Dear St Andrew’s Community

As we stand at the end of another term, I want to add my few words in addition to both our Head of Primary and Acting Head of Secondary’s articles to say thanks so much for your continued interest and passion for our College.  Every day St Andrew’s aims to uphold our strategic intent, enabling our students to move confidently into their futures.  A lofty task like this comes with its challenges, but also immense rewards.  I reflect on what has been achieved, what has been learned, what has been improved and reflected upon and I continue to give thanks for the opportunity to work in a dynamic organisation that continually seeks to improve and add value to the lives of all members of our community.

Each day I have the privilege to hear and engage with people in passionate conversations about what is happening in their area, what vision they have for their area and most importantly a plan to achieve it.  The feedback from families who move to our College continues to be about our energetic staff, respectful relationships and promoting personal best.  These are some of the values we hold for our community and our staff are tasked not just to teach but model these values.  We have such a positive reputation in our community and I thank everyone for committing to and supporting our great College.

Staffing

We have a number of staffing changes that are taking place over the next couple of weeks and it is timely to bring these to your attention.

Adele Guy, our Head of Teaching and Learning is seeking new leadership opportunities in 2019; however, will continue with her key focus areas here at the College until the end of the year.

Katy Kirby, Director of Information Services has accepted a new role at Griffith University and we wish her and her family all the best with the move. Jenny Grant, our Head of English, will assume the role of Acting Director of IS for the remainder of the year.

Many of our music parents will be aware that Savanna Griechen has decided to step aside from her role as Director of Co-curricular Music in order to focus on her passion for choral.  We are thrilled that she has accepted our offer to be the Head of Choral from next semester. Jonathan Harding will be the Acting Director of Co-curricular Music for the remainder of the year to support the team and oversee the Instrumental music teachers.

Given the importance of these three roles in the life of our College, we will begin a nationwide search mid-July to attract high calibre candidates to join our team in 2019.

Margot Mackintosh is taking 6 months leave for family reasons and we have appointed Richard Beckett to the role for the remainder of 2018.  Richard is currently Acting Head of HPE at the Cranbrook School in Sydney.

To cover the release required for Mrs Grant and Mr Harding, we have offered Felicity Greenbank a full-time English teaching role next semester and she will also assist Mrs Grant as Assistant Head of English.  Felicity has been with us through Term 2 and we look forward to her continuing with us.

Trudiann Marshall at Little Saints has the unique opportunity to run her own Early Learning Centre in Bali from next term and we wish her all the best in this role.  Trudiann will be on leave for a year to undertake this role. Rebecca Schollum has recently relocated from Sydney where she was the Director of the ELC service at the Shore School, Sydney and Rebecca will step in to replace Trudiann.

Megan Johns has resigned from her role as a part time English teacher and we are currently seeking to appoint a replacement for the start of Term 3. 

We also so say a very fond farewell to our two GAP students, Calum Dowie and Amanda Geddes.  Calum and Amanda return to a cool Scottish summer to attend their respective Universities and we wish them both the very best and thank them for the way in which they have embedded themselves into the culture of our College.

We also have a few staff on Long Service and Maternity leave:

Kelly Cashman, Linda and Rod Frohmuller, Suzanne Symonds and Andrew Lucas all take some form of Long Service Leave throughout Term 3. Amy Thompson and Kristen Clark will be on maternity leave and we wish them and their families the very best in the weeks and months ahead.

And finally!  It is exciting to welcome Sam Ellis back to the Primary school after 3 years leave teaching overseas.  We also welcome back Trina Provan, Brad and Maree Bowen from their break this term.

I look forward to welcoming everyone to Foundation Day tomorrow and the exciting ‘turn of the sod’ ceremony!

I wish everyone a great break from the normal routine of College life over the next few weeks.

Best wishes,

Reverend Chris Ivey

PRINCIPAL