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As we approach the halfway mark of the school year, it is a valuable practice and opportune time to reflect back on what has been happening in the life of the College and what is still to come.
My hope from this newsletter is that you will get an insight into even just a few of the many great things that are happening at St Andrews Christian College and how God is working in and through our staff and students on a daily basis.
Some of my recent reflections have been centred around some of the key strategic projects that have been developed or implemented across the four key strategic priorities that form our 2024-2027 strategic plan. Families can get their own hard copy of the strategic plan from reception, or it can be accessed and viewed on our website. I encourage all families to read and familiarise themselves with our strategic plan, as this forms our roadmap for the future of the College, not only for the next four years, but also a long-term view towards 2040. When reading through our strategic plan and reflecting on our progress in the strategic projects, I am encouraged to see how much progress has been made in the first 18 months of our four-year plan, as well as setting our sights on and beyond the horizon with our long-term plan towards 2040.
One of the four strategic pillars of our current strategic plan is Student Focussed Wellbeing, in which we seek to support students to truly understand their Christ-centred identity and foster a culture of wellbeing and learning and its role to play in God’s plans and purpose for our students. Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation highlights the alarming statistics associated with the deterioration in mental health and wellbeing of adolescents, particularly citing the reduction of free play and the significant rise in smartphone usage and use of technology as key contributors to this change. With statistics pointing toward an overall decline in mental health of adolescents, particularly in post-covid society, we feel called and compelled to proactively focus our prayer and efforts on fostering a culture of making wellbeing visible at St Andrews Christian College.
After much research, prayer and consultation led by our Deputy Principal – Operations, Lisa Wilks-Beasy and our Head of Wellbeing, Marina Heading, the College has engaged in a multi-year partnership with leading researcher and psychologist Professor Lea Waters in supporting the outworking of this strategic priority through Visible Wellbeing; a whole school approach to supporting the wellbeing of our students and community. Professor Lea Waters can be credited with decades of research in the youth mental health space and developing evidence-based tools and resources for teachers and schools to support students and their wellbeing.
Whilst we will draw on these resources and our learning to support students by making wellbeing visible, we never cease to know and understand that God is our source of peace, refuge and sustenance. A scripture that I often draw on is Psalm 23 — "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
This scripture speaks to the refuge we can seek and the rest we at times need, drawing from God and the rest that He brings by stepping into His presence. As a College, we seek to honour God through equipping our students to identify their strengths, understand the importance of self-awareness and emotional management be able to see how this helps them to better understand themselves. However more importantly, we use this to help our students better understand who God has created them to be and to understand that we can draw on God for refuge, our strength, our peace and joy.
This term I have been challenged to rethink my use of time, especially my screen time. It is easy to fall into the trap of using your phone as a device that controls your life and a way to keep up with everything and everyone.
Do not get me wrong, I embrace technology and celebrate that technology is clever and innovative. However, I have been challenged by the book Faithfully Present by Adam Ramsey, about intentional use of time and that ‘doing well is not necessarily doing more’ (p. 61, Faithfully Present, Ramsey, A.). Like us, students also face the same challenges about how they embrace innovation and technology, yet grapple with how to mould to the expectations of the College and parent expectations about screen time. The context might be different; however, I would suggest at times, we often face the same challenges as our young people.
The discussion about how to be a responsible digital citizen is an important learning conversation that we value at St Andrews. We also want to view this through the lens of God’s eyes as we endeavour to instil in our students from an early age how we each hold a digital footprint, and we are entrusted to act thoughtfully and with respect when on a digital device. At St Andrews we have a growing IT department consisting of our Senior IT technician Aaron Davis, IT support Josh Koster and IT intern Ye Han Chong. At the beginning of each year, we ask parents and students to agree to an IT agreement through our consent platform Operoo. This agreement asks students to communicate respectfully, be wise with their decisions when using online material and to always inform and communicate with their teachers about any concerns. This area of education is constantly changing and shifting, and it is my privilege to guide the IT department and the Wellbeing team as we navigate how to lead students to make wise, yet innovative decisions.
We are committed to safe online behaviour, and we value partnering with you. This is why we have aligned ourselves with an online digital safeguarding company, Linewize, and have rolled this out successfully in the Secondary School in Term 2 and have an excellent uptake from parents already. If you are interested in finding out more about the Qustodio App and how you can help to partner with us as a College, please connect with our Head of Secondary, John Presant and follow his HUB news items that he has recently posted. We want all students to learn how to manage and be aware of how to represent themselves and the College in the best feasible way to honour and glorify God. Please continue to have a conversation with your young person at home about this and seek information if needed.
Regarding HUB news items, we continue to develop our online communication with all families using communication notifications via the College HUB app, which can be downloaded onto your mobile phone. These notifications are the key way to keep up to date with the comings and goings of students and events across the College and if you are unsure of how to download this app, please contact the IT department (adavis@standrews.vic.edu.au) for more information. You will very rarely receive an email communication for news items and updates, so please ensure that you are following the HUB to keep up to date.
I wish all students and families a restful holiday break. Thank you for all your support and I look forward to seeing all students wearing correct Winter uniform in Term 3 commencing back on Thursday 24th July.
[Ramsey, A (2023). ”Faithfully Present” The Good Book Company, Turkey.]
Warm regards,
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. To recap from the Term 1 Newsletter, where the focus was 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.
Engaging, which encompasses the learner attributes of Creating, Analysing, Applying and Transforming, is vital to the development of confident and adaptable learners. Engagement nurtures student agency, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. It moves students beyond passive consumption of content toward active contribution, encouraging them to use their God-given talents and abilities in service to others and the world. In doing so, our students not only flourish academically but also grow spiritually and socially, living out their calling with purpose and hope.
When students create, they reflect the creativity of God, who made us in His image. Through analysing, they grow in discernment and critical thinking, aligning with Proverbs 2:2–6, which encourages us to “turn our ear to wisdom and apply our heart to understanding.” Applying knowledge enables learners to make sense of the world God has given them; putting faith into action (James 2:17). And through transforming, students live out Romans 12:2, being transformed by the renewing of their mind to bring positive change in their communities.
This time, I want to focus on:
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.
The ability to relate effectively with others, encompassing the learner attributes of Communicating, Collaborating, Listening and Empathising, is foundational for lifelong learning, personal wellbeing and supporting positive relationships. When students learn to communicate clearly, collaborate purposefully, listen actively and empathise with others, they develop the skills necessary to navigate diverse perspectives and work constructively in teams. These capacities not only support academic learning but also foster emotional intelligence and resilience and help prepare them for a complex and interconnected world.
From a Biblical perspective, the importance of relating well to others is clear. In Philippians 2:4 we are encouraged to look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others, reflecting the attributes of listening and empathising. Jesus’ life and ministry exemplifies compassionate communication and collaboration, setting a model for students to relate to others with love, humility and grace. By learning to relate well, we demonstrate God’s love, grow in community and become people who make a positive difference in the lives of others.
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.
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.
"On Tuesday 20th of May, St Andrews hosted the CSEN Public Speaking Competition. Both the Senior Secondary team (Talulah, Bellissa, Joel, Derek, Alisha and coach Yiran) and the Junior Secondary team (Abigail, Emmanuel, Jaime, Raquel, Maia and coaches Youran and Summer-Joy) worked very hard over the past few weeks, meeting on Friday lunchtimes to practice both prepared and impromptu speeches. Fortunately, all their hard work paid off, as St Andrews were the overall winners of the Championship. The Junior Secondary team claimed victory, while the Senior team came a close second to Maranatha Christian College. Well done to all our brave speakers!"
Thirty-five St Andrews students attended the season's first VEX Robotics competition at Templestowe College on the 1st of July. The teams have been busy building, testing, coding, and driving their robots in preparation for this event. Each team had to build a robot from scratch using VEX-approved materials, designed to manipulate the game elements and score as many points as possible. The students have already built many impressive mechanisms, including lifts, intakes, conveyor belts, as well as fast and strong drivetrains. It was a thrilling day filled with learning, problem-solving, and success as our teams tackled the 2025 VEX challenge.
Each year, VEX introduces new V5 and IQ games that teams around the world strive to master. Our students skilfully manipulated the game elements to score maximum points quickly, aiming for victory. Such a great start to the season—can’t wait to see what’s next!
In May (20th – 22nd ), 57 students from Year 5 to Year 11 challenged themselves by competing in the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking competition (CAT). This competition is run by the Australian Maths Trust and encourages students to think deeply, observing patterns and trends and developing algorithms to find solutions to a variety of problems. Students who succeed in this competition demonstrate a high degree of critical thinking as well as the ability to predict based on observed data. Congratulations go to the following students who achieved a distinction or higher in this competition.
| Distinctions are awarded to students who are in the top 15% of their year and region: | High Distinctions are awarded to students who are in the top 2% of their year and region: | |
| Elias Ng (Year 5) Samuel Chong (Year 6) Gabriel Fong (Year 7) Calamus Chan (Year 8) Keyvas Ng (Year 8) | Anthony Zhang (Year 5) Joseph Lim (Year 6) Asher Hwang (Year 7) Adam Yang (Year 7)
|
What a term we have enjoyed together with many fabulous learning experiences! Our theme from Isaiah 40:31 has been a constant source of strength to the Primary team.
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
As we focus on our real hope, it has been a blessing to launch the Care Bears into each Primary classroom. This is to support our connection with Transform the Nations and specifically praying for the children we have sponsored. At our recent Primary Assembly, hosted by Year 4, we announced our colouring in competition winners for Transform the Nations Posters. A congratulations to our Grand Champions, Alison Kim from 2P and Ian Wang from 4C. We are looking forward to our final Mission Service Learning event this term which will be a Coin Trail. All money raised will go to Transform the Nations.
Some highlights this term have included the taster sessions for our Year 6 students. This was a new initiative two years ago which has continued to be refined to support students in developing their readiness for Year 7. Secondly, as a Primary we hosted our first National Simultaneous Reading event joining in with thousands of other students across the state online to read the same picture story book, The Truck Cat, and celebrate a love of reading. A third highlight has been the Primary Swimming Program at Aquanation. All students furthered their water safety and developed confidence with various strokes. In the final weeks of Term 2, we are looking forward to Primary Music Festival and Year 6 Market Day. We are thankful for these enriching learning experiences.
As we reflect on the term, teachers have been busy releasing feedback pieces and finalising student reports. The hope is that by the end of term, parents will have received several feedback pieces informing them of their child’s progress and fostering learning conversations at home.
I am thankful for God’s sustaining grace and provision for each student, family and staff member. Please join me in praying for a restful break.
Blessings,
Last term, the Preps celebrated starting school with having their school badges and teddy bears presented to them. Their Year 12 Buddies very kindly handed them out and helped to welcome them to school. We thank God for a smooth and joyful start and pray this is the beginning of many learning milestones to come.
In Term 2, Preps have been learning about how there are many different ‘jobs’ people help with in our community. Thanks to our amazing parents who took turns to come and tell us what they do to help in our community, our Preps got to learn about:
This also got us thinking about what we wanted to be when we grow up, like doctors, teachers, police officers or fire fighters. We are thankful for those in our community and for all the different ways they help us!
What an exciting day our Year 1 students had at Melbourne Zoo! One of the highlights of the day was seeing the giant tortoises up close. Like most of the Year 1’s, they were 7 years old, but we learnt that they would live to 107 years old! We also saw lions, giraffes, tigers, lemurs and cheeky meerkats. Everyone loved watching the animals move, play and eat. A magical surprise happened in the Butterfly House, where some lucky children (and even parents!) had butterflies land right on them! It was a fun and fantastic day full of animals, adventure and big smiles.
The Year 2 students visited Mont de Lancey as part of their Humanities unit on how technology has changed over time. They learnt about the old homestead and church as well the wood turner and blacksmith. They went to the old school house and sat in old desks and wrote with chalk on blackboards. Many students had a turn at the billycarts, stilts and tug of war. They were involved in making a rope and learnt to skip. It was a wonderful day of learning, participating in activities from the past and listening to experiences about how technology has changed.
Blessed with sunshine, the Year 3's explored the variety of sculptures at McClelland Sculpture Park. We discussed how sculptures are made using certain materials and processes, and how art can send a message to the audience. We made time to interpret the different topics through a biblical perspective and even saw some art inspired by the Tree of Life and Revelation! After seeing, hearing, walking in and even climbing through the sculptures, we finished the wonderful day by drawing the various sculptures on the front lawn, using both observation and their imagination!
Our Year 4 students had a fantastic time during their incursion with Barry and Cynda from History Box, who brought the story of the First Fleet to life with engaging storytelling and interactive activities. As part of our Humanities unit, students deepened their understanding of European settlement and convict life in 1788. Some stepped into the shoes of historical figures like Sir Arthur Phillip, a marine, a convict, or an Aboriginal man, while everyone got hands-on with activities like decorating love tokens, writing with a quill, grinding herbs, and playing the traditional Aboriginal game Ngaka Ngaka. It was a memorable morning full of fun, creativity, and learning!
This term, our Year 5 students have been diving into the world of narratives. Recently, Grade 5S have been putting their creativity to the test by writing their own Choose Your Own Adventure stories! These interactive narratives have sparked excitement as students explore different plot paths and share their stories with classmates. It’s been wonderful to see them so engaged in storytelling and supporting each other’s imaginative ideas.
In connection with our Humanities unit on natural disasters, Grade 5FS have written powerful bushfire narratives. Through vivid descriptions and emotional storytelling, they explored the impact of bushfires on people and communities. This cross-curricular task encouraged students to apply their narrative skills while deepening their understanding of the real-world effects of bushfires.
On Tuesday 1 July, our Year 6 students hosted their much-anticipated Market Day, a highlight of their Business unit. As part of their learning, students explored key financial and economic concepts such as profit and loss, ethical decision-making, production processes, and understanding consumer needs and wants.
The day was a fantastic success, showcasing the creativity, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit of our students. Each group worked hard to design, produce and sell their own handmade crafts and delicious treats to staff and fellow students.
We are thrilled to share that Market Day raised over $3,300 for the St Andrews Missions Fund — a remarkable achievement and a testament to the students' dedication and effort.
A special congratulations goes to Samuel, Ryan, Jay and Zachariah, whose stall selling fairy floss and spiders was the most profitable on the day. With an initial investment of $66, they made a profit of $616 — an outstanding return of 933%!
We thank God for the many parent helpers and for giving our students the opportunity to use their talents to make Market Day such a meaningful and memorable experience.
Congratulations to the Primary chess team who came in equal second in a competition at Carey Baptist School. Special shout out goes to Joseph Lim who, after a cautious start, courageously and prayerfully set himself the goal to win every match no matter who the opponent. He ended with 5.5 out of 7 points, becoming our teams highest point scorer. Well done, Joseph!
It's with excitement that we celebrate the incredible Term 2 of Secondary School in the Newsletter! Looking back, it's clear God has blessed our school abundantly, making this a period of significant growth and achievement. We want to particularly commend our students for their commitment during the Year 7-12 Examinations, a challenging yet rewarding milestone. Our VCE students all sat the GAT (General Achievement Test) this term as they continue to prepare for their Subject Examinations at the end of the year. This year we have introduced regular Secondary and Year Level Assemblies. These gatherings have provided wonderful opportunities to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our students across many areas. The focus in Pastoral Care lessons this term has seen students explore their personal strengths and offered students the chance to reflect on what things they do well in order to focus on their Wellbeing. We are so thankful for God’s blessings and the spirit of community that has thrived here. We invite you to share in the joy and reflection of this past term as you read on!
It has been another busy term in the lives of our Year 7 students at St Andrews! Term 1 flew past as they admirably navigated through the many opportunities and challenges that Secondary school inevitably brings.
Students have continued to plan and run Year 7 Assemblies, that has included devotions, announcements of future events in the coming fortnight and celebrate birthdays in the cohort. We have also been very blessed to have a Worship Team compromising of many students who have so willingly given of their talent and their time in their quest to serve and glorify the Lord. For the first time this year, we all joined in with the Worship Team to sing of ‘the goodness of God.’ We are so appreciative of our Assembly and Worship Teams, and it continues to be open to any student who would like to join us.
At the Year 7 assembly, as part of our ‘Get-to-know-you’ series, we invited Mrs Natalie Farmer, Head of Learning and Teaching Secondary, who shared some of her journey as an educator and also spoke with our Year 7 cohort about electives for Semester 2 and how to go about the process if they needed to be changed. That has been successfully completed.
Wellbeing also ran two sessions in conjunction with the homeroom teachers in Term 2. Our counsellors Chloe and Melissa ran a session for the girls called, ‘Girls on Board’ which focused on friendship. Our Youth Worker, Mike ran a session for the boys inspiring them to think about what they were really all about and hold themselves and each other responsible to that aspiration or belief. Students enjoyed these sessions and the opportunity to complete these sessions with peers from the other classes.
Monday lunch times of this term have also been a time for students to bring their lunches and participate in board/card games or to enjoy their ‘noodle lunches.’
Our Year 7 students also successfully completed their End-of-Semester examinations and must be congratulated on their efforts. We are grateful to Year 7 parents for their help, partnership and support with this process.
As we approach the end of this term, we wish all our families a safe and happy break. As always, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to watch our Year 7 students change and grow into who God has created them to be. Looking forward to Term 3, on the other end of the holidays.
Selected students from Year 7, 8 and 9 were involved in two workshops throughout the day. One workshop, The Peasants Are Revolting, took the students on an immersive role-playing game that reenacted key moments of and motivations behind the French Revolution. The other workshop, Curious Minds, encouraged students to explore the use of words in a creative and interesting way, exploring techniques from various famous authors. A great day of stretching thinking and thinking outside the box.
We are incredibly proud to share that two Year 9 students and have been selected for two prestigious academic enrichment programs at The University of Melbourne: sheCommerce and Girl Power in Engineering and IT.
Abygail Xiao was selected to join sheCommerce. This program inspires the next generation of young business leaders and helps students gain insights into Economics, Finance, Marketing and Business Analytics.
Hannah Vun was selected to join Girl Power in STEM, Engineering and IT. This program is for girls with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and includes a three-night camp at the University of Melbourne (in Year 9), work experience (in Year 10) and mentoring opportunities (in the VCE).
Students enter these programs in Year 9 and for four years engage with university students, academics and industry professionals as well as participate in inspiring events at The University of Melbourne.
We warmly congratulate Abygail and Hannah on this outstanding achievement and look forward to following their journey in these programs.
On Thursday 1 May, Year 10, 11 and 12 students attended the VCE and Careers Expo, where they visited a wide range of exhibitors and seminars to assist in their future study, career, and pathway decisions.
The VCE and Careers Expo was held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf. All Victorian and many inter-state tertiary institutions’ Future Students Teams were there, ready and waiting to answer questions about their courses, campuses and study options.
There was a huge range of private institutions there, including NIDA, Carlton College of Sport, Melbourne Cricket Education Academy, LCI, JMC Academy, as well as many employers offering apprenticeship and traineeships. Emergency services such as Victoria Police, the Australian Defence Force, and Ambulance Victoria were also present and eager to explain their unique career training pathways.
The excursion was a great success. For many students it was a really eye-opening experience that made them think about tertiary study and career opportunities. It was exciting to see our students comfortably chatting with educators, asking questions, getting course guides and walking away with information and inspiration.
On Tuesday 17 June, a group of twelve students accompanied by Mrs. Irena Yevlahova went to ‘Bean Around Town’ Bayswater, to be trained on the art of making coffee.
The course was delivered by experienced and accredited trainers at ‘Bean Around Town’ and the school covered the cost for the training.
We offered this hands-on experience to Year 11 students who were interested in learning the basics of professional coffee making techniques, latte art and an experience in hospitality industry. It was an enjoyable and productive day for all!
Completing a barista course can open up various career opportunities and it’s exciting that our students already started using new knowledge and skills at our school’s café, at home and at their church cafés.
The 2025 VCE Formal was a night to remember. Held for our Year 11 and 12 students, it was a celebration of friendship, hard work, and the community we’ve built together. From the moment everyone arrived—dressed to the nines—the energy was high. With a delicious dinner, plenty of laughs, and a packed dance floor, the night was full of joy from start to finish.
But it wasn’t just about the glamour. The formal gave students and staff a chance to connect outside the classroom, to reflect on how far they’ve come, and to enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed, festive setting. It was a beautiful reminder of the memories, growth, and relationships that have shaped these final years of school.
A big thank you to everyone who came and made it such a special night.
We have been very busy in the Drama department, kicking off Term 2 with our production of "Us and Them", presented by our incredibly talented cohort of Unit 2 Theatre Studies students. This show incorporated aspects of "epic theatre", "poor theatre" and "immersive theatre", creating an experience that invited the audience to participate in the world of the play. This style of theatre doesn’t aim to tell you what to think, but to rather get you thinking.
Congratulations to all Unit 2 students involved, as well as the Year 10 Theatre Studies class who assisted with the backstage and technical aspects of the show. Additionally, we’d like to give a huge thanks to our Alumni Bryan Chin and Nathan Yuen for their lighting and tech support.
Drama and Theatre Studies have gone on a number of exciting excursions this term, including a visit to the Comedy Theatre for our Year 10 and 11 students to watch “Lord of the Rings – a musical tale”, and Year 2 students making a trip to see “The Lyrebird’s Voice” at The Round, presented by Opera Victoria. These opportunities to see live theatre are an invaluable part of our students’ theatre education.
The St Andrews Drama Showcase is a new addition to the Drama Program in 2025 and is an opportunity for students in Years 7 to 10 to showcase their talents, be it acting, singing or dancing. Students have two months to devise original scenes, dance items and songs, in line with the theme “Out of the Box.”
“Out of the Box” will be performed at Knox Community Arts Centre on Friday the 8th of August at 5:30pm and 8:00pm. Tickets will be available at https://www.trybooking.com/DCHYD from 5pm on Monday 24th of June.
On the 2nd of May, 64 music students and nine staff members travelled to Mount Gambier in South Australia for the annual Generations in Jazz festival. GIJ is an incredible weekend-long event that includes an adjudicated competition for schools, concerts featuring international and national jazz and contemporary artists, workshops with these artists, and the opportunity to be inspired by students from schools around Australia.
This year, St Andrews had our largest ever participation with 64 students across 6 ensembles entered into the competition. The ensembles and their divisions were:
Results from the competition were very encouraging, with our Jazz Band taking out 3rd place, and our small vocal ensemble Perfect 5th placing 4th in a very competitive division. In addition to these amazing results for our ensembles, Thenul Perera (Electric Guitar) was named in the Division 3 Superband.
Other memorable moments from the tour included the Friday/Saturday night concerts featuring Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, and performances from the Div 1 and 2 Superbands at the Farewell Concert on Sunday.
Thank you to the music staff who guided these students through many rehearsals and all the festival preparation: Mrs Georgia Bailey, Mrs Karen Elbourne, Miss Stephanie Greenwood, and Mr Caleb Elbourne. Thank you also to Mrs Esther Loke, Ms Mardi Easton, Mr Colin Sires and Mrs Marina Heading for all their assistance with the supervision of the camp, and thanks to Miss Hannah Peake for her administrative and organisational help in the lead up to Generations in Jazz.
Additionally, our two Ensembles Concerts on May 12th and 13th were a fantastic celebration of musical talent across both our Primary and Secondary schools, where each ensemble performed a selection of pieces that they have been working on so far this year. Congratulations to all the students involved and thank you to family and friends who came along to support our young musicians. Thanks also to all the staff who helped to make this event happen, by either directing or conducting an ensemble, assisting with setup/pack up, or by providing backstage/tech support.
We look forward to a busy term 3, with various competitions and events such as VSMF, South Street and our Instrumental Music Soirees coming up soon.
The Art rooms have been full of energy this term, with students busy creating, experimenting, and exploring their artistic talents. From hands-on projects to exciting excursions, there’s been plenty of inspiration flowing!
As students completed their Semester 1 artwork, many felt a real sense of achievement and pride in their work, something we love to see. And the best part? Every Art student will have their artwork featured in our school Art Show in Term 4! It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the creativity and hard work of our young artists. Keep an eye out for details next term.
We wrapped up Term 1 with a burst of colour and fun at our annual Colour Run! It was the perfect way to end the school term, running through clouds of colour, laughing, and just having a great time together. The school's Mission Services Learning (MSL) program proudly announces a remarkable achievement: raising an impressive $1400 to fund four much-needed bunk beds for a hostel in Nepal through the sausage sizzle and Colour Run fundraiser. A huge thanks to everyone who helped make the day such a vibrant and memorable celebration!
The Swim Program is an annual two-week swim program for Years Prep to Year 6 in the primary school in which students visit the pool for a forty-minute lesson every day! The students learn basic swimming skills as well as water safety skills in the two week program that is part of their Primary PE Curriculum.
Our Winter Sport Day One was a great success! Our Year 5 and 6 students headed out to various venues to compete in Volleystars, Netball, AFL 9’s, Teeball, and Soccer. All students represented the school with enthusiasm and teamwork, playing exceptionally well across the board. We’re now looking forward to Day Two later in Term 2!
Sixteen Year 7 to Year 9 boys were selected to represent St Andrews at the CSEN Soccer Championships. Our team had an outstanding tournament, making it all the way to the grand final and finishing as runners-up with a 2-0 result. Their commitment, skill, and teamwork were excellent, and we commend the students for their outstanding effort. Well done to our Year 7 to 9 soccer boys on a very good run for the Cup!
In Term 2, 5 Year 10-12 St Andrews students participated in the new CSEN AFL Academy, created to help prepare students for high-level competition, particularly in the lead-up to the Herald Sun Shield, where CSEN enters a combined representative team to compete against some of the most elite football schools in Victoria. The Academy provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop their skills, gain valuable training experience, and grow in confidence. We’re looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow in the program in Term 3.
We are very proud of Grace Dou and Samuel Ng, who were selected for the CSEN Representative Team at the VSAC Swimming Championships, following their outstanding performances at the Term 1 CSEN Swimming Competition. Their selection for the CSEN Representative Team recognises them as part of the strongest possible team from the recent Secondary CSEN Swimming Championships.
"This year was my second time going to VSAC (Victorian School Association Competition) representing CSEN. It was a lot more exciting because I had way more events this year compared to last year. It was a great chance for me to meet new people and many of my friends who I regularly compete and train with. What I enjoyed the most during VSAC was competing with many other swimmers and being able to get my very first JX gold time. The competition gave a very competitive atmosphere with many of my rivals there. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I am very grateful to be selected to represent CSEN to compete in VSAC once again. I am looking forward to the next VSAC next year."
Semester One Sport was a great success for our Year 7–10 students at St Andrews. Our Year 7-8 Boys Volleyball A team played off in the grand final, narrowly losing in a tight three-set match to finish runners-up overall. The Boys Volleyball B team had a strong performance in their Division 2 grand final, defeating MTEV 2–0 to finish first in their division. Our Girls Basketball team also finished on a high, winning their playoff for third place with an impressive 41-19 victory over WANW. Our Girls Badminton team will compete tomorrow, with results to come. Well done to all students for their dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout Semester Sport this term.
“House Cross Country was an incredible day of energy, community, and house spirit. We were blessed with the most amazing sun early in the day. The morning kicked off with the younger year levels running alongside our crazy Captains and sport department, with smiles, laughter, and friendly competition setting the tone for the day.
“What stood out most was the support — everyone cheering each other on, celebrating every effort, and making it more than just a race. The atmosphere was full of encouragement, fun, and togetherness. Our Captains led the way, helping with set-up, joining in the races, and hyping up the runners at the finish line. Their involvement made the day even more special.
“And in a thrilling finish, Barton claimed the overall win — a perfect end to a day filled with running, laughter, and unforgettable moments. We cannot wait for Athletics Day next term!”
St Andrews had a fantastic day at the CSEN Cross Country, with plenty of top 3 finishes across the board! A big highlight was Ruby's dominant win, completing the course nearly 40 seconds faster than all other competitors! We’re also proud to have placed 2nd overall in Division A as a school. Well done to all our competitors on an awesome day!
The spirit of generosity and global citizenship is alive and well at St Andrews, as the school's Mission Services Learning (MSL) program proudly announces a remarkable achievement: raising an impressive $1400 to fund four much-needed bunk beds for a hostel in Nepal through the sausage sizzle and Colour Run in Term 1. This incredible effort is more than just a financial contribution; it's a tangible step towards providing comfort, dignity, and a better future for young people in the hostel. These bunk beds will not only maximise space in the often-crowded dormitories but also offer a more stable and comfortable sleeping arrangement, crucial for the well-being and academic focus of the residents.
We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing this project with such passion and commitment. The $1400 raised represents not just money, but a collective desire to make a real difference in the lives of others, particularly those who face significant challenges.
But the journey doesn't end with the donation. In an exciting development, a team from St Andrews is set to embark on a transformative trip to Nepal in January 2026. This hands-on experience will allow students and staff to witness firsthand the impact of their fundraising efforts and engage directly with the communities they are supporting.
This initiative is a testament to St Andrews' commitment to fostering responsible global citizens. By combining fundraising with direct engagement, the MSL program is equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and heart to contribute meaningfully to a more equitable world. We look forward to sharing updates of more fundraising activities and introduce the team that is going to journey in January and the ongoing impact of this vital partnership.
We had a fantastic turn out at our Visible Wellbeing Parent Evening where Professor Lea Waters introduced the strength-based Framework that is being implemented at St Andrews to support student wellbeing. Her presentation included some very practical ways that we, as parents, can engage our children with joy and empathy, first considering their strengths and promoting their wellbeing which enhances learning and academic success. Professor Waters made an impact through her kind and compassionate delivery and even signed copies of her international best-selling book 'The Strengths Switch'. We recommend that parents purchase a copy!
We look forward to continuing to partner with families in learning more about Christ-centered, student-focused wellbeing. Please Visit our Parent Wellbeing Hub page and click on the Visible Wellbeing link to find downloadable resources for families.
Thank you again for your support.
It is wonderful to have a full list of participants excited and ready to begin our Youth MHFA course this Friday! Staff and parents of students in both the Primary and Secondary school are coming along to receive training in how to recognise the signs and symptoms of emerging mental health problems, and mental health crisis, in adolescents. This course is accredited and internationally recognised, and we are offering it free to our families in recognition of the importance of our partnership and care for all students. If you are interested in attending a course in the future, please contact Reception who will put your name on a wait list for future opportunities. For any information related to Youth MHFA, including the course content or if you have any concerns regarding an emerging mental health problem with your young person, please contact mheading@standrews.vic.edu.au, talk to your GP or health professional.
The first sessions for both Year 8 and Year 10 teen Mental Health First Aid took place on Wednesday, 18th June. It was thrilling to have such engaged young people compassionately engage in conversations around how to help a friend seek help when they are experiencing mental health problems. Students discussed scenarios and watched videos which highlighted the symptoms and experiences of young people facing challenges of mental health. We look forward to seeing them for the remaining sessions over the next few weeks.
If you have any questions related to the content of the teen Mental Health First Aid course, ask your young person! Or if your young person is experiencing mental health worries, or you have noticed any changes in their behaviour that concerns you, please talk with them, encourage them to seek support with our Wellbeing Team or contact me on mheading@standrews.vic.edu.au.
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