From the Headmaster | September 2025

For the past 178 years, St Peter’s College has been educating the minds, hearts and spirits of our students. Enduring friendships have been forged, careers founded and leaders inspired. Each year, our graduates venture beyond these walls and fields with a strength of character, a deep understanding of service, a curious nature and an inclusive, open-minded approach to life.

As old scholars, you carry these values into the world, gathering wisdom and experience that enriches not only your own lives but the lives of those who follow. One of the greatest strengths of our community is the way old scholars continue to return, generously sharing their time, knowledge and expertise. These connections remind our students that they are part of something far greater than themselves - a brotherhood that spans generations and continues to grow stronger with each passing year.

Over the past month alone, we have seen inspiring examples of this in action:

CEO-in-Residence Program: Hugh Woods (HWD 2012) returned to campus to judge the House Mooting Grand Final and speak with Legal Studies and Criminology students. Hugh’s reflections on his career in criminal law, and on the values he took from his time at St Peter’s College, resonated strongly with our boys.

Ethics Morning: Old scholars and parents led thought-provoking workshops with our Year 11 students, connecting classroom discussions with real-world dilemmas across fields as diverse as medicine, education, the armed forces and law. Students spoke with great enthusiasm about the depth of insight they gained. 

Collaborative Mural: Acclaimed artist Tristan Kerr (FLL 2003) worked alongside our students to design and paint a striking new mural. His guidance not only elevated the artistic process but also left a creative legacy that will inspire future cohorts.

Choral Workshops: Jonathan Bligh (SCH 2001), through his Voices of Adelaide initiative, returned to campus to lead choral workshops. His leadership, alongside guest ensemble Blindside, provided our singers a transformative learning experience.

These initiatives are more than one-off events; they are moments of connection that weave together the past, present and future of SPSC. They enrich the learning journey of our boys while reinforcing the values of community, lifelong learning and giving back.

Last week it was a privilege to host Sydney and Canberra Chapter events, both very well attended by old scholars from a wide range of cohorts. These gatherings were a wonderful reminder of the enduring strength of our community and the shared connection to St Peter’s College, no matter the years that separate us.

This year, we are introducing Back to Saints - a three-day celebration of our old scholars, traditions and community, from Friday 31 October to Sunday 2 November.

Highlights include joining the Senior School Muster in Memorial Hall, guided School in Action tours with our leadership team, and reconnecting over afternoon tea before gathering on Main Oval for cricket and sundowners. Saturday evening will see milestone reunions for the Classes of 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005, while Sunday offers a Chapel Service followed by the SPOC Motor Club “Show and Shine” on Lloyd Oval.

Whether you join us for one event or the full weekend, Back to Saints is a wonderful opportunity to return to the School, see it in action, and celebrate the connections that span generations.

You can view the Back to Saints program here. 

To all old scholars who have returned recently, and to those who continue to support the School in so many ways, I extend my sincere thanks. Your presence reminds our students that they are part of a living tradition - one that honours the contributions of those who came before, while inspiring those who are yet to come.

Tim Browning
Headmaster