Celebrating the Class of 2025 Academic Results

Tomorrow morning is our annual Scholars Assembly, where we will recognise and celebrate those graduates of the Class of 2025 who achieved outstanding individual QCAA ATAR or IB Diploma results.

The achievements of the Class of 2025 continued the tradition of outstanding academic scholarship that St Peters has developed over its 80-year history. At the assembly, we will celebrate the academic achievements of a record 70 students who will be added to the illustrious Scholars’ Wall in the Academic Hub. 

More than half of last year’s Year 12 cohort (53%) achieved an ATAR (or ATAR equivalent) of 90 or more, placing them in the top 10% in the state. An impressive 31% of the Class of 2025 achieved an ATAR of 95 or higher, placing them in the top 5% statewide. Forty students have also been recognised by the QCAA with a prestigious QCAA Academic Excellence Certificate.

Two students, Sylvia Du and Mulan Ma, achieved the highest possible ATAR of 99.95, while another student, Ruby Sylvester, earned a perfect 45 in the IB Diploma. After conversion, this equates to an ATAR of 99.95. To have three students achieve an ATAR of 99.95 at one school is remarkable. To put this in context, there were just over 50,000 Year 12 students in Queensland last year, and only 34 students across the state received an ATAR of 99.95. 

I am also delighted to announce that Mulan Ma has been awarded a Queensland Premier’s Academic Excellence Award to be presented at a special ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre next week. This award considers not just a student’s ATAR but also other achievements and is selected by an external panel that evaluates a student’s achievements without knowing their name or the school they attend. Only 30 of these are awarded each year across the state, so Mulan’s is a truly Plus Ultra achievement. 

The College is enormously proud of the Class of 2025 and wishes them every blessing for their exciting futures.

Our New Strategic Intent

Last year marked the conclusion of our Strategic Intent Plus Ultra 2025, which established a clear direction and laid a firm foundation for our future. Over the past 12 months, the College has reviewed progress against the Intent to develop our next Strategic Intent, charting our course towards 2030 and beyond.

I’m delighted to share with you the outcome of this — our new Strategic Intent Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030.

Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030 seeks to take the best of what has been achieved and build on the momentum of the last five years. As we look to the future, Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030 continues with the existing Strategic Pillars that either deliver or support the Mission of the College. Each Strategic Pillar consists of a small number of high-level Strategic Initiatives that lay out our priorities for the next five years and direct our focus, energy, and resources in a concerted and disciplined effort to realise our timeless Mission with purpose, intention, and meaning. In a world where the pace of change has never been so fast, yet will never be this slow again, Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030 helps us to remain true to our Mission whilst providing clarity as we chart our path forward.

At the core of Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030 are our students and their learning, care, formation, and growth. Our Strategic Intent provides direction and clarity in the vocation of the College to offer an education that develops the fine young St Peters person — young people of character who are kind, caring, grateful, and respectful. Young people who are problem-solvers and critical thinkers. Young people who are creative and innovative. Young people who are resilient and adaptable. Young people who are empathetic and live lives of integrity. Young people who are humble yet aspirational. Young people who have a servant heart and seek to use their learning to make a difference in the world. Young people who have a sense of purpose, of hope, and of agency, enabling them to live well in a world worth living in. This is both the 'gift and task' of a St Peters education as laid out in Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030.

You can access a full copy of Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030 below or on our website.

More information about our new Strategic Intent will be shared in The Rock in the coming weeks.

Sports Hall - New Major Capital Project

As part of our new Strategic Intent and the Pillar of Inspiring Learning Environments, and in alignment with our approved College Masterplan, I’m delighted to announce that after two years of planning and due diligence, the next Major Capital Project will be a new Sports Hall.

The Sports Hall will be located adjacent to the P&F Centre on the space of the current Cricket nets and Pastor’s Residence, and overlooking Mayer Oval. Construction of the Sports Hall is set to begin later this term.

St Peters has a proud history of excellence and innovation in Sport and Physical Education. The Sports Hall seeks to build on this and is a key development within the College’s Strategic Intent. It is a facility that will enhance the College’s sport and cocurricular offerings and reinforce its position as a leader in education and cocurricular and sporting excellence. It will help form a consolidated Sports Precinct at the College, linked to Mayer Oval, the Aquatic Centre, and Lohe Street Tennis Courts. It will become the new home of St Peters Sport, with our Sport and Health & Physical Education departments located within the facility.

When completed, the Sports Hall will provide state-of-the-art sporting facilities. The Sports Hall will be a centre for both participation and high performance for our community as we compete in AIC and QGSSSA sport each week. With a strong St Peters identity honouring the historical architecture of the College, the Sports Hall will also be a place of belonging, connection, inspiration, and community for our student athletes, their families, and our staff.

The Sports Hall will ensure our students have access to facilities that match their ambition, participation and talent. Its development aligns with our Vision of a Balanced Education and will provide a space for programs and experiences that offer students the opportunity to pursue their passions, try new activities, develop skills, realise their potential, and improve their confidence, health, and wellbeing. Whether it's structured lessons, competitive sport or free play, the space encourages movement, connection, engagement and enjoyment.

The Sports Hall will feature:

• Three high-standard indoor Basketball/Netball/Volleyball courts, with the capability for a 'show court' and retractable seating
• Capacity for seven Volleyball courts for practice and training
• Four contemporary learning spaces
• Multiple spectator viewing areas
• Function room
• Spacious fully equipped Strength and Conditioning area
• Advanced sports performance technology
• Four change Rooms (two Home; two Away) for indoor sports
• Two change rooms for oval sports (e.g. Rugby, Cricket)
• Canteen servery area
• Staff rooms, offices, and meeting rooms for Sports staff and Health & Physical Education staff
• Additional parking beneath the Sports Hall

You can access more information about our College Masterplan below or on our website. Regular updates on the progress of the Sports Hall will be provided in The Rock.

Tim Kotzur
Head of College

Here we are at the start of a new school year, with the reality that beginnings are indeed very important.

Think of how important beginnings are for the start of a good story. A great story pulls you in from the very first word. It’s beginning has the power to draw you into the plot and bring the story's characters to life. So much so that once you start reading a story with a good beginning, you can become so engrossed that you must keep on reading till the very end. Think of these beginnings of classic stories:

• 'In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf.' – The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• 'In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat; it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.' – The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
• 'When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim’s warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of course she did. This is the day of the reaping.' – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
• 'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.' – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin.
• 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.' – The Bible, John 1:1.

How’s the beginning of your 2026 school journey going? What story will the beginning of the school year tell for you? Have you started in a way that is drawing you in to what will follow? How is your character being developed?

Starting the year strong can set us up for success. Planning for the term and year ahead can give us confidence in the work we need to do. Warmly welcoming new staff, students, and families into our Indooroopilly and Springfield communities can help them feel a sense of belonging to who we are and our purpose as a College. Starting the new school year strongly is important for every member of our College communities. All of us can care for and help people in such a way that we set them up for success.

Yet during all these new beginnings, we need the gentle reminder that God is with us as our story unfolds. Whatever way the plot progresses this year and however our character develops, Jesus, who is described as 'the Word', accompanies us and gives us his grace to enable us to live life to the fullest.

May God bless your new school year, as you begin with God!

Tim Jarick
College Pastor

We have recently been advised that the School Locker store located at Oxley is closing on Saturday 7 February as they prepare to relocate their store.

Parents wishing to purchase uniform items can do so at Shop 45 at St Peters Indooroopilly. During this transition period, Shop 45 will be open from Monday to Friday, starting from Monday 9 February, and every second Saturday starting 21 February.  Additional uniform stock will be transferred to Shop 45 to support increased demand. 

Please click here to view their opening hours.

Uniform items can also be purchased via the School Locker online store, and they are currently offering free shipping.

Thank you for your support during this transition.

A reminder to families that the Subject Selection email closes this Friday, 6 February at 3:30pm. Please ensure any Subject Change Request forms that need to be processed are submitted by this time.

Next week, the Junior High Parent Information Evening will be held on Tuesday, 10 February, followed by the Senior School Parent Information Evening on Wednesday, 11 February. At both evenings, the Academic Hub will share information on pathways, subject offerings, and other academic matters. These sessions are a great opportunity to gain clarity and ask questions. We look forward to connecting with families at these evenings.

We are also looking forward to the Scholars' Assembly this Friday, where we will recognise current Senior School students and the 2025 cohort for their academic achievements. Congratulations in advance to all students being acknowledged!

Ben Higgins
Head of 7–12 Curriculum – Students (Acting)

A warm welcome to the 2026 school year. As we begin the year in IB, we would like to first acknowledge the exceptional achievements of our 2025 graduating cohort. This cohort saw 50% of students awarded an IB Schools Australasia Merit Award for achieving a grade of 7 or an A in one or more subjects — the equivalent of a perfect subject result. Additionally, 24% of our graduates will be recognised at the St Peters Scholars’ Assembly for their outstanding achievement of a score of 39 or above, equivalent to an ATAR of 96 or higher.

We also proudly recognise Ruby Sylvester for achieving a perfect IB score of 45 — equivalent to an ATAR of 99.95. This remarkable result reflects Ruby’s drive, passion, and commitment to learning, and we are delighted to celebrate this achievement with Ruby and the wider IB community.

Looking ahead to the year, last Tuesday, we welcomed our new Year 11 cohort with an Introduction to IB Day. The program included sessions on IB policies, the Learner Profile attributes, and introductions to the core components of the Diploma Programme — CAS, Theory of Knowledge, and the Extended Essay. Students engaged in a variety of collaborative activities as they explored what makes an IB education distinctive, including inquiry, reflection, and personal development. In the final session, our Year 12 IB students shared insights into the many opportunities available to IB students, including school-based clubs and University of Queensland enrichment opportunities.

This year marks 20 years of the IB Diploma Programme at St Peters, a significant milestone that reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to developing globally minded citizens. Through its focus on academics, inquiry, intercultural understanding, and service, the IB continues to prepare students to contribute meaningfully in an interconnected world, and we look forward to celebrating these aspects of the IB throughout 2026.

As we move forward into 2026, we look forward to another year of growth and achievement, and wish all IB students every success in the year ahead.

Cassandra Magar
IB Diploma Programme Coordinator

PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS

Next week, we look forward to our 2026 Parent Information Evenings. Please note the following dates in your calendar:

• Parent Information Evening Years 1–4: Monday 9 February, 6:30pm–7:30pm
• Parent Information Evening Years 5 and 6: Thursday 12 February, 6:30pm–7:30pm

These information sessions will take place in the classrooms; however, there will also be an opportunity on these evenings for discussion with the Primary Leadership Team and relevant Specialist Teachers between 6:00pm and 6:30pm at the grey umbrellas, both in Upper Primary and Lower Primary.

Face-to-face Parent Volunteer Inductions will also be held before these two Parent Information Sessions. These Induction Sessions are mandatory if you would like to volunteer in the Primary Years in 2026 and will take the place of our online induction process. Please refer to the communication from Ms Challenor, sent earlier this week, for timings and venue.

We will also provide a PowerPoint of the main points discussed on your Year Level Firefly page, which can be used as a future point of reference. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss the exciting year ahead.

These evenings are crucial for fostering strong communication between parents and teachers, ensuring that families are informed about school processes, curriculum updates, and ways to support their child’s learning at home.

