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Welcome to our Term 3 Newsletter and I hope it provides you with valuable and insightful reading in which we share many of the positive things that have been happening in the life of the College throughout the term.
It was a great delight to be able to share with our community about the news of the College intending on purchasing additional land with the view to commence an additional campus in 2030. The feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive about this news, and I view this as confirmation of the College Board and Executive Leadership team stepping out in faith in following God’s calling for us to grow His kingdom through Christian education. Since communicating this news in July, we have continued to make positive progress toward enacting our plans. With this in mind, allow me to use this newsletter as an opportunity to provide an update on the progress of this exciting news. To provide some structure to this, I will share with families what work has been done over the past 12 months, where we are currently positioned and what the coming years ahead look like as we plan the commencement of an additional campus in 2030.
In June 2025, the College commenced initial conversations with the leadership of Canterbury Gardens Community Church to explore the viability of purchasing a portion of their existing site. For several decades, the Church has intentionally kept a large portion of their site free from development in acknowledgment that they wish to remain open and faithful to how God may plan for them to utilise their site. Over the subsequent months, the College Board and Executive Leadership team assessed the viability of the site being suitable for an additional campus. Despite the College having moved sites several times in the past 43 years of its existence, we well and truly have our roots deeply planted at our Wantirna South site and intend on continuing to operate as a Prep – Year 12 school at Wantirna South. There are no plans to change how our Primary school operates at Wantirna South, and we can guarantee all current and future Primary families that the Wantirna South site will remain a Primary and Secondary campus. However the College has felt called to grow and expand in the form of additional campuses, and this has been one of our long-term goals according to our Towards 2040 strategy. In the latter part of 2025, the College conducted several tasks as a part of our due diligence process, including demographic analysis, draft subdivision plans, assessing vegetation and planning overlays and some test works in accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act. Our due diligence combined with much prayer led to us believing this would be best used as a site for a Primary campus in additional to our Primary school at the Wantirna South campus. Following these checkpoints, the Canterbury Gardens Community Church have conducted a thorough consultation process with their congregation to inform them of the proposed changes to their site and also providing the congregation with the opportunity to meet with myself and Board Chair James Bligh. This has been a very positive experience, and it has been inspiring to see the interest and support for the possibility of the College purchasing a portion of the site to build an additional campus. A congregational vote took place in August in which there was an overwhelmingly positive vote to approve the subdivision and sale of a section of the site to the College.
Our focus now turns to actioning the steps required to apply and attain a plan of subdivision and planning permit to build and operate a school. We will be working with our town planners, architects and property consultants to prepare the required documentation for this process, and we anticipate this process will take approximately 12 months before titles and approvals will be issued. Once approvals, titles and permits are in place, we hope to commence construction in 2028/29 in preparation for commencement as a campus in 2030.
In the coming weeks and months, we will be providing existing and prospective families with further information and FAQ’s via our College website. Expressions of interest will soon be made available for families who are interested in enrolling their child at the Kilsyth South Campus. As mentioned in my initial communication on the 24th July and also as a part of this newsletter article, I wish to reemphasise and reassure all families that we will continue our commitment to a positive and thriving Primary school at our Wantirna South campus; for those who have a child enrolled in the Primary school at our Wantirna South campus or are due to commence in the coming years at Wantirna South; this will remain the same. Our Kilsyth South campus will instead provide an additional campus and opportunity for future families who desire a Christian education at St Andrews Christian College.
I would again like to thank our families and community for their support and positive feedback regarding this exciting news; we truly feel God’s calling to pursue this opportunity to open an additional campus, and we remain prayerful in faithfully pursuing this opportunity whilst ensuring that God is at the centre of all that we do and that it is Him who gets the glory.
Yours faithfully,
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:
In the Term 1 Newsletter, we looked at the first stage of the Gradual Release of Responsibility model: Focussed Instruction – “I Do It” where the teacher takes the lead in introducing new knowledge and skills. We explored the elements of: Starting with Clear Goals, Keeping it Focussed, Learning by Watching an Expert Think and Setting the Stage for What Comes Next. In the Term 2 Newsletter, we looked at the second stage of the model: Guided Instruction – “We Do It” where the teacher begins to step back a little, and invites students to start practising new skills with carefully targeted support. Rather than simply watching and listening, students now begin to have a go, while the teacher remains close by to guide, prompt, and redirect as needed. We explored the elements of building the Bridge between Modelling and Independence, Meeting Students Where The Are and Building Confidence and Independence.
This term I want to look at the third stage of the model: Collaborative Learning – “You Do It Together.”
Once students have been introduced to new content and practised it with teacher support, they are ready for the next step in the Gradual Release of Responsibility model: Collaborative Learning. This is the stage where students begin working with their peers to apply and extend their learning, with the teacher stepping back further while still remaining available to monitor and support.
Collaborative Learning is far more than students simply sitting together in groups. It involves purposeful, structured tasks where students discuss ideas, solve problems, and refine their thinking alongside classmates. Educational researcher Barak Rosenshine identified this kind of peer learning as a valuable feature of effective classrooms, noting that students often achieve more when they have the chance to explain material to one another and receive feedback from someone other than the teacher. Other research by Lev Vygotsky showed that children learn more, and think at a higher level, when they work through problems together rather than alone. Explaining a concept to a peer, comparing approaches, or working through a task as a small group all require students to organise and articulate their understanding in their own words; a process that deepens learning in ways that listening alone cannot.
This stage sits between Guided Instruction and Independent Learning. Students are still supported by clear expectations and structures, but they are now responsible for applying skills without the teacher guiding every step. This gentle stretch gives students the chance to test their understanding and build the confidence needed to eventually work things out on their own.
Collaborative Learning is where our College Learner Attribute of Relating truly comes to life – communicating clearly, listening actively, working well in a team, and understanding different perspectives. It also calls on Developing, as students stay curious, reason together, and make connections between ideas, and on Managing, as they plan their contribution, stay focused, and persevere through the challenges of shared work. Beyond these, students build a broader set of collaborative skills: negotiating and compromising when ideas differ, giving and receiving constructive feedback, sharing responsibility for a group’s success and learning to lead in one moment and support in the next. These skills are linked to stronger academic achievement, improved self-esteem, better peer relationships and more confident communication. At St Andrews Christian College, we see stage of Collaborative Learning as forming students who can learn effectively and work well with others; reflecting our commitment to educating the whole child within a community of learners.
Collaborative Learning is, in many ways, the final rehearsal before students step out fully on their own. Working alongside peers allows students to test ideas, hear different ways of approaching a problem, and correct misunderstandings in a low-stakes setting before they are asked to apply a skill entirely by themselves. It also gives them practice in some of the very habits that independent learning demands: taking ownership of a task, managing their own thinking, and persevering when something is difficult, but with the reassurance of peer support close at hand. Over time, the confidence and competence built through this shared practice transfers into genuine independence, as students internalise not only the skill itself but the thinking and self-management strategies that go with it.
Next term, I look forward to sharing more about the final stage of the model: Independent Learning – “You Do It Alone”.
This season the STACC robotics teams have taken on some of the best VEX Robotics Programs from around Victoria. In August we hosted a regional event, and our MPH was filled with activity and was a great day of competition, problem solving and fun, culminating for some of our teams in exhilarating finals games.
All our teams have competed very well this season, showing resilience, intelligence, teamwork, enthusiasm and an impressive drive to excel. Fielding ten competitive teams in 2026 has led to STACC teams winning multiple Skills Champion awards and Tournament Victory awards as we head towards the State Championships next term and then National Championships in Adelaide in December. Look for our teams to fly high this season as the play the VEX V5 game “Override” and the VEX IQ game “Level Up” with robots that are faster and stronger than the competition. Our students are to be congratulated for becoming so proficient at this engineering enterprise, building effective VEX Robotics is a non-simple activity and takes a lot of time, effort and intelligence from all involved.
Thank you to all staff and parent who have supported the program and to our VEX staff team, Bryn Hickling, Fiona Dybronski, and Gary Ong who have worked so hard preparing these teams and supporting them at competitions.
Students who achieved a High Distinction (top 2 %) or Distinction (top 15%) in the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) Competition were recognised in their section assembly.
Primary (Year 5 &6): 6 distinctions and 1 High Distinction
Secondary (Year 7 to 9): 9 Distinctions and 2 High Distinctions
This term has seen many of our Year 2 to 11 students participate in various academic competitions. AMC, ICAS, Science and Maths Olympiads and ACER Advance Awards. Many students sat multiple competitions across a range of subject areas, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements in assembly next term.
Selected students from Year 4 to 6 have had the chance to investigate issues in our community and run a 6-step problem-solving process to come up with an action plan to solve the issue.
Week 9 of term was Enrichment Week across the Primary School. Students had a lot of fun investigation “Fearful and Wonderful Creations” through the lenses of mathematics and science. They were able to engage in a range of workshops throughout the week:
As part of E3 Week, we once again enjoyed a visit from Ryan Evans (Lego Masters) and students had a chance to put their creativity to the test with various challenges across the year levels, from creating “funimals” & wearables in Year 1 and 2; ziplines and bridges in Years 3 & 4; to cars and cantilevers in Years 5 & 6.
Our Primary students have continued to explore Mathematics through hands-on, real-world experiences, discovering the joy of learning, collaborating, problem-solving and achieving together.
Our Year 1 students explored positional language and ordinal numbers through fun and engaging lessons. Together they were able to use clues to solve who won the Ocean Olympics, move and groove with Mr Abenathy, and give directions to move soft toys around a grid.
Year 2 students explored Money Matters, identifying Australian money and investigating its value. They “earned and added” Maths Hub dollars before visiting the Maths Hub Café to “spend and subtract”, bringing their learning to life in a fun and practical way.
Year 3 students worked collaboratively to research, design and construct a range of community building from 3D shape nets. Earlier in the term, they investigated and graphed gold medals won at the Commonwealth Games. Students considered why larger and smaller Commonwealth countries might have different medal tallies, making meaningful connections between Maths and the real world.
A team of our Year 4 students became true multiplication and division superstars! Through collaboration, strategy and practice, students worked together to solve and order multiplication and division cards as quickly and accurately as possible. The challenge was about much more than mathematical fluency. Students learned to listen to one another, record results and ideas, encourage their teammates, p+ractise at home and recognise the strengths each person brought to the team. With an ambitious goal of improving their initial time of 3 minutes and 20 seconds down to 1 minutes, the team worked together over two weeks to achieve an incredible 47 seconds! Amazing teamwork, Year 4 superstars!
Well done to all of our magnificent mathematicians this term! Keep up the great work and remember “More Maths, More Fun!”
Learning Support is often a hive of activity, with students actively practising phonograms and developing their reading comprehension skills, Learning Assistants preparing resources or lessons, speech pathologists sharing their expertise, and Friendship Place bustling with students during lunchtime.
This term, we hosted an ASD Parent Support Group meeting focused on understanding behaviour as a form of communication. Together, we explored how behaviours can present differently in children and young people on the autism spectrum and discussed what these behaviours may reveal about a child's needs, emotions, and experiences. Parents were encouraged to consider practical strategies for responding with empathy, understanding, and support.
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 18 November at 9:15 am at the Taste & See Café.
The primary purpose of the group is to provide parents with an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and support one another in the journey of raising a child with autism. Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to seeing both familiar and new faces at our next gathering
During Learning Assistant Appreciation Week, we took the opportunity to recognise and celebrate our Learning Assistants with a special morning tea. Staff shared notes of appreciation and thanks, and each Learning Assistant received a small gift as a token of our gratitude.
We are fortunate to have 18 dedicated Learning Assistants serving across the school. Their encouragement, flexibility, and support help students thrive and enable teachers to meet the diverse needs of our learners. We are deeply thankful for the important role they play in our school community.
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
Some of our highlights have included 100 Days of Prep, Athletics Day and Book Week with our annual reading picnics and a dress-up parade. This year we enjoyed Christian author, Coral Vass who shared a story, Jorn’s Magnificent Imagination. Students were inspired to use their own God given creativity to design and explore. As part of our Book Week celebration, we hosted the Scholastic Book Fair raising just over $800 for new library books! We are grateful to all the staff who dressed up and read stories for the reading picnics. A huge thank you to all families that supported the Book fair and the parade in the morning-what a joyous way to celebrate literacy and a love of reading.
Our Year 5s recently went on camp to Adekate Ballarat experiencing the excitement of the gold fields. Students learned about this period in time and influential people that shaped history. They were also challenged with activities including the flying fox and leap of faith. Camps provide rich learning opportunities for students to grow academically, socially and emotionally and we are proud that all students engaged so well. Next term it will be our Year 3 and Year 4 turn to venture out for a couple of nights.
Further to these highlights, we have also enjoyed some amazing Assemblies from Year 3 and Year 2. Both shared beautifully on the theme, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and the scripture Psalm 139:14:
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
It was touching to hear our students sing so beautifully and a reminder of the blessing it is to be a part of a Christian school community where we can shine the light of Jesus in all that we do.
In the final weeks of the term Primary extended their learning of with Enrichment Week. This semester our focus was on the sciences and mathematics. Teachers prepared a range of activities to challenge students and prompted them to think about God’s wonderful creation and our unique relationship with our creator God. I can’t wait to see what they create!
Blessings,
We had a wonderful week celebrating the joy and magic of reading at St Andrews in August! Our Primary students brought their favourite book characters to life for our Book Week Parade, enjoyed relaxing Reading Picnics, and were inspired by author Carol Vass, who shared her journey and passion for storytelling.
Thank you to our staff and teachers for sharing their favourite stories, and congratulations to Amy and Jasper for winning Best Costume, as well as to our colouring competition winners!
What a fantastic celebration of stories, imagination and a love of reading!
This term was full of celebrations, but an important milestone was achieved; we made it to 100 days at school! Preps were suddenly turned into 100 year olds with all their grey hair, glasses, wrinkles and walking sticks galore. We celebrated the day with making 100 bead necklaces, counting to 100, and ended it with an afternoon tea of 100s and 1000s sprinkles fairy bread, and “100 veggies”. We thank God for the wonderful growth we’ve made at school and pray for lots more learning and fun in our school year.
In Term 3, the Grade 1 students worked hard to put on a show: learning lines and action in Drama, and practising singing and dancing in Music. They made costumes and props, and experienced performing under lights and with a set. Rehearsal over the term enabled students to practise collaboration, focus and dedication towards a common goal. Their performance of ‘The Little Red Hen’ for a wonderful and enthusiastic audience shared the story of animals who learn, ‘If we all get to work, we can all make something good!’
We had a wonderful time during our art incursion! The Year 1 children enjoyed getting creative as they designed and made their very own puppets. They used a variety of materials, colours and textures to bring their ideas to life. It was lovely to see their creativity, imagination and individuality shine through as they proudly created their unique puppets. Well done, Year 1!
A highlight for Year 2 this term was our visit to Scienceworks. We have been learning about Gods amazing creation of our universe and our place in it. It was wonderful to explore and learn about our night sky, the stars, constellations and how earth looks from outer space. We went on an adventure to Mars and explored the "Red Planet". Lots of fun and experimenting happened as we learnt about how technology has changed over time, ways to help look after our bodies with food and exercise. Much fun was had by all!!
Year 3 students enjoyed a wonderful morning getting dressed up in their favourite book character for Book Week! A highlight was listening to stories at our reading picnic!
Our Year 4 students had a fantastic time playing each other’s First Fleet board games, which they had designed and created themselves. As they played, they were required to answer questions about the First Fleet, giving them a fun and engaging way to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the topic. I was incredibly impressed by the creativity, effort and high quality of the board games they created, as well as the pride they showed in sharing their work with their classmates.
This term, Grade 5 students had the opportunity to participate in an exciting reptile incursion. Students learned about Victoria's unique native wildlife and met a variety of animals, including shingleback lizards, sugar gliders, eastern long-necked turtles, and more. The hands-on experience helped students develop a greater appreciation for Australia's fascinating fauna and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
On Thursday 3rd September, our Year 6 students enjoyed a wonderful excursion to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
During our tour, we learned about the fascinating history of the MCG and some of the major sporting and cultural events that have been held there. Students had the exciting opportunity to explore areas that are usually behind the scenes, including the players’ warm-up rooms and the press room.
A special highlight of the day was meeting Jenny Donnet, a four-time Australian Olympic diver who also had the honour of being an Australian flag bearer. It was inspiring to hear about her experiences and achievements as an Olympian.
Students also explored the Australian Sports Museum and enjoyed Game On, the interactive sports area, where they had the opportunity to participate in a range of fun, hands-on sporting activities.
It was a fantastic day filled with learning, excitement and wonderful memories. We thank God for the opportunity to spend this special time together and for keeping us safe throughout our excursion.
One of the great privileges of working at St Andrews is seeing students learn and grow through experiences that extend beyond the classroom.
I try to see each of the camps that happen at Secondary, and this year I was able to join our Central Australia Camp for Year 9 students. This camp provided the opportunity to see students’ learning, offering students a chance to engage with new environments, challenge themselves, and develop important life skills in ways that simply cannot be replicated at school.
As we journeyed through the heart of Australia, we were surrounded by landscapes of extraordinary beauty and significance such as Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Nitmiluk Gorge. Yet while the places we visited were remarkable, it was the growth I observed in our students that stood out most.
One of the greatest joys of the camp was seeing young people step outside their comfort zones and embrace new experiences. For some, this meant tackling the physical challenges of long walks and unfamiliar conditions. For others, it was engaging with different cultures, asking questions, trying something new such as Kangaroo tail (!) or simply adapting to life away from home. For some students it was the first time setting up, taking down and sleeping in tents. Time and again, I saw students demonstrate courage, resilience, and a willingness to embrace opportunities that initially felt challenging.
These experiences remind us why learning beyond the classroom is so valuable. While academic learning remains important, camps provide a unique environment where students develop qualities such as independence, teamwork, perseverance, and empathy. Some of the most important lessons learned on camp are not found in a textbook. Rather, they emerge through shared experiences, overcoming obstacles, supporting one another, and developing a better understanding of others’ perspectives. For teenagers this can be a particularly challenging lesson; to think about the needs of others before yourself, especially when sharing a tent for two weeks.
As a Christian school, we also recognise the value of providing opportunities for students to appreciate the wonder of God's creation and to reflect on their place within it. The vast landscapes of Central Australia encouraged moments of awe, gratitude, and reflection, enriching the experience for both students and staff alike. The videos and photos students took will hopefully be something they look back upon their time at St Andrews and remember with fondness. I hope the lessons they learned will stay with them forever.
The Central Australia Camp was far more than a trip away from school. It was an opportunity for personal growth, cultural learning, and the development of character. I am incredibly grateful to have shared this experience with our students and proud of the way they embraced every challenge and opportunity presented to them. The memories made, lessons learned, and confidence gained will undoubtedly remain with them long after the camp has ended. Thank you to the students and staff who attended and helped make the camp a meaningful success. And thanks to the parents who supported their child to be away from home and shared in the value that such a large camp provides.
Congratulations to St Andrews students Rose Statkevitch (Year 11) and Sasha Statkevitch (Year 9), who proudly represented Victoria at the 2026 Stephanie Boxall National Women’s Ice Hockey Championship back in July, helping their team claim the national title.
