From the Principal
Newsletter 5 2022
Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,
We have concluded Term 1 and have many achievements to be thankful for. Congratulations to all staff, students and parents on the way we have adapted to the challenges the return to school has presented. Thank you for the way you have responded to the safety concerns of all. Thank you for the way you have responded as a community to the people affected by flooding. Thank you for the way you have applied yourselves to your studies, and thank you for the way you have presented our school to the prospective Year 7 2023 parents and students. Enjoy the Easter break. We look forward to seeing you post holidays. Stay safe and well.
‘It’s All About Learning’
Gospel Reflection Palm Sunday:
The priests and deacons wear red vestments for Mass. There is a special entrance at the beginning of each Mass, either simple or solemn. This includes a blessing of the palms and the gospel reading of the entrance into Jerusalem (Matt 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; John 12:12-16; Luke 19:28-40). The introduction by the priest explains the solemnity of Holy Week, and invites the faithful to take full part in the celebration:
For five weeks of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self-sacrifice, for the celebration of our Lord's paschal mystery. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world. Christ entered in triumph into his own city, to complete his work as our Messiah: to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us remember with devotion this entry which began his saving work and follow him with a lively faith. United with him in his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life.
The palms are blessed with the following prayer:
Almighty God, we pray you bless these branches and make them holy. Today we joyfully acclaim Jesus our Messiah and King. May we reach one day the happiness of the new and everlasting Jerusalem by faithfully following him who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
As the faithful, we remember and dramatise Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey. In Jesus' time, a huge crowd assembled, put their cloaks or branches on the ground, and waved palm branches, acclaiming Christ as the King of Israel, the Son of David. We now wave our palm branches and sing as the priest enters the church:
Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
These words of praise are echoed every day at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Sanctus (Holy, Holy).
Our joy is quickly subdued. We are jolted to reality and see the purpose of Christ coming to Jerusalem by the reading of the Passion at the Gospel. (Written by Jennifer Gregory Miller)
Things to Do:
- The palms distributed at Mass are blessed, so are sacramentals. Read Blessed Palms in the Home.
- Read Pope Francis' Homily for Palm Sunday 2014. Also read the History of Palm Sunday by Fr. Francis X. Weiser
- In some places the 6th Sunday of Lent is known as "Fig Sunday" due to the tradition that Christ ate figs after his entry into Jerusalem. Adding some type of figs to your meal would be a nice touch.
- In the previous liturgical calendar (1962) the Fifth Sunday of Lent was Passion Sunday, known as "Carling Sunday" after carling peas in some parts of England and Scotland. In the Ordinary Form the Sixth Sunday of Lent is a combination of Palm and Passion Sunday. Peas porridge would also be an appropriate dish for today. See recipes for suggestions and the history behind this tradition.
- Read the short passages from Directory on Popular Piety concerning Holy Week and Palm Sunday.
Stations of the Cross:
Thank you to Mr Clarke, Mr Hoare, Mr Ison, Mr Lewandowski and the student group who played a part in the Stations of the Cross liturgies on both Campuses. It reminds us of what Easter is really about. The Senior Campus presented a dramatic recreation of the Stations of the Cross as well as The Washing of the Feet while the Junior Campus required small groups of students to revisit the Stations while walking around the Campus. Both were student-led.
Another HSC Accolade:
The College has just been notified that 2021 Year 12 HSC Industrial Technology student Angelo Marasigan’s Major Project has been included in the iTE/NESA InTech Exhibition.
In 2022, the InTech exhibition will be at the Sydney Timber, Tools & Artisans Show held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. The exhibition will take place on Friday 10th June to Sunday 12th June, from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily.
In 2019, the last time this exhibition was able to run, over 2500 students and their teachers from across NSW visited the InTech exhibition at the Sydney Timber, Tools & Artisan Show. Congratulations Angelo.
‘Hot Potato’ Success:
Congratulations to Wasim Farah for successfully chairing our first ‘Hot Potato’ Forum with Fr Kevin Redmond our guest. The way Wasim skillfully navigated the topics raised speaks highly of his leadership skills. Thank you to Mr Clarke for organising the Forum and for all the staff and students who gave of their time to participate. We look forward to many more opportunities like this in the future.
International Women's Breakfast:
Congratulations to Hayley O’Connor for successfully chairing our first International Women’s Breakfast last week. Thank you to our Year 12 leaders who presented testimonials relating to their own lives and the challenges facing women while offering solutions and a positive way forward as we work towards ‘Breaking the Bias’. Thank you to our parents who attended as well as staff who facilitated the breakfast. Our Year 12 Hospitality students were outstanding in their preparation of food and Mrs Carlos, Ms Serbin and Mr Robson were there to support.
Jazz and Performance Night Success:
What a wonderful evening of presentation and performance. I have watched the recording numerous times since and I am impressed by not only the standard of performance but also in the presentation of our performances and the cooperation of the students in working with each other. It was great to be able to be back together again with live performances.
Congratulations Ben:
Congratulations to Ben Afu who was successful in his audition for the Australian Army Band and is now working part time as the 1st Trumpeter based in Sydney (Victoria Barracks). He is the youngest in the Band. What a great achievement. We are very proud of you Ben.
National Athletics Championships Success:
Congratulations to Dominic and Julio Atupu and Esther Peter who competed at the national Athletics Championships recently. Julio finished second in the country in the Hammer Throw and seventeenth in the Discus while Dominic finished fourth in the Shot Put, sixth in the Hammer Throw and fourteenth in the Discus.
Esther Peter came sixth in her heat of the 400 metres and while disappointed in her result Esther will certainly gain valuable experience from the opportunity. Well done.
NSW Diving Championships:
Congratulations to the following students who represented the College at the NSW CCC Diving Championships Wednesday.
Yr 7
Emily Ridout (injured but attending comp)
Chelise Fernandez
Ruby Scicluna
Xavier Borg
Yr 8
Amelia Manks
Jessica Waligora
Gabriel Narayan
Amelia Korczowski (student official)
Yr 9
Lara Kearns
Matilda Ademecki (injured but attending comp)
Ava Bylsma (manager)
Yr 10
Holly McLoughlin
Brooke Robinson
Marley Kozak
Ava Mulroney
Yr 11
Jade Kember
I would also like to thank Mrs Borg for taking on the role of NSW CCC Diving Manager and Mrs Weaver for all the work she has done to prepare our team. She goes above and beyond.
We had a great day CCC diving with all our divers doing a great job. Please find below a list of our medal winners who will be progressing to All Schools in June.
16 yr girls springboard
Marley Kozak 2nd
Holly McLoughlin 3rd
14 yr boys springboard
Gabriel Narayan 2nd
13 yr girls springboard
Ruby Scicluna 2nd
12 yr girls springboard
Chelise Fernandez 1st
12 yr boys springboard
Xavier Borg 1st
CSDA Debating starting Week 2 Term 2:
The Debating season is starting in Week 2 of Term 2. We are looking forward to seeing a continuation of our great tradition at the College. We are the most represented school in the Diocese in both Public Speaking and Debating and we are proud of that.
Enrolment for Year 7 and 11 2023 NOW OPEN
Fidem in Christo
Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal