From the Principal

Newsletter 11 2022

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

Welcome back to Term 3 in what is already shaping as one that offers many opportunities. We have hit the ground running with Information Evenings, Subject Selections, Debating Finals, Catechist visits to our Public Primary Schools, Spirituality Days, Trial HSC Examinations, Reading and Writing Challenges, Excursions, Dance and Sporting Competitions. I am excited by the numbers of students that are putting their hand up to be involved in all that we offer. I enjoy congratulating the student body on their achievements as well as thanking staff and parents for their support. Keep o=up the enthusiasm and hard work. Results will always come to those who work hard.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Gospel Reflection:

In this Sunday’s readings, we are challenged to grasp our worth before God. God doesn’t count our possessions but looks at us with eyes of affection that’s worth quite more than anything we possess.  Human vanity may make us feel that possessing things makes us more valuable. These items we own are only temporary and must be put in perspective. God values us even after we don’t have anything.

Psalm 90:12-13 reminds us that we must gain the wisdom of the heart. God constantly wants us to know that our value to God is in that God created us. This creation of God must be open to God’s voice which is calling us out of ourselves to see ourselves as God sees us.  It is often said, that in God’s sight, “everybody is somebody.”

The human desire for material things can often take our sights off of what God has in store for us.  I have known many people with possessions who would say that even when they were struggling it seemed that they were happier. The happiness that can be bought is only temporary.     

In this Gospel, Jesus offers us hope. When we prioritize the things that we have and focus on our life with Christ, we will find happiness. We must never begin to think that because we have many things, we can then just sit back and relax. We must look at how we use the things that we have and ask ourselves if there is more to life than being satisfied with oneself. Can we help to bring happiness to others with the things that we have? 

Tell Them From Me Survey (TTFM):

Thank you to all teachers, students and parents who contributed to the Survey. It was very positive. We can always take lessons and perspectives from the data so we will be analysing it in detail to see how we can build on what we are doing at the College. Mr Finnerty has provided a summary of the data further into the Newsletter.

Careers Expo:

Thank you to Ms May for all the work she has put into the Careers Market last Thursday. The fact that so many providers came out to our school presents such wonderful opportunities for our student body.

Career Market Exhibitors 

Catholic School Parents Association (CSPA) Survey:

​The Catholic School Parents Association (CSPA) is an advocacy group for parents and carers of students attending Catholic schools in NSW. The association is conducting a survey on student learning and wellbeing. This is a significant piece of research.

The survey closes 31 August 2022.

CSPA 2022 Parent Survey on Student Wellbeing and Learning

Have your say on what matters regarding the wellbeing and learning of your child. If you are a parent or carer with a child in a Catholic school, CSPA would love to hear from you.

Click on the survey link and share your feedback to assist CSPA in reporting to the Federal Government and Catholic education. Your feedback will remain anonymous.

Click here for CSPA Parent Survey

CSPA 2022 Parent survey_graphic.jpg

CSPA 2022 Parent Survey_flyer.pdf

CSDA Debating:

Congratulations to our Year 7A Team who have made it to the last 4 in Debating. They are up against All Saints Liverpool tonight after soundly defeating Blacktown Patrician Brothers in the Quarter-Final Debate last week. We are so proud of your efforts.

PDSSSC Dance Competition:

Congratulations to the many students who participated in the PDSSSC Dance Day this week. Mrs Weaver spoke very highly of the way the students performed as well as supported each other and the other performances.

PDSSSC Netball Gala Day:

Congratulations to all the teams and thank you to their coaches Mrs Xurereb, Ms Goldie and Ms McKechnie. The girls looked great in the new uniforms and performed so well on the day. Our Senior Team made the semi-finals against schools who play together on weekends. What a great result.

Congratulations Cooper Ison Year 10:

Cooper participated in the Jack Newton Junior Golf State Age Titles during the holidays. An event played over 4 days (thanks to the rain on Wednesday only 3) at Byron Bay GC and Ocean Shores GC. 

Cooper came Nett Runner Up for the 15 year old boys for the three rounds he played. Congratulations.

CSDA Debating Progress:

The Debating season will resume in Week 2 of Term 3 with our Year 7A Team progressing through to the final rounds. Our Year 12A Team were very unlucky not to progress as a result of a split decision favouring the other school in their Elimination Final. They were the form team of our Region. They reached the finals in all six years of Debating. What a record.

Our Year 7 team defeated Blacktown Patrician Brothers in the Quarter-Finals and All Saints Liverpool in the Semi-Finals to now progress to the Grand Final (to be held Friday). What an achievement? We wish them all the very best and congratulate them on a great season.

Toilet Renovations Senior Campus:

They look great and are fitting of the standard our students deserve. Now for the next toilet block. I have shown the Senior Student Leaders the proposed layout and we have made some minor additions based on their feedback.

Enrolment for Year 11 2023 NOW OPEN

Year 7 2023 already has a significant waiting list

Fidem in Christo

Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal