Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Survey

Thank you to our parents/carers and students for completing this survey.   

The survey will provide us with valuable insights into what our school community thinks about school life including how engaged students are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world use the Tell Them From Me survey to help them improve. 

Between 19 May and 6 June, students will be given the opportunity and time to participate in this survey during regular school hours. Students will be given a random username and password to access and complete the survey online. Students’ names cannot be linked to their responses which allows it to be completely anonymous. Results will show all student scores combined together – it is not possible to single out individual students in the results.

Parents and carers will be able to participate using a link we will send to you separately in coming weeks.

The survey takes approximately 20-minutes to complete. The survey measures include wellbeing, physical health, and behaviours and attitudes linked to student success. The survey also allows participants to give their thoughts and feedback in one open-ended question.

Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary. You or your child/children need not take part if either of you do not wish to. If during the survey participants feel uncomfortable answering any question, it can be left blank or they can stop the survey completely at any time.

If you do not want your child/children to take part in the survey, please email pfinnerty@parra.catholic.edu.au by Friday 16 May. If you would like more information, please also email pfinnerty@parra.catholic.edu.au

Thank you for your continued support

Patrick Finnerty

Assistant Principal – Systems, Data and Professional Learning

Welcome to the start of Term 2. 

School TV

St Andrews families have been given access to a wellbeing resource called Schooltv.  This resource is designed to assist parents and students with difficult issues. It has been designed and supported by top people in each field and is available for anyone to view. Open the following URL and have a look at the resources.

Schooltv introduction

“Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting.

This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.”

The URL for the school TV :

Mental Illness

The stigma around mental illness has disappeared, and people are more willing to say they have a concern and reach out for help. One complaint that I hear on a regular basis is that Mum and Dad don’t understand what I’m going through. Sometimes parents don’t have a lot of knowledge about mental illness, and this prevents them from fully understanding the needs of the child. There are many websites, e.g. Beyond Blue, Headspace, black dog, that have information on mental illness to assist families in understanding what is going on. 

The College has 2 counsellors, Mrs. Castle and Sister Cristina, who are available to the students and their families if there are any concerns about mental illness. Starting a conversation about what is going on is the first step in helping the young person through their difficult time.  

Why are some of our kids suffering from Mental Illness?

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?

• Digitally 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 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 have to go to bed to avoid digital distraction. Please leave them in another room to allow proper sleep.
• Teach them to recognise 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, the focus is on Respectful Relationships. Students should connect, respect, and protect each other. Be mindful of others' body language, have empathy for another person’s situation and feelings, use your strengths to help others, call out the students who are being aggressive or mean or tell a teacher.

One of the focuses we should have is Active Constructive Responding (ACR). This is about listening enthusiastically, making eye contact, and sending positive gestures to make them feel valued. We must be mindful about being dismissive, showing no enthusiasm or being nonresponsive to others. Positive, engaged listening to others helps us build relationships. 

The focus over the next few weeks is:

WHAT’S STRONG, NOT WHAT’S WRONG

God Bless

Mr. Nicholas Thrum

Assistant Principal - Students

New Yr 7 Student Leaders

Congratulations to the Year 7 students who have been involved in the process of electing students to the Student Representative Council for 2025. Student Leadership in the College is an integral part of College life, and it was wonderful seeing so many students involved in the process, and taking advantage of this leadership opportunity. Our new Year 7 SRC were inducted during last week’s Assembly.

Congratulations to our new Yr 7 Student Representative Council for 2025:

Marcella Arshilo

Jamie Cole

Arianna Faddoul

Liam Inocentes

Daniel Jemison

Annabella Kefu

Peter Zaidan

Brainstorm Productions - Verbal Combat

Brainstorm Productions is a theatre group that has been performing plays at St Andrews College for many years, enhancing our Wellbeing Program. Through their performances, they are able to empower students with practical strategies to strengthen their mental health, resilience and wellbeing. They also help students to develop respectful relationships at school, at home and online. In 2025, Brainstorm Productions will present the play ‘Verbal Combat’ to our Junior Students. ‘Verbal Combat’ tackles some of the big issues affecting Australian students, its themes being Cyber Safety, Cyber Bullying, Social Media, Exclusion and Bystanders. 

Year 7 & 8 will see the play on Friday May 23. Year 9 & 10 will see ‘Verbal Combat’ on Friday August 1. Aspects of the plays will be discussed in Wellbeing lessons after the play. 

Principal’s Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have received Principal’s Awards:

House Cup Points Update

The updated points for the 2025 competition are:

Bennelong 45, 350

Chang 41, 695

Frances 39, 545

Gould 34, 545

Mrs Sue Cooper

Leader of Wellbeing and Learning

scooper@parra.catholic.edu.au

Term 2 Update 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am pleased to introduce myself as the Acting Leader of Wellbeing for Year 10 during Term 2 and Term 3. It is a privilege to support our students during this important stage of high school, and I look forward to working closely with both families and staff to ensure a supportive and successful term.

I am fortunate to be working alongside Miss Bernadette Corpuz, Assistant Leader of Wellbeing, to support our Year 10 students in both their academic and wellbeing journeys. Miss Corpuz will be in touch with parents regarding any attendance concerns.

This term is filled with exciting opportunities for our students. A key event on the calendar is Subject Selection for 2026, which will take place on Tuesday, 3rd June (Week 6) from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm. This is a significant step for students as they begin to shape their senior years.

You may have already noticed that conversations at home are beginning around your child’s future—what they hope to do after school and which subjects will help them achieve these goals in Years 11 and 12. We strongly encourage families to keep these discussions going, supporting students as they reflect on their strengths, interests, and aspirations.

To support this process, our dedicated Careers Adviser, Mrs Therese May, is available to meet with students to discuss career pathways, course options, and any concerns they may have. Students are encouraged to email either Mrs May or myself so we can help arrange a convenient time for an individual discussion. Ideally, students should first reach out to their teachers about the subjects they are interested in, and they may be referred to the KLA coordinator to further explore course expectations at the senior level (Years 11 and 12). However, if your child is uncertain about the career opportunities available to them, they are welcome to contact Mrs May for guidance.

In addition to academic planning, students have a variety of extracurricular opportunities to get involved in this term. We’re particularly excited for Lifted Unleashed, which will take place on Friday of Week 3. We congratulate the students selected to participate and wish them the best of luck—it’s sure to be an inspiring and unforgettable experience.

Additionally, Intermediate Netball and Soccer trials have been taking place and will continue throughout Weeks 2 and 3, with the season officially kicking off in Week 4. We wish all our student-athletes the best of luck as they progress through the trial process.

We’re also looking forward to our Junior CAPA Showcase Night on Monday of Week 6, where our students' creativity and talent in dance, drama, music, and visual arts will be on display. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their dedication and passion, and we warmly invite families to join us in supporting the hard work of our Year 10 students.

Miss Corpuz and I are excited for the upcoming two terms, filled with numerous opportunities for our students to showcase their talents, academic accomplishments, and successes.

Kind regards,

Welcome to Term 2! I hope you and your families enjoyed a restful and refreshing break. As we step into this new term, our focus will be on healthy and positive relationships—both in and out of the classroom.

Focus for Term 2: Building Strong Connections

Research shows that positive relationships in school significantly impact student wellbeing, engagement, and overall success. According to a recent study, students who feel connected to their peers and teachers are 50% more likely to report feeling confident and motivated in their learning.

This term, we will be exploring:

• Respectful Communication: How to listen, speak, and interact with kindness and empathy.
• Conflict Resolution: Strategies for managing disagreements in a positive way.
• Digital Relationships: Navigating friendships online and using social media responsibly.
• Supporting Each Other: Recognising when a friend might need support and how to respond.

Let’s work together to create a space where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to be their best selves.

Upcoming Event: Subject Selection Evening – 3rd June

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome you to our Subject Selection Evening for Year 8 students on 3rd June. This is an important opportunity for students and families to explore the subject offerings for Year 9 and to ask any questions about course options.

In the meantime, the Subject Selection Site is now live, and I encourage you to start exploring the available subjects and resources:

Subject Selection Website

We’re looking forward to seeing you all there as we move into the next chapter of the school journey.

Celebrating Positivity – Term 1 Wrap-Up

Last term, we launched our Positive Nominations Program, and I am thrilled to share its success.

Over 100 students were individually nominated by staff for their outstanding contributions, positive attitudes, and commitment to school values. Some students even received multiple nominations—a testament to the positive impact they are making every day.

Thank you to our incredible Year 8 cohort for showing kindness, respect, and leadership throughout Term 1. Let’s keep that momentum going as we embrace Term 2 with a focus on building healthy and positive relationships.

Stay Connected

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to discuss your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Working together, we can make Term 2 a successful and rewarding experience for every Year 8 student.

Looking forward to another fantastic term ahead!

Mr Jarryd Leaves

Leader of Wellbeing – Year 8

Vaccinations for students are coming up soon. Parents and carers are reminded to register their child in advance using the online registration form provided.

Year 7 – Tuesday, 4th June
Year 10 – Tuesday, 2nd July
Catch-up Vaccinations (Years 7 & 10) – Monday, 5th August

If you require a paper consent form, these are available for collection from the College Office.

Year 11 Collection of Works 

Year 11 Visual Arts students have been working closely with their teachers to develop a personal Collection of Work (COW) based on a chosen object. Students have explored a range of expressive forms, producing an abstract cardboard sculpture, A4 still life drawing, A3 abstract charcoal work, two A5 mixed media pieces (using watercolour, ink or acrylic), and two photographic or digital manipulations of their sculpture. Alongside these practical tasks, students have maintained a Visual Arts Process Diary (VAPD) to document the evolution of their ideas, experimentation with media, and critical analysis of influential artworks. Students also completed an in-class essay exploring how artists represent their world, drawing on artists and artworks studied in Unit 1 – Artists and the World. This holistic approach has encouraged deep engagement with materials, techniques, and conceptual thinking.

Year 9 Archibald Paintings in Progress

Year 9 Visual Arts students have been immersed in Unit 1: The Archibald Prize, where they explored the art of portraiture by creating a painting of a significant person in their lives. Using acrylic paint on canvas, students applied a range of painting techniques while thoughtfully considering how to represent the identity, personality, and story of their sitter. Through interviews, photographs, and research, students developed a deep understanding of their sitter, which was documented in their Visual Arts Process Diary (VAPD). Their VAPDs showcase experimentation with media, research into artistic styles, use of the Frames, and critical reflection on their artistic decisions. This project encouraged students to make meaningful connections between sitter’s identity and meaningful expression, while refining their technical and conceptual skills.

Year 8 Shock of the NEW

Year 8 students have launched into their new unit, Shock of the NEW, exploring how art has evolved over time - from traditional styles to contemporary works that challenged audiences. Over the next 10 weeks, students will investigate how world events, inventions, and diverse beliefs have influenced artists and their creations. To kick off the unit, students are currently in the process of creating visually dynamic title pages inspired by contemporary artist Nancy Standlee, known for her vibrant paper collages that use bold colour and layered compositions to explore personal memories. Through this activity, students are already applying key visual elements such as colour, line, shape, and composition. 

Year 7 Where the Land meets the Sea

This term in Visual Arts, Year 7 students have been exploring the unit Where the Land Meets the Sea, focusing on the significance of iconic Australian natural landmarks such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Students learned about the meaning of ‘World Heritage Site’ and why these locations are important to us all. They also explored how artists use their work to raise awareness about conservation. Inspired by the vibrant colours and beauty of these landscapes, students are currently in the process of creating title pages to reflect their understanding and appreciation of these unique environments.

Mrs Shandel Kemal 

Visual Arts Teacher

Year 11 Jazz Night 2025
On behalf of the music faculty, thank you to the music teachers who assisted the Year 11 Music Cohort with regards to their assessment pieces, and staff members who supported our students on the night. A big thank you to Miss Mifsud and the media team for their work in videography and final edits, Miss Breeze and the Year 11 VET Entertainment crew for the backstage logistics like lighting, sound and visuals. The evening ran smoothly and was a huge success. Please see the video attached.

Year 12 HSC Music Night 2025
Join us for the Year 12 HSC Music Night on Tuesday, 10/6/25 Term 2, Week 7) at the Senior Campus. This special evening will feature our Year 12 students performing their HSC music pieces—an event not to be missed! The event will run from 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Thank you,

Mr Jason Alata

Leader of Learning - Music

Lights, camera… auditions! The stage is set for another unforgettable year as we prepare for the 2025 St Andrew’s Production. The title of this wonderful play is a closely guarded secret that will be revealed in the near future. All we can tell you right now is that someone has gone missing in the Fairy Tale Kingdom, and it is up to our protagonists to find them, before it is too late.

The audition process is scheduled to kick off soon, and whether you’re a seasoned performer or a first-time hopeful, this is your chance to be part of something truly special. Early next week, registrations will be made available for the upcoming auditions. 

Students from all year levels are encouraged to step forward. It is a great opportunity to connect with other members of the College, push your performance skills to new levels, and have an amazing time! Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your talent, step into the spotlight, and help bring another dazzling story to life on the StAC stage.

Stay tuned for audition dates, workshop times, and how to get involved. This is your moment — are you ready to shine?

Mr Nick Lewandowski
Drama Teacher

This week, our school proudly hosted the much-anticipated ‘Shakespeare in the Quad’ event as part of the in-school part of our competition for the Sport for Jove’s 2025 Shakespeare Carnival. On Tuesday afternoon, students and staff gathered in the Junior Quad to celebrate the enduring legacy of William Shakespeare whose influence continues to inspire.

Those that succeeded will move onto the Regional Competition next Wednesday 14th of May, hosted by Penrith Selective High School, where if successful will move onto the State Grand Final where they will compete with other schools from around NSW and the ACT at The Seymour Centre. 

The event featured a diverse lineup of performances, including traditional plays, modernised adaptations, and original films created by our talented students. It was incredible to see how students were able to reimagine Shakespeare's stories, bringing new life to his timeless works through acting and film.

We would like to congratulate the following students for moving forward in their categories:

Group Devised (their own scene creation based on the three witches in Macbeth)

• Helli Vyas
• Saumya Punj
• Emily Burchmore 
• Lauren Renouf 

Smart Phone Short Film (based on a therapy session of different female characters in Shakespeare’s works)

• Dharshini Mah
• Jaideen Labo
• Nila Raj Nandakumar
• Erielle Intud
• Addalyn Corbin
• Demaiyrah Desouza
• Bailey Hanriyanto
• Alaina Medina
• Isabelle Topajikian
• Angie Trpcevska

Duologue (based on Othello - A scene between Othello and Iago)

• Angus Rice 
• Adam Merceica

The evening was filled with laughter, applause, and admiration for all the hard work and talent on show. Thanks to everyone who participated and attended, this event highlighted the power of the arts to connect us across generations. Please wish our students luck for next week. 

Ms Christina Rujicica

Assistant Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 12

We are thrilled to announce the winners of our March Writing Competition, which showcased the creativity, insight, and passion of students from across all year levels. The standard of entries was exceptional, making the judges’ decision a difficult one. Congratulations to the following talented students who took out the top spot for their year group:

• Year 7: Miranda Sanorjo
• Year 8: Courtney Banares
• Year 9: Aleena Lamba
• Year 10: Alyssa Bettiol
• Year 11: Lexi Iskander
• Year 12: Kathy Ko

Each winner demonstrated a strong command of language, a unique voice, and a commitment to write effectively in their chosen subject are or topic. Each student wins a $20 voucher.

We extend a warm thank you to all students who entered — your writing made a strong impression and showed how vibrant our writing community truly is.

Next Competition: May

Our next writing competition will open in early May, and we encourage all students to enter. Whether you're a seasoned writer or giving it a go for the first time, this is a fantastic opportunity to sharpen your skills and have your voice heard.

Stay tuned for the submission details, which will be released in Week 2 of Term 2. Happy writing!

Mr Duncan Dewar

Leader of Learning Reading/Writing

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. This is a fantastic opportunity for families to share their home and lifestyle while experiencing another culture.

Students will attend school on weekdays and enjoy family life with their hosts on weekends. No Japanese language skills are required, as students will easily integrate into your family routines. Each student needs their own bed but may share a room. Host families will receive $55 per night.

We always receive positive feedback from families who host, finding the experience rewarding and enriching for everyone involved.

If you're interested in hosting a student or would like more information, please contact Ms Suzuki at msuzuki@parra.catholic.edu.au or VS Oceania at ushinohama@vsoceania.com.

Thank you for your support!

Mrs Mariko Suzuki

Leader of Learning - Languages

Exploring Statistics Through Basketball

On Wednesday afternoon, Year 9 Core Mathematics students swapped textbooks for basketballs in a hands-on investigation that combined physical activity with statistical analysis. In this engaging task, each student took 15 basketball shots, carefully recording the number of successful attempts. The aim? To collect real data and apply statistical tools to analyse class performance. Once the shots were taken, the maths began. Students constructed frequency distribution tables, calculated totals, and used formulas to find the mean, mode, range, standard deviation, median, and quartiles of their dataset. They also created box and whisker plots—a powerful visual representation of how data is spread. Using a detailed scaffold students were able to write a summary paragraph on our class statistics.

This hands-on task made maths active, meaningful, and engaging, showing how data and statistics apply in the real world. Well done to all our sharp-shooting statisticians!

Mrs Liliana Appleby

Maths Teacher

College Leadership Team

Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing

College Leaders of Learning - KLA

College Leaders of Learning and Other Leaders