Newsletter february issue 1 2017 by St Andrews Lutheran College

College Newsletter Issue 1 / 24 February 2017 From the Principal Learning All The Time The St Andrews Lutheran College Motto of Celebrating the Gospel, Nurturing the Individual, Empowering Lifelong Learners truly embodies our aspiration at St Andrews to foster graduates who are competent, confident and optimistic, armed with skills and knowledge to make a positive mark on society. Of course, the whole context of Lifelong Learning has particular relevance to me personally at the moment, as I continue to receive and process a considerable amount of information and data about all things ‘Andrian’. What have you learnt in the past 12 months? Some of the things published in print media last year included the following facts: octopuses need mental stimulation; carrots used to be purple; the world’s deserts produce 1,700 million tonnes of dust; whales catnap; men eat more broccoli than women; a petaflop is a measurement of computing speed equivalent to one thousand trillion calculations a second; pears sink while apples float; e-mail addresses beginning with A, M or S get more spam that those starting with Q or Z; Henry V invented passports; the Sydney Opera House was inspired by a peeled orange; the world’s longest insect is 56cm long.

foci this year for ourselves and for our students is the catchcry of ‘Stretch Yourself’. I can only think of the great inventor Thomas Edison who famously said “I have not failed; I have just found 10,000 ways that it did not work” on his way to developing the first patented light bulb. In our quick and click lifestyle there can be an expectation of instant success and a willingness to give up on anything that does not come quickly or easily. Real learning occurs where we have to think and problem-solve. Learning is like food. The quick takeaway version is easy, but a constant fast food diet leaves us flabby and eventually bored. For good growth we need a good solid diet that takes time to prepare and consume. It gives us something really worthwhile to chew over. I am delighted to be learning at St Andrews. Now… I must persevere with people’s names. After all, there are only about 4000 of them in the immediate Andrian community! Truly, I give thanks to God everyday for the privilege that is serving in this, your School. Peace David Bliss Principal

Chaplains Chat For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 (GNT)

All learning is interesting and we never know where it will lead us. Irrespective of the mode of learning, and there are many, it is the attitude to learning which is paramount to realising one’s potential to thrive as a learner. To that, I would add the notion of quest. In an age of ‘instant gratification’ for too many, I become concerned that the virtues of persistence and perseverance are not valued highly enough, by adults and children alike. As staff at St Andrews, one of our

How good are you at handling defeat? My two oldest children (aged 6 & 5) have begun playing chess (God bless them) after the Gold Coast City Council library network held chess education programs during the school holidays, which they attended. It has been wonderful to see their eyes delight in learning the different moves and coming to understand the strategy and fun of playing chess. At least, it was wonderful, until the games became more serious and one child began to feel the pain and anguish of defeat! I think we have all been there. Whether it is chess – or perhaps more recently – with the school swimming carnival – whenever there are winners, there are also losers. I remember when I grew up as the youngest of four children that I desperately wanted to win everything but often it didn’t happen, no matter how hard I tried. It wasn’t my incompe-

tence or lack of determination – my siblings were older than me – yet I didn’t want this little detail to spoil my belief that I could win, if I tried hard enough.

engaged in their learning and asking questions which leads to deeper understanding of the material covered.

I vividly remember the pain and anguish of losing and now, as a parent, I get to see the same pain and anguish on the faces of my children from time to time. Losing something you think you can win can be utterly devastating. It may feel as though a great injustice has taken place. This is why learning how to lose a sporting event, chess game or anything at all is an important life lesson. You could say that learning how to lose is more important than learning how to win. For this reason – and many more – I am grateful that human beings cannot earn favour with God. The bible informs us quite clearly that salvation, forgiveness, life and health or anything good that comes to us from God is given to us on account of His kindness and grace – not on account of our performance and efforts. It has been established this way because nobody is good enough to win the race of life and satisfy God’s high standard. This can be frustrating to those who like to win, but it is good news to those who are sure they were never going to win anyway. In fact, the Bible turns the idea of winning on its head. The only way to “win” or satisfy God’s standard is to let someone else do it for you. That someone is Jesus. In other words, you can win by doing nothing. And you can win by being last. It doesn’t matter to God. The only thing that matters is that you receive the gift he has given through His Son, Jesus.

The Arts are flourishing and will continue to grow with the introduction of the Arts Rotations on Thursday afternoons. The Junior School students are getting expert tutorage from the Senior School teachers in the areas of Visual Arts, Drama and Dance. The new Music Room is a hive of activity as the bands are now in full swing and the choirs are sounding beautiful. Dance troupes are starting to learn their new routines. Students who are having their PAT lessons are performing well. This year the College introduced a new opportunity for boys to get involved with the Arts in a group called “Boyz Crew”. We look forward to their performances later in the year.

It’s not every day that you can win something for nothing or that somebody actively tries to make you win and seeks nothing in return. But this is the case with our God and perhaps it helps reframe or reconsider all those other things we strive so hard to reach. Nathan Glover Chaplain

Junior School News Living the Dream Over the weekend I have been reflecting on the first 4 weeks of school and I have come to the conclusion that we are “living the dream”. We live in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, we have access to stunning beaches, the hinterland trails are breathtaking and there is lots for families to get involved in. Our children have many opportunities in a wonderful and caring school that assists them to reach their potential. The Junior School is part of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. It is a programme that is based on best practice that prepares students to be lifelong learners who care for themselves and the world around them. It focuses on the development of the whole child and engages the children in rich, meaningful and memorable learning experiences. As I walk into classrooms I see students actively

The Sports program is up and running with a large number of students involved in the Futsal program. The Years 4-6 students have had swimming lessons and will have had their swimming carnival. Next week they begin training for the inter school team sports program. Students from the Junior School have been selected to represent the College in swimming at District and Regional level competitions. There is certainly a lot to be thankful for and in so many ways we are living the dream. We are lucky to live in a great country and our children have many opportunities. At the dinner table each night, I would encourage you and your children to identify three things that you and they are grateful for each day. You might also like to say a prayer to thank God for blessing us so richly. By focussing on and being thankful for all of the good things that happen in our lives, it can go some small way into helping us deal with the many challenges that life presents. Darrin Schumacher Head of Junior School

Middle & Senior School News New Beginnings on Firm Foundations Each new year brings with it endless possibilities to embrace new learning opportunities and to grow and develop as a College. The arrival of Mr David Bliss, the 4th Principal at St Andrews, the reopening of upper J Block as modernised spaces for learning and innovation in Senior School, and the addition of a 5th class of Year 7 students, have all greatly enhanced our new beginnings for 2017. Teachers at St Andrews continue to refine and evolve their practices to ensure that our Mission Statement; Celebrating the Gospel, Nurturing the Individual and Empowering Lifelong Learners, is enacted in a contemporary, authentic and aspirational way. Working collaboratively in professional learning partnerships, through action research initiatives and by embracing a growth mindset towards continual improvement, our teachers set and work towards professional goals each year. Together, they use data, inquire and reflect on how our students learn best and how to help each student to flourish. Informed by educational research, in particular work done by John Hattie, the Marzano Institute and Martin Seligman, a founder of Positive Psychology, we continue to build programs that support next, best practices. Our teachers encourage students to be active in their learning and to explore their thinking, to innovate, to problem solve and to apply knowledge in classes and beyond.

At St Andrews our hope is that our students will approach their dreams and aspirations with confidence and a clear understanding that they are pursuing excellence and personal bests, not for themselves alone but to also make a difference in the world. Service learning is an integral part of a St Andrews education. Over the past week, our Year 11 students, began their regular support evenings at Rosies outreach program and on Wednesday we went ‘Red for Rosies’ as our Term 1 Mufti Day.

