ST ANDREWS DAY

Thanks to all the staff and students in making St Andrews day a great day. It was great to see all the students and the teachers enjoying the rides and lunch. Congratulations to all our leaders who received their badges yesterday in the St Andrews Day celebrations.

END OF 2023

As the end of the year approaches, there are some important events that parents and students need to be aware of.

FINAL DAYS OF SCHOOL CLASSES

Year 7,8,9,10 and 11 Tuesday 12th December

Prize Giving (recipients only) Wednesday 13th December.

Year 10 started their transition today and will be on the Senior Campus for the remainder of the year. 

ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND SCHOOL UP TO THESE DATES.

PRIZE GIVING 

College Prize Giving will be on Wednesday 13th December at 8.45am in the Junior Hall. 

START OF SCHOOL AND DATES FOR TERM 1 2024

Year 7,10,11,12 Thursday 1st February 2024

Year 8 and 9 Friday 2nd February 2024

ID photos Monday 5th February 2024

HAIR POLICY FOR THE START OF 2024

Hair styles change on a regular basis, and it is difficult to monitor the changes. We have made the policy much clearer for 2024. Please ensure you that you read and understand the expectation for 2024.

Hair

Students are to ensure their hairstyle conforms to the following: 

Boys

• Hair should be neatly cut, and maintained at all times.
• Undercut, burst fades, drop fades, skin fades are not acceptable, nor are tracks, lines or designs.
• Hair on the sides and the back should be blended in and same length (Number 2 is the shortest acceptable length).
• Long hair is not acceptable; hair must not touch the collar, cover the face or be worn in a bun/ponytail.
• Hair should not be overly styled by use of hair products.
• No facial hair; must be clean shaven at all times(including sideburn, neck and goatee).

Girls

• Girls hair must be completely tied back at all times; pony tail, high/low bun, plait or braided.
• Hair must not cover the face.
• Hair must be tied with a scrunchie or hair tie; navy or black hair ties/scrunchies only.
• Headbands or ribbons may be used; must be black, white or navy in colour.
• Claw clips may be used; must be black, white or navy in colour.
• Unnatural or multiple hair colouring is not allowed. Hair must be a natural hair colour.

The College reserves the right to have a student modify their hair if it does not meet College standards and expectations. Boys who are not clean shaven will be asked to shave at school.

WHAT IS IN THE PLANNER?

Social networking is a big part of our lives. Learning to use social networking sites requires us to be ethical and sensitive in what we do and engage in online. Many people say that they are unhappy being permanently switched on and constantly watching others thoughts rather than their own. We need to be mindful that our devices are not controlling out lives.

Procrastination is something that effects everyone. It stem from avoiding tasks, being afraid of unpleasant outcomes, being a perfectionist or a lack of time management skills. To overcome procrastination, you should identify tasks that you delay, create a list of things you need to do, use positive self talk to tackle difficult tasks, beak tasks into achievable parts, set time goals on tasks and set some self expectations to guide you. 

Plagiarism is when you use someone else’s intellectual property without acknowledging it. If someone pretends that they created the work it is unfair and is in breach of College and NESA guidelines. Intellectual property includes writing, artistic work, music, inventions, designs, images, symbols, names and computer generated images. 

Ways to avoid plagiarism include:

Paraphrasing- using different words to express the meaning.

Citing- listing other authors names and publication year of sources used

Quoting- using the exact authors words in quotation marks and listing their name

Referencing- under the heading reference, describe in alphabetical order each source used and the authors name

Summarising- using your own words to describe what the author is saying and use their name

A lot of the time we procrastinate because we are not coping with the demands of school or life. We need to develop strategies that help us cope. One big one is having a trusted friend that you can go to help. Make sure it’s the right person for the issue and talk through your concern. Think about who the positive people in your life are that you can call upon for help.

God bless

Mr Nick Thrum

Assistant Principal

Learning in the Last Weeks of the School Year.

With the completion of week 8 and Christmas holidays fast approaching many of us are in wind down mode as we head toward the end of the year. However, in Weeks 9 and 10 of any school term, the learning continues in our classrooms even after reports have been sent out and grades for the year allocated.

Some may consider this as a time that doesn’t really count, but time dedicated to learning always counts. The preparation for the year ahead always counts. The learning experiences in classrooms are always valuable because we as humans are always thinking and thus learning. Thinking occurs when we ask ourselves questions about information that has been previously learnt. 

The process of thinking is focused on creating ideas, making choices and judgements about what has been learnt and developing personal explanations about this learning. The learning in our classrooms also includes types of learning that can’t be reported to parents and students by a grade, but are a significant part of any person's learning process.

These learning habits are acquired each and every day, in each and every classroom and represent positive and important approaches to building life long skills. Our lessons continue to teach students to cope with stress and help students tackle their responsibilities towards themselves and others in the right way.

We continue to work with our students to master their learning, work to the best of their abilities, problem solve and focus on success for the year ahead. This includes teamwork and mutual cooperation with the students around them. Our end of year celebrations attest to the fact that the positive interactions and respectful relationships within our school are lifelong people skills that are necessary in one’s professional and personal life.

As we approach the end of 2023, let's remember that every moment in our learning journey truly matters. While reports have been sent home, our focus on developing critical, creative, and logical thinking remains consistent. As a community of learners let us value each day as a chance to grow and explore and shape a future full of exciting possibilities.

Ms Josilin Kalifa

Assistant Principal

Teaching, Learning and Wellbeing

College Timetable 2024

The 2024 Timetable Committee has completed the College Timetable and staff are now using this document to assist with their planning for 2024.

Students will have access to their 2024 Timetable on Monday 22 January via Compass.

Please direct any questions regarding classes, courses etc to pfinnerty@parra.catholic.edu.au

Thank you to the 2024 Timetable Committee for all of their planning, communications and consultation.

Thank you for your continued support

God bless, 

Patrick Finnerty

Leadership Retreat

Our newly elected student leaders have just been on a wonderful Leadership Retreat at Kiah Ridge in Tahmoor. They now have received their portfolios and have started planning for the year ahead. Thank you to the Yr 12 Captains, Vice Captains, SRC & House Captains for your outstanding leadership in leading the retreat. There is more information on the Student Leadership Retreat in this Newsletter article from Athieu Majok & the Publicity Portfolio.

Here is the 2024 student leaders and their portfolios:

Principal’s Awards - Junior Campus

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

Mrs Sue Cooper

Leader of Wellbeing and Learning

scooper@parra.catholic.edu.au

Earlier in Term 3, a number of students entered the Australian Mathematics Competition. They competed in the junior, intermediate and senior level of the competition. This exam is very challenging and focuses on problem solving type questions. The following students are congratulated for their fine efforts, their courage to step out of their comfort zones and for their achievements.

Best Overall in School was awarded to Sean Park.

A Certificate of Distinction was received by:

A Certificate of Credit was received by:

A Certificate of Proficiency was received by:

A Certificate of Participation was received by:

A big thank you to Mr Wills, Assistant Leader of Learning Mathematics, for his organisation in ensuring that the Competition ran smoothly.

Vinnies Christmas appeal.

Congratulations to the St Andrews community on their response to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. This year we returned to donating food hampers for those less fortunate in the community, and our Learning Groups certainly displayed their generosity. Sam Cassar from Vinnies was overwhelmed with response from the St Andrews community, and suggested that the food hampers will certainly assist those families in the community to whom Christmas is often just another day.

It was a tangible way for the students to see that their generosity enables them to become the hands of Christ for others. “For I was hungry and you gave me to eat.” Matthew 25:35.

Future Leaders Conference.

On the 22nd November St Andrews hosted student leaders from St John 23rd Catholic College to discuss the possibilities and challenges of student leadership, in the inaugural  Future Leaders Conference. 

St Andrews students leaders discussed their ability to work as a team, to pursue ideas and future school initiatives, and the challenges of encouraging the student body to support their goals. They also pondered their responsibilities in regards to the Catholic identity and  faith life of the school,  and ways they can witness to the faith to others in the community.

St Andrews student leaders cherished the opportunity to be involved in the Future Leaders discussions, and will enthusiastically pursue other opportunities to engage with schools within the diocese to share ideas with their peers.

Andrew Hoare 

Director of Faith, Mission and Learning.

Year 10 Design and Technology students recently were challenged with a brief to design and produce a unique tealight holder using innovative technologies, and then market their creation with Adobe skills acquired earlier in the year.

The heart of this project was the creation of a tealight holder that not only served its functional purpose but also stood out to demonstrate the students’ design knowledge. Students delved into design principles, exploring shapes, materials, and target market considerations before physically producing the tealight holder using woodwork skills, laser cutting skills, and joining skills. 

After completing their physical tealight holders made from either wood or acrylic, the students ventured into branding, creating primary, secondary, and submark logos that symbolise their designs. Accompanying taglines served as compelling marketing tools, and moodboards, designed with Adobe Photoshop skills, visually conveyed the atmosphere of their creations.

The next challenge involved capturing the essence of their tealight holders through effective photography to create an enticing allure for their product. The project's culmination witnessed students applying Adobe skills to design captivating packaging and magazine covers! These elements not only protected the tealight holders but also showcased the students' creativity, promising a visual journey into innovative design.

The result of this unit was a diverse array of tealight holder campaigns, each reflecting the unique perspectives and creativity of the design student. This unit has not only honed the students’ design skills but has provided them a learning experience of the processes involved in businesses when designing and marketing a product.

Roylan Lingutla

Liana Banares

Krisha 

Jayda 

Janaya

Danielle

On the 23rd- 24th  of November, the upcoming Leaders of 2024 had the opportunity to attend the ‘All School Student Leadership Retreat’ at Kiah Ridge, Tamoor. There, College Captains, House Captains and SRC from Yr 7 to Yr 12 were able to explore their roles and responsibilities led by the emerging Yr 12 Captains. 

We would like to acknowledge and give thanks to Dr Kennaugh, Father Kevin, Mr Houseman & Mrs Cooper for encouraging, challenging and supporting us in leading this retreat.

Here are some reflections students have shared from the Retreat: 

“Leading this all school retreat has been an excellent bonding time for the Juniors and Seniors to really learn more about each other. It was such a new experience as a Yr 12 being able to lead the future of our school, to encourage and most importantly, having fun. Having the opportunity to once again be a part of the School Leadership really gave me the chance to utilise all the skills I’ve learnt from all my school years and to pass it down to the next leaders and captains of St Andrews. I’ve learnt to recognise and support various skills and talents each and every leader has and to work with them to better enhance us for next year. ” 

- Athieu Majok, SRC (Publicity) Yr12

“Having the opportunity to be a part of this retreat helps me understand what it takes to be the best leader or role model I aim to be. Throughout this retreat I have realised that we can’t focus on only one person’s idea to fulfil things, but it takes teamwork and effort to make things happen. I’m very thankful and pleased for this experience as it put a permanent place in my heart for this school, which I have received from Mrs Cooper and Mr Houseman, because this helped me share so many memories with others who I have never met before and helped me socialise throughout these two days. I’m excited to work with my SRC’s in my grade and with my portfolio group for 2024.”

- Filinita Aho, SRC (Publicity) Yr8

“The Leadership Retreat this year was truly magical. There were tons of new connections made and interactions were booming throughout both days. The Yr12 SRC were incredibly organised and engaging, helping the younger grades to also put in their all. I could really tell how everyone stepped out of their comfort zone to make new friends and voice out their ideas. The vibes were also truly immaculate. As leaders, we are the voice for those who are too shy to speak up or cannot make their stand. I wholeheartedly look forward to a new year with this amazing leadership group! Simultaneous clap in 3..2..1..”

- Elyscia Barret, SRC (Publicity) Yr11 

“I wasn’t sure what to expect leading up to this year’s Leadership Retreat. Now I can say that my excitement was justified, perhaps even more so. It was a new, almost scary, experience to begin with; especially being plunged into the deep end with people I had never met before. Yet little by little, I grew used to this new community I became a part of. Everyone I talked to—whether in my cabin, during icebreakers, or in mixed table groups—was so incredibly welcoming. I will forever cherish the memories made in those two days, the kind messages shared with each other, and the familiar faces I can find back on campus.”

- Jobella de la Cruz, SRC (Publicity) Yr 11

“As this year’s Leadership Retreat drew to a close, I could conclude only one definitive fact - while my potential to be a leader had always been waiting to escape fickle confines, this event had led me to become a true leader of St Andrews College. And leadership in the St Andrews School Community is not one driven by self-interest, but one in which all people use their skills and talents to pitch in and support each other. Bill Gates once said that, “As we look into the next century, leaders will be those who inspire others.” Judging by the results of the Retreat, this new generation of school leaders indeed shows great promise!”

— Lucas Baginski, SRC (Publicity) Year 9 

“The 2024 leadership retreat was a transformative experience, weaving unforgettable memories into the fabric of our leadership journeys. Nestled amidst the serene backdrop of Kiah Ridge, the retreat offered a perfect canvas for collaboration, growing self identities and of course, leadership. Engaging workshops and thought-provoking discussions, so meticulously planned by the Year 12 Student Representative Council, forged connections with all students, stimulating a welcoming and sincere environment for all. The memories made during those two days were full of laughter, shared aspirations, and the collective pursuit of growth for our College Community.”

— Nikki Gasendo, SRC (Publicity) Year 10 

Athieu Majok

he following is a reflection from one of the Year 10 drama students about an activity that was run for the current unit we are studying in children's theatre.

This term in drama we researched aspects of children’s theatre. Whether it be by bright colours, joyful music or unrealistic characters, this form of theatre is easily identifiable. It is characterised by its family-friendly nature, and its likeness for children's engagement. For one specific activity, we were given the task of creating our own puppets to produce a scene for younger audiences. This process has been a fantastic way to improve our creativity, showcase our artistic abilities, and learn the hands on skills of puppeteering. The creation process went over an entire lesson, consisting of brainstorming with the craft supplies and producing not only physical props but imaginative backstories, personalities, and distinctive characteristics. We then put our new found skills to the test as we directed, filmed, planned and acted a short story using our newly made puppets. Overall, this task allowed us to express ourselves through a common form of children’s theatre, and demonstrate our abilities to an audience. For me, it was definitely a fun-to-learn topic filled with numerous engaging lessons. 

Rachel Laycock

https://sites.google.com/parra.catholic.edu.au/numeracy/term-4

2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge News 

This year saw 227 incredible students complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC). A huge congratulations to all who participated in this event.  These students have not only made great gains in achieving a goal they set themselves, but in advancing their reading skills and taking themselves to exciting new places not possible in the real world.

What is involved in the PRC?

The Premier’s Reading Challenge requires all entrants to read 20 books over the course of approximately 6 months. So, a real commitment was undertaken by so many students to reach this goal.

Acknowledgements

Most importantly, I would like to thank all the students who made time in their lives to read! I would also like to acknowledge and give thanks to Ms Lipec who followed up with so many Year 7 students, in order to assist them in completing the challenge.

Certificates of Participation

201 Certificates of Participation were handed out to everyone who completed the challenge. 

Gold Certificates

21 students this year received a Gold Certificate, in lieu of a Certificate of Participation, for completing 4 years of the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The students who received these certificates were:

Erin Cagney

Caleb Dacayo

Nayana Davuluri

Mikyla De Guzman

Ishaan Dhanwal

Phoenix Fuimaono

Isabella Godinez

Kiara Guglani

Aidan Harvey

Ruby Landrigan

Alyanna Maningat

Annabelle Muljono

Jeremiah Owusu

Japneer Rai

Lauren Renouf

Manmeet Samra

Zara Sawhney

Navjeet Singh

Charlie Tabone

Helli Vyas

Yin Win

Platinum Certificates

5 students this year received a Platinum Certificate, in lieu of a Certificate of Participation, for completing 7 years of the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The students who received these certificates were:

Claire De Vos

Stella- Rose Deluca

Nina Isakov

Aarya Jani

Shaina Wade

Medals

3 students this year will receive a medal for completing every challenge between Year 3 and Year 9, or for completing 10 years of Premier’s Reading Challenges.  They will be receiving a medal in recognition of their efforts at the upcoming awards ceremony in Week 10.  The students who will be receiving these medals are:

Timothy Cheng

Micaela Sibucao

Archisha Thumma

Congratulations to all these students for making reading a priority in their lives, and for being examples of what it means to set a goal and stick with it year in and year out.  Well done everyone!

Miss Hicks

Celebrating the Completion of Year 10 Japanese Elective Course

We are delighted to share the exciting news of the successful completion of the Year 10 Japanese Elective Course! This milestone marks the culmination of three years of dedicated effort, cultural exploration and linguistic growth for our amazing students.

The journey through the Japanese elective has been a remarkable one, filled with rich experiences and valuable insights into the language and culture. Throughout the past three years, students have embraced the challenges, demonstrated perseverance and exhibited a genuine passion for learning Japanese. 

One of the highlights of the elective was the intercultural experiences with Japanese students that students engaged in. From the intercultural lessons with Japanese students to learn about contemporary Japanese culture, students gained a well-rounded understanding of Japan’s rich heritage and modern society.

As we celebrate the completion of this elective course, we also want to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our students. Their passion for Japanese language has shone through in various assessments and class activities. We are immensely proud of each student’s growth and accomplishments.

Miho Matsufuji

Japanese Teacher

Ready, Steady, Race 

We are so proud of our Year 8 Technology students who have been working on developing and creating their CO2 Cars as a part of the ‘Engineering’ unit in Technology. They have finished production of their cars and some have chosen to do paint work to suit their design and theme. Throughout this unit our students have needed to research and investigate concepts of aerodynamics, force, friction and motion. In the next few weeks our students will be racing their cars against each other for ultimate CO2 champion. We are looking forward to seeing whether the modifications they have made have improved the performance of their CO2 car. 

7.4 English - Monster Descriptions

This term, Year 7 have been working on a unit of work focused on the genre of horror in English. One focus of the unit was on descriptive writing.

In groups of 2-3 students were asked to write a descriptive paragraph on a designated monster with the sentence starter:

I couldn’t believe my eyes… the monster of my nightmares was standing before me in my bedroom. 

The students needed to include at least one example of personification, anthropomorphism, or zoomorphism, together with one other technique covered in class.  The students also worked on lifting the level of vocabulary in their writing.

The following samples are just some of the many excellent descriptions produced by 7.4.  Well done to every student in 7.4!  

Prepare to be scared!

Miss Hicks

On the 23rd of November our Year 11 Construction class undertook a Bricklaying Day at our College. 

The day's focus was on teaching fundamental practical skills that will prepare our students for the workforce. This experience allowed the students to be provided with an experience that honed their skills in the use of bricklaying/ blocklaying tools and equipment and the handling of bricklaying/ blocklaying materials as well. 

The day commenced with a comprehensive session on the use of bricklaying and blocklaying tools and equipment. Under the guidance of their instructor, students learned to use the tools of the trade. From trowels and jointers to levels and masonry saws. All facets of tool use were explored, ensuring that our students not only understood their functions but also developed hands-on proficiency. Hands-on activities were designed to simulate real-world scenarios, giving students the opportunity to practise using the tools safely and efficiently. 

Later on in the morning, they were tasked with understanding the characteristics of various materials, including bricks, mortar, and concrete blocks. The correct methods of storage, transportation, and preparation were emphasised to ensure a seamless construction process of a brick wall. 

The rest of the day involved a range of practical exercises that allowed students to get their hands dirty, quite literally, as they mixed mortar, laid bricks, and constructed simple walls. This hands-on experience was complemented by theoretical knowledge, covering material specifications, safety protocols, and environmental considerations.

Overall this day was beneficial in helping out VET construction students develop relevant knowledge, understanding and industry level of proficiency of the bricklaying process. The practical nature of the activities allowed for a holistic learning experience, combining theoretical knowledge with real-world application.

College Leadership Team

Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing

College Leaders of Learning - KLA

College Leaders of Learning