Sport at St Andrews College

Dear parents/guardians, 

Welcome to 2024, it is a big and exciting term in regards to sport. I thought I would share some of the upcoming events that will be happening along with a couple of reminders. 

We are very excited to announce the Gymnastics program has commenced again for year 8. This means that during term 1 Bennelong and Chang have the opportunity to attend Sydney Gymnastics Aquatic Centre - Rooty Hill led by talented instructors. It is a program that will run over the course of 8 weeks. Could I please remind those students and parents who do not have the waiver signed please do so before the next Thursday as the student will not be able to participate without the waiver signed by an adult. This is a great opportunity for students to get involved in a Gymnastics program! In term 2 it will be Frances and Goulds opportunity to attend the 8 week Gymnastics program. Students will also be required to bring back to school the signed waiver on the first Thursday of term 2. Students who fail to bring a signed waiver will be able to attend but will not be able to participate. 

At the conclusion of 2023, Mrs. Weaver was honoured with the prestigious New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges Sports Service Award in recognition of her unwavering dedication and commitment to the development of New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges Divers. This esteemed accolade stands as the highest form of sporting recognition within our educational system, celebrating the tireless efforts of teachers and officials in nurturing and mentoring our students. 

We are very lucky to have Mrs Weaver as a teacher at St Andrews College and also a diving coach. Mrs Weavers gives up enormous amounts of time to assist and coach our students for diving throughout the year. Thank you very much Mrs Weaver for all that you do with our students here at St Andrews College.

I was very excited to announce year 10 students yesterday attended venue sports which started up again yesterday for 2024 - one555 gym, rock climbing, flipout, AMF bowling which commences Thursday 9th February. The waivers for one555 gym, rock climbing and flipout have been added to a google classroom post on the year 10 wellbeing page. Could I please remind all parents and students that if a waiver is not filled out by the parent for the venue sport chosen by the student they will go to the venue but unfortunately not be able to participate due to the waiver not being signed. The only venue sport that does not require a waiver is AMF bowling. 

We also have the college swimming carnival fast approaching on the 23rd February. This year the carnival will be held at Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton. Parents/guardians are more than welcome to come along and watch the swimming races. Students will be expected to attend school as per usual in full sport uniform. Students will also have the opportunity on the day to race in events of the age group in which they are or have turned this year. Any student who chooses to swim the 100m freestyle will need to arrive at normal time to get on the first bus to pools.  If a student does not want to swim competitively they will have an option to participate in novelty events to earn points for their house. Any student who would like to competitively swim the long course events- 200m & 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 200I and 100m breaststroke could they please email me a photo via email of verified times. I will also have a google form that will be send out of year group wellbeing pages that students who wish to participate in the long course events. 

Yesterday, students had the opportunity to trail for a representative team. The sports that students will represent the college in are Jnr and Inter boys/girls Volleyball, Jnr and Inter boys/girls Oztag, Jnr and Inter boys basketball and Senior boys basketball and girls 5 aside soccer at the wanderers. Students who are successful in making the team will have at least one training session per week in the lead up to Thursday afternoon games. Coaches will also be handing out to students who are successful in trial a rep sport contract that the parent and student will need to fill out, sign and return back to the coach before Thursday next week. I thank all the coaches in advance for the time and effort they are putting into their respective rep team.

Could I please remind students to keep an eye out on wellbeing google classroom pages for any important information. 

Over the school holidays Amelia Manks played in the U16 NSW Softball Nationals in Melbourne. Amelia played multiple games which led her to pitching in the Grand Final. Unfortunately NSW came 2nd place. Congratulations to Amelia for proceeding through with her team to the grand final and gaining the amazing experience.

Good luck to Amelia Manks and Chloe Johnston at the NSWCCC trials for softball next week.

 I look forward to sharing all our student success across all sports that are happening this term. 

Miss Ivana Nikitovic 

Leader of Wellbeing - Sport