From the College Principal

Newsletter 12 2023

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Welcome back to Term 3. We have another eventful Term ahead and we have started with numerous learning activities. We had successful trips to both Vietnam and Japan during the school holidays, the F1 Program is starting to take shape with cars being made and the Track to be assembled soon ready for trials, we have had the finals for Soccer where the Junior boys and Girls still remain undefeated, the Trial HSC starts next week for the Year 12 student body, our Debating season has come to an end last Friday with the Year 8 team being defeated by St Patrick’s College Strathfield in the Finals, we have a group of students from Japan visiting us at present (thank you to families who have volunteered to host a student), we are in the process of Year 11 and Year 9 2024 Subject Selections and Interviews, while continuing with the regular formative and summative assessment. 

I hope you had a restful holiday and are ready for another exciting Term. I know Year 12 are already

Gospel Reflection: Matthew 13:44-52

In the gospel passage above, we read the three kingdom parables, namely: the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, and the fishing net. They all speak of the truth that the Kingdom of God is the only thing that matters in life. One has to prioritise it. All other things are secondary. Take note of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. Everything has to be given up in exchange for it. On the other hand, the fishing net parable tells us that in the end, only what is good is kept. The rest is thrown away and burn.

Yet the Kingdom of God is not just about the “end”. Although we know that the greatest promise of Jesus is eternal life, it doesn’t mean we can’t experience the Kingdom of God in the here and now. In fact, Jesus Himself said that the Kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 4:17). We can start to be part of it today. Jesus has already inaugurated it though it will have its full blossoming when He comes back.

So what is the Kingdom of God that we need to sacrifice everything for it? It is simply allowing God to be who He is – the King of kings and the Lord of lords. That means, allowing Him, not any other being, to take control of our life and of the world. In other words, it is God whom we should love and follow, not the evil one. Therefore, when we say that we should make the Kingdom of God our priority, we need to obey the greatest commandments which is to love God with ALL our heart, with ALL our mind, with ALL our soul, and with ALL our strengths (Matthew 22:28). The word ALL is in caps purposely to emphasise the primacy of the “Kingdom of God” as the greatest treasure.

Then Jesus asks us, “Do you understand all these things?”. If we say yes, then it is time to alter our priorities. It is time to focus on our relationship with God. However, if we have more time in bars and in shopping centres than at church; if we spend more money to buy expensive bags and shoes than helping the needy, if watching a horror movie or reading a fiction is more important than opening the bible, then it means the Kingdom of God is not our priority. If we continue to be thrilled or enamoured with worldly things and neglecting even to pray then it means we really did not understand the value of the Kingdom of God.

Women in Tech Event:

Thank you to the staff and students who organised our school to host this prestigious event. Ms May and the TAS Faculty were both organisers and hosts. The feedback I have received from our social media posts has been very positive. We look forward to further collaboration in this space in the future. I know that Universities are now starting to notice the increase uptake of careers in the Technology area from women.

Careers Market:

Thank you to Ms May who organised an amazing experience for the students at our College with over 35 Universities and employer groups assembled in our Parish Hall. To have such a variety of employer groups come to us solely is of great benefit to our students as they make their future career choices. Thank you to the students who took advantage of this opportunity. Ms May already has ideas for 2024.

Building Works:

At present the guttering is completed around the Junior Campus and that will be completed and they are resheeting the Hall at present. It looks amazing. Internal lining will then be installed and all the electricals upgraded. This will serve to insulate the Hall better during the extreme temperatures and assist the air conditioning in the space.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Enrolment for Year 11 2024 NOW OPEN

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

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal