eNews – Week 1, Term 4 2022

Farewell Principal Julia Shea

As foreshadowed in previous editions of eNews, today marks the final day of official engagements for our outgoing Principal Julia Shea.

Julia took a bow on the Arts Centre stage during yet another spectacular performance in the Staff Dance today – highlights of which will be shared next week – and following tonight’s Valedictory Dinner, she will pass the baton to Richard Lisle who will be Acting Principal until Cherylyn Skewes commences in early January. Over the coming weeks, Julia will continue to work with Cherylyn and the School to ensure a smooth handover before she begins her next adventure in Melbourne.

We thank Julia for her enormous 9-year contribution to Saints Girls and wish her all the best. Here, she shares some reflections of her Saints Girls’ journey:

‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’

Since 2014, I’ve tapped away at the keyboard writing eNews articles and usually the words have flowed quite freely. But as I sit down to complete this task for the final time, the words seem much harder to find.

Even though you won’t find it in any of the books written by A. A. Milne, the quote above is attributed to Winnie the Pooh, the soft-voiced, cuddly honey-loving bear who lives in the forest surrounded by the Hundred Acre Wood. And he was onto something! Often goodbyes aren’t a big deal – a quick wave and off you go. But when saying goodbye is hard, it means you’ve experienced something truly unique and special.

In 2016, our very talented Music Teacher Robyn Habel along with her Year 10 class composed ‘We Are St Peter’s Girls’. It’s a song that captures the very essence of what it is to be a Saints Girl and I’d like to highlight some of those unique and special things under the lyrics of what the girls call ‘the song about the School’.

We wear the crest to this day and follow in the Sisters’ way

Saints Girls is a school with a very proud history and rich traditions. I’ve had the privilege of leading the School for just 9 years of its amazing 128-year history. We are all custodians of this great School for only a brief chapter of its story. It’s important that the girls understand they are part of something much bigger than themselves, that they are here only because of the legacy of the amazing women that have come before them, and they in turn lay the foundations on which future generations of Saints Girls will thrive. Our founding Sisters were remarkable young women, and as a community, we will continue to unite under their values of courage, creativity and compassion. The Sisters were women ‘before their time’, and they established a school which today produces young women who similarly push the boundaries of their era – that’s special.

Sister, I will stand by you, underneath the white and blue

Saints Girls is a genuine sisterhood. Sisterhood is more than friendship. In a genuine sisterhood, all are accepted for who they are and inspired by all to be the best they can be. It’s defined by compassion, not competitiveness, by building each other up and not putting each other down. I see it every morning in the car park as our youngest girls walk hand-in-hand with a Year 12 girl to their classroom, when our young Old Scholars sit beside our current girls in the Library after school and help them through that tricky problem, when our most proficient musicians give of their time so generously to play with those who are just starting out. Having over 800 sisters – that’s unique!

That to those of us who have been given much, we will give now in return

Whenever I’m asked to describe Saints Girls in one word, I say ‘authentic’. We’re an unstuffy, unpretentious place instilled with a relaxed sense of excellence. And that groundedness affirms the notion that service to others is an individual responsibility. Our girls have a well-developed sense of moral agency – that’s special.

Patteson and Selwyn, Kilburn and Kennion, we are one

Schools are about connections and one of the places in which our girls find that connection, that sense of belonging, is in their House. One of the first things many Old Scholars will tell you is which House they were in and then they’ll reminisce about Choral Night in Year 12 and how they still can’t understand why they didn’t win! So yes, there is a genuine sense of rivalry across the Houses. But the extraordinary thing is the wonderful support that the Houses give to each other. It’s evident on Choral Night when each performance is met with thunderous applause. A girl’s House is very much part of her identity, but first and foremost, she is a Saints Girl – together we are one – that’s unique.

We will dare to dream our dreams, dare to be what we can be … We can make our mark upon this world

As I leave the School, the enduring memory of a Saints Girl for me will be her incredible sense of self-belief. Self-belief is so powerful. It gives you the audacity to shoot for the stars, the resilience to bounce back, the focus required to persevere. It stems from a School culture that promotes self-confidence, self-worth and autonomy. And because she truly believes that she can do anything to which she sets her mind, a Saints Girl will take the risk and dare to shape the changing world that surrounds her – that’s special.

I leave with immense pride in the young women that I have walked beside over the past 9 years. It has been a truly unique and special journey and I am indeed very lucky to have experienced something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

Sincere thanks for your support and friendship throughout my time at Saints Girls. I wish you and your family much joy and happiness in the years ahead.

Julia Shea
Principal

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From Our Chair of the Board

Following a flourishing 9-year partnership, St Peter’s Girls bids a fond farewell to Principal Julia Shea. Throughout almost 130 years of excellence in girls’ education, our School has never been in a better position, and we once again thank Julia for her immense contribution to this.

Julia leaves an indelible mark on the School, having worked tirelessly with the Board and the Senior Leadership Team to deliver major milestones across our Master and Strategic Plans. This includes the incredible transformation of the School’s buildings and facilities, and the establishment of our #EMPOWHER wellbeing, Career.Ready and Leadership Matters programs. These initiatives work together to support our girls through their schooling journey and beyond, and facilitate our fierce commitment to education as a lifelong companion for both students and staff.

We wish Julia all the best for her new role as Principal of Methodist Ladies’ College in Melbourne. Julia has said on many occasions, ‘Once a Saints Girl, always a Saints Girl’. As a proud parent of three Old Scholars and as our departing Principal, Julia will forever remain a key figure in the rich history of our School, and we trust that Saints Girls will always hold a special place in her heart.

Jeremy Schultz
Chair, Board of Governors

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From Our Head and Deputy Head Prefects

Over the past 9 years, Ms Shea has shaped Saints Girls to be the amazing School it is today. Under her leadership, the School has achieved incredible feats in many areas such as academics, The Arts and sport. She has taken Saints Girls from strength to strength and has played a key role in upgrading the education environment to focus buildings and facilities around curriculum.

In addition to her duties as a dedicated Principal, Ms Shea has gone above and beyond, acting as an inspiring role model for all the girls to look up to. We have no doubt that the girls will miss her for the person she is and the passion and warmth she has brought to the School. Ms Shea has not focused solely on academic results, but also on giving the girls an all-rounded education so that we can become strong women of character and influence. By introducing our three core values of courage, creativity and compassion, she has instilled fundamental principles that the girls are encouraged to live and lead by. Furthermore, she has always stressed the importance of service, teaching girls to give back to the community and to make the most of the opportunities we are given.

During the challenging recent years, Ms Shea has prioritised the girls and their wellbeing, inspiring them to remain optimistic and be grateful for all that they have. She has embraced adversity, and her open-minded and adaptable attitude has been a guiding light through hardships and uncertain times.

Despite her many achievements, including as an accomplished mathematician and an amazing Presentation Night speaker, she has always remained extremely humble and modest. The girls really appreciate her sense of humour and how she is willing to participate in activities that the girls enjoy such as the Staff v Student Netball and the Staff Dance, in which she is always the star of the show.

Ms Shea’s thoughtful efforts have made Saints Girls not only one of the leading girls’ schools in Australia, but also a nurturing and caring community that is like no other. So, from the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for your contribution, kindness, leadership and dedication to taking Saints Girls to a whole new level.

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Farewell Class of 2022!

Farewell to our fabulous Class of 2022 – what an epic last day of school with the Celebration Day Eucharist and Assembly!

We hope you enjoy more celebrations at tonight’s Valedictory Dinner, and we wish you all the best for your final exams and assessments. Always remember, you are and will forever be Saints Girls.

A send-off tradition is the Year 12 run through the School watched on by staff and younger students. Take a look at the Class of 2022 in action:

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Congratulations 2023 Student Leaders

There were stirring scenes on Wednesday as our 2023 Student Leaders were inducted in a Chapel Service where they received their badges of office from staff and our outgoing Prefects.

Families and fellow students watched on with pride as our new Prefects and other leaders pledged to serve St Peter’s Girls with distinction.

It was a moving occasion, and we can’t wait to see how the girls lead the School in 2023.

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Saints Girls’ Family Day – This Sunday!

Join us this Sunday 23 October for the Saints Girls’ Family Day!

From 11am to 2pm, Chiverton Lawns will host a fun-filled community gathering including face painting, a bubble artist, lawn games and more.

Fabulous food and coffee from ‘Snob Catering’ run by Old Scholar Steph Hannah (Patteson 2010) will have a delicious selection of items available to purchase such as popcorn chicken and chips, Vietnamese noodle dishes and poké bowls.

Our Friends of Rowing parents will be hosting a bar with refreshments including still and sparkling wine, beer and soft drinks.

We encourage all families to come along and enjoy our beautiful grounds at this relaxed community event.

BYO picnic blanket and/or chairs.

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Highlights of Term 3 at Saints Girls

Term 4 is already off to a flying start, but our girls are still on cloud nine following an action-packed Term 3.

Featuring Choral Night, Book Week, Sports Day, Girls in Tech and more, it was a terrific time to be at Saints Girls!

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Community Joy at Year 12 Breakfast

The final Friday of Term 3 saw Year 12 students and their families join staff on Chiverton Lawns for a special breakfast. Blessed with sunshine and coffee, the morning was a wonderful opportunity to gather informally as we near the end of the schooling journey for our Year 12 students.

It was lovely to reconnect with families and to see our girls relaxed, outdoors enjoying each other’s company. For even just an hour, the focus wasn’t on assignments, tests or deadlines but instead on friendships, laughter and memories. There was also a feeling of energy and excitement as families reconnected with other families and staff.

Thank you to all who joined us and to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Events such as these continue to add to the wonderful sense community we have here at Saints, a community equally unique as it is special.

Lauren Sutton
Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School

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Regal Engagement for School Leaders

Head Prefect Sophie Norman and Deputy Head Prefect Chi Chi Zhao had the privilege of attending Government House over the holiday break.

The girls joined other school leaders from around the State and had the opportunity to meet with the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC.

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Exhibition at South Australian Museum

As part of our commitment to Reconciliation, some Middle School classes have used the 50 Words Project to learn 50 words in Kaurna language and explore indigenous languages during their studies in Humanities.

The recent Year 7 History excursion to Warriparinga/The Living Kaurna Cultural Centre also included workshops on traditional weaving and learning about bush tucker in Kaurna language.

The Arabana Yanhi! Tanganekald Yan! exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for students to continue exploring indigenous languages. This is the first in a series of exhibitions at the South Australian Museum showcasing the efforts of two communities to combat the decline of their languages – Arabana of the western Lake Eyre region and Tanganekald of the Coorong region.

Explore original artwork by Aboriginal artists Lakota Milera-Weetra and the late Jacob Stengle (Karumapuli) made for the language flashcards that have been created in order to share, revive and promote Arabana and Tanganekald languages in their respective communities and across the State.

Free entry. Open daily until 26 March 2023.

Check out this exhibition and other amazing programs run by the South Australian Museum – click here

Kate McBride
Library and Information Services

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Junior School Pyjama Day – Next Week

Next Thursday 27 October, the Year 6 Ambassadors invite Junior School students to wear pyjamas to school and bring a gold coin donation to support the Solar Buddy ‘Light Up Vanuatu’ Service Learning campaign.

This initiative provides solar lights to children who have limited access to electricity, allowing them to study and read after dark. The Solar Buddy organisation will deliver the lights in kit form to our School next term, and the Year 6 students will assemble them and write a personal message to the children who will receive them. The lights will be delivered to Vanuatu later this year.

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Friends of Rowing – Season Opening Picnic

The Friends of Rowing invite you to attend the Season Opening Picnic on Sunday 30 October from 5 – 7pm on Chiverton Lawns. This event will be an opportunity to welcome our new and returning Rowing families for the 2022/23 season, as well as christen our newest boats!

All rowers are expected to attend, and Rowing families are encouraged. The event is open to the School community; Old Scholars and friends of the Rowing program are very welcome.

Tickets can be purchased via TryBooking – click here

$25 per adult
$20 per student/child

Tickets include nibbles, yiros and soft drinks. Refreshments will also be available for purchase.

Brynley Millward
Director of Rowing

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Friends of Rowing – Wine Fundraiser

Support the development of the Rowing Program at St Peter’s Girls’ School by purchasing from a fantastic selection of wines:

• Lambert Estate – Barossa Valley
• The Lane – Adelaide Hills
• Bird in Hand – Adelaide Hills
• d’Arenberg – McLaren Vale

Vintages are subject to change. In the event of wines being in short supply, we will contact you. Prices are only available for this fundraiser. Each wine can only be ordered by minimum purchase. Prices are inclusive of GST.

Purchases can be made from Sunday 23 October via TryBooking – click here

The campaign will commence on Sunday 23 October and run through until 11 December 2022 (no orders after this date can be accepted). Orders to be collected on Sunday 18 December from 11am – 3pm at St Peter’s Girls’ School. Wine can be collected after Sunday 18 December by prior arrangement; please contact Fiona McGregor, Community Relations – Events Officer via 8334 2225 or fmcgregor@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

Liquor Licence: #203237

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COVID-19 Updates

As you may be aware, a number of COVID-19 requirements have been lifted including mandatory isolation for those who test positive. Notwithstanding this, SA Health encourages anyone with symptoms to get tested and stay home until symptoms have cleared (usually five to seven days).

As there is no longer a set COVID isolation period, you must notify the School each day your child will be absent, or provide the expected period of absence.

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Road Safety Alert

The School has received reports of concerning driver behaviour on Hallett Road. This includes holding up traffic while waiting for cars to leave in order to park near the ELC, performing risky u-turns and parking in bus zones.

As our staff have no jurisdiction over public roads, the School will be asking the police to conduct regular patrols at peak times.

We implore all of our community members to support road safety and show courtesy to others.