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2026 Secondary School EXPO Thursday 14th May (6.00pm - 9.00pm)
What a blessed start to 2026 we have had so far!
Students have engaged with the Visible Wellbeing Framework through Pastoral Care lessons and in Mini Moments in classes.
The focus this term is Emotional Regulation. Most have responded in their Skodel survey that they have begun the year with a friend, knowing they have strengths and feel their classes are engaging. These are wonderful results.
Students are accessing Wellbeing for support and we are always ready to listen and help them at their point of need. Our Wellbeing Zone has been re-branded to 'The Well' a place where our young people may come to leave their burdens and find help.
Thank you, Chloe, for this beautiful and inspired suggestion. We pray often for our students, asking that God would show them their identity in Him.
Here is a photo of our new shared space: 'Well 3'. Thank you to the PFA for allowing us to use the Uniform Shop during class hours. This has been invaluable for us as needs increase with growing student numbers.
'Well 3'
'Well 1'
'Well 2'
Lounge Area
Please take the time to view our new Wellbeing Mural! It has totally transformed the entry to our Wellbeing space, with students and staff regularly commenting on how it makes them feel calm and welcome.
This term has been busy! Our Mental Health First Aid Facilitators have delivered Teen Mental Health First Aid to all Year 8 students. They were thoroughly engaged in discussions about how to recognise the signs and symptoms of an emerging mental health problem in their friend, and to quickly get an adult involved.
Cyber Safety Project visited all students from Years 1-10. Their team spoke of the 'Social Media Delay' and how to stay safe online. They were challenged to be honest about their current online presence and given helpful ways to minimise their identifiable digital imprint. Please see my recent news article about how to support your young person if they find themselves in trouble online, by connecting with the eSafety Commissioner.
Melissa Kiernan and Chloe Tan, our College Counsellors, began our Parent Workshop Series on the 3rd March with a fantastic presentation on 'Emotional Regulation'. Many parents attended and found the information timely and practical, staying for chats with our team afterwards. I encourage you to look out for Session 2, in Term 2 — it will be advertised on Hub News!
Finally, I'd love to introduce you to Tom McPherson our new full-time Youth Worker. He has already engaged with Friendship Place, begun new lunchtime initiatives, supported the student leaders in our Mustard Bible Study (which was started by our College Chaplain, Rev. Warwick Grant), been on camps and excursions, and connecting and working to build social capacities in our students. If you see him around the College, please introduce yourself!
Here are some words from him:
Hi, I’m Tom.
I’m a fun-loving, enthusiastic, and caring person who loves ball sports (especially basketball), is improving at chess, enjoys music and the beach, and has a deep love for the Word of God.
Before coming to St Andrews, I served as a Youth Pastor for almost a decade, alongside volunteering for youth camp ministry, followed by a couple of years of formal support work. I’m passionate about the Christian faith and have a genuine heart for young people and their wellbeing.
I came to St Andrews because I saw a real opportunity to support students not only in their faith, but also in the everyday challenges of life and school. This role felt like a great fit for me, and I’m grateful to be part of the community here.
I’m looking forward to being available to students, building strong relationships, and helping create formative, supportive spaces that encourage students as they journey through their schooling years.
So, thank you, St Andrews Parent and Carer Community for all of your support.
As always, glory goes to God for how He is building and shaping our capacity to serve, giving us His strength and allowing us to discern the times we are in.
Children and young people are precious to God.
What a blessed start to 2026 we have had so far!
Students have engaged with the Visible Wellbeing Framework through Pastoral Care lessons and in Mini Moments in classes.
The focus this term is Emotional Regulation. Most have responded in their Skodel survey that they have begun the year with a friend, knowing they have strengths and feel their classes are engaging. These are wonderful results.
Students are accessing Wellbeing for support and we are always ready to listen and help them at their point of need. Our Wellbeing Zone has been re-branded to 'The Well' a place where our young people may come to leave their burdens and find help.
Thank you, Chloe, for this beautiful and inspired suggestion. We pray often for our students, asking that God would show them their identity in Him.
Here is a photo of our new shared space: 'Well 3'. Thank you to the PFA for allowing us to use the Uniform Shop during class hours. This has been invaluable for us as needs increase with growing student numbers.
Please take the time to view our new Wellbeing Mural! It has totally transformed the entry to our Wellbeing space, with students and staff regularly commenting on how it makes them feel calm and welcome.
This term has been busy! Our Mental Health First Aid Facilitators have delivered Teen Mental Health First Aid to all Year 8 students. They were thoroughly engaged in discussions about how to recognise the signs and symptoms of an emerging mental health problem in their friend, and to quickly get an adult involved.
Cyber Safety Project visited all students from Years 1-10. Their team spoke of the 'Social Media Delay' and how to stay safe online. They were challenged to be honest about their current online presence and given helpful ways to minimise their identifiable digital imprint. Please see my recent news article about how to support your young person if they find themselves in trouble online, by connecting with the eSafety Commissioner.
Melissa Kiernan and Chloe Tan, our College Counsellors, began our Parent Workshop Series on the 3rd March with a fantastic presentation on 'Emotional Regulation'. Many parents attended and found the information timely and practical, staying for chats with our team afterwards. I encourage you to look out for Session 2, in Term 2 — it will be advertised on Hub News!
Finally, I'd love to introduce you to Tom McPherson our new full-time Youth Worker. He has already engaged with Friendship Place, begun new lunchtime initiatives, supported the student leaders in our Mustard Bible Study (which was started by our College Chaplain, Rev. Warwick Grant), been on camps and excursions, and connecting and working to build social capacities in our students. If you see him around the College, please introduce yourself!
Here are some words from him:
Hi, I’m Tom.
I’m a fun-loving, enthusiastic, and caring person who loves ball sports (especially basketball), is improving at chess, enjoys music and the beach, and has a deep love for the Word of God.
Before coming to St Andrews, I served as a Youth Pastor for almost a decade, alongside volunteering for youth camp ministry, followed by a couple of years of formal support work. I’m passionate about the Christian faith and have a genuine heart for young people and their wellbeing.
I came to St Andrews because I saw a real opportunity to support students not only in their faith, but also in the everyday challenges of life and school. This role felt like a great fit for me, and I’m grateful to be part of the community here.
I’m looking forward to being available to students, building strong relationships, and helping create formative, supportive spaces that encourage students as they journey through their schooling years.
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