Year 6 PYP Exhibition
Our Year 6 students have been deeply engaged in their PYP Exhibition, exploring the central idea: “People use courage, creativity and compassion to design innovative and sustainable solutions.”
As part of their inquiry, students investigated issues related to food and fibre sustainability, examining innovative practices that are helping to create a more sustainable future. Through research, discussions and critical thinking, the girls developed their own lines of inquiry to guide their investigations and deepen their understanding of issues that matter to them.
Drawing on their learning, each student created a symbolic piece that represented their key understandings, perspectives and call to action. The Exhibition has provided a valuable opportunity for students to demonstrate the Approaches to Learning skills they have developed throughout their Primary Years Programme journey, while showcasing their passion, agency and commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
Rebecca Riley, Sarah Anderson and Jane Angove
Year 6 Teachers
A Warm Welcome to our new Reception Girls
This week, we celebrated our ELC Hat Ceremony, recognising an important milestone for our ELC Pathway children as they prepare to commence Mid-Year Reception at the beginning of Term 3.
The ceremony provided a wonderful opportunity to warmly welcome the girls and their parents and families to the Junior School. Each student was presented with her Saints Girls hat and school bag, symbolising this significant step into Reception and school life.
We are delighted to welcome all students joining our Mid-Year Reception class in Term 3 and look forward to seeing them embrace the many opportunities that await them at Saints Girls.
Marika Taylor
Head of Junior School
Year 5 Showcase
Over the course of Term 2 in their Drama classes, the Year 5’s have been developing their voice acting skills by learning to manipulate elements such as volume, pace, pitch, quality, accent, tone and emphasis in different combinations to create voices unlike their own and to portray different characters. They also started the year learning about the history of theatre and radio plays as a popular old form of entertainment.
On the 23rd of June, the students brought all this learning together in the form of the Year 5 Showcase, a Mini Radio Play Festival where the cohort presented 12 different short radio plays in small groups, using professional sound equipment to deliver them to an audience.
Though given limited time to rehearse, the girls took this in their stride and demonstrated keen focus during lessons to ensure their performances were audience ready. They enthusiastically took creative control, working collaboratively to cast, direct and produce their plays with only some teacher feedback and assistance. Some groups also found sound effects and music online or sourced items to create their own sounds and music to elevate their performance, a couple even operating or producing these themselves from the stage. Despite challenges such as absences and technological issues, the students delivered a highly entertaining evening of audio experiences for their audience.
Georgia Brass
Dance and Drama Teacher
Year 5 Students Explore the PYP Exhibition Through Chinese
During their Background Chinese lessons, our Year 5 students had an exciting opportunity to engage with the Year 6 PYP Exhibition. They asked Chinese-speaking Year 6 students using simple Chinese questions to learn about their projects.
This activity helped students build confidence in using Chinese in real-life contexts while gaining early insight into the PYP Exhibition journey. It also highlights the importance of using language as a tool for connection, inquiry, and understanding.
We are proud of our Year 5 learners for stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing this meaningful learning experience.
Ying Liu
Language Teacher
Bringing French to Life at Market Day
On Thursday the 18th of June, the year 5 French students transformed our classrooms into a busy market where we practised the French vocabulary we have been learning during class.
We worked in groups of two or three to create stalls and sold different items using French words and phrases. We confidently asked and answered questions, putting our language skills to use in a fun and authentic way.
Our classrooms were filled with excitement, laughter, and plenty of French conversation. The market was a memorable experience that helped us enhance our French language skills while having a fun time with our classmates.
Anju Gurram
Year 5 Student
Junior School STEM Shines in the Premier’s Reading and Design Challenge
This year, our Junior School students took part in the 2026 Premier’s Reading and Design Challenge, a STEM competition built around the theme Our Sustainable Future. Students read a book on Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths, then responded with their own design or invention, a natural extension of our Design for the Deep sustainability story.
Each class linked its reading to a current unit of inquiry. Our Reception girls read The Echidna Near My Place by Sue Whiting and Cate James, exploring why places can be special to people. Year 1 took on Flipper and Finnegan by Sophie Cunningham, a perfect companion to their Little Penguin Refuge work and the idea that living things depend on their environments. Year 2 explored A is for Australia by Frané Lessac, thinking about how geography connects place, space and environment. Year 5 read Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish by Gina M. Newton, linking it to their study of adaptation and their wider work on the Great Southern Reef.
What stood out was how readily our students moved from reading to designing, turning what they had learned into work of their own. Their entries have now been sent to the Premier’s Reading Challenge team, with winners announced during National Science Week in August.
Olivia Coulter
Junior School Leader | Junior School Teacher
Exploring Local Government in Action
During Week 8, the Year 4s (4KIB and 4SDA) were buzzing with excitement as the busses pulled up at the Burnside Library. As part of the Year 4 unit of inquiry, How We Organise Ourselves, they went to the Burnside Civic Centre to meet the mayor and old scholar, Anne Monceaux. They learnt about the mayor’s responsibilities as well as waste management.
The students sorted rubbish into the correct bins and learnt about the differences of the things that go in the different bins (red, yellow and green). They also explored the Toy Library and were shocked to find out that the council own over 4000 toys.
In the Mayor’s office, they talked about the paintings and the history of Burnside City Council. The Year 4s were delighted to be able to sit in the council chambers and listen to the mayor talk about how the council operates and the roles of each councillor.
The students were very happy to see everything and dive deeper into their unit of inquiry and their Central Idea, Local governments shape how communities’ function. They thought this was a wonderful and unforgettable experience and would love to do it again.
Aimee Cui
Year 4KBI
Junior School STEM Enrichment Programs – Term 3
As part of our after-school STEM enrichment program offered during Terms 2 and 3, students have the opportunity to further explore engineering, robotics and emerging technologies through practical, hands-on experiences beyond the classroom.
We’re delighted by the strong interest in these programs. Young Engineers – LEGO® Engineering & Robotics (Years 2–3) has now reached capacity for Term 3. Families who are still interested are encouraged to join the waiting list while Young Engineers explores the possibility of offering a second class, subject to the availability of additional co-educators. If an additional class can be confirmed, or places become available, families on the waiting list will be contacted directly during the first week of Term 3 by Young Engineers.
Young Engineers – LEGO® Engineering & Robotics (Years 2–3)
Using motorised LEGO® models, students explore engineering, mathematics and scientific concepts through weekly design and building challenges. The program encourages creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving while helping girls understand how engineering principles are applied in the real world.
When: Tuesdays, 28 July – 22 September, 3:35pm–4:35pm (9-week program)
Cost: $290
Registration: Waiting list only – please contact Young Engineers to register your interest. Joe@young-engineers.com.au
AI Camp – Language & Communication (Years 4–6) $315
This term, AI Camp focuses on how artificial intelligence understands and uses language. Through hands-on activities and projects, students will investigate chatbots, text analysis, language patterns and responsible AI use while developing their understanding of technologies that are becoming increasingly relevant in education and everyday life.
When: 28 July – 22 September, 3:35pm–4:35pm (9-week program)
Cost $315
Registration: https://aicamp.com.au/enrol/ola/services/st-peter-s-girls-afterschool-program-2026-year4-6
Please note that these programs are delivered by external providers. All registrations, payments and enquiries should be directed to the relevant organisation.
Wishing everyone a wonderful and restful term break next week.
Melissa Lee
STEM Innovation Leader