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

The phone and App companies have made these devices and programs 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 the teacher for learning.

What’s in the student planner?

Thinking before, during and after class.

Before class.- Remember the information you learnt about in the previous lesson, make sure you understand it

During class-  Apply what you have learnt to the new situations in class and analyse the information- look for the “what if’s”. search for patters and connection between the parts.

After class- evaluate the work, compare and make judgments about the information from the lesson, design and create your own connections and ideas and investigate patterns and connections in your learning.

If you spend time reflecting and thinking about your learning every day you will develop learning at a higher level. You will be able to learn in more effective ways and will be able to use what you learn across different areas.

God Bless

Mr. Nicholas Thrum

Assistant principal

Hello Year 8 students and parents, 

Another fortnight has passed and year 8 continues to show strides in their learning and growth as a person. We have had plenty of students begin representing the College in representative sports on Thursdays, participants and volunteers for debating and continue to be involved in extracurricular activities such as big band. For me, as their Leader of Wellbeing, it is always a pleasure to see the year 8 students showing courage and confidence to do these things. 

As year 8 students continue to grow, recently we looked at the importance of positive relationships. Relationships throughout high school are so dynamic that it is important to maintain, grow or expand our relationships with other students. Social interaction is so important to young people for their wellbeing that they hold this as one of the top priorities in their lives. They want to belong, they do not want to miss out (FOMO) and they want to enjoy the laughter, smiles and memories that come along with having positive relationships.  I have expressed the importance of respecting one another for their opinions, actions and hobbies. I have also challenged students to branch out from the norm of their friendship group to get to know other people, find things in common and try something different. Friendships will have their ups and downs due to different opinions, miscommunication, interests and hobbies not aligning, but if you can develop a wide social network you will never feel left out. Students in year 8 can be respectful, interesting and welcoming, you just need to take the chance and get to know one another more. 

As each day goes by, it is always great for me to see each year 8 students navigate their lives inside the school walls. The level of independence has grown so much. Always stay positive and with each experience that comes your way, embrace it, no matter how hard or bad some days may be, each of it holds a lesson and an opportunity to grow.

Remember, I will always be available to help you with any questions, issues or queries you may have. 

Mr Kharl Carlos

Leader of Wellbeing Year 8

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Esteemed Students of Year 9,

I hope this message finds you well and thriving. As the acting Year 9 Leader of Wellbeing, it's my pleasure to share with you the latest updates on our journey towards holistic growth and development of the future leaders of our College..

Over the past two weeks, our focus has been on nurturing the character strength of hope. In our wellbeing sessions, students engaged in activities aimed at exploring the essence of hope and its significance in navigating life's challenges. It was heartening to witness the enthusiasm and thoughtful reflections of our Year 9 cohort as they delved into discussions and exercises centered around hope.

During one particularly insightful activity, students were asked to envision one thing in the world which they hold hope for change. From these discussions emerged common themes that resonate deeply within our group. Negative thinking, financial stress, and environmental concerns were among the issues our Year 9 students expressed they could have a positive impact. It's inspiring to see our young minds not only recognize these challenges but also harbor a sense of optimism and determination towards addressing them.

In addition to our wellbeing focus, I've been collaborating closely with our student body to foster effective study habits and organizational skills. Together, I have been working with a number of students to develop study timetables to streamline academic routines and promote a conducive learning environment. I encourage parents to reinforce these efforts at home and to utilize the resources available, including our Learning Centre, to support their child's academic journey.

I also want to take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of some remarkable individuals within our Year 9 cohort. Kaitlyn Hall’s triumph in the Year 9 writing competition showcases her talent and creativity, while Brody McLoughlin's impressive 2nd place in the Sydney Royal Easter Show reptile competition highlights his dedication and passion for wildlife conservation. This is a significant achievement as the competition is now one of the biggest frog and reptile competitions in Australia. Further accolades should be bestowed upon our Year 9 debating teams. One team, Year 9 A is undefeated at the time of writing this article. Their success exemplifies the spirit of teamwork and intellectual prowess. The Year 9A debaters are Georgia Nash, Aishriya Lal and Nina Isakov. The 9B debaters are  Emily Stevenson, Angelina Chamoun and Meghan Bartlett.  Students making a significant contribution to our Faith in Action community are Brenda Abreu, Siyara Gauchan, Jolena Valencia, Theresa Batara, Bella Chand, Aurelle Husada, Kayya Magayaga, Emily Stevenson, Hannah Adrales and Sabrina Dutong who volunteered for the recent 'Lifted' excursion that embodies our College's commitment to service and community engagement.

As we progress through the representative sports season, I extend my best wishes to all members of our Intermediate representative sports teams, especially our Year 9 representatives. Your dedication and sportsmanship reflect the values of our College, and I have no doubt you will represent us with pride and excellence.

Finally, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the parent community for your unwavering support and partnership in nurturing the holistic development of our students. Your involvement and encouragement play a vital role in shaping the vibrant and inclusive culture of our College. Let us continue to foster a culture of hope, resilience, and excellence within our Year 9 community. Together, we can empower our students to thrive and make a positive impact in the world.

With warm regards,

Mr Nathan Weaver
Acting Year 9 Leader of Wellbeing

On Thursday, 16th May and Friday 17th May, students in Years 7-10 attended the LIFTED Rise and LIFTED Unleashed events held by Catholic Youth Parramatta. Our St Andrews students were able to experience the beauty of our Catholic faith and experience the joy of being in community with others as they attended these days with other students from schools all across the Parramatta Diocese. Students were given the opportunity to listen to reflections on Pentecost, attend prayer workshops and engage in discussions with others. It was a great opportunity to experience the faith as a young person beyond the school gates. Overall the students had received a lot of insight and came back with new perspectives and fun memories. Here are some testimonies from our students:

We look forward to giving students more opportunities to attend LIFTED events in the future and we’d like to thank the team at Catholic Youth Parramatta and the Mission Team at CSPD for the invitation. 

Olivia Tan, FIAT (Faith in Action Teacher) Coordinator

The Shakespeare Carnival - Regional Round Results at Burwood Girls High School

Last Monday the 13th of May, 11 students performed for a NSW state wide competition called The Shakespeare Carnival. Students from schools across the state have competed in a competition that allows budding thespians, and lovers of the stage to be able to immerse themselves within Shakepseare’s works. Even in today’s modern world, we are able to resonate with the stories, characters and overall themes of his plays. Within different categories, students were able to show their talent in interpreting the wordsmith himself, or show their own self expression through their own original creations. 

We had students from across Years 7-12 perform and we wish to congratulate the following students for their participation to be part of this learning experience, to see the calibre of talent within other schools and allows us to test the mettle of our students that have braved unfamiliar territory with entering this competition for the first time:

Category: Smart Phone Short Film

Based on Hamlet

• Emily Burchmore
• Dharshini Mahesh
• Saumya Punj
• Lauren Renouf
• Helli Vyas

Category: Group Devised

Based on King Lear Act 1 Scene 1

• Kaitlin Cragg
• Crissabella Magayaga
• Georgia Nash
• Annabel Zaroutski

Category: Duologue 

Extract from Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Scene 2

• Mackenzie Jones
• Arya Sawhney

Along with St Andrews College Marayong entering the competition for the first time, we have had our Smart Phone Short Film entry, made by our Year 8 students, win equal first place in their category in the Regional Competition. This was along with Sydney Girls High School. This means those students make it to the State Grand Final on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of June where students get the chance to see their film presented in the Seymour Centre. 

We wish our winners all the best of luck for the Grand Final.

With great anticipation and excitement,

Miss Christina Rujicica 

Teacher of Drama and English 

The following are some words from our participants, where they themselves are able to share their thoughts of the evening and their passions for Drama:

Junior CAPA Showcase

The Junior CAPA Showcase will be held in the Junior Campus hall on Wednesday 12th June. From 5pm, vibrant artworks from our 7 - 10 artists will be displayed, followed by an evening of Music and Drama performances. We are looking forward to showcasing the range of artworks produced by our students!

Year 11 Visual Arts
Collection of Work

Year 11 students submitted their completed Collection of Work for marking and feedback early this term. Students were challenged with a range of materials including cardboard to charcoal to paint. For some students, it was their first time working with certain materials. It’s been wonderful to see them grow as artists and work through various difficulties that they encountered. 

In Term 2, students will develop a Body of Work representing the theme of “Art as Social Commentary”. As students are gathering ideas, it is interesting to see the materials and themes they are considering. Watch this space for an update in the weeks to come. 

Year 8 Visual Arts Incursion

Year 8 had the opportunity to participate in an incursion with our artist in residence, Johnny Romeo. Johnny Romeo is no stranger to our SAC Art community, as he has worked closely with our Stage 6 students on their artmaking journey; particularly around the development of their Body of Works. We were incredibly lucky that in between international art shows and openings in New Zealand and America, Johnny was able to schedule a presentation at St Andrews College for our Year 8 artists.

Johnny Romeo is an international Australian painter. Considered Australia's leading Pop artist, Romeo’s artworks consist of various subjects, vibrant colourful comical vibes, and a street art style as well as a poetic union between imagery and word play. He often depicts his artworks based on contemporary life and the way we construct our identities from the vast array of images that pop culture immerses us in. 

During Johnny’s dynamic presentation, students learnt about his artmaking practice and were invigorated to pursue their own artmaking. It was wonderful to see our Year 8 students engaging and asking insightful questions regarding art as well as questions on how to achieve their goals. Thank you Johnny for visiting our school and providing our students the opportunity to learn more about the way that you “culture jam”. It has given our students a different perspective of viewing our world. 

Year 7 Visual Arts

Year 7 artists learnt about artist Fiona Hall last week and considered the environment issues that impact our wildlife. This week they have started their draft artworks for the unit Where the Land Meets the Sea. Vibrant colours from the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest are brought to life in class as draft artworks before turning into oil pastel artworks. We look forward to featuring some of these completed artworks at our upcoming CAPA Showcase.

Below is a completed draft from Ettore Tieppo (7VISAJ). Ettore has successfully captured the spectacular colours and textures in his artwork.

Mrs Claudia Harris

Leader of Learning Visual Arts

Dear parents/guardians, 

On Friday 10th May, 30 of our students competed in the PDSSSC Cross Country at the Equestrian Centre- Horsley Park. Congratulations to Hayden Straub for progressing through to CCC Cross Country which will be held on the 5th June. We wish Hayden all the very best.

Our season 2 of representative sport commenced last Thursday. We have our junior and intermediate boys and girls soccer teams as well as junior and intermediate girls netball teams in the competition. We wish them all the very best for the season and I look forward to sharing the successes of our students throughout the season. Thank you to our coaches for taking the teams and for your time and effort you put in to train our students after school. 

The College Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday the 7th June on the junior campus. I am excited to share the successes of our students who progress through to PDSSSC Athletics. Wishing all our students the best of luck on the day. Students will also have the opportunity to gain points for their respectives houses through participating in either an athletic event or a novelty event. Any student wishing to nominate a time or distance for the 400m, 800m, 1500m, triple jump, javelin or discus events needs to email Miss Nikitovic. These times/distances must be a personal best and verified from a club/event. These will be submitted to the Diocese for consideration for the PDSSSC Carnival. 

I look forward to sharing the sporting successes of our students in the near future. 

Kind Regards, 

Ivana Nikitovic

Leader of Learning - Sport

Australian Age Diving Championships 

In the last week of term 1, two of our divers Analise Gregoriou and Eesa Mir (both year 8) and their coach Mrs Weaver, traveled to Melbourne for the Australian Age Diving Championships. The divers had to reach a qualifying score in NSW competitions throughout the season in order to compete in the championships. Eesa competed in the 1m springboard event while Analise competed in both 1m and 3m springboard. 

The divers were eager to show their skills but before competing, they warmed up each day in the amazing dryland facility at Aquanation Ringwood. Filled with trampolines, dry boards, mats, and foam pits, both divers took every opportunity to practice their skills. 

Analise was the first to compete in the 12-13 year girls 3m Springboard event. She completed her dives with great poise finishing in a very respectable 14th place. Eesa was next in the 12-13 year boys 1m event where he had some great dives but a couple of unfortunate misses. Eesa still managed to place 13th in his age group. Analise then came back the next day to compete on 1m where up until the last round, she was tracking 15th. Analise was unlucky not to nail her final dive which dropped her back to 21st. 

Both divers had a wonderful experience competing at the National level and with only one year of experience, they should be commended on their hard work and dedication to their sport. We are looking forward to big things from them in the future. We would also like to thank Mrs De Vos for her support by baking us some delicious NSW-themed cookies that we devoured with pleasure. 

PSSA Diving 

Last week, three of our pathways divers competed at the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association Diving Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. This competition showcases primary school divers from all over the state and from all school associations. Our divers ranged from 8 years to 11 years and have been practicing alongside our high school team throughout the term. 

Our first diver was Blair Weaver in the 8-year girl's competition. Blair started extremely well gaining scores of 6 - 6.5 from all judges for her front somersault. She then continued to dive consistently to win her age group by a mere 0.8 points. Our next diver, James De Vos was competing in his first-ever diving competition, representing the Catholic Primary diocese of Mackillop. James also made a strong start and finished on the podium in 3rd place. Our final diver was Lauren Griffiths who competed in the 11-year girls competition. This age group was the largest and arguably most competitive of the day. Lauren dived very consistently to finish in 8th place. 

St Andrews College is proud of all our divers who continue to train and compete at the highest levels. We look forward to the upcoming NSW All Schools Championships at the end of the month and wish our team the best of luck.

Anita Weaver 

Head of Diving 

Year 11 Community and Family Studies

Year 11 CAFS students have been learning about observation as a primary research method. Students were assigned 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, the effectiveness of communication and the roles individuals adopted in groups. Students quickly learnt that the task was much more challenging than they first anticipated. Here is what they created (including evidence of the structures that unfortunately, weren't free standing).

Mrs Kayla Brogan

Leader of Learning PDHPE

On Monday the 20th of May, our year 12 PDHPE students attended an excursion at the Wesley Conference Centre called The Big Day Out for PDHPE . This covered content on Core 1 of the syllabus- ‘Health Priorities in Australia’, Core 2 of the syllabus- ‘Factors Affecting Performance’ and ‘Sports Medicine’.

Below is an insight from some of our year 12 students.

“Attending the Big Day Out for PDHPE was an enriching and inspiring experience. The event brought together leading experts from various fields to offer Year 12 HSC students valuable insights into the PDHPE syllabus. Hearing from professionals like John Quinn and Maddy Turner on factors affecting performance provided practical perspectives on the application of theoretical knowledge. The diverse range of speakers, including Dr. Joachim Worthington and Dr. Zhaoli Dai-Keller, who addressed significant health priorities in Australia, ensured a comprehensive understanding of both core topics and elective modules. This immersive learning experience deepened our appreciation of the syllabus content and its real-world implications.

The Big Day Out for PDHPE is an invaluable initiative that should continue in the future due to its unique ability to bridge the gap between academic concepts and their practical applications. By engaging with world-renowned athletes and distinguished academics, students gain firsthand insights and inspiration that may not always be accessible in a traditional classroom setting”.

Kind Regards,

Mrs Brogan- Leader of Learning -  PDHPE 

Miss Nikitovic - PDHPE Teacher 

Mr Houseman- PDHPE Teacher

Unity Day will be celebrated in week 9 this term. We look forward to hearing and seeing what our students will bring to the audition table in Week 5. 

Unity Day Auditions

Unity Day Performance auditions for musicians and dancers will be held on the junior campus this year. Please meet at 3pm on Wednesday of Week 5 ( May 29th ) outside the performing arts block. Auditions will conclude by approximately 6pm and students are free to leave once they have auditioned their piece. A reminder that all rehearsals taking place after school hours must be supervised by a teacher. Staff in the music department will continue to open up rehearsal spaces during recess and lunch times on both campuses as we lead up to audition day.

