The textbooks are open, sticky notes are spread across desks, highlighters are strewn over the table, and the calendar is filled with assessment dates. For many of our students, this is a time to draw together months of learning and put into practice the knowledge, skills and understanding they have worked hard to develop.

Assessment is an important part of the learning journey, but it is also a chance for students to recognise just how much they have achieved. Every assignment completed, concept mastered, question asked and challenge overcome has contributed to their preparation. The assessment in front of them is, in many ways, a reflection of that effort and persistence.

For students currently in the thick of assessment, it is important to remember that preparation does not mean doing everything at once. Breaking larger tasks into manageable steps, establishing a realistic study routine and making time for regular breaks, sleep, exercise and connection with family and friends can all help students approach assessment with greater focus and confidence. Asking for help when it is needed is also an important part of being a successful learner.

Families can play an important role during this busy time by helping students find a good balance between study, rest and the routines that help them feel their best.

I hope our young people approach each assessment with confidence, prepare as well as they can, look after themselves, and remember that every step is part of a much broader learning journey.

Lauren Head
Acting Director of Studies and Pedagogy

“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

The “Dad-hack” is a thing. Some Dads are quite ingenious and, in the lead up to Father’s Day, these are proliferating online. Dads are doing their daughters’ hair by using a vacuum cleaner to suck their hair into the hose and then slipping a hair band off the nozzle to create an instant ponytail! There are Dads convincing their kids to draw pictures of them asleep on the couch, just so he can take a quick nap while they do. My best trick is carrying the rubbish and the recycling out to the bins in one go. There’s always a spare finger, elbow or chin to make it possible to carry just one more bag or bottle. The same goes for bringing in the shopping from the car – it can nearly always be done in one trip. (I’ve only had one mishap, when the checkout operator packed yoghurt in the paper bag which gave way upon lifting, producing a explosion of dairy creaminess on the driveway, on the car and on me.)

If you want to know the most important thing you can do for your child, the greatest Dad-hack of all, it is to make sure they know you love them no matter what. That’s what will help them thrive, build their resilience, and bring them the greatest joy of all. If your child knows you love them they will feel safe, and they will learn to love in return.

The bible verse from Matthew at Jesus’ baptism is one that is dear to me. Jesus has just been baptised, the Holy Spirit appears like a dove, and God the Father speaks from heaven. “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” The message is one of belonging, love and delight. Every child needs this, even as adults.

Just as important as the meaning of this message is the timing. God the Father speaks this word of blessing to his Son before Jesus begins his public ministry. Before he publicly teaches, preaches, heals, helps or performs any miracles, Jesus hears his Father declare his great love for him. Jesus did not earn his Father’s love,it was given freely because God the Father loves his Son. The good news is we are God’s children, and he has this great love for us as well.

The best Dad-hack of all is to tell your children how much you love them and to demonstrate this in the way you raise them. This will give them confidence to face every challenge this world will throw at them.

To all the Dads, God bless you as you celebrate Father’s Day with your families. Remember to tell your children you love them and are proud of them. To everyone else, God bless your relationship with your Dad, or your memory of him.


Pastor Matt Wilksch
Springfield Chaplain

St Peters Springfield families who regularly travel to and from Indooroopilly are encouraged to plan ahead, with a series of overnight closures scheduled for the Walter Taylor Bridge during September and October.

Brisbane City Council is continuing essential renewal works on the bridge, with full closures required while crews undertake work on key structural connection points.

The Walter Taylor Bridge will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from 9:00pm Saturday to 5:00am Sunday on the following dates:

• Saturday 12 September
• Saturday 19 September
• Saturday 26 September
• Saturday 3 October
• Saturday 10 October
• Saturday 17 October

While the scheduled works take place outside normal school hours, the closures may be relevant to Springfield families travelling to or from the St Peters Indooroopilly campus for weekend sport, activities, events or other commitments.

During each closure, motorists will need to use an alternative route across the Brisbane River. Sections of Wharf Street and Radnor Street will also be closed, and some surrounding roads may experience additional traffic.

Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the Jack Pesch Bridge while the Walter Taylor Bridge footpath is closed. Public transport services are not expected to be affected.

Families should also be aware that, if additional time is required to complete the works, the bridge may remain closed until 5:00am Monday, which could potentially affect Monday morning travel.

Closure dates may change due to weather or site conditions. Families travelling between Springfield and Indooroopilly during these periods are encouraged to allow additional travel time and check QLDTraffic before departing.

For the latest traffic information, visit QLDTraffic.qld.gov.au, use the QLDTraffic app or phone 13 19 40.

A reminder to families that, in accordance with the College’s enrolment policy, one full term’s written notice is required when withdrawing a student from St Peters Lutheran College.

Families intending for their child to leave St Peters Springfield at the end of Term 4, 2026 must provide written notice to the College by Thursday 17 September 2026.

If your child will be continuing at St Peters Springfield in 2027, no action is required.

If you are considering withdrawing your child, we would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about your decision. We understand that family circumstances can change and welcome the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

For withdrawal notifications, continuing enrolment enquiries or sibling applications, please contact our Enrolments Team at s.enrolments@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Enrolments Registrar

This morning, St Peters Springfield welcomed fathers, grandfathers and special father figures to the College for our annual Father’s Day Breakfast and Chapel.

Families gathered on the Concourse from 7:15am to enjoy breakfast together and spend time with their children before the school day began. The morning provided a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and recognise the important role fathers and father figures play in the lives of our students.

We thank the staff, students and volunteers who assisted with the morning, and all families who joined us for the celebration.

We wish our community a very Happy Father’s Day this Sunday.

Our September/October Vacation Care Program is packed with opportunities for children to have fun, get creative, try new activities and enjoy time with friends during the school holidays.

The program includes a range of incursions, excursions, cooking, games and hands-on activities, with highlights including:

• White Ridge Farm excursion
• Bully Busters Martial Arts incursion
• Disney/Pixar Day
• Messy Science Day
• Bricks 4 Kidz incursion
• Junior Chef Academy
• Artists Corner
• Teddy Bears Picnic
• Carnival Day
• Yogamigos Dance Program

Bookings

Families are asked to carefully read the Vacation Care program and booking information and complete all required documentation. Bookings cannot be confirmed until all required forms have been received.

Please note that all Term 3 fees must be paid in full before a Vacation Care booking can be processed.

Completed booking and permission forms should be emailed to sfdoshcbookings@stpeters.qld.edu.au.

Not all activities require a permission form, so families are encouraged to check the program and booking information carefully. Hard copies of the program and booking information are also available from the reception desk at MB01.

What to Bring Each Day

Children should bring:

• a lunchbox with enough food for the entire day. Please remember that OSHC is an Allergy Aware Service
• a named water bottle
• sun-safe clothing, with shirts that completely cover the shoulders
• enclosed shoes. Thongs and sandals are not permitted
• a set of spare clothes for messy play or toileting accidents
• a College sport or broad-brimmed hat. Caps are not permitted
• named SPF 50+ sunscreen if your child will not be using the sunscreen provided by the service.

White Ridge Farm Excursion

Families booking the White Ridge Farm excursion are reminded that:

• the bus will depart at 8:30am
• children must wear their full school sports uniform
• a completed permission form is required.
  
  

Places can fill quickly, so families are encouraged to submit their bookings early to avoid missing out.

If you have any questions or require assistance with the booking process, please contact the OSHC team.

We look forward to another fun-filled Vacation Care program of creating, exploring and making memories together.

Jennie Awcock
OSHC Service Leader

To help spread the R U OK? Day message across our College community, a number of special activities are planned for next Thursday, with a few surprises still to come. The day will include themed Chapel services, while Secondary students can look forward to a special Wellbeing Club during break time. 

Our Wellbeing Portfolio has also been busy preparing posters and bunting to add a splash of yellow across the College in Week 8, helping to reinforce the importance of staying connected, checking in with one another and taking the time to ask, “R U OK?”

Amy Logan
Secondary Counsellor

The 2026 Year 6 PYP Exhibition brought together our second Year 6 cohort to present the Exhibition as an authorised IB World School, showcasing the culmination of their PYP learning journey at St Peters Springfield.

Throughout Term 3, students worked in groups to investigate real-world issues they care about, including sustainability, ocean conservation, equality and technology. Each group developed its own questions, explored different perspectives and considered how its learning could lead to meaningful action in support of their chosen cause.

Student agency is an important part of the PYP Exhibition. Rather than simply being given a topic to research, students were encouraged to take ownership of their inquiry, make decisions together and determine the direction of their learning. Along the way, they also learnt how to share responsibilities, work through challenges and draw on the different strengths within their group.

The Exhibition process extended beyond research and investigation. Students designed and screen printed their own team shirts and created displays and resources to communicate their learning with families and members of the College community. These experiences gave students further opportunities to apply creativity, problem-solving and collaboration in practical ways.

This year also saw the introduction of TED-style group talks, giving students the opportunity to take families deeper into their PYPx journey. Through these presentations, students shared their discoveries, the actions they had taken and the experiences and challenges that shaped their inquiry along the way.

More than a showcase of completed work, the evening celebrated the confidence and independence students have developed throughout the Exhibition process. It was an opportunity for them to articulate what they had learnt, reflect on how they had grown and proudly share the results of many weeks of collaboration and inquiry.

The PYP Exhibition reflects the kind of learning we seek to foster at St Peters Springfield: learning that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and purposeful action. As these students prepare to move into Secondary School, they carry with them the skills and confidence to ask meaningful questions, work effectively with others and contribute thoughtfully to the world around them.

Alana Cullen
Year 6 Primary Teacher
Pastoral Care Coordinator (Years 3-6)

Last Friday, Prep to Year 6 students celebrated the end of Book Week with the final Primary Years Disco for 2026, supported by the St Peters Springfield P&F Committee.

Held across two sessions, students arrived dressed as their favourite book characters before warming up with Just Dance and taking to the dance floor. Prizes were awarded in each session for Best Dressed and Best Dancer, with plenty of creative costumes and enthusiastic dancing throughout the afternoon.

Thank you to the P&F Committee for supporting the event, and to our Primary Years Teachers, Secondary Duke of Edinburgh's International Award students and Year 10 Barista Program students who volunteered their time to help make the afternoon possible.

Last Friday, our Year 12 students gathered in the Courtyard for an annual St Peters Springfield tradition, sharing pancakes together ahead of their Mock Exams.

With the final months of Year 12 bringing increased academic demands, the morning provided an opportunity for students to pause, connect and hear some timely words of encouragement from Head of St Peters Springfield Mrs Helen Jamieson, Pastor Matt and Pathways and Counselling Leader Mrs Sarah Johnson.

Students also received a special ‘You Got This’ pack, filled with treats, motivational messages and practical essentials to support them through the weeks of study and exams ahead. The packs, together with the pancake breakfast, were a reminder that while this can be a demanding time, students are surrounded by a community invested in both their learning and wellbeing.

We wish our Year 12 students all the very best as they undertake their Mock Exams and prepare for External Exams next term.

Lunchtime Concerts 

Congratulations to Mr Slater and the Rock Bands 1 and 2 who performed last Friday on the Concourse for the Secondary students. Thanks to Pastor Matt and Mr Lyons for their assistance with the sound set-up.

Springfield’s Night of Theatre 

Join us tomorrow night from 5:00pm–6:30pm in the JHP Foyer for Springfield’s Night of Theatre, featuring performances by our Primary and Secondary Drama Troupes.

Thank you to Mrs Wilson and Mrs Tong for their leadership of the Drama Troupes, and to Ms Powell for her assistance with sourcing props and preparing the program.

Holiday Workshops Australian Performing Arts Conservatory 

High school students with an interest in the creative industries are invited to take part in the Australian Performing Arts Conservatory’s upcoming School Holiday Workshops.

Held at APAC’s Brisbane City campus, the workshops offer students the opportunity to develop practical skills, build confidence and experience learning in a professional performing arts environment.

Photography | Tuesday 22 September

Move beyond automatic settings and learn how to take greater control of your photography. Students will explore manual camera settings, composition and practical techniques to help them create with confidence. Cameras are provided.

Acting for Screen | Thursday 24 September

Develop confidence in front of the camera while exploring character, performance and screen acting techniques with guidance from working actors.

Musical Theatre | Thursday 24 September

Experience a full day of musical theatre training across acting, singing and dance, led by APAC’s performing arts teachers.

Time: 10:00am–3:00pm
Location: APAC Brisbane City
Cost: $139 + booking fee

Throughout the workshops, students will have the opportunity to:

• learn from industry professionals, including working actors, photographers and performers
• train in professional studio spaces
• develop practical, hands-on creative skills
• build confidence and explore potential pathways into the creative industries
• connect with other young creatives in a supportive environment.

Registrations and further information:

View APAC School Holiday Workshops

Cocurricular Ensembles during exam block 

Cocurricular ensemble rehearsals will continue during the Year 11 and 12 exam block. Students in Years 7–10 are still expected to attend rehearsals as ensembles prepare for the Showcase Concerts to be held in early Term 4.

Please refer to the Upcoming Events table below for concert dates.

Geraldine Campbell 
Performing Arts Co-ordinator

GBC Track & Field Championships

Congratulations to all students who participated in the GBC Track & Field Championships on Monday at the Queensland State Athletics Facility. 

Our students competed exceptionally well throughout the day, delivering outstanding performances and achieving some amazing results. What was even more impressive was the willingness of so many students to step up and fill events when needed, truly demonstrating our Plus Ultra spirit of commitment, resilience, and teamwork.

We are incredibly proud of the way our students represented St Peters Springfield, both in competition and in supporting one another across the day. 

Major Achievements 

Secondary Overall Percentage Champions
Secondary Girls Percentage Champions
Secondary Boys Percentage Champions
Primary Overall Percentage Champions
Primary Boys Percentage Champions
U16 Boys Age Champions
U9 Boys Age Champions 

Individual Achievement 

Cooper T. – U9 Boys Age Champion 

A huge thank you to all students, staff, and supporters who contributed to such a successful day. Congratulations on an outstanding championship performance!

Primary and Secondary GBC – Round 7, Term 3. 

Basketball
Training: Wednesdays | 2:45pm
Meeting Point: Concourse
Weekly Fixture Schedule: Primary Basketball Fixtures | Secondary Basketball Fixtures

Touch Football
Training: Mondays | 2:45pm
Meeting Point: Concourse
Weekly Fixture Schedule: Secondary Touch Football Fixtures

Football
Training: Mondays | 2:45pm (Meet on the Concourse) Thursdays | 6:15am (Meet on the Oval)
Weekly Fixture Schedule: Primary Football Fixtures | Secondary Football Fixtures 

Volleyball
Training: Wednesdays | 2:45pm
Meeting Point: Concourse
Weekly Fixture Schedule:  Secondary Volleyball Fixtures

Please note: Students are required to arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled game time. Fixture times and venues are also available via the College App.

Term 3 Secondary Athletic Development

Athletic Development Program Schedule

Term 3 Secondary Track & Field 

Track & Field Training Schedule

College app - Subscriptions 

All families are encouraged to set their College app subscriptions and notifications for the term ahead. This is the only communication tool for all sport information. 

Kale Reed
Head of Sport, Springfield

The St Peters Springfield P&F Committee would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who gave their time to support this year’s Father’s Day Stall.

Your help made it possible for our Primary Years students to enjoy choosing a special gift for their dads and father figures. We greatly appreciate everyone who helped with setting up, assisting students and running the stall across the two days.

Thank you for helping make this special tradition possible for our St Peters community.