Issue no. 21
From Our Director of Teaching and Learning
I still remember the moment that I fell in love with science. Sitting in my Year 10 class, my teacher explained the concept of DNA. Up until this point all science had made complete sense to me, it was black and white, I could understand scientific concepts with relative ease, and apply them effectively in different situations. However, suddenly learning about DNA, deoxyribose nucleic acid, its double helix, the complexities of nucleotides, and the fact that all our 30 trillion cells (excluding red blood cells) have a nucleus containing DNA, absolutely overwhelmed my concept of what science was. I realised that the more I knew, the more I didn’t know, this instantly motivated me to seek more and understand more. My passion was found in that moment, and since then I have dedicated my career to science and a commitment to lifelong learning.
At Saints our girls study a wide range of subjects and engage in a range of learning activities to help them not only develop as learners but to discover their own passions and aspirations. Our staff help direct the girls through their learning journeys ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions for their life in school and beyond. One such important choice involves the girls making their subject selections for the next academic year.
Throughout early term 3 the girls in Years 7 – 11 have engaged in subject counselling and made their preferred selections for 2024. These choices play a vital role in shaping our 2024 timetable, a process that is already underway. To support students in their decisions our School hosted the Subject Expo Night during Week 1. This evening provided our girls and families in Years 9 – 11 with an opportunity to explore various subject options and learn about offerings from different tertiary institutions.
A well-thought-out selection of subjects paves the way for a strong foundation in specific fields, allowing the girls to develop a deep understanding of their chosen subjects. This knowledge serves as a catalyst, igniting curiosity, and fuelling passion for potential career paths. Research conducted by leading educational institutions has consistently shown that students who align their subject choices with their interests and aptitudes are more likely to excel academically and thrive in their careers.
Engaging in relevant subjects not only provides our girls with essential knowledge but also equips them with valuable skills and competencies in communication, investigation, thinking, self-management and collaboration. By choosing subjects that align with their career aspirations, students can develop skills which directly applicable to their desired fields.
So girls, I say to you, as you embark on the process of subject selection, I urge you to consider your passions, strengths, and long-term goals. Seek guidance from your teachers, parents and career experts who can help you make informed choices. Remember, the subjects you choose today will be the building blocks for your future.
Kate Fryer
Director of Teaching and Learning
Saints Students Lose their Locks!
The Ponytail Project is an amazing fundraising opportunity that St Peter’s Girls has taken part in this year. As a School community, we raised over $9,900 as 17 girls from Year 7 – 12 cut 20cm off their hair. The hair will be donated to a sustainable salon to make wigs for cancer patients. The money raised goes towards research, financial grants for families going through cancer and for nursing services. Several parents and families of Year 12 students volunteered their time to help cut the ponytails, with the special supervision of hairdresser Gaylene Delo. We thank everyone for their contribution to this incredible charity, especially the girls who took part.
Lucy Schirripa
Community Service Prefect
Winter Interhouse – Next Week
Next week, we will be holding our annual Winter Interhouse sports battles! The four Houses will go head-to-head in AFL, Badminton, Hockey, Netball and Soccer across the week. There will be a winner of each sport as well as an overall Winter Interhouse champion House.
The House Captains, in conjunction with our Sports Captains, have been working hard putting together teams, organising officials and finalising rules for each sport. Teams will be displayed on the pin boards near tuck and the full schedule can be found below.
WINTER INTERHOUSE SCHEDULE
Monday 7 August
Hockey 1-1:45pm on the Top Oval
Wednesday 9 August
AFL 3:45-5:15pm on the Top Oval
Thursday 10 August
Soccer 3:45-5:15pm on the Top Oval
Saturday 12 August
Badminton 8-9:30am in the Gym
Netball 8-9:30am – Middle School at Bell Yett, Senior School courts 3 & 4
Friends of Sport will be putting on a free BBQ for everyone at Netball and Badminton on Saturday 12 August. Make sure you grab your free snag when you come along to support the girls.
If you aren’t participating, make sure you get out to support your team at the events!
Inspiring Performances at Winter Music Concert
Last Friday, our talented musicians and singers took to the stage for the Winter Music Concert. This performance was a great opportunity for some of our younger ensembles to showcase their skills, such as Little Big Band, Saxophone Ensemble, Developmental Band and Intermediate Band. Performance opportunities for younger, less experienced instrumentalists can be a pivotal moment in their future passion for creating and performing music.
Concert Choir finally had the chance to perform Higher Love, which is a chart they’ve been working on all year. They showed such enthusiasm throughout the rehearsals and performance, which makes me so proud to see! The combined forces of Inta-Jazz and Bella Voce wowed the audience with an upbeat arrangement of It had Better Be Tonight, conducted by the one and only Emma Pool. Emma showed true leadership and skill by taking on this challenging task.
Two of our solo performers Matilda Chu and Chomilka Hattotuwa performed as a part of their assessments, both of whom did a fantastic job playing with confidence and professionalism. A special thank you to our committed accompanist Sue Mears. Stage Band’s pieces were no easy feat, pulling off some challenging charts, despite missing some key members of the group. They did a fantastic job, their renditions of Arange Drank and Isn’t She Lovely being a personal highlight of the night.
On the night, we were lucky to be joined by the Adelaide Wind Orchestra (AWO), one of Australia’s Premier Wind Bands. Founded in 2012 by graduates of the Elder Conservatorium of Music, AWO connects distinguished alumni with professional, pre-professional and dedicated amateur wind, brass and percussionists. Performing and promoting works by established and emerging Australian composers, they advance the awareness, aesthetic, and artistic appreciation of the wind band medium to the general public, whilst supporting its growth and development across the wider musical community. Our Brass Ensemble and Concert Band were honoured for the opportunity to play alongside them, as well as converse with them about all things musical! It was such a special, memorable night for everyone, held together by our reliable and remarkable music staff Jeanne Phillips, Warren Heading, Sarah Byron, Sue Mears, Robyn Habel and, of course, Sally Rounsevell. This night would not have been the major success it was without her guidance and unwavering hard work.
Sammi Keough
Music Prefect 2023
Saints Girls Represent Australia in Taekwondo
In July, Matilda Purvis (Year 6) and Phoebe Fan (Year 9) both competed in the 2023 Cadet World Championship Selection Event for Taekwondo. The event was held in Queensland and both girls won their respective divisions and will now be representing Australia as part of the National Taekwondo Team on the world stage in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. What an honour for both girls to be wearing the green and gold at such a young age! Best of luck Matilda and Phoebe, we can’t wait to hear all about your experience.
Kennion House Charity Day – Sausage Sizzle
The Year 10 Kennion Home Group will be holding a sausage sizzle on Friday 25 August (Week 5) to raise money for our House Charity KickStart for Kids, which provides positive educational outcomes for disadvantaged South Australian children through school breakfasts and lunch programs.
Grab yourself a $5 meal deal (a sausage and a drink), or sausages with onion are $3 and without $2, soft drinks are $3 and juice boxes will also be available.
Reception to Year 2 students can pre-order a meal deal with a juice box. To order – click here
Students from Years 3 – 12 can buy sausages and drinks on the day. Cash only purchases.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Zara Trim and Alice Morel
Year 10 Kennion students
Patteson House Charity Day – Bake Sale
On Friday 25 August (Week 5), the Year 10 Patteson House will be running a bake sale to support the Moore St Centre, which helps people in need by providing home-cooked meals that are made with love.
We will be selling a variety of sweet and savoury treats ranging between $1 and $3. There will also be some delicious dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options available.
Reception to Year 2 students can pre-order vanilla cupcakes. To order – click here
Students from Years 3 to 12 can purchase items directly from the stall. Cash only purchases.
We will be outside the Art Centre at lunch, so come along and enjoy a delicious treat. We look forward to seeing you there and supporting the Moore St Centre together!
Jackie Balasis
Year 10 Patteson Student
Read, Grow, Inspire at Book Week
This term we will celebrate Book Week in Week 5 and Dress Up Day will be held on Friday 25 August. This year’s theme is ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’. Junior School students are invited to come dressed as a book character or a character that fits this year’s theme. Students will parade their costumes along the pathway to the Chapel from 8:35am and families are invited to come and watch. The students will be involved in an assembly following the parade, which will have capacity for students only.