Junior CAPA Night

The Creative and Performing Arts department will be showcasing some of our finest talents in Music, Art and Drama during Week 7 of this term. This showcase will highlight students in these courses who have been producing work of a high standard in class. The showcase will be staged in the Junior Hall from 5pm - 7.30pm on Wednesday the 12th of June. Please join us to celebrate the work our student creatives have been developing. There will be Music and Drama Performances from 5.45pm as well as a visual arts display starting from 5pm. Light refreshments will be served upon arrival and entry is free. We hope to see you there.

Careers

University Open Days

University of Wollongong - 22 June

Click here to register

Western Sydney University 

Parramatta South Campus 30 June

Click here to register

Australian Catholic University

Blacktown 27 July

Strathfield 17 August

North Sydney 7 September

Click here to register

Macquarie University - 10 August

Click here to register

The University of Sydney - 31 August

Click here to register

University of NSW - 7 September

The University of Notre Dame - 31 August

Torrens University Australia

Surry Hills 8 August

Ultimo 10  August

ICMS - 17 August

Endeavour Energy Electrical Trade 2025 Apprenticeship Program

As an electrical apprentice at Endeavour Energy, you will have the opportunity to learn and grow as you work towards a Nationally recognised qualification, and attend a state-of-the-art Technical Training Centre at Prestons in Western Sydney.

Apprentices will complete field placements in a variety of locations and roles, enabling them to learn from highly skilled and experienced tradespeople. By participating in job rotations, apprentices will gain hands-on experience alongside specialised workers, in various areas including Substations, Field Service Centres and System Operations.

During the four year Apprenticeship, you will complete a trade, as well as having the opportunity to secure a second qualification. The 2025 Apprentices will complete studies towards a Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Electrician) as well as having the opportunity to secure a second qualification. This will be determined after commencement and based on future work requirements. It may be one of the following qualifications:

• Certificate IV in Electricity Supply Industry – Substations
• Certificate III in Electricity Supply Industry - Distribution Underground
• Certificate III in Electricity Supply Industry - Distribution Overhead

You will complete placements in a variety of locations and roles, as you learn from highly skilled and experienced tradespeople. You will gain hands-on experience in a variety of areas including Substations, Field Service Centres and System Operations.
 

Endeavour Energy is currently recruiting for the areas listed below.
 

• Area 1 – Penrith, Windsor, Katoomba
• Area 2 – Glendenning
• Area 3 – Hoxton Park, Kings Park, Parramatta
• Area 4 – Narellan, Picton
• Area 5 - Kandos
   

You will primarily work from one of our Field Service Centres in these areas, working across our Network area as required.

What’s involved?

TAFE studies and industry specific training

Completing field placements

Some apprentices will:

• work from heights as they learn to install, repair and maintain overhead electrical equipment
• work at ground level or in trenches as they learn to install, repair and maintain underground cabling infrastructure.
• construct and work inside substations, diagnosing and rectifying faults

The shift to a modern grid opens doors for deploying new smart energy and automation technology as we work towards a more sustainable future.

Applications are now open for Electrical Apprenticeships commencing in January 2025.

Click here to view the Endeavour Energy website for more information. You can find the  online application form by clicking here.

Applications close on the 24th of July.

Qantas Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship Program

Qantas will be holding two webinar presentations to inform students and their parents about their Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship Program. The program offers hands-on experience, expert guidance and valuable skills that will set you up for success in the aviation industry.

Webinar Dates:

Thursday 13th of June - click here to register

Thursday 20th of June - click here to register

SAE - Create for a Day Workshops

Explore life as an SAE student and dive into the world of creative media across Animation, Audio, Design, Film, Games, and Music.

If you are passionate about creative disciplines and considering a career in creative media, this exclusive opportunity will expand your skills under the guidance of industry experts in state-of-the-art facilities.

Workshops will be held on Saturday the 6th of July commencing at 10am and concluding at 4pm. Cost is $25. Students interested in attending these workshops are encouraged to click here to register.

College Leadership Team

Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing

College Leaders of Learning - KLA

College Leaders of Learning