From the College Principal

Newsletter 12 2024

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Welcome back for Term 3. We have certainly hit the ground running as our Year 12 students prepare for their Trial HSC Examinations, our Year 10 and 8 students finalise their subject selections, and with numerous co-curricular activities already being conducted in the first two weeks of Term. I trust that you all had an enjoyable break and are ready to perform at your best for the second half of our academic year.

Gospel Reflection: Luke 12:13-21

Background on the Gospel Reading

When is enough enough?

We all know that from looking at the advertisements on television, from reading the glossy magazines that come with our papers, not to mention social media, that we are overwhelmed with people trying to sell us so many things and products. We are often told and sold the message that unless we have the most modern phone, the latest car and the newest fashion that we won’t be happy, content or fulfilled. We have to ask ourselves, is this really true or is this fake news?

The gospel this Sunday reminds and challenges us about the danger of accumulating too much ‘stuff.’ It asks us to really think about how much energy and money we put into buying things, having things, possessing things and the real danger of not sharing them with others. A man who has done well for himself through hard work has more than he needs to live on. What will he do with all he has worked so hard for?

He will build even bigger barns and store houses to protect all that he owns. Then he says that we will sit back and enjoy it all. Not a bad idea or plan at all. But then he hears bad news; ‘Fool, this very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ When he dies, what will happen to all that he stored away for himself? What will happen to all his wealth and treasure when he dies? My Grandad used to say, 'there are no pockets in a shroud and you can’t take it with you.’

Jesus is not condemning the hard work of the man or his industrious nature. He is however, holding the man’s attitude and decision about keeping everything  to and for himself up to us as something not to copy. He does not think to use his wealth to help others. Perhaps all that he has earned, owns and possesses has made him blind and deaf to the needs of those around him.

From where does our sense of self-worth and sense of true value come? Does it come from wanting and buying more things? Does it come from having the latest phone? If we lost all that we have, would our lives have any less meaning or purpose? Here is Good News, not fake news: God loves us for who we are, not for what we have, buy, own or possess. God loves us for who we are, not for what we achieve.

If we are lucky enough to have enough money or even more than we need, if that’s even possible today, are we like the man in the gospel; do we keep it all to ourselves or do we share it with others when and where we can?

The woman in the gospel who put her one penny into the temple coffers, in her poverty gave everything she had to live on. Even though she had very little, she had the heart to give it away. Perhaps we could follow her example this coming week.

Br Michael Moore

Debating Finals:

Congratulations to our Year 10 Team who have made it through to the Grand Final of the CSDA Debating Competition, the biggest Debating Competition in the Southern Hemisphere. We will be competing against St Patrick’s College Strathfield in the Grand Final and it will be held at the Australian Catholic University - Strathfield Campus tonight. We wish the team all the best and thank Ms Douglas for all the work that she has done with the team as well as Mr Dewar and all who have supported Debating and Public Speaking this year.

Write a Song in a Day:

Congratulations to all the students who took part in the inaugural Write a Song in a Day. I was lucky enough to witness their creations at the end of the day and they were outstanding. Thank you to Mr Chiappetta, Ms Le and Ms Breeze for all they did throughout the day to ensure the students had a positive experience.

Business Simulation - Commerce

Congratulations to all the students on great organisation, wonderful products and excellent preparation. The looks of excitement on both the store holders and the customers were priceless. When you see all stores sold out of their products you know you have done well. This is another wonderful example of putting the theory of learning into practice. Thank you to all the HSIE staff for their support.

Football Semi-Finals:

Congratulations to all the teams and their coaches for making it to the semi-finals. What a great effort and a great season. Congratulations to the Junior Boys Team who have made it to the Grand-Final next week. 

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.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh

Principal