From the Principal

Newsletter 6 2022

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Welcome back to the College for Term 2. I trust you had a happy and holy Easter. We are all looking forward to a very productive Term. I spoke to our Junior Campus today at Assembly about sticking with it, not giving up, not blaming others when you are not travelling well, and working as a team, and related it to the Junior Basketball Team and their success on the buzzer in their Grand Final last week. Those in the crowd watching were riveted to their seats in this seesawing match that saw our boys surrender a solid lead only to claw it back and then sink a basket on the buzzer to break the deadlock. What a game. These type of situations can go either way. We dug deep and showed belief in ourselves. We didn’t give up and kept fighting. Well done.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Gospel Reflection: John 10-27-30

Jesus describes his care for his sheep.

The fourth Sunday of Easter is also called Good Shepherd Sunday. In each of the three lectionary cycles, the Gospel is taken from the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John. This chapter of John's Gospel follows Jesus' healing of the man born blind and the rejection of this miracle by Jewish leaders who question Jesus' authority to heal. Jesus responds to this challenge to his authority by calling himself the Good Shepherd. He is criticising the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders. Already, the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders are so angered that they attempt to stone and arrest Jesus (see John 10:31 and 10:39). This controversy with the religious leaders continues until Jesus' death.

Set in a moment of tension and conflict in John's Gospel, today's Gospel reading is Jesus' answer to the question, “Are you the Messiah?” Jesus responds by saying, in essence, “If you have to ask, then you are not one of my sheep.” Then Jesus asserts his unity with the Father. At the conclusion of these words, John reports that the Jews intend to stone Jesus for blasphemy, but he escapes arrest.

We may be less familiar with the metaphors of sheep and shepherd than those to whom Jesus spoke. The image of Jesus as a Good Shepherd and the community of followers as his sheep has endured over the centuries as a primary image in our faith tradition. Its power to describe the relationship between Jesus and his followers transcends direct experience with sheep. The image speaks to us about the protection, security, and care that shepherds represent for their sheep.

Today's Gospel speaks powerfully about the familiarity and intimacy between Jesus and his disciples, expressed as recognizing and knowing another's voice. Today's Gospel also speaks to the relationship between Jesus and the Father. In the Gospel of John, Jesus identifies so closely with the Father that he tells us that they are one—not just close, but actually one. To know Jesus is to know the Father. Jesus doesn't just bring us closer to the Father, Jesus puts us directly into contact with God the Father, removing all distance between us. Our relationship with Jesus is an invitation to share in the life of God.

Mothers Day Breakfast and Mass:

Thank you to all the mothers and carers who came to our Mothers Day Breakfast and Mass yesterday. It was wonderful to see the mutual love shared between mothers/carers and their children. We look forward to sharing the same experience with our fathers/carers in September.

CSDA Debating starting Week 2 Term 2:

The Debating season is starting tonight. 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. The number of helpers that have put their hand up to assist in any way possible is again a testament to our school spirit. Best wishes to all involved.

Congratulations:

Some of our Year 12 Hospitality students have been on Work Placement last Term and performed in an exemplary way leading to offers of employment. The following students have been offered a casual job from their work placement. 

- Rhys Kelly - Gloria Jeans, Woodcroft

- Jake Parkes - Ossos, Rouse Hill

- Alexis Kalemusic - The Coffee Club, Blacktown 

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.

Toilet Renovations Senior Campus:

They are started today with both toilet blocks due for completion before the Higher School Certificate commences.

Enrolment for Year 11 2023 NOW OPEN

Year 7 2023 already has a significant waiting list

Enrolment for Year 7 and 11 2023 NOW OPEN

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal