Issue no. 11
From the Principal
An update on the Strategic Plan
As Term 1 draws to a close, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on just how busy our girls have been over the past 11 weeks. They’ve ventured far and wide – Canberra, Sovereign Hill, Robe, Kangaroo Island and Ardrossan, just to name a few destinations. Selwyn triumphed at the Swimming Carnival and then sang and danced their way to Choral Night glory. Our swimmers secured the IGSSA shield for the first time since 1994 and our 1st VIII headed to Sydney for the National Rowing Championships, securing a silver medal over 500 metres. Our ‘Subs in Schools’ team won the national competition, our Open Softball and Tennis teams both secured a place in the state finals and our Years 11 and 12 girls enjoyed a very successful ‘007’ themed Formal at the Convention Centre. When you consider that all this happened in addition to what transpired in the classroom, it’s no wonder many are limping towards the finish line and looking forward to a restful break! But it’s all of these wonderful traditions and opportunities that makes Saints Girls the School that we know and love.
This term, we have also conducted extensive consultation to be used as we map out the School’s next Strategic Plan, which will outline the way forward for St Peter’s Girls over the next three years. As we approach the School’s 125th birthday, it is important to recognise the events, activities and traditions that make the School so treasured, and also focus on the areas in which improvement can be made.
The new Strategic Plan will identify our objectives in seven key areas: Academics, Well-being, Co-Curricular, Staff, Spaces and Places, Community and Organisational Sustainability.
Over the past two weeks, three parent forums have been held, to examine in detail our Academic, Well-being and Co-Curricular programs. Each session was well attended and generated some valuable feedback.
These sessions were held on the back of the recent round of surveys, which were circulated to parents, staff and Years 5-12 students. Overwhelmingly, the responses from all groups has been very positive, recording satisfaction levels which compare very favourably with those recorded in similar schools.
While no single area was identified as a major concern, there are areas where we can improve. Parents were keen to have our well-being and our learning support and extension programs improved. Homework was also identified as an area in need of support.
Students also identified homework and behaviour as things to improve, as well as curriculum initiatives and facilities.
Staff hoped to see more training and professional development, better work/life balance and career opportunities.
By far, we have the most work to do in updating our facilities. The Gymnasium in particular received many comments in the survey. Our Master Plan, released last year, maps the School’s next building projects. This year, the new Middle School will commence development, while the Resource Centre, Science Labs and Gym will follow. Smaller-scale facility improvements will also be conducted over the next few years, to keep classrooms, locker rooms and bathrooms updated.
Parent satisfaction in detail
The below graph shows overall satisfaction, across the sub-schools in a range of areas. Our values and culture, learning environment, leadership and co-curricular areas are among the best attributes of St Peter’s Girls, scoring well above the average.
In the open ended questions, the main positives identified about the School were the outstanding community and friendly culture of the School, the quality of staff and that we are a ‘small school’.
Student satisfaction in detail
Students gave quite positive responses across the year levels, and overall said that they enjoyed learning at St Peter’s Girls.
The survey had the added advantage of allowing us to benchmark our results against those of ‘similar’ schools. For example, our girls gave the statement ‘I tell others that St Peter’s Girls’ School is a great school’ an overall score of 4.21. The average mark across other girls’ school with an enrolment between 500 and 1000 was 3.95, 7% below our result.
The next steps
Following this feedback, the Senior Leadership Team is now working on a range of objectives and goals in each area of the Strategic Plan. We will aim to have this developed and presented to the Board later in the year. This is an exciting time in the School’s history, and I look forward to seeing our planning progress over the coming months.
Staffing update
With the end of the term also comes a few staffing announcements:
- Deborah Cope will be our new Year 3 teacher, replacing Anne Kruger while she takes maternity leave
- Rebecca Kranz has been appointed to the role of OSHC & Vacation Care Supervisor
I hope all our families have a relaxing break and look forward to seeing the girls return on Monday 2 May. Please note that all students will need to wear the winter uniform next term. The summer uniform is optional for Week 1 only.
Julia Shea
Traffic works near the School
Two major traffic projects will commence in the local area over the holiday break. Please be mindful of this work and take care in nearby streets. Additional travel time may be required in the first few days of Term 2.
Bell Yett Car Park
At 4pm on Friday 15 April, the Bell Yett Car Park will be ‘closed-off’ to commence a variety of works. Not only is the car park being expanded to the west, the Council will also be upgrading their eastern section. This work should be completed by Sunday 1 May 2016.
Please make sure your car is out of the Bell Yett car park by 4.00pm.
Hallett Road intersection
On Monday 18 April, the Council will commence an upgrade for the intersection involving Hallett Rd, Stonyfell Rd and Statenborough St.
The Council have advised that it is likely the works will extend for at least one week into the next school term.
The contractor will have dedicated traffic control staff employed and will try to keep disruption to a minimum, when school returns.
Patteson charity stall a success
On Friday last week, each Year 10 class held a food stall to raise money for their House charity. The Patteson class worked together to hold two fundraisers for the Australian Refugee Association. The first was an ice cream stall and the second was a water balloon station. Together as a House we bought 16 litres of vanilla ice cream and multiple toppings. Charging $1 for a scoop and $0.50 for toppings, we are happy to announce that all of the ice cream was sold and the stall was indeed a great success.
Our water balloon station on the lawn was also a great success, selling all hundreds of water balloons. Students paid either $1 a balloon or $4 for 5 balloons to throw at their choice of ten staff members. The atmosphere around the stations was great as students came to watch or throw water balloons at the staff. Together as a House were able to raise a large amount of money from both these stalls, which will be donated to the Australian Refugee Association. They will use this to further their work in helping Australian refugees to settle and feel welcome in their new home. The Patteson Year 10s would like to thank all the staff who participated in the water balloon contest; maybe they will be willing to volunteer again in the near future.
Amira Shahin and Bethany Cross
Year 10 Patteson
Bus schedule trial for Term 2
In Term 2 this year, the School will trial a system where buses will depart the School at 3.45pm every day of the week, instead of providing a ‘late’ bus that departs at 4.55pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The decision to conduct this trial is due to dwindling numbers of students requiring the ‘late’ bus service on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All other bus operations will continue as normal for Term 2.
Note that our after school care service is available for Junior School students, as well as the very popular new Tutor Program for Years 7 – 12 students if your daughter cannot travel home at the earlier time on these days.
Please understand this is a trial system for Term 2. We look forward to continuing to provide an efficient bus service for all our families.
If you have any queries about the bus service, please contact our Bus Coordinator, Brian Caire, on bcaire@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au.
Year 8 English poem
Year 8 students have recently been studying poetry as part of their English classes. The following is a poem by Sophie Johnson, written in response to our class work on the use of similes, metaphors and personification in poetry.
The Night
As the day begins to end,
Light slinks from my room,
Darkness claws at the walls,
Blanketing me in its embrace,
In a muffled and mummified fear,
I wait.
Like a monster under the bed
Crawling closer,
Invading my thoughts,
Threatening to overwhelm me,
The walls start closing in,
The drum beat in my head quickens.
I hear footsteps creeping closer,
My breathing is shallow,
As I try to remain unnoticed,
The footsteps pound the ground,
Getting louder,
And louder.
Bright light floods my room,
Cleansing every corner,
My fears are gone,
I am saved.
Sophie Johnson
8AKI
Attention all shoppers: Join our trip to Melbourne
Coming soon, a group of St Peter’s Girls parents will embark on our first ever group shopping trip to Melbourne.
Keep the dates free: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 August.
More information will be distributed early in Term 2. Numbers are strictly limited.
Enquiries can be directed to Blaga on 0448 650 130.
Meet the Author: Jackie French
Senior Australian of the Year (2015) and popular Australian author, Jackie French, will speak to our R-7 students on Tuesday 3 May between 2.30 and 3.30pm in the Arts Centre.
Jackie’s books will be highlighted during Library sessions during the preceding weeks.
This will be an amazing opportunity to hear from such an accomplished and entertaining author.
Members of the school community are welcome to attend the session but seats will be limited.
Please send an email to hsmith@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au to register your attendance.
Jackie’s books will be for sale before and after the session in the Arts Centre foyer (cash sales only). Any student who wishes to have previously purchased books signed may drop them off at the Junior Library on Monday 2 May before 10.00am.
Helen Smith
Junior School Teacher Librarian
Join our piano competition
In the first week of Term 2, the Arts Department will hold the School’s inaugural piano competition. This competition is open to all students who play piano and is our way of celebrating the purchase of our new baby grand piano. The competition will be held on Thursday 5 May during lessons 3 and 4.
Girls will have the opportunity to perform a piece to a panel of judges, who will critique their performance based on accuracy, technique and musicality for their specific music level.
Ten students from across the Junior, Middle and Senior School will then be chosen from the competition to perform on our new grand piano at our recital on Wednesday 18 May at 7pm in MB 120.
Girls are asked to play one piece that best displays their musicality and technical ability, at their own musical level. There will be no minimum or maximum time limit. While the competition aims to give our top piano players a chance to perform, the idea is that the recital gives performers of all levels the opportunity to be represented.
Any students interested in taking part in the competition can sign up at the Arts Department.
We look forward to the competition getting underway next term, and to the final performance on Wednesday 18 May. Please join us for what will be a lovely evening.
Sally Rounsevell
Director of Music
Vacation Care: The more, the merrier!
The next instalment of our Vacation Care program is coming up during school holidays and we’d like to extend a warm welcome to primary school aged children from the wider community to attend. Students are welcome to invite friends or siblings to share in the range of enriching activities for both girls and boys.
Junior School program – for children in Reception to Year 6
Join us for a day at the movies, a trip to the Adelaide Zoo or at a Teddy Bears Picnic. Learn to make pizzas and pikelets, create digital animation and master magic tricks that enthrall! Whatever the choice, children can enjoy a range of planned play and leisure activities, practise social skills and solve problems in a safe and relaxed atmosphere.
How it works
Your child can attend as few or as many days as needed, for full or half days, to suit your schedule and commitments. Simply pre-book the days you would like your child to attend and enjoy Vacation Care at St Peter’s Girls.
Dates
> Week 1: Monday 18 April to Friday 22 April
> Week 2: Tuesday 26 April to Friday 29 April
Download the April 2016 Vacation Care Program for details.
Camp Gallipoli
Camp Gallipoli will be held on the night of 24-25 April this year (Week 2 of the Term 1 holidays).
Through the Year 6 trip to Canberra and the Australian War Memorial and the Year 9 History curriculum’s focus on World War One, there is a very strong incentive for involvement in this event, but this is also a great opportunity for wider involvement of students and families from the whole school community.
What is Camp Gallipoli?
The Camp Gallipoli Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation established to help preserve, foster and perpetuate the unique Spirit of ANZAC commemorations. The aim is to educate students about the service and sacrifice made by Australian and New Zealand soldiers throughout World War One and conflicts since.
Following the inaugural event at Morphettville Racecourse in 2015, Camp Gallipoli has moved to the Wayville Showgrounds this year and is inviting St Peter’s Girls students and families to participate in this unique commemorative event. Each venue nationwide has an historic link to Gallipoli, World War One and other theatres of war.
As part of the promotion for this year’s event, Camp Gallipoli is offering each student two tickets as part of a package which can be activated upon online payment. This promotion will be sent home through each Home Group this week. There has been a significant reduction in ticket prices for this year ($54.95) for students, parents, teachers and community members. It promises to be a great night of community spirit, live entertainment and reflection, closing with the Dawn Service on 25 April.
If you have any queries about the event and the material distributed to each student, please contact Ms Fox at ruby@campgallipoli.com.au or 1300 951 951. Furthermore, if you have questions about how Camp Gallipoli complements the School’s curriculum, please contact me via email at: gdingwall@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au.
Gregor Dingwall
Head of Humanities
School Shop update
From next term, students will need to change their uniform from Summer to Winter.
Students will be required to wear their winter uniform from the first day next term.
If you require a winter uniform fitting, please contact the School Shop on 8334 2228 to arrange an appointment.
The School Shop will only be open during the second week of the school holidays:
10am – 4pm daily
Tuesday 26 April to Friday 29 April
Sue Burnett
School Shop Manager
Promoting sport and physical activity at Saints – a short benchmarking survey
The Saints Sport Support Group is seeking to understand the part sport and physical activity plays in the life of students and parents alike. Please take the time to complete our short (less than 5 minute) survey to provide your input.
The SSSG comprises parents and School sports captains and its purpose is to assist the PE and Sports departments to promote sport participation throughout the School. We believe that:
- there are lifetime benefits for individuals from being involved in sport or some form of regular physical activity, and we seek to encourage participation long after sport becomes non-compulsory;
- retention rate is all about finding ways in which students can participate or contribute from an early age, or by helping students to find a sport or physical activity that they enjoy – this includes coaching, umpiring or refereeing;
- a greater understanding of the benefits of physical activity among parents, and their greater involvement in their daughter’s sport or physical activity, is a key component to developing lasting understanding of the value of staying physically active.
The SSSG currently fundraises to help the School by:
- purchasing certain sports equipment needs.
- subsidising coaching and refereeing courses for students – we seek to assist with developing the quality and depth of the coaching provided to your daughters and to support leadership development opportunities for senior girls.
- subsidising coaching and refereeing courses for parents – we believe that there are opportunities to utilise the expertise of parents to improve skills whether this be as part of a regular coaching commitment, or through individual coaching sessions.
The survey we are asking you to complete aims to:
- understand the extent to which school and non-school sport and physical activity is already part of family life for students and parents of the school.
- provide a benchmark from which to gauge program success over a period of time measured in years.
- gain feedback from the school community about whether our focus aligns with perceived needs, and if not to give parents and students a chance to comment.
Parent participation in the SSSG is open to anyone and should you wish to help, please ask the Development Office for further information.
> Please take the survey to let us know your thoughts
Sue Neale
Saints Sport Support Group Chair
Entertainment Books are coming!
Once again, the Mothers’ Club is offering community members the chance to purchase an Entertainment™ Book or Digital Membership and help raise money for the School.
We’re pleased to partner with Entertainment™ again this year, where 20% of the proceeds contributes towards the refurbishment of the Middle School!
By now, all families from ELC to Year 12 should have received a letter outlining the order process. A book will be sent home to each family next term – at which point you can decide whether to return it or provide payment.
If you would prefer not to receive a book, please complete the form at the bottom of the letter sent home.
You can also submit a pre-order before 16 April 2016 and you will receive over $170 worth of additional offers that you can use right away!
Entertainment™ Memberships are packed with thousands of up to 50% OFF and 2-for-1 offers for the best local restaurants, cafés, attractions, hotel accommodation, travel and much more.
Available as a traditional Entertainment Book – or – Digital Membership on your smartphone, your Membership gives you over $20,000 worth of valuable offers valid through to 1 June 2017.
You can pre-order today at www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/161p201
Get involved in Junior School Banking
You can get involved in the School Banking program by opening a Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account at any Commonwealth Bank branch, over the phone on 13 2221, or via NetBank if you are an existing customer with NetBank access.
Remember to take in identification for you and your child (driver’s license and birth certificate). You will receive a Dollarmites wallet and deposit book that your child will use to participate in the program.
Our school receives $5 when a student makes their first ever School Banking deposit and 5% on every deposit made through the school (to a maximum of $10 per individual deposit).
Thank you for supporting our school and helping to teach your child the benefits of saving regularly.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124. Call 13 2221 at any time. As this advice has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on this advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. Full terms and conditions for transaction and savings accounts are available from any branch of the Commonwealth Bank and should be considered in any decision about the product. If you have a complaint in respect of this product, the Commonwealth Bank’s dispute resolution process can be accessed on 13 2221.
Sports News
Winter sport
Sports draws:
Term 2 events
- Friday 6 May – Soccer skills commence (Reception to Year 6)
- Saturday 7 May – Badminton, Hockey and Netball matches commences (Years 7 to 12)
- Monday 9 May – Gymnastics commences (Years 3 to 6)
- Wednesday 11 May – Junior Netball matches commence (Years 5 and 6)
- Friday 13 May – Interhouse Cross Country (Reception to Year 9)
- Friday 13 May – Junior Hockey/Minkey matches commence
- Monday 16 May – Knockout Athletics (Year 8-11)
- Wednesday 18 May – Soccer matches commence (Years 7 to 12)
- Thursday 19 May – East Adelaide SAPSASA Cross Country (Years 4 to 7)
- Saturday 21 May – Aerobics preliminary finals
- Thursday 9 June – State Cross Country Championships (Years 4 to 12)
- Saturday 25 June – Aerobics state finals
Junior Softball – Wednesday 6 April
Year 6 – Saints did not play due to Year 6 camp
Teeball – Wednesday 6 April
Year 4/5 – Saints 21 defeated St Andrews 18
Another solid win for the youngest players in the School! Consolidation of all the hard work put in at training led to an entertaining game. Batting was considerably stronger this week, which was great to see. The girls have improved a lot since the start of the term, and are showing great potential! Claire Hale (Coach)
Water Polo – Thursday 7 April
Open A – Saints had a bye
Open B – Saints 9 defeated Walford 4
The first quarter of the B grade gold medal play off against Walford was very close and competitive, but the girls’ play improved greatly as the game progressed, resulting in a 9-4 victory. The girls worked extremely well as a team and demonstrated their fitness and determination. The hard work during the season definitely paid off. A special mention must go to Nicolette Miller, who managed to score an impressive penalty shot. Sophie Caon (Captain)
Year 7/8 – Saints 13 defeated Loreto 3
The girls in the Year 7/8 Water Polo team completed an amazing undefeated season by winning the final against Loreto. The girls played every game with great spirit and during the course of the season, it was a delight watching them come together as a team, culminating in some amazing passages of play in the final. The girls should be justifiably proud of what they have achieved this term. Thanks must go to their coaching team: Hannah Andrews and Christine Gayen. Heather Lines (Team Manager)
Junior Tennis – Friday 8 April
Year 5 Blue – Saints 6-28 defeated Scotch Gold 0-6
Singles: Eleanor Humphrey 4-1, Georgie Owler 4-3, Madison Harrex 4-1, Ruby Kirwan 4-0
Year 5 White – Saints 3-16 defeated by Scotch White 3-22
Singles: Alicia Toh 0-4, Adelaide Murphy 4-3, Stella Rasheed 4-2, Monika Ceplitis 1-4
Cross country trials – Monday 11 April
Cross Country trials were held to help select students to compete at the East Adelaide SAPSASA carnival on Thursday 19 May (Years 4 to 7) and the State Cross Country Carnival at Oakbank on Thursday 9 June.
Results
10 Year old (2km): Gold Molly Dwyer, Silver Dani Cox, Bronze Annabel Ryan
11 Year old (3km): Gold Emily Baldwinson, Silver Noa Goddard, Bronze Eleanor Humphrey
12 Year old (3km): Gold Portia Maerschel
13 Year old (3km): Gold Stephanie Smalls, Silver Matilda Braithwaite, Bronze Saskia Jonats
14 Year old (3km): Gold Millisent Wilkin, Silver Harriet Maerschel, Bronze Emily Downie
15 Year old (3km): Gold Eve Habel
16 Year old (3km) Gold Thandi Murada, Silver Bethany Cross, Bronze Holly Cunningham
Open (3km): Gold Anna Cross
Junior Softball – Wednesday 13 April
Year 6 – Saints 5 defeated by Pembroke White 9
The girls played an excellent game this week, pulling together as a team and using all the skills they have learnt this term. Emily Bryce and Chloe Porter, our two Year 5s, proved a great asset as pitcher and catcher. Annabelle Bradshaw and Caitlin Scane worked hard in the outfield and Georgia Barclay showed off her base stealing skills. Sarah Gulliver caught two fly balls, one of which, with the quick thinking of Angela Mourtzios , resulted in a fantastic double play. Congratulations to Sophie Norman, who managed to get a well-deserved home run. Overall, it was a great effort by all and I can’t wait to see what these girls achieve as they continue playing softball. Lydia Smalls (Coach)
Teeball – Saints 12 defeated by St Ignatius 21
The girls improved their batting this week, scoring 12 runs in total. Unfortunately the girls were let down on the fielding, but did quite well considering some very big hits from St Ignatius. As this is the last game for the term, I would like to thank our umpires, India and Kate; our supervisor Ms Dillon who scored each week, and the spectators. The girls have improved a massive amount over the past 10 weeks.
Athletics – Secondary Schools Sport – Thursday 14 April
Saints Girls sent a strong team to the Secondary School Statewide athletics carnival. Competing in the A2 Grade, our team had an incredible day, leading all day to win the Division 2 title. There were a number of outstanding individual results and these will be listed in the first week next term. Congratulations to all those who competed and helped us to gain promotion to the A1 division in 2017. Neil Fuller
Australian Swimming Championships
Congratulations to Krista Ceplite, who swam with Norwood Swim Club at the 2016 Australian Swimming Championships. The club achieved a Bronze Medal in the 4x200m relay.
Shania Morgan finished ranked 34th in the open women’s 100m breaststroke.
Any other competitors can send their results to nfuller@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au.