Welcome to Term 3. A particularly warm welcome to those new students and their families joining St Peters this term. We hope that you settle in and feel part of our community very soon.

It may have been the mid-year break; however, there was still plenty on offer for our young people. In some ways, St Peters never really stops. There was pre-season training for Term 3 Sports, including a Girls' Rowing Camp in Bundaberg. There was a highly successful Chorale Tour of Western Australia and the annual Year 10 Ski Trip to New Zealand. A number of students undertook their Adventurous Journey as part of our ever-growing Duke of Edinburgh's Award Program. For the first time, our young people also had two additional opportunities to be part of — a combined STEM and Humanities Tour of Borneo or an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Tour to the West Coast of the United States. These two new opportunities align strongly with the Global Citizens Pillar of the College’s Strategic Intent Plus Ultra More Beyond 2030 where our intent is to ‘inspire our students to be responsible and engaged global citizens and stewards through the provision of curricular and cocurricular programs, experiences, connections, and opportunities that promote global competence and intercultural respect and understanding’.

Feedback from one parent whose child was part of one of these experiences sums up the impact of these opportunities: "Experiences like this help young people see themselves as future leaders, and global citizens capable of making a positive impact wherever their journey takes them". My thanks to the staff who provided these extraordinary opportunities for our young people.

Semester 1 academic reports were made available over the break. They provide a snapshot of where your child is in their learning journey. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to have a conversation with your child(ren) about their progress. The start of Semester 2 provides students with the opportunity to take stock and establish their learning goals for the second half of the year. (Re)establishing good study and homework routines is crucial to achieving those learning goals. Consistent, focused effort in class is another key element if our young people are to achieve their goals. For our Year 12s, as they enter their final semester of school, the College extends its best wishes for their coming trial/mock exams in a few weeks’ time, and encourages them to give their full application to their studies.

My very best wishes to each of you for the Term ahead. Plus Ultra. Ever Higher. More Beyond.

Tim Kotzur
Head of College

Queensland's Reportable Conduct Scheme is now in effect: what this means for St Peters Lutheran College and your family

The Reportable Conduct Scheme is part of Queensland's new child safeguarding legislation, the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024. The Act strengthens protections for children by helping ensure organisations that work with children respond appropriately to concerns about harmful behaviour and continually improve child-safe practices.

As a Lutheran Education Queensland (LEQ) school, St Peters is part of the LEQ entity for the purposes of the Reportable Conduct Scheme. While the College manages concerns locally, LEQ has overarching statutory responsibilities for ensuring reportable conduct matters are managed and reported in accordance with the legislation.

The Scheme requires organisations to report and investigate allegations of reportable conduct by workers and volunteers. It also enables information to be shared across sectors and organisations where appropriate, helping to identify and respond to risks to children more effectively.

Importantly, the Scheme provides an additional pathway for responding to concerns about child harm that may not meet the threshold for a police investigation or child protection intervention. It helps ensure concerns are managed promptly, transparently, and appropriately, giving children, parents, and families confidence that their concerns will be taken seriously.

The Reportable Conduct Scheme is now in effect.

What can be reported under the Scheme?

Reportable conduct includes behaviour by workers or volunteers that involves:

• a child sexual offence
• sexual misconduct committed in relation to, or in the presence of, a child
• ill-treatment of a child
• significant neglect of a child
• physical violence committed in relation to, or in the presence of, a child
• behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child.

Further information, including definitions and examples of reportable conduct, is available on the Queensland Family & Child Commission website.

How can I raise a concern?

The safety and wellbeing of every child in our care is our highest priority. If you have concerns about the behaviour of any St Peters Lutheran College employee, volunteer, contractor, or other worker towards a child, we encourage you to raise those concerns as soon as possible.

Under Queensland's Reportable Conduct Scheme, Lutheran Education Queensland (LEQ) is the recognised "Entity" for St Peters Lutheran College. This means LEQ has legal responsibility for overseeing the management of allegations of reportable conduct across Lutheran schools in Queensland and for reporting matters to the Queensland Family and Child Commission where required. St Peters Lutheran College works closely with LEQ to ensure all concerns are managed promptly, consistently, and in accordance with legislative requirements.

