Filter Content
- NEWS FROM MICHAEL HANNEY
- UPCOMING EVENTS
- NEWS FROM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LEADER MICHELLE GIBSON
- YEAR 4 EXCURSION TO HALF MOON BAY
- FIREFIGHTERS VISIT FOUNDATION STUDENTS
- SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
- STUDENT WELLBEING - STAR AWARDS / BUCKET FILLER / WALK/RIDE TO SCHOOL DAYS
- P & F NEWS
- SECONDARY SCHOOLS
- KIDS ON KEY INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM
- COMMUNITY NEWS
GRATITUDE
As the end of the 2023 school year approaches it is a time to stop, reflect on the year and give thanks for what we have. This year we have shared the saddest of times and celebrated some amazing successes.
It is not always easy and there have been a number of challenges throughout the year for some of our families, staff and students. Through it all there remains an overwhelming gratitude that we are a part of this incredible St Peter’s community. A community full of families who are incredibly giving, supportive and caring. A community that is blessed with school staff who will always go the extra yard for our children. A community that is blessed with a wonderful group of students who try hard to look after each other and are willing to work to make themselves and our school better.
On behalf of the staff of St Peter's, I thank you and wish you and your families a safe, happy and holy Christmas and a prosperous new year.
FAMILIES LEAVING
As the school year comes to an end, I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the St Peter’s community to thank the families who are leaving St Peter’s and particularly the families whose last child is graduating from Primary School. We thank you for all that you and your family have brought to our community and we wish you all the best for the future.
FAMILIES LEAVING FROM YEAR 6 2023
Alkhouri, Andrinopoulos, Bao, Boccari, Bradshaw, Cannington, Carr, Carter, Dang, Davidson, De Petra, D’Zilva, Elford, Evans, Flavian, Galitos, Gleeson, Gorski, Grant, Green, Hodges, Kalaitzis, Keyburn, Konstandinou, Lawrence, Lee, McCarthy, Montague, Newton, Noble, Parthimos, Pelc, Penrose, Rezsneki-Carrere, Ricci, Richardson, Roby, Sargiotis, Scahill, Smither, Tzilinis, Virgona, Wijaya, Zoghbi
FAMILIES LEAVING FROM OTHER YEAR LEVELS
Dias, Gallardo, Lawson, Mayol
THANKYOU COLOUR RUN
A huge thank you to our Parents and Friends for organising the colour run on Friday, 1st December. A special thank you to Jade Recupero (Charlie 5PC and Tilly 2RN) for organising this event including the fire truck. I would also like to thank Justin McCarthy, Chris Joplin and Ben Cavarra for assisting on the day. It was a wonderful community event enjoyed by students and families.
PARENTS AND FRIENDS THANKYOU
As the 2023 year comes to an end, I would like to acknowledge the work of our Parents and Friends committee under the leadership of Rebecca Clarke and Rahul Dudeja. It has been a wonderful year with many social and fundraising activities and very importantly the acquisition of the properties for play space for our children through the work of a Parents and Friends sub committee.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, 12th February next year as we move into the very exciting delivery of the new oval.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL THANKYOU
My thanks to the School Advisory Council. Their support and feedback has been invaluable and for that I am very grateful. I particularly wish to acknowledge the work of Darren Bloomfield and Ed Terkelsen who have stepped down after many years of service.
FAREWELL STAFF
As the 2023 school year comes to an end I wish to acknowledge and thank the staff who will not be returning to St Peter’s in 2024.
After service to Catholic Education that in total exceeds 130 years, five staff will be retiring at the end of this year.
- Megan Greetham - Current Year Two teacher
- Wendy Gooch - Current Year Three teacher
- Jim Kendall - Current Year Four teacher
- Pat Kelly - Current Year Six teacher and
- Mary Beaumont - Learning Support Officer
It is a sad time for St Peter’s but a wonderful time for Mary, Pat, Jim, Wendy and Megan as they move to this very exciting next stage of their lives.
On behalf of everyone at St Peter’s and within Catholic Education I thank them for amazing careers making a difference to the lives of thousands of children.
We also farewell three other staff who will not be returning to St Peter’s in 2024.
- Justin McCarthy (Mr Mac) - Current School Operations Leader, Wellbeing Leader and Welcome and Induction Leader - 18 years at St Peter’s.
- Hannah Uehara - Current year 5 teacher
- Sarah Logan - Current Literacy Support Role
Sarah and Hannah will be missed by St Peter's. In their time they have added to the lives of the students they taught and worked with. We wish them all the best as they move into exciting new opportunities and thank them for their service at St Peter’s.
Justin McCarthy’s decision to move to a new challenge is wonderful news for his new employer but he will leave a huge gap at St Peter’s. On behalf of the St Peter’s community and thousands of students who will always remember Mr Mac I thank him for all he has done to make St Peter’s such a special community.
NEW SCHOOL OPERATIONS, WELLBEING AND WELCOME AND INDUCTION LEADER
I am delighted to announce that I have appointed Steph Hunt to the combined roles of School Operations Leader, Wellbeing Leader and Welcome and Induction Leader to replace Justin McCarthy in 2024. I look forward to all that Steph will bring to this significant Leadership role at St Peter’s. I am grateful to the staff who expressed an interest in this role. Competition for positions of leadership reflects positively on us as a professional learning community.
JUNIOR SCHOOL LEADER - For your information
I am very grateful to the teachers who expressed interest in the Junior School Leader role following Steph Hunt's move into Justin McCarthy’s role. I am very happy to advise that Meg Mullally (nee Rahilly) has been appointed to the role for the 2024 school year.
TRAINEE APPOINTMENT - For your information
I am happy to announce that through AFL Traineeships we have engaged a trainee to work with Ben in PE throughout 2024. Chloe Power has completed her VCE at Padua College this year. Chloe has a background in a number of sports including basketball and weightlifting including competing at National Championship age level in weightlifting. Chloe has also completed studies in Outdoor education. We look forward to Chloe joining us at the start of 2024.
NEW LEARNING SUPPORT OFFICER - For your information
I am pleased to advise that Sophie James will be joining us as a full time Learning support officer in 2024. Sophie is a past student of St Peter’s. We look forward to Sophie joining us at the start of 2024.
STAFF 2024
It is with great pleasure that I can advise you of the St Peter’s staff for 2024.
Year Six Team
- Laura Mason
- Laura Doran
- Sean Hanrahan
- Renee Burchell (Monday to Wednesday) with Carmel Godino (Thursday to Friday)
Year Five Team
- Andrea Crough
- Marie Heneghan
- Peter Hurst - (Monday to Thursday) with Josie Gleeson - Friday
- Anna Pullan (Monday to Wednesday) with Pip Cahill (Thursday - Friday)
Year Four Team
- Mimi Hunter
- Mandi Mackey
- Michelle Knight
- Liz Opie (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) with Josie Gleeson - Wednesday
Year Three Team
- Eliza McNamara
- Alyssa Marrone
- Genevieve Jones
- Tricia Melanaphy - (Tuesday - Friday) with Dianna Seoud - Monday
Year Two Team
- Rebecca Neilsen
- Marian Peake (Monday - Wednesday and Friday) with Helen Groves - Thursday
- Sam Stasiak
- Abby Moore
Year One Team
- Jess Reaper (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) with Clare Ebden (Thursday and Friday)
- Ange Bligh (Monday - Thursday) with Helen Groves - Friday
- Mia Hunt
- Madelene Saltis
Foundation Team
- Meg Mullally (nee Rahilly)
- Hyein Kang
- Emma Longmuir
- Imogen McKillop (Monday, Tuesday and alternative Wednesday) and Monica Bramich (Alternative Wednesdays, Thursday and Friday)
Specialist Team
- Drew Lane - Performing Arts - Monday to Thursday
- Cate Sanders - Creative Arts - Monday to Thursday
- Luana Keays - ICT - Monday to Thursday
- Joyce Henderson - Japanese - Monday to Thursday
- Ben Cavarra - PE - Monday to Friday
- Chloe Power - Sports Trainee
Intervention
- Trish Mooney - Intervention Junior School - Monday to Wednesday
- Michelle Gibson - Intervention Senior School - Monday - Friday
Permanent Replacement Teacher
- Annette Bainbridge - Monday to Thursday
- Dianna Seoud - Friday
Staff on Leave
- Gill Sullivan - Terms One and Two
Administration
- Trish Ticca - Monday to Friday
- Loretta Ballas - Monday to Friday
Library
- Karen Young - Wednesday and Friday
Learning Support Staff
- Catherine Basquill
- Dominic Cincotta
- Ellie Conheady
- Julie DeSa
- Nancy Daidone
- Edwina Hogan
- Sophie James
- Donna Jemetta
- Niamh Lavelle
- Gemma Marchese
- Ross McAsey
- Silvana Merola
- Sue O’Mahoney
- Tess Parisotto
- Loretta Rabel
- David Seager
- Litsa Smith
- Emma Tribe
- Amy Williams
- Victoria Xiong
- Karen Young
School Psychologist
Chris Will - Monday and Tuesday
Positions of Leadership within Teaching Roles
- Michelle Gibson - Community Leader and Religious Education Coordinator
- Andrea Crough - Sustainability Leader
- Sean Hanrahan - Level Team Leader - Senior School
- Drew Lane - Level Team Leader - Specialists
- Meg Mullally (Nee Rahilly) - Level Team Leader - Junior
- Sam Stasiak - Teaching and Learning Coordinator
Leadership Positions - Non Teaching
- Kerry McKee - Literacy Leader and Co-ordinator - Monday to Friday
- Cathy Epstein - Numeracy Leader and Co-ordinator - Tuesday to Friday
- Louise VanCorler - Learning Diversity Leader - Monday to Thursday
- Steph Hunt - School Operations Leader, Wellbeing Leader and Welcome and Induction Leader
- Chris Joplin - Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning Leader, Religious Education Leader and IT Leader
- Michael Hanney - Principal
END OF YEAR SCHOOL REPORTS
End of year school report will be emailed to you on Wednesday, 13th December. If you have any technical issues in accessing the report please email Chris joplin cjoplin@spbentleigheasy.catholic.edu.au
PURCHASE WITH MONEY RAISED FROM MANGOES
The money raised by the Parents and Friends through the Mango drive has been used to purchase a set of 12 Robots to be used in IT lessons. They will be a great addition to our Robotics lessons.
END OF YEAR MASS
Our end of year Mass will be celebrated this Friday, 15th December at 10:00am. All families and friends are invited.
END OF THE 2023 SCHOOL YEAR
The last day for pupils at St Peter’s will be Friday, 15th December. School will finish at 2:30pm on this day.
BEGINNING OF 2024 SCHOOL YEAR
To assist in your planning for your families I can advise that the first day for students at St Peter’s in 2024 will be Thursday, 1st February. All students Foundation to Year Six will start on that day.
OUT OF OFFICE STAFF
All staff will have Out of Office set up on their emails from Friday, 15th December unless they are part time staff and in those circumstances their out of office will be from 4:00pm on their last day of work. Staff will be accessing their emails again from 8:00am on their first official day back at school next year which for most staff will be Monday, 29th January. Their out of office advises that if the matter is urgent to email the principal.
OUT OF OFFICE PRINCIPAL
My out of office message will come into effect from 4:00pm on Wednesday, 20th December until Monday, 21st January. My message advises that I will be checking my emails every 48 to 72 hours and I will respond to any emails if urgent.
UNIFORM IN TERM ONE 2024
Towards the end of this term students have been wearing a range of different socks at different times. When we return for 2024 the following uniform will be required.
Sports Uniform - White socks (not black socks even though that is a trend)
Grey Summer Uniform - Grey socks (not black or white socks)
Green Checked Uniform - White socks
SCHOOL FEES 2024
The School Fee Structure for 2024 has been emailed to all families. The email was sent by Loretta Ballas lballas@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au.
If you have not received the email please check your spam or call Loretta on 9575 0938 for any queries.
CHRISTMAS MASSES
A separate email will be sent home today with an invitation for children and families to be involved in the 5:00pm Christmas Eve Mass at St Peter’s.
WEEK 11
Wednesday, 13th December - Year 6 Activity Day
Thursday, 14th December - Year 6 Activity Day / FEDPAS - 4.00PM - 6.00PM
Friday, 15th December - END OF YEAR MASS - 10.00am - All Families Welcome / School Finishes for Students @ 2.30pm
TERM 1 2024
WEEK 1
Thursday, 1st February - STUDENTS COMMENCE FOR 2024 - INCLUDING FOUNDATION STUDENTS
Friday, 2nd February - ALL STUDENTS ATTEND
WEEK 2
Monday, 5th February - NEWSLETTER
Wednesday, 7th February - NO SCHOOL FOR FOUNDATION STUDENTS
Thursday, 8th February - ROUND 1 SUMMER SPORTS - OAKLEIGH GRAMMAR V ST. PETER'S - YEAR 5 & 6 STUDENTS - INTERSCHOOL SPORTS
Friday, 9th February - Beginning of Year Mass - 10.00am - 11.00am - All Families Welcome!!
Message From the Bentleigh Vinnies
Thanks for all the school has done for us! We really appreciate everything. Apart from our Christmas hampers, it is just so nice to be able to go to our cupboard and know that we can take a good amount of groceries to people who call on us and they are all so very thankful for the gifts!
Have a great Christmas break!
On the sixth of December 2023, the Year Fours went on an excursion to Half Moon Bay in Black Rock. The bus ride was thirty minutes long, but when we got there, we were met by the tour guide, Meyer, who gave us aboriginal tools and animal pelts.
Afterwards, Meyer began to lead us into the bush near the bay. First he showed us Captain Cook spinach, it tasted very salty! Then we started heading deeper into the bush. A few minutes later, he showed us saltbush, another edible plant, which tasted as you would expect. We kept walking and about five minutes later, we found a type of berry and used its juice as face paint. Soon after, we learnt how to plat a type of native grass into rope. And then, it was time to head down to the beach.
When we got down to the beach we started to eat our snack, after, we began to play in the sand and walk in the water. Afterwards, there was a sand castle competition between Miss Sullivan's class and Miss Hunter's class.
Finally it was time to leave Black Rock and go back to school, we all got on the bus and left.
By Patrick Bloomfield 4GS
Black Rock was an amazing destination that educated us with our friendly guide, Meyer (Pronounced Miar), who taught us the history of Black Rock. For example, he taught us who the people were that first settled here. Black Rock was filled with fun things to try like the indigenous food. Meyer gave us saltbush which I personally ate and thought tasted amazing (The reason why they called it saltbush is because of the sodium in it which gave it a salty flavour.) At the start of the excursion Meyer gave us Aboriginal tools like Boomerangs, possum skin and spears.
Meyer also told us how the Indigenous people hunted and gathered with different necessities like rope, medicines and food. We also made our own rope out of native grasses and we used them for headbands.
After that we went to the bay and played an Aboriginal version of Footy that was thought to be played in the 1850s which had no tackling, no running and no goals which seemed to be a bit odd. Afterwards we had a sandcastle competition where we created one of the largest sandcastles which was the size of our classroom! What was a bit disappointing was that the teachers stated that all of them were good and that we all won!
After the sandcastle competition we walked back to the bus and said our goodbyes to our good friend Meyer and hopped on the bus and came back to St Peter's at 1:20pm.
It was the end of our excursion and we came back well educated.
By Luka Mijajlovic 4GS
Black Rock
We started off with a morning walk.
Our tour guide started to talk.
He talked about the land.
We also played in the sand.
We built sand castles.
Walking back was a hassle.
We sat on the bus, and we were there!
Back at school I was unaware,
Sand had gotten in my shoes and hair.
By Marc Boug 4GS
Black Rock was a great experience for the Year Fours. We got to learn so many things about the land we live, learn and play on. We learned about what the Aboriginals did to survive on this land for 60,000 years. They ate the plants, drank the water from the Yarra River and even wore fur for fashion!
After we learned about the land we took our minds off it and moved to the ocean. We had said goodbye to our wonderful tour guide Meyer and built sand castles. We also took a look around us and saw all the amazing plant life around us much better than plain old boring East Bentleigh!
Here are some pictures of the plants we saw, ate and drank from.
Plant Names:
Pigface
Saltbush
Jellyfish Eggs
By Alexandra Schreurs 4GS
On the 6th of December the Year 4s went on an excursion to Black Rock and Half Moon Bay. It is a place on the beach where you can go on walking tours and relax on the beach with calm waves.
The Year 4s came to Half Moon Bay and got to see the magnificent beach there and when we arrived there was an amazing variety of flora and fauna everywhere! As for the walking tours, the classes got to have a tour around Black Rock and explore the native things there. We got to learn all about the aboriginal culture as well as looking at different plant species and learning about their history.
As we went up the hills we could see this phenomenal view of the beach with the tingling feeling through the air. Although our splendid excursion was coming to an end we all had a fun time together and wished to go again.
I would definitely recommend this wonderful place as you get to explore a variety of different things and explore all of the bits and pieces of this area.
By Louise Martinez 4MM
In 2022, through the assistance of Claire O'Neil, Federal Member for Hotham, St Peter's was awarded a grant to celebrate the Jubilee (70 years of service) of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
With this grant, we have planted eight Pyrus Calleryana Capital trees along the fence at the entrance in Florence St. With the care of the students we look forward to them developing into a stunning feature at the gateway to our school. A plaque will be installed to commemorate the planting.
BUCKET FILLER WEEK 10
JUNIOR SCHOOL - The Following Students Received a Teacher's Choice Award Which is Written On Their Award!!
Thomas Van Eeden, Oscar Senecal, Xavier Sass, Lucas Kim - FHK / Olive Natoli, Jemina Yang, Jimmy Mavriopoulos, Elijah Perera - FMS / Kristina Katsarska, Davyd Prystupa - FSS / Harvey Wicks, Henry Woolley - FMR
Emilia Knight, Will Lally, Issy Hornum, Audrey Zhu - 1BR / Aubrey Meara, Riley Isidro, Alice Grypych, Ella Crosse - 1SH / Lucas Martin Juncker, Elise Hendrie - 1MH / Patrick Barry, Mika Djapri - 1BE
Georgia Valis, Zoe Liu, Rhiannon Brown - 2OP / Allegra Pollio, Jack Wain, Connor Moses, Denver Malthouse - 2MK / Elyse Macken - 2RN / Ottavia Vithoulkas - 2GP
MIDDLE SCHOOL - The Following Students Received a Teacher's Choice Award Which is Written On Their Award!!
Jasmine Li - 3EM / Hugo Palmer, Caitlin Pickering - 3AM / Ayden Boothroyd, Zayne Yiangoulli - 3GG / Molly McLean - 3IK
Sophie Ferwerda, Will Shelton, Leah Kim, Maverick Voukelatos - 4KG / Bekett Cooper, Robert Koenig, Merrick Stasiak- 4MM / Ethan Mikhael, Marc Boug, Mia Reyes - 4GS / James Bottomley, Oliver Benvenuto, Mila Adams - 4MH
SENIOR SCHOOL - The Following Students Received a Teacher's Choice Award Which is Written On Their Award!!
Ari Jayarajah, Katelynn Chung Kow, Helena Stafford - 5HU / Henry McCracken, Jack Mather, Lily Deledio - 5AC / Stratos Trantalis, Sava Parker- 5PC / Alex Mainey - 5HG
Sienna Benvenuto, Leo Dang - 6LM / Aislinn Scahill, Beth Keyburn - 6SH / Marco Caminiti, Micky Hlavati - 6KM
A BIG THANK YOU to all our parents and friends who volunteered and gave up their time this year supporting all our fabulous St Peter's events.
We truly appreciate your time and support !
We look forward to seeing you all in 2024, ready and energised after a wonderful Christmas and New Year break 
Don't forget - our first P&F meeting for 2024 will be on Monday, 12th February.
See you next year,
Rebecca & Rahul
St Peter’s P&F Leadership Team
Mango Fundraiser update
The Mango farm has advised that crop yields have been a bit later than expected this year so delivery will be in the week commencing 18th December - 22nd December.
Colour Fun Run
Friday, 1st December
What an amazing day was had at the St Peter's Colour Fun Run !! The weather held off and the kids (and teachers) had so much fun.. including a special visit and water spray from a fire truck.
Thank you to all the parents and volunteers who helped make it such an amazing day. A big thankyou to Jade and our firies Wayne, Ben, Steve and Robert from Highett Fire Station.
