16 September 2022
Across the past three weeks over 5,500 House Athletics trial results have been recorded for Senior School students across all track and field disciplines. A cumulative 58,000 points have been earnt for students’ Houses during the trial period. This exceptional rate of participation is testament to our quest to develop the athletic ability of each and every student in the School. Monday signals the start of ‘Athletics Championship Week’ with championship events to be contested across the week culminating in the 151st Athletics Carnival on Friday. A 60 strong Athletics Team will be selected after the Carnival to contest the Achilles Cup on Thursday 29 September. SPSC’s outstanding record of success in this inter school competition is testament to the healthy competition generated by all students coming together and representing their Houses to the best of their ability.
I am immensely proud of our Year 12 cohort’s achievements to date and commend them on weathering the peak period of assessment. With the end of their schooling at St Peter’s College in sight, I implore all Year 12 students to just keep on going! 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. To help encapsulate this special time and memories of school, we are preparing a Class of 2022 time capsule containing student contributions and memorabilia that will be opened at their 50th reunion in 2072. Parents are welcome, and are encouraged, to also contribute items should they wish. Click here for further details.
Our extensive range of co-curricular activities, clubs and societies continue to complement our academic curriculum and help develop creativity and critical thinking beyond the traditional classroom. In the Junior School three teams entered the Tournament of Minds competition held at Adelaide High School on Sunday 11 September. Congratulations to all boys who collaborated in their teams to best demonstrate their creative problem-solving skills. A special mention of the ‘Golden Boys’ Team who received STEM Honours. Congratulations to all boys who successfully participated in the ‘Subs in Schools’ Program. In what’s believed to be the world’s first in-class submarine design competition, our Year 9 Subs in Schools students explored the complex challenges of maritime engineering using coding and electronics to design and build their own Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV). The boys impressed judges from the Department of Defence, Australian Submarine Corporation and Saab Australia with our Blue Whales Team awarded Best Engineered ROV, Best Manufactured ROV, and third place overall. The House Mooting Grand Final held on Wednesday saw Farrell House defeat Short House in a closely contested mock trial that reflected legal arguments of an exceptionally high standard. And last Friday, as part of our CEO-in-Residence Program, students were fortunate to meet old scholar, two-time Olympian turned hi-tech entrepreneur and co-founder of seven venture backed companies Simon Arkell (WDK 1983). Simon shared motivating anecdotes about hard work in sport and business and his inspiring statement, ‘luck is when preparedness meets opportunity,’ resonated strongly with students in attendance.
Tonight, our School community is in for a treat with our 200-piece Festival Orchestra and Choir Music Festival. Performing arrangements from Disney, James Bond, 60’s film and songs, and orchestral blockbusters it’s guaranteed to be spectacular performance. I acknowledge and admire the long program of commitment and rehearsal behind such a production. With limited tickets still available, I encourage anyone yet to buy a ticket, to purchase one here.
Tim Browning
Headmaster