“Currently St Peter’s Girls is a candidate school for the Diploma Programme pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy – a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education – that we believe is important for our students.”

The Senior School Years 10-12

Head of the Senior School is Mrs Kerry Skinner

The Year 10 curriculum is designed to allow choice within some of the key learning areas, yet provide a strong foundation for South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) Stages 1 and 2. The Stage 1 subject, the PLP ( Personal Learning Plan) is compulsory and introduced at Year 10. It is completed early in the following year.

Apart from the PLP, there are two other compulsory requirements to complete in Stage 1 – a full year of English and a semester of Mathematics. Students must achieve a C grade or better in all of the compulsory units.

PLP excepted, the majority of students begin their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) at Year 11. Within a framework of 28 subjects, students are supported in making appropriate choices that will enable them to gain the skills and knowledge they need to successfully engage in their future careers and life choices.

At St Peter’s Girls we offer 31 subjects at the Year 12 level. The SACE Board provides the curriculum framework and and subject outlines at both Stage 1 and 2. Further information is available in the Middle and Senior school handbooks.

The curriculum at St Peter’s Girls is delivered by passionate and skilled teachers. Following a long tradition of outstanding achievement, many SACE graduates enter their chosen university courses and become proactive and compassionate citizens.

The motivation to achieve their full potential is fostered in the junior years and encouraged throughout their schooling. We support our students in becoming confident, optimistic, empathetic and environmentally aware contributors to our global community.

St Peter’s Girls is committed to providing an excellent education based on balance, rigour and challenge, where success is celebrated and is inclusive of all students.

DOWNLOAD Senior School Curriculum 2012

At St Peter’s Girls there are no obstacles which prevent
your daughter from exploring her chosen field.

Download a full summary of 2011 Results

Our academic results consistently sit well above the State average. Since the introduction of the Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) in 1997 more than 50% of our Year 12 students have recorded a TER in the top 10% of the State. St Peter’s Girls’ School is delighted to announce the outstanding South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) results achieved. The 2011 Year 12 students have worked diligently throughout the year and the School is very proud of their overall performance.

• 100% of Year 12s attained their SACE
• 50% received an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of more than 90 which places them in the top 10%
• Over a third received an ATAR of over 95 which places them in the top 5%
• 21% were placed in the top 2% of the state

The girls also received 30 Merit Awards across a range of subjects. Of particular note was the high level of achievement in English Studies, Mathematics and Science subjects with over 11% of all A+ grades in English Studies state-wide being awarded to our students. Governor of South Australia SACE Award 2011 Dux of the School, Margaret Gayen, received an ATAR of 99.95 achieving 4 Merits and has also been awarded one of the 25 inaugural Governor of South Australia SACE Awards for overall achievement.  Click here to read more.

Congratulations to the Class of 2011

1. Why introduce a 1to1 Program?
2. About the devices
3. Infrastructure, Support and Policies

Why introduce a 1to1 Program?

What is the rationale?

The implementation of the 1to1 program is aligned with the School’s ICT Strategic Plan.

Through the implementation of an ICT Strategic Plan, the School is committed to providing all community members with exposure and access to the best possible Information Communication Technology Systems.

Our goal is to have appropriate, effective and reliable Information Communication Technology infrastructure to support Students’ learning at School and at home.

The School has invested significant time and resources into examining the future Information and ICT options for students and staff. One key finding of our investigations is that to support education in the 21^st century, students should be able to function within a ‘learning anytime, anywhere’ model, accessing technology whenever appropriate in their learning to achieve optimal educational outcomes. To facilitate the learning anytime, anywhere model, the School is committed to the introduction of a 1to1 program from the beginning of 2012.

The 1to1 program will eventually see all students from Years 5 through to Year 12 with their own personal device. This will greatly enhance learning opportunities and allow our students to move toward more individualised learning, which will increase their independence and self-initiated learning within and beyond the classroom.

The 1to1 program will be a parent funded device plan to be phased in over the next three years. Although parents will be required to purchase the devices, considerable resources will be devoted by the School to provide Wi-Fi connectivity across the campus, additional software and ICT and educational support. The School will also invest heavily in the supply of portable devices for staff and continue with training and support which will enhance ICT pedagogies across the curriculum.

The School is very cognisant of the cost implications of this type of program for parents. Recent discussions with textbook suppliers indicate that there will be significant cost savings on textbooks becoming ‘e-books’ for students to use on their own portable device. Although this market is still developing, advice suggests that there may be a saving of 50% – 75% on text books in the coming years.

How will the 1to1 program support teaching and learning?

The way we engage with Teaching and Learning at St Peter’s Girls’ School is articulated in our educational philosophy. We are committed in providing a stimulating, connected and engaging environment to allow every girl to explore her full potential and to achieve to the best of her ability. The curriculum reflects a multi-faceted information rich, continuous learning environment. Online learning and digital delivery of curriculum is a part of our educational context. The extension of e-learning and engagement with digital technologies represents further advancement by providing immediacy; a student-centred and a progressive addition to pedagogy. These technologies do not replace but rather complement existing methodologies and best practice.

With the 1to1 program, students and teachers can have immediate access not only to print, but also visuals, sound, movement and combinations of media from global information resources. Just as teachers through multimedia can invigorate a topic or stimulate engagement with an inquiry question, students can present their work using powerful information processing and communication tools that are at their finger tips.

E-learning has an inbuilt capacity to be interactive and students can be collaborative within and beyond the classroom. A key feature of e-learning is that it can be personalised. With connections to the digital world, students can engage with the information or communicate ideas at their own pace and state of readiness. Moreover, proficiencies in ICT allow students to demonstrate their learning via a range of media beyond the traditional print and spoken domains.

A teacher’s role at St Peter’s Girls is critical in terms of stimulating, supporting and monitoring the learning rather than the traditional model of only being the purveyor of knowledge.  Furthermore, students need to be guided by their teachers in developing ICT literacies and competencies, to navigate their way effectively and safely through the information and knowledge based landscape of the digital world.

The 1to1 program will enhance teaching and learning by;

• ensuring that technology is available to support student learning in every lesson
• allowing teachers to incorporate subject specific software whenever appropriate
• providing students with instant access to the Intranet, Internet, music, podcasts and wikis
• allowing more student-centred and inquiry based learning
• allowing students to research, write, edit and publish work where appropriate
• increasing student motivation and engagement

Teaching and Learning is always reflected in the prevailing information medium. Just as the written tradition supplanted the oral, it is anticipated that ICT and e-learning will dominate Teaching and Learning in the 21^st century. Our students need to be fully prepared for this, to be connected to the global community and possess ICT literacies and competencies to embrace this change.

Will all school work be done on computers?

No. Students will still require textbooks and exercise books to complete their work in class. This is still an important part of the learning process.  However, as resources being developed for the Australian Curriculum and the IB Diploma are primarily digital, students will need ready access to this online learning without the need to move to a computer laboratory.

About the devices

The School’s ICT Steering Committee has deliberated and conducted testing for many months over the types of devices needed for particular year levels. The Committee has carried out a great deal of research including presentations from IT professionals, discussions with other schools and debate within our own staff to determine which are the most appropriate devices.

The Committee has concluded that a Windows Laptop is the best device for senior students, as a laptop with a physical keyboard is best suited for assignment writing, combined with the predominant usage of Microsoft Office applications, other types of Windows compatible software required, the cost efficiency of the laptop and the need to access Adobe Flash content.

The iPad has been chosen for our younger students because it is a lighter and cheaper device that will allow access to the myriad of Applications (Apps) suitable for use in the upper primary and lower secondary sections of the School as well access to the Internet, email and the School’s Intranet.

Which devices?

In 2012, students in Year 10 and 11 will be required to purchase a Hewlett Packard Laptop (HP EliteBook 2560p Notebook PC).

Year 12s in 2012 have the option of either purchasing a laptop or bringing their own laptop device from home to use during their last year of schooling at Saints Girls.

DOWNLOAD the HP EliteBook 2560p Notebook PC Specifications

Students in Year 6 and 7 will be required to purchase a 32GB Black iPad 2 with Wi-Fi (3G optional). The School will give each Year 6 and 7 student an iTunes card to purchase the following Applications (apps) required for classes. These include, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, 1 Movie and Garage Band.

Visit Apple for more information

Future implementation of the 1to1 ICT Program

Over the next three years phasing in will take place in the following manner:

Our current class sets of laptops and other ICT hardware will be utilised by other students in the Junior and Middle School.

Purchasing the devices

Parents will be able to purchase the new devices directly from the School. We are working closely with IT vendors to secure a reduced cost that is expected to be approximately 50% less than retail pricing.

The HP laptop will come with specific hardware and warranty enhancements including a 3 year on-site warranty support and a 3 year warranty on the battery. There will also be no additional costs for software as the School will purchase the Microsoft Office Suite for each laptop purchased through the School. The laptop will be user-ready and will have software installed upon collection.

iPad pricing is generally fixed by the manufacturer, Apple. However, we are able to secure a small discount for a bulk order. The School also believes “Applecare” is important, which is an extended warranty scheme specifically for Apple devices to extend the warranty to 2 years. This will be included in the iPad pricing.

Are there different purchase plans?

The School will also be offering a monthly instalment plan for families who wish to spread payment over 1 or 2 years depending on the device. Please contact the School’s Business Director, Andrew Rosser, for further details.

Families will be contacted again before the end of the year with further details regarding exact costs and the ordering and distribution timeline ready for the first week of Term 1 2012.

What if we already have a laptop for our child?

It is strongly advised that parents purchase the laptop selected by the School. The School has been through a thorough selection process to ensure which laptop will work best for our students. A laptop used in a school environment has unique requirements. It needs to be powerful, have the on-site support of the manufacturer with a 3 year warranty (on both the laptop and the battery) and be designed for the rigors of school life. Many retail laptops are not designed with all-day school computing in mind, are quite fragile, and have a short warranty with batteries that won’t last an entire school day. These issues could impact on student learning in the classroom. For this reason we strongly suggest parents utilise the bulk-buying power the School has procured to obtain a high quality laptop with the specifications needed for all-day computing in a school environment. The bulk pricing the School has obtained for a fully warranted and durable laptop is approximately half its retail equivalent.

While the School will arrange service and repair of the recommended HP laptops, we are unable to provide this service for laptops different from our recommended model.

Students are welcome to bring their existing iPad if they already have one at home.

Are the devices under warranty?

All HP Laptops purchased via our School have a 3 year extended warranty on the laptop and battery. A collection and repair service is also available through the School.

iPads will have a 2 year extended Apple Care warranty included in the purchase price.

What does the School recommend regarding insurance?

The decision regarding whether families insure student devices is left with the families. We recommend that parents insure the devices within their existing home and contents insurance.

Protecting the devices

The School strongly recommends that students purchase a bag for laptops or a protective cover for iPads. These will protect the devices and will allow students to keep all laptop cables, power cords and accessories together.

How long will the battery charge last?

The battery charge of a HP laptop being used continuously is expected to last over 8 hours. Battery life can be reduced if students are playing computer games or watching video. When the computer is not in use, battery life is considerably longer in sleep mode. It is not expected that students will be using the computers at all times in class so battery life will not be an issue.

Students must charge their laptop batteries each night at home and will be expected to bring a fully charged laptop to school each day for use in the classroom.

The HP Laptop will include an up-rated battery with a 3 year warranty. This battery is more powerful than other common laptop varieties and helps to ensure students will be less affected by poor battery performance during the school day.

Do students have to purchase and load their own software?

HP EliteBook Laptop

When purchasing a HP laptop, the School will install software (Microsoft Office) on each machine to ensure all laptops are consistent for educational purposes. Access to the School’s improved wireless network will also be configured ready for immediate use at School.

iPad2

Students will be provided with a complimentary iTunes card to purchase nominated Applications from the iTunes store.

The School will provide the necessary software at no additional cost to parents. As is currently the situation, the ICT levy covers amongst other things the cost of providing and upgrading student software.

Licensing conditions vary from package to package, therefore some specialist software not essential to all students will only be available on School owned computers.

Students will be able to download/install additional non-school related software/applications of interest at their own expense. However, where issues arise and the computer needs to be reimaged, the additional software that has been installed by the student will be deleted. Students would be required to reinstall this software.

Infrastructure, Support and Policies

Will there be wireless access throughout the entire school?

Significant infrastructure work is being completed to ensure students and staff will have high speed wireless access throughout the School.

How will students print at school?

Students currently have access to a number of printers throughout the School. This will not change.

How will students backup their data?

Students using laptops will be required to maintain their own backups. It is common computing practice that computer backups are vital for the safety of data. Students can use a myriad of backup devices such as USB hard drives or thumb drives to backup their data. It is recommended students do this routinely.

Students using iPads will be advised to install iTunes on their home computers. iTunes allows students to sync their iPad with their home computer, thus backing up their device. It is advised students sync their iPads routinely to ensure data is backed up on their home computer. Any student who does not have a computer at home is asked to speak with the School’s IT Department to make alternative arrangements.

How will students access their files from home?

Students may continue to use the School portal to access their M-Drive from home. Students may also use their laptop hard drives to store files, but must ensure these files are adequately backed up for safety. iPads have their own storage memory, and can be backed up using ITunes on home computers.

What if students need technical support?

The School is excited to announce that we will be developing a dedicated ICT support helpdesk specifically for onsite technical support and minor repairs. The School will be significantly increasing the number of IT staff to ensure adequate support is available during school hours. Students can visit the helpdesk when assistance is required.

If repairs or maintenance is required, students will be given a replacement loan device while their current device is sent to our supplier for repairs.

How will students learn to use their device?

Students are already well versed in using Windows based devices, so we expect students to adapt to the new technology quickly. Students will also be shown how to use subject specific programs and skills within their various subject areas.

For students using iPads, staff will be trained on usage and will provide introductory lessons to students at the beginning of the School year.

What happens if a device is lost or stolen?

The School makes every effort to provide a secure environment. In the event that a device is lost or stolen then a claim will need to be prepared by the student / family against your insurance policy. Students must immediately report the incident their teacher who will follow the School’s process in dealing with these matters.

ICT Policies

What are the guidelines for the student use of laptops at school?

There are currently guidelines in place for student use of ICT in the School. These guidelines will be adapted to incorporate the use of student owned devices. Guidelines are available to all students as part of their education program, published in the School Diary and placed online.

DOWNLOAD current ICT policy

What is the internet usage policy at St Peter’s Girls’ School?

Internet access is currently provided and is subject to an acceptable usage policy. This will not change.

Inappropriate usage of devices

Student Behaviour Management Guidelines are already in place and will be followed as appropriate.

What internet filters are in place?

While at the School, the Internet connection will be the same filtered connection as present. An option for the filtering at home can be recommended at the parents’ request.

Please CLICK HERE to view an iPad Security Information sheet about how to configure the iPad for education purposes.

What happens if a student forgets their computer?

We expect all students to bring all necessary equipment to class including books, pencils, textbooks and ICT devices. It will not always be possible to cater for students who forget their devices.

Will computers be checked for inappropriate material?

We do not routinely monitor personal computers, however, the School reserves the right, at its discretion, to review any student’s electronic files, messages and internet usage to the extent necessary to ensure electronic media and services are being used in compliance with the law, and other School policies.

1. The Parents’ and Friends’ Association
2. Mothers’ Club
3. Friends of the Arts (formerly Friends of Music)
4. Friends of the Founders
5. Saints Sport Support Group

The Parents’ and Friends’ Association Black Tie Ball - Saturday 11 August 2012

Book online via  www.trybooking.com/BKML

The Parents’ and Friends’ Association

The Parent’s and Friends’ Association, The P&F, as they are affectionately called, are renowned for well-organised, valuable fundraising and enjoyable social events for the whole School community. Run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers they also support special sporting events and major School productions.

Mothers’ Club

The Mothers’ Club provides practical assistance to our School program. The club aims to foster social contact between parents and to raise funds to support activities the girls are involved with.

The Mothers’ Club as been in operation for over 40 years and meets at 8.30am once a month in the Chiverton Boardroom. As the membership is so large the Mothers’ Club are able to be a very hands on group within school hours.

Friends of the Arts (formerly Friends of Music)

The Friends of the Arts (FOA) are committed to helping provide the support and facilities needed for a positive, valuable and exciting Arts experience for the whole school community. The FOA undertake a number of fundraising activities throughout the year to support the provision of resources to the Arts Department. In 2011 the committee provided a substantial amount of money towards the purchase of a beautiful new piano in the Arts Centre.

Supporters of the School’s Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts programs are always welcome at meetings, which occur twice a term on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts office.

Friends of the Founders

A voluntary group of people who meet twice a year to commemorate and develop future bequests to the School.

Aims:

• To enhance the future of the School by acknowledging the achievements of the past.
• To honour those achievements and commemorate major milestones.
• To develop a bequest register.

Becoming a Member
You can become a member by donating a piece of School history or memorabilia for the museum, volunteering time to the preservation of the School history, offering a bequest to the School, or making a financial donation.

There are no membership fees. Your membership will be acknowledged by the Friends of the Founders Management Committee

Who can become a Member?
Anyone with a friendly interest in the school can become a member.
DOWNLOAD Friends of the Founders Application

Saints Sport Support Group

Aims of Group:

• Promote attendance and participation in School sports
• To fundraise for the Sports faculty (facilities, equipment, uniforms, travel of interstate trips, individual sponsorship)
• Promote the achievements of Sport (Sports Dinner in Term 4)
• Foster friendships and communication between parents
• Support the coaches and staff throughout the season
• Organise other social functions for parents and girls (eg students vs parents day)
• Provide refreshments at designated sports events (Swimming & Athletics, and Summer and Winter Interhouse Events)
• Assist with identification of facility/resource faults and improvements.

Message from the Principal

For many years the School has devoted a large amount of resources to ensure our students have access to the most suitable and appropriate information communication technologies (ICT). Whilst this infrastructure has enabled us to provide an innovative and progressive curriculum in which ICT is embedded, we now believe the time is right for us to move toward an ‘anywhere, anytime’ 1to1 ICT program commencing in 2012.

The 1to1 program will eventually see all students from Years 5 to 12 with their own personal device. This will greatly enhance learning opportunities and allow our students to move toward more individualised learning, which will increase their independence and self initiated learning within and beyond the classroom.

The 1to1 program will be a parent funded device plan to be phased in over the next three years. Although parents will be required to purchase the devices, considerable resources will be devoted by the School to provide Wi-Fi connectivity across the campus, additional software and ICT and educational support. The School will also invest heavily in the supply of portable devices for staff and continue with training and support which will enhance ICT pedagogies across the curriculum.

This site has been developed to ensure adequate information about the 1to1 program is available for students, parents and staff. We encourage you to refer to the FAQs Page regularly as the 1to1 program evolves.

If you have additional questions after reading the content on this site or are not able to attend an information evening, we encourage you to contact the following staff members:

Technical – Chris Cheshire (Infrastructure Manager) on 8334 2211 or ccheshire@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

ICT curriculum - Barbara Hender (Head of ICT) on 8334 2244 or bhender@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

Financial – Andrew Rosser (Business Director) on 8334 2218 or arosser@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

We look forward to the journey ahead and to see our students grow in this vibrant learning environment.

Thank you,

Fiona Godfrey
Principal

The Reggio Emilia philosophy emphasises that children have a hundred ways of knowing, of feeling, and understanding (Malaguzzi 1996, p1). Children’s knowledge and concept building is enhanced through the opportunity to explore graphic representation, visual arts and dramatic play. Children’s natural curiosity is fostered, as educators we cherish the opportunities to work in partnership with our children to inquire and come to new understandings. Learning environments are created that are respectful of children’s unlimited potential. Together, the educators, children and families become a vibrant community of learners.

The International Baccalaureate PYP program aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful word through intercultural understanding and respect. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The IB Learner Profile outlines the aim of the IB Programmes which is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

In addition to the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education and the PYP, other principles of early childhood pedagogy underpin practice in the ELC. Our teachers draw on a rich repertoire of pedagogical practices to promote children’s learning by:

• adopting holistic approaches
• being responsive to children
• planning and implementing learning through play intentional teaching
• creating physical and social learning environments that have a positive impact on children’s learning
• valuing the cultural and social contexts of children and their families
• providing for continuity in experiences and enabling children to have successful transition
• assessing and monitoring children’s learning to inform provision and to support children in achieving learning outcomes.

Our Early Learners’ Centre Director is Mrs Kate Mount.

The ELC at St Peter’s Girls gives our students a wonderful start to their academic journey.

DOWNLOAD ELC Enrolment Form    
DOWNLOAD ELC Program Brochure 2012

1. 2012 Weekly News
2. Saints Alive

Saints Girls in the News

• Click here to view media stories.

2012 Weekly News

Saints Alive

DOWNLOAD

• Summer 2012 Issue
• Winter 2011 Issue
• December 2010 Issue
• May 2010 Issue
• December 2009 Issue

Download

Sports for all Sorts

Whether for fun, fitness or the thrill of competition, St Peter’s Girls offers a comprehensive co-curricular sporting program, including tennis, softball, lacrosse, badminton, volleyball, basketball, athletics, swimming, netball, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, sports aerobics, water polo, equestrian, snow sports and cross country running. With expert coaches and top class sporting facilities including a heated pool, gymnasium, tennis courts and playing fields, St Peter’s Girls has nurtured and developed numerous athletes who have gone on to represent their state and country.

The physical and social development of our students is paramount in our program. The wide range of interschool sports offered maximises opportunities for physical activity, and provides positive opportunities for movement, skill development and improved physical competence, along with team work.

St Peter’s Girls is a member of the Independent Girls’ Schools Sports Association, IGSSA, which provides an extensive range of interschool sports competition.  Above and beyond the sports offered for inclusion by IGSSA, we are happy to embrace other sports options to cater for staff and student interest and expertise.

All students are encouraged to participate in the extra curricular sports program and it is compulsory for students in the Middle School (Years 7 to 9).  Middle School students are required to play at least one sport each term.

Senior School students are encouraged to continue their participation in School Sport, as their leadership and expertise are valued in both team participation and peer mentoring.

Neil Fuller (Sports Coordinator)
Phone  8334 2242   :   Fax 8334 2297   :   Mobile 0433 518 461
Email nfuller@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au

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