Plus Ultra | November 2020

Plus Ultra LIFE IN LOCKDOWN

#generationpandemic

COLLEGE EVENTS COVID-STYLE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC BOARDERS VS BORDERS REGULARS

HEAD OF COLLEGE MINISTRY SPOSA

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CONTENTS

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Cover: Boarders, Claudio and Laura, cover up in their bespoke face masks during the height of COVID-19 worry.

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Plus Ultra November 2020 incorporating SPOSA Bulletin Published by St Peters Lutheran College Editor / Designer Cassie Twemlow c.twemlow@stpeters.qld.edu.au Writers Cassie Twemlow, Kelsey Bricknell Photography Anthony Cox Advertising Enquiries Publications Office Telephone: 07 3377 6262 publications@stpeters.qld.edu.au St Peters Lutheran College CRICOS Provider: 00516E 66 Harts Road, Indooroopilly Qld 4068 Telephone: 07 3377 6222 reception@stpeters.qld.edu.au www.stpeters.qld.edu.au www.facebook.com/stpeterslutherancollege Š 2019 St Peters Lutheran College SPOSA Office 66 Harts Road, Indooroopilly Qld 4068 Telephone: 07 3377 6592 sposa@stpeters.qld.edu.au www.stpeters.qld.edu.au www.facebook.com/sposa45

Plus Ultra | November 2020

CONTENTS

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CONTENTS REGUL ARS

04 Head of College 05 Letter from the Editor 06 Ministry AC ADEMIC

07 08

Student Poetry | The Lights A time to thrive

PANDEMIC PAPERS | COVID-19 SPECIAL

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10 10 12 14 16 18 21 22 24

Response and responsibility Stuck in the middle with you Is this the new normal?

Bringing order to chaos Essential workers, not just 'Housekeepers' What's in a year?

Life interrupted Boarders vs borders Faith and resilience at Springfield

AROUND C AMPUS

27 28 30 32 34 35 36

2020 e-Smart Week: connecting safely Valedictory '20 Founding teachers share inspirational stories Ironbark: unbreakable Springfield's newest House Captains Year 11 Dinner Dance Parade of Nations with a twist

THE ARTS

39 Kaleidoscope Hello 13! is happening 40 Performer of the Year 42 The show must go on 44 Music 2020 - At Home Learning and performance

opportunities 46 SPYGT: I'm Still Standing SPORT

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48 50 52

Celebrating sporting success Remarkable Harris - a sporting giant Football is the winner

BOARDING

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Generations of St Peters boarders

SPOSA

56 57 57 58 59 60 61 62

SPOSA President 2021 Save the date Memorabilia | Celebrating 75 years Excited by innovation Demystifying the secrets of visual effects Colour instinct - the art of Bridie Gillman Neville Stallman We remember

COMMUNIT Y AND EVENTS

64 Kokedama Workshop 65 Focus on community building 67 Springfield Parents and Friends support College and community

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HEAD OF COLLEGE

COVID-19: LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC TIM KOT ZUR

head of college

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hen most of us awoke on New Years Day I suspect very few would have predicted that 2020 would unfold the way that it has. It is certainly not the year I was hoping for. On the College’s 75th Founders Day back in February, in my remarks to our community I talked about some of the challenges faced by the early pioneers of St Peters seventy five years ago and how they overcame them. I said that, we know that there will be more challenges ahead in the next 75 years. When I penned those words I wasn’t being prophetic, and certainly didn’t have the challenge of a world-wide pandemic in mind.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the future is not what we thought it was going to be a just a few short months ago.

The pandemic has caused disruptions to business and society at a scale and speed unprecedented in the modern era. This pandemic has changed, and will continue to change, aspects of community, business, and organisations including education and schools forever. For many things in our lives, there will be a ‘new normal’.

This moment in time is forcing us to identify what we truly value about the experience of school; what should be undone about schools and reimagine what could the next normal look like; and how could schools reinvent themselves? Going forward, it will be important to identify innovations and changes that can be sustained into the ‘new normal’. Some of these changes and innovations - like online learning, greater flexibility in the school day, timetables and curriculum, and increased personalisation of learning - are exciting and have the potential to improve student learning and the student experience in real and meaningful ways.

Plus Ultra | November 2020

At the same time, the experiences of the pandemic have reminded us that while some form of online learning will need to be sustained, the move to online learning has shown nothing can replace the effect of face to face teaching. There is something irreplaceable about teachers and students coming together, face to face, to learn.

It also strongly reinforced the need for belonging, community and close meaningful relationships that schools provide is an important aspect that we must not lose.

When it came to online learning (or what St Peters called ‘At Home Learning' during the period of lockdown through the pandemic) feedback suggests that our students appeared to enjoy the flexibility of managing their time and the opportunity to have more control over their own learning.

We discovered they loved planning their own day. Many students responded incredibly well to being able to design the structure of their days - having choice not only about what they are doing, but also when, has revealed their self-knowledge and capacity to take personal responsibility. Some have taken breaks at very different times to those we offer at school. Some have chosen to work on more challenging tasks after they have ‘warmed up’. Some have started their days later but have still been incredibly productive. When students have been able to just run with their interests, the engagement has been massive. Many teachers have used this opportunity of At Home Learning to offer learners a chance to explore issues and challenges of significance to them. There have been some remarkable personal inquiry journeys taken during this period. Students have had the time to take their interests deeper and wider that would not have been possible under the rigidity of a ‘normal’ school day.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR C A SSIE T WEMLOW

editor

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A year like no other," and versions of this, are what people have been sprouting for the last nine months. And they're not wrong.

But with lockdowns and cancellations come learned lessons and embracing what we have.

The pandemic also drove change in teacher practice. For many teachers the period of At Home Learning helped them to see the incredible potential of digital tools for learning.

Our teachers all became much more proficient at using digital technologies to connect with each other and their students, to create and share learning. The pandemic also helped to shift the teacher-parent relationship. At Home Learning enabled regular communication and opportunities for parents to get more of an insight into the work teachers do for their children and has lessened the divide between school and home. This connection has had some lovely flow on effects. At Home Learning also helped to strengthen the teacher-student relationship. Many teachers commented on knowing their students so much better than they did before. And knowing them differently. The experience reminded teachers that they teach the whole child. When they focussed first on how students were feeling at the start of the lesson it has made them a better teacher for the rest of the lesson.

2020 may not have been the year we were all hoping for, but, as this edition of Plus Ultra reveals, the learnings and lessons from the pandemic experience have been incredibly powerful, and many good things have come out of it. As we reflect on 2020 and we look forward to 2021 may we be reminded of the words of Pastor Gerhard Dohler, the founding Chairman of the St Peters Lutheran College Council, and after whom Dohler Building is named.

"We must learn to lean entirely on our God. With Him nothing is impossible to us ‌. Therefore, let us go forth in God’s name."

Whilst there are still not many of our usual events of Semester 2, we celebrate our heroes, the challenges we've faced and the hardships we've overcome.

Our College 'essential workers', the Housekeeping Team, learned their way through COVID-19 restrictions and rules, taking numerous courses to boost their skill-set.

We hear from Old Scholars on the pandemic frontline, to how our boarders cope without being able to get in (or out) of College boarding because of domestic and international border closures.

And how about all the other departments and College events? In this edition we learn how Ironbark had to alter a lot of plans and change regulations to ensure students were still able to visit and how campus events across both Indooroopilly and Springfield changed to deal with the 'no audiences' by livestreaming their events.

A big thank you and congratulations to those students who submitted artwork for the 2020 commemorative 75-year Review.

Until next year, hold your loved ones tight! I wish everyone safety and happiness for the few months ahead.

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REGULARS

ADAPTING TO THE NEW NORMAL

GREG PRIEBBENOW

congregational pastor

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n what ways has your life been different this year? I am very sure that all of us could answer that question with a long list of adaptations we have had to make due to the onset of COVID-19. The necessary restrictions adopted within our state and nation have brought significant changes to the ways in which many of us work, play, shop, socialise and commute. Very few sections of our society have been unaffected – and the church is no exception.

For many years, a congregation of the Lutheran Church of Australia has gathered for worship at 9am on Sunday mornings in the Chapel of St Peters College. But in late March, our worship went online instead, and for over three months we met via Zoom.

From our homes in various places (some folks joined us from rural locations and even from interstate) we gathered together digitally to hear from God and to give God our thanks and praise. People of all ages quickly learnt new skills and our life as God’s people was carried forwards. That’s the nature of God’s kingdom – it remains active and alive in all situations and circumstances, and nothing in this world can overcome it.

Our experience also attests to the nature of 'church'. Church is not a building, it is a community of believers who follow Jesus, led by the Spirit to be God’s people wherever they are. The COVID-19 restriction period led us to explore new ways of coming together across physical distances and caring for one another without the benefit of physical proximity. Who we are in Christ transcends physical distances! As St Paul expresses, “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Romans 8:39).

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With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland, we were able to return to gathering physically for Sunday morning worship from 12 July, albeit with some differences. This return-to-worship required further preparation and planning, as we established compliance with the 'Industry COVID-Safe Plan'. It has also necessitated extra efforts in music preparation and delivery, setting up, cleaning, ushering etc. Thankfully, our congregation is a good 'team', working together well to keep all safe and secure.

Unfortunately, the onset of COVID-19 has complicated some dimensions of our congregation’s community life and Ministry.

We have not been able to 'fellowship' together as we would like, and our Ministry interface with the College and wider community has been restricted. Exploration and development of new Ministry opportunities has also been made much more complex. That said, the church is much, much more than its programs! The people of God at St Peters have been very active in following Christ in their various life vocations in their homes, schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods. Every hardship and challenge is also an opportunity to love, care and share.

None of us is quite sure what the next six months will bring. Who expected the events of the past six months? Yet, we need not be anxious or troubled, for in Christ we stand upon firm and trustworthy ground. Or to put it another way, we do not know what the future holds, but we know the One who holds the future, and who holds onto us lovingly in all things.

Blessings, Pastor Greg Priebbenow.

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STUDENT POETRY | THE LIGHTS "The Lights" was written by Year 8 student Theo Aitcheson, and is based on Edgar Allan Poe’s The Bells. It was submitted as part of his English Enrichment class and is about a gambler’s addiction and his subsequent demise.

I. See the pokies with the lights— Flashing lights!

What a world of possibility, taking one to dizzy heights!

How they glitter, gleam and glow The regimented rows of the one-arm bandit king While the chandeliers’ cut crystal Casts shadows on bone and gristle While coins through slots ka-ching And the fruit’s eternal spin And the coins flow ever in To the pulsing and the sparkling of a wild, flamboyant sight From the lights, lights, lights, lights, lights, lights, lights, — From the glinting and the shimmer of the lights!

II. See the golden welcome lights, Homely lights!

What a world of contentment their radiance invites!

Mingling with the gentle laughter Loving sweetly ever-after!

From the warming, mellow shine, And embrace, While the shadows intertwine Cast on peaceful walls by the firelight's design Interlaced!

Oh, from out the pleasant nights, What a river of beauty, filled with placid, calming white!

Heartfelt rites Taking flight How they fly! Soar like kites Gazing down on household sights To the shining and the rhyming Of the lights, lights, lights, Of the lights, lights, lights, lights, lights, Lights, lights, lights— To the pulsing and the waltzing of the lights!

III. See the beckoning neon lights— Seductive lights!

What an enticing vision, now, their snakelike script incites!

In the bloodshot eyes of urgency, How they reflect the vivid lunacy!

Too far driven on to blink, Teetering, swaying on the brink, Of the ravine, Into the gaping jingling canyon of the pokies row on row, Walking with a purpose beyond all that could be known, To the buttons and the handles, the psychosis it has grown!

Feeling alone, alone, alone, With a weak, despairing moan, Willpower lost forever Now in a frenzied fever, Amidst the leering dials of the machines.

Oh, the lights, lights, lights!

How their blinding, brilliance bites And destroys!

How they loom, and stab, and slice!

What an infernal device Harnessed by the governmental ploys!

Yet the wallet slowly empties, Into the hungry jaws, Fed by the clutching claws, watched over by the sentries; Yet the bank accounts are red, And the wheeling, And the dealing, Leave the family filled with dread, From the writhing and the squirming in the anger of the lights— Of the lights— Of the lights, lights, lights, lights, Lights, lights, lights— In the convulsing and the shudder of the lights!

IV. See the haloes of the lights— Freeway lights!

What a world of freedom and escape their yellow hue invites!

As the whooshing vehicles scream, Lost in their lonely dreams, Feet walk towards the cascade now in flood!

For every beaming eye Passing so swiftly by Is a desire.

And the lorries, and the trucks The only ones to solve this crux, automatons, And who rolling, rolling, rolling, In that grinding monotone, Feel a glory in so rolling O'er the human heart of stone— The feet they stumble forward— Drawn ever mindlessly onward— Into the torrent walls; And the one-armed king he rolls; And he calls, calls, calls, Calls Those dreadful hollow lights! approach with speeding fright Through the howling of the night!

And they come into the sight; Roaring in the ears Blinded by the tears From the flashing of the lights— Of the lights…

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ACADEMIC

A TIME TO THRIVE Unexpected learning outcomes have been widespread around the College this year. Instead of throwing in the towel after the struggles of COVID-19, our students have chosen to thrive. In Junior High, the case is no different, with students embracing new learning opportunities wholeheartedly.

KEL SEY BRICKNELL

communications officer

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n Year 7, St Peters students study a sixmonth Digital Technology program. The subject covers programming, networks, robotics and culminates in a group Ethi‘Cool’ Project. Now in its fifth year, the Ethi‘Cool’ Project requires students to apply their Digital Technology knowledge to a real-world problem with an ethical dimension. Students work together to develop a technology-based solution and then pitch their ideas (‘Shark Tank’-style) to a panel of industry experts.

The project, overseen by Mr Peter Hurwood, is a chance for students to work like they would in a practical IT environment.

“Teamwork is what you do in Digital Technology,” he told us. “My personal hope is that what I’m doing is getting more [students] interested in technology.”

And that, he certainly is. Year 7 students, Chloe and Oscar, met with Plus Ultra to reflect on the Project.

“It was quite fun,” Chloe shared. “We got the chance to actually express our ideas [in person], even after At Home Learning, so we’re very lucky.”

Chloe and Oscar were in different groups, yet their motivations behind choosing their real-world problems were similar.

“We looked at helping people,” Oscar said, “with a focus on the bushfires [across Australia]. We looked at using drones to track the fire fronts to improve knowing where the fire is headed and therefore being able to help [the people on the ground].”

Plus Ultra | November 2020

Chloe’s group focused on how drones could improve access to medical resources in rural communities—an issue close to home for the young boarder from Moree, country NSW. “Where I live, we only have one ICU bed,” she said. “And it’s expensive trying to fly to health facilities for [specialist] care.”

Like the other groups in their cohort, Chloe and Oscar’s groups examined current technologies before developing a polished pitch of a unique or re-imagined product.

They considered risks, sustainability issues, social practices, equity, privacy and security in the design of their products and did so in a two-week timeframe.

“I found it good that we were [only] given a short period of time,” Oscar shared. “It was a bit stressful, because I’ve never done a project like it before, but I guess it was more like real life— ‘Project, due date…get it all done’. I enjoyed it!”

Neither Oscar nor Chloe seemed to be intimidated by the impressive panellists in front of them. Comprised of Katrina Lawrence (Regional Sales Director, Dell Australia); Kym Mellor (Programme Manager, Tquila ANZ); Amanda Rablin (St Peters eLearning Coordinator); Glen Richards (CEO Greencross and Shark Tank Australia panellist), the students said, more than nervous, they were grateful that the panellists came along.

“I didn’t mind,” Chloe said. “Honestly, I can talk to anyone!”

This, Mr Hurwood shared, was one of

ACADEMIC

the most surprising outcomes from the Ethi‘Cool’ Project.

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Pictured (left): Year 7 Digital Technology students, Chloe and Oscar (above L-R) Panellists Glen Richards, Kym Mellor, Amanda Rablin and Katrina Lawrence with Peter Hurwood. (below) Scenes from student presentations.

“A lot of students said afterwards, ‘I thought I was going to hate it—I thought it was going to be a six on the Fear Scale, but it was a zero!’. I’ve been saying to these students, if that’s your reaction, you should look for more opportunities to practise these skills around the College.”

Going forward, Mr Hurwood will look to extend the presentation timeframe to include a lengthier Q&A session with the panel.

“That’s where the students really get the buzz,” he told us. “They get to have interesting and intelligent people asking them questions and that’s when you can really see the cogs turning—as they apply their knowledge in real time.”

Chloe told us that the Ethi‘Cool’ Project taught her a lot.

“I learnt that it’s always good to be in groups where you have different strengths, because you can always come up with something better than what you’d come up with on your own, and it can grow to be something amazing. Also, it’s fun to brainstorm and problem solve with technology!”

Thanks to the support of Mr Hurwood and his panel of experts, the Ethi‘Cool’ Project will remain a staple of the Year 7 Digital Technology curriculum.

“If we can give the [right technology] skills to students at [an early] age,” Mr Hurwood closed, “they’ve got them for the rest of their high school career.”

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PANDEMIC PAPERS

RESPONSE AND RESPONSIBILITY This year has taught us all a great deal. That grocery store employees and janitors are 'essential workers'.

Good hygiene and, especially washing hands, is necessary for killing bacteria. And, that toilet paper was more precious than gold, at one point.

Over the last six months, we have heard distressing stories of families being separated because of border closures; people's mental health declining and thousands of workers being laid off. Conversely, there have been heart-warming accounts of communities coming together to help those in need; students talking to their teachers about supplying hospitals with 3D-printed resources and, the environment benefiting from less people being out and about.

In this 'Pandemic Papers' section, we praise our College's unsung heroes and highlight some of the essential changes that have had to be made since the pandemic originated.

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU On Thursday 12 March, Zoe McInally (Egan, 1991) was in a hotel room in Townsville when she heard that the World Health Organisation had declared a global pandemic. In that moment, she realised how much her plans were about to change.

C A SSIE T WEMLOW

publications officer

Plus Ultra | November 2020

W

hen Zoe’s husband was offered a job in the peaceful university town of Princeton, New Jersey, two years ago, she made the call to leave her work on the Sunshine Coast and move to America with her family. Since 2000 (after studying Medicine at the University of Queensland), Zoe had been working as a GP and for BreastScreen Queensland. Following the move, she was unable to work in the US. Instead, she travelled back to Australia periodically, working as a GP locum. At the start of 2020, she was offered an eightweek relieving position for BreastScreen

Townsville. She jumped at the offer and, on 20 February, arrived in Australia for an 11week stay.

Zoe’s schedule was going to be hectic but fun—eight weeks of commuting between part-time GP work in Caloundra and the position in Townsville; a weekend meet-up in Byron Bay with Sangeeta Puran (1991) and her two boys from the UK; and two weeks with her husband and son, who would be joining her for her sister-in-law’s wedding.

Unfortunately, though, the world had other plans. Sitting alone in her Townsville hotel

PANDEMIC PAPERS

in March, fear began to take hold as Zoe listened to the news reports. It dawned on her that it would be almost five months before she could be reunited with her family.

By late March, all flights to Townsville had been cancelled. So too had her sister-in-law’s wedding and everyone’s travel plans. Zoe was stuck on the Sunshine Coast and found herself working full-time as a GP. In the early months of the pandemic, she said it was the work that got her through.

“At the beginning, there was a flurry of preparations—PPE, triage and screening protocols, Telehealth set-up, enhanced infection control, social distancing the waiting rooms and all the other things that we are now used to. Then for a couple of weeks it was eerily quiet.

A lot of people felt that a GP surgery was a high-risk location for catching the virus and avoided coming. Telehealth was not yet widely available,” she explained.

When things really started to get busy in April, Zoe sent dozens of symptomatic patients for testing. Luckily, only one was diagnosed with COVID-19—a returned traveller from Europe.

“Practicing by Telehealth was the biggest professional impact for me,” Zoe told us.

“On the plus side, I could drink a cup of tea while working and it was much easier to keep to time. Not so great was trying to conduct phone-consults with people who were at work, shopping or occasionally (and worryingly) driving. By May and June, the main impact on my patients was to their mental health. Many were suffering from financial stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression and, by that time, my mental health was suffering too.”

Her anxiety was not dulled when flight after

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flight home to the US was postponed and, eventually, cancelled. Worse, again, was when her husband - halfway around the world - went to the doctor with a sore throat (luckily, ‘just’ a sore throat in the end). In July, Zoe received permission to leave the country from the Australian Government and Border Force and was finally able to book a one-way ticket home.

As she boarded her flight to San Francisco, there were no loud families or college sports teams waiting with her.

“No moving around the cabin, no alcohol with dinner and cold sandwiches for breakfast,” Zoe added.

The international flight was only 20% full and consisted mostly of single travellers, each of whom were masked.

Her domestic flight from San Francisco to New Jersey was over half full, but precautions had been taken with the middle seat left vacant in each block of three seats.

Since being home, Zoe has said, while it’s nice to be out of lockdown in the heat of summer, there’s still little to do.

“New Jersey is a 'blue' state with a Democratic Governor and State Legislature,” she explained. “Restaurants, cinemas, beaches and public pools remained closed here when other parts of the country were opening up. Masks continue to be compulsory indoors and outdoors if you can’t stay six feet apart.”

With her husband working from home and her son at school online, the family are spending lots of time together, making up for their months apart.

“I am keeping occupied with volunteer work for a COVID-19 study with Princeton University,” Zoe added of her work situation.

A very noble cause.

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PANDEMIC PAPERS

IS THIS THE NEW NORMAL? COVID-19 has changed so much about our day-to-day life, especially in the St Peters event space. As we grapple with just what the College’s ‘New Normal’ will look like, it’s time to reflect on how our events have been able to adapt.

KEL SEY BRICKNELL

communications officer

I

f you were to open this edition of Plus Ultra alongside its counterpart from the same time last year, one thing would be blatantly clear—there has been a distinct lack of College events in 2020. Sure, we moved our Open Day into a virtual space and the annual Parade of Nations went ahead as a pre-recorded presentation in Term 3, but actual events—whole College gatherings; live performances; Community Engagement functions—these have significantly decreased.

Rather than dwelling on their absence, there’s a lot to celebrate about how well different departments at St Peters were able to adapt and persevere in 2020. For starters, the Sports department still held all three of its major Inter-House Carnivals. Swimming, luckily, snuck in just before the outbreak.

Cross Country, a little less lucky, was held in individual HPE classes across the Year Levels and, similarly, Track & Field was transformed into a three-day event (one Year Level at a time) for Junior High and Senior students, and a two-day event for the Primary Years.

In the Performing Arts and Music space, 2020 events have been very much ‘situation abnormal’. Despite this, the departments have thrived online. Starting with ANZAC Day, St Peters Music staff, students and Old Scholars answered the call to ‘Light Up the Dawn’ by playing The Last Post on their driveways. This nation-wide initiative showed a deep respect to those who have fallen for our country, but also worked to ignite a fire within the Music department.

Pictured: (from top) A music lesson via Zoom; Behind the scenes of the Year 7 Virtual Open Morning; Dave Brown with Old Scholars at the annual Football match; (background) Year 9 student, Alex Gilfedder, plays The Last Post on his driveway on Anzac Day.

Plus Ultra | November 2020

Newly aware of the virtual possibilities, Music set about creating a range of At Home

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Performances—creative video productions, and additional staff are being required to showcasing our students’ talents to the assist with the management of live events, to online world. The performances were ensure that each venue is not over its total recorded individually by students during capacity. the At Home Learning period and then Despite this, Chloe and the team have expertly edited together by Co-Director remained optimistic. of Cocurricular Music and Head of Strings, “We have streamed a lot of events we Mr David Deacon. His efforts created a normally wouldn’t this year,” she said. buzz at St Peters and, while the community “It’s been a good test, to see the online indicated they still desperately missed the compatibility of each one.” in-person aspect of our Music performances, the One of the most videos were an enormous interesting things to come hit (head to the St Peters out of the online event Developing Music Youtube playlist to space, Chloe said, was see them for yourself!). relationships with the watching how presenters Sports, Publications respond to being faced Around the rest of the with just a camera and an College, restrictions have and Curriculum otherwise empty room. continued to inspire departments has rather than depress. St “As much as you would been a very positive Peters Events Technician, think a large crowd of take away from Chloe Dunn, shared people would be the what has been, for that, while moving main reason for concern regular College events everyone, a very around presentations online has presented challenging year!” and performances,” she some challenges, it’s reflected, “people seem also created some to rely on the audience for feedback while terrific opportunities for her team to work presenting!” with areas of the College they wouldn’t Luckily, the easing of restrictions as we ordinarily see. entered the second half of the year, meant the “A great example of this was our team reintroduction of small audience numbers. livestreaming the David Brown Cup on “Our events, more recently, have had both Harts Road Oval. Developing relationships a limited onsite audience and a livestream with the Sports, Communications and option, allowing the best of both worlds,” Curriculum departments has been a very Chloe said. positive take away from what has been, for everyone, a very challenging year!”

Going forward, the future of St Peters

"

Chloe told us that COVID-19 restrictions have meant that different (and extra) questions are needing to be asked of event organisers to ensure everyone’s safety. Event ticketing, for the few onsite audiences that have been allowed, is now manually allocated, as the software doesn’t factor in things like social distancing,

events remains, largely, at the whim of the pandemic. While the current ‘new normal’ has caused us to miss the audiences of the past, it’s also left us inspired by just how adaptive the College community has been. Across Year Levels and departments, St Peters’ events have evolved. Whatever happens as 2021 unfolds, we’re confident that our high-quality College events will continue to stand.

Scan to watch and listen to 'Riverfiddle' by the St Peters Music strings students.

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PANDEMIC PAPERS

BRINGING ORDER TO CHAOS Dr Sarah Whitelaw (1991) is an Emergency Physician at Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH).

She’s been there for the last 10 years after shorter stints on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane and London.

She’s also on the board of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and is married with two children.

C A SSIE T WEMLOW

publications officer

I

f you think you recognise this face, you might. Pre-COVID, Dr Whitelaw appeared on the Nine Network’s Emergency (filmed at RMH)—a series that she now looks back on as a completely different time. No PPE; no social distancing but, an insight into the Emergency Department’s love and commitment to their jobs.

Dr Whitelaw says she chose emergency medicine because she enjoys the clinical side of things.

“It’s a very teamwork-based speciality and involves a lot of communication. I enjoy that aspect of chatting with lots of different people and bringing order to chaos.”

The Emergency Department, Dr Whitelaw says, is ‘never boring and sometimes slightly out of control’—a place where reactive behaviour often trumps meticulous planning due to urgency and demand. This year, that has only increased.

As Senior Doctor in Charge, Dr Whitelaw, noticed her daily routine changed significantly with the arrival of COVID-19.

Despite Victoria’s lockdown, a combination of restrictions in regional areas (and subsequent motor vehicle accidents) and accidents in the home (falls and burns) meant that patient volume in trauma didn’t decrease. RMH patient numbers remained the same, however they transitioned naturally to more COVID-related cases. Dr Whitelaw shared that, not only Coronavirus itself, but the related issues of an "increase in volume of patients with significant, chronic, complex mental health problems;

Plus Ultra | November 2020

ongoing issues with addiction; psychosis," are problems no one predicted at the start of the outbreak.

While acknowledging that she finds her work very satisfying, Dr Whitelaw said there have been moments of struggle. This exertion has stemmed from the cases themselves, but also the relentless behind-the-scenes preparation, education and continual need to change and update their systems (and then communicate them to a hospital with 350-500 staff!).

“We’re so lucky to have PPE available, but it is enormously physically demanding to wear full PPE all day every day,” Dr Whitelaw explained.

“You’re half dehydrated, half in obstructed renal failure [because you’re unable to easily use the bathroom] and always have a headache. It hurts to wear the mask. A lot of people find it irritates their skin.”

Not only that, but the PPE makes it difficult to communicate.

“It’s really hard to comfort patients,” Dr Whitelaw continued. “That’s really distressing for a lot of people.”

This added layer of complexity, to an already high-stress profession would be difficult for anyone, let alone ED staff who’ve been dealing with it for six months.

“It’s taking its toll,” Dr Whitelaw stressed.

Dr Whitelaw’s husband is also a doctor and one thing they have struggled with over the last few months is the constant worry that either one of them might bring an infection home and pass it on to other

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"

You’re half dehydrated, half in obstructed renal failure ... and always have a headache. It hurts to wear the mask.

A lot of people find it irritates their skin."

family members. Recently, when anyone in their household has had so much as a runny nose, they’ve all had COVID tests and had to self-isolate.

Despite all this, Dr Whitelaw explained that it hasn’t been all bad—there’s been a real sense of teamwork and comradery that’s united the cleaning, security, medical, nursing and allied health staff like never before.

“We’ve got such a shared, unique experience across the board,” she said. “Now we’ve got a lot more in common, I think.”

It’s only now that the case load is going down that Dr Whitelaw can truly understand just how tense the last few months have been.

“The ability to now share a joke just shows how anxious and tense we all were.”

The positives don’t stop at work. Whilst her two boys have missed out on playing AFL, socialising with friends from school and not noticing a difference between the school term and holidays, Dr Whitelaw says that being in lockdown in Melbourne has meant that her family have spent more time together at home. She’s also received great support from friends who’ve dropped off cooked meals and communicated with her regularly.

Since dealing with COVID-19 RMH have revisited their leadership and governance— they’ve recognise how important it is and the priority has shifted (leaning more towards junior doctors and assistants).

“It’s not just about providing them with the equipment and manuals,” she says.

Dr Whitelaw feels there’s now an important opportunity to be a great leader for the younger medical staff coming through (particularly with the over 100,000 cases of elective surgeries that were put in hold over Melbourne’s first and second wave outbreaks). She added that the knock-on effects of the pandemic will last for at least the next 12 months, if not years.

A true frontline worker, you won’t see Dr Whitelaw ditching her scrubs anytime soon.

“The possibility of a holiday seems a long way off,” she said, but added that she feels extraordinarily lucky to have a job in the medical profession.

“I find people in the Emergency team to be kind and inspiring and I have enormous respect for them.” Dr Whitelaw is extremely proud to be part of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and rightly so.

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ESSENTIAL WORKERS, NOT JUST 'HOUSEKEEPERS' The St Peters Indooroopilly Housekeeping Team are considered an ‘essential service’, not just by staff, students and boarders but, now, by the Australian Government.

C A SSIE T WEMLOW

publications officer

W

hen the COVID-19 pandemic changed our ways of living, working and studying, the College’s Corporate Services also had to adjust their routines. Upskilling became a top priority—as was the case with our students and teachers, the pandemic called for an increased engagement with technology. This call extended to the St Peters Housekeeping team. Faced with a new routine, the team began to engage with online LinkedIn Learning (previously known as Lynda). The aim, as we were told

by Housekeeping Manager, Sharon Flynn, was to gain new skills and, potentially, further careers.

The task was easier for some than it was for others. Not only did team members have to sit at a computer, create and login to a LinkedIn account (not something they're used to), but sometimes their English language proficiency was tested. Sharon saw this as a two-fold opportunity for her team—a chance for them to learn new skills and improve their English (for those to whom it was a second language).

Sharon eased her team into the training, using the opportunity to strengthen the bonds between the Housekeeping staff.

“The first learning we did as a team was an 11-minute course on time management.

The second was about teams and who you think you are in the team—the quiet one; the outspoken one; the lazy one…it was interesting.” Sharon says this particular course has been the most interactive and embraced so far.

“It gave me the opportunity to talk to each team member individually after they had done the course, and it helped everyone identify who they thought they were in the

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team. It was intriguing that everyone saw themselves as the one who has the ideas but doesn’t speak out.”

Following these one-on-one meetings with her team, Sharon was then able to assist team members to ‘wear the hat’, so to speak.

“It made me realise that sometimes you have to change the aspect and also the size of the groups,” Sharon went on to explain.

Once Sharon and her team had figured out the different roles that people play in a team, groups seemed to work more fluidly, with over half the team changing their mind about the training and realising that what they were doing was enjoyable and valuable.

Danielle Dobson, Laundry Supervisor, agreed, saying the team workplace and environment training was very beneficial.

“People spoke up and said things like ‘I think I’m this person, but I want to become this person’. The COVID training around hygiene and infection control was essential and gave us all a real understanding of cleaning, disinfecting, sanitising and the difference between them.”

Tyson Lingbawan, also in Sharon’s team, is originally from the Philippines. He said he’s benefited from the learning indirectly.

“In my culture, we’re taught to listen to older people so, if you’re working with someone older than you, then you listen.

The [teams] training helped me to express how I was feeling and working with someone to improve our working environment. It’s given me more confidence. I’ve also done some managerial-type courses to help with leadership and enhance my self-awareness,” Tyson went on to explain.

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Pictured: (left) Housekeeping team attainment certificates; (above) Danielle Dobson and Wendy Higgins standing proudly in front of the training board.

"

It’s been really valuable and it’s good that we can choose different courses that we think could further our career.”

Prior to commencing their online learning and training, Sharon used to provide the Housekeeping Team with training via handwritten sheets of paper. Now, she is able to find LinkedIn courses and fine-tune them to meet the learning needs of her team.

“They complete different training once a month,” Sharon said. “This month the team are in the process of learning about Positivity at Work.”

When COVID hit the College, Infection Control was a big part of the learning curve. Sharon says that, at the end of the day, it’s been a real confidence boost for most members of the team.

“The team are really enjoying the new skills they’re gaining.”

As well as team and group courses, the Housekeeping staff are also able to participate in personal development. Once team members complete any training, their certificate is hung on the wall for everyone to acknowledge—and not just others in the Housekeeping Team, but staff from all over the College!

“It’s been really rewarding and it’s good that we can choose different courses that we think could further our career,” Danielle said.

Coupled with Scott Morrison talking about cleaners and doctors as ‘essential services’ in the same breath, I think we can all agree that the St Peters Housekeeping department should never be overlooked.

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PANDEMIC PAPERS

WHAT'S IN A YEAR? At the start of the year, when plans were fresh and hopes were high, the Communications team met with the 2020 College Captains. Their year was a blank canvas – they spoke of aspirations and much-anticipated Senior moments…little did they know the year had other plans.

KEL SEY BRICKNELL

communications officer

B

en, Julia, Zac and Alara were elected to lead St Peters after Leadership Camp in January. The group wasted no time in banding together to plan their Senior year.

“We want to build on the history of school spirit at St Peters,” Ben told us at the time.

“And show one another support because of how proud we are of the College.”

Their aim was to encourage all Year Levels to ‘turn up’, both physically (attending events and sport fixtures to support their peers) and in attitude (wearing the College uniform with pride).

“We want everyone to feel that their talents are supported,” Alara explained. “Everyone at this school has their own individual talents and they have the right to be acknowledged.”

The plan was to lead by example—to be in the centre of group war cries at AIC and QGSSSA Championships; to encourage their cohort to join them at Music’s Performer of the Year and Art’s VAPAr; and to unite the community by initiating lunch-time activities that promoted mixing beyond the Year Levels. Add to that the wish to have every Year 12 student able to leave the College with ‘no regrets’, and you’ve got one very

Plus Ultra | November 2020

busy, yet rewarding Senior year. When the pandemic hit, however, that year began to crumble away.

“We had no idea what was happening – what we’d still be able to do – the future was so uncertain,” Julia shared with us recently.

With Ben (a boarder) back in Canberra and the others unable to see each other due to lockdown restrictions, the Captains moved to Zoom. The group were faced with a challenging task.

“We had to say to our [Year Level], ‘This is your Year 12 year…this is what we can and can’t do with it.’,” Zac told us. “Having to do that was pretty tough.”

Nevertheless, the group pulled through.

They drew on the leadership traits they’d identified as important at the start of the year and developed a range of new ones they hadn’t anticipated needing.

“Communication,” Ben said, “was obviously one thing that got us through, but also the ability to give [our] best [in every] situation regardless of what it [was].”

“It [was] also important to understand that [our] 100% could look different to someone else’s,” Alara added. “Everyone is

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Pictured: (clockwise from opposite page) Newly 'crowned' Captains looking relaxed at the start of 2020; Last day of classes costumes and antics; Years 7/12 lunchtime Touch game; Prefects SPYGT launch; AIC Swimming cheer squad; Alara 'At Home Learning'.

in different situations, so just because you may appear to be giving more than someone else, maybe they can’t give anymore. What they’re giving is equally as important.”

With those key traits in mind, the team quickly set about making the best out of a testing situation. They acknowledged their differences, but used those to their advantage.

"

Listening to feedback, but not listening to negativity is definitely something we’ve improved on this year.”

Zac Robinson, Vice-School Captain

“We’re all very different in a lot of ways,” Alara told us. “Even in terms of where we aim to be and what we want to do careerwise. But it’s worked really well.”

When asked if they knew about their complementary strengths from the get-go, or if it evolved throughout the year, Ben told us it was a mixture.

“Some we knew straight away and others we found out gradually, or even while we were on Zoom. Like, we’d go, ‘Wow, Julia’s such a good listener, she organised all this stuff,’ or, you know, ‘Alara managed to not make that Zoom call awkward’…which is a talent in itself!”

Together, the team organised SPYGT—one that will go down as the first livestreamed talent show in the College’s history; they continued to inspire College pride, albeit

via socially distanced methods; and, when restrictions eased a little and school returned to almost-normal, they carried out their plan of promoting inter-Year Level mixing by establishing Senior-run lunchtime clubs in the Primary Years and taking a group of Year 11 and 12s to the Harts Road oval every Wednesday to play Touch with the Year 7s.

Along the way, the Captains realised that it was impossible to please everyone at all times.

“Listening to feedback, but not listening to negativity is definitely something we’ve improved on this year,” Zac said, not that they received much.

Reports from all over the College could not be more glowing of how well the 2020 Captains have done. It’s heartening to know that they’ve been able to acknowledge that themselves.

“We’ve done our best to adjust our goals and to adapt to the different circumstances,” Julia told us. “I’m very proud of what we’ve managed to achieve, with [the year] we’ve been given and the fact that we kept going.”

Plus Ultra | November 2020

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LIFE INTERRUPTED As National Director of Interserve Australia, Christine McClintockGobius (1980), is usually explaining the lockdown rigmarole as part of orientation to volunteers bound for unstable overseas zones. Here is her first-hand account of what Melbourne lockdown looks like.

CHRISTINE MCCLINTOCKGOBIUS

old scholar

C

urfew, restricted movement, roadblocks, police checks and everything else that a lockdown brings is something I am usually explaining as part of orientation to volunteers as they prepare to serve vulnerable communities in some of the more volatile countries across Asia and the Middle East. It had never occurred to me that this would be my experience here in Melbourne, one of the most liveable cities in the world which I now call home.

alongside communities through natural disaster, uprisings, war and many other challenges. COVID-19 was no different.

As the weeks and months have passed those decisions to stay or return to Australia have been revisited multiple times. They are revisited each time the local Australian Embassy emails to offer seats on a repatriation flight, or as volunteers struggle to do their work from lockdown or, what can be even more difficult, in places where lockdown is being ignored. Some volunteers have contracted COVID-19 and thankfully recovered, not like many of their neighbours.

For me personally, it has been an incredibly intense season, experienced from the confines of our guest bedroom (it hasn’t been needed) at all hours of the day and into the evening as time zones require.

I am no stranger to Zoom having used it daily for several years however it saps this ambiverts energy when engaging with virtual meetings all day.

I was visiting Australian long-term volunteers in Nepal in February and March as the impact of the pandemic began to be felt globally.

My husband and I arrived back in Melbourne on the day that self-quarantine became compulsory in Victoria. Transiting the deathly quiet Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok was a foretaste of the abrupt changes sweeping the world.

As the epidemic curves continued to escalate, I used those days in late March to oversee staff in our Melbourne office transition to working from home and volunteers around the world consider should they stay in their country of service or return to Australia. Most stayed. Interserve, the organisation I lead, is part of an international fellowship that has a long legacy of serving

What has been life-giving is that, in the midst of this I have experienced an even deeper sense of community; yes, even in an organisation that has community as one of its values. I have also realised how demanding travel and hospitality are, much as I am energised by both. After almost six months at home (literally), I have begun to appreciate some margin to be creative in the garden, the kitchen, relearning how to use sewing machine and even making educational toys from whatever I have in the house for my grandchildren.

While I love my work and the incredible satisfaction of being part of tangible changes in the lives of others around the world, this season has caused me to ponder whether due to my pace of life I have been missing some aspects of the fullness of life that God promises.

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PANDEMIC PAPERS

BOARDERS VS BORDERS COVID-19 has hit a lot of families hard this year—financially and emotionally.

Through it all, boarding families have struggled with their own issues.

Border closures, and subsequent questions around whether students could still attend the College, presented a real challenge to members of the St Peters community but they’re still looking at the year in a positive light.

C A SSIE T WEMLOW

publications officer

Plus Ultra | November 2020

T

ammy and Jason Elbourne, parents to The decision had mixed results for the boarders Joshua (Year 12), Gabby (Year 9) Elbournes. Josh, who is completing Year and Chloe (Year 7), live in Moree, in country 12, has missed out on a lot of celebrations New South Wales. Over the course of the year, and milestones that other Seniors have the family, like thousands of others around experienced in previous years. Compounding the nation, have had to deal with pulling this, was when he broke his leg during their kids out of school and managing Zoom a Rugby game – one of only four of the lessons. Unlike the majority, however, the shortened season – towards the end of Term Elbournes have also had to deal with living 3. Naturally, any parent would want to be in a telecom ‘black spot’, where coverage is with their child in such a situation, but for the intermittent.

Elbournes, this was almost impossible with the firm NSW-QLD border restrictions.

“We'd have Gabby on one side doing a [video] singing lesson and Chloe trying to do a Zoom “[Jason and I] quickly realised we couldn’t class. I think that was the norm for everyone, get to him,” Tammy shared. “We were given and they did really well. Our issue was not so exemptions to get over the border, but the much the At Home Learning, it was the lack of only way I could see him was when he was in internet that we struggled with immensely,” hospital.”

Tammy told me during a phone interview.

After all the back and forth applying for the As boarding parents, Tammy and Jason are exemption, Josh was out of hospital by the accustomed to being geographically cut off time it was granted—Tammy was denied the from their kids. Even so, the longer stretches right to care for him outside of the hospital. of no physical contact due to state border “We had to rely on [St Peters] families to closures, following the At Home Learning look after him and nurse him back to health,” period, were not something they anticipated.

Tammy said. "And for that, a huge thank you In week three of Term 3, the couple made to the amazing families (the super mums) and the five-and-a-half-hour trip to Indooroopilly Josh’s friends who really looked after Josh like for parent-teacher interviews, and to help he was their own. We are forever grateful to prepare Gabby for Ironbark. That was the last them and the school." time the entire family was together (at time of Living through these trying times, it’s a wonder interview on Friday 11 September).

Tammy can remain so positive and cheerful.

“That’s over six weeks,” Tammy sighed. “It's “No, it wasn’t the best time,” she reflected, definitely the longest we've ever gone “but I wouldn't say it was the worst—we are without seeing them.” always glass half full kind of people. There's The mental strain has been hard on the always someone out there worse off.” whole family. At one point, Tammy and Jason On Wednesday 9 September, there was some considered bringing all the kids home but, light at the end of the COVID tunnel for the with Josh having only weeks of his schooling Elbournes. A class exemption was signed by left, and the prospect of a two-week governments to allow Tammy and Jason to quarantine period, the family decided it was collect their kids from the College and take best to keep him, and the girls, at school.

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them home, without the need to quarantine when returning in Term 4. Excited by this prospect, Tammy shared how grateful she is for the College and its wider community.

“I haven’t been able to express it enough, because how do you thank people, or a school community, when there are no words, gifts or gestures to show your appreciation after a time like this,” she told me. “The Pastoral Care and genuine support the College has for students and their families is pretty incredible.”

they could, being on Zoom classes and ensuring the work was there.”

She added that, her kids in particular, loved the fact that they got to see their teachers in their home environment.

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Pictured (top): Confrontational signage at the Queensland border; (above) The Elbourne family.

“I think it stripped back that we're all human. It was a really great thing,” Tammy recounted.

To finish, Tammy told me that the unsung heroes of this year have been the boarding staff. While needing to be at the College since January because of the students unable to go home, they’ve still managed to make the experience fun for boarders and their families.

Tammy reflected again on Term 2—the period of At Home Learning in which she could see “We’ve felt so connected during a time when just how readily available the teachers were there was so much disconnection. We’re for their students. extremely grateful for what they’ve done.”

“You could see that they were working hard to make sure that the kids had all the support

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PANDEMIC PAPERS

FAITH AND RESILIENCE AT SPRINGFIELD RENEE MICHALKOW

springfield communications and events officer

I

n spite of the uncertainties and disappointments encountered through 2020, Year 12 students remained optimistic and persevered. In less than 12 months they’ve learnt how to navigate independent online learning, dealt with cancellation of activities, adapted to the requirements of the new ATAR system, and planned their post-school pathways.

Commendably, they’ve worked through it all with positivity and faith. Year 12 Springfield Captains Zac H, Minna H and Khushi P talk candidly about their year.

Zac H Online learning was a big challenge in adjusting to the way we had to access our daily tasks and speak to our teachers. Obviously, it came with its own set of hurdles including motivation and adapting to working alone, but the work itself was consistent in its content.

Leadership responsibilities also changed, causing us to rethink our whole strategy for the year and move instead to our aim of 'Virtual Leadership' which has been a challenge.

QCAA has been helpful in recognising the stress this year and removed one of our assessments to ease this. Our teachers have also all been very understanding of our situation and have been providing ongoing support for us. For me at least, my family and friends have also been instrumental in maintaining a healthy outlook.

The pandemic hasn’t impacted significantly on my future plans, since my path of going to university and studying law is still intact. However, it could be an entirely different experience if universities decide to exclusively implement online lectures and teaching.

A big disappointment that I (and the other House Captains) have experienced is the loss of the majority of our sport carnivals. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to enjoy what would have been our final Cross Country and Track & Field Carnivals. As Leichhardt Captains, we had planned initiatives to boost morale and win us the House Cup. However, it’s important to be grateful for what we didn’t miss out on—which was an unforgettable Year 12 Formal.

Three things from the Graduate Tree that resonate with me personally would have to be: love, compassion and resilience.

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Khushi P Online learning was a big adjustment this year and that’s affected our workload a lot. We had assistance but you spend the whole day at home doing schoolwork.

Then you’d spend the next couple of hours at home writing assignments and doing homework, or studying for exams.

The mental health awareness and resources provided a big support for us this year. Mrs Johnson (Student Counsellor) has been incredible having her wellbeing chats and wellbeing meetings and we’ve had a Firefly page regularly updated as well. Mrs Johnson has always been there for us and especially this year if we’ve been having a hard time. We know we can have a chat to her and talk through our problems which is definitely helpful.

We’re unsure if university content will be online next year or whether it’s a mix of in-class as well as online learning. That’s going to be a big impact because we’re going into a new environment with new people and we won’t know any teachers or lecturers. It will be difficult to interact with them through a computer screen.

We have missed out on some of the rights of passage of being Year 12. We did have the Formal but no outside dates, no dancing and we couldn’t have an after party. We’ve missed out on some bonding as a cohort because of restrictions.

Influential, connected, empowered, inclusive, genuine. I really like those Graduate Tree adjectives, they represent St Peters students. I think those are the kinds of qualities I would like to maintain as I leave the College. I think St Peters has empowered me to go out into the world and to be influential, inclusive, genuine and I think we’re such a close community that connected is a big one for all of us.

Minna H For every single Year 12 student in Australia, this year has shown how resilient we can be.

We’ve had to be flexible and we’ve gone through a lot to get to this point. This year has been unique to the 2020 cohort across the board. One of the most important things I’ve learnt is to be kind to yourself and do little things for yourself every day to make things easier. I’m going to have many good stories from this year to tell my future employers about how resilient I am. I was a part of the 2020 cohort of Year 12 who had to become organised with online learning, deal with things during the coronavirus outbreak — all during our most important year of schooling, our final year of schooling. Also, we had to deal with stress about applying for university and different things with leadership. There are so many things we’ve all gone through so the adaptability of this cohort is going to look very good to future employers.

Plus Ultra | November 2020

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2020 ESMART WEEK: CONNECTING SAFELY R ACHAEL YATES

eLearning Facilitator

I

n September our College community came together to celebrate National eSmart Week.

Whilst our College takes online safety and technology related wellbeing seriously all year, eSmart week provided opportunities to explore it in depth and highlight the importance of this year’s theme: Connecting Safely.

Students across the College participated in lunch and class activities during the week, unpacking ways to use devices and technology to connect in a positive way. Year 4 students took on the role of a teacher, running activities for Prep - Year 3 students around online safety through a brief presentation followed by a fun activity. A number of Senior students made video resources for their peers around how to stay safe online.

Data from a secondary student survey provided insightful information around technology usage, including social media experiences, balance and where to go for help. Positive findings included: • Over 70% of students indicated that they have not experienced issues on social media.

• A majority of students identified a healthy balance between their online and offline world.

• Approximately 70% of Junior High students indicated that they have helpful support and boundaries in managing technology at home.

We look forward to celebrating National eSmart Week again in 2021.

Plus Ultra | November 2020

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VALEDICTORY '20 R

estrictions didn't stop our Seniors pulling out the glitz and glamour for their Valedictory Dinner at Hillstone on Wednesday 16 October.

The girls sparkled in their sequins, jewels and lip gloss whilst the boys looked very dapper in their suits and ties.

The traditional vehicle parade still went ahead with students arriving in various forms of style—Limousines, electric scooters, prestigious cars, motorbikes, and a bobcat, were all used as chariots.

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FOUNDING TEACHERS SHARE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES Springfield's founding teachers have been there for 13 years of growth, faith and inspiration. Attending to student needs, they share in their experiences and help them learn. Sharing a passion for the highest quality of Christian education, they’re enthusiastic and caring and make themselves available to students and families. Here, our founding teachers share their stories as part of Springfield's 13-year celebrations.

Debbie West-Mcinnes (Head of Primary School) It was wonderful to be part of a dynamic team to come together, who all had connections with Lutheran Schools so we knew the culture/ethos/mission of a Lutheran school. We had St Peters Indooroopilly providing amazing support from day one to ensure we were successful in continuing the rich teaching and learning programs St Peters is known for. It was rewarding to have those first students walk through the door and we were set up ready to go!

It is fulfilling to see students grow so much in their first year of school. They are creative, story tellers, problem solvers, social and fun.

Some of my favourite things about Springfield: • Our wonderful students and how they bring a buzz to the classroom and play areas.

• Being part of a Prep to Year 12 school – understanding the whole educational journey and how each year level is important in building the important graduate skills.

• The dedicated, enthusiastic and flexible staff — the attitude of our staff to always look for ways to improve and build on what we have.

• Sense of community – like a warm hug! We have something special here, it’s a feeling of support and connectedness.

Carly Lovell (Primary Teacher Year 3): I have loved watching the school grow from that very first day in 2008 with less than 100 students, to the amazing place it is today. St Peters Springfield is something special, and it’s the people who make it such a great place to be. We have created such a great culture, a wonderful workplace, and a school where everyone is valued.

I’ve taught from Year 3, all the way to Year 11 Life Skills in the early days! I love teaching because it’s great to see the growth and development of the students in my class each year. It’s also wonderful to build relationships and connect with my students and their families.

Being able to see the students I taught in their primary years become young adults and graduate at the end of Year 12 is incredible. Everyone who works here is willing to do whatever it takes to get the best outcomes for our students. Springfield is filled with people who genuinely care about everyone and everything they do.

Plus Ultra | November 2020

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Lisa Singleton (Prep teacher) In the early years, it became apparent that we were a strong team and willing to take on many responsibilities and help each other when necessary. We all lived out our Plus Ultra motto.

I truly love working with children. Each year I welcome a class of unique Prep children who are ready to begin their next adventure. Their engagement and reactions each day encourage you to reflect and this teaches you about yourself. This inspires me to grow and develop as a teacher.

St Peters is a special place to work and learn. I aspire to make a difference in a child’s life through education. Future education and learning is changing, I know our school will continue to provide positive learning experiences and will meet the interests and developing needs of each child.

The Springfield staff help families and their children every day. Children enjoy coming to school because the staff are all amazing in what they do. They all work so hard and their dedication to their profession is remarkable.

I also love meeting and getting to know new families each year. They bring new experiences and perspectives to our growing community.

Fiona Turp (Teacher — EAL): It was really exciting being a founding teacher and working with my colleagues to establish our hopes and dreams for Springfield, while also aligning to the ethos of St Peters.

I currently work with some of our English is an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) students and absolutely love it. I love seeing their enthusiasm and confidence blossom as they participate in our little groups.

I think my biggest challenge was working with a 1, 2, 3 multi-age classrooms in the first year at Springfield. It was an exciting challenge though, and I thoroughly appreciated the experience; along with the invaluable help from Prep teacher Lisa Singleton.

My hopes and plans for the future would be to continue working in the area of EAL/D and to continue learning myself and helping those students who need it.

Some of my favourite things about Springfield include the small community feel of the school.

It helps everyone feel of value and of importance within their individual roles; while also working collaboratively as a team.

Plus Ultra | November 2020

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IRONBARK: UNBREAKABLE Bushfires in 2019, a global pandemic in 2020—the College’s iconic outdoor education experience has had a lot thrown at it, but, like its timber namesake, has proven strong enough to weather the storm!

Pictured: (left) the new firepit at Cronins; and new 'dunnies'.

KEL SEY BRICKNELL

communications officer

I

ronbark is a much-anticipated rite of passage for all St Peters students. Since 1976, students have farewelled technology to embrace the challenges of communal living, learning more about themselves than they could’ve thought possible.

For years, Ironbark has gone ahead without any major interruptions. While the program has seen minor changes—a reduction in length and modern (inside!) toilets, to name a few—the overall values and experiences have stayed the same. That is, until the last two years.

In our June edition of Plus Ultra we covered the challenges Year 9LM faced with the 2019 Australian Bushfires. We wrote, then, that their experience was the most eventful five weeks in the history of the program...

Enter 2020.

This year has raised the bar again for the College’s property at Crows Nest. From the lockdown period, which prevented students from travelling there at all, to social distancing requirements that altered the experience for the foreseeable future and caused families to really cut the cord quickly (with parents no longer allowed to get out of their cars to farewell their children or

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collect them from the property at the end of the experience), it’s been a wild ride for Ironbark. So just what’s happened at the farm we all love so much, and has the overall experience been affected? We spoke to Year 9 students, Matthew Harvie and Gabby Schmidt, to find out.

“I was in the 9EF group of 2020,” Matthew told us—the first group to return to Ironbark after the lockdown.

To ensure his group’s arrival, staff had been very busy making changes to the property.

As Director of Ironbark, Matt Sullivan told us, Ironbark’s COVID-Safe Plan required a 50% occupancy reduction in all dorms (one person per four square metres). Throughout the program, only half the students would be able to sleep in the dorms (on the bottom bunks only) and the other half would sleep at Cronins—Ironbark’s pioneering camp.

“With the students needing to spend at least nine nights at Cronins, instead of two,” Matt said, “the place needed an overhaul and remodel. The communal camp-fire pit was moved into the middle of the large shed area; designated, weatherproof sleeping spaces were established for the boys and girls; and more thunderbox toilets were installed.”

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Pictured: (spine, top to bottom) Gabby Schmidt; social distancing in the dorms; and, during meals at Kibung Ples; the COVID Safe Food service at Kibung Ples. (above) 9EF group; and, their contribution to Ironbark.

Back at the base, meals in the dorms ceased.

Kibung Ples was transformed to become the new mealtime location, ensuring compliance with COVID food safety standards for social distancing and service. Finally, the overall experience was reduced to four weeks per group. Nevertheless, the students were just grateful that they could attend.

“My original Ironbark experience was meant to be in June,” Gabby told us. “We were told to keep our hopes high, but it was officially called off just a few days before we were due to leave.”

While in different groups, Gabby and Matthew threw themselves into Ironbark when they finally got the chance to go. They made new friends, learnt new skills and enjoyed all the iconic Ironbark activities on offer.

“I feel like, because of COVID, everything was slightly stricter when we went,” Gabby said.

“We got to do most of the same activities and experiences as previous groups, but there may have been a few more rules in place.”

Despite this, their takeaway was positive.

“Growing up in the St Peters community, I had always heard stories about Ironbark,” Matthew told us. “They sounded daunting, however whoever was telling them always

mentioned that they still enjoyed it. I never understood how that could be possible until I went myself.”

Matthew shared that, before he went, people tended to reflect on the major activities, but that they weren’t really what made the Ironbark experience for him.

“What truly made Ironbark was the small things—making new friends, the companionship and the community it created.”

When asked whether they thought ongoing restrictions would ruin Ironbark for subsequent groups, both he and Gabby said no.

“I believe that, no matter the circumstances,” Matthew said, “any student who gets to experience Ironbark will gain an abundance of skills and life lessons.”

Gabby followed with some advice that was reassuringly similar to that which we’ve heard from generations of returned Ironbark students.

“Always get involved wherever you can, because, the moment you get back to Brisbane, you’ll be wishing you were back at Ironbark!”

It’s comforting to know that not even a pandemic can shake the Ironbark effect.

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SPRINGFIELD'S NEWEST HOUSE CAPTAINS Year 9 team leads the way to establish strong Junior High identity.

RENEE MICHALKOW

springfield communications and events officer

D

uring Term 2 the College was thrilled to present badges to our newly appointed Junior High House Captains. Their installation was held during the inaugural Junior High Assembly in the new Junior High Precinct in front of staff and students. The role of our Year 9 Junior High House Captains is significant as it presents a great opportunity for students to serve as well as refine their leadership and organisational skills.

Pictured: (clockwise from top left) Adam, Samir, Marcellus, Aldora, Toby and Claveria

participated in speeches.” The team also play Mrs Kathryn Boase, Junior High Key Pastoral an important part regarding the transition Care Teacher, explains the role of the Year 9 process from Year 6 into Year 7. “Our House Captains. “The Junior High Leadership Leaders will draw on their own experiences Team is designed to improve Junior High to support students new to Junior High,” focus in the school community and to say, explains Kathryn. “The roles will also give ‘We’re a significant group of people with younger students something to aspire to.” significant needs’.

Year 9 students The Leadership can help create Team was This year we congratulated that identity and deliberately our Year 9 House Captains: take responsibility chosen after for it.”

Ironbark. “Ironbark Cunningham House: gives them the When a leadership Marcellus O-K and Aldora T process to learn team is installed more about Leichhardt House: students look at their abilities as the Graduate Tree Claveria J-T and Samir P leaders and to ambitions and build confidence Mitchell House: choose one as in a different Toby S and Adam V a focal point for environment,” their activities. explains Kathryn.

“When students run assemblies, when they have roles within Apart from creativity, responsibility and pastoral care, that’s their focus. This year’s confidence, students learn that leadership team has chosen to work on connectedness; is about service. “It allows them the space being ‘connected’. That’s something they to connect to the school. It’s also about all agreed on straight away and it’s a great improving communication between teachers foundation for this new project,” says and students and it’s a strengthening of Kathryn. various things that go on in our community,” says Kathryn.

Our Year 9 Leaders contribute to the College community and take on roles similar to our “Students have autonomy and the ability to Senior students. Kathryn says, “Junior High take responsibility for what they’re doing. It Leaders took part in the official opening of reflects the roles of our Senior Leaders but the Junior High Precinct. They were the face it’s also something that’s going to evolve of the school, they welcomed guests and over time as a Junior High role.”

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YEAR 11 DINNER DANCE

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PARADE OF NATIONS WITH A TWIST CHERISE MARKS

student, multicultural committee

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think it’s fair to say 2020 has been a year in which we’ve all been presented with many challenges, and the St Peters Multicultural Committee is no exception. At the beginning of the year, we were eager to jump into planning for this year’s Multicultural Week and various other events throughout the year, oblivious to the challenges that would arise due to COVID-19.

When At Home Learning began, the committee took to Zoom meetings, gettingtogether during our lunch breaks on a Tuesday every week. We adapted quickly to the temporary change in our lives, beginning to publish a fortnightly newsletter to keep everyone updated on various global and local multicultural events. This proved to be quite a success.

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However, when we learned that this global pandemic would be sticking around for quite a bit longer, the prospect of having to cancel the beloved Parade of Nations became very real. In the Committee we were determined to keep this going so, like many other events during this time, we went online. This in itself did certainly not come without its multitude of challenges – beginning with the fact that none of us had any expertise in filming and producing. We took our ideas to Communications who willingly gave us advice on how to best begin preparing for the task ahead of us. Planning kicked off and thanks to the eager students of St Peters, we had unprecedented numbers sign up to carry flags. Unfortunately, due to restrictions we were forced to cut down

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numbers quite significantly. This pushed us to think outside of the box. With the flexibility of pre-recording this event, we were able to include photos into the Parade, including that of our Primary school students and some students who are in isolation overseas, unable to attend school. These unanticipated circumstances have no doubt presented us with several obstacles, however we persevered through these to ultimately produce a Parade of Nations with a ‘fresh, new look.’ This mindset further embraces our Multicultural Week theme of 'Many Nations, One Family'. Although we could not be together, we are one, connected by our uniqueness.

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KALEIDOSCOPE HELLO 13! IS HAPPENING!

I CHRISTINE TAYLOR CO-DIREC TOR OF COCURRICUL AR MUSIC AND PRODUCER OF K ALEIDOSCOPE

n 2007, St Peters began a music/drama project which is designed exclusively for the Year 8 cohort of each year. Over the years, Kaleidoscope, has become so successful that it is now one of the key events on the Year 8 calendar and has been described by students as a 'rite of passage' in Junior High. In 2020, it nearly did not happen! Rehearsals were about to begin when At Home Learning began and everything had to stop. This was a great disappointment for staff and students alike.

Fortunately, as restrictions began to ease later this year, the production team was able to find new rehearsal and performance dates in Term 4 making performance again an option.

Creative thinking around COVID-19 social distancing and performance restrictions created the concept of dividing the cast into three sub-casts which would each perform one third of the show and then join together for the final number.

The talented Arts professionals team, enthusiastic St Peters staff and excited cast are currently working together collaboratively to create their performances of Kaleidoscope 2020 Hello 13! The show will be performed for limited live audiences and also livestreamed on Friday 6 and Sunday 8 November.

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PERFORMER OF THE YEAR The 2020 Performer of the Year Recital and Concerto Finals represented the return of live music performances in the Performing Arts Centre which had been silent for the preceding nine months due to COVID-19 restrictions.

DAVID DEACON CO-DIREC TOR OF COCURRICUL AR MUSIC AND HEAD OF STRINGS

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ourteen finalists were chosen from a very strong field of 40 applicants in total.

Concerto finalists included: Aden Gao – Grieg Piano Concerto Victor Huang – Bartok Piano Concerto No. 3 Angelina Kim – Bartok Viola Concerto Yuro Lee – Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Mark Lubke – Walton Violin Concerto

And for the Recital Concert: Zoe Catchpoole – Soprano Angus Cleaver – Trumpet Alyssa Deacon – Double Bass Sylvia Du – Violin Hailey Graham – Soprano Kaden Kuo – Cello Lief Lundmark-Aitcheson – Cello Mulan Ma – Piano Grace Sun – Piano Both finals combined included around three hours of extremely challenging repertoire, all performed from memory. It was the perfect recipe of amazing young talent presented in a professional concert atmosphere – albeit to a 'socially distanced' audience. Each finalist certainly rose to the occasion and delivered a level of performance that was reminiscent of an international stage.

Overall, it was a true tribute to the power and enjoyment of live music making and it was a very welcome return to the buzz of excitement that youth music creates for both performers and audience alike. All finalists should be very proud of their achievement. Performing from memory, they took us all on a memorable journey as they communicated their sense of passion and joy along with technical prowess. The orchestra demonstrated that they were ready to tackle some of the most challenging repertoire that called for both delicacy and command, adding to the strong sense of professionalism and cultural atmosphere. Congratulations to Angelina and Alyssa who were crowned Performer of the Year Concerto and Recital (respectively) for 2020.

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THE SHOW MUST GO ON St Peters Chorale performs John Rutter’s Gloria despite the pandemic.

CHRISTINE TAYLOR CO-DIREC TOR OF COCURRICUL AR MUSIC AND HEAD OF CHOIRS

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ohn Rutter is a highly successful and widely admired contemporary English choral composer and conductor. His extended, seventeen-minute Gloria, composed for choir, brass ensemble, percussion and pipe organ, is one of Rutter’s most ambitious works. Using text from the Gloria of the Latin Mass, it was composed in three movements which Rutter describes as respectively, 'exalted, devotional and jubilant.'

"The Chorale came together for the first time to sing this work on Tuesday 14 July – 12 weeks after they started learning it via Zoom.

They had just four short weeks to put together a performance of the Gloria with the added challenge of being socially distanced from the next singer. The Conservatorium Brass could no longer take part in the performance due to their own COVID-19 restrictions and so a professional Brass and Percussion Ensemble was assembled.

St Peters Chorale performance of Rutter’s Gloria was originally planned to be a "As their Director, I am very proud of what collaborative project with the Queensland these students achieved during the period Conservatorium Brass Ensemble. In March of online learning. They persisted in self2020, however, like many educational preparation despite the significant challenges. institutions, St Peters and the Conservatorium Working via Zoom without the context of the entered At Home Learning due to the other parts around you, and when you are COVID-19 pandemic. Chorale continued to not used to solo work, is an added element of rehearse using Zoom with students joining in complication. Add in the missed social aspect from many locations including the Northern of the choir and what that means to the Territory, Cairns and China. students and it would have been very easy for them to lose heart. They persisted and have Kathryn Morton, Director of St Peters created a recording project of which they Chorale, describes the rehearsal process: should be proud. History will attest that this "Rehearsing on Zoom is not easy – students is a very significant achievement in difficult hear a passage, then sing it themselves circumstances." while muted. Staff are not able to assist St Peters Chorale’s socially distanced with immediate feedback, nor can students performance of the Rutter Gloria is available hear other singers, they must be entirely on YouTube and Facebook. self-reliant. On two occasions in the learning cycle, students submitted videos and feedback was given remotely.

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MUSIC 2020 - AT HOME LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES GR ANTLEY SUTCH CO-DIREC TOR OF COCURRICUL AR MUSIC AND HEAD OF BANDS

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020, like any other year, began with lessons, rehearsals, camps, concerts and tours designed to engaged students and entertain our families. Then the world was hit by the global pandemic COVID-19.

This quickly shut down all plans and staff rallied to creating a new way of learning, interacting and performing. Here are a few of the projects that were developed by the dedicated and talented Music Department.

Lessons Isolation at home brought a new challenge to the Music Department. How to teach music online? Zoom was easily adapted for the online classroom, however teaching instrumental and voice lessons online posed a slightly more challenging task. CoDirectors spent several days working with the technology to develop a way that oneon-one lessons could be taught effectively.

After substantial modification to Zoom and a steep learning curve for all, online lessons began. Despite some initial trepidation most took to the new way of working with great ease. Many teachers commented on how student musical development began to blossom in this new environment. Students became more organised, self-reliant and time efficient.

Ensembles Unfortunately, the technology does not exist for large groups of musicians to play together online at the same time; latency or internet lag prevents an ensemble from playing at the same time together.

Conductors began online chat groups to keep the students engaged with trivia and instruction for COVID-19 performances.

This social interaction was vital to maintain the ensemble culture and worked well as a check-in during the isolation period.

ANZAC Day was the first opportunity for some of our musicians to perform. What started with a few trumpet players preparing

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to play the Last Post at dawn soon turned into a national movement #LightUptheDawn.

Mr Sutch lead the charge by posting his performance on the College Facebook page along with a compilation of performances from the band program musicians.

Following the success of these performances, Mr Deacon began to investigate the concept of the @Home Performance. After much research and advice from friends at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, he developed a workable @Home Performance solution.

Sixty plus individual audio and video parts were recorded using mobile phones, then painstakingly aligned, edited and mastered to create one cohesive ensemble video. This took around three weeks to produce the final product, culminating in several videos being released by the String Department, Senior Stage Band, Symphonic Winds and Saints & Singers.

Whilst in isolation, these videos helped keep our musicians engaged in a collaborative and educational project with a high-quality outcome. The College community also looked forward to our weekly musical releases.

On return to campus, Chorale recorded their COVID-Safe rendition of Gloria by John Rutter, learnt entirely online. A professional Brass and Percussion Ensemble were engaged along with professional audio and video recording engineers to capture the performance in the Chapel.

Rehearsals Upon returning from isolation, our ensemble rehearsal schedule was completely revamped to allow students to come together in spaces that made it possible to socially distance. For some ensembles this meant breaking into two smaller ensembles and engaging an additional conductor. Hand sanitisation, spraying of chairs and stands and social distancing became the 'new norm'. Students took these

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measures in their stride as it allowed them to come together and make music for the first time in a long while.

Concerts After several months without a live performance, this new environment required us to become more creative and provide alternative performance opportunities.

The Performer of the Year Concerto and Recital Final, went ahead with a great deal of coordination and logistical organisation.

A select group of musicians formed the socially-distanced orchestra, allowing our soloists to perform their concerts as intended. The Auditorium was opened to a small but appreciative audience, whilst the rest of our community were able to view the performance via livestream.

With the continued threat of COVID-19 and strict social-distancing rules in effect, the Music Department produced a series of performance videos in lieu of Term 3 concerts. All ensembles produced video recordings of their repertoire in a concert style environment and shared them on Firefly stpeters.fireflycloud.net.au/music/term-3performances-2020. A huge thank you to the Music Administration team for their efforts producing these amazing videos.

COVID-19 has certainly provided the Music Department with many challenges. However, during these difficult times we have witnessed incredible kindness, generosity and goodwill from all. Staff have gone out of their way to put in an exorbitant number of additional hours to make these projects viable. Students have shown incredible resilience and dedication to their craft and to their ensembles. This sense of teamwork and collaboration has only made us stronger and brought us closer together. 2020 has truly shown us what it means to be part of the St Peters Music Family.

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SPYGT: I'M STILL STANDING Social distancing wasn't going to stop this year's St Peters You've Got Talent from going ahead. And it was worth the 'at home concert'!

C A SSIE T WEMLOW PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

S

t Peters You've Got Talent (SPYGT) made it's annual appearance this year but under slightly different circumstances.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the PAC couldn't host an audience for our SPYGT finalists. However, we weren't going to let that stop the party!

Instead, finalists were recorded and acts were livestreamed to our St Peters community. The atmosphere was a bit different but we all imagined that families were having their own SPYGT parties in the comfort of their own living rooms.

Watch it here:

Up first, Senior boarder, Chloe W, impressed us with her piano and vocal rendition of Andra Day's, Rise Up. Fellow Senior, Nicole C, also treated us to a vocal solo, with her version of Rihanna's Love on the Brain and Year 7 student Arabella N, sang Pulled from the Addams Family musical.

Year 11 student, Arman A, inspired fellow

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pianists, letting his fingers dance along the keys and The Pulse, a band of students from Years 10 and 11, belted out The Black Keys', Lonely Boy. Tyler H, Year 7, demonstrated his quirky side with a pogo-jumping skit he performed whilst solving a Rubik's Cube!

Finally, Seniors, Cassie B and Alex J, rounded off the finalists with a guitar/ukulele and vocal duet by Vince Myers called I Did It All. Regardless of social distancing, SPYGT wouldn't be the same with acts from Boys Boarding and Staff. They didn't let us down this year; the Boys putting their air-swimming skills to good use and the Staff donning old St Peters uniforms and breaking into various song and dance from The Sound of Music.

Congratulations to The Pulse, Chloe and Cassie and Alex for placing first, second and third respectively.

Until next year...!

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SPORT

CELEBRATING SPORTING SUCCESS It's great to see there have been a number of achievements in Sport this year despite so many events being postponed or cancelled.

SHAUN NODWELL

director of sport

Track & Field

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he 2020 Track & Field season has seen St Peters Lutheran College consolidate its position as a leading school in Track and Field.

The QGSSSA Girls and AIC Boys team both finished second overall in their respective competitions and in the process closing the gap to first place in both QGSSSA and AIC. The QGSSSA team won the 13 years, 14 years and 16 years age groups, finished second in the 15 years and third in the 12 years and Open age groups.

The AIC team also achieved success by winning the 12 years and 13 years age groups while placing second in the 14 years, 15 years and 16 years age groups.

These sensational results were built on commitment to and consistency at training throughout the season by students with the team led superbly by Head Coach, Mr Luke Donatini, and his coaching team.

Importantly, the results were built on the success of the relays where St Peters consistently outperformed most schools.

Individually there were many fine performances by St Peters athletes with the following students breaking records: • Hilal D 16 Years 100m • Torrie L 15 Years 100m and 200m • Laylani V Open Shot Put Div A • Ash S Open Shot Put Div B • Felix Y 12 Years Long Jump and Triple Jump • Steve L 14 Years Triple Jump • Fred M Year 5 High Jump We congratulate the QGSSSA and AIC Track & Field teams on their success and look forward to 2021 with enthusiasm.

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Pictured: Rowing Champ, Giselle Graham.

Rowing Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and with an increase in number of students taking up Rowing, the St Peters boys and girls Rowing programs were both able to participate in regattas throughout the second half of Term 3 and finished off their respective seasons with the College taking one of the largest contingents to the 2020 South Queensland School Rowing Regatta, held over the weekend of the 19 and 20 September.

The 50+ strong group of St Peters Rowers participated in a combined 18 finals over the two days, with the stand out athlete being Giselle Graham who backed up her gold medal in the Year 10 Girls Single Scull at the 2020 Brisbane School Girls Head of the River with a resounding win in the same event at the 2020 South Queensland Schools Rowing Regatta. Giselle also came away with a silver medal when she combined with Ella Harp to come second in the Year 11 Schoolgirls Coxless Pair final.

In the boys program the stand out race was when the St Peters Schoolboys Year 8 quad made up of Flynn Grizard, Jun Kim, Josh Westenmeyer, Jace Haley & Esther Luton were only just beaten by Rockhampton Grammar School to take home fourth place by less than a second.

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Pictured (clockwise from left) Schoolboys Year 8 quad Vicki Wilson Open Team, and; Junior Team; All Schools Basketball Team.

Vicki Wilson Netball State Championships

Girls Basketball Despite the QGSSSA Basketball season being cancelled due to COVID-19, St Peters once again fielded a girls team in the Champion Basketball School of Queensland (CBSQ) Competition.

A relatively young St Peters team were placed in Division 2 for the tournament and despite being in a tough pool, the girls continuously improved over the four days of competition against schools from all over Queensland. The highlight of the competition was an outstanding victory over fellow QGSSSA school, Somerville House, in the final game of the tournament. A victory in the final game was an excellent way for the senior girls – Zoe Perkovic, Catherine Vogel and Anneliese Dean to finish their St Peters Basketball journey.

The College thanks Miss Alex Wilson, Mr Orhan Memedovski and Grace Champion for their efforts with both coordinating and coaching the girls throughout the competition. With a number of girls returning to play Open Basketball again in 2021, things look very promising for a successful 2021 QGSSSA Season. Well done girls!

The outstanding performances from all teams in the 2020 QGSSSA Netball season was concluded over the October long weekend at Nissan Arena at the Vicki Wilson Netball State Championships.

St Peters fielded both an Open Team (Years 10-12) in the ‘Cup’ and a Junior Team (Years 7-9) in the ‘Shield’ Division.

With the preliminary rounds cancelled earlier in the year due to COVID-19, 70 teams from across the state came together for this three-day tournament which highlights the strongest Netball schools in Queensland.

Both teams played extremely well in the pool rounds, defeating most opponents and playing outstanding Netball that we regularly saw during the 2020 QGSSSA season. This ensured that both qualified for the round of 16 to play finals on the last day of competition.

At the conclusion of the tournament, the Open Team finished in third place, narrowly losing to eventual champions, Moreton Bay College, by three goals in the Preliminary Final. This continued the improvement from 2019 where the side finished in seventh place.

Remarkably, every member of the team will return in 2021, making the team a formidable force in 2021.

The Junior Team finished in sixteenth place and were also defeated by the competition winners of their division, Canterbury College, in the finals. This was also a pleasing performance for the College as the team had players from all Years (7-9) and a large number of girls are again eligible for selection for this team in 2021.

St Peters Netball Head Coach Tracey Bruce and lead coaches, Patti Farrell and Kylie Betson, should also be congratulated for their amazing efforts not only at this prestigious tournament, but for the whole 2020 season, which was a successful one for all girls, in all teams. Bring on 2021!

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SPORT

REMARKABLE HARRIS - A SPORTING GIANT Mark Harris (1966) was enrolled at St Peters in 1961 at a ripe age of 14. Fast forward six years and this gentle giant had become a sporting superstar with a multitude of Rugby, Athletics and Cricket awards under his belt. Harris harnessed his sporting prowess during his College years and, ultimately, it was what took him all over the world.

C A SSIE T WEMLOW PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

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arris was part of St Peters’ undefeated 1st XV Premiership team in 1963. In the Review that year, he was described as ‘…a really fine goal kicker and a good attacker’.

The following year, St Peters were again the undefeated Premiers—a feat many of his teammates attributed to his presence in their ranks. Harris joined the Forestry Department in 1966, but returned to St Peters in time for the fourth Rugby match of the season. He was warmly welcomed back by the Rugby team, who’d been winless for the first three games.

Together, Harris and the team dominated the rest of the season.

Rugby teammate, Tom Brandt (1966), reflects admiringly, “I finally got a game in the 1st XV in 1966 in the game against Villanova - the week Harris returned to St Peters,” he said. “I played at five-eighth while he was at inside centre. I was able to catch the ball and all I did was feed it to Harris and he did the rest.”

In a 1965 Courier Mail article, Harris was depicted as the ‘glamour’ athlete of the Schoolboys Track & Field Championships, winning two events and taking two seconds.

His Javelin win was particularly noteworthy as Harris had never competed in the event prior.

Javelin wasn’t an event in The Associated Schools competition (TAS), of which St Peters was a part, and yet he went on to win, showing what a talent he was.

Rugby and Track & Field teammate, Jimmy Schulz (1968), had this to say about Harris:

“I played many Rugby games with Harris and always knew that, no matter how badly the team played, somehow Harris would win

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the game for us. He was almost impossible to stop even with belly crunching tackles.

He was an absolutely powerful superstar, a natural born athlete who excelled in any sport.

"A powerful bowler and hitter in Cricket [and an] outstanding Track & Field athlete (I ran in the 4x100 relay [with him] in the Queensland Schoolboys Track meet and trained alongside Harris in the Shot put). The amazing thing is, Harris hardly trained at all. Imagine how much greater he would have been had he practiced greater training discipline.

"Harris was a gentle soul with a good heart. I was able to talk with Harris on the phone at Sydney airport in 2010 on our travels to PNG, Australia and New Zealand. After over 40 years he was still the same, very interested in me and my welfare. In my view he will be the greatest athlete that [St Peters] will ever have.

His natural talent and power only comes along once in several lifetimes.”

Following his schoolboy career, Harris was a Brothers Junior. In 1968 he moved to Papua New Guinea to spend two seasons with the Koni Club until he was recruited by Sydney’s Eastern suburbs team, the Roosters.

Earning ‘Rookie of the Year’ in his first season, Harris emerged as one of the code's most destructive attacking players—a hard-running centre known for his powerful kick.

The same year, Harris was selected for his first Rugby League World Cup campaign. He would go on to represent Australia at another three World Cup’s (1972, 1975 and 1977) however, remarkably, during his career he

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Pictured: (left) 1965 Frist XV photo and blurb; (below) 1965 Courier Mail article; (bottom) Mark Harris in his 1966 Form Class photo (centre back row).

only played one Test (against New Zealand in 1972). After spending four years playing League, Harris was scouted by the American NFL and accepted an offer to train with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“They started with 110 [athletes] and over the six-weeks they cut the numbers down and I stayed there until the last cut,” Harris was quoted as telling the Sydney Morning Herald in 2014.

The experience didn’t result in a run-on position and, in the end, he was recruited

by Canadian League team, the Montreal Alouettes. Harris played seven games at the Alouettes before he returned home and back to the Roosters. As it turned out, the return was timed perfectly.

In 1974, Harris scored the try that won the Roosters the Grand Final against the Canterbury Bulldogs, ending a 29-year Premiership drought. A year later, he was the season's leading try-scorer with 14 tries.

Unfortunately, a leg injury ruled him out of the Grand Final thrashing of St George. The big centre played 195 games for the Roosters and ended his playing career in 1981 after two seasons with North Sydney.

Harris remained close to the sport that saw him through his adolescence and success, becoming a member of the NRL judiciary in 2000. Former Kangaroos and Roosters back, Harris, passed away on 15 January 2020 after a long battle with cancer. He was 72 years old.

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FOOTBALL IS THE WINNER To hear him talk, past long-serving Football coach, David Brown, speaks with fervour and dedication in regards to his sport. Whilst at St Peters, Football would come of age and be recognised as one of the most popular boys’ sports at the College under David.

Here, he talks to Anthony Cox about his unwavering support for the current players and Old Scholars who still play.

ANTHONY COX

photographer, graphic and web designer

O

n Saturday 8 August, 2020 we saw the annual battle for the David Brown Cup played again, between the 1st XI Football team and the Old Scholars XI. The 2019 match finished 4-1 in favour of the Old Scholars and the 1st XI were looking for revenge.

In the first period, the 1st XI asserted their dominance and scored after a goal-mouth scramble and Old Scholars failed to clear the ball. After putting a fresh set of players on the field in the second period, the Old Scholars were far more dominant and started to create more opportunities, but the 1st XI defence was too strong. Going into the final period the 1st XI led 2-0 and finished the game stronger with Jackson T (Year 11) rounding out a convincing 3-0 with a goal with 10 minutes to go. Congratulations 1st XI. This year’s match was played under COVID-19 restrictions, but we were delighted that David could be with us and present the cup to the winning team on the day. It was the perfect timing to get an insight into the history of the Football Program and we sat down with David for a chat prior to the game.

Anothny Cox: There would be many that know you well, David, but for the new students and parents that have joined the St Peters Community since you left, can you give me a little bit of a background on your time at St Peters?

David Brown: I came to [St Peters] in 1984 in the role of Sports Coordinator which I fulfilled for four years. I continued for some years as a full-time HPE Teacher during which time I assumed the role of Boys Soccer Coordinator and Ist XI Coach. Somewhere about the late 90’s early 2000’s, girls Football was introduced but I did not take a major role in the girls’ game, but we [girls coordinator]

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worked closely together. I was also appointed Head of HPE Department and continued in this role for about 18 years until retirement in 2014.

AC: Rugby seemed to be the favoured sport during your tenure. Because of this, did it make your job more difficult to recruit for Football?

DB: I wouldn’t say we ever ‘recruited’ players.

Those who were interested chose to take part and over the years those numbers grew with the growth of the College and the popularity of the game. My philosophy was to never turn away any boy who wanted to play Football. There was a team for everyone no matter their ability level.

There may have been some coercion in the boarding house for boys to play Rugby but in the end the [Football] coaches coached the boys who presented themselves and over the years we had many outstanding players who were boarders.

In the 80’s the Headmaster banned Year 8 boys from playing [Football] in the hope that they would play Rugby instead. This did not increase Rugby numbers and was abandoned the next year.

AC: Fondest memories in your involvement with the Football Program?

DB: Beating Ashgrove at any level. It didn’t happen very often, but we saw them as a major rival. There were many high points over the years but the most memorable would be the two times [St Peters] won the ISSA Cup. This was a knockout competition organised for all Independent Schools around Brisbane [at the time]. We won it in 1991 against Redeemer and most memorably in 2007 against John Paul College who had a high-profile Soccer Program and we were

SPORT

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So how did the Football season pan out? Anthony chats to Football Coordinator, Nathan Edwards.

given no chance but managed an upset 1-0 win in front of a large crowd of [St Peters] supporters and the Headmaster at the time.

Just being able to coach and encourage boys in the sport I was most passionate about was enough for me but the above was a bonus.

AC: Football over the last 10 or more years has certainly grown in popularity which, hopefully, is a sign that numbers have improved, would you agree? (*St Peters currently fields 20 teams in the AIC competition).

DB: When I first came to St Peters we had only three or four teams and Football wasn’t even an official sport. We have come a long way since then. Football became an accepted part of the sporting fabric of the College because of those who chose to play, the many parents who supported the boys and girls, the past students who returned to coach, teachers who gave their time as coaches and administrators. Long may it continue.

After a win-a-piece in the last 2 seasons, the stage is set for the 2021 David Brown Cup! A big thank-you goes out to David Brown for being a part of the day and for his contribution to the St Peters Football Program.

The 1st XI went into the season opener with strong results in pre-season matches against St Patrick's (2-2), St Edmund's (6-0) and the Old Scholars match which provided ideal preparation for the competition rounds. St Peters would go undefeated this year and were due to play off in the final against….you guessed it, Marist College Ashgrove!

Unfortunately, the season was called off in the last week and now the ‘Premiership’ debate is currently on the table with the heads of AIC Sport, and, at time of publishing, we don’t know what the outcome will be.

We thought it was fitting to hear from the current Football Coordinator, Mr Nathan Edwards, to reflect on his involvement.

"My time as Coordinator has been about continuing to build on the culture already established.

Participation in boys Football is really strong and we have a number of Old Scholars who coach Football teams. Football is successful because the culture is built on ‘enjoying Football with your mates.’ With this in mind, I’ve also built in a few elements to add meaning to our Senior teams.

"In 2019, we took Footballers on tour to the UK and Spain; in January 2020 we took the 1st XI training squad to the Sunshine Coast for a High-Performance Camp; and, we’ve added 1st XI jersey presentations and the Old Scholars match to our connections with the St Peters community.

"As a Coordinator, I want players to value friendship and connection with the past, present and future.

This will help Football continue to evolve.

"A big thank you to the entire St Peters Football community for a successful event this year. The game was livestreamed with players, coaches and parents watching from around the world...as far as Spain. It was great to have Old Scholars from as far back as 2012 playing and continuing to be part of the Football fabric at St Peters."

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FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION 2020 has been a difficult year in so many ways. At St Peters we are exceedingly grateful to so many in our community of Old Scholars, current parents and past parents who have donated to the College this year. Your gift will have an impact on the lives of student at St Peters now and for generations to come.

ROSS THOMSON

director of community engagement

Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation, said, “Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.”

Rest assured that your donation will make a difference.

Thank you to all those who have donated in 2020. Your generosity is valued and appreciated.

Mr DM & Mrs LS Aldridge Dr PW & Mrs MA Allen Prof CJ Andrews Mr H Baek & Mrs Y Lee Mrs CC Bartlett Mr N & Dr AA Bean Mr MP & Mrs EC Bell Mr SH Chia & Ms K Chu Mr NJ & Mrs C Clark Mr PM Clem & Mrs E Pocknee-Clem Mr JHD & Mrs JG Danslow Mr RJ Dumke Mrs KM Edwards Prof R & Mrs H Fell Rev MC & Mrs D Fielke Mrs L Fulton Mr R & Mrs L Gavin Ms SL Ghidella Mr GG & Mrs JL Hamilton Dr MAE Hammer Mr WM Heck OAM & Ms P Heck Mr SF Herd & Dr NL Herd Ms BJ Hogarth

Mr SH & Mrs HJ Kim Mrs Q Kong Mr P Kornlucke Mrs AM Kotzur Ms KJ Lee Mr DR & Mrs RJ Lester Dr VP Liew Mrs D Lingenfelder Prof JB Mattingley Mr I & Mrs M Missingham Mr CC & Mrs KA Moyes Mr K Nguyen & Mrs N Tran Mr S & Mrs J Nugent Mr PK Pukallus Mr TC & Mrs KC Reid Dr MP & Mrs JR Renner Mr J Reuter Dr GF & Mrs LH Richards Foundation Dr IA & Mrs DB Rose Mr BA & Mrs JA Slatttery Mr P Von-Selkey Mr GR & Mrs DJ Singer Ms LK Tracey Mrs MMK Tuilaepa Mr JH & Mrs N Viljoen Mrs J Wilson Mrs Y Xue Ms M Zhao Mr WX & Mrs RR Zhu

Mr GF & Mrs NE Horrolt

Mr JH & Mrs LG Zillman

Mr H Hsu & Ms E Yap

Thank you also to the 34 donors who elected to remain anonymous. All care was taken in compiling this list, however, if an error has been made please contact Ross Thomson, Director of Community Engagement, at r.thomson@stpeters.qld.edu.au.

Mrs JM Hurwood Dr VP Liew Mrs EM Lohe Mr MG & Mrs F Kanowski

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Mr D Ji & Mrs J Wang

GENERATIONS OF ST PETERS BOARDERS

GAYLE DAGG (nee LANSBURY) 1975-1979 Highlights: • Mee�ng new friends (whom I s�ll have to this day) and being able to take them home on the weekends.

• Music being played very loud in the dorms.

• Food feasts and salty plums.

• Walking to and from Indooroopilly Shoppingtown.

• Learning to live with and accep�ng other cultures and, adap�ng to and respec�ng community living .

• Compulsory sport both par�cipa�ng and suppor�ng with the loudest St Peters war cries, study, chores (kitchen & laundry), Chapel and Ironbark.

Favourite Teachers and Mentors: • Miss Milray (Head Boarding Mistress) • Mr Thomas (Music & Form Teacher) • Mrs Elvery and Mr Farrell (Art Teachers) • Mr Selleck (English) • Mr Pfeiffer (Economics & Form Teacher) • Mr McKinnon, Mr Davey and Miss Stolz (Sports Teachers and Coaches)

NATASHA COVENTRY (nee RICKERT) 1990-1994

1980s

Highlight: Having late-night Tim Tam straws on the back steps of Herse; and birthday excursions and dinners with friends (Sizzler at Toowong was so cool back then).

Favourite Teacher: Mr Chris Chapman, who made Modern and Ancient History so interes�ng and contemporary. And who, with his wife Sue, broached sex educa�on in a way that was unforge�able, and candidly entertaining.

TRENT RADEL 1982-1986

1990s

Highlight: The different people you met through boarding that you would never have met if you didn’t leave home.

Favourite teacher: Richard Stokes.

Because he was the one that had to put up with me as a teenager.

NOEL PEARSON 1978-1982 St Peters gave me the best years of my life. Never again would I know so many people so in�mately and with whom we shared our youth. I wouldn’t trade it for quids.

This photo (above) is me in Year 8 or 9. I’m on the pa�o of Mr Neville Doecke’s house, my Years 6 and 7 teacher from Hope Vale Primary School, showing off a ba�k from Art with Mrs Ruth Elvery, who was a gentle and gracious teacher. I tell my family this ba�k was a statement of my iden�ty.

I had such great teachers: Mr Lindsay Farrell was the head of Art, and our Basketball Coach, whose friendship and support I cherished; Mr Jim Nankervis, whose jokes sustained me through many boring math lessons; Mrs Andrea Sage my early years English teacher; Mr Hooper my Year 9 History teacher. My favourite chaplains: Pastor John Kleinig, Pastor Leo Doecke and Pastor Einar Smith. In my Senior years I had Mrs Jane Greenwood in English and Mr Mike Selleck in Modern History. You end up with one such teacher in your life you’re blessed, but to have two of them, you just don’t know how anyone could deserve such a glorious privilege. In the four decades since I have been constantly reminded in my life’s encounters that Mrs Greenwood or Mr Selleck had spoken about this or that idea, philosophy and literature, on one of those long a�ernoons in my favourite Lohe House classroom. A few years ago I was browsing a second hand store and my eyes zeroed in on a book that caught my a�en�on: “Tolstoy or Dostoevsky” by George Steiner. Inside the cover I read “Michael Selleck, St Lucia, Brisbane, January 1979”. I s�ll heed Mr Selleck’s advice from Seneca, while taking a power nap on the desk at lesson’s end, to “Meditate, on the brevity of life.”

KAREN PENFOLD (nee DOWNES) 1984-1988

I was not a boarder but enjoyed trading the boarder chocolate slice for day bug food.

Favourite Teacher: Mr Selleck—He was my Form Teacher and English for two years - he had a sense of humour and connected with us all.

ELLIE RADEL 2011-2015

JACKSON DAGG 2013-2017

Highlight: Having a constant sleep over with some of my best friends. Dancing, singing and playing games around the dorms, sharing lots of fun and laughter together. I also enjoyed movie nights, games nights and family dinners with the other girl and boy boarders.

Favourite teacher: Mr Rush—He was my Form Teacher in my Senior years and made star�ng every school day fun and interes�ng by either telling us funny stories and jokes or playing videos for us. He always seemed to put a smile on my face to start my day off on a good note, and I hope that I may have had the same impact on him!

BONNIE PENFOLD 2010-2015

Highlight: It would have to be the boarding camp at the start of every year. It is a great weekend full of fun, where you get to meet all the new kids for that year.

Plus, it gives you freedom as not many people get the chance to stay in a house for two nights with seven other girls, where you have to cook for yourself, make sure that you don't lose any people from your ‘family’ and make sure you’re all at the ac�vi�es on �me. It’s a great start to every school year. It allows you to grow bonds with students from all year levels.

Favorite Teacher: My Form Teacher, Ms Kaur. She’s been my Form Teacher since last year and is so chill and kind, always making sure we are okay and staying on task. I think you grow a bond with your Form Teacher as they are just a friend, they aren’t trying to teach you anything.

Highlights: • Annual Boarder Camp.

• Food trips and family House dinners.

• Boarder focus weekends.

• Boarding kits (clothes).

• Compulsory Sport and study.

• The Masters and fellowship of friends.

• Coming home for the holidays.

Favourite Teachers and Mentors: • Mr Bransgrove (Years 11-12 Maths B Teacher) dedicated and disciplined.

• Mr McCarthy (Form & Design Technology) paying a�en�on to detail and workmanship.

• Mr Meurant (Bording Master & Chinese Teacher) encouraged to complete five years of Chinese and support in boarding.

• Julian Ebert (Years 11-12 Boarding Tutor) was a major influence on me to pursue Engineering at Uni.

2010s

Highlight: House camps—The family-like nature of the boarding community.

Favourite Teacher: Mr Chapman, because he brought learning to life and thought through stories, skits and plays.

THOMAS DAGG 2016-CURRENT (2021)

JEMIMA PENFOLD 2014-2019 Highlight: When Cameron won dodge ball in Year 12.

Favourite Teacher: Mr McCarthy—I loved making things.

HENRY RADEL 2013-2017 JESSICA RADEL 2010-2014 Highlight: My highlight at Boarding was Focus weekends! I was in Cameron. I enjoyed all of the girls working together to win a game of dodgeball, screaming war cries, cooking dinners together and plenty more fun ac�vi�es.

Favourite teacher: Mr Rushmore—He was my form teacher in Year 8. He was the first warm friendly face on my first day as a shy 13 year old. He was also my Basketball Coach in Years 11 and 12.

Highlight: Mucking around in the dorms on a Saturday night. It was endless hours of fun.

Favourite teacher: Mr Lamb—He was my English teacher for Years 11 and 12 and he made English very enjoyable. He was a great teacher who also helped me in a lot of other subjects.

MOLLY PENFOLD 2012-2017 Highlight: Train trips into Southbank when we did a photo scavenger hunt.

Favourite Teacher: Mrs Quinn—She made Science fun and easy to understand.

MATILDA PENFOLD 2016-CURRENT (2021)

Highlights: • Living with mates and mee�ng new day bug mates.

• Learning to get along with everyone.

• The opportuni�es and apprecia�on gained from going away to school .

• COVID-19 and having to come home for 16 weeks.

• Gold Coast for the holidays (due to not being able to come home).

• Food trips and ou�ngs.

• Learning to live with and accep�ng other cultures.

• Yearly Boarder Camp.

• The Masters helping to prepare for life a�er school.

• Coming home for the holidays.

Favourite Teachers and Mentors: • Mr Lamb (English) unique and individual teaching style that makes learning fun.

• Mr Gallagher (Maths) laidback but makes sure our work is up to date.

• Mr Meurant, Mr Andrews and Hudson Hood Withey (Boarding Masters) are all ‘dead set’ legends.

JOHN RADEL 2011-CURRENT (2020)

BARNEY RADEL 2017-CURRENT (2022) Highlight: Boarder Camp 2020. The first group of Seniors that I have truly connected with, helped make this camp the best one yet. This was also the first year that I won the Schilling tradi�on ‘Iron man’.

Favourite teacher: Mrs Tucker. She is my Adopt-a-Boarder parent, she has guided me through my junior years at the school. She organised trips for the boarders to go play touch and just have fun.

NGULUNHDHUL PEARSON 2020-CURRENT (2022)

Highlight: The Tangalooma trip at the beginning of term, as I felt it was the best way to meet all the boarders. The trip itself was well organised yet s�ll really relaxed so I could enjoy myself and the company.

Favorite Teacher: St Peters offers a vast range of teachers; I have found that there is most likely a teacher for every student. Personally, I have found Mr Chapman’s teaching style engaging, and interes�ng as it is different from the normal teaching format.

2020s

Highlight: Boarder Camp in Year 12. Best bunch of fellow Seniors I could ask for, helped make this an awesome experience. I also appreciated it a lot more knowing it was going to be my last, and the boys made it very easy to appreciate.

Favourite teacher: Mr Bernard Evans. It’s not o�en you find a terrific teacher who is also a terrific bloke, but Mr Evans is exactly that. English grades went through the roof while having the most fun in any class during my schooling career.

JOSH COVENTRY 2020-CURRENT (2024) Highlight: My favourite thing about boarding is the community and the closeness of everyone.

Favourite Teacher: Mme Sanjurjo my French teacher. For me, coming into French in the second half of the two year she was great and I am s�ll up with the rest of the class.

MIJILI PEARSON 2020-CURRENT (2024)

Highlight: House Night. We separated into our houses and played games and threw a themed party. It was on the same day as our farewell for Year 12’s and everyone was and laughing and crying together for our Seniors. I had never done anything like that before and I felt so lucky to be there with all my friends.

Favorite Teacher: It has become impossible to mark just one teacher my favorite. All of my teachers are very passionate for the subjects they teach, and I have learnt so much from them all. I am lucky to have so many teachers who really care about their student’s improvement and are pa�ent enough to deal with each student’s problems.

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SPOSA

SPOSA PRESIDENT SPOSA holds the living history of our community, in the people we stay in touch with and the objects in our care. Our aim is to support and build our community across age groups and time.

LLEWELLYN JONES

sposa president

2020 – A year of challenges and opportunities This was a year that didn’t turn out the way we expected it would!

The plans that were laid late last year for commemorating 75 Years of College history were disturbed by an uninvited guest. Our calendar of activities made it as far as March and then had to be parked due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

We were at least fortunate enough to celebrate a very special Founders Day at the beginning of the school year and were delighted to see generations of past school Captains return for a unique function acknowledging the importance of school life and its unique impact on our lives over the last three quarters of a century.

These were to be a curtain-raiser to a host of functions, events and activities through the year. But it wasn’t to be!

So – with the 75th Celebrations in a hiatus until next year – our SPOSA team have had to adapt to the way we function (hello Zoom!) and use this time to reprioritise and invest in our organisational capability.

This has included a new digital platform for communications, archive management and refreshing the SPOSA historic displays in the SPOSA offices. All designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the way we manage our activities that support our Old Scholars.

We have also used this time to build better connections and support with current students, especially the final year students who need a little more help than normal to get through Year 12 in an abnormal year.

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And we have looked to refresh our branding and improve awareness of SPOSA and its role in connecting and supporting Old Scholars of all ages throughout their life’s journey after school. We wish for ALL our St Peters Alumni to feel embraced by the feeling - that starting at St Peters means you are becoming a 'Saint for Life' and we are all 'Saints' together.

Up next In front of us – we have our traditional end of year activities. Valedictories, bursary presentations and welcoming a new generation of students into the ranks of SPOSA – although it will all be executed a little differently this year. COVID-friendly-style!

And then comes a fresh tilt at the commemorative year activities which in 2021 will be the 75th Anniversary year of SPOSA.

Acknowledgement Our deep gratitude to our hard working Alumni Officers, Sasha and Rowena who have been tireless, imaginative and inspiring throughout. You are the backbone of the SPOSA office. SPOSA doesn’t function without your passionate dedication and desire to make things work well.

Thanks also to our very engaged and supportive Head of College, Tim Kotzur, and Director of Community Engagement, Ross Thomson. It is great to have good partnership and connection with the College administration. There is such great potential for SPOSA and the school to build future pathways together. We are well placed.

Thanks to the 2020 Committee for all your ideas, participation and caring support of our Old Scholars. I hope to see many of you again in 2021. Let’s do it all again!

SPOSA

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2021 SAVE THE DATE Founders Day School Service Friday 19 February St Peters Gala Concert Saturday 12 June Back to Ironbark weekend Friday 2 July – Sunday 4 July Reunion Weekend Friday 17 Sept – Sunday 19 Sept 75th Anniversary Ball Saturday 23 October

MEMORABILIA | CELEBRATING 75 YEARS To celebrate our 75th anniversary, we have designed various items to commemorate the event! All items are available to purchase via Facebook or Ross Roy Reception.

'Celebrating 75 Years' pin (3cm) | $5

Keyring (3cm x 4cm) | $5

Tea Towels | $7.50 each

Purchase here!

Black pen | $5 Cap (adjustable) | $25

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SPOSA

EXCITED BY INNOVATION C A SSIE T WEMLOW

publications officer

D

r Monique Beedles (Elliott, 1991) grew up on the Sunshine Coast. As a teenager, she came to board at St Peters and, in her final year, was Boarding House Captain of Herse House. With the bar already set high, Dr Beedles went from strength to strength. She completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy, a Master of Finance and a PhD in Corporate Strategy and, throughout it all, maintained her strong College ties.

Dr Beedles headed up the St Peters College Council until 2016. During that time, she helped to establish the Springfield campus and supported the building of the Indooroopilly Performing Arts Centre (PAC).

These two innovative accomplishments were part of a long list of what she oversaw as Chairman and Director of the College Council— two that she is still, rightly, proud of today.

“It’s wonderful now to see Springfield go from strength to strength and to see the PAC become such an integral and much used part of the Indooroopilly campus.”

Dr Beedles continues to be excited by innovation. These days, she’s a corporate advisor and non-executive board director in independent practice and her goal is to better understand how companies make the strategic decisions that enable innovation.

Pictured (top): Dr Monique Beedles; (above) Books by Dr Beedles.

Visit Dr Beedles here:

“In my work as a board director and corporate advisor, I'm passionate about reducing the risks of innovation to improve company performance and create real value,” she explains.

But just how does she do that? Well, as her qualifications alone suggest, Dr Beedles isn’t one to sit back and not get involved. She currently spends her time travelling, attending board meetings, giving speeches and writing.

“I have had two books published and I'm currently working on the next one,” she tells Plus Ultra. These books provide clear framework and guidance for executives dealing with asset management obligations and how to prepare for an uncertain future.

Dr Beedles also runs the ‘Torque your Talk’ program. Designed for technical specialists

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who want their voice heard in the boardroom, ‘Torque your Talk’ is a six week program and involves a combination of masterclasses and one-on-one coaching—it is one of the many ways that Dr Beedles interacts with innovative ideas throughout the year.

One of the areas Dr Beedles has noticed to struggle with innovation is in her work with different clients in defence and infrastructure.

In these industries, she says, there is a strong focus on risk management.

“This is essential,” she explains, “but sometimes it can get in the way of trying new ideas.”

By combining her technical understanding with business experience in these industries, Dr Beedles has been able to overcome some of these struggles. To date, she’s created a range of exciting opportunities to drive significant outcomes in mining, rail, ports and utilities industries around the world.

“I prefer to think in terms of impact, rather than achievement,” Dr Beedles says. “What I enjoy about board work is being part of making decisions that have significant and long-term impact.”

Dr Beedles’ expertise has garnered her an exceptional reputation in her professional life, yet she still reflects on the opportunities provided to her by St Peters as some of her most significant. Revealing to Plus Ultra that she never would’ve had access to experiences like Ironbark and St Peters' world class Music Program if she hadn’t boarded, Dr Beedles reflects on her College days fondly. She is still in touch with her fellow ’91 classmates, who have remained true friends throughout her life.

“These friendships are the most enduring and important legacy of my time as a student at St Peters.”

SPOSA

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DEMYSTIFYING THE SECRETS OF VISUAL EFFECTS

Pictured (above): The Ogrodzieniec Castle, Poland, was the one of the sets for the Netflix Original Series, The Witcher. Using his skills, Conrad was able to turn the current look of the castle (top) into a medieval scene for the TV show (bottom) (right) Conrad Allan.

C A SSIE T WEMLOW

publications officer

H

ave you ever watched films like Tarzan or Power Rangers and marvelled over the special effects employed to create scenes, costumes and other visual tricks? Conrad Allan (2004) is a Visual Effects artist who worked on both films and does this on a daily basis.

After graduating from St Peters, Conrad was unsure what he wanted to pursue so he enlisted in the Australian Army. His time there didn’t last long.

“I found my VFX calling,” he shared—and he’s never looked back.

Visit Conrad here:

Starting as a structure modeler for Brisbanebased architects, Vee Design, in 2006, Conrad went on to obtain a Bachelor of Interactive Entertainment (Animation). He’s since found his niche in matte painting and, over the last 10 years, has worked as an animation artist and matte painter for broadcast media and film in Asia, Europe and Canada.

Four years ago, Conrad wanted to harness

is specific skill set. To do so, he founded MattePaint, an industry leader in reference photography for film and games. Through MattePaint, Conrad has contributed to a variety of major titles for film, games, and television shows, including the critically acclaimed Game of Thrones series.

“One highlight of my career was working on the environments in Season 7 of Game of Thrones. Another is that, as CEO of MattePaint, we provide the photography to most of the blockbuster films of the year such as 1917 and Terminator,” Conrad explains.

Conrad’s passion for his vocation is evident in his work and he is a respected artist, teacher and entrepreneur.

“I think the current [St Peters] students will get a kick out of seeing what I do. I have to thank Simeon Milner for being such a fun-loving (Math) teacher and Chris Chapman—his enthusiasm was infectious.”

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SPOSA

COLOUR INSTINCT - THE ART OF BRIDIE GILLMAN Old Scholar and artist, Bridie Gillman, creates bold and compelling pieces inspired by her cross-cultural experiences, from a childhood growing up in Indonesia to wanderlust and acceptance.

With domestic and international residencies under her belt, this Brisbane-based artist is gearing up for her next exhibition.

Pictured (left): Bridie Gillman in her studio (above) With the sun in my eyes installation.

C A SSIE T WEMLOW

publications officer

Visit Bridie here:

B

risbane-based artist, Bridie Gillman (2007), has achieved great success in the last few years and this shouldn't be news to those who knew her at school.

A keen artist through her St Peters years— receiving Cultural, Visual Arts and Creative Fashion awards, among others—Bridie completed a Bachelor of Fine Art (Hons) at the Queensland College of Art and has since had her work featured in national and international solo and group exhibitions.

Bridie spent her childhood in Indonesia and is a part of Woven, a collective of artists who each have personal ties to the country.

Her pieces are big and bold, commanding attention. She uses colour to translate her cross-cultural experiences, memories and emotions into rich compositions and

Plus Ultra | November 2020

her multidisciplinary skills bridge painting, photography, sculpture and video as she draws inspiration from her early years.

In January 2019, Bridie held an exhibition titled With the sun in my eyes at the Edwina Corlette Gallery in Fortitude Valley, by whom she is represented. Later in the year, she won the Moreton Bay Regional Art Award and was a finalist for the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship, for artists under 30.

Bridie credits her success to persistence and support, thanking her teachers Mrs Ingrid Rucinski and Mrs Julie Seidel for their passion and enthusiasm. Her art is set to show in the Hugo Michell Gallery in Adelaide from 12 November – 9 December, 2020.

SPOSA

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"THE ST PETERS BOY" 14 APRIL 1931 - 5 OCTOBER 2020 Neville Stallman (Scholarship 1945 – Junior 1947) NICK Y BOYNTONBRICKNELL

old scholar

H

ow sad, that in St Peters’ 75th year, her first son passed away, the boy, who in College lore was known as 'Mr Schneider’s first pupil'. As Ross Roy was renovated to suit the new College and a boys’ dorm was built, young Neville spent his Christmas holidays toiling away doing the jobs too fiddly for the volunteer men: pulling and straightening nails; soldering; crawling under Ross Roy and in the ceiling space to find the water pipes and cables. Some evenings he didn’t make it home to Ipswich. Neville became a true contributor to the establishment of his school. During his time as a weekly boarder he was a scholar, an athlete, a Prefect, an artist and a writer.

