From the College Principal

Newsletter 11 2024

Newsletter 11 2024

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

As we conclude Term 2 I want to thank the staff for their dedication and service. We have offered many and varied opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom this Term and the staff have been unwavering in their efforts to support these opportunities to learn and challenge our student body. On Tuesday of this week the College offered the Write a Book in a Day Program and we had over 200 students sign up to participate across a myriad of skill sets and gifts. Mr Dewar and many dedicated staff facilitated this process. This is but one example of the opportunities we offer to enhance the learning experience at St Andrews and it demonstrates the dedication of the teaching staff. I would also like to thank the student body for their commitment to learning and engaging with the opportunities offered to them. There is nothing more pleasing as a teacher then witnessing a student grow through experience and to play a part in that growth.

Have a wonderful break and we look forward to seeing you all in Term 3.

Gospel Reflection: Mark 6:1-6
Jesus is rejected in his hometown.

Background on the Gospel Reading

This Gospel immediately follows upon last week’s stories of the raising of Jairus’s daughter and the healing of the woman with a haemorrhage. It sets the context of our Gospel readings for the next two weeks in which Jesus will extend the work of his ministry to his disciples.

Today’s Gospel describes what many believe to have been the typical pattern of Jesus’ ministry: teaching in the synagogue followed by acts of healing. In his hometown of Nazareth, the people are amazed by what they hear, but they also cannot comprehend how someone they know so well might move them so powerfully.

In this Gospel, we learn some interesting details about Jesus and his early life. Jesus’ kinfolk know him to be a carpenter, an artisan who works in wood, stone, and metal. He probably learned this trade from his father. Family members of Jesus are also named. Mark describes Jesus as the son of Mary, which is an unusual designation. Adult males were more typically identified with the name of their fathers. It is unclear why Mark deviates from this custom.

Brothers and sisters of Jesus are also named. Scholars are divided on how to interpret this. As Catholics, we believe that Mary was and remained always a virgin, thus we do not believe that this Gospel refers to other children of Mary. Some have suggested that these family members might be Joseph’s children from a previous marriage, but there is little evidence to support this. Others explain this reference by noting that the words brother and sister were often used to refer to other types of relatives, including cousins, nieces, and nephews.

This Gospel tells us that Jesus is hampered from performing miracles in Nazareth because of the people’s lack of faith. Jesus is said to be surprised by this. He did not predict or foresee this rejection. In this detail we find a description of the very human side of Jesus.

This passage unfolds a continuing theme of Mark’s Gospel: Who is Jesus? His kinfolk in Nazareth might know the carpenter, the son of Mary, but they do not know Jesus, the Son of God. Mark is foreshadowing Jesus’ rejection by his own people, the people of Israel. He is also reflecting on and trying to explain the situation of the community for which he wrote. While many of the first Christians were Jewish, Christianity took hold and flourished in the Gentile community. Mark’s community was mostly a Gentile community, who may have been experiencing persecution. By showing that Jesus himself was rejected, Mark consoles and reassures his first readers. He also prepares us to accept this possible consequence of Christian discipleship.

The Sisters receive a walk in history of Holy Family Catholic High School:

As part of the 200 year history of the Diocese we have commissioned Mr David Wallace to research the history of St Andrews College including Holy Family and JPII Campuses. As part of the final research we presented Sr Lois Richardi with some framed versions of the Holy Family history for the community. We look forward to unveiling these final history boards on St Andrews Day this year.

Debating Finals:

Next Term we move into the last four teams in each age group and we have our Year 10B team in the race to be the number one school in NSW. Looking forward to seeing the team in action.

Unity Day:

What a wonderful celebration of unity in difference within our community. It was a real pleasure to see the smiles on our performers' faces as well as the community support for the Fashion Parade as well as the performances. The video of the day compiled by the Media Team is absolutely amazing. Thank you to all the staff and students for your participation throughout the day.

History and Society and Culture Trip 2025:

We now have over 50 students who have registered an interest for the trip. Thank you to Mr Camilleri for all the work that has gone into the schedule and communicating with families.

Write a Book in a Day:

Thank you to Mr Dewar and the team for facilitating such a wonderful experience for the 200 plus students. It is a very long day for the students but at the same time it not only harnesses their literary skills but also the skill of working in a team and working with others.

Holiday Infrastructure Works:

We will be busy during the holiday break. We have scheduled the Painting of Demountables on the Junior Campus, Pest Control, Air conditioner maintenance, Hall ventilation works on the Junior Campus, works on the PA System  and speakers in the Junior Campus Hall and maintenance of the Lights on Senior Campus Hall.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal