From the College Principal

Newsletter 6 2023

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Thank you for a really positive start to Term 2. The student body have returned on task and ready to be challenged. We have started our Debating season after a successful Public Speaking season well, we have Drama performances being planned as well as Art and Music Showcases, we concluded the Volleyball Season with two Grand Final appearances, we are launching our F1 Program after securing the latest resources for students and staff, and we have started with earnest training for the upcoming Sports Season. Thank you to all the staff who have volunteered to organise and lead the many initiatives and opportunities we provide at St Andrews College. We are very fortunate.

The Sisters have invited our community to take part in the Community Fair this weekend (please see the Flyer below). It looks to be a really fun day so please make your way to Quakers Road site next to our Junior Campus.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Gospel Reflection: John 14:1–12 Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
The readings for the last few Sundays have been about the Resurrection, but today’s Gospel takes us back in time to an event in Jesus’ life before his Passion. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. He promises that where he is going, his disciples will be able to follow. Thomas, who will later doubt the disciples’ reports that they have seen the Risen Lord, contradicts Jesus by saying that the disciples don’t know where Jesus is going or how to get there. Jesus explains that he himself is the way, the truth, and the life. In knowing and loving Jesus, the disciples now love God the Father.

Philip then makes a request that challenges Jesus’ words. Philip wants Jesus to show the Father to the disciples. Recall that Jesus has just told his disciples, “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” As a good teacher, Jesus responds to Philip by repeating and elaborating on what he has just told the disciples: they have seen and known Jesus, so they have seen and known the Father. Then Jesus offers another reassurance about his departure: because of faith in God and in Jesus, the disciples will do the work that Jesus has done and more.

The connection between Jesus and his Father, between Jesus’ work and the work of the Father, is made clear in today’s Gospel. Jesus is in the Father, and God the Father is in Jesus. As God spoke his name to Moses, “I am,” so too Jesus speaks his name to his disciples: “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

The revelation of the Trinity is completed in the passage that follows today’s reading, and it is the Gospel for next Sunday. Because Jesus goes away, the Father will send in Jesus’ name the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will continue the work of the Father and of Jesus.

Congratulations to our Sporting Teams:

Congratulations to the Junior and Intermediate Boys Volleyball Teams who went through the regular season undefeated and therefore made the Grand Final last Thursday. The Intermediate Boys team convincingly defeated St Gregory’s College Campbelltown to claim the Undefeated Premiers title for 2023. Well done to both teams and congratulations to both coaches Ms Breeze (Junior Boys) and Ms Melonzo (intermediate Boys).

Polish Fair:

Travelling to Japan and Vietnam:

Not long now before we are travelling to Japan and Vietnam on overseas trips for Japanese and History/Geography. We are looking forward to sharing with the community the learning that comes from these types of experiences. 

Building Works:

At present the new portable classrooms on the Junior Campus are complete and look great. The feedback I am getting from staff and students is that they are great for learning. The last three will be taken offline shortly and fully renovated. We are getting quotes for the sheeting of the Junior Hall at present as well as renovating the Junior toilet area.

Year 7 2024 Interviews:

We interviewed almost 300 students on March 20 and two further interview blocks and have sent out our First Round Offers now to families. Both myself and the leaders who interviewed our potential students were impressed by the quality of applicants we are receiving. We have been inundated with further enrolments and will conduct more interviews next Wednesday. We have requested an eighth stream for 2024 and that is being considered as we speak. I will keep you all informed of progress.

Enrolment for Year 2024 NOW OPEN

We have already accepted many applications for 2024 so please get them in soon.

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal