Issue no. 17
Starry Night Gala Ball – Next Saturday!
This is a final call for tickets to the Saints Girls’ social event of the year: our Starry Night Gala Ball to celebrate and support our fundraising efforts for a new Gym.
Don’t miss out on this amazing evening with our fabulous community.
7pm, Saturday 18 June
Adelaide Convention Centre
Tickets: $200 per person
Includes three-course meal, beverages and live entertainment
Please note that this event replaces The Long Lunch in 2022, so book a seat or two, or round up a table for a sparkling night out!
To book your tickets, CLICK HERE
Star Struck Major Lottery – Closing Soon!
Time is running out to snap up tickets in our Star Struck Major Lottery for a shot at winning a stellar new car.
The draw will be held at our Starry Night Gala Ball next Saturday, 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.
To buy your tickets: CLICK HERE
Lottery Licence No: M14175
South Australian da Vinci Decathlon 2022
As ever, da Vinci Decathlon week was full of feverish activity, creativity and intellectual dexterity. With nearly 600 of the State’s brightest and keenest early adolescent minds in one place, that shouldn’t be surprising! What always takes me a little by surprise, however, is the sheer joy and excitement that each day as a whole generates. It really is a delight to see so many students from such a wide range of schools united by the desire to think hard, embrace challenge and test themselves against tasks and questions used in all states and territories. Throw in a healthy bit of inter-school rivalry and a decent pizza lunch, and you have all the ingredients for a magical event.
The da Vinci Decathlon began in 2005 as an exciting offshoot of the very successful da Vinci Program for gifted and talented students at Knox Grammar School in Sydney. This is our 10th year hosting this prestigious event, and interest from around the State continues to grow each year. The Decathlon is designed to celebrate the academic gifts of Australian youth by providing a stimulating and challenging competition run in the spirit of an Olympic Decathlon. It is named after Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519), one of the world’s greatest thinkers and scholars. His career spanned an enormous range of disciplines including art, architecture, poetry, anatomy, hydrodynamics, mechanical and military engineering, mathematics and astronomy. Crucially, he demonstrated a superior ability to perceive the interconnected nature of knowledge, and embraced learning with a lifelong passion and determination to uncover the unknown.
Thus, the competition places a particular emphasis on higher order thinking skills, problem-solving and creativity. Students working collaboratively in teams are highly stimulated by competing in tasks across disciplines such as Engineering, Mathematics, Ideation, Code Breaking, Drama, Art and Poetry, Science and English. There is a need, therefore, for a well-balanced team with students whose abilities complement rather than replicate each other.
Thanks must go to Maeghan Stace, Fiona McGregor, Property Services, our Middle School Leaders and Wesley Hiscock for all their hard work in ensuring the event ran as smoothly as ever. Visiting schools are always keen to offer thanks for providing such an outstanding opportunity to their students, which wouldn’t be possible without the work of our team here at Saints Girls. Congratulations also go to Becca Burton-Howard, our da Vinci Decathlon Head Coach/Gifted and Talented Coordinator, and all the staff and students who supported her and our teams this year in the build up to the event.
In the Year 5/6 division, our team started things off spectacularly, overcoming stiff competition from Scotch College, Wilderness School, Pulteney Grammar School and Westminster School to be crowned South Australian da Vinci Decathlon Champions for 2022. With top 3 finishes in 5 of the 10 events, they were clear winners in a field of 22 teams, with the battle for 2nd to 4th as close as we have seen since the event began.
Saints Girls’ fine form continued on Tuesday during the Year 7 event. Our team placed 2nd in Art and Poetry, English and Science, and won the Engineering challenge. As a result, the girls placed 2nd overall, finishing behind Walford Anglican School for Girls by the smallest amount possible.
Finally, our Year 9 entrants mounted a stirring second-half display, winning Engineering and Ideation, and placing 5th in Code Breaking, to finish an impressive 4th overall amongst 24 talented teams.
Our girls will now compete virtually in the National da Vinci Decathlon in Week 9, and we wish them all well as they compete with some of the brightest minds in the nation.
Richard Lisle
Deputy Principal/Head of Middle School
Science and Engineering Challenge Winners
Congratulations to our team of 30 Year 10 Saints Girls who claimed victory at the 2022 Science and Engineering Challenge yesterday.
Eight schools of up to 32 students (256 students in total) competed in fun and engaging STEM activities at the Adelaide 36ers Arena. Tasks included designing an earthquake-proof tower, building a load-bearing bridge, providing electricity to a city and creating a bionic hand that can grasp straws and hold a ball.
Our girls performed fantastically across the day and did the School proud!
Craig Byrne
Head of Science
Saints Girls Blitz State Cross Country
Saints Girls achieved some tremendous results at yesterday’s SSSA Cross Country in Oakbank, with our U14 team finishing 3rd overall and our U16 team taking out 1st place!
The squad consisted of Alice Braithwaite, Daisy Braithwaite, Dani Cox, Elodie de Wit, Isla Fahey, Audrey Fox, Carys Kinsella-White, Jenna Maione, Lara Maione, Charlotte McAuliffe, Claudia Pearce, Sophie Ricciuto, Emily Robinson, Naomi Singh, Marcella Tolley, Zara Trim, Ella Warrick, and Chloe Richardson. (Not all students are pictured above).
The girls represented the School with distinction, supporting each other and trying their best on a challenging course.
Students who placed in the top 10 included Isla Fahey who finished 1st (13 years), Elodie de Wit in 3rd and Chloe Richardson in 4th (14 years), Audrey Fox 2nd (12 years), Alice Braithwaite 5th and Claudia Pearce 9th (16 years).
FUSION – Performing Arts Collaboration – TONIGHT!
Tonight is the night! Saints Girls’ Music and Dance students will join forces in our inaugural Performing Arts Collaboration of FUSION.
Featuring Stage 1 Music Performance with ensemble dance pieces, the show is a mixture of live music and singing with dance in a huge variety of styles including ballet, jazz, musical theatre, tap and contemporary. As pictured below, the girls have spent weeks perfecting their pieces and cannot wait to share the finished product on stage.
Kick off the long weekend in style by celebrating FUSION at 7pm tonight in our Arts Centre.
Tickets are available via www.trybooking.com/BZOLN until 5pm, or at the door tonight.
CREATE – SACE Dance Choreography
Bravo to our Stage 2 Dance Choreographers on last Thursday’s stunning performance of CREATE.
The girls worked tirelessly to develop their own dance for an assessment piece, choosing a topic to form their choreography around. Each girl was able to select external dancers or use themselves in their dance.
Well done to all involved for your courage, collaboration and creativity!
Introducing Our New Board Members
Following a comprehensive recruitment process, St Peter’s Girls’ School is delighted to welcome three new members to our highly experienced, voluntary Board of Governors. The appointments of Daniel Dello Iacovo and Old Scholar Fiona Besir (nee Zogopoulos, Kilburn 2002) were ratified last month, and fellow Old Scholar Rebecca Slimming (Kennion 2013) is looking forward to joining the Board in August.
Daniel Dello Iacovo
Specialising in property and construction, Daniel Dello Iacovo is the Managing Director of Trice, an asset, development and project management company he founded in 2008. Daniel, who commenced his career as a Quantity Surveyor, has more than 25 years’ experience in successfully creating, shaping and delivering property solutions locally and internationally. With a Bachelor’s degree in Building, Daniel is a Member of the Australian Institute of Project Management and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, and has held the office of committee Chair with the Property Council of Australia. His experience comprises creation and repositioning of assets in a number of sectors including education, health and wellbeing, horticulture, as well as various commercial ventures.
Fiona Besir
A former Head Prefect and current parent of the School, Fiona Besir (nee Zogopoulos, Kilburn 2002) has a proud family history at Saints Girls. Her great-grandmother Bessie Hill (nee Ide, 1913) was among the School’s first three Prefects when the Prefect system was introduced in 1912, and an academic prize named in Bessie’s honour continues to be presented each year. Fiona’s daughter Nina commenced Mid-Year Reception in 2021, becoming the fifth generation in the family connected to St Peter’s Girls. Fiona is a lawyer and family dispute resolution practitioner who established her own practice as a mediator in family law.
Rebecca Slimming
Former Head Prefect Rebecca Slimming (Kennion 2013) is a passionate Saints Girl who has maintained strong links with the School having been a member of the Old Scholars’ Council, a tutor for the Old Scholars’ Tutor Program and an organiser of interstate reunions. In 2018, Rebecca completed a double degree in Law with First Class Honours and Psychology at the University of Adelaide. She then moved to Sydney where she formally commenced her legal career and was admitted as a solicitor. In 2021, she worked as a Tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Helen Wilson in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. In 2022, Rebecca moved to Perth, joining legal firm Allens as an Associate in the Commercial Disputes and Investigations team.
The School congratulates Daniel, Fiona and Rebecca on their appointment and we look forward to seeing their contributions in continuing our School’s incredible tradition of success.
Jeremy Schultz
Chair, Board of Governors
Reconciliation Week Chapel Service
Last week in our Chapel Service, it was a joy to welcome Bishop Chris McLeod, National Aboriginal Bishop, as part of Reconciliation Week activities at the School.
Bishop Chris spoke about the importance of God loving all people as they are. For him as an Aboriginal man, it is significant that God loves and welcomes him. Bishop Chris also challenged us to both be true to ourselves and to be welcoming of all people, especially First Nations people. To end his time with us, he led us through a prayer for reconciliation.
Thomas Bassett
School Chaplain
Gem of a Lesson for Year 9 Jewellers
Our Year 9 Creative Technologies girls are completing a jewellery-making unit and were fortunate to have an industry leader visit the School to showcase some incredible designs.
Richard Moser, Managing Director of local business Diamond Design Studio, and father of Saints Girl Sapphire Moser, presented the processes required to produce a ring, from concept through to the final polished product. A variety of tools, materials, sketches and glistening examples were brought in to further explore the possibilities.
The next process for the girls is to use 3D CAD software to produce a digital model ready to send off for casting.
Randal Irvine
Digital Technologies Teacher
Year 11 Drama Performance – Eyes to the Floor
The SACE Stage 1 Drama students are proud to present Eyes to the Floor by Australian playwright Alana Valentine.
The play chronicles the experience of teenage girls sent to the Hay Girls Home during the 1960s where they endured brutal, punitive treatment. It highlights the vulnerability of the young inmates in a world where they must find connection with each other to survive. Interwoven with movement, chorus work and poetry, Eyes to the Floor explores a chilling chapter in Australia’s history.
Please join us on Monday 20 June (Week 8) at 6pm in the Arts Centre. Entry is free, and no bookings are required.
Suitable for audiences 13+ years
Joni Combe
Drama Teacher
Lunchtime Concert – Next Wednesday
The Saints Rock Band and Guitar Ensemble will be performing for students and staff in the Drama Room at lunchtime next Wednesday 15 June!
The concert will begin with the Guitar Ensemble, which consists of five students from Year 8 through to Year 11. They will perform a number of pieces including the popular tune ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams, plus traditional pieces like ‘Amazing Grace’. The Saints Rock Band will then take to the stage and perform three popular songs including the well-known Adele hit ‘Sky Fall’.
So come and enjoy this fantastic free concert and support the very talented Saints Rock Band and Guitar Ensemble!
Robyn Habel
Music Teacher
Piano Eisteddfod – Next Thursday
Next Thursday 16 June, the Arts Department will hold St Peter’s Girls’ Piano Eisteddfod. It is open to all Junior and Middle School students who play piano. Parents are welcome to attend, and the time of each student’s performance will be communicated to families.
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. This is a great opportunity for girls to perform in a supportive environment and receive some valuable feedback.
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 Eisteddfod provides our top piano players with a platform to perform, the aim is to give performers of all levels the opportunity to participate.
A Piano Recital will be held at 6pm on Thursday 23 June. Students will be chosen from the Eisteddfod performers who show confidence and a high level of musicianship. Selected recital students will be notified by the beginning of Week 8.
Sari Noble
Acting Director of Music
The Little Mermaid JR. – This Weekend
This long weekend, some of our talented Saints Girls will be appearing in the production of The Little Mermaid JR. by Shane Davidson Presents. Journey under the sea with Ariel and her aquatic friends. Featuring wonderful songs such as ‘Part of Your World’, ‘Under the Sea’ and ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’, a vibrant cast of 40 will sing and dance their way through colourful scene after scene.
Venue: Arts Centre, St Peter’s Girls’ School
Dates: Saturday 11 June and Sunday 12 June
Tickets: $35 via TryBooking – click here
Shane Davidson
Year 4 Teacher
Scholastic Book Club
Book Club continues to be the fun and easy way of bringing books into a child’s home, giving families an affordable and convenient way to access the best in Australian and international children’s literature.
Issue 4 of Scholastic Book Club is out now. Order online via the Scholastic Australia LOOP website.
Nude Food Tuesdays
The Environment Club is encouraging all Saints Girls to minimise their plastic usage, especially in the packaging of their recess and lunch. Many of us pack our recess and lunch in zip lock bags and cling wrap. But the issue with this is that we use these once and then toss them into the bin. These plastics are not biodegradable, and over many years will simply break down into microplastics contaminating our water sources and even our food.
So, to decrease this impact, the Environment Club is inviting everyone to participate in Nude Food Tuesdays. On this day, we ask that students’ lunch and recess are not packaged in single use plastic and are instead packed in other items such as containers, beeswax wraps or even multi-use silicon bags.
If everyone participates, the amount of plastic which the School contributes to landfill will decrease greatly, thus benefitting our environment. You can even do this every day if you are extra keen to help our environment!
Nathara Perera
Environment Club
Native Tree Giveaway
Burnside Council invites locals to help grow its Urban Forest. It’s giving away free advanced native trees for City of Burnside residents to plant in their garden.
To get your free native tree:
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- Visit the Customer Service Desk at the Civic Centre on Greenhill Road to collect your voucher (voucher must be collected by the property owner only), or email with your name, the address of the property and mailing address (if different from the property address), and a voucher will be posted to you.
- Take your unique voucher to one of the participating nurseries to get your native tree.
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Valid from 15 April to 30 September 2022, voucher limits apply per rateable property. For more details – click here
Nathara Perera
Environment Club Captain
Car Park Courtesy
The School has again received complaints about traffic blocking Stonyfell Road for lengthy periods during drop-off and pick-up. If the car park is full and you are unable to enter, circle the block until it is clear to enter, find a park elsewhere or, where age-appropriate, meet your daughter in a surrounding street. Unless special circumstances apply, parents of girls in Years 2 to 12 should not enter the car park to collect their daughters prior to 3.30pm. Parents of girls in Reception and Year 1 have exclusive use of the pick-up zone prior to this time for safety and traffic reasons.
Please also refrain from turning right into or out of the car park at peak times, and please do not queue in the car park’s lanes as this often prevents drivers who are legally parked from exiting.
We have also received complaints about cars being parked too close to or in front of driveways, or across from other vehicles in surrounding streets, making it extremely difficult for residents and other road users to navigate.
We ask all community members to please show consideration for others; thank you for your cooperation.
COVID-19 Information
SA Health has advised that asymptomatic COVID-19 close contacts no longer need to quarantine. Therefore, asymptomatic children and students can attend school or ELC despite being a close contact, provided they undertake 5 RATs over the subsequent 7 days and receive negative results.
Please also be reminded of these vital requirements:
Should your child develop any symptoms, even mild ones, they must not attend school or ELC and should be tested for COVID-19. They require a PCR test with receipt of a negative result and resolution of symptoms before return to school/ELC can be considered. Students who have previously tested positive and have completed isolation in the past 12 weeks do not need to undertake testing.
If your child tests positive to COVID-19, notify us immediately. Please also advise the type of test (RAT/PCR), the date your child’s test was taken and the date symptoms started (if no symptoms, note ‘asymptomatic’).
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 need to notify us over the phone, please call the Front Office on 8334 2200.
Please note that if your child is too sick to attend school, they are therefore also too sick to be working remotely from home.
School Medical Information Reminder
It is imperative that all medical information, including immunisations, is up to date on the School’s myLink parent portal.
Please follow this pathway to check and/or update details: myLink > Community Portal > My Details > select child name
If you have any questions, please email healthcentre@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
School Immunisation Program
2nd Visit Reminder for Parents of Year 10 Students – Next Tuesday 14 June
The information below is provided by Eastern Health Authority
Year 10
• 2nd dose of the Meningococcal B vaccine (Men B), BEXSERO
A reminder to parents: Students in Year 10 are offered two free vaccines 2 months apart to be fully vaccinated against Meningococcal B. It is important that your child is present at school on the day when EHA will be providing second doses.
Please notify EHA if:
• Your child has already started the above program with another provider
• You wish to withdraw your consent
• Your child’s medical condition has changed
Tips for the day of immunisation:
• Encourage your child to have a good breakfast and recess on the morning of immunisations
• Wear sports uniforms to aid easy access to the upper arm and avoid unnecessarily exposing yourself if clothing needs to be removed/undone
• Encourage your child to keep their arms moving and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
If you did not receive an immunisation consent form from your child at the beginning of the school year, please ask at the school’s Front Office or if unavailable contact EHA.
If you have any further questions about the program, please directly contact Eastern Health Authority on 8132 3600 or via email eha@eha.sa.gov.au
Further information and videos for high school students are available at: www.health.gov.au/news/school-based-vaccinations-for-teens
Remember: it is your responsibility to notify EHA on 8132 3600 of any changes or information, particularly in relation to your child’s medical condition, on the day of immunisation or prior. A signed and dated note in your child’s diary from a parent or guardian presented on the day is acceptable.
School Immunisation Program records may be required for future employment or travel.
Warm Up with Saints’ Scarves and Beanies
With the cooler weather, the School Shop has some branded winter warmers:
Saints Girls’ Supporter Scarf – perfect for staff, coaches and parents
Saints Girls’ Beanies – can be worn by students during their sport training sessions and warm ups, and also available for staff coaches and parents
To get your hands on these fabulous new items, please visit the School Shop.
General Absences from School
If your child is going to be absent, late to school or leave early, please use one of the following methods to notify the School, providing the student name, Class/Home Group and reason:
Text: 0428 601 957
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8334 2200
Feel free to include the Class/Home Group Teacher when emailing. It would be appreciated if notifications could be made prior to 9am.
Sports News
AEROBICS
With COVID delaying yet another season, our Aerobics girls kept their spirits high and committed to their first competition, FISAF Super Series.
We had amazing results from all teams, with Royals placing 4th and Tinkerbells 2nd in the Secondary Pre-Choreographed Teams Years 7 – 9 (Novice) division. In the Secondary Pre-Choreographed Teams Years 7 – 12 (Advanced), The Stars and Freaky Friday placed 3rd and 2nd respectively. Congratulations girls!
After mentoring our Aerobics teams for more than three years, I have never been prouder of our girls. Not just because of the fantastic results, but because of the sportsmanship and encouragement of everyone at the competition. Every team supported each other while rehearsing and preparing backstage, and cheered each other on during the performances. To add to this, every team’s feedback from the judges included a comment about their energy and smiles, meaning everyone was having fun and enjoying their time on stage. Well done to everyone involved. – Maddi Harmer (Captain)
AUSSIE RULES
Open A: Saints (0) v Scotch (96)
Middle A: Saints (0) v Scotch (42)
BADMINTON
Open A: Saints (2(4-123)) v Pembroke (4(7-138))
Open B1: Saints (5(119)) v Saints B2 (1(82))
Open B2: Saints (1(82)) v Saints B1 (5(119))
Open C1: Saints (0) v Pembroke (6)
Open C2: Saints (3) v Pembroke (3)
Open D1: Saints (0) v Pembroke (6)
Open D2: Saints (4) v Pembroke (2)
Middle E: Saints (9) v Pembroke (0)
Saints faced tough games last weekend. Despite coming up against stronger opponents who challenged their skills, the girls displayed positive attitudes and took on board coaches’ feedback. Congratulations to Open D2 and Middle E teams on their convincing wins. Although the results may disappoint some girls, it shows that there is plenty of room for improvement. It is wonderful to see everyone willing to try new things on court. Well done to all! – Yang Yang (Captain)
HOCKEY
Division B: Saints (6) v Scotch B (0)
Our second game back for the 2022 season saw a stunning team effort, where we welcomed Gabby and Claris from Year 6 to the team. Our midfielders and defensive players pushed up to assist our attackers, making good use of transfers. Our goal scorers were Yashika (1), Bridgette (1), Amelia (2) and Phoebe (2). A great finish to the game saw Phoebe deflecting the ball into the goal after the siren from a short corner. Great job everyone, especially for your persistence through the torrential rain! – Bridgette (Captain)
SAPSASA HOCKEY
Hockey is thriving in the Junior School, with 5 girls selected for the East Adelaide SAPSASA team. Congratulations to Claris Stolcman, Emily Robinson, Gabriella Davi, Jess Woods and Lois Burton-Howard.
LACROSSE
U11: Saints (7) v Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School (6)
The U11s had yet another great win. It was quite a close game, but the girls came out on top. Our goalies were Christie Psaromatis and Mimi Birmingham and they both did an amazing job! Our goal scorers were Ava Bartlett (1), Maddie Romeo (1) and Grace Marshall (5). Fantastic game girls! – Dani (Captain)
NETBALL
Open A: Saints (30) v Scotch (43)
Open B: Saints (20) v Scotch (45)
Open C: Saints (18) v Scotch (42)
Open D: Saints (17) v Scotch (31)
Open E: Saints (5) v Westminster (26)
Year 9 A: Saints (34) v Scotch (30)
Year 9 B: Saints (2) v Scotch (40)
Year 8 A: Saints (30) v Scotch (16)
Year 8 B: Saints (15) v Scotch (7)
Year 7 A: Saints (25) v Scotch (24)
Year 7 B: Saints (3) v Scotch (28)
TOUCH FOOTBALL
Recently, the Open Touch squad participated in the State Knockout, where we played in 5 games. Although we faced many experienced players, it was amazing to see how much everyone improved throughout the day and implemented plays we had been practising in trainings.
A highlight was the match against Pembroke as the team combined strong defensive pressure and intensity in attack to guarantee a place in the top 4 after a 5 – 2 win! To finish the day, we faced Golden Grove in the 3/4 final, and after a very close match, we went down by 1 in an extra-time drop off. Finishing in the top 4 was a huge effort which we are all extremely proud of and we look forward to continuing training in preparation for our tour to the Gold Coast later this year. – Ellie (Captain)