Issue 1 / 27 February 2015
From the Principal Academic Awards Assembly Recently as a College Community we celebrated student learning at our start of year Academic Awards Assembly. At this assembly the College recognized three key elements of student learning: • Excellence in Academic Achievement • Significant Improvement in Academic Achievement • Outstanding Effort in Academics These 3 awards, reflect 3 key things that we value highly at St Andrews.
Firstly, we unashamedly value excellence. Excellence is something that is sought after and highly prized. At St Andrews we choose to strive for excellence not because it is easy, but because it is hard. Regardless of what we do in life, we should strive to do it the best we possibly can. Secondly, we value improvement. The desire or motivation to get better at something, in this case, learning, is important. At St Andrews we want all our children and young people to want to become a better student, a better musician, a better athlete, a better brother or sister, a better son or daughter, a better person, every day. Finally, we value effort, hard work and persistence. This is something that every student regardless of ability can show in their school work, and is something that
will stand each of us in good stead for our life beyond school. Increasingly researchers are finding that effort and hard work are key factors in people achieving mastery and success in their chosen field. As part of this Awards Assembly we celebrated the highest OP achievers from last year’s graduating Year 12 class. The class of 2014 continued the fine tradition of excellent academic scholarship that St Andrews has developed - 94.1% received an OP 1-15 and 64.7%, 2 in 3 students received an OP between 1 and 10. 23.5% of students, nearly 1 in 4 students were awarded an OP between 1 and 5. These results are a credit to last year’s class – their work ethic, their perseverance, their willingness to engage in class, the way that they used feedback from teachers to help them to get better, and the way they made use of lunchtime and afterschool tutorials. It is also a credit to the teachers of our College - their expertise, skill and the quality of relationships that they formed with them. It is also most meritorious that 41.7% of last years’ cohort received direct entry into university without having to go through QTAC. Congratulations to every student who received an award. It is pleasing to see so many students rise to the challenge and embrace the learning opportunities presented to them. Opening of the Early Learning Centre Last week the College officially opened the Early Learning Centre. For many gathered at the ceremony it was the realization of a long held dream, as the ELC completed another piece of the jigsaw of the vision the founders held for St Andrews. The various assembled dignitaries commented on what a wonderful building it is. They’re right; it is a superb facility. Its’ design incorporates all that we know about young children and how they learn, grow and develop. The ELC is a facility that encourages play-based learning, student initiated inquiry, problem solving, effective communication, creativity and positive social interactions. Through this our youngest students have every opportunity to develop a strong sense of identity, feel connected to and contribute to his or her world, develop a strong sense of well-
being and become a confident and involved lifelong and life-wide learner. Richness of Learning in the Lower Junior School It’s been exciting to visit many of the classes in the lower Junior School (Prep to Year 2): exciting because the level of student engagement and interest in class is palpable and tangible.
to prioritize the monthly bills and expenses. Through the PYP our youngest students have a competitive advantage to be learning in an authentic transdisciplinary way at such a young age, as this is indeed how the world works. The 3Rs - Relationships, Relationships, Relationships This year across the College we are having a renewed focus on building positive and productive relationships. Positive and affirming relationships are central to building community. Effective relationships also lie at the heart of effective learning. Learning is highly relational. We know from experience and from the research of people like John Hattie that the teacher-student relationship is one of the most important variables impacting on student learning. Teachers knowing their students and how they learn and having high expectations of all their students are central to the effective teacherstudent relationships.
The Preppies are doing important foundational work in literacy and numeracy. They are learning the letters and sounds of the alphabet and reading some highfrequency words. They are beginning to identify numbers and quantities from 1-10 in mathematics and to recognise and make a variety of patterns. Literacy and numeracy are the foundational building blocks for educational success, and the key to successful citizenship and participation in society. Through literacy and numeracy rotations across the Junior School our students are receiving targeted instruction at a level aimed at meeting their needs. I’ve been particularly delighted to see the explicit teaching of thinking skills in the lower Junior School - one of the College’s key strategic foci in terms of Teaching and Learning. The Year 1 classrooms are starting to develop a ‘Thinking Skill Toolbox’ that they will be able to draw on as the year progresses. The best jobs of the 21st century, including those that haven’t been invented yet will require keenly developed higher order thinking skills. Through the explicit teaching of thinking skills in the lower Junior School, St Andrews students are being extended to be the best possible learner they can be. St Andrews is an International Baccalaureate School offering the Primary Years Program (PYP). One of the great strengths of the PYP is that students get to use and apply the numeracy, literacy and higher order thinking skills they are learning in a transdisciplinary setting through their Units of Inquiry. Being able to use their knowledge and skills in this way mirrors what happens in the wider world. Rarely do we use the knowledge we have learnt in isolation. For example, we might use numeracy to calculate what we have earnt this week, but then use this information generated to problem solve (higher order thinking skill) how we are going
Relationships between students are also critical for building community and enhancing learning. One of the strengths of St Andrews as a P-12, now E-12 school is the opportunity it affords for cross age interactions and mentoring. Our Year 12 student leaders run after school study tutorials for Middle School students on a Wednesday to assist Middle Schoolers with their learning. We have Senior School students going down to the Junior School in their break time to lead Junior School students in various activities. Our Year 8 students spend time reading to Year 4 students. Year 5 students recently visited the Early Learning Centre as part of their Japanese lesson. These types of student to student relationships greatly assist student learning. For the older student it consolidates and deepens their understanding of things when they have to teach or explain it to another student, and for the younger student it helps them to connect with the subject matter in a new way. This all adds to the rich tapestry of student learning here at St Andrews. Tim Kotzur Principal
I look forward to meeting those I have not yet met and strengthening the relationships that have already begun. It is a joy to be here.
Chaplains Chat Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1 Greetings to the College community and all who read this newsletter. My name is Nathan Glover and I have been called by the College to serve as the new College Pastor. Whenever I am asked how I am settling in or what it is like to serve at the College, my response is always “joy – it is an absolute joy to be here.” I have long desired to serve at a Lutheran school and always been connected to them in one way or another, either as a student myself, as a youth worker, website designer, or more generally, as a child of parents who taught in Lutheran Schools. I thank God for calling me to this position and I look forward to serving you as the new College Pastor. One of the most striking differences so far between parish ministry and school ministry is the sheer number of systems, acronyms and ways of doing things that seem intuitive to everyone who belongs to the community but less so to me – I have needed to ask a lot of questions! It occurs to me that the Christian church is a lot like this. There are systems, acronyms and ways of doing things or describing things that seem intuitive to those on the inside but less so to those on the outside. In my role as College Pastor, I hope to bridge the gap between the inside and the outside – between the churchly side of things and the secular side of the things. Lutheran schools exist on the boundaries of both and I hope to speak in a language and tone that both understand. I want to do this because there are many rich treasures that the Christian church holds dear that deserve to be shared. I learnt a number of these treasures both personally and professionally in my time at Seminary, and I look forward to sharing them in the school context. If there is one thing that I hope to be remembered for when my time at the College is complete – it is that I have shared these treasures with the College community in word and deed and made complex matters of faith simple to understand and accessible to all.
In His service, Pastor Nathan College Pastor
Junior School News This year is a very exciting year for the Year 6 students as they embark on a trip to Sydney and Canberra. Sydney and Canberra hold a lot of historical and cultural value and the trip will be a valuable learning experience for all those involved. A trip like this not only has educational benefits, the students will gain valuable life and social skills. The educational benefits are many. During the visit the students will engage in rich learning opportunities that develop their awareness of citizenship, history, science, art and culture; all aspects of Australian life that every child should experience. The students will be guided on a tour of the Rocks District in Sydney. The Junior School curriculum provides a study of colonial Australia in the 1800s. Students look at the founding of British colonies and the development of a colony. They learn about what life was like for different groups of people in the colonial period. The Year 6 curriculum moves from colonial Australia to the development of Australia as a nation, particularly after 1900. While in Canberra students will explore the factors that led to Federation and experiences of democracy and citizenship over time. The National Museum captures the key events in Australia’s history. The Year 6 curriculum also focuses upon the key institutions of Australia’s democratic system of government, including the constitution, parliaments, and courts. Visiting Parliament House and seeing where the laws are debated and passed is a memorable experience and add to our student’s understanding of the democratic process. The life skills of independence and resilience are valuable learning experiences as well. For a lot of the students it will be the longest amount of time that they have been away from home. This is a unique experience and it is an important part of growing to maturity. The students will need to be resilient as they face challenges and work through scenarios that they haven’t experienced before. Being amongst a group of nearly 100 people (staff and students) day and night for 5 whole days, the children
will need to be thoughtful of others around them. They will need to wait for their turn and be respectful to the many people who will be working with them. They will need to do this while they are fully refreshed and when they are tired too. The bonds and shared experiences that are developed on a trip like this can last with children for a very long time.
stellar example by taking every opportunity to support the academic imperative and to build connectedness. From the hugely successful SRC Disco to visits to the St Andrews Lutheran Aged Care to share some cheer and also by providing mentoring programs for Middle School students during after school study sessions. The seniors are helping to build a flourishing culture.
The trip to Sydney and Canberra is a wonderful experience for all those involved with many opportunities for growth in their knowledge of Australia’s history, development of life skills and the opportunity to grow socially as well. Darrin Schumacher Deputy Principal Head of Junior School
Middle & Senior School News At St Andrews we are focused on developing the whole person. We want our students to grow into all God intended them to be; fine young men and women of character, confident in their ability and committed to the pursuit of excellence in all of their endeavours. This aspiration gains practical expression through our approach to ‘nurturing the individual’; our focus on Positive Education, wellbeing and character development; and our unashamed celebration of excellence in learning. This year our focus in Secondary School is on embedding Habits of Mind as an integral part of our Teaching and Learning Framework (Dimensions of Learning), and fostering growth mindsets and personal bests aspirations with a particular focus on resilience and perseverance.
Throughout Term 1 students have been exploring their character strengths and mindfully applying the habits of; managing impulsivity, persisting, thinking interdependently, and thinking and communicating with clarity and precision in order to build self-awareness and the skills for learning. Our Year 12 students have set a
Our Middle School elective program continues to broaden in scope. Last week I visited the students in Roboshop as their robots were navigating through a timed obstacle course. The students were literally on the edge of their seat watching how their robots and the programming of their peers stacked up to the challenge. I must confess that I had a little extra spark of joy when an all-girls team proudly proclaimed that they were winning the trial. It made me wish I was back in Middle School.
In discussing the secrets of happiness, Philosopher Dan Dennett once said, “Find something more important than you are, and dedicate your life to it.” How, exactly, do we help our students to find that? Perhaps faith, curiosity and self-knowledge are three key steps on the journey. At St Andrews, we will continue to look for diverse opportunities for our students to explore their faith; elicit their curiosity; and offer choice and reflection to enable the development of their selfknowledge. We also want our students to grow their skills and talents not for themselves alone but for the
service of others. This term students have been involved in many service learning initiatives and our Mufti-day focus was ‘Rainbow Colours for Refugees’ in support of the work of the Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS).
Performing Arts News Working Collaboratively in The Arts It is always a wonderful experience for all involved when our Senior students work with Junior School classes. Last week Year 5, as part of their current PYP Unit, came to the Ruth Butler Theatre to spend some time with the Year 10 Drama Class, developing some basic stage craft skills.
Clearly we are very blessed to be part of a community where faith and curiosity in action abounds. As the remainder of the term and the College year unfolds may our students continue to enjoy their learning. From participation in physical activities such as the swimming carnival and various sporting training groups, to involvement in a vast range of performing arts activities, to worship services, through camps and excursions, social lunch picnics, involvement in various service groups and by being part of a community that values being a place where ‘everybody is somebody’. I pray that each of our students knows they are loved and that they can use their unique gifts and talents to make a difference.
PAT Staff Update We welcome Morgan Garrity to our PAT Team as PAT Speech and Drama Tutor in the absence of Mrs Cassie Zorko who is on maternity leave. Morgan has studied Trinity College, London exams and has her Associate Diploma (ATCL). She has taught at the Australian Talent School as well as the Youth Theatre Program at Phoenix Ensemble. Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School
Morgan also worked on the Professional Touring Production of Annie (Gordon Frost) as an Assistant to the Director, and focused most of her work with the Orphan casts, including running some rehearsals with the
young performers. She has also directed for various local theatre companies, with her production of The Adams Family opening last week and also has a production of Legally Blonde coming up at Spotlight Theatre. Term 1 Dates Friday 13 March - P & F Picnic in the Park - Junior School Oval Come along and be entertained by some of our talented musicians at the annual P & F Picnic in the Park. Tuesday 24 March – Senior Drama Evening 6pm Ruth Butler Theatre Assessment Pieces presented by Senior Drama Students. Thursday 26 March – Mini Musos Open Rehearsal 3.30pm in RBT Parents of Mini Musos are invited to attend an Open Rehearsal, where they will have the opportunity to sit in the band with their child and gain a better understanding of their musical journey. It is also a chance to meet the PAT Team involved in the Mini Musos Program 2015.
band notes Practice Makes Perfect: Practice seems to be a new buzz word in education at the moment. It seems strange to a musician who has been practicing most of their life. The truth is its not a new buzz word but rather most people who thought they were practicing have suddenly found out that they were not. So what is practice? 1. ‘Practice doesn’t make perfect’: only ‘Perfect practice makes perfect’. (We need to get it right the FIRST TIME. So anytime you are learning something new you need to go through it SLOWLY). 2. Practice only happens when you are working on something just above your competency level. Something a little too hard for you. 3. Because it’s hard, you should only do it for a short time. (For beginning musicians this means about 10 mins. Spend the rest of your time revising thing you know to make them better). 4. Practice works better when you do it more often. (Two sessions of 10 mins a day work better than one half hour slot).
Introducing JS Concert Band This year we have a new band – which consists of our 2014 Mini Musos. Our Junior School Concert Band, conducted by Ms Julie Whiting, builds on the skills developed in the Beginner Band Program and prepares the musicians for our Concert Band when they reach Middle School. Their debut performance will be at this year’s Fete.
Cilla Scott Head of Arts
Short, Slow, Difficult but Often is your new Perfect Practice Mantra. Paul Oakley-Grant
ducted by Ms West on the Top Oval 7.00am Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Sport News Head of Sport On Tuesdays, I will now be located in the HPE office under J Block with Mr Carter (Head of PE). This will make it much easier for Senior students to contact me regarding any Sports related enquiries. I can also be contacted by email: andrewm@salc.qld.edu.au On other days during the week, I will generally be based in my office in the MPH. District Sport Carnivals and Trials Due to some changes within the School Sport South Coast region, ALL 10 to 19 year old St Andrews’ students will now trial via the HINTERLAND DISTRICT. This applies for Carnivals (Swim, Cross Country and Athletics) and Sports Team selection trials. The Gold Coast South (Primary) and Independent (Secondary) Districts do not exist anymore. Don’t forget to email or see me if you are interested in attending District Sport Carnivals and/or Trials in 2015. Reminders will be in student notices and on the College website as trial dates approach, but it is every students’ responsibility to research the dates and contact me if they are interested in such events. Student Achievement TAEKWONDO - Luke Workman recently competed at the National Taekwondo Championships for 2014. He achieved a Bronze Medal in his belt and weight category. Well done Luke on such an impressive achievement. St Andrews Sports Opportunities Already in 2015 we have organised numerous opportunities for our students to be involved in sporting activities and competitions. St Andrews Swimming Carnivals Years 7-12 THURSDAY 26 February Years 4-6 FRIDAY 27 February MILO In2Cricket and T20 BLAST We have once again started the Wednesday after school Cricket sessions for Prep to Year 2 (In2Cricket) and T20BLAST (Years 3-6). Next term it will be AFL Auskick. Hinterland District Trials A list of sports and dates for over 50 separate trials for 10 to 19 year olds is on the College Website. Running Club This group event for Years 4–12 and families is con-
Futsal A large number of College teams have been having try outs and practices since week 2. Netball Practices and tryouts for our QISSN, Vicki Wilson Cup and Primary Schools Cup teams are underway. AFL Trials for the Gold Coast Suns teams will be held very soon. Basketball We have a dedicated group of basketballers who get together to train early mornings. They are looking forward to our AGCC competition and the State Championships later in the year. Run Around Australia Our P-6 classes are participating in our own ‘Run Around Australia’ event where they are encouraged to complete laps of the Mini Cross Country Course and progress their year level around a map of Australia. Sports Leadership Many of our students are already involved in assisting at the College Carnivals, as a Year 6 Active School Leader, assisting at the after school Cricket programs and with Junior School sports teams. The College Sport Captains have presented sports information at the Years 7-12 assembly. The Year 6 House Captains did a fantastic job of presenting their first Sports Report at the P-6 Assembly. The Year 9 and 12 House Captains have also been leading activities to help organise and promote the upcoming swimming carnivals. Our Year 11/12 girls will soon have the chance to attend the Griffith University Sports Career Experience Day. AGCC Sport Our squads for Thursday afternoon AGCC Sport have been finalised and will begin matches next week. Junior School Sport The Years 4-6 have selected their sports for the upcoming Winter Sports roster. If you have any questions, or would like some more information about the above programs, please contact me at andrewm@salc.qld.edu.au Andrew Manion Head of Sport
Picnic in the Park The annual Picnic in the Park will be held on Friday 13 March 5pm–8pm. There will be jumping castles for the kids, music for the adults and a relaxing atmosphere for parents to meet other families and some of the teachers at the College.
P&F News We hope everyone is settling back into the school year. The General Meeting for Term 1 will be held on Wednesday 11 March at 7pm in the CRC. We welcome any new parents to come along and find out what the P & F is all about. If you have any agenda items for discussion please email the Secretary at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au by Friday 6 March. Attending meetings is a great opportunity to meet other parents and have input into school projects which the P & F fund. Everyone is welcome so please join us. If anyone has any suggestions or comments and cannot make the next meeting please email the P & F at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au Dates for General Meetings in 2015 We only meet once a term, so put these dates in your diary. All meetings start at 7pm in the CRC. Term 1 – Wednesday 11 March Term 2 – Wednesday 10 June Term 3 – Wednesday 12 August Term 4 – Wednesday 25 November - AGM
A sausage sizzle and drinks will be available for purchase to assist in funding the event.
Fete – 16 May 2015 Every Wednesday morning until FETE day we will be collecting donations under the Bus Shelter. WE NEED YOUR CHOCOLATE!!! If every family donates ONE block of chocolate – we will have ALL the chocolate we need. Please see details below for our Chocolate Drive, 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. We also need second hand clothes/books/DVDs and toys. The P & F will be at the Bus Shelter every Wednesday morning for donations. IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS – WE NEED DONATIONS FOR THE CENT AUCTION – this is a great way to get your business name in the local community. Please contact Julieanne on 0421 795 411 for details.
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. CHOCOLATE BED: A $2 coin toss game where you have the opportunity to win chocolate bars. Chocolate bars are spread over an old style metal bed and if your toss lands on a chocolate bar – you win that bar. Great fun for all ages.
Picnic in the park Everyone welcome
Friday the 13th of March 5pm - 8pm Jnr School oval
LIVE MUSIC
by our senior students Please RSVP to pandf@salc.qld.edu.au There will be a jumping castle for the kids. Yo u c a n p u r c h a s e a s a u s a g e s i z z l e , s n a c k s & drinks or bring your own food and drinks. Bring a chair or picnic blanket & enjoy getting together with the school community.
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
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out for the different stalls that will be at the fete and donate to help create fantastic stalls & prizes. All donations are much appreciated.
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Please contact PandF@salc.qld.edu.au if you can help