Issue no. 6
In this edition
A Touch of Royalty at Saints Girls
St Peter’s Girls’ School was delighted to host Their Excellencies, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove, and Lady Cosgrove on Tuesday morning.
The Governor-General spoke to students at a special Assembly, covering the importance of education, leadership and personal values.
He also told the girls that there was nothing stopping them from ascending to the highest roles in office despite the current underrepresentation of women in leadership.
Following his speech and a Q&A session joined by Lady Cosgrove, Their Excellencies were escorted on a tour, inspecting the Maker Space, Library and Middle School. They also paused to acknowledge our Old Scholars’ War Service Honour Board.
Upon departure, His Excellency presented five girls who led the visit with special medallions. Each of them was thrilled by the opportunity to host such distinguished guests.
“The Governor-General was very nice and so was his wife; they have a great sense of humour.” – Ella Lawes
“It was such an honour to accompany Their Excellencies on the tour. It was an absolute privilege to listen to the Governor-General’s empowering insights into reaching our goals. Whether you are a royalist or not, it’s impossible not to be inspired by such an accomplished leader.” – Tia Bailey
“His Excellency spoke to us about the many, varied experiences he has encountered as a leader and what he has learnt along the way. I was lucky enough to meet Their Excellencies after the Assembly. They are both lovely, genuine people who had many interesting stories to tell and enthusiasm for what they saw at our School.” – Hannah Brown
Girls in Tech Expo
What a techtacular way to celebrate International Women’s Day! Our Girls in Tech Expo welcomed almost 200 girls from local schools to join our Year 6 and 7 students for a day of hands-on workshops with industry experts.
Highlights included piloting drones, testing out augmented reality and exploring music technology by mixing hip hop beats!
It was another excellent example of how to further expose girls to technology and the rewarding career paths associated with the field.
From the Director of Early Learning
Learning Communities Enhance Collaboration
At the commencement of 2019, the ELC introduced a new model of two Learning Communities. This new organisational structure is designed to improve student learning and participation, as well as increasing collaboration amongst students and staff. An example of this is our intentional grouping of the children during inquiries to ensure we deliver a far richer learning experience across our learning community as a whole.
We have been operating in this way now for five weeks and have begun some initial reflections as a teaching team, such as:
• Positive friendship groupings across the rooms
• Intentional groupings with each inquiry, enabling quality delivery and active participation
• Greater collaboration between ELC Educators including the allocation of extended planning times
• The sharing of staff skillsets across the Centre
• An increase in the use of digital technologies, shown in our Learning Community 2 video
• Inclusion of dance and Atelier spaces for all children across the Centre
• Greater use of all physical spaces and resources within the Centre and beyond including further interaction with Ferguson Park
• Stronger awareness of what a community is and how collaboration enhances this
• An increase in parent voice through participation and partnership across the Centre
In addition, we are always thinking of ways we can continue to improve our communities. An essential component of any new model is time to implement and time to reflect. We are giving ourselves this time by ensuring we are enacting our ELC mission on a daily basis:
“Everyone learning side-by-side as active participants in both teaching and learning, underpinned by mutually respectful relationships and guided by optimism and open mindedness.”
We look forward to sharing further progress throughout the year as we embark on our new model and continue our research.
Kate Mount
Director of Early Learning
Ocean of Opportunity for Biology Students
This week, our Year 11 Biology students spent a day snorkelling and exploring the reef at Port Noarlunga.
The girls have been learning about biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics, and this was an opportunity for them to get out of the classroom and see an ecosystem first-hand.
Check out the video with highlights of our adventure!
Christopher Carey
Science Teacher
Year 8 Camp Highlights
In Week 5, all four Year 8 Home Groups went to Kangaroo Island. Though not many of us enjoyed the early morning wake up on Monday, it was definitely worth it. The week was filled with activities that gave the girls a range of chances to step outside their comfort zone. It was nice to see the girls across the year level working with and encouraging students who they don’t generally work with. With my Home Group especially, I believe that camp has brought us closer as a class.
A couple of my favourites included snorkelling at Western River Cove and the beach day at Stokes Bay. As this was the first time snorkelling for a few girls including myself, we didn’t really know what to expect but once I got out there, it was absolutely beautiful and was 100% worth it to see so many fish, which I was not expecting. It was so much fun; the biggest highlight was the staff vs students battle for the tennis ball. I really enjoyed this camp and I got to learn more about my Year 8 peers.
Isobel Yelland
Year 8 student
On camp, we explored the wildlife, went swimming at pristine beaches and enjoyed a week without technology. It was really nice to see everyone bonding with each other and embracing so many new challenges. Everyone had such a fun time and it was a great opportunity to make new friends, get to know everyone better, do things outside our comfort zone and try new things. We went snorkelling and got up really close to the fish and enjoy the vibrant sea life. On the last night of camp, we had a talent show. All four Home Group classes performed a routine they made up over four days and performed it in front of their peers. It was such a fun night with lots of smiles, laughter and cheers. The biggest challenge was the 10 kilometre walk with a heavy rucksack on our backs in the heat. We all encountered many challenges whether it would be no electronics, snorkelling, missing family or cooking dinner, but we all managed to try something new and keep a smile on our faces. This camp is definitely a highlight of mine.
Annie Warrick
Year 8 student
Reflections on Year 7 Camp
Last week, the Year 7s took part in their Outdoor Education camp to Robe. They boogie boarded at Long Beach, visited Naracoorte Caves for adventure caving, kayaked through Lake Battye and completed an overnight hike carrying all their gear and sleeping in Little Dip National Park. Below are some quotes from the girls on some of their experiences.
“We had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to venture into the well-known Naracoorte Caves. In groups, we explored the dark passages of the Stick-Tomato Cave and were amazed at the glowing and dewy Victoria Fossil Cave. All the girls challenged themselves to the extreme by problem-solving when crawling on all fours. Overall, we valued this opportunity and had a blast along the way!”
“The overnight hike made me realise how many great facilities we have in everyday life that we take for granted. Being able to have normal toilets at home is a privilege that we will appreciate much more after this week away.”
“Kayaking was peaceful and tranquil in the lake and we learnt a lot of skills to give us more confidence when on the water.”
Dan Searle
Head of PE, Health and Outdoor Education
Launch of St Peter’s Girls’ Career Tools Website
St Peter’s Girls now has a dedicated school careers website. It’s a ‘one stop shop’ for everything families need with career planning and help. This site is now available on myLink via the Career Tools tile or careers.stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
It has valuable information for students and parents which includes:
• The SACE and the IB Diploma
• Careers Calendar of upcoming careers events in SA
• Post-school options with links to all tertiary admissions centres and overseas study options
• Workplace learning
• Specific parent information
• A student area (PLP students have begun using this for career planning)
This site will be regularly updated and will hopefully become an invaluable tool for all parents and students, particularly in the Senior School.
If you have any queries about the site, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Karen Alderson
SACE Coordinator/Careers Advisor
Choral Night 2019 – Show Your True Colours!
Thursday 21 March
Join us at 7pm on Thursday 21 March at the Adelaide Convention Centre for Choral Night 2019! One of the most anticipated events on the Saints Girls’ calendar, this year’s event carries the theme of ‘Colours’.
Due to the popularity of Choral Night, there is a limit of two tickets per family.
Book via www.trybooking.com/BAWOH
IMPORTANT – Traffic Safety
At St Peter’s Girls, the welfare of our students, parents and staff is paramount. As such, we remind our community to adhere to potentially life-saving safety practices.
When crossing the road outside the school grounds, please ensure you use the designated school crossing on Stonyfell Road or the pedestrian traffic light crossing on Hallett Road. There have been a number of recent near-misses and we cannot stress the importance of taking these simple precautions.
For drivers, please abide by the no right turn rule when entering/exiting the car park, as well as ensuring traffic is kept to a single lane.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation and support in this crucial area.
