From the College Principal

Newsletter 3 2025

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

We have much to celebrate as a community. Our Year 12 students are busily preparing for assessments, ably accompanied by our excellent staff, the Year 11 students have just concluded their first Retreat, Our Year 7 and 9 students have completed their NAPLAN tests for 2025 (we have been assured by ACARA that we will get the results back much earlier this year), our Diving Team competed in the NSW State Championships last weekend with much success both in and outside of the water, our Basketball Teams are all undefeated through the season, and we have entered into our Lenten Season with our fundraising activities launching this week. Thank you to all the families embracing the variety of opportunities we offer at the College. It is the hallmark of the culture we are developing at St Andrews College.

Bible Reading Reflections:

On the 2nd Sunday of Lent Year C, the readings invite us to reflect on faith, transformation, and God’s promises. These themes help us to grow closer to God during Lent.

• God’s Promise to Abram: God promises Abram descendants as numerous as the stars. This shows God’s faithfulness and His plan for our salvation.
• Covenant with Abram: God makes a covenant with Abram, ensuring his future and the land for his descendants. This covenant is a sign of God’s commitment to His people.
• Faith and Righteousness: Abram’s faith is counted as righteousness. This teaches us the importance of faith in our relationship with God.
• Heavenly Citizenship: St. Paul urges us to follow his example and live as citizens of heaven. This reminds us to focus on our heavenly home and not just on earthly things.
• Christ’s Glory Revealed: In the Transfiguration, Jesus reveals His glory to Peter, James, and John. This shows His divine nature and prepares them for His suffering and death.
• Listen to Jesus: God the Father tells the disciples to listen to His beloved Son. This emphasizes the importance of Jesus’ teachings and following His example.

The 2nd Sunday of Lent Year C calls us to deepen our faith and trust in God’s promises. It encourages us to listen to Jesus and live as citizens of heaven.

Year 11 Retreat:

Thank you to all staff and students for engaging in what was an excellent faith experience across both venues. Mr Hoare, Mrs Anthony, Ms Tan and the team provide an excellent program that is full of variety to engage our young people with their faith. Thank you to Mrs Houseman, Mrs Biernat and the facilitators for facilitating this experience as well as the student body for engaging with this opportunity. 

Congratulations to Ethan Geevarghese Year 8:

During the holidays, he entered the Blacktown Youth Art Prize. He was the winner in the category for "Most Creative Depiction of Renewable Energy".

CSDA Public Speaking:

As we move into the Grand Final this evening, I would like to congratulate Avneet Kaur on making it through to the Zone Final. In what was a very impressive delivery of her topic and speech. Avneet was unlucky not to progress through to the Grand Final. Thank you to Ms Douglas for all the work she has put into leading this at the College. It is by no means the end of the public speaking opportunities with Rostrum Voice of Youth starting soon as well as other initiatives.

Positive Sport Reports:

Congratulations to the 14 students who represented the College at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival held at the State Aquatic Centre last Friday. We had some personal bests amongst our results, and the student body represented our College with pride as usual. Thank you Mr Kolek, for accompanying the students on the day.

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal