St Peter’s College strives to be an exceptional community of learning, and as the 2024 academic year draws to a close, we have much to be grateful for as a school. Reflecting on one’s own journey is essential for developing the skills and attitudes that will support growth and progress in 2025.
Each boy will receive their academic report in the coming weeks. This report provides an excellent starting point for reflecting on what has been achieved and identifying areas for further growth. Coupled with considering one’s contributions to the wider school community—whether in sport, music, service, or other co-curricular opportunities —this reflection is a valuable way to address the question: How have I contributed to this exceptional community of learning? And what are my goals for 2025?
The past two weeks at St Peter’s College have been filled with celebrations and preparations for the year ahead. One of this year’s new initiatives was our Year 11 Retreat Day. The purpose of the retreat was to encourage Year 11 students to reflect on their journey over the past 12 months and consider the impact they aspire to have on the school community as Year 12s. The boys made several commitments to the leadership of their houses, which they will present at the start of 2025. A heartfelt thank you to Mr Michael Lucas and all those involved in creating this event. We look forward to seeing this initiative continue to grow and develop as a meaningful experience for our Year 11 students.
Years 7 to 11 Speech Day was another highlight, celebrating the academic achievements of our students and bidding farewell to several staff members. It was a privilege to hear from Mr. Paul Hadfield, who has been part of this community for 41 years. He shared some of the school’s history and reflected on the changes it has undergone. He also challenged the boys to think about how they can leave a positive and lasting impact on the world beyond their time at St Peter’s College.
We are fortunate to have such dedicated, long-serving staff members who have contributed so much during their tenure. Notably, we acknowledged Mr. Jon Inge, who is retiring after 34 years, and Mr. Colin Harris, who has provided 25 years of steadfast support as a lab technician. Their experience, wisdom, and contributions will be greatly missed, and we wish them all the best in the years ahead.
We also bid farewell to several staff members pursuing new opportunities in 2025:
Joel Baker
Chengrui Chen
Phillip Clarke
Marie Daziani
Shannon de Silva
Hue Huang
Michael Rodgers
Kelly Schmidt
Fergus Teh
As Mr. Paul Hadfield aptly quoted Maya Angelou, the renowned poet and educator, during his Speech Day address: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
May we, as a community, always strive to embody our core values of Truth, Respect, and Service, ensuring that our interactions with one another leave a lasting and positive impact.
I wish you all a safe, relaxing, and holy Christmas and hopefully a period of rest and rejuvenation from the fast pace of the world around us.
David Nolan
Deputy Headmaster / Head of Senior School