St Martins Spirit | Winter 2026

St Martins Spirit

Index

From the Principal

PAGE 4

The Thread That Runs Through Everything

Deputy Principal Celia Mara introduces the St Martins Strategic Architecture, a new integrated system connecting vision, culture, teaching and operations.

PAGE 6

All In for Reconciliation: Learning, Listening and Walking Together

Vanessa Roesler, Indigenous Education Coordinator, reflects on National Reconciliation Week and the meaningful activities and learning experiences students participated in across the College.

PAGE 8

Generations in Jazz 2026

Music Coordinator Stephen Walther shares highlights from St Martins’ 10th year at Generations in Jazz.

PAGE 12

Year 6 Brings Aristocats to Life

Year 6 Teacher Jenna Burston explains how students are bringing Aristocats to life, with rehearsals, choreography and creative collaboration shaping this year’s exciting musical production.

PAGE 14

Leaders Building Skills

Director of R–6 Village Sharn de Nys shares highlights from the GRIP Leadership Conference, where student leaders explored integrity, responsibility and practical ways to lead within the school community.

PAGE 18

Exploring Careers Through Experience

Future Pathways Leader Linda Polomka highlights the valuable experiences gained by Year 10 students as they explored future career pathways through work experience placements across the community.

PAGE 20

Voices of the Future

Teacher Marianna van der Berg outlines the success of St Martins students in the Rostrum Voice of Youth competition, celebrating their achievements and progression through to the Adelaide semi-finals.

PAGE 24

Turning Pages Together

Teacher Librarian Kelly Lynch details initiatives building a strong reading culture at St Martins, including the Read Your Height in Books program and National Simultaneous Storytime.

PAGE 26

Students Shine at Emerge 26

Read more about how sixteen St Martins students and alumni had their artwork exhibited in Emerge 26 at the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre.

PAGE 30

Ministry Report

Wesley Olivier, Director of Ministry, reflects on the past term which has included many faith-filled activites.

PAGE 32

Photo Galleries

Sport

PAGE 10

Music & Drama

PAGE 16

Camps & Outdoor Education

PAGE 17

Around the College

PAGE 22

In the Community

PAGE 23

National Simultaneous Storytime

PAGE 28

Year 12 Formal

PAGE 34

Meet the Staff: Kayley Kemp

Say hello to Kayley Kemp, who is the St Martins ICT Trainee.

PAGE 37

Term 3 Calendar

Get all the key dates and information for school events happening in Term 3.

PAGE 38

From the Principal

Alan Connah

The Importance of Culture to Achieving Our College’s Purpose – Some Reflections from the Recent Lutheran Principal Conference

I recently had the privilege of attending the biennial National Lutheran Principal Conference in Melbourne. The conference provides a valuable opportunity for Lutheran Principals to consider current educational thinking, initiatives and research, and to network and share ideas. This year’s conference theme focused on leadership through the theme: Anchored in Faith, Leading with Heart.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

While the conference provided many provocations, perhaps the one that struck a chord with many of us attending, was a presentation by Dr Marcus Collins (Marketer, Academic and Cultural Translator) entitled: ‘For the Culture’. In his presentation Dr Collins challenged us to reconsider the importance of culture in our schools. He started by asking us to look at culture from different viewpoints, given that ‘obvious isn’t so obvious until someone points it out to you’. He encouraged us not to put people and their organisational functions into boxes, but to consider their different perspectives holistically across the school. In doing this, he argued, we can gain greater insight into the true nature of our organisational culture.

But what do we mean by culture? In simple terms, Dr Collins suggested that culture can be seen as the ‘operating system that governs who we are, how we see the world, how we do things, and our shared expression of what we believe’. It incorporates our shared beliefs / thinking, our shared behaviours / actions, and our shared creations / what we produce. This means that what we believe informs what we do, and that what we do is reflected in our output. Based on decades of research, it is commonly accepted that an organisation’s culture makes a huge difference to its success in achieving its purpose. In words often attributed to Peter Drucker, ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’.

"We are committed to nurturing the spiritual, academic, and emotional growth of every child in our care."

At St Martins our Lutheran beliefs call us to: Learn with Purpose. Grow with Grace. This means that our educational philosophy is grounded in faith, community, and respect. We are committed to nurturing the spiritual, academic, and emotional growth of every child in our care. We are large enough to offer a broad range of learning opportunities while remaining

small enough to ensure that each student is known, supported, and valued. Our ongoing challenge as a College is to live out our beliefs both upfront and behind the scenes. This requires us to ensure that our beliefs are in accord with our values, and that we commit ourselves as a whole community to actioning them. Each of us has a deep responsibility to achieve our purpose. It also means that at all levels within the St Martins community we have a responsibility to believe, inspire and model for those around us. In short, words are not enough, we must inspire those we work with through our actions, whether they are students, colleagues, parents, or friends of the College.

This brings me to the development of our new strategic plan, which we will share with our broader community next term. While our new plan is important to the ongoing improvement and success of our College, we must not forget that our culture is ultimately far more important to who we are and what we believe in. As Dr Collins reminded us, ‘true cultural engagement is the most powerful vehicle for influencing behaviour’. If we want to move forward, we must first understand the underlying cultural forces that motivate our people to action. This is the College’s ongoing challenge as we seek to achieve our purpose: to be a community that learns with purpose and grows with grace.

Yours in Christ, Alan Connah

Principal

The Thread That Runs Through Everything

At St Martins, the way we teach, lead, care and connect isn't left to chance. It flows from a single, integrated system designed to bring our identity to life every day.

In many schools, there is no shortage of good work. Strategic plans, teaching and learning frameworks, wellbeing programs, initiatives and priorities. And if you look closely, much of it is thoughtful, intentional and deeply grounded in care for students.

Why architecture?

We deliberately chose the word architecture. Not framework. Not model. Not initiative. Architecture, because it implies design. It implies connection. It implies that every part has a place and a purpose within a larger whole. And it implies that the system is intentional, not accidental.

The St Martins Strategic Architecture is a single, integrated system that connects four key layers of our work:

Our Strategic Framework defines why we exist and where we are heading. At its heart sits our vision and our mission statement.

and decision-making across our entire Reception to Year 12 community. It ensures that our values of Respect, Faith, Hope, Growth, Compassion and Encouragement are not simply aspirations, they are enacted every day, in every interaction, by every member of our community. It gives expression to our culture of learning, which we describe as Free to Flourish — purposeful, adventurous, relational and compassionate.

"Clarity and alignment cannot be imposed; they must be built collectively."

That was true here at St Martins. But something became increasingly clear. While each part made sense on its own, the connection between them was not always visible. Different teams were doing strong work, but not always within a clearly shared structure. Strategy was sometimes experienced as operational rather than directional. And for staff, the bigger picture could feel difficult to see, let alone consistently enact.

This wasn't a problem of effort or commitment. It was a problem of coherence, and that led to a different question:

What if the challenge isn't what we are doing, but how it all connects?

Vision

A faith-filled learning community where every student belongs and grows.

Mission

Grounded in Christian faith, we nurture students to learn with purpose through high-quality teaching and innovative practice, and to grow with grace through compassionate relationships and service.

These are not words on a wall. They are the convictions that shape every decision we make as a College.

The St Martins Way is our shared approach to teaching, leading, caring

Our Companion Playbooks translate all of this into real, consistent practice, providing shared language, clear expectations and practical guidance so that every staff member, whether they joined us last month or twenty years ago, understands not just what we value, but how it is expressed in daily professional life.

And our Operational Plans are where strategy meets action, the practical, annual programs and priorities that bring everything to life, from curriculum planning and wellbeing initiatives to professional learning and community engagement. These plans evolve each year, always anchored to the deeper framework that gives them meaning.

At the centre of it all

Sitting at the heart of this architecture is our identity thread:

Learn

with Purpose. Grow with Grace.

This is not a tagline. It is the idea that connects everything, shaping how we think about learning, relationships, leadership and purpose across every layer of the College.

Built by our community, for our community

Importantly, this architecture did not emerge from a boardroom or arrive fully formed. It was built with our community, shaped through many conversations, listening sessions and collaborative workshops involving staff, parents and students. Their voices, experiences and hopes are woven into every layer of what you see here. Clarity and alignment cannot be imposed; they must be built collectively. This is not a framework handed down to our community. It is one that grew, and will continue to grow, from within it.

A system that stays alive

The St Martins Strategic Architecture will not simply be set and forgotten. It is sustained by an ongoing cycle of reflection, drawing on staff voice, student experience, data and leadership review, to ensure we remain responsive, honest and always improving. Just as we ask our students to learn with

purpose and grow with grace, we hold ourselves to the same standard.

One thread, running through everything

At its heart, this work is about making the invisible visible. If people cannot see how things connect, they cannot align to them, and when alignment is unclear, even strong practice can become inconsistent.

Our hope is that this architecture will strengthen consistency across Reception to Year 12, bring greater clarity to our staff, and ultimately improve the experience for every student and family at St Martins.

Because underneath everything sits a simple belief:

Clarity creates coherence. Coherence creates culture. Culture shapes outcomes.

Strategic Aspirations

GROWING FUTURE-READY LEARNERS

Empowering students with knowledge, skills, capabilities, and agency

NURTURING FLOURISHING PEOPLE

Empowering students to live with purpose, resilience and compassion

For our staff, this is the shared foundation that makes collaboration, consistency and professional pride possible.

For our families, it is the assurance that your child is part of a community with deep roots and clear direction, where the values you see at a school event, in a classroom, or in a conversation with a teacher all flow from the same source.

And for all of us, it is the thread that runs through everything St Martins is, and everything we are still becoming.

Learn with Purpose. Grow with Grace.

LEADING WITH FAITH AND PURPOSE

Shaped by grace, integrity and service

CONNECTING AND PARTNERING OUR COMMUNITY

Building connection, belonging and shared responsibility

INNOVATING FOR A FUTURE-READY COLLEGE

Creating the conditions for enduring growth and impact

Learning, Listening and Walking Together

In recognition of National Reconciliation Week, students and staff across the College engaged in a range of meaningful opportunities designed to deepen understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and perspectives. The week provided an important opportunity for our community to reflect, listen, and continue our shared journey towards reconciliation, grounded in respect, empathy, and understanding.

The theme for 2026, “All In,” calls on all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation each day. It reminds us that reconciliation is not passive but requires active participation, shared responsibility, and a willingness to learn and grow. This message was evident throughout the week as students and staff engaged in activities that nurtured both curiosity and connection.

A highlight of the week was the opportunity to learn from First Nations educators and presenters. Nathan Watson from Deadly Didge led engaging performances and workshops that brought traditional music and storytelling to life. Students experienced the powerful sound of the didgeridoo while learning about its cultural significance, techniques, and uses. Many actively participated in clapstick sessions, creating rhythm together and strengthening their sense of connection through shared participation. These sessions sparked curiosity, with students keen to ask questions and deepen their understanding.

Aunty Michelle Jacquelin-Furr also worked closely with students through a series of author workshops. Her sessions highlighted the importance of storytelling in First Nations cultures, sharing Dreaming stories alongside personal narratives. Students explored

ideas of belonging, connection to Country, and identity, engaging through discussion and interactive activities. These experiences reinforced storytelling as a vital way of passing on knowledge and strengthening community.

In the primary years, Uncle Ken Jones introduced students to aspects of traditional tools and bush foods. These sessions encouraged curiosity about how materials from the natural environment are used, prompting thoughtful questions and discussion. Students engaged with the practical elements of these tools, gaining a deeper appreciation of the knowledge and resourcefulness embedded within First Nations cultures.

As a whole College, we gathered for Worship to reflect on the meaning of reconciliation in our lives and community. This time focused on the importance of relationships, listening, and sharing—recognising that reconciliation involves healing relationships and walking together with honesty, respect, kindness, and understanding. As a Lutheran community, students were encouraged to see how our faith connects with reconciliation, reminding us that meaningful change grows through small, everyday actions. When we choose to listen, act with kindness, and show respect, we contribute to stronger, more compassionate relationships.

Learning extended beyond these sessions into classrooms and shared spaces across the College. In the 7–12 Village, Community Connect lessons invited students to explore Indigenous connection to land, The Dreaming, and belonging. These learning experiences fostered reflection and respect, helping students build a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures while strengthening their sense of identity, empathy, and connection within the College community.

"Reconciliation is not passive but requires active participation, shared responsibility, and a willingness to learn and grow."

A significant addition to this year’s celebrations is the new mural in our recently completed Senior Student Hub in the Ark, co-designed by Aunty Michelle Jacquelin-Furr. The artwork is a map of the Mount Gambier (Berrin) region, incorporating Indigenous place names alongside carefully considered

symbols and imagery. It recognises the deep and enduring connection of First Nations peoples to this land and acknowledges those who have cared for it for generations. This striking mural stands as a powerful symbol of culture, connection, and storytelling within our College. It invites reflection and ongoing learning for all who encounter it.

While National Reconciliation Week is a time for focused learning and celebration, it also reminds us that reconciliation is an ongoing commitment. The theme “All In” challenges each of us to consider how we contribute through our daily actions—through listening, learning, and building respectful relationships.

At our College, our values of Faith, Respect, Encouragement, Growth, Hope, and Compassion remain central to this journey. Throughout the week, these values were evident in the way students and staff engaged with one another and with the opportunities provided. As we continue to build understanding and strengthen relationships, we remain committed to walking together in reconciliation each day.

Sport

Generations in Jazz 2026 A Decade of St Martins Excellence

This year marked the 39th Generations in Jazz festival and an important milestone for St Martins Lutheran College, our 10th year performing at this nationally celebrated event. Over three vibrant days, Mount Gambier becomes the beating heart of Australian school jazz, with performances held across the iconic Big Top, four new auditoriums, The Apple Farm, private venues, and even an equestrian centre. These spaces host the National Stage Band and Vocal Ensemble Awards, where schools from across the country compete in a range of divisions.

The festival opened on Friday 1 May with dinner and a feature concert, continued on Saturday 2 May with the full competition program, and concluded on Sunday 3 May with workshops, a final concert, and the announcement of results.

St Martins at GIJ

This year, 46 St Martins students proudly represented the College across four sections:

• Division 4 Large Vocal Ensemble

• Division 4 Band

• Division 5 Band

• Small Jazz Combo

We are fortunate to have such skilled and passionate ensemble directors guiding our students:

• Isaac Bruggemann – Division 4 Band & Small Combo

• Rod Ennis – Division 5 Band

• Meg Tucker – Choir

"For many students, GIJ becomes a defining moment in their musical journey."

Commissioned Works for 2026

Each ensemble prepares a program that includes a set piece chosen by GIJ. This year, St Martins commissioned the one and only, Mr Rod Ennis, a local composer and arranger of international standing, to write original works for all bands. These included:

• 67 Strut – Division 4

• Back Street Blues – Division 5

• Nitty Gritty – Division 5

• Snarkesque – Jazz Combo

These bespoke compositions gave our students a unique musical challenge and showcased the creative talent within our own community.

Performance Highlights & Results

All ensembles performed exceptionally well, demonstrating musicality, teamwork, and professionalism, with the following results:

• Jazz Choir – 3rd Place (Division 4 Vocal Ensemble)

• Division 4 Band – 3rd Place (Division 4 Stage Band)

These achievements reflect the dedication of our students, the expertise of our directors, and the support of families and instrumental teachers. Most importantly, every student walked away knowing they had created something special on stage.

Superband Success

Each year at Generations in Jazz, a select group of exceptional young musicians from across Australia are chosen to join the prestigious Superbands — honour ensembles that recognise the very best performers in each division. Being

selected is one of the highest individual achievements a student can receive at GIJ.

A standout moment for St Martins was the selection of two students into the prestigious Superbands: Flynn Ennis (Drums) and Gordon Farrugia (Alto Saxophone).

Their selection places them among the finest young jazz performers in the country — a remarkable accomplishment that reflects countless hours of practice, strong ensemble leadership, and a deep passion for music.

These students not only represented St Martins with pride but also served as inspiring role models for their peers. Their achievement highlights the strength of our instrumental program and the vibrant musical culture within our College community.

World Class Concert Experiences

Generations in Jazz is renowned for its world class concerts, and this year was no exception.

The AYJO Youth Big Band opened the weekend with a high energy performance featuring some of

Australia’s most exceptional young jazz musicians. They were joined by internationally acclaimed Belgian trumpet master and composer Bert Joris, whose artistry and influence in modern big band music inspired students and audiences alike.

The festival reached its peak on Saturday night with a Gala Concert headlined by the legendary Tower of Power. With a career spanning more than 50 years, their unmistakable horn driven sound — heard in classics such as What Is Hip?, Soul Vaccination, and You’re Still a Young Man — electrified the Big Top and created an unforgettable experience for our young musicians.

Educational Impact

The educational benefits of GIJ extend far beyond the stage. Students experience:

• Live performances from local and internationally recognised artists

• Exposure to high level school ensembles from across Australia

• Real world performance pressure through competition

• Workshops with professional musicians

• A sense of belonging within a national community of young artists

For many students, GIJ becomes a defining moment in their musical journey — a place where inspiration, discipline, and passion come together. Their growth is evident not only in their playing but in their confidence, teamwork, and commitment.

A Celebration of Youth and Music

Generations in Jazz continues to be more than a competition; it is a celebration of youth, creativity, and the power of music to connect and transform. Watching our students rise to the challenge, support one another, and embrace the joy of performance makes every rehearsal worthwhile. We are incredibly proud of our St Martins musicians and look forward to what next year will bring.

Year 6 Brings Aristocats to Life

At St Martins this year, we are trying something new! The format has changed to allow the Year 6 students to make a choice to participate in the school Musical or join our new Arts Elective Program. This approach allows us to provide more opportunities, acknowledge and celebrate different strengths, increase engagement by matching interests and abilities, and broaden access to different areas of the Arts curriculum.

We are working with Music Theatre International for music and choreography and have successfully begun our production with 47 wonderful students undertaking new and exciting roles! The teachers working in and around the Musical have been so impressed by all the students participating – their efforts, accountability and care that they have shown in preparation so far has been well beyond their years.

Our chosen, fun-filled and animal friendly musical for 2026 is Aristocats!

We set the scene in Paris, with Madame Adelaide, a wealthy heiress, leaving her massive fortune to her elegant cat, Duchess, and her three kittens. Jealous of the inheritance, the greedy butler, Edgar, kidnaps the cats and abandons them in the countryside. With the help of a smooth-talking alley cat named Thomas O’Malley, the feline family must navigate a wild journey back home. With only a few small changes, our student’s portrayal of the 1970’s animated comedy film produced by Walt Disney Productions will blow you away. Just wait until you see our Thomas O’Malley and Duchess strutting their stuff on the stage!

As a team, we have been working super hard to learn our lines, practice the songs and block out all the main

scenes. We were extremely grateful to attend Tarooki Campsite in Robe where we spent two days in full bootcamp mode. The students singing is sounding mesmerising thanks to the sage advice of musical instructors, Mrs Small and Miss Perryman and the costumes are looking beautiful and progressing nicely with the excellent design choices of Mrs Geyser. We are also thankful for the help of Mr Connah and parent/helper Braedy, who attended Musical Camp with us, making sure everyone was well-fed and organised while we were busy practising.

So far, the most challenging part of the Musical has been the auditions! With an abundance of amazing singers and actors, it was extremely difficult to choose the lead roles – we are so blessed to have a mixture of talents available to have built such a strong ensemble. The children have truly given their all to the production, spending their Tuesday and Friday afternoons

working hard on all things performance related, and practising with their scripts in their own time.

" With an abundance of amazing singers and actors, it was extremely difficult to choose the lead roles."

As we get closer to our Musical performance, the students’ newest goal is choreography. Learning how to join in time with the music, memorising all the different movements and working together as a smooth team is our next step. On the production side of things, the set pieces are coming along nicely, with some help from our Musical

Electives students and the creative expertise of Mr Bond. Their designing (and soon to be painting) skills have been much appreciated, allowing us to zone in on the Musical skills, while still having a breath-taking backdrop to perform on.

As a cast, we look forward to showing you all of the hard work we have done to produce the Musical and make sure that you leave knowing that 'Evr’ybody Wants To Be A Cat'!

Please be sure to come and support us in our Year 6 Musical production of Aristocats, coming to you live, from the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre at 7pm on Friday the 18th September!

Music & Drama

Camps & Outdoor Education

Leaders Building Skills

GRIP

Leadership

Conference

Our School Captains and Portfolio Captains recently had the privilege of attending the GRIP Leadership Conference at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, where we joined student leaders from a wide range of schools across the region. The day was anchored around four guiding ideas: Generosity, Responsibility, Integrity, and People. While these are big concepts, the GRIP team presented them in a way that felt practical and achievable, reminding us that leadership is something we can practise every day, not only on significant occasions.

"We learned that building genuine connections is a vital part of leadership."

message was that strong ideas need to be purposeful, realistic, and beneficial to the whole school community. A thoughtful question and answer session brought the day to a close.

We covered a broad range of topics throughout the day. We discussed how to grow our integrity and recognise the small, everyday moments in which we can lead. We learned that building genuine connections is a vital part of leadership, and that effective leaders make the effort to reach out to everyone, which often means stepping beyond our comfort zones. We explored how, at times, a leader needs to let go of their own preferences so that others feel included and willing to contribute. We also looked at leadership initiatives that other schools have introduced, many of which were genuinely inspiring, and considered the challenges that come with launching something new. A key

One of the initiatives our College Captains proposed on the day was upgrading the drinking taps in the Upper Primary courtyard. It is a practical idea that would benefit every student, and we look forward to working through the steps to make it happen. We would also like to acknowledge Billy, Isaac, and Niamh, who confidently represented our College on stage in front of the entire audience. They did us proud.

There were several other highlights worth mentioning. Travelling together on the Yutong bus was a favourite part of the day, and although the weather was particularly wet, it did nothing to dampen our enthusiasm. During

the lunch break we visited the Mount Gambier Library, and despite students being in Year 6, many of them enjoyed revisiting the tunnel and the picture book section, a reminder that some childhood joys never lose their charm. We are also very grateful to Mr Hein for accompanying us and supporting us throughout the day.

The GRIP Conference reminded us that leadership is not about being in charge. It is about lifting others up, leading with integrity, and having the courage to try new things. We have returned with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of purpose, and we look forward to putting what we have learned into practice.

Exploring Careers Through Experience

Work experience has long been a cornerstone of many school career programs. Sometimes when we continue to do the same or similar things in schools over time, a review is warranted. In that regard, work experience is one of those activities that has stood the test of time. It continues to deliver real world experiences that both excite and challenge students, often propelling them into their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) where new learning takes place.

The benefits of meaningful, firsthand encounters with employers and workplaces help young people because:

• They provide a practical context for learning and can increased the perceived relevance of school.

• They allow students to imagine themselves in workplace roles and begin to consider questions like ‘Can I see myself doing this?’, ‘Does this type of work suit me?’ and ‘What skills would I need to develop to work in this field?’.

• They can learn about workplace expectations, which can increase their confidence and employability.

This year, our Year 10s travelled near and far to access a variety of work experience opportunities across many different occupations and industry areas. The College is proud of the achievements of our students and the positive feedback they received from employers. Judging by the conversations here at school, an enjoyable time was had by all!

The College acknowledges and thanks all employers who offered their time and expertise to support our students to develop work skills and to find out more about your work and your workplace.

Linda Polomka Future Pathways Leader

Around the College

In the Community

Voices of the Future

Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition

On Wednesday, 13th May, fourteen students from St Martins Lutheran College participated in the annual Rostrum Voice of Youth competition.

Participants had to write a prepared speech of 6 minutes. They were given a range of topics, and spent weeks doing research, finding information about their chosen field. The students attended two workshops with Miss Van der Berg and worked on their speeches in their own time.

The competition also requires contestants to write a 3 minute speech on the night. Students are given 3 topics to choose from and 15 minutes to plan this short speech. Our students faced this challenge courageously, delivering inspiring messages to the audience.

The event is open to all schools in the Southeast, so there were two heats in both the Junior and Senior section.

Students from Grant High School and Naracoorte High School provided fierce competition for our students. In the Junior heats, Muku (Year 9) and Elsie (Year 8) were identified as the winners.

“Our

students faced this challenge courageously, delivering inspiring messages to the audience.”

Year 10 student, Vea competed in the Senior heat for the first time, and won despite being one of the youngest competitors. This is the third year that Vea won the regional heat –congratulations! We were informed on

14th May that Year 10 student, Grace had been identified as a “Wild Card” entry, so she joined our winners. Muku, Elsie, Vea and Grace competed in the Semi-Final round in Adelaide on 30th May. We are very proud of them!

This year, the Rostrum Voice of Youth competition was hosted by St Martins. Special thanks to all the staff who helped make the event such a success. I would like to extend particular thanks to Ms Patterson, Ms Greene, Mr Clark, Ms Kennedy and Ms Liebelt for their support on the night. Thank you also to Jesse, Bradley and Grace who were involved with timekeeping and the Junior heat short notice speech preparation.

Turning Pages Together

Premier's Reading Challenge & Read Your Height in Books

A school culture is shaped by its people as well as its physical environments and resources. Similarly, reading is a social practice that is absolutely influenced by both diverse social influences such as teachers, parents and friends (e.g. Merga, 2017a; Merga & Moon, 2016), as well as a wide range of other environmental elements. A strong reading culture at school has a powerful impact on student learning, wellbeing, and overall engagement. At St Martins Lutheran College, we are proud to continue building a strong culture of reading. One of the ways we do this is facilitating the Premier’s Reading Challenge from Reception to Year 12. This is our 22nd year of participating in this national initiative. Students, if you are yet to join in the Premier’s Reading Challenge and want to, please just grab a form from the library or check your emails for the electronic version of the form to email to the library.

New to the Library this year is a reading initiative called Read Your Height in Books (RYHIB), open to students in Years 6–12. Utilising the Premier’s Reading Challenge where students record the books they read and earn House points, RYHIB tracks reading progress in a more visual way. RYHIB participants will have printed book spines stacked next to their height, allowing them to see their progress and enjoy the extra motivation to keep reading until their reach their own height. To help model and celebrate a love of reading across the College, the Executive Team at the College are also participating in the RYHIB challenge. Their actual heights are visually displayed on the front Library windows, encouraging students to get involved and show that reading is valued and celebrated throughout the entire College community. The display has already created excitement, friendly competition, and many positive conversations about reading among students and staff.

Students interested in joining the Premier’s Reading Challenge or the Read Your Height in Books initiative are encouraged to visit the library and chat with one of their friendly Library staff.

National Simultaneous Storytime 2026

On Wednesday 27th May, the R–6 Village celebrated this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime with a highenergy event full of movement, laughter and fun. Students gathered in the gym and rotated through six exciting ‘Animal Action’ stations inspired by the characters from this year’s book, Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, illustrated by Jake Minton. Students jumped like Luna Roo the kangaroo, crawled like a huntsman spider, walked like an emu, slithered like a snake, kicked goals like the koala goalie and finished with some stretching activities. Everyone then sat together to enjoy the story, which follows Luna Roo and her friends as they chase their football dreams in the Australian outback while learning about courage, teamwork and believing in themselves. Students loved dressing up in their team colours and there was a wonderful sense of community and excitement throughout the morning. Many students were also lucky enough to win prizes generously donated by our very special sponsors, including:

Kelly Lynch Teacher Librarian

National Simultaneous Storytime

Students Shine at Emerge 26

Sixteen St Martins students and alumni had their work exhibited at the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre as part of Emerge 26 — an exhibition showcasing a curated selection of 2025 Stage 1 and 2 SACE works from schools across Mount Gambier. The exhibition ran from mid-April through to May.

At the closing celebration, students were excited to spot their names on the installation wall and explore the diverse range of works on display from other schools. The exhibition featured paintings, traditional and digital drawings, mixed-media and textile pieces, shadow sculpture, animation, and even an interactive game.

The strength and quality of St Martins’ entries were outstanding, reflecting both the talent of our students and the dedication of our art teachers. It was especially exciting to see St Martins student Hellena Muzaliwa’s painting, Generations, selected as the promotional image for the exhibition.

The featured works were selected by Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre Assistant Curator Saskia Scott during the 2025 St Martins Art Show. We look forward to once again celebrating the artistic talent of St Martins students at the 2026 Art Show, to be held on 22 October in the Senior Student Hub Forum.

Ministry Report

This term, the ministry focus at St Martins has been “Walking Together in Faith”, grounded in the key verse:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

Faith is trusting that God is with us, even when we cannot see the full picture. Walking in faith means learning to trust God, ourselves, and one another, while allowing our hearts to connect in community as we follow Jesus together. Throughout the term, students and staff were encouraged to reflect on how faith begins as an invitation, grows through daily trust and courageous steps, deepens through surrender, reshapes how we see the world, and ultimately expresses itself through love, justice, and joy.

aimed at supporting those in need within our wider community. Students raised awareness while generously donating blankets, scarves, beanies, gloves, and jackets for ac.care. The week then concluded with a College-wide House challenge to collect canned food items for Foodbank. It was inspiring to witness so many students living out their faith in practical and impactful ways, demonstrating compassion, generosity, and a genuine desire to serve others.

During National Reconciliation Week, we reflected on how faith in a God who longs to heal relationships invites Australians into ongoing reconciliation

between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community. Like faith itself, reconciliation is not achieved through one grand gesture but through many small and faithful steps like listening, learning, showing respect, and practising humility in everyday relationships. Drawing on the wisdom of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, students explored the concept of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” This understanding reminds us that our faith cannot be separated from our relationships with others. We are deeply interconnected, and healing is something we experience together as a

“It was inspiring to witness so many students living out their faith in practical and impactful ways.”

As a St Martins community, we leaned heavily into the idea that real faith is made visible through the way we love and care for the world around us. Faith is not simply something we believe, it is something we live. The kindness we show and the actions we take are powerful expressions of God’s love in the world.

This was especially evident during our Week 7 Compassion Week. Across the week, students enthusiastically participated in a range of activities

community. These reflections challenged us to consider how faith calls us not only into relationship with God, but also into relationship with one another.

Another important part of ministry life this term has been our fortnightly Year 7–12 Thursday lunchtime ministry groups, led by former student Josh Tilley. Josh has engaged students in meaningful conversations about what it means to grow a relationship with God as a young person and how faith can shape everyday life.

Our Year 12 Service Captain, Thomas, also shared during Friday worship services about the Compassion children our College has sponsored for several years. Thomas reintroduced the community to Hiya, a 7-year-old girl from Bangladesh whom we have sponsored since 2021, and Emanuel, a 15-year-old boy from Honduras whom we have supported since 2015. Thomas reminded students that the classroom offertory collected each Friday morning is a faith-filled action that is helping make a real

difference in the lives of these young people. Even when we cannot always see exactly how God is working, we trust in faith that He is at work through acts of generosity and love.

This term was also a significant season of retreats for the ministry team. Starting with the Year 12 Christian Studies Retreat Day, centred on the question: “What is worship?” Students explored how worship is not limited to church services or music, but is expressed through prayer, reflection, service, relationships, creativity, justice, and daily living. A key verse for the retreat came from Acts 17:28: “In Him we live and move and have our being.”

This verse encouraged students to recognise God’s presence in all aspects of life and to understand worship as a way of living in connection with God and others. We were honoured to welcome Rev Dave Sigley from the Uniting Church, who spoke about the different elements of worship before students visited St Paul’s Catholic Church,

Liberty Church, and St Martin's Lutheran Church. Students also participated in reflective activities within the Railway Lands, including walking the labyrinth, helping them explore how worship can transform our lives and deepen our connection with God.

Looking ahead, we are excited for our upcoming annual staff retreat, where theologian and spiritual director Bruce Hulme will guide staff through the lifegiving theology of Rest, Work, and Play There is much anticipation surrounding this special day and the opportunity it provides for renewal and reflection.

As we enter the July holidays, may all members of the St Martins community continue to know that God walks with us through all things. May His presence bring rest, joy, and peace to you and your families during the break.

Faith in Grace,

Wesley & Isaac

Year 12 Formal

Meet the Staff

ICT Trainee

Kayley Kemp

Describe yourself in three words. Caring, dedicated and resilient.

Where did you grow up and what was life like? I grew up in Tailem Bend, right on the river. It was pretty much always warm, and it had that relaxed countrytown feel. At the time, it was a close-knit community where everyone knew each other, which made it a great place to grow up.

When did you start at St Martins and what does your role involve? I started in late Term 1. My role involves supporting the IT Team with day-to-day tasks, helping troubleshoot issues, and

assisting staff and students with their technology needs.

Where have you worked previously? I have a background in admin and retail.

"It’s great knowing that I can make someone’s day easier by fixing an issue or getting something working again."

Why did you choose an ICT Traineeship? I chose an ICT Traineeship to develop a new and valuable skill set. I wanted to learn how to solve technical issues not only for myself but also to be able to support and assist others in a practical way.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Helping people and solving problems. It’s great knowing that I can make someone’s day easier by fixing an issue or getting something working again.

What skills are you hoping to develop? I’m hoping to develop troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, along with a deeper understanding of systems, networking, and cybersecurity. I also want to improve my communication and confidence when working with others in a professional environment.

What are your interests outside of St Martins? My interest outside St Martins includes the outdoors, spending time with family and friends and taking part in the Australian Army Cadets organisation.

Term 3 Calendar

20/7

Term 3 commences 22/7

Yr 11/12 Girls Netball at Wulanda

23/7

Rec C Teddy Bears Picnic (2:30-3:15pm)

3/8

Subject & Future Pathways Expo (4:006:30pm)

Year 7A Landscapes

Change Immersion Excursion (1012:30pm)

4/8

7C Landscapes

7B Landscapes

Change Immersion excursion (1012:30pm)

30/7 Yr 7/8 Netball at Wulanda

Change Immersion excursion (10am12:30pm) 31/7

5/8

7D Landscapes

Change Immersion excursion (Honans Reserve) 10-12:30pm

Maths Quiz Night (79:30pm)

6/8

Year 12 CS Retreat Day 4 Yr 7-9 Girls 9-A-Side Football in Penola

Music Eisteddfod Friday Session (912:30pm)

Get Home Safe Foundation - Year 10's during the day & Parent Session in evening Yr 9, 10 Science & Engineering Challenge - Wulanda

R-6 Grandfriends Day

Calendar correct at time of publication, for an updated copy please visit stmartins.sa.edu.au.

R-6 + Yr 12’s Book Week Parade

7/9

SAPSASA AthleticsAdelaide 24/8

Yr 12 Outdoor Ed Bushwalking Camp - Grampians

Yr 9 Rite Journey Skills Day

RA to St Martins Kindy Visit (9:30-10:30am) 25/8 14/9 31/8

School Photos

8/9

9/9

RB to St Martins Kindy Visit (9:30-10:30am)

R-12 Parent Teacher Interviews - 3:30pm6:30pm 26/8

RC Discovery & Play Session (3:30-4:30pm) 15/9 1/9 11/9

SAPSASA Hockey - Adelaide

R-6 Village Arts Showcase — 5pm –7pm in the gym

Year 3 Camp to Wannon Falls

Parent Teacher Interviews for Mid Year Receptions (1pm6:30pm)

Beginner Band Concert (5:30-7:00pm)

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: 28 September - 9 October

“Relational” St Martins Way 28/8

Year 6 MusicalEvening performance 4/9 House Day

Year 10 Charity Ball in Gym - 6.30pm-9.30pm

25/9

Footy Colours Day

Last Day of Term 3 Early Dismissal 2:15pm

Contact

CAMPUS 3 St Martins Drive, Mount Gambier

WEBSITE stmartins.sa.edu.au

PHONE (08) 8725 1430

EMAIL office@stmartins.sa.edu.au

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