Uniform

As of the start of Term 2, 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 scarfs 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 worn 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

We have had a push on the use of technology at school. It is great to see that many students have been mindful of their technology use at school. Unfortunately, there are still a number of students who have found their devices a distraction at school. The majority of students in detention each week are for breaches of the technology policy at school. 

The phone companies have made these devices 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=m ,\Zhe teacher for learning.

What’s in the student planner?

To develop meaning and purpose we need to practice the skills of kindness, saying sorry and forgiving others. These skills will enable us to feel motivated and show personal growth.

There are 2 ways we can look at life

1. Optimistically- looking for what is good in your life
2. Pessimistically- looking at what is wrong with things.

How do you look at life? There is a real challenge to look at what is strong rather than what is wrong. I challenge you to look at the good in your life and the potential it brings rather than always looking at the negative. 

Developing a growth mindset is one of the keys to developing resilience. Being optimistic and using positive self-talk is a key to developing a growth mindset.

God Bless

Mr. Nicholas Thrum

Assistant Principal

Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Survey (Opens on Monday 22 May)

In our last newsletter, we advised our community that we will be participating in the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) online survey for students, parents and carers.   

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. 

Parents and carers are invited to participate using the link below:

http://tellthemfromme.com/sac2023

(Please note that the survey opens Monday 22 May)

The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could please complete this survey by Friday 9 June.

On Thursday 25 May during periods 1 and 2, Year 7 will be given the opportunity and time in class to participate in the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey. The survey takes about 20-minutes to complete.

On Friday 26 May, Years 8-12 will be given the opportunity and time in class to participate in the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey. The survey takes about 20-minutes to complete.

• Years 11 & 12 will complete the survey during period 1.
• Years 8-10 will complete the survey after assembly in Learning Groups.

Thank you for your continued support

Patrick Finnerty

Year 10 into Year 11 Subject Selection Information Night

We have come to an important milestone in the Year 10 Learning Journey.  At this stage the HSC seems far away, I assure you - it creeps up on students very quickly.

This year we begin the journey on Monday the 22nd of May at 6pm. It will be an informative night held on the Senior Campus. Students will be able to view and engage in displays of each course offered and ask questions to KLA Leaders, teachers and students who currently study the course.

This night is compulsory for all Year 10 students as important information about NESA rules and access codes to make subject choices will be provided to students on the night. We also have the VET and Diversity Learning Leaders to assist us with any questions you may have about VET or NESA disability provision requirements.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday night.

YEAR 11 REPORTS 

We have entered into our Year 11 reporting period which will be sent out to parents via Compass by Friday 26 May. We encourage you to discuss your child’s progress with them. These reports are the first in Stage 6 for your child and we encourage all students to persevere in their chosen courses. 

I take this opportunity to remind all parents that the College Assessment Procedures are in the Year 11 Assessment Information Booklet on the Student Information Hub. These procedures are in place to ensure equity and fairness across all assessments and prepare students for HSC expectations.

The Year 7 to Year 10 reporting period is also open for Semester 1. These reports are based on all student work. This includes classwork, home learning and formal assessment tasks. This grade is not just based on a cut-off from formal assessment tasks, but is the culmination of your child’s efforts throughout the entire semester. These reports will be sent to parents via Compass by the end of Week 7.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding reports please feel free to contact the class teacher of your child, their KLA Leader of Learning or myself at the College.

Ms Josilin Kalifa

Assistant Principal

Teaching, Learning and Wellbeing.

Principal’s Awards

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

Congratulations to the following students who have received their second Principal’s Award:

House Cup Points Update

There has been a lot of fantastic participation and effort over the past few weeks, with students being involved in many activities such as Gratitude Week, the Maths POW (Problem of the Week), Writing Competitions, Debating, as well as the Athletics Carnival. Here is the latest points update:

Bennelong: 25, 741

Chang: 26, 103

Frances: 24, 876

Gould: 26, 487

Mrs Sue Cooper

Leader of Wellbeing and Learning

scooper@parra.catholic.edu.au

How To Manage Your Time

Studying means managing a range of competing deadlines. It can be overwhelming and sometimes it feels impossible. Figuring out the best ways to study means developing strategies for planning your time that will help you to stay calm, organised, and on top of everything. Have a look at some ideas below:

1. Make plans, score goals

Set out a list of what you want to achieve. For each item, write down what you'll need to do. Make it manageable and achievable. The idea is not to stress yourself out, but to chart a course to where you want to be. As you work through the list, you'll see yourself approaching and reaching your goals.

2. Write it down

Write down appointments, notes and ideas in a diary, notebook, or calendar app, and use a wall planner and stick it somewhere prominent, like next to your bedroom door, so that important dates (or just planned fun times) don't pass you by. 

3. Limit distractions

Technology is pretty great but it also provides a heap of ways to procrastinate and distract yourself. Limit your social media scrolling to your breaks and shut down these distractions while you're studying. If you’re really struggling to log out, use a program like SelfControl to block social media sites for set periods of time. 

4. Take breaks

If you cram study into every single minute you've got, you'll probably end up stressed and unhappy. Make sure you take time to relax and do things you enjoy. Whether it's sports, video games, music or anything else, don't let it go just because you're studying. Figure out the method of breaking up your study sessions that works best for you - many people recommend working in 25-minute intervals with short breaks in between, but you might find that longer study sessions work for you. Whatever you decide, try not to go any longer than an hour without taking a break.

