St Peter Claver College celebrates 50 years of Concern, Love and Justice

As the St Peter Claver College, Riverview community celebrates its 50th anniversary, it also welcomes a new Principal to the helm. 

Mr Charles Brauer joins BCE most recently from Marist College, Ashgrove where he was Deputy Head of College (Deputy Principal). This month, the College community also came together for their 50th Anniversary Opening Liturgy, celebrated by Archbishop Shane Mackinlay and Father Peter Gablonski.  
Charles reflects on the milestone of 50 years of ‘Concern, Love and Justice’ along with his vision for the school under his leadership. 

What does this milestone mean for the St Peter Claver community?  

As a Claver community, we find ourselves in a special place and time, a time to give thanks for those who have gone before, to celebrate who we are today, and to embrace the future of our Claver community with great hope and optimism. Our College is named after St Peter Claver, a person who reached out to others. He went to find those in the most need. He was a person of action.  By choosing St Peter Claver as our Patron Saint and College name, we have said ‘yes’ to caring for the dignity and self-worth of each person through our actions. For today and tomorrow, we live our motto. We keep saying ‘yes’ to Concern. We keep saying ‘yes’ to Love. We keep saying ‘yes’ to Justice. 

What are your plans for your school in 2026? 

As 2026 is such a special year for St Peter Claver College, we have commissioned a First Nation's inspired community mural artwork which beautifully illustrates the Claver community - 'Woogaroo', a cool and shady place which is nourishing. The Claver Open Day in May will see our doors open even wider to welcome back alumni and friends alongside prospective families. We will also host a social celebration in July for staff, alumni and friends of Claver, coupled with an extra extravagant Claver Day in September for our staff and students to enjoy - the rides and popcorn are booked and ready to go! 
While we celebrate the 50-year milestone, we celebrate the commitment of the College to its mission of being a place where all our students are known, celebrated for their uniqueness and encouraged towards excellence. 
 
As a Principal, what inspires you in your role and how do you share your own hobbies with your students and community?  

Outside of the classroom and school grounds, I enjoy the struggles and hopes of a home improvement project, being outdoors on a hiking or running trail and enjoying a coffee with friends and family. As a science teacher, I am energised by sharing my love of nature and physical activity with students and staff through practical applications and experiences. I have always found educating young people extremely rewarding. I love witnessing young people's curiosity being sparked, the growth in their self-confidence and the deepening of their awareness of themselves and others. The science experiment and the accompanying report, the school camp or retreat, the first day and graduation day, the school team coming first or last or somewhere in between - these are the moments for students I thoroughly enjoy creating and optimising alongside individual and teams of school staff. 
 
How do you like to connect with students on a personal level? 

Affirming the dignity of each individual student is important to me in my work as a teacher and school leader. I value taking time with students to understand their interests, hopes and difficulties and exploring their growth as people alongside staff and their parents and caregivers. Valued moments of encounter for me include; the chat around a lunch table at break time, a check-in on the way to or from class, a discussion with a parent or caregiver and spending time with students with co-curricular activities.  
 
How will you foster a strong community in your new role? 

A strong community identity, coupled with an encouraging and supportive culture of care are fundamental features of an effective school focused on the wholesome growth of students.

Key practices in creating this include; 
• engaging and empowering teaching and learning experiences, which encourage growth 
• authentic pastoral care practices and programs centred on the dignity of each person 
• Reflective rituals which deepen the everyday experience and honour individual and collective milestones 
• Open and inclusive communication between school stakeholders that fosters active listening 
• Trusted and reliable processes to promote the care and safety of students and staff 
 
What do you think makes your school and Catholic education in general special?  

Catholic education is special because of the commitment to ensuring welcoming, encouraging and supportive environments of growth for young people, enabling places where they are known and belong. 
 
Who or what inspired you to take on this leadership journey?  

Catholic education has played a special role in my personal and professional formation and development. My caring primary school principal, my dedicated and energetic Year 7 teacher and nurturing high school experience where key foundational drivers for me choosing an education career pathway in the Catholic education setting. 

Learn more about St Peter Claver College Riverview

Find out more about St Peter Claver College and how you can enrol here. If you'd like to learn more about BCE schools in the Ipswich region, click here.