming from Ella Warrick, Carys Kinsella-White and Lydia Burrough. Lucy Lowry got a direct hit after she fired one in from the boundary, but the umpire deemed the batter safe in her crease. The final wicket came in the 10th over, with Saints having Seymour all out for 45 runs.

Daniela Vari made her intentions clear, scoring 4 runs from 4 balls but came unstuck after a cracking delivery from a Seymour player. Enter Amelia Lucas, who found the boundary five times on her way to 29 off just 13 deliveries. Lydia Burrough scored steadily herself, and the pair had no trouble in chasing down the required target! Senior As beat Seymour and finished the season in 3rd place, well done girls!

 

 

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Head of the River – Tomorrow!

The SA Schools’ Head of the River will be held at West Lakes tomorrow, Saturday 16 March from 8.30am. This is one of the largest school sporting events in SA and regularly draws thousands of students, families and old scholars out to support their schools.

Our rowers have been training hard to prepare for the event, and it would be great to see the Saints Girls’ community out in force to support our crews!

Please note any students attending are required to be in full summer uniform.

For more information and schedule of events click here

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Choral Night – Next Week

Choral Night is one of the most anticipated events on the Saints Girls’ calendar, and this year’s spectacle carries the theme ‘Love’.

Thursday 21 March (Week 8), 7pm
Futures Church (formerly known as Influencers Church)
57 Darley Road, Paradise SA 5075
Bookings are open, 4 tickets per family, click here to book.

We look forward to the festivities and can’t wait to see what our girls have in store!

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Our Generations of Saints Girls

Last week, the Old Scholars’ Association was delighted to host the annual ‘Generations Breakfast’ on Chiverton Lawns. This special event was an opportunity to acknowledge the Old Scholars’ connection and highlight the importance of generations in the School’s rich history. Current students attended the morning with their Old Scholar mothers and/or grandmothers to celebrate 130 years of St Peter’s Girls’ School with a commemorative photo capturing a moment in time.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we invited Old Scholar guest speaker Fiona Dorman (nee Khor, Patteson 1996), President of The National Council of Women SA Inc and President Elect, Claire Newland (nee Hale, Patteson 2014) to join us. Fiona shared with the audience how she is driven to advocate for diverse voices in our community and to drive advocacy initiatives and reforms, working with grass roots organisations in gender equity and equality, diverse and inclusive representation, women’s rights, homelessness, domestic violence, economic participation, and security.

We are pleased to provide you with the links below to download family photos that were taken on the morning by our Communications Team. We recommended using a desktop computer to do so. Once you click on the below links, the photos will automatically download to your ‘downloads’ folder on your computer.

• https://www.stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OS-Generations-Breakfast-1.zip
• https://www.stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OS-Generations-Breakfast-2.zip

The 130 Group Photograph is also available to purchase. The photo is 12” x 8” photo (larger than a normal Class photos) and the cost is $25.00. Please email MMcCormack@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au if you would like to purchase this photo.

Thank you to everyone who attended. It was a wonderful opportunity for Old Scholars to reconnect and celebrate being a Saints Girl.

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Junior School Friendship Workshop – Book Now

 

 

We are proud that our Junior School is a ‘URSTRONG’ School. This whole School friendship strategy connects our students, teachers, and parents with a common language around friendships.

Junior School parents are invited to take advantage of a free Parent Membership to access hundreds of resources. For more information click here.

We are also pleased to partner with the URSTRONG organisation to offer a ‘Language of Friendship’ parent and child online workshop on Tuesday 19 March at 6pm. This session will teach you and your children the skills and language to foster healthy, feel-good friendships. To register, click here.

Helen Smith
Deputy Head of Junior School

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Hovercrafts: The Coolest Way to Learn Newton’s Laws

Our Year 10 Physics students have been riding on air, quite literally, as they use hovercrafts to demonstrate an aspect of Newton’s First Law: an object will continue moving in a straight line at the same speed unless acted upon by a non-zero net force.

Because they have super low friction with the ground, the girls experienced firsthand how, with just one push, they could glide across the entire gym floor with almost no loss of velocity, as Newton predicted.

Fun and physics continued as the girls also investigated Newton’s Second Law, F = ma, by seeing how adjusting the force on the hovercraft (how hard it is pushed) and the mass of the hovercraft (how many girls are riding on it) affects its acceleration.

This is just one of the many ways St Peter’s Girls’ School makes science exciting and accessible. We’re not just teaching facts; we’re inspiring our future scientists.

Melissa O’Loughlin
STEM Innovation Leader

David Stuart
Senior Science Teacher

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Traditional Chinese Lantern Painting Workshop

Li Cai, a local Chinese artist renowned for her beautiful artwork, recently conducted a workshop for Year 4 students studying Chinese, delving into the traditional art of lantern painting with watercolour and paper cutting. The workshop was a delightful fusion of cultural exploration and artistic expression, as Li Cai guided the girls through the techniques and symbolism in Chinese lantern art.

The girls, filled with curiosity and enthusiasm, embraced the opportunity to unleash their creativity on the blank canvases before them. Each stroke of the brush became a manifestation of their interpretations of the poem they had learned, ‘山村咏怀’ (Shān Cūn Yǒnghuái), which translates to ‘Thoughts on a Mountain Village.’

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ELC – News from Learning Community 1

Exploring Ferguson Park through the Five Senses

‘There is nothing in the intellect that was not first in the senses.’ – Aristotle

Along the southern boundary of the ELC sits Ferguson Conservation Park. It is a beautiful, natural space filled with local flora and fauna. Ferguson Park has strong ties to the history of the ELC and our growing understandings of Kaurna language and culture. It is a place of significance for all in the ELC.

Recently, the weather has been too hot for us to venture into Ferguson Park; we’ve had to be creative about how we can still explore this environment that is so special to us. With support from our Atelierista, Ms Caterina, we have transformed the Stonyfell Deck into a ‘Ferguson Park Laboratory’. With carefully selected samples from the park, and a range of investigative tools, the children have been invited to engage and explore through their senses. We have used the senses of seeing, hearing, smelling and touching to make discoveries about the living environment of Ferguson Park.

The children have used binoculars to view birdlife and the tops of trees, utilising mark making materials to record their observations. They’ve covered their eyes to focus only on the sounds they can hear. They’ve used mortar and pestles to crush leaves, bark and seed pods, using the senses of touch and smell to differentiate between specimens.

Educators have observed a sense of wonder for the natural space of Ferguson Park, as the children begin to cultivate an ecological identity through their sensorial explorations. We are very much looking forward to getting out into in the park as the weather cools to fully appreciate its beauty.

How can you continue this learning at home?

Take a walk in the backyard or local park and gather a range of samples of the local flora. As you look, feel, touch, taste and listen, use a range of descriptive words to label what you are experiencing through your senses.

All families are warmly welcome to join us on visits to Ferguson Park. Please talk to your key teacher about how you can get involved.

Nell Tierney, Annabelle Redmond, Dot Kelly and Kathy McCabe
Learning Community 1

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Celebrating the Indian Holi Festival

On Monday 25 March, the Prefects will be holding a lunchtime activity for Years 2 to 12 to celebrate the Indian tradition of Holi. This activity will involve painting handprints on a banner, located on the oval. The banner will say ‘Happy Holi’ and all contributors will be receiving a lolly with a fun fact attached!

Also known as the Festival of Love or the Festival of Colours, Holi is a traditional Hindu holiday that falls on the full moon day of Falgun. This event celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring, rejoicing in the triumph of good over evil marked by Prahlada’s victory over Holika according to legend. This festival welcomes new beginnings, where people can release all their inhibitions and start fresh. On the first day of this two-day festival, a bonfire is lit to symbolically burn away all the bad and give way to a colourful and vibrant new future.

Some of the activities traditionally included during Holi involve throwing powdered colours in the air. Each colour can symbolise a different meaning – for example, red can symbolise love and fertility for the new season, while green represents vibrant new life and beginnings. On Holi, people spend time with family and friends, and eat lots of good food and dance to traditional music.

We hope to see many of you out on the oval celebrating this lively and inspiring festival with us!

Alysa Trinh
International Student Prefect

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The Long and the Short of it

During Writer’s Week a competition is held for young people under the age of 18 to enter a microstory of 50 words or less. This year there were over 600 entries in the competition. Lily Marshall (10 Selwyn) was awarded runner-up for the competition, which is a remarkable achievement! The judges commented that they were ‘particularly impressed’ by Lily’s entry which was written in response to the question: what does it mean to be human? Lily’s story, in full, is as follows:

Beyond The Trenches by Lily Marshall
Air heavy with gunpowder, a symphony of explosions and artillery echoed across the battlefield. A soldier, toughened by war, looted the fallen. Amongst the belongings, he discovered a photograph – the fallen enemy, wife, two children smiling. The man, once faceless, reflected shared humanity; only separated by opposing trenches.

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Dance Workshop for Seniors

This week, dancers from SACE and IB had the privilege of engaging in a workshop led by Dance North company, currently on tour with their production ‘Wayfinder’ for the Adelaide Festival. Artistic Director Kyle Page, along with one of the company’s dancers, shared repertoire from the show and provided insight into the conceptualisation process behind it. This invaluable experience enriched our students’ understanding, offering them the opportunity to collaborate with seasoned professionals.

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Anzac Day Poppies

Ms Stef along with members of the Environment Club have been busy crocheting poppies for Anzac Day. These hand-made poppies will be on sale during lunchtime in Week 9 for $3 with all proceeds going to our local RSL.

Januri  Wagaarachchi
Environment Club Captain

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ELC Parent-Teacher Conversations

ELC Parent-Teacher Conversations will take place on 2, 3 and 8 April (Weeks 10 and 11), with bookings opening on Tuesday 12 March.

This is an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher and discuss their learning. From these discussions, future goals for your child may be created to ensure they reflect the perspectives of parents and educators.

Bookings can be made via myLink:
Log in to the myLink Parent Portal with your username and password. The username is your ID number followed by @stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

If you don’t know your password, use the link provided on the login page to reset it.

Once you have logged in and arrive on the Welcome page, click the ‘Community Portal’ tab in the top menu, then click the ‘Interviews’ tab and select the required cycle; you can log in and change your booking any time up until 5pm Wednesday 27 March.

If you require myLink assistance, please contact the IT Hub via 08 8334 2227 or helpdesk@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au.

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Our Year 10s Present Shakespeare on the Lawn

We are thrilled to share that the Year 10 Drama and Dance students are presenting Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on Chiverton Lawns on 5 April. This exciting venture is a collaboration between Performing Arts and our Visual Arts’ students who are creating amazing costumes and beautiful pendant flower lamps to hang from the trees. It includes the work of Food Technology students who are preparing picnic hampers for the event.

This will be a wonderful community event, where you will be able to catch up with other families and the wider School community on our beautiful lawns and be entertained by our Year 10 Arts’ students.

Friday 5 April from 5.30pm, Chiverton Lawns

• 5.30pm – Set up your picnic spot, collect food orders, be entertained by our musicians.
• 6.30-7.30pm – Performance.
• 8.30pm – Event finishes.

The performance is free of charge and bookings are open! Please click here to prebook your attendance and food.

The delicious, themed picnic hampers created by the Year 10 World of Food students include a wonderful selection of tasty items such as home-made quiches, quince paste, dips, lavosh, cheeses, cured meats, baguettes and crackers, presented with a custom-made cheese board. They will also include lovely, sweet treats such as brownies and fresh and dried fruits and will serve at least four people as an entrée.

Drinks will be sold by the Friends of Arts on the night.
St Peter’s Girls’ picnic blankets for purchase.

Any profits from the sale of the picnic baskets will be donated to the House Charities.

It will be a magical evening not to be missed!

Kate Burnett
Head of the Arts

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School Shop Notice

School Shop Opening Hours

Monday to Friday: 8am – 4pm (closed for lunch 12 – 12.30pm).

Parents can also order items via our Online School Shop. This is now accessible via the Flexischools platform which also administers our Online Tuck Shop. To sign in or sign up to Flexischools, click here

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Absences from School

If your child will be absent from school/ELC or is arriving late or leaving early, please notify the School via one of the following methods:

Text: 0428 601 957
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8334 2200

Please ensure to include your child’s name, the name of the ELC Room, Class or Home Group and the reason for the absence i.e. illness/appointment/family/sport etc.

If notifying via email, feel free to ‘cc’ the teacher of the Room/Class/Home Group as well.

It would be appreciated if notification is received prior to 9am.

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Sports News

Sport Results

Wednesday 6 – Tuesday 12 March

BASKETBALL

Senior B: Saints (62) v Westminster Senior B (27)

Middle A: Saints (49) v Scotch Middle A (38)

Middle A: Saints (40) v Seymour Middle A (26) catch up game

CRICKET

Senior A: cancelled

Senior B Blue: cancelled

Senior B White: cancelled

Year 5/6 White: Saints (3/27) v Seymour (0/62)

TENNIS

All Tennis cancelled due to heat.

VOLLEYBALL

All Volleyball cancelled due to heat.

WATER POLO

Senior A: Saints (12) v Pembroke Open A (1)
Best player: Zara Trim was very aggressive in attack by creating lots of scoring opportunities and was very quick in transition from defence to attack.
Superwoman: Olivia Reynolds had great composure with the ball, she is very knowledgeable about the game.

Senior B: Saints (2) v Wilderness Senior A (6)
Best Player: Shea Forster was solid in goals, swam hard, scored one, drove in well
Superwoman: Evie Gosse played the whole game while recovering from injury

Senior C: Saints (15) v Mercedes 2 (0)
Best player: Isla Fahey showed next-level intensity and energy throughout the game with lots of steals that led to turnovers.
Superwoman: Natalia Quinn, what an amazing effort, she played up from the middle team and scored a goal!

Middle A: Saints (7) v Wilderness Middle B (5)

Summer Intercol Schedule

ROWING: Saturday 16 March
Squads racing against each other at Head of the River at West Lakes from 8am-3pm

TENNIS: Monday 18 March
Premier League, Division 1.2 and Division 3.3 vs Walford being played at Saints from 4:15-5:45pm
Saints will be providing a coffee van onsite and giving away free coffee and cake to any students or parents/guardians who attend.

BASKETBALL: Wednesday 20 March
Senior B and Middle A vs Walford at Walford from 4:15-5:45pm

CRICKET: Friday 22 March
Senior A vs Walford at Kensington District Cricket Club from 4:15-5:45pm
Friends of Sport will be providing a free BBQ to any students or parents/guardians who attend.

VOLLEYBALL: Saturday 23 March
Senior A, Senior A, Middle A and Middle B vs Walford at Walford form 8:00-10:00am
Support Points will be on offer for girls who attend and check in with the House Representative. So make sure you get along and support Saints at this year’s Intercol!

2024 U15 & U19 Badminton State Championships

Congratulations to Caitlyn Sam-Ling on competing in the U15 & U19 State Championship, held on 24 and 25 February.

In the singles tournament, Caitlyn made it to the Semi-Finals, going down in her match to the Number 1 Seed and eventual winner.

Caitlyn won in both the Girls Doubles and the Mixed Doubles matches in straight sets, she didn’t lose a single set in either event!

Caitlyn and her Mixed Doubles partner have won the last three South Australian State Junior Tournaments and reached the Quarter Finals in the 2023 Under 13 National Championship.

Saints are looking forward to following Caitlyn’s involvement in Badminton over the coming years!

 

IGSSA Swimming Carnival

It was another big day of racing for St Peter’s Girls’ School, as we competed in the IGSSA Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 12 March.

Several of our swimmers had competed in the State Championships over the long weekend, but despite this were very competitive in their events and showed fantastic school spirit throughout the day!

Saints had podium finishes in 28 events, which saw us finish third overall, out of eight competing schools.

Our 1st Place winners were Charlotte McAuliffe in the Open 50m Backstroke Div 2, Chloe Sturt in the 14yo 50m Backstroke and Freestyle Div 1 and Meg Paul in the 14yo 50m Freestyle Div 2.

A special mention to Alice and Daisy Braithwaite who represented the School in swimming for the last time as they complete Year 12 at Saints. Both girls have made a significant contribution to the Swimming Program over their time at Saints, with Alice being named the 2024 Swimming Captain.

We thank Alice and Daisy for their contribution and efforts. They have proudly represented the school on several occasions and have been exemplary role models for all students.

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Introducing Ms. Kendall Fitzgerald, Cultural Liaison Officer

We are excited to announce the appointment of Ms. Kendall Fitzgerald to the unique role of Cultural Liaison Officer at St Peter’s Girls. This role will be important in fostering a genuine appreciation and understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories. Kendall will guide our students, staff and School community through educational experiences that will expand and enrich our understanding of the diverse traditions, perspectives and values of our Indigenous people.

Kendall is born and raised a Kaurna/Narungga woman and is strongly connected to the Adelaide Aboriginal Community. Kendall loves working in the educational space. She has been working at Immanuel College for seven years as an Aboriginal Students Support Officer. She sits on the RAP Committee for Immanuel College, Immanuel Primary School and Surf Life Saving SA. Prior to working at Immanuel, Kendall worked across four state primary schools in the Holdfast Partnership.

Kendall is working with our students one day a week. She commences her day with our youngest learners in the ELC participating in the daily Banbanbalya, the traditional gathering practice that takes place with our educators and children. With our Year 5 students she is currently translating the song Reconciliation which will be performed next term in National Reconciliation Week. Last week Kendall shared her knowledge about Aboriginal symbols and the cultural significance of such symbols with our RAP Ambassadors. In preparation for the new Bush Garden in the ELC, Kendall is gathering information on Indigenous flora and bushtucker along with establishing links that will support teaching an Aboriginal Foods unit, introduced through studies in Food Technology with older students.

Naa Marni (hope you are all well)

My name is Kendall Fitzgerald, a Kaurna/Narungga woman, who has lived and worked in the Adelaide Aboriginal community all my life. I am the newly appointed Cultural Liaison Officer here at St Peter’s Girls’ School and have already met some lovely students and staff and together we have made some meaningful connections.

My role means I will be fortunate to work across the whole school (ELC – Year 12) supporting students and staff where I can, by sharing knowledge about Aboriginal cultures and histories. It is gratifying to see the wonderful work that is already happening in this space. Thank you for welcoming me to your school.

Ngaityalya (Respect and thank you)

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Kendall and wishing her every success in her new position.

Cherylyn Skewes
Principal               

Lisa Hollis
RAP Coordinator

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International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day marks a day of celebration for women, their hopes for a diverse, equitable and inclusive future, and the continuing work toward recognition, equality and gender parity. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained ‘The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.’

These thoughts could not be more relevant to our students at Saints Girls. As we know, the Arts can be a powerful medium of communication and expression, so it seemed fitting to find a way to use the Arts to express the struggles of women, while also celebrating their many milestones. Today on International Women’s Day, we are incredibly excited to release a poignant and powerful collaborative video that works toward portraying this message through the lens of the Arts. A special shout-out to Kate Burnett for her stunning choreography.

We hope you are astonished by the artistry of our talented Music and Dance students as our Choristers sing of the challenges we face as women, the importance of perseverance, the pursuit of chasing your every dream, and finally, ‘to reach for the stars and chase the sun.’

Happy International Women’s Day.

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Year 8 Island Adventure

Recently the Year 8 girls were fortunate to go on an exciting camp on Kangaroo Island. Throughout the week we participated in an abundance of activities including snorkelling, expedition walks, attending bird shows, sandboarding and much more.  Even though we loved all the activities, after careful consideration it was agreed that the water activities were an all-round favourite.  Sleeping in a new spot every night was eye opening. Not only did it expose us to the elements, but it also allowed us to explore all parts of the island. I think I can speak on behalf of everyone when saying that the memories made at this camp will never be forgotten and we are all beyond grateful for the experience.

Chelsea Francis
8RAIR

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Adventure and Excitement at Year 7 Camp

On camp I loved getting to do things that I hadn’t done in the past and that pushed me out of my comfort zone, especially the Adventure Caving. We had to crawl through small spaces and take risks, but everybody was supporting each other and guiding us through. A great character-building exercise was ‘the expedition’, a challenge where we had to hike from a trailhead in Robe to Little Dip Conservation Park. We were excited to reach our destination and start cooking our dishes on Trangia’s.

It was hard not having all the comforts of home; we were all happy to hop into our sleeping bags that night. We made it through and the next morning we were on our way back to Basecamp.

Throughout the week we participated in a wide variety of outdoor activities and built new relationships with our classmates. Coming home we all have a deeper appreciation for the things we have. We made great memories from the experiences; it was a week that we will never forget.

Mathilda Begg
7OKEA

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Year 11 Blue Belts in Self-Defence

The Year 11 Senior PE students have spent the last five weeks learning self-defence techniques in preparation to receive their blue belts. They have worked on punching, kicking, punch routines, kick routines, sparring and random attacks. They have all displayed a lot of commitment, perseverance and resilience across the unit and look forward to continuing their self-defence journey through to next year. Mike Downton from Golden Knights Martial Arts commented it was the highest scoring group he has seen complete their Blue Belt in his 30+ years working in the industry. Congrats girls!

Lavena Akeel
Year 11 Student

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Year 2, 3 & 4 Music Information Evening

Research tells us that students whose parents engage in their education achieve greater learning outcomes. It was wonderful to witness so many Years 2, 3 and 4 families come together for the Junior School Music Information Evening on Wednesday.

The theme for the evening was practise. I often get parents asking me how to get their girls to do more practise.

Here are a couple of tips.

• Try to find a consistent time each night within your routine for practise.
• Short, consistent practise is far better than one long session.
• Give them a time limit – depending on their age and ability (between 5 minutes and 45 minutes) ‘you can only do 15 minutes’ there is something about being given a time limit to do a task that helps to motivate. Set a stopwatch.
• Record the amount of practise completed on a bar graph. This is a great visual to keep on the fridge.
• Use stickers to reward when a practise goal is achieved.
• Record a song and send it to a grandparent or teacher.
• Play a concert to your teddies, or dog if you can drag them in!
• Ask your daughter to teach you a song on their instrument.

Click here for a fantastic Ted Talk on how to practice effectively.

Good luck to all our novice instrumentalists starting out in our immersion program this term.

Sally Rounsevell
Director of Music

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Environment Club at Ferguson Park

On Thursday 29 February, Environment Club members from Years 10 and 11 met with Geoffrey Bishop in Ferguson Park.  Mr Bishop is President of the Friends of Ferguson Conservation Park which is located on our School’s southern boundary. The land which is occupied by the conservation park was originally donated to the Government of South Australia on 24 June 1949 by its previous owner, Alice Ferguson, with the request that it be dedicated as a national pleasure resort ‘for the benefit of the public in perpetuity.’  The Environment Club has had a long involvement in the park and Mr Bishop updated the members on recent projects such as the upkeep and establishment of new walking paths and the process to establish a dual name for the park to incorporate the Kaurna heritage.

Over the years the Environment Club has been involved in the weeding of Sparaxis and Cape Tulip and the removal of Perennial Veldt and Pussy-tail grass and the collecting of Austrostipa seed for replanting. Maintaining strong connections between our School and the park is very important and we look forward to continuing this work in the coming months.

Januri Wagaarachchi
Environment Club Captain

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Top Music Honours for Saints Girls

We are incredibly proud to announce that Samantha Keough, Head Chorister of 2023, has been awarded the highly prestigious Don Maynard Music Award for the most outstanding SACE Stage 2 performance Music student, achieving the highest marks in the state. This is now the third time in the last three years that a Saints Girl has won this prize, with Samantha now joining previous recipients, Izzy Norman and Cheri Wong. We congratulate Samantha for this amazing achievement.

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Head of the River 2024 – Come and Support!

The SA Schools’ Head of the River will be held at West Lakes on Saturday 16 March. This is one of the largest school sporting events in SA and regularly draws thousands of students, families and old scholars out to support their schools.

Our rowers have been training hard to prepare for the event, and it would be great to see the Saints Girls community out in force to support our crews!

To support students who wish to attend and spectate, the School is offering a free bus service to students. Any students attending are required to be in full formal uniform. The bus will leave St Peter’s Girls’ School at 8am Saturday 16 March from Chiverton Lawns. Students can register for the bus here. Please note the bus service is one way only.

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URSTRONG Parent Membership

 

 

We are proud that our Junior School is a ‘URSTRONG’ School’. This whole School friendship strategy connects our students, teachers, and parents with a common language around friendships.

Junior School parents are invited to take advantage of a free Parent Membership to access hundreds of resources. For more information click here.

We are also pleased to partner with the URSTRONG organisation to offer a ‘Language of Friendship’ parent and child online workshop on Tuesday 19 March at 6pm. This session will teach you and your children the skills and language to foster healthy, feel-good friendships. To register, click here.

Helen Smith
Deputy Head of Junior School

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ELC Parent-Teacher Conversations

ELC Parent-Teacher Conversations will take place on 2, 3 and 8 April (Weeks 10 and 11), with bookings opening on Tuesday 12 March.

This is an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher and discuss their learning. From these discussions, future goals for your child may be created to ensure they reflect the perspectives of parents and educators.

Bookings can be made via myLink:
Log in to the myLink Parent Portal with your username and password. The username is your ID number followed by @stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

If you don’t know your password, use the link provided on the login page to reset it.

Once you have logged in and arrive on the Welcome page, click the ‘Community Portal’ tab in the top menu, then click the ‘Interviews’ tab and select the required cycle; you can log in and change your booking any time up until 5pm Wednesday 27 March.

If you require myLink assistance, please contact the IT Hub via 08 8334 2227 or helpdesk@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au.

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Choral Night 2024

Choral Night is one of the most anticipated events on the Saints Girls’ calendar, and this year’s spectacle carries the theme ‘Love’.

Thursday 21 March (Week 8), 7pm
Futures Church (formerly known as Influencers Church)
57 Darley Road, Paradise SA 5075

Bookings open at 5pm Friday 8 March, 4 tickets per family, click here to book.

We look forward to the festivities and can’t wait to see what our girls have in store!

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Our Year 10s Present Shakespeare on the Lawn

We are thrilled to share that the Year 10 Drama and Dance students are presenting Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on Chiverton lawns on 5 April. This exciting venture is a collaboration between Performing Arts and our Visual Arts students who are creating amazing costumes and beautiful pendant flower lamps to hang from the trees. It includes the work of Food Technology students who are preparing picnic hampers for the event.

This will be a wonderful community event, where you will be able to catch up with other families and the wider school community on our beautiful lawns and be entertained by our Year 10 Arts students.

Friday 5 April from 5.30pm, Chiverton Lawn

• 5.30pm – Set up your picnic spot, collect food orders, be entertained by our musicians.
• 6.30-7.30pm – Performance.
• 8.30pm – Event finishes.

The performance is free of charge and bookings are open! Please click here to prebook your attendance and food.

The delicious, themed picnic hampers created by the Year 10 World of Food students include a wonderful selection of tasty items such as home-made quiches, quince paste, dips, lavosh, cheeses, cured meats, baguette and crackers, presented with a custom-made cheese board. They will also include lovely, sweet treats such as brownies and fresh and dried fruits and will serve at least 4 people as an entrée.

Drinks will be sold by the Friends of Arts on the night.
St Peter’s Girls picnic blankets for purchase.

Any profits from the sale of the picnic baskets will be donated to the House Charities.

It will be a magical evening not to be missed!

Kate Burnett
Head of the Arts

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The ELC Coffee Van is Coming Back this Term!

Dear ELC families,

The ELC Coffee Van is coming to St Peter’s Girls’ ELC on Thursday 28 March on Chiverton Lawns (located adjacent to the ELC).

All ELC families are welcome to enjoy a coffee and hot cross bun on us! This event offers families a wonderful opportunity to engage with the ELC community at morning drop off.

Due to allergies, babycinos will not be available. We also ask families to avoid bringing hot drinks into the ELC; instead, please use the School’s path to exit.

We look forward to seeing you there!

ELC Coffee Van
Thursday 28 March (Week 9)
Chiverton Lawns
7.30am – 10am

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Shane Davidson Presents – Hairspray Jr

It’s the 60’s in Baltimore, US and the world is changing. Join Tracy Trunblad, Corny Collins, Link Larkin and Amber von Tussle and a cast of 50 as they sing and dance their way You Can’t Stop the Beat, Mama I’m a big Girl now and Good Morning Baltimore. Suitable for all ages.

Performances this weekend – Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March
Jeffreys Linn Arts Centre, St Peter’s Girls’ School

Click here to Book.

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School Shop Notice

School Shop Opening Hours

Monday to Friday: 8am – 4pm (closed for lunch 12 – 12.30pm).

Parents can also order items via our Online School Shop. This is now accessible via the Flexischools platform which also administers our Online Tuck Shop. To sign in or sign up to Flexischools, click here

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Absences from School

If your child will be absent from school/ELC or is arriving late or leaving early, please notify the School via one of the following methods:

Text: 0428 601 957
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8334 2200

Please ensure to include your child’s name, the name of the ELC Room, Class or Home Group and the reason for the absence i.e. illness/appointment/family/sport etc.

If notifying via email, feel free to ‘cc’ the teacher of the Room/Class/Home Group as well.

It would be appreciated if notification is received prior to 9am.

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Sports News

Sport Results

Wednesday 28 February – Tuesday 5 March

BASKETBALL

Senior B: Saints (31) v Seymour B (28)
Best Players: Ashlyn May showed fantastic leadership on the court, led by example both defensively and offensively, and scored some tough finishes at crucial moments in the game. Januri Wagaarachchi had a great game all round, scored crucial baskets to put the team in front with a few minutes to go, and great rebounding.
Superwoman: Levanya de Silva had a super solid game, was poised in offence, absorbing the contact and pressure, showed great skill when carrying the ball down the court

Senior C: Saints (46) v Wilderness Senior C (4)

Middle A: Saints (31) v Concordia Middle A (66)

Middle C: Saints (13) v Concordia Middle C2 (20)
A really tough, hard-fought game that came down to the final 2 minutes. With their 9 players to our 6, we held our own and then some. Our defence was almost impenetrable, and our offensive structures started to work after the 1st quarter. Everyone gave 100% effort the entire game and I’m very proud of how they played.
Best Players: Imogen Wallace, Evie Murphy, Christina Zhu, Eva Morton.

Middle D Blue: Saints (8) v Concordia Middle C1 (42)
Coming up against a very well organised team with some taller bodies was a challenge for our team. But what we lacked in height we made up for in defensive effort. Some unforced errors and mistakes in the first quarter put us on the back foot for the rest of the game. We did however play hard until the final siren, and that’s the most important thing.
Best Players: Si Cheng, Sindy Song, Ella Liu and Ivy Zhang.

Middle D White: Saints (5) v Wilderness Middle Blue (59)

CRICKET

Year 3/4 Blue: Saints (2/79) v Wilderness 3/4 White (4/81)

Year 5/6 White: Saints (8/79) v Pembroke 5/6 Blue (4/121)

Senior A: Saints (6/86) v Concordia Senior A (1/63)
A great win by the girls.
Best Players: Lucy Lowry was the pick of the batters with the highest score and Phoebe smacked a quick score at the end to bring the total up.
Superwoman: Well bowled by Ella Warrick and the whole team fielded really well! Great win in the end.

Senior B: Saints (1/86) v Seymour Senior B (5/46)

TENNIS

Experienced Blue: Saints (4/4/23) v Seymour Experienced Purple (2/2/17)

Intermediate Blue: Saints (2/14) v St Ignatius Gold (4/21)

Intermediate Navy: Saints (4/22) v Wilderness Intermediate Blue (2/15)

Intermediate White: Saints (3/3/16) v St Ignatius Blue (3/3/20)

Beginner White: Saints (4/4) v Seymour Beginner White (0/0)

Senior Division 1.2: Scores not entered
Superwoman: Once again, Jessica Dong has stepped up to fill in for Div 1.2! She showed courage today in her games and did a great job!
Best player: Annabelle Birdsey was a very active net player today and helped win a lot of points in her doubles game with Cynthia Fong.

Senior Division 3.3: Saints (22) v Seymour Division 3.1 (47)
It was a tough day for the girls. They all had to play 3 positions higher than normal, but they competed very well and as always, they played the game in great spirit!
Well done to Maggie who came up from 4.4 and showed great composure to win in a tie breaker.

Senior Division 4.4: Scores not entered
Best Player: Maggie Zheng was the Saturday Superstar! She filled in the 3.3 team and WON her singles in a tiebreak. A fantastic effort from her to keep her cool and win. Her serve was very consistent, and she had her opponent on the run during some great rallies.
Super Woman: Maggie’s teammates from 4.4 who stayed around to watch her match.

Senior Open A: Saints (5) v Immanuel Premier League (72)
Best player: Leah Huynh was our best player today with the most active net play and strongest serve!
Superwoman: Annabelle Birdsey has been showing off what we’ve been practicing in training the most; hitting deep into the court and playing with intensity!

TOUCH FOOTBALL

Middle A: Saints (4) v St Ignatius 1 (2)

Middle B: Saints (4) v St Ignatius 2 (2)

Senior A: Saints (5) v St Ignatius 1 (4)
Best player: Chloe Richards
Superwoman: Anna Russell for stepping on the wing.

Senior B: Saints (2) v Loreto 3 (1)

VOLLEYBALL

Year 4-6 Blue: Saints (1/52) v Seymour 5/6 White (2/67)

Year 4-6 Silver: Saints (0/60) v Seymour 5/6 Green (3/75)

Year 4-6 White: Saints (1/46) v Seymour 5/6 Blue (2/52)

Senior A: Saints (3/75) v Immanuel Open B1 (0/45)

Senior B: Saints (2/70) v Walford Senior B (0/51)

Senior C: Saints (3) v Pembroke Senior C Yellow (0)
Superwoman: Maddie Oborn
Best player: Peyton Doan

Senior D: Saints (1/60) v Concordia Senior C3 (2/63)

Middle A: Saints (0/37) v Walford Middle A (3/75)
Best player: Jasmin Cetinkol with strong passing and defence. She had good intent to stick to the game plan.
Superwoman: Jasmin Cetinkol was encouraging to teammates and used her voice to cheer us on.

Middle C Blue: Saints (1/53) v Immanuel Middle C3 (2/56)

Middle C White: Saints (1/75) v Pulteney Middle C (2/66)
Best player: Charlotte Di Blasio
Superwoman: Mya Trinh

Middle D Blue: Saints (1/57) v Immanuel Middle C4 (2/67)

Middle D White: Saints (0/45) v Immanuel Middle C2 (3/75)

WATER POLO

Senior A: Saints (11) v Seymour Senior A (2)

Senior B: Saints (3) v Pembroke Open B (15)

Senior C: Saints (5) v Pembroke Open C (10)
Best Player: Ruby Marschall played incredibly well, shooting several amazing goals, and acquiring many balls defensively from the opposition.
Superwoman: Octavia Parkinson swam hard in both defence and in attack, providing passing options and swimming back immediately after turnovers to chase down her opponent.

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SPORTS SA SWIMMING CARNIVAL

On Tuesday 27 February, a group of 18 girls attended the SSSA Swimming competition. The competition was held throughout the day with many girls stepping up and competing in races they had not previously done. There were a series of 50m races, with two of our fastest girls competing in the 100m FS event. We finished off the day with a Medley relay consisting of girls across the different ages and FS relays from each age group. Even without the addition of Year 7 and 8 students, our swimming team had an amazing day, finishing 3rd Overall. We hope to get some more girls out for our upcoming IGSSA competition and maybe take home a win. Well done to all the girls who competed, and I am very excited to see some more swimming talent in the pool soon!

Alice Braithwaite
Swimming Captain

SAPSASA SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Congratulations to all participants of yesterday’s SAPSASA Swimming Carnival! It was a very warm day at Norwood Swimming Pool, but morale was high from when the students got on the bus at 7.30am, through to the last event at 12.15pm.

Clara Toh (50m Butterfly), Phoebe Gilbert (50m Backstroke), Lucy Doherty and Amy Liau (50m Breaststroke) all smashed their School Swimming Carnival times by more than 2 seconds.

Special mention goes to Penny Coulter who took charge early and led the girls through a dry warm up and to Emily Wang who came away with two 1st and one 2nd placing on her Birthday!

More importantly, the girls were very supportive of each other and represented the school beautifully. Well done everyone!

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