From the Principal

Newsletter 12 2022

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

It is with great pride that I congratulate the students and staff on the numerous learning successes we have had in the past two weeks. In winning the Year 7 CSDA Debating Competition we enter elite company. We are the only school in the Diocese to win the Competition in 2022. We were one of only four Diocesan Catholic Schools(out of 12 Grand Finalists) to make it to the Grand Final. What an achievement. It demonstrates the hard work and talent we have at our College. We also had over ninety students participate in the Write a Book in a Day Competition on Thursday. The enthusiasm of the staff and students was amazing. The standard was excellent. Congratulations to all who participated. These are just two of the many achievements that we are proud of. Keep up the good work everyone. I know the staff get even more enthusiastic when they see the student body getting involved, growing, and learning.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Gospel Reflection: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
 - Matthew 11:28-30.

Some thoughts on today's scripture

• “Come” is a familiar word in scripture. “Come back to me; come and see; come follow me.” God continues to invite us, desiring what is best for us. This is the God who leads us to restful waters, who desires that work be service, not slavery. We are promised the help we need by a gentle and humble Lord to walk more lightly in life, knowing that he is with us.
• Do I hear the Lord’s invitation to me as life-giving and liberating? Where do I feel burdened or enslaved knowing the Lord desires freedom in service of him and others? I turn to the Lord for what I need to travel more lightly in life.
• This simple invitation goes straight to the heart. I spend time letting it echo within me, as I bring to Jesus all my weariness and heavy burdens, one by one.
• Learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart. One of the most popular titles for Jesus in the Gospel was that of Rabbi, teacher. Here he invites us to learn from him: he describes himself as gentle and humble. Were these the two qualities he liked most about himself, where he wants us to be most like him? I pray to be a good student of this unique teacher.

CSDA Debating:

Congratulations to our Year 7A Team who won the CSDA Debating Competition. It is the largest Debating Competition in Australia with close to ninety Catholic schools, both private and systemic, competing. The students from St Andrews College soundly defeated St Gregory’s College. What a great achievement. Thank you to Mrs Parker for her coordination of the Debating Program at the College and Mr Dewar for the extra work put into preparing the team throughout the week. Thank you to Mr Dewar, Ms McKechnie, Wasim and Hayley (College Captains) for their attendance at the Grand Final. The team consisted of Aishriya Lal,Nina Isakov and Georgia Nash. The winning team will participate in the State Final later this year.

PDSSSC Athletics Competition:

Congratulations to the many students who participated in the PDSSSC Athletics Carnival earlier this week at the Olympic Athletics Track Homebush. A number of our students achieved personal bests, their conduct was exemplary, and we have a strong contingent progressing through to the Combined Catholic Colleges Carnival. Well done.

Write a Book in a Day Competition:

It keeps growing and growing thanks to the enthusiasm of both staff and students. Almost 100 students participated this year. An amazing effort. The quality of the team work, writing, and animations was excellent. I am looking forward to reading the books myself. In visiting the students numerous times throughout the day I gained a sense of what they were aiming to achieve as well as what they were investing into the book. It was inspirational to witness. The collaborative aspect of the Competition is also a feature and one the students found challenging at times as well as embracive. Well done.

Enrolment for Year 11 2023 NOW OPEN

Year 7 2023 already has a significant waiting list

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal