Newsletter 12 2021

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Thank you for all the emails of thanks to the staff for the time they are taking to prepare learning tasks for our student body. I have seen examples of students checking on the wellbeing of our teachers as well, which is wonderful to see. Normally it is the other way around. Thank you to the parents and students who have also reached out for extra assistance. We have numerous procedures in place to give extra support to our students and families. Whether it be for internet or technology challenges, learning related issues, understanding of learning requirements, not enough work, or mental health and routine support, we have teachers, teacher aides and counsellors in place to support. Do not hesitate to reach out if this is the case.

I have spoken to students via my Principal’s Address over the past two weeks regarding our personal happiness. I referred to research that states:

• 50% of our happiness disposition is determined by genetics;
• 10% is determined by life circumstances;
• And 40% is determined by our own approach to life.

In these trying times it is important to understand just how much influence we have on our own happiness.

Please stay safe and well. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Gospel Reflection:

Luke 9:28–36

Jesus is transfigured on the mountain in the presence of Peter, James, and John.

Background on the Gospel Reading

On August 6, our liturgy invites us to celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Our Gospel for this liturgy in Cycle C is the same as the Gospel proclaimed on the second Sunday of Lent. Recall that on the second Sunday of Lent in each Lectionary cycle the Gospel reading proclaims the story of Jesus' Transfiguration, each time from a different Gospel. This feast calls to our attention the importance of this event in Jesus' life, further affirmed by its report in each of the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

In Cycle C, our Gospel for this day is taken from the Gospel of Luke. The context for Luke's Transfiguration story is similar to that found in both Matthew's and Mark's Gospel. The Transfiguration occurs after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus' prediction about his passion. In each of these Gospels, a discussion of the cost of discipleship follows the Transfiguration.

In each Gospel, Jesus takes three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John—to a high mountain. While they are there, Elijah and Moses appear with Jesus. In Matthew's and Mark's Gospel, there is reference to a conversation among Jesus, Elijah, and Moses, but only Luke's Gospel includes the detail that this conversation is about what Jesus will accomplish in Jerusalem.

Elijah and Moses are both significant figures in the history of Israel. Moses led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and received from Yahweh the Ten Commandments. Appearing with Jesus at his Transfiguration, Moses represents the Law, which guides the lives of the Jewish people. Elijah is remembered as one of the most important prophets of Israel who helped the Israelites stay faithful to Yahweh. Some believe that Elijah's return would signal the coming of the Messiah for the Jewish people. This belief is evidenced in the question posed by Jesus' disciples after they have witnessed the Transfiguration. The appearance of these two important figures from Israel's history indicates Jesus' continuity with the Law and the prophets. They also reveal that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that was promised to the people of Israel.

Upon seeing Jesus with Elijah and Moses and having witnessed his Transfiguration, Peter offered to construct three tents for them. Luke's Gospel reports that Peter's offer was made in confusion. As if in reply to Peter's confusion, a voice from heaven spoke, affirming Jesus as God's Son and commanding the disciples to obey him. This voice from heaven recalls the voice that was heard at Jesus' baptism.

In his Transfiguration, we see an anticipation of the glory of Jesus' Resurrection. In each of the reports of the Transfiguration, Jesus instructed the disciples to keep secret what they had seen until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. The disciples' confusion continued as they wondered what Jesus meant by “rising from the dead.” Until they also witness his passion and death, the disciples cannot possibly understand Jesus' Transfiguration. We, however, have the benefit of hindsight. In our hearing of it, we see in this event an anticipation of Jesus' Resurrection, a foreshadowing of Christ's glory in heaven, and the promise of our own resurrection.

Year 12 Final Assessment Tasks:

The Year 12 Trial HSC as a final assessment task will be completed online in most cases this year due to the COVID risk of transmission if students were to be present at school in large numbers. Year 12 have been given a new Assessment Schedule and protocols. They will be conducted across Weeks 7 and 8 of this Term.

Year 11 Final Assessment Block:

The Year 11 final assessment task will be completed online in most cases this year due to the COVID risk of transmission if students were to be present at school in large numbers. Year 11 will be given a new Assessment Schedule and protocols. They will be conducted across Weeks 8 and 9 of this Term.

Building Works on hold until Lockdown for builders concludes:

Unfortunately all building works have been put on hold due to the lockdown orders in Sydney. As a result the College Hall on the Senior Campus wall panelling and the addition of more Apple TV’s,  the Creative and Performing Arts side of the Hall to allow for larger Music, Drama, Dance, Photography, and Art displays and performances will be completed ASAP after the lockdown is lifted.

The Art classrooms on the Senior Campus will recommence immediately once the lockdown is lifted.

The Hall Flooring on the Junior Campus is completed but the line marking still needs to be completed once the lockdown is lifted..

Enrolment for Year 7 and 11 2023 

NOW OPEN