Middle/Senior School Bulletin Issue 4 / 18 March 2016 Middle & Senior School News We are not there yet. A reminder to all families that students will be busy with assessments and end of term testing right up to our final day of term – Thursday 24 March. St Andrews is a busy, active and wonderful community. Each time I sit down to write I promise myself I will try to keep my article short but there is simply so much to share. That in itself is a true blessing.
Over the weekend, a number of our Leos took part in Relay for Life, fundraising for the Cancer Council and a group of seniors, accompanied by Mr Schache to support Rosies. The full cohort of Kokoda challenge participants, who will compete later this year, completed their first major training event at Polly’s Kitchen in the lead up to the event which raises funds and awareness for the Kokoda Youth Foundation.
Last week, Year 11 Legal Studies students attended the Brisbane Supreme Court and gained a deeper understanding of the legal system and court processes. Twenty three Years 8-11 students also attended the Somerset Literature Festival 2016 where they received advice in the fields of creative writing and journalism through the opportunity to converse closely with published authors. Last week, a group of Year 9 students attended the Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) Day held at Redeemer Lutheran College. This year the theme for the day was ‘Goodness Grows - Our Planet, Our People, Our Purpose’. Students explored the impacts of the changing climate on poor and vulnerable people around the world. Students engaged in listening to information in a whole group setting and then participated in small groups giving them ‘real life’ scenarios and activities to think about the issues surrounding the topic. They shared what they learned with other students upon their return as part of the wider ALWS Awareness Week. ‘I learnt that we are the change in the world and what we do is going to affect the world tomorrow. We also learnt that what we are doing is affecting people worse off and that they are the ones that are counting on us.’ Finn Hazir - Middle School Captain
On Monday, another handful of students and staff shaved for a cure and raised over $1900 for the Leukaemia Foundation and those suffering from leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Thank you to all who participated either by donating funds or their hair to raise awareness of this important cause. Cultural Exchanges This week we hosted students and staff from Ehime University, Fuzoku Senior High School in Japan and last week we were visited by students and staff from Batchelor Area School from the Northern Territory. These opportunities help to broaden and build our students cultural and international mindedness. ‘Kids are kids’, and it was a true pleasure to watch the interactions and shared learning that took place over these visits. Thank you to Mrs Harman and Mrs Hill for organising these opportunities for learning.