St Andrews College Marayong eNewsletter Term 3 Week 4

Dear Members of the St Andrews College Community,

How inspired I was this week as I viewed the students at work composing and animating their books as part of the ‘Write a Book in a Day Competition’. They were focused, open to ideas and critique, and committed. They worked from 7.00am until 7.00pm to produce two wonderfully creative and well written books. Thank you to all the students who participated, Mr Dewar, and staff, who made the day such a success. I was walking around the College yesterday and was admiring the engagement in Science Challanges, College Band and Music, Dance, and  Acceleration Mathematics. The main thing to realise is that you must work hard to achieve success. When I see all of these opportunities, and the enthusiasm of students, it makes me very proud to be the Principal of this great College.

‘It’s All About Learning’

Gospel Reflection:

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A (Matthew 4:12-23)-Veronica Lawson RSM

Most of the gospel readings this year will be from the gospel of Matthew. As with any story, it is probably best to read Matthew’s story of Jesus from beginning to end over a few days, entering into the drama and attending to all the elements in the story. Sr. Elaine Wainwright’s ecorhetorical commentary on Matthew’s gospel invites us to read with attention to habitat as well as to the human and the holy. We need to realise that what we bring to the text will inform our reading of the text. What we notice will depend on our own social and cultural contexts and on our capacity to bring our particular interpretive stance into dialogue with the worlds that inhabit the text. While the main character in the story is Jesus, there are other characters and character groups, including other-than-human characters. In the passage selected for today, Matthew’s Jesus hears the news of John the Baptizer’s arrest and “withdraws” to the safety of Capernaum in Galilee. Matthew thus grounds him in a familiar locale. He then symbolically presents him as a great light for a people who have lived in darkness and the shadow of death and oppression. In the context of Roman imperial rule, Jesus offers the hope of an alternative reign. We might focus for a moment on the gift of light. Without an appreciation of natural light, we cannot hope to understand this image. Jesus invites his hearers to expand their horizons, for the allembracing empire or kin-dom “of the heavens” has come near. He then calls four fishermen to follow him, to join him on his mission of proclaiming the empire or reign “of the heavens”. The verb “to follow” is an invitation to live out in their lives/in our lives the pattern of Jesus’ life. They “immediately” leave their boat and their father and follow him. Later in the story we find they still have their boat, an indication that, at some levels, the story is to be read symbolically. At times we need to distance ourselves from family expectations for the sake of the gospel. At times we have to decentre our material possessions even while we affirm the goodness of their materiality and their significance for the work of the mission. One might get the impression that the alternative community that Jesus forms around him is all male. This impression is dispelled a few verses later when we learn that “great crowds followed him” (4:25). In Matthew 18, there is specific mention of children and, towards the end of the gospel, we find that women have “followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him’” (27:55). There is a far more extended group around Jesus than today’s reading might suggest. Women, men, and children, we are all invited to turn our lives around and to live out in our lives the pattern of Jesus’ life.

Catechists Visits to local Primary Schools:
Due to the recent incidents of COVID-19 within some schools our Catechists are not allowed into the local Primary Schools for the immediate future. Although we are disappointed that we cannot share our faith with the Catholic primary school students, we understand that the safety of all is most important during this time of pandemic. We pray that all will be back to normal sooner rather than later. 

New Religious Education Curriculum:
I have really enjoyed teaching Year 10 classes about Eudaimonia and Hedonia and how it relates to the new Religious Education Curriculum. Although they are new terms to most students, they engaged with the content really well. I am looking forward to receiving feedback from staff and students regarding how the new direction is going.

Write a Book in a Day:
What an amazing day I have witnessed on Wednesday 12th August. The mix of students from Years 7-9 were amazing in their imagination, dedication and flair. To write a book in one day is a big achievement and we are very proud of you all. The commitment of our amazing staff (Mr Dewar, Mrs Deschamps, Mrs Flaihan and Ms Kelly) was a pivotal factor in the students success. Starting at 7.00am and finishing at 7.00pm is a big day of learning. Congratulations to all involved.

Debating:
Congratulations to all Debaters, staff, and our wonderful group of helpers. After two rounds of the CSDA Debating Competition we have won eighteen of our twenty debates. Thank you to Ms Pett and staff for the hours dedicated to organising students, adjudicating, and viewing debates in support of our students. The culture of Debating, volunteering, and Public Speaking is a long and distinguished one at St Andrews College. We now have past students coming back to adjudicate  while they are at University. That is a testament to their love of the College and their personal work ethic. It is a privilege to watch our students in the Debating and Public Speaking Competitions demonstrate their passion, dedication, and knowledge each week. Keep up the great work.

Acceleration Program:
We are expanding the Program to Science in the near future. We have such a rich tradition in Science at the College and we will be building on that success. I will relay more information in the next Newsletter. 

Year 7-10 Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences:
Thank you to the parents who have logged on and engaged in the process via Zoom. The feedback has been very positive. If there is any further feedback that you woul like to give to the College please contact me via email or phone.

Year 12 2021 Student Leadership Selections:
Unfortunately we were not able to take the group away to Gerringong due to COVID-19 restrictions. Nevertheless we will conduct the Retreat at the College and move forward with our planning for 2021 and beyond. Congratulations to all students who were nominated for leadership positions. We have a very strong and passionate group to take students leadership at the College forward.

Gym Renovations:
Due to the Covid-19 situation some of the new equipment has been delayed. As you can see by the photos below it is looking really good though and we hope to open it up to students (under staff supervision) once all the equipment is installed and staff have all completed the Safety Induction. 

Fidem in Christo

Stephen Kennaugh
Principal

Expectations in keeping the College safe in Covid 19 times.

 Students are expected to follow all restriction and suggestions from NSW Heath.

• Keep social distancing expectations whenever possible
• Wash your hands as often as possible using soap for 20 seconds
• Use hand sanitizer when ever you touch surfaces that others have touched
• Hugging, high fives, handshakes, sharing food or any other contact is not permitted
• If you have any flue like symptoms you are to get tested and stay at home until you have been given the negative results
• Feel free to wear a mask at school and in the classroom.

We are all in this together and we must always protect ourselves and others in our community.

Online behaviour- What do you “like”?
While using social media many people scroll through and like pages without having any understanding of what they are liking. The companies that control the sites use that information to make suggestions and build your profile, which is then linked to advertising.

There can be a negative impact of pressing like without knowing what it is. When people see your profile and what you like it can potentially be a negative impression of you as a person.

At school students sometimes like pages of other students without looking what the page is about. Sometimes the posts and pictures that are liked are negative pages and sometimes cyber bullying. If a student likes a page that is bullying or negative it is telling the College that they support the bullying or negative behaviour. If there is a problem online students must tell a parent or teacher so the problem can be rectified.

The following web address is from the Office of e-safety and has resources and areas where you can get help.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Quakers Court
Many students go to Quakers Court in the morning and after school. We are asking that students be mindful of Covid 19 restrictions while at the shopping centre. We have asked students not to sit in public areas or hang around inside the centre. Owner of the shops can be fined up to $13000 for breaches of Covid 19 health restrictions and they are concerned about students not following the rules.

Many shops are asking for masks to be worn in their areas and students are expected to follow these rules.

Mufti Days
Our next mufti day is to be held next Wednesday the 19th  of August. The mufti day is in support of the training teachers in East Timor. Education is the key to getting communities out of poverty. The training of teachers means that the future of East Timor is going to be in the hands of an educated population.

Just a reminder to parents to ensure that College appropriate clothing is worn during these days.

What’s in the Planner?
Sleep and adolescents is a major issue. Young people are connected 24/7 with the world through their devices. There is an impact on a young persons brain and many of them suffer from fatigue and their mental and physical wellbeing suffers. Sleep is a time to recharge your brain and body and being online at night prevents that from happening. Deep sleep is required and as we go into REM sleep the material learned during that day goes into long term memory.

Teenagers need at lease nine hours of sleep per night.

Mindfulness is about waking up, connecting with yourself and others and focusing on what is happening right now. We need to train our rational mind and our emotional mind. There is a time to be emotional and a time to be rational. Learning when to be in the right mind is important.

Just a reminder, when we think about resilience we need to ensure we are developing a positive mindset. Understanding our strengths and weaknesses and working hard is the key to success in everything we do.

God Bless

Nicholas Thrum
Assistant Principal Students

St Andrews Inquiry Based Learning

This is the inquiry model incorporated into  teaching and learning. 

Inquiry Learning at St Andrews College is a pedagogy that supports effective development of students’ knowledge of self, knowledge of others and knowledge of their world, through student centred, teacher facilitated learning. 

The three elements integral to the development and delivery of the inquiry process are:

• Questioning Frameworks
• Information Literacy and Information Seeking Processes
• Action Research Cycles

As you can see, questioning and asking the right questions is across all three areas of our inquiry framework. 

Over the following weeks, students will be immersed in questioning techniques using the Pearsall Questioning Framework. From the questioning frameworks, students develop their own skills in questioning. 

Inquiry Questioning Framework (Pearsall Model)

This is the questioning framework all students will be engaged in and consequently being able to use themselves. 

75,000+
The number of students studying one or more courses in 2020.

This represents a significant number of our young people, who are heading towards their HSC Examinations despite very significant concerns outside of their control. The challenges for every student this year has been unprecedented. However our students need to understand that maximising their efforts towards their Trial HSC Examinations and in their final weeks will set them up for success. Considerable work in each subject before the Trial Examinations enables each student to set their rank, however after the Examinations EVERY student can lift results. If a student has performed poorly during a course, they still have every chance at achieving personal success in their HSC Examinations. Therefore after the Trial HSC Examinations, students are encouraged to support each other towards improvement. 

HSC Minimum Standards Year 10

Students have sat for their Writing and Reading Tests and all students will have completed their Numeracy Test. It takes at least two weeks for the Writing Test achievement levels to be accessible for students, whilst the Reading and Numeracy Tests are available for students on the day they complete the test. 

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Year 10 on their Reading Test achievement levels - every student has achieved level 3 or 4 in the Reading Test, with most students achieving level 4. 

The following is an example of level 4 achievement descriptors:

Year 11 Incursion with Constable Ally Watts
Technology has always found ways to make our lives more convenient from having food delivered on UberEat or DoorDash, to learning and education on Google Classroom or to making friends by your platform of choice (Video Games, SnapChat, TikTok etc.).

As such it has made its way into our lives more and more without our realisation, sometimes even in places we didn’t even consider. So much in the same way road rules for motorists and pedestrians were enacted when our highway and road networks were built for cars, so too will the same rules and guidelines be made for how we conduct ourselves in CyberSpace. Until such a time we ought to look out for our own safety and privacy online as we would if we were out and about in public. Here are the few key takeaways I hope we all received from the short assembly we as Year 11 had with Constable Ally Watts:

“How much of yourself do you put out there?” 
Does SnapChat really need to know your home address?
Does Facebook really need to know your date of birth?
Does UberEats really need to have your location permission at ALL times?
Does InstaGram really need to have your phone number?

Be very mindful of what a website ‘requires’ of you to sign up as opposed to what they ‘ask’ of you. There are countless occasions where you might be signing up to a new service and what it requests of you is not actually necessary. We should be aware of what is a ‘requirement’ of the service verses what is merely asked by them.

A.W.A.R.E
Appropriate? Who can see it? Accurate? Respectful? Environment?

