College Newsletter Issue 4 / 4 November 2016
From the Principal Junior School Redevelopment & Refurbishment Twelve months ago in the corresponding November Newsletter I announced the Junior School Redevelopment and Refurbishment Project. The ensuing twelve months has seen the realisation of this vision. The Junior School facilities have been transformed. The new learning spaces for Year 1s, a new teaching space for Student Services and LOTE, repurposed classrooms for Years 2-6, including a permanent home for Year 4, and a S.T.E.A.M Room which will be the base of much innovative learning in the years to come. Excitingly, the Junior School Music Block will be handed back to the College in two weeks time, and our Junior School musicians will have a magnificent environment in which to hone their craft. The College architect has created learning spaces that make great use of glass and natural light. The classrooms have been designed to help make the learning and thinking visible to the students. The furniture enables learning to occur in different ways – constantly able to be adapted to situation. Our students and teachers now enjoy facilities among the very best on the Coast. It is simply a joy to walk into a class and see our students so engaged in their learning - made possible in part by these facilities.
J Block Redevelopment Work on the redevelopment of J Block continues slowly, but surely. The roof and structural steel for the upper east wing is now in place, and this should enable the rebuilding work to gather pace and momentum. If things go according to plan the upper East (Music and Dance) and West Wings (Business Studies, Accounting and Legal Studies), and the lower East Wing (Home Economics and Hospitality) will be completed just in time for the commencement of the new school year in January. The Theatre, the final piece of the puzzle is expected to be finished sometime in May next year.
As previously advised, the College has taken the destruction of J Block through fire as an opportunity to enhance the already fine facilities on offer. The learning spaces have been reconfigured and re-imagined to reflect the best in what we know, how students learn. To see what these enhanced areas in J Block will look like please click on the following link to view them through the magic of virtual reality. https:// roundme.com/@salc/tours Whilst the destruction of J Block has caused pain for our community, the outcome will be some magical learning facilities.
Strategic Intent 2017 St Andrews is firmly committed to continual improvement. As part of this the College continues to implement its’ Strategic Intent. (The College’s Strategic Intent 2014-2017 ‘Educating Hearts, Minds & Hands’ document is available on the website for viewing.) The Senior Leadership Team is in the process of developing the operational plan for 2017, based on the Strategic Intent document. The operational plan for 2017 will be finalized in the next month or so, with focuses on teaching and learning, cocurricular, pastoral care and student well-being, community and relationships emerging. Enhancing student learning is the core focus, with initiatives around literacy, numeracy, higher order thinking, learning dispositions, ICT, and flipped learning being developed. Our strategic intent, underpinned by our Mission Statement of ‘Celebrating the Gospel, Nurturing the Individual, Empowering Lifelong Learners’ provides a clear roadmap for the ongoing development of all that happens at St Andrews. Year 9 ‘The Edge’ Program An iconic part of the St Andrews experience is the month long ‘Edge’ Program that takes place during Term 4 in Year 9 at the end of a student’s Middle School journey. ‘The Edge’ consists of three essential elements - Service Learning, an extended space Outdoor Education experience at ‘Googa Camp’ (near Blackbutt) and intentional reflection and planning for the future, especially Senior School. ‘The Edge’ as the name suggests takes students out of their comfort zone, and really challenges them. It is challenging, but deliberately so. Through activities like pioneering, three day hikes,
overnight solos, tree climbs and high ropes skills, character is formed and qualities such as Team Work; Problem Solving and Initiative; Independence balanced with Living in Community are developed. Our young people through their ‘Edge’ experience learn that anything worth achieving in life takes hardwork and commitment. They learn that something extraordinary can be achieved when we all work together for a common purpose; that at times it is critical to put the interests of the whole group before their own; and in those times where things don’t go according to plan, that persistence in the face of setbacks should never be underestimated. Years of experience with this type of program suggests that these learnings transfer to the student’s studies in Senior School, helping them to become more successful students, as well as fine young people.
Chaplains Chat For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) October 31! It has become a date that now rings out ‘Halloween’. When I was a boy, a long time ago, I had no idea Halloween existed. Fast forward back to 2016 and for me personally, October 31 is viewed as the date the Reformation began back in 1517. It was on this day that Martin Luther saw fit to nail his 95 points of debate on the Church door in the town of Wittenberg, Germany where he was a monk of the Catholic Church. Luther was greatly concerned about the manner in which the Christian faith was being conveyed to the general populous. The church of the time had implemented practices that involved the purchasing of certificates that aided people in being right with God. In crass, simple terms, people were being encouraged to buy their way into heaven. Through his careful study of the Bible, Luther was led to object to this type of practice and amazingly he was brave enough to speak up against it and he was keen to address the situation through constructive debate and deliberation. Unfortunately, his point of view was seen as a direct threat to the authority of the church and so he was quickly condemned as a heretic who needed to change his ways or face being expelled from the church.
Progress Not Grades As we approach the ‘pointy end’ of the year it is easy to be become purely focused on marks and grades. As teachers and as parents naturally enough we have high expectations and standards for our students and our children, including their academic achievement. High expectations are a good thing, but an over-emphasis by parents, teachers and students themselves solely focusing on grades is ultimately unproductive, even counter-productive. Teacher and writer, Jessica Lahey in her book ‘The Gift of Failure’ reminds us that students perform better academically when we emphasise goals rather than grades, as goals are an effective way to motivate and maintain engagement in school life. The real challenge for us, as teachers and parents is to instil in children the importance of seeking feedback rather than scores. For this is the sure path to improvement, and to regard failures as valuable opportunities for learning, growth and self-improvement. This is why the College continues to place such a strong emphasis on our students setting learning goals rather than achievement goals, and for them to strive to develop a Growth Mindset. Tim Kotzur Principal
Thankfully, Luther was inspired by God to remain true to his convictions and through a number of circumstances was successful in convincing others of the truth that people are saved by God through God’s Grace and not through any individual holiness or actions that would merit God accepting them. All Christian churches in 2016 adhere to this basic belief of Christianity but 499 years ago this was a point of major contention. St Andrews, as a school of the Lutheran Church, which is the second largest denomination across the globe after the Catholic Church is thankful for the courage of Martin Luther in bringing about a renewed focus on God’s love for all people. The wonderful truth that God loves everyone equally and desires that all of us would receive His love is a core element of the message our students hear in worship times throughout their time here in our College. It is also the driving force behind the love and care each student receives from staff. It underpins the very essence of our mission statement and all the good that is pursued in our community, day in and day out. So I encourage all of us to celebrate October 31 each year as Reformation Day. (Particularly next year, as we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation!) Graeme Schache Chaplain
Middle & Senior School News ‘It’s human nature to stretch, to go, to see, to understand. Exploration is not a choice, really; it’s an imperative.’ - Michael Collins, Gemini and Apollo Astronaut There seems to be but one guarantee in life; change will happen. When we stretch and embrace change we spend time in our ‘growth zone’, in that space where we balance our current skills and understanding and new understandings, skills and ways of being. As educators, we want our students to stay in this zone and to seek growth and challenge. Promoting academic tenacity, hope and agency, the ability to see that you have multiple pathways to solving problems and achieving goals, has been a focus across the secondary school this year. 2016 has certainly seen an abundance of challenge and growth for our College. Beyond the classroom, we experienced significant changes, some planned (our new outdoor learning spaces) and some unplanned (our loss of the J block facility) and each has brought with it new ways of being and working, new strengths and collective resilience and creativity. While change can take us by surprise, or bring with it fear of the unknown, the good news is that God is ultimately the one in control and He has a plan for our College and for each one of us. He calls us to stretch and to embark on new chapters, new beginnings and new adventures so that we stretch ourselves, explore and grow our gifts to fulfil our potential and to leave our fear behind through a growing faith in Him. In a little under two weeks our graduating class of 2016 will begin the next exploration of their life journey. Once the dust settles on their end of year celebrations, they will start to redefine who they are and how they see, understand and shape the world. As the Year 12s move through the final chapter of their journey at St Andrews I’d like to acknowledge them both as a cohort and individually. We are thankful for the gifts, talents and contributions; the legacy they leave as they graduate. Their Christian Studies sessions this term have focused on Good Leaving and reflecting on the legacy they leave at St Andrews.
Next month we also farewell our College Principal, Mr Tim Kotzur. As I reflect on the legacy he will leave I find myself atypically lost for words and struggling to find the most eloquent way to express our collective gratitude for his servant leadership in our community over the past seven years. As a community we have been through a comprehensive process of articulating our core enduring beliefs and our College values (Faith, Grace, Integrity, Growth, Personal Bests, Community, Service and Learning) and under his leadership continued to strengthen our culture of learning, continual improvement, wellbeing and community. His legacy will be the enduring expression of our values and our aspirations to do and be the best we can be, not for ourselves alone but to contribute and serve in our wider community and for each individual to be nurtured and valued as a child of God. We have been most blessed to have Mr Kotzur with us and he will undoubtedly continue to serve as an exemplary leader at St Peters in the years ahead.
Our Year 9 students have been working through ‘The Edge’ program this term and it was a pleasure to listen the boy’s reflect on their learning and growth last Thursday night. The common themes of appreciation, teamwork and pushing through fear to grow as young men reinforces the importance of this significant rite of passage through their schooling years at St Andrews. This experience; beyond the activities, is about building resilience, and self-belief, pushing through boundaries and taking a break from the things of the material world, like technology. With a focus on service, challenging perceived limitations, and community. At St Andrews we are always exploring the landscape of learning and adjusting to the contemporary learner’s needs. Last weekend I read a Monograph by John Hattie. Hattie is the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Chair and a well-respected educational leader, researcher and author. His meta-analysis of what has the greatest impacts on student learning is highly regarded both in Australia and internationally. We have embedded his evidenced research including; making learning visible for students, a focus on relationships and feedback, building strong relationships for learning and supporting teachers’ professional collaborations and action research projects and encouraged our staff to be reflective practitioners who model a growth mindset. I’d like to express my gratitude to the wonderful staff at the College who continue to embrace changes and challenges, who inspire minds and hearts, and who intentionally focus on developing young people of character with inquiring minds who embrace working in the challenge zone.
Our teachers continue to innovate and support students to work in that growth zone, exploring new ideas and changing their mindsets and self-talk about their ability and success criteria as individuals. The use of OneNote as a blended learning platform has really enhanced aspects of differentiating learning for students across Years 7–12. It allows students to create, revisit and explore their learning at a deeper level and at their own pace. Our focus on hope and agency, promoting resilience and embracing struggle; investing in being academically tenacious has not only helped our students to be resilient but also to expand their horizons and thoughts around their learning.
Junior School News Last week the Junior School had two representatives from the International Baccalaureate, Primary Years Programme (PYP) visiting the College. They were here to evaluate our delivery of the programme to ensure that St Andrews is upholding the very high internationally benchmarked standards expected of the PYP Programme. The visitors toured our campus, interviewed a sample of parents and students and spent time with all of the teachers. They also poured over curriculum documents and policies. They were very thorough in their examination. The College has been preparing for this visit all year through a process called the “Self Study”. The “Self Study” encouraged us all to reflect deeply on our policies and practice. It was an opportunity to reflect on areas of the Junior School teaching and learning that are going well for us and identify areas for growth. It was hard work because the staff were completing the self study on top of the normal duties that are expected of them. However, it was a particularly rewarding thing to do as we note the growth of the programme since the last evaluation visit conducted 5 years ago. There were many examples of teachers working at a high level and implementing best practice in their classroom. It was also an opportunity for teachers to share with others what they were doing. The professional dialogue was priceless and the learning and sharing that took place was as valuable as any professional development course on offer. Through the process we were able to identify areas amongst our practice that we can tweak and improve. Any high performing school or organisation should always be looking to improve what they are doing. If they aren’t looking to improve, they are in fact going backwards as others will go past them. Initial feedback from the visiting team has been very positive and complimentary. The IB team picked up on the very positive culture that exists at St Andrews. We are eagerly awaiting the written report to find opportunities for growth. At St Andrews we often talk to the students about having a growth mindset, seeing feedback from others as an opportunity for growth. We also encourage the students to reflect on their own work and to look for ways to improve upon what they have first done. This year our Junior School staff have had the opportunity to role model this process for the students.
As we approach the end of the year and start to look ahead to what 2017 will bring for St Andrews we do so with confidence in God’s plan in this amazing community and a deep appreciation for everyone who comes to learn, grow and explore here. Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School
I have really enjoyed sharing our St Andrews story with the visiting team. It is a great story to tell. I have been very proud of the work of our staff and students. We are very blessed to be in a community of learners that is continually looking for growth, whether it be a Prep student who is learning to read or a staff member who is looking to improve the quality of their teaching. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jacqueline Faulkner and Joy Schloss, our PYP Coordinator and Deputy PYP Coordinator for leading us through this process. Darrin Schumacher Head of Junior School
Performing Arts News
Performing Arts Tuition
PAT 2017 As we begin our preparations for 2017, please note the following regarding our Performing Arts Tuition: 1. If you are currently enrolled in PAT, this enrolment will continue into 2017 unless we receive a Cancellation Form which can be found on the College website. The only exception to this is current Year 3 Strings or Mini Musos who will need to complete a PAT Application Form (found on the College website).
End of Year Concerts As we approach the time of year when we showcase Individual PAT students in our End of Year Concerts, we are trialling some new formats. Some of our younger performers will feature in First Break Mini Concerts and our MS/SS Vocal Students will present in a Twilight Concert in the Staff Common Room in the Main Administration Building overlooking the valley. The dates for concerts are as below:
2. Our Performing Arts Administrator Anne Driscoll will email to confirm the receipt of a PAT Application within a week of receiving it. If you do not get an email confirmation, please email performingarts@salc.qld.edu.au to ensure that the application was received. As we do tend to fill places quickly, parents are encouraged to apply now for 2017.
Vocal PAT Vocal - First Break Concerts Thursday 17 November - JS Students - Linlee/Tiffany’s students Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 November - Kristine’s Junior School Students NB - These will be held in JS Music Room (TBC)
3. Timetables will not be finalised until January. PAT teachers will contact parents the week prior to lessons commencing.
Middle and Senior PAT Vocal Twilight Concert Tuesday 8 November 5pm in the Staff Common Room
4. If there are no available places in the program, Anne will email parents in January to advise that they are on a waitlist. Any questions regarding PAT enrolment can be emailed to performingarts@salc.qld.edu.au The PAT Handbook (located on the College website) is also a good source of general information regarding our programs.
Speech and Drama PAT Speech and Drama - First Break Concert Series Wednesday 23 November - Years 1 and 2 Friday 25 November - Year 3 NB - These will be held in JS Music Room (TBC) Years 4 - 11 Speech and Drama Concerts Tuesday 22 November in the MPH Years 4 and 5 - 3.30 - 4.15pm Years 6 - 11- 4.30 - 5.45pm Piano Soiree Saturday 17 November in the MPH Notes regarding the details of these concerts will be sent home via your child’s PAT teacher. Cilla Scott Head of Arts
P & F News
Uniform Shop News
P & F Annual General Meeting The P & F AGM will be held Wednesday 9 November at 7.00pm in the Cecile Ryan Centre. Everyone is welcome to attend and all positions will become vacant and elections will be held on the night. Nomination forms will need to be filled out and sent back prior to the night. These can be acquired from Nicole Ainger at naa@ingwersen.com.au
Second Hand Clothing If you wish to sell second hand clothes and use the credit to purchase more uniforms in January, please submit your items before the end of term. All items must be clean & ironed (not damaged, stained, faded or showing excessive wear). Items may be submitted in January but, due to the back to school rush, any credit will not be available until mid February.
Farewell Afternoon Tea - Monday 21 November A farewell afternoon tea for Mr Kotzur will be held on Monday 21 November 3.30-5.00pm on the deck near the Tuckshop. Parents and friends from the College are invited to join us all to wish Mr Kotzur all the best for his future and to thank him for his leadership and contribution to St Andrews.
Uniforms for 2017 See Flyer at End of this Bulletin for ‘What You Need for 2017’. Buy or layby your uniforms now and avoid the January rush and any price increases.
St Andrews Fete will be held 20 May 2017 We will require volunteers to help coordinate and make the fete a success. Please send through your contact details and any information which will help us to pandf@salc.qld.edu.au P & F Commitee
Dates to Remember Saturday 5 Years 5 & 6 All Schools Primary Touch Champs – Cleveland Show Grounds, Redlands (selected students) Sunday 6 Years 5 & 6 All Schools Primary Touch Champs – Cleveland Show Grounds, Redlands (selected students) Year 4 Family Church Service, Worship Centre – 9am Monday 7 Junior School Concert Series - PAT Vocal Students, MPH – first break (7 to 11 November) Grip Leadership Conference (selected students) Year 12 Exams (7-11 November) Year 12 Graduating Art Exhibition (7-16 November) Tuesday 8 JS First Break Concert Series Chapel, Worship Centre – 1.40pm An Evening of Song Years 7-12, Staff Common Room – 5pm Wednesday 9 JS First Break Concert Series P & F General Meeting and AGM, CRC – 7pm Thursday 10 JS First Break Concert Series Year 5 Transition into Year 6 Information Evening, MPH – 5pm Friday 11 Remembrance Day SS Mens and Womens Assembly, 8.30am JS First Break Concert Series Australasian Futsal Titles (selected students) Year 9 Girls The Edge Presentation, Worship Centre – 7pm
You are guaranteed to get the items you need and you can exchange sizes in January if needed (providing items are returned in a saleable condition). Email us your order by 8am the day prior so we can have it ready for you when you come in or order and pay online via www.flexischools.com.au Selling Senior Blazers The Uniform Shop will sell your blazer for you on consignment basis, providing it is in good condition and unmarked. Simply have your blazer dry cleaned as soon as you finish school and bring it to us with the receipt attached, preferably before the end of term. We will notify you as soon as it is sold. We already have a list of parents looking for 2nd hand blazers for next year, so the sooner you bring it in, the better chance you have of selling it. Prices paid range from $70 - $100. January Opening Hours The Uniform Shop will close Friday 2 December 2016 at 9.30am and will reopen: JANUARY 2017 (Existing Students Only)* Wednesday 11 - Friday 13 8am - 12pm daily Monday 16 - Friday 20 1pm - 4pm daily Monday 23 (Orientation Day) 8am - 12pm Tuesday 24 (School Resumes) 8am - 9.30am Wednesday 25 8am - 9.30am & 2.30pm - 3.30pm Thursday 26 (Australia Day) Closed Friday 27 (normal hours) 8am - 9.30am * Existing Students Only - Families with 3 or more children or families unable to attend during these times are requested to phone or email to book an appointment outside these hours. If you do not have an appointment please do not come outside these hours as we may have to refuse service. Save Time: Email us your order by 8am the day prior and we will have it ready for you to collect during opening hours the following day. Or order online via Flexischools and enjoy express pick up!
3.30-5pm on the deck near the Tuckshop
Parents and friends from the College are invited to join us to wish our College Principal Tim Kotzur all the best for his future and thank him for his contribution to St Andrews
Monday 21 November 2016
Farewell Afternoon Tea
Uniforms for 2017 What you need if your child is moving up to the next year level. ……..
Year 1
JUNIOR SCHOOL.
The Formal Uniform is worn 3 days a week. The Sports Uniform (same as Prep uniform) is worn 2 days a week. BOYS Formal Hat - $48 White Short Sleeve Shirt - $32 Navy Elastic Backed Shorts - $28 Navy Knee High Formal Socks - $ 8 Formal Jumper (to be worn with Formal Uniform) Wool $80-85 Poly Cotton $70 Black Leather Lace-up Shoes (not available from Uniform Shop) GIRLS Formal Hat - $48 Formal Dress - $70 White Ankle Socks with navy stripes - $ 8 Formal Jumper (to be worn with Formal Uniform) Wool $80-85 Poly Cotton $70 Black Leather Lace-up Shoes (not available from Uniform Shop) Navy tights (optional for winter with Formal Uniform)
Years 2 & 3 no changes Year 4 ALL Navy Sports Shirt - $35 (house shirt now worn one day/week) BOYS College Shorts with belt loops - $30-$34 Belt - $20
Years 5 & 6
no changes
MIDDLE SCHOOL. Year 7 The Formal Uniform is worn 4 days. The Sports Uniform is to be brought to school and changed into for PE. The Navy Sports Uniform is worn to/from school on Thursdays only. ALL Baseball Cap or Wide Brimmed Sports Hat $16 Sport Sockettes - $8 GIRLS Formal Blouse - $42 Formal Skirt - $55 Formal and Sports Sockettes - $8 each BOYS - Grey Trousers are optional in Terms 2 & 3
Years 8 & 9
- no changes
SENIOR SCHOOL. IMPORTANT - SCHOOL PHOTOS (WEEK 2) ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR BLAZER FOR PHOTOS. BOYS MUST ALSO BRING THEIR TIE AND TROUSERS.
Year 10 GIRLS Senior Girls Tie - $22 Blazer - $190-$195 BOYS Senior White Short or Long Sleeve Shirt (no tartan trim on pocket) - $32 The following items are required for Photos but are only worn in Terms 2 & 3 Senior Boys Tie - $22 Grey Trousers - $35 Blazer - $195-200
Years 11 & 12 - no changes
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Questions? Please contact the UniformShop on 5568 5933 or email uniformshop@salc.qld.edu.au Prices current until December 2016.
2nd Hand Uniforms may also be available.