Our Year 6 students will be visiting Broughton Anglican College to have a taste of highschool on Friday 8 March.  All of Year 6 will be transported to and from Broughton by bus.  Further information about this day will be provided via email next week.

Mrs Nerida Hadfield - Deputy Principal

It is hard to believe we are at the end of Week 4. Students are settled into classrooms and learning is at full pace. Kindergarten are entering the school each day with more confidence and have met their Year 6 Buddies last week. This week we have had our first Buddy Groups of the year and our Year 6 students are excited to lead these after their Leadership Camp next week. Buddy Groups is a special time at St Peter’s where our Houses meet in small groups across the school to focus on wellbeing and personal growth with strong values. It is also an opportunity for our students to meet older and younger students and make connections.

The last fortnight has seen some amazing opportunities for community connections.

Our Swimming Carnival was a great day with our Houses creating new and exciting chants, being vocal to encourage swimmers in the pool. The feedback from staff at the pool was that our school in particular is incredibly well behaved and respectful. This makes me very proud.

Our Parent Connect Nights have also been special, where teachers have been able to share the learning in the classroom and parents have had an opportunity to meet each other and form good connections within the school. The Heart Parent Connect took place today, which further fostered this great community feel. Thank you so much to all parents for attending these events and recognising their importance. A huge thank you to all our amazing teachers for the time they put into these nights, especially after very full days at school. I would also like to thank Mrs Sovilj for organising the catering with some yummy food and drinks.

Our new CoCurricular Groups are starting back up, with some even starting this week. I have attached the timetable for you to be aware of all that is on offer. Please encourage your child to get involved.

Before school (8.00-9.00am) and at the end of the day (2.45 to 3.30pm), parents should only be driving into the school carpark if they are utilising the ‘Kiss and Drop’ space. Parking is offsite - at the Bowling Club carpark, in Brown Street or Howe Street, or in the carpark off Broughton Street. If you need to get out of your car, please do not enter the carpark. A reminder that staff have allocated car spaces. Please do not park in these spaces. Safety is our number one priority and our systems for using the carpark work safely if everyone respects these processes.

When using the 'Kiss and Drop' zone in the afternoon please do not enter the carpark before 2.55pm as this is our emergency entry and cannot be blocked during the school day.

Mrs Jamie Nielson - Head of Teaching & Learning / PYP Coordinator

During Week 5, St Peter's students will have the opportunity to begin Home Learning experiences. This year, we are maintaining an 'opt-in' approach to Home Learning for Grades 1-6, allowing families the flexibility to choose whether they engage in the activities provided. Please consider if this aligns with the needs of your child and family. If you wish for your child to participate in Home Learning, kindly inform your child’s class teacher to express your interest in 'opting-in' to these activities.

Starting Monday (26/2), all families will receive email access to a printable booklet enabling children to review key mathematical concepts covered in class lessons. Any students who ‘opt-in’ to Home Learning can return their booklets to school for their teacher to review. 

While families can exercise discretion when deciding to 'opt-in' to Home Learning experiences, we strongly encourage all students to read daily. This not only supports your child in developing essential literacy skills and reading proficiency but also helps them to extend their vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, general knowledge, imagination, and capacity to think critically. The benefits of ongoing reading practice for our students are endless. 

On Monday, all students from Years 1 - 6 will also be provided with a printed reading log to assist them in tracking their reading throughout the term. Students are encouraged to bring this to school for monitoring by their class teacher, who would love to join you in celebrating your child’s commitment to reading throughout the year. Additionally, signing up for the Premier’s Reading Challenge is an excellent way to motivate students to participate in regular reading experiences. More information will be provided on this very soon. Our aim is to nurture a lifelong love of reading in our students. 

Information relating to Kindergarten Home Learning experiences will be provided by our Kindergarten teachers early next week.

We take great joy in welcoming our youngest learners to St. Peter’s and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to meet new families embarking on their child’s educational journey in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. On Thursday, 29 February (Week 5), from 6:00 - 7:30 pm, we will be running information sessions specifically tailored for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten families. These sessions are designed for those considering St. Peter’s for their child’s education. 

We are incredibly proud of our early years program, and during these events, prospective families will gain valuable insights into the enriching learning experiences offered in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten at St Peter’s. Registration for this event can be completed through the following link on our website

2025 Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Information Session - Booking Page

Each year, our Year 3 and 5 students participate in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). NAPLAN is a nationwide standardised test designed to help schools track the literacy and numeracy development of their students. During Week 7 this term, students in Years 3 & 5 will participate in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. Further information will be provided to families of students in Years 3 and 5 in the coming week. Students who are absent for any of the assessments will have an opportunity to participate in catch-up tests before the end of the testing period on Monday, 25 March 2024.

NAPLAN Assessment Schedule:

On Tuesday, 27 February, we are holding our first Parent-teacher interview sessions for 2024. This occasion offers families a formal opportunity to engage in discussions about their child/ren, emphasising the sharing of information and goals. It also provides a platform to reflect on how their child is participating in the learning experiences within their new grade.

Interview Schedule and Locations:

Miss Leanne Burns - School Chaplain

A parent asked this week, “What Bible would be the best to buy for my child in Year 1 to use at home?” Questions like this make my heart sing, because as a Christian School we believe that God has made Himself known to us in His word the Bible.

Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever, …”

2 Timothy 3:14-17 "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

I asked the Teachers to let me know which Bibles they are using with their classes.

Pre-K, Kindergarten and Year 1 teachers are using one or more of the following: ‘The Big Picture Story Bible’ by Helm Schoonmaker, ‘The Jesus Story Book Bible’ by Lloyd-Jones, ‘The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible’ by Kennedy, ‘The Beginners Bible’ Zonderkidz, ‘Illustrated Bible Stories’ Usborne. All these are excellent options as they give a good overview of God’s plan of salvation from beginning to end.

In Year 2 the children enjoy the ‘NIrV Adventure Bible for Early Readers’.

In Years 3 to 6 the children use ‘The Rescue Bible’ Contemporary English Version. Some teachers also use ‘The Kid’s Study Bible’ and ‘Minecraft Bible’.

A fabulous recent publication is ‘The Biggest Story BIBLE Storybook’ by Kevin De Young. It is a great option for all ages. We will soon be presenting each child in Kindergarten with this Bible to take home. It is designed to be read to children by their parents, grandparents or carers. It has beautiful illustrations and tells the unfolding story of God’s wonderful plan for us and this world.

We would love to recommend other books and music to help your children understand and grow in the Christian faith, please ask teachers and myself. 

Mrs Kasie Bingham - Sports Administrator

On Friday, 9th February, the Gordon Fetterplace Pool in Bradbury transformed into a vibrant arena of aquatic excitement: the Primary School Swimming Carnival.

Anticipation danced through the air like ripples on a pond. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as students arrived, their faces painted with a mixture of nerves and excitement. The scent of chlorine hung in the air, promising a day of thrilling competition and boundless fun.

The carnival kicked off with banners waving and cheers ringing out - flickers of the Golden House Spirit Cup in student’s minds, seeming to be the most wanted prize of the day. Splash! The first race had begun. Our brave swimmers took on the 100m Freestyle dash. Race after race, they sliced through the water, arms churning and legs kicking with determination. The cheers of their classmates served as a symphony of encouragement, urging them toward the finish line. For those not staring down the line of lane ropes, novelty activities and non-competitive creative strokes were the favourite listings on the schedule.

As they bid farewell to another successful carnival, the students knew that they had not just conquered the water, but had created memories that would last a lifetime.

Age Champions:

Congratulations to our age champions for 2024!

Students will receive their awards at the Sports Assembly in Term 2. Parents will receive notification for this.

No records were broken, but 2 new records have been added.

Learning to swim is an important life skill. Not only does experience and correct technique save children’s lives near bodies of water, it also teaches life skills that aren’t limited to the pool. As a child revels in their progress and success, they will gain a confidence within themselves that continues once they step out of the water and into other aspects of their lives. 

Please take the time to read Why Every Child Should Learn To Swim, Kids Alive, and consider pathways for your child to improve their swimming ability and participate in competitive swimming at our next Carnival.

Congratulations to the following students who have progressed and are due to compete at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Tuesday, 5th March.

• Lachlan S

• Louis G

• Oliver C

• Jacob H

• Woojin S

• Luca M

• William P

• Karla M

• Alison A

• Summer B

• Imogen C

• Kavyaa S

Congratulations to the following students who have made it into the 2024 St Peter’s IPSSO Inter-School sports teams. 

Please find a copy of the draw here. Parents are welcome to attend games.

Please note the following updates to the IPSSO Draw:

We were thrilled to hear of Woojin S' achievement at the IPSHA Tennis Trials. He has progressed into CIS Trials as first seed. We wish him all the best at the CIS Tennis Trials on Monday 19th February.

Congratulations to Iasona T, Christian S, Oliver C and Charlotte M who enjoyed a competitive experience at the IPSHA Basketball Trials on Monday, 19th February. All students have returned with increased confidence and determination to improve their game and try again next year.

We wish the following students all the best as they attend a variety of IPSHA trials:

• Molly O and Summer B will be attending the IPSHA Girls Football Trials on Thursday, 29th February.

• Ethan H, Liam J, Xavier B and Hugo W will be attending the IPSHA Boys Football Trials on Monday, 11th March.

We wish them all the best!

IPSHA and CIS sport team trials are for students in Years 4-6 excelling in a sport at a representative level. If you have a child who will be in Years 4-6 in 2024, who is already involved a Club Sport Representative or Development team/workshop or SAP outside of school, please email me to let me know sport@stpeters.nsw.edu.au There are still many other opportunities for State Rep Team Trials in Terms 1 and 2 that include:

• Cricket

• Boys Touch Football

• Girls Netball

• Rugby Union

• Boys Field Hockey

• Girls Field Hockey

• Rugby League

• Golf

• Boys and Girls Softball

• Gymnastics

In your email, please inform me of their representative / development team they play for and their preferred playing positions. Entries are limited, so school trials may need to take place.

There are multiple clubs across the Macarthur region looking for players and taking registrations now. These include girls and boys soccer, field hockey, AFL, Oz-Tag and NRL. Improved fitness, agility and stronger bones are just some of the benefits of playing team sports. But the advantages are more than just physical. Alongside the physical benefits of staying active, being part of a team can help us feel happier, make connections and even achieve goals at school, in our relationships and build personal confidence.

Find a club near you now!

What does planet Earth and Baby Bear have in common? They are both “juuust right!”

Year 5 kicked off the year by exploring the wonders of the universe in which we live, under the PYP transdisciplinary theme How The World Works. We started by investigating Earth: its location within the Milky Way; position in the Solar System; and the way it is perfectly designed by our Creator God. All this detective work led us to discover the fact that Earth is indeed the Goldilocks planet of our galaxy - the only planet that sustains human life!

We then commenced inspecting other planets within the Milky Way, and are about to compare them to what we know about Earth. To help us do this, we ventured to the planet Mars! Well, actually, we visited Starr’s Planetarium and had the pleasure of experiencing what scientists believe a visit to Mars might be like. Did you know that NASA is working on  this very possibility as we speak? Mr Gary Starr’s planetarium presentation was enthralling.

Our Year 5 explorers were captivated by the grandeur of our universe and keenly asked plenty of thoughtful questions.

Next we hope to dig deeper into space exploration throughout history and analyse its impact on the way we live now and into the future.

Mrs Angela Simpson

A variety of Peripatetic Tutors are approved to provide tuition during school hours in the following areas:

Piano (K –Year 6)
Cello (Years 2–6)
Violin (Years K–6)
Guitar (Years K–6)
Singing (Years K–6)

Piano Tutors
Mrs Jiann Bekes | 0411 300 560 | 4625 8290 | jbekes540@gmail.com
Mrs Koula Johnson | 0405 680 028 | koulajohnson@gmail.com.au
Guitar Tutor
Mr Daniel Myer | 0439 716 734 | daniel@ultimateguitaracademy.com
Vocal Tutor
Mrs Francesca Olson | Mobile: 0413 942 632 | francesca.olson@gmail.com

Term 1

Friday, 2 February 2024 - Friday, 12 April 2024

• Please give thanks to God for our great Parent Connect nights over the past two weeks, for the helpful preparation of the teachers and the opportunity to get to know staff and other parents.

• Please pray for the students and staff as they engage in extracurricular activities, that new friendships will be developed.

• Give thanks for our Buddy Groups. Please pray for Year Six as they lead their group that they will develop kind and compassionate leadership skills.

Physical Culture (Physie) classes are held for girls from Kindergarten to Year 6 after school on Wednesdays in the Church Hall.

Physie is an excellent, inexpensive and social activity which develops good co-ordination, posture and discipline

Parents may bring their daughters directly to the hall, or Girls who attend OSHC can be escorted to the Church Hall and returned after their session. 

New Members and Beginners are most welcome.

Please contract Anne McLeod:

Mobile: 0417 220 128

Email:annemcleod29@gmail.com