In recent weeks, our College community has been enriched by the strong presence of families at key events. Our Prep Open Morning welcomed new families into the life of the College, while, over two weeks, the Junior High and Senior School Academic Awards Assemblies saw more than 150 parents and guests join us to celebrate the achievements of our young people. Alongside this, our Parents and Friends have introduced a hybrid model of meetings, ensuring parents can connect both on campus and from home. These moments highlight the importance of family involvement in the life of our College and the joy it brings to our community.

Beyond community connection, research consistently shows that parental engagement directly influences student outcomes, with effective parent involvement leading to learning gains equivalent to four additional months of progress each year. The impact is clear: when schools and families partner together, students flourish—not just in the moment, but for years to come.

Looking ahead, there are many more opportunities for families to connect and engage with College life. In the coming weeks, parents and carers can be involved through the Primary Disco, the Father’s Day Stall, and the Father’s Day Breakfast and Chapel. These occasions not only create lasting memories but also strengthen the bonds between families and the College.

This week also marks Book Week, a timely reminder of the importance of reading. Studies show that when parents regularly engage in reading with or to their children in their early years, there is a significantly higher reading ability by age fifteen, improvements in learning across all areas, and a more well-developed love of books. Whether in Prep or Year 12, reading together remains one of the most valuable ways to engage with our young people’s learning and growth.

So, I leave you with two simple questions to ask your children this week:

1. What books have you read this week?
2. What book can we read together?

Craig Brown
Head of St Peters Springfield

18 August

• Children’s Book Week (18–22 August)
• Primary Years ICAS | Science

21 August

• Year 12 Biology Excursion
• Primary Years Book Week Parade

22 August

• Primary Years Disco

25 August

• Lutheran Primary Track & Field
• Primary Years ICAS | Maths

27 August

• Band performance

29 August

• Year 11 Biology Excursion
• Year 12 Pancake Lunch

We are delighted to announce that the fourth Greater Springfield Festival of Learning (#gsfol25) is just around the corner! This year’s Festival (8–12 September) will bring together the community through a range of engaging events designed to celebrate and showcase learning across Springfield.

Join us in celebrating lifelong learning, curiosity, and discovery! Events open to St Peters Springfield students include:

• Springfield Sings (Years 5–6)
• Springfield Tape Painting (Year 9)
• Mater Health Experience (Year 9)
• First Nations Art Workshop (Years 7–8)
• Brisbane Lions Masterclass (Years 4–9)
• Curiosity Corner (Years 4–6)
• Brookwater Golf Challenge (Years 4–9)
• Hip Hop Dance Performance (Primary & Secondary)
• Rising Stars Competition (students will be selected and invited by the College)

Steps to register your child to attend a Festival of Learning event:

1. Review the 2025 Festival of Learning program on the event website to select an event: https://gslearningcoalition.com.au/festival-of-learning-2025/
2. Complete a Parental Consent Form (accessible below and on the website).
3. Email sfd.academic.administrator@stpeters.qld.edu.au to Express Your Interest (EOI) with the following information:
   - The full name and ID number of your child.
   - The year level of your child.
   - The name of the event/s you would like for your child to participate in.
   - A copy of the completed Parental Consent Form

Please note the following:

• EOI’s are due by Wednesday 27 August.
• Following the EOI close date, parents and students will be contacted to advise of registration and further event details.
• Places are limited. Please understand that submission of an EOI does not guarantee your child a place.
• Parents are responsible for signing their child/ren in and out of College on the event day, and for transporting their children to and from the event venue (if attending an event at a location other than St Peters Springfield).

Should you have any queries about the Festival of Learning, please contact Sarah Gunn-Glazebrook via email at: s.gunn-glazebrook@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Sarah Gunn-Glazebrook
Head of Learning and Innovation

Tickets for the 2025 St Peters Gala Ball are selling fast. Don't miss out! To book yours, click here.

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks? During this phase, did you feel exhausted, either physically, financially, spiritually, emotionally, or socially? #alloftheabove?

The prophet Amos amusingly illustrates a similar set of circumstances when he writes:

It will be as though a man fled from a lion
only to meet a bear,
as though he entered his house
and rested his hand on the wall
only to have a snake bite him. (5:19)

We now shift our focus to King David (1000 BC), who found himself in an overwhelming and dire situation while he was living in exile with his warriors and their families (1 Samuel 30:1–7).

Scene 1: David returned home to a devastating situation.

David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it.

Scene 2: Unfortunately, the situation only got worse.

The Amalekites had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them but carried them off as they went on their way.

Scene 3: David hit rock bottom. He was exhausted emotionally and physically. Additionally, his good mates turned against him.

So, David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.

Scene Four: When David had no strength, he found new strength in God.

But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the LORD his God.

Scene Five: David went to the priest Abiathar and inquired of the Lord for help. We now have unlimited access to someone even better.

We can now request help from Jesus, the true and better Abiathar, the high priest. The Lord Jesus is listening to our prayers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. “He can sympathise with our weaknesses… So we can confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and grace in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14–16).

Student Reponses:

I asked several St Peters students to explain how they find strength in God. I was very impressed with their responses.

Student 1: I find strength in God from prayer and trust. Every time I ask for something I consider a 'need' he gives me an answer. God's grace and love are enough for me.

Student 2: I know that my being is for a purpose and that would not be possible without God. So, in everything I do, knowing that I am working for the glory of the Lord my God gives me the strength to do it.

Student 3: David, despite his circumstances, held on to his God, his God who he knew had a plan and would carry him through. Knowing that God is good is one thing, but leaning entirely on him for strength in the hard times is something completely different. I don't think I find strength in God by my own accord, because often I try myself to carry me through and it's God who picks me up and carries me. It’s then that I can release everything into his hands and know he has got me.

This story ends with David and his men recovering all their families and possessions safely.

Grace and Peace

Chaplain Peter Schmidhauser
Junior High Chaplain

Join us for Arise Live

Sunday 31 August, 5:30pm arrival for 6:00pm start

Arise Live is an event for youth and young adults and for those young at heart, held in Junior High Precinct at St Peters Springfield. With a focus on music, a message from God’s word, food and friendship, this will be a fun night for all. Come and be encouraged in your journey of faith.

Our special Guest Speaker will be Stefan Volejnik from Immanuel, Buderim. Stefan is the Youth and Families Coordinator and is a Special Ministry Pastor candidate at Australian Lutheran College.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family.

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

We would like to assure you that planning is well underway to ensure effective educational programs, staffing and administration at our school in 2026. As part of this process, it is important to confirm our expected student numbers for next year.

For students Continuing at St Peters Springfield in 2026

If your child will continue as a student at the College in 2026, no action is required. Unless the Head of Springfield or our Enrolments Office receive written advice from you indicating otherwise, we will assume your child is returning and their place at the College is secured.

For students Leaving St Peters Springfield at the end of 2025

If you plan for your child to leave the College at the end of 2025, we would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about your decision. While we understand that family circumstances and plans may change, we welcome your feedback and may be able to offer support or explore alternative options that can assist.

Please note that the College requires written notice at least one term in advance for any student withdrawing at the end of the year. The final date to provide notice is Thursday 18 September 2025.

If you have any questions about continuing enrolment or are considering enrolling a sibling, please contact our Enrolments Team at s.enrolments@stpeters.qld.edu.au or by phone 3470 3888.

Thank you for your continued support.

Enrolments Registrar

The College is blessed to be experiencing unprecedented growth and interest in enrolment.

Families with children already at St Peters Lutheran College Springfield wishing to enrol a sibling in future years are reminded to submit an online enrolment application for your child as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.

Please note that due to the high demand for places, applications for siblings commencing in 2027 and beyond should be received before the end of Term 3, 2025. A link to our online enrolment application form can be found here – Enrol with Springfield

Sibling interviews for 2026 applicants are anticipated to commence in Term 4, 2025 and continue through into Term 2, 2026. Our Kindergarten is separate to this, and families must ensure that they have registered their interest for a place directly with our onsite Kindergarten.

Families seeking enrolment in 2026 are urged to make immediate contact with the enrolments team to discuss availability. For further information, please contact the Enrolments Team via s.enrolments@stpeters.qld.edu.au or phone 07 3470 3888.

Thank you for your support.

Enrolments Registrar

Our P&F has lots of volunteering opportunities available.

If you would like to volunteer and be a part of this week’s Disco night or the Father’s Day Stall, please complete the registration form: https://signup.com/go/SnzffUF

Volunteer Registration: https://signup.com/go/SnzffUF

Last Friday saw the launch of our first-ever Inter-House Bingo Competition—and what a showdown it was! Numbers were called, dobbers were flying, and house pride was on the line.

In true competitive spirit, Mitchell House shouted “BINGO!” first… only for Leichhardt to triumphantly wave their cards at the exact same moment. Cue the dramatic music. Cue the heated house patron debate. Was it Mitchell? Was it Leichhardt? Was it… both?!

Let’s just say the jury’s still out, and the House Patrons may still be locked in a room somewhere arguing over who had the faster reflexes. For now, the scoreboard remains nail-bitingly close.

But fear not, the ultimate decider is still to come. The Mini House Olympics in Week 10 will crown the true champion of the 2025 House Cup. Will Mitchell hold their ground? Will Leichhardt claim victory? Or will another house swoop in with a surprise finish? Stay tuned… the glory (and bragging rights) await!

Lucy Hinchliffe
Leichhardt House Patron

Last weekend, four of our students braved the elements on their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Practice Adventurous Journey at Wivenhoe. The conditions were far from ideal—cold, wet, and windy—but the group showed resilience and determination as they pushed through the challenges.

This practice journey was an important step in preparing for their qualifying expedition, which will take place in September. The students not only built their outdoor skills but also strengthened their teamwork and perseverance in the face of difficult conditions.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our staff. A special thank you goes to Chappie Ben, who accompanied the group on this journey and was a fantastic support to the students throughout the weekend.

We wish our Silver participants all the best as they continue their preparations for September’s qualifying journey!

Lucy Hinchliffe
Duke of Edinburgh Award Coordinator

Be on time, Be prepared, Be a leader, Believe!

Why does learning a musical instrument matter? Playing a musical instrument is the brain’s equivalent of a full-body workout!

Con Brio Rehearsals and Vocal Tuition

This week, we welcomed Ms Abbey Guilfoyle to our College as the Con Brio Director and Vocal Tutor. Abbey is an experienced vocal teacher who has attained a Bachelor of Music, Licentiate of Music and a Diploma of Speech and Drama. Con Brio rehearsals and lessons will continue to be held on a Monday.

St Peters Lutheran College Springfield Drama Presents A Night At The Theatre

Save the date and join us on Friday 5 September from 5:00pm – 6:30pm in the JHP Foyer for the Primary and Secondary Drama Troupe Presentations of 'What a Shambles' and excerpts from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Seats are limited, so to reserve your seat, please Book your tickets now!

Rock Band Lunchtime Concert

The college Rock Band under the direction of Mr Max Slater are preparing for their inaugural Concourse lunchtime concert on 27 August from 10:50am – 11:10am. Parents are welcome to attend.

Springfield Festival of Learning

On Monday 8 September, St Peters Lutheran College will host two events as part of this Festival. Springfield Sings vocal workshop, facilitated by leading Australian Composer Paul Jarman, will involve primary vocalists, and Mr Kirkham will facilitate a Tape Painting Workshop. Throughout the week, our dancers will compete in a Hip Hop competition at the Springfield Anglican College and selected soloists in the Rising Stars Competition to be held at Woodcrest State College.

Upcoming Events

• 27 August - Lunchtime Concourse Concert- Rock Band
• 5 September - A Night at the Theatre
• 8 September - Springfield Festival of Learning – Dolce Voce/Visual Art Workshops/Hip Hop Competition
• 12 September – Springfield Festival of Learning Rising Stars Competition
• 17 September – AVEO Secondary Presentation

Mrs Geraldine Campbell
Performing Arts Coordinator

Medha C, Ruhika S and Emily S attended the State Honours Ensemble Program which was held at Griffith University Conservatorium of Music at the end of the June/July holidays.

This was a three-day program where they were involved in either a combined string or choir ensemble, working with leading national conductors, culminating in a concert on the Sunday.

2025 Inter-House Track & Field Carnival Results

Congratulations to all Age Champions who were acknowledged at assembly this morning. A special congratulations to Mitchell, who has taken out the 2025 St Peters Springfield Track & Field Carnival.

Results

1st Mitchell: 2344
2nd Cunningham 2043
3rd Leichhardt 2042

2025 St Peters Gift Handicap Winner: Cherish E

Age Champion Honours

Track & Field

Congratulations to all students who have been selected to represent St Peters Springfield at the upcoming Greater Brisbane Conference (GBC) Track & Field Championships on Monday 1 September at QSAC. We kindly ask all families to confirm their child's attendance by completing the registration form via the provided link. To support preparation, all selected students are expected to attend at least one of the scheduled training sessions, held on Wednesday mornings at 6:15am or Thursday afternoons from 3:00pm.

Sports Bus Booking

Students participating in Sport at Indooroopilly must book a seat on the Term 3 Sports Bus via the 2025 SFD Sport Bus Manifest on Teams. This must be done through the student’s account. For assistance, please contact k.reed@stpeters.qld.edu.au.

Mr Kale Reed
Head of Sport Springfield