From The Principal
It's Christmas!
It's Christmas!
I am so excited to begin the Christmas season with our school community this evening at our Community Christmas event. We have a variety of activities, food trucks and lots of carol singing taking place. After introducing this event into our calendar last year, we have made it bigger and better this year with students joining in the performance, singing alongside Mrs Gillette and Mr Connell. We also have a performance from some of our senior musicians, and our Chaplain Miss Burns will be helping us focus on the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
From The Head of Learning
Celebrating A Year of Growth Through the Primary Numeracy Project
Celebrating A Year of Growth Through the Primary Numeracy Project
At St Peter’s, we are committed to fostering excellence in education for both our students and teaching staff. This year, as highlighted in previous newsletters, we embarked on the Primary Numeracy Project—a year-long professional development initiative aimed at enhancing teaching expertise and improving numeracy outcomes across our school.
Through the Primary Numeracy Project, our teachers engaged in professional learning focused on evidence-based teaching practices, explored innovative strategies for delivering Mathematics instruction and deepened their knowledge of the concrete, visual and abstract models that support students in developing their mathematical skills and understanding. The program emphasised explicit direct instruction, daily and cumulative review cycles and a gradual release of responsibility lesson structure, equipping our team to refine teaching approaches that support numeracy development at every stage of learning.
Throughout the year, our staff collaborated closely with a numeracy consultant to enhance our capacity as educators. This partnership enabled us to develop instructional routines to make Mathematics more accessible, ensuring all students received high-quality explicit instruction with ongoing guided practice. The AISNSW Primary Numeracy Project also helped us to establish a clear plan for the future of numeracy instruction at St Peter’s—one that prioritises the development of mathematical vocabulary, knowledge, skills and understanding and ensures that students can access the concrete, visual and abstract models to consolidate and extend their learning.
As a learning community, the impact of this project has been significant. It has reshaped our Mathematics lessons and instructional practices, bringing about measurable and positive change. While we continue to collect final data during these last weeks of Term 4, early results from our screeners already show pleasing growth in numeracy learning outcomes across the school.
The growth we celebrate extends beyond student achievement. Our teachers have gained remarkable insights and expertise through the Primary Numeracy Project and we are excited to see how this initiative will continue to enrich the educational experiences of both our students and staff in 2025.
From The Coordinator of St Peter's Heart
Spotlight on St Peter's Heart
Spotlight on St Peter's Heart
Year 7 Orientation at Broughton Anglican College
On Tuesday, some of our graduating Year 6 students and their families had the exciting opportunity to attend their Year 7 orientation for the Education Support Program at Broughton Anglican College.
The orientation gave students a glimpse into their future schooling, with a tour of their soon-to-be classroom area. While the space is currently under construction, they were able to view architectural drawings that showcased the plans for their new learning environment and visit the physical building.
Students also explored key areas of the school, including drop-off and pick-up zones, play spaces and the library. A highlight was seeing their new high school uniforms and meeting their Year 7 teacher, setting the tone for the supportive environment awaiting them.
Parents also had the chance to engage with staff members, discussing the various ways their children will be supported as they transition into high school. It was a wonderful way to prepare for this next chapter in their lives and ensure both students and families feel ready and excited for the journey ahead.
We are so proud of our Year 6 students and look forward to seeing them thrive in their new setting next year!
From The Band/Strings Conductor
Music Festival
Music Festival
The St Peter's Music Festival was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our ensembles to a packed and enthusiastic audience. From the lively performances of our bands to the beautifully harmonised string orchestras and vocal groups, the evening was a true celebration of the vibrant musical culture at St Peter's.
A standout moment was the debut of our Staff Orchestra, whose spirited performance and surprise appearance brought the house down with the loudest cheer of the night. While their musical journey is off to a memorable start, the real stars of the evening were our students, whose commitment and teamwork shone through in every note. Each ensemble brought something special to the program, whether it was the polished sound of our senior groups or the promising debut of our younger musicians.
We extend heartfelt thanks to all the students, staff, and families who contributed to the night’s success, making it a truly unforgettable musical celebration.
'Tis the Season to Be Promoted!
'Tis the Season to Be Promoted!
In the weeks following the Music Festival, nearly 50 students have been promoted across our Band and Strings programs, with more to come! This early promotion allows students to get a head start in their new ensembles, learning from our experienced Year 6 leaders before they graduate. Congratulations to all those who have leveled up!
From The School Chaplain
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
I am a little in denial at the moment that Christmas is just around the corner, despite the giant Christmas tree in Macarthur Square’s Kellicar Lane and the endless ads on TV from the major Supermarkets. Sadly it isn’t always ‘the most wonderful time of the year’.
But the unchanging message of the Saviour’s birth is the most wonderful news you will ever hear. God became a human baby to restore our relationship with Him.
The days leading up to Christmas Day are known in some traditions as ‘Advent’. The word Advent means “the coming or arrival”. As Christmas approaches, we look back and remember that starry night in Bethlehem, when in an instant the entire world was changed. Glory arrived, wrapped in the form of a baby. His coming ushered in an entirely new reality for all to behold. The darkness of waiting was replaced as the Light of the World came and made His dwelling among men.
As believers, we look back, but we also look forward. Just as our children delight in the remembrance of past Christmas joys, they also look forward to what awaits them under the tree. More is yet to come. As His people, we look back and remember that Christ has come and redeemed the world. We look forward and hope for that day when He will come again, making all things new. More is yet to come. (Melissa Kruger, Gospel Coalition)
Advent can be a time when we refocus our thoughts on Christ so that we might know the peace and joy that comes from knowing Him.
My prayer is that God will help you as a family to navigate the festive season with love, kindness, patience and care. My prayer, too, is that you will take time to reflect together on the real reason for the season.
There are lots of good resources to help you spend time with your family reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. Youthworks has one for free and one you can purchase.
Staff News
Movember 2024
Movember 2024
Help Us Change the Face of Men’s Health!
This November, I’m taking part in #Movember, growing a moustache to raise awareness and funds for men’s health. Movember supports groundbreaking work in mental health, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. With your help, we can make a real difference.
Why does this matter? Mental health struggles affect countless men worldwide and prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men. Testicular cancer, too, is the most common cancer in young men. Movember is on a mission to improve early detection, support men’s mental health and fund medical research that saves lives.
An important part of this journey is raising awareness and starting conversations, checking in with the men in our lives and creating space for sharing life's ups and downs. Reach out to the men you know, or encourage them to connect with a friend for a chat.
With GivingTuesday upon us and Movember coming to an end, I’m reaching out for support. Help me reach my fundraising goal and join me in making a meaningful impact. Every donation brings us one step closer to better health outcomes for men.
Please consider donating to my #Movember efforts today. Together, we can make a difference!
From The Sports Coordinator
IPPSO Inter-School Sport
IPPSO Inter-School Sport
Week 5 - v. Macarthur Anglican School
Sport | W/L/D | Rank | Score | Player of the Match |
Jnr Basketball | L | 6th | 42-16 | Jacob J |
Jnr Cricket | W | =1st | 27-44 | Everyone |
Jnr Girls Soccer | L | 5th | 10-0 | Fleur M |
Jnr Oz Tag | L | 7th | 20-11 | Everyone |
Snr Basketball | L | 4th | 27-16 | Rafan M |
Snr Cricket | L | 4th | 59-45 | Everyone |
Snr Girls Soccer | L | 7th | 4-0 | Molly O |
Snr Oz Tag | W | 6th | 4-8 | Evie C |
FINALS
Congratulations to the Junior Cricket team for clinching the top spot in the IPSSO Summer competition South Draw, shared with St Gregory’s College and Broughton Anglican College. It came down to for and against points to determine finals spots.
Their stellar performance paved the way for participation in the IPSSO Finals day, which took place on Wednesday, 20th November at St Gregory’s College.
The first game against William Carey Christian School was set up as a strong performance from the start. Beginning with batting, the boys hit all the way to 79 runs off the first 8 overs.
The second game presented a greater challenge. St Gregory’s College came out with a well-thought through fielding plan. Our boys fought back with outstanding bowling skills. The game culminated in another nail-biting finish, resulting in a loss. Despite this, it was an exceptional display of skill and teamwork.
Every player demonstrated their best performance, showcasing teamwork and resilience. As a cohesive unit, the team proudly accepted their 2nd place standing after an awe-inspiring effort.
Grade Focus
Focus on Year 2
Focus on Year 2
The Year Two teachers are very proud of how hard Year Two students have been working in the classroom! They have been busy studying imagery and figurative language in texts, learning about equivalent number sentences and exploring famous inventors. They have also been participating in some special Year Two opportunities. For the first five weeks of term, the students went to swimming lessons to progress in their swimming skills. The teachers were so proud to see the children overcome fears, persist in challenging obstacles and develop their water awareness and swimming skills.
In Week Four, students also joined with Year One to attend a Day Camp out at Wedderburn Christian Campsite. We thought you might like to hear from some of them what they enjoyed most about the day:
My favourite thing about camp was everything! My group teachers were Mrs Gillette and Mrs Weir. I really liked making dragonflies and catching cicadas. I met the group teacher in the holidays too! - Sift
My favourite thing about camp was when I was playing stuck in the mud. Then all of a sudden the teachers had a water fight, then we joined in and played water fights. We won lots of water games and loved the cookies and sausage sizzle. We also saw a koala and did a nature hunt and a bushwalk too! - Subha
My favourite thing about camp was when we did the water fight with the teachers. We did a scavenger hunt and we saw a koala and a baby koala. It was so fun. - Adele
My favourite thing about camp was that we went on a scavenger hunt and ate cookies. It was so good! But my favourite is the scavenger hunt. We collected things and saw koalas. Did you know that koalas sleep 22 hours of the day? So cool! We ate sausages and had ice blocks and then we went home. - Aaviah
My favourite thing about camp was that I got to spend a whole day in God’s creation and saw lots of animals. I liked it because God made them and loves them. - Zoe
My favourite thing about camp day was finding cicada shells at lunch, while the other kids were eating and playing. The other thing I liked was bushwalking because I saw a lot of plants and a koala. - Hanya
My favourite thing about camp was that we got to do a scavenger hunt and we had to find some things that our supervisor had lost. We also had to put the items back where we found them. My group was the first to find all the items because all three of us went in different directions. After that we had a sausage sizzle. - Anvith
My favourite thing about camp was playing water games. I loved throwing cups on the teachers and getting them wet! It was so fun, I loved making insects and seeing a koala high up in the trees. - Cianna
My favourite thing about camp was the water games because I felt like I was a water bender. - Jayden
My favourite part of camp is the bushwalk. We saw an actual koala sleeping in a tree! I also saw a huge goanna. I loved the water games, we got so wet! - Ayvianna
School News
Book Fair - Thank you!
Book Fair - Thank you!
A special thank you to all the Grandparents, Parents and Carers who purchased items from the Scholastic Book Fair in Week 4.
This enables us to purchase a wonderful $3,357 worth of new books for our school Library.
Pictured here are just a quarter of the books that your generosity has enabled us to buy.
Thank you again for your support.
2025 & 2026 Term Dates
2025 & 2026 Term Dates
Please see the Campbelltown Anglican School Term Dates for 2025 and 2026.
Please note the following:
2025 Kindergarten students will commence school on Thursday, 30 January 2025; students in Years 1 - 6 will commence on Friday, 31 January 2025.
2025 Pre-Kindergarten start dates will be:
- Koalas - Monday, 3 February 2024
- Kangaroos - Monday, 3 February 2024
- Echidnas - Wednesday, 5 February 2024