Representing your state at a national championship is an outstanding accomplishment, reflecting the countless hours of training, perseverance and dedication Rose and Sasha have invested in their sport. We are incredibly proud of both students and congratulate them on helping bring home gold for Victoria.
Well done, Rose and Sasha!
We have had a busy Term 3 with students continuing to demonstrate leadership, joy and enthusiasm in the many learning experiences that they have had.
Students have continued to enjoy and benefit from CREWS sessions with the Year 10 students on Wednesday mornings and the ‘Bored Games Club’ every Thursday afternoon and have enjoyed getting together for lunch and conversation every Monday afternoon at the Noodle Club.
They have also been challenged to set goals and look at developing healthy habits that will stand them in good stead against the challenges that they will experience from time to time. The Year 7s have also participated in their first Athletics event in Secondary School.
Earlier this term, the pastoral team ran some special sessions – one for the boys and one for the girls where we looked at the College verse of the year, Psalm 139:14 with excellent reminders on ‘being fearfully and wonderfully made’ for a purpose and recognising that our peers are also ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ and the importance of honouring God through our interactions with them.
Our students have also continue to grow from strength to strength and have now started to plan and lead Year 7 assemblies in their homerooms, starting with Mr Yong’s class this week. Needless to say, they had some very inspiring messages and also led the cohort in worship and devotion. We are also so proud of our students who have experienced success in VEX and have showed grit and hard work in their achievements.
As we come to the end of the term, the Year 7 Pastoral team and I take this opportunity to wish every student and family a safe term break. God bless you.
What a wonderful term it has been for our Year 8 students! Throughout the term, students have continued to grow not only as learners, but also as members of our school community.
A highlight has been seeing students take on opportunities to lead worship and share devotions during our cohort assemblies. These moments have provided students with opportunities to develop confidence, encourage one another and reflect on what it means to live out their faith in everyday life.
Our Year 8 students have also enthusiastically participated in the many events that make our school community special. From giving their best at the Athletics Carnival, to performing in and supporting the school production Midnight, and participating in the many music events held throughout the term, students have demonstrated commitment, enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.
It has also been wonderful to celebrate the character of our students through our Year 8 Shout Outs. Teachers have been nominating students who have demonstrated our character strengths, learner attributes and a commitment to serving others around the school. These nominations provide a valuable opportunity to recognise the many positive contributions students make each day—often in ways that may otherwise go unnoticed.
It has also been a joy to see students focused on their learning and working hard throughout the term. While there have certainly been challenges along the way, students have continued to develop their independence, perseverance, and responsibility as learners.
We are proud of the way our Year 8 students are growing and look forward to seeing them continue to learn, serve, lead, and grow as they journey through the final term of this year together.
Term 3 has been a season of remarkable experiences, personal growth and joyful community for our Year 9 students. Their extraordinary 12-day journey from Melbourne to Darwin took them through the heart of Central Australia, providing opportunities to step beyond the familiar, embrace new challenges and discover more about themselves, one another and God’s creation.
From the awe-inspiring landscapes of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon to the cultural experiences at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and Lilla Aboriginal Community, students developed a deeper appreciation of Australia’s natural and Indigenous heritage. Their journey through Alice Springs, the Western MacDonnell Ranges, Katherine and Kakadu National Park provided countless opportunities for exploration, learning and reflection.
Throughout the camp, students demonstrated resilience, independence and a willingness to embrace each new experience, while developing a greater appreciation for the beauty and diversity of God’s creation. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to develop their independence, strengthen their relationships and deepen their appreciation of the world around them.
As part of our Year 9 Humanities unit on Biomes and Food Security, students recently had the opportunity to take their learning beyond the classroom with a fieldwork excursion to Main Ridge Dairy
Students were welcomed to the working dairy farm, where they explored the realities of food production and some of the environmental and food security challenges faced by farmers. Students had the opportunity to speak with one of the farm managers, asking questions about food security, sustainable farming and their experiences working in the industry.
Students also spent time working in groups throughout the beautiful farm environment, collecting information and observations to support their Fieldwork Assessment. A highlight for many was getting up close with the farm's newest arrivals – the baby goats!
The excursion provided students with a valuable real-world perspective on the ideas explored throughout the unit and helped them connect classroom learning with the people, places and processes involved in food production.
Our Year 10 students enjoyed a memorable week at Mill Valley Ranch. Horse riding was a particular highlight, with students developing confidence, empathy, responsibility and trust through caring for and working with the horses. Bonfire MasterChef, archery, canoeing, mountain biking, crate climbing and low ropes activities further challenged students to demonstrate teamwork, perseverance and courage.
The Cowboy Chapel and daily devotions provided valuable opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences, strengthen their faith and recognise God’s presence throughout their journey. The week concluded with “St Andrews Got Talent”, celebrating the creativity, individuality and God-given gifts of our students.
