St Andrews College Marayong eNewsletter Term 1 Week 10 2025
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From the College Principal
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From the Assistant Principal - Students
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From the Faith and Mission Team
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From the Leader of Wellbeing and Learning
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From the Leader of Wellbeing - Year 12
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From the Acting Leader of Wellbeing - Year 10
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From the Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9
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From the Leader of Wellbeing – Year 8
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From the Leader of Wellbeing – Year 7
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From Our College Captains
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Host Families Needed
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SAC Art
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The University of Sydney Future Focus - Year 10
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Year 8 Students Explore Japanese Language and Culture!
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Year 8 Maths
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Year 7 English - 'Where I'm From' Poetry
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Sports Update
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NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Diving Championships 2025
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St Andrews College Leadership Team 2025
Newsletter 5 2025
Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,
We finish a very successful Term of learning and opportunity today. Some of our Year 12 students will be participating in HSC Workshops over the Easter holiday period, while some of us will be travelling through Italy and Germany, examining Herculaneum and Pompeii as well as WWII sites and artifacts as part of the History Study Tour. During this time, I hope you all are able to spend time with family and friends, enjoying Easter and its relevance to our faith. We will be celebrating services and Mass on Good Friday and Easter Sunday in Munich. I often talk about opportunity,y and this is a wonderful example of just that. Have a happy, safe and holy Easter, and I look forward to seeing you all in Term 2 (students starting Wednesday, 30 April).
It’s All About Learning
Easter Reflection:
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. John 20:1–3
Happy Easter! Our Lord has risen, He has overcome death and He has opened the gates of Heaven to all who believe and receive the gift of salvation. Alleluia! What a glorious day we celebrate!
Today’s Gospel concludes by saying, “For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” This is evident by the initial reaction of Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter and the Apostle John. Mary first thought that someone had taken the body of Jesus and moved it from the tomb. Peter was confused and ran to see for himself. John also went and when he saw the empty tomb, he believed. Eventually, all of the Apostles would come to understand and believe.
The initial reaction to the empty tomb teaches us an important lesson. Though the Resurrection of Christ is clearly known to us today, our knowledge of this glorious event must continually deepen. This is evidenced by the fact that the disciples of Jesus came to understand the Resurrection over time. They did not comprehend His Resurrection when Jesus first taught them about it. They did not fully understand it when they saw the empty tomb. They did not even fully comprehend it when they saw the risen Lord. It was only after they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that their minds were open to this incredible mystery of faith so that they could begin to penetrate and comprehend this mystery more clearly.
The Resurrection of Christ was a real historical event. But it is also an event that transcends time. It’s an event that must permeate all time and transform every moment of our lives. When Jesus rose from the dead, it was much different than a simple return to life. He did not simply come back to the life He lived before He died. Instead, His resurrected state was a new beginning. He was now different. He was transformed. His body would now never age. It could not die. It could pass through closed doors. This resurrected body of our Lord, which is perfectly united to His divine nature, will remain with Him forever.
The resurrected body of our Lord also made it possible for us to share in His resurrected state. We now have hope that, if we share in His suffering and death, we will also share in His Resurrection. But what does that mean? Saint Thomas Aquinas believed that our resurrected bodies will be glorious beyond imagination. We will never age, require no food, never experience illness, be free from all disorders and will live this way forever. Somehow, through our bodies, we will also be able to share ourselves with others in a pure and holy way, communicating to others the love of God alive within our souls. We will have the gift of agility, being able to move from place to place with immediacy simply by thinking it. Our new glorified bodies will manifest the ways that we loved and served God in this world. For example, Jesus’ resurrected body had wounds in His hands, feet and side. But now, those wounds radiate His glory and forever testify to His act of perfect love.
Reflect, today, upon the Resurrection of the Savior of the World. As you do, reflect also upon His invitation to share in this new life. Though much of our understanding of the Resurrection of Jesus, as well as our hope of sharing in this resurrected state, will only be understood when we share in it, it is important to place these ideas in our minds so that we have something to anticipate. At the very least, we must know and understand that our sharing in the resurrected state of Jesus is glorious beyond what we can imagine. This is what we celebrate today. And this celebration must fill us with hopeful anticipation of our participation in this glorious new life to come.
Easter Liturgy:
Thank you to all staff and students who put in such a great deal of time to ensure the quality of the Liturgy. The witness, singing, and reenacting were of the highest quality.
Big Water Walk for Project Compassion:
Thank you to Ms Tan and the student volunteers for their participation in this Diocesan initiative to raise awareness surrounding this most important issue around the world.
NEiTA Awards (National Excellence in Teaching Awards):
Are you a parent, student, principal or community leader who would like to recognise a teacher who has consistently gone above and beyond?
National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) nominations are open from Friday, 4 April until Friday, 27 June 2025. Visit the NEiTA website to nominate.
