'One Another'

It has been wonderful to see our students back on campus for the start of the new school year and to see them so happily engaging with each other and their teachers. Our College theme for 2023 “Unity through Christ” has been a central focus as we have commenced the school year and I have been encouraged to see a real sense of unity and purpose being established in our students.

In the New Testament that are 100 “one another” statements in 94 verses. Love one another, accept one another, serve one another, and encourage one another are just a few. I am reminded of Paul’s letter to the Colossian church in Colossians 3: 12 – 15 which states “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

What a wonderful list of virtues for us to cultivate within the St Andrews community: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and thankfulness – all bound together in perfect unity by love. What a difference this will make to our society as we each take on these virtues.

VCE Results Report

We are pleased to be able to report that the Class of 2022 were able to achieve outstanding VCE Results – the best the College has seen. Congratulations to the College Dux – Andrea Chai who achieved an ATAR of 99.75 and to Jaiwei Wang, Kayle Dharmadasa, Yueshan Liu, Roselyn Kho, Michelle McCabe, Chavella Tanubrata, Paria Hassaniganji, Vicky Truong, Sarah Farmer, and Julia Pajor who all achieved an ATAR above 95.

Some of the highlights include:

Median Study Score: 33

43.9% of students achieved an ATAR above 90 (top 10% in the State)

58.5% of students achieved an ATAR above 80 (top 20% in the State)

5.1% of Study Scores were 45 or higher

18% of Study Scores were 40 or higher

Andrea Chai obtaining a perfect score of 50 in Biology.

The highest study scores obtained were: 50 – Biology, 49 – Further Mathematics, 48 – Chemistry and Mathematical Methods, 47 – English, 45 – Business Management, Health and Human Development, Further Mathematics and Music Performance, 44 – Chemistry (2), English (2) and Specialist Mathematics, 43 – Biology (3), English (2), Further Mathematics (2) and Mathematical Methods, 42 – Biology, Chemistry (2), English as an Additional Language, Further Mathematics, Languages: Indonesian Second Language and Psychology, 41 – Business Management, Chemistry, English, Physics and Psychology, 40 – Business Management, Languages: Chinese First Language and Theatre Studies.

To give some context to what these scores mean; only 2% of students in the State score 45 or higher in each subject, with 8% scoring 40 or higher and 24% scoring 35 or higher. At St Andrews, there were 9 study scores 45 or higher (5.1%), 37 study scores 40 or higher (18%) and 88 study scores 35 or higher (42.9%). It is extremely pleasing to see that students have been able to achieve such high scores, with each of these the highest level recorded at the College.

In 2022, 16 different subjects were offered at Year 12 level across 20 separate classes with a further 16 subjects offered at Year 11 level across 18 separate classes. Given the size of the Year 11 and Year 12 cohorts, this provides an excellent range of subjects for students to select and enables them to pursue pathways to tertiary education. The College commitment to running three English classes at each of Year 10, 11 and 12 has also been rewarded with a significant improvement in the study scores achieved.

The College is committed to providing students with the best possible learning opportunities and currently offer three English classes at each of Year 7, 10, 11 and 12. We also offer three Mathematics classes at each of Year 7 – 12. This effectively reduces the class size and enables teachers to provide students with more individual assistance and feedback. With an increased Elective Program in Year 8, 9 and 10, students have access to a wide range of subjects across the Secondary School and the flexibility to develop multiple pathways to further education.

As we have celebrated with our graduating students I have reflected on the attributes listed in our Graduate Student Profile: Godly in Character, Relationally Engaged, Life-Long Learner, Desire to Serve, Leader by Example, Authentic Faith, and have been encouraged to see how many of these have been exemplified in the young men and women who are now making the transition into the next phase of their life.

We are thankful to God that all students who applied for a tertiary place have received an offer. Students will be undertaking tertiary studies at a range of different institutions including: Australian Catholic University, Deakin University, Monash University, Swinburne University, The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and The University of Melbourne

The range of courses being undertaken include: Acting, Allied Health Assistance, Arts (Psychology), Business/Banking and Finance, Commerce, Communication, Computer Science, Engineering/Science, Exercise and Sports Science/Business, Fashion Enterprise, Health Sciences, Law, Laws/Arts, Medicine, Music, Paramedicine, Public Health and Health Promotion, Physiotherapy, Science, Science/Biomedical Science, Screen and Media, Secondary Education – Science, Songwriting and Music Production.

NAPLAN 2023

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students is scheduled for Wednesday 15th – Friday 17th March. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals which can be used to improve student achievement.

In 2022 all schools in Australia commenced with the delivery of NAPLAN tests online. NAPLAN Online delivers numerous benefits including: a ‘tailored test’ design that adapts to correct and incorrect student responses providing a more precise understanding of student achievement; innovative use of technology, including a more engaging test design and a wider range of item types; the extension of the ‘test window’ to two weeks, allowing schools greater opportunity to schedule the tests at times that suit them best and increasing student participation.

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) has provided information for parents and carers on the VCAA Website. The link to the VCAA website is https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/f-10assessment/naplan/Pages/parents/index.aspx.

A copy of the printed NAPLAN Information for Parents and Carers brochure is attached below. The brochure is also available in other languages via the VCAA website.

NAPLAN Information for Parents and Carers 2023.pf

For those parents and students who would like to become familiar with the NAPLAN Online format, ACARA has provided a public demonstration website. The suite consists of mini-tests covering all domains for each NAPLAN year level. The demonstration site can be found at: https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site

Learning Support

At St Andrews Christian College we believe that all people are formed in the image of our creator God (Genesis 1:27) and that He has made us all different and unique, reflecting the diversity of the Trinity.

God delights in variety and differences, and this is echoed in the whole of creation, where diversity exists in unity. In humans, this is also evident in the variety of physical characteristics, personalities, talents and abilities, backgrounds and interests, understandings and interpretations, strengths, and weaknesses. At St Andrews, we are engaged in the dynamic process of shaping, and being shaped, into responsive disciples reflecting the heart, mind, and life of Christ.

As Christian educators, we are called to meet the needs of ALL students, regardless of abilities. In accepting and celebrating students of diverse abilities, we learn to accommodate the expression of differences. Diversity in abilities brings a richness and blessing to our school community and provides opportunities for us to serve each other. We learn to accept each other, understand and experience how we all fit in and belong to God’s family. This is one of the most important features of community, living as and living in the body of Christ.

It has been a wonderful start to 2023 and we welcome Aggie Chan to the Learning Support Team. Aggie is a speech pathologist and will be working each Tuesday and Thursday, conducting therapy and some social skills sessions to identified students. She will also be available to do Language assessments.

Learning Support is available to work alongside staff, students and parents on the journey of learning and development. This support will look different for each student, depending on the needs of the student and the type of support required. Support will be provided both in the classroom and for some students in a withdrawal setting. Please feel free to make contact if you have any questions or concerns about your child.

We look forward to partnering with you as we ‘educate our students so that they are well skilled, understand life on the basis of biblical truth, and are motivated to walk with God and serve Him in their lives, so that they will be a positive Christian influence in the world.’

Shirley Gillie – Head of Learning Support
sgillie@standrews.vic.edu.au

Josie Mayer – Learning Support Teacher – Primary
jmayer@standrews.vic.edu.au

Kerryn Terrington – Learning Support Teacher – Secondary
kterrington@standrews.vic.edu.au