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As we come to the end of another school year, I would like to acknowledge the positive, productive and God honouring year that 2025 has been in the life of St Andrews Christian College. We believe God has placed a unique purpose and potential within the heart of every student. Part of our role is to help our students discover their gifts and talents, as we equip and guide them toward the life path God has planned for them.
A big congratulations to the Class of 2025 on their outstanding results! Your hard work, resilience, and commitment throughout the year have truly paid off. At St Andrews Christian College, we recognise that an ATAR only reflects part of a student’s journey. You have been formed for a life of faith, integrity, and service to God’s Kingdom—far beyond any exam or score. Your character and compassion have been a blessing to our entire community.
Guided by our motto, 'Glory to God', we give thanks for His grace, strength, and comfort poured out over our students, staff, and families this year. Our motto reminds us that the glory is His, and it is a timely reminder for us to reflect on the year and give glory to God for His blessing, His provision and His work in and through our school. We give glory to God for the blessing of new students that have joined the College, particularly as we made a step of faith in adding an extra class to our Year 7 cohort. We give glory to God for the recommencement of overseas mission trips, and the students who we able to bless communities and ministries in Cambodia.
We also give glory to God for the new partnership we have formed with Transform the Nations in their ministry in Nepal, and we continue to pray for our students who are preparing to serve in Nepal on our upcoming mission trip in 2026. We give glory to God for the provision of committed, passionate Christian staff who have a heart to serve others and serve God. We give glory to God for safety in our community, and a culture of prayer in which we place our hope in Him. We have faithfully lived out our theme of ‘Real Hope’ in 2025, and our accompanying scripture of Isaiah 40:31 has reminded us throughout the year to place our hope in Him, where we will be renewed, strengthened, and will soar on wings like eagles.
Well done, Class of 2025. May God continue to bless and lead you into the future He has prepared for you. Additional congratulations goes to our College DUX Zeyang Zhao (Lucas) for his exceptional ATAR of 99.8 — Well done Zeyang and richly deserved!
I wish everyone a blessed Christmas and holiday period as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
God bless and see you in 2026.
Term 4 is always a season of endings. Amidst the many events and celebrations, there are moments where students and staff pause to reflect—whether in a farewell speech, a thank-you, or planning for what’s next. These reflections often capture what worked well and what was most appreciated.
Recently, I’ve heard students share their fond memories during farewell events, and certain themes keep resurfacing: resilience during the COVID/Lockdown years, adventures and friendships formed at camps, and learning new skills or navigating new social scenarios. These stories remind us of the importance of providing rich learning opportunities as part of the St Andrews College journey.
As we look ahead to 2026, I look forward to continuing conversations with you about your young person’s journey. Together, we’ll create experiences that shape not only their learning but their life. After all, these are the memories that stay with them long after school ends.
While endings matter, one of the joys of school life is that after a well-earned break, we start again. A new year brings fresh opportunities—new approaches to learning, new ways of doing things, and a chance to refresh and grow.
May your family find time to end the year well, reflect on 2025, and embrace the promise of what’s ahead. I pray for a restful and blessed break for all students and families during this Christmas season.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to endings well celebrated and beginnings full of hope!
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.
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.
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.
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.
This time, I want to focus on:
Managing is taking control of our learning journey. It involves planning effectively, maintaining focus, persevering through challenges, and reflecting on our experiences. By managing well, we become more independent and resilient learners.
Managing is an essential quality that equips students with the skills to take ownership of their learning and build resilience for life. It includes the Learner Attributes of Planning, Focussing, Persevering, and Reflecting, which together help students grow academically, personally, and spiritually.
Planning enables students to organise their time and ideas effectively, while Focussing allows them to engage deeply with tasks and think critically. Persevering develops resilience, helping students overcome challenges with determination. Reflecting builds self-awareness, encouraging learners to recognise progress, learn from experiences, and make choices that enhance their wellbeing. These attributes are strongly linked to self-regulation and metacognition, which research consistently shows are key predictors of student success.
From a Biblical perspective, these attributes resonate deeply with Scripture. Proverbs 21:5 reminds us that “the plans of the diligent lead to profit,” while James 1:2 – 4 encourages believers to persevere through trials, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Through reflection, as seen in Psalm 143:5, “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done,” students learn to recognise God's faithfulness and their reliance on Him for guidance and direction in their lives.
By nurturing these attributes, students not only achieve academic success but also grow in character; learning to serve others and honour God in all areas of their lives. As a College, we are encouraged to see our students developing these skills and becoming the people God has created them to be; capable, resilient, and faithful learners prepared for the future.
As we near the end of another school year, I am thankful to God for all of the progress and growth in student learning which has occurred and for all of the diligent work undertaken by teachers to teach, encourage and guide our students. I look forward to sharing more of our Pedagogical Framework in 2026.
I pray that the coming holiday period provides everyone with time to reflect on the birth of Jesus and to celebrate the life and hope He brings.
Managing
Managing is taking control of our learning journey. It involves planning effectively, maintaining focus, persevering through challenges, and reflecting on our experiences. By managing well, we become more independent and resilient learners.
St Andrews students had an exciting and demanding weekend at the VEX Robotics National Championships from 5–7 December in Adelaide, with 26 students competing and most teams progressing to the finals. Day 3 proved the biggest challenge, combining a full round of qualifying matches with finals, awards and travel. Our teams delivered outstanding performances throughout: 3477A reached the semi-finals in the V5 high school division, while 3477C—also ranked in the top ten—were knocked out early due to mechanical issues but still achieved the second-highest skills score nationally, putting them in contention for a 2026 World Championships wild-card. In the middle school division, 3477E placed fifth in Australia with an impressive 142-point run, and both 3477B and 3477D reached the V5 middle school finals, with 3477B securing a ninth-place national skills ranking. Newer teams 3477F and 3477G also gained invaluable experience. Across all divisions, our students displayed remarkable endurance, character, intelligence, and teamwork—an outstanding effort by all!
The G.A.T.E.WAYS Challenge is an exciting team-based national competition which takes place in Term 4. School teams are made up of students who exhibit advanced abilities across the curriculum. Over the course of a day teams rotate through four different Challenges where the focus is on teamwork over individual performance. Each student has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in one of the Challenges. Strong emphasis is placed on creativity, lateral thinking and problem-solving skills.
On October 28th, a team of Year 5 students (Rupert Guo, Elyas Ng, Joyce Xu and Anthony Zhang) and a team of Year 6 students (Samuel Chong, Chara Vun, Pearl Wang and Mia Yuan) joined in with other teams from Christian schools in our area to participate in the challenge. We look forward to receiving the results and seeing how our teams performed!
Term 4 has been full of activity—exams, excursions, camps, and preparations for the year ahead!
This term, we will be farewelling three valued team members: Robyn Ireson, who has served our school for over two decades, along with Lisa Liu and Melissa Baldry. Each has made a significant impact on both staff and students, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions.
Our final ASD Parent Support Group meeting for 2025 took place in October. Melissa Kiernan, our Student Counsellor from Wellbeing, led an insightful discussion on supporting neurodivergent individuals, particularly in the area of mental health.
While neurodivergence itself is not a mental health condition, individuals with autism or ADHD face a much higher risk of challenges such as anxiety and depression. These often stem from external factors like stigma, social isolation, and difficulty navigating neurotypical environments. This overlap—known as co-occurrence—underscores the importance of informed, compassionate support to help children thrive emotionally and socially. Melissa shared practical strategies and resources to empower parents in this journey.
Learning Support continues to partner with staff, students, and parents to foster growth and development. Support is tailored to each student’s needs and may occur within the classroom or, for some, in a withdrawal setting. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your child.
As we reflect on 2025, we are thankful for God’s guidance and the growth we’ve witnessed in our students. Looking ahead to 2026, we anticipate continued progress and look forward to partnering with you as we pursue our mission:
“To educate students so they are well-skilled, grounded in biblical truth, and motivated to walk with God and serve Him—becoming a positive Christian influence in the world.”
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
As we approach the end of the year, let us reflect on our theme, Real Hope and the scripture from Isaiah 40:31 which says:
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.
It is encouraging to reflect on the year we have enjoyed together. Students have not only worked faithfully, but they have also extended their understanding of what it means to put their hope in the Lord growing their faith in Him. It is our prayer that the faith seeds planted this year will nurture each child’s spiritual development.
As we hit the final stretch of the year there is a buzz around Primary with many upcoming celebrations including our Year 6 Graduation night, ‘Follow the Star’ Christmas event, Prep Orientation/Year 1-5 Transition Day and our final Presentation Ceremony.
The Year 6 Graduation will be an opportunity to acknowledge the seven years of schooling the students have had, the next stage in their journey and the parent partnership we have enjoyed. After the formalities, the students will enjoy pizza, ice cream, dancing and taking plenty of photos.
With this year’s Follow the Star event, the Prep to Year 3 will be performing carols at the beginning of the evening and drama performances by years 4-6 will take place throughout the remainder. We are looking forward to a petting zoo, popcorn, face painting and more. Our hope is that families feel a sense of community and take away a hope filled message of Jesus birth!
Our final event, the Primary Presentation Ceremony, will take place at Hill Song on the second last day of school. At the celebration we will award certificates for: learning encouragement, service and academic excellence. There will also be Special awards in curriculum domains and Community awards. We are proud of all the student’s achievements and the growth they have made this year.
Some of our most recent highlights of academic success are the ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for schools) and AMC (Australian Mathematics Competition) student awards for Years 2-6. We had nearly 102 students across Primary receive either a Distinction or a High Distinction! These awards were celebrated at our final Chapel Assembly. We are very thankful to Kerryn Terrington our Enrichment Coordinator who facilitates these opportunities for the Primary.
It has been a privilege to lead an amazing team this year. I am inspired by each staff’s creativity and desire to honour God in their teaching. I hope as you read your child’s report at the end of the year you will be encouraged by your child’s growth as well as the commitment to excellence in learning that your child has received this year.
Our prayers are with Rachean Dan who has taken maternity leave and is soon to welcome her second child. May God bless your family as we rest and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas over the holiday break.
Blessings,
What a joy it was to celebrate Christ’s birth together at our Follow the Star Primary Christmas Event on 28 November! Our younger students led beautiful carols, our older students brought the Christmas story to life through drama, and families enjoyed face painting, a petting zoo, popcorn, sausage sizzle, a silent disco, and so much more.
A huge thank you to all the staff and parents who made the event possible, and to every family who joined us for this special evening.
Our prayer is that His light shines brightly in your heart this Christmas, reminding us of the reason for the season — that God’s greatest gift, His Son, brings true hope, joy, and peace to the world.
Preps had a marvellous time at Rickett's Point Beach Sanctuary! Despite the looming weather and slight drizzle, we thank God for holding off the rain and enjoyed exploring the rockpools, sorting out man made and God made things and different sea artefacts! Most of all, we had the best time paddling in the water and digging in the sand with our friends.
It has been another busy and exciting term in Year 1. Students shared God’s Word with the St Andrews community through their wonderful assembly and enjoyed learning through engaging incursions and excursions. Their day on Puffing Billy was a highlight, offering insight into the history of the old steam engine and an opportunity to appreciate God’s creation. They also enjoyed an inspiring art incursion with Mrs Darlison, where they refined their artistic techniques.
The Year 2s had an incursion where they enjoyed learning about the History of our First Nation People. They enjoyed dressing up in some of the clothes they wore, exploring the artefacts provided, playing some old-fashioned games like knuckles/jacks, and making some crafts that the First Nation People could have made.
Our Year 3s enjoyed a most wonderful camp experience at ADANAC this term, their very first school camp. Some highlights were screaming on the flying fox, eating the yummy pasta for dinner, free time and sleeping in our dorms! We were thankful to God for the beautiful weather and for all the fun we had with our friend
This term, the Grade 5 students attended an excursion to the Immigration Museum and Botanical Gardens. At the Immigration Museum, students interacted with a variety of artefacts from immigrants who migrated to Australia from a variety of countries between the 1850s - 2000s. Students then explored the museum’s permanent exhibition to investigate Australian immigration history, immigrant stories and intercultural experiences. We then travelled to the Botanical Gardens, where we spent some time appreciating God's creation and sketching local flora. To finish off the day, we indulged in some Yum Cha - delicious!
Our Year 6 Graduation was a wonderful celebration of an unforgettable milestone. The night began with families arriving early to take photos together, capturing this special moment before the festivities began. It was such a delight to see all the students dressed up and excited for the evening ahead.
The formal ceremony then commenced in the MPH, featuring speeches from the leadership team, video presentations highlighting the students’ Year 6 memories, and the presentation of certificates and gifts. The Captains also delivered heartfelt reflections on each year of their Primary journey from Prep to Year 6. After these reflections, the students performed a special item for their parents and took some final family photos before farewelling them for the evening.
The students then moved into the student-only celebration part of the night. They enjoyed a yummy pizza dinner, followed by a fun-filled disco and an energetic photo booth session with their friends. Afterwards, everyone gathered for dessert, which was a delicious ice-cream sundae bar that the students absolutely loved. The celebrations wrapped up back in the disco room with a few final dances to finish the night on a joyful note.
It was a meaningful and memorable evening, and a fitting way to celebrate this wonderful group of young people. We pray that God will be their guide as they move into Secondary School.
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.
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.
Work experience is the short-term placement of high school students in a workplace. It is designed to give the student:
The emphasis during work experience is always on trying to provide an interesting and valuable placement.
Our students’ work experience placements:
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.
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 3rd 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
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!
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.
It has been a wonderfully vibrant term to finish off the year in the Drama and Theatre departments as students from across the College have showcased their talent, imagination and commitment to the performing arts.
Our Year 10 Theatre Studies students presented their production of The A.I. Play, exploring the relationship between humanity and technology. The students demonstrated impressive ensemble work, creative staging, sound and costume choices and a thoughtful engagement with contemporary issues.
Our Primary students took to the stage for the annual Follow the Star performances. These celebrations of the Christmas story brought joy, colour and humour, and it was wonderful to see so many students stepping forward to share their developing performance skills.
At the Christmas Assembly, our Year 11 Theatre Studies class presented a dynamic performance that helped introduce the message shared by Mr Grant. Their creativity and professionalism added a special theatrical highlight to our end-of-year celebrations.
Finally, we are excited to share the announcement of our 2026 College Musical Production: Midnight – The Cinderella Musical. This enchanting re-imagining of the classic Cinderella story blends humour, heart and magical storytelling. Audition and rehearsal details are available on the Hub, and we look forward to welcoming secondary students to participate.
Thank you to all students, families and staff who support the Arts at our College. We can’t wait to see what the next year of performance brings!
Our Training Band recently concluded their year on a high note with a remarkable performance at the Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF), held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. After two years of dedicated learning and weekly rehearsals, this event marked their final performance for the year.
Under the leadership of Georgia Bailiey, the ensemble presented a polished and confident performance that showcased their developing skills and musical maturity. Their hard work was clearly recognised, with both adjudicators awarding the group top marks for their performance.
We commend every member of the Training Band for their commitment throughout the year and congratulate them on an outstanding festival result.
Earlier in Term 4, our VCE Music students took to the stage for their Unit 2 and Unit 4 performance soirées, presenting their full recital programs to a live audience. These evenings offered an opportunity for students to refine their performance craft, build confidence, and share the results of their hard work.
For our Unit 4 students, the soirée served as a final dress rehearsal ahead of their external performance examinations. Each student demonstrated strong musical maturity, technical control, and expressive purpose as they prepared to complete the final major assessment of their VCE Music studies. The soirée environment allowed them to perform under authentic exam conditions while receiving support from their school community.
For Unit 2 students, the soirée itself formed part of their formal assessment. Performing a curated program to an audience enabled them to experience the full performance cycle: preparation, rehearsal, and presentation. Their commitment was evident in the diversity of repertoire performed and the confidence with which they approached the stage.
Both evenings highlighted the dedication, discipline, and artistic growth of our VCE musicians. We congratulate all students on their achievements and thank families and staff for their support throughout the year.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on 20 October for an afternoon celebrating Art and the creativity of our students from Prep to VCE Visual Arts and Media. Visitors enjoyed exploring a vibrant collection of student artworks and taking part in the People’s Choice voting for standout pieces from both Primary and Secondary levels. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the talent within our school community. Thank you for being part of this inspiring event!
Well done to Gabriel Lim (Year 11), who won the Acquisitive Art Prize for his artwork 'When Worlds Collide'. This beautiful piece has been purchased by the school and will be proudly displayed as part of our growing collection.
This artwork illustrates an explosion of culture that arises within due to colliding worlds in one's experience. Using famous landmarks and iconography from each nation, I connect my Cambodian, Chinese, and Australian culture to reflect my cultural identity and experience in everyday life. Personal experience, family history, and stories told from generation to generation shape this artwork into a vibrant reflection of how heritage, memory, and place intersect to create a dynamic and evolving cultural identity.
We are inviting all students to submit a poster which depicts our theme for 2026:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Entrants are encouraged to submit a creative design/photograph/painting that visually displays the theme. The winning poster will be used as our theme poster throughout 2026 and will be featured as the cover for our 2026 Yearbook.
Criteria:
All entries need to be submitted to Mrs. Woods by Friday 20th February 2026, via email to nwoods@standrews.vic.edu.au or in person via reception.
Many blessings,
On Monday the 20th of October, our Prep - Year 2 students had a fantastic time at our Junior House Athletics Carnival! Rotating through six events, with plenty of smiles, cheering, and house spirit. A big thank you to all the parents who came to support and the Year 6 students who helped run the events. Congratulations to Barton House for taking out the overall win! - Jorja Cram
We’re proud to share that both our girls’ and boys’ softball teams advanced to Division this year. It was a beautiful day and a fantastic opportunity for everyone to enjoy the sport and come together as a team. The girls placed 5th overall, and the boys played exceptionally well, finishing as runners-up after a thrilling tiebreaker match. Congratulations to both teams on their outstanding effort and sportsmanship!
We thank God for the success of 5/6 Boys Volleyball team this year. In Term 3, the boys performed superbly, winning 6 out of their 7 games to become District Champions and qualify for the SSV Division Finals. At Division level, they continued their strong form, winning 4 out of 5 matches and finishing 3rd overall, with their only loss coming against the eventual champions. The team of Kailan, Cayden, Eric, Edwin, Moses, Jordan, Kaleb, Elyas, Anthony and Masiha displayed fantastic teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout. Well done, boys, on an exceptional achievement and all glory to God!
Our tennis Girls A-team got into the division round. Every person tried their hardest, persevering through hot weather and endlessly cheering each other on. This achievement reflects hard work, dedication and determination and our team has showed excellent teamwork. Although we didn’t make it to the next round, we all had a wonderful experience! After tireless hard work and training, 8 girls from year 6 and 5 traveled to Eildon Park for SSV Tennis Division. We competed against a mountain slide of schools for a spot in Regionals. The competition was fierce and fiery. We had laughs and excitement in our mist. We gained a lot from the experience including sportsmanship and teamwork. In the end, we achieved 5 overall which was an impressive achievement for us. A huge shoutout to Mrs Gaschk for driving us, supervising and encouraging us!
On Thursday 13th November, seventeen of our Year 5/6 boys represented St Andrews at the SSV Boys Netball Competition, showcasing wonderful teamwork, sportsmanship and God-given talent. Our Division A team did exceptionally well finishing first in their pool, while Division B secured a strong third place. We also celebrated two outstanding individual achievements, with Isaac and Jonathan each receiving MVP for their pools. Thank God for the assistance of Taleesha and Annabelle in umpiring, and for the great weather that made the day a success. Well done to all involved!
On Monday the 10th of November, we had our Year 7 and 8 students take part in our CSEN Junior Rally Day. This is where our students had the opportunity to play sport against other schools in a friendly environment. It was the perfect study break! Our students played Pickleball, Cage Soccer and Golf. We were thrilled to come away with some wins too, with our Girls Golf team, Girls Soccer team and two of our Girls Pickleball teams finishing as champions. Well done to all students who took part!
Hi, my name is Melissa—though to the students here at St Andrews, I’m simply Mel! I am a happily married mother to three teenagers and live on the Mornington Peninsula.
