Newsletter 9 2021

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

As we move into the Long Weekend, I would like to affirm the student community on how they have conducted themselves in their learning. There are greater numbers of students attending our study afternoons, more students seeking feedback to improve their performance, and more students focusing on routines that generate success. At St Andrew's College, we believe there is a link between learning and wellbeing. If you are functioning well then you set yourself up to learn well. Keep up the focus. It makes me very proud.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Reflection on the Ascension:

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
John 19:33–34

John’s Gospel is filled with deep spiritual imagery and symbolism. It is clear that this imagery and symbolism was divinely inspired so as to give us spiritual food for reflection and meditation. One such image is given to us today as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As Jesus and the two criminals on either side of Him hung upon their crosses, the soldiers came to hasten their deaths by breaking their legs to cause them to suffocate more quickly. But when they came to Jesus, He had already died. So one of the soldiers, traditionally known as Longinus, thrust his spear into Jesus’ side, and blood and water flowed forth. Some traditions identify Longinus with the centurion who cried out after Jesus’ death, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” (See Matthew 27:54.) Other traditions state that he converted at that moment, making him the first convert to Christianity. Still, other traditions state that Longinus could not see well, and the blood and water from Jesus’ side poured upon his eyes, healing him. Regardless of whether these traditions are true, we know that Jesus’ side was pierced and blood and water flowed forth.

The symbolism of this act was more than a mere human symbol. It was an instrument of the profound spiritual reality that was taking place at that moment. As Jesus’ Sacred Heart was pierced, the blood and water that poured forth was the new sacramental life of the Church. The Blood was the Most Holy Eucharist and the Water was the gift of Baptism. When Jesus had previously “breathed His last” and “handed over His Spirit,” the Sacrament of Confirmation was bestowed.

When we celebrate those Sacraments today, it is easy to see them as mere symbols of what we partake in. But in our Christian Tradition, the Sacraments are so much more. The symbol is also the reality. It is the instrument of what it symbolizes. Therefore, every time we witness a Baptism or partake in the Holy Eucharist, we are mystically present with Longinus, receiving the grace and mercy of our redemption, pouring forth from Jesus’ wounded side, so as to heal us and make us whole.

The human heart is, physically speaking, a bodily organ responsible for pumping blood throughout. But from a spiritual perspective, given that we are both body and soul, the human heart is also the source of our life. Without it, we physically and spiritually die. So it is with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was not only a physical heart that was physically pierced by the lance long ago. It is now also the source of our ongoing spiritual life, and, without Jesus’ Sacred Heart of Mercy, we will die in our sins.

Reflect, today, upon the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. See His Heart as the ongoing source of your new life in grace. Understand that His Heart is more than a symbol of His grace and mercy. It is the spiritual source and the font of that mercy. Prayerfully place yourself before His Cross, this day, and allow the blood and water, flowing from His wounded side, to cover you so that you, too, may believe.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, You poured out upon the world the love and mercy of Your transforming grace through the instrument of the blood and water pouring forth from Your wounded side. Help me to gaze upon this font of mercy and to be covered with it through the gift of the Sacraments. May I always be open to all that You wish to bestow upon me by these precious and transforming instruments of Your love. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Jesus, I trust in You.

Athletics Carnival:

What a great day we had for the Athletics Carnival. We were fortunate with the weather and were given a picture-perfect day. It started with some great War Cries and Chants and finished with suspenseful relays. Congratulations to all involved in the day. Mr Dunaeff and his team had the day well organised, and the Student Leaders led the way. Well done.

Congratulations Wasim:

Below is a brief overview of the experience Wasim had participating in the United Nations Young Diplomats Tour he recently attended.

The Young Diplomats Tour, which usually takes place in Europe, however, conducted via Zoom due to the Pandemic, covered crucial topics involving diplomacy and the international community, where Wasim and 24 other young Australians used their diplomatic skills to reach diplomatic solutions. Throughout the three-weekend event, they met and discussed with a range of academics, politicians, and public service workers around the globe. 

Dr Robert Aldrich, a former lecturer at the University of Sydney, provided the delegates with an extensive presentation that explored the effects of colonialism, the history and historiography of European colonialism, contemporary debates, the restitution of objects taken from the colonies and the impact of movements such as ‘BLM’. We had extensive discussions on state sovereignty, democracy, fascism, dictatorial rule, constitutional monarchies, absolute power, and other significant elements to Europe and its governments during the 20th century. 

In addition, they conducted in-depth research on the former nation, Yugoslavia. Dr Zala Volcic, a professor from Monash University, presented the delegates with her research on Yugoslavia, covering topics consisting of its history and the influences that shaped its downfall. Surrounding this, an intense Interactive Problem Solving activity, which is similar to a debate, took place where we diplomatically made decisions as if we were leaders of Eastern European countries following civil unrest during the late 1980’s. My team debated on behalf of Croatia in which we diplomatically created bilateral relationships with some of Croatia’s neighbouring nations. 

They met with the Deputy Ambassador of the European Union to Australia, Dr Fabio Spadi who discussed the European Union’s importance, history, and EU-Australia trade relations. This consisted of a question and answer where they questioned the impact of British Exit (Brexit) had on the EU and how relations are advancing between them as well as how it’s impacting Australia. Marcin Jerzewski, from Taiwan NextGen Foundation, where he directs the New Southbound Policy program and as a former worker at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, discussed the concept of normative power, Europe's normative power effectiveness in the Indo Pacific and Imperial power in Europe. They also met with Dr Jay Song who worked in think tanks as a Director of Migration and Border Policy at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Global Ethics Fellow of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs in New York and a Fellow of Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs in London), a consultant for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva and as a Human Rights Officer at the National Human Rights Commission of South Korea with other academic positions at National Singapore University, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Dr Jay Song presented the delegates with her extensive experience in working at think tanks and as a Senior in the United Nations, and discussed Australia’s border policies. They were fortunate to ask her ample questions and discussed the relevance of the United Nations today and the issues and effectiveness surrounding Australia’s border policy. 

As well as this Wasim researched the impacts of the ‘pink recession’ where women were disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic and debated Germany’s refugee crisis. The delegates represented European countries and created resolutions to propose to the World Bank (hypothetically) to combat the outcomes of the pink recession. Wasim also conducted a Russian Research Activity where we debated on behalf of a ‘Pro-Putin’ and ‘Pro-Navalny’ perspective. To conclude the event, Wasim acted as the French President and responded to an attack by China on French Ports which ultimately impacted France’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative.

This is just a fragment of Wasim’s experience in participating in the Young Diplomats Tour. I hope that St Andrews students take an interest to apply for this program next year with the prospect of travelling to Europe. Overall, the entire experience has been a rewarding one for Wasim, and has contributed to his understanding of the international community and Australia’s strong diplomatic relations with Europe. 

Wasim will be attending the United Nations National Conference from the 4th to the 6th of July at the University of Technology Sydney. 

Congratulations Wasim on your initiative to be involved in such a wonderful opportunity.

Debating Successes:

Congratulations to all teams for their performances in the CSDA Debating Competition. We have three teams progressing through to the Finals starting next week (Year 10A’s, Year 11A’s and the year 11B’s). I have really enjoyed watching all students debate and seeing the excitement in their eyes when they are successful. It makes me so proud to see the number of students who also help at Debating or come to support their friends. We have a unique culture in relation to our Debating and Public Speaking with many schools struggling to get any teams and assistants. Thank you to Mrs Pett and the teaching staff as well as ex-students who come back to adjudicate and support. All the best to our teams in the Finals.

Best wishes to the Open Boys Basketball Team who are participating in the Combined Catholic Colleges State championships next week:

Elijah Barret, Tohan Fadlalla, Patrick Felipe, Erren Fernandez, Andrei Figueroa, James Joseph Guidotti, Deng Joseph, Luga Lukudu, Marvin Mateo, Khrystian Sangil, Miguel Tuazon, Brosnan Wells, Maker Magol Maker and thank you to the assistants Luziel Cordoba & Charisse De Mesa. Thank you Mr Alata for taking the team.

PDSSSC Soccer Gala Day:

Congratulations to the following students for taking part in the PDSSSC 7-10 Boys and 7-9 Girls Football Gala Day: 

7-10 Boys team : Amponsah Antwi, Antoni Arshilo, Noah Bassili, Nicholas Boustani, Hakim Marial, Reece Crescenzio, Luka Dinjar, Haroun Fadlalla, Adrian Jakubowski, Luis Lemiri, Jonathan Longy, Joel Longy, John Lukudu, Daniel Martignago, Hayden Saunders, Savior Yosia Edward.

7-9 Girls team : Elyssa Bassili, Chloe Bax, Alexis Bigeni, Joye-Mari Boursianis, Ellie Galaxidis, Talena Hourani, Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, Lorraine Layug, Elana Lekov, Achuil Makog, Alexandra Marasigan, Abbey Rafidi, Layla Sanchez, Zoe Thompson, Amelia Williams.

Students mentored as part of a referee program : 

Oliver Bres, Lachlan Rafidi.

Building Works happening during the School Holiday Period:

During the Term 2 School Holidays and after we will be completing the renovation of the College Hall on the Senior Campus by putting in wall panelling on both sides, adding more Apple TV’s and flexibility to the spaces, as well as upgrading the Creative and Performing Arts side of the Hall to allow for larger Music, Drama, Dance, Photography, and Art displays and performances.

We will also be totally gutting the Art classrooms on the Senior Campus to allow for both a theory and practical space in the same room. This should be concluded in early Term 3.

The Hall Flooring on the Junior Campus is due to be completed by the start of the School Holiday period. This will give us a totally air-conditioned learning facility that will accommodate large gatherings and multiple sporting fixtures.

Enrolment for Year 7 and 11 2023 

NOW OPEN