Newsletter 13 2021

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Thank you for all the effort that is taking place from teachers, students, parents and support staff to ensure our students have the best education in these trying times. I am blessed to be part of a community that does more and goes beyond as our College motto states. We have a number of student and staff lead initiatives to engage the student body in their learning whilst maintaining a positive state of mind. As we will be in this situation of online learning for a foreseeable future please keep your overall learning and wellbeing in mind at all times. We continue to look for ways to focus our student learners and brighten their day. Further suggestions are always welcome. We are meeting with the SRC to further develop what we are already doing so please communicate with them or your Leader of Wellbeing if you have ideas.

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

‘It’s All About Learning’

Feast of the Assumption Reflection:

The Feast of the Assumption is one that many struggle with, believers and non-believers alike. It is a belief that does not have a direct line in the Bible that we can refer to, but there are a number of references, studies, and in particular unlike any other Saint, we have no relic, place of burial, or stories about Mary’s place of burial to prove her place of Committal. St Epiphanius, a 4th Century bishop, was the first to officially research the death of Mary and what Catholics believe to be her “recall” to heaven, her Assumption.

On 1 November 1950, Pope Pius XII solemnly defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven, telling the people: “Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” But what is the message of the Feast of The Assumption for us today?

Interestingly the Gospel for this Feast is the Visitation, the gathering of two pregnant women, sharing the joys and probably the fears of both of their predicaments – one an elderly woman the other a young unmarried woman, both blessed and chosen to nurture, and give birth to babies who would change lives forever. There were dangers for both women. How did they cope with the new directions both of their lives were taking? The word blessed, used four times in the Gospel passage gives us a clue to the importance of the ‘Yes” of Mary to being the Mother of God. During this period of time, Mary is sure to have wrestled with the direction her life was taking, but with her faith in God and the support of her cousin, she began her blessed journey of trust. By leaning into God and accepting support, we too are offered a window to view the gift of God, present to all of life’s challenges.

Today we know that the waiting time for a pregnant mother is filled with preparing, accepting her body transformation and the coined phrase “blessed to be expecting” is often the response to each announcement. Our new parents have gender reveals, and naming parties, nursery rooms to decorate, baby clothes and equipment to purchase, so much to fill the time in waiting. There are also expectant women and parents struggling with babies and pregnancies that may not have been planned, that were conceived through violent attacks and abuses, or that have received a diagnosis of in utero complications. Expectant mothers and parents may open their hearts to the struggle, the questioning, the self-doubt feelings and emotions encountered by leaning into another, because to lean into God takes time. In opening our hearts to God we agree to wait. During this waiting, we may struggle or suffer, and we may feel abandoned by God. Our requests for an easy pregnancy, a healthy baby, a blessed life for our child or the strength to make the right choices may not be answered quite the way we think it should. It is in this sacred space that Mary points us towards God. Mary believed in God’s plan for her life, His presence in her life and His attention to the deepest desires of her heart.

In life, our pleas for help with healing or choices, desires or struggles sometimes do not quite work out the way we think they should. However, if we follow in the footsteps of Mary and bring our hearts to God, our struggles, our suffering, our hopes, our desires or our health, we will find a father who always fulfills His promises, who sees us, knows us, and loves us. As any parent knows – we do not always get what we ask for, but we believe the choices we make for our children are the ones that will be the best for them, so too with our loving Father and God.

Wherever you find yourself this week, I invite you to sit with the promise that God hears your heart, He hears your cries, He is not afraid of what is within. Bring your hearts to God. Bring your wrestling to Him. Lean into Him, allow Him to speak blessings over you to fulfil what he's promised, to answer the deepest desires of our hearts. Trust in God, you are blessed.

Message from Cate Campbell to Year 11 before their final Assessment Tasks:

Thank you to Ms Pett for organising Cate Cambell to send a message of support and inspiration to our Year 11 students. It comes at a great time.

Steve Solomon (Tokyo Olympics 400m Semi-Finalist) Discussion:

It was a pleasure to hear Steve Solomon discuss with Year 9 his story. Thank you to Mr Clarke for organising this opportunity for students in Year 9 and thank you for the wonderful questions that Year 9 students asked.

Year 12 Final Assessment Tasks:

All the best to Year 12 who will be starting their final assessments on Monday. The outcome of these assessments will determine their final ranks in each subject. I have been hearing from teachers how much work they are putting in and we are looking forward to seeing excellent results. 

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 recommenced:

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 and ready for when students return.

The Art classrooms on the Senior Campus has recommenced.

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