Neville left the College at the beginning of his Sub Senior year, 1948 to join the Public Service as a clerk in the Department of Public Works and completed his Senior Certificate in 1949, at night, by private study. He earned his Bachelor of Science in 1958 at UQ, as an evening student, majoring in Chemistry and Microbiology. Neville’s impressive career path led him from the Public Service to life as a microbiologist. He held the following positions: Director, WHO/FAO Leptospirosis Reference and Research Laboratory; Scientist in Charge, WHO Arbovirus Reference and Research Laboratory; Secretary, Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Leptospira of the International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology; Scientist in Charge, Laboratory of Microbiology and Pathology, and Forensic Biology Unit.

Neville made numerous round-the-world study tours to study recent developments in medical laboratory diagnostic procedures and forensic biology methodology. He was involved in the design of the purpose-built Forensic Biology Unit of the John Tonge Centre, and the recommendations for the preferred methodology to be used for the introduction of DNA Profiling. In 1991 he was admitted as a Fellow of the Australian Society

of Microbiologists and retired in the same year. After retirement, he was asked to be a consultant to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia to investigate an outbreak of Leptospirosis, and to recommend control measures.

Neville’s family recall that besides research into mosquito-borne and 'pregnant lady' diseases at the Health Department, he also did forensic work for the Queensland Police Department for many years. This forensic work was often in Papua New Guinea and nearly always involved murders. Police visits were a regular occurrence at home or while on holidays at the Gold Coast, much to the neighbours’ interest. His most famous court case was the Deidre Kennedy case, where his evidential work appeared in Justice in Jeopardy – The Unsolved Murder of Baby Deidre Kennedy by Debi Marshall. There were also visits to the morgue with the children to see the results of the regular weekend carnage – before they went for their drivers’ licences!

Neville and Rosslyn married in 1960. A man of many interests and skills, Neville cooked, tinkered, gardened and farmed and, researched. He had a deep interest in the history of St Peters and he and Rosslyn assisted with the research for Upon This Rock – the first fifty years of St Peters Lutheran College, compiling the Appendices – recording the names and dates of every member of the College campus community up to 1995.

Children: Karen (1975-1979), Malcolm (1976 – 1981), Fiona (1979 – 1983) and Adrian (1981 – 1985) all attended St Peters, as have several grandchildren.

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SPOSA

WE REMEMBER...

Lois Dron (Eckert) 2 July 1929 – 6 July 2020

Ingeborg Lepp (Stein, 1953) 20 August 1934 – 20 May 2020

After spending four years in a one-teacher school at Lyndoch, Lois was called to St Peters by the Headmaster, Mr W Lohe, in 1947, as a Primary Teacher and remained until her retirement in 1994.

Inge came to Australia with her parents as part of the Australian post-WW2 migrant intake. She attended St Peters as a day scholar from Wacol, and left part way through Junior.

Her teaching service was interrupted by her marriage to fellow teacher Carson Dron, who was to become Dr Dron, Headmaster of the College. She and Carson started a family, so in addition to her own teaching, she embraced the roles of mother and Headmaster’s wife.

Lois has been honoured, along with her husband, in the naming of the Dron Auditorium in 2018.

Norma Green (Zipf, 1949) 298 September 1930 - 2020 Norma was a founding student at St Peters, enrolling in the Scholarship class. She grew up in the cane country of Woongoolba via Beenleigh and had a difficult time settling in as a boarder, away from her family. She left St Peters after Term 1, becoming St Peters’ first Old Scholar.

Neville Stallman (1949) 15 April 1931 - 5 October 2020 Full eulogy on page 61.

Alamine Gray (Peters, 1950) 15 April 1932 – 13 March 2020 Alamine grew up in Woolloongabba, in Mt Alford with the Weissman, Carpenter and Hammermaster families and in Wallangarra. She was the first child of George and Rebecca Peters.

Having attended small local primary schools, newly opened St Peters was an ideal choice for a weekly boarder which, in later years, Alamine recalled with much fondness.

Inge was a member of the Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in the Tannum Sands area.

Her niece, Renee Michalkow, wrote: “The eldest of three sisters, Inge, Aunty Anne (middle) and my mum (Monika) the youngest, were such a tight-knit family growing up together in Rockhampton and Gladstone. The laughter, the happiness, fond memories, I can’t even begin to describe how much we’ve lost. The one thing that sticks in my mind is a proverb It takes a whole village to raise a child. I have felt fortunate to have an amazing family when I was growing up. I was lucky to have four mothers, my mum, Grandmother, Aunty Anne and Aunty Inge.

There were so many incredible times together, so much laughter and fun. It's because of these women in my life that I have been a positive person, optimistic and always loving the stories that were told about our family background. Family is so important.”

Pam Turner (Waters, 1956) 6 January 1938 – 3 April 2020 Pam attended St Peters from Scholarship to Senior, as a day scholar. She trained as a teacher at Kelvin Grove Teachers’ College, but left teaching to pursue community and charity work. Pam Married Derek Turner in 1959 and they had two children. Pam was a poet and writer: a children’s book and works of family, local and church history.

Ailsa Horn (Vandersee, 1956) 31 August 1938 - 21 July 2020

It was while working at the Greenslopes Hospital, that Alamine met her one and only boyfriend, who later become her husband – Kenneth Gray. They were married in 1954 and had four children – Glenn, Rhonda, Bryan and Keith.

Ailsa attended high school at St Peters as a boarder in the early 1950s, and would catch the train from Abercorn to Brisbane.

Alamine's legacy includes Alamine Street in Holland Park, named for her by her father who had developed the culde-sac with his brother, building numerous houses, three of which became Mater prize homes.

While attending a dance in Abercorn she met Mervyn Horn and they married 18 months later on 11 May 1957 in Monto. They lived in a tent under a large bottle tree while Merv built their house in Mt Kitchener, and over the next 16 years they developed the property and bred hereford cattle.

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SPOSA

Ailsa was blessed with three children (Mark, Wesley and Shelley), six grandchildren (Cameron, Melani, Leah, Holly, Abby and Mariah) and three great grandchildren (Piper, Cooper and Toby).

Audrey Hansen (Dionysius, 1959) 10 August 1942 - 1 June 2020 Born in Esk, Audrey was the second daughter and second youngest of a family of seven.

She completed her education as a boarder at St Peters, enrolling in Sub Junior to study commercial subjects to prepare herself for future office work. A classmate remembers her a lovely, quiet girl at school, who participated in House and Inter-School athletics. Leaving after Junior, Audrey commenced office work in Kingaroy, where she lived with her sister Evie and her husband.

During this time, at the Kingaroy Lutheran Church, Audrey met a dashing local farming identity, Alan Hansen, whom she married in 1962. The pair had three children, Trevor, Russel (who was a teacher and coach at St Peters 1991-2006) and Judy.

After Alan died unexpectedly in 2019 (they had been together for fifty-five years), Audrey passed away after a stroke in June this year.

Glenda Jorgensen (Rackemann, 1960) 1 February 1943 - 10 September 2020 Glenda had ended up at St Peters because Girls’ Grammar did not offer a Commercial course. Mr Lohe took one look at her Scholarship results and popped her into the Academic class.

What ensued was four years at College with the group of girls who would become her best friends for life. Art of Speech and Language were Glenda’s forte. She had a charisma – a quick wit and a ready smile, and the personality of a born leader.

A teaching scholarship took her to Kedron Park Teachers’ College, and this led her to her career in infant education.

Time out from teaching after she married Max Jorgensen saw them living on a property near Toogoolawah, bringing up their two boys, Jay and Todd, until, in 1973, the farm was acquired by the Queensland Government for the Wivenhoe Dam. A move to Dalby and a seed and grain business saw Glenda return to the classroom.

Retiring to Hervey Bay, Glenda and Max travelled extensively, but she never stopped learning, sharing her vast knowledge or being involved in her community.

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Joan Hellen Gross (Schmaal, 1953) 10 February 1951 – 31 July 2020 A devoted Christian, Joan was the eldest of four daughters. She was born in Leeton, NSW where her father was a Lutheran pastor. Her faith in God, as confessed by her parents and sponsors on her behalf, remained her focus and shaped her to be the person we all love and admire. During her childhood she lived in Bathurst, Forbes, Halcome, New Zealand (1958 to 1963), Chinchilla, Moorooka and finally Murgon.

She attended St Peters from Junior to Senior. She loved school, especially history and language-related subjects, and went on to Kedron Park Teachers’ College in 1969 to begin two years of study. She completed her training in 1970 at Mt Gravatt Teachers’ College after being accepted to be part of a class to pioneer a new Special Education course.

Her teaching career included teaching at a special school – one of two schools chosen to trial the Van Leer Program designed to teach standard English to Aboriginal children in Cherbourg; the Fink River Mission (FRM) at Hermannsburg in Central Australia; St John’s Lutheran School in Lobethal, South Australia and Murray Bridge. In 1986 Joan was seconded to Living Waters Lutheran School in Alice Springs for a one year contract as the Founding Principal. She ended up staying and working here for the next 20 years, retiring in 2006 and moving to North Haven, Adelaide in 2007.

Joan married Neville Grosse in Alice Springs. They had one daughter.

Dr Lindsay Farrell 30 March 1953 - 13 July 2020 A staunch Baptist, Lindsay was a wonderful Christian man who gave a fine witness to his faith in his life and also in his dying. He was Head of the Art Department at St Peters, where he introduced the Design Education program. He went from there to Churchie as Head of Art, and from there to Head of the Art Department at the Banyo campus of the Australian Catholic University.

Lindsay was a wonderful artist, teacher and Academic and will be remembered fondly. During his artistic lifetime he had held more than thirty solo exhibitions, in Australia and overseas: USA, Canada and the UK. He had also won ten awards. St Peters has several of his paintings in their collection.

Lindsay Farrell had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2019 and passed away in June this year.

Lynne Baumann (Mathies, 1974) 27 March 1957 - April 2020

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COMMUNITY AND EVENTS

KOKEDAMA WORKSHOP NIDHI NANGIA

p&f committee member

T

he P&F Committee has proudly supported the Cancer Council and the Biggest Morning Tea for several years.

We will raise over $800 this year which will contribute to supporting the Cancer Council’s vision of a cancer free future.

On Friday 9 October, about 30 people met at the P&F Centre and had a wonderful time enjoying a chat and morning tea, followed by a workshop creating their own kokedama plant to take home.

The workshops are a P&F initiative to bring our community together. The Kokedama Workshop is the first of many workshops we hope to have as the positive feedback has been encouraging.

Thank you to Alison from Kokedama by Alison for inspiring us with her passion to make these beautiful kokedama plants.

Thank you to Homestyle Bake for supplying the morning tea treats.

Thank you to Kathryn Lorraway, St Peters Community Liaison Officer, and all the staff from St Peters Events, Catering and Communications.

Thank you to all who supported the event by attending and donating online.

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COMMUNITY AND EVENTS

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FOCUS ON COMMUNITY BUILDING

DARREN DR APER

vice-president indooroopilly P&F committee

St Peters' key objective is the education and development of its students. That said, parents, caregivers and friends of the College also have the opportunity to get involved in College life. After all, what makes St Peters special is our College community. There are lots of opportunities to participate – through the P&F Committee, volunteering at events, or getting involved with the Parent Support Groups that align with activities that your student is enthusiastic about. For 75 years parents, caregivers and friends have played a pivotal role in making the College what it is today – a tradition we are keen to maintain for future generations.

Examples of events that the P&F is involved with include the Biggest Morning Tea and Kokedama Workshop (supporting the Cancer Council), Melbourne Cup Function, St Peters Community Fun Day and New Parent Welcomes.

A recent initiative of the P&F is the Find Your Future Program, developed in partnership with the Careers Centre, and SPOSA. This program will assist students in making informed decisions about their future by increasing their exposure to the world of work, through listening to industry specialists, watching Q&A sessions, and work experience.

A key feature is the video library that provides an insight into different career paths.

In addition to community building and friend-raising, the P&F provides financial

support through the College’s Community Grant program. This program seeks to improve the quality of co-curricular programs and activities for students. Twice a year, the P&F calls for grant applications from the College community. Examples include Robotics (purchase of robot kits), Music (banners), Chess (clocks), Rowing, Rugby and Netball (skills training), and a photo wall that commemorates the history of boarding at the College.

The P&F would like to acknowledge our recently departed President, Ray Young, who stood down from the role earlier this year. During his time Ray committed so much energy and enthusiasm, both within the P&F and across the College. He truly made a difference and we wish Ray well for the future.

To those parents, caregivers and friends within our community who would like to contribute and be part of something special, we encourage you to get involved in the P&F and/or the College’s Support Groups. It’s also an opportunity to make new friends, have some fun, and like Ray, make a difference. If you would like to learn more, please contact us at pf.indooroopilly@stpeters.qld.edu.au.

Website: stpeters.qld.edu.au/indooroopilly/ community/p-f.

Firefly - St Peters P&F (Indooroopilly): stpeters.fireflycloud.net.au/parents-andfriends-p-and-f/indooroopilly.

Pictured: New Micromelon Robot kits.

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THANK YOU! TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS OF THE 2020 ST PETERS-HIGGINS GOLF DAY

COMMUNITY AND EVENTS

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SPRINGFIELD PARENTS & FRIENDS SUPPORT COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY

RENEE MICHALKOW

springfield communications and events officer

T

he St Peters Parents & Friends Committee (P&F) works with the College to celebrate Springfield’s school spirit and cultural diversity. The committee, which is comprised of dedicated volunteers, works to develop partnerships to ensure students benefit from these community networks, skills, resources, and expertise.

President of P&F Springfield, Mrs KylieAnn Martin, says there are many roles the committee plays within our school community. “We act as a communication conduit between the parents and caregivers and the College,” she explains. “The P&F can also assist the school with project costs for the benefit of the community. I think St Peters Springfield has a wonderful community and one of the main roles of the P&F is to support this with activities.”

It’s been a tough year due to COVID-19 so unfortunately a lot of the College’s celebrated activities, such as the Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls, Primary school discos and parent’s trivia night had to be cancelled.

However this year, “we contributed to the Year 12 area beautification project, and paid for a magician to perform at the Year 12 Formal,” says Kylie-Ann. “We wanted to show our support for our Year 12 students.”

In Term 4 the P&F “will be holding a Teacher Appreciation breakfast for our wonderful teachers in time for World Teacher’s Day.”

Pictured above (from left): Springfield P&F provided Robot kits to the school; and, a magician at the Year 12 Formal; P&F President, Kylie-Ann Martin.

Kylie-Ann has been part of the P&F for four years. With two children attending St Peters Springfield, “I wanted to help and went along to a meeting,” she says. “I enjoy meeting other parents/caregivers from different

grades and the friendships I have made. I also enjoy knowing what’s going on around the College as a whole and not just the year levels my children are a part of,” she elaborates.

There are many aspects of being part of the P&F which Kylie-Ann appreciates. “I love organising the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls and watching the Primary children come in with their money to find that special present — it’s delightful.”

The P&F have great plans for the future. “We have been saving for a playground for the Junior High area the past couple of years.

I am hopeful we can get that started next year. We would like to do more activities to benefit the upper school.”

St Peters Springfield would like to thank all currently involved with P&F at Springfield.

We encourage anybody who is interested in joining this incredible committee to get in touch with Kylie-Ann at kylie_annp@ hotmail.com for more information.

Kylie-Ann says P&F, “welcome fresh, new ideas on what we can do for the community and events that will bring our community together. We also need more committee members!”

Thank you to: Kylie-Ann Martin (President) Santiago Ayala (Vice President) Stuart Beren (Treasurer) Alex Kreutzer (Secretary) Jo Lashbrook, Hansi Kottegoda, Jack Varghese, Pastor Matt and Craig Schmidt.

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