Issue no. 3

From Our Head of Junior School

After a peculiar beginning to the school year, we had a second beginning this week, with the return of all year levels to face-to-face learning. It was lovely to see students reconnecting with each other, and new students getting to know their classmates and school environment.

The beginning of a school year is a significant transition point and time-marker. It can bring excitement, nerves, hope, challenges, opportunities, and any number of preconceived expectations. This is especially relevant at particular junctures such as starting at the ELC, the first day of Reception, leaving Year 6 and heading to Middle School, joining Senior School, and commencing Year 12.

As we all get into the rhythm of another year, we are cognisant that many of our students, consciously or subconsciously, have begun by wondering about their wellbeing, their identity, and their roles and responsibilities as members of this year’s community. Many will have likely mused on internal questions along the lines of, ‘Do I feel safe and supported?’ ‘Do others understand my strengths, abilities and personal background?’ ‘Who am I in this new setting?’ ‘How am I perceived by others?’ ‘Do I have the opportunity to build my sense of identity, flourish and grow my range of interests?’ ‘What is expected of me?’ ‘What are acceptable ways of being, will I be included, and will I be able to contribute in meaningful ways?’ These are all relevant thoughts, even at their most simple level, by our youngest children.

These questions are not merely the domain of students. They are equally relevant to adult life. Managing transitions into and through school helps us prepare for the transitions we encounter throughout the rest of our lives: welcoming a new sibling, starting university, moving out of home, living in a new city, changing jobs, changing relationships, becoming a parent, or our body’s response to ageing.

As the adults in our students’ lives, we all have a role to play in listening to their thoughts, supporting them into the new year, and helping to frame the year ahead as one for growth, optimism and building positive connections. Ultimately, the skills and attitudes they develop through managing the milestones of the beginning-of-year transition will build their capacity for transitions to come. We look forward to nurturing their growth and development and enjoying a wonderful year of school life.

Suzanne Haddy
Head of Junior School

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From Our Head Prefect: Welcome Back Girls!

At the start of February, when Term 1 began, walking into the School grounds felt less familiar. I was eager to see and chat to all of the friendly girls, but I quickly realised that wouldn’t happen so soon. Having only five of our 13 year groups present was a strange experience – we missed the hustle and the chatter.

In the past two years, patience is a skill we have had to further develop. The challenge of applying social distancing measures has already had and will continue to have an impact on our community. Whilst Saints Girls, as is the case with other schools, has had to postpone a range of events and adapt our students’ learning environment, our girls have adjusted so graciously. A huge thanks to the teachers for the effort they put into making online learning as interesting and accessible as possible. I am sure the positive attitudes and resilience from our girls was appreciated by the staff too. This great energy radiated on campus on Monday. Seeing those happy faces and beaming smiles as all the girls returned to school made the first two challenging weeks so worthwhile.

Our wonderful sense community is what really makes every Saints Girls’ experience so special. Together, we can face these challenges, rise above them, and move forward. Being on one campus where girls of all ages can come together feels even more valuable now having realised how empty it felt beforehand. Our musicians, among others, will have to be patient for a little longer as rehearsals have been delayed. This is challenging for the many of us who are keen to get back to choir and band practice, but I am sure some of you will appreciate a few more days of sleeping in!

Alongside patience, gratitude is something our girls will continue to carry with them through these coming months. We will have to remain optimistic about wearing masks. Rather than seeing them as an uncomfortable inconvenience, it’s important to remember that they are simply a part of learning in a safe, in-person environment. I hope a newfound appreciation of the smaller things in life such as laughter and enjoying each other’s company will be gained by our girls. Our School’s values of courage, creativity and compassion have come to the fore over the past few weeks and will continue to guide our approach.

Sophie Norman
Head Prefect

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Cultural Connections for Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year celebrations are in full swing at Saints Girls marking the Year of the Tiger. Here are a few welcoming words from our International Student Prefect Shreya Jayaprakash:

‘It is no surprise that this break has been difficult with disruptions due to COVID and not being able to return home to celebrate the holiday. In spite of this, we are so thankful to have everyone back on campus and can’t wait for the great year ahead. To celebrate everyone coming back to school, we are hosting a dumpling lunch on Friday 4 March on Chiverton Lawns where our international students are invited, as well as any friends they wish to bring along. The dumplings will be provided by Chef Dong. We can’t wait to see everyone there and I look forward to getting to know you all better this year.’

Chinese teacher Heng Wang is also sharing the festivities and cultural significance with our Reception students:

‘We have been talking about Chinese New Year in our Chinese lessons. We have had discussions about the culture by letting students see/touch/feel/smell different Chinese New Year items. The girls were very keen on joining the discussions, sharing their experiences and their views on the culture.’

Our Year 12 girls have decorated their Common Room with Chinese decorations including paper cutting art (窗花), fortune posters (福), and spring festival Couplets (春联). The bright red Couplets, as pictured below, originated from the Shu era (more than 1000 years ago), appearing alongside the doors of nearly every household during New Year’s season, said to protect against angry spirits. The girls have also been sharing their favourite Chinese snacks and sweets.

We wish everyone a wonderful Chinese New Year!

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Old Scholar Rower in the Spotlight

We were delighted to see recent Old Scholar Sophie Barr (Kilburn 2021) appear in a fabulous article on AdelaideNow describing her next exciting chapter at Harvard University in the United States:

South Australian rower Sophie Barr accepted in to Harvard University to compete in varsity team

A star South Aussie rower has capped off her rise to the top by being accepted in to one of the world’s most renowned schools and varsity teams.

Article by Daniel Renfrey

A prestigious American university will be the new home of talented 18-year-old rower Sophie Barr in 2022. The St Peter’s Girls’ School alumni has been in the best form of her five-year career, recently winning the Under 19 women’s single at the South Australian championships and representing the state at nationals as part of SA’s open eights.

Barr was accepted by Harvard to study law and psychology and to compete in its varsity rowing team after meeting a number of academic and athletic benchmarks – a dream come true for the rising star.

“It has been a dream of mine to attend Harvard but it only became realistic to me when I started to gain momentum in rowing,” Barr said. “I initially started talking to coaches at Harvard a couple years ago. The recruiting process was hard work, especially due to Covid travel restrictions and also with it being during Year 12 but it has definitely paid off.”

Barr – who started rowing in Year 7 – has experienced a fast trajectory in her development. She quickly solidified her spot in St Peter’s Girls’ team and individual events and has also been one of the top performers at the South Australian Sports Institute under the watchful eye of veteran coach Jason Lane. Barr credited the experience gained from her school and sporting programs for her recent achievements.

“The support of both my family as well as all my teachers at Saints has definitely helped me get to this point,” she said. “SASI has also played a massive part in helping me develop as an athlete and provide me with countless opportunities.”

Barr said she was excited leading in to the upcoming academic year in America. She also had hopes of achieving at a high level at Harvard and going on to do bigger and better things for her home country.

“I’ve always been interested in studying overseas and I’m looking forward to the experience,” Barr said. “I’m going to put my best foot forward and hopefully eventually make an Australian rowing team as well. The prospect of one day representing my country on the world stage is something which is extremely exciting.”

Barr will begin her Harvard journey on September 1.

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Fringe Foray for Old Scholar Performer

Old Scholar Erin McKellar (Patteson 2013) continues to achieve incredible success in Performing Arts. Erin is premiering her very own musical, A Box of Memories, at the Adelaide Fringe. Co-written with her father Duncan and with music composed entirely by Erin, this intimate show features an all-Adelaide line up that presents perspectives on what it means to live with dementia, from diagnosis through to the end-of-life. During a series of vignettes, it follows the story of Lizzy, a woman in her 70s, experiencing changes in memory and at the beginning of a life-impacting diagnostic experience.

We wish Erin all the best for this heartfelt production.

Venue: The Jade, 142 – 160 Flinders St, Adelaide
Dates: 22 February 8.30pm and 27 February 6.30pm & 8.30pm
Tickets: $35 via Adelaide Fringe – click here

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Swimming Carnival – New Date

Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, we have been forced to postpone next Friday’s Swimming Carnival. Fortunately, we have managed to secure a new booking at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre for Tuesday 5 April (Week 10).

With the extra lead time, we are hoping that the new date may be met with reduced restrictions and a greater chance of parents being able to attend. As always, we will be guided by the latest SA Health advice and will communicate any further changes as well as logistical details closer to the date.

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School Photos

Focus School Portraits will be at school on Monday 28 February and Tuesday 1 March to take our School Photos.

A special St Peter’s Girls’ Package has been designed for our families where each student will receive the following photos:

1 – 8″ x 10″ Individual Portrait
2 – 5″ x 7″ Individual Portraits
4 – 2.5″ x 3.5″ Individual Portraits
1 – 8″ x 10″ Class/Home Group Photo

There is no additional cost to families as this has been incorporated into your fees. Should you wish to purchase extra packs, photos or items such as key rings, mugs, jigsaws etc., you can visit www.focusschoolportraits.com to order these online.

Class/Home Group teachers have the schedule and will communicate photo times to students.

Sibling photos will be taken during lunch on Monday 28 February on Chiverton Lawns. Order forms for each family will be distributed to Class/Home Group teachers. For families with students in the ELC, sibling photos will be taken in Term 2 when ELC photos are scheduled. Forms will be distributed closer to the time.

If you have any queries, please contact me via fmcgregor@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

Fiona McGregor
Events Coordinator

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Drinks on the Lawns

A terrific opportunity for parents to socially meet up with other parents and teachers/staff on Chiverton Lawns. Food and drinks will be provided at this adults-only event. We ask that guests scan the SA Health QR code upon arrival.

Please seek out your Year Level Representatives and chat with our Community Relations staff on the evening to learn about our volunteering opportunities and the social and community events we are planning for 2022.

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Important COVID-19 Notice

As we embark upon a very different start to the school year, we must all work together to minimise the risk of COVID transmission. Please note the following:

Children are to be kept home if they are unwell, even mildly.

If your child tests positive to COVID-19, notify us immediately. Please also provide the date your child’s test was taken and the date symptoms started (if no symptoms, note ‘asymptomatic’).

Where possible, to help limit the amount of telephone traffic, please notify us via email or text:

Email:  attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Text:  0428 601 957 (save to phone contacts as SPGS)

If you do need to notify us over the phone, please call the Front Office on 8334 2200.

If there are COVID cases within the school setting, parents of classroom contacts will be notified, and these children can continue to attend school provided they have no symptoms.

FRONT OFFICE DROP-OFFS

With current restrictions on parents entering the School grounds and to assist our staff, please ensure your daughter has all of the items she needs for the day to reduce the amount of items being dropped off at the Front Office.

We thank all of our families for your continued support and cooperation.