Middle/Senior School Bulletin Issue 13 / 14 October 2016 Middle & Senior School News Every minute counts and we have certainly been making the most of every minute in the first two weeks of Term 4. For our Year 12 students, the term ahead will continue to unfold as perhaps one of their most memorable at St Andrews. As they transition into life after secondary schooling the focus will remain on ‘good living and good leaving’. The Formal, which was held at the Bond University last Saturday night, was the first in a series of celebrations and special events for our Year 12s and it was a pleasure to share the evening with these elegant, thoughtful and exemplary young people. Year 12s you are a credit to yourselves, your families and our College.
Inside and outside of scheduled classes, our students continue to be an inspiration and it is a privilege to support them as they seek ways to make a difference in our College and the wider community. With so many students and staff already involved in the All Schools State Touch titles, Futsal championships, our Annual Dance Night, exhibiting artwork at Energies, Arts Centre Gold Coast and Creative Generation, Redland Bay Art Gallery, the College has seen God’s blessings and His gifts in abundance. Next weekend senior students will be involved in our first Rosie’s Outreach night for Term 4.
Our Year 9 boys are in the middle of their Edge program and are currently on GOOGA camp. Parents of Year 9 students have certainly enjoyed the GOOGA blog as a means of keeping up to date with activities on camp. Thank you to Mr Christophe Tanguy for his stellar work in preparing the students and parents for The Edge and to Mr James Nelson and Mr Bob Grehan who are spending time with the boys at GOOGA.
teachers from St Andrews on panels. All other staff from P-10 will be engaged in meetings on this day. This will be a pupil free day for all students P-12. Mufti-Day – Tuesday 18 October Each term the College holds a mufti-day to raise funds in support of local, national or international charities. This term, our focus is on Cancer Awareness and all funds raised will go towards charities assisting families as they face the challenges of this disease. Mufti-Day will be held on Tuesday 18 October and students are encouraged to wear Yellow or Pink and to bring in a gold coin donation. Cultural Awards Night The Cultural Awards Night will be held in the Multi-Purpose Hall on Wednesday 19 October. This will be a great event and celebration of the Arts as well as a night to acknowledge the fine work of our students. Presentation Nights These are compulsory evenings for all students in Years 4-12. During the evenings we will acknowledge the work of our students throughout the year and celebrate who we are as a community. • • •
This week, Senior Geography students travelled to Murwillimbah to gather primary data to enable students to work on an assessment regarding food production. Our Senior German language students travelled to Ocktoberfest in Brisbane, where they learned more about this traditional German event and were exposed to the wider German community. A number of Years 9 & 10 female athletes were selected to attend the ACHPER Women in Sport Breakfast in Brisbane this week as recognition of their contribution and high achievement in sports related activities. The breakfast helps develop an understanding of pathways for young women in sport. Last week we celebrated World Staff Day on International World Teachers Day. St Andrews is a flourishing community and our staff, teaching and non-teaching, continue to go above and beyond to nurture and support the young people intrusted to our care. It is through their service each day and their role-modelling of our College values of faith, grace, growth, integrity, learning, personal best, community and service that our students continue to be afforded every opportunity to grow and develop their gifts. A Few Important Reminders: Moderation Day - Pupil Free Day - Monday 17 October Teachers around the state will be moderating Year 12 student work on Monday 17 October. We have a large number of
Senior School (Years 10-12) Wednesday 16 November 2016 at 6.30pm to be held in the Theatre at Jupiters. Junior School (Years 4-6) Monday 28 November 2016 at 6.30pm in the Multi-Purpose Hall at St Andrews Lutheran College. Middle School (Years 7-9) Wednesday 30 November 2016 at 6.30pm in the Multi-Purpose Hall at St Andrews Lutheran College.
Year 12 parents should have received information regarding booking seats at Jupiters Theatre, Gold Coast. All other seating for parents will be done on arrival and students will sit with their teachers. Valedictory Dinner The Valedictory Dinner and presentation of diplomas will be held at Bond University 6.30pm Thursday 17 November. Invitations and seat booking information were mailed home this week. Students are asked to wear their formal school uniform on this occasion. End of Term Dates Year 12 Last Day Our Year 12 students finish school on Friday 18 November with a farewell chapel starting at 8.50am in the Worship Centre. Year 12 parents are welcome to attend this service. Students in Years 10 and 11 will be finishing the school year on Tuesday 29 November. Years 7-9 students finish on Friday 2 December. As you can see we have a very busy term ahead and we look forward to continuing to celebrate your child/ren and their learning over these very important events. Please contact me should I be able to offer any assistance in the days ahead. Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School
Chaplains Chat Psalm 104 Praise the Lord, my soul! O Lord, my God, how great you are! You are clothed with majesty and glory; you cover yourself with light. The last weekend before we came back to school was the ultimate ‘footy weekend’. Both the AFL and NRL finals were absolute crackerjack games. For those of us not quite up on AFL the Saturday game involved the Sydney Swans who were playing in their second grand final in three years, and the Western Bulldogs who hadn’t played in a Grand Final since 1961. This along with the fact that the Bulldogs have had a number of club crises down through the years that have seen the club nearly fold, meant that they were the team everyone was supporting except for Sydney supporters. Ultimately, the Bulldogs won magnificently after an incredibly tight, tough game, with only one point separating the teams with 11 minutes to play. Needless to say there was an incredible celebration at the full-time siren. The conduct of the Bulldogs coach brought further acclamation and praise from all who were watching as he gave his medal to the injured captain who hadn’t play since April. It was one of those great moments in sport. That evening I shared the devotional thought set down for October 1 with my younger son and it said this - “When your favourite team wins the championship you cheer, don’t you? Why? Because your team has beaten everyone else and deserves your applause. This is also why you should worship God. God is amazing and loves you no matter what, so he deserves your praise and worship. He doesn’t have to love you but he chooses to……”. (One minute devotions for Boys, Jayce O’Neal) It can be difficult to praise our God. At times it may seem He isn’t doing much, or He has gone missing but thankfully, as we look with eyes of faith we are blessed to see Him through all He does. We see how powerful and creative He is through the wonder of creation from the tiniest, ornate creatures to the grandeur of the universe. We experience His goodness and care as we are privileged to reside in relative safety in one of the most beautiful, liveable parts of the world. Most importantly, we see His great love for us through the life, death and resurrection of His Son Christ. This event displays God’s incomprehensible commitment to all of humanity. Even a small understanding of who God is and all He has done and continues to do leads us to respond in acclamation and celebration, just as some of us did on the weekend for our football champions. May all of us be blessed with the faith and understanding to praise the One from whom all goodness, beauty and love emanates. Graeme Schache Chaplain
Middle School News The Edge As this article is published our Year 9 boys are nearing the completion of the Googa component of The Edge. Our girls will be preparing to leave in the coming week. This program is designed to challenge students across a range of fields – from service in the community to a range of outdoor experiences. I always enjoy watching our Year 9s alight from the bus following their time at Googa. Invariably they stand a little straighter, stare a little more confidently. How we allow them to build upon these experiences in their time back at the College is critically important in how much the program impacts upon their progression as young adults. In the years since the program was instituted at the College it has become a landmark feature in a student’s journey through their schooling. I hope that students reflect upon their time in the program with a positive mindset toward the opportunities in front of them. Additionally, enormous thanks must go to Mr Christophe Tanguy for the tireless work he does in preparing and organising this extensive part of the College’s offerings. Electives 2017 In the coming weeks all students will receive indication of the elective subjects that they have been allocated for 2017. There is generally a couple of weeks following those notices in which movements are made between subjects or students review changes. Please understand that it is not possible for all students to receive their first preferences but the College’s move to an online selection process in 2015 has resulted in a significant increase in higher preference allocation than the previous manual systems. As always please contact me should you wish to discuss anything further tomc@salc.qld.edu.au Tom Casey Head of Middle School
Student Development Out of your comfort zone Lutheran Education maintains a strong commitment to Outdoor Education across its schools. We consider it integral to personal, social and spiritual development. For most of our students there is the experience of the unfamiliar and being outside of their comfort zone. We plan for and teach students skills to deal with anxieties, home sickness, the importance of making valued decisions whilst under pressure. Key outcomes our students derive from these experiences relate to ‘Growing in Community’, ‘Perseverence’, ‘Taking responsibility for self and others’ and ‘Showing initiative.’ We support students with preparation and reflection, such that they make sense of and grow from these rich experiences
and regularly are affirmed that these and other outcomes continue to be beneficial for our students. • One challenge we may experience, either as parents or teachers, is to be clear and committed to the benefits young people experience when they working through new, difficult and unfamiliar situations. As parents we may seek opportunity to ‘soften’ or ‘withdraw’ our children from difficult experiences, but are regularly encouraged by schools and psychologists to help students with skills and provide them opportunities for difficulty in order that they grow, challenge such that they overcome adversity, build strength through perseverance and understand their own resilience and ability. I thank the current Year 9 parents for their commitment to the Googa program and am pleased to see how the students are growing through the experience. Another challenge for us as parents is how we role model dealing with adversity, reflective practise, extending ourselves beyond our comfort zone in order to show by example and discuss our experience with our children. To be out in the experience with the students reminds me of the opportunity we can take as adults to take up this challenge for the sake of our wellbeing, growth and the young people who watch and learn from us. James Nelson Director of Student Development
Senior School News Flourishing in the Senior School A Fast and Furious Term While it is a short term it is also very busy and Week 1 proved that beyond doubt with the Queensland All School Touch Carnival, Dance Night, World Staff Day, Art Excursion, Art Exhibition, Presentation Night Rehearsals and the Year 12 Senior Formal. Wow! Of course this term our Year 12’s take centre stage as they countdown the last 30 days of their secondary education. While this is a time of celebration, reflection and gratitude, it is also extremely important that each Year 12 student use every opportunity they can to complete their final assessments and exams to the best of the ability. Now is not the time to sit back and relax and the final pieces of assessment, exams or assignments, can have a very significant impact on improving those final grades or the opposite. Unfortunately, we continue to have concerns with the inappropriate use of social media and I urge parents to continue have discussions with their child/ren around the use of social media and the responsibility we each have to ensure that it is used correctly, safely and within the confines of the law. Congratulations to: • All of the 2016 Year 12’s who were a credit to their parents, the College and themselves last Saturday night at the formal. They behaved impeccably, were gracious and fine ambassadors of our College. It was no surprise to me that the staff at Bond went out of their way to congratulate the 12’s as they left. Thanks to Mrs Wash-
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ington and the Formal Committee for organising such a wonderful rite of passage for our young people. The Leos and St Andrews Group who walked many laps of the Griffith University athletics track to raise funds for Cancer Research. Our top walker was Jon-Ross Gordon who covered 50km over the 17 hours of the Relay for Life. Thanks also to Mr Luxton who joined us for the event, it was greatly appreciated. We also really appreciated your tent.
Our Leos group who ran a Bunnings BBQ on the holidays raising over $1000. This is a special group of young people and the time they give up to help the community is incredible. Also to our Leos Mentor, Tallebudgera Lion, Steve Marlour – a big thank you! Bailey Scott who attended the AFL National Academy over the holidays. He was selected as 1 of 28 participants in Australia and was the only Queensland player. Bailey travelled down to Melbourne for the first of 3 trips, received his kit and underwent many medical and fitness tests. Bailey will attend a camp in Darwin during the Christmas holidays where further testing and training will take place. Then the final gathering will be in 2017 where he will travel to New Zealand for an ANZAC day clash against a New Zealand Open Men’s team. For this Bailey will be wearing an Australian Jersey and play in the green and gold.
Upcoming Events: Year 12’s – information will be coming out shortly for your last week activities. Make sure you don’t miss out on the Barista (Monday or Tuesday), First Aid (Tuesday) and Responsible Service of Alcohol (Monday) Courses. These all require you to book through TryBooking and only payment for the course will secure your spot as numbers are limited. If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me on tanias@salc.qld.edu.au Tania Stewart Head of Senior School
Performing Arts News Gold Coast Eisteddfod Congratulations to all the St Andrews Drama students who recently entered the Gold Coast Drama Eisteddfod held at the Robina Community Centre. The students worked diligently throughout the year to achieve excellent results. They competed in various sections from Shakespeare to humorous poetry and demonstrated a very high standard of performance work which was reflected in their outstanding results. The students should feel very proud of themselves for the effort they have put in this year. Year 7 Isaac Thorpe, Solo Humorous Poem = First Isaac Thorpe, Individual Drama = Third
maid’s dress from the 90s or formal dress from the 80s, nursing scrubs or army fatigues - anything that a student won’t generally find in their own wardrobe. Accessories handbags, luggage (especially vintage), ties, scarves, beads and costume jewellery are also welcome. Any donations can be taken to Junior School, Middle School or Senior School Administrations marked ‘Attention: Cilla Scott’. Dance Night What a fantastic night of dance! The talented dance students across Junior, Middle and Senior School performed at the College’s annual Dance Night held at Robina Community Centre. It was incredible to see over 150 dance students performing on stage to a full house. The students worked tirelessly throughout the year and showcased some of their award winning eisteddfod routines and class repertoire. From top hat and tails to pointe shoes and tutus, the dancers performed in all styles and genres of dance. It was a wonderful night had by all. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Year 8 Mathilde Lambert, Individual Drama = VHC Mathilde Lambert, Serious Solo Poem = Third Callum Ahern, Solo Humorous Poem and Solo Mime = First Clare Verschuure and Zoey Cheesman, Duo Mime = VHC Clare Verschuure, Callum Ahern, Mathilde Lambert and Zoey Cheesman, Group Drama = Third Year 10 Jaimie Ahern, Prose = VHC Jaimie Ahern, Individual Drama = Third Jarrod Yates, Prose = VHC Year 11 Ambelin Rytenskild, Individual Drama = First, Individual Shakespeare and Sight Reading = Second, Prose = Third Britney Hoefler, Serious Solo Poem = Second
Viral Year 10 and Year 12 Drama students viewed Zeal Theatre Company’s latest production Viral which challenges audiences to consider the role of technology and the way we respond to situations - based on true events, it explores through physical theatre and multiple role how instead of helping people, an incident would be filmed.
Cultural Awards - Wednesday 19 October 6.30pm Awardees to be seated by 6.15pm. Performers to be in their allocated areas by 6.15pm. This evening is the highlight of the Arts Calendar and a celebration of the year and an opportunity to recognise individual student achievement. We hope you can join us. Costume Drive The Drama Department are starting to replenish our wardrobe and are asking for your help. We are looking for clothing that is either period or occupation specific eg that brides-
End of Year Concerts As we approach the time of year where we celebrate and showcase our PAT students, we are trialling a new model in PAT Speech and Drama and Vocal in the Junior School with these students performing as part of a First Break Concert Series.
As part of the dance night last week, one of the items involved the creation of 29 wolf heads. Once again our wonderful Christina D’Assonville created magnificent and scary headpieces for this wonderful dance. We are so lucky to have the talents of Christina in our Visual Arts Department.
Vocal Thursday 17, Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 November (Performers List to be advised by PAT Tutors) Speech and Drama Wednesday 23 November (Years 1 and 2) Friday 25 November (Year 3). The idea is to reduce the overall length of our End of Year Concerts - but also to give some of our younger performers a chance to shine and be featured in a series of shorter more informal concerts. Emails regarding these concerts will be sent home in the coming weeks and we of course welcome your feedback after the event. Cilla Scott Head of Arts
Visual Art News A huge beginning to the term in the Visual Arts. At the end of last term we celebrated the opening of Creative Generation and a massive Congratulations to Oliver Waddingham, Liliana Mikami and Sophie Breach on their entries. Pictured is Sophie with her entry Mirrored Illusion which received a Commendation. Well Done! Liliana is participating in a workshop next weekend with Chris Bennie as a part of this exhibition and I look forward to her report on the experience.
Term 4 started with Year 10 visiting the Energies Combined Secondary Schools Visual Art Exhibition at the Gold Coast Arts Centre. In this exhibition St Andrews is represented by Liam Nash, Liliana Mikami, Gavan Smith, Sophia Hill, Oliver Waddingham and Brooke Perkins. The Official Opening of this exhibition was last Friday night and our students were excited to see their work on the wall and engage with the other artists in this exhibition. Over 600 people attended the Opening Night and this is the highlight of the Gold Coast Art Gallery’s year. Thank you to Donna Mackay for her fabulous assistance with the accounts for this exhibition. Year 11 and 12 Visual Artists will be attending Energies this week. This exhibition runs until the 23rd October and is well worth a visit to see what our young people on the Gold Coast are making art about. As part of this exhibition, some of our students will be participating in an immersion day with three Gold Coast artists to gather new skills and techniques to assist with their practice.
Sport News All Schools Touch Report Over the last week and weekend 60 of our students represented the College at the All Schools Touch Championships. This is a State Carnival which is also open to interstate and overseas teams (NZ, Singapore). There are no divisions making it a competition played at a very high standard. We have been generally competitive in the past but in 2016 we showed we could challenge some of the best teams in several age groups. The school fielded 5 teams including the Open Mixed, 15 Boys, 15 Girls, 13 Boys and 13 Girls. This year’s success was due to the commitment our students gave to the Touch Excellence Program, an enthusiasm to train and a desire to learn and get better. It has proven to be a most pleasing season which provides a positive platform for future development. A huge thanks must go to the staff who have given up countless hours at training and much of their personal time to provide this wonderful opportunity for our students. Champion Basketball School of Queensland Tournament At the end of Term 3 the College entered a team in the State’s annual Champion Basketball School of Queensland Tournament. This year the tournament was hosted by the Logan region with the majority of our games at the Mount Warren Sports Centre, from Thursday 15 September through to Sunday 18 September.
We now look forward to Cultural Awards and the Graduating Year 12’s Visual Art Exhibition 16/16. Ngaire Harman Head of Visual Arts
The team managed to finish the tournament with 3 wins and 4 losses, a positive result considering that for the many in the team it was their first experience at playing in organised basketball games with official referees and an operational scoreboard. As the tournament progressed, significant improvement in confidence allowed many players to make excellent contributions to the team.
P & F News Community Event Postponed Community event on Friday 28 October on the Village Green has been POSTPONED. Farewell Afternoon Tea - Monday 21 November A farewell afternoon tea for Mr Kotzur will be held on Monday 21 November 3.30-5.00pm on the deck near the Tuckshop. Parents and friends from the College are invited join us all to wish Mr Kotzur all the best for his future and to thank him for his leadership and contribution to St Andrews.
A huge thanks must go to Mr Shane Edwards who coached the boys. The College is certainly fortunate to have his knowledge, skills and expertise which he eagerly passes on to our players. The team consisted of the following students: Jackson Barter, Ben Beggs, Alex, Nathaniel Bowden, Angus Brooks, Hayden Hoskins, Gene Huang, Zak Lopez, Izak Schache, Oliver Waddingham (and John Ramsey - injured). Sport Awards Breakfast This term our College will celebrate the achievements of our amazing individual athletes and highly successful teams. A breakfast will be held here at the College on Wednesday 2 November from 7.30-9.00am in the MPH. Invitations for this event will be sent out shortly. Libby Wood Secondary School Sports Coordinator
St Andrews Fete will be held 20 May 2017 We will require volunteers to help coordinate and make the fete a success. Please send through your contact details and any information which will help us to pandf@salc.qld.edu.au Father’s Day Stall The Father’s Day stall was another huge success raising $1300. Special thanks has to go to Nicole Ainger for her efforts in organising the gifts and stall on the mornings leading up to Father’s Day. Funding Allocation Funding was allocated to the Junior School Library for Virtual Reality Goggles. As well, money was allocated to inspirational flags to be erected in the area between the Early Learning Centre down to Prep and across to the Multi Purpose Hall. The Tuckshop was allocated funding for a mobile coffee machine.
Dates to Remember District Sport News
Track and Field St Andrews has had 5 students selected to represent St Andrews and School Sport South Coast at the State Track and Field Championships in late October. Our qualified athletes are: Ethan Read (800m) Satine Masiar (Long Jump, 100m) Jack Read (1500m) Shelby Walter (800m) Katie Hayward (5000m Race Walk) We wish them all the best at the State Championships. Andrew Manion PSPE Teacher Junior Sport Coordinator Hinterland District Sport Coordinator
Monday 17 Student Free Day Trinity College London Speech Exams Tuesday 18 Mufti Day – Cancer Awareness, wear pink and/or yellow gold coin donation Years 7 & 8 Immunisation Wednesday 19 Year 9 Boys Return from GOOGA Cultural Awards Evening, Multi Purpose Hall – 6.15pm Thursday 20 Years 7-12 Assembly Captains Speeches AGCC Sports Awards Presentation Friday 21 Rosies Outreach Monday 24 Year 9 Girls leave for GOOGA Year 11 BM Excursion Thursday 27 The Edge Year 9 Boys Presentation, Worship Centre 7pm Friday 28 Year 12 Visual Art Exhibition - Opening Night
3.30-5pm on the deck near the Tuckshop
Parents and friends from the College are invited to join us to wish our College Principal Tim Kotzur all the best for his future and thank him for his contribution to St Andrews
Monday 21 November 2016
Farewell Afternoon Tea
INSIGHTS Building parent-school partnerships WORDS Michael Grose
Teach kids to solve problems
When parents solve all children’s problems we not only increase their dependency on adults but we teach them to be afraid of making mistakes. That’s fertile ground for anxiousness and perfectionism, which often go hand in hand. Of course, if you keeping solving them, they’ll keep bringing them. “Mum, my sister is annoying me?” “Dad, can you ask my teacher to pick me for the team?” “Hey, I can’t find my socks!” It’s tempting if you are in a timepoor family to simply jump in and help kids out. Alternatively, you can take a problem-solving approach, cuing them to resolve their own problems and take responsibility for their concerns. “What can you do to make her stop annoying you?” “What’s the best approach to take with your teacher?” “Socks, smocks! Where might they be?”
Here are 5 questions you can ask kids to encourage them to resolve their own problems:
4 “How would you like me to help?”
1 “Can you solve this yourself?”
5 “What’s the best way to do this?”
Get kids thinking they can do it.
2 “What do you think needs to happen?” Start kids thinking about solving problems.
3 “What’s the first step?” Sometimes just getting kids started is enough to get them working out issues themselves.
Get kids considering the type of assistance they need.
Get kids assessing and prioritising. Problem-solving is one of the four major skills (optimism, social skills & independence being the others) that resilient kids share, yet it’s the one that many of us aren’t equipped to develop. Start by stepping back and asking good questions when kids bring you their problems to solve.
Michael Grose
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