YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW 

How quickly Term 4 has arrived!  It is a time when there is so much learning still to be engaged in, yet inter-laced with one celebratory event after another, seemingly that we just lurch from one to the next.  But then, that only reinforces that there is indeed much to be celebrated and as such deeply thankful for.  At a time when fatigue also factors, it is ever so important that we maintain an authentic ‘attitude of gratitude’.

This weekend the College will host its first 20-year reunion.  The Class of 1999, our first Year 12 graduates, will literally “go back to school”. There won’t be any doubt that some will be agog with how the College has changed physically – much of that has occurred in just the past five years alone.  More important, though, is what remains the same.  Specifically, that is our focus on our Mission Statement and people and relationships.  That Vision and those Values are held dear, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Over my 35 years in education, I have known schools that simply don’t represent the values which they espouse in their promotional material.  Amongst the very real complexity of a contemporary schooling environment, here at St Andrews it is wonderfully simple (and not negotiable) – Celebrating the Gospel; Nurturing the Individual; Empowering Lifelong Learners.  

Last Friday morning we joined together for the Prep to Year 12 ‘Journey’ Breakfast.  This is an occasion to celebrate students who will soon graduate, having spent all of their thirteen schooling years at St Andrews.   Choice of school is one of the most significant we make as parents.  Who we trust their formative years and education to, no doubt, plays such a significant bearing on attitudes and aptitudes formed in emerging adults.  Thank you for giving us the profound responsibility of working with you in the care and development of your children.

2020 COLLEGE CAPTAINS 

Last week we announced the 2020 College Captains, who will increasingly assume these responsibilities across the term, ready for full launch in January. Hearty congratulations to Basia Shelly, Mariel U’Ren, Callum Ahern and Peter Thomas.  These fine young people will do a marvellous job as the leaders of our College. Further leadership appointments will be announced in the coming weeks.

NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK 

Some months ago, we transitioned to a fresh newsletter format.  As its readers, we would like to know your perceptions about preferences.  To that end, in the next few weeks, we will distribute a very short survey so that you can provide us with feedback.  We encourage you to have your say.

Peace

David Bliss
Principal

GRATITUDE - BEING GRATEFUL! 

How often do you find yourself feeling grateful? We have investigated the power of gratitude in MS/SS chapels in the first couple of weeks of this term. It is a proven fact, through research that expressing gratitude for what and who is in our life increases our well-being – physical, emotional, social, spiritual and any other dimension we dare think of… If you are thinking to yourself at this point 'well that’s great, but I don’t have much to be thankful for…' that’s OK, why? because this isn’t specifically your fault. We are conditioned by our ‘Western Culture’ not to be grateful. Each of us are constantly bombarded with messages that attack the very essence of being content and grateful for where we are in life and what we have. Our culture is built on the notion of materialism. The force that drives us to consume and work ever harder to validate our worth in society.

It is well documented that materialism – (the constant striving after ‘more’ as the chief purpose of life) is hugely detrimental to our well-being. Articles referring to it list off the following negative effects - “At the individual level, materialistic individuals are less satisfied and grateful for their lives, have less purpose, feel less competent in general, are more antisocial, and have weaker connections with others.” Sonja Lyubomirsky – (switch from extrinsic goals to intrinsic goals).

The fact that materialism naturally preys on our insecurities and that our default position is to think about ourselves before others means that the deck is stacked against us. No wonder it is so hard for God to get a toe hold in our world. His love is able to overcome our need for validation through materialism – but He has the very nature of our prevailing culture working against Him. I have previously had an inkling that God is ‘bad for business’ but as we recognise the role materialism plays in our world, it becomes all clearer how He and his message of putting others before our self is so counter-cultural. God, his love and will for our lives is the cornerstone of all that happens at St Andrews. It is this that makes our community inherently different from the prevailing culture. May He continue to inspire all we endeavour to work towards here within our school and in the wider community. (despite all the forces encouraging us otherwise…).

MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY MINUTE 

Every minute counts and we have certainly been making the most of every minute in the first two weeks of Term 4. For our Year 12 students, the term ahead will continue to unfold as perhaps one of their most memorable at St Andrews. As they transition into life after secondary schooling the focus will remain on 'good living and good leaving'. Last Friday we held the Prep to Year 12 Journey Breakfast for our Foundation students and families who have been at the College since Prep. It is always a lovely occasion of reflection as we gather to share stories and photos of their journey. 

Inside and outside of scheduled classes, our students continue to be an inspiration and it is a privilege to support them as they seek ways to make a difference in our College and the wider community. With so many students and staff already involved in the All Schools State Touch Titles, Chicago Musical Rehearsals and the IC’19 entrepreneurial program in full swing, it is fair to say the College continues to see God's blessings and His gifts in abundance daily. 

LEARNING TO LEAD 

Last week we announced the College Captains Elect for 2020 and this term they will work alongside our 2019 Captains and their peers to start forming a vision and platform for flourish for our College next year. Congratulations to Basia Shelly, Mariel U’Ren, Callum Ahern and Peter Thomas. 

On Thursday, we held a Colour Run for East Timor. Our Sports Captains with the support of Libby Wood, Head of Sport, developed this initiative and it was a fun occasion for our students while they raised much-needed funds for our East Timor Tour in 2020.  

It was a pleasure to welcome our Year 7 2020 cohort this morning. Thank you to Mrs Roper and her team for ensuring it was a learning and fun-filled occasion for students and parents. 

On Saturday, we will hold our first ever 20 Year Reunion for the Graduating Class of 1999. It will be a time to reconnect and reflect as we tour the campus and listen to the stories of our inaugural graduating class.

At St Andrews, we celebrate World Staff Day on Friday, 25 October and this year on behalf of College parents, the P&F are running a BBQ breakfast to say thank you to our wonderful team. As parents, I’d like to also encourage you to consider sending an email or a card to share gratitude with any of the members of staff you would like to acknowledge. Gratitude is a focus for us at St Andrews and a simple gesture like a smile, card or word of appreciation always helps to lift spirits. On that note, thank you to you for your ongoing support and for sharing your child/ren with us at St Andrews. They are the heartbeat of this College! 

FAREWELL

Today we farewelled Mrs Sharon McVay after 4 years of service to the College as our Uniform Shop Manager and numerous more years of service to the St Andrews community, working with the P&F within the Uniform Shop, old Tuckshop, in community fundraising and friend-raising and in being one of our pioneering parents. Sharon was instrumental in the transition and transformation of our new Uniform Shop and was also involved in the planning for our wonderful Tuckshop through her work with the P&F.  The high levels of care and personal attention provided to our new and existing members of the community have been appreciated by all and Sharon will be dearly missed.  On behalf of the College, I would like to thank Sharon for her service, dedication and leadership and wish her all the best for the next challenge in her career.

A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS 

Moderation Day - Pupil Free Day- Monday 21 October Teachers around the State will be moderating Year 12 student work on Monday, 21 October. We have a large number of teachers from St Andrews on panels. All other staff from P-10 will be engaged in professional development on this day. This will be a pupil free day for all students P-12.

Years 4-12 Sports Awards Breakfast - Tuesday 29 October The Sports Awards Breakfast will be held in the MPH on Tuesday, 29 October at 7:30am. This is a recognition of student's contribution to the Sporting life of the College as well as their individual achievements.

Celebration Events These are compulsory evenings for all students in Years 7-12. During the evenings we will acknowledge the work of our students throughout the year and celebrate who we are as a community.

• Senior School (Years 10-12) Tuesday, 12 November at 6:30pm to be held at the Dream Centre Church, Carrara.
• Junior School (Years 4-6) Tuesday, 26 November at 1:00pm to be held at St Andrews in the Multi-Purpose Hall.
• Middle School (Years 7-9) Thursday, 28 November at 6:30pm to be held at St Andrews in the Multi-Purpose Hall. 

Year 12 Parents should have already received information regarding booking seats at the Dream Centre. All other seating for parents will be organised on arrival and students will sit with their teachers.

VALEDICTORY DINNER 

The Valedictory Dinner and presentation of diplomas will be held at Bond University Thursday, 14 November at 6:30pm. Invitations and seat booking information were mailed during the break. Students are asked to wear their Formal School Uniform on this occasion.

END OF TERM DATES

Year 12 Last Day Our Year 12 students finish school on Friday, 15 November with a farewell Chapel starting at 8:50am in the Worship Centre. Year 12 parents AND SIBLINGS (Prep included) are welcome to attend this service.

Students in Years 10 and 11 will be finishing the school year on Friday, 29 November. Students in Years 7-9 will finish on Wednesday, 4 December.

As you can see, we have a very busy term ahead and we look forward to continuing to celebrate your child/ren and their learning over these very important events.

Virginia Warner 
Deputy Principal /Head of Secondary School

POSITIVE EDUCATION 

In our first assembly for Term 4 we talked to the Senior School about how to ensure we could transcend through stressful and busy times using the strengths of appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, humour, hope and spirituality. 

However, the most important part of the message to our young people was that of gratitude. As World Staff Day approaches we were reminded of how important it is to show appreciation for what others do for us – whether that be at school, home, work or the community. A little thank you goes a long way. 

Practising kindness is also a part of who we are as Andrians and a timely reminder of that is through the THINK acronym. To finish our assembly we selected a few sayings that could be called upon to get us to the end of 2019 smiling and achieving our personal bests. 

Congratulations to: 

• Our Touch teams who have put in a lot of extra time and effort to prepare for the All Schools Touch Carnival. Also, a big thank you to the dedicated staff and coaches who have grown the culture and skills of our Touch teams. 
• Mr Cooke and Jack Schumacher who travelled to PNG over the holidays as part of the Kokoda Youth Foundation experience. This trip and the 140km walk on the actual Kokoda Track was the culmination of 6 months preparation and they will continue their efforts up until Kokoda 2020. Well done all for your courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice.

• The Leos who participated in yet another fundraising BBQ over the holidays. What a successful year it has been for fundraising and serving in the community.
• The fine young people who were elected as College Captains for 2020 – Callum Ahern, Basia Shelly, Peter Thomas and Mariel U’Ren. I look forward to working with these fine young people.  

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

WELCOME BACK 

Welcome back-it is hard to believe that we are in Term 4. There are lots of events this term so please keep an eye on newsletters, emails and parent lounge to ensure that you don’t inadvertently miss something.

CULTURAL AWARDS

What a great afternoon showcasing some of the amazingly talented students we have in the Junior School. It was also nice to recognise with awards, the students who are excelling in their chosen field. A big thank you to the parents who have given their children opportunities, driven them to lessons and waited for them in car parks.

CELEBRATION AFTERNOON 

When I take a moment to stop and reflect, I am eternally thankful to be a part of this wonderful community here at St Andrews. We have wonderful students who are striving to do their best. They have great manners and are a real credit to their parents and the school. We have a fantastic parent community who are so supportive of the College and sacrifice a lot to give their children opportunities. Our teaching staff are highly talented and motivated and provide programs that are engaging and inspiring. On Tuesday, 26 November beginning at 1:00pm we will celebrate the year that has been and honour the Year 6 students who begin the next phase in their educational journey.

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL 

We all have a part to play in reducing congestion in and out of the College. The best way to do that is to reduce the number of cars coming in and out. There are numerous ways to arrive at school safely and these include:

1. Riding your bike or scooter to school.
2. Walking to school. If you live a bit further away from school, consider parking in the park near Plantation Café or at Schuster’s Park and walking. I have been meeting a group of parents and students at Plantation Café and walking to school on Tuesday mornings. The weather is stunning for an early morning walk. We leave at 7:45am sharp.
3. Catch a bus to school. The College has 4 different bus routes with an easy tag on and tag off system. Please go to this website for more information https://www.salc.qld.edu.au/news/bus-routes
4. Car Pooling.

In the Junior School ‘Nurturing the Individual’ comes in many forms. In class, students spend time exploring how they can serve others and our world, foundations of the International Baccalaureate and Lutheran Education. Some classes keep ‘joy journals’ highlighting the positives they have in their days; some classes spend time in Christian Mindfulness to be present in the moment; and other classes use circle time to encourage and check in with each other. One class got together to spread kindness in the Junior School through the Cup of Kindness project…

As the weather became cooler, 2B were talking about how we can take our Thankful Thursday into the Junior School. We wanted to get the junior students to talk to each other more and to build connections so that we look after each other no matter the age or year level. The students had the opportunity to buy two hot chocolates for a small cost. The idea being to buy one for someone else and have a chat with them.

With help from Addie and Tatum Hinze, we made hot chocolates in the morning. Mrs Moore, myself and various other teachers came and helped out by making hot chocolates for purchasing. The students in 2B created kindness quotes, jokes or questions that were stuck on the cups for students to read and ask their friends. The students loved the idea and as the weeks progressed so did the demands for making the hot chocolates.

After the week of hearing the news of the devastating fires that hit the coast, all the students involved decided to donate the money to the farmers who needed to buy hay for their animals.

It started off small and it grew to be much bigger.

Thank you to those who bought a drink and shared the kindness with others.

“Kindness is spreading sunshine into other’s lives regardless of the weather.”RAKtivist

Mrs Kizzie-Kate Hinze

Karen Koehler
Deputy Head of Junior School & Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 4 Marine Adventure

On Wednesday, 9 October, Year 4 students and staff set out on an exciting excursion to Hastings Point (NSW). We visited a marine museum, investigated rock pools and explored the local mangroves. During this excursion we learnt about marine life and how they are all interconnected. 

We had a marine expert who guided us on our excursion. We were able to touch, hold and learn about different marine creatures of the rock pools. These creatures included sea urchins, sea stars, sea hares and many other cool critters. We learnt about the role each living creature plays in the rock pool habitat. 

At the museum we viewed lots of different artifacts such as dead creatures like sea horses, crabs, sea snakes, shells, egg cases, rocks, coral and more! We also looked at some microscopic creatures under the microscope. We watched as tubeworms collected plankton to eat. Amazing!  

We explored and learnt about how mangroves get salt out of their system by putting it on their leaves. We got to try some of this salt by putting a finger on the leaves and tasting it. 

It was a great experience and we hope we can do it again soon!!

 By Taylah M and Daisy J

GOLD COAST EISTEDDFOD SPEECH AND DRAMA

Towards the end of Term 3 many of our Speech and Drama students competed in The Gold Coast Eisteddfod. There were some fantastic results. Some of the highlights include:

SCENES
1st Place      Ally Crawford, Brianna Wright and Jasmine Causer 

2nd Place     Giselle Courtney, Marley Mavroidaki and Lily Dunnachie

INDIVIDUAL DRAMA 
1st Place      Scarlett Thorpe

1st Place      Giselle Courtney

2nd Place     Eliza Thorpe 

3rd Place     Joel Luxton  

3rd Place      Isaac Thorpe

3rd Place     Phoebe Gibson  

3rd Place     Emily Hogan  

Very Highly Commended    Madyson Cloherty  

Highly Commended           Marley Mavroidaki  

INDIVIDUAL MIME 

2nd Place      Giselle Courtney

Very Highly Commended      Holly Rodway

DUO DRAMA 

1st Place        Joel Luxton and Sam Kennedy

1st Place        Madyson Cloherty and Holly Rodway 

3rd Place        Ally Crawford and Amelie Axford 

Highly Commended             Olive Kennedy and Anais Zabusky

DUO MIME 

1st Place         Sienna Wren and Madison Lean 

2nd Place        Olive Kennedy and Anais Zabusky

3rd Place        Joel Luxton and Sam Kennedy

PROSE SPEAKING

1st Place         Liam Whyte 

Very Highly Commended      Marley Mavroidaki 

HUMOROUS POEM 

1st Place    Liam Whyte 

1st Place    Isaac Thorpe 

3rd Place   Scarlett Thorpe 

3rd Place    Macy Robinson 

Very Highly Commended      Geraint Evans 

Highly Commended              Zoey Cheesman

Highly Commended              Sienna Wren 

HUMOROUS VERSE 

2nd Place     Callum Ahern

VERSE SPEAKING

1st Place     Madyson Cloherty  

2nd Place    Zoey Cheesman 

AUSTRALIAN VERSE 

Very Highly Commended      Macy Robinson

SHAKESPEARE

1st Place    Isaac Thorpe 

Special Congratulations to the following students

Ally Crawford who won the Jessica Bird Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Achievement in Speech and Drama 11-14 years.  

Isaac Thorpe who won the GC Airport Artistic Development Award for Drama.

THE APOLOGY  

Our Drama students (along with some drama students from LORDS) started the term by watching ‘Shock Therapy Productions’ The Apology.  This production tells the true story of a young man who fought back after being bullied and tells the long-term repercussions that can have. This was a powerful piece of contemporary theatre and the students left inspired by the production.

CULTURAL AWARDS

Over the past two weeks we as an Arts Department have had the opportunity to celebrate the year in the Arts at our Years 7 to 12 and our Years 4 to 6 Cultural Awards. These events are the highlight of the Arts calendar and provide an opportunity to celebrate the year and acknowledge the achievements of our young performers.  

Congratulations to all awardees, and special thanks to all performers - from Mini Musos to The Saints and from Razzamatazz to the cast of Chicago - you were all fantastic.

Thanks also to our PAT tutors, Theatre Techs and Arts Staff for all of their efforts with these showcases.

CHICAGO 

Last week saw the first official rehearsal for our 2020 Musical Chicago. From the very first rehearsal this promises to be a fantastic production with the 90 strong cast jumping in learning We Both reached For the Gun vocals and When You’re Good to Mama choreography. 

PAT 2020 As we start to look ahead to 2020 please note a few important reminders regarding PAT Tuition.

• All enrolments and cancellations need to take place via the College Website.
• All enrolments (with the exception of Year 3 Strings and Mini Musos) automatically roll over into the following year.
• The actual timetabling process starts early January and timetables will be released the last week of January holidays.
• New enrolments will open in Week 5 of this Term. No earlier submissions will be processed.
• Any enquiries regarding PAT can be directed to performingarts@salc.qld.edu.au
• Requests for times are taken but priority will always be given to senior students in terms of break times.

Cilla Scott
Head of Arts

Over three days this week, the Year 11 Visual Artists headed out to experience an intensive study of Tallebudgera Creek and surrounds as part of their Year 12 body of work. These three days involved working with artists Kerry Spence and Suzi Lucas, as well as 9 students from LORDS and their teacher, Ms Clachere Beard. Students also experienced an Indigenous Cultural experience and Aboriginal perspectives of Burleigh Headland and Tallebudgera Creek mouth. As part of the experience, we drew, painted, sculpted, collected, gathered, created and destroyed their work within the environments we visited. The day spent at Schuster's Park involved photography, painting and drawing on bark and leaves, sun printing and chalk art, as well as a study of the urban impact on the Creek. 

Now the Year 11 artists will continue to collaborate digitally with their LORDS counterparts as they work through the process of constructing their inquiry questions and start to make art based on ideas about the Creek that are important to them.

Thankyou to Kerry Spence, Suzi Lucas, Tia Scott, Clachere Beard, Hannah Barclay, Kristen Gorry and our fabulous bus driver Geoff for their superb support and encouragement of our artists. Watch this space as they start to make Art.

REPRESENTATIVE FUTSAL

Over the holidays we had 13 students compete in a variety of teams at the National School Futsal Champions. It is so fantastic to have so many students selected and furthering their opportunities from our School team competitions. From this event some students have been selected to tour the USA and China as part of an Australian team. This is incredibly exciting and we look forward to following their journey.

Casey West
junior School Sports Coordinator

Welcome back to term 4,

The P&F will be hosting a special thank you breakfast on Friday, 25 October for all staff at St Andrews. We have hired two coffee vans and will be make staff bacon and egg rolls. 

There will be in two locations; 

• Underneath the MPH and 
• Outside the Worship Centre. 

We will be starting at 7:30am till 9:15am. If you would like to help in saying thank you to our wonderful staff at the College, please contact Amanda Ryan at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au. We would love some help. 

Wednesday, 20 November at 7:00pm is the AGM to be held in the CRC (Senior School Library). Parking at the top carpark. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend and Mr David Bliss will be reading his Principal’s report. We would love to see new faces and hear your ideas. If you would like to add anything to the agenda please email pandf@salc.qld.edu.au. 

During this meeting we will be electing new committee members. If you would like to be part of the new committee, please contact Amanda Ryan for a nomination form or to chat about the various roles and what they entail at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au.

SAVE THE DATE 

P&F Christmas Carols on the Sunday, 1 December at 5:00pm.

Enjoy your weekend and God bless 

P&F Team.

OCTOBER

Saturday 19  

Years 13-19 Qld State Track and Field

20 Year Reunion class of 1999 - 3:00pm-9:00pm

Monday 21

Student Free Day / Moderation Day

Tuesday 22

Prep to Year 6 Mufti Day -  Theme Crazy Hair

Year 10 Business Excursion

Year 7 Immunisation

Wednesday 23

Middle School 'Going into Business' Event

Year 11 Hospitality Students Excursion

Innovation Convention; Scott Millar - 7:00am-4:30pm

Chicago Musical Rehearsals - Singers 12:40pm-1:30pm

JS Exhibition Evening - 7:00pm-8:30pm

Thursday 24 

Years 7 to12 Vocal Concert starting at 3:30pm

Junior School Exhibition Day

Prep to Year 3 Ice Cream Stall during first break

Chicago Musical Rehearsals - 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Friday 25

World Staff Day

P&F World Staff Breakfast BBQ 7:30am

Japanese Film Festival 2019  Brisbane -  8:30am-2:00pm

Sunday 27

Community Service Year 4 - 9:00am - 11:00am

Tuesday 29

Years 4-12 Sports Awards Breakfast - 7:30am - 9:00am

Year 4B Bike Safety Program

Prep 2020 Orientation

Wednesday 30

Gold Coast Interschool Chess Tournament - 8:15am - 3:15pm

Year 9 Geoscience Mangrove Ecosystem Study

Year 12 Visual Art Exhibition 9:00am - 3:00pm

P&F Exec Meeting - 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Thursday 31

Year 4C Bike Safety Program

Teddy Bear's Picnic for 2020 Prep

Prep to Year 3 Ice Cream Stall during first break

Chicago Musical Rehearsals - 1:30pm - 3:10pm

NOVEMBER

Sunday 3

Junior School First Break Vocal Concert