There was something special in the atmosphere at Senior School Muster last week as our sports leaders spoke ahead of Winter Intercol. Their words, together with the videos and the sense of anticipation across the School, reflected the pride our students feel in representing St Peter’s College.
That pride was again evident across the four days of competition. Our students competed with determination, humility and respect while our sports captains spoke with maturity in their post-match presentations. They understood that representing the School is about far more than a result. It is about how we conduct ourselves, how we respond under pressure and how we treat those around us.
And these lessons extend well beyond sport. These are important lessons because the purpose of a school like SPSC is not simply to reflect the society around it. SPSC should provide a place where young people learn to examine the world critically, develop a clear sense of what is right and develop the courage to act accordingly.
As a community of boys and young men, we have a particular responsibility to discuss difficult issues openly. During Muster, I spoke to students about the recent events surrounding the Sydney Swans players and the broader questions they have raised about conduct, accountability, respect for women and the responsibilities of groups of men. St Peter’s College condemns all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women.
This discussion provided an important opportunity to remind our students that achievement, profile or sporting success never places anyone beyond the standards of respectful behaviour. Nor should concern for a team, institution or reputation ever eclipse empathy for those who may have experienced harm.
If we avoid these conversations, we allow harmful attitudes and behaviours to go unchallenged.
This is not a new conversation at St Peter’s College. We have long recognised our responsibility as parents and educators to speak honestly with young people about consent, respectful relationships, misogyny and the influence of group behaviour.
Young men today are navigating an increasingly complex environment, both online and offline. Social media algorithms can expose them to content that presents narrow and harmful ideas of masculinity, often linking strength with dominance, control, status or power. Such material can distort how young men understand relationships and how they value and interact with women and girls.
Our task is to provide a clear, compelling alternative centred upon virtue and gender equality.
We want our students to understand that true strength is found in character: in being respectful, thoughtful, compassionate and authentic. It is demonstrated through the courage to intervene when something is wrong, to resist the influence of a group, to accept responsibility and to speak up when the values of truth, respect and service are compromised.
One of the great strengths of a single-sex education is our ability to speak directly with boys about these matters and deliberately establish the behaviours we want to see. Respectful Relationships is embedded within our academic and pastoral programs, supported through Mentor and Year Level programs, Muster, Chapel, co-educational learning opportunities and conversations with positive role models. These programs matter, but they cannot carry this responsibility alone. The formation of young men is a partnership between the School and families, strengthened each time we are willing to have conversations that may feel difficult or uncomfortable.
Every member of our community contributes to the culture of St Peter’s College. That culture is shaped by the behaviours we celebrate, those we challenge and the standards we are prepared to uphold. Let’s not forget it is also shaped by what we avoid discussing or challenging.
Our boys and young men must understand that they can help change the world around them. They can choose respect over entitlement, courage over silence and service over self-interest. They can be strong and lovely. That is the example our community must continue to set.
Tim Browning
Headmaster