From the College Principal

Newsletter 21 2024

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

We celebrate another very successful year at the College. In the last two weeks, we have had CAN, Year 9 and 8 Camps, Year 7 Activities Day, Year 10 Transition, Whole School Christmas Liturgy and the Year 7-11 Academic Awards Ceremony to conclude a year of opportunity, success and growth. Thank you for entering into these opportunities as a parent, student or teacher. It is through the support we have from our whole community that we are successful.

We have had another very successful year in the Higher School Certificate Examinations with twenty-seven students receiving the Distinguished Achiever status with forty-four distinguished achievements in total. Add to this nominations for OnStage, Encore and Art Express we have much to celebrate. We also had a significant increase in higher bands in the results as well which will lead to some significant learning gain/growth when we get the HSC Data Analysis in January. Our rankings in subjects across the Diocese have improved or been maintained as a result as well. Congratulations to the Class of 2024, their teachers and families. The world is at your feet.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone and enjoy the break.

Bible Reading Reflections: Luke 1:39-45
Mary visits Elizabeth, who sings praise to Mary and her child.

Background on the Gospel Reading

On this last Sunday before Christmas, our Gospel reading prepares us to witness Christ's birth by showing us how Jesus was recognized as Israel's long-awaited Messiah even before his birth. The Gospel turns our attention from the ministry of John the Baptist to the events that preceded John the Baptist's birth. The story of John the Baptist and his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, are reported only in Luke's Gospel. Luke pairs the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, establishing John's early connection to the Messiah.

Our Gospel reading recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles that they and their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. If we were to continue to read the verses that follow in Luke's Gospel, we would hear Mary respond to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing favour upon the people of Israel.

In Luke's Gospel, the Holy Spirit helps reveal Jesus' identity as God to those who believe. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and sings Mary's praise because she bears the Lord. We sing these words of praise to Mary in the Hail Mary. Even John the Baptist, the unborn child in Elizabeth's womb, is said to recognise the presence of the Lord and leap for joy.

It is appropriate in this season of Advent that we consider the role of Mary in God's plan of salvation. Elizabeth describes Mary as the first disciple, as the one who believed that God's word to her would be fulfilled. Mary's faith enabled her to recognise the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to everyone. Because of this, Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan for salvation.

Student Exchange in Japan:

We received an email from Mrs Nishi, Isahaya Commercial High School in Japan. Moses Badelles arrived at their school and has had a School Tour and has already participated in a lesson. His host family picked him up at 3:30pm.

Moses was introduced during the Staff Briefing and Mrs Nishi has organised a Timetable for him.

This is the first time the College has entered such a lengthy exchange program and we wish Moses the very best. Thank you to Mrs Suzuki for organising this opportunity. We look forward to expanding this program.

Year 7-11 Academic Awards:

Congratulations to all the students who received Awards at the Year 7-11 Academic Awards Ceremony on Tuesday. It was a celebration of effort and achievement. Thank you to Ms Kalifa and the staff who organised the awards.

Works during the Holiday period:

During the holidays we are doing a variety of works including: High Pressure Cleaning  - Shade clothes and pathways, Pest Control, Air Conditioner Maintenance, ASPECT Rooms refurbishment, Painting - Doors and classrooms in need, Religious Education Faculty space, replacement chairs to replace booths, Carpet shampoos and strip and seal of floors.

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal