Rituals are an important part of school life, and on Remembrance Day, we held two very poignant commemorative services. The first took place during morning mentor time, where our Year 11 students gathered in Big Quad to listen to the Headmaster speak about the School’s history and its connection to World War I. This was followed by a simple yet meaningful poppy ceremony, during which each Year 11 student placed a poppy in the bronze plaque that sits beside the rolls of those who served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice. The poppies have remained in the plaque as a reminder of their service and sacrifice.
The second ritual of the day was the whole school Remembrance Service, timed to coincide with the minute of silence at the 11th hour. It was a significant and special moment as the entire school gathered in front of Memorial Hall to pause and reflect. This building holds a special place in the hearts of families whose loved ones served to protect our freedom. For our School community, it represents a deep connection to our history and a poignant reminder of our School motto, Pro Deo et Patria – “For God and Country.”
On Monday, we welcomed Mr Daniel Principe, who spoke to both parents and Year 9 boys about his mission of “Championing Boys, Challenging Culture.” He spoke candidly about the world in which our boys are growing up and highlighted how external influences shape their thinking and actions. One of his key messages was that the world needs to tell better stories about boys and men – stories of men showing empathy, sharing, and expressing great love. At St Peter’s College, we have many great stories to share about our boys. Each week in the Senior School, we aim to highlight these through our Musters. With our strong Anglican framework and the words of our School prayer, the boys are constantly reminded of the powerful stories about strong and lovely acts that occur within our community.
Our Summer Sports Day on Wednesday was another successful moment for our community. Several staff members commented on how incredible it was to see the boys participating in a wide variety of sports and activities with great teamwork and respect for one another. We are fortunate to have many highly skilled athletes, but it was equally heartwarming to see them supporting peers participating in activities outside their comfort zones. The camaraderie and positive atmosphere on the day truly reflected our mission of championing boys and challenging culture.
The Art and Technology Showcase and Junior Play were further examples of the vibrant learning culture within our School. Our boys’ creativity was on display in the showcase, which highlighted their love of learning. From a virtual walkthrough of the Palace of Versailles created in Minecraft to stunning artworks across various mediums, the event was a testament to the talent of our students and the dedication of their teachers.
The Junior Play was another fine example of challenging culture. Watching so many boys perform a series of short plays with enthusiasm, humour, and a touch of horror was a joy. Their performances were a tribute to their teacher, Mr Philip Clarke, and the collective efforts of the boys. Performing in front of an audience is never easy, yet our students rose to the challenge as a team, celebrating each member’s unique gifts. The evening as a whole certainly reflected our vision of being an exceptional community of learning.
As the end of the year quickly approaches, there is a sense of closure across the campus. Our Year 11 students have completed their final lessons and are now preparing for exams, with Years 9 and 10 students soon to follow. This weekend marks the final round of Term 4 sports, though training will continue across various disciplines as we look toward the new year.
This time of year feels like watching dual screens – one focussed on the present and the other looking ahead to 2025. My hope is that our students remain present in the moment as we conclude 2024. We wish them every success over the next two weeks as they wrap up their assessments, classes, and co-curricular activities, making the most of these final moments.
David Nolan
Deputy Headmaster / Head of Senior School