Constable Watts’ message right before you post or share something online is to be AWARE.

Bringing it back to reality, one can understand each of these points if you would liken ‘sharing content online’ to ‘shouting it out loud in public’, or at the very least saying it to another person.

When you are about to share online, would it be appropriate if said in public? Even if it were only between two people, be it in public or online, always consider that there may always be people within hearing-distance to your conversations or that what you will be sharing can always be saved and passed on.

Continuing the comparison, who can see it? If it were an image that you intend for your friends to see, consider whether you would be okay if it somehow spread beyond those you intended. This doesn’t even have to be an issue of untrustworthy friends, but more to do with knowing what is exactly on the “Terms and Services Agreement” that we all scroll through and accept…without reading. Turns out, Instagram (and by extension their parent company Facebook) own any images that you post onto their platforms! They can very well sell any images on their platform to whatever advertisement company requests it of them, so don’t be too shocked if you are unlucky enough to find yourself on a billboard in another country!

Is what you are about to share accurate and respectful? The age of information overload is upon us, and the problems faced now is not knowing who or what exactly to believe. We shouldn’t then add to this problem by fuelling rumours and gossip of others, which in turn will mean to be respectful. If you wouldn’t say it in front of the person, then you shouldn’t be sharing it online.

Lastly, even if you have been careful in not revealing your personal information, be mindful to what traces of information that can be found in your content. It can be as simple as your school crest seen on a blazer or in the corner of the image, or a nearby landmark (shopping centre, service station, hospital, street name) somewhere in your image. These small traces scattered on the many platforms you might be a part of may be enough for others to construct enough of a profile of yourself and figure out who you are. 

This isn’t to scare you or stop us from ever using the internet or whatever platforms you choose to be on. It does mean though, that we ought to take more care and be AWARE of our online behaviours, especially as we all continue to let it become a larger and larger part of our lives.

Our Year 10 iSTEM students have recently undertaken the ‘Design for Space’ unit. Throughout the unit, they learnt about the history of space flight, the space environment and space vehicle design. 

Throughout our studies, we had learnt that NASA conducted ocean landings (a splashdown) during the early years of space flight in order to safely return it’s crew back to earth. Splashdowns were undertaken as they created a softer landing for the crew and allowed for the vehicle to be built without the rockets that would normally be required to land on solid ground.

After learning this, students were presented with the following CEV (Crew Exploration Vehicle) Challenge. This challenge required the students to develop a solution in groups using their problem solving and collaboration skills over numerous lessons.

CEV Challenge

Design Brief:
Using the design process, design, build, test and improve a crew exploration vehicle capable of carrying two 2-centimeter-tall "passengers" and floating in water for one minute without leaking.

Criteria for success:

1. The CEV must safely land in water and remain floating for one minute without leaking after being dropped from 61cm. 
   
   
2. The CEV must land and remain top-side up. 
   
   
3. The CEV must securely hold two 2cm-tall astronaut figures seated inside the CEV. 
   
   
4. The CEV must have a hatch on top that opens and closes (or can be removed, and is large enough for a 2-cm-tall astronaut figure to pass through. 
   
   
5. The CEV hatch must remain closed (or attached in place, if it is removable). 

Design constraints:

1. Teams must use the materials provided. 
   
   
2. The CEV must weigh less than 100 grams. 

Materials:

• Cotton balls
• Cardboard
• Sheets of paper
• Paddlepop sticks
• Sticky tape
• Plastic sandwich bags
• Cling wrap
• Hot glue guns
• Various other craft or building supplies or recycled materials

Numerous lessons were spent in the classroom and workshop where students used their problem solving and collaborative skills to solve the problem at hand. Each group had an original, creative and innovative design. 

This challenge created a fantastic learning experience with much excitement and engagement. This was especially evident during the testing phase where the groups were able to modify their designs between each test in order for it to succeed. 