Year 2s in Code Mode
On Wednesday, the Year 2 students enjoyed an amazing afternoon filled with coding and technology. They experimented with coding robots such as Dash and Dot and Bee-Bots as well as investigating the coding apps Tynker, Osmo, Kodable and Boogie Bot. The girls were risk-takers, good communicators and exceptional thinkers, which allowed them to plan and implement coding in order to make a robot perform specific tasks. Excitement levels and enthusiasm were high and the process of cause and effect was clearly evident. What an amazing way to ignite our thinking and passion for Girls in Tech day!
“I liked Osmo because I enjoyed using the blocks to code to make Awbie jump.” – Tildy Begg
“The coding was really fun because all the activities we did were really special. My favourite was Osmo because you could control Awbie with special coding blocks.” – Bonnie Qu
“I had fun with the Bee-Bots because we made them go where we wanted and we figured out how to code them on two different paths.” – Ellerslie Wong
Year 6s Turn Back Time
This week, our Year 6 students were introduced to the new central idea of, ‘Human migration is the response to challenges, risks and opportunities’.
As a provocation, we visited the Migration Museum and took part in the workshop ‘Unpacking Histories’. The program gave the girls the opportunity to work like historians and curators as they unpacked a suitcase to investigate, research and record the lives of different South Australians and their immigration stories.
Kim Butler-Nixon, Sarah Braithwaite and Louisa Mitchell
Year 6 Teachers
Business Directory at Saints Girls
Book your very own personalised advertisement today. Three options available – $500, $250 or FREE
> Promote your special business offer and change your advertisement as often as you like for no extra cost
> Simply support businesses connected to our School
> Refer a business
> All proceeds go towards our Parents’ and Friends’ Association fundraising efforts
For more information on how to get involved, contact Melissa Westgate on 8334 2244 or mwestgate@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au.
Melissa Westgate
Foundation Manager
Head of the River Dinner
6 – 9.30pm, 23 March
The Friends of Rowing warmly invite family, friends and all rowers to join us for a fabulous evening to celebrate our girls and their 2018-19 Rowing season. This year’s dinner will be held at the Adelaide Royal Coach Hotel in Kent Town. We will hear from our girls and their coaches, and end of season awards will be presented. The ticket price includes a delicious two course menu and soft drinks. Other beverages will be available for purchase from the bar.
Tickets
$45 per person (parents and rowers)
$20 per child (11 years and under)
https://www.trybooking.com/BBATZ
Please note, the dinner is compulsory for all current competing rowers.
Ticket sales close on 12 March and are strictly limited to 120 places, so avoid disappointment and book early.
Journey ‘Under the Sea’ with Ariel and Friends
The award-winning team at Pelican Productions brings another of the world’s best-loved musicals, The Little Mermaid JR., to audiences later this month.
It will be starring:
Zara Blight as Ariel
Eliza Brill Reed as Flounder
Emma Pool as Ursula
Zoe Pool as Adella the Mersister
Sophie Blight as Jetsam
Aurelia Pyne as a Gull
Maddy Penley in Ensemble
They would love to see some familiar faces in the audience!
Based on the beloved story by Hans Christian Anderson, The Little Mermaid JR. follows the adventures of the beautiful young mermaid Ariel and her longing to leave the safety of her magical underwater kingdom to experience the big, wide world above.
Pelican’s reimagining of this fantastical classic tale will delight both young and old. This production is bursting with colour, energy and, of course, all of the songs so familiar to generations.
The Little Mermaid JR, is playing at the Arts Theatre, Angas Street, March 22 – 24. Tickets are on sale via pelicanproductions.com.au. Adults $35, Concession $30 and Children $25.
Sports News
BASKETBALL
Open – Saints 55 defeated Immanuel B2 27
The girls played extremely well, especially in defence, creating lots of turnovers and easy baskets in offence. Almost every player scored with Bella Parton 20, Indya Dodd 14 and Sivi Sivasuthan 11 the biggest contributors. Each girl worked hard, particularly in the first half. Well done on a great win. – Sarah Matheson (Captain)
Middle A – Saints 41 defeated Pulteney 4
A great game by the girls and it was pleasing to see that our shots were starting to go in. Defence was excellent as it always is and it was the offensive end where we showed great improvement. Special mentions to Willow Stewart-Rattray, Ellie Humphrey and the two Sophies – Ricciuto and Dansie – who all had an excellent game at both ends of the floor. Well Done. – Brenton Davies (Coach)
Middle B – Saints 4 defeated by Immanuel 83
Tough game against a much bigger and more skilled opponent. It is hard to keep up the work effort, but I thought the girls managed to do this and ran the game out well. Scoring was always going to be difficult against such tall opponents. Special mention to Emily Elston who battled hard on the boards. – Brenton Davies (Coach)
Middle C – Saints 2 defeated by Walford 48
Unfortunately, the team came across a tall and well-drilled team who played a competitive zone defence which Saints found hard to get past to create scoring opportunities. This is a lesson we all learned and hope to work on in the coming weeks. – Sharnee Jones (Coach)
SOFTBALL
Year 5/6 Blue – Saints 3 defeated by Saints Silver 8
The girls played well but they were very distracted because they were playing against their friends and weren’t completely focused. Our fielding was good and this was the first game where we had three outs every innings instead of the other team getting 7 runs which is a step in the right direction. Our batting was the same as last game; swinging at strikes and getting a few walks. When we did get walks though, a lot of the girls hit it straight back to the pitcher for an easy out, so that’s something we can continue to work on. – Steph Collet (Coach)
Year 5/6 White – Saints 10 defeated Walford 7
The girls won their second game of the season in a home match against Walford. It was a very exciting game. Every girl brought lots of energy and excitement to the field and were dedicated to win. Pitching and fielding has improved greatly so far this season. – Jess Dreswick (Coach)
Year 5/6 Silver – Saints 8 defeated Saints Blue 3
What a great first win. It was an all-round performance with some top fielding and hitting. Well done to Olivia.
Year 3/4 Blue – game cancelled
Year 3/4 White – Saints 22 defeated Seymour 21
The girls played so well. Captain Romana Walsh hit a home run and took a very good catch. Madeleine Andrejewskis and Lauren Disney worked well together as 1st and pitcher, keeping Seymour scoreless in the second innings, with 3 up, 3 down. The team batted well; Lois Burton-Howard also scored a home run and everyone was fast around the bases. A great game girls. – Pauline Noblet (Coach)
TENNIS
Premier League – Saints 0-5 defeated by Immanuel 6-36
Singles: Mia Dodd 0-6, Ruby Deakin 3-6, Maiya Jakupec 1-6, Imogen Nienaber 0-6
Premier League Reserves – Saints 3-25 defeated by Immanuel 3-26
Singles: Charlotte Staples 4-6, Georgia Mallick 1-6, Tahlia Louca 6-2, Ella Dnistriansky 6-0
Division 1–4 – cancelled due to heat
Junior Tennis – cancelled due to heat
TOUCH FOOTBALL
All matches cancelled due to heat
VOLLEYBALL
All matches cancelled due to heat
WATER POLO
Open A – Saints 9 defeated St Ignatius 3
We were unprepared for the determination and speed of St Ignatius at the beginning of the game, with the score being 1-3 down at quarter-time. We regrouped in the break and focused on moving quickly when transitioning into defence and not letting the St Ignatius players break free in their attack. The girls did an amazing job in applying a much stronger defence during the remaining three quarters, preventing St Ignatius from scoring for the rest of the game and resulting in Saints gaining possession of the ball more often, from which we were able to score. Best player this week was Matilda Braithwaite for her tight defence and strong attacking play. Well done this week! – Nicolette Miller (Captain)
Open B – Saints 5 defeated by Wilderness 13
The girls played a great first half, showing that they have the skills to challenge the other teams in the A grade competition. Saints led 4-3 at half-time. Unfortunately, we were unable to maintain this lead throughout the second half as Wilderness applied greater pressure in defence and speed in attack. Best player this week was Emily Baldwinson who consistently applied strong pressure in defence against Wilderness’s best players – Nicolette Miller (Captain)
Open C – no game due to camps
Year 7-8 – no game due to camps