| Revision as of 06:07, 27 June 2006 edit203.134.111.194 (talk) →Ensembles← Previous edit | Revision as of 06:27, 27 June 2006 edit undoDraicone (talk | contribs)2,734 edits →Ironbark: Facilities and staff shortagesNext edit → | ||
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| At Ironbark, students are challenged physically, socially, intellectually and spiritually. Most students appreciate this opportunity to step outside the classroom and many Old Scholars speak of Ironbark as a highlight of their time at St Peters. | At Ironbark, students are challenged physically, socially, intellectually and spiritually. Most students appreciate this opportunity to step outside the classroom and many Old Scholars speak of Ironbark as a highlight of their time at St Peters. | ||
| A recent issue noticed with Ironbark is the drastic improvement in facilities. Where the focus was on living in simpler conditions barely a few years ago, new technologies such as water heaters and washing machines have been introduced and this focus has been shifted to the significant activities in the program. In mid-2006, staff shortages resulted in certain classes missing minor activities such as the scheduled afternoon activity, and the director at the time, Mr Peter McGlennon, conducted a recruitment drive of sorts, searching the local community for qualified staff - and, for the better part, succeeding. | |||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 06:27, 27 June 2006
St Peters Lutheran College (SPLC) is a co-educational day and boarding school strongly committed to the Christian faith, catering for students from Preparatory to Year 12. The College is situated on a 21 hectare campus within the leafy suburb of Indooroopilly('valley of leeches' in native aboriginal), eight kilometres from the centre of Brisbane, Australia. It claims to be a school of involvement and energy; a school of faith, hope and optimism, where staff and students teach and learn in close co-operation in a rigorous and caring culture. St Peters is people - people who care; people who dream; people who achieve.
Symbolism
The St Peters Lutheran College Emblem possess many symbolic qualities. As the name of the school suggests St peters is a Lutheran school, hence the presence of Martin Luther's (the founder of Lutheran Christianity) iconic white rose of Martin Luther's seal(left).
The emblem also contaians an inverted crucifix, as legend has it that St Peter the founder of Catholicism, was crucified upside down. He was subjected to this strange execution, as he wished to show he was not equal to Jesus in any way.
The School's motto, Plus ultra ('Aim higher' in Latin), describes the attitude of the students schooled at St. Peters entirely. Always setting a higher standard and gaining excellence in all endeavours is a common attribute of all past and present St Peters Lutheran College students.
Facilities
St Peters offers facilities including a full time Library, boarding house, gym, computer labs, 25 m and 50 m pools, tennis courts, 3 ovals, and a 1 hectare rainforest. The Senior, Middle, Junior School each have their own separate library. Each sub-school(Junior,Middle and Senior School) is located on separate campus, however all tessellate on the one area at Indooroopilly. Recently, work had been started on upgrading the Refectory (the building where boarding students eat meals) into a fully functional Café. This Café has since been completed and a competition was held amongst the students to establish its name, with it finally being christened Café 45. This will give students added independence as well as giving the Hospitality students a location to work on achieving a degree in Hospitality.
Heads of College
In the history of the college there have only been five Headmasters.
These are:
- Mr W C Schneider 1945-1954
- Mr H W A Lohe 1955-1970
- Dr Carson Dron 1971-1993
- Mrs Sally Chandler 1994-2002
- Mr Stephen Rudolph 2003-Current
Mr Stephen Rudolph was appointed to the position of Head of College of St Peters in 2003, following a distinguished career in administration of Lutheran schools spanning 27 years. He is the fifth Head of College in the College's 60-year history.
For six years he was Principal of Luther College in Melbourne.
Mr Rudolph holds a Master's degree in Educational Administration, two Bachelor's degrees and various other qualifications. He is the Vice-Chairman of the National Board for Lutheran Education and has recently been appointed as a member of the Association of Independent Schools in Queensland (AISQ) Council.
Notable alumni
St Peters has produced a number of Olympic athletes and World Champions (including Maxine Seear, Chris Noffke and Shane Gould) and internationally acclaimed musicians and actors (including Sigrid Thornton, Lisa Gasteen and James Cuddeford).
Other famous Old Scholars of St Peters include Brisbane author Rebecca Sparrow; Brisbane Lions player Mal Michael; 1986 Commonwealth Games 1500 m Swimming Gold Medalist Jason Plummer; 2002 Commonwealth Games Women's Marathon Bronze Medalist Jacqui Gallagher; Director of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music Professor Peter Roennfeldt; and co-founder of clothing label Sass & Bide, Heidi Middleton.
Early years
The world was at war, Australian soldiers had been fighting in Europe, in Africa, in the middle east, far east and the Pacifoc regions. Among the fighting were many Lutheran Australians posessing German names but with Australian Loyalty. Back in Queensland The Lutheran Church was a small church based mainly in rural areas. Brisbane has three Lutheran parishes.
The passionate anti-German feelings of World War I had resulted in the persecution of Lutherans, and the burning of Churches was repeatedly occurring. In Cities this feeling was easily maintained , as the small populations of Lutherans enabled Lutherans as German stereotypes to flourish.
In the early 1940s the ancestors of many hard working German migrants were enjoying their prosperity. As with many prosperous communities throughout history Education was valued by this small hard working community. However the only Lutheran school available to these families was in Adelaide.
Each year many young Lutherans thus made the trek from Brisbane to Adelaide. During war time restriction these treks were made even more dificult as the students boarding from queensland were unable to return home for two years. Because of the increasing want for an educated life and the increasing difficult to attend a Lutheran school, a proposal was gaining followers in Queensland. The idea was to start a Lutheran School in Queensland. The Time was right and the many parents worried about their childrens education embraced the proposal with enthusiasm.
In February of 1945 the new School called St. Peter's Lutheran College opened as the New Headmaster Wilfred Schneider(Called to the position after leaving Immanuel College, Adelaide) beat a gong signalling the opening. Pastor G D Dohler was to play a leading part in the development of the school as he was chairman of the School committee for 25 years from the opening of the school.
From then on, St Peters has come along way from those first dignified days, but its development has been an interesting one.
Music program
St Peters has a proud history of great musical achievement. St Peters students are offered an exciting and diverse range of musical experiences and have the opportunity to perform in some of the best school ensembles in Australia. St Peters offers a musical education to all who seek it. The excellence of our programs is built on a foundation of making musical experiences available to the whole school community (from Preparatory to Year 12) and not merely to the talented few. Through this process, many students discover and develop their own musical talent and go on to further studies and musical experiences beyond their time at St Peters. The school offers our students a diversity of musical experiences, which lay the foundations for a high level of involvement in the arts. The Australia Council, the Federal Government's arts funding body, acknowledged the significance of this music program in 1988 when St Peters received financial assistance for a "Composer in Residence" program - the first such school residency in Australia. Further State and Federal assistance has enabled other nationally significant projects to be developed.
Touring is a significant part of our music program. These tours have extended from our close neighbours PNG and New Zealand to as far away as Scandinavi like candyia, Russia, USA, Europe and China.
One particular focus of the music department is the exposure it offers students to the music of their own culture. Significant here have been a large number of commissions of some of the country's leading composers, including Queenslanders Sarah Hopkins and Stephen Leek. The ensembles often produce compact disc recordings, several of which have won state and national awards.
All students have the opportunity to study music at the College - either in class or in individual instrumental or vocal lessons. Instruments such as harp, harpsichord and organ are included in the range of instruments offered.
Graduates of St Peters now fill leading professional posts in Australian and overseas orchestras and arts organisations and have used their St Peters music education as the basis for graduate study at such leading institutions as Yale University, St Olaf College, the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal College of Music.
Chorale
The St Peters Chorale is claimed to be one of the best student choirs in Australia. It tours regularly around Australia and the world, its last tour being to Poland, Czech Republic and most of Western Europe. Its conductor Graeme Morton is internationally famous. Their repertoire include: Mozart Requiem (KV 626) and many other pieces. The chorale is known as being a choir with an extensive repertoire of Australian music composed by such Australians as: Graeme Morton, Matthew Orlovich, Dan Walker, Stephen Leek, Peter Rankin and Sarah Hopkins.
Ensembles
St Peters has quite an extensive systems of ensembles, including the Year 8 Band, the Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Winds, who recently won the Queensland Youth Music Awards (2006) performing a piece by a teacher at the college, Paul Bonnetti. Ensembles at St Peters are of a standard that they go on tour every few years.
Curriculum
Curriculum at St Peters:
- is based on a view of human life and understanding as being part of the whole of creation under the lordship of Christ
- recognises that literacy and numeracy are basic and essential skills for learning
- is structured to incorporate the eight nationally recognised Key Learning Areas (KLAs) and, in keeping with Lutheran Education Australia policy, additionally incorporates the study of a ninth KLA, that of Christian Studies
- is very broad and provides a diverse range of learning experiences that centre on the individual student and his/her needs, abilities and interests
- actively incorporates appropriate technology within its delivery
- is based on the concept that all students should study an essential common curriculum that will introduce them to the major fields of human study and knowledge
- is flexible and structured in such a way as to provide for the learning needs of all who are committed to the College
- promotes an appreciation of cultural diversity and aims to promote multiculturalism and develop a sense of internationalism within the College community
Curriculum organisation
The curriculum at St Peters is designed to provide a continuum of experience and knowledge acquisition from Prep to Year 12. To this end, St Peters offers programs within three separate sub-schools; the Junior School (P-5), Middle School (6-8) and Senior School (9-12). Each sub-school operates semi-autonomously with its own Head of Sub-School and administration. There are plans for the future to have the Middle School run from years 5-7, and have a Junior High (8-9) and a Secondary High (10-12). The Junior School will then run from P-4.
Within the broader framework of a combined P-12 college, curriculum oversight is maintained by the Deputy Head - Curriculum, who has responsibility for policy and strategic management across all levels in the academic curriculum of the College.
The separation into Junior School, Middle School and Senior School enables St Peters to:
- enhance and develop curriculum and support structures appropriate to the students' developmental and intellectual needs;
- provide appropriate pastoral care structures to cater for the needs of each individual student; and
- expand specialist facilities, tuition and support necessary to complement the student's growth and development.
The curriculum construct at St Peters centres on a model of cognitive development that focuses on the acqusition of basic cognitive skills in the early years, the development of meta-cognitive skills and knowledge in the middle years and cognitive maturity and self-directed learning in the senior years of schooling. The College curriculum is under continuous review so as to keep abreast of educational developments, but broadly follows the syllabus documents of the Queensland Studies Authority.
The programs and facilities at St Peters ensure that students have a solid grounding in traditional academic studies, are confident in using today's technology, appreciate their cultural heritage and enjoy sporting and recreational activities.
Sport
Sport is an integral component of the educational experience at St Peters. The co-curricular sporting program provides opportunities for all students to be active participants in a wide variety of sports and physical pursuits. St Peters caters for both beginning athletes and elite performers, fostering the development of essential life-long physical skills, healthy behaviours and positive dispositions.
The College has proud sporting traditions and an exceptional sports record. Our sporting facilities include an indoor sports hall and weights room, a 50-metre and a 25-metre heated pool, six tennis-specific courts, eight additional multi-purpose outdoor courts and three ovals, two of which have turf cricket wickets.
All students are strongly encouraged to represent the College in sport. The College is committed to providing a high level of organisation and coaching in all sports, creating opportunities for all students to realise their potential. Students in Years 4 to 7 compete in The Associated Schools Junior (JTAS), while boys in Years 8 to 12 compete in the Associated Independent Colleges (AIC) competition and girls in Years 8 to 12 compete in the Queensland Girls' Secondary School Sports Association (QGSSSA). On any given weekend, up to 600 students represent the College in a number of different sports.
Students in Years Prep to 5 participate in a motor development and sport skills based program for one hour per week. This is in addition to the time devoted to curriculum Heath and Physical Education.
Sports offered
In addition to these association sports, fitness club, water polo, rowing, equestrian and sailing are offered to students in selected year levels.
For swimmers to be affiliated with Queensland Swimming, they must be affiliated with a club to compete at Brisbane, Queensland and Australian swimming levels. The St Peters Western Swim Club meets this need for St Peters students and others in the community.
The club attracts students from the Junior School through to Year 12. There is a Learn to Swim program plus Junior, Intermediate and Senior squads. Head of College, Mr Stephen Rudolph, is the club’s Patron.
Ironbark
Ironbark is the outdoor campus of St Peters Lutheran College. Ironbark is located near the town of Crows Nest, some 50 km north of Toowoomba and 150 km north-west of Brisbane. The property consists of 600 hectares (1485 acres) of heavily timbered, undulating granite country.
Ironbark was named for the Eucalyptus Crebra, the narrow leaf Ironbark, which grows across the property. The Ironbark is a tree of great resilience and produces hardwood timber of great beauty and toughness. It is the aim that some of these characteristics are reflected in Ironbark graduates.
The donation of land in 1971 provided the College with an opportunity to develop and implement a program based on the twin concepts of \'spiritual retreat\' and \'education for life\'. After several years of discussion and planning, a pilot program was run in 1974. Following the success of the pilot program, the Ironbark experience has been part of the College curriculum since 1976.
Students from the College spend five weeks at Ironbark in Year 9. During their stay, students experience community living, help to run the farm and maintain the property, and undertake a range of outdoor adventurous activities. The students have no formal academic lessons during their stay at Ironbark.
A central aspect of the Ironbark program is the opportunity all students have to step away from their everyday life and reflect upon their own spiritual journey. Students are encouraged to do this by the natural environment together with daily devotions and regular worship services.
Ironbark is staffed by specialist teaching, outdoor, maintenance, catering and farm staff. All staff work closely with students in their areas of expertise. Facilities on site include two dormitories, staff accommodation, a well-equipped workshop, a garden, and a mixed farm. Much of the food consumed by the students is produced on the property.
At Ironbark, students are challenged physically, socially, intellectually and spiritually. Most students appreciate this opportunity to step outside the classroom and many Old Scholars speak of Ironbark as a highlight of their time at St Peters.
A recent issue noticed with Ironbark is the drastic improvement in facilities. Where the focus was on living in simpler conditions barely a few years ago, new technologies such as water heaters and washing machines have been introduced and this focus has been shifted to the significant activities in the program. In mid-2006, staff shortages resulted in certain classes missing minor activities such as the scheduled afternoon activity, and the director at the time, Mr Peter McGlennon, conducted a recruitment drive of sorts, searching the local community for qualified staff - and, for the better part, succeeding.