A very warm welcome to the 2025 school year. It has been a very positive start to the year, and students are quickly adapting to expectations and routines. It is heartening to see how warmly new students have been embraced by the community. This was particularly evident among our newest Senior School students in Year 7, who have participated in two day lead-in camps at the Norm Howard Outdoor Education Centre at Finniss. From all accounts, the boys have thoroughly enjoyed this experiential learning opportunity and have quickly formed new bonds within their mentor classes.
We had the opportunity to celebrate our Senior School Muster this week and recognise the academic success of the Class of 2024. We are incredibly proud of how these young men approached their learning, the commitment they displayed in their academic studies, and their contributions to the wider school programs. They truly embody what it means to be part of an exceptional community of learning. Celebrating their success serves as a reminder of what is possible through dedication, hard work, and a balanced approach to academic and co-curricular life.
At St Peter’s College, we are driven by our vision to be an exceptional community of learning. Often, when people think of school, they associate this with the academic program that takes place between 8.35am and 3.30pm. However, a school day at St Peter’s College extends far beyond classroom hours. For some students, the day begins as early as 5.00am and can conclude well after 9.00pm. Our School offers a wide range of programs that enables us to aim high and be exceptional. Some of these programs are compulsory parts of what it means to be a student at SPSC. We highly value our co-curricular endeavours and recognise the wellbeing and learning benefits that come from participating in team and individual sports. This is why every student is expected to take part in our cocurricular sporting program.
We also expect our students to engage in our pastoral care and spiritual life through our compulsory mentor, chapel and muster programs. Along with our compulsory sports and outdoor education program, these are not optional extras – they are the foundation of a St Peter’s College education that forms the basis of what it means to be an exceptional community of learning and indeed the essence of what it means to be a student in our community.
For those boys looking to explore other avenues of personal growth and development, the School provides co-curricular opportunities in music, arts and drama. These programs allow students to express their creativity and connect with like-minded peers. There are so many opportunities available and is a strength of being a member of our community.
To support our vision to be an exceptional community of learning, we draw on our foundation as an Anglican School. We are proudly an Anglican School which provides a framework to support the spiritual growth and development of every student. It is through this framework that we encourage our students to understand the importance of being part of an inclusive environment, where we pursue truth, demonstrate respect and engage in service that fosters personal growth while benefitting the broader community. These values are fundamental to the formation of every boy as they journey through our School.
We do set high expectations for our students, and in recognition of this, we have strong structures in place. This begins with the simple things such as personal presentation. We ask for support from home to uphold the standards expected of every student.
We also recognise the importance of working in partnership with families. To this end, if you require guidance or support for your son, we encourage you to reach out to your son’s Mentor in the first instance. Mentors see their students every day, forming strong connections and working closely with them. For subject-specific inquiries, we ask that you contact the relevant subject teacher. Most questions can be quickly resolved by either the Mentor or Subject Teacher. For additional support, Year Level Coordinators (Years 7 and 8) and Heads of House (Years 9 to 12) are excellent resources.
Being part of the St Peter’s College community means committing to a school that offers more than just academic learning. Our focus is on the holistic development of every young person through a well-rounded education that extends beyond the classroom. This is what supports us as we strive to be an exceptional community of learning.
We look forward to the year ahead and to sharing and celebrating the journey of 2025 with you. I look forward to connecting with you at the Headmaster’s Welcome Drinks on Friday 14 February.
David Nolan
Deputy Headmaster / Head of Senior School
