St Andrews College Marayong eNewsletter Term 4 Week 10
Newsletter 21 2020
Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,
We had a fitting end to the 2020 school year with a Wellbeing Day for Years 7-10, Christmas Liturgy and Blessing, and our Academic Awards Ceremony.
I take this opportunity to wish all staff, students, and families a very happy and safe Christmas, and look forward to seeing you all again in 2021. Thank you for your support throughout 2020.
‘It’s All About Learning’
Advent Reflection:
Pause for ADVENT Week 4
The Third Sunday of Advent has traditionally been called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice.
In the past we observed our Advent preparation in a manner more like the discipline required during Lent. The third Sunday of Advent was a time to take a breather and celebrate the nearness of Christmas. Joy is a gift to all of us and in everyday there is, should we choose to notice, a joyful moment. Henri Nouwen wrote...
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”
Reflecting more deeply on the scriptures for the Third Sunday of Advent, we see Isaiah speaks of his relationship with God, in what he calls, “the joy of my soul.” Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to live from a sense of joy because God’s love for them has been expressed in Christ Jesus. This week of Advent is less about seeing Christmas near at hand, and more about renewing our sense of purpose and our unique place in the unfolding process of bringing about God’s reign. The work continues and we have a part to play...
Last weekend we lit the third Advent candle - JOY
This weekend we light the fourth Advent candle - LOVE
“I baptise with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” John 1:19-28
‘I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God’ Isaiah 61:10
Jesus is the most pure example of Love.
HSC 2020 Results Summary:
I commend the HSC students and their achievements. With many students gaining early entry into University we have much to celebrate. Mrs Deschamps (Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching) will put in a more detailed account of our results in the next Newsletter as we are still contacting students to gain ATAR’s. I would like to commend:
- Owen Walker for achieving fourth place in the State in Mathematics Standard 1.
- The outstanding History Extension results with Hashwitaa Maynoor making the Merit List. All E4’s and 3’s in the Course.
- The outstanding Visual Arts results with Maheka Karunaratne making the Merit List and no student under a Band 5 result.
- Legal Studies Merit Lists for Joshua Hewitt and Rachel Khalil.
- Society and Culture Merit List for Phoebe Bibon and Mikayla Garland.
- Merit List for Jerica Cabanit in Design and Technology and Industrial Technology.
- Mathematics Standard 1 being 8.75 marks above State Average.
- Science Extension well above State Average.
- All VET Exams well above State Average.
- Onstage Nomination for Chloe Leibeck in Drama
- Art Express Nominations for Nathan Capulong and Oliver Kozak for their Major Works.
I am happy to announce that our Stage 6 Visual Art students were apart of the ARTiculate online exhibition. The ARTiculate online 2020 gallery is now up and running. Here’s the link-
https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/2020Articulate
We look forward to presenting our High Achievers and those with the greatest learning gain at our HSC High Achievers Assembly in 2021.
Student Leaders Initiatives:
Our Year 10 2021 school leaders have put forward a proposal for a girls tie to be introduced into the Junior College as part of the Winter Uniform. It was a very professional proposal that the student leaders should be very proud of. We will consult the parent body before proceeding with f=urther direction. Whatever way we decide to go I would like to commend our Student Leaders on bringing forward this initiative and encourage them to continue their initiatives.
Year 7 2021 Allwell Testing:
We are currently assessing the results of the tests that occurred on the Orientation Day and these will be shared with parents. The results will be used to add to the data we already have from student applications to inform teachers of areas of student strength as well as areas to focus on for growth.
Enrolment for Year 7 2022 NOW OPEN
If you have a friend or family member looking to enrol for Year 7 2022 (students currently in Year 5) please contact the Office ASAP for an enrolment pack to avoid disappointment. We have a substantial waiting list already for Year 7 2021. Positions have almost filled so please be quick to enrol in the New Year.
Fidem in Christo
Stephen Kennaugh
Principal
What is an ATAR?
HSC Results 2020
Congratulations to the numerous to our 2020 student cohort for their achievement in the 2020 HSC Examinations. Despite a highly unusual year with a plethora of challenges, our students have definitely demonstrated results worthy of their determination and effort.
Among the subjects where achievement was significantly represented in the top 3 bands was: Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, CAFs, D & T, Drama, Economics, Engineering, English Standard, English Advanced, English Extension 1, Food Technology, Geography, Industrial Technology, Investigating Science, Legal Studies, Maths Standard 1, Maths Standard 2, Maths Extension 1, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 2, Modern History, History Extension, Music 1, PDHPE, Physics, Science Extension 1, S & C, SOR I and II, Visual Arts, Arabic Continuers, Japanese Continuers, Business Services, Construction, Entertainment Industry and IDT.
The High Achievers Assembly will be held on 4:2:21 9am - 11am. This assembly will acknowledge students achieving Band 6 in any subject and the students receiving the highest ATAR achievement, will be acknowledged. Students who will receive awards will receive an invitation to attend.
Well done Year 12, and we thank the many teachers across Year 7-12 for their dedication to the education of all students throughout their Secondary education.
Awards Assembly 7-11 Week 10 Term 4
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate our many award recipients this week. As the organiser of the awards, I am delighted at the many students who have demonstrated dedication, passion for learning and who strive to be the best they can be.
I would also like to highlight that not every student who achieves the highest grades in a subject, is necessarily ‘smart’, ‘brainy’ and ‘is always the best’. In my 31 year career in education I have always had high expectations of myself and my students. During my 31 years I have always empowered my students to go beyond and strive for success. I have had many students tell me they want to top the subject, and my simple reply is, go for it, what is stopping you. Also students who have told me that they will not succeed, I have always stopped that conversation but stating that they will learn and can achieve goals if they work consistently hard, learn from mistakes and seek and apply feedback from their teacher. Consequently I have had the privilege to see many fine students achieve their goals, whether it be come first in the subject or going beyond their expectation. The number one reason for my student’s success was their mindset.
So my challenge to you in 2021 is to always be the best you can be!
Over the past 4 terms, for the first time in the St Andrews Community, a group of girls from years 8 to 10 have been given the opportunity to complete a Certificate 1 in Dance. These sessions occur on a Tuesday morning at 7:30am. Throughout the year we have learnt a variety of different dance styles and techniques, along with being given the opportunity to perform in Creative Arts Night (CAN).
Fortunately, when we were learning choreography for the style of Jazz, we were offered the chance to perform the dance for CAN. It was a thrilling experience as all of us dancers could feel like we were to perform a dance and showcase it to a wide audience. Even though the dance had to be recorded, it still gives us the same excitement as if we were to be in a music video.
Congratulations to the following students who successfully completed the Certificate 1 in Dance course this year:
Ava Alley
Bella Alton
Erin Blanch
Katelyn Calima
Chelsea Donato
Nicola Gerardis
Charlise Kenny
Laura O’Neil
Diana Park
Tijana Sammut
Nikita Vella-Quinn
Although the pandemic has restricted us from performing dance pieces live and with other schools, it hasn’t stopped us from having all the fun we could possibly have while learning new skills. On behalf of all the dancers, I would like to give a special thank you to our lovely dance instructors, Mrs Prsic and Mrs Omokaro, who have been able to come to our school and teach us all that we would need to know, making the atmosphere around us dancers safe and welcoming. They have helped us strive for success and have been willing to help us when we needed it. So thank you! It has been an exciting journey filled with laughter and comfort making new friends with the same interest and working with one another and our amazing teachers!
Charlise Kenny
Year 9
On Friday 11th of December, our 2020 school year came to an end, and we celebrated it true St Andrews style. Students spent the morning in 'end-of-year' year meetings. Special congratulations to the major award recipients! We know all of our students had to work extra hard this year. After recess, Students enjoyed playing theatre sports, handball, soccer, volleyball, basketball and dodgeball with their year groups and in some cases, their teachers as well.
Our Christmas Liturgy was delivered over zoom and went incredibly well thanks to the team effort of everyone involved, including Santa, who showed up to celebrate SAC’s amazing donation to the 2020 Vinnies appeal. In total, we ended up raising $2726 worth of Woolworth’s Gift vouchers! Each Learning Group was assigned a specific family from the Vinnies Marayong Chapter - each family's Christmas celebrations and gifts were dependent upon each individual Learning Group’s generosity. It was a great reminder to be appreciative of what we have as we approach Christmas and wrap up the year.
Applications for student travel in 2021 opened from Monday 12 October 2020.
Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass for 2021 can now apply online. A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for a school travel pass for the first time or requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who have changed school/campus, changed address, repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should re-apply or update their details.
*Applications must be completed by the student's parent or legal guardian if the student is aged under 16 years. Students 16 years and over must complete the application form themselves.
Where there is a change of distance eligibility based on a student's grade, the system will automatically update a student's entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
If a student needs to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails
Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2020 to ensure that current student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card remains valid. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2020, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.
Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2021.
St Andrews College - Jnr Campus
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE TAKEN ON:
Friday 29 January 2021 and Monday 8 February 2021
ORDER NOW go to www.advancedlife.com.au and enter the code VZD T1P 7AT
School photographs are scheduled to be taken by advancedlife. Whilst an envelope and flyer will be distributed shortly, if possible it is our preference that ordering be completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day.
Orders for photography packages can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advanced order code. Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day.
Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please contact us at
www.advancedlife.com.au/contact
Enrolments are now open for Year 7 2022
St Andrews College is about creating dynamic learning environments that challenge and nurture students to be companions for each other and people of compassion, confidence, competence, creativity, conscience and with the conviction of faith to transform our world. In addition, our focus at St Andrews College is to develop each student holistically using the SPIRE Framework. Linking with our SPIRE Framework is a philosophy relating to the development of the whole person. St Andrews College is proud to be a member of the Positive Education Schools Association. Our membership allows us access to resources for our wellbeing and learning initiatives that are developed upon evidence-based research.
St Andrews College has a strong tradition of mentoring students so they grow into young people ready to embrace a world that is very different to the one we see today.
St Andrews College is a learning environment focused on insightful thinking to ensure that our students are academically and vocationally prepared to embrace their future world.
Parents of Year 5 students who wish to enrol their child for Year 7 at St Andrews College are invited to submit an application form before the end of Term 4 2020. Enrolment Application Forms can be downloaded from the College website or alternatively, contact the College direct on 9626 4000.
Uniforms
The last delivery for school uniforms will be Wednesday 9th December 2020. The first delivery of uniforms in 2021 will be Wednesday 27th January 2021.
A reminder that all orders are to be placed on the QKR App and paid via Card. Please download the app, search for St Andrews College and follow the prompts.
Please place your orders prior to the dates above to ensure the student has a uniform to start the 2021 school year.
Please Note: Oz Fashions does not sell the uniform in store.
Any questions or concerns please email elle@ozfashions.com.au
School Fees
As 2020 draws to an end, if you have any school fee related questions, please contact the College School Fee Secretary, Mrs Nerida Whybin on 9626 4015 or email nwhybin@parra.catholic.edu.au
Reminder for families that pay via Bpoint fortnightly payments that your end date was 11.12.20, for any accounts that are still active, CEDP Billing and Receipting have extended the flexible payment plans.
Concession Cards
Cashless School
St Andrews College will become Cashless as of Term 4, 2020.
We encourage any payments by parents or students to be completed by EFT or Credit cards. The college will no longer have any cash or change floats on either campus at the front offices.
Whilst we encourage all payments to be cashless and we have endeavoured to cover all costs in school fees, we will still accept cash payments for the remainder of term 4. Commencing Term 1, 2021 the college will be totally cashless and will only accept payments by credit card, EFT or Bpay/DDB/Bpoint (school fees).
As advised by CEDP finance, if any family member wishes to pay by cash they can do so at Australia Posts via Postbill pay.
If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the front office.
Blessings
Melissa Welch
Business Manager
18th December
HSC results released
TERM 1
28th January
Start of Term 1, 2021 for years 7,10,11,12
29th January
Start of Term 1, 2021 for years 8 and 9
College Leadership Team
| Principal | Mr Stephen Kennaugh |
| Assistant Principal Staff and Innovation (Acting) | Mrs Clare Healy |
| Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning | Ms Michelle Deschamps |
| Assistant Principal Students | Mr Nick Thrum |
| Director Faith, Mission and Learning | Mr Frank Clarke |
| Business Manager | Mrs Melissa Welch |
| Principal's Secretary and College Registrar | Mrs Julie Sabine |
College Leaders of Learning - KLA
| Leader of Learning English | Mrs Marsha Edwards |
| Assistant Leader of Learning English | Mr Travis Kolek |
| Leader of Learning Performance Arts | Mr Antonio Chiappetta |
| Leader of Learning Creative Arts | Mrs Pauline Ryan |
| Leader of Learning HSIE | Mr Daniel Camilleri |
| Assistant Leader of Learning HSIE | Mr Jarryd Leaves |
| Leader of Learning Languages | Mrs Mariko Suzuki |
| Leader of Learning TAS | Mr Bill Robson |
| Assistant Leader of Learning TAS | Mr Scott Drennan |
College Leaders of Learning
| Leader of Learning Diversity | Mrs Pauline Xuereb |
| Leader Faith, Mission and Learning | Ms Josilin Kalifa |
| Leader of Learning Literacy | Mr Duncan Dewar |
| Leader of Learning Technologies | Mrs Sarah Anzellotti |
| Leader of Learning Faith in Mission | Mr Ralph San-Pedro Loyola |
| Leader of Learning Sport | Mr Alexander Dunaeff |
Senior Campus Leaders of Learning - KLA
| Leader of Learning Mathematics | Ms Tracey Thomson |
| Leader of Learning PDHPE | Ms Claudine Desira |
| Leader of Learning Science (Acting) | Mr Rohan Isaac |
Junior Campus Leaders of Learning - KLA
| Leader of Learning Mathematics | Mrs Gilda De Guzman |
| Leader of Learning PDHPE | Mr Nathan Weaver |
| Leader of Learning Science | Mrs Wendy Rudman |
Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing
| Leader of Wellbeing | Mrs Sue Cooper |
| Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 7 | Mr Asterios Zouriakis |
| Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 8 | Ms Melissa Blackwell |
| Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 9 (Acting) | Mrs Andrea Utoikamanu |
| Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 10 | Ms Emily Pett |
| Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 11 | Mr Martin Gillogly |
| Leader of Learning WellbeingYear 12 | Ms Lyndal Simmonds |
|
School Counsellor (Thursday, Friday and |
Ms Kerrie Castle |
|
School Counsellor (Tuesday, Wednesday and |
Sr Cristina Ramada |
| Careers Counsellor | Ms Therese May |
| College Administration Coordinator | Ms Simone McKechnie |