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2026 Secondary School EXPO Thursday 14th May (6.00pm - 9.00pm)
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Welcome to the first edition of our College newsletter for the 2026 academic year!
The start of a new school year is always such an exciting time, and this year has been no exception. We have welcomed a number of new staff to the College and we feel blessed to have them as a part of our community. We especially welcome our new students to the College, and it has been encouraging to see how well our new students have settled, particularly our Prep students. Our theme for 2026 is "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" with Psalm 139:14 as the accompanying scripture:
This scripture speaks to God’s wonderful craftmanship and His intentional design for us individually. The Psalm also serves as a signpost that in everything, we should give God the glory. The Psalm focusses on God’s omniscience (all-knowing), omnipresence (ever-present), and omnipotence (all-powerful), and the instruction that I will praise you serves as a reminder of the glory we are to give God in how He has created us and what He has created us for. We use our 2026 theme as a prompt to reflect on what it looks like to know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that this is reflective of God being a fearful and wonderful Maker.
It was wonderful to hear of the transformative experience that 9 students and 2 staff had in January as they embarked on our first Nepal Mission trip. Our students and staff were able to see firsthand the work of Transform the Nations and their ministry, and also see the fruit of the fundraising efforts of the St Andrews community over the past 12 months. We look forward to hearing more from our students about their experiences, and now set our eyes on the 2027 Nepal Mission trip.
Over the past few weeks, I have found myself reflecting deeply on the gift of joy—not the kind that comes only when everything is perfect, but the steady, grounded joy that grows from gratitude, connection, and God’s presence in our everyday lives.
This kind of joy has been woven through so many moments across our College in Term 1. It has been there in the laughter spilling out of classrooms, in Senior students looking after their Primary School buddies, in the simple warmth of staff greeting students by name each morning. These may seem like small things, but together they shape the kind of community we are becoming marked by belonging, kindness, and hope.
Our Visible Wellbeing (VWB) Framework, created by Professor Lea Waters, encourages us to intentionally notice, build, and embed wellbeing practices into the rhythm of school life. Joy is central to this work. It is both a sign of wellbeing and a strength that fuels learning, resilience, and authentic connection. Each day, our staff are finding meaningful ways to weave these practices into learning moments so that every child is supported to flourish. In this way, our College Pedagogical Framework and Wellbeing Framework work hand‑in‑hand, forming a strong foundation for both growth and learning.
As we move through this busy term, I want to gently encourage each of us to pause and notice moments of joy. They are often quiet and easily overlooked, but they renew us. Joy reminds us—especially in times of pressure or uncertainty—that God is at work, that we are surrounded by people who care, and that goodness can always be found in each day.
As you look back on Term 1, 2026 and read the many contributions in this newsletter, may you feel encouraged. May you find reasons to celebrate the learning, the growing, and the many moments—big and small—that have shaped this term. And above all, may you choose joy.
My prayer is that you and your family experience God’s peace and strength in every circumstance. I am deeply thankful for our students, staff, and families who together create the joyful, vibrant culture of our College.
With warm regards,
Last year in the Newsletter we looked at the Learner Attribute section of our College Pedagogical Framework and the four key areas – Engaging, Relating, Developing and Managing. This year I want to unpack the Gradual Release of Responsibility instructional framework and the High Impact Teaching Strategies which complement and support this framework.
At St Andrews Christian College, our teachers use a research-backed approach to learning called the Gradual Release of Responsibility model. This model provides a structured framework that gradually shifts the responsibility for learning from the teacher to the student, moving through four key stages: Focussed Instruction, Guided Instruction, Collaborative Learning, and Independent Learning.
The diagram below shows the four stages of the Gradual Release of Responsibility model:
Rather than following a strictly linear path, the process is dynamic. Teachers move back and forth between stages, alternating guided practice with independent attempts, until each student is ready to take full ownership of their learning. The ultimate goal is for students to be able to apply what they have learned in new and different situations.
The first stage of the model is Focussed Instruction, and it forms the foundation of every lesson at the College.
Supported by research from the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), this stage is based on the principle that students learn new material most effectively when it is introduced clearly, broken into manageable pieces, and explicitly explained and demonstrated by the teacher. Rather than expecting students to discover or piece together new knowledge on their own, the teacher takes the lead, modelling the thinking, skills, and processes that students need to learn.
One of the first things teachers do in this stage is share the lesson's learning intentions and success criteria with students. In simple terms, this means telling students what they are going to learn and what success looks like. Clear learning intentions help students focus on what matters most, while success criteria give them a roadmap and a way of knowing whether they are on the right track. Teachers also highlight which of the St Andrews Christian College Learner Attributes are most relevant to the lesson.
During Focussed Instruction, teachers are deliberate about keeping explanations brief and clear. This is intentional. When students are introduced to too much information at once, it can be overwhelming and actually hinder learning. By limiting unnecessary content and focusing on the essentials, teachers help students absorb and understand new material more deeply.
Explanations are also made interactive with teachers regularly pausing to ask questions and check that students understand before moving forward. This not only keeps students engaged, but also gives teachers valuable feedback about when the class is ready to move on to the next stage of learning.
A key part of Focussed Instruction is teacher modelling, where the teacher thinks aloud and demonstrates how an expert approaches a task or problem. This gives students a window into the thinking process, not just the end result. Over time, this supports students in developing their own ability to reflect on and regulate their learning, a skill researchers call metacognition.
Teachers also make use of worked examples, walking students step-by-step through how a problem is solved. This approach prevents students from feeling overwhelmed, allows them to focus on understanding the process, and helps connect abstract concepts to real-world situations.
Focussed Instruction is just the beginning. Once students have been explicitly taught the new knowledge or skill, they are ready to move into Guided Instruction and Collaborative Learning, where teachers and students work through tasks together, and eventually toward Independent Learning.
I look forward to sharing more about these stages in future newsletters.
We were delighted to host the first CSA Teaching and Learning Network Meeting for 2026 at St Andrews Christian College. It was wonderful to gather and share the inspiring work taking place each day in classrooms across CSA schools. Our team appreciated the opportunity to share our journey in developing and implementing the College Pedagogical Framework, and we look forward to gathering again in Term 2 at Crest Education.
Term 1 has been an exciting and busy time for our students as they settled into their new classes, built friendships, and got to know their teachers. This term, we enjoyed celebrating student learning and progress during Student Support Group meetings, and greatly valued the opportunity to work closely with parents to plan together for continued growth and development.
This term, we held one ASD Parent Support Group meeting, where families shared insights about returning to school and the role that daily routines play in supporting children and young people. The phrase that resonated most with everyone was “connection before direction”, reinforcing how vital relationships are in supporting positive outcomes.
Our Term 2 meetings will be on Tuesday 5th May and Wednesday 17th June at 9:15am at the Taste & See Cafe.
Topics for discussion will be:
The primary aim is to provide parents with the opportunity to connect with others facing the challenges of raising a child with autism. Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to seeing you there.
The term ‘neurodiversity’ is often used to describe the natural variation in the way an individual’s brain functions. It refers to the differences in the way people behave, and how they experience, understand and interact with the world around them.
During Neurodiversity Celebration Week, staff and students reflected on the truth that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.
The week focused on celebrating individual strengths and recognising the natural differences in how people think, learn, and experience the world.
Neurodiversity includes differences such as dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and dyspraxia, reminding us that everyone has unique strengths and challenges. Through shared picture storybooks, classroom resources, and discussions, our community grew in understanding and appreciation of these differences.
As we celebrate diverse abilities, we are reminded that each person is uniquely created by a faithful and loving God. By honouring differences and supporting one another, we grow together as a community. This diversity enriches our school and deepens our understanding of how each of us belongs within God’s family.
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
One of the things we regularly do at St Andrews Christian College is to gather in our Multi-Purpose Hall as a whole-College to worship God, hear the Bible read and explained and for our students to be helped to apply it in their lives. We did this on the first day of the term in our Dedication Assembly where our guest preacher, Rev Brian Harvey, College Board member and pastor of Heathmont Presbyterian Church, spoke focussing on our theme verse of the year Psalm 139:14.
We also gather in this way each term for “Chapel” in our sub-sections of the Primary and Secondary School. In our Term 1 Chapels we looked at how God has made us in His image and has crowned people with “glory and honour” (Psalm 8:5b). We learnt how that has implications for how we treat each other!
This term I have enjoyed attending the Year 7 camp. It has been good to welcome our new Year 7 students to the College and to see them build friendships with existing students. I teach many of them Biblical Studies. I also assisted with the Year 9 City Experience and arranged for our students to have guided tours of St Paul’s Cathedral. I also attended the Year 1 Teddy Bear’s picnic where the students met my puppet friend Monty Mouse. Monty hopes to make more visits to the College this year.
We are looking forward to gathering again as a whole-College at the end of the term for our Easter Assembly, where we will hear again of what God has done in his Son, the LORD Jesus, to rescue us from our sin and his judgment – and to be reminded of God’s invitation to trust Him and receive His forgiveness.
The year has begun with a busy start, and I can’t believe we are already celebrating end of Term 1 learning milestones.
It has been lovely to see the Preps settle in so well. The Prep Picnic early in the term fostered a great sense of community, and I am thankful for the networking of many of our long-standing families that have supported new families in joining the St Andrews Community. More recently, the Prep Welcome and Badge Ceremony also highlighted the wonderful Buddies Program which we foster between students. At the presentation, the Year 12 students gave their Prep Buddies a teddy bear and the School Captains shared a lovely tribute to what has been particularly formative for them in their educational journey at St Andrews.
Making an incredible difference to the Year 1-2s learning space has been the new garden area outside the classrooms with a sandpit! This has been a huge hit for the students and has supported the Year 1s in their transition to their classrooms. It has also been a joy to see parents using this area to catch up with each other when they drop their children off each morning.
This term there have been many excursions and incursions to further broaden the students learning. Year 1 enjoyed Teddy Bear Picnic, Year 4 enjoyed a trip to the Botanical Gardens and selected Primary students have engaged in both SSV District and Division swimming doing incredibly well in the relay and individual events. Primaries have also enjoyed their annual Cyber Safety sessions raising student awareness of how to use technology wisely. We have also been busy with Naplan, completing assessments in Writing, Reading, language Conventions and Mathematics. Last week the Year 6 student enjoyed a week in Canberra on the Year 6 Camp. A major highlight for them was flying!
Most recently we launched the Primary student leader’s program with a morning tea and annual network conference with other Christian schools. At the Sower Conference students were inspired by stories from athletes and leaders reflecting on their leadership journey. We can look forward to seeing several initiatives growing further this year under the guidance of Mr Cram, our Student Leadership Coordinator.
A key priority for Primary is our E³ program reflecting Engage, Enrich, Empower. Primary teachers challenged and extended student thinking in the areas of literacy and humanities. Our theme of 'Fearfully and Wonderfully Made' was reflected in all of the workshops which pointed students to reflect on Psalm 139:14:
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well."
It has been a joy to work with the Primary staff this term. As I reflect on Term 1s activities, I am reminded of all the things we can be grateful for. May our efforts bless and bring glory to God!
Blessings,
We welcomed our newest students to St Andrews Christian College! Thanks to our Year 12 Buddies who met us on stage, gave us a hi-five and presented us with a teddy bear and school badge. We thank God for a smooth settling into school and pray we can continue with our amazing learning at school.
Our Prep students have settled well into school and are learning so many new things! Each week we learn 2 or 3 new phonograms (sounds). We learn the letter name and sound (or sounds) that these phonograms make and also learn how to write these letters. We often do a fun craft activity to help us remember these new phonograms. At the end of Week 7, we have learnt 14 new phonograms. At the end of Term 1, we will have learnt 23 of the 26 single phonograms. Wow!
On Friday, 13th of March, the Year 1s had an amazing Teddy Bear Picnic. It was an evening straight out of a storybook! Families arrived with platters full of delicious treats, colourful fruit, homemade goodies and enough sushi and pizza to share amongst the community. Picnic blankets were arranged like a beautiful patchwork quilt and everywhere you looked, there were teddy bears of all shapes and sizes joining in on the fun.
Music filled the air as the children and their teddies wiggled and flapped their wings to the Chicken Dance. Everyone had so much fun playing What's the time Mr Wolf? and lying under the relaxing colours of the Parachute.
The best surprise came at the end of the night, as our special guest, Monty, shared his important story with us about Respect and Kindness. He reminded us that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference. His words added a beautiful spark of meaning to an already joyful night.
It truly was a wonderful time, full of fun, friendship, community and a whole lot of heart. It was a magical way to celebrate our amazing families and school!
For the very first time, the 2026 Year 2 classes have been participating in PMP every Wednesday morning. PMP is a program that focuses on developing student's gross motor, fine motor and sensory skills through movement based activities. It aims to improve balance, co-ordination, eye-tracking and spatial awareness to enhance classroom learning. Our Year 2's are having a great time interacting with their peers and learning new skills. We have already noticed an improvement in the students' focus and learning. We thank our parent helpers that have assisted us each week and look forward to this program continuing throughout the year.
Here are our NAPLAN champions! Our Year 3 students recently completed their very first assessment, showing great perseverance and resilience across the three days. Each student approached the writing task with persistence, effort, and a fantastic attitude. We are so proud of them!
Year 4 students were blessed with good weather for their excursion to Cranbourne Botanic Garden on 25th February. They had fun learning about some of the tools that Aboriginal people use, using water and ochre rock to make paint and tasting lemon myrtle tea and finger lime. They also had a fantastic time looking at some very interesting native plants and ended the day with some fun at the playground.
This term in Science, the Grade 5 students have been exploring light. Using shadow puppets, they discovered how shadows change when the position of an object shifts in relation to a light source. Students created a variety of shadow shapes, then conducted an experiment to see how the distance between an object and the light affects the size and clarity of the shadow. They recorded their observations, discussed their findings, and drew conclusions — bringing scientific inquiry to life in a fun and creative way.
We thank God for a wonderful and enriching Year 6 Camp in Canberra, filled with learning, fun, and meaningful experiences together.
It was an early 7:00am departure on Monday 16th March as students began their journey to Canberra. Although it was a long trip, students enjoyed several stops along the way at Benalla, Holbrook and Gundagai. After dinner, students took part in fun “Minute to Win It” games, filled with laughter and teamwork, before settling in for the evening.
The next day was action packed with both learning and memorable experiences. The day began bright and early with a 6:30am breakfast, followed by a visit to the Australian War Memorial, where students participated in a respectful ceremony to honour fallen soldiers. From there, students visited Parliament House, gaining insight into Australia’s government, before heading to the Australian Institute of Sport. In the evening, students enjoyed a lively trivia session, featuring questions they had created about themselves, along with some fun teacher challenges.
The third day began at the National Arboretum, where students participated in an orienteering activity, followed by time at the Pod Playground. Students then explored the interactive exhibits at Questacon, enjoyed a liquid nitrogen demonstration, and some brave students took on the free fall slide. The day continued with a visit to the National Film and Sound Archive, where they learned about Australia’s media history. To finish the day, students enjoyed laser tag and arcade games, full of energy, laughter and friendly competition, before winding down with a movie in the evening.
Day 4 brought the classic experience of Melbourne’s “four seasons in one day”! We started with rain, enjoyed some beautiful sunshine and outdoor time, and then ended the day with flash flooding, lightning and thunder. Despite the unpredictable weather, the students had a great time staying at camp, beginning with some fun indoor games. They also enjoyed the high ropes, used real GPS devices in the navigation activity, and then had some free choice activities. It was a memorable day, finishing with more games and a movie after our planned campfire was quite literally washed out.
On the final day, students visited the Electoral Education Centre, where they learned about Australia’s voting system and the importance of active citizenship, before heading to the airport for their journey home.
We are incredibly proud of how the students represented our school throughout the camp, demonstrating respect, enthusiasm and kindness. We thank God for His protection, mostly good weather, and the many opportunities for learning and growth during this special time together.
During Enrichment Week students from Year 1 to Year 6 participated in a variety of enrichment activities.
On Monday to Wednesday, Year 4 to 6 students chose from the following workshops all with the underlying theme of ‘Fearfully and Wonderfully Made’.
On Wednesday, selected students had the chance to participate in a GATEways Ignite incursion where they extended their literacy skills with such things as hyperbole, descriptive writing, and alliteration within the context of tall stories and historical investigations.
On Thursday and Friday, Year 1 to 3 students participated in workshops each afternoon, again with a focus on our school theme.
A huge thank you to the teachers who made this week so much fun for our students.
Term 1 has been a busy start to the school year, with many opportunities for students to build relationships, develop independence, and engage in meaningful learning in and out of the classroom.
It is always exciting to feel the ‘buzz’ of the school year as it begins. This start of the year is always exciting, and daunting, for students new to the College. Being the second year of our third homeroom at Year 7, it is a delight to welcome new families and students to the College.
Our Year 7 Camp provided a valuable foundation for the newest secondary students. At Camp Coolamatong students time spent together away from school, engaged in team‑building activities and shared challenges. Students formed strong connections with their peers and teachers while growing in confidence and resilience. Similarly, the VCE Camp at CYC ‘The Island’ in Cowes afforded senior students the chance to strengthen relationships, reflect on their goals, and prepare for the academic and personal demands of their final years of schooling.
Experiential learning continued with the Year 9 City Experience, where students explored Melbourne and engaged with the city as a place of learning, culture, and responsibility. This program encouraged independence, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of civic life. Our Year 10 Future Focus program also played an important role this term, with students visiting Deakin University and Monash University. These visits provided valuable insight into tertiary pathways and helped students begin thinking intentionally about their future learning and career options.
Students also with the Secondary Swimming Carnival, a highlight on our calendar. Students demonstrated great school spirit, encouragement, and sportsmanship throughout the day. It was pleasing to see wide participation, friendly competition, and strong house pride on display.
Our students do an outstanding job of balancing their studies and extra curricular activities both in and out of school. It is encouraging to see students developing in a holistic way, especially as we work towards our mission to send students out to be a positive Christian influence in the world.
We are thankful for the commitment of staff and the support of families in making Term 1 such a positive and productive beginning to the year. We look forward to the continued growth of our students as we move into Term 2 together.
Earlier this term on 6 February, we welcomed back some of our 2025 VCE students to celebrate all they’ve achieved at our VCE Recognition Awards Assembly. We’re so thankful to God for their dedication and perseverance, and for the opportunity to celebrate this milestone alongside their families over morning tea. We pray that God will continue to guide and walk with our graduates as they step confidently into the next chapter of their lives.
Seventy-four students of our Year 7 cohort began a new academic year and their Secondary journey with St Andrews Christian College this year in earnest, excitement and with a lot to look forward to.
On the very first day, they came across and successfully navigated some challenges they might not have encountered before; they learned to use a combination lock with the help of the Year 10 students who patiently taught them how to master the art of using them. They were introduced to the expectations at Secondary School and got to know their teachers and participated in a Scavenger Hunt that was intended to get them used to different locations and areas around the school.
A few days after and we were off to camp and through it all, the resilience, positive attitude and their kindness and caring towards each other was commendable. Camp was a really funand enjoyable time and also provided many varied and interesting opportunities to build connections, challenge oneself and to create some lifelong memories of their very first year at St Andrews Secondary College! We as a pastoral team are extremely proud of them.
Our Year 7s have continued to grow from strength to strength – even leading assembly and worship this term which is a real credit to them. On this journey, we also had a visit from the Gideons group that handed out New Testaments to every Year 7 student – a partnership with the College that has gone on for about fourteen years now. They have also attended a Study Skills Workshop that was designed to help them with planning, organising and preparing for their learning.
We are immensely thankful to all the parents and carers for your support during the transition process and this smooth transition would not have been possible without your support and understanding.
I take this opportunity to wish you all a safe, happy and blessed Easter. God bless you.
On Tuesday 4 March, our Year 7 Humanities students took part in an engaging incursion run by Medieval Education. Throughout the day, students participated in a series of interactive sessions exploring warriors and warfare, rulers and subjects, archery, and gladiators.
The presenters brought along a range of armour, costumes, and historical artefacts, giving students the opportunity to see and handle items similar to those used in the ancient world. These hands-on experiences helped bring history to life and sparked plenty of curiosity and questions from our students.
The incursion supported our current Humanities unit on Ancient Rome, helping students deepen their understanding of how people lived, fought, and governed during this time. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real historical objects and demonstrations, making the study of the ancient world both memorable and meaningful.
Our Year 8s have had a very settled start to 2026. Despite camp being postponed until June, our Year 8 worship team have banded together and been practicing new songs to lead us in worship in our Year Level Assembly times and in preparation for camp. The team is enthusiastic and keen to lead their peers with excellence.
Many of the Year 8s participated at the Swim Carnival – getting into the house spirit with their green, red and yellow costumes. As well as the house and swimming competitions, it was a wonderful opportunity for community among the cohort and great to see them cheering each other on.
Our Teen Mental Health First Aid specialists took the Year 8s through their program this term. This program equips students to recognise potential mental health challenges and to advocate for each other to find help when needed. It is an excellent program that empowers our students, and we are grateful to the team for presenting this to the Year 8s.
We have also had Jake from Talk Money come in and run 3 sessions on ‘Spending and Saving Money’ and ‘Becoming Scam Savvy’. The Year 8s engaged well in these sessions, learning more about how to budget, how interest compounds when we save and how to avoid scams. We would encourage you to discuss these topics at home with your Year 8s. Talk Money also provides resources that you can use to further the learning for your Year 8s here: talkmoney.org.au/resources.
All students participated in a study skills session with Elevate this term. These sessions are targeted to the specific year group, to assist them with their general study skills as well as when preparing for examinations. There are Elevate resources available for students and parents on the Hub.
"Our visit to Hanging Rock was truly an exciting and memorable experience that combined a learning opportunity with a sense of adventure. We began by taking some environmental measurements, using these really cool devices which calculate temperatures, wind speeds, humidity percentages, and light units in the blink of an eye, which helped us understand the conditions of the area better. While taking in Hanging Rock’s astonishing beauty, we also created some detailed sketches of the landscape, capturing the rock’s remarkable features and the surrounding scenery.
"The highlight of the day was definitely the guided tour up Hanging Rock. Climbing and exploring the rock firsthand allowed us to fully appreciate its size, shape and natural features, while the view from the top was absolutely breathtaking. The combination of the measurements and the immersive exploration made the trip both educational and such an enjoyable time. Overall, it was a fun, inspiring and enriching experience that nobody could forget."
Week 8 of this term marked a significant milestone for our Year 9 students as they commenced their experiential learning journey through Melbourne, widely recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Over the course of five days, students undertook the challenge of completing an inquiry-based project that engaged deeply with the city’s cultural diversity, historical context, and civic structures.
This immersive learning experience fostered collaboration and strengthened students’ observational and problem-solving skills, while also supporting their social and emotional development. In navigating real-world environments, students demonstrated growing resilience and an enhanced capacity to apply knowledge beyond the classroom.
The success of the city experience would not have been possible without the dedication and teamwork of the staff at St Andrews Christian College. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all staff members for their commitment and for going above and beyond in supporting our students throughout the week. Above all, we give thanks to God for His continued guidance and blessings.
From 18–20 March, our Year 10 students participated in an immersive three-day ‘Future Ready’ Careers Program, designed to equip students with the vital knowledge and skills needed for success in senior school and future careers.
On Wednesday, 19 March, students completed the Morrisby Profile, a comprehensive career profiling system integral to Victoria’s Year 10 Careers Education. These profiles provide deep insights into students’ strengths and aptitudes, encouraging them to explore diverse career options and make informed VCE subject selections.
To unpack these results, we hosted the St Andrews Morrisby Information Evening on Thursday, 20 March. National Morrisby Manager, Craig Eastwood, presented to students and parents, offering expert guidance on interpreting the profiles to map out future pathways.
A major highlight of this year’s program included interactive tours of Monash University (Clayton Campus) and Deakin University (Burwood Campus). These visits offered invaluable insights into university faculties, course structures, admissions, and the vibrant academic and social life on campus.
Throughout the week, students engaged in practical sessions:
It was a fantastic three days of growth and planning. As the world of work becomes more unpredictable, insights enable students to build resilience, adaptability, and a capacity for lifelong learning, preparing them for a rapidly evolving workforce.
The VCE Camp at Phillip Island CYC was a joyful and memorable experience in which students bonded through shared activities and moments of reflection. The trip began with a stop at Cranbourne Botanical Gardens before continuing in Cowes with a scavenger hunt and a relaxing evening at the beach, where students enjoyed games, admired the sunset, and gathered for worship and devotions. The second day focused on making the most of the onsite facilities, with activities such as abseiling, team challenges, and an escape room, alongside opportunities for rest, unstructured play, and community building. On the final day, students embarked on a cruise from Cowes Jetty to visit a seal colony, overcoming initial nerves to enjoy the experience before returning home grateful for the strengthened community, meaningful connections, and cherished memories formed over the three days. Thank you God for watching over us and building the community in the VCE cohort for this year. We are so grateful!
