Issue no. 11

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From Our Principal

The School was abuzz with activity this afternoon as we finished the term with the Summer Interhouse sports carnival, the Junior School Tee-Ball Interhouse and an easter egg hunt thrown in for good measure – thank you Bronwyn Bartter! It was wonderful to have parents back on site, decked out in their House colours supporting the girls throughout the day.

Today was also our inaugural Giving Day, deliberately scheduled to coincide with all of today’s sporting activity, as we seek to raise funds for a new Gym. The latest research shows that 89% of capital works in independent schools are funded by borrowings or donations. We are heavily reliant on our community to kickstart this major project, and we thank you all for your incredible support. Donations can continue to be made well into this evening.

It’s been wonderful to see the girls embrace the Move a Million Metres campaign. Led by Sport Prefect Charlie Fishlock and the Sport Captains, the girls have been racing through obstacle courses, completing spin bike challenges and participating in aerobics en masse! The statistics around girls’ sport are concerning. By the age of 14, girls drop out of sport at twice the rate of boys. By the time they leave school, 50% of girls will have stopped playing sport completely. At Saints Girls, our aim is to provide a dynamic, contemporary and competitive Sports Program that fosters participation and excellence. But most importantly, we want our girls to develop a love of sport that will see them continue to participate beyond school and remain fit for life. This week has been a reminder that you can be active and have fun at the same time.

As weary girls and staff look forward to a well-deserved break, I’d like to thank you all for your continued patience through what has been the most challenging term since the pandemic began. Quite simply, the girls and staff have been phenomenal. We continue to balance the advice from SA Health with the need to keep the School operating as normally as possible. Inevitably, some of the decisions that I’ve made have led to disappointment, and believe me, I share your frustration! The health and wellbeing of our girls and staff must come first, and your understanding is much appreciated.

In staffing news, Sally Rounsevell and Pauline Noblet will be on long service leave throughout Term 2. Sue Mears and Jarrod Muller will be joining us to cover their classes. Annabelle Redmond commences maternity leave, and Jessica Guimaraes has joined the teaching team in the ELC. After almost six years with us, Foundation Manager Melissa Westgate is moving on and we wish her all the best with her new position. Our non-teaching staff form an integral part of our educational program and their services are indispensable in the quest to enhance quality outcomes across all areas of the School. Lydia Scott (pictured below) is an unsung hero, an Educational Support Officer who may not be known to you all, but who has embodied and lived the values that define Saints Girls for 30 years. Today marks Lydia’s final day at the School. We thank her for her extraordinary service over such a long period and wish her every happiness in her retirement.

Happy Easter, enjoy the break and we look forward to welcoming the girls back in full winter uniform on Monday 2 May.

Julia Shea
Principal

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Music to the Ears at AMEB Awards

Congratulations to the following Music students who achieved outstanding results at the AMEB SA & NT Awards Ceremony for 2021 Candidates, on 5 March 2022 at Elder Hall, University of Adelaide.

Jasmin Baker – Certificate of Performance in Piano
Jerrie Wu – Piano Grade 8 Prize
Jiahui Zhang – Saxophone Grade 4 Prize
Matilda Chu – Horn Grade 7 Prize

The girls were awarded their certificates by Dr Emily Dollman, Head, Music Education and Pedagogy (Elder Conservatorium of Music), Artistic Director (Open Music Academy) on behalf of the University of Adelaide.

Sally Rounsevell
Director of Music

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Young Leaders Ready to Step Up

Last week, Reception to Year 5 students voted in by their peers to represent them on the Junior School Student Representative Committee (SRC) were presented with badges to acknowledge their new leadership role.

The Year 6 Leaders are looking forward to working with this team over the course of the year. They are hoping to encourage action and change in a variety of areas with a particular focus on further promoting a positive sense of community in the Junior School. These leaders will participate in meetings and events throughout the year and can’t wait to get started.

Sarah Braithwaite
Year 6 Teacher

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ELC Wraps up Term 1

This term, our ELC has been anchored by our Term 1 central idea that ‘A welcoming community can strengthen connections.’ This was evident as we welcomed many new families into the ELC for the first time, whilst continuing to reinforce our relationships with existing families.

We’ve engaged in many wonderful community events, such as our ELC Twilight Picnic on Chiverton Lawns, and our morning drop-off coffee van for parents. These moments are special to us and are what makes our ELC community so strong. A huge thank you to our growing Friends of the ELC group who are behind these community events.

We also welcomed back our Kaurna Elder Tamaru, and enjoyed embracing the history and culture of Kaurna people as we walked through Ferguson Park together. We cannot wait for more frequent Ferguson Park explorations in Term 2, with the support of some very generous volunteer parents.

We’ve had a wonderful start to the year, which is evident in our classrooms as children are settled, confident and happily diving deep into their learning and inquiries. Each day at ELC has been filled with laughter, wonder and curiosity, and we are thankful to be able to share this together.

I wish everyone in our ELC community a safe and restful holiday break before we come back together for Term 2.

Henrietta Balnaves
ELC Manager

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Space Program Out of this World

The APEX girls, in collaboration with industry partners SAAB Australia, have been fortunate to take part in the Re-Engineering Australia Foundation Space in Schools Program. During the year-long program, the girls are being challenged to design and create a Biomedical Space Hub on Mars (BSH). Meeting as a group before school and at recess times, the girls have been brainstorming, sketching and nearing the Virtual Reality design phase.

In Week 9, the Space in Schools Teams travelled into the city to attend the University of Adelaide’s Space Outreach Activity Session and 2022 Partner School Welcome Event. The girls immersed themselves in specific Mars-related challenges that many industries currently encounter such as structural design, water/energy storage solutions and rover-based problem-solving tasks. The girls were also excited to watch the Australian Rover Challenge, where teams complete set tasks using their self-built mechanical rovers, all while being remote controlled from ‘Earth’.

Head of Science Craig Byrne was also on hand to visit the latest Extraterrestrial Environmental Simulation Laboratory, which provides a crucial stepping stone in developing technology required to accompany humans back into deep space. Researchers can simulate and test equipment in both lunar and Martian surface environments using highly controlled and monitored experimental settings. The girls are enjoying the project, and we cannot wait to see how it is developed and put on display within a 3D virtual environment.

Photo: Saints’ APEX girls with Michelle McLeod (STEM Teacher in Residence), Paul Hunt (McMillan Constructions Program Donor), Professor Scott Smith (Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology) and Lee-Ann Hunt (McMillan Constructions Program Donor)

Randal Irvine
SPGS Space in Schools Coordinator | APEX

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Speaking the Language of TOK

One of the benefits of studying IB is that it offers students and teachers opportunities to make connections with other schools. Yesterday, students from Norwood International and St Peter’s College joined our Year 11 IB students to participate in a morning of TOK activities. Theory of Knowledge (or TOK) is a core IB subject in which students make links between the knowledge from different subject areas, consider what influences what we know and examine perspectives from around the world.

The focus of the day was the relationship between knowledge and language. Students were involved in a series of challenges on our use of language, and listened to a panel of teachers who discussed language from the perspectives of maths, sciences, literary arts and as a second language.

‘It was great to feed off everyone’s ideas as we interacted with different people and new cultures, and the boys provided a different perspective to what we had to say. A friendly competitive nature boosted the environment.’ – Astrid

Students from all schools were very enthusiastic about the experience and are keen to continue the connections when we meet again in Semester 2.

Emma Cother
Theory of Knowledge Teacher

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Story of the Cross

It was a pleasure this week to follow the story of the last days of Jesus during our Chapel Services in the lead up to Easter. The Story of the Cross is a moving service journeying through the final hours of Jesus’ life. This service continues our rich heritage and tradition as the Story of the Cross music has been sung since the Sisters’ time at Kermode Street.

This service is a great celebration of one of the most significant events on the Christian calendar. On Good Friday, we remember and give thanks to God for sending his Son to be our saviour. And on Easter Day, we celebrate the risen Lord Jesus, who lives and reigns forever. These two events, together, lay out the good news that Jesus brought to all people. By his death and resurrection, he provides salvation for all people. We can have assurance that God has made a way for all to return into a full relationship with him. In this act, God displays his great love to all people.

I wish you all a joyous Easter. May you know the depth of his love for you this Easter.

Thomas Bassett
School Chaplain

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Eager Year 2s get Crafty for Easter

This week, the Year 2 girls embraced the Easter spirit by excitedly taking part in some Easter crafts with the help of some volunteer parents. They challenged their fine motor skills by creating chicks out of wire, intricately shaping them and weaving in a beak, feet and even some colourful sequins! The girls have taken special care with the shape of their chicks’ bodies and added details to show expression and creativity.

This craft was inspired by the Henny Penny Chicken Hatchery experience earlier in the year and our first-hand observations of the way chicks grow and change. These chicks will be well-loved centrepieces for Easter celebrations!

Kathryn Clark
Year 2 Teacher

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Senior Drama Production

The Year 12 Drama and IB Theatre students are busy working on this year’s production, The Eyes of Her Beholder. The play involves a somewhat twisted re-telling of the story of Snow White, using six distinctive theatrical styles to tell its familiar tale. Both humorous and thought-provoking, the play explores the nature of beauty, the horrors of betrayal and the power of familial love.

Mark 18 and 19 May in your diary, and make sure you do not miss this original work, written, designed and performed completely in-house.

To book your tickets,  click here

Michael Butler-Wills
Head of English/Drama Teacher

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Earth Day – Friday 22 April

What is Earth Day?

Earth Day, on Friday 22 April, is an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The 2022 theme is ‘Invest in our Planet’.

What can you do?

You can show your support through actions such as minimising the use of plastics and paper, planting a tree, or donating old but usable items!

Yang Yang Gu
Environment Club

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Choral Night – Save the Date

Friday 29 July (Week 1, Term 3)
Influencers Church, Paradise

Please save the date for our rescheduled Choral Night which we hope will be an electrifying way to start Semester 2.

Further details will be provided next term.

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Old Scholar Mums and Grandmothers’ Morning Tea

Date: Friday 6 May
Time: From 8.30am (after drop-off)
Venue: Food Tech Deck
RSVP: by Monday 2 May via TryBooking – click here

This is a fabulous opportunity to meet other Old Scholar mums and grandmothers in the School community.

Please contact the Community Relations Office on 8334 2239 if you would like further information.

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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 2022 Vacation Care Program

Places are limited, so secure your booking now – click here

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Ladies’ Night Out

The Saints Girls’ community presents: Ladies’ Night Out!

Join us on Friday 6 May from 7pm at the Feathers Hotel. Tickets are $50 each and include gourmet finger food and a drink on arrival.

Bookings close at 5pm, Monday 2 May. To book tickets, click here

A fundraising raffle will be drawn on the night; tickets can be purchased online or with cash at the event.

For more information, contact Fiona McGregor on 8334 2225 or fmcgregor@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

Supported by the Friends of The Arts

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Starry Night Gala Ball – Secure Your Seats Now!

Saturday 18 June

Saints Girls is over the moon about our Starry Night Gala Ball to celebrate and support our fundraising efforts for a new Gym, including our ‘Saints Girls All-Stars’.

Don’t miss out on this amazing evening with our Saints Girls’ community.

7pm, Saturday 18 June
Adelaide Convention Centre

Tickets: $200 per person
Includes three-course meal, beverages and live entertainment

To book your tickets, CLICK HERE

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Star Struck Major Lottery

As momentum builds for our Gym fundraising campaign featuring our ‘Saints Girls All-Stars’, we are thrilled to share our Star Struck Major Lottery.

Ticket sales are now open, so get in quick!

First Prize: Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport from Northpoint Toyota (valued at $27,811)
+ a personalised car park at St Peter’s Girls’ School from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

This stunning new car could belong to you or someone in your family! Spread the word and feel free to share this opportunity with your friends and relatives.

To buy your tickets: CLICK HERE

Lottery Licence No: M14175

Winter Uniform Requirements – Year 4 Students

If your daughter is in Year 4, there are a few different uniform requirements that you will need to arrange before Term 2.

With the winter uniform, the pinafore is replaced by a skirt of the same fabric, so if the pinafore still fits, the bib can simply be removed.

The grandpa shirt is replaced by a collared shirt and tie, and the junior blazer (cardigan) is no longer worn and is replaced by a navy blue jumper and a wool blazer.

Please make an appointment via our online booking system outlined above.