29 May 2026
As part of the International Student Buddy Program, students had the opportunity to connect through a range of informal and social activities. Before the excursion, international students and their local buddies met at a lunch catch-up at school. This gave students time to introduce themselves, have conversations and begin building connections in a relaxed setting before taking part in the group activity in the city.
On Friday 8 May, around 33 students attended a buddy excursion to an escape room in the city, followed by a pizza dinner. The evening encouraged students to work together, communicate, solve problems and get to know one another beyond their usual friendship groups. It was a fun and meaningful opportunity for local and international students to strengthen friendships and build a greater sense of connection within the school community.
Student Reflections
Being invited by my friend Evan to attend the International Student Buddy Event on Friday 8 May was a fantastic opportunity.
The evening began with an escape room in the city, followed by dinner with 33 students. It was a relaxed and enjoyable way to spend time together, and it gave me the chance to get to know some of the international students at SPSC outside the usual school setting.
What stood out to me most was how easy it was to have fun together, even with students I had not spoken to much before. There were plenty of laughs throughout the night, especially as we tried to solve the clues under pressure. The activity also reminded me how valuable it can be to step outside your usual friendship group and get to know different people.
Our international students have come from many different countries and have made a significant journey to be part of our School community. They bring different perspectives, experiences and stories, which adds a great deal to life at SPSC. Events like this are a reminder that our School community is richer when we take the time to understand one another.
Thank you to Ms Ng, Mr Lamont and Ms Skujins for accompanying us, and to the international students for inviting us to be part of such an enjoyable night.
Harvey Kupniewski, Year 11 – Farr House
I really enjoyed the escape room because it was fun, challenging and exciting. My favourite part was trying to solve the puzzles with other students and listening to different ideas. Sometimes someone would think of something that I had not considered, and that helped our group move forward.
One thing I learned from the activity is that when you cannot find the answer straight away, you should not give up. You need to keep trying different possibilities, because eventually one idea might work. This made the escape room both difficult and interesting.
I also realised that teamwork is very important. At times, I wanted to solve the puzzles by myself, but I learned that it is better when everyone has a chance to share their thoughts. Working together made the experience more enjoyable and helped us solve the challenges more effectively.
The event was a great chance to meet other students, practise teamwork and enjoy a fun activity outside the classroom.
Max Wu, Year 9 – Farr House
The school-organised escape room activity was one of the most memorable events I have taken part in at St Peter’s College.
What I enjoyed most was the way the activity combined fun with teamwork. It was not just about finding clues or solving puzzles; it was about listening to each other, sharing ideas and thinking carefully as a group. Everyone had something to contribute, and that made the experience more meaningful.
The event also created a good opportunity for students to connect outside the classroom. It felt relaxed and enjoyable, and it helped us build stronger relationships with students from different backgrounds and year levels.
For me, the escape room and dinner were a great success because they encouraged communication, problem-solving and friendship in a fun environment.
A special thank you to Ms Ng, Mr Lamont and Ms Skujins for accompanying the students and supporting the event. Their care, time and encouragement helped make the evening a safe, enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Kevin Zhu, Year 11 – Short House
