Newsletter 7 2021

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

It’s been a wonderful two weeks since the last Newsletter with many learning activities happening at the College both inside and outside of the classroom. Thank you to staff, students, and parents for facilitating these opportunities and initiatives. The fact that there is so much happening outside as well as inside the classroom is a very positive sign for the College. 

In speaking with many students regarding their mothers, they were so proud of the effort they put in to say thank you for all that they do for them. I am privileged to still have my mother and father alive to thank for all they have done and continue to do for myself and my family. The topic of my reflection therefore focuses on mothers and mothering

‘It’s All About Learning’

Reflection for Mothers and Mothering:

Agape or Apathetic

Mother’s Day and Mothering Sunday, two similar celebrations from two very different origins, conjure different and deep emotions for women, children and men. Mother’s Day, captures the rawest emotions from the joyful, self-giving experience of mothering a child at one end, to the emotionally crippling experience that Mother’s Day can create, when your dear mother has died, or tragically when your experience is one of the loss of never feeling the love of your mother; not due to death, but to addictions, mental illness, abandonment, or incarceration. This experience often makes it impossible to join in with the epitome of motherhood, as the loving perfection we see advertised.

Press Pause for a moment and consider the deepest emotional feeling about motherhood and the relationship you have to the person who gave you life. How do you validate the experiences and unite the worlds of those who celebrate joyfully, and those who grieve in the shadows; those who continue to suffer from their past traumas and feel emotions of anger, rage, fear and loss; remembering the mother whose child has died and the woman longing for a child.

Where is God in all of this? For many, the experience of the bottomless cup of unlimited love that mothers offer is surpassed only by God’s love. Meeting us in our grief and loss, Jesus’ promise to be our comforter is revealed. In Matthew 5:4 Jesus said “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” In the isolation we may be feeling at this time, Jesus has shown us throughout this Lent and Eastertide that grieving with others in safe places helps. Jesus was there for the sisters of Lazarus (John 11:11-36), and before he took his last breath on the Cross, he made sure His mother would not be alone, (John 19:26-27). Jesus’ many appearances to His disciples brought great comfort, compassion and spaces to be together with Him.

If you feel the unconditional agapé love as a mother or from your mother, or if you are feeling the apathetic, disconnected experience about motherhood, acknowledge how you are feeling. It's alright to cry and it is acceptable to be jealous of people planning zoom calls, booking meals out, buying gifts and cards, knowing that you might not receive or enjoy the personal face to face celebration. It is healthy to allow your emotions to exist on this day, whatever they may be. COVID restrictions have caused many ‘mother-less’ moments due to travel and visiting restrictions, deaths overseas and again on this Mother’s Day weekend here in NSW, restrictions are in place.

So, is it Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day? The origins of Mothering Sunday began as a religious event of the 16th Century. Mothering, referred to the main church or cathedral of the region. On the fourth Sunday of Lent, people would return to their mother church for a special service. Traditionally, it was a day when children, mainly daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother and family. Inevitably, the return to the 'mother' church became an occasion for family reunions.

President Woodrow Wilson instituted Mother’s day on May 9th, 1914 and proclaimed the second Sunday in May as the day for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” It was Anna M.Jarvis (1864-1948), at a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908 who first suggested the national observance of an annual day honouring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly.

For all Mother’s, and significant women everywhere:

God our Creator, we pray:

for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;

for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;

for those who are tired, stressed or depressed;

for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;

for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;

for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;

for those who have children they do not want;

for those who raise children on their own;

for those who have lost a child;

for those who care for the children of others;

for those whose children have left home;

and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.

Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,

and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,

living not for themselves alone,

but for God and for others.

Amen.

Laudato Si Week:

As we move into Laudato Si week we focus on the environment and our obligation to live sustainable lives. It is an opportunity to reflect on how we live and what we can do better. We will be engaging in activities throughout the College that enable both students and staff to engage with this topic.

Congratulations to Wasim Rahman:

Wasim has been selected as one of 25 young Australians around the nation to be a diplomat for the country. This is an opportunity where he will be able to learn about modern democracy and the evolution of diplomacy. He will also be able to meet UN representatives, European politicians, diplomats, embassy officials, leading thinkers, NGO’s personnel, and grassroots organisations. Congratulations Wasim. We look forward to hearing about this significant leadership opportunity.

Congratulations Issabella Narayan Year 9:

Issabella has just been notified that she is a finalist for “Junior Sportsperson of the Year “ for her contributions in swimming in the year 2020/21. (Blacktown City Sports Awards)

Winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner on the 18th June. 

Great work Lily Kwiecien Year 8:

I received this communication from the CEO of Kids Giving Back regarding Lily’s contribution in helping others.

“I write to acknowledge the wonderful young person in your school community who has undertaken volunteer work with us during the last quarter including the recent school holidays.

Lily Kwiecien 

This student is just one of over 300 young people that have worked with us over the last quarter and produced over 3800 meals for vulnerable people.

Kids Giving Back is a charity whose mission is to create the next Generation of Generosity.

Our programs are delivered for children 6-18 years old and their families and offer opportunities to assist vulnerable people in the community.  We also run programs for schools and our service learning programs are currently offered to over 60 schools in NSW.  If you would like to know more about the programs we offer please feel free to email us at info@kidsgivingback.org.”

Year 7 2022 Interviews:

Thank you to all the College Leadership Team, Middle Leaders, and Mrs Kalogjera for the organisation and execution of the first round of interviews. We are looking to move to 8 streams in Year 7 next year yet despite that we have a growing waiting list. We will be completing the last round of interviews for Year 7 and 11 2022 on Wednesday 26 May.

Sporting Successes:

• Following a physically demanding selection trial Kiah Mau'u and Sione Tafea have been selected in the NSWCCC Rugby Union Team. I am sure you will join me in congratulating both students and wish them well in their upcoming competition.
• Five of our six Volleyball and Basketball Teams played in the PDSSSC Grand Final yesterday. They played with heart, pride, and fairly. We are all very proud of their effort throughout the season. We were the most represented school in the Diocese. In the end we won the Intermediate Boys Basketball v Bede Polding. Well done everyone.

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Enrolment for Year 7 and 11 2023 

NOW OPEN