From the Headmaster | September 2026

Each time an old scholar returns to St Peter’s College, our students gain a glimpse of where life beyond these walls and fields might take them. They hear about the opportunities that followed graduation, the challenges that shaped them and the values they have carried into their work and communities.

This term, Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC (DAC 1983), Deputy Chair of the Council of Governors, spoke with Year 11 students at Ethics Day about difficult ethical decisions he has faced in business and public life. Old scholars and parents then led workshops in which students considered how to put their values into practice at work. We also welcomed Zane Walker (SHT 2018) and the Adelaide University Motorsport Team as part of our CEO-in-Residence Program. Together, they gave our Years 9 and 10 technology students an insight into engineering and the teamwork behind building a racing car.

During Blue Week, former School Captain, state cricketer and Redbacks captain Nathan Adcock (HWD 1995) spoke with honesty about his experiences with mental health. He reminded the boys that they need not carry their worries alone and asked them to consider whether their friends would feel able to turn to them for support. His visit gave our students a powerful example of courage and care.

These conversations reflect our responsibility to prepare young people for the world they encounter beyond the school gates. Alongside their academic learning, we speak openly with our boys about mental health, consent, respectful relationships, misogyny, the mansophere and the influence of group behaviour. Recently, I addressed students at Muster about conduct, accountability and respect for women. We want them to recognise harmful attitudes, challenge them and understand that strength is shown through character, compassion and the courage to act.

Winter Intercol brought these qualities into focus. From our Junior teams through to our Seniors, St Peter’s College won just shy of 70 per cent of fixtures, with boys across all winter sports contributing to the result. It was wonderful to see old scholars return to support the blue and white and to watch our boys compete with determination, respect for their opponents and humility in victory.

Service remains central to the life of the School. At our recent High Tea, we relaunched St Peter’s College Mission, bringing the work of the Mission Guild and our wider charitable activities under one shared identity. This builds on more than a century of commitment from our community and will help students extend their meaningful service alongside others.

I thank every old scholar who has returned to speak with, mentor or encourage our boys. I also thank those who shared their stories in the Winter edition of Saints. With resilience as its theme, the edition explores how people grow through challenge and draw strength from family, friendship and community. You should have received a copy by post; if you have not, you can read it online.

I hope many of you will return for Back to Saints, from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 November 2026. Building on last year’s inaugural event, the expanded program is an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, revisit familiar places and see how the School has evolved. You can attend Senior School Muster, step inside classrooms on a School in Action Tour and join fellow old scholars for Milestone Reunions and other gatherings across the five days.

This year we are also introducing a Thought Leaders Forum, featuring old scholars whose work is shaping ideas and communities beyond the School. Our first speaker is Rhodes Scholar, former School Captain and Global Chief Innovation Officer at Baker McKenzie, Ben Allgrove (W&A 1995), who will explore the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence. I hope you will join us for what promises to be a thought-provoking conversation. You can view the full program and event details here.

Back to Saints is a chance to celebrate the friendships that endure long after graduation and the many ways old scholars continue to contribute to our community. Along with our students and staff, I look forward to welcoming you back in November.

Tim Browning
Headmaster