Concerns can be raised directly with the College by contacting the Head of College or Deputy Head of College at: safeguarding@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Alternatively, concerns may be reported directly to the Executive Director, Lutheran Education Queensland: ReportableConduct@leq.lutheran.edu.au 

Information about the College's complaints and child safeguarding processes is also available on the St Peters Lutheran College website.

You may also raise concerns directly with the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC).

What is St Peters Lutheran College doing to keep children safe?

At St Peters Lutheran College, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is central to everything we do. We are committed to providing learning environments where every child feels safe, respected, heard, and valued.

The College has undertaken significant work to implement Queensland's Child Safe Standards and to strengthen our safeguarding culture. This includes adopting the Lutheran Education Queensland Safeguarding Framework, which provides a consistent, sector-wide approach to child safety across Lutheran schools.

As part of this work, the College has:

• adopted the Lutheran Education Queensland Child and Cultural Safety Statement of Commitment;
• implemented the Lutheran Education Queensland Child and Student Safety and Wellbeing Policy;
• implemented the Lutheran Education Queensland Child Protection - Reporting Concerns of Harm, Abuse and Reportable Conduct Policy;
• implemented new procedures for reporting concerns of harm, abuse and reportable conduct;
• established clear and accessible processes for children, families, staff and volunteers to raise concerns;
• strengthened recruitment, screening, induction and ongoing training for all workers and volunteers;
• reviewed and enhanced our Child Safe Risk Management practices;
• established governance and oversight through the College's Child Safety Committee and reporting processes; and
• embedded child safety into our culture through ongoing education, policy review, continuous improvement and a commitment to listening to the voices of children and young people.

The Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme work together to strengthen child safeguarding. The Standards focus on preventing harm by creating child-safe cultures and practices, while the Reportable Conduct Scheme ensures organisations respond appropriately, transparently, and consistently when concerns arise.

Together, these reforms strengthen our commitment to ensuring every child at St Peters Lutheran College is safe, supported and able to thrive.

Lisa Delaney
Deputy Head of College

Last week, while on a staff retreat at Ironbark, we crossed the little bridge leading towards the outdoor Chapel and labyrinth. It was a crisp winter morning, the kind that invites you to notice the landscape a little more closely. And there, beside the path, one tree had burst into delicate pink blossom. Tiny green leaf buds were beginning to emerge from its branches.

It was unexpected. In the middle of winter, this tree seemed to know something the rest of the landscape did not.

As I stood there for a moment, I found myself wondering if God often works like that.

We tend to judge life by what we can see. If there is no obvious progress, no visible change, we assume nothing is happening. We can feel this in our work, our parenting, our friendships, and even in our faith. We long for growth, yet sometimes life seems to remain in the same season.

But the little tree offered a different perspective.

Its blossom wasn't making spring happen. It was simply revealing that a new season had already begun. Long before the landscape fully changed, signs of new life were already appearing.

Scripture reminds us that God works in much the same way. Often, his work is quiet before it becomes obvious. Hope begins to grow before circumstances change. Faith deepens before confidence returns. Healing starts long before we recognise it. God's work often begins beneath the surface, unseen but no less real.

The prophet Jeremiah writes:

"Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord... They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. (Jeremiah 17:7–8)

As Term 3 begins, life will quickly become busy again with assignments, sporting fixtures, performances, rehearsals and the everyday rhythm of school life. In the midst of it all, perhaps we can remember the little tree by the bridge.

We often think our task is to produce growth — to become wiser, kinder or more faithful by trying harder. Yet the gospel tells a different story. God is the one who gives life. Like that unexpected blossom, our lives do not create God's work; they bear witness to it.

Even when we cannot yet see the whole picture, God is already bringing new life. He is faithful in every season, and in his perfect time, what he has begun will bloom.

Chaplain Kirstin Munchenberg

Join us for an unforgettable weekend of jazz as the St Peters Jazz Festival brings together some of Australia’s finest local and regional jazz musicians, educators and ensembles.

Masterclasses

On Saturday 1 August, participants can immerse themselves in eight specialised Masterclasses covering jazz improvisation, performance and instrumental technique. Bring your instrument and take advantage of the unique opportunity to perform, learn, and receive personalised guidance from our outstanding guest list of professional jazz musicians.

Big Band Workshops

From Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning, school, community, and tertiary ensembles are invited to participate in our Big Band Ensemble Workshop Series. These workshops provide invaluable one-on-one mentoring, allowing bands to work closely with experienced jazz educators and performers in a collaborative and inspiring environment.

Throughout the festival weekend, enjoy performances by the outstanding students of the St Peters Lutheran College Jazz Program, who will provide live entertainment during breaks between sessions and workshops. Festival patrons can also relax and recharge with snacks and refreshments available from the St Peters Music Support Group, whose volunteers will operate food and drink stalls throughout the event.

Jazz Concert

The festival culminates in a spectacular concert on Sunday 2 August at 1:30 pm, showcasing an exceptional lineup of artists, including:

• The Mark Pradella Band
• Galapagos Duck
• Trichotomy
• The Late Shift Big Band
• JMI Jazz Orchestra
• Brisbane Jazz Orchestra featuring Ingrid James
• Special guest headliners John Morrison and Jacki Cooper

Whether you're an aspiring jazz musician, an experienced performer or simply a lover of great music, the St Peters Jazz Festival offers something for everyone. Come and be part of the music, the learning and the excitement. Tickets for Masterclasses, Big Band Workshops and the Festival Concert are on sale now!

CLICK HERE to book your St Peters Jazz Festival tickets.

Grantley Sutch
Head of Bands

The St Peters You've Got Talent (SPYGT) 2026 Grand Finale is coming, and this year's theme is Pitch Perfect! Our grand finalists have performed to a sold-out audience in recent years, so don't leave it too late to get your tickets...

When: Friday 14 August from 6:30pm
Where: Dron Auditorium, PAC
Tickets: $7.00 (all proceeds go to the Finale Winner's charity of choice)

CLICK HERE to book your SPYGT Grand Finale tickets.

Save the Date

The highly respected and challenging international and national academic competitions of ICAS (International Competition and Assessment for Schools) and AMC (Australian Maths Competition) will run across Term 3 in after-school sessions. Students in Years 7–12 can register to sit the relevant year-group exam for:

• AMC Maths – Wednesday 5 August
• ICAS English – Monday 10 August
• ICAS Science – Wednesday 19 August
• ICAS Maths – Wednesday 26 August

These exams provide an opportunity for students who enjoy challenging themselves, who wish to test their knowledge against national and international benchmarks, and who want to set personal goals for enhancing their learning. All participants receive certificates recognising their effort and their achievement in their exam.

Registrations for ICAS and AMC close on Friday 24 July. Parents wishing to register their child should make the relevant payments for the competition, then complete the St Peters Registration Form. All instructions and registration steps can be found on Firefly.

Kate Wiedemann
Gifted & Talented Program Coordinator (Years 7–12)

I am delighted to welcome you to Semester 2. I look forward to a productive and happy semester with the students and staff, and to our continued partnership with you, our Primary Years parents and caregivers.

Semester 2 always brings about some timetable changes for Upper Primary students. Years 5C, 5D and 5E will be introduced to MEBS, which is always a highlight, and several other changes for specialist days have also taken place.

We are also delighted to welcome five new students and their families to the Primary Years this term, and we look forward to welcoming them into our community.

Early Arrival

We have noticed that some Lower Primary students arrive at the College before 8:00am. As official supervision commences at 8:00am, we kindly request that students who arrive before this time (unless they are attending a supervised activity) use the Before School Care service. This ensures appropriate supervision and care for their wellbeing until regular school hours commence.

We sincerely appreciate your cooperation and understanding in following these expectations. Our primary goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all students, and your support is essential in achieving this. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the school administration.

NAIDOC Week

Last week was NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, and on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Today, celebrations consist of a range of traditional and contemporary activities. There are many gatherings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to celebrate and share with non-Aboriginal people the strengths of Australia's First Nations people. This important event helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, enabling a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future.

St Peters' Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Vision reflects the College’s strong commitment to a reconciled Australia, as we strive to foster a culture that honours and acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We seek to establish genuine and meaningful opportunities that deepen knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the diversity of our First Nations peoples, traditions, histories and continuing contributions across Australia, and their unique place as part of our shared national identity.

For the latest Primary Years information, please go to the Primary Years Parent Information Page on Firefly.

God’s continued blessings for Term 3.

Lisa Challenor
Head of Primary Years

Dear Parents and Carers

I am writing to introduce myself as the Interim Head of Junior High. It is a privilege to be serving in this role for the next 12 months while Max Forbes takes on the position of Interim Head of Teaching and Learning Innovation.

I wanted to share a little about myself and what guides my approach to education.

I am a passionate advocate for Lutheran education. A Lutheran education is one in which it is understood that every person has inherent worth and dignity. Education is not simply the growing of knowledge, but the forming of a person.

I also believe that people flourish in community. Schools are at their best when students, staff and families work together in partnership, recognising that we all have something to contribute and something to receive from one another. As parents and carers, you are your child's first and most influential educators, and I see our partnership with families as central to helping young people thrive.

Belonging is foundational to learning. Before students can fully engage, they need to experience genuine connection, safety and the confidence that they are known within their school community. From that foundation of belonging comes high expectations. Supporting young people well means holding high standards while also providing the care, encouragement and guidance they need to achieve them. These are not competing ideas — they are complementary. High expectations communicate our belief in a student's potential; care provides the support that helps them realise it.

The Junior High years are an exciting and significant stage of life, and I consider it a privilege to walk alongside students and families during this important season. I look forward to partnering with you throughout the coming year and contributing to a Junior High community where every student is known, supported, challenged and encouraged to become the person they are called to be.

Warm regards

Helena Lambert
Interim Head of Junior High

From 20–27 June, St Peters Chorale undertook a highly successful tour to Western Australia, representing the College through performances, worship, musical collaboration and educational experiences across Perth and the surrounding region.

The tour commenced with Chorale joining the Aquinas College Schola Cantorum to sing at the Vigil Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral. The combined choir of approximately 115 voices provided a memorable start to the tour and a valuable opportunity for students to perform alongside their choral peers.

Throughout the week, Chorale contributed to worship at St John's Lutheran Church and St Paul’s Anglican Church and participated in workshops and performances with Aquinas College, Mercedes College, Trinity College and John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. These exchanges fostered musical development, cultural exchange and new connections with Western Australian students and staff.

A highlight was Chorale’s public concert at St John's Lutheran Church, where a program of choral classics and works by Australian composers was enthusiastically received, concluding with a standing ovation.

The tour also included visits to the Pinnacles, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Yanchep National Park, a WASO Chorus rehearsal, Cottesloe Beach, the Fremantle Markets and WA Museum Boola Bardip, adding a rich cultural and educational dimension to the program.

Chorale performed to an outstanding standard and represented St Peters with maturity, enthusiasm and professionalism. Numerous compliments were received regarding the students’ excellent manners, musical performances and warm interactions with audiences and community members.

We are grateful for the generous hospitality and warm welcome extended by our host schools, churches and the wider Western Australian community. The tour renewed longstanding friendships, established new connections and continued Chorale’s proud tradition of sharing music with communities throughout Australia.

Christine Taylor
Co-Director of Cocurricular Music/Head of Choirs

St Peters Big Brick Build

If you like building with LEGO, competition and fun, then this is the event for you! Grab a team of 2–4 and prepare for a series of brick-building challenges at the St Peters Big Brick Build. This event is aimed at Primary Years students.

Details
Location: Centre for Learning and Innovation, St Peters Lutheran College
Time: Sunday 23 August, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $25.00 for a team of 2–4 (teams must include at least one St Peters student)
Food: Free lollies and popcorn. Soft drinks available for purchase.

Competitor sign-up CLICK HERE

Parent or Junior High/Senior School volunteer sign-up CLICK HERE

Asia Pacific Open Championship – Robotics

Congratulations to FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics team #11506 Flaming Tacos on their outstanding success at the FIRST Tech Challenge Asia Pacific Open Competition in Sydney. Competing against some of the best teams from across the Asia-Pacific region, they received the prestigious Design Award. This achievement is a wonderful recognition of the team's engineering excellence, innovation and attention to detail. Special congratulations to Harry S and Ryder D, who represented St Peters at the event, and sincere thanks to the parents who travelled with the team and to mentors and supporters back home whose encouragement and commitment helped make this incredible opportunity possible. We are immensely proud of this outstanding international achievement.

Simon Canfield
Digital (Robotics) Coordinator