St Andrews College Marayong eNewsletter Term 2 Week 4 2025

SUBJECT SELECTION 2026

The exciting time of subject selection for 2026 is upon our current Year 8 and Year 10 students. Both information nights will be held on the 3rd of June in the Junior Campus Hall. This is a mandatory event for our students and one parent/caregiver must attend with them. All students must wear their full school winter uniform to attend the night.

The session for all Year 8 students going into Year 9 in 2026 will begin promptly at 5pm.

The session for all Year 10 students will begin promptly at 6pm.

The information that students and their parents will receive is essential to their eligibility for their NESA RoSA credential and eligibility for the HSC at the completion of their studies.

Students are required to have visited the subject selection sites for Year 9 2026

and Year 11 2026 which were provided via Compass to all families.

Any questions regarding subject selection will be addressed on the night.

LEARNING FOR IMPACT - Critical Thinking in our classrooms

Our College goal for 2025 is focused on improving students’ skills in critical thinking. Critical thinking ensures that students are able to analyse, evaluate, explain, make inferences and solve problems. Our goal is to nurture curiosity in our students and enable them to thrive beyond the classroom. 

By developing these essential skills, we are equipping our students to become thoughtful, independent learners who can navigate and contribute positively to a rapidly changing world. Together with your support, we are committed to empowering students to reach their full potential through strong critical thinking skills.

Ms Josilin Kalifa

Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

Uniform

During Term 2 and Term 3, all students were expected to be in full college winter uniform. It is an expectation of the College that all students wear this uniform from the moment they leave home in the morning until they arrive at home in the afternoon. 

As it gets colder, students may want to add scarves and gloves, etc. Any scarf or gloves must be navy blue or black only. We have a College jumper and blazer, and these are the only uniforms that should be showing. If this is not enough, I suggest thermal undergarments that could be worn under the uniform. Any non-St Andrews uniform that can be seen will need to be removed.

On sport days, students are to attend in full sports uniform, if they arrive in non-St Andrews uniform, they will not be permitted to go to sport. 

Every student is expected to have a St Andrews bag every day. Non-St Andrews bags will be left with their Leader of Learning for the day.

The student’s planners have a list of the requirements for uniforms. All students are expected to adhere to these rules.

Technology

The phone and App companies have made these devices and programs addictive, and it is hard to resist notifications and social media posts. At school, technology is there to assist in learning. If a student is playing games or checking social media etc., then they are not learning. The focus at school is always on learning, and social media and games should be in recreational time at home. Technology has a time and place and at school, it is always under the direction of the teacher for learning.

A reminder for all students – No student is to take photos or videos of other students without a teacher’s permission. No pictures of a student in uniform should ever be put on social media. Students are not to put any pictures of other students online without the family’s permission.

Parents are reminded that there is a lot of information via School TV and through the office of the E-Safety Commissioner (https://www.esafety.gov.au) 

What’s in the student planner?

Thinking before, during and after class.

Before class.- Remember the information you learnt about in the previous lesson, make sure you understand it

During class-  Apply what you have learnt to the new situations in class and analyse the information- look for the “what ifs”. search for patterns and connections between the parts.

After class- evaluate the work, compare and make judgments about the information from the lesson, design and create your own connections and ideas and investigate patterns and connections in your learning.

If you spend time reflecting and thinking about your learning every day you will develop learning at a higher level. You will be able to learn in more effective ways and will be able to use what you learn across different areas.

God Bless

Mr. Nicholas Thrum

Assistant Principal - Students

Mother's Day Breakfast and Mass

On Friday 9th May, St Andrews hosted their annual Mother's Day Breakfast and Mass. It was a wonderful celebration of the significant women in our community who mould our young people through love and sacrifice, their presence nurturing and guiding their children into the people God has made them to be. Our opening prayer reflected the love that God had for Mary as his mother, entrusting himself to Mary’s watchful hands as a vulnerable infant. Since then, every act of mothering, both physical and spiritual, at every time and every corner of the world recollects Mary’s motherhood. Inspired by this example, we, too, were happy to take the opportunity to honour our mothers and mother figures within the St Andrews community. Thank you to all the Mothers who attended or who could not be with us. Thank you to Miss Serbin and the catering team. Thank you to our SRC Student Leaders who so beautifully welcomed our Mothers and led us in prayer. Thank you also to Fr Lauro, who celebrated Mass with us, allowing us to honour our Mothers.

YEAR 7 REFLECTION DAY 2025 – “Come and See!”

Last week, our Year 7 students took part in a powerful and uplifting Reflection Day themed “Come and See”, based on John 1:38-39. Led by the Year 10 leaders and the CYP Team, the day was filled with prayer, worship, fun activities, deep conversations, and personal reflection. From the energetic icebreakers and the “Who Are You?” group game, to the more contemplative Emmaus Walk and personal reflection time, students were guided on a journey to explore who they are, what they are searching for, and how God is calling them. Themed sessions such as “God Who Wants to Know Us”, “God of Community”, and “God of Adventure” helped students reflect on their identity, the importance of walking with others, and the call to live with purpose and hope.

Throughout the day, Year 7s were invited into moments of honesty, friendship, and encounter with themselves, their peers, and God. Activities like the Snapshot Challenge, Agree/Disagree game, and testimony sharing allowed students to listen, speak, and connect meaningfully. The final prayer and worship session concluded the day with gratitude and encouragement to keep walking in faith. Jesus’ invitation to “Come and See” was not just about one day—it’s a lifelong call to community, growth, and adventure. We’re proud of our students for embracing the day with open hearts and pray that the seeds planted will continue to grow in their journey ahead. Thank you to the CYP team for facilitating the day.

Catholic Mission Conference

St Andrews Students Attend Catholic Mission’s Youth Leaders in Action Event

On Tuesday, 20 May, a group of 10 dedicated students from Years 10 and 12 at St Andrews College attended Youth Leaders in Action, a youth-focused event as part of the Mission: One Heart Many Voices 2025 Conference. This inspiring event took place at St Vincent’s College, Ashfield. Coordinated by Catholic Mission, the event engaged young leaders in powerful conversations and activities centred around pressing global and social issues, including climate justice, truth-telling and reconciliation, interfaith dialogue, and global poverty.

The Youth Leaders in Action event was more than just a workshop—it was a call to action that helped students grow in awareness, faith, and leadership. St Andrews students heard from a dynamic keynote speaker, participated in interactive workshops, and connected with like-minded peers from across the state. With live music, great food, and a vibrant, supportive atmosphere, the event proved to be both memorable and empowering. Our students returned inspired and better equipped to lead with purpose, compassion, and a deepened sense of social responsibility in their communities.

Vinnies Van

Our Vinnies Van volunteers were back out in action this week. Madeline, Freby, Miyaka and Arya from Year 12 joined Miss Tan and Mr Hoare in the opportunity to engage with and provide food and necessities to those who are less fortunate and on the fringes of society. It was an eventful evening, and as is often the case it was so rewarding for the teachers and students. It brings to mind 2 Corinthians 8:9 that, though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. Jesus’ poverty brings us spiritual richness, salvation, love, and the promise of eternal life. His sacrifice lifts us up and transforms our lives. Serving the poor is not just an act of charity; it is a participation in Christ’s mission. Just as Jesus gave of himself completely for others, we are invited to give generously of our time, resources, and compassion to those in need. Thank you to our student volunteers for participating in this mission in serving others, allowing us all to draw closer to him who became poor for our sake.

The Mission Team

Athletics Carnival

The Athletics Carnival is fast approaching - good luck to all Houses as they strive to win the Athletics Carnival Shield & the Lans Participation Shield. Which House will win in 2025?

Principal’s Awards

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

Mrs Sue Cooper

Leader of Wellbeing and Learning

scooper@parra.catholic.edu.au

Term 2 Update 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am delighted to introduce myself as the Acting Leader of Wellbeing for Year 11 for Term 2. It has been a pleasure working with our Year 11 students so far and connecting with some of their families. I look forward to continuing this journey throughout the remainder of the term to ensure a productive and positive experience for all students.

I am fortunate to be working alongside Mrs Janna Leitch, Assistant Leader of Wellbeing, as we support our students in both their academic progress and overall wellbeing. Ms Leitch will be overseeing attendance matters, with a particular focus on late arrivals.

Our Year 11 students have settled well into their senior studies and have recently completed their first round of assessment tasks. In Week 2, students engaged in a wellbeing session focused on study skills, equipping them with strategies for effective note-taking and exam preparation. These skills will be particularly valuable as they prepare for their Preliminary Examinations next term. To further support their learning, students are encouraged to attend the after-school Learning Center, held every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.

It has also been encouraging to hear many students engaging in thoughtful discussions about their subject choices and future pathways. We strongly encourage students to make use of our Careers Advisor, Mrs May, who is available to assist with planning for life beyond school.

We are proud of the involvement of many Year 11 students in broader school activities. Recently, our hospitality students supported the Mother's Day Breakfast, and it was wonderful to see so many students in attendance with their families. We are also looking forward to the upcoming Athletics Carnival in Week 6, a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their school spirit and enthusiasm.

Ms Leitch and I are excited for the term ahead and remain committed to supporting every Year 11 student. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,
Ms Dahana Biernat
Acting Leader of Wellbeing – Year 11

dbiernat@parra.catholic.edu.au

Year 7 

7VISA-J have finished off their first unit ‘Ways of Seeing’ for Visual Arts. We ended off the term with creating large scale food products that represent current popular culture. Students worked incredibly hard and well in their assigned groups, paving way for new friendships and connections. Over the next week, students will begin their large scale oil pastel drawings as part of their artmaking for their new unit, ‘Where the Land meets the Sea’.

Year 8

Over the past week, Year 8 classes 8VISA-B and 8VISA-F have embarked on an exciting journey into the world of Cubism! This revolutionary art movement is defined by its unique approach to fragmentation and distortion, offering a fresh perspective on how we view art. Each student has been tasked to design a captivating 2D artwork inspired by Picasso’s iconic guitar series. With a wide range of materials to choose from, they will have the opportunity to develop, enhance, and push the boundaries of their artistic skills. Get ready to see some incredible Cubist masterpieces come to life!

Year 9

Our Year 9 students have recently completed their exciting portraiture unit, showcasing their creativity through acrylic paintings of individuals who hold significance in their lives. Both Mrs. Kemal and I were truly amazed by the remarkable talent displayed by our students. Witnessing the evolution of their portraits from initial sketches to stunning final pieces was a joy! Throughout this unit, students not only honed their artistic skills but also developed essential life skills such as time management, problem-solving, critical thinking, seeking feedback, and organization. These abilities are vital as they navigate the real world. 

This past week, the talented students of 9VISA-1 dove into the colourful world of pop culture by embarking on their Richard Hamilton-inspired appropriation collages! As part of their new unit, ‘Pop Culture’, they had the opportunity to explore a variety of magazines generously donated by the St Andrews community.

With scissors, glue, and imagination in hand, students began crafting collages that capture the essence of today’s pop culture. For many, this was their very first experience flipping through a magazine, making the project even more exciting. 

Year 10

Year 10 have successfully completed their first unit of the year, titled Suburbia! I would personally like to express my gratitude to my class 10VISA-2 who have showcased a consistent and admirable commitment to their classwork and recent assessment task ‘Suburbia Collection of Work’ as their hard work is clearly reflected in their fantastic submissions. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to see all of our Year 10 students' incredible Collection of Work at the upcoming CAPA Showcase Evening in Week 6. We can't wait to celebrate their achievements with you! Check out the photos below to catch a glimpse of some of our students in action and finished Collection of Work.

Over the past week, Year 10 have begun their new unit, Fine Diner. Throughout this unit, students will be exploring the ways in which dining is explored by artists and creating their own fine dining ceramic collection of vessels. We look forward to seeing their creations in the upcoming weeks; these will be showcased at our end of year exhibition.

Art Club

Our Term 2 Art Club students have been diving into a variety of art mediums, enhancing their skills and pushing their creative boundaries! Drawing and ceramics have emerged as the favourite art forms among our enthusiastic students. Over the past three weeks, some Year 7 students have crafted delightful miniature clay creations, marking a special milestone for many as it was their very first experience working with clay! There's always a first time for everything, and it has been thrilling to witness their creativity in action. On the other hand, Year 9 students were given a tutorial for lino printing which involved using lino cutters to carve into a lino surface. Whilst this medium proved challenging and daunting at first, students were able to grasp the importance of safety using new equipment.

Miss Leezah Rivera

Visual Arts & HSIE Teacher

Junior CAPA Night 2025

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

Unity Day Audition & Rehearsal Information

Get ready to showcase your talent and celebrate cultural diversity at this year’s Unity Day! Auditions for all performance acts will be held on Wednesday of Week 7 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm in the Junior Campus Performing Arts Block. If you wish to be part of the performances on Unity Day, you must audition—no exceptions.

During auditions, performers will be notified on the day whether they have been successful. We encourage all students to come prepared and give it their best. For dance groups, please make sure your music is downloaded and handed to the Music teachers on the day of auditions to ensure everything runs smoothly. 

Final rehearsals for selected performers will take place on Wednesday of Week 9 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm in the Junior Hall. Attendance at this rehearsal is compulsory for all performers.

We are excited to see the range of talent and multicultural pride our students bring to the stage each year. Good luck to all our incredible acts—we can’t wait to see you at auditions!

 Mr Antonio Chiappetta & Mr Jason Alata

Performance Director & Leader of Learning - Music

And that’s a wrap on auditions for St Andrew’s newest production! On Thursday, the 23rd of May, students from all years battled the elements and put on a masterful showcase of school spirit by auditioning for our 2025 College Production. With a record-breaking turnout, the judges had their hands full with back-to-back excellence in the performing arts until late into the evening.

To audition, students were required to perform a 2-3 monologue in front of a panel of the St Andrews Drama team. These single performances were extracts from the future production’s script, which enabled students of all different levels to participate with varying character tones. The fan-favourite seemed to be The Queen’s Rant, which playfully reimagined the Queen of Hearts’ disgust at being interviewed by police regarding a crime that happened within her kingdom.

One of the most impressive elements of the entire afternoon and evening was the number of Year 7 students who got up and gave it a go. The willingness of the community to put themselves out there to try something new, and something fun, is quite spectacular. We commend all who auditioned.

As our judges painstakingly go through the intense discussions surrounding the auditions, we ask for your patience, but also your anticipation. Results are currently slated to go out Monday afternoon. We look forward to sharing them with the St Andrews community!

Mr Nick Lewandowski
Drama Teacher

In Term 1 and 2, some of our Year 7 Technology Mandatory students took on the exciting Engineered Systems unit by diving into the world of CO₂-powered dragster design and construction. Working in the workshop, students began by researching the principles of force, motion and aerodynamics, applying these concepts to design a miniature car that would be both fast and efficient.

With safety glasses on and coping saws in hand, students measured, marked and shaped their balsa wood blocks into streamlined dragster bodies. Using tools such as rasps, files and sandpaper, they refined their designs, making decisions that balanced aesthetics with aerodynamic efficiency. Along the way, students learned valuable practical skills such as how to use a pedestal drill safely, how to insert axles and eyelets correctly and how to minimise friction through precise wheel alignment. Each car became a reflection of the student’s growing understanding of engineering and design, and of their individual creativity.

After weeks of hard work in the workshop, the unit reached an exciting conclusion in Term 2, Week 2 with Race Day! Students brought their completed CO₂ dragsters to the track to put their designs to the ultimate test. Each class watched eagerly as cars launched down the racing line, powered by a burst of compressed CO₂. 

Congratulations to all students for their outstanding efforts, and a special shout out to our Top 3 Fastest Cars across the year group during this rotation:

• 1st Place: Marko Bukvic — 1.311 seconds

• 2nd Place: Amelia Caramancion — 1.326 seconds

• 3rd Place: Shlok Shrimali  — 1.341

We look forward to seeing what innovations Year 7 will continue to bring to their future Technology projects!

Miss Mifsud, Miss Valdivia, Miss Serbin & Mrs Carlos

TAS Teachers

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

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.

College Leadership Team

Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing

College Leaders of Learning - KLA

College Leaders of Learning and Other Leaders