A highlight of last week’s Muster was the opportunity to celebrate Year 11 students who were awarded House colours for demonstrating outstanding truth, respect and service for their House. Congratulations to all recipients. This recognition served as a timely opportunity to remind students about their journey at St Peter’s College and address some common questions, such as, “What’s in it for me?” or “What is this School going to do for me?” The answer is a bit of a paradox.
Adolescence is a time of self-discovery, where young people start figuring out who they are, how they fit in, and where they are headed. We want our students to ask themselves these very questions. However, there is the danger of focusing too much on ourselves; when life becomes “all about me,” we can begin to feel that the structure and expectations of school limit our freedom; “I have to wear a tie,” “I have to cut my hair,” “I have to do these subjects and play a sport” – yet, these routines and expectations aren’t just obligations, they are opportunities.
By giving up a bit of individual liberty and embracing the community values and expectations of our School, students can discover what they get in return. Putting in the effort, putting one’s ego aside, and fully committing to their school experience brings substantial rewards. Students who participate and contribute actively in school life find they gain a significant return on their investment in both personal and academic growth.
So, for students, the message is clear: if you commit to each task fully – doing things the first time, the right time, every time – you’ll find you actually have more freedom. More time to excel, more time to explore your potential, and more time to work toward your goals.
The job of this School is to pay back a return on our students’ investment of personal effort and participation. It is when our students put aside “what’s in it for me” and embrace the spirit of community that they unlock their true potential and set themselves up for success.
Our Year 12 students are discovering their return on their personal effort as they engage in their SACE and IB exams, with Years 9 to 11 students soon to follow. Exams are an important part of our commitment to your sons’ development with our approach centred on growth, valuing the journey of learning as much as the outcomes. We view exams as one way to harvest evidence of academic progress across the year.
Much like a temperature reading, exams offer a snapshot of where a student is at in their learning. They provide insights for students, families, and teachers, helping identify areas of growth and those that may need additional support. Just as physical performance in sports or music can be seen and heard, exams provide measurable feedback in academics. Rather than judging themselves solely by the results, we encourage students to reflect on the effort they have put in and the growth they have achieved.
The Junior School has been bustling with activity over the past fortnight. Last Thursday, our Prep to Year 2 students proudly demonstrated their House spirit and enthusiastically participated in the Junior Primary Sports Day. The Year 3 Annual Concert held last Wednesday evening was a fantastic showcase of our young musicians’ curriculum learning. Students performed confidently before their families and friends, displaying the dedication and progress they’ve made throughout the year. Our Year 6 Social was also a huge success, bringing together students from St Peter’s College, Walford Anglican School for Girls, Wilderness School, St Peter’s Girls’ School, and Seymour College to enjoy an evening of fun, friendship, and lively entertainment from our Rock Bands.
Congratulations to William Moon (Year 8) who was awarded a bronze medal in the under 50kgs Senior Boys at the Judo Australian School Championships.
In what has been our most successful year of RoboCup competition, our Year 7 team of Bryan Wu and Nazir Rana advanced to the finals of the National Competition, while Year 9 students Charles Nguyen and Brayden Xu won the Open Division. Charles and Brayden will now represent Australia at the International Competition in Brazil in 2025. Additionally, our Subs in Schools Team won the state finals and two senior teams from SPSC will represent South Australia at the National VEX Robotics Championships in Sydney in December. Well done to all competitors.
Wishing you and your family an enjoyable weekend.
Tim Browning
Headmaster
