"Oh, the places you’ll go!" There could be no better motto than the words of Dr Seuss for the journey our students take, especially during Book Week, when the thrill of new stories and self-directed discovery fills our classrooms. During our recent celebrations, our students' excitement about reading exemplified the curiosity and motivated learning that we nurture from each student’s earliest years at St Peters Springfield.

These same skills are now being put to the ultimate test as our Year 12s approach QCAA external examinations. Watching them manage study schedules, identify knowledge gaps, and maintain motivation during this intensive period demonstrates the power of self-regulated learning in action. It also reminds us why developing these capabilities from Prep onwards is so crucial.

Your Child's Learning GPS

Self-regulated learning is the ability to take charge of your own learning journey. Think of it as developing your child's 'learning GPS' – helping them navigate challenges, set their own goals, monitor their progress, and adjust their approach when something isn't working.

Educational researcher Dr Shyam Barr explains that self-regulated learners develop three key skills: they know how they learn best (metacognition), they stay motivated even when tasks are difficult, and they use effective strategies to reach their goals. These are precisely the skills our Year 12s are applying right now, and the same skills that will serve our younger students throughout their lives.

Supporting Your Child's Learning GPS at Home

1. Foster metacognitive thinking: Ask "What did you learn today?" followed by "How did you figure that out?" and "What would you do differently next time?" This develops self-awareness about their learning process.
2. Embrace productive struggle: Like trees that need wind to grow stronger roots and branches, allow your child to work through challenges before stepping in. Ask "What strategies could you try?" before suggesting solutions.
3. Build planning and reflection habits: Help your child break large tasks into manageable steps, set realistic timelines, then reflect on what worked well and what they'd change for next time.
4. Celebrate effort and strategy use: Focus praise on the learning process – "I noticed you tried three different approaches when that problem was tricky" – rather than outcomes alone.
5. Model lifelong learning: Share your own learning challenges and problem-solving strategies. When you don't know something, show your child how you seek help or try new approaches.

Self-regulated learning isn't just about school success—it's about developing the confidence to tackle whatever challenges life presents. In a world where the jobs our Prep students will enter may not even exist today, the ability to learn continuously and adapt to change has become the most important skill we can give them. Self-regulation is their toolkit for navigating an uncertain future with confidence and purpose.

Sarah Gunn-Glazebrook
Head of Learning and Innovation

27 August

• Rock Band performance at morning Tea

29 August

• Year 11 Biology Excursion
• Year 12 Pancake Lunch

1 September

• GBC Track and Field
• Year 11 Exam Block (to 10 September)
• Year 12 Mock Exams (to 10 September)

3 September

• Father’s Day Stall for Primary Years Students
• Met West Track and Field

4 September

• Father’s Day Breakfast

5 September

• Student Free Day
• Drama Troupe Play 5:00pm – 6:30pm

11 September

• RUOK Day

15 September

• Senior Christian Studies Retreat Day

16 September

• Semester 2 Secondary Sport Photos at Indooroopilly

17 September

• AVEO Secondary Music Performance
• Mini House Olympics

18 September

• Term 3 Concludes
• QCSSSA Track and Field Championships

19 September

• Student Free Day

To register for this free event, CLICK HERE 

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

A staff member and I have a saying: ‘Grief is a sticky thing.' It’s like that random piece of chewing gum that you step on in a public place that stubbornly sticks onto the sole of your shoe. It’s something that you can’t shake off easily; it takes time and care to try to remove it, and it has the potential to permanently mark a person’s soul.

Grief requires intentional support and care from others; it requires wisdom for the person undergoing it to work with it in a way that does not diminish the loss but can lead to growth and healing. Grief is a complex thing. But I like this image of grief being sticky because it reminds me that grief remains with us; it takes concentrated effort to acknowledge it, attend to it, and work with it. And significantly, working with grief takes the help of others. This tactile analogy of grief being sticky and near impossible to remove by ourselves comes from a specific prayer that I have used with various people at Indooroopilly this term. It comes from a prayer called a 'litany'.

In modern English, a 'litany' can mean a long list of unpleasant things. Grief is proof that, at times, we all have unpleasant experiences we must journey through in life. As indicated, grief and loss are continuing companions with us throughout our lives that can permanently mar our souls. Alternatively, they can be companions through life who accompany us for a limited time, as we learn from them and pass through them with the help of others and with the help of God. The wounds from grief can be long-lasting and detrimental to a person’s faith and trust in God. But the beautiful thing about the Christian faith is that we are given permission to name our grief and loss in lament. We can name our emotions and sadness in conversation and prayer to God. We can do this because Jesus knows what it is like to be in pain, to grieve and to suffer loss. On the cross at his death, he cried out to God his Father, "Why, why?". Lament is crying out with Jesus from the cross. It’s a prayer in pain that can lead to trust. Crying out our whys to God can tune your heart to the brokenness of the world and the unshakability of God’s goodness and hope.

As you read this litany prayer below about sticky grief, may you be encouraged by the God of mercy who helps us move towards wholeness and growth. May you and all members of our St Peters community know that even in times of sticky grief, emotional health is possible.

God of Mercy, God of Tenderness, God of Nurture….
We acknowledge that the only way out of our grief is through it.
We acknowledge that we must pay attention to our emotions in order to be whole persons.
We acknowledge that we would often rather avoid our sadness than pay attention to it.
We acknowledge that grief can be sticky, unpredictable, and hard to shake off.
We acknowledge that there are some mountains we cannot move under our own power.
Over and over, You have shown us that You are good, and Your love endures forever.
We know that You lovingly show us this often, because we are apt to forget.
We know that Your goodness does not necessarily safeguard us from pain.
We know that our pain does not negate Your goodness.
Help us to walk faithfully through our pain and sadness.
Help us to engage in lamentation, in the tradition of the saints who came before us.
Help us to remember that our anger, sadness, disappointment, and grief do not put you off. 

Help us move forward:
Toward growth
Toward wisdom
Toward emotional health
Toward wholeness
Toward reconciliation between our faith and our emotions.

We are helpless, and require Christ’s assistance.
We are undone, and require re-making.
We are brokenhearted, and require healing.
We are poor in spirit, and in need of the kingdom of Heaven. Amen.

Tim Jarick
College Pastor

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.

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

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

OSHC will be open for the upcoming Student Free Day on Friday 5 September.

If you will need care on this date and are not already enrolled in OSHC, please email us at oshcspringfield@stpeters.qld.edu.au to initiate this process.

On this day, we’re excited to offer a Sport and Games Day as part of our Vacation Care program. Your children will enjoy a fun-filled day of friendly competitions and activities designed to get everyone moving, from relay races to team challenges. Come dressed in your School House Colours—and feel free to go as crazy as you like with your outfit!

Let’s make this Student Free Day one to remember!

Booking form

Jennie Awcock
OSHC Service Leader

Book Week Celebration

What an incredible Book Week we’ve had in 2025! The energy, creativity, and love for reading were truly inspiring as students, staff, and families came together to celebrate the joy of books.

Book Week 2025 was celebrated from 16 to 23 August with the theme Book an Adventure! This annual event, organised by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA), encourages children to explore new worlds through stories. This was certainly celebrated this week.

From character parades to storytelling sessions, the week was packed with activities that brought stories to life and encouraged our students to dive into the magic of reading. A huge thank you to Chelsea Ryan and Susan Roser for their outstanding efforts in organising and coordinating the week’s events. Your passion and dedication made this celebration unforgettable! Thank you, Mr Brown, Pastor Matt, Mrs Gunn-Glazebrook, and Mr Piacun for taking the time to share some Book of the Year Award Shortlisted stories with the Primary Years.

We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the staff who embraced the spirit of Book Week—whether it was dressing up, decorating classrooms, or leading engaging reading activities.

A special thank you to Charis Mullen MP for the generous donation of Don't Worry, Felix. This thoughtful contribution added a meaningful touch to our celebrations and will be a cherished addition to our school library.

And of course, a big thank you to our community—parents, carers, and friends—who came along to support the events and share in the excitement. Your presence and involvement mean so much to the students and help strengthen the connection between school and home.

As author Dr Seuss once said, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go." Book Week reminds us of the power of stories to inspire, connect, and transform. Thank you all for making it such a special celebration!

Primary Disco

Thank you to our amazing Parents & Friends for another successful Primary Years Disco.  There was so much fun had by all students and staff (YMCA and the Macarena will always be crowd favourites). This is always a much-loved event for the students, particularly Year 6, as this was their last Primary Years Disco.

Why does learning a musical instrument matter? Playing a musical instrument develops fine motor skills, which are controlled in both hemispheres of the brain.

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

An evening of drama celebration will be held 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 

On Wednesday, the Rock Band performed at their inaugural Concourse lunchtime concert, under the direction of Mr Max Slater. The program included solos and popular works. Thanks to all the students who supported and to Mr Slater for his work with this ensemble.

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 Springfield Anglican College and selected soloists in the Rising Stars Competition to be held at Woodcrest State College.  

Staffing

With Mrs Yasmin Scott stepping back her time with us due to other commitments, Ms Abbey Guilfoyle will take over Primary Drama Troupe and some of Ms Scott’s students at the start of Term 4. In Term 4, Primary Drama Troupe will move to a Tuesday afternoon rehearsal from 2:45pm – 3:45pm in PA3 as staff meetings are held in the JHP Foyer that afternoon.

Upcoming Events 

• 5 September – A Night at the Theatre 
• 8 September – Springfield Festival of Learning – Vocal Workshop/Visual Art Workshop/Hip Hop Competition 
• 12 September – Springfield Festival of Learning Rising Stars Competition 
• 17 September – AVEO Secondary Presentation  

Mrs Geraldine Campbell 
Performing Arts Coordinator

Track & Field Championships

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 look forward to sharing our team's achievements.

Our team will be led by the following students:

Captains: Allira T and Hayden W
Vice Captains: Indiana P and Isaac K

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

Congratulations

With less than half of the Term 3 AIC season left to play, congratulations to the following teams for their successful start to the season, being in contention for Premierships:

Basketball

• 7A 1st
• 8A Tied 2nd

Tennis

• 1st IV Tied 1st
• 3rd IV 1st
• 4th IV 1st
• 10A 1st
• 10B Tied 2nd
• 8A Tied 1st
• 7A Tied 1st
• 7B Tied 1st

Best of luck to all boys for the remainder of the season!

Track & Field

With over 80 boys attending the first meet this afternoon for our Focus Meet, we look forward to seeing how our boys perform at the first Track & Field event of the season. After over a term of preparation, the AIC season officially starts with four meets on 28 August, 3 September, 11 September, and 17 September, followed by the AIC Track & Field Championship on 9–10 October, during the first Week of Term 4.

Special acknowledgement to our Track & Field Captains, Paul D, Theo H, and Will J, for their leadership over the last term in promoting and growing a sense of competitive spirit amongst boys and their dedication to training.

To sign up for next week's meet on 3 September, CLICK HERE

AIC Sport Sign Up – Term 4 and 2026 Term 1

With Term 4 Sport just around the corner, I invite students to complete the following sign-up process to help finalise our numbers for your respective sport. AIC offers both Water Polo and Touch Football as invitational (one-day) tournaments, with Touch Football held on Saturday 25 October and Water Polo on Sunday 26 October 2025.

Please complete the following survey by Friday 5 September

Term 4, 2025 Sport (Invitational Events)

• Touch Football - 25 October SIGN UP HERE
• Water Polo - 26 October 2025 SIGN UP HERE

Term 1, 2026 Sport 

• Cricket SIGN UP HERE
• Swimming SIGN UP HERE

ST PETERS ACHIEVEMENTS

To help St Peters celebrate the sporting achievements of students who have competed in State or National teams, please complete the Microsoft Form – CLICK HERE

With hundreds of athletes competing in dozens of sports, this will help us ensure your child's achievements are not left unnoticed and can be considered for College celebrations.

this week in sport

AIC Basketball, Tennis, and Rugby League are the current IN-SEASON BOYS AIC SPORTS this term. 

Track & Field has weekly Wednesday and Thursday afternoons meets during Weeks 7–10 and the Championship in Term 4.

For details of times and venues for this weekend’s schedule, please check the information on the St Peters App. 

ST PETERS semester 2 AIC SPORT COORDINATORS

AIC Rugby League Coordinator
Tyrell Barker t.barker@stpeters.qld.edu.au

AIC Basketball Coordinator
Georgia Smith g.c.smith@stpeters.qld.edu.au

AIC Tennis Coordinator
Lija Marshall l.marshall@stpeters.qld.edu.au

AIC Track & Field Coordinator (Boys)
Daniel Fraser d.fraser@stpeters.qld.edu.au

ST PETERS STUDENT SPECTATORS ON GAMEDAYS

Should any St Peters student be attending a St Peters sporting event/game outside of normal College hours, it is expected that they are dressed in St Peters formal uniform. Should a student not be wearing the correct attire when attending a sporting event/game, they may be asked to leave the venue.

WET WEATHER AND CANCELLATIONS

With regards to wet weather and any unforeseen or potential cancellations of AIC sports, please ensure that you keep an eye out for notifications and alerts via the St Peters App. We will endeavour to keep everyone updated on both training cancellations and game day changes as the week progresses.

Dan Fraser
Boys Sport Coordinator

QGSSSA TRACK & FIELD

The countdown is on! With only three weeks until the QGSSSA Championship, excitement is building across the school as our Track & Field season reaches its peak. The final team selection is just around the corner, and every training session and meet counts.

Last week’s meet saw a fantastic turnout—thank you to all the students, families, and coaches who came out to support! The energy was electric, and we saw some impressive performances across the board.

To keep the momentum going, we’ve introduced new incentives for students who achieve a personal best (PB) in any event. Whether it’s a faster sprint, a longer jump, or a stronger throw, every improvement matters, and we encourage all athletes to stay committed, attend meets, and push themselves in training.

QGSSSA Meet #4 – Friday 29 August

To view the program and sign on for Meet #4 - CLICK HERE

The bus will depart from Indooroopilly at 2:40pm. Return transport will be available for all students.

Key Dates

Please prioritise the last three meets so we can finalise our team selection.

Friday 29 August: Meet 4 SAF (4:00pm – 7:30pm)
Friday 5 September: Head 2 Head v MBC * SAF (8:00am – 1:00pm)
Friday 12 September: Meet 6 SAF (4:00pm – 7:30pm)

*Student Free Day – bus will depart Indooroopilly at 8:00am. More information to follow.

qgsssa Winter Fixtures – Netball, Hockey, Volleyball & Tennis

All results and ladder positions can be found on the QGSSSA website. Please check the St Peters App for fixture times and locations for this week’s away game vs Clayfield College.

A reminder that we expect any absences from training or fixtures to be communicated to the relevant Sport Coordinator in advance. Please ensure that you arrive on time for your warm-up or duty and in the correct playing uniform.

Volleyball - Join us for Orange Round | Saturday 6 September

The St Peters Volleyball teams are painting their home courts orange for next weekend’s games against Moreten Bay College. This is an important day for our Volleyball community, where we show support and raise awareness for blood cancer. Today, more than 53 Australians will be told that they have blood cancer and tomorrow, another 53 families will be devastated by the same news.

The Volleyball Parent Support Group (VPSG) will be running a BBQ and bake sale; all proceeds will be donated to the Leukaemia Foundation to send a powerful message of hope and support to those facing blood cancer today. The VPSG will be accepting donations of baked goods on Saturday morning if you would like to contribute.

