From the College Principal

Newsletter 2 2025

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

It’s hard to believe we are already at the end of Week 4. It has been an excellent start to the year so far, with students going above and beyond in all facets of College life. I am enjoying the student leadership initiatives that I see around the College. As we move into Lent next week, I wish to thank Ms Tan, staff and students for the fundraising initiatives that will be channeled to Caritas. Thank you for the way you represent the College. People notice.

Bible Reading Reflections: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32

At the core of today’s Gospel is a portrait of our God, who is prodigal. The father stands for the God whose very nature is to give, the God who simply is love. The younger son stands for all of us sinners who tend to misunderstand how to access divine love.

Since God exists only in gift form, his life, even in principle, cannot become a possession. Instead, it is “had” only on the fly, only in the measure that it is given away. When we cling to it, it disappears, according to a kind of spiritual physics.

The Greek that lies behind “distant country” in the parable is chora makra; that means, literally, “the great emptiness.” Trying to turn the divine gift into the ego’s possession necessarily results in nothing, nonbeing, the void.

St. John Paul II formulated the principle here as “the law of the gift”—that your being increases as much as you give it away. If clinging and possessing are the marks of the chora makra, then the law of the gift is the defining dynamic of the father’s house, where the robe and the ring and the fatted calf are on permanent offer. 

Year 11 2025 Information Evening:

Thank you to all the staff and students for their participation in the evening. It was very well attended, which demonstrates to me your dedication towards attaining the best outcomes possible for yourself.

Round 1 of the CSDA Public Speaking:

Thank you to Ms Douglas and the team of staff, speakers and student helpers for hosting the first round of the CSDA Public Speaking tonight. I wish everyone well. Thank you for your preparation and dedication.

Positive Sport Reports:

Congratulations to all teams on the way you have started the season. Your sportsmanship, work ethic and pride in self and school are paying dividends.

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal