From the Principal

Newsletter 21 2020

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

We had a fitting end to the 2020 school year with a Wellbeing Day for Years 7-10, Christmas Liturgy and Blessing, and our Academic Awards Ceremony.

I take this opportunity to wish all staff, students, and families a very happy and safe Christmas, and look forward to seeing you all again in 2021. Thank you for your support throughout 2020.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Advent Reflection:

Pause for ADVENT Week 4

The Third Sunday of Advent has traditionally been called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice.

In the past we observed our Advent preparation in a manner more like the discipline required during Lent.  The third Sunday of Advent was a time to take a breather and celebrate the nearness of Christmas.  Joy is a gift to all of us and in everyday there is, should we choose to notice, a joyful moment. Henri Nouwen wrote...

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”

Reflecting more deeply on the scriptures for the Third Sunday of Advent, we see Isaiah speaks of his relationship with God, in what he calls, “the joy of my soul.” Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to live from a sense of joy because God’s love for them has been expressed in Christ Jesus. This week of Advent is less about seeing Christmas near at hand, and more about renewing our sense of purpose and our unique place in the unfolding process of bringing about God’s reign. The work continues and we have a part to play...

Last weekend we lit the third Advent candle - JOY  

This weekend we light the fourth Advent candle - LOVE

“I baptise with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.  He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”   John 1:19-28 

‘I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God’ Isaiah 61:10 

Jesus is the most pure example of Love.

HSC 2020 Results Summary:

I commend the HSC students and their achievements. With many students gaining early entry into University we have much to celebrate. Mrs Deschamps (Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching) will put in a more detailed account of our results in the next Newsletter as we are still contacting students to gain ATAR’s. I would like to commend:

• Owen Walker for achieving fourth place in the State in Mathematics Standard 1. 
• The outstanding History Extension results with Hashwitaa Maynoor making the Merit List. All E4’s and 3’s in the Course.
• The outstanding Visual Arts results with Maheka Karunaratne making the Merit List and no student under a Band 5 result.
• Legal Studies Merit Lists for Joshua Hewitt and Rachel Khalil.
• Society and Culture Merit List for Phoebe Bibon and Mikayla Garland.
• Merit List for Jerica Cabanit in Design and Technology and Industrial Technology.
• Mathematics Standard 1 being 8.75 marks above State Average.
• Science Extension well above State Average.
• All VET Exams well above State Average.
• Onstage Nomination for Chloe Leibeck in Drama
• Art Express Nominations for Nathan Capulong and Oliver Kozak for their Major Works.

I am happy to announce that our Stage 6 Visual Art students were apart of the ARTiculate online exhibition. The ARTiculate online 2020 gallery is now up and running. Here’s the link-

https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/2020Articulate

We look forward to presenting our High Achievers and those with the greatest learning gain at our HSC High Achievers Assembly in 2021.

Student Leaders Initiatives:

Our Year 10 2021 school leaders have put forward a proposal for a girls tie to be introduced into the Junior College as part of the Winter Uniform. It was a very professional proposal that the student leaders should be very proud of. We will consult the parent body before proceeding with f=urther direction. Whatever way we decide to go I would like to commend our Student Leaders on bringing forward this initiative and encourage them to continue their initiatives.

Year 7 2021 Allwell Testing:

We are currently assessing the results of the tests that occurred on the Orientation Day and these will be shared with parents. The results will be used to add to the data we already have from student applications to inform teachers of areas of student strength as well as areas to focus on for growth. 

Enrolment for Year 7 2022 NOW OPEN

If you have a friend or family member looking to enrol for Year 7 2022 (students currently in Year 5) please contact the Office ASAP for an enrolment pack to avoid disappointment. We have a substantial waiting list already for Year 7 2021. Positions have almost filled so please be quick to enrol in the New Year.