This year, NEiTA, Australia’s longest continuing teacher recognition awards program, will award winners a grant of up to $10,000 for professional development.
To help spread the word, we’ve developed a promotional poster that you can share with your school community, please download here.
Debating Rounds 1 and 2:
Thank you to Ms Douglas and the group of staff and students for organising, participating and supporting our Debating Program again for 2025. We have a number of new debaters entering teams this year, and it is a pleasure to see the energy and drive that they bring to their team and the program as a whole. Thank you to the parents who support each week as well.
On Monday night we were up against St Luke’s College and won 5-1. A great effort. On Wednesday night we came up against St Agnes and had a solid victory.
Year 7 2026 Enrolments:
Thank you to all the staff who interviewed our Year 6 students and families over the past few weeks. We have sent out first-round offers and have approximately two hundred on the waiting list.
Students and academic progress:
Congratulations to our students who are really putting in the effort regarding an extra piece of work per subject per week. I am hearing from teachers that in some cases, they are receiving a lot of feedback. This practice ensures success if you act on the feedback.
Positive Sport Reports:
Congratulations to all associated with our amazing culture of Basketball. We went through the entire regular season undefeated in all three men's teams. Unfortunately, the Senior and Intermediate Teams lost in the Semi-Final last week. The Junior Team were in the Grand Final yesterday. Congratulations to the coaches and students on the season and thank you to parents and supporters who were able to attend. It is appreciated. We were again very successful in Volleyball, which is becoming a real trend.
‘It’s All About Learning’
Fidem in Christo
Dr Stephen Kennaugh
Principal
First day back in Term 2
Students will return on Wednesday 30th of April. This is Day 3, Week A of the timetable. All students should return in their full Winter Uniform.
Term 2 Uniform
All students are expected to be dressed in a blazer, ties for boys and stockings and Kilt or pants for girls. The Winter Uniform is to be always worn to and from the College and be worn with pride.
As it gets colder, students start wearing extra layers of clothing. No non-St Andrews clothing should be worn with the uniform unless it is hidden under the College uniform. I suggest that if students are cold, they wear thermal undergarments that are hidden under the uniform. Gloves and scarves can be worn but they must be Navy or Black. Beanies are not part of the College Uniform.
All students should have Black, leather Clark-style school shoes. This is a WHS requirement for all students.
Usually, after holidays, we see hair styles that do not follow College expectations. All haircuts should follow the College expectations, which can be found in the Student Planner. Extreme haircuts should not be presented at school (e.g. mullets, Indian cuts etc.). The girl’s hair should be tied back if longer than the collar, and boys' hair should not be longer than the collar.
Why are some of our kids struggling with life?
Kids these days are over-stimulated and over-given material objects, but they are deprived of the foundations of a healthy childhood, such as:
- Emotionally available parents
- clearly defined boundaries
- Responsibilities
- Balanced nutrition and adequate sleep
- Movement in general but especially outdoors
- Creative gaming, social interaction, informal gaming opportunities and spaces for boredom
What are some of the issues with our kids:
- Digital Distracted Parents
- Pampering and permissive parents who let children "rule the world"
- Kids are given everything without earning it or being responsible for getting it
- Inappropriate sleep and unbalanced nutrition
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Endless stimulation, constant technology, instant gratification and the absence of boring moments
What can you do?
- Set boundaries, don’t be afraid to say "no" to your children
- Offer children a balanced lifestyle
- Provide nutritious food and limit junk food.
- Spend at least one hour a day outdoors doing activities
- Enjoy a daily family dinner without the distraction of smartphones or technology.
- Play games with the family.
- Involve your children in a task or housework.
- Implement a consistent sleep routine to ensure your child sleeps long enough.
- Teach responsibility and independence.
- Don't do everything for your children, instead of giving them the fish, show them how to fish.
- Teach them to wait and delay gratification.
- Provide opportunities for "boredom” because boredom is the moment when creativity awakens. Don't feel responsible for always keeping your kids entertained.
- Do not use technology as a cure for boredom.
- Avoid using technology during meals, in cars, restaurants, etc these are socialising moments.
- Be emotionally available to connect with children and teach them self-regulation and social skills:
- Turn off the phones at night when kids go to bed to avoid digital distraction. Leave them in another room to allow proper sleep.
- Teach them to recognize and handle their own frustrations and anger.
- teach them manners and social skills
- Connect emotionally - smile, kiss, kiss, tickle, read, dance, jump, play with them.
What’s in the planner this week?
This week we have been focusing on Leadership and Inspiring our best self. It is ok not to be perfect, it’s part of being human. Cut yourself some slack and learn from feedback that is given to you from family and school. It’s important to take risks in your learning and give things a go. You will develop skills and learn a lot when you take on challenges.
“Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down” Kobi Yamada
The key work for the week is Goals. Did we achieve the goals we set for Term 1?
What goals are you going to set for Term 2.
Finally
Please enjoy your upcoming holidays and use this time to relax and recharge yourself for a busy Term 2. Please be safe and remember if you are getting bored do some reading that is for your enjoyment or take up a new hobby
God bless
Mr. Nicholas Thrum
Assistant Principal - Students
Walking with Mary: St. Andrews Easter Liturgy 2025
This year’s Easter Liturgy at St. Andrews was a journey into the heart of the Christian story. Framed within the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, the liturgy invited our school community into a space of solemn reflection, reverent prayer, and powerful storytelling. With music, scripture, drama, and personal testimonies, the event beautifully captured the emotional and spiritual gravity of Christ’s Passion—and the unwavering faith of His mother, Mary.
Praying the Sorrowful Mysteries
Each of the five mysteries—Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning with Thorns, Carrying the Cross, and Crucifixion—was brought to life through scripture readings, reflective music, and deeply personal testimonies from staff and students.
Mary's perspective, woven throughout, offered a tender and powerful lens. Her silent strength, sorrow, and faith became a mirror in which many of us saw our own struggles and hopes.
As reflected in the readings, “Mary’s heart was pierced by each moment of Christ’s suffering, yet her love and obedience never wavered.” Her enduring faith offered a powerful challenge to all of us—to say "yes" to God, even in the midst of our suffering.
Moments That Moved Us
- Student and teacher testimonies—from Isabella Predescu, Jake Dowers, Timothy de Vos, and Gino Ison- offered heartfelt reflections on personal experiences of pain, humility, and faith in union with Christ reflecting that we are all called to take up our Cross and follow Him.
- The dramatic depiction of the Easter journey, including the emotionally stirring “Never Walk Alone” sequence, followed Mary’s memories of Jesus—from His birth to the foot of the cross. Thank you to Kaydence Wells, Joey Ghattas, Winston Wells, Amran Wells, Angus Rice, Adam Mercieca and Arya Sawhney who beautifully brought this story to life for us with reverence and commitment.
Through Mary’s journey to the foot of the cross many were moved to tears, as we were reminded of the immense cost of love and the depth of her human faith.
A Living Tradition
Thank you to all of our musicians and choir who provided the music including “At the Cross” and “Never Walk Alone”, the liturgy became more than a remembrance—it became a personal encounter with the mystery of Christ at Easter. Our students didn’t just witness the story; they lived it, prayed it, and offered their hearts to it.
A Community Transformed
As we made the Sign of the Cross and prayed the Hail Mary together, we were reminded of the unity and sacred purpose within our community, which filled the space. We walked away not only reminded of Christ’s suffering but we were reminded that, like Mary, we are never alone.
The Easter Liturgy of 2025 was a moment that echoed Mary’s silent strength and invites each of us to say, “Let it be done to me according to Your Word.”





















The Mission Team
Teamwork Week
Week 9 was Teamwork week, and students from both campuses participated in various activities designed to develop & celebrate teamwork skills. Some of the activities in Learning Groups included human knots, creating the longest paper chain, teamwork chalk art and lining up in height order. Thank you to the SRC & Captains for creating the activities, the morning prayers and for leading our Teamwork opportunities throughout the week.








Principal’s Awards
Congratulations to the following students who have received Principal’s Awards:
Rowena Kubik |
Frances |
Alex La Guidara |
Gould |
Vrinda Narayan |
Frances |
Levi Waters |
Frances |
Congratulations to the following student who has received his second Principal’s Award:
Daniel Modaffari |
Frances |











House Cup Points Update
The updated points for the 2025 competition are:
Bennelong 21, 580
Chang 22, 880
Frances 22, 485
Gould 15, 740
Mrs Sue Cooper
Leader of Wellbeing and Learning
As we reach the end of Term 1, it’s hard to believe that Year 12 is already at the halfway point of our final year at the College. It’s been a busy, challenging, and exciting term, full of milestones, memories, and moments of growth—both personal and collective.
We began the year with our Opening College Mass, a meaningful occasion that brought us together as a community to reflect on our goals and the shared journey ahead. It was a powerful reminder of the values that ground us as leaders of the College.
The Swimming Carnival was a highlight for many—a day bursting with house spirit, friendly competition, and plenty of colour and laughter. Year 12 led with energy and enthusiasm, encouraging younger students and embracing the day with pride.
This term, we also rallied around Project Compassion, raising awareness and much-needed funds for those in need. The Trivia Night was a standout event—full of fun, creativity, and connection. The generosity shown by the Year 12 cohort was truly inspiring, and a great example of using our leadership to serve others.
Of course, the demands of assessment tasks have kept us on our toes. There’s no denying that the workload can be intense, but we’ve also seen great examples of resilience, time management, and peer support. We're learning that Year 12 is not just about academic results, but about perseverance, self-awareness, and growth.
Our term ended on a reflective note with the moving Easter Liturgy, which focused on the Sorrowful Mysteries. This liturgy invited us to reflect on the themes of sacrifice, compassion, and hope—reminding us that, as we walk through the joys and challenges of Year 12, we are not walking alone. We walk alongside one another, as well as with God, whose presence guides us through every step of our journey. It was a powerful moment to pause, reflect, and find strength in our faith as we continue this journey together.
Today, we also participated in an engaging Wellbeing Lesson that was both fun and practical. The Interactive Adulting Challenge encouraged us to complete various tasks to earn stamps on our "Adulting Passports." These challenges covered important topics like healthcare, voting, budgeting, and work rights—key areas that will prepare us for life beyond the College. It was a great opportunity to think ahead and get ready for the responsibilities and freedoms that come with adulthood while also bonding as a cohort.
As we head into the break, I’d like to thank the families, staff, and friends who have supported us through this first term. I wish you all a peaceful and blessed Easter—a time to rest, reconnect, and recharge for the term ahead.
We’ve made it halfway—and the best is yet to come.
Mrs Emily Parker
Leader of Wellbeing - Year 12
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing - Senior Campus
Year 10: Building a Positive Culture and Moving Forward Together
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on the journey that Year 10 is taking as a group. We’re at an exciting stage, a time where leadership, growth, and resilience can really start to shine. However, like any journey, we sometimes encounter challenges that give us the chance to pause, reflect, and reset our focus.
Recently, Ms Breeze and I had to address some situations where past mistakes or choices have been used to create unnecessary drama. While each incident was different, they all shared a common theme - looking back at the past instead of focusing on how far we’ve come and where we’re headed.
The good news? Year 10 has already shown time and time again that we are capable of rising above negativity and supporting each other in a way that strengthens our group. As we move forward, we’re encouraging everyone to focus on contributing to our school culture — a culture where acceptance, accountability, and growth are at the heart of what we do. Here’s how we can all contribute to this positive culture:
Leave the past behind: We all grow through our experiences, and focusing on the present allows us to celebrate how far we’ve come.
Celebrate each other’s success: A supportive environment lifts everyone up and helps us all achieve our best.
Be accountable for our actions and words: Let’s choose to make a positive impact on those around us.
Year 10 has so much potential, and it’s exciting to think about what we can achieve when we work together. By continuing to build a positive culture, we set the standard for the younger year groups and lead by example.
In the spirit of recognising growth and achievement, we would like to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Year 10 students who have recently represented the College at NSWCCC selection carnivals:
John-Paul Abou Chaaya – U16 Boys Football
Micheal Kenny – U16 Boys Rugby League
Amia Moussa – U16 Girls Rugby League
Saige Prats – U16 Girls Football
Mykaela Beattie – U16 Girls Football
Amelia Farag – U16 Girls Football
Sophia Zerafa – U16 Girls Football
These achievements are a testament to the dedication and commitment shown by our students. Let’s continue to support and celebrate each other’s successes as we move forward!
Well done, Year 10 let’s continue to contribute to the positive and supportive culture together.
Mr Nathan Weaver
Acting Leader of Wellbeing Year 10
Hi Year 9 students, parents, carers and guardians,
As we end Term 1, I would like to say that I am pleased with how our students have adjusted to the expectations of a year 9 student. They have been challenged this term with the increased workload, expectations of work quality and how they have been upholding themselves from a well-being point of view. As we enter term 2, I expect the students to continue this ethic. In saying this, we also have room to grow as students and as people. Year 9 students have been tasked with taking accountability for their actions as well as being taught about what it takes to be a person for others as well as how to be the best person they can be. Each student must continue to reflect on how they are as a person and set themselves goals and expectations of how they can improve on themselves.
Uniform:
As we enter into term 2, students will need to wear their winter uniform. This information can be found on pages 19A and 20A in the student learning planner.
Girls' winter uniform
(Terms 2 & 3):
Black, polished, hard leather upper, lace-up school shoes with no heels (WH&S requirement);
School stockings(navy or black - 70 denier); School kilt (below the knee cap); Short-sleeve school blouse (no tie);
Blazer (compulsory) and/or jumper (optional); Scarf - plain navy or black only (optional); Girls trousers (optional)
Boys' winter uniform
(Terms 2 & 3):
Black, polished, hard leather upper, lace-up school shoes (WH&S requirement);
Black or taupe socks; taupe trousers, with a black belt; Short-sleeve school shirt (tucked in) and boys' school tie; when the tie is worn, shirts must always be tucked in.
Blazer (compulsory) and/or jumper (optional); Scarf - navy or black only (optional)
If you need to purchase new winter clothing, they can be ordered through the QKR app.
Assistant Leader of Wellbeing Year 9 - Ms Christella Bade
I would like to announce that Ms Christella Bade has been appointed the Assistant Leader of Wellbeing for Year 9 for the remainder of 2025. Ms Bade brings a lot of great qualities and skills to our wellbeing team and our students are very grateful that she will be part of their growth and development as students. One of her main responsibilities is to communicate with students and parents regarding attendance. She will also be working closely with me to foster the growth of the year 9 students and ensure our students uphold our school values, policies and procedures.
Final Message
I hope that everyone has a wonderful and restful break. Enjoy the time with your families and friends, try something new, learn new skills, build yourself up. We will see you in term 2. We return to school on Wednesday 30th April.
‘Attitude is everything’
Mr Kharl Carlos
Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9
Year 8 – End of Term 1 Newsletter
As we come to the end of Term 1, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a positive, productive, and engaging start to the year for our Year 8 students. The growth we’ve seen across the cohort—in confidence, maturity, and responsibility—has been truly encouraging.
From the very beginning of the term, students embraced the challenge of returning to school routines with enthusiasm and energy. It has been a joy to witness the many ways they have contributed to the life of the College, whether in class, on the sporting field, in co-curricular opportunities, or in their roles as kind and supportive peers.
Wellbeing & Positive Relationships
A strong focus this term has been on respectful relationships—how we treat one another both in person and online. Year 8 has done a wonderful job in building a sense of community, and I encourage all students to continue to show empathy, kindness, and integrity in their interactions. This also includes respectful digital behaviour, particularly in group chats and platforms like Discord, where we are reminding students that our values should be reflected in both our real-world and online actions.
Study Habits & Reflection
With the first round of assessments behind us, I encourage all students to take the upcoming holiday break as a chance to rest, reflect, and reset. This is also a good time to think about what worked well during the term and what could be improved moving forward—whether that be organisation, time management, or staying on top of classwork.
Looking Ahead to Term 2
Next term brings fresh opportunities, new units of work, and more ways to get involved. I encourage all students to return ready to build on the strong foundations they’ve laid so far. Keep setting high expectations for yourself, support your peers, and continue striving to be the best version of yourself—both in and out of the classroom.
To all our families, thank you for your ongoing support. Working in partnership with you allows us to better support your children, and we are so grateful for your involvement in their journey.
Wishing all Year 8 students and families a safe, restful, and enjoyable break. See you in Term 2!
Mr. Jarryd Leaves
Leader of Wellbeing – Year 8
Dear Parents, Carers, and Students of Year 7,
As Term 1 draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful start our Year 7 students have made in their high school journey.
It has been heartening to see how well our students have settled into secondary school life. With the help of our Peer Support Program, Year 7 students have formed new friendships, built confidence, and become familiar with the routines and expectations of the College.
We’ve also seen fantastic involvement in a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. From the swimming carnival to the Year 7 camp, and activities such as diving, representative sport, and Project Compassion, our students have embraced every opportunity to participate and contribute to College life.
As we approach the cooler months, a gentle reminder that students will need to wear their full winter uniform in Terms 2 and 3. Details can be found in the College Learning Planner (pages 14A–15A), but key reminders include:
Girls’ Winter Uniform (Terms 2 & 3):
- Black, polished, hard leather lace-up school shoes (no heels – WH&S requirement)
- Navy or black 70-denier school stockings
- School kilt (below the knee) and short-sleeve blouse (no tie)
- Blazer (compulsory); jumper and scarf (navy or black) optional
- Girls’ school trousers are also an approved option
Boys’ Winter Uniform (Terms 2 & 3):
- Black, polished, hard leather lace-up school shoes (WH&S requirement)
- Taupe trousers with a black belt
- Short-sleeve school shirt (tucked in) and school tie
- Black or taupe socks
- Blazer (compulsory); jumper and scarf (navy or black) optional
I would like to wish all families a joyful and restful break. We look forward to seeing the students refreshed and ready for the term ahead. Happy Easter.
Ms Alicia Harwood
Leader of Wellbeing – Year 7
Captains Connect: An Afternoon of Collaboration and Leadership
Last Friday, our College Captains and Vice Captains had the privilege of attending an inspiring event at Cerdon College called Captains Connect. This unique initiative brought together student leaders from across the diocese for an afternoon of collaboration and shared learning. The event was an invaluable opportunity for our captains to engage with their peers, exchange ideas, and discuss key school initiatives that are shaping the future of our College community.
Throughout the afternoon, we participated in collaborative discussions centered around current school projects and exciting new ventures that are in the pipeline. It was a chance to not only reflect on the progress we’ve made but also to share our vision and ideas for what lies ahead. The conversations were dynamic, with an emphasis on leadership development, student well-being, and fostering a strong sense of community and faith across our schools.
The insights gained during Captains Connect will be instrumental as we continue to build upon the work being done at our College. It was a valuable reminder of the power of teamwork and collective action, ensuring that our leadership initiatives are not only aligned with the values of our College but also reflective of the aspirations and voices of the student body.
We left the event feeling inspired, motivated, and eager to bring the knowledge and experiences shared that evening back to our College. It was a memorable and enriching experience that will contribute significantly to the ongoing growth and success of our College community.






Suwanthi Edirisinghe, Aditya Rawal, Tewodros Worku & Leila Crisafulli-Kefu
College Captains
Host Families Needed
Next term, St Andrews College will host 20 Japanese students from our sister school, Isahaya Commercial High School, for 11 nights from 18 August to 29 August 2025.
You can share your lifestyle and home whilst experiencing another culture.
- Students attend school on weekdays and enjoy family life with you on weekends.
- Japanese language skills are not necessary.
- Students just fit in with your family routines.
- The students need their own bed but can share a room.
- Families are paid $55 per night.
If you can assist in hosting a student or would like to know further information, please contact Ms Suzuki at msuzuki@parra.catholic.edu.au
Alternatively, you can contact the company, VS Oceania, organising the host families for this group at ushinohama@vsoceania.com
Thank you for your support.
Regards,
Mrs Mariko Suzuki
Leader of Learning - Languages
St Andrews College, Marayong
Ph: 9626 4000
Email: msuzuki@parra.catholic.edu.au
OPERATION ART COMPETITION 2025
A reminder to students that Operation Art entries are due Friday Week 2 2nd May.
Thank you to all the students who have come to see the Visual Arts teachers for feedback and ideas about their entries. We are very excited to see your final artworks next term.
Please remember the follow the criteria below:
Students are invited to enter an artwork up to A2 in size (as long as it is flat) in any chosen medium on good quality art paper/materials. The theme of the artwork should be uplifting, inspiring and positive with an aim to brighten the days of children who are currently hospitalised.
Students from Years 7 - 10 are able to enter an artwork individually or collaboratively (up to 4 students).
All artworks submitted to art teachers will be entered in our internal school competition before TWO finalist artworks are selected to represent the school.
Year 11 Visual Arts
Our Year 11 artists are currently working on their Collection of Works due in Term 2. This term in Visual Arts they have been focusing on the Conceptual Framework and through the study of focus artists; learning about how artists are influenced by the world in their artmaking. This is reflected in their own artmaking as they explore a number of different mediums whilst focusing on a chosen object.
7B Visual Arts
As we approach the end of Term 1, artists in 7B Visual Arts are now working towards their final artworks. Check out the photos below see them in action as they work collaboratively to develop their class painting task. The final artwork will be revealed in Term 2!




Junior CAPA Showcase
Our annual Junior CAPA Showcase will be held this year on Monday 2nd June. Our students are busily finalising their artworks in Term 1. We are looking forward to sharing our students’ talent with the community. Watch this space!
Mrs Claudia Harris
Leader of Learning Visual Arts
The University of Sydney Future Focus - Year 10
On Friday the 4th of April 30 Year 10 students visited The University of Sydney to take part in the Future Focus - Year 10 event. This was an opportunity for students to gain an insight into tertiary studies and familiarise themselves with The University of Sydney.
Students began the day with a self-reflection workshop to identify their strengths and interests. During this workshop students completed an activity to see how their strengths and interests impact their career options and choices.
It was not surprising to hear that many of our students found their strengths and interests align with careers that fall under the “Helping” category. Students who scored high in this category are often interested in improving people’s social, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Pillars which we find in our SPIRE Framework. People who work in the careers in the Helping category feel they have a desire to give back to other people and like to feel that they are making a difference.
After this session students went on a tour of the campus to learn a little about the history of the traditional buildings.
In the last session students heard from university student ambassadors about strategies to prepare for university studies. These strategies were:
- Consider different career options and what job you can see yourself doing.
- Make a list of university courses that interest you and match your career goals.
- Take a note of any HSC subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge and recommended study.
- Choose HSC subjects you like and do well in. This is a good way to determine your future career direction.
- Get into good study habits to prepare yourself to achieve strong results in your HSC.
- Maintain a healthy study-life balance with sports, hobbies and community involvement. These activities may also improve applications for some scholarships and university entry schemes.
When asked for a reflection of the day, attending student Jolena Valencia said “The USYD excursion was extremely helpful and exciting. The student ambassadors were lovely and gaining understanding about the importance of my skills on my future career path made everything feel more real and engaging. It helped me feel more motivated and gave me a clearer idea of what I want to aim for”.
I wish to thank the students who attended the day for being wonderful ambassadors of St Andrews College. I also thank Mrs Hollero for attending the day and assisting me with the excursion.
Ms Therese May
College Future Pathways Leader
Year 8 Students Explore Japanese Language and Culture!
Year 8 students have been working hard throughout Term 1 to develop their Japanese language skills. To wrap up the term, some classes participated in a fun and creative Choice Board Task during Week 10. Students were encouraged to dive deeper into their learning by selecting at least two activities from the following exciting options:
? #1 LOVE BENTO?
✍️ #2 LOVE HIRAGANA?
? #3 LOVE DRAWING?
? #4 LOVE ORIGAMI?
? #5 LOVE CARS?
Every student fully embraced the opportunity to explore Japanese language and culture in their own unique way. Their enthusiasm was truly inspiring, and the beautiful work they produced speaks for itself!
Take a look at some of their amazing creations below — we hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Year 8 will continue learning Japanese throughout the rest of the year, building on the strong foundation they established in Term 1. Next term, they will have more fun Japanese language lessons.
And to our Year 9 and 10 students — if you’ve been missing Japanese, why not consider taking Japanese Beginners as one of your HSC subjects? For more information or guidance, please speak to one of our fantastic Japanese teachers here at St Andrews College.
Let’s keep the love of language and culture alive! ?



























Kind regards,
Mrs Mariko Suzuki
Leader of Learning - Languages
100 questions challenge
Last week, Year 8 mathematics students completed their first assessment task for the year. To help students revise over the work and to make this work more engaging, 8MATH3 completed a 100 squares challenge. I came across this activity in a video by Edutopia: Making Math Review a High-energy Game
About the game
- Students worked individually or in pairs to answer questions.
- After each question, they checked their answer with the teacher, who then offered suggestions if the answer was wrong.
- For every correct answer, they get to ‘claim’ one numbered square in the 100-square grid on the board
- Once all numbers are claimed, subsequent correct answers will allow students to ‘steal’ squares from their opponents.
The questions varied in ability and for this class I added a few challenging questions to push their understanding beyond simple application.
At the end of the 50 minutes the students with the most number of squares were rewarded with a small chocolate bar. Well done to 8MATH3 for completing this task with such enthusiasm and proving to themselves that they really do understand the topics of Pythagoras theorem and Algebraic techniques.
Mrs Liliana Appleby
Maths Teacher
This term, Year 7 have had to craft their own ‘Where I’m From’ poems, giving them the chance to reflect upon their diverse backgrounds and unique identities as they continue to navigate their first term at St Andrews College. Students were asked to think of ‘what makes you, you?’ and draw upon all the things that they value within their own identities, families and contexts. As I’ve collated their work into their very own 7ENGL5 Class Anthology, I’d like to showcase some of the work that they’ve curated.
Well done to all! I hope to see these eager young minds continue to write, express and develop themselves throughout their first year at the college.
Mr Ethan Cheung
Dear Parents and Guardians,
What an exciting season it’s been for representative sport at St Andrews College! We’ve seen amazing resilience and sportsmanship from our students across all teams this season.
Our Intermediate Girls Volleyball team had an outstanding season, making it all the way to the grand final. They played with skill, and unity, pushing through tough matches to earn their place in the big game. Although they narrowly missed out on the win, we are incredibly proud of their effort, determination, and the way they represented our school with pride. Thank you to Miss Bade for her time and effort coaching out girls.
A huge congratulations to our Senior Boys Basketball team who also reached the grand final. Their journey was filled with wins, teamwork, and strong leadership on and off the court. Despite a tough final match, the boys showed sportsmanship and dedication. They should be extremely proud of how far they’ve come.
Our Intermediate Boys Basketball team also had a fantastic season, making it through to the semi finals. They played some impressive basketball throughout the competition and showed great commitment and growth. Although their journey ended just short of the final, their effort and dedication did not go unnoticed.
Congratulations to our Junior Boys Basketball team who also made it to the grand final and finished as runners-up! The team showed great potential and resilience throughout the season. Their strong performance in the final was a fantastic reflection of their hard work throughout the season.
Thank you to Mr Alata, Mr Carlos, Mr Fellows and Mr Dela Paz for all your dedication and time training our boys.
Finally, best of luck to all students who have progressed to represent our school at the PDSSSC Cross Country event! We’re excited to see them compete and know they’ll give their best while showing great school spirit on the day.
We commence Term 2 with trials for soccer and netball in preparation for our Season 2 competition. I look forward to sharing more sports news with you all in Term 2.
Wishing our students and families a restful break over the school holidays.
Warm Regards,
Ms Ivana Nikitovic
Leader of Wellbeing - Sport
NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Diving Championships 2025
On Thursday 3rd April, 21 students from St Andrews College represented the Parramatta diocese in the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Diving Championships. This is the largest team we have ever fielded and our College won more medals than any other Catholic school in NSW.
For some of our divers in Year 7, this was their first ever competition. They were nervous but had put in the hard work to be able to compete to the best of their ability. For our experienced divers, this was their time to shine, and shine they did. We also had two student officials, Claire De Vos and Rachael Griffiths who judged on the day and who will also judge at the next level of the school sport pathway. Below is the list of divers and their results. As you can see, we had the age champions in five events and clean sweeps of the medals in two events.
Open Platform - 3rd place Rachael Griffiths, 6th place Claire De Vos
15 yrs girls Springboard - 1st Rachael Griffiths, 2nd Clair de Vos
14 yrs girls Springboard - 1st Analise Gregoriou, 4th place Amber Bissett, 5th place Ohriana Baumgartner
14 yrs boys Springboard - 1st Eesa Mir, 2nd Matthew Lemura, 3rd Dominic Azar
13 yrs girls Springboard - 1st Stella Borg, 2nd Despina Thimiopoulos-Wilson, 3rd Veronica Adamecki, 4th Ruby Gater
13 yrs boys Springboard - 1st Noah Kinnas, 2nd Jacob Mammaloti
12 yrs girls Springboard - 2nd Lauren Griffiths, 3rd Elaina Kirkham, 4th Sofia Cerna, 5th Nooriyah Hussain, 6th Jade Ghazal
12 yrs boys Springboard - 2nd Liam Borg, 3rd Dominic Russo
The students who placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in their age group will represent the College at the NSW All Schools Diving Championships in May where they will compete for a spot in the NSW team to School Sport Australia.
Congratulations to all our divers on the way in which they represented the College. We are very proud of them. Thank you to Mrs. Borg for taking on the Convenor role this year and supporting our students through to the All Schools Championships.
Best of luck to all who are diving at All Schools in May!













Mrs Anita Weaver
Head of Diving
College Leadership Team
College Principal | Dr Stephen Kennaugh |
Assistant Principal Wellbeing and Learning | Mr Nicholas Thrum |
Assistant Principal Systems, Data and Profesional Learning | Mr Patrick Finnerty |
Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning | Ms Josilin Kalifa |
Director of Faith, Mission and Learning | Mr Andrew Hoare |
Leader of Faith Mission and Learning | Mrs Karina Anthony |
College Business Manager | Mrs Melissa Welch |
Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing
Leader of Learning Wellbeing and Learning | Mrs Sue Cooper |
Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 7 | Ms Alicia Harwood |
Assistant Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 7 | Mr Danny Cetinic |
Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 8 | Ms Jarryd Leaves |
Assistant Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 8 | Miss Ivana Nikitovic |
Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 9 | Mr Kharl Carlos |
Assistant Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 9 | Miss Christella Bade |
Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 10 | Mr Nathan Weaver |
Assistant Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 10 | Miss Jasmine Breeze |
Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 11 | Mr Andrew Houseman |
Assistant Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 11 | Mrs Dahana Biernat |
Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 12 Leader of Wellbeing Senior Campus |
Mrs Emily Parker |
Assistant Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 12 | Miss Christina Rujicica |
College Counsellors |
Ms Kerrie Castle Sr Cristina Ramada |
Faith in Action Coordinator | Ms Olivia Tan |
College Leaders of Learning - KLA
Leader of Learning English | Mrs Katharine McDonald |
Assistant Leader of Learning English | Mr Jake Dowers |
Leader of Learning HSIE | Mr Daniel Camilleri |
Assistant Leaders of Learning HSIE |
Mrs Jessica Weir Miss Cherry Malonzo Miss Monika Ramzy |
Leader of Learning Mathematics | Ms Tracey Thomson |
Assistant Leader of Learning Mathematics | Mr Jacob Wills |
Leader of Learning PDHPE | Mrs Kayla Brogan |
Leader of Learning Science | Mr Rohan Isaac |
Assistant Leader of Learning Science | Mrs Kelly Thompson |
Leader of Learning Languages | Ms Mariko Suzuki |
Leader of Learning Music | Mr Jason Alata |
Leader of Learning TAS | Mr Bill Robson |
Assistant Leaders of Learning TAS |
Mrs Cassandra Carlos Miss Alexandra Serbin Mr Matthew Fellows |
Leader of Learning Visual Arts | Mrs Claudia Harris |
Leader of Learning VET | Mr Geoffrey Dickson |
College Leaders of Learning and Other Leaders
Leader of Learning Diversity | Mrs Pauline Xuereb |
Assistant Leader of Learning Diversity | Mrs Angela Stenglin |
Leader of Learning Gifted Education | Mrs Carmela Hollero |
Leader of Learning Information and Communication Technology | Mrs Sarah Anzellotti |
Leader of Learning Literacy | Ms Linda Hicks |
Leader of Learning Pedagogy | Mr Geoffrey Dickson |
Leader of Learning Reading/Writing | Mr Duncan Dewar |
Leader of Learning Sport | Miss Ivana Nikitovic |
Director of Performance | Mr Antonio Chiappetta |
College Future Pathways Coordinator | Ms Therese May |
Head of Debating and Public Speaking | Miss Mickaella Douglas |
Head of Diving | Mrs Anita Weaver |
PDHPE Leader Performance | Mrs Janna Leitch |
STEM Coordinator | Miss Alexandra Serbin |
Marketing and Communications Coordinator | Miss Moura Mikaheal |