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30 Contents INTRO

Head of College 02 Letter from the Editor 03 Ministry 04 SPOSA President 05 A ROUND THE SCHOOL Cover Julia (Year 1) and Tisha Searles at the 2015 Junior School Bush Dance. Image courtesy of F45 Photography. Plus Ultra October 2015 incorporating SPOSA Bulletin Published by St Peters Lutheran College Writer/Editor: Angela Gardner Writer/Photographer: Gollisa Thomson Writer/Layout&Design: Kathleen Barker 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 © 2015 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 Editorial Enquiries SPOSA Publications Editor: Nicky Boynton-Bricknell sposa@stpeters.qld.edu.au

2015 Olympic Coach of the Year 08 St Peters Salutes its 2015 Captains 09 Junior School Bush Dance 12 Springfield Founders Honoured 16 Plus Ultra Short Story 17 Competition Winners The Idea of North 20 Courting Success 22 Carys hopes to Kick Goals for 24 the Defence Academy Closing the Gap 26 VAPar 28 Inspiring education through 32 Community Arts Performer of the Year 34 36 38 40 42

COMMUNITY

Community News

Swimmers Shine at World Championships and Youth Games

Celebrating 70 years of St Peters History: Part III

Ever Higher

Education for Life SPOSA

STA FF

One Big Family Labour of Love A Compassionate Facilitator of Change St Peters Foundation embraces the Future

FEATUR ES

Daring to Dream In the Driver’s Seat Healing Hands Reunion Weekend 2015 Reunion (1985 –30 years) A Place to Call Home Australian Student Prizes Reunions in 2016 Births, Deaths, Marriages

48 50 52 54 58 59 60 62 64

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When Schools Flourish, all Flourishes WOR DS BY A DR I A N W ILES, HEA D OF COLLEGE

Early in the 16th Century, Martin Luther noted and reflected on the fact that ‘when schools flourish, all flourishes’. As a school in the Lutheran tradition, St Peters Lutheran College celebrates 70 years of fine Christian co-education at Indooroopilly, and more recently, the same traditions have been evident at Ironbark and Springfield. There is no doubt that we have ‘flourished’ and grown into a college that aspires to reach its core values. Over the period of seven decades, several formal strategic plans or directions have been framed in order to plot the course of the College into what is always a relatively unknown future. We are again entering into a significant phase of planning; having completed a four

year period of dynamic consolidation during which many educational and capital projects have been finalised. The developmental phase of a new strategic direction has now begun, and our community will be encouraged to engage with the future St Peters. Although our new Plan will be based on the solid rock of the past, it is necessarily aimed at future generations of students, staff and parents. It will be the first time that a ‘whole of College’ direction, based on the learning and teaching, has been drawn up. It will be engaging to the community on every level, and fine grained enough to enable all stakeholders to understand where the College is heading. The following summary explains where the

planning and strategic process is at this point in time. Plus Ultra readers will easily identify the College’s Mission and Motto as being important in the development of St Peters over several generations: • College Mission Excellence in Christian co-education. • College Motto The St Peters motto Plus Ultra translated means ‘ever higher or ever beyond’. In serving out our mission statement, ‘Excellence in Christian co-education’, all at St Peters are expected to strive ‘ever higher’ in all aspects of teaching, learning and life. • The College Belief Statement as developed by the College Council

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from the Editor and Senior Leadership is new to the suite of key statements. It is an attempt to unpack and explain the ‘Mission and Motto’ in terminology that informs our community: The College believes that education is central to improving life and society. Through God’s grace, we believe in: developing capacity to reason; having the confidence to choose a future; understanding our environment; building a caring community; acting and making decisions within a Christian framework. • The College Values are again somewhat familiar to our community; however, there are some additional and more descriptive notes of explanation. The Values now include an emphasis on ‘relationships’ and they are more inclusive of all sectors of our school community: God’s love A Christ-centred community where all are treated with care, dignity and respect. Holistic Education A focus on equity, diversity, individuality, inclusivity and multiculturalism. Curriculum A broad and appropriate range of quality academic and cocurricular programs promoting innovation and excellence in teaching, learning and pastoral care. Relationships Nurturing positive local and global connections with students, families, staff and the wider community. Service God’s love actively lived out with hope and confidence in service to others.

Environment An inclusive and safe environment where all are challenged to strive for excellence. The context for the new direction has been parceled into six clearly defined areas: Ministry, Learning Opportunities – Academic, Learning Opportunities – Holistic, Organisational Capability, Connections and Partnerships – International, Connections and Partnerships – Engagement. Under these headings, we are now inviting community members to contribute to the discussion before developing the final and public Strategic Plan in 2016. I regularly have the privilege of meeting and speaking with old scholars; many of whom have been connected to St Peters for much of their life. Our conversations invariably lead to the topic of the pathway the College is taking in what is a different world. I believe, and continue to assure all members of our community that whatever this trail looks like, its shape is absolutely hinged to those important elements that historically have underpinned the ‘very being’ of our Christian learning and teaching community. We are charged with the task of using these attributes as a springboard for deliberate and strategic ‘gazing’ into what the future might hold for our school. Alan Lakein, the popular author on time management, reminds us that “failing to plan is planning to fail”. At St Peters Lutheran College, we are drawing on the past and planning to flourish, as we move into the development of the ‘2016 – 2020 Strategic Plan’.

Page 6. That’s my first recommendation for this issue of Plus Ultra. There, you can read about the triumphs of our St Peters swimmers at the 5th FINA Junior World Swimming Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games in August/September. They made a big splash! This year, we gave Plus Ultra a makeover and doubled its pages. Even so, there are so many people in our community doing interesting things and achieving BIG that we still struggle to fit it all into each issue. Our new Community News (pages 46–47) section has allowed us to cram in extra bits and bobs we think you’ll like. We hope you enjoy this addition. Our 70 years in the history of St Peters series concludes in this issue. Read about our Heads of College – past and present – on page 14. Our Plus Ultra Short Story competition winners have been decided. All is revealed on page 17, along with those stories. There’s lots more: fantastic photo galleries of St Peters events, the latest news about students, staff and Old Scholars, and articles that offer plenty of inspiration and food for thought. Enjoy!

Kathleen Barker, on behalf of the

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Ministry WOR DS BY K IRSTIN MUNCHENBERG, CH A PLAIN

When I was young, I remember playing with my sisters in my Grandmother’s backyard. She lived in an old farmhouse and behind the shed, in true farmer fashion, were piles of old wood planks and fencing materials just waiting to be used by creative young minds. For us it was a paradise of possibilities, and we thought the best thing ever would be to build ourselves a cubby house. We dragged out the wood and started lashing it together with baling twine and bits of rusted wire. We propped up walls and gave it a makeshift roof, and even managed to fashion together a door of sorts, complete with a lock to keep our brother out. In retrospect, it was probably that last detail that was our undoing, because as soon as my brother realised that he was excluded, he wanted in. He wasn’t quite the big, bad wolf huffing and puffing at the house of sticks, but it was close. And just like the poor little pig’s house fell down around him, so ours came crashing down around us (and I still have a small scar on my forehead to remind me!) Our small cubby, for all the pride and joy we took in building it, stood no chance of surviving the knocks that life could throw at it. In chapel recently I told a story about builders... and the wisdom of building on solid rock. The song I go to the Rock has almost become an anthem at St Peters, and not just because the school is built on this big rock of a hill at Indooroopilly, but because it’s built on an even stronger rock than that. Christ is that solid rock, that cornerstone, the one who is always there for us and for our

Congregational Pastor and new Bishop installed

school. We know that when times are tough we can lean on him and he will shelter us. No wonder this image of the rock is all around us!

OUR SMALL CUBBY, FOR ALL THE PRIDE AND JOY WE TOOK IN BUILDING IT, STOOD NO CHANCE OF SURVIVING THE KNOCKS THAT LIFE COULD THROW AT IT. When relationships, studies, jobs, and situations in our lives feel overwhelming, and seem to swirl over us like a big wave, we can turn to God and know that he is always there. He will never let us down. As the Psalmist said: He alone is my Rock and my salvation; He is my Fortress, I will never be shaken (Psalm 62:2). Being human as we are, we will try to depend on ourselves or on others. Then we can be shaken like my poor old cubby house. But if we access His strength, His resources, we will never be shaken; our rock stands strong for us. And as the Seniors of 2015 finish their last classes next term and walk out of the gates of St Peters as other Old Scholars have gone before, I know this image will go with them too, a reminder for them in all that may occur in their lives. As Christ has been the solid rock for generations of people he will continue to be our shelter and our friend.

Pictured (from top): Pastor Paul Smith; and Pastor Matthias Prenzler.

In recent months, the St Peters and Lutheran communities have celebrated two significant installations. On Sunday 12 July, Pastor Matthias Prenzler was installed as the new pastor of St Peters Lutheran Church Indooroopilly by District Bishop Noel Noack. Pastor Prenzler comes from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide, with his wife Julie, and young children, Zoe and Lucas. On Sunday 16 August, St Peters Old Scholar (1979), Pastor Paul Smith, was installed as Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District, as successor to Bishop Noack. Pastor Smith came to know and follow Jesus Christ through the ministry of the school community and later became a pastor of the Lutheran Church of Australia. We wish both many blessings in their new roles.

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SPOSA President WOR DS BY JA N HOGA RTH, SPOSA PR ESIDENT, IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

IT’S GREAT TO WALK INTO A ROOM AND BE WELCOMED FOR WHO YOU ARE; TO FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENED; TO SEE PEOPLE AS FULLER VERSIONS OF THEIR TEENAGE SELVES.

For full coverage of the 2015 Reunion Weekend, see pages 54–57.

REUNIONS

SPOSA ARCHIVES AND OFFICE

Young, old and middling Old Scholars reunited with their year groups at dozens of events. Some were held at the College, with beautifully catered meals, guided tours, concerts and sleepovers. Others were casual gatherings at the pub. Several were overseas. Thank you to the scores of volunteer coordinators who contacted hundreds of Old Scholars and updated their details.

Hooray! The first request for a dedicated museum was written in 1947! And now SPOSA has its own rooms on the lower ground floor of the P&F Centre. Two hundred and twenty boxes of documents and memorabilia were transported from two “Rooms of Requirement” in Ross Roy into climate controlled archiving rooms, ready for years of unpacking, cleaning and detailed electronic filing. Oh to have House Elves!

As always, friendships were renewed, absent friends remembered and time flew in conversation and laughter. It’s great to walk into a room and be welcomed for who you are; to find out what’s happened; to see people as fuller versions of their teenage selves and to realise that classmates empathise with your own life’s challenges. Our shared cultural bonds often catch people by surprise. FRIENDS OF LUTHERAN ARCHIVES (FOLA) EVENT The inaugural event at the SPOSA Archives was witnessed by a community with a much longer history. Nicky BoyntonBricknell, SPOSA Historian, presented her research into St Peters history, supported by photographic images 1944-2014. Beth Shaw, past SPOSA Archivist, spoke with passion about the ups and downs of the history of the SPOSA archives and Robin Kleinschmidt, President of FOLA, concluded in support of the Lutheran archives at Laidley.

SPRINGFIELD FOUNDERS’ WAY DEDICATION The names of the first 126 students and 15 staff are up in stars at Springfield, marking the start of a new era for SPOSA. Many past and current parents, staff and students were there to celebrate. Neville Stallmann, the St Peters Indooroopilly Founding Scholar, met the Founding Scholar of St Peters Springfield: Alexis Arriagada-Malone. Jill Lange-Mohr captured the mood when she reminded us what a leap of faith it was for parents to sign their children into a brand new school. Representatives of St Peters Indooroopilly, the wider Springfield community, the Lutheran Church and the Sinnathamby family will remember their ambitious journey to create the third campus and can be deservedly proud of St Peters Springfield, its growth and accomplishments since 2008.

St Peters Swimmers Shine at World Championships and Youth Games WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON, IM AGES BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

Congratulations to four St Peters students who achieved outstanding results at the 5th FINA Junior World Swimming Championships held in Singapore 25-30 August and the Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games held 5-12 September. Jack Cartwright (Year 12), Tristan Ludlow (Year 12), Shanella Gee (Year 12) and Donovan Lee (Year 10) are members of St Peters Western Swim Club and train under St Peters Intermediate Head Coach, Dean Boxall. Jack put in outstanding performances at both events, bagging three gold medals, two silver and a bronze, as did Tristan Ludlow, who came away with two gold medals, two silver and a bronze. Freestyler Jack, said the Junior World Championships were his first international meet and he was happy with his form. “My performances were probably the best I’ve ever done,” Jack said. “It was a bit daunting in the first couple of races, but I was used to it by the end of the meets.” His compatriot, Tristan Ludlow, who competed in freestyle and backstroke was equally happy with his performances at both events and remarked how he enjoyed the challenges of international competition. “It was a good experience to race against different competition,” Tristan explained. “I had to learn how to handle the travelling, the climate change and the pressure of international competition.”

“IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE TO RACE AGAINST DIFFERENT COMPETITION. I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO HANDLE THE TRAVELLING, THE CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE PRESSURE OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION.” Year 12 Boarder, Shanella Gee, competed at the FINA World Junior Championships in the 200m butterfly. She said it was a time she will never forget. “It was the experience of a lifetime,” Shanella said adamantly. “There’s so much I can bring home that will help me focus on my swimming and take it to the next level.” Year 10 boarder, Donovan Lee, represented Singapore at the FINA World Juniors in the 100m and 200m butterfly. He achieved a personal best in the 200m event and will continue to train at St Peters over the next few years. “I think with my current training schedule, I have a very good chance of representing Singapore in future major meets,” Donovan said with optimism. St Peters Intermediate Head Coach, Dean Boxall, praised the students’ performances.

Pictured (above L–R): Tristan Ludlow (Year 12); and Jack Cartwright (Year 12), medalists at the FINA Junior World Swimming Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games. (Right): Tristan Ludlow and Shanella Gee (Year 12); and (opposite page L–R): Donovan Lee (Year 10) and Jack Cartwright (Year 12).

“IT WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. THERE’S SO MUCH I CAN BRING HOME THAT WILL HELP ME FOCUS ON MY SWIMMING AND TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.” “The whole purpose of the students going to these meets is for their development and eventually we hope they will make that step across into the senior dolphins.” In addition to the international junior competitions, six senior St Peters Western squad members, under Head Coach, Michael Bohl OAM, competed at the 16th FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia from 24 July-9 August.

Mitch Larkin, Madeline Groves, Madison Wilson, Bronte Barrett and Emma McKeon put in stellar performances and walked away with ten medals between them including five gold, two silver and three bronze medals, while Grant Irvine was a semi-finalist in 200m butterfly. At the 2015 Swimming Australia awards, Mitch Larkin, who won two gold medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke and silver in 4x100m medley relay at the FINA Worlds, was awarded Swimmer of the Year. His Coach, Michael Bohl, was awarded Olympic Program Coach of the Year. Read about Michael Bohl, Olympic Program Coach of the Year, on page 8.

Michael Bohl – 2015 Olympic Coach of the Year WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON

Congratulations to Michael Bohl OAM, who was named Olympic Program Coach of the Year at the 2015 Swimming Australia awards last month. Michael is Head Coach of the St Peters swim teams and the highly successful St Peters Western Swim Club. Located at St Peters Lutheran College, the club is one of only 15 Podium Swim Centres in Australia providing a world class training environment for Australia’s elite swimmers and coaches. Michael is an internationally acclaimed coach. Named 2008 Australian Coach of the Year, he was a member of the Australia Coaching team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympic team, and is working with some of the country’s elite swimmers in their quest 8

for international success at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Michael, who represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982, has been on the Australian Swimming Team as a swimmer and a coach. He has been an Olympic coach for Stephanie Rice, Glen Housman, Nicholas Sprenger, Megan Nay and Maxine Seear, and most recently coached Mitch Larkin to multiple World Championships. In recognition of his outstanding service to Australian swimming including as a long serving ASI

Pictured: Michael Bohl (right) has been named Olympic Program Coach of the Year at the 2015 Swimming Australia Awards.

Committee Member, Michael was the recipient of the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and in 2010, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to swimming as a competitor and coach.

St Peters Salutes its 2015 Captains WOR DS BY K ATHLEEN BA R K ER, IM AGES BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

To win the role of school captain at St Peters is no easy feat. Following on from written applications, approved applicants must deliver speeches to their cohort, informing peer voting; and face an interview with staff leadership. For Philipp Steinke and Georgia Champion, school captains at St Peters Indooroopilly; and Ben Swords and Abby Ballard, school captains at St Peters Springfield; the effort was worthwhile.

carried on the traditions of St Peters Indooroopilly – now in it’s 70th year – with equal aplomb. Ben and Abby have introduced student-run assemblies; implemented a student executive team; created buddy and mentor programs; and run charity and awareness days each term. But it doesn’t end there.

“I’ve always been given opportunities to be better through this school,” said Ben, “so I thought that I would become captain to give back to the school.”

“We’ve learned that we can actually pull together a community,” Ben said. “That’s what we’ve tried to do; we’ve tried to get more students acknowledged and that’s why we have a billboard on the top floor.”

Ben and Abby have dedicated their captaincy to the pioneering of a score of initiatives at their young school, while Philipp and Georgia have

The Space, as the billboard is known, features a charity of the month; quote of the week; and focus student of the week, who is celebrated for

Pictured: Ben Swords and Abby Ballard, school captains at St Peters Springfield, with Dylan Ram and Lana van Jaarsveld (Year 3).

a commonplace but nonetheless venerable act. “It’s creating a celebration in the mundane,” said Abby, “like that kid that just always says hi.”

Plus Ultra / Around the School

Pictured: Georgia Champion and Philipp Steinke, school captains at St Peters Indooroopilly.

Philipp and Georgia, also, have gone to great lengths to inspire and encourage their school community. They pushed the envelope when they donned Lycra and platform heels to promote this year’s St Peter’s You’ve Got Talent (SPYGT), an annual charity event and tradition upheld by school and vice captains at St Peters Indooroopilly. “We did an ABBA routine to promote SPYGT because we were worried that we didn’t have many applications,” Georgia explained, “so we wanted to tell people that if you be confident and dance a silly dance in front of everyone you’ll be fine. That, I think, got a few more people to decide to do SPYGT.” The event took more than a term of planning from Philipp, Georgia and their vice captains, and was juggled with a catalogue of

other responsibilities, including coordinating assemblies in the Senior School; participating in regular meetings with Senior School staff; acting as delegates at school and community events; and supporting other students in diverse leadership roles. Philipp has discovered, though, that any student has the potential to lead. “You don’t have to have a badge to be a leader,” Philipp said. “Some other kids… stepped up to certain challenges and you could really see the leadership potential inside of them, even though they didn’t have a badge. No one recognised them as a leader but they had that quality inside of them.” Abby’s experience at Springfield has taught her the same.

“GET READY FOR PEOPLE TO SURPRISE YOU. SOME PEOPLE BLOW YOU OUT OF THE WATER WITH THEIR IDEAS AND THEIR VISION. THEY DON’T NEED A BADGE TO BE A LEADER.” “Get ready for people to surprise you,” Abby said. “Some people blow you out of the water with their ideas and their vision. They don’t need a badge to be a leader – they’re just going to do it. You get surprised so many times.”

Plus Ultra / Around the School

In 2016, Philipp and Georgia will be succeeded as captains of St Peters Indooroopilly by Ben Kanowski and Portia Hood Withey. Stay tuned in Term 4, 2015 for the announcement of 2016 school captains of St Peters Springfield. The school captains of 2015 had these words of advice for their successors: Abby “Go hard. There’s been so many ideas that we’ve thrown out and they’ve been rejected… or they’ve gone through and then everyone’s going ‘no that’s not going to work, that’s not going to work’ and then it totally works. It’s because you go hard and you just give it a go. You just have to believe that’s it’s going to work.”

Pictured (left and bottom left): Georgia Champion and Philipp Steinke, school captains at St Peters Indooroopilly, performed an ABBA routine with their vice captains, to encourage other students to perform at SPYGT.

Ben “Be yourself. Be organised early. If you don’t get your ideas down early, it’s just not going to happen.”

“THROW YOURSELF OUT THERE…BE THE LEADER YOU WANT TO BE. DON’T BE AFRAID.” Philipp “Throw yourself out there. Get into it straight away. Don’t let the responsibility come to you. Don’t let the challenges come to you…Be the leader you want to be. Don’t be afraid.” Georgia “Enjoy it and don’t let it take over everything else. Maintain your work life, social life and also your duties as school captain… Be organised… and relax.”

Plus Ultra / Around the School

Akubras, Boots and Plaid on Stolz Oval IM AGES BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

The Bush Dance was again a night of wonderful music, dancing and lots of family fun. The Junior School families enjoyed a bbq then boot skooted the night away to the sounds of The Ridgee Didge Band. Thank you to all our volunteers and our sponsors without whom we couldn’t run this event: • Brisbane Private Hospital; • Pluta Accountants; • Jeyakumar and Vidya Janakaraj; • Terry and Glenys Donohue; • Allclear Print and Signs; • f45 Photography; and • DBAV Productions Pty Ltd.

Plus Ultra / Around the School

Celebrating 70 Years of St Peters History *Part III: Our College Leaders WOR DS BY NICKY BOY NTON-BR ICK NELL, SPOSA PUBLICATIONS EDITOR *IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

THE LEADER *This story follows on from Parts I and II, published in the April and July 2015 issues of Plus Ultra respectively.

THE FOUNDER Founding Headmaster, Mr Wilf Schneider (1945 – 1954), committed Lutheran and academic, established the roots of what was to grow into a great tree spreading its branches to encompass a global community reflecting the multinational, multifaith and multicultural society of today, as indeed the early community had done – students from across the world. (Also see Plus Ultra, No 2 July 2015 p23)

It could be said of Mr HWA (Bill) Lohe (1955 – 1970), that St Peters came of age under his leadership, and that the school began a movement into the general community which would make it one of the most highly regarded schools in Queensland. An excellent teacher and a firm disciplinarian, he was fiercely loyal and protective of both students and staff. (The Review 1995 pp 20, 21. Also see Plus Ultra, No 2 July 2015 p23) THE INNOVATOR His staff thought him inspirational and compassionate, a man of deep convictions. Dr Carson Dron (1970 – 1994) arrived at St Peters in 1960 as a fresh-faced Science

Plus Ultra / Feature

The Founder

The Groundbreaker

The Leader

The Innovator

The Builder

The Planner

graduate, and took over duties in the classroom, as a boarding master and the 1st XV Rugby coach. He embraced Lutheranism, married fellow teacher Miss Lois Eckert and, in 1970, became the youngest Lutheran secondary college Headmaster. He prepared for the role with two years dedicated to study and overseas research into educational practices, and after his installation in October 1970, he set about revolutionising the curriculum. Many of his programs are still being used as exemplars – programs such as Ironbark, the Middle School, Design Education, the Core Physical Education program, the introduction of sex education into the Social Education program, the system devised to ensure the maintenance of Pastoral Care, the introduction of Technology and its integration into the curriculum. A musician and a sportsman, Dr Dron’s interest in cocurricular activities was intense and ranged from rugby, netball and swimming to programs in music, art and drama, and the growing idea of a performing and creative arts complex to include classrooms, rehearsal spaces and a theatre. THE GROUNDBREAKER Deputy Head Mrs Sally Chandler (1995 – 2002; 2011) stepped into the role of Head of College, and she too broke new ground as the first woman to be appointed head of a Lutheran secondary college. Her devotion to the arts positioned her as a firm supporter for building the Performing Arts Complex, and she saw the establishment of the Middle School campus through to completion. (Also see Plus Ultra, No 2 July 2015 p24) THE BUILDER When Mr Stephen Rudolph (2003 – 2011), with 25 years of experience as a principal of Lutheran schools behind him, took up the position of Head of College, he brought with him a passion for the highest level of education, for

Pictured (this page, top row L–R): Mr Wilf Schneider; Mr HWA (Bill) Lohe; Dr Carson Dron; (bottom row L–R): Mrs Sally Chandler; Mr Stephen Rudolph; Mr Adrian Wiles; and *(opposite page): The boardroom at Ross Roy House, St Peters Indooroopilly, where the portraits of previous Heads of College hang.

hands-on interaction with students and staff and close involvement with the College community. During his time, St Peters continued the struggle to achieve the long-held dream to build the Performing Arts Centre to cater for Music and Drama and become a performance venue; the Café 45 renovation provided a state-of-the-art facility for students and staff; Junior High was created to include Years 8 and 9 (2007); in 2008 St Peters became the first Queensland school to commence a second school catering for Prep – Year 12 at Springfield, with Ms Jill Lange-Mohr as campus Principal (2008 – the present); the International Baccalaureate program was introduced as an alternative to the QSA curriculum (2010) and with Professor Bill Curnow, then College Council Chair, he negotiated with SPOSA to have students graduate as Life Members of SPOSA, thus enabling SPOSA to grow to the dynamic Association it is today, with a vibrant identity within the College. THE PLANNER Mr Adrian Wiles (2012 – present) brought to St Peters 22 years of Principal experience in Lutheran schools, and a strong leadership background prior to that in Catholic and State schools. He was privileged to oversee the building and opening of the Performing Arts Centre and the opening of the purpose-built Springfield campus. At Indooroopilly the Year 7 classrooms, Middle School Science Laboratories, amenities block at the 50 Metre Pool and the refurbishment of Boys Boarding, Luther House and the Business Centre have all been completed in the past four years. It has been a period of dynamic consolidation, a time in which long-standing projects have been completed, and new initiatives such as BYOT technology and the IB Primary Years Program introduced. St Peters is now into a period of strategic planning and focussed development that will draw on the past but define the future in a changing education environment.

