Issue no. 10
In this edition
Exciting New Developments
With Term 1 drawing to a close, excitement is building as we launch another vital stage of our transformational suite of building works.
For details on this important development, here’s Principal Julia Shea:
Summer Interhouse Shines at Stonyfell
Fitness and fun rounded out Term 1 at this afternoon’s Summer Interhouse. Middle and senior girls competed across Touch Football, Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball and, for the first time in this format, Rowing. In addition, some of our Junior School students had a taste of the action with Years 3 to 6 battling it out in Interhouse Teeball.
These opportunities provide students with a fantastic platform to participate and perform in front of their peers and teachers in a competitive yet social setting.
RESULTS
TOUCH FOOTBALL
Kennion
VOLLEYBALL
Patteson
ROWING
Patteson
BASKETBALL
Kilburn
TENNIS
Kennion
Tommy Peak
Director of Sport
From Our Deputy Principal / Head of Middle School
One of the key principles of our School is that we are not just educating our students to pass examinations or achieve an admirable ATAR, but that we develop our graduates to the extent that they leave us as forthright, independent young women who are prepared to participate in and engage with the world outside school. This is done in a number of ways, including but not limited to our co-curricular, wellbeing, service learning and outdoor education programs.
Over recent years, we have also developed a multi-faceted Global Academy, enabling our students to learn about and take action on local, national and international levels, as well as having the opportunity to undertake overseas study trips. We have also developed a thriving Global Exchange program providing opportunities for students to gain a deep understanding of and appreciation for cultures and peoples around the world. It allows students to engage with fellow students, teachers and other adults with a range of opinions, experiences and backgrounds.
One of the unfortunate consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent closure of Australia’s national borders, has been the suspension of overseas study trips. Indeed, we were due to welcome four students from Kent Place School in New Jersey, USA on the very day that our borders closed for overseas visitors. Luckily, they had made the decision not to travel just a few days beforehand! With no decision yet about when, post vaccine, our borders may open, we have not been able to plan any overseas exchanges for 2021 either.
However, we have been in contact with girls’ schools within Australia, who are keen to investigate possible interstate exchanges for students still wishing to experience life at a different school, in a different state. I was delighted to announce this to our Year 10 girls this week, even if it was exactly at the moment that the Queensland government announced that Brisbane was, unfortunately, heading into another short lockdown!
St Peter’s Girls has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for short-term homestay exchanges later in 2021 with St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School in Brisbane, and Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC) in Perth. Both of these prestigious schools share our determination to be able to offer our students an exchange opportunity despite the uncertainty surrounding internal borders and snap lockdowns.
I look forward to discussing these exciting opportunities with parents and students in the next few weeks, and once again welcoming visiting students to our vibrant community.
Richard Lisle
Deputy Principal/Head of Middle School
Australian National Rowing Championships
In Week 9, a small squad of our Senior Rowers travelled to Tasmania to compete at the 2021 Australian Rowing Championships (or ‘Nationals’) being held at the Lake Barrington International Rowing Course. Competing day-after-day in a week long regatta is a unique challenge, and as should be expected, the standard of competition at Nationals is exceptionally high. Being exposed to the intensity of racing from the best crews in the country provided a lot of valuable learning experiences for our rowers.
During the week, our students also had the opportunity to catch up with Old Scholar, world champion and Olympic rower Olympia Aldersey (Kennion 2011). Olympia shared her experience and wisdom with the girls (‘don’t be timid!’), as well as recounting some of her memories of her time at Saints Girls. Olympia will be representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics later this year, her second Olympics. Good luck Olympia!
The week was not just a learning experience, however, as our students excelled throughout the week, achieving a number of impressive results:
4th – U19 W2- – Milla Barei, Clare Romaniuk
4th – U19 W2x – Sophie Barr, Sophia Wightman (University of Queensland Boat Club)
5th – SG4+ – Letitia Page-Thomson (Cox), Sophie Barr, Clare Romaniuk, Milla Barei, Charlotte Parker
At the conclusion of the event, Sophie, Clare and Milla represented South Australia in the Interstate Regatta in the Women’s Youth Eight (Bicentennial Cup), and were joined on the State team by Olympia.
Well done to these students on their exceptional results!
Brynley Millward
Director of Rowing
Story of the Cross – Healing and Harmony
Last Friday, the School community came together to remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. The ‘Story of the Cross’ is a wonderful tradition at Saints Girls, being celebrated from the Sisters’ Chapel at our old Kermode Street School to now, our School Chapel here at Stonyfell. It is a highlight for many as it provides an amazing space to stop and reflect upon the love of God.
The Story of the Cross is a moving piece of music that takes us on the journey from Jesus’ trial to his death. Played by the School Orchestra, led by the Chamber Choir and directed by Sally Rounsevell with Mark Joyner on organ, the attendees sing their way through this story, reaching its climax:
“Lead me on year by year,
Safe to the end,
Jesus, my Lord, my Life,
King and Friend.”
This service reminds us of one of the most significant events on the Christian calendar. On Good Friday, we remember and give thanks to God for his sacrifice of sending his one and only Son to stand in our place. On the cross, Jesus provides us with a way to heal our relationship with God. Yet, at the same time, we look forward to the joy of Easter Sunday, where Jesus’ resurrection displays his power over death.
I wish you all a joyous Easter full of God’s love and grace.
Thomas Bassett
Lay Chaplain, Religion & Philosophy Teacher
A Message From Our Head Prefect
It has been a great Term 1! We started the year strongly with Swimming Carnival, where it was fantastic to see everyone swimming their hearts out. It was a record-breaking day and a special mention must go to Selwyn House for winning the overall shield. This was followed by the highly anticipated Choral Night, held at Influencers Church in Paradise. This occasion was extra special this year, not only because it was the Year 12s’ last Choral Night, but also because it was the first time both the Year 7 and 8 girls had ever participated. All performances came together on the night and every House delivered a spectacular show!
Today, to finish off the term, the Middle and Senior School girls participated in Summer Interhouse. This is a great chance to experience healthy competition within the House system and to build close relationships with girls between year levels. It was amazing to see everyone either participating and cheering very loudly.
This term, the Prefect Team’s initiative encouraged the girls to Be Bold and Get Involved at every opportunity. Being Term 1, the girls had numerous opportunities to be bold and get involved in activities or events that they wouldn’t normally try, or signing up for clubs or co-curricular activities that they have always wanted to be involved in. It was great to see students from all year levels embracing the challenge and pushing the limits of their comfort zones. In the terms to come, the Prefect Team will continue to promote the idea of being bold; however, we will shift where this applies – stay tuned!
It has been a busy term so I wish you all a very relaxing break in readiness for an even better Term 2! Happy Easter!
Saskia Jonats
Head Prefect
Samantha’s Keys to Piano Success
Being honoured for piano at the recent Australian Music Examinations Board graduation award ceremony was a huge milestone for me and my journey in music. I am extremely passionate about music and I love practising and performing.
My piano teacher Monika Laczofy OAM attended the ceremony to see my achievement which is what I love about her. I met many friends at this event and I enjoyed supporting other people who were also there. I am very proud to be a Saints Girl! I love the School and its outstanding Music program which has wonderful music tutors such has Ms Hilary Kleinig as the Strings Coordinator, Ms Natalie Maegraith and Ms R from whom I receive an immense amount of support.
I play the violin as my second instrument which I really adore. Ensembles that I am in are Senior Strings, Extension Strings and Intermediate Strings. Playing a string instrument is something that requires teamwork and cooperation throughout the group. From playing in these ensembles, I learnt how to support and cooperate with other people and make lots of music friends.
This year, I am proud to be a Music Captain for the Junior School!
Samantha Li
Student
Warm Reception for Beloved Bilbies
Our Reception EAL/D (English as an Additional Language/Dialect) class has been learning about THRASS phonemes. As a vehicle for learning, we have explored native Australian animals.
Students have gained success through puppetry conversations, where we have focused on adjectives to describe animal attributes.
We have read the story Hunwick’s Egg and have learnt that bilbies have:
– Long pink ears
– A pointy nose
– Small front feet
– A long tail
– Sharp claws
– Fluffy grey fur
The bilby is a common symbol of Easter in Australia. We have learnt that bilbies are endangered. They live in burrows, they are nocturnal and they have good night vision.
As these images highlight, our Reception EAL/D girls have thrived in their oral language development through participating and demonstrating their understanding of the bilby.
Trish Tynan
EAL/D Specialist
Brilliant Buddies Lead the Way
This week, the girls from 6KIB visited their buddy Reception class 0MKA to make Easter baskets. They thoroughly enjoy spending time with their buddies throughout the school year. It’s a wonderful leadership activity for the Year 6 students to mentor the younger students and a great opportunity for the Receptions to build connections with older role models in the School.
Meg Karvonen
Reception Teacher
Food for Thought in Year 8 Japanese
In Japanese class this term, we have been learning about school life including what Japanese students eat for lunch. As part of this unit, our class made onigiri this week. Onigiri is a Japanese dish made of white rice and is normally triangle-shaped and wrapped with nori, or grilled seaweed. Many mothers in Japan make onigiri for their children to take to school, and some can be quite creative; for example, making cute animals moulded from the rice.
The process was quite tricky, as the rice we used was very sticky and fell apart quite easily if we didn’t pack it hard enough. It was also very fun using the basic tools to make rice balls such as cutters to shape the rice. I hope all the Japanese students out there will get to try this!
Siobhan Tsang
Student
Senior Drama Production – The Second Commandment
The Year 12 Drama and Theatre students are counting down to this year’s original production, The Second Commandment. Telling the classical Greek tale of Narcissus and Echo, the play is an evocatively poetic exploration of self-love that aims to immerse the audience in a feast of sights and sounds. With only two public performances on Wednesday 5 May and Thursday 6 May, be sure to set the dates aside and book your tickets!
Visit TryBooking now!
Michael Butler-Wills
Head of English/Drama Teacher
Mother’s Day Virtual Stall
The Friends of the ELC are holding a Mother’s Day Virtual Gift Stall where all of our students from ELC to Year 12 are able to purchase gifts online for mums, grandmothers, aunts or treasured friends in their lives.
We have a variety of wonderful gifts available for $5 each. They will be wrapped and delivered to class teachers on Thursday 6 May.
To order gifts, visit http://www.trybooking.com/BQFGA. Purchases close at 9am on Tuesday 4 May.
If you have any queries, please contact Fiona McGregor in the Community Relations Office via fmcgregor@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au.
Adelaide Wind Orchestra – Exclusive Offer
Dear St Peter’s Girls’ Staff and Students
Adelaide Wind Orchestra would like to invite you to listen to powerful new symphonic works by some of our favourite Australian composers in our upcoming concert, Leunig’s Prayer Book. Adelaide Wind Orchestra is one of Australia’s finest wind ensembles and has been described as “a world class ensemble in our midst” (Barefoot Review) and “ever inventive…and impressive” (The Advertiser). Jodie Blackshaw portrays Michael Leunig’s poetry in symphonic form in her debut symphony for wind orchestra, ‘Leunig’s Prayerbook’. Martin Cheney takes us off on a ‘Tangent’ in his first symphony for wind orchestra, as he pulls every musical thread in this world premiere.
For St Peter’s Girls, we are offering a discount code which will allow for one complimentary ticket per student or staff member. Enter the discount code: STPETERSGIRLS at check out and this will give $25 off of our Concession, Child or Family ticket price.
If you cannot make this one, the same offer will apply to our concerts at Elder Hall on Saturday 26 June and Friday 1 October, as well as our final concert for the year at St Peter’s Girls on Saturday 6 November.
Leunig’s Prayer Book
Friday 16 April, 7.30pm
St Peter’s Girls’ Arts Centre, Stonyfell Road, Stonyfell
Conductor – David John Lang
Tickets available via www.awo.org.au/concerts
We hope to see you there.
Ben Bersten
President, Adelaide Wind Orchestra
Community at Saints Girls
Parents are a vibrant and pivotal part of the St Peter’s Girls’ community. Many opportunities are available to become involved with the School, connect with other community members and build strong and lasting friendships. At the start of Term 2, all parents are invited to attend an information/collaboration meeting on Zoom with Principal Julia Shea and our Community Relations staff. At this meeting, parents will be updated on upcoming community activities and will hear from Julia. This will give parents an opportunity to get involved in our community events, ask questions, offer advice and provide constructive feedback. For more information, please contact me via 0407 394 183 or mwestgate@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Community Meeting – Term 2
Monday 19 April, 6 – 7 pm
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85745807066?pwd=ZjQremdzd0QxVStqL2oxQXlVelFxUT09
Meeting ID: 857 4580 7066
Passcode: 328256
Friends of The Arts Community Group Meetings
Wednesday 26 May, 6pm, Media Hub tour for Arts parents
Wednesday 26 May, 7pm, Elizabeth Pike Art Centre
Contact: Danielle Parker dslparker@gmail.com
Saints Sport Support Group Meeting
Tuesday 4 May, 6.30pm, Elizabeth Pike Art Centre
Contact: Katie Lucas Katie.Lucas@opencolleges.edu.au
Friends of Rowing
Fundraising Working Group Meetings TBD
Contact: Ed Parker edontheroadagain@hotmail.com
Melissa Westgate
Foundation Manager
Junior School Vacation Care
Our next awesome instalment of Junior School Vacation Care is almost here. We have some great activities guaranteed to keep the children entertained through the break. With an array of excursions and on-site adventures, there is plenty of fun to be had.
April 2021 Vacation Care Program
Places are limited, so click here to secure your booking now!
Ladies’ Night Out
The Saints Girls’ community presents: Ladies’ Night Out!
Join us on Friday 7 May from 7pm at the Feathers Hotel.
Tickets are $50 each and include gourmet finger food and a drink on arrival.
Tickets are limited, so book early to avoid missing out!
Book via www.trybooking.com/BPUEM
A fundraising raffle will be drawn on the night; tickets can be purchased online or with cash at the event.
For more information, contact Melissa Westgate on 0407 394 183.
Supported by the Friends of The Arts
School Shop Holiday Hours
The School Shop will be open on Friday 16 April from 9am – 4pm during the school holidays.
If you require assistance before Term 2 begins, please don’t hesitate to visit the School Shop on this day.
Entertainment Book
Purchase an Entertainment Membership for 2021!
You can buy your membership and support St Peter’s Girls’ School fundraising here:
https://au.entdigital.net/orderbooks/161p201
COVID Measures
Please note the following information regarding our continued COVID response.
The School has a QR code tracing system to facilitate the safe return of parents on site, in line with wider government measures. Parents entering the campus to drop off or collect their children need to scan the QR code provided each time. This also applies to parents visiting the School for events such as parent information evenings or sports training/matches.
Parents and visitors with more formal appointments at the School, such as meeting a staff member, are still required to sign in/out at Front Office and also need to scan the QR code as well for SA Health tracing purposes.
Adults who do not have a device to scan the QR code need to write their details on the paper form provided in the Front Office.
Parents who remain in their vehicles in the main car park do not need to scan in, and students do not need to scan in as the School already tracks daily attendance.
Logistics around events will be shared in due course, dependent upon the latest advice. Attendance numbers, particularly for indoor events, will still need to be restricted to facilitate social distancing.
The following general requirements remain in place:
- Ensure adults maintain a distance of 1.5m from each other.
- Practise sound hand washing and other hygiene measures.
- Students should remain at home if they are unwell; please notify the School of absences by texting 0428 601 957, emailing attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au, or calling 8334 2200.
We thank all of our families for your cooperation.
Keep Unwell Children Home
Now more than ever, it is absolutely imperative to keep unwell children at home until they have recovered, even if symptoms are only mild.
This is not only for their own health and safety, but for that of all students and staff.
If your child will not be attending school/ELC, please notify the School via one of the following methods:
Text: 0428 601 957 (save to phone contacts as SPGS)
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8334 2200
Thank you for your cooperation and vigilance.
Health Notification – Norovirus
The School has been notified of several new cases of Norovirus, a type of viral gastroenteritis.
Please keep unwell children home, particularly if they complain of stomach pains in the morning.
People should be excluded from childcare, pre-school, school and work until there has been no vomiting or diarrhoea for at least 48 hours.
Symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal cramps
- Headache
- Low grade fever
Noroviruses are very infectious and can spread easily from person-to-person via faeces and vomit. Symptoms usually begin 24 to 48 hours after ingestion of the virus, but can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.
For further information on symptoms, treatment and prevention, click here. Please note the recommendations regarding hand washing in particular. The School applies strict hygiene standards for the safety of our community, and we ask families for their cooperation and vigilance.
If your child will not be attending school/ELC, please notify the School via one of the following methods:
Text: 0428 601 957 (save to phone contacts as SPGS)
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8334 2200
If you have any queries, please contact the Health Centre via 8155 5762 or healthcentre@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Kind regards
Lara Waltham and Sarah Wilkinson
Registered Nurses, Health Centre
Sports News
BASKETBALL
31 March
Open A: Saints 26 v Seymour 32
Middle A: Saints 26 v Seymour 30
Middle B: Saints 16 v Seymour 27
TOUCH FOOTBALL
27 March
Open A: Saints 1 v Marryatville 5
Open B: Saints 3 v SAC 5
Middle A: Saints 3 v Wilderness 2
Middle B: Saints 3 v Mercedes 1
Middle C: Saints 1 v Mercedes 2
The highlight of the weekend at Touch, was undoubtedly the Middle A team taking home a 1st place pennant after a dramatic win against top of the ladder Wilderness. Our girls had played Wilderness twice already this season, losing both matches 4 – 1, so knew that they were in for a difficult final. Despite recognising this challenge, our girls went into the game with a positive mindset and hardly put a foot wrong, storming to a 3 – 0 lead. As the game progressed, Wilderness continued to attack and pull themselves back into the game, making the score 3 – 2. The girls refocused, upped their energy, communication and defensive organisation to see the game out in style. They now look forward to knockouts and continuing their hard work and success into the winter season.
SSSSA ATHLETICS
On Wednesday 31 March, Saints took a competitive team to the SSSSA Athletics A1 grade at SA Athletics Stadium. Our girls performed admirably on the day, trying their upmost for every point and encouraging team mates throughout. Overall, our squad finished in 2nd place, a close 29 points behind Immanuel College and equalling our best ever finish. There were several fantastic individual results on the day, including medal finishes and personal bests which will be recognised in Term 2. However, notably, there was also one record broken, as Charlotte McAuliffe completed the 14-year-olds 400m in a fantastic time of 58.52 seconds!
EAST ADELAIDE SAPSASA SWIMMING
Congratulations to Lauren D (50m Backstroke) and Inge R (50m Fly) who placed 6th and 3rd respectively at the recent SAPSASA Metro Swimming Championships. Alongside Caitlyn Sam-Ling and Meg Paul whose relay teams took home Silver, and Stella Spalvins whose relay team took home Bronze, the girls contributed to a fantastic result for East Adelaide who won the overall Metro Division 1 Championship.
HOT SHOTS TENNIS
Hot Shots Tennis will continue in Term 2, led by Coach Matt Ford.
This is a fun and engaging program for students in R – 3.
In Term 2, all communication goes through Matt, so if your daughter is interested in playing, please contact him via the details below:
Matt Ford
Mobile – 0412 855 073
Email – ford.matt@bigpond.com
Tommy Peak
Director of Sport