Head of Secondary

Term 4 Reflection

As we approach the end of Term 4, it is a time of both reflection and anticipation. Our students have worked diligently throughout the year, and this term has been marked by significant milestones.

This term, we bid farewell to our graduating Year 12 students. Their journey through St Andrews has been one of growth, faith, and community. We celebrate their achievements and pray that as they step into the next chapter of life, they will continue to walk in God’s wisdom and grace. Our recent Valedictory Service was a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness throughout their schooling years—and the important partnership between school and home.

For many of our students, Term 4 has brought the challenge of final assessments and examinations. We commend them for their perseverance and commitment to learning. These moments of testing are not only academic but also opportunities to grow in character and resilience. We encourage families to continue supporting students with prayer and encouragement in their studies to achieve their personal best.

We encourage all students and families to embrace the upcoming holiday period as a time of rest and renewal. After a year of learning, growth, and challenges, may this break be an opportunity to recharge and spend quality time with loved ones.

As the year draws to a close, we turn our hearts toward the joy of the Christmas season. This is a time to remember the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amidst the busyness of end-of-year activities, may we all pause to reflect on the hope and peace that His birth brings.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support throughout 2025. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, refreshed and ready for all that God has in store.

Year 7 News

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Looking back, as teachers, parents and students too, we can’t quite figure out where the time has gone. A year of so many achievements and the blessing, goodness and grace of God! As a Year Level Coordinator, I couldn’t be prouder of my cohort of students and my team of Mrs Wheelton, Mrs Bailey and Miss Tan. Together, we have some very fond memories of great learning opportunities in addition to much laughter, fun times and the building of many strong and rich connections.

The CREWS program led by Mr Finger had a fun awards ceremony last term and even finished with a pizza lunch. The Year Ten and Seven students have established some strong friendships.

We also finished the year with a special Volunteers Morning Tea for all the students who helped run assembly and lead worship, and there were about twenty-five students who had been part of this team, for which we are so grateful.

I take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and restful break ahead. Thank you very much to all parents and guardians for your partnership in making this year a happy, successful and truly remarkable one. So grateful for the parents and guardians.

VET & Careers News

Work Experience 2025

Work experience is the short-term placement of high school students in a workplace. It is designed to give the student:

• A better understanding of the work environment and what employers expect of their workers
• An increased self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence
• An aspiration to continue study or undertake further training
• An opportunity to explore possible career options
• An introduction to workplace recruitment practices
• The opportunity to ‘try out’ a career interest area, prior to undertaking VCE
• The opportunity to develop work-related competencies and acquire teamwork and communication skills
• Complete Occupational Health and Safety Certificates

The emphasis during work experience is always on trying to provide an interesting and valuable placement.

Our students’ work experience placements:

• Annabelle Tay - Audio, Video & Media Production at City Life Church
• Margaret Gear - Lighting Lab Entertainment & Theatre Box Hill
• Samuel Yang - Knox Library
• Sherry Che - SIA Box Hill Medical Centre
• Lucy Qiu - Monash Medical Centre
• Isabella Tan – Amcal Pharmacy Wantirna South
• Anushka Anand - Miele Australia Hawthorn East
• Edha Karki - Toyota Motor Corporation Port Melbourne
• Sabrina Wong - Bambou Early Learning Centre Glen Waverley
• Deanna Hu – Faculty of Science - University of Melbourne

Five students completed one week of work experience at The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE): Andy Liu, Sunny Lai, Amber Chan, Cleve Xi, Emily Hu (Yr.11).

Joanne Pham (Yr.11) was selected to participate in goIT Girls Work Experience Program at Tata Consultancy Services. This is a highly competitive program - congratulations on being accepted, Joanne! The goIT Girls program is now in its nineth year. It was created to inspire young women to pursue careers in technology.

We congratulate students who took part in the Work Experience Program. Through their placements, students learned a combination of practical and soft skills, developed essential life skills and made valuable connections with industry professionals.

We thank the employers who provided our students with the rewarding and valuable experiences.

Gravitate

What an incredible year it has been for our Gravitate class!

This year, we celebrated Year 11 & Year 12 Gravitate St Andrews students who studied Certificate III in Christian Ministry & Theology, and each completed an impressive 60 hours of Christian ministry experience. Their ministry involvement has been wide and impactful, leading at youth groups and on camps, supporting Kids Church and children’s ministries, leading services, being a part of welcoming teams and participating in local outreach and overseas mission trips.

Beyond their ministry experience, our Gravitate students have also shown great courage and conviction by campaigning for ethical issues close to their hearts. It has been inspiring to see their faith in Jesus propel them to make a tangible difference in the world around them. Their projects have championed environmental stewardship, raised awareness about the harms of illicit substances, sought to reduce stigma around periods, and invited others to look beyond celebrity culture to consider what’s really happening behind the limelight.

Community events offer students the chance to engage outside the classroom, form friendships and enjoy the awesome Gravitate community. On Wednesday 3^rd of September at a special Community Day at Eastern College/MST our students participated in a range of engaging electives, joined the MST/Eastern chapel service and filmed creative parable themed reels. Such events encourage interaction and create a sense of belonging and community.

A highlight of the year was undoubtedly two camps at Phillip Island CYC - Leadership Training Camp (14-16 March) and Outreach Training Camp (20-22 June). These experiences helped students grow in confidence as they learned to share their faith and articulate their personal stories about the difference Jesus makes in their lives. With awesome prayer and worship, delicious food, and a strong sense of community, these moments all led up to a beautiful Graduation Service at Eastern College/MST on 23 October where we celebrated each student’s achievement in obtaining their Certificate III in Christian Ministry & Theology (11236NAT).

My (Gravitate trainer Maddy Ellis) favourite part of Gravitate is always our Wednesday afternoon classes - opening the Bible together and hearing students’ thoughtful reflections and questions about Jesus, hearing student devotions and praying together. Their curiosity, authenticity, and love for God have made this year truly special and a joy to be a part of.

St Andrews VET Gravitate Certificate III in Christian Ministry & Theology Students: Hannah Weng, Hawan Park, Beatrice Connolly, Livinia Hogan, Youran Wang, Marcus Chen, Erica Wong, Hannah Yuen, Anna Mtungwazi

VET Diploma of Aviation

Congratulations on your achievement!

Our VCE students have an opportunity to study a course of their passion or interest outside the school and we congratulate two students who completed a Diploma of Aviation: Ken Huang (Year 11) and Yul Han (Year 12).

Ken and Yul successfully completed all Units of Competency in partial completion of the qualification Diploma of Aviation Commercial Pilot Licence Aeroplane AVI500222 including - Maintain aircraft radio communications, Manage pre- and post-flight actions, Manage safe flight operations, Operate in Class G airspace, Control aeroplane on the ground, Take off aeroplane, Control aeroplane in normal flight, Land aeroplane, Manage aircraft fuel.

It is especially exciting that Ken Huang did an extra study and in addition to the Diploma of Aviation was awarded a Flight Crew Licence ‘Aeroplane Recreational Pilot Licence’.

It allows Ken to fly a single engine airplane without supervision, 25 nautical miles from the departure airport.

In order to obtain the Flight Crew Licence, Ken had to pass a medical exam, an Aviation English Language Proficiency assessment, a CASA (Civil aviation safety authority) Theory exam and a flight test.

Passing your Flight Crew License is a huge accomplishment, reflecting your hard work and dedication. Congratulations on your remarkable achievement, Ken!

Year 12 News

Graduation Assembly

On 14th October, we gathered to celebrate our incredible Year 12 students at their final Assembly — a special moment marking the end of their time at St Andrews. It was wonderful to see them celebrate with their Prep buddies, teachers, and parents, sharing gifts, smiles, and heartfelt thanks.

We thank God for guiding them through the past 13 years of schooling, and we pray that as they prepare for their exams, they’ll give their very best and bring all glory to Him. We are so proud of our Class of 2025! Your St Andrews community will be cheering you on every step of the way. May God continue to guide and bless our graduates in all that lies ahead.

Enjoy browsing the photo galleries below, capturing the many special moments our Year 12s have celebrated this term.