Each group is to be congratulated on their success throughout this challenge. Their hard work, effort and continual evaluation of their designs definitely paid off and I am extremely proud of them. I look forward to continue working with our students in our current unit CAD/CAM, where they will be learning to use the laser cutter and 3D printer. 

Sarah Kamali
Teacher of Technologies

Design sketches and photos:

The Visual Arts Department is offering an Extension Program for Gifted and Talented Year 8 students who have displayed exceptional practical ability in this subject.  

The aim of this program is to further develop student’s skills in a variety of media and styles of artmaking and develop artworks to enter external competitions such as the Blacktown City: Young Artists Prize, AGNSW: Young Archie and Westmead Hospital: Operation Art.

These classes will take place after school on Wednesdays from 3.00 – 4.30pm in the Junior Art Room G10 starting from Week 6, Wednesday 26th August.

Students will have the opportunity to choose from the following according to interest and skill levels.

Media:

Lead pencils

Coloured pencils

Watercolour pencils

Watercolour blocks

Acrylic paint

Acrylic mediums

Fineline markers

Inks:

Collage/mixed media

Photography

Photoshop

Styles:

Realism

Fantasy

Abstraction
 

Subjects:

People

Animals

Objects

Places

Competitions:

Blacktown City: Young Artists Prize 

Entry in October 2020

Theme announced each year

Exhibition finalists displayed at Blacktown Arts Centre

AGNSW: Young Archie

Entry in March 2021

In the spirit of the iconic Archibald Prize, the Young Archie competition invites children and teenagers aged five to 18 to unleash their creativity and submit a portrait of someone who is special to them and plays a significant role in their life. Age categories: 5-8, 9-12, 13-15, 16-18.

Exhibition finalists displayed at AGNSW

Westmead Children's Hospital: Operation Art

Entry in May 2021

“Creating art to help children in hospital.”

Every year schools across New South Wales are invited to participate in Operation Art, an initiative of The Children’s Hospital Westmead in association with the New South Wales Department of Education. The Operation Art program provides a forum for schools and students to demonstrate their Visual Arts achievements through exhibitions at the Armory Gallery, Sydney Olympic Park and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Students will be selected by the Visual Arts teachers and offered a place in this program. The parents and students have the opportunity to accept the offer until the limited places are full. A maximum class of 24 students will take part in the program. There will be no cost to take part in the program.

I look forward to working with the students.

Pauline Ryan
Leader of Learning CAPA 

HSC Lectures and Workshops 

In September the Max Webber Library, Blacktown will be hosting HSC lectures and workshops to assist Year 12 students in their preparation for their HSC Examinations. These lectures and workshops will be delivered by HSC teachers, markers, textbook authors and study skills experts. Students will learn study strategies and exam tips for success in the HSC.

Biology

Date: Thursday 3 September

Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm 

Lecturer: Vicki Maggs BSc(Ed), MEd

Tickets: $5

Vicki is a Head Science Teacher and former HSC Senior Biology Marker. Vicki’s HSC Biology lecture provides revision that is detailed and easy to understand. 

Bookings: hscbiology2020.eventbrite.com.au

HSC English Human Experiences - Paper 1 Common Paper
Standard and Advanced

Date: Monday 7 September

Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm 

Lecturer: Larry Grumley 

Tickets: $5.00 

Larry is a Head English Teacher, Study Guide Author, Senior Marker and Supervisor of Marking as well as a HSC Exam Committee Member. Larry’s insight inspires confidence in students preparing for their HSC English Examination. 

Bookings: hscenglish2020.eventbrite.com.au

Preparation for the Mathematics -
Standard HSC Examination

Date: Tuesday 15 September

Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm 

Lecturer: John Ley 

Tickets:  $5.00

John has been Head of Mathematics, Assistant Principal and Acting Principal. He was a member of the committee setting the HSC Examinations for three years, is an experienced HSC Senior Marker and Lead Author of Insight Mathematics Textbook Series. He currently works at WSU teaching pre-service teachers. Students are asked to bring their calculator, pen and note paper to the workshop. 

Bookings: hscmathematics2020.eventbrite.com.au

Tickets are Non-refundable and available for purchase through Eventbrite. Accompanying teacher or parent wil be admitted free. 

All lectures will be held at Max Webber Library Function Centre (entry via lift or staircase in the foyer of Max Webber Library). Parking is available in the library basement off Alpha Street. 

For more information contact the Reference Desk at Max Webber Library, Blacktown on 9839 6620

The Academy Global Leaders Program - Western Sydney University
Today's workplace is a very different landscape to the days when the name of your degree governed what you did for the rest of your life. By the time today's Year 12 students graduate from university, many jobs will have disappeared and new opportunities, as yet unimagined, will have taken their place. To be a sought-after employee, you will need to think differently, to see things from multiple perspectives and to anticipate, navigate and adapt to change. 

The founding premise of The Academy at Western Sydney University is to give you the skills you need to thrive in this world of increasingly rapid change. The Academy will equip you with critical thinking skills and world experience that will set you apart from other graduates.

The Academy Global Leaders Program is a pathway for students with exceptional potential to receive an early offer and a premium experience within The Academy. 

The Academy Global Leaders Program comprises:

• An unconditional guarantee of a place at Western Sydney University before the HSC commences.
• Membership of The Academy
• A $2,000 'Smart Start' scholarship
• A university-sponsored overseas academic or leadership experience incorporating domestic or international travel (international travel is being reviewed due to the COVID-19 situation)
• Advanced study of global citizenship, democracy and social change. 

Interested students need to complete the online application form by midnight on Monday the 7th of  September 2020. Students also need to make an application to UAC listing their preferred Western Sydney University degree or degrees by Monday the 21st of September.

Students wishing assistance with their application are encouraged to see Ms May

ACU Blacktown Campus
ACU will be holding three Virtual Open Days to help students discover their options at ACU's new Blacktown Campus from 9am to 3pm on the following day:

Saturday 29 August

Saturday 5 September

Saturday 12 September

From 2021 ACU will be offering programs in:

Business

Humanities and Social Sciences

Information Technology

Law

Nursing

Nutrition Science

Public Health

Sport and Exercise Science

Teaching 

Theology

For students who are completing a Non-ATAR HSC or whose ATAR does not meet the cut off for their desired degree - ACU will be offering a Foundation Studies Program. This is a fee-free program to help students build skills and confidence to gain success in their degree. Students who complete the Foundation Studies Program at the Grade Point Average for their chosen degree will gain guaranteed entry into their ACU undergraduate degree.

Below are links to register for the Virtual Open Day; information about the Blacktown Campus; and information about the Foundation Studies Program.

Virtual Open Day

Blacktown Campus

ACU Foundation Studies Program

The Safer Drivers Course is designed by Transport for NSW. The Safer Drivers Course teaches learner drivers how to reduce road risks. Learners who complete the Safer Drivers Course receive 20 hours of log book credit.

To make a booking with National Driver Education for the Safer Drivers Course please visit www.ndeaustralia.com.au 

QUAKERS HILL

Saturday – 12th September 

Wednesday – 30th September 

WINDSOR

Saturday – Saturday 19th September 

PENRITH

Sunday – 13th September 

Wednesday – 30th September 

Tuesday – 6th October 

BLAXLAND

Sunday – 23rd August 

Wednesday – 7th October 

Therese May
Careers Counsellor

17th August - 21st August

Year 11 Work Placement: Hospitality & Information & Digital Technology

17th - 28th August

HSC Trial Exams 

17th August

2021 Leadership Day 

19th August

Mufti Day

27th August

5:30 - 7:30 Bishop's Student Excellence Awards - St Patricks Cathedral Parramatta

1st - 8th September

Year 11 Exams