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Term 1, Week 82026

A New Beginning at St Peters Campus

19 Mar 2026

Starting at a new school always brings with it a sense of excitement, anticipation and curiosity. As I stepped into my role at St Peters Campus this year, I was also stepping into a new educational sector and community. What has stood out to me from the very beginning has been the warmth, generosity and genuine sense of welcome from both the school and church community. It has been a privilege to begin this journey surrounded by people who care deeply about the students, families and the broader mission of our College.

Over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet many new colleagues across the Concordia College community. I have been struck by the dedication, professionalism and heart that staff bring to their work each day. The collaboration between campuses and the shared commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for our students has been wonderful to see.

The start of the year has also been filled with a number of significant and joyful events. In Week 2, we gathered together for the Commencement Service, a special occasion that marked the beginning of the school year as a community of faith. These moments are a powerful reminder that our work in education is not just about learning in the classroom, but about nurturing the whole child.

In Week 4, I was deeply honoured to take part in my Installation Service. It was a meaningful moment to formally begin my role as Principal of St Peters Campus, and I felt incredibly supported by the staff, students, families and church community who were present. It was a celebration not just of leadership, but of the shared commitment we have to the young people in our care.

Back on campus, it has been wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm of students as they settled into the year. Our 'Off to a Great Start' activities were a fantastic way to bring the community together and create a sense of excitement for the year ahead. One of the highlights was our 'Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge', where students and staff alike joined in the fun. The playground was buzzing with laughter and friendly competition as students challenged one another with a quick “rock, paper, scissors… shoot!” It was wonderful to see everyone involved, and congratulations to Lucy who was crowned our overall champion.

Another highlight of the term was Sports Day, which brought our community together in a wonderful way. The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic, with students giving their best in each event and families turning out in large numbers to support them. It was a great reminder of the strong sense of community that exists across Concordia and particularly here at St Peters.

Alongside these events and celebrations, we have also begun some exciting new initiatives that will shape learning at St Peters moving forward.

One of the most significant developments this year has been the introduction of Playberry, a new literacy program that provides a whole-class approach to phonics instruction. Playberry is designed to explicitly teach the relationship between sounds and letters, helping students develop strong foundations in reading, spelling and writing. Research consistently shows that when students receive structured phonics instruction, they are better equipped to become confident and capable readers. By implementing Playberry across the campus, we are ensuring that every student has access to a consistent and high-quality literacy program.

Alongside this, we are also introducing a new and exciting curriculum framework known as EdVenture. EdVenture is designed to provide a clear, knowledge-rich learning journey for our students, encouraging curiosity, creativity and deep thinking. It supports students to build strong foundations in essential knowledge while also providing opportunities to explore, inquire and apply their learning in meaningful ways.

Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to ensuring that students at St Peters receive an education that is both grounded in strong academic foundations and rich with opportunities for exploration and growth.

As I reflect on the first few weeks of the year, I feel incredibly grateful for the welcome I have received and the opportunity to be part of such a supportive and vibrant community. I look forward to continuing to get to know more of our families and seeing the many ways our students grow, learn and flourish throughout the year.

It has certainly been an exciting start, and I am confident that there are many wonderful moments still to come.