Welcome back to a new term. 

Uniforms

Some students would have had a growth spurt and their uniform is a little small. Please check the length of the boys’ pants which should go down to the shoes and the length of the girls kilt which should go down to the knees.

Some students had pierced their ears and some their noses. Just to remind students and families the only piercing accepted at the College is for the girls only. One silver or gold sleeper or stud or a small jewel in each ear. No nose, lip or any other facial piercing is acceptable. No plastic piercings should be worn and no band-aids covering a piercing. Students will be asked to remove any piercings while at school- this is not negotiable.

No student should be wearing makeup or fake eyelashes. 

Students are expected to have the College bag every day while at school. If there is a problem with the bag a note must be presented to the Learning advisor.

Cyber safety

Social media is part of all of our lives. There are some real positive aspects of social media but there are also some real problems with social media. 

There are age limits on social media for safety reasons but also because immature young people can misuse social media. It is very easy for people to write mean and inappropriate things online because they feel safe behind a computer screen. Many comments are made to people that would never be said face to face. Online bullying can occur because the person thinks that they are anonymous. 

The person who pays the bills for the phone and the internet is the person responsible for what happens on the registered device. A parent or guardian should be aware of all online activity of anyone using their device or internet. Regular checks of content and social media use are essential to prevent harm online. 

The College has information available to help families deal with online behaviour and if they contact their Leader of Learning- Pastoral for the child’s year group, they can assist in helping with issues. 

Blocking sites

The Government support site esafety.gov.au has some helpful tips for blocking sites and safety on line

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/taming-technology

WHAT IS BULLYING?

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

Someone is bullying another person when:

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

Types of bullying

Direct physical bullying- this is when a bully uses physical actions such as hitting or pushing to provoke their victim.

Direct verbal bullying- this is where negative language such as name-calling, racism, discrimination, harassment or homophobic remarks is repeated to intentionally upset someone.

Indirect bullying- is harder to recognise and usually occurs behind someone’s back with the intent to humiliate or damage a person’s reputation.

Social Bullying- is behaviour that may deliberately exclude someone from a group of people such as lying about them and playing nasty jokes on them

Psychological bullying- is the intentional use of words or actions that cause psychological harm. Examples of this may be intimidation, manipulation or stalking behaviour.

Cyberbullying- is when a form of technology is used to verbally, socially or psychologically bully. This can happen in chat rooms, on social networking sites or through the use of mobile phones.

Audience- participating or responding to any type of bullying behaviour, you are as responsible as the bully. Standing around and doing nothing, encouraging bully behaviour, using video or giving the impression of videoing, distribution of an incident or having a video of the incident and all forms of audience.

The College policy on bullying builds directly on the mutual respect ideal that we place in front of our students in promoting Gospel values as a Catholic school and as such:

We behave, speak and treat one another in respectful ways.

We understand that everyone is different, and we respect those differences.

We look out for one another, and offer our support when others need our help.

St Andrew College does not accept any form of bullying. If you are being bullied or know of someone who is being bullied, please see a member of the staff to help stop the bullying. 

Students going on leave.

If a family is having leave during a school term whether it’s a holiday or a family situation, the College must be informed before you go on leave.

 If the leave is less than 5 days, a letter from the parent/ guardian is sufficient to explain the reason for the leave. If the leave is over 5 days an application for extended leave must be completed and sent to the College to gain permission from the Principal. 

If you have any questions please contact the College.

What is in the Planner?

When we are with others, we need to use CARE

C= Communication: be open and honest

A= Achieve: aim for win-win conversations

R= Respect: believe and show others matter

E= Expect: give more of yourself to grow

It is important to take every opportunity that is presented to you. Positive engagement in life is a key to building your identity.  It is a risk sometimes to take on a new challenge and sometimes your challenges may not be successful but the most important thing is to give it a go. 

Learning about the diversity in our community helps us develop acceptance of others. Expect and respect that every person on this plant is different and that they are special and good at different things. Accepting other differences and embracing it helps us develop as a person.

Character strength: Courage and Leadership

God Bless

Mr. Nick Thrum

Assistant Principal - Students

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

St Andrews will be supporting the Vinnies Christmas appeal by participating in a Food Drive  for those families who are struggling in our community.

The Food Drive will begin on Monday in Week 6 and it will run for two weeks.

You can support the appeal by donating food items, particularly Christmas-type food items, such as Tin ham, Christmas Pudding, Chocolates, and Tin fruit, all to be made into hampers and delivered to families in need by Vinnies. 

Please bring your food donations into your Learning Groups in Week 6 and 7 to be placed in the baskets for each Learning Group. The hampers will be donated to Vinnies on St Andrews Day.

You can also support the Christmas appeal by donating funds directly to the St Andrews Christmas appeal website. The link will be sent to you and your families on Compass.

Thank you for your support in being the Hands of Jesus in the community.

Mr Andrew Hoare

Director - Faith, Mission and Learning

Principal’s Awards

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

House Cup Competition

Bennelong has won the 2024 House Cup Competition! Dr Kennaugh presented the House Cup to the winning Bennelong House Captains, Alexis Bigeni & Jacob dela Cruz, at the Junior Assembly last week. It had been an exciting competition, with the lead changing a few times early on in the Competition, but once Bennelong took the lead, they proved too difficult to beat. The winning House will go to Luna Park on December 2. Congratulations to all Houses for a fantastic year.

The final results for the 2024 House Cup are:

Bennelong: 84, 237

Chang: 71, 962

Frances: 76, 261

Gould: 79, 385

Mrs Sue Cooper

Leader of Wellbeing and Learning

scooper@parra.catholic.edu.au

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Welcome back to what promises to be a fantastic Term 4! I am very grateful to be the Acting Leader of Wellbeing for this term, and I’m excited to support our Year 8 students as they finish the year strong.

A special thank you to our Year 8 students for returning to school with an energetic and positive attitude towards their learning. It’s wonderful to see this enthusiasm continue, and I’m confident we’ll end the year on a high note.

Students have received their camp permission note, which needs to be returned to the office by 28 October. The Year 8 Camp will take place in Week 9, from Thursday, 12 December, to Friday, 13 December. It’s amazing to see how many Year 8 students are already looking forward to this exciting experience!

I would also like to introduce Miss Christina Rujicica, the Assistant Leader of Wellbeing for this term. Miss Rujicica and I will work closely together to ensure the wellbeing of our students is well supported. Miss Rujicica is always there for students to talk to if I am unavailable.

Should you require any assistance or have concerns about our Year 8 students, please feel free to email me at samiri1@parra.catholic.edu.au.

Let’s make Term 4 a great one!

Warm regards,

Mrs Susan Amiri

Acting Leader of Wellbeing- Year 8

St Andrews College is thrilled to invite parents to an insightful seminar led by renowned nutritional medicine expert and health author, Michele Chevalley Hedge. With three growing teenagers and a busy family life, Michele understands the real-world challenges parents face when it comes to health and wellness.

What: Vitality, Energy & Wellness: It’s All In Your Food
When: Tuesday, 19th November 2024, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Where: Junior Campus Hall
Who: Parents Only

Register now for this exciting event and take home easy, actionable tips to nourish your family—without extremes!

Please respond to the form below to register your attendance for this exciting seminar. 

Registration Form Link

Year 7: Exploring Documented Forms

Year 7 students have been exploring a new expressive form: documented forms. Using the 3D Oldenburg-inspired food sculptures they collaboratively created in previous lessons, these sculptures became the focal point of a series of photographs. Working in groups, students selected site-specific locations to document their "Enlarged Food Sculpture," using prior knowledge and skills such as lighting, the rule of thirds, and photo editing to enhance their compositions. Building on these skills, students carefully placed their sculptures in locations that conveyed a narrative, shared a moment in time, or evoked an emotion, such as nostalgia. After capturing their shots, students engaged in a process of editing and critical evaluation, reflecting on how their artworks relate to the Pop Art movement. They also considered their methods of construction, the techniques they employed, as well as identifying strengths and areas for improvement. This comprehensive project not only developed technical skills but also deepened their understanding of Pop Art and various ways to express this style in their own artmaking practice.

Year 8: Surrealistic Creatures 

Year 8 students have been exploring Surrealist techniques, such as metamorphosis, scale, and juxtaposition, to design imaginative fantasy creatures within their unique environments/habitats. Throughout the process, students have been refining their artwork by incorporating additional tonal variation, enhancing textural details, and experimenting with line work and subtle shadowing. Significant progress has been made in their mastery of watercolour techniques, as students learned to control the opacity of colours by adjusting the amount of water used, while also revisiting key methods such as dry brush, wet-on-wet, and wet-on-dry techniques. Additionally, students explored mixed media as a tool to guide the viewer's focus to specific elements within their compositions. To further extend their artistic skills, students transitioned from their finished fantasy creatures to creating personalised Pokémon cards and animations. This creative project not only enriched their understanding of Surrealism but also allowed them to develop a broader artistic repertoire.

Year 10 Self-Directed Artworks in Progress

Year 10 artists are currently working on their final junior campus collection of works, which is self-directed. Students have selected a concept/theme related to personal or global issues and researched the most effective ways to raise awareness and inspire a ‘call to action’ through their works. To support the development of this collection, students were tasked with creating a professional and creative video in the style of a TATE Vodcast, where they discussed their artistic practice, influences, experimentation processes, and the layers of meaning embedded within their work. This approach allowed teachers to provide timely feedback via CANVAS, helping to guide and mentor the students as they refined their concepts and technical execution. Currently, students are incorporating this feedback and starting to construct their pieces according to a schedule. We are excited to present these impressive works at this term’s upcoming Art Showcase—stay tuned!

Mrs Shandel Kemal

Visual Arts Teacher

College Production: Macbeth In Space

At the end of Term 3, the Drama Department launched audiences into a galaxy of creativity with its captivating production of Macbeth in Space. Blending the classic Shakespearean tale with futuristic elements, the show was nothing short of a cosmic triumph, drawing in a packed crowd for its one-night performance. The Year 7’s were also provided the opportunity to view the first half of the production as part of a matinee performance.

The performances were nothing short of stellar. Angus Rice’s portrayal of Macbeth brought a nuanced depth to the character, capturing his descent into madness with both gravitas and vulnerability. Meanwhile, Joycie Bacolod’s Lady Macbeth dazzled as she navigated her character's ambitious drive, making her transformation one of the highlights of the show. The Three Seers, replacing the role of the witches, brought a captivating energy and a symphony of laughter.

The success of "Macbeth in Space" can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of the entire cast and crew. Special thanks go to the backstage crew, whose seamless transitions helped maintain the show's momentum. A particular mention to the teachers who assisted in bringing this production to life. Mr. Travis Kolek assisted with general supervision, set-up and stage management, Mr. Antonio Chiappetta played a crucial role in assisting with the creative vision of the production, and Ms. Jasmine Breeze expertly led the backstage and tech crew to success. Finally, a massive thank you to the audience who enabled our students to feel the support of the St Andrews community.

As we celebrate the success of this production, know that we are working hard behind the scenes to prepare for next year. Keep your eyes on this space in anticipation of our next performance!

NOVA Film Festival - Focus on Ability

During the school holidays, I was privileged to accompany our Year 12 student, Noah Micheal, and his family to the red-carpet event for the Focus on Ability film competition. NOVA Employment is an agency focused on enabling individuals with disabilities access to the workplace and this film competition is focused on bringing light to issues that diverse individuals may face. This competition has participants from across the world enter and is sponsored by a range of organisations. 

Earlier this year, Noah had the opportunity to film, edit and submit an entry into this competition. During this event, the winners of a range of categories were announced. Noah competed with filmmakers who have decades of experience, fellow students across Australia, and even individuals who have competed internationally. 

Despite the competition, Noah was able to achieve success by placing within the Top 5 for Most Voted and Judge's pick and achieved a win by being announced as the Best Director. His success comes with prizes worth over $5000 and many connections in the film industry which will benefit him greatly in the future.

Again, a big congratulations to Noah and his family. Please his entry below:

Mr Nick Lewandowski

Drama Teacher

Senator and Federal Minister Malarndirri McCarthy visited the Murama Healing Space at Sydney Olympic Park on Friday 20th September. 

Murama brings together Indigenous youth to celebrate their cultural journey, to connect them with Elders and each other and empower them to lead their schools and communities towards deeper cultural understanding and appreciation.

She was very interested in the Junior Rangers Program which several of St Andrews students attend fortnightly. Two of our St Andrews students had the opportunity to meet with Minister McCarthy to be inspired by her actions, to learn about leadership skills and to explain the importance of the Healing Space and the Rangers program.

Mrs Deb Rosinski

Science Teacher

On October 15th, Ronit Raman, an Alumni Youth Justice Ambassador and former student of St. Andrews College, together with his team from the Marrickville Legal Centre, conducted a Youth Justice Workshop for our Year 9 Commerce students. This workshop sought to enhance students' understanding of criminal law and employment law, specifically focusing on the rights and responsibilities of employees in New South Wales. Through an engaging and interactive format, the session provided a comprehensive overview of critical legal issues faced by youth, whilst facilitating discussions on prevalent concerns and misconceptions surrounding criminal and employment law; topics that are currently being addressed in the Commerce curriculum.

Ms Monika Ramzy

Assistant Leader of Learning - HSIE

Mark your calendars for a night of music, fun, and excitement at our school’s Summer Music Festival on Tuesday, December 10th, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM! This is not just any music festival; it's a spectacular showcase of our student talent with professional staging, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, and a big screen to capture every moment!

This term, our Year 10 Information Software Technology students have continued working on their Robotics & Automated Systems unit and have formed groups of 3-4 to collaborate on the next phase of their robotics project. 

The students have worked diligently to build and refine their robots, focusing on both hardware and programming to meet the challenge. Each group has developed unique designs, using various sensors, motors and structural components to enhance the performance of their robots. Recently, the students have been making impressive progress in programming their robots to detect colours and to follow black lines.

At this stage, the robots are successfully following the black lines and making slight turns as they navigate the course. However, the journey isn’t over yet, as the students are still fine-tuning their robots to handle tighter turns and more complex manoeuvres. The modular nature of the track, which is rearranged each lesson, continues to provide new challenges for both the hardware and programming aspects of their designs.

While there’s still work to be done, the progress so far demonstrates the students’ determination and problem-solving skills. With each lesson, their robots become more adept at navigating the obstacles, and we’re eager to see how they continue to improve and refine their designs as they approach the final stages of the project.

Ms Shanai Mifsud

TAS & VET Information and Digital Technology Teacher

This week, our Year 8 Food Technology students took on the challenge of preparing healthy and delicious tortilla wraps. This lesson focused on honing essential kitchen skills, with particular emphasis on using knives safely and effectively. Students learned how to prepare vegetables in various ways, including chopping, slicing, grating and shredding, while also working collaboratively to manage their time and maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

The recipe included fresh ingredients like lettuce, carrots, tomatoes and cucumber, with each student carefully preparing their vegetables. After assembling their wraps with a range of nutritious fillings, they practised folding and rolling the tortillas to perfection. By the end of the lesson, students not only enjoyed their tasty creations but also gained confidence in essential food preparation techniques.

As always, teamwork was a key aspect of the lesson, with students supporting each other to stay on task and ensure that their workspaces were kept clean throughout the process.

Want to try making the Super Sandwich Roll Up yourself? With the recipe below, you can!

Ms Shanai Mifsud

TAS & VET Information and Digital Technology Teacher

To all students of St Andrews,

A warm welcome to Term 4 for all! Both Mr Hazell and I are glad to announce that the after-school Learning Centre is back for every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon until 4pm.  We welcome students of all year groups to take this as an opportunity to catch up on any incomplete class work, get a head start on homework or even ask for study tips. The Junior Campus Learning Centre provides spaces for students to work independently, with their peers, or receive help from their subject teachers. There is no fixed commitment – students can choose when they would like to attend to receive assistance or simply have some quiet space to focus. 

We were both very pleased to have a great attendance of students across Term 3, and look forward to seeing you all again this term.

Students can follow the Google Classroom link below:

https://classroom.google.com/c/NjQzMzI0MDMxMDc3?cjc=qodtoa5

See you all there!

Mr. Ethan Cheung & Mr. Simon Hazell

Teachers of English and Mathematics

College Leadership Team

Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing

College Leaders of Learning - KLA

College Leaders of Learning