Senior School

Senior School Expo

The Senior School Expo was an outstanding success at showcasing the exciting things and subject offering at the Senior School at St Andrews. Current, future and potential parents and students came along to speak with teachers about specific subjects and cocurricular activities, as well as hear engaging talks about VCE, ATARs and Student Wellbeing.

The evening had quite a ‘buzz’ about it; helped along by the talents of our VCE Music students. Thank you to all of the staff and students who contributed to making this event a success! If you have any further questions about the Senior School or require more information please don’t hesitate to contact myself or the school.

John Presant

Head of Senior School

Term 3 St Andrews Careers Development Program Highlights

Although it has been said many times that Term 3 is a term of solid teaching and learning, it is also a term during which planning for future years take place. Our Senior School students have been offered many opportunities to engage in activities through which they could explore their future options and get an insight into various professions.

The term has started with an inspirational presentation by Ben Evers, Veta Morphus Co-ordinator. Veta Morphus is a discipleship and ministry training opportunity that engages students in deepening their faith journey and provides real hands-on ministry and leadership training. Veta Morphus prepares students for a life of service and is based on an action/reflection model of authentic Christian learning. Students complete the course over twelve months, while in Year 11 or 12 and attain the nationally accredited Certificate III in Christian Ministry & Theology. We are excited to offer this course to our VCE students and we have added this program to our VCE subject choice.

Other highlights:

• ‘Leaders of Change’ Conference – all St Andrews Year 10 students have participated!!
• Camp Coolamatong Christian Internships Presentation - Senior School Assembly
• The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Schools Education Program - Years 9 and 10
• The National History Challenge, 2017 Theme “Making a Better World?” – Kaycee Tu Year 9
• Community Service: Year 10 student volunteers

Irena Yevlahova

Careers Coordinator

Moral Fairground ‘Leaders of Change’ Schools Conference

On Monday, August 14, Mrs Yevlahova and I took our Year 10 students to the Moral Fairground Leaders of Change Conference at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre.  Moral Fairground is devoted to promoting sustainable and fair trade business practices.  A number of students from approximately ten schools around Melbourne attended the conference.  The director of Moral Fairground, Susanna Bevilacqua addressed the students about the organisation’s work and goals before an official welcome from the Mayor of Darebin, Cr Kim Le Cerf.

The students enjoyed excellent presentations from the Fairtrade organisation, which ensures that primary producers are paid fairly for their products.  As Fairtrade themselves say, “Fairtrade is about stable prices, decent working conditions and the empowerment of farmers and workers around the world.” 

The Fairtrade mark on a product indicates that the product has been produced in line with the Fairtrade organisation’s principles.   A representative from Oxfam Australia also spoke to the students on simple ways they can change the world for the better. From educating oneself about how lots of trade in the world is not fair to many producers, to buying Fairtrade products more often and finding creative ways to promote Fairtrade.

The following session offered workshops for students on various areas of the commercial world where organisations are working to make trade fairer and more ethical; eg. In fashion, cosmetics and tourism.  Students also had the opportunity to hear from the Mayor of Darebin about her journey in community leadership which led to her becoming the Mayor.  She explained that she never aspired to be the Mayor, but simply wanted to offer leadership in her community which led from one opportunity to another.  Another workshop looked at ways young people in the workforce could be exploited.

Each school had focussed on a particular social enterprise partner and had researched its history and the development of its product.  Our students had focussed on Pollinate Energy.  This company was concerned that families in slums in India were using dangerous kerosene lamps to light their homes at night.  These are hazardous not just because of fire danger, but because of the toxic fumes they emit.  This company now provides families in India with solar-powered electric lights that are much more effective and emit no fumes.  These save households money because kerosene is no longer needed.   Other products for these people are also being rolled out. 

Three of our Year 10 students; Chloe, Joel and Nicoletta gave an excellent presentation on Pollinate Energy (see picture).  Students from other schools spoke about other Social Enterprise Partners followed by representatives from those partner organisations.

The values espoused at this conference harmonised well with values of justice, kindness and fairness that are at God’s heart and revealed in the Scriptures.  We hope and pray that students were inspired to consider ways they can live out these values - not just in their future vocations, but also now!

Warwick Grant

Chaplain

ATO School Education Program

On Thursday last week, we were joined by a special guest during Senior School Assembly. A lady from the Australian Taxation Office came to talk to our group about what tax is, why we need it, how the money is spent, how and why we should get a Tax File Number (TFN), and when or who we should give our TFN to. Her presentation was very insightful and relevant to many of us who are now thinking of applying to our first jobs or are already working part-time. To anyone who was thinking of getting a TFN, the process is very simple. All it takes is filling out an online form and lodging an application to a participating Australia Post outlet.

Fiorella Salazar 10 Y

Camp Coolamatong Christian Internships

On the 18th of August, we got to hear from Chris Kynoch, a Camp Coolamatong Assistant Director.  After a thought provoking devotion that Chris gave, he shared about internships that can be done there. For people aged 18-24, you can go there for a year and further your leadership skills, relationship with God and your outdoor skills. You can also come out of it with a Cert III or IV in Outdoor Recreation, or a Cert III in Ministry and Theology. The representative explained that this was a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, get some awesome experiences and become closer to God.

Georgia Muggeridge 10Y

Volunteering At Foodbank

For the last couple of years, I’ve been volunteering at Syndal Baptist Foodbank.  Every time I heard that they were short of volunteers, I jump at the chance to help out.  My mum is a regular volunteer, so she was able to teach me all about the work I had to do.  Volunteering at foodbank has really helped me to become more aware of others’ circumstances, and how I can do my part to give back to a community in need. The many people I’ve encountered have inspired me, and opened my eyes to the difference we can make in people’s lives when we extend the perfect love that God first gave to us.

Foodbank works with donations of Foodbank Australia, as well as products and money given by the church.  Not everyone may have the time to regularly volunteer but we can do our part to give back from God’s abundant blessings to us by donating.

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.  Matthew 25:40.

Fiorella Salazar 10Y

We are delighted to be offering our students these fantastic new experiences and programs.

Irena Yevlahova

Careers Coordinator and Year 10 Work Studies teacher

Careers News

Please find more information in the attached Careers News:

If you have a question about a topic featured in the Careers Newsletter, please contact Careers Coordinator Mrs Irena Yevlahova iyevlahova@standrews.vic.edu.au

Irena Yevlahova

Careers Coordinator