Learner Attributes

In this issue of the College Newsletter, I want to continue unpacking the Learner Attribute section of our College Pedagogical Framework.

Our Learner Attributes identify the skills which students need to transition effectively into the world beyond school. The sixteen Learner Attributes have been grouped into four key areas: Engaging, Relating, Developing and Managing.

In Term 1 we focussed on Engaging:

Engaging is about actively participating in our learning. It involves creating new ideas, analysing information, applying knowledge to real situations, and using our skills to make positive changes. Through engagement, we become active contributors to our own learning and the world around us.

In Term 2 we focussed on Relating:

Relating is about connecting with others effectively. It involves communicating clearly, working well in teams, listening actively, and understanding different perspectives. Through relating, we learn to interact positively with all people and build strong relationships.

This time, I want to focus on:

Developing

Developing focuses on growing our knowledge and thinking skills. It is about being curious, making connections between ideas, using logical reasoning, and gaining deep understanding. By developing these skills, we become more effective learners and thinkers.

Developing, which encompasses the learner attributes of Questioning, Connecting, Reasoning and Understanding, helps to prepare students for lifelong success by nurturing their natural curiosity and building essential thinking skills. When students actively question, connect ideas, reason logically, and seek deep understanding, they become confident, independent learners who can thrive in our rapidly changing world. When students develop these attributes, they become self-directed learners who can transfer knowledge to new situations, analyse information carefully and form well-reasoned arguments. Collectively, this leads to meaningful, long-lasting learning that extends far beyond the classroom.

From a Biblical perspective, these attributes reflect God’s design for human learning. In Proverbs 2:2 we are encouraged to “turn our ear to wisdom and apply our heart to understanding.” Similarly, Proverbs 18:15 reminds us that "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out" – perfectly capturing the essence of developing curious, thinking learners.

As a College, we are encouraged daily as we see our students developing in their learning and becoming the people who God has made them to be.

VEX Robotics Competition

On the 12th of August, St Andrews Christian College proudly hosted a blended VEX Tournament, with four VEX IQ and four VEX V5 teams competing. After some fierce competition, three of our VEX V5 teams claimed awards, including the Tournament Champion title!

In the VEX IQ division, our primary teams 3477F and 3477H shone, both finishing in the top six, with our newest Year 5 team taking an impressive second place in the finals.

Well done to all our students on an exceptional effort!

Tournament of Minds

A group comprising seven students from Year 7 and Year 8 competed in the Tournament of Minds - a worldwide competition that focusses on teamwork, creativity and presentation skills. Despite several setbacks in their preparation time, the team were able to pull together a great presentation and provide a creative solution to the long-term challenge. Teams were also challenged with a short, unseen question and were judged on creativity and flexibility of thinking, teamwork and brainstorming as well as the originality of their final solution. Congratulations to Year 7 students Ellie Chong, Chloe Law, Lucas Li, Shiphrah Wang, Elliott Wong and Isabella Yin, and Year 8 student Calamus Chan, for representing the College so well in the competition.

Learning Support News

Term 3 has been an eventful term, filled with Student Support Group meetings, excursions, camps and so much more! We said a heartfelt farewell Dina Christou at the end of Term 2 and have welcomed Hailey Grigson to the Learning Support Team recently.

At St Andrews, we’re proud to have sixteen exceptional Learning Assistants, each bringing their own unique talents, strengths, and a deep passion for supporting our students. In Week 7, we celebrated Learning Assistant Appreciation Week with a special morning tea and invited staff throughout the week to share handwritten notes of gratitude, which were paired with a small gift to show our heartfelt thanks.

In early September, we hosted the ASD Parent Support Group meeting. It was a meaningful session focused on recognising and celebrating our children’s strengths, while also exploring the importance of letting go of preconceived expectations.

You can read the article here: Parenting the Neurodivergent Kids I Have.

Our last meeting for 2025 will be on Wednesday 22nd October at 9:15am. Our primary aim is to provide parents with the opportunity to connect with others facing the challenges of raising a child with autism. Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Learning Support is here to collaborate with staff, students, and parents on the journey of learning and development. The support provided will vary for each student, depending on their needs and the type of assistance required. Support will be available both in the classroom and, for some students, in a withdrawal setting. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your child.

Shirley Gillie – Head of Learning Support
sgillie@standrews.vic.edu.au

Fiona Porter – Learning Support Teacher – Primary
fporter@standrews.vic.edu.au

Kerryn Terrington – Learning Support Teacher – Secondary
kterrington@standrews.vic.edu.au