A Sense of Belonging for 13 Years

CASSIE TWEMLOW

About 10% of students, across all cohorts at St Peters Indooroopilly, have been at the College since Prep. I caught up with three Seniors in that 10% – Isabel Taubert, George Thomas and Maggie Denk – and talked to them about their St Peters journey.

Being at the one school for 13 years can produce quite a lot of memories. From the expected, Year Level progression-based milestones, to others a bit more unique. When I caught up with Isabel, George and Maggie, it was amazing to hear them recounting the same ‘favourite’ memories. They also shared some that were a little more personal, starting with their first ones.

Isabel described her first memory of St Peters after arriving from England.

“I went home and was so excited to tell my dad that my new school sung the Rugby song,” she told me sheepishly—young Isabel was referring to Advance Australia Fair. Having grown up watching Rugby, she heard it each time there was an international game!

George, on the other hand, said he’d been here since he was one.

“My older sister [Abigail] went to St Peters too and I used to be wheeled through the [then] Junior School,” he said.

George reflected on how some Year Levels seemed to go quicker than others.

“Like, Year 3 is annoying so it seemed to take forever,” he joked.

Ironbark was an obvious highlight for all three Seniors and it’s not limited to just them. Each year when we interview our Seniors, the consensus is always the same— Ironbark is unforgettable.

“It was an incredible five weeks. There’s a special bond you have with people that you spend that amount of time with,” Maggie said, insisting that most of her closest friends now are ones she made at Ironbark.

Isabel explained that she learnt a lot about herself during the experience. This, she put down to the isolation and lack of everyday things like social media, parents and peers telling you who you should be and what goals you should have.

“Solo [hike] was incredible,” she said. “You spend so much time on your own [that] you really figure out what type of person you want to be. It was a really great reset before going into my Senior years.”

Another stand-out memory is Kaleidoscope. Again, all three students participated in the 2017 ‘Mirror Ball’ performance of Kaleidoscope and reflect with varying degrees of sentiment.

“I was no stage talent, or anything - I can’t sing or dance to save my life - but I’m so glad I did it, just for the fun,” Maggie shared with me.

Isabel, on the other hand seems to be scarred for life! “I have a lot of fond memories from Kaleidoscope. It was a bit hectic and I still can’t hear the intro of Footloose without totally panicking… ‘5,6,7,8 where do we have to be on stage?!’ Chaotic, but super fun!”, she laughs.

George likens his time in Kaleidoscope to that of many other extra-curricular activities he’s been involved in.

“Kaleidoscope was really enjoyable, as was the [Year 6] Canberra Trip and all the Sport and Music tours. They were real highlights for me.”

All three students reflected on how, over the years their friends have changed but, for Maggie, it was different two-fold.

“I was accelerated in Year 2,” she shared. “So I’m supposed to be in the 2022 cohort. This means I’m still friendly with some of the people from my previous cohort.”

Maggie added, on the friend front that one of the benefits of being here for so long means that your friends are actually more like family. “I would never feel awkward about having a conversation with someone who I’ve been with since Prep, even if it had been ages since we’ve talked because we’ve grown up together,” she said. “It’s like having a cousin you only see every so often.”

George recounts that a lot of people come and go. He found that to be one of the challenges.

“When you start in Year 5 or Year 7 it sort of feels like you’re in a new school because of the changing landscape of new faces,” he explained. “It’s actually one of the really good things. You don’t just stay with the same group of kids. You meet a lot of new people all the way through.”

Isabel agreed, saying that being in the same place for so long allowed her to travel through different friendship groups.

“That’s the really good thing about being in a big school.” The one thing that all three Seniors agreed on is the community feel of the College.

“There’s such a sense of belonging. I feel so much like a ‘St Peters kid’, waking up each day and putting on my maroon uniform. It’s just part of me,” Maggie said.

George added a similar sentiment.

“Even then [as a young student] I loved the community feel and coming up [through the Year Levels], it still feels the same.”

He says that as a Prep kid he used to look up to the Seniors and now, as one himself, it’s so pleasing to be able to reconnect with everyone and give back a little bit.

Isabel enjoys being on campus when it’s particularly quiet.

“Sometimes, on weekends, I’ll come and grab books from my locker and think how pretty Ross Roy is. I feel like such a little part of a big story and community. It feels really special.”

She loved the Year 2 Bush Dance and is looking forward to dressing up on her ‘75 Days Left’ celebration.

“I love that tradition,” she explains. “It’s the only time you’ll ever see Donald Trump talking to Mike Wazowski!”

All students are planning on studying at university next year but are aware they will miss the College atmosphere.

“I think I will miss it more than I realise,” Isabel said.

Maggie and George both reflected similarly, advising future Seniors to take every opportunity that’s offered to you.

“Try everything!” Maggie exclaimed, whilst George encouraged students to enjoy the time they have.

“By the time you get to the end, you look back and realise just how much time flies.”