What a blessed start to 2026 we have had so far!
Students have engaged with the Visible Wellbeing Framework through Pastoral Care lessons and in Mini Moments in classes.
The focus this term is Emotional Regulation. Most have responded in their Skodel survey that they have begun the year with a friend, knowing they have strengths and feel their classes are engaging. These are wonderful results.
Students are accessing Wellbeing for support and we are always ready to listen and help them at their point of need. Our Wellbeing Zone has been re-branded to 'The Well' a place where our young people may come to leave their burdens and find help.
Thank you, Chloe, for this beautiful and inspired suggestion. We pray often for our students, asking that God would show them their identity in Him.
Here is a photo of our new shared space: 'Well 3'. Thank you to the PFA for allowing us to use the Uniform Shop during class hours. This has been invaluable for us as needs increase with growing student numbers.
Please take the time to view our new Wellbeing Mural! It has totally transformed the entry to our Wellbeing space, with students and staff regularly commenting on how it makes them feel calm and welcome.
This term has been busy! Our Mental Health First Aid Facilitators have delivered Teen Mental Health First Aid to all Year 8 students. They were thoroughly engaged in discussions about how to recognise the signs and symptoms of an emerging mental health problem in their friend, and to quickly get an adult involved.
Cyber Safety Project visited all students from Years 1-10. Their team spoke of the 'Social Media Delay' and how to stay safe online. They were challenged to be honest about their current online presence and given helpful ways to minimise their identifiable digital imprint. Please see my recent news article about how to support your young person if they find themselves in trouble online, by connecting with the eSafety Commissioner.
Melissa Kiernan and Chloe Tan, our College Counsellors, began our Parent Workshop Series on the 3rd March with a fantastic presentation on 'Emotional Regulation'. Many parents attended and found the information timely and practical, staying for chats with our team afterwards. I encourage you to look out for Session 2, in Term 2 — it will be advertised on Hub News!
Finally, I'd love to introduce you to Tom McPherson our new full-time Youth Worker. He has already engaged with Friendship Place, begun new lunchtime initiatives, supported the student leaders in our Mustard Bible Study (which was started by our College Chaplain, Rev. Warwick Grant), been on camps and excursions, and connecting and working to build social capacities in our students. If you see him around the College, please introduce yourself!
Here are some words from him:
Hi, I’m Tom.
I’m a fun-loving, enthusiastic, and caring person who loves ball sports (especially basketball), is improving at chess, enjoys music and the beach, and has a deep love for the Word of God.
Before coming to St Andrews, I served as a Youth Pastor for almost a decade, alongside volunteering for youth camp ministry, followed by a couple of years of formal support work. I’m passionate about the Christian faith and have a genuine heart for young people and their wellbeing.
I came to St Andrews because I saw a real opportunity to support students not only in their faith, but also in the everyday challenges of life and school. This role felt like a great fit for me, and I’m grateful to be part of the community here.
I’m looking forward to being available to students, building strong relationships, and helping create formative, supportive spaces that encourage students as they journey through their schooling years.
If you’ve walked past the Multi‑Purpose Hall recently, you may have seen a burst of colour brightening the back wall. A new mural invites you to pause and take a look.
Over two weeks, artist Hayden Dewar transformed the space with vibrant native flora and fauna while students observed each stage: underpainting, outlining, and the final colours. In the mural, an image of a student is immersed in nature, and another reads the Word of God, reminding us of the life, hope, and strength it offers. The mural warms the Wellbeing Office entrance, and we hope it lifts spirits as students pass by each day.
Near the media rooms, the gallery space has also been refreshed. Each term, it displays a new selection of student art, offering a glimpse into Art’s creativity. If you’re nearby, take a moment to wander through, feel inspired, and appreciate our students’ talents.
Characters | Cast |
Ella Prince Ms Madrina Emperor of Veronia Middle Ella Middle Prince Stella The King Madame Bellington Andre Tiffany Bellington Rosie Bellington Mr Abernathy Mr Cloverbell Father Mother Princess of Veronia Innkeeper / Feature 2 / Feature 7 Mrs Cloverbell / Feature 1 Young Ella Young Prince Working Class Features | Annabelle Tay / Abygail Xiao Andrew Muggeridge / Joel Jayanthan Talulah Yarlett / Sasha Statkevitch Joel Jayanthan / Andrew Muggeridge Jisoo Jung / Megan Lien Aaron Kim / Leo Kehio Noemi Ziegenhardt Nathan Elbourne Ashley Mtungwazi Derek Qi Bethany Marshall Ella Ryan Noah Sires Steve Liu Sean Ortega Talulah Yarlett Margaret Gear Sera Oktanio Kay Lee Wong Adrianna Kho / Amy Elbourne Levi Presant / Oscar Kong Cast |
Feature 3 Feature 4 Feature 5 Feature 6 Social Climbers Features | Angela He Moses Yuen Annabel Russell Eunice Ng Cast |
Feature 8 Feature 9 Feature 10 (Lady Madeline) Feature 11 Feature 12 Feature 13 Feature 14 (Fernando) Ruling Class Features | Rose Statkevitch Megan Lien Ellie Chong Raene Kuy Elysha Letten Jisoo Jung Morgan Chung Cast |
Feature 15 Feature 16 Feature 17 Feature 18 Feature 19 | Jaime Castle Zac Gregor Charlie Wong Leo Kehio Olivia Voigt |
Working Class Ensemble | Evie Voigt, Johanna Gear, Charlotte Tam, Yvonne Xiao, Laurynn Nankoo, Maia Yarlett, Sophia Liu, Ada Chen, Asher Martinez, Sophie Tai Kie, Rinah Choi, Isla McMahon, Caleb Mongwe, Erin Bird, Anna Weldon, Anushka Anand, Gloria Tay |
Social Climbers Ensemble | Samantha Ortega, Edric Htun, Moses Kuy, Isabella Tran, Sophia Feng, Olivia Feng, Cassia Letten, Raquel Thor, Bethany Wang, Bernice Lam, Shenali Kalpage |
Ruling Class Ensemble | Aaron Kim, Hilary Chan, Calamus Chan, Nikisha Gunawardana, Adlyn Tan, Tanisha Vincent |
Music Box Ballerinas | Edha Karki, Nevindi Watawala, Mikayla Lim, Ella Ta |
Rehearsals are already well underway for our entire cast, with each rehearsal includes some singing, some dancing and some acting. We would love to say thank you to all of the members of our production team who are already working behind the scenes to help bring this show to life.
On Wednesday 25th March, our Unit ½ and ¾ Theatre Studies students had to opportunity to see 'Westgate'; a haunting and compassionate retelling of Australia’s worst industrial disaster — the West Gate Bridge collapse of 1970 by Dennis McIntosh.
The group attended a pre-show talk and a post show Q&A, to assist them in developing their understanding of the theatre styles and choices made by the creative team. Students said that the show was "thrilling", "eye opening" and "culturally informative" and that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
These kinds of opportunities to see live theatre are an invaluable part of our students’ theatre education, allowing student to deepen their understanding of the subject and experience professional theatre in action.
Blessings,
Welcome to a musical 2026!
It has been a wonderful start to the year at St Andrews! Our rehearsals are officially in full swing as we use our creative gifts to honour God. It is a joy to see students from Prep through Year 12 already engaging so passionately with their music. Our diverse ensembles including Wind, Jazz, Strings, Vocal, and Worship are rehearsing weekly and making great progress!
The St Andrews Performing Arts Department is thrilled to invite our community to a spectacular evening of rhythm, soul, and improvisation at the inaugural Jazz Night, held at the Knox Community Arts Centre on Monday, April 27th.
This concert also serves as the official "Going Away" showcase for our dedicated ensembles as they prepare to head off to the prestigious Generations in Jazz festival. Our students have been working tirelessly to refine their programs, and this is your chance to hear the sets they’ll be taking to the national stage.
The night will feature a diverse lineup of our school's contemporary music ensembles featuring performances from: Junior Jazz Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Harmonium, Euphonix and the Small Vocal Ensemble.
Event Details
For any questions regarding tuition or joining an ensemble, please contact us at music@standrews.vic.edu.au.
Blessings,
It has been an outstanding start to Primary Sport this year, with Term 1 filled with our incredible swimmers working hard to represent St Andrews and glorify God through their gifts and talents.
In the SSV (School Sport Victoria) competitions, we were proud to be crowned Wantirna District Champions, with four students receiving Age Group Champion awards. From there, 18 students progressed from the Knox Division competition to the Eastern Metropolitan Regional (EMR) level, qualifying by placing 1st or 2nd in their events. We are excited to see them compete at EMR at the end of the term.
We were also thrilled to place 3rd in A Division at the CSEN Swimming Championships. Highlights included winning the U/10 and U/11 Girls Age Group Champion titles, and an exceptional performance from Isla Wang (U/11), who was awarded “Queen of the Pool” across all age groups in the A Division. Isla also broke two CSEN records in the 50m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke.
Another standout achievement was the breaking of five CSEN records on the day, including our U/10 Freestyle relay team, who broke their record for the second consecutive year. Overall, the team brought home an impressive medal tally of 8 gold, 10 silver, and 8 bronze medals.
We are incredibly privileged at St Andrews to have such dedicated and talented swimmers who compete with determination, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship. I would like to congratulate all students who have been part of our 2026 swimming teams—you have represented St Andrews with great heart and passion.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to our parent volunteers for their time, support, and encouragement at our swimming events. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive parent community.
Our students delivered an outstanding performance at the CSEN Secondary Swimming Championships, finishing 2nd overall in our division—a fantastic achievement. A special mention goes to our standout swimmers, Grace Dou and Samuel Ng, who dominated the pool with exceptional results.
Grace claimed 1st place in the 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, and 50m Breaststroke.
Samuel secured 1st place in the 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, and 50m Breaststroke.
In recognition of their incredible efforts, they were deservedly crowned Queen and King of the Pool!
Our VCE Rally Day was a fantastic success, with more than 80 students proudly representing the school across a wide range of sports. It was an exciting and competitive day, highlighted by the outstanding achievement of three teams who won their Division 1 competitions: Boys Tennis, Girls Beach Volleyball, and Girls Golf.
Throughout the day, our students displayed excellent sportsmanship, teamwork, and determination. They competed with enthusiasm and integrity, consistently reflecting the values of our school. It was especially encouraging to see students not only striving for excellence in their sport, but also glorifying God through their actions, supporting one another, playing fairly, and representing the school with pride.
We had a fantastic day at our House Swimming Carnival on Wednesday March 4! From fun dress-ups and plenty of laughs to some very competitive races and water polo in the pool, it was a great display of house spirit and community. Congratulations to Deakin House for taking out the overall win!
Our 2026 Nepal mission trip with Transform the Nations was a truly life-changing experience for those of us were given the privilege to go.
A group of 9 students and two staff had the privilege of travelling to Nepal, where we engaged in service, cultural exchange, and meaningful connection with local communities.
Throughout the trip, students participated in a range of activities including visiting villages of the outcast Bardi peoples and interacting with the village children, assisting with community projects at the hostel, and encouraging local families in the villages and shops in Kathmandu. These experiences allowed students to step outside their comfort zones and develop a deeper understanding of global perspectives, gratitude, and compassion.
One of the most impactful aspects of the trip was the opportunity to build relationships with people from another culture. Despite language and cultural differences, our students formed genuine connections through shared activities, laughter, and kindness. It was inspiring to see their confidence grow as they embraced new challenges and demonstrated resilience in unfamiliar environments.
The partnership with Transform the Nations provided a well-structured and supportive framework, ensuring that our efforts were both respectful and sustainable. Students were guided to serve with humility, learning the importance of listening and understanding the needs of the community rather than imposing solutions.
Beyond the practical work, the trip was also a powerful time of personal reflection and growth. Many students returned with a renewed sense of purpose, a greater appreciation for what they have, and a desire to continue serving others in their everyday lives.
We are incredibly proud of the way our students represented the school—with enthusiasm, respect, and a genuine heart for service. This Nepal mission trip will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, not only on the communities we visited, but also on each student who took part.
We are currently taking expressions of interest from the current Year 10 and 11 students for the Nepal Mission Trip 2027 leaving on the 15th January and returning on the 26th January.
It is based on an application process to see their eligibility. Please prayerfully consider if you would send your children to be part of this journey.
Thank you for all your support, prayers and encouragement.
In 2025, it was decided that the Primary and Secondary Libraries should merge into one space. A variety of plans and layouts were considered to make the best possible use of the space. The library now has a fresh look.
This space includes a wonderful area for library classes. In addition to the library classes, students in Years 7 and 8 have the opportunity to come in and read during an English lesson, once a fortnight. This time helps students to work towards meeting the requirements for the Victorian Premier’s reading Challenge (VPRC) which runs annually from March to September.
The library is open to Years 4 to 12 during recess and lunch and is often very busy. Students have a choice of seating, from cushions to sit on the floor to curved comfortable seating to tall stools. They also have plenty of spaces in which to read, study or chat. Students can also play chess or do craft activities.
Thank you to everyone who has helped with the setting up.
What a wonderful Open Day we shared on Thursday, 26 March! Despite a touch of rain, we thank God for the mostly beautiful weather and the opportunity to warmly welcome so many visitors to our College.
Our students did an outstanding job leading tours, truly reflecting who we are and living out our core values with confidence and grace. It was a joy to showcase our facilities, our community, and most importantly, our Christ-centred education.
Thank you to everyone who made the day such a success!
We are delighted to share the wonderful achievement of Year 5C student, Lucia Tang, who recently contributed to a significant Victorian community event.
Following a highly competitive selection process, Lucia was invited to perform in a string ensemble with the Cloud Concert Youth Orchestra at the Year of the Horse – Premier’s Celebration Gala 2026. The event, held at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park on Sunday, 15 February, was organised by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and brought together distinguished guests from across the state.
Performing at such a prestigious event was a memorable and enriching experience for Lucia, who proudly represented St Andrews Christian College. A highlight of the evening included the opportunity to meet and be photographed with key community leaders, including:
Taking the stage at a world-class venue in front of Victoria’s leaders was an invaluable opportunity and reflects Lucia’s dedication to her musical pursuits. Her achievement is a testament to both her commitment and the strong musical foundation nurtured at St Andrews.
We congratulate Lucia on this outstanding accomplishment and look forward to seeing her continue to grow and shine in her musical journey.
A friendly reminder that we would love for you to join us in praising and thanking God and praying for the College.
(Please note that in-person meetings are now on THURSDAY mornings at 9:00am.)
The meetings are usually held at these times:
For more information, you can contact our College Chaplain, Rev Warwick Grant at wgrant@standrews.vic.edu.au or our Registrar Suzy Song at the College office.
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