2026 PRIMARY YEARS LEADERS

At last week’s Upper Primary Assembly, we inducted our 2026 Primary Years Leaders. Starting in the early years, we encourage students to explore and develop their leadership potential through classroom responsibilities, peer collaborations, and active participation in school events. As they progress through the Primary Years, they gradually take on more meaningful roles, building confidence and skills that prepare them to step into leadership positions with assurance and enthusiasm.

TRIPLE P PARENTING PROGRAM @ ST PETERS

Discover the internationally recognised Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, created by Professor Matt Sanders from the University of Queensland. Join us in Belfield Hall from 8:30am–10:00am for:

• Session 1 – Tuesday 17 February: The Power of Positive Parenting
• Session 2 – Tuesday 24 March: Raising Confident, Capable Children
• Session 3 – Tuesday 5 May: Raising Resilient Children
• Session 4 – Tuesday 9 June: Helping Children Develop Healthy Screentime Habits

To register your attendance, please contact Cameron Glass at c.glass@stpeters.qld.edu.au.

Term 1 is an important time to reflect on students’ commitments and to establish healthy routines that support learning, wellbeing, and balance in the Primary Years.

At St Peters, our approach is grounded in our Lutheran ethos and guided by our values of God’s love, respect, service, balance, and excellence. Our new Strategic Intent, Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030, calls us to look beyond academic success alone and intentionally nurture the whole child — academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

We encourage students to find a healthy rhythm that balances learning with play, cocurricular opportunities, service, family time, and meaningful connections with peers. This balanced approach supports wellbeing, builds confidence, and helps students flourish both at school and in life.

We invite parents and caregivers to reflect on their child’s commitments and ensure time for play, rest, and connection remains a priority, supporting a positive sense of self and wellbeing aligned with the vision of Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030.

Lisa Challenor
Head of Primary Years

It has been a fantastic start to the year in Junior High.

Our students have settled quickly into routines, are engaging positively in their learning, and are embracing the life of the College.

This strong start matters. It sets the tone for the year ahead and gives students the foundation they need to thrive academically, socially, and personally. We are proud of the way they have approached the beginning of 2026.

Social Media and Student Wellbeing

Families are reminded that current legislation restricts social media use for students under 16. We encourage parents to remain actively involved in monitoring online activity and to continue having open conversations at home about responsible digital behaviour.

Adolescence brings increasing social complexity, both online and offline. If students are experiencing challenges with friendships, online interactions, or their wellbeing more broadly, we strongly encourage them to seek support early.

Our College Counsellors and pastoral staff are always available to support students.

Sun Safety and Hat Expectations

Queensland has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. According to Cancer Council Australia, more than two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. In Queensland, this risk is even higher. Sun protection is therefore a vital part of our duty of care and an essential expectation at St Peters.

As we continue through Term 1, we ask families to support the following requirements. All students must:

• Wear their formal hat to and from school
• Wear a bucket hat at all times during outdoor breaks

If a student does not have a hat, they will be directed to shaded or indoor areas and reminded that wearing a hat is a College requirement.

Consistent sun-safe behaviour only works when students receive the same message at school and at home. We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations.

The College SunSmart Policy is available for reference. Where students are repeatedly non-compliant, the matter will be referred to the relevant Year Level Coordinator, Deputy Head of Sub-School, or Head of Sub-School.

Max Forbes
Head of Junior High

The Cricket Support Group is having a Bake Sale at lunch time on Friday, 13 February to support Pink Stumps Day, and we need your help!

We would love donations of baked goods to be dropped off to Senior School Reception on the morning of 13 February.

Please remember to include a list of ingredients with your baked goods to assist students with allergies.

Please encourage your cricketers to bring their friends along and support the Bake Sale! All funds raised will be donated to the McGrath Foundation, helping to provide cancer care nursing services to all patients and their families.

Date: Friday 13 February
Time: 12:45pm–1:30pm
Where: Chapel Forecourt

Thank you for your support!

Cricket Parent Support Group