eNews – Week 7, Term 1 2023

Issue no. 7

From Our Deputy Principal / Head of Middle School

With under a week to go, the excitement is certainly building for this year’s Choral Night! As ever, it has been a pleasure to witness our student leaders galvanise their Houses in pursuit of the best possible performance on the night. It is always wonderful to see the girls supporting those embracing moments of leadership, showing the incredible importance of followship as they work towards a common goal.

It’s hard to quantify how much effort goes into choosing, arranging and then teaching the two songs performed by each House, but it’s fair to say that it is always an amazing journey, with students and their leaders learning a lot along the way and experiencing a range of emotions. My experience is that the mixture of highs, relative occasional lows, frustration, elation and joy only serve to create the heightened atmosphere of celebration (and relief for some!) we all cherish on the evening.

Amongst the staff, there is a sense of slight dread about what new impossibly difficult dance moves the girls will display, knowing we may well attempt to recreate them later in the year as part of the Year 12 Celebration Day activities.

If you haven’t booked tickets yet, we do still have some available (link below), so rather than limit yourself to a drop off and pick up and sit at home wondering what all the fuss is about, secure yourself a seat, meet up with some other parents and be prepared for a two-hour show that will rival anything you’ll see at the Fringe!

Richard Lisle
Deputy Principal/Head of Middle School

Choral Night
Thursday 23 March
7pm
Influencers Church, Paradise

To book – click here

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Choral Night Adjudicators

We are thrilled to announce the outstanding adjudicators we have arranged for Choral Night 2023:

Stephanie Thompson

Born and raised in Adelaide, Stephanie studied dance at the Barbara Jayne Dance Centre and singing with Pauline Jamieson. She has successfully competed in Eisteddfods in Melbourne and Adelaide, and completed ballet studies in Cecchetti and Borovansky syllabi-Tap CSTD Gold Cross.

After completing her schooling, she continued her studies with the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts where she received a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) degree. Upon graduation, Stephanie won the Leslie Anderson award for Best Showcase. She made her professional debut in Love Never Dies (RUC) the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, working under the direction of Andrew Lloyd Webber. She starred in A Chorus Line (TLP) as Maggie which toured both nationally and internationally. This went onto receive the Helpmann Award for Best Musical. She also starred alongside Geoffrey Rush and Magda Szubanski in A Funny Thing Happened Along the Way to the Forum (GFO), performing for Stephen Sondheim, the composer of the show. Other credits include Anything Goes (WAAPA), Ragtime (WAAPA), Cabaret (WAAPA), The Producers (TPC), Pirates of Penzance (TPC) and Sweet Charity (HTC). TV credits include Mr & Mrs Murder and several televised live events.

Stephanie currently teaches Tap, Jazz and Music Theatre at the Australian Company of Performing Arts (ACPA).

Sue Rodger

Sue is an accomplished pianist and flautist who has been involved in music education in South Australia for over 30 years.

She has worked as a music teacher and as the Director of Music at both Immanuel College and St Mary’s College, and most recently, Sue joined the Special Interest Music Teaching Team at Brighton Secondary School. During her professional career, Sue has been heavily involved in developing school choral programs and has directed many choirs in a wide range of styles including classical, liturgical, contemporary and jazz.

Sue has had regular success directing and accompanying choirs in competitions such as the Adelaide Choral Eisteddfod and Generations in Jazz. She enjoys a wide variety of choral styles and is looking forward to hearing the students of St Peter’s Girls.

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Head of the River – Go Saints Girls!

We take this opportunity to wish our Saints Girls and their coaches all the very best for Head of the River tomorrow.

We know they will be excellent ambassadors for our School and we hope they enjoy celebrating their season with family and friends.

Videography: Myles McEwen

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Year 7 Campers Rise to Robe Challenge

Year 7 camp at Robe was challenging but fun-filled! Sleeping in tents surpassed my expectations as there were not as many insects as I had anticipated.

Out of all the activities, I was most looking forward to boogie boarding; but surprisingly, I really enjoyed caving and this turned out to be my favourite. I loved the experience as I found fitting in small spaces and crawling about was super fun! We learnt about fossils and megafauna at Victoria Fossil Cave and further expanded on this at the Wonambi Fossil Centre.

During the expedition, we hiked to Stony Rise campsite and experienced our first-ever meal cooked on Trangias, which was remarkably yummy! Even though the hike was tiresome and sandy, the result was gratifying and I felt a sense of accomplishment.

The camp was brilliant and I have many memories that I will keep forever.

Caitlyn Sim-Ling
Year 7 student

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Kokoda Trail Honour on Horizon

During the upcoming holidays, I will have the privilege of trekking the Kokoda Trail with ‘Adventure Kokoda’. I’m really excited to take on this challenging 8-day, 100km trek with my mum. Between its remoteness, weather and terrain, it’s commonly rated in the top 5 hardest treks in the world.

To make sure I’m ready, I’ve been training hard since December, hiking in my gear in the heat and carrying a day-pack for 20 – 30km a week on the hardest hills around Adelaide. My rowing training has also helped increase my fitness and strength. In addition, I’ve done some balance/coordination and climbing work such as going to West Beach Adventure Park and TreeClimb on Greenhill Road. This is essential as the muddy track can get very slippery and steep, and the log or vine bridges and rocky creek crossings can be wobbly and unpredictable, so my balance has to be steady.

The Kokoda Trail is a narrow walking path across the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea. It was over this track during WW2 that the Japanese were attempting to reach Port Moresby in the hope of capturing this important port, from where they could better threaten the north of Australia, launching air attacks and raids. The Australian militia were initially sent in, however they were seriously under-trained and under-supplied in terms of both food and weaponry – this supply problem was a constant limitation for these fighters. They were later joined by some regular army (Australian Imperial Force) units and heroically conducted a fighting withdrawal along the track in horrible conditions including much hand-to-hand combat in drenching rain and tropical heat. The Japanese fighters got quite close to Port Moresby, but they were suffering from too much starvation and sickness so couldn’t advance anymore. The Australians then pushed them back along the track through Kokoda and out to the north coast. Thousands of Australians and Japanese became sick or were wounded or killed during this campaign that lasted four months.

I’m really looking forward to learning more by trekking this important trail.

Photo: the view from above the Isurava Monument (a key battleground on the Kokoda Trail)

Zalia Valmorbida
Year 8 student

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Linguistics Learners Going for Gold

Following on from the success that St Peter’s Girls enjoyed at the 2022 Australian Computational and Linguistics Olympiad (OzCLO), this year we entered eight teams from Years 9 to 12 to compete in this exciting competition.

OzCLO is an amazing opportunity and rewarding experience in which teams work collaboratively to solve linguistics challenges and enhance their code-breaking skills. Teams from around Australia compete simultaneously over a two-hour period to unravel six fascinating language problems.

Incredibly, both Year 11 teams (Emily, Gloria, Lynne and Heidi, and Angelina, Ruby, Alysa and Neya) made it into the 2023 National Final, two out of only three senior teams to do so in the State! This is a phenomenal achievement and we look forward to competing next Wednesday at Prince Alfred College.

Gloria Zou and Emily McCorley
Year 11 students

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Lynne Spry Water Polo Cup Tonight

Friday 17 March
6pm
St Peter’s College
55 Hackney Road, St Peters

The Lynne Spry Cup, named after Old Scholar and staff member Lynne Spry (Selwyn 1974), is a game between our Open A Water Polo players and the Old Scholars’ team. It is a great opportunity for our current players to get involved and learn from the Old Scholars while also having a good time.

Please come along tonight and support our wonderfully talented girls!

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Scholastic Book Club

The second issue of Scholastic Book Club is out now, featuring terrific Easter books Bin Chicken’s Eggcellent Easter, Bluey Happy Easter! A Puffy Sticker Colouring Book and Hot, Cross Bunny.

Place your order via the Scholastic Australia LOOP website. If your child is in Year 7 or above, please select class Year 7-12-McBride and enter the first name and surname of your child. To browse Issue 2 – click here

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Saints Set to Star in Alice in Wonderland

We’re excited for Saints Girls who’ll be appearing in the classic story of ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Shane Davidson Presents.

Come with Alice as she ventures through Wonderland and the Looking Glass, meeting a wonderful array of characters.

Venue: Holden Street Theatres, 34 Holden St, Hindmarsh
Dates: Friday 31 March (7.30pm) and Saturday 1 April (1pm, 4pm and 7.30pm)
Tickets: $35 via TryBooking – click here

Shane Davidson
Year 5 Teacher

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URSTRONG Friendship Program

We are proud that our Junior School has become a ‘URSTRONG School’ in 2023. This whole-School friendship strategy will connect 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 next Wednesday 22 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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Summer Interhouse Meal Deal – Order Now!

The Friends of Sport (FOS) will be cooking up a storm at Summer Interhouse on Thursday 6 April. We’re offering delicious cheeseburger Meal Deals and a sausage sizzle (vegetarian option available).

Pre-order your daughter’s cheeseburger Meal Deal before 5pm, Thursday 30 March via TryBooking – click here

Friends of Sport volunteers will hand-deliver the Reception – Year 2 lunches to their classrooms, and Years 3 – 12 will collect theirs from the FOS barbecue area.

There will also be cash and EFTPOS sales on the day for the sausage sizzle.

To get you into the Summer Interhouse spirit, branded keyrings, supporter hats, House hats, water bottles and wristbands can also be pre-ordered, or purchased on the day.

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

Thank you so much for your kind support.

Friends of Sport

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COVID-19 Information

Please find the latest guidance from SA Health:

• It is strongly recommended that students stay home if they have cold or flu-like
  symptoms, and test for COVID-19.
• Whether they receive a positive or negative result, they should stay home until symptoms subside (usually five to seven days).
• It is strongly recommended that parents/guardians inform the School if a student is a
  close contact. For further advice regarding close contacts, click here
• While face masks are no longer mandated, they are an important physical barrier to help stop the spread of COVID, particularly when indoors.

If your child tests positive to COVID-19, please inform the School. Please also notify the School each day of absence, or provide the expected period of absence.

You can notify us via one of the following methods. Please include the name of the ELC Room, Class or Home Group. If emailing, feel free to ‘CC’ the teacher of the Room/Class/Home Group as well.

Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

Text: 0428 601 957 (save to phone contacts as SPGS)

Phone: 8334 2200

For more SA Health information, click here

Please note that if your child is unwell, they should remain home until they have recovered, irrespective of the illness.

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2023 School Immunisation Program

The SA 2023 School Immunisation Program will be delivered by Eastern Health Authority (EHA) on Wednesday 29 March.

All Year 7 and 8 students will be offered:
1 dose of the human papillomavirus vaccine, Gardasil®9
1 dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough vaccine, Boostrix®

All Year 10 students will be offered:
2 doses of the meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero® at 2 separate visits (2 months apart)
1 dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, Nimenrix®

For further information and videos for high school students – click here

Immunisation consent packs were given out at the beginning of the school year with information about the vaccines on offer. It is important that you have read the information supplied in the packs before you give consent for your child to be vaccinated at school. If you did not receive a consent pack from your child, please ask for one at the school’s Front Office.

Please notify EHA if:
– Your child has already started the above program with another provider
– You wish to withdraw your consent
– Your child’s medical condition has changed

Tips for the day of immunisation:
– Encourage your child to have a good breakfast and recess on the morning of immunisations
– Wear sports uniforms to aid easy access to the upper arm and avoid unnecessarily exposing yourself if clothing needs to be removed/undone
– Encourage your child to keep their arms moving and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

If you have any questions, please contact Eastern Health Authority via 8132 3600 or eha@eha.sa.gov.au

Remember: it is your responsibility to notify EHA of any changes or information, particularly in relation to your child’s medical condition. A signed and dated note in your child’s diary from a parent or guardian presented on the day is acceptable. School Immunisation Program records will be available on myGov within 24 hours of the school visit.

Eastern Health Authority

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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

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Car Park Protocols

Burnside Council has advised it will be conducting routine street parking patrols to support the safety of all people within the vicinity of the School. For council parking information, please find an information brochure here.

A reminder about the School’s car park protocols:

If the car park is full and you are unable to enter, circle the block until it is clear to enter, find a park elsewhere or, where age-appropriate, meet your daughter in a surrounding street.

Please note that, unless special circumstances apply, parents of girls in Years 2 to 12 should not enter the car park to collect their daughters prior to 3.30pm. Parents of girls in Reception and Year 1 have exclusive use of the pick-up zone prior to this time for safety and traffic reasons.

Please also refrain from turning right into or out of the car park at peak times, and please do not queue in the car park’s lanes as this often prevents drivers who are legally parked from exiting.

We have also previously received complaints about cars being parked too close to or in front of driveways, or across from other vehicles in surrounding streets, making it extremely difficult for residents and other road users to navigate.

We ask all community members to show consideration for others. Thank you for your cooperation.

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School Shop Notices

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

New ELC Uniforms

Our new ELC uniforms are available to purchase in the School Shop.

This beautiful range is designed for the needs of our youngest community members, giving our ELC children a smart, cohesive look, and simplifying the routine of getting dressed in the morning.

We look forward to seeing the children proudly wear their new ELC attire.