Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a safe holiday. Welcome back for the 2022 school year. It is a year that promises to be one of hope and expand on the many opportunities we provide at St Andrews College. I am looking forward to catching up with new parents at our Year 7 Meet and Greet Night on Wednesday the 23 February and let them know that their sons and daughters have made a very positive and productive start to the school year. With the expansion of our Accelerated classes this year I am excited to see how enthusiastic the Year 10 students to complete their senior courses. It opens up many opportunities and that is our goal. Have a wonderful year everyone. We had great success in the 2021 Higher School Certificate that I reported on in previous communication, and we expect to build on this in 2022 and beyond.

‘It’s All About Learning’

The Opening College Mass was a great way to officially start the new school year. One of hope, of high expectation, opportunity, and fun. Observing  COVID protocols we were able to also have the new Student Leaders induction that we would have usually had at St Andrews Day the previous year. It was an honour to present the badges of leadership to the student leader group in front of family and friends. I look forward to witnessing many initiatives led by the group throughout the year.

9:00am to view the Opening College Mass and the Commissioning of our College Leaders. 

1:00pm to view the HSC High Achievers 2021 Ceremony

Livestream Link

A New Years Reflection:

A Prayer for the New Year

May God make your year a happy one!

Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,

But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;

Not by making your path easy,

But by making you sturdy to travel any path;

Not by taking hardships from you,

But by taking fear from your heart;

Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,

But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;

Not by making your life always pleasant,

But by showing you when people and their causes need you the most,

And by making you anxious to be there to help.

God’s love, peace, hope, and joy to you for the year ahead!

— St. Thomas à Becket (1118 or 1120—1170)

HSC 2021 High Achievers Assembly:

I commend the HSC students and their achievements. With many students gaining early entry into University we have much to celebrate. We also ranked top in the Diocese in Mathematics Extension 1, Science Extension and History Extension. Our Learning Gain was excellent and far exceeds most schools. Our results in 2021 form a very solid platform for 2022 and beyond. I would like to commend:

• Trisha Pathak for placing First in the State in Information and Digital Technology. 
• The outstanding Mathematics Extension 1, History Extension and Science Extension results that exceeded all other schools in the Diocese.
• The History Extension results where all students received a Band 6.
• 54 Band 6/E4 results
• Merit List in 29 different subjects
• ENCORE (Music), Onstage (Drama), Art Express (Visual Arts), InTech (Industrial Technology) and Shape 2021 (Design and Technology/Industrial Technology) Nominations for Major Works.

The Assembly was live streamed due to COVID restrictions (please view the link above) and has been placed on the College Website and on Youtube. While I am proud of the hard work put into the results I am even more proud of the young men and women our graduating students are. They are well placed to make significant contributions to our society.

New Teaching Staff 2021:

Due to the College increasing in student numbers so rapidly we have had to employ a number of new staff. I am pleased to introduce you to a group of wonderful teachers. They are an amazing group of professionals who will tirelessly work to continue the growth of the College as well as your sons and daughters.

Combined Catholic Colleges Recognition:

Congratulations to Bianca Infante (Year 11) who received a Combined Catholic Colleges sporting Blue Award for her success in Volleyball.

Congratulations also goes to Mrs Anita Weaver who also received a Blue Award for her contributions to NSW Diving.

Year 7 2021 Allwell Testing:

Students who were not present for the Orientation Day will be participating in a catch up opportunity. We are currently assessing the results of the tests that occurred on the Orientation Day and these will be shared with parents. The results will be used to add to the data we already have from student applications to inform teachers of areas of student strength as well as areas to focus on for growth. Parents will then receive the results for discussion with their child.

Enrolment for Year 7 and 11 2023 NOW OPEN

If you have a friend or family member looking to enrol for Year 7 or 11 2023 (students currently in Year 6 and Year 10) please contact the Office ASAP for an Enrolment Pack to avoid disappointment. Please be quick to enrol to avoid disappointment as we had over 100 students we had to place on a waiting list for Year 7 2022.