As a certified counsellor with over 15 years of experience in the mental health sector, I hold various qualifications in nursing, mental health, social work, and counselling. These have allowed me to work across educational, clinical, and community settings.
I have a deep understanding of complex trauma and family dynamics with particularly in managing mental health diagnoses. Over the years, I have worked extensively with child protection services, Orange Door, and other external agencies which allowed me to establish connections in collaboration and access to crisis intervention with ease and familiarity lessening impact of those requiring support through trauma informed care.
As a school counsellor, I am compassionate and caring, leading with humanistic therapy in establishing strong rapport and building trust with teenagers and adolescents I support. This foundation allows me to use CBT, ACT, and motivational interviewing to name some, always seeking approaches that strengthen students’ identity in God and find the plan He seeks for them.
With extensive experience in family mediation and group therapy facilitation, I am deeply committed to strengthening the family unit. Being part of this school community is an honour, working with teachers of such high calibre. I look forward to building meaningful connections with your child and family in the years ahead.
Hello! My name is Chloe. I am a certified counsellor specialising in children and adolescent counselling.
My passion and heart for helping young people in the realm of mental health can be seen throughout my years of working with both Primary and Secondary students across numerous schools. My educational background in Bachelor of Psychology and Master of Counselling equips me to provide targeted therapy for a range of presentations from emotional regulation to suicidal ideation.
Having worked closely with supporting the mental health and wellbeing of neurodiverse students, it has equipped and finetuned my skills and strategies to support their unique needs. I adopt a strength-based, person-centred modality that individualises and caters therapeutic approaches to suit the student’s needs.
My personal faith in Jesus is integral to my role, as I see each student as precious to Him. I feel privileged to work alongside the caring staff at St Andrews Christian College.
On Tuesday 21 October and during our Follow the Star event in November, we held a Market Stall in partnership with Transform the Nations. Many families stopped by to browse a wonderful range of handmade items—perfect for Christmas gifts—with all felt products crafted in Nepal. Parents visited the stall before and after school, and students enjoyed dropping in throughout the day.
Across all our fundraisers over the past year—including sausage sizzles, premium-prized pizzas, Samaritan’s Purse Shoeboxes, Follow the Star and more—we raised over $10,000 to support the work being done in Nepal. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make this possible!
During our Christmas Assembly, we commissioned our Nepal mission trip team, with Mr. Grant leading us in prayer for each participant as they prepared to travel to Nepal in January. Each student shared their passion and reasons for wanting to take part in this mission trip. Participants then had a student or staff partner lay hands on them and pray alongside them. We remain deeply grateful for the prayers offered for their physical, emotional, and spiritual safety.
The team consists of staff members Mrs Majella Amarasingham, Mr Joel Palmer, and Mrs Shellene Pillifeant, along with students Samuel Cheung, Hannah Connolly, Shenali Kalpage, Edha Karki, Danny Kim, Sera Oktanio, Annabelle Tay, Gloria Tay, and Jonathan Yun. We sincerely thank our school community for their support and prayers as the team embarks on this incredible opportunity to serve and learn.
Our approach to Mission Service Learning continues to grow at St Andrews Christian College. Guided by the insights and wisdom of our school leaders, we are reminded that meaningful service requires humility, attentive listening, and a willingness to share our faith journey.
With this in mind, our Year 10 students recently visited Arcare Aged Care in Wantirna South to share the Christmas story of Christ’s birth and the message of salvation. One of our students, Annabelle Tay, wrote and directed a Christmas skit that was performed for the residents, revealing some remarkable and previously undiscovered acting talents among our students.
The celebration continued with the singing of traditional Christmas carols, accompanied by Sera Oktanio’s expert skills on the keyboard. A highlight of the visit was the Christmas trivia organised by Margaret Gear, which was enthusiastically embraced by both students and residents, creating a wonderful atmosphere of shared enjoyment.
Each resident and carer received a small gift prepared by our students, consisting of a St Andrews pen and notebook, along with a laminated Bible verse. Our students made us proud as they mingled with residents, engaging in meaningful conversations and offering prayer.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the homeroom teachers who have faithfully encouraged students to continue to pray for the residents during their homeroom devotions. This visit was a beautiful expression of Christ’s love and a testament to the power of service in building community.
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