From the Acting Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9

Year 9: A Year of Growth and Achievement

As we close out 2024, it's time to reflect on the incredible journey Year 9 has had this year. From personal growth to community engagement, this group has truly demonstrated what it means to be dedicated, ambitious, and involved members of the St Andrews community. It’s been a year of setting goals, building habits, taking leadership, and making a real impact—and I couldn't be more proud of all that Year 9 has achieved.

Term 1: Setting the Foundation

We started the year with a clear focus on growth. In Term 1, students worked on forming personal and academic goals, setting the tone for the year ahead. It was a time of reflection and planning, where each student took the opportunity to set intentions for their learning and development. Alongside these goals, Year 9 also began their weekly sessions with their learning advisors, focusing on developing wellbeing habits. These sessions were vital in helping students build the resilience and mindset necessary to thrive, both in and out of the classroom.

Term 2: Community Engagement and Extracurricular Success

As the year unfolded, Year 9’s involvement in the broader St Andrews community truly shone. Term 2 saw students taking part in a wide range of extracurricular activities, showcasing not just their talents, but their willingness to engage and give back. From Public Speaking to the NSW Shakespeare Competition, from Debating to the Lifted Unleashed Event, Year 9 embraced these opportunities with enthusiasm. We also saw strong participation in the Western Sydney University’s Fast Forward Program and the St Andrews Youth Ministry Group, where students not only gained valuable skills but contributed to the vibrant culture of our school. It was inspiring to witness how Year 9 students used these opportunities to develop as individuals, while also making lasting contributions to the school community.

Term 3: Taking Ownership and Leading Change

Term 3 marked a significant shift for Year 9 as students began to take greater ownership of their role in shaping the positive learning environment we value here at St Andrews. A number of students stepped up to propose initiatives to Dr Kennaugh aimed at making a positive impact on the community. One standout initiative was the Sleep Intervention led by the Student Representative Council (SRC), which was designed to raise awareness about the importance of sleep for both academic performance and wellbeing. This initiative was just one example of the way Year 9 students demonstrated leadership, creativity, and a commitment to making our school a better place for everyone.

Term 4: Leadership and Celebration

The final term of the year was a whirlwind of activity, with Year 9 students truly stepping into their roles as leaders within the school. We saw the largest number of students putting their hands up for leadership opportunities. Further to this we had a large representation of Year 9 students at CAN, as well as in the St Andrews Day celebrations. The excitement continued with the much-anticipated Year 9 camp, where students not only bonded with each other but also participated in activities that reinforced the values of teamwork, resilience, and personal growth.

Throughout all of this, Year 9 has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to making the most of every opportunity, growing individually and as a group, and strengthening the fabric of our school community.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we look forward to 2025, I have no doubt that the hard work, dedication, and leadership Year 9 has shown this year will continue to pay off in the years ahead. It’s been a privilege to watch each of you grow, both personally and academically. I wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and look forward to seeing all that we’ve worked towards this year lead to even greater success in the future.

Thank you, Year 9, for making 2024 a year to remember. Here’s to an even brighter 2025!

Warm regards,
Mr Nathan Weaver
Acting Year 9 Leader of Wellbeing