As we conclude our first term of 2025 it is a great opportunity to reflect on this time and the many great things that have been happening in the life of the College. 

Our theme for 2025 is 'Real Hope' and our accompanying scripture comes from Isaiah 40:31, ‘...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’  It has been wonderful to see how staff and students have captured this year’s theme and applying it to their faith walk.

Congratulations to Stefanie in Year 12 who created our winning piece of artwork to represent this year’s theme. The creativity she has expressed through her piece of work is inspiring and we are looking forward to this being our cover artwork for our 2025 Yearbook.

2025 also marks the official release of our St Andrews Christian College Pedagogical Framework. This framework represents several years of work from our academic staff and leaders to capture the essence of our approach to learning and teaching, including our 16 Learner Attributes. This framework supports our commitment to a distinctively Christian education, in which biblically-based truth forms the centre of our teaching and curriculum. We understand the importance of students, parents and carers having a strong understanding of our approach to education, so we will be sending copies of the St Andrews Christian College Pedagogical Framework to all families in the coming weeks. We encourage all parents and carers to read through this publication when received so that we can all share the journey together of your child’s education at the College.

I would like to thank our students, families and staff for a positive and purposeful Term 1.

Welcome to the end of Term 1, 2025. I have often heard people say to me, “Can you believe that it is the end of term?”, and it has caused me to stop and think about what this means. Is this a sign that time flies too fast or is it a sign that we are all trying to catch up and make sure that we are not missing out? Perhaps it is a mix of both.

If your family is like mine, it’s a juggle. The timetabling of who is going where and what is happening each week can creep up on us and we feel, at times, that it’s all flying past us too quickly. Yet here we are, again, at the end of this term looking back at all that has happened and how we have managed it all. I choose to stop, and press pause amid the juggle, the lunches that are needing to be made and the uniforms that need to be washed, and feel proud of all that has happened at St Andrews in Term 1—our high functioning College, wonderful students and committed and caring staff.

We continue to offer our students a wide variety of different experiences that allow for all students to achieve their individual best. Our amazing students continue to thrive with the opportunities presented to them. Whether this be the leadership opportunities and moments to present to other students, our new initiative of Monday Assembly timetable, or the initiation of different excursion or camp opportunities that our creative staff continue to design, plan and supervise. Yes, it’s busy but how wonderful it is that God gives us the resources and strength to provide these opportunities for our students; this is a true blessing.

Thank you, parents/carers, for your willingness to engage in volunteer opportunities and for your compliance with signing in, attending induction evenings and for the way that you engage with honesty and integrity to provide extra learning opportunities for our students. This year we continue to always refine and improve all volunteer opportunities, and I value your feedback in this area.

Staff have endeavoured to engage students in the importance of sun smart behaviour this term. We have worked hard to communicate the need to wear hats, and this is an area that we want to continually improve. Sun smart behaviour is foremost on our mind, and I am committed to ensuring that all students and staff embark on personal awareness and ownership of wearing their hats (enforced in Term 1 and 4, however, if possible, the whole year when UV rays are high). I would encourage you to speak of this at home with your children about the importance of wearing hats and protecting their skin. For your knowledge we require all students to own and wear a college hat and if they are not wearing this throughout recess and lunchtime, they will be asked to stay under verandas. Students are required to wear their hat always when playing outside and this applies from Prep to Year 12. Hats should be worn under the DOME, under the café and walking to the MPH for recess and lunchtime.

Thank you to families who are vigilant with ensuring that the students wear correct academic and sport uniforms. Please refer to the College Uniform guide listed on the website for further information, and could I please ask that students be mindful that jewellery should adhere to the uniform guidelines and that hair is tied back.

I also remind you of the need to ensure that your child is punctual to school by 9am sharp and that all efforts are made to be on time each day. All communication continues to be disseminated through the HUB and that if needed, help through the IT department is available to access the Parent HUB app.

Blessings to you and your family,