From the Headmaster | September

Across the term it has been wonderful to connect with our old scholar community on numerous occasions. During the non-term time I will travel to the UK and US and I look forward to engaging with old scholars in London, Los Angles, New York and Hong Kong. I enjoy the privilege of regularly welcoming old scholars back to the School and I appreciate how fortunate St Peter’s College is to have such an engaged old scholar community.

The inaugural White & Blue Ball was one such example with 350 guests reliving fond memories of their school formal as they danced the night away. Thank you to the St Peter’s Old Collegians for hosting such a fabulous event that strengthened the important relationship between SPSC and SPOC.

Image: Tim Browning, Headmaster with John Green (DAC 1951) and Ivar Stockhoff (MAC 2022) at the White & Blue Ball

In August we celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Mission Guild at a High Tea event. It was a wonderful celebration of the Mission Guild’s important work in raising awareness and money for charity partners. Over $45,000 was raised for Anglicare SA and St John's Youth Services and I thank our supportive old scholar network who provided generous donations for the event.

Our traditional Intercollegiate fixture was well attended by members of our community across the full range of pursuits. The equal focus on spectating, in addition to participation, drew all members toward our shared goals. In what was a powerful display of presence, I commend the collective efforts of our athletes, our spectators and our musicians who came together as one to be part of the success. We are all elevated when we take the time to honour another with our presence, to take an interest in our peers, to share in their experiences and to show an appreciation of their pursuits.

In today’s society it is difficult to cite examples of good group behaviour. As such, it is crucial for our students to be intentional in a group setting about what they set out to achieve; in an exceptional display of uniformity full blazer uniform was worn by all spectators across the four days of Intercol fixtures, the speeches of our captains of sport were generous and our victorious teams were gracious, humble and grounded when accepting trophies. These subtle moments set the tone of culture in our community, and I commend all participants, both in and out of the arena, for representing SPSC with humility, integrity and respect.

As a busy Term 3 draws to a close, our Year 12 students are fast approaching the end of their schooling at St Peter’s College. Valedictory celebrations that afford students and families the time to reflect on their experiences and achievements commenced with House dinners. These intimate, personal occasions provide a wonderful opportunity to authentically acknowledge every Year 12 student.

Next Friday evening our Year 11 students will join our Year 12s in celebrating the Blue & White. As one of the most anticipated events on the School’s calendar our students appreciate how fortunate they are to attend their school formal within the walls and fields of SPSC.

I thank SPOC for hosting the SPOC New Members BBQ in Week 1 of Term 4. This important event provides all 170 boys of the Class of 2023 an opportunity to meet SPOC Members, learn about the SPOC sporting clubs on offer and be welcomed as life members into an inspiring and diverse community.

I look forward to engaging with many of you at the Old Blues Lunch on Thursday 12 October, at overseas chapter dinners in October or at the combined reunion dinner on Saturday 4 November.

Tim Browning
Headmaster