Welcome back to the new school year! It has been wonderful to see students return to campus with energy and enthusiasm, reconnecting with friends and settling into new routines. We are also delighted to welcome new families to the St Peters Springfield community and look forward to partnering with you in your child’s learning journey.

While most students were returning to classrooms, some of our students began their year in a very different way. Our Year 9 Ironbark Group 1 students departed for their iconic Ironbark experience on 20 January, beginning a five-week journey that challenges them physically, socially, and emotionally. Then, on our second school day, 28 January, our Year 7 cohort departed for camp on the Sunshine Coast, an experience designed to build connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging as they begin their Secondary journey. The photos capture the excitement and anticipation of these meaningful moments.

Outdoor education is not an ‘extra’ at St Peters Springfield, it is part of an intentionally designed experience that prepares students for life. Ironbark is a defining experience across all St Peters, both Springfield and Indooroopilly, and it plays a significant role in shaping the character, independence, and resilience of our young people.

Importantly, this approach does not begin or end with Ironbark. Outdoor education experiences are embedded across every year level from Prep through to Year 12 at St Peters Springfield. These programs focus on adventure, real-world experiences, holistic development, and resilience-building. They challenge students to step beyond comfort, to support one another, and to grow in confidence.

With much more in store and an amazing amount of growth occurring at the College, it is shaping up to be another excellent year at St Peters Springfield.

Craig Brown
Head of Springfield

Friday 30 January

• Lower Primary Chapel
• Upper Primary Chapel
• Year 7 students return from camp at 2:30 pm

Saturday 31 January

• GBC Preseason Training

Monday 2 February

• Week B
• Year 7 Leaders and absent students ID photos | Location JH34
• Years 3–6 Swimming | Waterworx

Tuesday 3 February

• Secondary Swimming Carnival | Bundamba Swimming Pools

Thursday 5 February

• Founders' Day and Commencement Ceremony
• Primary Information Session | The HUB at 5:00 pm

Friday 6 February

• Upper Primary Swimming Carnival
• Lower Primary Chapel

Saturday 7 February

• GBC Second Round Away Games

Arise is a community made up of families from St Peters College and from the wider community. It is a place to worship God, to receive encouragement in faith, and to serve one another as we share life's journey together. You are invited to join this community of faith, love, and service.

Arise holds a weekly worship service in the Junior High Foyer each Sunday at 9:00 am. Worship includes a message for children, a main message for the whole gathering, singing, prayers, and celebration of Holy Communion. Please contact Pastor Matt Wilksch (0447 656 793 / m.wilksch@stpeters.qld.edu.au) for more information. If you're seeking a baptism, confirmation, wedding, or funeral, please speak with Pastor Matt.

On the last Sunday of the month, Arise Live is an event for high school students and young adults. The music is performed by the youth band, and the message is delivered by a visiting speaker on topics related to growing faith among young people. Food and friendship follow the worship time at this event. Arise Live is in the Junior High Precinct at 6:00 pm, and the young and young at heart are invited to attend.  

Pastor Matt Wilksch
St Peters Springfield Chaplain

Welcome back to a new school year. It has been a joy to welcome our students and families back to campus and to feel the energy, warmth, and excitement return to our Primary Years community. A very warm welcome to our new families who have joined us.

As we begin this year together, we do so with gratitude — for our students, our families and the gift of learning we share. Each child is wonderfully made and deeply valued, and our commitment remains to nurture their growth academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Our classrooms are places of care and connection, where curiosity is encouraged, relationships are strengthened, and learning is grounded in respect, compassion, and purpose.

As an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, our learning is guided by inquiry and shaped by real-world connections. Students are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, think deeply, collaborate with others, and take meaningful action. Through the IB Learner Profile, we support children in becoming confident communicators, principled decision-makers, and caring global citizens.

Central to our work is a strong partnership with families. Together, we create a community where every child feels a sense of belonging and is supported to flourish. We thank you for the trust you place in us and for the role you play in walking alongside your child on their learning journey.

Chapel and Assemblies are the perfect time to connect with the College and be part of the children’s learning. This is an open invitation to all to attend at any time.

• Chapel, Fridays in the HUB: Lower Primary 8:30 am and Upper Primary 9:30 am
• Assembly, Week 1, 5 and 8 in the HUB: Lower Primary 1:30 pm and Upper Primary 2:00 pm

We look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, faith and shared celebration. Welcome back — we are so glad you are here.

Lia Sabri
Head of Primary Years

Over the recent holiday break, seven of our students embraced challenge, teamwork, and resilience as part of their Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Adventurous Journeys.

Five students completed a two-night, three-day canoe expedition at Lake Wivenhoe, navigating long stretches of open water while managing camp set-ups, cooking, and navigation as a team. At the same time, two students undertook a three-night, four-day hiking journey at Binna Burra, trekking through the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland and carrying everything they needed on their backs.

Both journeys were completed in hot and demanding conditions, pushing students physically and mentally. Despite the heat, spirits remained high, with plenty of laughs, shared meals, stunning scenery, and memorable moments along the way.

These expeditions required students to demonstrate independence, perseverance, leadership, and collaboration — all core elements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Each participant rose to the challenge, supporting one another and showing incredible determination throughout their journeys.

Congratulations to all students involved for stepping outside their comfort zones and embracing the adventure. Experiences like these not only build confidence and resilience but also create lasting memories and friendships. We are incredibly proud of your efforts and achievements.

Welcome to new and returning families in 2026. The Performing Arts faculty is focused on providing holistic educational possibilities at St Peters Lutheran College Springfield via performing opportunities for our young learners in a variety of music, dance, drama, and private tuition programs. Research has proven the many benefits of learning to play a musical instrument or undertaking Speech and Communication or Dance lessons, as well as the direct correlation between these activities and high academic achievement. Benefits include developing memory, self-expression, confidence, communication, teambuilding, persistence, concentration, and creativity, to name a few. We need your support to continue to grow our program in 2026, so come on board with us, meet new people, develop a skill, and have fun! 

Staffing

At the conclusion of 2025, we farewelled Mr Michael Gibson, and we wished him well as he pursues performing opportunities. As we continue to grow and develop the Arts, we are excited to welcome Ms Ashlee Smallfield as a Private Tuition Dance Tutor and Director of the College Dance Troupe. Ashlee will be here on a Thursday for private tuition in a range of styles, including Jazz, Lyrical, Cabaret, and Musical Theatre. Dance Troupe rehearsals (Years 5–12) will be held on Thursdays in JHP Foyer for Semester 1, and then in PA1 for Semester 2.

Private Tuition Program

There is still availability for students to partake in the Private Tuition program here at the College. The Private Tuition Booklet is available on Firefly and includes the Enrolment form. For new students, please complete the form, scan and send it to sfd.performingarts@stpeters.qld.edu.au or fill out the online form to sign up for private lessons.

NB. Continuing students from 2025 are not required to re-enrol for Private Tuition in 2026. Unless the Teacher has been notified, they will assume lessons are continuing.

Cocurricular Activities

The Performing Arts Cocurricular program for the year will commence in Week 2 for all ensembles. Thank you to those students for your commitment to developing Teamwork, Grit, and Empathy. The Directors of the Ensembles will notify parents of upcoming events, so it is imperative that students commit to these weekly rehearsals. Please refer to the schedule below for days, times, locations, and the staff member responsible for the activity. Commitment to these activities is for the full calendar year and includes participation in rehearsals and all performances. If you require any additional clarification concerning the ensembles, please reach out to Mrs Campbell, Ms Powell, or the ensemble director for assistance. The Music Ensemble Enrolment Handbook is available on Firefly and includes an enrolment form. Please email completed forms to sfd.performingarts@stpeters.qld.edu.au or complete the online form to join an ensemble. 

Upcoming Events

• Founders Day: 5 February | Con Brio/Dolce Voce
• SPOSA Reunion: 7 March | Soloists
• Lunchtime Concert: 4 March | Rock Band, Soloists
• Strings Lunchtime Concert: 16 March | String Ensembles/Soloists

Ensemble Timetable

Please click here to view the ensemble timetable for Term 1.

Mrs Geraldine Campbell
Performing Arts Coordinator

Secondary (Years 7–12) and Upper Primary (Years 4–6) Swimming Carnival

This year, our Secondary Years students will hold their Swimming Carnival on Tuesday, 3 February at the Bundamba Swim Centre, Ipswich, commencing at 9:30 am. Our Upper Primary students will hold their Swimming Carnival on Friday, 6 February at Waterworx, Woodcrest.

Please ensure students wear their St Peters swim shirts on the day. House shirts are to be worn when not swimming to support their House. All students are required to attend school as normal and will be transported to and from the venue. Parents are welcome to attend both events to support our students.

GBC Preseason | Saturday 31 January at Woodcrest State College

We look forward to seeing all our students in Years 3–12 at our first GBC Preseason training at Woodcrest from 8:00 am on Saturday, 31 January. All registered students and those interested are required to attend. Please ensure students arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled training time. Please engage with the preseason training schedule for all times, venues, and uniform requirements.

Mr Kale Reed
Head of Sport Springfield