This year we will continue to embed both our Learning and Teaching Framework, Dimensions of Learning (DoL) and our Positive Learning and Wellbeing Framework (PERMA) knowing that both complement our aspiration to unashamedly pursue excellence and flourishing. We also continue to focus on service, character development and personal best achievements with the hope that students might individually and collectively do and be at their best. Our values themes for this term are Courage and Wisdom and our dedicated staff encourage students to apply both of these values as they dream and think big; persist and show resilience when faced with challenges in learning and in life. Last Monday, I led a chapel on the theme Courage to Act with a focus on Martin Luther, Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim (Australian of the Year) and Year 5 student Bryce U’Ren. Each has a different story but each chose to show the courage to act in a time when they saw a need greater than themselves and had a positive impact on the world. Martin Luther showed great courage when he challenged some of the practices of the Catholic Church 500 years ago, our 2017 Australian of the Year, a St Peters Lutheran College graduate, Alan Mackay-Sim dedicated over 30 years of research and commitment towards studying regenerating olfactory cells in the nose which led into ground breaking research into spinal cell regeneration, and young Bryce U’Ren (Year 5 student) was so touched by the challenges faced by young people fighting cancer that he took action to raise funds and to deliver over 240 Super Max turtle nightlights to hospital wards across Australia over the summer break.

On Sunday a group of students along with Ms Forrest and Mr Carter assisted at the Disabled Surfriders Association of Australia.

Our SRC and LEOS clubs have started to work on their service initiatives for the year and our Year 12 captaincy team spent time helping in the Early Learning Centre this week.

Performing Arts News Music and Dance Studios Open to Students It was a very exciting day when our first group of students walked into the brand new Dance Studio and Music Rooms. These new facilities are state of the art and will become a much loved creative home to our many dancers and musicians. The large dance studio, with sprung timber floor, wall length mirrors and ballet barre complete with substantial costume storage will house our many dance troupes and dance classes. The Music Studios have several separate rehearsal spaces off a large central area complete with permanent choir risers. As a department, we look forward to many years of creative play and engaged learning in these wonderful spaces.

So as we move forward into this year we do so with clarity in our mission and ongoing aspirations to do and be the best we can be and to serve our students and their families and with grateful thanks for our many blessings. Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School

Valentine’s Day Busking Valentine’s Day saw some of our singers perform in the COLA at lunchtime to a very appreciative audience. Thanks to all who performed and to our Cultural Captain Isobel Thomas for her organisation of the event.

Spotlight on… In each Newsletter we will shine a spotlight on one of our Cocurricular Music Groups. To begin we take a look at our String Ensemble. It’s been a fantastic start to String Ensemble this year with students continuing in their musical journey on violin and cello. Last year saw the ensemble featured at Cultural Awards as part of Viva La Vida which was such a highlight of the Cultural Calendar. The Ensemble is sounding great with more challenging music and already getting ready for this year’s performance opportunities which will include Fete, Cultural Awards and Christmas Service to name a few. We are looking forward to introducing double bass to the ensemble to augment the sound and create more avenues for students to express themselves. I thank all members who have conscientiously arrived on time for both rehearsals and lessons, having practiced their music (some even over the break). If you are interested in joining this great group, please email kateo@salc.qld.edu.au

Boyz Crew St Andrews newest music group ‘Boyz Crew’ is off to a great start! Combining singing and dancing, this group will run for Terms 1 and 2, meeting once a week for rehearsal. With Arts Week and Fete in their sights, they are already busy learning lyrics and moves to their first song. Watch this space! Boyz Crew, Tuesdays 11-11:25am, Junior Music Room Cilla Scott Head of Arts

Kate Oakley-Grant Strings PAT Tutor

P & F News The P & F Committee for 2017 are as follows: President: Julieanne Andrews Vice President: Jeffrey Bauman Secretary: Nicole Ainger Treasurer: Julie Dignan We look forward to seeing you at some of the events listed below. The first P & F Meeting is Wednesday 8 March 7.00pm in the J Block Boardroom (J10). We welcome all parents and guardians to attend. Picnic in the Playground is held in first term down on the Junior School oval, this will be on Friday 17 March. This is an exciting evening with entertainment from students at the College as well as a jumping castle and photobooth. It is a great opportunity to meet new parents and families. There is a sausage sizzle with BYO drinks as well a coffee van onsite. The P & F would like to invite all the families of St Andrews to attend making a great community evening.

St Andrews Fete 2017 College Fete - 20 May 2017 SATURDAY 20 MAY 2017 The first Fete meeting is Wednesday 8 March 3.30pm in ST ANDREWS LUTHERAN COLLEGE the Junior School Library. Meetings will be held every fortnight from this date. 10AM to 4PM We are looking for stall holders to join us at the Fete. All * RIDES * RAFFLE PRIZES * SHOWBAGS * is a parents or families are invited to have a stall, there * COFFEE * CENT AUCTION * LIVE MUSIC small charge for hire of the site, anyone who would* like * FOOD MARKETS * CRAZY HAIR * ART * information please enquire at: fete@salc.qld.edu.au

* TALENT SHOW * HOUSE OF HORROR *

A Guiness World Record be attempted 500 people * CHOCOLATE BEDwill * TATTOOS * & of MORE! * wearing capes in one area on the Village Green during the College Fete. DONATIONS

VOLUNTEERS STALL Donations of chocolates and bottles of wine are HOLDERS required for REQUIRED OF WINE NEEDED WANTED the College Fete as we* BOTTLES are running the Chocolate Bed and * CHOCOLATE Please contact: Please contact: Wine Bottle Lucky Dip. Wine must be dropped off to the Please bring to fete@salc.qld.edu.au fete@salc.qld.edu.au Junior Administration Collge by an adult. All donations can be taken to the Junior or Libraries School Administration Office, Junior School Library or Cecile VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please contact fete@salc.qld.edu.au Ryan Centre.

Dates to Remember FEBRUARY Monday 27 Year 6 Sydney/Canberra Trip, 27 Feb - 3 Mar South Coast Regional Swim Carnival Tuesday 28 JS Assembly, 1.40pm - MPH MARCH Wednesday 1 Ash Wednesday Year 3 Visit to St Andrews Aged Care Year 4 Camp, 1-3 March Year 12 Technology Studies Excursion Year 12 Hospitality Excursion Year 6 Parents Dinner Thursday 2 South Coast Regional Swimming Carnival Brisbane South/Gold Coast ALWS Awareness Day (selected students) Friday 3 South Coast Regional Swimming Carnival MS/SS Disco, 7-9pm - Worship Centre Year 3 Parents Dinner

VOLUNTEERS INDUCTION Our next Volunteers Induction will be held at 9am Wednesday 8 March in the Junior School Library. Everyone who volunteers in the College is required to have attended this workshop which covers such issues as Valuing Safe Communities, Child Protection, Privacy and Fire Evacuation. Please register with Karen Deacon either by emailing: jsadmin@salc.qld.edu.au or by phone 5568 5901. A reminder to all existing volunteers we request that you sign in and wear your name badge at all times while volunteering in the College. If you do not have a current name badge then once again, please contact Karen Deacon. We value highly the wonderful support all Volunteers offer the College in their various roles either in the classroom, on excursions, in the Library, Tuckshop, Uniform Shop or as Traffic Safety Attendants. These are just a few of the places where we find you helping out and we thank you for all you do. A welcoming cuppa and morning tea will be provided from 8.45am. Just come straight after drop-off and enjoy some social time.

St Andrews Fete 2017 St Andrews Fete - Saturday 20 May 2017 - 10am-4pm It is time for all students and families to get excited and enthusiastic for this years College Fete!! They only come around every two years and this will prove to be the best yet. The Fete Committee are requiring a lot of community support to make this a success ranging from donations to volunteers. Fete Meeting The first Fete meeting is Wednesday 8 March 3.30pm in the Junior School Library. Meetings will be held every fortnight from this date. Donations Required: » Prizes for the Cent Auction » Bottles of Wine (delivered by adults only please) » Blocks Chocolate All donations can be taken to the Junior School Administration Office, Junior School Library or Cecile Ryan Centre. World Record Attempt A Guinness World Record will be attempted... 500 people wearing capes in one area on the Village Green during the College Fete!!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au

Cake Stall Closer to the time all you bakers out there, we will require cakes or biscuits and slices for the cake stall. Boxes will be sent home with your students the week before the Fete with delivery instructions for you to return the baked goods. Sponsorship of Prizes for Cent Auction Once again we will be holding a Cent Auction at this year’s Fete. Its success is dependent on community support and your generous prize donations. So if you have a business or know anyone who would like to donate an item that can be used as a prize we would be very grateful. Please contact Jessica Russell on 0408 125 310 or russell.lj@bigpond.com Those businesses that donate prizes will be recognised with their business’s details displayed on Fete day and in a list of prize donors in the College Bulletins and Newsletters in the lead up and immediately after the Fete. Volunteers: will be needed to help man stalls as well as assist in coordinating the parking. All volunteers can send through their details to: fete@salc.qld.edu.au It is the College community help which makes this day exciting for all students and our local community. To get in touch and be a part of this great day please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au Stall Holders We are looking for stall holders to join us at the Fete. All parents or families are invited to have a stall, there is a small charge for hire of the site, anyone who would like information please enquire at: fete@salc.qld.edu.au

DONATIONS REQUIRED

* BOTTLES OF WINE * CHOCOLATE Please bring to Junior Administration or Libraries

STALL HOLDERS WANTED Please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please contact fete@salc.qld.edu.au

St Andrews Fete 2017 SATURDAY 20 MAY 2017

ST ANDREWS LUTHERAN COLLEGE

10AM to 4PM

* RIDES * RAFFLE PRIZES * SHOWBAGS * * COFFEE * CENT AUCTION * LIVE MUSIC * * FOOD MARKETS * CRAZY HAIR * ART * * TALENT SHOW * HOUSE OF HORROR * * CHOCOLATE BED * TATTOOS * & MORE! *

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au

DONATIONS REQUIRED

* BOTTLES OF WINE * CHOCOLATE Please bring to Junior Administration or Libraries

STALL HOLDERS WANTED Please contact: fete@salc.qld.edu.au

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please contact fete@salc.qld.edu.au

Picnic in the Playground Friday 17 March Junior School Playground

5:00pm - 7:00pm Please come and join the College community for our Term 1 social event. sausage sizzle & drinks for sale. * * * *

Raffle Live Music BYO Drinks Jumping Castle

* * * *

Sausage Sizzle Undercover Area Playground Photobooth

Please RSVP by Saturday 4 March pandf@salc.qld.edu.au

INSIGHTS Building parent-school partnerships WORDS Michael Grose

Developing your

child’s social media scripts

It’s important to start conversations with children about using social media at a young age to prepare them to be savvy users when we’re not around. “If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing

The same maxim holds true for the world

around. Here are some ideas to get you

well.”

of social media that children now inhabit

started:

This mantra always pops into mind

from an increasingly young age. Even

whenever I’m about to cut some corners

though our children are growing up

or do a rushed job in any endeavour. As a

with technology as a part of their every

result I double-check every article I write

day lives, they will still make plenty of

for mistakes. I over prepare every talk I

mistakes while using it. This means we

give. And I continually edit and re-edit my

need to have direct conversations with

books. This message keeps me at the top

our kids about the comments and posts

of my game.

that are okay to make using social media of all forms.

I can thank, or blame, my mother for

1 “Is this worth posting?” The relatively impersonal nature of social media means that we can post information and pictures with relative immunity. Also its immediacy means that we can do so without much thought. This means that kids need to be very critical about what they see online. ‘Is this accurate?’ and ‘Is this

inserting this mantra in my mind as she

As parents we teach our kids to talk

repeated it whenever I did a rushed job

politely and clearly so that they know

as a youngster making my bed, doing

how to speak to others when we’re not

homework or cleaning up my bathroom

around. In effect, we give our kids social

mess.

scripts to fall back on when they talk to

Parents of every generation have always

friends, teachers and relatives. There’s

A child who blurts out everything that

no guarantee they’ll look an adult in the

comes into his mind without thinking

eye when they speak to them, but our

is sure to put plenty of people offside.

discussions, reminders and lessons about

‘Think before you speak’ is the type of

manners will hopefully hold up when

message that every child should have

or real world intuitively knew that they

we’re not around.

in mind.

needed to teach child important lessons

The same applies to social media. Our

about safety and manners rather than

conversations and lessons will prepare

assume they’ll be understood.

them to be savvy users when we’re not

found ways to frame messages of safety and success for their children to remember. Parents of past generations who only had to contend with the offline

worth posting?’ are two valid questions children can ask when they read posts placed by others.

2 “Have you taken a big breath?”