Middle/Senior School Bulletin Issue 1 / 2 February 2018
Middle & Senior School News Has it been two weeks already? Time certainly does pass quickly when we are busy learning and doing the things we love. The fortnightly bulletin is published to share what is happening at St Andrews and to provide information about opportunities to connect and to build community. At our commencement service we introduced a new symbol, a vessel, which is made whole by the connection of each of its parts. So it is, with St Andrews, each member of our community contributes to the vibrancy and culture of our College.
At St Andrews we have a strong focus on developing young men and women of character within an environment that promotes flourishing. I’d like to thank our students and staff for the incredibly smooth start to the year and for living out our College values: Faith, Grace, Learning, Personal Bests, Community, Service, Growth and Integrity as these values in action encourage us to seek to do and be our best selves; to flourish. Our Year 12 captains have set a stellar example over these first few weeks and I look forward to working with them in 2018 to develop new initiatives around mentoring and culture building. In the Middle School, students went through a series of learning activities and routines to ‘get in the zone’ for learning. The way our Year 7 students have approached their first few weeks of middle schooling is a credit to their character.
As Mr Casey (Head of Middle School) reminded parents on Monday night that this is a time when students need to experience greater independence and room to grow, stumble and develop resilience by having to pick themselves up and face their challenges with a growth mindset. Thank you to all of the Middle School parents who attended this Parent Information Evening. If you were unable to attend, the materials covered can be accessed through Parent Lounge next week. Congratulations to all of the students for their wonderful participation and spirited competition at the Inter-House Swimming Carnival on Wednesday. A special congratulation is extended to Binging House; led by the House Captains, Zara Morrison and Emilie Robins (Senior School) and Jett Andrews and Zara Colless (Middle School), on their hard-fought win, and to all of the competitors for their spirit, enthusiasm and participation. The event in itself was superb due to the active involvement and House spirit shown by all students! Sincere appreciation is extended to Miss Casey West, Mrs Libby Wood, the Grounds Staff and Sports Department team, and also to the staff and parent helpers for their assistance at the pool. It was great to see so many parents coming along to
support their children. Age Champions will be listed in the Sports Section.
impact young people anywhere and at any time. You might like to visit http://www.carlyryanfoundation.com/ for more background information. We welcomed four new staff to St Andrews teaching team this year and to follow are short introductions from two of the new staff.
Senior School parents and students are reminded that next Tuesday 6 February is the Senior School Information Evening which starts at 5.00pm in the Worship Centre. It is a compulsory event for students in Years 10-12. Students are asked to wear their College uniform. This morning we recognised Senior School students at a special awards assembly based on Semester Two results from 2017. Awards were presented in three categories; Academic Achievement, Academic Improvement and Academic Endeavour based on GPA and EPA results. It was a pleasure to also welcome back our OP 1-5 students from the class of 2017 and to acknowledge them on their academic excellence.
The Middle School Awards Assembly will be held on Friday 9 February at 8.30am in the Worship Centre. This is also the date of our Year 12 student’s first QCS preparation workshop for 2018. Carly Ryan Foundation – Online Safety On Tuesday 13 February Mrs Sonya Ryan, Founder and CEO of the Carly Ryan Foundation will offer a free online safety session for parents commencing at 6.30pm in the Ruth Butler Theatre. Mrs Ryan will work with our students in Years 6 – 12 on Monday 12 February during the school day and with our College staff. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend as the issues of online safety are complex and can
Tia Scott - I am incredibly excited to be joining the St Andrews community for 2018. I have been teaching for the past three years at James Fallon High School in Albury, but I am originally from northern NSW, so I am enjoying being back home closer to family (and in the much nicer weather!). I graduated from Southern Cross University with a Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and am also fully qualified to teach Mathematics. This year I am lucky enough to be teaching in both subject areas, mainly in the Middle School, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of this year will bring!
Kelly Gervasoni - Hello to the St Andrews Community! I have a Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences, Bachelor of Education and I am completing my final year of postgraduate study, a Masters of Education - Student Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne. My specialist areas are Mathematics and Information Technology. My teaching career began six years ago in my hometown of Ballarat in Victoria where I taught all levels of Mathematics. I have a passion for horse riding, tennis, fitness and general wellbeing. I am excited to become a Gold Coast resident and to be a part of the St Andrews community in 2018.
We also welcomed a new cohort of Year 7s, the Class of 2022. What a wonderful group of young people! Individually and as a community of young people, I pray that all of our students continue to seek opportunities to learn, grow and serve; and to make significant contributions within and beyond our community with a sense of purpose and wellbeing this year.
and approaches within our community that contribute to St Andrews being such a wonderful place to belong. God is always endeavouring to speak His life giving Word amongst us. As we move through 2018, celebrating our 25th year may all of us - staff, parents and students alike - be open to God’s Spirit working amongst us, growing St Andrews as a place that truly, ‘Celebrates the Gospel, Nurtures the Individual and Empowers Life-long Learning.’
I encourage you to contact me should you have any positive or constructive feedback for improvement or if I am able to offer any assistance with any aspect of your child(ren)’s St Andrews experience. Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School
Chaplains Chat Another school year begins! And as per usual the staff of St Andrews were blessed to begin the new year at retreat, where we gathered around a unifying theme to set the tone for all that is ahead. This year our focus for retreat and preparation was “Growing and Shaping our Future”. Our keynote speaker encouraged us to consider the role that Christian Spirituality contributes to our well-being and how this helps shape our lives for service. A focus for a staff worship time during our preparation days back at school was “What is God looking to grow in SALC in 2018?” A quick survey of a cross-section of staff in our College revealed all sorts of important factors that people feel God can assist with and lead during our 25th year of operating as a Lutheran College. Concepts such as connection and reflection were two. Indicating the truth that our loving God is always facilitating connection between people. His love for us leads us to desire genuine relationships with others. Reflection is a powerful aspect of faith as we look back in thankfulness on what God has provided in the past and we at St Andrews certainly have much to be thankful for in this regard. Other suggestions that God would like to see grow in our community included communication and consideration. And once again God is certainly involved in bringing about increases in both of these as we share our lives with Him. God is always in the business of growing love within individuals and communities and this was put forward with a beautiful addendum by one of our staff. It being, that God is keen to grow our ability to have greater insight into who the people truly are that we interact with daily. The idea being that God desires us to see below the surface of who people are and have greater empathy for where they are in their journey. In practical terms, this is seen when we look beyond the inappropriate actions of a student and offer genuine care for them rather than condemnation because we understand that they are much more than just their outward behaviour. It is openness to God developing these types of attitudes
Graeme Schache College Chaplain
Middle School News Welcome What an exciting time the start of a new school year is for both students and staff. Generally, the first couple of weeks are a blur of timetables, new subjects and new faces. The students from the Middle School have settled remarkably well into the year given the disruption caused by a construction site in their midst. I look forward to visiting many classrooms throughout the year and being active in the students’ lives as they progress through 2018. Leadership 2018 We formally inducted our Middle School leaders last week. This group of Year 9 students are particularly enthusiastic about becoming involved in the lives of younger students at the College and I feel confident that they will have a wonderful year guiding our Middle School. Electives 2018 The start of the year always sees a scramble for elective changes and this week signalled the end of our ‘change’ window. All students should have settled into their subjects for the year and any issues relating to Semester Two electives can be sorted throughout the second term. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate all student requests for change but hope that students enjoy the opportunity for new learning areas. As always, please contact me should you wish to discuss anything further. Tom Casey Head of Middle School
Flourishing in the Senior School Positive Education In the Senior School we continue to work closely with our students and staff to assist them to develop the skills that will help them to flourish, that combination of feeling good and doing well through increasing positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievements or what the experts call PERMA (Seligman). Our purpose is to encourage our students to achieve their personal bests, stretch themselves and learn the skills of wellbeing. Our staff commit to knowing their students and being consistent, persistent and insistent about achievement of personal bests, attitude that facilitates a learning culture, behaviour that builds a harmonious and supportive environment and dress and appearance that shows respect for the College values. We aim to ensure that our students are cared for, that they are challenged and that they grow (academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually). One way to do this is through the regular setting of Term goals that are SMART. The Senior School Pastoral Care Team consists of Ms Yeo (Year 12 Coordinator), Mrs Washington (Yr 11 Coordinator), and Mr Ivett (Year 10 Coordinator). We also have 24 Learning Advisor Teachers who are the first port of call for you and your child. We hope we have had the opportunity to touch base with you and look forward to meeting with our Senior School parents next Tuesday 6 February from 5.00pm. Leos 2018 You may be aware that St Andrews is linked with the Tallebudgera Lions Club and have our very own Leo Club. Leo actually stands for Leadership, Experience and Opportunity through Service. Our 2017 Leos were a fantastic group of young people who raised several thousand dollars to help various community groups. Apart from our regular Bunnings fundraising barbecues over the holidays we will also be involved in beach care, Relay for Life, charity runs, visiting the St Andrews Lutheran Aged Care, school fundraisers and much more. We meet every second Tuesday at 8am in the CRC. We look forward to welcoming any interested student in Years 7-12 to our Leos Club. Year 12 Leaders Day The 2018 Year 12 cohort enjoyed the first morning of school with the Lutheran Youth Queensland crew and worked through a range of team building activities. It is hoped that this opportunity to come together, have fun, be real with each other and share stories will help sustain our Year 12’s as they work towards the completion of their secondary education. It is crucial that they make a really strong start to the year through: • effective time management, • starting work well before the due date, • working a limited number of hours in part-time jobs (less than 10 hours per week is ideal), • limiting social media use, • attending tutorials and • supporting each other and working as a team.
Our Year 12’s having some fun on their first day back in 2018. Congratulations to: • College Captains Harrison Craig-Ward, Lilli MacDonald, Abbey Schumacher and Hudson Matthews who attended Enthuse Leadership Camp in the last week of the school holidays. This was a wonderful opportunity for our student leaders to meet, share ideas and forge networks of support that will help to sustain them over a very busy and demanding year. Our leaders always come back from Enthuse saying, “It was one of the best weeks of my life, that was life-changing and it was so great to meet other like-minded people.” • Our Smith Family Student to Student Buddy Readers from 2017. The Smith Family sent through some feedback (see the table below) about how much our wonderful student readers were able to improve the reading age of their buddies. So, congratulations to Jazlin, Jessica, Lilli, Olivia and Zoey. You have all made a real difference to the academic life of your buddy but more significantly to their self-esteem. I hope that this year we will have even more student readers to help young people in need across Queensland. Buddy name
Reader name
Pre-program reading age
Post-program reading age
Jazlin Hodge
Deacon
7 years, 10 months
8 years, 4 months
Jessica Naylor
Nichole
8 years, 9 months
10 years, 5 months
Lilli MacDonald
Tyson
7 years, 2 months
8 years, 0 months
Olivia Van der Meer
Hayley
8 years, 1 month
9 years, 7 months
Zoey Cheesman
Brody
10 years, 7 months
12 years, 6 months
If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at tanias@salc.qld.edu.au Tania Stewart Head of Senior School
Studios as well as Metropolitan Region Band Camps.
Performing Arts News
Candice has performed with the Queensland Wind Orchestra, Queensland Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra and “Stitched” Saxophone Quartet.
PAT (Performing Arts Tuition) 2018 This week saw our PAT programs launch for 2018 across the College with over 600 enrolments from Prep through to Year 12 in Dance, Instrumental Music, Voice and Speech and Drama. A reminder that all enrolments and cancellations for PAT lessons are via the online form on the website. Any enquiries regarding PAT Tuition can be emailed to Anne at performingarts@salc.qld.edu.au This week also saw our ensembles start for 2018. See below the schedule for our groups. New members are welcome in our bands and choirs. Dance troupes are audition based.
2018 Cocurricular Rehearsal Schedule Before School Monday
Lunch
String Ensemble 7.30am JS Music Room
After School JS Jazzettes & JS Razzmatazz 3.00 – 4.00pm Dance Studio / MPH Term 3 & 4 only Musical Cast Semester 1 only
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Golden Clefs 7.45am JS Music Room
JS Chapel Band 2nd Break JS Music Room
Combined Intensity Dance Troupe 7.30am Dance Studio
JS Razzmatazz 2nd Break MPH Term 1 & 2 only
Percussion Ensemble 7.30am JS Music Room
MS Dansation Dance Studio
Concert Band 7.30am JS Music Room
Mini Musos 1st Break JS Music Room
JS Concert Band 7.30am JS Music Room
JS Express 1st Break Dance Studio
Stage Band 3.15 – 5.00pm JS Music Room
Debbie Nineham (Piano) Debbie has a Bachelor of Arts (Extended Music) from UQ as well as Cert I and II in Music Industry. She has been running her own private studio for the past 6 years in Brisbane and has also worked as a Music Tutor at Corinda SHS and Good News Lutheran School. Debbie has experience working with students across a variety of levels and has prepared students for exams.
Int. Jazz Band JS Music Room
JS Chapel Band 2nd Break JS Music Room Friday
MS/SS Choir 7.30am SS Music Room
JS Jazettes 1st Break Dance Studio
Semitone Choir 7.45am JS Music Room
MS Locomotion Dance Studio
Should you have any questions regarding any programs with PAT, please download the PAT Parent Handbook in the Arts section of the College website at www.salc.qld.edu.au. New PAT Staff This year we welcome two new PAT Tutors to our team. Candice Showers (clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone) Candice is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium where she completed a Bachelor of Music. She also has a Graduate Diploma of Education (Classroom and Instrumental). Candice has worked as a tutor at Kings Christian College, Hillcrest Christian College, Downtown Creative Music
Priscilla Scott Head of Arts
so ‘Christmassy’, despite the freezing cold weather.
LOTE News On the 28th November 2017, thirteen of us, including three Year 9s, eight Year 10s and of course the lovely Frau Bible and Mr Casey set off from Brisbane International Airport. The twenty one hour flight was definitely worth it to experience the amazing country that was Deutschland (Germany).
The second last city was Füssen, and whilst we were only there for two days, it was so amazing. The whole city was covered in snow. We got to tour in Lord Ludwig’s Castle, which is called Schloss Neuswanstein in German. After leaving Füssen we went to the highest mountain in Germany for half a day. The Zugspitze peak is 2,962 metres high.
The first week was homestay and school. As we were basically dropped into the Hamburg schools and daily life routines it was probably a shock to a few of us. It was so interesting to hear all of this German language being used and spoken after learning it for three to four years. After a few icebreakers, lifelong friendships were formed and problems were quickly resolved. Here it was also discovered that the German chocolate was delicious.
There wasn’t much visibility up there but the - 13o weather was definitely worth it as part of the experience.
After the first week we had the first of many long train trips, the destination being Berlin, the capital of Germany! Here we learnt a lot about German history and put ourselves into the perspective of what it was actually like during the wars (Berlin was also where we saw our first snow fall on this trip. Wow, it was beautiful!) During our time in Berlin we took a short day trip to Wittenberg where we learnt about Luther, supported by 500 years of the Reformation, which was quite interesting. The next city was Nuremburg, home to the most famous, and personally my favourite memory, the Christmas markets! It was so nice to walk around feeling
Our last destination was München. It was one of the most confronting cities. We visited Dachau Concentration Camp and other deep parts of history. Another sad thing that happened in Munich is that we had to say goodbye to one of our all time favourite teachers, Frau Bible. As we went around in a circle at Munich Airport saying our favourite things about her, we knew it would be so different in the new year. However, as Frau does best, she reassured us and we hopped on the plane to come back home after a long and amazing three weeks filled with so many memories and inside jokes. Looking back on this trip it was so amazing from all the lows
to highs and tears to laughs. I will never forget this trip and everything that came with it. Thank you to Frau Bible and Herr Casey and everyone else for making this wonderful trip possible. Laura Hayman
Sport News SALC Swimming Carnival This year began with a definite sports highlight with the Middle and Senior School Swimming Carnival. It was wonderful to celebrate House and School Spirit through outstanding participation in this important calendar event on Wednesday. The 100m Open Freestyle was the opening event and incredibly well represented. This level of enthusiasm flowed on to the 50m freestyle with most students entering either the championship or participation races. This day showcased the positive culture of our school with the introduction of the “Gilgan� and continuation of House war cries and the minute to win it. However, the highlight of the day was the performances of our talented swimmers who certainly displayed the awesome ability in the water. In the end it was Binging who took home the trophy for the second year in a row, and I am sure they will want to carry this winning culture through to the upcoming cross country carnival at the end of this term. Congratulation to all of our students for their fine efforts on the day, however special acknowledgement needs to go to our Age Champions.
CAR PARKING Carpark congestion is a challenge for all schools, and we certainly experience congestion for a relatively short period of time each afternoon (3.10pm – 3.25pm). All members of the community are asked to be vigilant, patient and focused on the safety of the students while driving in and around the College grounds. (Stay focused, observe general traffic rules and don’t respond to messages or calls on mobiles.) Students should be collected from outside the Worship Centre and beyond the crossing. A delayed pickup for our Middle and Senior School students is strongly recommended. The afternoon bell goes at 3.10pm and, in general, it takes about 5 minutes for students to travel to the Worship Centre. All secondary students are also welcome to use the library (CRC) for purposeful study after school until 5.00pm daily. Afternoon tutorials and study assistance is available. Parents are asked to be cautious and considerate, by obeying the traffic rules around the College and in particular on Tallebudgera Creek Road. We are blessed to be nested into a residential area and our neighbours have expressed concerns about cars parking too close to driveways, and illegal right hand turns and U-turns performed while exiting the grounds. Whilst we appreciate that we are all busy, maintaining a sense of cheerfulness and patience when congestion occurs is best for all involved. Ensuring the safety of our children is our collective responsibility.
of numbers. You can BYO alcohol but please no glassware, plastic only. There will be a sausage sizzle, entertainment from St Andrews students, jumping castle and lots more!! We would also love you to save the date for our major event in Term 2 - we will be holding our own Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on TUESDAY 15 MAY at 10.30am - 12pm in aid of the Cancer Council to raise money so they can continue their vital work into cancer research, prevention and support services. More details to come but this is going to be a great event with lots of fun to be had and yummy food to be eaten.
Dates to Remember FEBRUARY Monday 5 Hinterland Volleyball Trials - 15 Years Year 12 BCT - Events Management (Selected Students) Tuesday 6 Girls Hinterland AFL Trials - 15 Years Hinterland Hockey Trials - 12 Years Senior School Parent Evening - Worship Centre (5:00pm) Wednesday 7 Year 11 Visual Art Excursion (Selected Students) Friday 9
P&F News
Year 12 Excursion to Bookfest (Selected Students) Year 11 Legal Studies Excursion (Selected Students)
Thanks to all Year 7 parents who joined us for afternoon tea on the Student Orientation Day. Thanks also to current and 2017 Prep parents for joining together for our morning tea, dubbed “Tea & Tissues”, last Thursday. It was lovely meeting you all, and we hope all of your children have settled in well and are enjoying this next exciting chapter! A huge thank you to Prep parent, Liz Clarke from Reid Street Kitchen for donating delicious lamingtons. You can catch Liz and her team and taste their amazing desserts at Miami Marketta plus other markets around the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Middle School Academic Awards Assembly
This year the P & F meetings have moved to Tuesday nights in the Lighthouse Boardroom in J Block. There is one meeting per term and all parents and guardians are invited (and encouraged!) to attend. If you have an idea that will benefit our students, this is your chance to be heard. Please mark the dates in your diary: Term 1 - Tuesday 13 March @ 7pm Term 2 - Tuesday 12 June @ 7pm Term 3 - Tuesday 11 September @ 7pm Term 4 - Tuesday 6 November @ 7pm Our major event for Term 1, Picnic in the Park, is fast approaching. Please join us in Week 4 on FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY at 5.30pm on the Junior School Lower Oval. All families are invited to attend. Please see flyer attached for more details and drop us an email at pandf@salc.qld.edu. au to let us know if you can make it so we can get an idea
Tuesday 13
Year 12 QCS Workshop Monday 12 Hinterland Green Swim Carnival at TSS (Selected Students) Years 6-9 Cyber Safety Talk - Carly Ryan Foundation Year 12 Hospitality Excursion (Selected Students) Years 10-12 Cyber Safety Talk - Carly Ryan Foundation Parent Night Cyber Safety Talk - Carly Ryan Foundation (6:30pm) Ruth Butler Theatre Hinterland Basketball Trials - 19 Years Boys Thursday 15 Year 12 Biology Camp, Hastings Point Friday 16 Year 12 Biology Camp, Hastings Point Parents & Friends Picnic In The Park