Newsletter 5 2021

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Thank you for a successful Term 1. I have really enjoyed moving around the College and witnessing the learning that is taking place. 

I hope you all enjoy the wonders of Holy Week and Easter and have a well deserved break. Thank you for  the way in which you have demonstrated your love for our great College. That could have been through getting involved, exercising diligence in the classroom, seeking feedback from teachers on your performance, advocating for the College at Open Day and in Primary Feeder School visits, or modelling exemplary behaviour towards others. Attitude, choice, and action all contribute to our success as a College. I look forward to seeing you all upon your safe return in Term 2.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Lenten Reflection:

In the Season of Lent, we are encouraged to reflect and examine our relationship with God, others, and ourselves. To help me do this, I often choose to read a book or select a theme to focus on during this holy season.

One of my favourite paintings is Rembrandt’s The Prodigal Son and the book, The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen, is the one I am reading yet again, this Lent. I find the theme of reconciliation is always significant for me as I look through the lenses of my spiritual journey, and personal wellbeing, particularly as I have now most definitely entered the second phase of my life. The first being the busy, growing, learning and establishing time of education and career, growing friendships, finding a partner, building a home and family. The second stage being more about sitting with the questions and reflection of what all that means for me now, as I look at my life and the world around me through the lens of reconciliation as in forgiveness. I question the ‘why moments’ of my life - Is it working? What is my belief and understanding? Where is God in the crisis, grief or turmoil? What is my purpose?

The reflection and Lenten pilgrimage for me is travelling through the stages and personalities in the painting and the parable. Who am I? What is my relationship with the others in the story as I take on each person’s role: parent, child, sibling, community member? How do I reconcile my actions and how do I reconcile the actions of others whose behaviours and actions impact my life? These are the questions that we all sit with, act on and grow from. These questions can be pondered in our chosen faith tradition without ownership or connection to any faith tradition. 

The story that Jesus tells has an inner message, an invitation to spiritual and moral growth that is as prevalent today as it was over 2000 years ago. The sibling rivalry, the greed, the jealousy, the arrogance, the fear, the judgement, the disrespect to our elders, the entitlement is all present, but it is the trust, homecoming, affirmation and reconciliation at the end of the story that I hope and strive to emulate. This is the message of God, the painting, the parable and my Lenten journey.

Acknowledging that God’s reconciling arms are open and that my growth moment is in accepting this unconditional love, that I am worthy of this love despite my behaviour at times, that my life journey and actions have value, that I am valued and loved is a magnificent moment of awakening and truly reconciles me to my story, my truth and my relationship and spiritual journey with Jesus.

Reflection and reconciliation are not just for Lent, they are for every day. We are all invited to return to God, or to enquire for the first time, however we choose to connect. The invitation is beautifully explored by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 'God has a Dream'. It is for us to return to and trust in God’s dream every day. Lent might be a good time to begin this journey:

"I have a dream God says, please help me to realise it. It is a dream of a world whose ugliness and squalor and poverty, its war and hostility, its greed and harsh competitiveness, its alienation and disharmony are changed into their glorious counterparts, when there will be more laughter, joy, peace and compassion,  caring and sharing. I have a dream that …my children will know that they are all members of one family, the human family, God’s family, My family.”  [Desmond Tutu, 'God has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time'; (New York: Doubleday, 2004; 19, 20)]

Spiritual growth for us, whether we are in the first or second half of our life, whether we are the privileged, the indulged or the marginalised is to know everyone is loved by God and we are to love one another as God loves us in thought, word, and deed.

St Andrew’s Parish Holy Week & Easter 2021 Mass Times  

For the Attention of Parishioners: There will be a change in the Mass Timetable during Holy  Week. Under our Covid 19 safety plan masks are to be worn. 

Please remember that under the current restrictions we are limited to approximately 300  which includes the piazza area. It is a matter of those who arrived first will gain admission. We  would encourage others to watch the live stream ceremonies that are offered. 

WEEKDAY MASSES: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9 AM (live streamed);  No morning Masses for the rest of the week & No Wednesday evening Mass. 

MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Thursday, April 1: 7 PM (live streamed) 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS on Good Friday, April 2, 10 AM 

Good Friday 

CELEBRATION OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD: 3 PM (live streamed) Good Friday Adoration until 7 PM 

EASTER VIGIL, Saturday, April 3: 6 PM only (live streamed) 

EASTER SUNDAY, April 4: Masses at 7 AM, 8:15 AM, 9:30 AM (live streamed) and 10:45 AM. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:  

We do encourage parishioners to make the most of the opportunity to go to confession either  before Easter or after Easter. This year, due to the current situation, things will be slightly  different. 

Thursday, April 1: 9 AM – 10 AM 

Saturday, April 3: 9 AM – 10 AM

College Easter Liturgies:

Thank you to Mr Clarke, Ms Kalifa, Mr Alata, Mr Chiapetta, and students for the way in which you led the College Easter Liturgies. They were respectful and reflective in nature, as well as providing focus for the remaining Easter services. I enjoyed being part of the ‘Washing of the Feet’ on the Senior Campus as part of the ceremony there.

DOING MORE GOING BEYOND-Issabella Narayan:

Issabella Narayan has officially finished her laps for life fundraising. She set a goal of 80km and swam a total of 106.43km throughout the month of March and raised a massive total of $3000 which will go directly to the Reach Out Foundation. We are so very proud of you Issabella.

Year 12 Reports and  Conferences:

Thank you to staff, students and parents for the manner in which you engaged with the new Reports as well as the associated Conferences on Monday evening. 

Jazz Night:

Congratulations to Mr Chiapetta, Mr Alata, Mrs Cooper and Ms Breeze for all the work  that went into the Jazz Night on Tuesday. It was a very enjoyable evening. The pride in self and performance expressed on the students faces, the spirit of cooperation between students and staff, and the support given to each other was especially pleasing. I look forward to further events like this.

Year 11 2022 Information Evening:

Thank you to Mrs Deschamps, Mr Haras, Leaders of Learning and staff for the way the evening was delivered. The students and their parents have a detailed process of discernment and reflection that they will be entering into now regarding their Stage 6 subject selections.

CSDA Debating and Volunteers:

After yet another very successful Public Speaking season we move into Debating starting Term 2. We are hoping to have Debating matches live at school to also engage the many student volunteers we have at the College. There is no other  school I have experienced that have such a willingness to support their school and their peers. It makes me very proud and thankful. Thank you to all students who tried out for teams. We are the most represented school in the Diocese in Debating  and it shows in our performances. I look forward to seeing all teams compete throughout the season ahead.

Sporting Successes:

• Congratulations to our Diving Team who are training very hard on Thursday afternoons as well as Sunday’s at the Olympic Diving Pool Homebush. Mrs Weaver is so dedicated to developing the talents of the many students who are part of the team. I am so grateful. They competed at the Combined Catholic Colleges Competition on Monday 29th March. Congratulations Matilda Adamecki, Ava Alley, Annabella Ayton, Euleila Barret, Holly Brasier, Ava Bylsma, Jett Crook, Alyssa Hallat, Bianca Infante, Lara Kearns, Jade Kember, Charlise Kenny, Marley Koza, Holly McLoughlin, Isabelle Metcalfe, Ava Mulroney, Laura O'Neill, Diana Park, Brooke Robinson, Jessica Waligora. Congratulations  to the following students who received a Bronze Medal in their respective events Ava Alley, Marley Kozak, Lara Kearns and Jett Crook. Marley Koza, Jett Crook and Lara Kearns will be competing at the All Schools Diving Event at the end of May. Mrs Weaver was very proud of the development of each and every competitor with their scores being significantly elevated from previous years. Well done.
• Congratulations to Georgia Green (Year 12) and Isabella Narayan (Year 9) for their efforts in making the Combined Catholic Colleges Swim Team.
• College Cross Country: Well done to all students who participated in the  College Cross Country Trials over the past week. We wish our representatives all the very best in Term 2 at the PDSSSC Cross Country.
• Wishing the  boys in the CCC Touch Football Carnival in Port Stevens the very best.

Year 5 Primary School Visits:

I have finished my Primary School visits in attending St John Vianney’s Doonside and Good Shepherd Plumpton. I really enjoy the opportunity to take ex students back to their primary schools for two reasons. The first is the show how much they have developed as young men and women, and the second is to demonstrate all that is on offer at our great school from a student perspective. I know the Primary Schools are very proud of their ex students.

Enrolment for Year 7 and 11 2022 and 2023 NOW OPEN

If you have a friend or family member looking to enrol for Year 7 and 11 2022 and 2023 (students currently in Year 5 and 6) please contact the Office ASAP for an enrolment pack to avoid disappointment. We still have some places available for Year  7 and 11 2022, and we are open now for enrolments for Year 7 and 11 2023. We do not have many positions left for Year 7 2022 at present so please be quick to enrol.