on 13/10/2025
At its best, science education does more than transfer knowledge — it transforms how students see the world and their place in it. At St Peter’s Girls’ School, this transformation grows from the expertise of our teaching staff and the values that guide our community. Our educators create environments where curiosity leads to discovery and learning inspires action.
Craig Byrne: Curiosity in Action
As Head of Science, Craig Byrne knows that learning flourishes when students feel free to ask, “What if?” For many Junior School girls, that spark ignites the moment they step into a lab for the first time, receiving bespoke Physics lessons. Surrounded by specialised equipment, they see physics come alive in ways that elevate their thinking and deepen their appreciation for how the world works. In his IB Physics and Psychology lessons, Craig adopts a similar approach, unpacking complex theories through inquiry rather than rote learning.
“Science isn’t about memorising the right answer,” Craig explains. “It’s about asking better questions.”
This mindset encourages girls to take the initiative, take calculated risks, and push their learning to the next level. Under Craig’s guidance, students have taken advantage of opportunities in the Science and Engineering Challenge, National Brain Bee, Australian Science Olympiads, and the Big Science Competition. These experiences extend learning beyond the classroom, giving girls the courage to test their ideas and the confidence to grow as leaders.
Kate Fryer: Linking Learning and Leadership
The Director of Teaching and Learning, Kate Fryer, balances curriculum leadership with classroom inspiration. She co-authored the SACE Stage 1 and 2 Chemistry Workbooks, resources that have given students across South Australia clearer pathways through complex topics.
At St Peter’s Girls, Kate connects chemistry to contexts that matter. Recently, she led Nutrition classes at the Waite Food Technology Centre, where students used cutting-edge equipment to explore food chemistry and nutrition science. This direct link between school and tertiary facilities illustrates to students how today’s lessons can grow into tomorrow’s careers — and encourages them to see their own potential in new ways.
Dr Chrissie Smith: Making Science Meaningful
With expertise in both Biology and Psychology, Dr Chrissie Smith helps students understand the science of life and the science of the mind. She makes abstract ideas tangible — stress, sleep, and brain development become vivid when explored through hands-on mini-investigations.
Drawing on her research background, Chrissie shows students not just what research concludes but how it’s carried out. Her approach builds resilience, self-awareness, and academic assurance while reminding girls that their questions matter.
Many of her students carry these skills into future aspirations, seeing pathways in health, psychology, medicine, and research that connect their studies to the broader world.
Emma Smerdon: Science for Change
As the Head of Middle School, an Old Scholar, and an experienced science educator, Emma Smerdon (nee Bailey, Patteson 2005) balances wellbeing with challenge and responsibility. She encourages student voice to make meaningful change in the community, empowering the likes of the Environment Club and Student Representative Council to develop and enact initiatives in line with learnings from the Science classroom
Her teaching demonstrates to students that science is not only about asking questions but also about making a positive impact. By modelling agency and action, Emma inspires girls to see themselves as changemakers with the power to improve their communities.
Science Beyond the Classroom
From their very first years at St Peter’s Girls, students discover that science is woven into the way they learn and connect with the world. In the Early Learners’ Centre (ELC), guided by Caterina Pennestri, Atelierista and Pedagogical Coordinator, children follow the Reggio Emilia Approach, which encourages them to question, explore, and test their own ideas. They study how plants grow, observe creatures in the garden, and draw inspiration from nearby Ferguson Park — a bushland setting just outside their classrooms. Bespoke STEM lessons, led by the School’s STEM Innovation Leader, extend these explorations, helping our youngest learners experiment, problem-solve, and think like scientists.
As students move through the Junior School, their learning grows into ambitious projects. Highlights include the Year 6 Exhibition on Space, featuring guest Professor Anna Ma-Wyatt, Director of the Astronaut Autonomy Team, alongside bespoke workshops led by specialist staff. Another signature initiative is the Scientist in Residence program, where a scientist runs hands-on lunchtime sessions, mentors’ students, and guides entrants for the Oliphant Science Awards. This year, mathematician and ecologist Amelia Grigson inspired the girls with experiments and candid conversations about life in STEM.
These experiences show why St Peter’s Girls is proud to be recognised as a SASTA Science Active School — a place where science thrives and every girl’s journey is enriched.
A Faculty of Strength
What makes science strong at St Peter’s Girls is the people who bring it to life every day. Physics specialist David Stuart draws on over 30 years of expertise, inspiring students with his profound knowledge and passion. At the other end of the career spectrum, Olivia Keatch brings fresh energy to Biology and Nutrition, building strong relationships with her students and connecting learning to authentic contexts through excursions, practical examples, and a supportive, student-centred approach. Alongside her, Senior Biology and Psychology teacher Olivia Tory brings additional depth to the faculty, guiding students with clarity and care.
Lan Hin challenges senior Chemistry students to master complex concepts with confidence, while Craig Perkins introduces girls to the world of Forensics. In Year 10, students learn fingerprinting, blood typing, and the analysis of mock crime scenes, applying evidence-based reasoning and teamwork to solve cases — a thrilling way to see learning in action. Working with them, Leisa Miller adds her own passion for science teaching, encouraging students to connect theory with practice in meaningful ways.
Behind the scenes, our dynamic Lab Support Staff, Debbie, Helen, and Sahar, keep the practicals running smoothly. They test and troubleshoot experiments to ensure every class is safe and organised, allowing students and teachers to focus on learning.
Looking Ahead
At St Peter’s Girls, the impact of our educators is seen in the opportunities our students pursue. Some choose the International Baccalaureate, gaining a global perspective that enriches their scientific thinking and prepares them for study and work on an international stage. Others follow different pathways into health, research, engineering, environmental science, and beyond. Wherever their journeys take them, they leave with the skills to succeed and the values to use their knowledge in ways that serve both their communities and the wider world, leading with courage, creativity, and compassion.
Melissa Lee
STEM Innovation Leader
St Peter’s Girls’ School
Share:
