From the Principal

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Congratulations to the Year 12 students on the way you have conducted yourselves during the Trial HSC Examinations. Although they conclude Monday, most students have finished their examinations now and the focus will turn towards the Higher School Certificate Examinations and Major Works to be completed. Many students have applied for early entry to University and I am pleased to say that we have confirmation on many of their offers already. Staff are busy marking tasks at present and giving extensive feedback to engage the students when they return to class. 

We move into Year 11 Final Assessments next week as well. Best wishes to all Year 11 students.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Gospel Reflection:

MATTHEW 16:21-27

God forbid, Lord! (Matthew 16:22)

What a stunning reversal! You don’t confess someone as “the Son of the living God” and then turn around and scold them (Matthew 16:16)! What could have triggered such a strong reaction from Peter? The news that Jesus was going to “suffer greatly . . . and be killed” by Jerusalem’s religious leaders (16:21).

Of course, Peter had the purest of intentions when he rebuked Jesus; he couldn’t bear the thought of his beloved Master and friend suffering such a horrible fate.

But there may also have been a deeper motive in Peter’s actions. Perhaps he was eager to preserve Jesus’ image as an untouchable miracle worker so that he could be safe too. If he could keep Jesus from the cross, he wouldn’t have to face his own cross.

Peter had been with Jesus long enough to see that being a disciple meant risking people’s scorn and misunderstanding. It meant pouring out his life to God for the sake of the people around him. If Jesus was destined for the cross, then Peter might have to accept a similar fate. Better to shield Jesus from harm so that he could shield himself as well.

But Jesus would have none of it. So he told Peter that anyone who wanted to become like him had to take up his cross and follow in his footsteps (Matthew 16:24).

It’s tempting to keep Jesus at arm’s length so that he can’t get too close and ask too much of us. Jesus made it very clear: there is a cost to discipleship. It’s not always easy to follow the Lord and obey his commandments. But the glory of knowing Jesus’ love and the joy of sharing his mercy with people far outweigh any sacrifice we might have to make. Peter ultimately learned this, and so can we.

So take up your cross today. Try your best to follow in Jesus’ path of self-giving love.

“Lord, I don’t want to keep you at a distance. Teach me how to give of myself as you did.”

What about you? What are the obstacles that can keep you from talking to someone about your faith in Christ? What steps can you take to help you overcome these obstacles?

New Religious Education Curriculum:

I have really enjoyed teaching Year 10 classes about Eudaimonia and Hedonia and how it relates to the new Religious Education Curriculum. Although they are new terms to most students, they engaged with the content really well. I am looking forward to receiving feedback from staff and students regarding how the new direction is going.

Kindness Week Activities:

Congratulations to the SRC who coordinated a wonderful week of activities surrounding Kindness Week. The synchronisation of all Portfolios was a highlight with examples being the Faith Leaders leading prayer each day around the theme, the Artistic Leaders organising an Art Competition, the Publicity and Promotions Leaders organising murals and quotes to be drawn around the College, and more. You all did us proud and showed what we can do as a community. My challenge to all staff and students is to make kindness week every week.

St Andrews Stars are up: