Our year has started off busy, with the Old Scholars' Academic Excellence Assembly held in February, followed by the Morning Tea for Old Scholar Mums and the OSA Year Leaders' Event and AGM held in March. These events were well attended and we are looking forward to the next few months when some of our key events will be held including 'A Touch of Blue' for the younger Old Scholars, Interstate Reunions in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne as well as our special celebration of St Peterstide on Friday 29 June when we will be hosting the Old Scholars' Annual Reunion Dinner at the Adelaide Pavilion. I look forward to seeing you throughout the year and, as always, please keep in touch with all of your news and ideas for the OSA. Megan
McCormack (nee Walker, Kilburn '86)
Old Scholar Officer - Community Relations
'A Touch of Blue' for Young Old ScholarsThis event continues to grow and this year we invite all Old Scholars from Alumni 2014-2017 to join in a fun evening with former class members. The evening of Friday 4 May begins on the School's new Library deck with drinks and cocktail food. Bus transport will then be provided for anyone who wishes to continue the evening at the Feathers Hotel, Burnside. Tickets are $15 per person and bookings are via www.trybooking.com/TJZM
We hope to see you there!
Annual Old Scholars' Reunion DinnerAll Old Scholars are warmly invited to attend the Annual Reunion Dinner on Friday 29 June at 7pm at the Adelaide Pavilion. This is the official reunion dinner for the Classes of 2013, 2008, 2003, 1998, 1993, 1988, 1978, 1968,1958 and 1948. Bus transport to and from the venue will be available from Stonyfell. A morning tea and School tour as well as the St Peterstide Eucharist in the School Chapel will be held in the morning. The dinner includes welcome drinks, canapes and a two course meal. Please book via www.trybooking.com/TJZP. For telephone bookings and all enquiries, please contact Megan on 8334 2239.
Friends of the Founders' Chapel Service and Light LunchThe Friends of the Founders' annual Chapel Service and Light Lunch was held recently where guest speaker Katherine Schultz (Kilburn '11) presented an engaging and inspiring speech about Women in Business and Enterprise to the students and staff. Afterwards, a delicious lunch was enjoyed on the Chiverton Lawns.
Old Scholars' Academic Assembly The St Peter’s Girls’ community was elated to welcome back our newest Old Scholars on Tuesday 6 February for a special academic assembly to celebrate top achievements from our Class of 2017. It followed the official SACE Merit Awards ceremony at Government House.
Many former students were joined by their parents on Chiverton Lawns
where they enjoyed reuniting with old classmates over refreshments.
The special guests then made their way to the Chapel for the assembly,
which included words of wisdom from guest speaker and Old Scholar Claire Zhang (Patteson ’12). Claire was Deputy Head Prefect and Dux of the School. She received the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship at the University of
Queensland where she completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (First
Class Honours) and was awarded a University Medal. Claire, who is currently specialising in paediatrics at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, shared her journey since leaving school in a thoughtful, witty
and inspiring account that will no doubt leave a lasting impression on many of the girls.
Perth Reunion The Perth Reunion held on Saturday at the Millpoint Caffe Bookshop was an enjoyable morning for our Old Scholars to catch up, share memories, have a few laughs and welcome new friends. Pictured L to R are Rachal Smart (nee Farmer, Kennion '88), Juliet Wills ('80), Robyn Kidman (nee Place, Kilburn '69), Jill Simon (nee deKievit, Kennion '56), Pauline Faulds (nee Sharrad, Kennion '53), Sue Ridgway (nee Waire, Patteson '61) and Reunion Leader Fiona Poole (nee Newton, Kilburn '91). Another catch up is planned for October and all WA-based Old Scholars are welcome!
Old Scholars' Association Scholarship
One of the primary aims of the Old Scholars is to provide assistance through the form of a scholarship to attend St Peter’s Girls. The scholarship is constitutionally recognised and is a vital part of the Old Scholars giving back to the community. This scholarship is open to external students entering either Years 7 or 8. It is awarded to a student who has a proven all-round ability and who has a connection to the School through a family member having attended St Peter’s Girls in the past. The Old Scholars’ Association Scholarship will provide a 30% reduction in tuition fees for the life of the scholarship and it is expected that recipients will contribute to the Old Scholars’ Council during their time at the
School. Applications for entry in 2019 are open until Friday 11 May 2018.
Old Scholars in the Spotlight
Saints Girls is incredibly proud of Old Scholar Emily Murdock (Kilburn ’17) who has just been accepted into Harvard. One of the world’s most prestigious universities, Harvard has had 48 Nobel Laureates, 32 heads of state and 48 Pulitzer Prize winners amongst its faculty and alumni. Emily will move to Cambridge, Massachusetts USA in August to commence her studies. Congratulations Emily!
Old Scholar Sasha Kockan (Kilburn ’15) recently shared with us some exciting news all the way from Vermont, USA. Sasha is spending the third year of her degree studying at the University of Vermont, and has kindly told us about her journey from Saints Girls, to Vermont, and then to an internship in New York City! “I was a Kilburn Saints Girl from Years 6 to 12 and thoroughly enjoyed my time there with my friends, teachers, and the wider Saints community. I was part of the Enchanté and Chamber choirs, competed in SAPSASA and IGSSA athletics, and participated in softball and soccer in my middle years. I was never the strongest student at Maths, and had to work really hard to understand concepts and complex
problems. However, I loved the feeling of getting the correct answer to questions, and also enjoyed seeing where exactly I went wrong on a test so I could get it right the next time. During my final year of school, I chose to study both Specialist Mathematics and Mathematical Studies. This decision was made after hearing about the amazing opportunities I could be exposed to in my career as the demand for female mathematicians is so high in this day and age. I was definitely a bit overwhelmed and nervous at first to study the hardest subject SACE offers since I was the only student in my cohort to undertake Specialist Mathematics, but I always knew I could do well if I studied extra hard and put time into the subject. I am currently in my penultimate year studying a double Bachelors Degree in Mathematical and Computer Science
with Finance, with a major in Statistics at the University of Adelaide. This degree has pushed me beyond my limits, which has included many breakdowns during exam periods, and doubts and second guesses about whether I could actually pass these rigorous courses. However, coming this far has just been so rewarding and so worth it as, earlier this year, I was accepted to study abroad at the University of Vermont in the United States, where the competition to attain a position at this Public Ivy League school is tremendous. I am continuing the third year of my degree here for the whole of 2018 and am loving every second of the American college life. The University of Vermont is located in Burlington, Vermont and is the fifth oldest university in New England. It is a 90 minute drive across the border to Canada, and about a six hour drive to New York City. There are so many ski resorts on
the outskirts of the campus, and I have been skiing down both the Canadian and Vermont slopes nearly every weekend this semester with my friends. A couple of weeks ago, I was offered a position to intern at a major software company ‘Softheon’ during my summer break (June – August) in New York. Softheon is an industry leader in developing, implementing and operating cutting-edge solutions for many health insurance companies across the US. I will be working as a Product Management intern in the equity team, which will allow me to gain experience in both of the degrees I am currently studying. Hopefully by interning with Softheon, I can make a more definitive decision about what path I want to take after my degree: a more finance-based career like investment banking, stockbroking or hedge funding, or a more
mathematical-based career like data/statistical analysis or software design and coding. More than 1100 people applied for this position including students from Harvard and Yale, and somehow I managed to be one of 10 people accepted after a rigorous interview process. I am so excited to be given this incredible opportunity as not only will I be working for a leading US company, I will also be living in a New York apartment that Softheon has organised for me, which has always been this golden dream of mine! The opportunity to intern for Softheon would not have presented itself if I had not been mentored by my Year 12 teachers: Ms Lines and Mr Leydon. STEM-based subjects and degrees are so important, and I believe that everyone can be great at maths if they are persistent and patient with the subject. I definitely encourage all Saints
Girls to have an open mind with a can-do attitude; confidence is key, and if you believe you can do it, you are already half way there!” Sasha Kockan (Kilburn ’15)
What's Happening at Saints Girls?
Science at St Peter’s Girls’ School is on the edge of a new frontier, unlocking a world of opportunities. The latest project in our Master Plan, The Next Challenge: Building for Tomorrow, the Science upgrade and expansion has all the elements for success. A new Science Centre between the Stott Wing and the Visual Arts building will feature: - 7 Science laboratories
- A large preparation area
- Breakout and collaboration spaces
In addition, our existing Science facility will be transformed, resulting in new classrooms and a dedicated Junior School Science laboratory. Works will begin this year, with the opening planned to coincide with our 125th anniversary late next year. It follows the successful completion of our first five Master Plan projects: expanding our Early Learners’ Centre, increasing parking spaces and access to additional sporting facilities in Bell Yett Reserve, installing high speed network services to boost online learning, building a new Middle School and opening a new Library. Project number
six will cement Saints Girls as a national leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), allowing the next generation of students to experiment, explore and excel. Problem-solving and critical thinking will come to the fore as the facilities enhance a range of contemporary learning styles, blending theory and practice. Science at St Peter’s Girls’ School will make every day a new discovery. We can’t wait to take up the challenge and hope you will join us on this journey.
Choral Night Proves a Hit!
Choral Night burst to life at the Adelaide Convention Centre on March 28, delighting our School community as only Choral Night can do. With the theme of ‘Broadway Musicals’, our four Houses lit up the stage, delivering an electric and eclectic catalogue of famous numbers. Voracious vocals and dynamite dance moves played out, alongside the traditional hymn performances. By the end of the night, after a close contest, acclaimed adjudicators Libby O’Donovan and Rosanne Hosking crowned Kennion the 2018 Choral Night champions. Congratulations to all students!
Order Your 2018 | 19 Entertainment Book
The 2017 | 18 Entertainment Membership is expiring on 1 June 2018. Pre-order your NEW 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Membership NOW! You can order via the form at the Front Office or pre-purchase online: Order your Entertainment Book here! The Entertainment Book and new phone app offer our community members a great way to try out restaurants and activities around SA, save money and, at the same time, support our girls. Thank you in advance for your kind support and consideration.
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