We are All Part of God’s Amazing Creation…

Living in the reality that we are made by God and belong to Him can have beautiful implications for our life. Mr Nelson shared with Middle and Senior School that one of Australia’s past Olympic champion swimmers – Stephanie Rice has experienced a crisis of identity and meaning over the past while. She achieved her ultimate dream and goal of being an Olympic champion at age 24 – winning three Gold medals at the Beijing games – all in World record time. This actually saw her inducted into the International Hall of Fame for swimming and awarded an OAM (Order of Australia Medal). 

Our culture holds this type of achievement up as the pinnacle of what we can aspire to as humans. It certainly is an outstanding achievement but as Stephanie can attest to - it is not where ultimate fulfilment is to be found. She presently struggles to find her way through life in a meaningful manner. She reached the top and now is left wondering if there is more to life. She is somewhat lost, lacking direction, not sure what to value anymore, and struggling to find purpose…

As we live as God ‘s children, experiencing his love and care we can be assured there is purpose in all we do. This may involve winning medals at the Olympics as Nicola McDermott did recently in the High Jump. She pursued her dream of Athletic excellence and did this so as to give honour to the creator of the universe and to inspire others, not for her own glory. In doing this, Nicola lived out what it is to receive God’s love and care and share this with others.

A wise word on this is shared by author David Orr when he says –  ‘The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, story tellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage.... And these qualities have little to do with success as our culture defines it.’

CELEBRATING INNOVATIVE THINKING 

Last Friday was pitch night for the IC’21 Entrepreneurial studies program. In its fifth year, the program includes students across Years 7-12 and the participants continue to grow in confidence and real-life business acumen. Many of the students who have taken part in previous years have gone on to prototype and launch their business ideas. 

I would like to acknowledge Mrs Myles who oversees this program with the support of Ms Yeo and a range of external business mentors. I’d also like to thank Mr Baden U’Ren who helped us establish the program, continues to offer his support to our entrepreneurs and was the Master of Ceremony for the event. Mr Derek Bartels, Director of Innovation and Learning for Lutheran Education Queensland was also part of our judging panel and his involvement is an absolute blessing.  My thanks to Mr Todd Cole, the College Council Chair, who also attended the event and joined the judging panel.

Further details pertaining to this outstanding initiative and event can be read within the IC’21 article, included in this newsletter edition.

POWERFUL AND ENGAGING LEARNING

I’ve been truly inspired by the learning I’ve come across in and out of normal classes these past few weeks. From the Arts, watching our young people perform for the Cultural Awards was such a blessing. 

In the Middle School, we welcomed our Year 7, 2022 cohort for a ‘Slice of Seven’, a day of orientation in preparation for their Middle School start in late January. In Year 9, the My Business Rules class tested their products and business plans in the COLA. As part of our Service-Learning program, selected Year 9 students visited the Currumbin Community Special School to connect and engage with the students in that community. This is always such a rich positive experience for all involved. 

Year 9 students at Currumbin Special School 

Slice of Seven

Today we celebrated World Staff Day. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all staff for their care, dedication, and commitment towards ensuring the best possible learning environment for our students to enjoy. Students wrote lovely affirmations and thank you notes to their teachers and other members of College staff and these were received with great appreciation. The P & F also thanked staff with a Coffee Van and slice. 

From the teachers working with students in classrooms to our grounds and administrative staff, each member of our St Andrews team continues to work diligently towards making this a great community. For that, we are so grateful! 

YEARS 4-12 SPORTS AWARDS 

On Thursday afternoon, a record number of students were acknowledged for Sporting excellence at the Annual Sports Awards. It is simply inspiring to see so many of our young sports men and women excelling in their chosen fields. Thank you to Mrs Wood, Miss West, Mrs Pett and Mrs Lyons who along with an absolute tribe of dedicated coaches continue to go above and beyond for our young athletes. This celebration was a reflection of their widespread commitment to developing Sport at St Andrews. 

Adele Ramsay
Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School

WELLBEING

Driver Safety Courses – some students have recently participated in a drive safe course and found it very worthwhile. If you are interested in developing the defensive driving skills of your child, the details include participants must have a valid driver’s licence and a minimum of Learners to participate in the DriveSafe Program, they will experience lots of practical driving time and low student to teacher ratios, cost of $375. Please contact NORWELL MOTORPLEX, (07) 5546 1366, info@norwellmotorplex.com.au  Website: norwellmotorplex.com.au/drivesafe

UPCOMING EVENTS IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Day retreat for young ladies - Just As I Am - an empowerment program for teen girls to build resilience, be free from anxiety, and anchor into healthy self-esteem. 

Dates:   Sunday, 7 November (Ages 16-17)  

Sunday 14 November (Ages 14-15)        

Time:    8:30am-4:15pm

Where: Cornerstone Studio

Price:    $85

Focus - on self-compassion, self-empowerment, kindness, nourishment, and sisterhood, as well as affirming one's value. 

What you’ll need: Please wear comfortable clothes you can do yoga in and bring a water bottle. We will provide use of all of yoga mats, yoga equipment, writing, and art materials. 

If interested for your daughter - email Sarah at hello@thebodymethod.com.au.   

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

On Friday, 22 October, students from Year 7 to 10 participated in the pitching afternoon for IC’21.   IC’21 is a program designed to build entrepreneurial capability in our students. The students have interacted and heard from many guest entrepreneurs including Kate Morgan (CEO Eggy – Life Unscrambled), Vipin Dhunnoo (Aftermath), Jon Morris (Justice Water), Pip Taylor (Southport Church of Christ), Paul McCarty (CEO SecureStack) and Sonya McGuire (CEO of ACIT & IFTV).

Judges for the afternoon were Mark Woodland (CEO Xplor), Kim Johnston-Main (Xplor), Derek Bartels (Director of Innovation LEQ), Kim Powell (Learning Leader – Innovation, Lutheran Schools Victoria), Todd Cole (Chairman College Council), Adele Ramsay (Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School).  

Vipin Dhunnoo (one of our guest speakers) joined the event via zoom all the way from his home country in Mauritius.  A large proportion of the Xplor team based in Melbourne also listened to the Pitch Event via zoom.  

All students were outstanding in their presentation, a testament to the amount of work they all put into their ideas.  The winners for the afternoon were AJ R (1^stplace), Evie M (2^nd place) and Sophia T and Chilli L (3^rd place).  The first three placed students will be travelling to Melbourne as soon as the COVID situation allows.  This trip has been sponsored by Mark Woodland founder of Xplor who is extremely excited by the ideas these young students have come up with. A special thank you to Baden U’Ren who was our guest compere for the afternoon. Stay tuned for the next adventures of our up and coming entrepreneurs.

Terri Myles
Head of Business Department

The CRC is once again buzzing with the activities on offer for Term Four. Some special events have been hosted this term and lunchtime activities are in full swing. Looking for a book or activity? Ask a Librarian! Currently available: board games, origami, Lego wall, Zen colouring stations and paper planes for “Light it Red: Dyslexia Awareness Month”. 

DR KARL SKYPE SESSION

“Is there anything smaller than an atom?”, “What is string theory and what questions about the universe does it resolve?” were just some of the engaging Science questions that were answered by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki during a Skype session in the CRC. The inspiring Dr Karl dazzled the students with his wealth of knowledge and was happy to give Tasman advice on how to get his hot air balloon off the ground. 

SLICE OF SEVEN TRANSITION DAY

It was wonderful to witness the enthusiasm from the Year 6 students as they spent time last Friday transitioning to life in the Middle School for 2022. The CRC welcomed the students by giving them a sample of Esports, book tasting and Manga drawing. Slice of Seven provided a great opportunity to get to know the students who are transitioning to Middle School and for them to ask questions about future opportunities in the CRC.

GOLD COAST CITY COUNCIL LIBRARIES

A reminder that students can access multiple databases through the Gold Coast City Council Libraries. Gold Coast City Council libraries

Did you know that membership also entitles you to: 

1.Watch a movie or documentary on Kanopy. 

2. Listen to an Audiobook with Borrowbox. 

3. Learn a language using Mango Languages. 

4. Read newspapers from around the world on PressReader. 

5. Listen to music on Freegal Music.

Pick up an application form from the CRC Library front desk. 

ASK A LIBRARIAN 

Your Librarians are always happy to help with research, finding resources, book recommendations and IT support. Come in and chat to us or via Teams or email: 

barbarak@salc.qld.edu.au 
carah@salc.qld.edu.au 
kated@salc.qld.edu.au 
trudys@salc.qld.edu.au

END OF YEAR

It is hard to believe that we have just completed Week 4 of Term 4. The year is racing towards the end. I wanted to highlight some important events for the remainder of the year. 

1 November – Light up Vanuatu The Fathering Project night

2 November – Canberra/2022 Virtual Parent Information Session for Year 5

11 November – Year 5 Captain speeches

15, 17, 22 and 24 November – P to Year 3 Beach Safety lessons

24 November – Year 6 Celebration Dinner

27 November – 5:00pm Christmas Carols

29 November – Step Up Day

30 November – Years 4 and 5 Awards Assembly

STAFFING 2022

It is with great joy that I announce Sara McLeod has accepted a 1-year contract to teach Prep next year.  Sara has worked extensively in the Junior School as a relief teacher and has had previous experience working in IB PYP schools in Hong Kong. She will be a great addition to our team. Ms Jackie Brewster will be returning to the College for one day a week next year as she continues to spend valuable time with her young son. 

The classroom teachers for next year will be: 

CLASS LISTS

The teachers are working hard on these now to ensure that there are 3 evenly balanced classes for each year level next year. The teachers do an excellent job of considering the social, friendship and academic needs for each student that is placed into a class. 

Darrin Schumacher
Deputy Principal Head of Junior School

BEING A GLOBAL CITIZEN

Our Junior School is an International Baccalaureate World School providing the Primary Years Programme as well as a College of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Both of these organisations significantly impact the way our students learn, grow and relate to each other and our world.

As a Christian College we focus on the whole child, this means, academically, emotionally, socially, spiritually and physically. Our Christian understanding of God’s great love for all, shines through in our relationships even when our relationships don’t always go well. The International Baccalaureate mission also has similar underpinnings in that we strive for harmony even when others don’t agree with us.

The PYP at St Andrews has a focus on skills (how we learn) and attitudes (how we are) and these encompass the whole child we are educating. In action some of these skills and attitudes look like:

• including others as we know that diversity enriches our lives
• caring for others in our words and our actions
• showing empathy by walking with others and trying to understand their perspective
• communicating respectfully and working towards peace and harmony
• and there are many more.

We are educating our students to be Global Citizens and empowering them to make a difference in our world. For some this is an easy path, for others they may need extra help and guidance to learn these skills and attitudes. We do however always strive to meet student’s needs where they are at – not just academically but the whole child – so they can thrive as Global Citizens in our world using their God-given abilities to serve the world. What a privilege it is for us all to be involved in developing these Global Citizens.

Until next time,

Karen Koehler
Deputy Head of Junior School Pastoral

MILLIONAIRES CLUB

Congratulations to our latest millionaires! The following students have reached a million words in their Literacy Pro reading programme. Congratulations girls!

Eloise M 5A
Juliette K 5C

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Premier’s Reading challenge this year. The Junior school had over fifty participants from all year levels. The reading challenge is an excellent way to support and encourage our students to develop a love of reading and improve their literacy skills.  

YEAR 3

The Year three students are inquiring into celebrations and commemorations around the world. This week the students listened to the story - Dipal’s Diwali. As a class they discussed and learned about Indian culture and Diwali – the festival of lights. Students enjoyed making their own Rangoli patterns and they are a great addition to our displays in the library.     

Vikki Rees
Teacher Librarian ICT Coordinator