5. Set a time to finish everyday

It can be so easy to just read one more chapter or write one more page. It's important that you give yourself some time to recharge and relax. This is especially the case if you're studying at night, as your brain might need time to unwind before falling asleep. Set an alarm each day to let yourself know it's time to finish for the day.

6. If you need back up, ask for it

Time management for students is a skill. Like any skill, some people are better at it than others. If you're struggling with it, talk to someone who can help – your teachers, friends, family and counsellors. You might find that a strict schedule works best for you, or you might find that changing things up helps keep you more energised. Whatever time management strategy works for you, there will be a person or a website ready with advice and wisdom to share.

Mrs Andrea Utoikamanu

Leader of Wellbeing and Learning - Senior Campus

Leader of Wellbeing - Year 11

Hello Year 7, 

Resilience

You should know by now that this word is going to be used a lot throughout highschool. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficult situations and adapt to change. It is a crucial skill that can help us navigate the ups and downs of life and overcome adversity.

Resilience is important for several reasons. First, it helps us to stay motivated and focused on our goals, even when we encounter setbacks or obstacles. Rather than giving up in the face of adversity, resilient individuals are able to stay positive and persevere through challenges.

Second, resilience helps us to cope with stress and anxiety. By developing the ability to manage our emotions and maintain a sense of calm during difficult times, we can reduce the negative impact that stress has on our physical and mental health.

Third, resilience is essential for building strong relationships. When we are able to bounce back from disagreements or conflicts, we can maintain positive relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.

Finally, resilience is important for personal growth and development. When we face challenges and overcome them, we become stronger and more confident in our abilities. This, in turn, can lead to greater success and fulfillment in all areas of our lives.

It's important to note that resilience is not something that we are born with – it is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time. By practicing healthy habits such as regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and seeking out social support, we can build our resilience and become more adept at handling whatever life throws our way.

Resilience is a critical skill that can help us navigate life's challenges and achieve our goals. By developing our resilience, we can stay motivated, cope with stress, build strong relationships, and grow as individuals. So if you're facing a tough time, remember that you have the strength and resilience to overcome it. Keep pushing forward, and know that better days are ahead.

The “Flipside” Incursion + Online Safety

Students in year 7 recently attended an incursion that focused on being safe online and being a good digital citizen. This incursion role-played a true story in which students were involved in cyberbullying. The students were really engaged and I hope that everyone was able to learn something about being safe online. 

As a young person growing up in today's digital age, you are likely spending a lot of time online. You use the internet to connect with friends, play games, do homework, and much more. While the internet is an amazing tool, it is important to remember that it also has risks and dangers. 

Here are some tips on how you can stay safe online:

• Keep personal information private

When using the internet, be careful about the personal information you share online. Never share your full name, address, phone number, school name, or any other identifying information with people you do not know in person.

• Choose strong passwords

When creating passwords, make sure they are strong and hard to guess. Avoid using common words or phrases, and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Be mindful of what you post online

Think before you post anything online. Once you post something, it can be difficult to remove it completely. Avoid posting anything that could be embarrassing or damaging to you or others in the future.

• Talk to a trusted adult

If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe online, don't hesitate to talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent or teacher. They can help you navigate the situation and keep you safe.

• Report any suspicious activity

If you come across something online that seems suspicious or unsafe, report it to a trusted adult or to the appropriate authorities. This could include cyberbullying, harassment, or any other kind of online abuse.

Athletics Carnival

I hope you enjoyed your first Athletics Carnival. It was great to see a lot of you getting involved and was good to see you winning points for your house. 

If you did not participate this year, I hope that next year you will challenge yourself to do the events.

Apply yourself in your classroom

As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, continue to apply yourself in the classroom. Education is the key to unlocking your full potential and achieving your dreams. It provides you with the knowledge, skills, and tools you need to succeed in life, both personally and professionally.

Education is not just about getting good grades or a degree. It is about developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that will help you excel in any field you choose to pursue.

Remember that education is a lifelong journey, and it's never too late to start. Don't be afraid to ask for help along the way. Seek out mentors, teachers, and other experts who can guide you and provide you with valuable insights and advice.

“Never stop learning because life never stops teaching”

Mr Kharl Carlos

Leader of Wellbeing Year 7

Dear Year 8 Students and Parents,

We hope this newsletter finds you well and that you are enjoying another exciting school term at St Andrews. We are delighted to report that Year 8 has had a great start to the term and we are proud of their achievements both in and out of the classroom. We have seen some fantastic involvement in cross country, athletics, and debating, which is great to see and we hope to see this continue throughout the year.

As we look ahead, we want to remind you of the upcoming Unity Day on the 23rd of June. This is a day where we celebrate the fantastic multicultural community of St Andrews College. We encourage all of you to get involved and celebrate as a community. This is a great opportunity to learn about and embrace the different cultures that make our school such a diverse and vibrant place.

As we approach the middle of the year, we want to start thinking about subject selection for Year 9. The college offers a wide range of subjects for students to choose from, and we want to ensure that students are selecting the right subjects for their future studies. An information night will be held in July, which will provide students and parents with important information about the subjects available, the benefits of each subject, and what to expect in Year 9. More information will be provided as we progress through the term.

We encourage all students to start thinking about their subject choices and to talk to their teachers and parents about what subjects they are interested in and what will be most beneficial for their future studies. 

We are excited about the rest of the year ahead and look forward to seeing all of the amazing things that Year 8 will achieve.

Best wishes,

Jarryd Leaves 

Leader of Wellbeing - Year 8

Dear Year 9 Students and Parents/Carers, 

Thank you to all of our Year 9 students who have had such a positive start to term 2. Our Wellbeing lesson focused on plagiarism which allowed students to gain an understanding of the importance of remaining authentic. This will also enhance learning opportunities that will be beneficial for their future studies and educational pathways. 

It was wonderful to see so many Year 9 students compete, cheer and get involved in the Athletics Carnival, last Friday. There was so much house spirit in the air, enthusiasm and a wonderful atmosphere the entire day. Well done to all students and thank you to the staff. 

Uniform Expectations 

As always, a reminder of uniform expectations. If you need a reminder of what the uniform expectations are, look in your Learning Planner on pages 15A and 16A.

We wish to remind everyone again that the following needs to be done at all times or a red card will be issued:

• Blazers should be worn into Learning Group until their Learning Advisor sees them
• Blazers should be worn after period 6 and when leaving the College
• Non-St Andrews items such as beanies and hoodies SHOULD NOT be worn to school. 
• If a student cannot wear their sports uniform, they are required to wear their normal school uniform
• School jumpers cannot be worn over sports uniforms. A school sports jacket is required.
• Boys must have their facial hair shaved
• Hair must be above the collar
• No nail polish or eyelash extensions. 

We understand with the weather getting a lot colder students may want to keep extra warm. However, you need to comply with the school policy and not bring any hoodies or beanies. A black or navy scarf and gloves can be worn. If students are still cold they can wear thermal clothing under the school uniform so long as it is not visible.

Year 9 Reflection Day 

Our Year 9 Reflection Day is coming up in week 8 on Friday 16th June. I wish to remind students that this is a compulsory day. 

PDSSSC Rep Sport Teams 

Congratulations to those students who have made the rep soccer and netball teams. Good luck with your competition, work as a team, train hard and represent the College with pride. 

Debating 

Congratulations to those students who are representing the College in the debating team. 

The Year 9 students who are representing the College are: 

Samuel Thoms

Lexi Iskander

Aaron Geevarghese

Samantha Xavier

Gowri Madhisetty

Ana Donjerkovic

Archisha Thumma

It is wonderful to see so many of our students have the confidence to represent the College in many activities. 

Lastly, I would like to encourage students to continue to work hard, try their best in every lesson and get involved in the many extra curricular activities that we have on offer here at St Andrews College. Remember you have many people at the College who are here to support you. Your teachers, Learning Advisors and I are here to support you and help you to reach your personal best.  

Ms Alicia Harwood 

Leader of Wellbeing Year 9 

Dear Year 11 Students and Parents/Guardians,

The past few weeks have been full of wonderful events and experiences for our Year 11 students. 

I would like to thank all of the Year 11 students who participated in our recent College Athletics Carnival. The entire day was filled with passion, great energy, and a lot of House Spirit. It was amazing to see so many Year 11 students compete and support one another. I know the year group will do such a wonderful job next year, when they lead their House in the events and during the war-cries. Thank you to Dr Kennaugh and Miss Nikitovic for a wonderful day, and to all of the College staff who assisted.

I would also like to congratulate the following Year 11 Debating students who are competing in their Debating Rounds each Friday evening at the College:

Euleila Barret

Joshua Sammut

Monark Patel

Dominic Watson

Kyan Landrigan

Jeda Osorio

Please see below the important events that we have on for the remainder of this Term:

• Tuesday 23rd May - Creative and Performing Arts Showcase
• Monday 12th June - King’s Birthday (Public Holiday)
• Friday 23rd June - Unity Day
• Thursday 29th June - Last Day of Term 2
• Friday 30th June - Staff Faith Formation Day (Pupil Free Day)

A reminder that all students must be in full Winter Uniform this Term, which includes the College Blazer that needs to be worn to and from school. A black or navy scarf and gloves can be worn. Students may also wear thermals underneath their school uniforms provided that these items are not visible.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Year 11 please do not hesitate to contact me via email autoikamanu@parra.catholic.edu.au or via the College phone (02) 9626 4000

Mrs Andrea Utoikamanu

Leader of Wellbeing and Learning - Senior Campus

Leader of Wellbeing - Year 11

Gratitude. Not surprisingly, it's a word that we hear a lot, especially from our teachers. Perhaps it's a bit repetitive and maybe even a little tedious, but have you ever thought about this seven letter word as a kind of secret superpower? What if I told you that this seven letter word has the power to improve sleep, decrease depression, anxiety and the risk of disease? 

Two weeks ago the College community celebrated Gratitude Week. The wellbeing portfolio across both Junior and Senior Campuses demonstrated commendable initiative in organising Daily Prayers, activities and songs. More often than not, it's easy for us to participate in these activities without actually knowing why. 

First of all its key to establish what this powerful seven letter word means. John Ortberg said that ‘Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift’. Simply though, gratitude is synonymous with appreciation. Gratitude is the act of being grateful, the act of being thankful, and truth be told it’s a quality most of us seem to overlook. 

Now I know that you’ve probably been told not to take things for granted, but in the literal sense what does this mean? When was the last time you said thank you to the sun for giving you light, or thank you to the soil because it gave you food, what about thanking the stars for guiding you back home? If you take a minute to look around, I can guarantee that life would be that much harder without the things you see around you right now, why then do we not express our thankfulness? 

The practice of gratitude suggests that we should express our appreciation everyday, and for the majority of us this isn't the case. So maybe then does this explain why we haven't reached our full capacity to be happy? The benefits of gratitude are endless. I mean the list really does go on. Gratitude makes people more helpful, it improves compassion, social relationships and the ability to radiate positivity. 

Although students at the College participated in a variety of activities including writing messages, cards and even taking part in breathing exercises, practising gratitude doesn't have to be such a tedious activity if we don’t make it to be. Right now I challenge you to pause whatever it is that you are doing and loudly say one thing that you’re grateful for. I’m only asking you to say one thing, easy enough right? Better yet, why not write it down? Start by writing down one thing everyday and before you know it you’ve got yourself a gratitude journal! And what about telling someone something you appreciate them for, or challenging yourself to notice the things you appreciate? 

I guess now you’re probably starting to see how these little things can add up to big things, and that's usually because we get so caught up in our heads that we overcomplicate the things that would otherwise be hard to miss. For some people that could mean juggling a million other commitments and believing that this simple notion of ‘one thing everyday’ is asking for too much, but in reality this ‘one thing everyday’ requires only a maximum of one minute everyday. One minute to truly be appreciative, I mean is that really asking for a lot because the health benefits are insane!

Studies point out that simply journaling for five minutes a day can increase our long-term happiness by over 10% because we’re less likely to be impatient and ultimately more likely to reduce our stress. Ever been told to count your blessings’, because science suggests that true gratitude can even reduce blood pressure and can help people recover from substance abuse and other illnesses.

So I guess it turns out that this seven letter phenomenon might not be so repetitive and tedious after all. Instead, it’s free, easy and time-friendly!

We were able to get most of our students and teachers on board, so why shouldn’t you give it a go too? Whether it be being thankful for sitting and eating together as a family, being thankful for teachers replying to late night emails or even just being thankful for life, the practice of gratitude has been a tried and tested method.

Below 7B4 spreads a few of their gratitude superpowers!

• ‘I am grateful for the nature in my life’
• ‘I am grateful for food and the roof over my head’
• ‘I am thankful for my friends and family’
• ‘I am thankful for going to school’
• ‘I am grateful for God’

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to be more grateful!

Shaniya Lal 

Year 12 Publicity

On Thursday 11th May we held our St Andrew’s Mother’s Day Breakfast and Mass to honour the special women in our lives. It was a wonderful turnout and the Mothers, Grandmothers and carers were treated to a delicious breakfast that was prepared by the Year 12 hospitality students. This was followed by Mass at St Andrews parish led by Fr Kevin Redmond, where many of the students were joined by their Mothers, as we prayed for them, and gave thanks for the love and support they have given their families. Thank you to Mrs Carlos and Ms Serbin for their organisation and work with the Catering. Mrs Tomas and Ms Gonzales, two of our Year 12 student’s mothers, who gave up their time to read at Mass, and Mrs Welch who provided the gifts that were given to all the mothers who attended Mass on the day.

Congratulations to Aaryan Singh, Pablo Aquino and Mathew Saguid who volunteered their time to go out on the Vinnies Van on the 15th May. Our volunteers joined Mr Hoare, Miss Rivera, Mrs Kemal who went out to serve and meet those less fortunate in our community . The boys are to be commended for how they served and interacted with the public on the night. It was a rewarding night for all, and the boys were shining examples of the hands of Christ in our community. 

Andrew Hoare

Director of Faith Mission and Learning.

JUNIOR CAMPUS CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE 

When : Tuesday 23rd of May from 5pm to 7pm

Where : The Learning Centre ( Junior Campus )

Who : Students from year 7 -10

What : Music performances, Visual Art display and Drama presentations

Step into a world where imagination knows no boundaries and creativity takes centre stage. 

Join us for an unforgettable experience at the Junior Campus Creative and Performing Arts Showcase!

Prepare to be mesmerised as our talented young performers and artists showcase their boundless creativity and artistic prowess. From enchanting paintings to captivating drama presentations, from breathtaking musical performances to technically proficient set-up and production, this showcase promises to be a celebration of youthful talent and ingenuity.

Witness the magic unfold as our budding artists from years 7 to 10 take you on a journey through their imaginative minds, bringing to life stories and emotions through their incredible displays and performances. Experience the sheer joy and passion radiating from their every movement and stroke, as they attempt to effortlessly express themselves and ignite the stage with their youthful energy.

Nervous anticipation runs through their veins, accompanied by a passion that fuels their every step. Their hearts flutter with excitement as they embark on a journey of self-expression and artistic exploration.

This vibrant showcase is a testament to the power of arts education in nurturing young minds and fostering a love for creativity. It is a platform for our young student artists to shine and showcase their unique talents, while also inspiring others to explore their own artistic potential.

Don't miss this opportunity to support and celebrate the next generation of creative geniuses. Join us in the Learning Centre at the Junior Campus Creative and Performing Arts Showcase on Tuesday, and immerse yourself in a world where dreams become reality and art knows no limits.

UNITY DAY AUDITIONS 

When : Tuesday, Week 8. 13th of June from 3-6pm

Where : St. John Paul 2 Centre ( Senior Campus )

Who : Students from year 7 -12

What : Cultural Music and Dance performances 

The anticipation swells as the vibrant community of St. Andrews College prepares for the highly anticipated Unity Day multicultural performances. In the heart of the Marayong, a buzz of excitement fills the air, as people of all backgrounds come together to celebrate the richness and diversity that defines their shared home.

Months of meticulous planning and preparation have led to this moment, where student talents representing every corner of the globe will converge on a single stage in the Junior Campus Hall. Dancers clad in colourful traditional costumes rehearse their intricate moves, bringing to life the vibrant tapestry of cultures. Musicians tune their instruments, ready to create melodies that transcend language barriers and unite hearts in a symphony of harmony.

The St Andrews community eagerly awaits the fusion of artistic expressions, eager to witness the powerful stories told through song and dance. Students have been pouring their passion into their performance preparations, aiming to showcase the beauty of their heritage while fostering understanding and appreciation for cultures different from their own.

Unity Day serves as a reminder of the unbreakable bonds that tie them together, as we come together in celebration. It is a day when differences dissolve, replaced by a shared sense of joy, respect, and a shared vision of a united community.

Unity Day is a testament to the power of diversity, reminding everyone that when united, they are stronger and more beautiful than ever before.

Antonio Chiappetta

Director of Performance

St. Andrews College, Marayong

CAPA Junior Showcase The Visual Arts team is busy preparing student artworks from Semester 1 to be showcased at the upcoming SAC CAPA Junior Showcase. Date: 23rd May 2023 Tuesday Time: 5pm - 7pm We look forward to seeing family and friends of our SAC students!

Operation Art 2023

We had a wonderful range of artworks entered for our internal St Andrews Operation Art competition. It is fabulous to see the talent of our students across various different mediums, exploring different concepts that are suitable for entry into Operation Art 2023; for a chance to become a part of the Westmead Children’s Hospital’s permanent art collection. 

Dr Kennaugh and the Visual Arts teachers had a very hard task of narrowing down to only four finalists for submission to Operation Art as our St Andrews representatives for this year. 

We look forward to congratulating these students at a future assembly. Information for the opening event and Operation Art exhibition will be available sometime during Term 3. 

Congratulations to our finalists from each year group:

Year 7 - Emily Burchmore

Year 8 - Luke Gilshenan

Year 9 - Kathryn Baginski

Year 10 - Ahlai Jesudoss

Year 8 Visual Arts

Year 8s have started their next unit of work, which will see them work with painting and ceramics. As an introduction to their artmaking, students learnt about the colour wheel and colour theories. Furthermore, they extended their knowledge of primary, secondary and tertiary colours by working in groups on a “colour challenge”. Students were engaged and hard at work trying to match the colour swatches provided to them. Using acrylic paint, students had to apply their understanding of the colour wheel and colour theory in order to replicate the exact colour. We are looking forward to more hands-on artmaking activities this term and can’t wait to share these with the SAC community. 

Mrs Claudia Harris

Leader of Learning Visual Arts

Art Club

I am pleased to announce that SAC Art Club is up and running for 2023! It has been quite a while since St. Andrews has had an Art Club and I am incredibly excited to be facilitating this for our students alongside the support of my fellow Visual Arts colleagues. Art Club has been running on Tuesday afternoons from 3pm - 4pm catering to a selection of 24 talented students from Year 7-10. 

This is an excellent opportunity for students to get involved in a creative school extra-curricular activity. The overall intention is to explore the artistic needs of students and how art teachers can cater to this. The vision for Art Club is for it to be an inviting, open, creative and ‘chill’ space for students. So far, students have been experimenting in utilising different art materials with the most popular being gouache and oil paint and water soluble oil pastels.

Below are some student statements about their Art Club experience so far.

“Every Tuesday, I wait until 3pm. It's finally time; Art Club starts, and everyone rummages into the classroom. I can feel all the energy and excitement building. I've been waiting for too long; I want to start already! The question of the week always gets my mind working; it lets me see and know others' perspectives on art. Once everyone has shared their answers, we are provided with different art equipment, for example, gouache, acrylics, oil pastels, and much more. Then we get to share, showcase, and get feedback on our artworks; it's always good to know how we can improve and what we're really good at. Once we start or continue an artwork, our teachers and classmates help us. Overall, it is very enjoyable, and you get to meet lots of new people and improve your art skills” - Perla Chamoun (Year 7)

“Art Club is a time for students who enjoy art to communicate with each other and be with each other in a relaxing and calming environment with the help of art teachers. Art club is a great place for like minded people and a great one hour that everyone can spend after school, enjoying themselves, doing art and doing the things that they like to do. In short, Art Club is a great place that students get to enjoy themselves with the help of teachers and spend time with like minded people and enjoy the joys that Art Club brings” - Aarya Jani (Year 8)

“Art Club is enjoyable for me because it has allowed me to meet new people from different grades and get me out of my comfort zone by trying something new. In Art Club so far, I have been able to try mediums like gouache that I have never used before. I like how if I’m stuck on what to create, there are the art club challenges that help give me inspiration. SAC Art Club has helped me talk to people that I don’t necessarily know and get to know more about them” - Khloe Fickle (Year 9)

“Our experience so far in Art Club has been positive. It does not take up too much of our schedules, as it is only 1 hour after school hours, and we enjoy the time we get to work on our art projects and other artistic endeavours. We greatly appreciate the fact that we are not forced to do any activities we do not wish to participate in, as it enables us to have a sense of decision and option. We recommend it to other fellow students” - Ada Ding (丁灵静) and Madelin La (Year 10)

I am looking forward to seeing SAC Art Club grow throughout Term 2 and the following terms to come. 

Miss Leezah Rivera

Visual Arts and HSIE Teacher

Dear Parents/guardians, 

We had a very exciting week with our season 2 of representative teams commencing the first round of the season. A big thank you to our coaches who are taking the time to coach our talented students. Jasmine Breeze- Junior Boys Soccer, Alex Dunaeff and Danny Cetinic- Intermediate Boys Soccer, Shandel Kemal- Junior Girls Soccer, Jason Alata and Matthew Fellows- Intermediate Girls Soccer, Pauline Xuereb- Junior Girls Netball, Simone McKechnie and Andrew Houseman- Intermediate Girls Netball. 

A big congratulations to Romeo Atengco and Bianca Infante on the selection for the NSWCCC Volleyball team. It’s great to see such talent, commitment and dedication from our students. I am looking forward to sharing with you Romeo Atengco and Bianca Infante’s successes in the near future. 

Wishing the best of luck to Amponsah Antwi and Adrian Jakubowski at the upcoming NSWCCC OPEN Boys Football tournament. These boys have great football talent and were fortunate enough to be selected in the A team amongst many other talented young men from other colleges. 

We had a very successful Athletics Carnival on the 12th May. I look forward to sharing our students' results with you very soon. 

Thank you, 

Ivana Nikitovic, 

Sports Coordinator

Year 11 Community and Family StudiesPD

Year 11 CAFS students have been learning about observation as a primary research method. Students were assigned to the task of the ‘marshmallow challenge,’using 90cm of sticky tape, 90cm of string, 20 pieces of spaghetti and one marshmallow to build the tallest freestanding structure in 20 mins. Whilst some groups worked together under the pressure of time, other groups watched on and commented on areas of our learning such as leadership, group dynamics, conflict and the roles individuals adopted in groups. Here is what they created!

Mrs Kayla Brogan and Mr Andrew Houseman

Year 11 Community and Family Studies teachers

A group of students from Years 8-10 have been taking part in an exciting and challenging program that combines STEM education with real-world racing experience. The F1 in Schools program is a global competition that invites students to design and build their own CO2-powered race cars, then compete against teams.

Over the last couple of weeks, the participating students have been busy in the workshop, using their woodworking skills to shape and refine their cars. This is just one step in a long process that involves engineering, design, and marketing, as teams work to create the fastest, most innovative, and most appealing cars possible.

The F1 in Schools program provides students with the opportunity to learn about engineering, physics and aerodynamics, as well as teamwork, project management, and marketing. They work together to brainstorm ideas, develop designs and create prototypes; all while following strict technical regulations and meeting tight deadlines.

This week students will be racing their cars on our race track to test their builds and will continue developing and refining their CAD car designs.   

Miss Serbin & Miss Mifsud

Dear St Andrews community,

We are thrilled to announce that the auditions for the upcoming college production of William Shakespeare's timeless classic, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," have concluded with resounding success. The talent displayed during the audition process was nothing short of extraordinary, and the cast selection promises to bring a fresh and captivating interpretation of this beloved play to the stage.

Jeda Osorio, a Year 11 student who secured the prestigious role of Helena, expressed her enthusiasm, saying: “Helena’s character is a comedic breath of fresh air, providing entertainment through an exaggerated performance. I am excited to have this opportunity to prove my abilities as an actress through this role.”

Perhaps the highlight of the afternoon was the applause and cheers that echoed throughout the hall as students entered the drama space for their auditions. Joycie Bacolod, who secured the role of Queen Titania, remarked: “The way that everyone was so encouraging was wholesome and really showed school spirit.”

The acting cast is already working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring together a cohesive and captivating production. Mark your calendars for the performance dates of September 7th and 8th, 2023. This production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" promises to be a highlight of the school year, as a night filled with laughter.

Tickets will be available closer to the performance date, so be sure to keep your eyes on this space to secure a seat at this captivating performance. Stay tuned for updates on rehearsals, backstage insights, and exclusive interviews with the cast and crew in our upcoming newsletters.

We cannot wait to share this remarkable theatrical experience with you all. Join us as we embark on this magical journey through the bewitching world of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"!

Warm regards,

Mr Lewandowski
Drama Teacher

On Friday the 5th of May 34 Year 10 students visited The University of Sydney. The day aimed to inform the students about the course offerings, the academic entry requirements and to experience the vast campus of The University of Sydney.

Students met Mr Nisbet and Ms May at Blacktown Station at 7.30am. We caught a very fast country train to Central Station and then enjoyed the sunshine as we walked to the university campus opposite Broadway Shopping Centre. First stop was a cafe for morning tea not too far from where we were to meet our two University Ambassadors, Annie and Nick.

Prior to our official tour and presentation Ms May spoke with the students about the opportunities a university education can provide. She also talked about the prerequisites at The University of Sydney and why she believes they are necessary. This followed great discussion between the students, Mr Nisbet and Ms May about the different university entry requirements and course offerings. Some of the students and Ms May entered the nearby Law Building, mainly to visit the bathrooms. Whilst in the building some of the students spoke with a Biology Lecturer who invited them into his lecture theatre. The Academic explained that whilst we were the Law Building academics from other disciplines also use the teaching spaces for their lectures.

It was now time to meet Annie and Nick at the Clocktower which was a feature of the Great Hall. We were very lucky to see university students in their academic dress soon to graduate in the famous and beautiful Great Hall. Annie and Nick spoke about the architecture and how it was modeled on the architecture of buildings at Oxford and Cambridge universities. Annie and Nick pointed out that the British style building had an Australian icon on the facade of the building. It was of a Kangaroo - something Ms May had never noticed before.

Annie and Nick then led us to a small flat teaching space to learn about the course offerings, entry requirements, including the Mathematics Prerequisite for many of the courses and the alternative entry pathways.

We then went on a walking tour around the campus to view some of the buildings and features of the campus. These included the Graffiti Tunnel which has long been a place where students were free to adorn the wall with chalked or painted messages, both political and social. It was thought that the practice began in the early 1960’s, a by-product of the student unrest in the Vietnam War era. The Tunnel now features advertisements for student groups, music and dramatic productions - the political statements have become less prominent.

On our tour we learnt that The University of Sydney has its own post office and therefore its own Postcode. The Post Office is located in the Pharmacy Bank Building. The building got its name because the pillars on the facade were rescued from a demolition being completed on a bank building in the Sydney Business District. 

The University of Sydney is very famous for its research activities. We visited the Sydney Nanoscience Hub which features more than 25 laboratories. In the highest-precision laboratories a combination of controls on temperature, air pressure, mechanical vibrations, and electromagnetic interference makes these spaces among the most tightly controlled anywhere in the world.

We continued our walking tour to cross City Road at Darlington to visit one of the student accommodation towers called ‘The Regiment’ . We were able to walk through and see where the students cooked their meals, saw how their individual food and kitchen ware was stored under lock and key. We walked through the recreation areas and the rooftop gym. The university students who live in the Regiment certainly have wonderful views of the city.

Next was lunch - students were free to experience some of the many food outlets available at The University of Sydney.

After lunch we had one more stop before our tour ended. It was the Cha Chak Wing Museum. A museum of art, science, history and ancient culture. On one of the levels there was a Lego display of Pompeii, the vast archaeological site in southern Italy. Students were able to view Egpytian, Greek and Australian Ingidenous artifacts and of special interest were the Egyptian mummies in their coffins.

After a wonderful day we said goodbye to Annie and Nick and made our way back to Central Station for another country train back to Blacktown Station. According to Mr Nisbet we endured 19,000 steps to complete our visit to The University of Sydney. It certainly was a day of learning and healthy exercise.

I wish to thank the wonderful students who joined me for this university experience. I would also like to thank Mr Nisbet for his company and assistance.

Therese May

Careers Future Pathways Leader

Our Year 8 Textiles Technology Students have been constructing a pair of pyjama shorts over the past 15 weeks. 

Our students have been learning about a variety of colouration techniques and how to follow a pattern to create their shorts. Throughout this project, our students have not only gained practical skills in sewing, but they have also learned the importance of attention to detail, patience, and perseverance. Especially when trying to thread the sewing machine. 

We congratulate the students for crafting a unique pair of pyjama shorts that reflects their individual personalities and cultures. 

We are proud of the effort and enthusiasm that Year 8 have demonstrated in this project and we look forward to seeing the wonderful things they will accomplish in the future rotations in Technology. 

Miss Mifsud & Mrs Carlos

Year 8 Japanese classes had an opportunity to learn about Children’s Day in Japan. In the class, students learnt and discussed what, when and how Children’s Day is celebrated in Japan and why it is significant. Students also made a bilingual poster introducing Children’s Day in English and Japanese decorating with Koinobori in origami papers. Students thrived to learn about Japanese culture and enjoyed the cultural activities so much!

Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi) is a celebration for boys and girls on the 5th of May each year to wish all children happiness and prosperity. Family fly carp streamers called Koinobori from flagpoles outside the house, and display a warrior’s helmet called Kabuto and warrior dolls called Mushaningyou in the alcove. 

Kind Regards 

Matsufuji Sensei 

Japanese Teacher 

We are delighted to share with you the amazing baking skills of our Year 8 students. 

In their latest cooking class, the students took on the challenge of making some classic melting moments biscuits. With aprons on and ingredients at the ready, the students dove into the task with enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. The recipe was carefully followed, with each step meticulously executed to ensure the perfect consistency and texture of the biscuits. The results were nothing short of outstanding.  The biscuits were light, crumbly, and practically melted in the mouth, leaving a sweet, zesty and buttery aftertaste that left everyone wanting more. Congratulations to our talented Year 8s for creating such a scrumptious treat!

Have a look at the photos of their amazing biscuits!

Regards,

Miss Valdivia

These provide you with opportunities to solve problems that will help you build your logical, creative and mathematical thinking.  This means, we want to know ‘how’ you think!  When submitting your entry, be sure to explain how you executed the problem solving strategy you used or when you can, show more than one way of solving the problem!

Week 2 Marbles https://youtu.be/p6Bw3rZRiaA https://youtu.be/2Xik6XxGREw

The focus strategy is ‘Make a Table’.  It is a problem solving strategy that you can use to write the information in a more organised way.  It helps you to show your mathematical thinking in a logical way enabling you to look critically at the data to find patterns and develop a solution.

A dealer packages marbles in two different box sizes.  One size holds 5 marbles and the other size holds 12 marbles.   If the dealer packaged 99 marbles and used more than 10 boxes, how many boxes of each size did he use?

After some marbles are packaged in boxes of 12, the remaining marbles must be completely packaged in boxes of 5.  The following table shows what happens when some marbles are packaged in boxes of 12.

Number of boxes of 12	Number of extra marbles	Number  of boxes of 5	Total number
1	99 - 12 = 87	17; 2 marbles leftover	--
2	99 - 24 = 75	15	17
3	99 - 36 = 63	12; 3 marbles leftover	--
. . .	. . .	. . .	. . .
7	99 - 84 = 15	3	10

Only two cases (highlighted) can all 99 marbles be completely packaged in 12-marble and 5-marble boxes.  However, only the first of these two cases will satisfy the condition that more than 10 boxes must be used.  Therefore 2 of the large boxes and 15 of the small boxes were used.

Week 3 Coins 

The focus strategy is 'Test all possible combinations'.  Have you ever been given a bunch of keys and have no clue which key opens the lock?  You would have to test all the keys until you get that one key (or maybe more than one key) that opens it.  

https://youtu.be/FaVyO_uqATU https://youtu.be/lGT0_5FZTPc https://youtu.be/QikFsKGa_e4

From a pile of 100 × 1c coins (A), 100 × 5c coins (B), and 100 × 10c coins (C), select 21 coins which have a total value of exactly $1.00.  In your selection, you 

must also use at least one coin of each type.

Since 1¢ coins must be used in the selection, the number of 1¢ coins used must be a multiple of 5.  

Case 1: Suppose 5 × 1¢ coins are selected. 

Trial 1 5 × 1¢   =   5¢

16 × 5¢ = 80¢

85¢  ← 15¢ short

Trial 2 5 × 1¢   =   5¢

13 × 5¢ = 65¢

3 × 10¢ = 30¢

$1  ✔

Case 2: Suppose 10 × 1¢ coins are selected. 

Trial 1 10 × 1¢   =   10¢

11 × 5¢ = 55¢

65¢  ← 35¢ short

Trial 2 10 × 1¢ = 10¢

4 × 5¢   = 20¢

7 × 10¢ = 70¢

$1  ✔

Case 3: Suppose 15 × 1¢ coins are selected. 

Trial 1 15 × 1¢   = 15¢

6 × 10¢ = 60¢

75¢  ← 25¢ short (IMPOSSIBLE!)

You can access the POW's for term 2 

here:https://sites.google.com/parra.catholic.edu.au/numeracy/term-2

Blacktown Library HSC Lectures

Blacktown Library will be holding their annual HSC Lectures in June.

This year they are offering five HSC Lectures:

• HSC English Essay Writing Skills, Monday June 5
• HSC Biology Revision Lecture, Tuesday June 6
• Preparing for the Mathematics Standard 2 HSC examination, Tuesday June 13
• HSC English Paper 1: Texts and Human Experiences Standard and Advanced, Monday June 19
• HSC Business Studies Tuesday June 20

All lectures commence at 5.30pm and conclude at 7.30pm and cost $10 each.

For more information and booking QR Code view the brochure below..

ACU Step Up Into Teaching

Step Up Into Teaching (SUIT) is an ACU Early Entry Program. It provides Year 11 students considering a career in teaching the opportunity to experience learning at a university level.

In 2023-2024 Year 11 students participating in the SUIT program will have the opportunity to study one or two university level units while completing their HSC studies. Students who pass both units of study at the required entry level will receive an early offer to an Education degree at ACU.

ACU will be holding an information session on Tuesday the 30th of May starting at 5pm and concluding at 6pm. Students and their parents are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes before commencement time.

The information session will take place on Strathfield Campus in Building 612, Ground Floor, Gleeson Auditorium, 25A Barker Road Strathfield.

Students wishing to take part in the information session online are asked to contact Ms May for details.

ACU requires the registration of interested students and the number of parents/caregivers attending. Students will need to register their details on this google form

ACU HSC Online Series

ACU is offering free one-hour online HSC revision workshops and an exam skills session delivered by highly respected presenters with in-depth content knowledge.

Program 

English Standard Paper 1 - Tuesday 23 May

English Advanced Paper 1 - Tuesday 23 May

Mathematics Standard Topic 2 - Tuesday 30 May

Mathematics Advanced Topic 2 - Tuesday 30 May

HSC Hacks - Tuesday 6 June

All Workshops commence at 5.30pm and conclude at 6.30pm.

View the QR Codes on the brochure attached to register for these workshops. Students who register will have access to workshops for two weeks after the event. 

College Leadership Team

Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing

College Leaders of Learning - KLA

College Leaders of Learning