It’s nearing that time of year, when the days shorten, the weather gets cooler and enthusiasm starts to dwindle. With student motivation in mind, St Peters School Counsellor, Jess Young, has devised these top 5 tips for managing the midyear blues. Read on to find out how you can help your children this winter.

It’s no secret that the onset of COVID-19 disrupted what everyone once knew as ‘normal’, especially in the school setting. 2020 saw an absence of College events and, for a time, students on campus, but, surprisingly, it wasn’t all bad. Creative thinking thrived and, of that, many new programs and initiatives were born. One such program was the St Peters ‘Find Your Future’ program.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) has long elevated St Peters Indooroopilly amongst the pool of Queensland’s leading private schools in Brisbane. The IB’s incorporation of a ‘Growth Mindset’ has enabled St Peters staff to encourage risk-taking which, in turn, has led to prolonged student success. Read on to find out why.

Last week a new tradition at St Peters was welcomed — the presentation of Ironbark Badges to formally recognise the completion of an extraordinary outdoor education program seen as a significant Rite of Passage for Year 9 students. Students from 9A, B, C & D were the first groups presented with their Ironbark badges by representatives from the 2018 9A–D groups.

We are all different; individual gifts and talents, diverse backgrounds. We represent different countries, languages, faiths and spiritualties, traditions and customs. Community is a gift. Without the uniqueness in individuals, the community would miss out on your special gifts and talents and on your unique personality.

St Peters Year 6 students are working on an extraordinary project in which they’re investigating the story of a migrant who has come to Australia. In its second year, this project will lead on to the creation of beautiful Virtual Museums to be completed in the following weeks. With help from student leaders, teachers and children’s author Deborah Abela, their research and investigation will bring their migrant story to life. The project also has the potential to further explore and connect with their family’s history.

At St Peters Lutheran College we prepare students for an innovative world—as achievers and leaders. Our staff and teachers collaborate across subjects and disciplines to achieve these objectives. An integral part of that collaboration is our eLearning team, they support students and teachers, from Prep to Year 12, by helping them use technology in effective and meaningful ways in the classroom.

Established at St Peters in 2018, The Rite Journey creates a self development journey for Year 10 students over the course of the year. Using a framework incorporating ceremonies and celebrations, these events help transform teens into self-aware, responsible and resourceful adults. Events are crafted for individual, unique experiences to best suit the resources and geography of the school. The program was developed over a decade ago by Andrew Lines—Teacher, Educational Consultant and co-developer of The Rite Journey.

Choosing a University is not something you want to rush into—you need to find the right “fit”. At St Peters Indooroopilly campus, qualified Careers Counsellor Jacqui Estevao, organises sessions to guide students through the process of applying to Universities, both within Australia and overseas. Each year an increasing number of students apply to study in the US, Canada and the UK, along with other smaller countries in Europe and Asia.

The St Peters Career Centre is an incredible asset to the College exploring post-school options including work experience. During the holidays the Career Centre helped Year 11 students develop their work experience in the engineering field. With many pathways laid out before them, and more opportunities than ever before, having an experienced Career Counsellor on hand for advice is invaluable to help guide students.

Australian Adventurer and Mountaineer, Alyssa Azar, was our inspirational guest this week for the St Peters Father Daughter breakfast. Crossing the Kokoda Track at 8-years-old was just the beginning, she has also climbed the highest mountains in Australia, South America, Africa, Russia and Nepal. At 19-years-old, Alyssa was the youngest Australian, and youngest woman, to summit Mount Everest. During breakfast the adventurer discussed her incredible journey to Mount Everest, including the planning and goals she had to make for herself to keep mentally and physically prepared.

St Peters provides an immersive and exciting learning experience for students beginning with Primary Years. The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning.

The St Peters community works hard to be an inclusive and welcoming community, a place where people from different backgrounds can learn and work together, get to know each other and so overcome prejudices and stereotypes. College Senior Pastor, Thomas Böhmert, reflects on how we can move forward with our families in the shadow of the Christchurch tragedy.

William Farmer, Managing Director, Dale Carnegie Australia, writes about the advantages for teenagers in learning communication methods to connect with others.

In 2017, P-2 Year Level Coordinator, Kelly McBurnie delivered a presentation on Prep Readiness at the Mater Hospital Symposium. Her presentation focused on how parents can determine if their child is ready for Prep. Read on to find out more.

Having English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) can sometimes be daunting for children when they are faced with the demands of the school curriculum. So what can you do to help?

Social Media is here to stay but, with the rise of threats like cyber-bullying, what can be done to ensure your child's online safety?

Three top tips we have gleaned from Dr Sharp (aka Dr Happy) for raising happy kids...

Tim Kotzur, Head of College at St Peters Lutheran College, explains how Positive Education provides the building blocks for wellbeing and happiness.

A co-educational school life prepares boys and girls for life beyond the classroom.