12 May 2022
It was great to welcome everyone back to campus last week, refreshed after what was an extremely challenging Term 1. I trust you enjoyed a restful break and that your son(s) is feeling recharged. As we start a new term, I challenge all students to reflect on the following three questions across each of their pursuits both in and out of the classroom:
- How am I going? (what is my current focus)
- Where do I need to get to next?
- Do I know what is required of me to make that next step (do I know how to get there)?
Success is not accidental. Excellence is a habit that we must practice each day and our students will be best placed to maintain a sense of control in their studies and wider pursuits if they can answer these questions. Help is available. Please direct your son to his teacher, mentor, Head of House or coach to assist him in answering any of those questions.
On the first day of term, a special Anzac Service was held to remember all who have served and continue to serve in wars and conflicts around the world. Our Prefects read an Honour Roll of 378 names of sons of this School who served and sacrificed, and students placed crosses inscribed with their names in the Memorial Hall Lawns. It was a moving and significant service and served as a reminder to us all that freedom is not free; it is the result of sacrifice and we commemorate all those who paid the supreme sacrifice, who gave their lives Pro Deo et Patria, who gave their lives for our freedom.
The talent of our musicians was on show at the outstanding Jazz in Memorial Hall event last Saturday. Their performances reflected the hard work and efforts invested in rehearsals throughout Term 1 and over the break. We are fortunate to witness these many and varied talents during performances in Musters and Assemblies; pipe organ recitals, concert band sets and jazz vocal ensembles are but a few examples. Whilst these performances may be somewhat foreign for some, it is important that students appreciate and respect the talent on show and task themselves to explore what they don’t understand. In doing so they will be become better human beings who can connect well with others beyond the walls of SPSC.
The winter sports season is underway and despite some early challenges presented by stiff opposition it has been pleasing to see both sportsmanship and discipline shine through. The challenge I set all boys, regardless of the state of the playing field, is to find a way to undo their opposition, to pursue their best and to be proud of the uniform they are wearing. Culture is everything and it is essential St Peter’s College students set the correct tone in all encounters.
It was wonderful to this year welcome mothers from both our Junior and Senior School to our annual Mother Son Breakfast in Memorial Hall. The breakfast provided an opportunity to thank mothers for all they do to support, nurture and champion our sons to be strong and lovely contributors to our community. We look forward to hosting more whole school events where circumstances permit.
As Headmaster I enjoy the privilege of interacting with old scholars and delight in hearing them recount their experiences of school. Over the break I enjoyed hosting old scholars and their partners at the 14th annual Fleurieu Luncheon and attending the 103rd birthday of our oldest old scholar Dr Mark Sheppard (FLL 1936). It was an honour for School Captain Chirath and I to join in Dr Sheppard’s birthday celebrations and to see him in such good health.
Congratulations to the following students who recently competed in the National Water Polo Championships – Under 16 Nicky Lockie (Year 9), Oliver Maddern (Year 9), Donovan Fahey (Year 9), Michael Lazarevich (Year 10) and Will Disney (Year 10) – the team was coached by SPSC’s Matt Martin; Under 14 Archie Braithwaite (Year 9) and Emerson Cooper (Year 8). Following an outstanding performance at Nationals, Harry Bruce (Year 11) was selected in the Australian Under 17 Basketball Training Squad and participated in a week-long camp at the Australian Institute of Sport. In Rowing, School Vice Captain Aidan Hughes performed strongly at underage trials gaining selection as the coxswain of the Women’s Under 21 coxed VIII. Jake Nesbitt (Year 12) has been selected as a member of the Australian Junior Coxless IV and the crew will be coached by SPSC’s Will Raven. And in Athletics, Jonathon Harris (Year 11) has been selected in the Australian Athletics Team to compete in the Oceania Championships in Mackay in June.
Finally, congratulations to our Athletics Team for winning the A1 division of the SSSSA Track and Field Championships late last term. A fantastic achievement by all involved to secure a win for the first time in four years.
Enjoy your weekend.
Tim Browning
Headmaster