15 September 2023
Our Athletics season is in full swing following a seamless transition from our final Intercol fixture to athletics preparations. St Peter’s College has a proud tradition of success in Athletics and our carnival format not only builds on this foundation but also ensures every student has the opportunity to participate and contribute to their respective House. Across the past three weeks House Athletics trial results have been recorded for Senior School students across track and field disciplines, accumulating over 65,500 points for our Houses. This excellent rate of participation reflects our commitment to nurturing the athletic ability of each and every student in the School.
Monday marks the beginning of ‘Athletics Championship Week’ with championship events to be contested across the week culminating in the 152nd Athletics Carnival on Friday 22 September. Additionally, our Years 3 to 6 Sports Day will be held on Tuesday 26 September on Caterer and Wilson ovals.
Our Year 12 students are fast approaching the end of their schooling at St Peter’s College. The school journey seems such a long period in the eyes of a student, yet only a fleeting moment in the eyes of a parent. Valedictory celebrations commenced with Senior School House dinners that have been held over the past few weeks. These intimate, personal occasions help strengthen student’s sense of belonging to their House and School and provide a wonderful opportunity to authentically acknowledge every Year 12 student. To help encapsulate this special time and memories of school, we are preparing a Class of 2023 time capsule that will include student contributions and memorabilia. The time capsule will be opened at their 50th reunion in 2073 and we encourage Year 12 parents to contribute items should they wish. Click here for further details.
Well done to our Year 5 Junior Orator Finalists Neal Shah and Jack Lai who presented their speeches to their peers before progressing to the state final at Immanuel Primary School. Their orations were meticulously researched, carefully written and were delivered with incredible confidence and clarity.
Good luck to our Pedal Prix teams who will compete in the 24 hour Australian endurance competition at Murray Bridge across the weekend. Our Vector Team will be defending their Senior School crown after their impressive victory in 2022. This competition will draw to a close our winter sport season and during Muster we recognised those students who have excelled in co-curricular activities including Sport, Service and Mooting through the receipt of colours and symbols.
Congratulations to the following students who have represented, or will soon represent, South Australia in their chosen sport:
Swimming: Jayden Zhang (Year 4) participated in the School Sports National Championship in Sydney. Jayden competed in 12 events; he won gold in the 4x50m mixed age freestyle relay, qualified for the final of the 50m breaststroke and 100m Backstroke and recorded PBs for all individual events.
Badminton: Declan Ee (Year 12) and Bal Ghiltora (Year 10) competed in the Under 19 National Championships and Isaac Lau (Year 9) the Under 15 National Championships in July. Declan captained the U19 team to a silver medal. Later this month Bal, Andrew Xu (Year 10) and Eric Liu (Year 9) will represent SA in the Under 17 National Championships and Axel Tansu (Year 7) the Under 13 National Championships. Good luck boys.
This week we welcomed Mr David Nolan, the incoming Deputy Headmaster/Head of Senior School to our School community. David brings a wealth of experience in curriculum, wellbeing, pastoral care, and operations, having held numerous executive leadership positions at interstate and local educational institutions over the past decade. David will complete a three-week period of handover while interregnum arrangements remain in place until the end of the Term. We will communicate opportunities for engagement with Mr Nolan in due course.
I would like to express my gratitude for the exceptional efficiency and teamwork displayed during this interregnum period, thanks to a dedicated team of staff across the School. I would also like to specifically acknowledge Acting Deputy Headmaster Mr Nick Carter and Acting Head of Senior School Mr Barnaby Eaton for their outstanding partnership and leadership during this time.
I look forward to joining you on the sidelines as we cheer on our Years 3 to 12 students across Athletics Carnival on Friday and Years 3 to 6 Sports Day on Tuesday 26 September.
Have a great weekend.
Tim Browning
Headmaster