Service Learning at Saints Girls – Fiji Trip
During the July school holidays, 16 students from Years 11 and 12 embarked on the annual St Peter’s Girls’ Service Learning trip to Fiji. This 10-day program gave us the opportunity to volunteer at the Ratu Apenisa Memorial School in Soso Village and take part in a marine conservation program run by Barefoot Manta Island Resort.
Three days of the trip were dedicated to time at the school. Each morning began with a boat ride from Drawaqa Island, where we were staying, to Naviti Island, where the school is located. These boat rides were an adventure in themselves with some rough seas and strong winds, but despite some of us getting drenched, we saw it as another exciting part of the experience.
Walking through the village and across the oval to the school on our first day, we were greeted with excited squeals and waves from the Reception to Year 8 school students. Our time at the school focused on two main activities: reading with the students to help them with their English and completing a classroom painting project. While reading was fun and rewarding, it also gave us a new appreciation for the patience and skill of teachers. The renovation component involved repainting two classrooms and bringing to life a mural we had designed before the trip. All of us had participated in fundraising efforts prior to the trip, with the funds going towards our project with the Ratu Apenisa Memorial School. It was rewarding to see our fundraising efforts in action.
More than the activities, it was the time spent with the students that left the deepest impression. They were kind, inclusive, and full of joy — always eager to play games, give hugs, and learn our names. A highlight was the special assembly held in our honour, where students performed traditional Fijian songs and dances. In return, we taught them some classics of our own — Peter Combe’s Wash Your Face with Orange Juice and the Nutbush. As we waved goodbye to all the students on our final day, a few tears were shed, with many girls commenting on the impact the kids had made on them.
Back at the Barefoot Manta Resort, we enjoyed connecting with the local Fijian staff, especially during “Fiji Night,” which included dancing and traditional food. Another highlight was working with the island’s marine biologists. We learned about the region’s marine ecosystems and took part in conservation efforts, including coral and coconut planting, a beach clean-up, and a crown-of-thorns starfish survey. These invasive starfish pose a serious threat to coral reefs, so we were shown how to look for and identify them so they could be safely removed by the marine biologists. We even learned how to equalise our ears to dive deeper during these snorkelling sessions.
Throughout our stay, we were fortunate to experience many other guided snorkels where we encountered a stunning array of marine life — reef sharks, stingrays, sea cucumbers, colourful fish, and even manta rays, which was a standout moment for many of us.
This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience — filled with adventure, connection, and learning. We will always treasure the memories we made and would highly encourage any students considering this trip in future years to take up this awesome opportunity.
Celebration Sharing in the EDGE Program
EDGE started in Term 3 with a bang! We held two sharing celebrations – one for our Junior School students, and another for our Middle and Senior School girls. Students came together to showcase the products they produced during last year’s focus on entrepreneurialism, sustainability, and design-thinking. Last term, we focused on the iterative processes used in design thinking of empathise, define, ideate, prototype, test, and evaluate. Design thinking provides a universal focus on the attributes of creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity — an ideal match for real world problem-solving with our high ability STEM students.
The Term 2 Junior School EDGE students worked with Dr. Napier along with Ms Smith, to design personalised teddy bears with T-shirts and handwritten notes to be donated to children in need through one of our school charities, Treasure Box. Years 1 to 3 students also designed chairs for the teddy bears to keep and take to their own homes. The Year 4 students designed proposals for a school teddy bear mascot. Neuroscience boardgames were designed by the Years 5 and 6 students with Dr. Thomson and Dr. Napier.
In the Middle School, EDGE Term 2 students dived in deep to research and develop bee-related projects. The Year 7 students designed wax products with health and medical benefits. Honey products that enhance health and wellbeing were the focus of the Year 8 students. Our Year 9 students designed bee-themed, interactive boardgames. Beehouses made from bamboo, wood, and 3D printing were made by the Year 10s, supported by Amelia Grigson, our Scientist in Residence.
The EDGE celebration sharing sessions were an important time for a wide range of ages to showcase their learnings to their peers. It was wonderful to see the students encouraging each other’s successes and learning from each other. The biggest lessons drawn from these experiences, as voiced by students across the School, were around persistence, knowing when to put perfectionism aside in favour of trial and error, and the benefits of research.
Rebecca Napier
EDGE Key Teacher Reception to Year 12
Environment Club Plant Native Trees
This week, Environment Club students planted three native Tuckeroo trees at our School for National Tree Day. The plants were given to us by Burnside Council and were planted along our Stonyfell Road fence line. This is in keeping with existing Burnside street tree plantings.
The trees are a wonderful addition to the many other native species around our School. We know they will be enjoyed by students and families for many years to come.
Thank you to the City of Burnside for providing us with these beautiful natives.
Mark your calendars for National Science Week!
Saints Girls is excited to celebrate National Science Week!
Get ready for an exhilarating week at Saints Girls as we join the rest of Australia in celebrating National Science Week from Monday 11 August to Friday 15 August. This annual event is a chance to immerse ourselves in the wonders of science and technology.
What is National Science Week?
National Science Week is a national celebration, bringing people together to explore the world around us in new and exciting ways. It’s a time to ignite curiosity, engage with the wonders of discovery, and celebrate the innovative minds shaping our future. The theme for 2025 is ‘Decoding the Universe – Exploring the Unknown with Nature’s Hidden Language.’
A Week Full of Fun, Learning and Discovery!
At Saints Girls, we’re thrilled to host a dynamic array of activities throughout the week, specially designed to spark curiosity and enthusiasm for science and technology. Whether you’re a budding scientist, an inquisitive mind, or simply someone who loves to explore the unknown, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up:
- Ride the Cosmic Code: Nature’s Pattern in Motion
- The Hidden Rainbow: Nature’s Colour Code Unveiled
- Science in a Spin: Unlocking Hidden Patterns
- Popcorn and Particles
Get Involved – Join the Fun!
Science Week is all about participation, so we encourage all students to be a part of this exciting journey of exploration. Whether you want to dive deep into the activities or simply discover something new during lunch breaks, there’s a place for you in this celebration of science.
Mark Your Calendars!
National Science Week is just around the corner. Save the date, gather your friends, and get ready for a week filled with awe, excitement, and learning. From 11 to 15 August (Week 4), come join us in celebrating the incredible journey of discovery and innovation that science has to offer!
Melissa Lee
STEM Innovation Leader