Issue 5 / 2 April 2015
Middle/Senior School Bulletin
Staffing Updates Mrs Rebekah Hill, Head of Languages, is taking Long Service Leave in Term 2 and Mrs Cindy Christie will be working with her classes for the term.
Middle & Senior School News The story of Easter is the story of God’s wonderful window of divine surprise. ~Carl Knudsen By the time you receive this Bulletin, Term One will be officially finished and we will all be enjoying the Easter break. The Term seems to have passed by so quickly and yet as I reflect on all that has been accomplished, both in and outside of classrooms, I am truly thankful for the many blessings we have enjoyed this year thus far. I hope that the holiday time ahead brings with it an opportunity for your family to relax and enjoy some quality time together. The Term One Report will be posted home on Tuesday 7 April and Parent Teacher interviews will be conducted for Middle School and Senior School students on Tuesday 28 April from 3.30pm to 8.00pm. The report contains an ‘Achievement’ grade and ‘Effort’ grade for each subject and an indication of the way in which your child has approached the important areas of ‘Class Participation’, ‘Class Conduct/ Attitude’ and ‘Meeting Work Requirements’ in each of their subjects. The Achievement grades are averaged to generate a Grade Point Average (GPA) out of 15 and the Effort grades are averaged to generate an Effort Point Average (EPA) also out of 15. Where a result is indicated as NA, it is not included in the calculation of the average. Details about booking interviews can be found in your child’s report envelope. The report is intended to give you a brief overview of how your child has settled into their studies and the interviews with teachers are a great opportunity to explore concerns and areas for further improvement. Students should attend the interviews with their parents. Please discuss this report with your child and help him/her to set goals for the start of Term Two. ANZAC Day March As has been the custom for a number of years, students from St Andrews are invited to march behind the College banner in the Burleigh Heads 100 Year Commemorative ANZAC Day March on Saturday 25 April. Students who would like to join us are asked to wear their full school uniform (including hat), and meet me on the corner of James and West streets by 9.00am, in preparation for the march which begins at 9.30am. We will then sit with other schools for the service at the Cenotaph, which should conclude by 10.30am.
Speed Limit You may have noticed that on Tallebudgera Creek Road, the Department of Main Roads and Transport have installed flashing School Zone speed warnings. We would like to thank the Hon. Michael Hart MP for his support in making the area safer for our community. In addition to speed bumps, we have also recently changed the internal speed limit at the College to 10km/h. Please ensure you keep under this limit when dropping and picking up your children at the College and you are not distracted by your mobile phone. Your help in keeping our children safe is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your ongoing support throughout first term. Have a happy and blessed Easter. Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School virginiaw@salc.qld.edu.au
Chaplains Chat The Wisdom of the Cross During his time on earth Christ demonstrated the greatest wisdom possible. He was able to confound the leaders of different religious groups when they endeavoured to trap him. He had the ability to construct answers they were unable to argue with. Seeing he possessed such amazing wisdom and insight and ability to ‘win out’ in conflict situations, it is reasonable to conclude that he could have easily argued his way out of the unfair trials he was subjected to over the Thursday night and Friday morning of Easter. And yet as we know, he refused to do this, instead he chose to quietly surrender to the authorities and receive a death sentence that he did not deserve. He even went on to ask forgiveness for those who were involved in his crucifixion. Where was the wisdom in this? When is it wise to lay down our weapons and forgive those who seek to hurt us?
An amazing individual named Gordon Wilson chose to forgive the men who killed his daughter in a bomb blast during a Remembrance Day march in Ireland in 1987. There seemed little wisdom in what he did but it proved to be a most wonderful event in the process of dealing with the ongoing conflict in Ireland. His forgiveness led to a major shift in the fighting that had been going on for more than 20 years. It paved the way for a genuine laying down of arms and a move towards reconciliation between the IRA and Loyalists of the time. Gordon Wilson was empowered to forgive as he cherished the love his daughter had for him and the love he experienced in sharing his life with God. Gordon Wilson knew deep within his very being that he was forgiven by God and this enabled him to extend forgiveness to those who had committed what for most of us would be an unforgivable act. On the surface, his actions looked like pure folly but the aftermath proved it was the most remarkable and powerful thing that anyone could ever do. God’s love through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has the power to transform the ugliest of situations. This Easter may the power of the cross and the forgiveness that accompanies it sink deep within the very soul of each of us and bring peace and beauty into our lives. Graham Schache Chaplain
Student Development Hope, Engagement and Wellbeing In a recent article by Rebecca Barrett (1 Mar 2015) she reported on the high number of adolescents in Australia with a diminished sense of Hope and Optimism about future prospects. The statistics are alarming as this has a negative impact upon study success, school engagement and mental health. It reaffirms our commitment to build specific programs into the St Andrews journey such that our students might have a more realistic and hopeful outlook. The Positive Learning Framework at St Andrews continues to be one of our vehicles for improving student’s sense of realistic hope through the alignment of goals and values to specific behaviours that promote agency and mastery in our students. Whilst students can resist this and claim their history as poor planners or lack of success reaching goals, we
persist with parent support in setting goals at the start of each term and students may gradually refine the process and develop a real sense of agency as they design pathways to accomplishment and improved learning. Early next term we will have data from the Gallup Student Poll to aid us in our intervention with particular year levels and teach skills that help build perspective, learn optimism and promote wellbeing. James Nelson Director of Student Development jamesn@salc.qld.edu.au
Middle School News Becoming a Student in the Middle School One of the fundamental functions that middle schooling provides is to become a ‘learning ground’ for the academic practices that will hold a young person in good stead as they make the transition into their senior schooling. Through the presentation of year level specific curriculum we are able to assist young adolescents as they move through these important years in their education. However, sometimes we find that students are content to drift through these years without any conscious thought to how they might improve upon their time at school – believing that they are alienated within their own educational process, or, still heavily reliant upon the daily guidance of a single classroom teacher as they may have had in their junior schooling. If this occurs then it is very difficult to address these habits and beliefs in the senior years of schooling. Over the coming break it would be worth sitting with your son or daughter to discuss their learning goals. ‘Getting better marks’ or ‘paying more attention’ might be admirable ambitions but they are hollow unless they have thought about what steps on a day-to-day basis might lead them to achieve these goals. In fact, they would have about as much chance of fruition as me being able to play the introduction to ‘Thunderstruck’ like Angus Young at the final assembly of the year without having committed a small amount of conscious (but sometimes uncomfortable) effort every day to some form of practice. I hope that your sons and daughters have a wonderful break. It has been a long but exciting term of new experiences and sometimes new surroundings. I look forward to Term 2. Tom Casey Head of Middle School tomc@salc.qld.edu.au
Senior School News Positive Education This term we have been talking to the students about the Virtues of Wisdom, Knowledge and Courage. Within these Virtues there are 9 Character Strengths. These include; creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, perspective, bravery, persistence, integrity and zest. The strengths revolution has really taken hold in business, institutions (such as schools), university courses and the world of business. We continue to work hard to help our students and teachers to know their strengths and to celebrate them because the research is showing that when we look for ways to use and strengthen our strengths, it helps us to develop coping skills for the normal ups and downs of life. Research by Peterson, Park and Seligman has found that in young people the Character Strengths of Gratitude, Humour, and Love are most common and in general the Character Strengths of Gratitude, Zest, Curiosity, Hope and Love are consistently related to high levels of life satisfaction. I have had many great conversations this term with students about their top 5 Character Strengths and how they have used them to enhance their wellbeing. For example, one young man told me about using his strength of curiosity to cook a new dish and stir fry was on the menu at home. If parents are interested in discovering their own Character Strengths profile they can go to the following link to complete the Questionnaire. https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/ Ever Wondered Where Your Child Has Gone: Earlier in the week I had an interesting chat with a parent and then some Year 10 students. During both conversations the same curiosity arose. The parent was wondering where their son/daughter went when they hit puberty and the students told me that their parents are asking them, “Do I know you?” Puberty is a strange time for families but, rest assured, that happy, smiling, focused and considerate young person does emerge again like a Butterfly from a Chrysalis as young people go through this time of transition. The timeline on that is different for every young person. There are some strategies that parents can employ outlined in a great article from the Empowering Parents website that one of our parents shared with me. If you are interested please follow the link: http://m.empoweringparents.com/Motivating-Underachievers-The-Truth-about-Unmotivated-Kids.php
Congratulations to: »» Leos who have raised $500 for the Red Cross Appeal to Vanuatu, collected a vast amount of clothing and visited the St Andrews Aged Care to deliver some Easter eggs and spend some time talking to the residents. Thank you to all families who donated to the cause. 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 Term 2 Arts Dates Friday 24 April 1pm The Apology Zeal Theatre Company performance for Acting for Stage and Screen and Year 10 – 12 Drama students Friday 15 May 4pm Combined Dance Troupe at Starbound Eisteddfod Saturday 16 May 10am – 4pm Fete Performance Stages Saturday 30 May 7pm Jazz and Shiraz – Fundraising for Cancer Research Tuesday 9 June 6pm Senior Drama Performance Night Evening of Drama Last week our Drama students presented their Term 1 performance pieces to an appreciative audience. It was wonderful to see the level of talent and the focus and commitment of the students.
Visual Arts News From the Artist’s Studio This term in the Visual Arts department, students have been painting, drawing, photographing, etching, printing and film making their way to bodies of work, folios and resolved imagery.
In the Middle School, Mr Tanguy and Mrs Hamilton have been most impressed with the high standard of work that students are creating. From images of pets to all sorts of three-dimensional figures, students in Middle School Visual Art have been hard at work, using new and different media in interesting ways. Their finished work will be on display outside the art rooms early next term.
Students in the Senior School have been busy with their own interpretations of a variety of concepts - the natural world, power and the self and selfies. It is very interesting and inspiring to see the many different ways that our students interpret and experience the world around them! The process of making art is often a long one. Year 12 Visual Artists have a 15 week time frame to create their body of work. They need to be persistent and resilient as they continually work toward their goal, some of them etching many plates, some taking many photographs and some working on the same painting or series for the entire 15 weeks. It is a privilege to work alongside these students as they overcome design problems, make choices about media and technique, celebrate the successes and commiserate the failures... and continually learn all at the same time! Enjoy some of our works in progress.
band notes The Musical Journey Part 2 As it is with Jeff Waynes musical Extravaganza ‘War of the Worlds’ the learning journey of an instrument is full of pitfalls, moments of excitement and elements of boring monotony as we travel through the minefield of practice. There is no doubt that we need to encourage our young musicians through this massive range of emotional opportunities as they move from ‘Novice to Master’. As a College we support this process by encouraging our young musicians, to become a member of an ensemble, to take up exams to map their personal progress, to play at school events from assemblies to more formal functions like the Fete and concerts. This Thursday the Mini Muso’s (our beginner band ensemble) had the opportunity to share their talents at an open rehearsal with parents joining in on the musical mayhem. For some parents who clapped, stamped and patched along to a percussion piece, it was the first opportunity to be involved in a large musical group.
My comments for the day were simple. Now you know that the journey is challenging sometimes, don’t consider your reminders to students as nagging or another argument. View it as support. You are the base camp of the K2 climb. Keep it simple and remind the musicians in your house that ‘Rome (or ColdPlay) wasn’t built in a day. Focus on your practice. SLOW (always practice something new slowly and perfectly the first time), SHORT (Keep your new and difficult learning session short), OFTEN (more practice sessions rather than longer practice sessions help you learn faster) and HARD (practice the bits you don’t know rather than always playing the bits you do). Paul Oakley-Grant Music Coordinator
Hinterland District And South Coast Sports Teams We have had a number of students gain selection in representative sports teams in Term 1. Recently we have had: Bailey Scott selected in the South Coast 15s AFL team to play at the State Championships in Mackay in May. Ben Beggs has been selected in the District Hockey team. Cassie Crowe selected in the District Touch team. Darby Scott selected for the second round of Trials for District 12 years cricket. If you have any questions regarding sport, please contact me at: andrewm@salc.qld.edu.au Andrew Manion Head of Sport
Sport News Student Achievement St Andrews’ students continue to achieve outstanding results in sporting events. Swimming Ieuan Watkins has been selected in the South Coast Swim Team to go to the State Championships in Brisbane at the end of March. Ieuan also competed in the Gold Coast Regional Championships recently at Miami. His results were: 1st (Gold) in 800m Freestyle - Setting a New Regional Record Time. 1st (Gold) in 50m Freestyle 1st (Gold) in 100m Freestyle 1st (Gold) in 400m Freestyle 2nd (Silver) in 100m Backstroke 3rd (Bronze) in 200m Freestyle
UNIFORM SHOP NEW HOURS Monday 8am - 9.30am Tuesday 8am - 9.30am Wednesday 8am - 9.30am & 2.30pm - 3.30pm Thursday 8am - 9.30am Friday 8am - 9.30am
He will now be competing at National Age Championships in Sydney next month in 4 x individual events as well as 2 x club relay events. Track and Field We have also had some most notable achievements in Track and Field at National Championships recently. Katie Hayward has continued to dominate her Race Walk events, winning Gold at the recent National Championships which were held in Sydney. Katie set a new Meet Record for this event, the 3000m for Under 16 Girls. Then on Friday the 20th March, Katie won Gold at the State Little Athletics Championships in Brisbane in the 1500m walk, with a new State and National Record of 13:40.00. Natalie Roberts came in 9th place at National Youth Championships for the 200m, almost gaining a place in the final. Natalie is now currently ranked 7th in Australia for the 200m in her age group. An amazing achievement considering the hard work Nat has had to put in due to injuries in recent years.
PRE-ORDER YOUR ENTERTAINMENT BOOK NOW!! Purchase before 21st April 2015, and you’ll receive over $130 worth of Early Bird Offers which you can use straight away!
Digital or Book Memberships Available Cost is still only $55.00 www.entbook.com.au/14404l5
Tuckshop News
P&F News
Cashless Card Sales Over the last few weeks we’ve introduced the new Flexi School’s Cashless system. It has been overall a success. There is a very simple process that needs to be followed before the cashless system will work for your son/daughter.
This is the last bulletin for the term and when we return from the Easter break there will only be 5 weeks until the Fete.
• • • • •
Firstly have them associate their Student ID card with the photocopier (in the CRC); Then log into your flexi schools account. (If you have not registered follow the link below, its quick and simple to set up); Under your son/daughter’s name you will see in Blue “add Student ID number”, this will only appear if the card has been associated; Add the Student ID number then click “Save”; This should now be ready for use;
Unfortunately, it will only work in this order but if you would like to know more or are having difficulties log onto www.flexischools.com.au for more information or contact us at Tuckshop. Other News We have had a busy term with counter sales up from last year.
The P & F appreciates all the help we have had so far. Next term we will be looking for volunteers to help on the Friday afternoon and the Saturday of the Fete. We will also need assistance to pack up on the Sunday. The next P & F meeting will not be held until after the Fete on Wednesday 10 June. Fete The next Fete meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 April in the Junior School Staffroom at 3.30pm. Every Wednesday from now until the Fete we will be collecting donations at the Bus Shelter from 8am and the P & F office from 7.15am. Raffle Tickets Raffle tickets will be coming home over the next few weeks; this year’s prizes are worth $6,000 and at only $2 a ticket, really worth buying. If every family sells one book, this will ensure the raffle is a great success. The class that sells the most books will get a Pizza day, donated by the P & F – so get selling in the holidays.
Below is a little insight into how many people that we have served from the start of the term. It’s really is an eye opener and makes us ever so grateful for such an amazing new facility that the College and the P&F have provided that is enjoyed by the whole College Community. • • • • • • • • •
There has been over 5,734 people walk in our doors; Sold over 1,258 Sushi packs; Crumbed over 1,010 fresh Chicken Tenderloins; Served over 946 Dim Sims; Have made over 144 Macaroni Cheese packs; Have toasted 300 plus sandwiches; 1,223 bottles of milk have been drunk; 62 Freshly made juices have been enjoyed; Lastly, over 1,350 sunny boys have been cut;
I would also like to thank all of the volunteers who have helped us out this Term. We greatly appreciate the time that you have given to us. If you would like to help out in Tuckshop, please drop in or send us an email: tuckshop@salc.qld.edu.au Enjoy your holidays. Trina van der Kamp Tuckshop Manager
Dates to Remember - April Monday 20 Term 2 commences for staff and students Tuesday 21 Years 8-10 Immunisations Wednesday 22 Fete Meeting – Junior School Staffroom, 3.30pm Friday 24 ANZAC Day Service - 8.30am Zeal Touring Show - The Apology - 1pm-3pm - RBT Saturday 25 ANZAC Day March, Burleigh Heads – Corner James & West Streets, 9.00am Tuesday 28 Parent Teacher Interviews Wednesday 29 Years 11 & 12 Visual Art Excursion - QLD Gallery Fete Meeting – Junior School Staffroom, 3.30pm
Fete – 16 May 2015 - it is fast approaching!!! Fete preparations are well underway and we are hoping this year’s Fete can be as successful as previous years, but we need your help. We still need more donations of chocolate, second hand toys, books, cd’s and DVD’s. It has been decided we will not be running a second hand clothes stall – so please no more clothes to be donated. What we already have will be donated to charity. The next Fete meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 April in the Junior School Staffroom at 3.30pm. Every Wednesday from now until the Fete we will be collecting donations at the Bus Shelter from 8am and the P & F office from 7.15am.
RIDE PASSES!!! Early bird ride passes are now available via Trybooking (link below) $25 for over 5 years and $20 for Prep and under 5 years. Prices on the day of the Fete will be $30 and $25, so get in early! http://www.trybooking.com/HDBD
Fete Chocolate Drive Goal – 600 + blocks of chocolate WE NEED YOUR CHOCOLATE !!! we need a minimum of 600 chocolates to make this stall a success, so when they are next on special, please grab a few for the Fete. Raffle Tickets Raffle tickets will be coming home over the next few weeks; this year’s prizes are worth $6,000 and at only $2 a ticket, really worth buying. If every family sells one book, this will
ensure the raffle is a great success. The class that sells the most books will get a Pizza day, donated by the P & F – so get selling in the holidays. Books and money are to be returned to Main Reception, if you require more books to sell, they are available from Junior, Middle, Senior School Administration and Main Reception. Please get behind selling these tickets, it will really boost the Fete profits, all of which go back into the College. WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR BUSINESSES AT THE SCHOOL TO DONATE to the cent auction. Anything is appreciated. Please support the businesses who have donated: Air Factory – Burleigh Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Titans 2 x family passes Currumbin RSL vouchers Gold Coast Suns tickets Multifunction machine – Konica Minolta Aranyani Bison Park - One night accommodation Golf at Hope Island Golf at Coplicks Billabong prize packs x 3 Wax Hands Party Face Painting Party Beauty Bar Burleigh Chevron Yoga Tablet – donated by Gisler Group Positive Change Purses Holiway Skateboard Thermomix Tupperware Miami Stainless – Tools Eco Oasis - 2 nights accommodation – Valued at $650 Caltex - Gift Hampers Cold Rock Ice Cream 2 B Kids Plantation House Café Piece Style and Design Mrs Red’s Art Room Woodbox Café Madison Jane Mode Voyage Tea Therapy Wicked Beans Barbers on Swan Lane - One free hair cut Kaisercraft - 2 x $20 gift vouchers If you have any queries please contact the P & F at fete@salc.qld.edu.au
School Fete
Saturday 16 May
Bring everyone! 10am - 4pm
Rides *LIVE MUSIC* Showbags Coffee Chocolate Bed ART tattoos House of Horror
Talent Show
Cent Auction
Fairies & Pirates
Crazy Hair
Food Markets Great Prizes & lots more! you can h Donate to el ow stalls p V H Sell Raffle o l un Please keep an eye T i c k ebte ss e n d i n g
soon to We will ickets t e l f f a ic home r fantast h t i w l l se ss that a l c e h T s a prizes! ost win m e h t sells ay. pizza d
out for the different stalls that will be at the fete and donate to help create fantastic stalls & prizes. All donations are much appreciated.
t
eer We a re lo oking paren t for s t o stalls h e l p ,as ru up an sist with n Pleas d clean u set p&f i econtact p. f you the c a n in an y wa help y.
Please contact PandF@salc.qld.edu.au if you can help