What Is Bullying?

Bullying is made up of behaviours intended to deliberately hurt, threaten, frighten or exclude someone by physical and non-physical means over extended periods of time. An individual or group may direct these behaviours towards another individual or group.  

Someone is bullying another person when:

• They repeatedly verbally abuse a person or group by calling them unpleasant names, by writing them nasty notes and/or messages or by using unpleasant gestures.
• They repeatedly physically harm a person or group or physically intimidate them by threatening physical harm or by destroying/taking their belongings without permission.
• They repeatedly encourage their friends or people they know to verbally, physically threaten a person or group; or ask them to harass, embarrass, ignore or exclude that person or group from activities.

Bullying may take one, two or all of these forms. Repeatedly means that they do these things to that person or group the majority of the time they talk about them see them or spend time around them.

Research has shown that bullying has negative, long-term consequences for all involved. 

Such consequences include:

• For victims - constant feelings of rejection, low self-regard, fear, an inability to solve problems with others in acceptable ways, relationship difficulties, and problems with achieving full potential academically and socially;
• For bullies - an increased risk of criminal behaviour. 

As such, bullying behaviours have no place at this College

What do we do if it happens to you or someone you know?

If you are being bullied at school or online, or you know of someone that is being bullied, you must make a positive move to stop the bullying. St Andrews has a no tolerance rule for bullying but if you don’t tell us, we cannot help.

Step 1 – talk to someone about what is happening. If you know the person and you are comfortable approach them and ask them to stop.

Step 2- approach your parents or the school to help you sort out the issue. You have your learning advisor or your Leaders of Learning that are there to support you. They might give you strategies to help deal with the situation or they might intervene, this is up to you.

Step 3- If you are able to sort things out, move forward in a positive way, if not, speak to another person of approach someone you trust to help you. At the end of the day we want all students to be safe and learning so we will assist any student to help that happen. Don’t be afraid to come and see a teacher it is our job to assist you.

St Andrews has a zero tolerance policy on bullying. If you have any concerns please see your Learning Advisor, your teachers, your Leader of Learning – Pastoral or myself. The quicker you see us, the quicker it will be resolved.

Swimming Carnival

The College Annual Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday the 25th February at Blacktown Aquatic Centre. Due to COVID 19 the carnival will be for competitors only, If you are questions about the swimming carnival please see your Learning Advisor or Mr Dunaeff, the Leader of Learning - Sport. 

Attendance

Just a reminder about attendance. We expect all students to attend school unless there is illness or other valid family reasons. We try to avoid taking days off unless it is absolutely necessary. Please contact your child’s Leader of Learning – Wellbeing if you have any concerns about attendance.

What’s in the Student Planner this week?

The focus over the last 2 weeks: students have been focusing on finding out their strength profile and understanding what it means. Student will complete the Character Strength test to identify their strengths and then learn how to use them.

The students have been doing activities for gratitude week. Gratitude for what others do for you and the good things you have in your life. Find the person who has done this and be grateful- say thank you. Thanks to the SRC on both campuses that organised events for this activity.

Ways to change from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset

1. Focus on what is working- we need to understand and work with our strengths. When we identify our strengths we start to understand the areas we need help with.
2. Set realistic goals – setting goals helps us focus on moving forward in a positive way. Setting goals on our strengths is easy and if we use similar goals and strategies for our weaker areas you will see success.
3. Be patient- all success takes time. We might see improvement in our areas of strength but sometimes other areas take more time, be patient and it will happen
4. Have grit- be persistent in your work, don’t give up when it gets hard. The work is meant to be hard so you grow and your weaknesses become strengths. 
5. Always uses your resources- all students have resources to help them have success, your families, your teachers, staff at the College and other people who have an expertise in learning. Never be afraid to ask for help, this is a sign of strength.
6. Take action- as Nike says, “Just do it”. Don’t procrastinate, set your goals and take action.

Never use the term “I can’t do it”, use the term “I can’t do it yet” change the way we think, be positive and solution focused.

God bless

Nick Thrum

Assistant Principal- Students

From the Director

“St Andrew’s College is a Catholic school that proposes Jesus Christ as the model for human life.” When discussing this with my class we considered how we are intentional in our Catholic faith life, how we are inclusive of all souls and how getting to personally know Jesus is our life’s goal. The start to 2021 has been full of energy and celebration; of welcome and reconnection.

I love the word “ethos” as it encapsulates so much about the human person living in community. When I was living in Ireland the then President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, was speaking to a group of leaders of Jesuit Ministries and schools. She said that “the ethos of a group, of a community, of a school, a workplace, a family, a team…ethos is the way that we treat each other when no one is looking.” Our ethos here at St Andrew’s is called to the head, heart and hands of Christ – becoming “women and men for others” as we “do more and go beyond.”  We live it, feel it and trust that we are that caring person “whilst no one is looking” for those in our classes, houses and wonderful College community here at SAC.

Opening Year Mass

Friday 5 February saw our Opening Year Mass. It as different this year in that we were only permitted to have Senior Student leaders present, and the College community participating remotely with mass being streamed. Fr Flor led us and encouraged us to  be tue to the calling that God has in each and everyone of us. Fr Flor’s Homily is included at the end of this article for us to consider God’s calling for each of us to flourish, as we are made in His image and likeness. In his College Principal’s address, Mr Kennaugh emphasised these same dimensions for us to seek the best that we are and to put our talents to service. College Captains Maiah Lazaro and Angelo Marasigan addressed the College imploring us to make 2021 our best year yet, to work hard for ourselves and others. 

These three leaders spoke of the innate goodness of each and the importance that agency of self to be the difference that we want to see comes alive. I was struck and inspired that our Chaplain, Principal and College Captains having not seen nor heard what each was going to say all emphasised the head, heart and hands of ourselves being in tune to God’s desires and love for each of us – to strive to form ourselves and give our best effort to our learning, to each other and to the world.

Draft New Parramatta Diocese RE Curriculum

All students in Year 7-10 are engaged in Religious Education classes that are learning cycles (10-week units) developed from the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP) Draft New Curriculum for students in Catholic schools. This new curriculum emphasises connecting our students to the ever ancient, ever new faith in Jesus Christ as the model for human life.

Students in Year 11 – 12 all select Studies of Religion 1 or 2 Unit, or are engaged in the Draft New Curriculum learning cycles. Term 1 sees students involved in learning cycles as listed below:

We look forward to providing both samples of student learning and importantly their insights on using Inquiry-based learning in Religious Education alongside our vey experienced and highly-qualified RE team.

Year 7 RE – The Voices of our students

At the end of their first month, below are some considered insights from Year 7 students about regarding their learning about the faith life here at St Andrew’s College.

Sean Casulla - Year 7

Featured Work – Myron Nicolas (7C3) and Sharon Harry (7C3)

Students in Year 7 engaged with the SPIRE Framework and were set a variety of ways to present the understanding of their work. We would like to feature Sharon and Myron’s work here as  infographics showing how Year 7 students and parents can further understand the SPIRE Framework. Well done to Myron and Sharon - thank you for sharing your great work.

Year 7 – Fishing Like St Andrew – At the Sea of Gallilee

Like all year 7 classes, Miss Mamuk’s 7RE4 class went fishing at "the Sea of Galilee". Each member of their group used the fishing rod provided to catch one fish in the sea. Once each member caught their fish, they gathered all their fish together and as a group created a Flipgrid video of how these qualities “caught” are seen within the St Andrews Community…just another way our inquiry learning is engaging our students in Religious Education classes at St Andrew’s!

As key leaders and animators of the Faith, Mission and Learning here at St Andrew’s College, we welcome correspondence from parents at anytime.

With Faith in Christ,

Mr Frank Clarke Ms Josilin Kalifa

Director – Faith, Mission & Learning Leader - Faith, Mission & Learning

fclarke@parra.catholic.edu.au jkalifa@parra.catholic.edu.au

Homily from Fr Flor – Opening Year Mass on 5 February  2021

Heb 13,1-8 Ps 26/27 Mt 25: 34-40

If education, formation, school is geared towards our growth as becoming the best we can be, then I would say, the best we can become is to be truthful of who we are, the truth that we have innate goodness, we are good persons. And that inner goodness within enables us to do acts of charity. Listening to the Gospel reading, the most rewarding, most appreciated were the people who do good to others, like feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, helping the sick and visiting those in prison, giving clothes to the poor. These are expressions of inner goodness with God’s grace.

If we honestly and deeply do some kind of self retrospection or examination we be aware of our desire and aim towards becoming compassionate, charitable people. So, while discovering and developing our potentialities and talents in different disciplines or subjects, we envision that by our studies we can be better persons in terms of our relationship with God, people and the world. In the same way, if we seek happiness and meaning in our school community, we know that this is to be realised by developing our potentialities, striving to do what is right and good and being in good terms with people in our school community. And within us what is more affirming, what makes us feel our worth as human person is when we are able to manifest our inner goodness by doing good to oneself and others. By experience we know our wrongdoings humiliate us and undermine our self esteem. But we feel confident, good and happy if we are able to express our goodness to others. That’s fun! And so  what we hope for this year is for each one of us to learn and grow in all aspects of our personhood and we  continue to take every opportunity to do acts of charity in our school community and at home. 

To our student leaders, yours is an opportunity to do Christ-like service/ Christian service motivated by the example of Jesus Christ. It is a leadership not based on control and but by example of love and charitable acts. It is a leadership which helps to enhance and inspire students to be free and strive to do what is right and good, so to build a community of compassionate people. 

And to all students, we envision and we hope a fruitful year of learning. We cooperate, we strive to do our best, we continue to develop our skills, talents and virtues, we take every opportunity to do good to others. It is “fun”, you be happy coming to school if you are always in good terms with fellow students, teachers and the school community. The letter to the Hebrews we heard reminds us of Jesus’ command of loving one another as basic in human relationship and passing on every good news by word and example by leaders. It also reminds us that Jesus is  our model in our growth as human persons and as leaders. We are called to be like Christ, one who is compassionate ever ready to lend a hand to help. He is so compassionate and that made him popular. We are called to become like him.

Know that what we decide and do at present is a memory in our future. It is making memories of us. You can owe to yourself and God to have good memories in the future by striving to be good at present.

May the Holy Spirit inspire, enlighten and help us in our year of learning and in our growth as compassionate persons.

Fr Flor

Year 8 Newsletter Article - Week 4 - Term 1 - 2021

Dear Parents, 

We warmly congratulate the following students who have been elected

 Learning Group Leaders for Semester One, 2021;

B5:

 Amik Marok

 Enrique Rindfleish

B11: 

Sharlene San Pedro

Avjeet Singh

C8:

Yousseff Tannous

Jovan Dominic

C10:

Isabella Metcalf

Ava Byisma

F3: 

Benjamin Reyes

Julio Tatupu 

F5: 

Tewodros Worku

Vann-Irish Raymundo 

G10:

Garry Singh

Jeet Patel 

G11:

Riley Bassilli

Elyscia Barret

What is happening in our Well Being Lessons in Year 8 2021?

This year each week during Term we will be focussing on a different Character Strength; so far we have delved into the importance of Honesty, celebrated Gratitude Week and the Love of Learning.

I encourage both parents and students to complete the free Youth Survey at www.viacharacter.org to discover their signature strengths. At the College we believe that recognising character strengths are the best ways of looking and doing our best in life. 

Speaking the truth but more broadly presenting oneself in a genuine way and acting in a sincere way; being without pretense; taking responsibility for one’s feelings and actions are all indeed  Expectations of the College. 

Well Being lessons are designed to inspire students to be their best possible self. Also to show the importance of empathy; to show that other people matter in our thoughts, words and actions. 

Gratitude Week was indeed very successful. Activities emphasized our awareness of being thankful for all things in our lives. 

The Love of Learning was the key focus of the Well Being lesson on Friday ( Day 10 ).

Students were able to identify the strengths in their own learning and acknowledge what makes learning difficult in their lives.

Students were given the opportunity to complete a Home Study Timetable and set three Learning Goals for Term 1 in their Action Plans.

We are all looking forward to great learning in terms of our Wellbeing in 2021!

Regards The Year 8 WellBeing Team

It was so wonderful to meet you all on Monday evening at the Year 7 2021 meet and Greet. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know families in our St Andrews College Community. Year 7 have made such a wonderful impression on the school already and I know that as the year progresses there will be so many opportunities for them to shine. So far, Year 7 have been spending our Wellbeing lessons getting to know each other and their Learning Advisors, as well as understanding what it means to be a student at St Andrews. 

If there are any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me at lsimmonds1@parra.catholic.edu.au

Lyndal Simmonds
Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 7

St Andrews College 

is about doing more and going beyond 

OPEN DAY – Tuesday 9 March

St Andrews College is offering parents and students the opportunity to tour the Junior Campus for parents and students of Year 5 and 6 2022.

Please visit the College Website to book a Tour time 

For further details phone 9626 4000 

www.standrewscmarayong.catholic.edu.au 

Junior Campus Tour Times:  

9.00am, 9.45am, 11.05am,  

11.45am, 1:15pm and 2.00pm 

Junior Campus  

Years 7 to 10  

116 Quakers Road Marayong 

Senior Campus  

Years 11 and 12  

50 Breakfast Road Marayong

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s day is a time to spread your love & care to the special people in your life. In the senior campus, the leadership team organised a special Valentine’s day event filled with a lot  of fun & exciting activities. The student leaders spent most of the day preparing for this event as they distributed valentines lollies in homeroom & created a Valentine’s day photo booth where many students & teachers came down to the hall at lunch time to take photos whilst listening to the music accompaniment provided by Mr Alata. We would like to thank the staff for helping us prepare for this wonderful day & the students for participating in the Valentine’s day festivities. Happy Valentine’s day everyone. 

- Luziel Cordoba, Year 12 SRC

Coming into the MCS Basketball Semi-Finals, the team has displayed great teamwork and gratitude throughout this season. We finished the season with 5 wins and 1 loss and secured first place on the ladder securing a spot in the Semi-Finals. We wanted to send a statement to all the teams we are competing for the championship and we are hungry for this championship. 

Coming up against Marist College Eastwood in the Semi-Final, we didn’t know what to expect, as it was the first time versing this team. We were victorious in this game 45-31.  All in all, we are happy that we have secured a spot in the MCS Grand Finals. As a team, we would like to show our appreciation and gratitude to Mr Alata, Miss Pett, Mr Dunaeff and Mr 

Kennaugh for giving us boys the opportunity to play the sport we love. This is a great achievement for the school, however the job is not done and we hope to bring the championship home where it belongs.

Captain’s Words: Andrei Figueroa

This March, Issabella Narayan is challenging herself to swim to save lives.

Issabella is really passionate about swimming and has used it to help others, she takes great pleasure in going out and working hard for a good cause. Last year Issabella raised over $500 by swimming 51.5 km in 30 days. Isabella is aiming to do the same this year. 

This year she will be participating in an event to raise money and awareness for suicide among young people in Australia. 

Did you know that suicide is the leading cause of death for young people in Australia? That means that each year, more young Aussies die by suicide than in car accidents or from cancer.

Today, we are asking for your help to save lives. Will you please sponsor Issablle or help advertise for Issabella to get sponsors? By doing so, you'll be helping ReachOut achieve its mission of ensuring that all young people in Australia have the support they need to be happy and well.

Simply click here to make a donation through her page: https://www.lapsforlife.com.au/fundraisers/issabellanarayan

Thank you so much for your support; it is truly appreciated.

In March of this year Issabella will also be competing in the National open water swimming championships this year in Queensland. She qualified for this event last year and will be competing against the top swimmers from around Australia. 

We wish her all the best luck in this event. 

25th February
Swimming Carnival for Competitive Swimmers only.

26th February
Staff Professional Learning Pupil Free Day

10th March
Touch Football Gala Day

17th March
St Patrick's Day
Mufti Day

2nd April
Good Friday

4th April
Easter Sunday