This camp was a wonderful expression of our commitment to developing students who are courageous, resilient, compassionate and grounded in faith. We celebrate the way our Year 10 students embraced these opportunities, supported one another and grew together as a community.
As part of the Year 11 Business Management course, students undertook a practical business project where they put their classroom learning into action. This year, students worked through an ideation, research and planning process to develop their own business ideas and decide what products they would sell at school.
Across our four Market Days, five student-run businesses sold a range of products, including bubble tea, lolly bags, nachos, ice-cream sandwiches and chocolate-covered strawberries.
The students worked hard to develop, market and run their businesses, gaining valuable hands-on experience in areas such as product development, marketing, finance, customer service and business operations.
It was wonderful to see our school community get behind the Year 11 students and support their businesses. Together, the students made around $3,000 in profit as a class, with $1,290 donated to our Mission Service Learning Fund as ‘company tax’ from their earnings.
This project gave students the opportunity to experience the rewards and responsibilities of running a business, while using their success to make a positive impact beyond our school community.
Term 3 is an exciting time for Year 12 students to finalise their post-school plans, submit VTAC applications, and prepare for final exams.
To support our Year 12 students with their VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) applications and course selections, we organised a series of supportive events. On 10–11 June, students initiated the process by creating their accounts and completing their personal details. We then hosted a VTAC Information Evening on Thursday 6 August for students and parents, which outlined key dates, preference strategies, and the offer system. The process concluded on Friday 7 August with a hands-on workshop at school, where all students successfully finalised their applications.
An alternative way to enter university is to secure an early offer. We are thrilled to share that several Year 12 students received early offers to their chosen university courses. They can now relax and enjoy finishing Year 12 studies, knowing their spot is secure. Congratulations!
VCE Higher Education Studies challenge high-achieving students with university-level learning. Students complete two first-year university units during their Year 12 studies. Three students are completing university extension studies this year. Amy Zhu is studying Mathematics (Linear Algebra & Calculus) at The University of Melbourne, Jordan Lee - Criminology at Deakin University and Joshua Tan - Psychological Science at Deakin University. Congratulations to all three students on their outstanding Semester 1 results! We wish them continued success in Semester 2.
On Thursday, September 3, we welcomed representatives from Camp Coolamatong to the College during lunch. They connected with our Year 12 students to share exciting opportunities for leadership, volunteering, and post-school pathways. Camp Coolamatong also launched their upcoming Schoolies Camp. Running at the end of November, this camp offers a safe, fun, and deeply rewarding alternative for students looking to celebrate their graduation.
It has been a privilege to support students as they navigate their post-secondary options and build their educational and professional futures.
On 15 July, all staff gathered together once again for our final Visible Wellbeing professional development session where we learnt about the links between habits and goals, and our achievement and wellbeing. Habits and goals are inextricably linked, and as varied as we are as people, but have underlying psychological processes that we can refine to be more effective.
Additionally, strong habits and goals practices not only improve our achievement but also contribute to higher levels of wellbeing. After the Habits and Goals training module our staff have identified the ways they integrate habit formation and goal setting into their work with our young people.
As part of the module all staff were asked to consider setting their own “Everest” goals – big ambitious, energising goals that drive us to perform better … you might like to try setting one as a family! The Visible Wellbeing SEARCH Framework contains a good reminder to prioritise GODly habits in our lives. Reading the Word of God, praying continually, gathering in corporate worship at church, these are important to help us abide with Christ.
Our highest priority at St Andrews as a Christian faith community will always be to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Academic goals are good! But it is better to press on towards a heavenly goal, to pursue the One who empowers us and sustains us for the journey, Christ Jesus.
Throughout this year and ongoing, we will be sharing more insights and offering support to engage with the Visible Wellbeing SEARCH Framework as we begin to embed the practices in our teaching and learning. Aligning this knowledge with our Pedagogical Framework and Graduate Profile will further embed the strengths-focussed approach within our context. As parents, remember to complete your Strengths survey with the VIA Institute on Character to begin the conversation at home around your child's unique God shaped strengths.
Please reach out if you would like some more information about the Visible Wellbeing SEARCH Framework.
God Bless,
What a wonderful turnout for our recent "Building Healthy Friendships" Wellbeing Parent Information Session, with over 40 parents joining us! Led by our Primary School Counsellor, Chloe Tan, we had a great time of learning and discussion as we explored how parents can support children to develop healthy, respectful and positive friendships. We gained understanding that as parents we have vital roles in helping our children develop core foundational personable skills as they are not innate and are to be learnt through exposure, experience and repetition. We discussed social skills, communication, boundaries, conflict, empathy and how parents can either step in or step back when helping their child navigate friendship challenges with confidence and resilience.
Due to popular demand, the session has now been recorded and uploaded to our Wellbeing Parent Page. This means all parents can now access the presentation and recording at a time that suits them, even if they were unable to attend on the day.
Our next Wellbeing Parent Information Session will focus on “Helping Teens Thrive: Managing Stress, Study and Sleep”. This session will be run by our Secondary Counsellor, Melissa Kiernan and will explore practical strategies to help our young people establish healthy sleep routines, manage study demands, cope with stress and maintain their wellbeing throughout the school year.
We look forward to seeing you there!
What a wonderful way to finish a fantastic season of theatre!
After months of preparation and rehearsals, Midnight: The Cinderella Musical took to the stage at Burrinja Cultural Centre from 13–15 August 2026, with four memorable performances.
Congratulations to the incredible cast and crew! We’re so proud of the dedication, talent and teamwork they brought to the production, using their gifts to glorify God through the Performing Arts.
A huge thank you to our staff, volunteers and families for all the time, care and support behind the scenes, and to everyone who came along to support the show. We’re so grateful for the part each of you played in making this production such a success!
“Sing to Him a new song, play skillfully, and shout for joy.” (Psalm 33:3)
This term the Theatre classes have been out to see two wonderful productions, as part of their coursework. The VCE Unit 3 and 4 class attended Bell Shakespeare’s MacKenzie – “a camp, dark and unhinged retelling of Shakespeare’s MacBeth”, where the lead characters of MacBeth and Lady MacBeth are reimagined as a 13 year old 90’s pop princess and her ruthless stage Mum. The VCE Unit 1 and 2 class attended Six the musical, which explores the lives of the six wives of King Henry the eighth through the lens of a pop concert genre. The year 9 stagecraft class also attended Six as part of their studies into lighting, costume and sound design. It has been wonderful to see students engage so enthusiastically with these professional productions and gain a deeper appreciation of the creativity, collaboration and skill involved in bringing theatre to the stage
In Term 3, the Grade 1 students worked hard to put on a show: learning lines and action in Drama, and practising singing and dancing in Music. They made costumes and props, and experienced performing under lights and with a set. Rehearsal over the term enabled students to practise collaboration, focus and dedication towards a common goal. Their performance of ‘The Little Red Hen’ for a wonderful and enthusiastic audience shared the story of animals who learn, ‘If we all get to work, we can all make something good!’
During Term 3, students in both the Concert Band and Intermediate Band participated in dedicated intensive rehearsal days. These extended sessions provided a wonderful opportunity for the students to focus deeply on their repertoire, refine their overall musicality, and continue building a strong, supportive ensemble culture.
The Intermediate Band had a highly productive day working closely with their ensemble director, Nathaniel Jackson. We were also very fortunate to have Georgia Bailey attend to provide excellent additional support and guidance for the students.
The Concert Band intensive was brilliantly run by Georgia Bailey. A major highlight for these students was welcoming esteemed guest conductor Brian Hogg, who visited for the day to run several specialised sessions. His wealth of experience and expertise gave the band invaluable insights and a fresh perspective on their performance pieces.
Our music ensembles put in an exceptional effort this term at the Victorian Schools Music Festival, showcasing the depth and growth of our instrumental music program across multiple performance categories. We were immensely proud to have Pizzicato Strings, Arco Strings, Vivace Strings, Intermediate Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Junior Jazz Band all take to the stage to represent the college.
It was particularly fantastic to see our students hold their own and rise to the occasion, frequently competing in divisions against older and more experienced musicians. Their dedication during rehearsals truly translated into polished and expressive stage performances. A huge thank you goes out to all our instrumental teaching staff and ensemble directors for their tireless guidance, expertise, and commitment in preparing the students so thoroughly for this event.
Ensemble Results:
Our music program recently celebrated the culmination of a fantastic term of rehearsals with our Secondary and Primary Music Gala Concerts.
The Secondary Music Gala Concert marked a special milestone as it was held at the Karralyka Theatre for the very first time. The venue provided a wonderful and professional stage for the majority of our secondary music ensembles to showcase their hard work. For many of these groups, this concert served as their final performance together before students re-audition to commence their 2027 ensemble groupings in Term 4.
Our younger musicians also had their moment to shine during the Primary Music Gala Concert, which was held in the MPH. It was a brilliant evening filled with wonderful music, giving our primary students a fantastic opportunity to proudly present the ensemble pieces they have been refining throughout the term.
Putting on these large scale events requires a massive team effort. A sincere thank you goes to all the staff who generously volunteered their time to help organise and run both evenings. We also want to extend our gratitude to the PFA for their ongoing support, particularly for their invaluable assistance during the Primary Music Gala Concert.
Term 3 has been an exciting and action-packed season of sport at St Andrews, with our students embracing every opportunity to compete, grow, and represent the school with excellence. Across a range of events, we have seen outstanding performances, incredible teamwork, and a genuine sense of joy in participation.
Our term began with the highly anticipated St Andrews House Athletics Day, a vibrant celebration of energy, colour, and competition. Under beautiful sunny skies, our Year 3–6 students took to the track and field with enthusiasm, showcasing their skills in sprinting, jumping, and field events. The day was filled with cheering, encouragement, and outstanding sportsmanship.
A highlight of the carnival was the inaugural class vs class Tug of War, which brought plenty of laughter and excitement, alongside the thrilling circular relay events for both Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 students. These races created an electric atmosphere, with spectators on their feet cheering on their housemates. Congratulations to Barton House, who claimed a convincing overall victory, finishing well ahead of Parkes, with Deakin close behind.
Building on this momentum, our students went on to achieve fantastic success at the CSEN Primary Athletics Carnival, held at Lakeside Athletics Track in Albert Park. Competing against strong schools, our team delivered an exceptional performance, finishing 3rd overall in the B Division.
There were many standout team achievements on the day, with our Under 10 Girls finishing 1st, while the Under 9 Boys, Under 10 Boys, Under 13 Girls, and Under 13 Boys all secured impressive 2nd place finishes. It was a wonderful display of determination, resilience, and team spirit, with students performing strongly across both track and field events.
Outstanding Individual Achievements from CSEN Athletics:
Ava Wong and Eva Xu also impressed with their speed and determination, earning places in the 100m finals after strong performances in their heats.
The Secondary House Athletics Carnival was a fantastic day, with students getting involved, competing for their houses and earning valuable points across a range of events.
Well done to everyone on their great efforts throughout the day. Everyone should be proud of the way they participated, supported their house and gave their best effort. An additional congratulations to those who qualified for our CSEN Athletics Championships Event. A special congratulations to Deakin House for winning the overall competition!
Our sporting success continued through the SSV Summer Sports District Days, where our Year 5/6 cohort competed across two days in Tennis, Softball, Cricket, Rounders, and Volleyball against other schools in the Wantirna District. Students showed great adaptability and commitment across multiple sports.
We are thrilled to celebrate the success of our Boys A and Girls A teams, who both finished 1st and will progress to the Knox Division competition in Term 4. Our Girls B team also achieved an excellent 1st place finish, while our Girls Softball team placed 3rd, and our Mixed team earned a wildcard entry into the next stage of competition.
Across all events this term, our students have not only performed at a high level but have also demonstrated humility, encouragement, and integrity in the way they compete. It has been a joy to see them use their gifts and talents to honour God while representing St Andrews with pride.
We look forward to continuing this momentum into Term 4.
Earlier in the term, our Year 5/6 students also made their debut at the CSEN Netball Championships, with both the girls and boys teams achieving an outstanding result, finishing as bronze medallists. The girls team had a particularly strong tournament, losing just one match—against the eventual champions, whom they had previously defeated. Both teams demonstrated excellent teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship, marking a highly successful first appearance at the championships. We extend our sincere thanks to Mrs Gan for her dedication in preparing and coaching the teams throughout the term.
It has been a fantastic start to the semester for our sporting teams, with both or 7/8 and 9/10 teams recording some great wins and competition! It has been encouraging to see our student's displaying commitment, teamwork and perseverance as they represent our school on the sporting field and court.
Our VCE students also had the opportunity to participate in Term 3 VCE Rally Day, competing in Football 5s and Pickleball against students from other Christian schools.
It was a fun-filled day that provided students with the opportunity to compete, build friendships and have fun! Most importantly, it was wonderful to see our students demonstrating good sportsmanship and competing in a Christ-like way, showing respect, encouragement and humility throughout the day.
A special congratulations goes to Pia and Alana, who took out 1st place overall in Division 1 Pickleball! What a fantastic achievement!
We look forward to seeing our students continue to grow, compete and represent our school with pride throughout the remainder of the semester.
Four Secondary teams competed at the CSEN Netball Championship, enjoying a fun-filled day of netball and competition. All four teams did a fantastic job and made it through to the finals. Congratulations to all our students for their great efforts, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the day!
We had a wonderful week celebrating the joy and magic of reading at St Andrews!
Students in Years 4-6 looked at the shortlisted books in the Early Childhood category. They were then asked to apply the same criteria that the actual judges used to select the shortlisted books to declare a winner. The classes decided upon Derek by Anne Donaldson
The winner selected by the Children’s book Council of Australia was The Emperor’s egg by Rae Tan. And the honour books were Derek by Anne Donaldson and The Thing about Christmas by Jo Dabrowski.
During Book Week, students were able to buy books from the Scholastic Book Fair held in the meeting room in the library. As a result of this, over $800 was raised for library resources. Thank you to everyone who helped with this.
In conjunction with Science Week, the Library ran some ZOOM Trivia sessions for Primary students at lunchtime. These were hosted by CSIRO and covered such topics as amphibians, STEM in the Olympics and extreme environments.
The week concluded with a Book Week Parade, where our Primary students brought their favourite book characters to life, enjoyed relaxing Reading Picnics, and were inspired by author Carol Vass, who shared her journey and passion for storytelling.
Thank you to our staff and teachers for sharing their favourite stories, and congratulations to Amy and Jasper for winning Best Costume, as well as to our colouring competition winners!
What a fantastic celebration of stories, imagination and a love of reading!
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