Dear St Andrew’s community

What an interesting start to Term 4 with this week’s weather!  It feels like the ‘old days’ again with the infamous 3pm tropical storms, for those of us who have lived in Queensland for a few decades now!  It was great to welcome everyone back on Monday and to see the enthusiasm and energy for what I know will be a whirlwind term.  Our Nepal group have returned and next week our exchange students from Japan and Spain will arrive home.

As I shared in my article last week, there are some staffing updates for the remainder of this term and 2019.  The employment of our staff is one of the most important aspects of my role and one that I take very carefully and seriously.  Our culture here at St Andrew’s is built on ensuring we have outstanding quality in all aspects of our College and while the thorough employment process does take time, it is integral to the ongoing success of our endeavours.

Mrs Adele Guy, Head of Teaching and Learning, has advised her desire to pursue new leadership opportunities from 2019 and after a nation-wide advertising and interview process, I am pleased to advise that we have appointed Mrs Jenny Grant to the newly titled role of Head of Learning.  Jenny is currently our Head of English and Acting Director of Information Services.  Jenny has held senior leadership roles in both pastoral and academic domains in leading Anglican Schools across the state. I know Jenny will continue to further develop the great work Adele started with the Teaching and Learning Framework and bring an integrated balance between academic rigour and the implementation of our learning projects that focus on skills required for lifelong learning.

At this stage the College is still developing a plan to replace the Director of Information Services role for 2019. 

Mrs Sue Patterson has accepted the position of Director of Music (co-curricular). Sue and her family will be relocating from Tasmania where Sue is the current Music Coordinator at Launceston Church Grammar School.  I do want to commend the co-curricular Music staff under the leadership of Mr Jon Harding for their continued commitment to the extensive and successful program we offer.

As part of our strategic initiatives, we developed a new role in the life of the College to focus on Digital implementations, Prep to Year 12.  I am pleased to advise that we have offered Mrs Lauren Stanhope this role of Digital Integrator.   Lauren is currently working at the University of Adelaide as the Computer Science Research Project Officer. Lauren has previously presented to Primary staff here at the College and will be a valuable resource in both teaching and supporting staff as they further embed digital skills into their teaching.

Mr Peter Gazzola has indicated his intention to stay as Acting Head of Primary at TAS (Trinity Anglican School) in Cairns next year and I have granted him another 12 months leave.  With this in mind, we will be looking for someone to oversee the Year 9 Connections programs for 2019. 

Mrs Amy Thompson has advised she has accepted a Head of Faculty role at Immanuel Lutheran College. Amy has been a highly-respected member of staff since she joined us as a new graduate in 2007.  We wish Amy well as she embraces her new challenge.  In light of this, the College has decided to review the role of Head of Commerce to include aspects of what we refer to as ‘Enterprise’.  Essentially, we are keen to have someone drive Innovation and Entrepreneurial ideas within the life of the College and this would seem the most logical place to include these skills.  We will therefore be advertising this redefined role along with the Head of English position next week.

Mrs Shonagh Dickinson has been recruited to fill our newly-created position of Director of Finance. Shonagh is relocating with her family from Cammeray NSW, where she is currently employed at Abbotsleigh School as the Financial Accountant.

Bree Loli has accepted the position as the new Senior Biology/Science teacher commencing in January, Bree is currently a Biology/Pastoral Care teacher and she is looking forward to joining the St Andrew’s team.

I would also like to advise that regretfully Ms Margo Mackintosh has resigned from her role as Assistant Director of Sport due to ongoing family commitments.  We wish Margo all the best in her future endeavours and thank her for her contribution to the Sports Department during Semester One. Due to Margo’s resignation we are transitioning Mr Richard Beckett from Acting Assistant Director of Sport into the permanent position of Assistant Director of Sport.  Richard has settled into life at St Andrew’s very well and we look forward to him continuing in this role.

Jackson Lucas has accepted an offer of a two-year Ministry Training Strategy at Point Community Church in Port Macquarie. We wish Jackson all the best as he continues his journey within Christian Ministry and Education.  Jackson has been an integral part of our Youth Ministry program at the College and I thank him for his contribution to the program.  I’m sure Andrew and Brenda Lucas will keep us up to date with Jackson’s progress.

Nathalie Newton-Walters has relocated from the Gold Coast and joins us this term from Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School.  Nathalie will be covering Long Service Leave in the Secondary Humanities Faculty for the next 18 months.

I am excited by the calibre of staff we have applying for positions here at the College and will continue to keep parents up-to-date with further appointments for 2019.

Best wishes, 

Reverend Chris Ivey

PRINCIPAL