Where are they now?: Peter Warnes

Image: Peter Warnes and 2025 SPSC First XI Captain Felix (Year 12)

For 37 years, Peter Warnes was a familiar and influential presence at St Peter’s College—as a teacher, coach, mentor, and leader. His impact extended far beyond the classroom, where he taught Biology, Mathematics, and Science, to the sports fields, where he played a pivotal role in the School’s football and cricket programs. Even in retirement, Peter’s connection to Saints remains strong, particularly through his ongoing role as the First XI Cricket scorer. We caught up with him to reflect on his career, his passion for sport, and the changes he has witnessed in schoolboy cricket.

Image: Farrell House 1996

How long were you at the school and what did you teach?

I was a member of the St Peter’s College teaching staff for 37 years (1984 – 2020).
I taught predominantly Biology (both SACE & IB) as well as Mathematics to Year 10 & Junior Science.
In addition, in no particular chronological order:

• Sports Master (8 years)
• An assistant in Howard House (3 years
• Head of Farrell House (9 years)
• Acting Head of Woodcock House (1 semester)
• Da Costa mentor (8 years)
• Head of Biology (9 years)
• First XVIII Football coach (5 years)
• First XI Cricket coach (10 years)
• Football Coordinator (7 years)
  Image: First XI State Champions 2005/2006

What have been some of your career highlights?

• The quality of young men that we work with.
• The quality of people that we work with, both directly & indirectly associated with St Peter's.
• The 16 months teaching exchange in England with my family. It was enriching professionally, socially & for family bonding.
• The one month, teaching exchange at Shix-Shix school in Shanghai, China. An amazing cultural experience.
• Six Cricket tours of England for 4 weeks at a time, presented a vast collection of experiences for all associated with the tours.
• The opportunity and privilege to coach Cricket & Football, two of my lifelong passions, at the highest level (1st.XI & 1st XVIII) in the school. I coached a Summer & Winter sport every year of my employment at Saints. No other aspect of the St Peter's educational package provides more frequent resilience building opportunities.
• The WOW factor of the St Peter's College environment for our community and our visitors.

Image: England Cricket Tour 2013

How did you get involved with the cricket program?

After coaching Tennis is my first year of employment (there were no vacant Cricket coaching positions in 1984), I was asked to coach the Year 8A Cricket team. I fulfilled this role, with assistance from Neil Dansie for a period of time, until 2004 when I took over the coaching of
the 1st XI Cricket team following the tragic death of Ian Hume. Neil Dansie continued to work closely with me.
Image: Second XVIII 1996

Did you play cricket yourself and at what level?

I played District Cricket for Glenelg to B grade level before joining the Brighton Cricket Club where I played for many seasons (initially A grade) until 2004.

Image: First XVIII with Melbourne Grammar 2006

Tell me about your involvement now?

Since finishing work at St Peter’s College at the end of 2020, I have continued to score for the SPSC First XI Cricket team.

Otherwise, I have undertaken some part-time work as a Coach Developer for a couple of businesses, relief teaching at Westminster School and  supporting pre-service teachers from Flinders University during their teaching placement.

What changes have you seen in the game at Schoolboy level?

• The game, to some degree, demands patience but the younger generation infrequently get exposed to exercising patience.
• The quality of the bats has improved substantially. The ‘power’ (therefore distance & speed) with which the ball is struck from today’s bats is significantly greater.
• Skills associated with batting on the back foot requires more attention. Likewise, the courage to open up your stance in order to successfully play front foot shots on the leg side. Both of these skills would certainly enhance a player’s run scoring potential.
• T20 Cricket has generally increased the standard of fielding.
• Game sense training has helped to identify player skill & knowledge deficiencies to work on.
• A reduced number of 2 days matches are now played. This form of the game can accelerate the development of a young cricketer in their formative years.

Peter Warnes’ legacy at St Peter’s College is one of dedication, mentorship, and an enduring love for sport. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or now from the scorer’s table, his influence continues inspire the next generation. His passion for the game—and for the School—remains as strong as ever.

Image: Peter Warnes at the scorers table, Lloyd Oval February 2025