From the College Principal

Newsletter 20 2023

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Thank you for such a wonderful day for St Andrews Day yesterday. The weather held up for us, the Mass was beautiful, the Student Leader Induction went well and the Principal’s Address from Dr John DeCourcey (the Founding Principal of St Andrews College 25 years ago) connected our present with the past. We had all of the past Principals and Assistant Principals of St Andrews College with us to celebrate Mass and have morning tea with us. The fact that we had so many of our past Assistant Principals now in Principals roles says a great deal about our College and the formation staff receive. We were also privileged to have the Vietnamese Consul General Mr Hang Nguyen and his wife as special guests to hear a traditional song from our College Choir and to see the presentation from the College History Trip to Vietnam this year. Of course the rides are always a nice way to enjoy the afternoon and the rain held off so our community could enjoy them. Thank you to Mr Hoare for the Mass preparation and Fr Kevin Redmond for celebrating Mass,  as well as staff and students for their participation in the day. The student respect and participation was lauded by all the special guests and made me very proud and appreciative that I am here at St Andrews College.

It’s All About Learning

Gospel  Reflection: Mark 13:33-37

In this gospel reading, we hear Jesus telling us to be watchful and to be alert for His coming. We know He had already come more than two thousand years ago but before He went back to His Father on Ascension Day, He promised that He would come back but He did not mention the day or time. Yet we may not be alive when He comes back. For our life on earth is only temporary. Sooner or later, We will leave our earthly body and go to the other world. That is why there is really a need to prepare for any eventuality. In other words, whether we are alive when Jesus comes again or we die today or tomorrow, we must be ready to meet Him face to face.

Here’s the best way to prepare. Let us know Him now and develop a relationship with Him so that when we meet Him, He will not be a stranger to us and He will not tell us that He doesn’t know us. Woe to those to whom the Lord will say “I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).

So let’s get familiar with Jesus now. It is not yet too late. Let’s know Him and His precepts for it will be an anomaly if we have heard of Him but refuse to believe and follow Him. To be familiar with Him means to listen to His words every day and to live a life according to His will. Much better, let us live in faith that He is always with us and in us. For in truth, He never left us because He has sent His Spirit to be with us.

Yes, Jesus is with us in Spirit because He is the Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23). What we are awaiting is His second coming to complete the redemption of this world and the fulfilment of His Kingdom. As we await in joyful hope, we celebrate regularly His first coming. This is the true essence of Christmas – a celebration of His coming as saviour and a reminder that His saving work will soon be completed. May the Christmas season be a great time to reflect on how prepared are we to meet Him face to face.

Congratulations Cooper Ison Year 12:

Congratulations to Cooper Ison Year 12 on being part of the winning 2023 Junior Pennants Team from Stonecutters Ridge where a number of our families live. With Many teams across the Metropolitan area participating it is an excellent achievement. He now moves into the State Final in January. All the best Cooper. We are very proud of your achievement.

Year 7-10 Art Showcase:

Congratulations to all students from Years 7-10 Art classes who had their work displayed. I really enjoyed viewing the many and varied art pieces displayed last Monday. The quality is excellent and the obvious love and energy that went into your works is to be commended. Thank you to Mrs Kamal who set up the display and Ms Rivera who assisted.

CAN is back:

I have been delighted to see the enthusiasm around auditions for CAN 2023. The energy from the staff and students is life giving and I look forward to seeing the fruits of this on the night. Thank you to all the staff who are assisting with the event which will also double as our Christmas Carols Night as well. Only current students and their families are permitted to attend. 

Renovations and Buildings:

With the renovations of the Junior Campus Hall completed we now move to the renovation and repainting of all basketball/multipurpose courts over the holiday period as well as the renovation and upgrade of the Staffroom areas on both the Junior and Senior Campuses. The Junior Campus toilet block will be reconfigured over the Term 1 break 2024. We have another two additional Science Labs that have been installed on the Junior Campus as well.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal