Issue no. 12
From Our Principal
One of the great privileges of living in a country like Australia is our willingness to engage in open academic debate. As we’ve manoeuvred our way through the pandemic, even the medical experts haven’t reached consensus on the value of lockdowns or the use of masks. And as a community, we are no different. I’ll often receive two emails on the same day, one fully supporting the latest restriction imposed on the School and another incredulous that I should continue to submit the girls to such unnecessary and unjustifiable practices! Such open contestability comes at a cost – there is genuine fatigue and morale has taken a hit.
As parents, you’ve been asked to tolerate limited access to the campus over the past two and a half years. Numerous functions have been cancelled, and with socialising significantly reduced, many of us are feeling a little socially ‘rusty’ when it comes to school events. Our worlds became a little smaller and the thought of re-immersing ourselves in crowded social settings doesn’t sit comfortably with some. Things that were automatic to us in the days before COVID now need to be re-established as we seek to regain our confidence in gathering in numbers. For some members of our community, this will not be an easy thing to do.
I often talk about our sense of community. You know when you’ve got it, and you know when you don’t, but it’s not easy to explain exactly what it is. Yes, we all share an emotional connection, a desire to give our daughters the best start to life that we can. But it’s more than a common goal. Our community has an authenticity, a genuineness which makes it unique. And that sense of connection, that awesome vibe, is abundantly clear when we gather en masse.
So, let’s give it a go – reach out to those you haven’t seen for some time and meet up at our Starry Night Gala Ball on Saturday 18 June. It will be a night of wonderful food and wine, fabulous entertainment (the amazing band from the 125th Anniversary celebrations is back, so bring those dancing shoes!) and of course, fantastic company. It’s time to reconnect and rediscover the sense of community that makes Saints Girls such a special place.
In staffing news, I’m delighted to announce that Jess Geraghty has commenced in the role of Director of Enrolments, Marketing and Advancement. Please join me in congratulating Jess on her appointment.
Best wishes for Term 2!
Julia Shea
Principal
Starry Night Gala Ball tickets: www.trybooking.com/BXABL
Highlights of Term 1
Term 1 was action-packed at Stonyfell as our girls plunged into exciting events and activities across academics, The Arts, sport, Gym fundraising and much more.
Take a look at some of the highlights from our flying start to 2022:
Team the Theme for Young Leaders
This week, our Year 6 girls developed their leadership skills in a Team Building Day with Beyond Limits Outdoor Education. The focus was to promote participation, communication and teamwork, as well as developing the girls’ leadership traits. They took part in a variety of fun activities including archery, relays, water challenges, sling shots, a tower tumble and shelter building.
These activities equipped the girls with the skills to run their own peer leadership sessions later in the year. The Team Building Day was a huge success in empowering the leaders of our Junior School.
Mark Routley
Year 6 Teacher
Year 2s Plant Seed for Science
Last term, the Year 2 classes joined our Scientist in Residence Sophie Dolling for a scientific investigation into the way seedlings grow. Sophie is a PhD student in Marine Biology and Chemistry, studying the chemistry behind plastic pollution in seafood species across South Australia.
As part of our ‘How the World Works’ unit of inquiry, the Year 2 girls have been exploring lifecycles of plants and animals and the process of change that occurs as they grow. They were introduced to the Senior Biology Science Lab and noticed how it was different to their classroom by identifying that scientists might need special equipment to carry out their experiments.
The girls discussed that seeds need water, soil and light to grow. Different groups had varied conditions such as a grow-light, coloured light, limited water and cold climate. They then observed the seeds and measured and compared their growth carefully by drawing detailed diagrams. With the seeds having grown over the school holidays, the girls are very much looking forward to continuing their explorations this term.
Kathryn Clark and Rebecca Greenhalgh
Year 2 Teachers
High Notes for SACE Music Students
A group of our talented SACE Music students performed their first summative assessment pieces in Elder Hall on Saturday 9 April. Year 11 girls Lauren Parker, Matilda Chu and Chomilka Hattotuwa are currently completing Stage 2 Music Ensemble.
Lauren and Matilda played the musically challenging work ‘Scheherazade’ by Rimsky Korsakov as part of the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, and Chomilka presented a varied program of works as part of the Adelaide Youth Wind Orchestra. It was also lovely to see up-and-coming young musicians Jasmin Baker and Heidi Gong amongst the on-stage talent. Congratulations to all involved on a fine performance.
Sari Noble
Music Teacher
Water Polo Girls Strike Gold
Congratulations to Sophie Dansie and Claudia Pearce on their selection in the Adelaide Jets U16 Water Polo team and for winning Gold in their division at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships played in Brisbane over Easter. The girls shared:
I found the competition a fantastic experience as I expanded my skillset by competing against experienced players from other states. I was so proud of how our team composed ourselves and came out with Gold, which was so rewarding as we have been training for this competition for two years. – Sophie
As goalie, I was constantly faced with different challenges and situations, but with this came an amazing experience and I have made some great friendships along the way. Ending in a penalty shootout was definitely something that I didn’t expect and we were extremely happy to come out on top. – Claudia
Sculptural Gift a Fairytale Ending
Saints Girls has received a generous donation of a sculpture for our Library titled ‘Girl Reading a Fairytale’ from Linda Klarfeld. This renowned Australian sculptor creates bronze and granite works of art that focus on the human figure. Her work ranges from small miniature portrait busts to three metre high, larger-than-life pieces.
In her early years, she studied at an international Stone Sculptors School in Horice, Czech Republic. Over the past decade, her name has become synonymous with the production of bronze portrait sculptures, capturing well-known Australians such as Dr Victor Chang, Alan Jones, Gai Watehouse and John Singleton, amongst many more figurative pieces.
Linda says, ‘I am European trained and Australian Made. I had a vision of being a sculptor when I was very young. I have always wanted to be able to capture a thought, feeling or person and hold them forever.’
Linda’s sculpture has found a home in our Library and offers inspiration for our community while providing an example of sculptural excellence for aspiring artists.
Lisa Hollis
Head of Library and Information Services
Senior Drama Production – Book Your Seats Now!
The Year 12 Drama and IB Theatre students are busy working on this year’s production, The Eyes of Her Beholder. The play involves a somewhat twisted re-telling of the story of Snow White, using six distinctive theatrical styles to share its familiar tale. Both humorous and thought-provoking, the play explores the nature of beauty, the horrors of betrayal and the power of familial love.
Be sure not to miss this original work, written, designed and performed completely in-house.
7pm, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 May
Arts Centre, St Peter’s Girls’ School
To book your tickets, click here
Michael Butler-Wills
Head of English/Drama Teacher
IB EXPO 2022
Tuesday 17 May 5.30 – 7pm
Would you like to learn about the IB Diploma Programme? In Years 11 and 12, students can undertake the excellent and world-renowned IB Diploma. Before they do, it is good to understand the structure of the programme, its courses and assessments, so your daughter can choose the pathway/courses that best suit.
We particularly encourage parents from Years 8 – 10 to attend the IB EXPO which will be held on Tuesday 17 May, 5.30 – 7pm, in the Chapel and Middle School. As well as our Year 8 – 10 parents and their daughters, all members of our community and the public are also welcome.
Our IB Diploma Coordinator Carolyn Farr will present the structure of the Diploma, including differences with SACE and how universities recognise IB Diploma achievement. An excellent way to understand the benefits and experiences that the IB Diploma offers is to speak with our graduates. There will also be students who are currently undertaking their Diploma to talk to. IB teachers will be present to share their enthusiasm for the Diploma and perspectives from a subject specialist point of view.
5.30 – 6.15pm
Carolyn Farr, IB Diploma Coordinator: What is the IB Diploma? (Chapel)
6.15 – 7pm
Parents and students can chat with current IB students, IB teachers and IB graduates. (Middle School)
Year 9 and 10 students will also have information sessions during the school day this term; however, the IB EXPO experience is a great way to hear from different people all in the same event.
Please do contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing you and sharing my passion for this programme.
Carolyn Farr
IB Diploma Coordinator
Starry Night Gala Ball
Saturday 18 June
Saints Girls is over the moon about our Starry Night Gala Ball to celebrate and support our fundraising efforts for a new Gym, including our ‘Saints Girls All-Stars’.
Don’t miss out on this amazing evening with our Saints Girls’ community.
7pm, Saturday 18 June
Adelaide Convention Centre
Tickets: $200 per person
Includes three-course meal, beverages and live entertainment
To book your tickets, CLICK HERE
Star Struck Major Lottery
As momentum builds for our Gym fundraising campaign featuring our ‘Saints Girls All-Stars’, we are thrilled to share our Star Struck Major Lottery.
Ticket sales are now open, so get in quick!
First Prize: Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport from Northpoint Toyota (valued at $27,811)
+ a personalised car park at St Peter’s Girls’ School from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.
This stunning new car could belong to you or someone in your family! Spread the word and feel free to share this opportunity with your friends and relatives.
To buy your tickets: CLICK HERE
Lottery Licence No: M14175
COVID-19 Information
SA Health has advised that close contacts no longer need to quarantine. Therefore, children and students can attend school or ELC despite being a close contact, provided they undertake 5 RATs over the subsequent 7 days and receive negative results. They must also be asymptomatic in order to attend school or ELC.
Please also be reminded of these vital requirements:
Should your child develop any symptoms, even mild ones, they must not attend school or ELC and should be tested for COVID-19. They require a PCR test with receipt of a negative result and resolution of symptoms before return to school/ELC can be considered. Students who have previously tested positive and have completed isolation in the past 12 weeks do not need to undertake testing.
If your child tests positive to COVID-19, notify us immediately. Please also advise the type of test (RAT/PCR), the date your child’s test was taken and the date symptoms started (if no symptoms, note ‘asymptomatic’).
Please notify us via email or text:
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Text: 0428 601 957 (save to phone contacts as SPGS)
If you need to notify us over the phone, please call the Front Office on 8334 2200.
Please note that if your child is too sick to attend school, they are therefore also too sick to be working remotely from home.
School Medical Information Reminder
It is imperative that all medical information, including immunisations, is up to date on the School’s myLink parent portal.
Please follow this pathway to check and/or update details: myLink > Community Portal > My Details > select child name
If you have any questions, please email healthcentre@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
School Shop Notices
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 8am – 4pm
(closed for lunch 12 – 12.30pm)
Winter Uniform Requirements
Year 4 Students
The pinafore is replaced by a skirt of the same fabric, so if the pinafore still fits, the bib can simply be removed. The grandpa shirt is replaced by a collared shirt and tie, and the junior blazer (cardigan) is no longer worn and is replaced by a navy blue jumper and a wool blazer.
Year 10 & 12 Students
Year 10 students move into our pale blue seniors jumper.
Year 12 students move into our white Year 12 jumper. We also have a matching white scarf available for $30, however this is not a compulsory item.
General Absences from School
If your child is going to be absent, late to school or leave early, please use one of the following methods to notify the School, providing the student name, Class/Home Group and reason:
Text: 0428 601 957
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8334 2200
Feel free to include the Class/Home Group Teacher when emailing. It would be appreciated if notifications could be made prior to 9am.
Sports News
2022 WINTER SPORT TRAINING TIMES
Junior School students – click here
Middle and Senior School students – click here