From the College Principal

Newsletter 3 2024

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

We come to the end of a very successful week at the College. Tonight we have three students in the Zone Final of the CSDA Public Speaking Competition as well as Shanai Lal (HSC 2023) being presented with a High Achievers Award from the Society and Culture Association NSW for her research project where she ranked in the top 10 in NSW. Both of these achievements require recognition of the hard work and dedication of both students and staff. We also had our College Open Day on Wednesday March 6 as part of Catholic Schools Week. It was a privilege to speak to many prospective parents and students about the College's strategic directions and successes through the lens of performance and opportunities. We have already had well over our 250 student cap apply for 2024 which is a very promising sign considering we officially opened our Enrolments on Wednesday.  

It’s All About Learning

Reading Reflections 4th Sunday in Lent - 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21:

Introduction: The Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Lætare (Rejoice) Sunday, from the first words of today’s liturgy. As on Gaudete Sunday in Advent, rose-coloured vestments may replace violet, and flowers may grace the altar, symbolizing the Church’s joy in anticipation of the Resurrection of Our Lord. The central theme of today’s readings is that our salvation is the free gift of a merciful God, given to us sinners through Jesus, His Son. The readings stress God’s mercy and compassion and remind us of the great love, kindness, and grace extended to us in Christ.

The Scripture lessons summarized: In the first reading, taken from the Second Book of Chronicles, we see the compassion and patience of God. God chose Cyrus the Great, a pagan conqueror, to become the instrument of His mercy to, and salvation of, His chosen people exiled in Babylon. In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 137), the Psalmist voices the pain of exile the captives of Judah suffered. In the second reading, Paul tells us that God is so rich in mercy that He has granted us eternal salvation and eternal life as a free gift through Christ Jesus. Today’s Gospel provides a theme that parallels the Gospel, but on a much higher level. Jesus, the Son of God, becomes the agent of God’s salvation, not just for one sinful nation but for the sinfulness of the whole world. Through John 3:16, the Gospel teaches us that God has expressed His love, mercy, and compassion for us by giving His Only Son for our salvation. Nicodemus, the wealthy Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, meets Jesus by night and begins a long religious discussion. Jesus explains to him that he must believe Jesus’ words because Jesus is the Son of God. Then, by referring to the story of Moses and the bronze serpent (Nm 21:1-9), Jesus further explains God’s plan of salvation. Just as God saved the victims of serpent bite from death through the bonze serpent, He is going to save mankind from its sins by permitting the crucifixion and death of His Son Jesus, because the love of God for mankind is that great.

Life messages: 1) We need to love the cross, the symbol of God’s forgiving and merciful love: As a forceful reminder not only of God’s love and mercy, but also of the price of our salvation, the crucifix invites us to more than simple generosity and compassion. It inspires us to remove the suffering of other people’s misery. It encourages us not only to feel deep sorrow for another’s suffering, but also to try our best to remove that suffering. Hence, let us love the cross, wear its image, and carry our own daily cross with joy, while helping other to carry their heavier crosses.

2) We need to reciprocate God’s love by loving Him in others. God’s love is unconditional, universal, forgiving, and merciful. Let us try to make an earnest attempt to include these qualities in sharing our love with others during Lent. 3) Our rebirth by water and the Spirit must be an ongoing process. That is, we must lead a life of repentance and conversion which will bring us, with the help of the Holy Spirit living within us, to an ongoing renewal of life through prayer, adoration, Bible reading, frequenting the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist, and doing corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Year 11 Retreats next week:

We are looking forward to the students experiencing ‘Retreat’ next week as they travel to four different venues for the Year 11 Retreats. Thank you to Mr Hoare, Mrs Anthony and Ms Tan for organising the program and for our leaders and facilitators who enhance the experience for our young men and women.

CSDA Public Speaking:

After hosting Round 1 last Friday March 1 we now have three students progress through to the Zone Finals held tonight. The students are Emily Stevenson and Lucas Baginski from Year 9, as well as Lexi Iskander from Year 10. We wish them every success this evening.

Thank you to all the students who participated in Round 1 by Speaking or assisting in some way. Considering the day was a Staff Professional Development Day it was an outstanding effort to see so many involved. The College received many emails and comments regarding the quality of our students. Well done

Thank you to Ms Douglas who is coordinating the Public Speaking and Debating at the College. Her attention to detail and support for students is a blessing. Thank you to all staff who assisted by helping and adjudicating. We are fortunate to have such a committed staff.

Students will also be representing the College next Monday evening for the Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition.  We will keep you posted on how we perform. Thank you to all the students who tried out for this opportunity as well.

Primary School Visits and College Open Day and Enrolments:

I finished the last of my primary school visits last week where I met with Year 5 students. Any Year 6 2023 student wishing to enrol at St Andrews College are required to put in their application ASAP as we have Interviews for Year 7 2025 on Wednesday March 20.

Year 7 Camp to Collaroy:

I visited the Year 7 Camp yesterday and they all seemed to be having a great adventure. Many were placed outside of their comfort zone with the challenges and heights they were required to navigate with all students looking forward to the water activities today. Thank you to Mr Leaves and the teaching staff for facilitating a wonderful experience. The Year 7 group as well as staff will start voting on their leaders when they return from Camp.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal