2026 Timetable Update

Thank you very much to Year 8 and Year 10 students and their parents/carers for their support in planning for 2026. We had a success rate of greater than 98% in regards to students being allocated their chosen courses. This is an amazing result when considering that we have enrolment numbers for Year 9 2026 of 250 students and for Year 11 2026 of more than 200 students. Thank you to Ms Kalifa, Miss Breeze, Miss Corpuz, Mr Leaves, Miss Nikitovic, Ms May, Leaders of Learning and the many staff involved in such an important process.

• Year 11 2026 (Year 10 2025) have now completed their interviews which allows us to finalise their courses in preparation for timetable construction. A print out of final courses will be given to each student at the end of this term.
• Year 9 2026 (Year 8 2025) will be given a print out of their electives in week 5 this term.
• An important reminder regarding Year 7-10 2026 Core Classes.

Year 7 will have two Enrichment Classes which will be created based on ALLWELL Testing. Year 8 will have two Enrichment Classes which will be created based on their performance in 2025. Years 9 and 10 will have one Enrichment Class (each) created based on their performance in 2025. In Years 8-10 (2025) classwork/assessment that your child completes everyday in 2025 has a significant impact in determining who is selected for Enrichment Classes.

A Reminder …

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to contact me by email pfinnerty@parra.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions or feedback regarding the information above which relates to my specific role as Assistant Principal – Systems, Data, and Professional Learning.

Thank you for your continued support

Mr Patrick FinnertyAssistant Principal – Systems, Data and Professional Learning

Welcome back to Term 3. 

I would like to thank the students for the positive way they have started the term.

There are a lot of demands in Term 3. It is essential that all students are focused on their studies and look after their well-being. Being organise, getting sleep and keeping on top of all their work and home commitments is essential.

Students are never alone. Please see your Leaders of Learning KLA, Leaders of Wellbeing and your teachers for support if you are concerned at any time.

Good luck to all the Year 12 students in their HSC Trial Examinations, which start on Monday. 

Safety on the road.

Everyone is reminded about crossing busy roads. I have seen students crossing the road dangerously. Please use crossings and give yourself time to go the extra few steps safely, rather than cross a road dangerously.

Students should be more careful when they have headphones in or they are on their device while walking. We have had an increase in complaints that students are crossing the road and looking at their device rather than the road, and they have almost been hit. Please concentrate on the road while crossing.

Three steps to better habits

It is very easy for us to develop bad habits, and it's difficult at times to break these habits. It is important to be able to identify the bad habits and make plans to change them into positive habits. The following is a 3-step way that you can change your habits.

1. Identify what is holding you back. What is causing the problem, e.g. procrastination, fear, laziness etc.
2. Law of replacement. Choose a habit you want to change and replace it with a new one.
3. Cancel, Cancel. Cancel out negative thoughts and replace them with a positive thought.

Once you start using a new behaviour, you will find it easy to make this a new habit. Remember to stick with it at the start, and it will become second nature.

What is in the Planner?

The key character strength to focus on this week is Honesty. Honesty is essential in developing respectful relationships. 

Meaning and purpose

Use honesty to open your hearts to forgive others when they hurt or upset you. It is normal to have problems with others, but strength and honesty can help take the burden off your shoulders.

You can use honesty to have assertive conversations. Say what is concerning you, how it is making you feel and what you would like to happen. Be calm and strong and make sure your opinion is heard.

God Bless

Mr Nicholas Thrum

Assistant Principal - Students

Leadership Forum

On Friday, Week 1 this Term, after the Junior Assembly, the 7-12 SRC participated in a Leadership Forum. Our College Captains, Vice Captains and Year 12 SRC lead the forum to discuss various ideas and to plan for the Wellbeing Activities in Term 3. Some time was spent with the whole leadership group, and then the students split into their portfolios to discuss and plan the activities that will run this term: Bullying No Way - the National Week of Action; RUOK? Day and our Wellbeing Week, Bravery Week. Thank you to our Senior Leaders for meeting at the Junior Campus, to the College Captains & Vice Captains for their inclusivity and their organisation, and to the whole leadership team for their excellent ideas and teamwork. 

Principal’s Awards

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

House Cup Points Update

The updated points for the 2025 competition, including the recent Athletics Carnival, are below. A reminder that our 2025 competition finishes at the end of this term:

Bennelong 58, 345

Chang 57, 425

Frances 55, 485

Gould 53, 925

Mrs Sue Cooper

Leader of Wellbeing and Learning

scooper@parra.catholic.edu.au

It’s been so good to see everyone back this term with a fresh attitude and ready to jump into learning. There’s a real buzz around the school, and it’s clear that lots of you are setting out to make the most of the term ahead. Whether you’re getting back into your routine or trying something new, you’ve made a great start—and that deserves to be recognised.

Leading by Example
This term, we’re focusing on leadership, not just from school captains or SRC members, but from everyone. Leadership is about how you carry yourself every day. People notice how you speak, how you treat others, and how you represent our school. You might not realise it, but younger students often look up to you, and your actions can set the tone for those around you. So think about the example you’re setting, on the playground, in the classroom, and online.

Learning from Last Term
Your Semester 1 reports gave you a snapshot of where you’re at. Maybe there were some results you were proud of, or maybe there were areas you know you could improve. Either way, this is your chance to reflect, reset, and focus on what you want to achieve this term. Think about what worked, what didn’t, and what you could do differently. Start small, stay consistent, and keep moving forward.

Kindness Matters
One of the most important ways to be a leader is by being kind. A simple smile, a helpful gesture, or including someone who’s feeling left out can go a long way. If you see someone struggling, whether it’s with schoolwork, friendships, or something else, be the person who checks in. Real leadership is about lifting others up, not pushing them down. Be someone others feel safe around and inspired by.

Make This Term Count
Let’s build on this strong start and make Term 3 something to be proud of. Keep showing respect, giving your best effort, and being the kind of person who makes our school a better place to be. Look after one another, take pride in what you do, and enjoy the journey ahead.

Be someone others can count on and be the reason someone smiles each day

Mr Kharl Carlos
Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9

Term 3 Update

Dear Parents and Carers,
My name is Dahana Biernat, and I’m excited to introduce myself as the Leader of Wellbeing for Year 7. I feel incredibly privileged to support our Year 7 students as
they continue their high school journey this semester. My focus is on creating a safe, inclusive, and positive environment where every student feels supported and encouraged to grow both academically and personally. Joining me in this role is Sophie Britton, who will be assisting as the Assistant Year 7 Leader of Wellbeing. Sophie brings such great energy and care to the team, and we’re both committed to helping students continue to settle in, build strong connections, and develop confidence in themselves.

We’re here to support not just the students, but families as well, so please don’t
hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.
Looking forward to a fantastic second semester!

Kind regards,
Ms Dahana Biernat
Leader of Wellbeing – Year 7
dbiernat@parra.catholic.edu.au

Year 12 HSC Revision

Year 12 students are working hard and officially counting down 30 days until the due date of their Body of Work. This week students worked towards completing 95% of their artworks and received feedback in class so that these can be actioned during the Trial HSC period. We look forward to showcasing the students’ artworks in September, once we have more information regarding their marking date.

During our final lessons in the lead up to the trial exam, students engaged in various revision activities. Using the “Unpacking Artworks” study cards (thank you to Mrs Sanders for bringing in this resource), students quizzed each other in pairs and revised artworks studied in their five case studies from this year. Students were challenged to recall information about the artworks and make links between the interrelationships for the agencies of the artworld. 

Wishing our Year 12 Visual Arts students all the best for the upcoming HSC Trial examinations. 

Mrs Claudia Harris

Leader of Learning Visual Arts

Year 8 

Year 8 Dive into Surrealism and Ceramics in Term 3

In Week 1 of Term 3, our Year 8 Visual Arts students began an exciting journey into the world of Surrealism, an art movement known for its dreamlike imagery and surprising combinations. Students explored how artists use imagination, symbolism, and techniques such as metamorphosis to express the subconscious mind.

Building on these ideas, students were introduced to the playful and uniquely Australian style of Reg Mombassa, a contemporary artist known for his bold colours, quirky characters, and surreal landscapes. Inspired by his practice, students have, this week begun planning their own mini ceramic mugs, blending functional design with surreal creativity. Using Mombassa’s work as a starting point, each student is developing an original mug design.

Over the coming weeks, students will move from design to clay construction, learning hand building techniques and surface decoration methods. We look forward to seeing their creative ideas come to life in ceramic form.

Year 7 

This term, Year 7 Visual Arts students are diving into the colourful and bold world of Pop Art. Students have been exploring how popular culture influences the way we see the world and how it can be transformed into creative and eye-catching artwork.

In the coming weeks, students will begin an exciting collaborative group project. Each class will choose between two options, creating a paper mache sculpture of a popular food item or producing a large scale painting inspired by popular foods. These projects will allow students to combine their creativity with teamwork as they bring their ideas to life on a bigger scale.

We are looking forward to seeing how students use bright colours, bold outlines, and playful subject matter to capture the fun and energy of pop culture in their own Pop Art. 

Mrs Tiana Psaila

Visual Arts Teacher

On Wednesday the 2nd of July a group of Year 9 St Andrews students had the opportunity to participate in the STEM-Sell competition, hosted by Transurban at the St Peter’s Motorway Control Centre. This unique event brought together teams from various schools for a day of hands-on engineering challenges and team-building, which provided them with an insight into the world of engineering.

STEM-Sell is designed to inspire young minds by combining science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and competitive environment. Our students formed three teams of three and dove into the day’s activities, which began with introductions from engineers. They explained what the engineering discipline involved, along with the essential math and science principles needed to tackle the challenges, as well as how they use these skills everyday within their line of work.

Throughout the day, students learned not only technical skills but also important teamwork and problem-solving strategies. On the day the students completed an escape room and a bridge building challenge. The students were also presented with an opportunity to tour the St Peter’s Motorway Control Centre, where they received a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge research projects and the impressive technology that keeps the city moving smoothly.

I was incredibly proud of our students for their creativity, teamwork, and dedication throughout the STEM-Sell excursion. It was a memorable day that highlighted the exciting paths that engineering and STEM careers can open.

Miss Alexandra Serbin

Hungarian Kickboxing World Cup 2025 – A Proud Moment for the Badato Family and Australia ???

We are proud to share the outstanding achievements of Israel Badato (Year 10) and Ezekiel Badato (Year 5), who recently represented Australia at the prestigious Hungarian Kickboxing World Cup 2025, alongside their older brother, Isaiah Badato, and 21 other talented athletes.

This international event welcomed fierce competitors from across the globe, providing a world-class experience for all involved. Despite facing tough challenges, the Badato brothers displayed resilience, courage, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Ezekiel, our youngest competitor, stepped into the ring against a more experienced and physically larger opponent. Though he didn’t secure a win, his bravery, determination, and gracious attitude left a lasting impression on the crowd.

Israel fought valiantly in his age and weight division, ultimately bringing home a Bronze medal for Australia. His performance demonstrated not only skill and perseverance but also the spirit of a true athlete.

Congratulations to the Badato family on such a proud achievement! ??

We are incredibly proud of Stella, who recently represented Australia as part of a Women's Trio in Acrobatic Gymnastics at the prestigious Limes Junior Cup in Aalen, Germany. This international event provided a fantastic platform for Stella and her partners to showcase their talent, determination, and teamwork on the world stage. Competing against top athletes from across the globe, the trio achieved an impressive 6th place in their Balance Routine — an outstanding result for their first international competition.

Following their return to Australia, the trio continued their strong performance by representing New South Wales at the Australian Gymnastics Championships on the Gold Coast. Over the course of the event, Stella and her teammates performed three exceptional routines, earning their highest scores to date. Their hard work and dedication culminated in a well-deserved overall Bronze medal.

Now setting their sights on the future, Stella and her partners are working towards their next big goal — qualifying for the 2026 World Championships in Italy. We congratulate Stella on these incredible achievements and look forward to following her journey in the years ahead.

We are delighted to welcome the exchange students from our sister school (Isahaya Commercial High School) in Japan, who arrived in Sydney last Saturday.

This year, three female students — Karin Suzuki, Yoko Araki, and Azusa Sakata — have joined us as part of our exchange program and will be staying with us for seven weeks. Currently in Year 11 at their home school, they were very excited to begin their journey at St Andrews College.

The students have settled in well and look fantastic in our school uniform. We look forward to sharing cultural experiences and building strong friendships throughout their stay.

Let’s make them feel at home and give them a warm St Andrews welcome!

Mrs Mariko Suzuki

Leader of Learning Languages

College Leadership Team

Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing

College Leaders of Learning - KLA

College Leaders of Learning and Other Leaders