To date, the St Peters Volleyball community has raised $27,589 for the Leukaemia Foundation. Spectators are encouraged to show their support by wearing orange. Student spectators and players are encouraged to wear a 'touch of orange' along with their formal/playing uniform. This includes orange ribbons, socks, face paint, sweat bands,

Click Here to support the Leukaemia Foundation

Click Here to sign on for the BBQ and bake sale

Miss Laura Buckby
Volleyball Coordinator

BSRA ROWING – HEAD OF THE RIVER

The moment we've all been working towards is finally here. This Sunday marks the official 2025 Brisbane Schoolgirls Rowing Association Head of the River, the pinnacle of the girls BSRA rowing season and an opportunity for our squad to show the strength, spirit, and skill they've been building all year.

As we approach race day, here are a few important reminders for the week ahead:

Pink Spirit: In keeping with tradition, our rowers are encouraged to wear pink accessories (bows, ribbons, socks) as a show of unity and support this Friday 29 August.
War Cry: Join us in the chapel forecourt during lunch for a loud and proud war cry to rally and send our rowers off in style.

Head of the River is more than just a race; it’s a celebration of everything this rowing team has worked for this year. We also encourage families, friends, and supporters to make their way to Wyaralong Dam on Sunday. The atmosphere is electric, and your presence makes all the difference. A big thank you to the boys already planning to come and cheer the girls. For all information regarding the event, please head to the St Peters App.

It has been an exceptional season, filled with hard work, camaraderie, and growth. Step up to the start line knowing you’ve earned your place and remember to race with heart.

Let’s go Saints!

Mr Lachlan Allen
Director of Rowing

AFLQ Schools Cup

Senior Girls AFL Team Makes History in Debut Season!

This year marks an exciting milestone for St Peters Lutheran College, with the introduction of our very first Senior Girls AFL team in the AFL Queensland Schools Cup competition. Comprised of students from Years 10–12, the team has embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, skill, and determination.

Throughout Term 3, the girls have shown remarkable progress and teamwork, recording convincing wins against several strong opponents. Their results to date include:

• Kedron SHS – 91 to 7
• Sandgate District SHS – 81 to 0
• Mt Alvernia College – 75 to 8
• Varsity College – 67 to 0

The victory over Varsity College is especially noteworthy, as they were the runners-up in the 2024 competition. These outstanding performances have now secured St Peters a place in the semi-finals against Mountain Creek SHS on 9 September—a remarkable achievement in their debut season.

The girls’ journey has been a testament to their hard work, sportsmanship, and the support of their coaches and school community. A special thank you goes to our coaches Chris Cant and Dean Johnson, for their guidance, encouragement, and commitment to the program.

With the grand final on the horizon in early Term 4, excitement is building as the team continues to chase success. We congratulate the players and coaching staff on their achievements so far and wish them the very best for the finals.

Mr Peter Hicks
Girls AFL Coordinator

Student Achievements

Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to the following students who competed at the Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships over the weekend in Ballarat.

• Gemma D: 4th – U15 4km (14:28)
• Ava K: 23rd – U17 4km (15:21)
• Juliana S: 25th – U14 3km (11:20)

Water Polo - National State Championships

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for the Queensland teams to play in the National State Championships in Canberra later this year.

• Lily E – U15
• Laura M – U17

Share your achievements!

We would like to acknowledge student sporting achievements throughout the year. If your daughter has competed at a national or international level, please click here to share the details with us.

TERM 4 Sport siGN ON

Sign on for all Term 4 Sports is now complete. Training schedules are being finalised and will be communicated by Sport Coordinators and published on the St Peters App.

• QGSSSA Junior AFL
• QGSSSA Badminton
• BMJC Water Polo
• MSW Cricket

A reminder that girls must complete their commitments to their in-season sports, these take priority over preseason sports. As always, we encourage the girls to maintain excellent communication with Sport Coordinators and staff.

Ainslee Knight
Acting Girls Sport Coordinator