Plus Ultra / Around the School

Springfield Founders Honoured WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON, *IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

The founding scholars and staff of St Peters Lutheran College Springfield were honoured at the opening and dedication of the Founders’ Way Wall and Footpath on 26 July. Many of the founding scholars, staff and school community attended including those involved in the establishment of the school, Professor Bill Curnow AM and Margaret Curnow, and Principal, Ms Jill Lange-Mohr. For Ms Lange-Mohr, the day was the culmination of a vision that began eight years ago.

Originally intended as a walkway set with metal stars with founding students’ names etched on them, plans for the project were put on hold when the decision was made to move to the school’s present site in January 2012 within the Health City precinct. According to Jill, the design and funding of the project also took some time to arrange. She acknowledged the financial contributions of St Peters Foundation, St Peters Old Scholars Association (SPOSA) and the P&F.

Pictured (clockwise from left): * Sue Arriagada-Malone’s son Alexis (not pictured) was the first student enrolled at St Peters Springfield, and was followed by brothers Marcello (left) and Themys (centre); Professor Bill Curnow AM and Margaret Curnow; and Pastor Matthew Wilksch dedicates the Founders’ Way Wall and Footpath.

Jill acknowledged the faith of the founding families.

“As the founding Principal, when I started enrolling students in 2007, I had the idea that all students and staff commencing in our founding year (2008) would have their name in a star,” Jill explained.

“Our founding students and parents The Founders’ Way commemoration made the big decision to change their had a special significance for Sue school and to enrol at St Peters,” Jill Arriagada-Malone, whose son, Alexis, said with humility. was the founding student of the school and younger brothers, Marcello (Year 10) and Themys (Year 6) followed. “These pioneers were the stars of our school. They had enormous faith in our new school and we wanted to “We turned out to be the first family recognise this,” Jill said. enrolled,” Sue explained.

“This is the achievement of a vision I have had for St Peters Springfield for eight years and a way to recognise and honour our Founders,” Jill said.

“We got our enrolments in pretty quickly because we knew St Peters had a great reputation and was a well established school,” Sue said.

The final stage of the project will be planting of the 15 Founders’ Way trees later this year, on the eastern side of Founders’ Way path.

Congratulations to the winners of the Plus Ultra Short Story Competition!

The short stories written by Lillian and Jordan most creatively addressed the competition themes of ‘When I Grow Up’ (Years 5–8 category), and ‘After St Peters’ (Years 9–12 category). Read their stories on the following pages.

We thank our judging panel: Amanda O’Callaghan, Australian author of short fiction; Kerri Harris, freelance writer, ABC journalist and member of St Peters Book Club; and Adrian Wiles, Head of College. They loved reading our applicants’ stories!

Plus Ultra / Around the School

When I Grow Up BY LILLI A N GEFFEN, YEA R 8 (ST PETERS INDOOROOPILLY)

I used to always say it. I had so many dreams, and so much time to dream about them. ‘When I grow up’ became my most common sentence starter. I was going to be an artist, I was going to be a chef, I was going to be a professor - I was going to be a handsome browneyed prince. Today is my 18th birthday. It’s been exactly eleven years since four men burst into my home and shot my mother dead before my very eyes. It’s been exactly eleven years since I stopped saying ‘when I grow up’, because on that day I did.

TODAY IS MY 18TH BIRTHDAY… IT’S BEEN EXACTLY ELEVEN YEARS SINCE I STOPPED SAYING ‘WHEN I GROW UP’, BECAUSE ON THAT DAY I DID. Vienna had been unstable for a while. Since Hitler had invaded, the Anti-Jew violence had reached extreme levels. We were being imprisoned upon the thousands, and having our homes and businesses ransacked. At the time I didn’t understand it all, but I knew it was something serious and awful. My mother was looking increasingly miserable day by day. I thought it was because it was nearing the anniversary of my father’s death, but now I understand. I wish I didn’t. It was a Friday night, and my Uncle joined us for Sabbath. Everyone wore

the gravest of expressions. We sat and ate after Kiddush, and while my sisters Esther and Fruma were arguing, I was concerned by the panic in my mother and uncle’s eyes and tried to listen in on their conversation. I caught a few hushed words over the bickering, but one particular phrase carved the deepest sense of dread into my heart, as the moment it was uttered my mother’s face aged twenty years. ‘Mauthausen Concentration Camp’. She immediately stood up from her chair and walked over to us. My sisters fell silent. She addressed all of us, but I could feel her eyes burning into me. “Calev, Esther, Fruma, I want you to understand this: In Austria there are people who want to hurt us for being who we are. We aren’t safe anymore, we haven’t been for a while. I didn’t want to tell you, but I have no choice, because we have to leave,” her voice shook. I was shocked and terrified. “Are we moving house Imah?” I asked timidly, and reached out to grab her hands. She clasped mine firmly. “We are leaving Austria, Calev,” she showed a small smile, mostly for my sake. “Now we really have to leave soon so go pack your bags. Only take what you need.” We all left the table, speechless. I packed some clothes, a blanket, and a toy all into a little bag, and I was about to close it when I noticed a picture sitting on the dresser. It was of my mother and father on their wedding; He was holding her as they danced, and they were laughing. I shoved in my bag, walking into the kitchen. She hugged me tight and looked at my face with a warmth in her eyes, but it vanished with a knock on the door. She glanced at my uncle Elijah

who appeared and grabbed me by the shoulder, steering me to my mother’s bedroom and shutting the door. He pointed to a man-sized hole in the floor previously covered by a laundry basket, and indicated for me to climb down there with him. I hopped down, and saw Esther and Furma in a small cupboard-like space as he climbed down after me, crouching down, and pulled the table back over the hole. We stayed silent as we heard mother speak to several militant sounding men. “Where are your children?!” they kept saying. “I have none,” she would say. I heard a thud – they’d hit her to the ground. I wanted to scream out. The door banged open as the men burst in, one of them had picked up my mother and was holding her roughly by the arm. They searched the room, and we held our breath. Then one of them walked towards us. He only had to pick up the basket and we would be found. We held our breaths, and I knew what true terror felt like in that moment. But then I heard my mother begin to thrash about viciously on the other side of the room, and hit the man holding her. All of the men moved towards her. Despite my uncles desperate silent pleas for me not to, I stood on tiptoes, and lifted the basket slightly so I could see what was going on. She was thrown to the ground, and one of the men pulled out a pistol. I stifled a scream as they shot her straight in the head. It has been exactly eleven years since I stopped saying ‘when I grow up’, because on that day I did.

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It Tolls for Thee BY JOR DA N YEE, YEA R 10 (ST PETERS INDOOROOPILLY)

He walked up the path, toward the pale brick building, standing proud above the bare surrounds. It’d been decades since he’d last come here, long decades. Everything had faded away, his family and his friends. He would be the last to go. He’d decided to come here, to the place where it all began. Perhaps he’d find home again. He entered and found an empty, hollow building. He had come here hoping to find home but it was as desolate as his world was outside. He turned to leave when a bell rang out. The building changed. It was filled with people, listening to a man speaking at the front in long ornate robes. He strained to listen – “is kind. It does not envy, it does not boa-.” The bell rang again. The scene changed. He was surrounded by aisles and aisles of shelving, stretching to the ceiling. He ran through, trying to find where the speaker had gone, when a single book caught his eye. He opened the cover and read the first line. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Li-.” The bell rang out again and the aisles vanished. They were replaced by a child painting on an easel. He walked round to look. He saw a canvas filed with colour, filled with life. The bell rang out another time and the painting disappeared.

crossed the line. The crowd cheered as one and he was swept up in their passion. Amid the noise of the throng, a bell rang. He was standing in the middle of a stream of schoolchildren, the lunch bell ringing out as they rushed out of the classrooms. He caught snatches of their conversations as they moved past him. “What you got next?” “You going to the library after school?” “Asked her out yet?” Resounding over their chatter, the bell clanged. He was sitting at the back of a classroom filled with students sitting at their desks. In the front, a teacher was writing on a blackboard, the scratchy chalk giving him goose bumps. He strained to read it from the back of the classroom. “The exam begins in five minutes. You will have two hours to analyse the extract.” The bell sounded.

near another man in a white robe. An organ began playing, and he saw a woman wearing a white dress and veil walk towards him. When she reached him, the man in the white robe began to talk. He couldn’t listen – he was too caught up in the woman. The man in the robe stopped talking. He’d asked him a question. He answered “I do.” She replied in the same way. The man in the robe said something again. He began to lift the veil. The bell tolled.

“ASHES TO ASHES. DUST TO D-” A BELL TOLLED AGAIN.

The church and the woman vanished, to be replaced by a fireplace. He looked around him. There was a small child playing on the hearthrug, whilst a woman sat nearby, reading a book. For The classroom vanished. He was in a the first time, he felt content. He felt church, the ceiling high and ornate, happy and warm and safe. The woman covered with paintings of angels and looked at him and said “I love you.” He saints. A choir began to sing, filling the began to reply: “I Lo-.” DONG. DONG. building with sound, rich and vibrant. DONG. The bell rang out again, The music rolled over him, heavenly insistent and final. Every peal of the hosts singing of hope and love and bell took more and more away. The fire home. The music reached its climax, and vanished. The child disappeared. The the bell pealed. room slowly faded away. The woman He was standing in a hospital. A doctor was the last to go. He struggled to finish his sentence. It felt vital that he tell her. presented an overjoyed couple with a crying child. “We’ll call her Anna,” they “I love y-.” she faded away, leaving him alone once more. said. The bell tolled again.

He was standing in the rain outside. People stood around him, dressed in He was standing in an empty cinema. black while a coffin was lowered into On the screen a woman told a man “I love you.” The man replied, “I know.” A the ground. He could hear faintly under the roar of the rain one of the men bell rang again. say: “Ashes to ashes. Dust to d-” A bell He was standing in a grandstand amidst tolled again. a sea of maroon, watching people racing He was standing in a building. The along a track. They came ever closer and closer, before one in maroon finally white ceiling stretched into the sky. He was wearing a suit and standing

He began to cry. He had been so close. He had been so close to a family, so close to love, and now his only companion was the silence that filled the air. Suddenly, light streamed in through the windows, accompanied by music from an unseen choir. He looked up and saw his family and old friends. He reached out for them. He was safe. He was loved. He was home.

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ST PETERS SIGNATUR E SER IES CONCERTS INTRODUCE

The Idea of North WOR DS BY K ATHLEEN BA R K ER IM AGES BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

“We have just peeked into your Performing Arts Centre,” said Naomi Crellin, Alto for a cappella outfit The Idea of North, “and I think we all came out with our mouths just gaping – it’s amazing!” In August, Naomi and fellow The Idea of North vocalists Sally Cameron, Nick Begbie and Andrew Piper, conducted workshops with St Peters students before taking to the Performing Arts Centre stage to perform to a packed house in the third of St Peters Signature Series concerts. The group is passionate about supporting the next generation of a cappella singers. Their workshops for students and teachers have attracted them a following among Australian schools. “We’re one of the only professional a cappella groups in the country,” Naomi explained. “We’re really passionate about that changing… It changes when you go into schools and educate.” The ensemble dedicated a full day to St Peters’ students, running exercises and games that challenged them to create different sounds with their voices, and rehearsing with them for the evening concert, which featured performances by St Peters Chorale, Saints & Singers, and Cantique. Students put their newfound skills to the ultimate test when combined choirs joined The Idea of North onstage to perform workshopped songs. “I think a lot of people who can sing, just sing, without really thinking about what their options are for the different sounds that they can make and different genres that they can delve into,” Sally said. “That’s fun for us.” Keep your eye on events.stpeters.qld.edu.au for information on upcoming St Peters Signature Series concerts.

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Courting Success WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON

Six St Peters Springfield girls are carving out a name for themselves on the basketball court.

“Talitha Cox is only 14 and Kuini Latu is only 13, so they were playing up age levels,” Jeremy explained.

Eseta Latu and Cassie Poulain (St Peters Opens Girls Basketball), Dione Bull and Talitha Hoad (10A Girls Basketball), Talitha Cox (9A Girls Basketball) and Kuini Latu (8A Girls Basketball) have had their most successful year in the QGSSSA and Met West competitions.

Cassie Poulain’s selection in the 15 Years Queensland team was another milestone.

In an amazing achievement, Eseta, Cassie, Talitha Cox and Kuini were members of the victorious Met West 15 Years Girls Basketball team that went through undefeated to win the State Title. “This was the first time Met West has won this title and it is a wonderful achievement with four of the 10 girls in the team from St Peters Springfield,” explained Jeremy Lohe, Head of Sport at St Peters Springfield. The win was especially impressive considering Talitha and Kuini’s age.

“Individually, Cassie was named in the honorary Queensland team so that was a fantastic achievement for her,” Jeremy said. According to Jeremy, the girls are reaping the rewards of their ongoing commitment to training and competition. “They’re dedicated to their sport,” Jeremy said with sincerity. “They have made a significant contribution to girls’ basketball at St Peters over the years.” The girls concur that being part of a team and meeting new people are some of the benefits they enjoy the most about playing basketball. They also agree it helps to have a competitive edge.

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“THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME MET WEST HAS WON THIS TITLE AND IT IS A WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT WITH FOUR OF THE 10 GIRLS IN THE TEAM FROM ST PETERS SPRINGFIELD.” Pictured (above L–R): Kuini Latu, Talitha Cox, Cassie Poulain and Eseta Latu were members of the victorious Met West 15 Years State Basket Championship team; and (opposite L–R): Cassie Poulain, Kuini Latu, Talitha Hoad, Talitha Cox and Dione Bull.

“I love the feeling I get when I play the game,” Kuini explained. “If I lose, it’s really devastating,” she said. For Dione, it’s the pure excitement of the battle.

“I LOVE THE ADRENALIN RUSH WHEN I’M RUNNING DOWN THE COURT WITH THE BALL. IT’S SUCH A GREAT FEELING.” “I love the adrenalin rush when I’m running down the court with the ball,” Dione said. “It’s such a great feeling.” The girls are very appreciative of the support they enjoy from both schools, particularly from the St Peters Springfield

teachers. They commented how teachers and students often attend their games which means a great deal to them. With such an outstanding group of team players, Jeremy is optimistic about the future of girls’ basketball at St Peters Springfield. “We’ve obviously got a talented group of girls coming through and I think word is getting out into the community that Springfield is a good place to come and play basketball” “The girls are thankful for the opportunity to play in a good competition for St Peters,” Jeremy said. Given the talent, commitment and passion of these basketball players, it seems likely girls basketball at St Peters is on target for much future success.

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Carys hopes to Kick Goals for the Defence Academy WOR DS BY A NGELA GA R DNER, IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

In the count down to the end of Year 12, Carys Hodgson is focussing on her International Baccalaureate studies and her plans for the future. Carys has been awarded an Education Scholarship by the Australian Defence Force Academy where she plans to study Arts with a focus on International Politics and Geography and eventually hopes to work in Intelligence. “I’m scared and excited but mostly excited,” Carys said. “When I leave here I will take friendships that will last a life time and I have learned how to be organised and look after myself in boarding.” “The Defence Force recruiter said that boarding was one of the things they liked about me… that I can take care of myself will help me transition into the Academy.” A keen sportswoman, Carys is Captain of both Cawley Sports House and Football. She is Captain of the Open Football Team and volunteers her time and skills coaching the Year 6 team. She also plays netball in the Senior A team and is finishing her Duke of Edinburgh Award Gold medal.

Carys is also happy that the Defence Forces encourage participation in sport and she will be able to continue to follow her sporting interests. “They give you one hour in the morning to do your sport, they have teams and volunteering opportunities that will allow me to continue to play sport and contribute to the community.” “There are opportunities to represent your service and the Australian defence forces in sporting teams and to travel all over the world.” Given her career choice it comes as no surprise that Carys chose an International Baccalaureate pathway while at St Peters. “Although I love sport, particularly football, I chose the IB because of its international focus and I enjoy subjects like Psychology.” When asked what she liked about St Peters Carys said; “There are so many opportunities here, I am never bored.” Carys will relocate to Canberra at the end of January. We wish her well as she embarks on this next stage of her life.

“THE DEFENCE FORCE RECRUITER SAID THAT BOARDING WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THEY LIKED ABOUT ME… THAT I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF WILL HELP ME TRANSITION INTO THE ACADEMY.”

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“THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO REPRESENT YOUR SERVICE AND THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCES IN SPORTING TEAMS AND TO TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD.” – Carys Hodgson, Year 12 student at St Peters Indooroopilly

Pictured: Carys Hodgson, Year 12 student at St Peters Indooroopilly, has been awarded a scholarship by the Australian Defence Force Academy, where she plans to study Arts.

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Closing the Gap WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON

Learning from, valuing and working with Indigenous Australians is an integral part of St Peters’ history and future.

“For me, it was the trip of a lifetime and I learned our indigenous communities are similar to us in many ways,” Lily said.

This philosophy was at the heart of 15 St Peters students who embarked on a unique journey in June/July to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, located on the Northern Territory and South Australian border.

“I found the people so kind, gentle, calm, welcoming, loving and warm hearted and I learned more than I ever imagined I would from them.”

Accompanied by teachers, Ingrid Rucinski, Bronwyn Jamieson and Pastor Thomas Böhmert, the tour was an opportunity for immersion and service learning, and a significant gesture of hospitality and reconciliation on the part of the Indigenous elders of Kenmore Park. “You must receive an invitation from the elders to go to that part of Australia,” Ingrid explained. “This is the first time anyone from Queensland had been invited to the homeland, Kenmore Park, and to their camping ground at Breakfast Creek,” Ingrid said. According to Ingrid, the tour provided opportunities for many of the students to find themselves outside of their constructed sphere of knowledge of their homeland by immersing with indigenous families to gain a greater understanding of their traditions and culture. For Lily Kennedy, the most memorable part of the tour was when an elder reminded the group that Australia is a harsh country, but also a beautiful country. 26

Ingrid shares Lily’s sentiments, recalling one of her favourite moments on the first day in the homeland.

tracks and learned about bush tucker. For some students, witchetty grubs were even on the menu! They also spent time learning about the song lines of the area they were in. Song lines are stories people in the area learn to understand the layout of the land and where to find food and shelter. “We had so many simple experiences, and I learned so many things about the world, others and myself,” recalled Luc Seaton.

“It is very vivid in my mind how our 16 years-old students just took some “It was all bundled into those eleven balls and played football and soccer together with the indigenous children,” days… that I will cherish forever,” Luc said. Ingrid explained. “This broke down the barriers of culture and they just ran around for hours playing. It was beautiful to see, as a teacher and a parent, how kids make friends so readily, and they are not so different away from social constraints and preconceptions.” The students were immersed in a variety of activities, visited indigenous communities and participated in a building project for the Breakfast Creek camping ground. “We visited Breakfast Creek, where the people of Kenmore Park go to learn stories, camp, hunt and gather, and dance in the old traditions,” Ingrid explained.

The students visited Erldunda and went to the Arts Studio and spent time in the school playing sports with the children from Kenmore Park. A few weeks after the tour, Ingrid said it was valuable for the students to reflect and she was amazed to hear how much the experience had changed their perspectives. According to Ingrid, the students were more acutely aware of their wealth and access to health care and education, and they returned with a deeper understanding of indigenous culture and traditions.

“While we were there, we built a set of benches for the camping ground to help the locals,” she said.

“All the students felt they learned so much about the vast country we live in and just how remote some of the indigenous populations are,” Ingrid explained.

Students walked through the desert identifying animal droppings and

“They learned the value of rich oral traditions and teachings about the

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land, the complexities of maintaining balance in the ecosystem and how to care for it and themselves,” Ingrid said. In addition, the students were more aware they do not have to travel overseas to learn a new culture and language. “Learning about indigenous people can help the healing and reconciliation of our country.” Ingrid said.

Pictured (clockwise from right): Trixie Passmore tries a witchetty grub; Hamish Walton, Luc Seaton, and Liam Somers spend time with locals; Lily Kennedy helps to build a set of benches at Breakfast Creek camping grounds; students explore the complexities of a balanced ecosystem; and a student shares a moment with a local child.

Having to say goodbye was hard for many of the students, including Lily Kennedy.

“WHEN THEY SANG A FAREWELL SONG WITH THE GUITAR WE GAVE THEM THAT MEANT ‘GOOD LUCK, BEST WISHES, THANK YOU AND WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN SOON’, I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES.” “When they sang a farewell song with the guitar we gave them that meant ‘good luck, best wishes, thank you and we will see you again soon’, I had tears in my eyes,” Lily said recalling that cherished moment. “But, I know I will see them again soon,” she said.

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VAPar IM AGES BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

VAPar provides an opportunity for parents, students and community members to celebrate the Visual and Performing Arts at St Peters. The audience delighted in fashion parades, art displays and performances at the Performing Arts Centre. Its entrance - illuminated by ice cube lamps – was awash with blue to evoke the ocean. A red carpet Fashion show opened the event, followed by an appearance by St Peters Stage Band, who performed a high energy set. Drama students presented their interpretation of Beach, a theatre production that touched on the events of the 2012 Tsunami. There was plenty to entertain at interval, with Artist talks, performances by St Peters Rock bands, and Indian food to sample. Throughout the evening, the student Art exhibition wove its visual magic. Audience members were enchanted by creative works from Years 7-12. Comedy magician Matt Hollywood closed the show, rousing hearty laughter from the audience. Thank you to all who participated and to the P&F for their support.

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Ever Higher WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON, IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

Boarder Jordan Abel brings to light the inspirational story of Juliao Dos Reis through a school project and reveals a man who embodies the school motto, “plus ultra, ever higher”. When Year 6 boarder, Jordan Abel had to consider who he could interview for a school project, he knew straightaway who to ask.

For most of his childhood, Juliao’s father, a resistance fighter, was separated from his family and life was hard for him, his siblings and especially his mother.

Juliao Dos Reis, a St Peters Resident “Due to his father, the family was Boarding Master and Jordan’s homework tutor, has an inspiring story, known to be pro-independent,” Jordan explained. which Jordan wanted to share. “I knew he had moved here from East Timor on an academic scholarship as he told me earlier in the year,” Jordan explained. Jordan and Juliao, affectionately known as “Jules”, met this year when Jordan came from Papua New Guinea to board at St Peters. In Jordan’s account, Juliao’s upbringing in East Timor was harsh, unsure, and at times heartbreaking, his country plagued by civil war. “The year was 1999, and at the time hopeful East Timorese people were nervously lining up to vote for independence from Indonesia. Then there was the outbreak of violence from militia groups, who weren’t taking the separation terribly well,” Jordan said, as he described the tenuous situation of the proindependence movement at that time.

According to Jordan, Jules found it hard to cope with the chronic sadness of his mother, and ran away when he was ten. “Juliao was found alone, crying and hungry in a bus terminal and was taken in by a kind family,” Jordan said. For the next few years, Juliao saved enough money to open a shop. He was very successful and was known as “little boss”. Eventually, Juliao and his father reunited and the whole family came back together. Juliao returned to school and consistently topped his class. Juliao’s reward for his scholastic achievements was perhaps the turning point in his life. In 2002 aged 18, he was one of four Timorese students who received a scholarship through a collaborative program between the Queensland

Education Department and St Joseph’s Nudgee College, where he completed high school. “Despite the difficulties I’ve faced throughout the years of studying, I feel extremely lucky to have such opportunities to be educated in Australia,” Juliao said humbly. “This is a lifetime opportunity which many young men in Timor don’t have.” At 32, Juliao has certainly made the most of his opportunities. He has worked as an Advisor to a local nongovernment organisation and a private school while working as a health project manager for an international non-government organisation in Timor. “After high school I was fortunate to be supported by Queensland University of Technology to finish undergraduate and postgraduate studies and a masters degree in health,” Juliao explained. In 2012, Juliao was the first Timorese to be awarded an Endeavour Awards Scholarship by the Australian Government to undertake PhD study, which he aims to finish by the end of the year. The scholarship provided financial support to undertake his research, which examined the factors

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Pictured: Jordan Abel (Year 6) with Resident Boarding Master Juliao Dos Reis.

“THE MAIN WAY HE INSPIRES ME IS JUST NEVER GIVING UP AND ABSOLUTELY GOING FOR IT IN LIFE!” – Jordan Abel (Year 6 Boarder), of Resident Boarding Master Juliao Dos Reis

associated with medication adherence among patients in East Timor. He anticipates that the findings of his research will be used in Timor to shape future policy development towards the treatment of Tuberculosis. “I always give the best of my ability to take advantage of all opportunities I come across, and learn as much prior to returning home, where hopefully I will be able to help and share my knowledge, skills and experiences I have with my people,” Juliao said.

Jordan said Juliao is a good role model because he is determined and focused on what he has to do. “The main way he inspires me is just never giving up and absolutely going for it in life!” Jordan said.

“The College provides the best quality of education in order to facilitate students to achieve their dreams,” Juliao explained.

“However, to be successful, an individual requires determination, discipline, hard working and a lot Juliao also has an important message for of sacrifices.” his boarding students at St Peters. He Undeniably wise words from a man reminds them never to take for granted the sacrifices their parents make to send who embodies all of these qualities and lives his life in the spirit of them to what he describes as a “fine plus ultra. school like St Peters”. 31

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Inspiring education through Community Arts WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON

The creative input of 4T students at St Peters Springfield will be on permanent display when stage one of the Mater Private Hospital Springfield (MPHS) opens later this year. The Hospital, in collaboration with Independent Arts Management, invited St Peters and other local schools to take part in a community artists-in-residence project developed around the concepts of ‘legacy’ and ‘identity’. The students of 4T worked with one of the Mater’s chosen artists, talented local Deb Mostert, who took inspiration from the students to create 15 original artworks that will be on permanent display in the hospital. Deb said she drew on a previous body of her work entitled, Objects and Ornithology for the project and was excited to bring her extensive experience as an artist and art teacher to the class. “The students were very enthusiastic,” Deb said with a smile. “We brainstormed and they gave me lots of ideas.” Deb spent a day with the students explaining the project and the process. The students talked about birds and spent time learning about their anatomy. “We drew a lot of birds and in a construction session, the students made birds out of butchers paper, 32

masking tape and wire. We ended up with some interesting creations!” Deb said with a smile.

them the opportunity to draw from their imagination, observation and memory,” Cathy said.

When Deb recently returned to the classroom to show the students the artworks the Mater had chosen, there was one in particular that drew a rousing response.

According to Cathy, students’ overall drawing abilities have improved, as well as their confidence in having a go at drawing.

“We started to talk about snow domes as souvenirs so we paired that up with the penguin!” Deb said. “That one seemed to get the most reaction, as I thought it would!”

with a huge smile. “It was amazing and so cool!”

Deb said this is one of the long-term Deb said she was inspired to create the benefits of the project for students. work entitled, I pick up one when I go “Year 4 is a great age because students on holidays, depicting a Rock Hopper are still fairly unconscious about their penguin with a collection of snow domes, after a discussion with the class. abilities, so they just go for it and have fun!” Deb said. “We looked at the whole idea of 4T student, Trinity Cowan, agreed. museums and collecting, and if birds were collectors like us, what would “We got to draw and paint and make they collect?” Deb explained. 3D birds with wire feet,” Trinity said

4T Class Teacher, Cathy Jeffries, said Deb had inspired many of her students and they often refer to some of the techniques she taught them. “As part of the project, the students were given a visual diary to draw in,” Cathy explained. “They often take their visual diary out of their desk and draw in it for free choice activities.” “Because the students are very enthusiastic towards art, I have also introduced the 30 Days of Drawing art program, which gives

Editor’s note: The Mater Private Hospital Springfield Community Open Day is on 16 October. The first patients will be admitted to the hospital towards the end of the year.

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Pictured (clockwise from top): Deb’s artwork pairing a Penguin with snow domes was one of the class favourites; Year 4T students Elliot Steffensen and Veronica Waldorff-Freiberg with artist, Deb Mostert; and Blue is my favourite colour – Satin Bowerbird.

“WE LOOKED AT THE WHOLE IDEA OF MUSEUMS AND COLLECTING, AND IF BIRDS WERE COLLECTORS LIKE US, WHAT WOULD THEY COLLECT?”

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Performer of the Year NICOLAS M A RGA R IT CROW NED CONCERTO W INNER FOR THE SECOND TIME WOR DS BY K ATHLEEN BA R K ER IM AGES BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY Nicolas Margarit, Concerto winner

It isn’t often that a secondary school music student has the opportunity to perform accompanied by a Symphony Orchestra. St Peters annual Performer of the Year Concerto competition provides music students with just this opportunity. This year’s finalists, Erna Lai (Year 9); Samuel Choi (Year 10); Nicolas Margarit (Year 11); and Lachlan Huang (Year 12) performed concerti by Lalo; Grieg; Schumann; and Sibelius respectively in a battle of cello, piano and violin. Wilkin Chan (Year 12), who won the Recital division of the competition, performed his triumphant piano piece while adjudicators Pat Murphy (cellist), Alan Smith (violinist) and Jenni Flemming (pianist) conferred. They returned from deliberations to crown Nicolas Margarit winner for the second year running.

Samuel Choi, finalist

In the lead up to the competition, Nic increased his practise from five hours weekly to four-six hours daily in order to craft his winning performance of Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto Op. 54. “Last year, the judges mentioned that I really communicated with the Orchestra well, so I thought that it would be important to play to my strengths,” Nic said. “My teacher suggested the Schumann, and I kind of liked it… so we just ran with it.” Nic’s choice paid off, with this year’s judges again commending his sensitivity to the St Peters Symphony Orchestra that accompanied him. He looks forward to next year’s competition, and has already consulted with his teacher about his choice of future concerto.

Erna Lai, finalist

“It gives me something to work towards,” Nic said. “I don’t do AMEB exams or anything, so it’s a really good goal and I think that playing with an Orchestra is just something that you don’t do very often so it’s a great opportunity…” To find out more about St Peters Performer of the Year Recital and Concerto competitions contact David Deacon (Head of Strings) d.deacon@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Lachlan Huang, finalist

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Wilkin Chan, Recital winner

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One Big Family WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON, IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

“I LOVE TEACHING YEAR 3. TO ME, IT’S THAT FIRST YEAR WHEN THEY START TO BECOME INDEPENDENT.” – Nick Brayne, Year 3 Teacher at St Peters Springfield

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St Peters Springfield teacher, Nick Brayne, loves his job!

School. He stayed for six years before being “called” back to Brisbane.

Ever since he joined the school in 2010, Nick has embraced the school, its close-knit community and the Lutheran ethos.

Now in his sixth year at St Peters, Nick explained he taught Year 6 in combination with Physical Education (HPE) classes in the first year, but he jumped at the chance to teach a Year 3 class.

In addition to being a Year 3 Teacher, he has immersed himself in the sporting programs and spiritual life of the school, and on a personal note, last year, he became a father to daughter, Emilie. All this makes Nick a very happy and busy individual. Nick’s pathway to being a teacher was not always straightforward. While he had an interest in teaching, he decided to sit the Public Service exam and worked in social services for about eight years before he enrolled to study primary teaching, majoring in Physical Education.

“I love teaching Year 3,” Nick said with great enthusiasm. “To me, it’s that first year when they start to become independent. I just see it as a big growth year when you can actually see that progress,” Nick explained. Outside of the classroom, Nick is very involved in the spiritual life of the school. He credits this to his personal spiritual awakening as he became involved in the school’s community celebrations and embraced the Lutheran faith.

Initially, Nick said he wanted to teach secondary students, but had a change of heart.

“When I came here, I just saw a different way of seeing God and living our life as servants,” Nick said candidly.

“I always thought about doing PE teaching and I thought about teaching secondary school,” said Nick, who has a passion for sport.

“My wife and I became members of the Lutheran Church. We baptised our daughter in the Lutheran Church. It made me really feel part of a community and think about what we can do for others,” Nick said.

However, his part-time work with Queensland Little Athletics made him realise he wanted to work more with primary school students.

“I take the kids so the parents can interact and meet each other. We play games on the oval and then come back for the service.” “During lunchtimes, sometimes the Years 3 and 4 students will practise a play. Even if it’s just giving them a reading or a prayer to do, they love getting involved,” Nick said. Nick has also been instrumental in building some of the sports programs at Springfield. “When I first started there wasn’t a lot going on in terms of athletics,” Nick said. “Maybe three or four students would turn up. Now we can have up to 30 students to a session, so I guess I’ve helped to build up that program.” Nick said this year has been particularly exciting for sport at Springfield. “This year, we fielded the first ever Years 4/5 St Peters Springfield cricket and soccer teams in the AIC Competition,” Nick said proudly. “The soccer team went really well. They only lost one game. The parents have been very supportive,” he added. In Term 4, he said the cricket team will be back out on the field again honing their skills in a local competition in preparation for AIC in Term 1, 2016.

Nick said he found tremendous joy in the community celebrations, which have grown substantially over the years. “They are all keen to go again,” Nick said with a smile. Nick said there was also another “The community celebrations important influence in his decision to connected me and I loved it,” Nick said. Nick said his motivation for what he become a teacher. does is firmly rooted in his love of the “I became a member of the core group.” Springfield school community. “A friend of mine started up a program Held the first Friday of every month, so I started teaching learn to swim. “The community is a big thing for me… That experience really made me want to Nick said the celebrations were a feeling like it’s not a job…it’s like being wonderful opportunity for parents do teaching even more!” Nick said. part of a big family.” to get to know each other and for the Nick’s first placement in 2004, was as students to be involved in the services. a Year 3 teacher at Toowoomba Prep 37

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Labour of Love WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON, *IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

It’s lunchtime on an unusually humid winter day. Chris Chapman, a senior history and geography teacher at St Peters Indooroopilly, greets a group of eager Year 1’s and students from the Environmental Club. They have heeded his call to plant more trees in a section of the Barry Jahnke rainforest, designated for regeneration. Although they may not know it, these students are carrying on an important legacy that began five decades ago when the rainforest was set aside in 1969 as a green space. There has been a quiet but significant green movement taking place ever since. A small group of dedicated and passionate staff have volunteered their time and talents to tend St Peters’ hidden gem, nestled between the 25m pool and the Girls Boarding precinct. In his spare time, Chris Chapman has been one of those volunteers who has faithfully nurtured the rainforest, named in honour of the man who started it all, past St Peters science teacher, Barry Jahnke. Chris, who considered a career as a park ranger before he chose teaching, said he was ecstatic to learn of the rainforest when he came to teach in 1983.

“When I came here and heard there was a rainforest I joked with Barry, do you want a labourer?” Chris explained.

“It’s a terrific resource,” Chris said. “I don’t know of any other school that has anything remotely like this.”

“There were camphor laurels, palm trees and succulents all over the place, so that just became my hobby for years!”

Chris works collaboratively with staff from all sub schools and the Environmental Club, to ensure the rainforest has peripheral uses for teachers and students.

With Barry’s guidance, Chris said he learned a lot about it as he went along. “Barry showed which trees were the ones to keep. Bit by bit, we weeded and did some different plantings with students. Barry had it pretty well developed when he left in 2001,” Chris said. Chris said he and Barry were like two peas in a pod. “Barry wanted to try and bring nature and farming and agriculture to urban kids, which is what I want to do, too,” Chris said.

“At the request of teachers, I often take kids on tours,” Chris explained. “The class might be studying mini beasts or they want to look at different forest adaptions or how a forest is structured,” Chris said. Chris recalled many examples of how staff and students use the rainforest to complement their units of study. “The Junior High and Senior School really value the forest for geography and biology study units. The teachers can take students there for species identification,” Chris explained.

What has ensued over the years is an ecological treasure providing St Peters’ There are many other examples. students with a unique, natural environment in an urban school setting. “English teachers take students there for creative writing… Study of Religion Chris is adamant it’s good for students teachers may take students to discuss to immerse themselves in nature and God’s beautiful creation… Drama get their hands into the dirt and soil. students use it as a performance rehearsal space and Photography “The rainforest provides a wonderful students have used it for light and opportunity for children to be in there shade studies,” Chris said. under the trees, to see mossy logs…to touch and feel and smell and be among beautiful things.”

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Pictured (from top): *Chris Chapman, senior history and geography teacher, makes the most of the Barry Jahnke rainforest at St Peters Indooroopilly; and Mackenzie Wingate-Robinson (Year 10) and Hannah Kuipers (Year 1) plant a seedling.

“WHEN THE STUDENTS VISIT THE RAINFOREST, I LIKEN IT TO A LIVING, GROWING CHURCH, WHERE GOD’S POWER IS ALL AROUND, IN EVERY LEAF AND EVERY TREE.” – Chris Chapman, senior history and geography teacher at St Peters Indooroopilly

“I take students there for Year 10 History. They do a World War II unit and we look at the Kokoda campaign. We re-enact what it might have been like for the soldiers crawling through the jungle floor,” Chris explained. In addition to the rainforest, Chris is equally passionate about flowers. What started out as a Form Class project a few years ago, has grown and bloomed into a colourful floral display lining the pathway leading to the Chapel. “My philosophy is that flowers make people happy,” Chris said. “I’ve had people, both staff and students come up to me and say they love the flowers and it makes them feel happy and gives them a bit of a lift,” Chris said humbly. Compliments aside, Chris believes the rainforest and flowers provide people with an opportunity for spiritual reflection. “When the students visit the rainforest, I liken it to a living, growing church, where God’s power is all around, in every leaf and every tree,” Chris explained. “I want kids to think about how we are part of this beautiful, natural world.”

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A Compassionate Facilitator of Change WOR DS BY A NGELA GA R DNER, IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

St Peters E-learning Coordinator and Old Scholar, Amanda Rablin (Andersen, 1996) is passionate about helping teachers to integrate online technologies into teaching and learning activities. Amanda sees her role at St Peters as being a compassionate facilitator of change. One of the designers of St Peters Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) scheme, Amanda is keenly aware of the challenges teachers face in today’s classrooms and enjoys working with them to develop strategies to manage their “hyper-connected” digital students. “One of the best things we’ve found is students teaching each other,”

Amanda said. “Teachers can’t know everything about every device but our students often help each other solve their technology problems and in turn learn valuable skills.” Although Amanda’s focus is on teaching teachers she also enjoys working with her Year 7 Digital Technology class. This new subject focuses on developing computational thinking and teaches students to be creators of digital technologies in order to solve problems. The students also use software like Scratch to develop an understanding of basic programming. And that’s where her interest in robotics comes in.

“ONE OF THE BEST THINGS WE’VE FOUND IS STUDENTS TEACHING EACH OTHER. STUDENTS OFTEN HELP EACH OTHER SOLVE THEIR TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS AND IN TURN LEARN VALUABLE SKILLS.”

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Pictured: Amanda Rablin, St Peters E-learning Coordinator, is an inspiration to girls interested in technology.

their age. Being able to be that person “You can buy simple robotic kits who inspires students is one of the quite cheaply and program them to reasons I became a teacher.” do just about anything,” Amanda explained. “You can get them to say Amanda found it strange to work at something, dance, or interact with their environment just by dragging and her alma mater, along with teachers who taught her. Among Amanda’s list dropping blocks of code.” of her St Peters role models, she lists Mr Chapman who is also featured Amanda is assisting with the creation in this edition. “You get a different of a technology group for girls. perspective on teachers as a whole “There are not many role models for person and it makes the memories of girls who are interested in technology,” St Peters even richer.” Amanda said. “I hope I can be a role model for girls who are like I was at

“THERE ARE NOT MANY ROLE MODELS FOR GIRLS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TECHNOLOGY. I HOPE I CAN BE A ROLE MODEL FOR GIRLS WHO ARE LIKE I WAS AT THEIR AGE.”

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St Peters Foundation embraces the Future WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON, IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

“FROM THE MOMENT I STEPPED INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, I WAS TOTALLY FASCINATED BY THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY AND MY ENTHUSIASM HAS BEEN GROWING EVER SINCE.” Welcome to new Foundation Manager, Mrs Kathrin Hofmann. Kathrin will be responsible for the development and delivery of fundraising activities for the benefit of current and future students through the new St Peters Lutheran College Future Foundation Limited. As Kathrin explained, the restructure of the Foundation has now been finalised. “The ‘old’ Foundation has been replaced by the St Peters Lutheran College Future Foundation Limited, which will operate as a vehicle to harness the generosity of our community and to raise funds to assist the College with its vital work that directly benefits every St Peters’ student,” Kathrin said. “We see its responsibility as philanthropic fundraising for the benefit of St Peters Lutheran College at Indooroopilly, Springfield and Ironbark.” Born and raised in East Germany, Kathrin worked in the Insurance industry for ten years in Germany before she and her husband moved to Edinburgh. Kathrin first became involved in fundraising and development working at the University of Edinburgh.

Pictured: A new Foundation Manager for a new Foundation. Kathrin Hofmann will manage fundraising activities through the new St Peters Lutheran College Future Foundation Limited.

“From the moment I stepped into the Development Office, I was totally fascinated by the power of philanthropy and my enthusiasm has been growing ever since. I really enjoyed the environment. It was very vibrant,” Kathrin said. After four and a half years in Scotland, Kathrin and her husband relocated to Brisbane. Since then, Kathrin has worked in fundraising and alumni relations at The University of Queensland and St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ College. As a current St Peters parent and donor, Kathrin looks forward to working with the Foundation Directors and the St Peters community. “I’m very excited because we are starting a new journey together. The old chapter of the book has closed and we’ve just opened a new one,” Kathrin said.

Education for Life WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON, IM AGES BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

When four Year 9 students from St Peters Springfield set out on their Ironbark adventure earlier this year, they didnâ€™t know quite what to expect. Nicole Spencer-Scarr, Jai Rankin, Talitha Cox and Christopher Wise share their stories of courage in the face of adversity, determination when they wanted to give in, and their new-found confidence.

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What did you learn about taking care of yourself?

Nicole I learned that I can do anything I set my heart to, and I can be much more independent when taking care of myself. We had morning and afternoon jobs, feeding the chickens, cleaning the pig pens, milking the cows and we also had garden work. Another part of our afternoon jobs was to cook dinner. Jai At Ironbark, injuries can happen, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t go home with a broken bone of some sort! I took care of myself by listening to the teachers when doing work that could result in injuries, not doing anything that might end up in a bad way and by keeping myself clean so I didn’t get sick. Talitha I learned how to survive in the wilderness. Before going to Ironbark I didn’t know how to start a fire or even dress wounds properly. I learnt this from participating in survival and solo. Christopher I learned how easy it is to take care of myself, at home before Ironbark I did do a lot to take care of myself, but Ironbark gave me the confidence to do it.

hat was the most memorable part of your Ironbark experience and what did you learn about yourself in that experience? Nicole Almost everything we did at Ironbark involved bonding with people 44

and working together in groups, and I found that it was a very important part of Ironbark. I learned how to get along with people I wouldn’t usually hang out with and that’s an important skill to have in life. We had to cooperate in groups alone in the bush building things. That was pretty tough. You either make or break your friendships. When I had to do my solo, I was quite scared in the night because I had never done anything like that! But it was definitely a good experience. I actually managed to get through it! I’ve always loved animals and I loved all the animals here. Jai The most memorable part of Ironbark was farm jobs and the four day hike. We did the farm jobs nearly every day so I will never forget them. The hike was amazing, walking 52km with five other companions. The views were incredible and it will stay with me forever. On hike, we had to look after ourselves by drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. Some of the days hiking were in temperatures 30 degrees or more. As there was no access to showers or toilets on hike, a shower was wiping your body with baby wipes and the toilet was a hole in the ground. Hygiene was very important throughout the hike and the Ironbark staff advised us to keep healthy. On survival, our group was put out literally in the middle of nowhere. We had no idea where we were. It was really hot - 38 degrees on one day! We

had a limited amount of water so we didn’t want to waste that. Talitha For me, the most memorable moments were on hike. I did not want to take part in hike at all. It just seemed too hard for me. Every day at Ironbark leading up to hike, I was thinking about how I would make it through 53km of mountainous terrain, but looking back on hike, I am so proud of myself that I made it through the whole journey. I learned that I am stronger than I think, physically and mentally.

“LOOKING BACK ON HIKE, I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF THAT I MADE IT THROUGH THE WHOLE JOURNEY. I LEARNED THAT I AM STRONGER THAN I THINK, PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.” When we were at Cronins, it was great to understand how people used to live without electricity and technology. It was an eye-opening experience. I live in the city so taking care of animals was really new for me. Christopher Survival was the most memorable experience for me. Through survival, I learned how determined I am and how much fight

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Pictured (from top): Christopher Wise and Talitha Cox collect eggs from the chicken coop; and Nicole Spencer-Scarr and Talitha prepare for their solo experience.

I have. I learned how to survive with the basics and how to build with only basic materials. The hardest things of all were definitely survival and hike. You get there and you think how am I going to do this because you are beyond tired. It’s physical challenges on top of mental challenges. Now I look back on it, I’m so happy I did the hike. When I got back to Ironbark after the hike, it was the most amazing feeling.

hat would you say is different about yourself since you came back from Ironbark? Nicole I can say that I am more independent, mature, hard-working and definitely more willing to try doing new things. If I can clean out pig pens without feeling sick, I can do anything! I didn’t cook as much at home and I definitely noticed after Ironbark I cook a bit more at home now. When we did the dorm cleaning, it was a big step! I’m more willing to do it at home now,

because if I can clean a bathroom after 40 people I can clean my own! Jai Since I’ve come back from Ironbark, I believe I have matured a lot more…and I can cook better. Now my parents can trust me more, going out or staying home by myself. They don’t have to worry about me! Talitha I do a lot of sport so I am a natural leader. I don’t think much has changed about myself but I feel I am a little bit more independent. I feel I can deal with most of my everyday problems by myself without having someone else resolve them for me. Christopher I have noticed two differences in myself since my return. First, I have more initiative and secondly, I have more confidence to do things by myself. I learned how to become a leader. I learned so much from working in a group. The experience has made me a better person.

Before Ironbark, I was quite independent and I had to do a lot of jobs at home. But I think because we had to do cooking and cleaning, if I had to suddenly live by myself, I wouldn’t be scared at all.

“MY PARENTS NOW SEE ME AS A MORE GROWN UP, INDEPENDENT PERSON. I THINK THAT’S BEEN ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT IRONBARK FOR ME!” My parents now see me as a more grown up, independent person. I think that’s been one of the best things about Ironbark for me!

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Community News FACES, PLACES, SPACES

Year 12 IB student, Tahlia Bligh recently attended the annual Chrysalis 2015 International Young Leaders’ Conference at the University of Queensland. The conference brought together a select number of senior high school students from across Australia and around the world.

// International Young Leaders’ Conference

Tahlia heard about the Conference through her involvement in UN Youth Australia. She successfully applied and won a scholarship to attend.

St Peters parent, Szczepan Urbanowicz, and his co-author, Mark Fuller have just launched a unique collection of watercolour renderings and ink washes of contemporary Brisbane. The book is called A Brisbane Sketchbook and includes two iconic St Peters buildings – Ross Roy House and the Chapel. Szczepan will present St Peters with these prints of Ross

Held over six days, Tahlia engaged in various activities culminating in a group presentation which addressed the topic of conflict and resolution of the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Tahlia said the conference was a great opportunity for her to meet international students from the Asia-Pacific region, and she was able to talk to undergraduate UQ students who were studying courses she is considering next year.

Roy and the Chapel at Founders’ Day on Friday 19 February, 2016. The book’s 71 images explore beyond the conventional, the everyday portrayal of city life and offer unfamiliar perspectives into the fabric of Brisbane’s urban makeup. For more information email abrisbanesketchbook@gmail.com

// A Brisbane Sketchbook

St Peters Old Scholar Greg Mayer (1986) has won the Isabel Menton Composition Award for 2015.

// Greg Mayer wins Composition Prize

Greg’s composition, This is the Day, won the Liturgical Section of the competition, open to composers across the nation. In accepting the award, Greg acknowledged the influence of his music teacher at St Peters, Graeme Morton, his lecturers at the University of Queensland, and his UK organ tutor, the late David Sanger.

Greg continues to be involved in music at St Peters through his work with the Junior School Choir. He also plays for Sunday services in the St Peters Chapel. In October, he will accompany the St Peters Church Choir and soloists in Bach’s Cantata 129Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott.

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Congratulations to Will Shi (2013) who was selected as one of 20 pianists to compete in the first round of the 2015 Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition in August.

// Will Shi Selected for First Round of Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition

The competition, which took place at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University is a major Australian piano event, held biennially in Brisbane. Established to honour the memory of the late, world-renowned international concert pianist and teacher, Professor Lev Vlassenko, the competition

During the mid-year break St Peters Head of Percussion, Kerry Jacobson, flew to Sydney to start work on a new album with guitar legend Ian Moss. The trio spent the first two days in pre-production, rehearsing the new material and working on arrangements, then a further five days recording.

// Kerry Jacobson Recording New Album with Ian Moss

// Lexie Roberts Queensland Irish Dancing State Champion

provides talented Australian and New Zealand based performers between 16 and 30 with a major platform to develop professionally and artistically. Will Shi maintains his involvement with St Peters Music Department as the accompanist for the Junior School Singers.

“I enjoy writing pop music and have a studio at home in which I work on my original stuff,” Kerry said. “I love being a teacher but, who knows, if people like my music I might even be able to sell some of my songs.” The album is expected to be released early in 2016.

Kerry is particularly excited about this album because it’s his first to include some of his original music.

St Peters Year 2 student, Lexie Roberts is a state champion in an unusual event.

On a family holiday to Ireland Lexie was fascinated and inspired by the dancing she saw at a local pub.

Aged 8, Lexie was recently a member of the team that won the under 10 mixed 4-hand Ceili at the Queensland Irish Dancing Championships. She also placed eighth in the Individual under 8 combination event, a wonderful achievement for Lexie at her first state championships.

“I liked the way they moved and how fast their feet were,” Lexie said. “I want to do it for a living. If I want to dance with the best I will have to go to Ireland,” Lexie said. “But I would like to dance and teach it here.”

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Daring to Dream WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON

Professional dancer and St Peters Old Scholar, Alec Knight (2013) has the world at his feet.

He attended St Peters in Year 8 before moving to Melbourne to train with the Australian Ballet School.

ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the New York City Ballet.

Looking back, Alec said it was stressful During this time, Alec was involved with Teen Vogue’s online TV show, trying to balance his school studies “Strictly Ballet” and in March this with his dedication to ballet. year, he received the Martin E. Segal “I would have liked to involve myself award for promise of artists in Lincoln more with all of the activities at “Being the first Australian male in the Center. He was nominated by the the school but it was always such a company is a huge honour and now School of American Ballet. positive and supporting environment,” it’s more about representing myself Established by Lincoln Center’s Board Alec reflected. and my country in a positive light,” in honour of their late Chairman, the Alec said. After four years with the Australian 11 resident organisations nominate an Ballet School, Alec travelled to “I think it’s so important to be proud artist annually for the distinguished New York to audition at the School of where you are from so to be the one prize, which gives financial assistance of American Ballet, where he was starting this legacy just tops all of this and recognition to young artists of accepted to study full-time for off and makes it even more special.” exceptional accomplishment. two years. Alec began dancing around the age Alec said his favorite performance The School of American Ballet is of 10 doing casual tap and jazz and to date was his end of year workshop, started full time ballet when he was 13. one of the most famous classical In June, Alec was accepted into the prestigious New York City Ballet, and became the first Australian male to dance with the Company.

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Pictured: Professional dancer and St Peters Old Scholar (2013), Alec Knight.

when he graduated from the School of American Ballet dancing Sleeping Beauty.

working towards for almost your entire teenage life, was so exhilarating and defining for me.”

“One of my closest friends, who played the role of Aurora, received her apprenticeship too, and it was so incredible to have my family here watching and to show everyone how far I had come these past couple of years,” Alec explained.

“It was an incredible way to leave the school and start my career,” Alec said.

“It’s one thing to leave everyone and come and study overseas and say you want to become a professional dancer, but to actually get up on stage and show everyone what you have been

“As the first Australian male to ever be offered an apprenticeship with the New York City Ballet, I am so so proud of him,” Sally said.

Alec’s mother, Sally Knight, said she was extremely proud of Alec’s amazing achievements and dedication to his career.

“TO ACTUALLY GET UP ON STAGE AND SHOW EVERYONE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS FOR ALMOST YOUR ENTIRE TEENAGE LIFE, WAS SO EXHILARATING AND DEFINING FOR ME.” 49

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In the Driver’s Seat WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON

St Peters Old Scholar, Amy Gunnell (2010), confesses to being a little bit of a “rev-head” and with good reason. Since 2013, Amy has been a driver and key member of Clenergy TeamArrow, Australia’s premier solar racing team. Founded by St Peters parent, Cameron Tuesley in 2012, the project began as a collaboration of some of Queensland’s best technology and engineering organisations, including students from the University of Queensland (UQ ), Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Integral, where Cameron is Managing Director. “We wanted to build a car – but not a normal car,” Cameron explained. “We wanted to build a solar electric racing car - one that could cross Australia and compete with the world’s best, using only Australian talent, technology and ideas.” “We set out to develop and grow the next generation of engaged students with a passion for sustainable engineering,” Cameron said. Amy Gunnell was one of those students. A Mechatronics Engineering student at QUT, Amy was head of the QUT Motorsport team when she first met Cameron. “Clenergy TeamArrow came along and said we’ve got this cool solar car and we want some students to help us build it so I helped form that relationship initially with QUT,” Amy said. 50

“THE FIRST TIME I DROVE THE SOLAR CAR I WAS KITTED OUT IN A FIRE PROOF SUIT. IT WAS A LITTLE DAUNTING AS WE HAD TESTED ALL THE PARTS OF THE CAR SEPARATELY BUT NOT TOGETHER… BUT EVERYTHING WENT TO PLAN.” At their first meeting, Amy said Cameron thought she could be a suitable team driver. “They look for small stature people who fit in the car,” Amy explained.

a lot of extra noise in the car. That was the hardest part about it - getting used to all the sounds,” Amy said. The car first raced in the 2013 World Solar Challenge, a biennial solarpowered car race from Darwin to Adelaide, which attracted teams from around the world. Clenergy TeamArrow obtained pole position setting a new lap record for four wheel vehicles and was the first Australian team across the line in 2013. However, as Amy explained, not everything went to plan during the race. “We blew a motor tyre wheel on one of the days so we had to stop and fix that, but for a first time team to come seventh was a great effort,” Amy said with pride.

“Cameron saw me and said you’d be a great driver but I said there’s no way I am driving that thing,” Amy laughed.

Cameron describes Amy as a “smart and tenacious young woman”, who is a very key part of the driver team and one of the most experienced drivers and engineers.

Despite her initial reservations, Amy decided to take up the challenge.

“Amy is a great leader in her own right,” Cameron said.

“The first time I drove the solar car I was kitted out in a fire proof suit,” Amy recalled. “It was a little daunting as we had tested all the parts of the car separately but not together…but everything went to plan.”

“She is a credit to St Peters and QUT in the level of maturity and intelligence that she displays when faced with difficult situations, of which we have many, or when dealing with experienced industry professionals, who often have their own views on how things should work.”

“It’s very different to driving a normal car as it accelerates slowly and there’s

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Pictured (L–R): Amy Gunnell (2010) helped build and is the team driver of a solar electric car (right).

In January, Amy travelled with Clenergy TeamArrow to Abu Dhabi. The team placed fifth out of 15 international teams and the car won a mechanical design award. “Most of the time where the solar panels are attached, other cars have carbon fibre underneath for strength and support, but we keep them bare underneath so we get nice airflow around them. That is what the award was for,” Amy explained. The car, which is made of carbon fibre and weighs only 220kg, has a top speed of 126km an hour, and has shown the world what can be done with homegrown expertise and local support. Clenergy TeamArrow is preparing for their next big challenge – the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide on 18–25 October. Both Amy and Cameron have high hopes for the race. “Our goal this year is to finish top four,” Cameron explained.

“THERE IS A LOT THAT GIRLS CAN DO. THEY JUST HAVE TO KNUCKLE DOWN.” “Clenergy TeamArrow competes with teams with around ten times the budget and so we do a lot with very little through a combination of tight budgets and a strong focus on getting the best results out of the funding that we have,” he said.

discipline and is keen to see other female graduates follow suit. “We definitely always need more females to come and support engineering across all disciplines,” Amy said intently. “There is a lot that girls can do. They just have to knuckle down.” It’s a message that resonates close to home for Cameron’s daughter Erica, a Year 5 student at St Peters. “I think having a solar car in our garage is amazing,” Erica said proudly. “It isn’t everyone’s dad who decides to build such an amazing piece of technology.”

When Amy is not behind the wheel of a solar racing car, she is busy building her career in mechatronics and “Building a solar car can inspire us robotics. A recent graduate, Amy is contracted to Arnotts, where she works to do what we want, giving us every reason to believe every step we take, on robots in the manufacturing plant. has a solvable solution,” Erica said. She admits engineering was not an To follow the progress of Clenergy obvious career choice for her and TeamArrow, visit the website: wasn’t particularly keen to follow in www.teamarrow.com.au her engineering Father’s footsteps. However, through her studies in graphics and chemistry at St Peters, Amy began to realise she could put these together in an engineering

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Healing Hands WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON, *IM AGE BY MG PHOTOGR A PHY

It’s 7am and Dr Pranavan Palamuthusingam (2002) has already started his hospital rounds. As he greets his patient with his wide, warm smile, he begins another hectic day as Senior Registrar at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Herston. At 29, Pranavan was the youngest Fellow admitted to the specialty of General Surgery of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in May this year when he passed what he described as “quite a gruelling exam process”.

“THIS IS WHY WE DO SURGERY, BECAUSE WE LOVE WORKING WITH OUR HANDS AND APPLYING WHAT WE’VE LEARNED. THE NICE PART ABOUT IT IS SEEING THE OUTCOMES.”

Princess Alexandra Hospital, where “I cried in relief,” Pranavan said honestly. he did an internship and his first year “It was a blessing.” of residency. “It was the culmination of all these years of living away from home and sleeping at the hospital. I think that was the moment I realised all this has been worth it.” Pranavan, who completed Years 11 and 12 at St Peters, explained how a work placement at the Mater and Logan Hospitals during his senior year helped to affirm his career choice in a healthrelated field.

part about it is seeing the outcomes,” he said. Pranavan will move to Adelaide next year to undertake sub specialty training in hepatobiliary surgery and transplantation. He anticipates he will work overseas for a further two years in a high volume centre and is interested in humanitarian work as a result of the time he spent as a volunteer at the Tibetan Delek Hospital in Dharamsala, Northern India, founded by the Dalai Lama. “It was a very humbling experience and has made me very determined to be part of humanitarian aid work,” Pranavan said.

He was then accepted into the five-year “I especially aim to provide any service General Surgical Training program, I can to the war displaced Tamil people which saw him moving annually of Sri Lanka which is an issue close to for various training posts around Queensland including Townsville and my heart.” the Sunshine Coast. Now in his final Although for the time-being, the year, he recently completed his general Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital surgery training at the Royal Brisbane is Pranavan’s second home. Yet, he and Women’s Hospital. wouldn’t have it any other way.

Recalling his first surgical procedure, “Some days are all day theatre or clinics Pranavan said he was nervous, excited and some days are a mixture of both,” and privileged to have the opportunity. he said. “The hours are long, but I “I always knew I wanted to work with people and help them,” Pranavan said. “I think the first time was just exciting,” think it’s part of the job. You just get on “That affirmed in my mind medicine was Pranavan explained. “It’s a sign of trust with it.” what I wanted to do.” from your senior colleagues when Articulate and easy going, Pranavan you’re allowed to do an operation.” says he draws on his jovial nature, Pranavan went on to complete an spirituality and close knit family and undergraduate degree in Medicine at “This is why we do surgery, because colleagues when the going gets tough. James Cook University, Townsville, we love working with our hands and and returned to Brisbane to work at the applying what we’ve learned. The nice 52

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Pictured (L): Dr Pranavan Palamuthusingam (2002) was the youngest Fellow admitted to General Surgery of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons this May; and *(R): Pranavan treating patients at the Tibetan Delek Hospital in Dharamsala, Northern India.

“My colleagues are wonderful. Plus, I have a very supportive, loving family and friends that I can talk to.” Pranavan is adamant his achievements to date are not his alone and acknowledges the unconditional support and encouragement of his parents, who moved to Australia from Sri Lanka in the early 1980s to escape the civil unrest. “It’s never a one-man effort,” Pranavan said emphatically. “If it wasn’t for my parents, I sincerely wouldn’t be here now.” “They’ve given me all these opportunities. They have worked hard all their lives and sacrificed so much and just made me believe if I wanted to do something I should just go for it!”

Pranavan’s younger brother, Dharmenaan (2003), is also a St Peters Old Scholar, and a Physician completing specialist training in renal medicine. They are both grateful for the time spent at St Peters and the opportunities provided by this wonderful institution. A keen sportsman, Pranavan was a member of the 1st XI Cricket team and Academic Captain in Year 12. “I came to St Peters in Years 11 and 12 and didn’t know anybody but I made lots of friends and settled into the culture really nicely,” Pranavan explained. “If you wanted to do something, the school really facilitated that.”

“There’s a few people at the hospital who are Old Scholars,” he said. “It’s lovely bumping into them and we talk about old times.” Pranavan has high praise for the teachers who encouraged him to pursue his dreams, particularly Olivia Larney, Carol Dudgeon, Bruce Brazier (deceased) and Leslie Scheelings. “These were people who really encouraged me and took me under their wing,” Pranavan said sincerely. “I feel these people had blessings and they made me believe I could do this.”

Pranavan said he enjoyed keeping in touch with his friends from St Peters. 53

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CELEBR ATING 70 YEA RS

Reunion Weekend 2015 WOR DS BY JA N HOGA RTH, SPOSA PR ESIDENT IM AGES BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

Welcome back! Ross Roy was the stage to start our St Peters traditional Reunion Weekend. 1955 and 1965 graduates were back as a group, with 40 year returnees mixed in. As always, there were the St Peters stalwarts and people who haven’t walked in the gate since their last day at school. “It’s as if time fell away.” At Songs of Praise we sang the classics from our old daily Chapel services. Golden and Diamond Graduates were officially promoted at Lunch. The school tour showed off the wonderful new facilities: The Performing Arts Centre- “It’s as good as a capital city venue”! A 50m pool! Lovely dorms shared by only two girls! Workshops! Electronic whiteboards! So many more trees and gardens! Ross Roy looking splendid! It has been used for just about everything. We had plenty of stories to share. Then drinks in the brand new SPOSA Centre before Dinner- with a photo booth for a laugh. Some of us slept in the dorms. Then Church on Sunday – what a marathon! But most importantly, we reconnected with each other and ourselves in this special place. We appreciated our earlier lives in context. And we raised $1,000 for Helping Hands, for community members in need. The culture of St Peters continues on. Thank you to SPOSA for coordinating all these events. See more photos of the 2015 Reunion Weekend on pages 56–57.

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“I WAS TRULY AMAZED AT THE IMPROVEMENTS OF THE FACILITIES. THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND EVERYTHING WAS LOVELY AND GREEN. I WAS A DAY BUG AND IT WAS GOOD TO SEE PLACES I HAD NEVER SEEN LIKE STAYING IN GIRLS BOARDING AND ROSS ROY.”

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– Neva Bennetts (1975)

Pictured L–R: (1) Diamond Graduates (60 years)– Ulf Metzner, Erik Finger, Glen Natalier, Sydney Volker and Alan Cameron; (2) Golden Graduates (50 years) – Eckhard Steinhofer, Robert Taylor, John Stolznow, Merryl Holland (Venz), Yvonne Hands (Goodman), Roderick Chiu, Brian Wandel, Robyn Williams (Rohde), Helen McCosh (Jones) and Beverley Daly (Sakrzewski); (3) 55 years Graduates – Doreen Pocknee (Venz), Nora Leong-Hui (Cheong), Cynthia Woltmann, Nicky Bricknell (Rosi Boynton), Gary Cooke, Joan Henry (Little), Margaret Curnow (Neumann) and Cecilie Koch (Larsen); and (04) SPOSA Committee – Karel Baum, Rhyss Oxenford, Nicky Hughes, Jan Hogarth, Bradley Porter, Nicky Boynton-Bricknell and Yolanda Robinson.

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“I’D JUST LIKE TO SAY THANKS FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS SAID ABOUT MY MUM, WHO PASSED AWAY IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. THAT MEANT A GREAT DEAL. SHE ALWAYS REMEMBERED THE 1985 CREW WITH PARTICULAR CLARITY. SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN GRATEFUL AND FIERCELY PROUD TO DISCOVER WHAT DIVERSE AND INTERESTING ADULTS WE HAVE ALL BECOME (WHILE HANDING OUT CHEEKY COMMENTS LEFT AND RIGHT).”

“I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO BE IN A COMMUNITY - WHETHER IT IS EVERYDAY OR ONE THAT MEETS EVERY 10 YEARS AND I FEEL LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE SURROUNDED BY A COMMUNITY OF SUCH GOOD PEOPLE!”

“WITH A SON IN YEAR 8 AT SPLC AND ANOTHER STARTING NEXT YEAR I CAN ONLY HOPE THEY HAVE SUCH A GREAT FRIENDSHIP BASE AND BE SURROUNDED WITH SUCH POSITIVE PEOPLE IN THEIR JOURNEY OVER THE NEXT 30+ YEARS!”

– Robyn Hamilton, daughter of long-serving St Peters teacher Mrs Rhonnie Hamilton. Other quotes from Facebook.

1985 (30 years) Reunion WOR DS BY M A R IJK E VA N K LINK EN (A BER DEEN)

The Seniors of 1985 have had good reunions every five years, but the 30 year reunion was a cracker.

comments made people realise that there were actually lots of friendships they would enjoy rekindling, if even only for a fleeting moment.

Our former school captain, Suzi Woodrow, has a talent for finding cosy spaces to pack us into and force us to talk, and this year was no exception. A record 110 people turned up to celebrate on the top floor of the Regatta Hotel. This was “the Facebook reunion” - the one where our newly created Facebook page had a life of its own and inspired many people who had been quietly deciding whether to come or not, to book flights at the last minute. The power of photos and funny

People made an impressive effort to attend, flying in from Hong Kong, New Zealand, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Townsville, Cape York and many other regional towns and cities. Several even came from Brookfield (and we all know how hard it is to get into the CBD from there). Fashion was famously bad in our final year, which – along with photographic evidence projected onto the wall – gave ample topics of conversation, even for the shy ones amongst us. Actually, one young

man’s brilliant white formal suit could have kept us going just on its own. Our cohort boasts a writer of romance novels, a professional golfer and at least two intra-cohort partnerships. Plus a rich diversity of life paths that makes you proud to have gone to St Peters where we were encouraged to value differences - showing that not everyone from private schools becomes a merchant banker! Not many considered leaving before 1am which was when we all realised with a start that it wasn’t 10 o’clock. Rumour has it that there were enough people there until 3am to still call it a party.

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A Place to Call Home WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON, IM AGE BY F45 PHOTOGR A PHY

Relocating the SPOSA (St Peters Old Scholars Association) Office and new Archives to the P&F Centre Indooroopilly campus will create a new chapter in St Peters’ history books. For the first time in the College’s 70 year history, the Archives will have a permanent home for displays, storage of archival materials and documents, and dedicated space for future acquisitions. SPOSA Officers, Yolanda Robinson and Nicky Hughes, are busily preparing the premises for the official opening and blessing that will take place on Founders’ Day, 19 February 2016. Numerous Old Scholars and members of the Friends of Lutheran Archives Queensland were given a sneak peak of the new facility at a recent meeting of the Association at St Peters.

“WE’RE STARTING A NEW CHAPTER.” Past Honorary St Peters Archivist, Beth Shaw, delivered a heartfelt and enthusiastic account of the history of the SPOSA Archives, and paid tribute to the staff and Old Scholars who have contributed to making a permanent Archive a reality. In particular, Beth acknowledged the significant contribution of her long-time friend and Old Scholar, Lois Prenzler (1950), whose generosity over recent years, paved the way for important initiatives such as archival software and an archival consultant to begin the important task of maintaining an Archival database.

Pictured: Students enjoy St Peters memorabilia in new SPOSA rooms at St Peters Indooroopilly P&F Centre.

“We’re starting a new chapter,” Yolanda said. “I’m so excited.” “We will soon be able to accept donations of archival items from Old Scholars and the community. We look forward to adding items to the Archives that will enrich the education of our current students and remind our Old Scholars of their time at St Peters,” Yolanda said.

“I think the Archives are in good hands,” Beth concluded as she commended the work of St Peters SPOSA Officers.

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Old Scholars Awarded Australian Student Prizes WOR DS BY GOLLISA THOMSON

Three St Peters Old Scholars have been awarded Australian Vocational Student Prizes.

in Children’s Services as a schoolbased trainee and accepted a position earlier this year in her chosen future career working with children. She plans to continue her studies in Early Childhood education.

2014 graduates, Claire Burton, Iain Thornton and Joash Teo, demonstrated “I decided to undertake a VET pathway outstanding skills while completing as I believed this would provide me vocational training at St Peters. with the best opportunity to gain experience and pursue my dream For their efforts, they each received of becoming a childcare educator,” $1,000 and a certificate acknowledging Claire explained. their place in Australia’s top 500 vocational students. Iain Thornton said he was encouraged by his teachers in Year 10 to undertake “We are extremely proud of Claire, vocational studies as an alternative to Iain and Joash’s achievements in their the OP pathway. chosen vocational studies,” Head of College, Mr Adrian Wiles said. “I chose to undertake a Certificate II in Horticulture through the school“These awards recognise their hard based TAFE program at Brisbane work and with the encouragement North Institute of TAFE as it seemed from our staff, they have like the logical way to achieve my goal worked together to achieve this of acquiring training in Horticulture,” national recognition.” Iain said. For Claire, Iain and Joash, their Vocational Education and Training studies have led to exciting career and study opportunities in Early Education, Horticulture and Fashion. Throughout Years 11 and 12, Claire Burton completed a Certificate III

Since leaving school, Iain has completed a Certificate III in Horticulture and plans to complete further studies such as a Diploma of Horticulture and will consider a bridging course to study botany at university. He is currently employed in the landscaping industry.

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Pictured: Joash Teo with Year 12 student, Carly Hood, wearing a Calico version of her formal dress that Joash is designing for her.

Meanwhile, talented fashion designer, Joash Teo, was recognised for his completion of Certificate I and II Visual Arts subjects at St Peters and his achievement in the STARTQUT program. While completing his Year 12 subjects, Joash successfully applied for and completed a semester unit at QUT (Introduction to Industry of Fashion). He also undertook an internship with an independent designer in his senior years, paving the way for his studies in Creative Industries at QUT and a future in the competitive world of fashion. Joash maintains his association with St Peters and is designing a formal dress for Year 12 student, Carly Hood.

skills and providing our students with opportunities to pursue pathways consistent with their abilities,” Mr Wiles said. “Claire, Iain and Joash are wonderful examples of how St Peters helps students prepare well for life beyond school as future global citizens to pursue further training, university and employment opportunities.” In addition to the Vocational Student awards, Mr Wiles said four other 2014 students: Sam Naylor, Ben BurgessLimerick, Tamara Bohler and Joshua Sutton, have been recognised as recipients of an Australian Student Prize. This Prize acknowledges the top 500 academic students in Australia.

“At St Peters, we are committed to nurturing individual talents and

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8:35am Friday 19 February

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nd ers’

St Peters Indooroopilly

You’re invited! 20 • FOUNDERS’ DAY • 16

Join St Peters students, staff and Founding Scholars in honouring the Founders of our College. Followed by the official opening of the St Peters Old Scholars Centre at the bottom level of the P&F Centre.

Program 8:35-9:15am

Whole School Assembly: Chapel Forecourt

9:30-10am

Opening of the St Peters Old Scholars’ Centre and Archives by Mr Adrian Wiles: SPOSA Centre (P&F Centre – bottom level).

Mr Szczepan Urbanowicz presents St Peters with prints of Ross Roy and the Chapel. Tea and coffee provided. 10-11:30am St Peters Old Scholar Antique Road Show. Bring your own St Peters antiques and tell us about them. We hope to uncover memorabilia not seen since the day you left school! Come and see the very first St Peters You’ve Got Talent (SPYGT) banner from 2009.

PowerPoint presentation ‘70 Years in the history of St Peters’: P&F centre (top level).

View the St Peters Display in the Performing Arts Centre and in the new SPOSA centre.

11:30am

BBQ Lunch: P&F Centre (top level).

RSVP

SPOSA Office: sposa@stpeters.qld.edu.au or 07 3377 6592

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, SP 016 2 n

O S A c e l e br a t

es i

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This is your reunion year if you graduated in: 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966,1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011. Please contact the SPOSA office if you would like to arrange the reunion for your year group. sposa@stpeters.qld.edu.au or 07 3377 6592

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Births, Deaths, Marriages

DEATHS

M A R R I AGES

Wayne Bell (1973) 21 March 1956 – 13 May 2015 A boarder from Papua New Guinea until 1969, Wayne loved to share stories of the ‘Mighty Red and White.’ His favourite and sometimes tall tales were of boarding antics, first XV rugby and former Headmaster, Dr Carson Dron – a man he admired and who never forgot an old boy’s face. He passed this proud, great school spirit on to his daughters Emilie (2000), Fiona (ILC, 2005) and Alice (2008). It’s with this character that Wayne led his life. He worked tirelessly and in his down time, he enjoyed nothing more than to travel the world with wife Elizabeth, and their family.

Eleanor Hiltjes (Robke 1960) 9 June 1942 – May 2015 Eleanor was the only sister of Roly (1952), Kurt (1956), Karl (1957) and Peter (1963). On leaving college after Junior, she worked a variety of jobs from dental assistant and telephonist in Ipswich to lab assistant in the Morris Woollen Mill. She had two children from her first marriage and was about to be remarry when she passed away, unexpectedly.

Aimee Guy (2011) married Jason Pritchard on a winter’s day in July, in a vintage and garden setting at her parents’ Pullenvale property. She and Jason met at university in Townsville when they were both involved in the support program Red Frogs.

John Rockemer (1959) 7 January 1942 – 1 June 2015 John came to St Peters from the family cattle property in Booubyjan near Goomeri in his Junior year. After Senior in 1959, he attended Kelvin Grove Teachers’ College. Lester Rose (Sub Junior 1945) 17 April 1928 – 26 May 2015 Lester came to St Peters, having left school after Scholarship in 1943. A founder, he was made a prefect, and although intended for the ministry, he left school part way through the year.

Old Scholars Emily Brown (2011) and Mikka Manson (2002) were married last year in an outdoors ceremony on a friend’s property. Emily’s twin sister Lucy (2011) was her Maid of Honour.

SEND IN YOUR NEWS TO SPOSA@STPETERS.QLD.EDU.AU