Out of the Blue Arts Journal – Entries Open
Submissions for the 2023 edition of our community Arts Journal, Out Of The Blue are open!
Submissions can be emailed to outoftheblue@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au or can be placed in the Out of the Blue boxes in classrooms (for Junior School students) or in the Library (for Middle and Senior School students). Please download a Cover Sheet and submit one with each entry. Entries are due no later than Friday 1 September (Week 6).
Annual House Dinners
This term all Middle and Senior School girls have the opportunity to enjoy a night away from homework to get creative and colourful at our annual House Dinners.
The Year 11s have been working hard organising decorations, food and games for each event. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone’s creative costumes and enjoying a fun night with our Houses.
This is a compulsory event for all Year 7 – 12 students. Visit the TryBooking links below to book your daughter(s) a ticket for the night.
Kennion House Dinner – TONIGHT, bookings closed
Theme: TV Channels
Patteson House Dinner – 11 August (Week 3)
Theme: Music Genres
The Patteson House Dinner theme for 2023 is Music Genres! Each Year Level is encouraged to dress up and students can find their allocated music genres on the posters located around the Middle and Senior School. Can’t wait to see everyone’s creative costumes!
Book now: trybooking.com/CJBAJ
Bookings will close at 9am on Monday 7 August
Selwyn House Dinner – 18 August (Week 4)
Theme: Disco
Dress up in your glitziest disco outfit and get ready to hit the dance floor! It’s going to be a night of 70s music, great food, and lots of lights!
Book now: trybooking.com/CJBAK
Bookings will close at 9am on Monday 14 August
Kilburn House Dinner – 1 September (Week 6)
Theme: Disney
Everyone is encouraged to dress up as their favourite Disney character for the night. It can be anything from princesses, to villains, to your favourite characters from Disney channel. We look forward to seeing everyone at our Kilburn Disneyland!
Book now: trybooking.com/CJBAL
Bookings will close at 9am on Monday 28 August
Scholastic Book Club Issue 5 Out now
Have a look at some of the fabulous books on offer and start planning costumes for Book Week. Will your child be Bluey, the Little Mermaid, Pearl the Unicorn, Ada the Cranky Ballerina, A Bad Princess, Bev the giraffe or Frank with his red hat?
This issue scholastic is offering up to 3 free books with orders over $30.
- Spend $70 = 3 Free Books
- Spend $50 = 2 Free Books
- Spend $30 = 1 Free Book
You can place your child’s order at Scholastic Australia LOOP website or using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. It is easy to order on the LOOP platform for parents, allowing you to pay by credit card. Your child’s order is submitted directly to the School and the books will be delivered to class.
If your child is in Year 7 and above please select class Year 7-12-McBride and enter the first name and full surname of your child.
Browse Issue five here
Kidz Biz Growth and Development Education Evening
You are warmly invited to the Kidz Biz Growth and Development Education Evening on Tuesday 8 August, held in the Arts Centre, St Peter’s Girls’ School.
Kidz Biz Growth and Development Education is for both students and their parents. The sessions are designed to be fun, informative and easy to understand. They are highly interactive sessions, providing parents/guardians and students an introduction to basic personal growth and social development education. Traditionally known as the ‘Birds & the Bees’, these sessions will be presented in a manner that is not awkward or threatening, where students can learn about the human body and the amazing things it can do. The evening will be broken into two sessions for the following year groups, and the cost will be covered by the School.
Years 2 – 4
‘Where Did We Come From?’ – 6 – 6.50pm
• Myths about where babies come from
• Conception
• Fertilisation
• The nine month foetal development
• The birth process.
Years 5 & 6
‘What’s Happening To Me?’ – 7 – 7.50pm
• Puberty (physical and emotional)
• Body image and media influences
• Dealing with parents.
Kidz Biz Growth and Development Education is for both students and their parents and there is no requirement to book tickets. We hope to see many parents and students attend these sessions.
Helen Smith
Deputy Head of Junior School
Bookings Open for Seussical JR
Seussical JR by Shane Davidson Presents brings to life all of our favourite Dr. Seuss characters and features many song and dance numbers including Oh the Thinks You Can Think!, Green Eggs and Ham and Notice me Horton.
With huge characters, colourful costuming and storybook sets, this show has many main roles (and solos) supported by a huge ensemble who sing and dance their way through a variety of upbeat numbers.
Four performances only!
Saturday 26 August: 1pm, 4pm and 7pm
Sunday 27 August: 1pm.
St Peter’s Girls Arts Centre
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW! – click here
School Health Centre Notices
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
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.
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
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 ie 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.
Sports News
Sport Results
AFL
Open A: Saints (2) v Seymour (84)
Best Player: Daisy Kennett
Superwoman: Ashlyn May
Year 7-10: Saints (0) v Wilderness (68)
Best Player: Elodie de Wit for her strong intercept marking and hitting targets when kicking forward.
Superwoman: Olive Dawson for her continued efforts and winning of taps against a bigger opponent.
BADMINTON
Open A: Saints (4) v Immanuel (2)
Open B Blue: Saints (3) v Wilderness B2 (3)
Open B White: CANCELLED
Open C Blue: Saints (5) v Immanuel C (1)
Open C White: Saints (5) v Westminster C (1)
Open D Blue: Saints (3) v Woodcroft D (3)
Open D White: Saints (2) v Westminster D (4)
CROSS COUNTRY
Senior
Elodie de Wit (1st)
Isla Fahey (2nd)
India Goodall (3rd)
Daisy Braithwaite (5th)
Alice Braithwaite (7th)
Audrey Fox (9th)
Milla Everitt (10th)
Overall points: 84
HOCKEY
Open: Saints (2) v Seymour (1)
Best Player: Ayla Blaskett for making multiple crucial saves in goal.
Superwoman: Sophia Langley for scoring her first ever Open A goal!
LACROSSE
U13 Blue: CANCELLED
U13 White: Saints White (1) v Glenelg Blackhawks (15)
“Great game played by Violet Tulloch, Willow Chong, and Sophia Baker as goalkeeper.” – Sonya Risbey, coach.
NETBALL
Senior School
Premier League: Saints (48) v Immanuel (49)
Premier League Reserves: Saints (49) v Immanuel (46)
Open A: Saints (20) v Wilderness A (63)
Open B: Saints (15) v Wilderness B (76)
Open E: Saints (29) v Wilderness 10C (24)
Middle School
Year 9A: Saints (37) v Wilderness 9A (20)
Best Player: Alyssa Piantedosi
Year 9B: Saints (13) v Wilderness 9B (46)
Year 8A: Saints (23) v Scotch 8A (40)
Best Player: Phoebe Lucas
Superwoman: Imogen Pearce
Year 8B: Saints (24) v Scotch 8B (26)
Best Players: Grace Mayen and Annabelle Birdsey
Superwoman: Zoe White
Year 8C: Saints (9) v Wilderness 8C (46)
Best Player: Lola Storer for keeping her level of determination high all game.
Superwoman: Emma Sayers for reading the play well and displaying some great moves under the ring despite an injury.
Year 7A: Saints (39) v Wilderness 7A (16)
Year 7B: Saints (25) v Wilderness 7B (2)
Best Player: Leila Buttignol
Year 7C: Saints (20) v Concordia 7C2 (18)
Year 7D: Saints (15) v Immanuel 7C1 (20)
Best Player: Ashley Lau
Superwoman: Serena Li
SOCCER
Senior School
Premier League: Saints (0) v Wilderness (2)
Best Player: Emily McCorley who was great on the ball and didn’t stop working all game. Superwoman: Anna Russell who was super in defence.
Middle School
Middle A: Saints (2) v Wilderness (1)
Best Player: Ava Fox
Superwoman: Chloe Richardson
Middle B: Saints (1) v Wilderness B Blue (7)
Best Player: Francine Stavrou
Superwoman: Beatrice Tolley