From the College Principal

Newsletter 12 2025

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

We are almost at the end of the Trial Higher School Certificate and I have been encouraged by the energy in the Year 12 group before their examinations in the Learning Centre. I know the teachers are in the midst of marking papers at present and I am looking forward to some excellent results when papers are returned. It is also a time for reflection and growth with the focus for our Year 12 and accelerated students on feedback with the opportunity to improve substantially in the weeks leading up to the Higher School Certificate Examination. Year 12 also attend their final Retreat experience as a cohort. This provides an opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal as well at a very important time in their lives. I have just finished reading some of the Society and Culture PIP’s as well as the Write a Book in a Day works. I am most impressed with the thinking and expressive nature in our students. I have also viewed many of the completed Major Works across numerous KLA’s and I was taken aback by the work ethic and standard of the projects. Keep up the great work.

Gospel Reflection:  Luke 12:49-53  Jesus has come not only to bring peace but also division.

Families strive for unity and togetherness. Nobody enjoys occasions when divisions in family life become all too evident. Yet, in this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus says that he has come to bring division and that members of households will be divided.

Talk as a family about the things that you do together to bring about family unity (togetherness), such as sharing meals, going to church together, celebrating special occasions, or sharing family traditions. Explain that all of these things are important and that Jesus wants families to show this kind of love for one another. Point out that this Sunday's Gospel sounds as though Jesus is saying something very different. Tell your children to listen closely as you read aloud Luke 12:49-53.

Explain that sometimes as parents, you have to make decisions that are unpopular with your children. You don't do it to divide the family but because it is the right thing to do. In the short run, such decisions may “divide” children from their parents. In the long run, however, doing the right thing will bring about a deeper unity. Talk to your children about decisions that they have to make that might be unpopular with their friends and how these decisions may divide them from others. Encourage them to pray to the Holy Spirit for the gift of courage (fortitude) so that they may do the right thing even if unpopular. Conclude by praying a spontaneous prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking for the gift of courage (fortitude).

VET Training Awards:

Congratulations to Jonah Mondragon (Fitness nominated by Be Your Best Fitness), Salam Altai (IDT nominated by St Andrews Primary School), and Freby Julit (Hospitality nominated by Cake time Blacktown) who have been recognised for their achievements in Work Placement at the upcoming event. What a great achievement.

Sport Representation:

I had the opportunity to see the girls and boys football teams play their semi-final and finals yesterday and was proud of the effort they put in and the way they played the game. The boys were playing their semi-finals and both the Junior 2-0 and Intermediate 1-0 teams won their matches so they are playing in the Grand Final next Thursday. Our Junior girls went down 1-0 unfortunately and our Intermediate girls won 2-0 therefore advancing to the Semi Final. To have all four teams in the finals is a testament to the strength of talent we have at the College. Well done to all on a great season.

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal