think big - St Andrew`s Cathedral School
Transcription
think big - St Andrew`s Cathedral School
n a e dr n a the g i b k n i th edition Issue no 2 2012 heart mind life the andrean magazine the people behind the publication The Magazine Team Editor In Chief Vicki Fraser Production Coordinator Kelsey Hake Features Editors Laura Bannister Melanie Pennington Louise Panczyk Creative Advisor / Photographer Jack Toohey (OA 2010) Contributing Artist Mr Paul Fitzgerald Head of Visual Arts (Cover Artwork) Contributing Writers Mrs Emma Argall Christian Development Teacher Mr Michael Bersten Parent Dr John Collier Head of School Grace Grew Year 11 Ms Lyn Jarvis Parent and Board Member, School Foundation Mr Lucas Roe IT Assistant and Rugby Coach OA 2006 Special Thanks Tom Ashhurst Alex Abbotsmith Fellow 2007, OA 2007 Ms Shannon Balderson Gifted and Talented Teacher Mr Phillip Baldock Year 7 Tutor/EALD Teacher Mr Huw Belling Music Tutor and Composer in Residence, OA 2003 Mrs Louise Bersten Parent and Volunteer Mrs Jane Britton History and English Teacher Mrs Katrina Campbell Internship – History Tony Chalmers OA 2010 Mr Derek Champion Geography with Society and Culture Teacher Mrs Alison Courtney Visual Art and Maths teacher Alana Dell OA 2010 Kalia Famiglietti Year 6 Sophie Farnsworth Year 12 Mrs Therese Giese Parent and Volunteer Edward Happer Year 12 Max Harris Year 12 Drama Captain 2011/2012 Mr Garth Hasler Christian Development Teacher Mr Christopher Kim Science Teacher Lyndon Leung Year 12 Yosiah Oshiro Year 11 School Captain 2012/2013 Veronica Polhill OA 2007 Sam Refshauge Programme and Operations Director at AIME (OA 2002) Georgia-Rose Purtill Year 12 Nicola Robinson OA 2005 Lauren Rutter OA 2008 Jarrod Simpson Alex Abbotsmith Fellow 2012 Mr Des Sinovich Careers Counsellor Ben Shilson-Josling Year 12 Mr David Smith Head of Middle School Will Stewart Year 11 Riva Thomson Year 9 Mr Michael Turton Head of Sport and Year 9 Coordinator Mr Ric Van Wachem Director of Outdoor Education Mr Ralph Wilcock Music Teacher Artist statement Thank you to Head of Visual Arts at St Andrew’s, Mr Paul Fitzgerald for creating a collage of the winning entries from our cover competition. Congratulations to the students with featured artworks Amelia Edsor (stage 2), Kaila Famiglietti (stage 3), Ivy Stainer (stage 3) and Marcus Vrondas (Stage 2) To keep up to date with all the latest news and events visit our website www.sacs.nsw.edu.au 2 ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG ISSUE introduction In this issue of the Andrean Magazine we put the spotlight on Big Thinkers. Whether pursuing the masterful art of musical composition, embarking on the journey of life beyond school, or investing time in valuable MultiLit assistance, our students, staff and broader school community are continually pursuing their passions, thinking outside the box and taking on new challenges. In short, they’re thinking big. Here we tell a handful of their stories, giving you a little more insight into the people who see potential to change, create or do – and turn their thoughts into a reality. CONTENTS contents 04 Wise words from big thinkers 18 Pursuing passions A Q & A with Head of School Dr John Collier: Creating a school of big thinkers. Often it’s only those with an award to their name who get recognised, but it shouldn’t be the case. We catch up with four individuals in the SACS community pursuing their interests beyond the classroom. 06Gifts from the heart create heartfelt thanks The School Foundation is behind many projects supporting and enriching the learning experience of our students. Board Member Ms Lyn Jarvis gives thanks for the generosity of parents and supporters. 08Nurturing a new generation of learners Junior School Parent, Mr Michael Bersten investigates the MultiLit programme that has transformed his children’s passion for reading. 10Building character through sport Old Andrean Lucas Roe explains why sport is often undervalued as a necessity for building character in students. 12 The things you taught me St Andrew’s is a place of learning for all. Univerity student and Old Andrean, Lauren Rutter reflects on her learning experience under the mentorship from Head of Gawura Mr David North. 14The three worlds of perception: on stage in the Junior School The Junior School musical Cinderella and Rockerfella challenged students in their understanding of self, community and world. We go backstage into the educational benefits of student participation. 16 Taking risks with learning Middle School students are being encouraged to be RISKY Learners as part of the RISKS programme. We find out what the programme’s about. 20 Inside the mind The HSC and IB serve as precursors to university study. We delve into two Senior College subjects a little left of centre. 22 The art of composition Music composition is not an easy task. We find out how the creation of an entirely new piece of art comes about. 24 Being part of the Cru St Andrew’s has a history of changing lives through Christ. Mrs Emma Argall takes us on a journey revisiting six lives transformed through Cru lunchtime groups. 26 Mapping your course Finishing high school opens endless doors of opportunity. We explore the careers counselling programme that guides students in making their decisions. 28 Telling stories in the dark Separation, war and the unwavering power of the folk tale. This year our Middle School Drama Ensemble are tackling something a little different – an award-winning play by Debra Oswald. 30 Profile: AIME high Old Andrean Sam Refshauge shares with us how he is making a significant impact in the education sector. 31 Into the writer’s lair big Year 11 student, Grace Grew concludes our ‘Think Big’ edition with an excerpt of a short story. beyond think wise words from big thinkers wise words from thoughts big thinkers Laura Bannister We’re all thinkers. We’ve all got a brain suspended in fluid, held neatly in place by the skull, with a mind that just keeps ticking. Every moment it is moving. But what transforms a ‘thinker’ into a big thinker? How can an idea, conceived inside the mind of one person, work to change another person, or even an entire school? Over a table strewn with papers in his St Andrew’s House office, we sat down with our Head of School, Dr John Collier, who took a moment to muse on our issue theme and to discuss big thinkers in the education game and beyond. 4 Laura Bannister: You’re a bit of a history aficionado … who are five key historical figures that you believe really shaped their cultural context? Let’s move to St Andrew’s. A key catchphrase in classrooms at St Andrew’s is ‘higher order thinking’. Can you explain the term? Dr Collier: What you’re talking about are people who have caused a paradigm shift in culture, who have changed the whole momentum of civilisation. Higher order thinking is going beyond the basics of simple learning recall. Education has moved way beyond the sense that an educated person is someone who can simply memorise things without necessarily understanding them. As the world is changing quickly, an educated person is a person who can apply knowledge and think through new situations. That [process] requires higher order skills of thinking and understanding… evaluating and synthesising, being ‘thinkers’ rather than ‘regurgitators’. Most subjects would seek to reach this kind of depth, this deep learning, to help students use learnt skills in unfamiliar situations. Exactly. Ok, here’s some: Gutenberg, who invented the printing press in 1453, providing a possibility for the memory of culture to pass from oral to written and a rationale for education, then mass education. Up until then, reading and writing were the preserve of a tiny elite. From Gutenberg came modern literate and literary civilisation. Another is Christopher Columbus, who in 1492 set out to sail west to the East Indies. In doing so he discovered (from a European perspective) the Americas, and following that came an opening up for Europeans of North and South America. [Then] there is Galileo, who built on the work of early astronomers to suggest that the universe was in fact heliocentric, that is, the solar system planets rotated around the sun, developing a new sense of the cosmos in which we live. There’s Martin Luther… he began the Protestant Reformation, changing the discourse about religion to the notion of individual salvation by faith and so, built the understanding of Christian faith. The fifth is Albert Einstein with his Theory of Relativity. His work on the link between energy, mass and the speed of light has been seminal to a lot of modern physics. THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION Is it possible for all students to engage with higher order thinking? Yes! All students are able to think things through beyond the basic and all students have giftedness in particular areas. It’s certainly important in schools that we challenge students with tasks that cause them to think rather than numb them with repetitive work. Do you think teachers have a responsibility to cultivate excitement for learning amongst students? Part of good teaching is to cultivate excitement, to bring passion to students. Teachers who are passionate about their subject will inspire students more. It’s a key calling of teachers to find that switch of excitement within a student. we Education has moved way Education beyond theway sense has moved that anthe educated beyond sense person is that an educated someone who can person is someone simply who canmemorise simply things without memorise things necessarily without necessarily understanding understanding them. them. minds Why did you decide to become a teacher? It was partly because I fell in love with History and English – to teach them was a way of continuing my fascination with the subjects. Also, I had some good models as teachers who seemed to do something worthwhile, robust and rigorous. That was something worth emulating. What was it about those teachers that stood out? Well, they were able to unlock the intrinsic interest in those subjects and weave a narrative that I found really fascinating. And what, on the other hand, makes a passionate student? A passionate student can be someone who really connects with the teacher. In Australian culture, relational teaching is really important. If the student feels the teacher is fair, consistent and caring – it helps to ignite the student’s passion. A passionate student can bring great energy and curiosity to a subject. As a Head of School and an educator, you’re constantly exposed to developing minds with big ideas. What are some of the most exciting initiatives or trajectories you’ve seen students at St Andrew’s follow? I think this year’s performance of Hamlet was extremely exciting because of the performance by students; some were absolutely brilliant, not just in a school sense, but a professional sense of acting. They pursued the boundaries of the play extensively and brought it to life in a way that was absolutely astonishing by people who are still in school. Some of the Curiouser and Curiouser presentations of Mrs Dierdre MacPherson’s Gifted and Talented group also show tremendous mastery of their topics, far beyond what would be expected of students that age (in areas of history, neuroscience and information technology). I think the IB Extended Essays in Year 11 and 12 do this too, where students follow a very specialist research path beyond what is normal in secondary school. BIG thinking starts young What is the most inspirational thing you’ve seen someone do or say this week at SACS? The presentation of a Year 8 student in the Curiouser and Curiouser group on brain research was certainly very inspiring. Another student sent me his presentation on whether the universe was finely tuned for life, which indicated an ability to engage, at just 14, in questions of cosmology and philosophy and astrophysics – that was delightful to see. Finally, what’s the one educational realisation you’d love for students to gain during their time at SACS? To learn enough to realise how little they know, so that they’re inspired to keep on learning. To really value education and see it as an essential part of fulfilling their human potential and a way of engaging the giftedness God has given them, to learn and benefit society. Both the IB and HSC promote creative problem solving THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 5 gifts from the heart create heartfelt thanks gifts from the heart create heartfelt thanks Ms Lyn Jarvis Brand new community-building spaces Ms Lyn Jarvis is a parent, former President of the P&F and now a Board Member on the St Andrew’s Cathedral School Foundation; a group of volunteers who work to support the school’s educational endeavours by providing financial support and facilitating community engagement. Here she reflects on the generosity of parents and supporters in recent building projects. Y ear 12 is the culmination of 13 years of schooling. It is a year of tremendous work, nervous energy, trepidation, enthusiasm, creativity, hard work, great friends, growing confidence and looming independence. It can be daunting for students and for their parents. Amazing artworks have been completed, marked, framed, packaged and posted for marking. Brilliant designs have been built, polished, sealed and sent. Textile creations have been stitched, finalized and forwarded. Musicians have worn out their mouths and fingers practicing for their September finals and our future authors have completed their last draft of their literary masterpieces. Down in the BBC, the foyer has been tense and brimming with anticipation, as our drama students perform their HSC pieces for examiners. Our Year 12 drama students have had the advantage this year of a refurbished Black Box Theatre. Performing in a good space gives our students experience and confidence to do their very best. Max Harris, 2011/2012 Drama Captain, has this to say about the theatre: “It’s a vastly improved performance space. I’ve performed a lot in the Black Box and I think even something as subtle as the tone of the room to the performer and audience has been improved. The whole 6 THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION space feels much warmer, and while it is an inherently intimate stage, it feels like a larger and more professional theatre now. The Black Box is crucial to drama at St Andrew’s, especially to the ensemble productions, and having improved seating, lighting, and a bigger stage space is extremely beneficial. Also they put in nice comfy seats.” Our Class of 2012 have also utilised brand new Visual Arts facilities this year. The new department is much larger, giving more space for students to create their major work. As one Year 12 student commented, “There is more space for making art work, more space for storing it, a large stash of supplies, more space for exhibiting work, better computer access and a relaxed atmosphere which encourages creativity and sharing of ideas and feedback from the teachers and other students”. Another real bonus for Year 12 has been a Common Room just for them – a real privilege and a great place to unwind from the stresses of a difficult year and to connect with friends and peers, making it an inclusive and cohesive year group. gifts from the heart create heartfelt thanks Amazing artworks have been completed, marked, framed, packaged and posted for marking. Brilliant designs have been built, polished, sealed and sent. Students on their lunch break in the new Year 12 café How was all this accomplished? It was thanks to the donations of SACS parents, who have generously contributed to the Voluntary Building Fund when paying their fees. St Andrew’s is extremely grateful for voluntary contributions as they play a vital role in maintaining and improving school facilities. In 2012, substantial steps to enliven our campuses have been made with your help including: • • • • • • • Year 12 Café Visual Arts Centre Upgrade of Black Box Drama Theatre New Drama and Language Centres Level 5 Examination and Event Centre Relocation of Uniform Shop New meeting rooms for the School Councillors • Additional general classrooms The master plan of SACS aims to facilitate enriched learning and teaching practices. Looking ahead, there are more exciting things in store, including the greening of Level 9 SAH and the Terrace at BBC. Each time you receive your invoice for fees, you have the opportunity to donate a little extra to the Building Fund. It is with these tax-deductible donations that the school is able to continually update our facilities, ensuring our students have first rate educational equipment. The impact of these donations is felt daily by staff and students. Thank you to every parent who contributes regularly to the Voluntary Building Fund. For those who have yet to do so, look at the exciting things we can achieve together as we launch our students into the world and their amazing futures. Reaping the benefits Each year the most outstanding works from the HSC Drama major works are nominated for inclusion in the OnStage performance, held at the Seymour Centre in the following February. This year, two pieces from St Andrew’s performed for examiners in the Black Box Theatre have been nominated: One group piece, Sensitive Men, with Alex Beauman, Joe Goddard, Max Harris and Harry Welsh and also the individual performance of Max Harris from Diary of a Madman. If you would like more information on the SACS Foundation or the Voluntary Building Fund, please contact Mrs Lucy Crook, Foundation Manager via telephone: (02) 9008 5466 or email: [email protected] A brand new exhibition space for our Visual Arts department Year 12 works on display THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 7 nurturing a new generation of learners nurturing a new generation of learners The effect on our kids is obvious. They see Louise get pleasure from volunteering. Mr Michael Bersten Reading continues to be a high priority at St Andrew’s, particularly in our Junior School. Right now, a new breed of classroom volunteers is emerging, offering to play a key role in strengthening reading skills. Mr Michael Bersten, a Junior School parent at St Andrew’s, takes a look into his wife’s volunteer work as part of the MultiLit programme. Strange things are happening at the moment. Our children ask to be taken to bookshops for a treat. They read books at home for pleasure. I like what is happening but I had to find out why. First, I ask the kids. They admit to reading before school. They even admit to reading with grownups at school. Who are they, these grownups? Yes teachers… but also, parents. And then I was shocked. My wife Louise is a volunteer at the school, along with some other parents, who help children with their reading. She likes it, my children like it and so do the other children who are involved in reading. But what does St Andrew’s think about this? Isn’t the business of education to be left to teachers, at least when in the classroom? Mr Phillip Baldock, English as an Additional Language/ Dialect Teacher and MultiLit Coordinator, is emphatic on the importance of volunteers. “Parents really help the school offer more opportunities to more students,” he says, “Particularly the chance to practice reading one on one.” Still, as the skeptical dad of Bruno, Year 3, and Viola, Year 2, I wanted more details. How much help can parents offer assisting with reading in class? Louise told me her greatest volunteer commitment right now is with the MultiLit programme in Junior School, run by the Enrichment and Learning Department. She manages the volunteer schedule to ensure that every student involved receives a minimum of three sessions a week. Four times a week she spends a couple of hours working with select students. MultiLit is a structured literacy programme to help kids improve their reading skill, relevant to those at any reading level. It is run during the school day and each session takes about twenty minutes. On a typical day my wife might work with between four and six students. Mainly she goes through word lists, some of which are timed to help embed an automatic word recognition and fluency in students. The sessions finish with a book reading. I decide to ask Louise why she is a MultiLit volunteer. She says literacy is more important than ever: “I know reading has always been considered important by each generation in our junior schools, but even compared with my parents’ generation, reading and expressing ourselves in writing is essential given the increase in technology, business and social networking.” I know Louise has no special background as a teacher – she trained as an architect and has had a 20-year career. In fact, I know that until we had our own kids, we had little experience with other children or indeed children’s literacy. But I can see it has become one of Louise’s great interests. The effect on our kids is obvious. They see Louise get pleasure from volunteering and from being part of the reading programme. That clearly inspires them to make reading an important part of their life. I hope the volunteering spirit is rubbing off on them too. Quite honestly, it’s obvious Louise is excited about the 18 months she has spent so far as a volunteer. She loves the reward of seeing kids who have worked hard on their reading gain confidence and fluency. The talk at home is often about the achievements of students as they grow in ability – and not just our own. This year SACS has eleven Junior School students in the programme and seven volunteers. Each volunteer has offered to make themselves available for an hour or two a week during the school morning. Training each volunteer in the MultiLit system is very straightforward and takes only a short time. Louise is on a mission to get more parents to volunteer and increase the progress of students who may need reading assistance. St Andrew’s would love to expand it, but need more generous people on board. we Want to become a volunteer or simply find out more? Contact Mr Phillip Baldock: [email protected] I have wondered what the kids think when they see Louise at their school. Louise tells me they get a thrill from seeing her in school, whether or not she has any involvement in their own class. “I think that sense of being involved with the school is very positive for their own sense of belonging to SACS and their positive attitude to learning,” she explained. One at a time 8 THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION volunteers nurturing a new generation of learners Louise’s reading tips for parents and carers My exposure to MultiLit has introduced me to some great strategies. Techniques such as ‘Pause/Prompt/Praise’ are very important. It can be easy to bounce along a text without giving any positive reinforcement. Praise is fantastic for building confidence. I think at times I have rushed to help my young kids with unfamiliar words. It’s natural to be tempted to jump in and correct them, but it is also important to take a deep breath and give them a chance to figure it out for themselves. Sometimes that pause can get to be quite long, but the process of trying an unfamiliar word or making mistakes is very important in the learning process. Starting fresh material When reading has stalled, a small prompt to help a student try again is useful, such as breaking a word into parts. that the action in the story isn’t being glossed over in favour of sounding out words correctly – understanding and pronunciation can go hand in hand. My kids want to attempt harder books that have more unfamiliar words. I get that sometimes new books are much more exciting than ones they’ve read before and I am very encouraging of them wanting to explore new things, but sometimes we need to slow down too. That is, by practicing easier books in the interests of speeding their reading up and focusing on expression and fluency. I try to ask questions at the end of a page or section. Just to establish Mrs Bersten doing MultiLit activities Back row: (left to right) Volunteers Mrs Lily Chek, Mr Phillip Baldock (EALD Teacher), Ms Josslyn Vasic Middle row: Mrs Terese Foster Front row: Mrs Louise Bersten, Mrs Heather Beveridge, Mr Rod Thompson THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 9 building character through sport building character through sport Mr Lucas Roe “When considering the stature of an athlete or for that matter any person, I set great store in certain qualities which I believe to be essential in addition to skill. They are that the person conducts his or her life with dignity, with integrity, courage, and perhaps most of all, with modesty. These virtues are totally compatible with pride, ambition, and competitiveness.” Sir Donald Bradman T he don’s famous quote highlights an aspect of sport that is often forgotten: its developmental importance. Perhaps this is clouded by sport’s often dominating competitiveness or the shrill screams of supporters cheering their team on in the pursuit for success. Sport plays a pivotal role in the development of young minds, especially in the senior years, as students really begin to develop a mental maturity. Today, as we become increasingly reliant upon new and innovative technologies, participation in sport is more important than ever. 1 As Mr Michael Turton, Head of Sport and Year 9 Coordinator at St Andrew’s says, “our aim is to provide a programme that is inclusive of all and aimed at developing the all-round student”. He stresses that the importance of physical activity and organised competition can play “a huge role in the academic and social development of young people.” Learning the skills and qualities to conduct your life with dignity, integrity, courage and modesty requires a continuous practical refinement. Acquiring these skills cannot be found by searching for them on the web, nor can they be learnt by the tweets of your favourite player or watching hours of ‘how-to’ videos. Whilst this may all help, unfortunately these skills need to be learnt, practised and refined. Sport exists as the perfect platform for this – a complex combination of exercise, social interaction and dynamic challenges to help refine a student’s integrity and courage. 2012/2013 School Captain and rugby player, Yosiah Oshiro, has been able to reflect on the game as something that has made a significant contribution to his persona. "Rugby at SACS has taught me the importance of teamwork and leadership. Without these two key elements you cannot succeed in not only rugby but in other aspects of life too… I try to lead through my actions both on and off the field.” As technology continues to saturate our lives we are gradually experiencing what is known as a ‘real-virtuality.’ That is, a THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION sociological theory used to highlight how the internet has entered the fabric of society to the extent that there is no virtual reality to talk about; the virtual has become real in its consequences. Perhaps this is an exaggeration, but the effects and theoretical assumptions are undoubtedly emerging. There is a digital divide that exists today and as the online world proliferates it becomes easier to forget about our offline worlds, replacing the physical with the virtual. This real-virtuality highlights the increased importance of sport for students. Participation in sport allows for the development of an all-round student and may counter any detrimental effects. As Mr Turton says, “SACS students love to represent the school and participate with their class mates, with the win and loss column not the overriding factor for them." The combination of the physical support by parents, coaching staff and teachers all add to the broader developmental qualities of sport to ensure pride, ambition, and competitiveness are complemented equally with the essential characteristics of dignity, integrity and courage. This community of support acts as part of the increasingly important networks to develop social interaction and refine these qualities; and it is the offline world where these are realised and refined to their fullest potential. At St Andrew’s, students are fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in over 20 sporting and co-curricular activities – opportunities which I’ve been fortunate enough to experience as both sport creates and strengthens friendships, with both teammates and coaches Rooftop session Sport plays a pivotal role in the development of young minds, especially in the senior years, as students really begin to develop a mental maturity. a student and coach. Having personally coached four rugby teams at SACS I have witnessed the numerous all-round students who benefit greatly from their participation in sport. 350 students participate in the non-compulsory summer sport programmes. According to Mr Turton this shows “the value and enjoyment the students get out of their sport and co-curricular activities.” Yosiah Oshiro confirms this sentiment. He explains that sport “creates and strengthens friendships, with both teammates and coaches,” adding another layer to the dynamism of relationships at St Andrew’s. For him, schoolboy rugby is “the most enjoyable footy out there because you bond with your teammates at school five days of the week, then play together on a Saturday.” These words were evidenced on a number of occasions that I have been coaching – and the reason why I have continued to coach rugby. Actually witnessing these virtues and qualities instil themselves in the students is encouraging. It fills me with confidence to know that the sporting programs at SACS, combined with the inspiring student leadership may prevail to reduce the largely unknown effects of this emerging ‘real-virtuality’. Next time you’re out on a Saturday morning participating or supporting SACS students, try to remember that the virtues of dignity, integrity, courage and modesty can all be learnt through sport. Try and realise the instances where these may be exemplified and help facilitate these qualities to complement the fundamental virtues of pride, ambition and competitiveness. It is important to remember that the online world may act to complement our offline world, but it can never replace it completely. Especially in the face of adversity we must remember and recognise the developmental aspects of sport as they are more important than purely seeking on-field success. Trophies, awards and medals will all corrode, but friends and virtues gather no dust. Mr Lucas Roe is an Old Andrean (2006), a member of the IT Department and long-time Rugby Coach at St Andrew’s. He is currently in the final year of a Bachelor of Socio-Legal Studies (Honours) at the University of Sydney. Mr Lucas Roe and Rugby player Yosiah Oshiro THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 2 the things you taught me the things you taught me Lauren Rutter (as told to Laura Bannister) It’s not only students who learn at schools. Ms Lauren Rutter, a third year Primary Education student at The University of Notre Dame, has learnt her first lessons in practical teaching and Indigenous education under the mentorship of a St Andrew’s teacher. Here she shares how Head of Gawura, Mr David North, has taught her the importance of strong literacy and numeracy in the curriculum, growing strong learning communities and why she should always keep on her feet. The beginning I had never seriously considered teaching as a career while I was at school and it wasn’t until I had spent some time working at Gawura that I realised how much I loved working with children. I loved the idea of making a big difference in someone’s education that really needed it – that somehow felt more rewarding. My relationship with the campus began on a casual basis when I was a Year 12 student at St Andrew’s. I wanted to get involved with the programme and began spending time there in my study hall breaks. The unique set-up of the school as well as the vibrant personalities and love of learning exhibited by the students were truly what inspired me. When I graduated St Andrew’s, I talked to the then Head of School, Mr Phillip Heath, and let him know I would love to do a gap year assisting at Gawura. He encouraged me to write a letter to the staff explaining why I was interested – luckily they were. I became a Teacher’s Aide, working full time in Gawura for one year. I later began a teaching degree. David was very flexible, allowing me to work a few days a week based around my university schedule. New tricks As most people studying would find, having entered the hands-on workplace, there’s a lot of things you learn on the job that university didn’t prepare you for. My first exposure to teaching – to really looking at the way a teacher relates to their students – occurred in the Gawura classroom. The first and most important thing David has taught me is to always have a pen in my hand and always be walking around the room. He’s drilled that into me! Neither of these things have been mentioned at university – they are something so individual to David. The reason he stresses them is this – sitting behind a desk at the front of the room, you can’t possibly see who is working and who isn’t, who understands it all and who really needs help. You need to be amongst your class, always on your feet. On my ‘prac’ work at other schools, I have been complimented for actively walking around the classroom, even when students are doing independent work. Lots of people notice it. It’s seriously exhausting sometimes. My current prac class has 24 boys and I find it had to get around to everyone. But it’s important to be able to relate to them and keep on track with individuals. Another thing I’ve learnt is the importance of organising the school day. David always put reading as the first subject, as Gawura places great emphasis on literacy learning. It’s reflected through comprehensive reading, writing and language routines. Reading is expected at home every night. By teaching the subject or lessons that you think are the most important in the morning, you use the time when students are the most alert and concentrated to your advantage. Our students are at different learning levels and we have to be acutely aware of their abilities. This can be hard, but in the long term, it teaches me things and encourages me to carefully differentiate learning and not be complacent as a teacher. create a positive and meaningful learning experience for our students. I’ve really looked up to the way David gives his time to others. It’s so special to see the incredible rapport he continues to have with parents. He consistently tells every member of the Gawura community that the door is always open. To our pleasure, the classroom is always filled with regular visitors, adding to the ever-warm vibe of the place – that’s something that has really inspired me. Where would I like to be over the next few years? I’d love to have my own class. I’d love to be continuing a relationship with Gawura. I want to be a creative, exciting teacher with lots of new ideas, making a big difference in the education of the students I teach. The bonds that bind us Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and building relationships with individuals as they move through school, has been an amazing experience for me. I’ve been able to watch them change and learn so much. All Indigenous focused schools seem to develop strong relationships with the broader community and parents. It’s so important to Indigenous people to foster this sense of togetherness and Mr David North, Head of Gawura 12 THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION Ms Lauren Rutter assists Gawura student Imani I’ve really looked up to the way David gives his time to others. It’s so special to see the incredible rapport he continues to have with parents. TJ ready for the new school day THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 13 on stage in the junior school The experience challenges them to try new ideas. the three worlds of perception: on stage in the junior school Vicki Fraser T 14 he theatre was buzzing with activity as we counted down the minutes to the final curtain call on opening night of the comical, pantomime-style fairy tale Cinderella and Rockerfella. The excitement of the students was contagious; it filtered from the change rooms back of stage where children of all ages from Kindergarten to Year 6 were transformed into fairy tale characters by vibrant and quirky costumes and brilliant, outrageous hair and makeup. The set had been built and installed, the culmination of weeks of hard work by volunteer parents and Junior and Middle School students. To those of us who wandered in to take our seats just at that moment, it was apparent that the magic of anticipation was all around us: those elusive concepts that make up theatre were all at play. The students were an integral part of a humorous, musical and energetic production in which all their imagination, creativity and senses could come together to entertain, enthral and amaze the audience. And we were not disappointed; the students engaged and delighted us immediately with confidence, humour and immense talent. Fan-tastic! All together now What value do we place on these experiences for students at SACS? Much has been documented on the place of performing arts in the curriculum. A recent paper published by the Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER) , comments that “experiencing the Arts is natural and necessary for all children and young people as part of their learning; that through the Arts they gain access to the real world and to other possible imaginative worlds, and make coherent THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION meaning and order for themselves out of the welter of impressions and sensations bombarding them, from inside and out, before and from birth.” Taking on the challenges of a new skill, performing a solo for the first time, delivering lines in character and learning to perform in front of a supportive audience of friends and relatives can help students make transformational changes in their learning. The experience challenges them to try new ideas. Selfawareness grows along with the personal satisfaction that they gave it a go, and it paid off! Taking such risks in learning (in the safety of a school environment) allows early learners to develop positive mental habits that extend to other classroom lessons and to life beyond school. As much as the audience loved on stage in the junior school thoughts Some crazy crimped hair to top off a costume Behind you, behind the scenes!. the show, a greater sense of satisfaction for the actors and musicians was at play. Watching, learning and creating in a performing arts atmosphere allows students to engage in problem solving, to think and analyse complex problems, and to aspire to reach high standards of excellence. Performing arts requires dedication, concentration and with that brings understanding to all of our worlds: of oneself, our community, and the world beyond us. The artistic experience brings physical, social, intellectual, emotional and aesthetic awareness together. The students, as much as the audience, become the recipients of the theatre experience and they take it into all other parts of their life. *Australian Council for Educational Research (2010) ‘The Arts and Australian Education: Realising potential,’ Robyn Ewing. Junior School performer Just dance Hey there! Fit for a king All in the details THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 15 taking risks with learning Vicki Fraser | Louise Panczyk The Middle School team at SACS understand the essential characteristics of young adolescents and the importance of encouraging them to be actively involved in their educational trajectory. Placing them at the centre of the learning process, and encouraging them to take a major part in their own learning, Middle School teachers have launched a campaign this year that urges students to be risky learners. 16 THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION taking risks with learning F or mr david smith, Head of Middle School, it is a subject dear to his heart. “Too many students think that education is something that just happens to them, but they need to know that they are a really important part of the process,” he explains. “Taking risks in their learning – within the safe environment of the classroom, questioning, getting involved and learning self-control help students not only stay on task, but gives them the essential skills and confidence to build on knowledge that they already have.” Caring and helping others is a fundamental part of the equation as well. Developing as a person, being able to take up challenges and to function well in all aspects of their lives is what the RISKS programme, designed by the teaching team in the Middle School, is all about. A series of posters are displayed in classrooms and hallways, highlighting the five research based elements of the RISKS programme – Respect, Involvement, Selfcontrol, Kindness and Service. History and English teacher Mrs Jane Britton explains it in more detail. “RISKS is a way to help create a specific Middle School culture. It is a way to give our students a direction and to articulate their responsibilities. Many students do not take risks in the classroom; therefore they doubt themselves and don’t progress any further. They need to take learning risks, so they can gain confidence and grow”. So how is this articulated in the classroom? We asked three of our passionate Middle School teachers to explain how innovative and thoughtful teaching practice can ignite a passion for learning in students. Mr Christopher Kim, Science teacher: “As the teacher [you need to] make sure that you are not doing all the work at the front of the classroom... Students are kinaesthetic learners; we need to attract the senses. My students like things that burn and explode and make a lot of noise, but you have to go beyond this and make sure they are learning from these things. Why does something burn, what makes it explode and how come it is so loud? To engage students in learning, the subject needs to be relevant to them, interesting and fun. Middle School years are very important – that is where you engage the students who will do science in their senior years.” Mrs Alison Courtney, Visual Arts and Maths teacher: Daniel Chen’s Kinetic Sculpture “One thing with Middle School Art classes is to keep surprising them, so the artists and artwork we choose [to study] are interesting and different – a bit unexpected to jerk the imagination. It is important to help students to develop an awareness of their own world, and seeing their awareness as a stimulus for their own art – to find inspiration in the things that are around them. In my Year 9 elective Visual Arts class we look at the human form and sculptural focus, including kinetic sculptures. In this case, we aren’t thinking about the human body anymore, but about making a moving sculpture. I invited a dance teacher to come into the school and teach the students some dance moves. Then my class was split in half – one half continued to dance and the other half sat down and drew them in motion. [Some students] really started to let go of their anxiety about drawing and be more gestural in their artwork.” Valentina Couloumbis’ Kinetic Sculpture Ms Shannon Balderson, Gifted and Talented and Mathematics Teacher: “The environment that students learn in is just as important as what they are learning. It should be fun and stimulating. I have posted maths problems and equations on the wall that my students can think about and solve if they want to… I’m trying to provide my students with a sense of confidence and let them know that maths is not scary. Maths is not an isolated subject – it filters into other areas. Giving students a context can help them to be more interested in it. I encourage a sense of investigation in maths.” (RESPECT + INVOLVEMENT + SELF CONTROL + KINDNESS + SERVICE ) = EMPOWERMENT What are the characteristics of being a RISKY learner? The first and essential part of being a RISKY learner is to learn to respect and appreciate other students, offering courtesy and giving consideration to other points of view. Encouraging a student to be involved in their own learning beats boredom in the classroom! Involvement creates success, extends the student’s learning opportunities and builds skills. Self-control develops good habits for learning and for life. It also helps develop strength of mind and helps overcome the temptation to procrastinate or be lazy. Kindness should come from everyone, everywhere and is a vital part of our school culture – students should model this for others. Finding ways to serve in the community shows a willingness to help others and make a real difference without expecting material reward. Ms Balderson helping two of her students in Maths Caring and helping others is a fundamental part of the equation as well. Be a Risky Learner Respect Involvement Self-control Kindness Service Be a Risky Learner poster 2012 THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 17 pursuing passions pursuing passions Melanie Pennington With so many passionate students and staff at SACS, it can be easy for some to fly under the radar. After school, during lunch, throughout their holidays, there are countless individuals who spend their time honing skills, polishing their technique and becoming more proficient at the things they love. We caught up with four individuals in our school community who are quietly pursuing their passions outside the classroom and brought their stories to you. Kaila Famiglietti Lyndon Leung Year 6 Community Service Captain, Year 12 “Dance is part of me. It’s part of my bones. I have to dance.” “I’ve always had empathy for people; it’s just second nature for me to help someone in need.” Kaila Famiglietti, Year 6, lives and breathes dance. Insisting Ballet is her favourite because “It’s probably the most elegant and the most peaceful,” she’s represented St Andrew’s in The Swan at the IPSHA Performance and most recently starred as ‘Fairy Kate’ in the Junior School Musical Cinderella and Rockerfella. Outgoing Community Service Captain Lyndon Yeung has a big heart for people. Initially hesitant to assume a leadership position, Lyndon has grown in confidence and passion this year. “If you want to make a difference in the world... You have to start somewhere and what better place to start than the local community, where I feel like I belong,” he explains. Dancing since age 5 and excelling through the grades in Ballet, Modern and Technique, she’s recently joined renowned performing arts academy Brent Street to improve her prospects as a dancer. Lyndon has coordinated bake sales, fundraising strategies for various charities and most proudly, established a link with Bread of Life, a homeless breakfast ministry through St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Surry Hills. Emphasising the opportunity it is to understand and empathise with the homeless, Lyndon hopes the programme within St Andrew’s will continue. Music Teacher, Miss Kate Scarfo can see her potential. “[Kaila] takes initiative,” she says describing Kaila’s leadership in the movement of the fairies in the Junior School Musical. “She creates opportunities for herself and she’ll excel doing that.” Cutting down to only three afternoons of dance this year, Kaila will start back up on the extensive list of dance next year. Along with hopes of pursing dance as a career, her ongoing goal is to increase her flexibility to improve her technique 18 THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION “If you can provide a service to other people, you’re part of something much greater and much bigger than just yourself. If [people are] living for themselves, they’re isolated and they don’t really know their world.” Hoping to retain “an ethos of working for other people,” Lyndon hopes to study human rights law at university, but not without a trip to Argentina with the Antipodeans first. pursuing passions what we love Riva Thomson Ric Van Wachem Year 9 Director of Outdoor Education “[Textiles] is not something I have to do, it’s something I want to do.” After only discovering a love for fashion and textiles this year, Riva Thompson, Year 9, has already taken it to a whole new level – a market stall! Realising that as well as being out of her budget, One Teaspoon brand denim shorts didn’t fit her well, Riva decided to make her own. “If I have a pair of jeans or shorts that I like and they fit me well, I’ll make them into something I really like to wear,” she explains. “I’d gotten a pair of old shorts one day and cut them, distressed them and bleached them. They looked pretty good.” But one pair turned into two and soon she’d sold a pair to her friend. A few months down the track, today Riva has over 20 pairs of shorts and preparing for a summer market stall. “I just thought it would be a good idea and its fun,” she explains. “It’ll be a good way to make money.” Sourcing old jeans from friends, op-shops or even buying new pairs in sales, Riva changes the shape, tears, distresses, bleaches and dyes them. “I kind of thought of the ideas myself and I saw them in shops and thought, ‘oh, that would be really nice,’ so I tried to recreate them at home.” Textiles teacher and Head of TAS, Mrs Corinna Bailey has seen Riva’s “really cute range” and excited Riva has pursed textiles beyond the classroom. “I think that’s probably the exciting thing, she hasn’t just thought, ‘Well this is something I do at school in Textiles,’ she’s thought about how she could apply [all she’s learnt] in lots and lots of different ways.” “I’m always trying to come up with ideas about how we can do things better, how can we do things differently [and] what other trips are out there.” Director of Outdoor Education for more than a decade, Mr Ric Van Wachem has a desire to share his love for the outdoors. Originally a Mathematics teacher, he saw the potential for students to respond outside the classroom and now retains a love for seeing students achieving more than what they thought they could. The once competitive white water kayaker with a dislike for hiking has built the St Andrew’s Outdoor Education programme to what it is today. “I don’t like the status quo and I like to think of what are other ways in which we can make things more exciting. So if I think there’s something out there that people might enjoy or like to do – or I’d like to do – [I say] ‘let’s give this a shot’,” he explains. Most recently, Ric has been growing programmes for parents to experience what their children do and strengthen the school community. Four parents went to Nepal in September and are hoping for a future trip to India. “I want parents to see what some of our kids do. I want them to share that with others.” “I often tell this to parents, when I taught mathematics, there were kids who love mathematics and kids who hated mathematics, and some kids who just tolerated it. They all said ‘why do we do it?’ I often have kids saying why do we do Outdoor Ed, and I see real benefit in a sense of achievement from the kids, they achieved something they didn’t think they were capable of.” THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 19 inside the mind Laura Bannister “Like Psychology, Society and Culture has an element of uncertainty that students have to tolerate… For some young people, that’s difficult, because they want to know the answer. You have to evaluate things, understand perspectives and theories and know there isn’t necessarily one solution to a question.” – Derek Champion Inside the mind Revising at the end of term T here are certain subjects that let students move beyond the normal boundaries of learning, encouraging them to broaden their horizons in ways they’d never imagined, to think laterally and critically about what they are taught. These disciplines provide the basic foundations of university-level subjects, and require a similar standard of dedication. We decided to delve a little further into two Senior College subjects that are a little left of centre: Society and Culture (HSC) and Psychology (IB). It was Society and Culture that first drew Mr Derek Champion to accept a teaching position at St Andrew’s. The subject had always fascinated him, first in university where he studied a minor in Sociology (and majors in Psychology and History) and then as a teacher and Board of Studies marker. As he explains over a quick coffee before class, humanities students tend to flourish in the subject: those with open minds, strong writing skills and a sense of critical literacy. “It’s really student driven,” Mr Champion says. “It deals with big issues, controversial ones at times. A huge component of society and culture is Gender Studies: roles, stereotypes and sexuality. Students love to discuss those things.” As a teacher, he believes the subject is “always fresh” due to its flexibility. “Essentially it deals with social and cultural issues and so it gives you a lot of room to bring in current things that are happening; to make it contemporary. That’s probably the main reason I like teaching it.” Society and Culture A small class size also helps foster genuine discussions. Though 45 students currently study Society and Culture, Mr Champion only works with 15. One of these is Sophie Farnsworth, Year 12. Initially drawn to the subject because of its focus on change and continuity across different societies, she has found the open-ended nature of classes and intriguing debate topics – such as Does legislation redress inequalities or enhance them? – work well with her inquisitive learning style. “This subject is great for anyone interested in social justice issues,” explains Sophie. Discussion and debate are a regular feature of Society and Culture classes Mr Champion with SACS students in his Psychology class “You learn to view the media with scrutiny, to understand that all news stories have a background and the way they are presented can be driven by profit motives. I want to be a journalist and saw the PIP part of the course [Personal Interest Project, a major work of 4000 words minimum] as a way to enhance my research skills. I’ve interviewed some really interesting people, like the Head of Sociology at Sydney University.” higher order thinking, it’s really students developing an agency in their learning”. Almost any topic can be explored and as Mr Champion says, “as long as you can justify it within the limits of the course, the options are endless.” As one of the few subjects where students conduct their own primary research, this year’s focus areas range from the concept of fatherhood and changing masculinity within the family dynamic to assessments of Reality TV as a voyeurism. Psychology Psychology, an IB subject, also examines the way society works, but from a different angle. Examining human behaviour via a series of biological, cognitive and socio-cultural perspectives, it encourages students to think beyond the syllabus about how context influences the way we behave. “In almost all university degrees right now, there’s an element of psychology,” says Mr Champion. “Teachers do educational psychology, people who do business degrees do organisational psychology… and the IB psych course adapts every five years to respond to employment trends. Even if students aren’t directly doing a psychology course at university, they’ll be exposed to it at some point.” Will Stewart, Year 11, never thought he’d find himself in a Psychology classroom, but needed to pick an extra subject and decided it looked interesting. “It’s a bit like a fusion between the humanities and science. We look at the process of scientific testing, the relationship between different variables and levels of analysis. The stuff you learn can be applied to other subjects.” Creating Passionate Learners The scientific aspects of IB can get a little tricky – but they give students hands on experience in replicating an experimental study. In the past they’ve looked at the Stroop Effect (which looks at cognitive reaction time). They conduct their own research and analyse the results. The unique class arrangement of IB at SACS, which sees a small group of St Andrew’s, MLC Burwood and Newington students learning together, has enhanced the feeling of maturity and fostered a collegiate atmosphere. As a teacher, Mr Champion remains modest. When students go on to study Sociology or Psychology beyond school (such as Old Andrean Michael Hunter, OA2011, currently studying Psychology at UNSW) he doesn’t reflect on his own teaching abilities, but is content he has given students the confidence to do it. “I’m passionate about it, so if they become passionate about it in some way it’s great… [it means] you’ve made it interesting, fun and accessible.” Like many IB subjects, Psychology involves a rigorous academic programme, exposing students to university-level concepts such as abnormal psychology, the benefits and detriments of diagnosis and memory. Does Mr Champion believe this promotes his class to think beyond the norm, to develop a level of higher order thinking? “For sure,” he answers. He uses the idea of memory as an example. “We look at memory in class, how memory works. We just have theories, but no one can really explain it – it’s in the mind as opposed to the brain... When I think about THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 21 You know that I immerse myself in music, so to speak, that I think about it all day long; that I like experimenting, studying, reflecting. Mozart the art of composition Words by Melanie Pennington Interviews by Louise Panczyk Composition | noun • to make or form by combining things, parts, or elements: • music the process of creating a new piece of music F rom a blank score and the humble pencil and eraser to a computer and its mouse, the art of music composition has changed substantially. While the fundamentals remain the same, it’s how students go about creating music that has changed. We look at the learning technologies that students are using to transform the long-revered craft – and why it’s still an important creative outlet. Music Teacher Mr Ralph Wilcock has been composing music since he was a teenager. After sitting in a room all day writing short songs by hand, he’d stop and record them on a tape recorder. Today, he teaches high school students 22 composition using Sibelius, a computer programme that enables the creation, editing and publishing of musical scores. “If you don’t use the computer programme you have to be able to write in the keys of the various instruments at the same time, [which is] is very good for your understanding of how instruments work,” he explains. “Now you just press a button.” Sibelius enables students to select one of hundreds of instruments and write music in their correct transposition, clef and range. While students may not get as strong a grasp of musical instruments, Mr Wilcock believes one key advantage is the ability to playback what has been written immediately and discover what works. The possibilities for exploration are endless. Edward Happer, Year 12, chose composition as his area of focus for HSC Music Extension this year, writing two pieces each approximately three minutes long. One of these was created by hand for Music 2. “[Sibelius] is difficult at the start, but you get used to it,” he explains. “You find your way around much easier.” THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION For composer in Residence at St Andrews, Mr Huw Belling (OA2003) the passion for composing actually began while using Sibelius. “It was very easy to use” he says and helped with composing and skill refinement. Mr Belling has spent his recent years helping students like Edward in their preparation for recording and submitting their compositions. And good musical compositions don’t come in a single afternoon, even for someone like Mozart. He once told his father: “You know that I immerse myself in music, so to speak, that I think about it all day long; that I like experimenting, studying, reflecting”. Mr Wilcock agrees it’s exactly that, starting with even the smallest piece of inspiration and then just working with it. He encourages students to create an image in their minds and then describe it using sound. If they’re getting stuck, he simply asks them to decide whether they’d like to go up or down a note. “The thought of starting is usually the biggest hurdle; once you have started it’s not that bad,” he explains. “Until you actually try something, you don’t know what you can do.” Mr Wilcock and Edward discussing the piece [Composition] enables you to express your creativity. It’s pretty much an open book and you can compose whatever you like. Experimenting with composition only two years ago, this year has been the first time Edward has created a score of these proportions. Unable to even estimate the amount of time he’s spent composing for his major work, the HSC student says it’s been a long process of refining and building up the texture, pitch and rhythm. Pastoral-based piece for his major work, drawing from other composers in the process. “The whole idea was to look at other compositions and to analyse those compositions and look at your composition and try and improve on it and make it sound more musical,” Edward said, drawing inspiration by Vaughan Williams and his sweet melodies and the strong brass pieces of James Morrison. Although Mr Wilcock stresses the organic nature of composing, the fact that a piece comes “from the essence of a person,” he argues that each composer builds on the work of another, with technology making this referencing process even more accessible. “If that person did not exist we would not have their unique piece of music. Composers provide the music that we play.” As Mr Belling heads to Oxford University to commence a PhD in Composition, he leaves three tips for students composing music. • Don’t focus on making the piece original; make it more of a response to what is already out there. • Make sure you do not try to use too many ideas into the piece, just stick with one and see how many ways it can work. • Don’t fall into the trap of over composing a piece, keep it simple. “[Composition] enables you to express your creativity,” Edward professes. “It’s pretty much an open book and you can compose whatever you like.” A flutist who also plays “a bit of percussion,” he composed a Fan Fare and an English Students listen to a Sibelius composition THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 23 being part of the cru being part of the cru mrs emma argall Christian Development teacher Mrs Emma Argall gives us a glimpse into Cru groups, voluntary meetings of Christians at SACS that are open to any student. H ere at st andrew’s Cathedral School, we have been caught up in the vision of Jesus Christ himself: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18b-20) In the Chaplaincy Department, we’re excited about the gospel going out into the world and seeing people learn what it is to be disciples of Jesus. St Andrew’s Cathedral School has a great history of encouraging students who are drawn to Christianity. As a teacher clocking up her tenth year at SACS this year, I have been blessed to be a part of a great decade of such disciple making. One of the main ways that we go about the process of mentoring and discipling at St Andrew’s is through our lunchtime Cru groups; particularly through training and equipping Senior School student volunteers to run Cru groups for our Middle School students. What is a Cru group? In a lunchtime Cru meeting, the Senior School leaders travel across the school, and under the supervision of a member of the Chaplaincy staff, eat lunch, play games and, most importantly, read the Bible and pray with the younger students. These groups run in every year group across the whole school and are open to any student that wants to attend. Our hope is, as these students meet together and open the Bible with one another, that God would grow them in Christian maturity and in their love and knowledge of him. Middle School boys at Cru! 24 THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION These groups run in every year group across the whole school and are open to any student that wants to attend. being part of the cru Why does community matter in Cru? Mr Garth Hasler, who focuses his main ministry efforts on the Middle School is convinced that older students play a vital role in the lives of our younger students. “The Cru leaders have a lot to offer in terms of showing younger students that it is actually possible to live out the Christian life authentically. They’ve been through the same pressures and exist in the same culture – they have the opportunity to speak with a lot of power.” Tom Ashhurst (OA 2006) worked as an Alex Abbotsmith Fellow in 2007 and currently works with St Andrew’s Outdoor Education programme. He fondly remembers his time under the ministry of older students. “I had a number of excellent Christian mentors at SACS, who really helped me understand my faith and grow as a mature Christian. Today, now a leader of younger SACS students, I still rely on many of the lessons they taught me.” What I loved about it was the ability to connect with students of all ages within SACS. Nicola Robinson is an ex-student who completed her studies at St Andrew’s in 2005. Her memories of fellowship with other Christian students resonates with Mr Hasler’s reflections. “It was great to have an opportunity to be responsible for our own beliefs, even when it was hard. Being involved in Cru groups at SACS helped me find encouragement in those times and offer encouragement to others going through the same things. The Christian friendships I made then were very strong and still are today. We would meet up one lunchtime a week just to spend time together and pray. I still catch up with most of them.” When she was in Year 12 in 2007, Veronica Polhill chose to be baptised by the then chaplain, Rev Tim Bowden, in her year group’s weekly chapel service. “The Christian community at St Andrew’s played a key part in my decision to become a Christian. The love that I was shown by the Christian students and teachers was so unique and I realised it reflected Christ’s love for me! The decision to get baptised at school meant that I could share this occasion with the people that God had so clearly used in bringing me to Him.” Discipleship is a lifelong process. Those who follow Jesus at St Andrew’s know that Christian maturity is something that we’re going to be aiming towards all our lives. With that in mind, it’s exciting to see that a new annual event has been added to the school calendar for Old Andreans – the Annual SACS Christian Group Reunion initiated by Matt Noble (Year 12 2005, Alex Abbotsmith Fellow 2006). We hope that these events might facilitate further opportunities for older Christians to mentor younger Christians through university, as they enter the workforce and beyond. “What I loved about it was the ability to connect with students of all ages within SACS. Cru groups bridged the gap between the Middle School and the Senior College,” recalls Katrina Campbell (nee Wrathall, OA 2004). “Friendships were also made that have endured the test of time – I met my husband doing Christian ministry at SACS!” Jarrod Simpson (OA 2011) is currently working in the Chaplaincy Department as an Alex Abbotsmith Fellow and Year 13 student and remembers the input of his Cru leaders reaching beyond just the weekly lunchtime meetings. “I found it so encouraging that when they ran into me in the stairwells or corridors they would always stop and ask me how I was. They were these much older, cool Year 12 guys and they treated me like a brother – it really spurred me on to live as an authentic Christian.” student thoughts Lunchtime Cru session THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 25 Mapping your course mapping your course Laura Bannister Finishing school comes with a wealth of decisions. Not only are students finishing major works and studying hard for final exams, they are applying for summer jobs, internships, scholarships and further education; forging plans for life after school (or at least the first few months of it). M is aware of how significant his advice can be to students. As Careers Counsellor at St Andrew’s, he is well versed on the importance of students’ final transition in secondary school, to the unknown destination of life after graduating. In fact, it’s his business to help them through it, equipping them with the knowledge and know-how to make informed choices about their futures. Though the vast majority of SACS students will commence tertiary education at university*, Mr Sinovich purposefully provides detailed information on a range of options – from volunteer gap years, to TAFE, private colleges and trade apprenticeship programmes. “I place a lot of importance on emphasising that each post-school path is as worthy as another,” he explains, “Because they are.” r des sinovich Being a Careers Advisor involves far more than just giving students a handful of pamphlets to help them with these choices. Mr Sinovich, who holds a Master of Education in Career Education and Pastoral Care Leadership, believes no student should graduate “feeling their career aspirations have not been addressed in some way.” His comprehensive schedule for Year 10-12 students spans aptitude tests, interviews, resume writing courses, subject and course selection advice and guest presentations on apprenticeships, traineeships, colleges and university study. Each year he organises the CBD Schools Careers Convention, a partnership between five city schools with 70 providers involved. Mr Sinovich gets to know more than faces. Through meetings with every student, he 26 If you are if you are passionate passionate about about something something success will follow success will follow. learns their strengths, their aptitudes and interests, following individuals up with a high level of pastoral care. “It is important for me to establish a relationship with students where they are being involved, not talked about,” he says. “Our students who go onto further study usually represent almost 30 faculty areas, from arts and science to design, engineering, environmental areas and policing and justice. There’s a sprinkling of everything.” Post-school, the connection with St Andrew’s does not have to be broken. Mr Sinovich has noticed a trend develop over the last few years, with alumni returning to his office for advice and updates. “I get phone calls quite often, out of the blue or they just drop by.” Alana Dell graduated in 2010 and has found the transition from the tight-knit community of SACS to city life “relatively easy”. She still keeps in contact with some of her teachers and enjoys catching up with them, as well as her group of friends – though it can be hard to coordinate schedules. “I loved going to school at St Andrew’s so it will always be important for me to maintain friendships and memories with the great people I met.” Currently studying on a scholarship at June Dally Watkins’ Business Finishing College, Alana keeps herself very busy, also working part-time in retail. “I was prepared for and enjoyed the freedom that came with post school life,” says Alana. “I study five days during the week and work on weekends which means I rarely have a day off. However, I also make a very determined effort to fit in social activities a few nights per week. I am still trying to work out an even balance.” Alana’s advice to HSC and IB students is to enjoy their last year and stay organised. “The last term is the most exciting. Focus on attaining achievable goals and do as much as you can in the last few months, as it can definitely make a great difference to your overall result. There are so many opportunities and alternatives for life after Year 12, so there is always a way to get what you want.” Tony Chalmers also finished SACS in 2010. Immediately trading in his school uniform for a suit, he began a cadetship at a leading Swiss investment bank in THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION Mr Des Sinovich the city, alongside full time study at the University of Sydney. On top of this, the young businessman has started his own educational business. “I am extremely passionate about financial markets and would thoroughly enjoy working in mergers and acquisitions and pursuing an FX trading career,” Tony shares. “Working full time post school has allowed me to develop softer skills SACS laid foundations for; communication and organisational skills in particular.” Tony’s advice to future Senior cohorts at SACS is this: “Failure to prepare is preparing to fail; study hard and work on exceeding goals. While marks are important, passion is imperative – if you are passionate about something success will follow.” Though the map might prove a little difficult to navigate in the first year out of school, as Mr Sinovich says, there’s nothing wrong with a process of trial and error – in fact, it’s one of life’s inevitabilities. “There are huge opportunities for our students that I can help them find, if they’re willing,” Mr Sinovich concludes. “There’s no shortage of them! It’s very much about giving confidence and building reality into their thinking. A lot of students are taking time off to travel and decide what they want to do, while others look to explore something different and leave home to attend a regional university. We do prepare them well for that independence. Walking between buildings at SACS is like going between faculties at university. We aren’t in a space locked away from the rest of the world here and so our seniors are a bit more ready for what is to come.” *According to the 2011 Destination Survey approximately 74% of SACS students go straight to university, across 22 different institutions; 19 in Australia and three overseas. 11% of students go to private colleges. Mapping your course We asked two soon-to-be graduates what it’s like to map their course. student voices Georgia Rose Purtill Year 12 How are you feeling about leaving school? I’m nervous and excited! I realise friendship groups will change and I won’t get to see some of my friends every day anymore, which will take some adjusting, but I’m excited for more freedom! What are you hoping to do next year? I am deciding between two options. There is an early childhood education course at The University of Notre Dame that covers childcare, Pre-School and Kindergarten to Year 6… Before that, I’m considering a gap year at June Dally-Watkins’ Finishing School. Has SACS prepared you for a more independent life after graduating? I think going to school in the city has prepared me pretty well. We aren’t babied here. When I go to study in the city, I’ll know the area around me. Ben Shilson-Josling Year 12 What are your thoughts on leaving school? It’s exciting. You look at how far people have gone who graduated SACS last year, both in Australia and overseas, and they’ve done so much already. Do you think the transition into life post-school will be easy? People say it is different but better – by then you know what you like and can focus on it. I’m guessing there will, at some point, be a confused transition period. We’ve been given a lot of information though. You get the whole spectrum here, whether you want to go to university, TAFE, take a gap year or begin working – no option is pushed more than another. What are your plans for 2013? I want to study a double degree at Wollongong, Law with Commerce or International Studies. However, an opportunity has just come up to do a gap year in Zimbabwe with a private school for three months or more. It has a large intake of students with special needs; myself and another SACS student may be going before university, working with students, tutoring and helping out with sport. THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 27 telling stories in the dark telling stories in the dark Laura Bannister “I wanted the Middle School students to challenge themselves to take on a script that dealt with issues of significance in society. Stories in the Dark deals with themes of war and loss, while allowing students to explore this material in a playful way…” – Mrs Jess Chilton H teacher Mrs Jess Chilton is in the midst of a demanding rehearsal schedule. The holidays have only just finished and her cast of Middle School students has four planned meetings this week in the Black Box Theatre. They’re practicing after school when we drop by to get some photographs, still in their uniforms, ready to perfect their lines postclass. Rehearsals have just begun on the weekends as well – first scenes are read through and discussed, then performed, istory and drama Bringing folk stories to life 28 THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION with Director Mrs Chilton giving tips on characterisation. The ensemble’s intended feat this year? Debra Oswald’s NSW Premier’s Literary Award-winning play, Stories in the Dark. Set in an unnamed, war-torn city, the plot follows two unlikely companions, a scared, lonely 12 year old boy, completely isolated from his family and Anna, a savvy, cynical older girl who creates fantasy tales to quell his fears. It’s a concentrated, intimate production; the kind that could be adapted to any contemporary context of conflict. Perhaps that’s what makes Stories in the Dark all the more enchanting to viewers – it revolves around the most basic of human emotions and experiences: love, fear, death and survival. “The audition process was overwhelming!” explains Mrs Chilton. “Approximately 60 students expressed interest… It was really difficult to cast as there were many talented students. For the lead roles I needed students who were able to deliver a nuanced performance that recognized the plight of the two main characters whilst also conveying the innocence of these two characters.” The two that nabbed the parts, Iva Skoko and Hamish Waddell (both in Year 9) have found the production a welcome (but demanding) challenge. As they both share a lot of stage time, the pair have found that assuming an unfamiliar character requires discipline and persistence. “I’ve watched a lot of movies and read a lot of books about what happened in World War 2,” Iva says. “It’s helped me prepare, putting myself in the shoes of others. Our characters both develop throughout the play; mine becomes more gentle and friendly and Hamish’s is more self-sufficient.” Hamish agrees. “More than half the play seems to involve us talking, telling stories. It’s easier to learn our lines in rehearsals together, you just forget them completely if you practice on your own.” Though Iva was involved in drama productions at her previous school, for Hamish, this is the first time he’s held a lead role. It’s a learning experience for them both as they attempt an emotionally demanding, gritty script, and as they do their best to tell the fanciful, escapist tales that the rest of the class bring to life. As could be expected, the director’s role is crucial, especially at these last stages of fine-tuning. While Mrs Chilton wants to stretch her cast – to facilitate the development of their dramatic abilities – she’s also aiming to teach them a life lesson or two through the weighty, wartime-based script. “At times it can be challenging to get students to understand the intentions and motivations of their character within the broader context of the play and the other characters,” she says. “It is great seeing [them] begin to become more comfortable working with one another and the text.” Pointing the finger A dramatic death Iva and Hamish going through their scripts All hands on deck Creative pieces like the annual Middle School Drama ensemble performance present exciting opportunities for community collaboration. Who’s involved this time? • St Andrew’s are partnering with War Child for the production, an organization designed to provide relief and support for children growing up in war torn environments. Proceeds from tickets and refreshments on the performance night will be donated to the worthy cause. • Parent Mrs Suzanne Louk is creating and assisting with costumes • Student volunteers are assisting with lighting • Drama teacher Ms Amanda Crompton, who runs a voluntary Year 7 Drama Club, will be showcasing the self-devised works of her students each night before the show begins. profile: aime high profile: aime high There is a very positive attitude at SACS. I had played music as a child and loved the music at SACS. Laura Bannister W e profile one Old Andrean who is making a significant impact in the education sector – but not in the way you might think. As Programme and Operations Director at AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience) Sam Refshauge travels Australia’s east coast working with separate teams seeking to better the learning experiences and outcomes of Indigenous students. We get to know him a little better – his experiences at SACS and what his work with AIME involves. You came to SACS in Year 11… what initially brought you here? I was struggling at school, my previous school said I was not suited to school at all and I needed somewhere to go. There is a very positive attitude at SACS. I had played music as a child and loved the music at SACS. I played the bass guitar and went on Music Tour to Italy. I found myself very inspired by the Director of Music and Performing Arts, Mrs Chris Belshaw. I also played 1sts Rugby. I loved rugby as a great team-building sport. What did you do after graduating? Best thing about it? After completing my HSC I went on a gap year to coach rugby at a school called Abbingdon, near Oxford in the UK. It was great to travel and spend time doing something I loved. After this, I worked in Indonesia as part of the AusAid AYAD programme (Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development) for one year. A reference from Mr Bob Meakin (now Head of Senior College) helped me achieve this. While in Indonesia, I also volunteered to coach the National Rugby Team in Indonesia and a girls team. I’d never imagined going to university or working in education, but I ended up enrolling at the University of NSW, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Marketing Tourism and Hospitality Management. The most exciting thing about working at AIME are the kids themselves, but another really inspirational aspect is seeing the attitude of so many university students (over 1,000 now across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria) who give up their time to mentor young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students. In doing so, they are also taking the time to learn about Indigenous Australia, showing that education is really always a two-way experience. Learn more about AIME http://aimementoring.com/ Tell us a little about your job… I’m currently Director of Operations at AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience). A friend and previous School Captain at SACS, Sam Perry, was one of AIME’s founding mentors and introduced me to the programme. Pastor Ray Minniecon (School Council member and Ambassador to Gawura), Graeme Mundine (Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry) & Sam Refshauge 30 THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE | THE THINK BIG EDITION cre ati ve cor ne r into the writer’s lair Intro: Laura Bannister | Melanie Pennington Story: Grace Grew The Creative Corner of this edition of the Andrean Magazine showcases an excerpt of Year 11 student Grace Grew’s short story, The Flight. A talented, emerging writer with a penchant for capturing idiosyncratic characters, Grace is currently undertaking HSC Advanced and Extension English 1. In tribute to our issue theme, we’ve picked out a small slice from one of her stories, a dream sequence that prompts us to ‘Think Big’. …From beyond the room, the city clock groaned, each chime filling the little girl with excitement and anticipation. Something stirred beneath the blankets, its shape creating a bulge against the marshmallowing peaks of goose down before growing larger and larger. The blankets themselves began to slide around her, the folds of the sheets and pillows twisting and curling into large slides of fabric and feather, pillows popping with a ping as their contents spilled across the bed filling the air with a multitude of downy feather. It was as though a blizzard of snow had filled the room. The girls eyes widened in awe, dimples formed at the bases of her rosy cheeks, hands clapping in exasperation, “I knew you’d come back again!” Gradually the goose down flew into place within the blankets, one thousand feathers rippling and shivering with life. Gradually the light grew brighter and the space around her expanded into a larger dimension. She felt between her toes the downy touch of feathers as a rush of cool air tickled her skin. Opening her eyes she saw a fabulous bird with splendid white plumage, one hundred thousand feathers shivering and rippling with life. As the bird of paradise unfolded the rainbow of its wings they began to soar through the night sky, shrouded by the glitter of stars and the moon. Her world became a kaleidoscope of colour, moving so fast it had become a single shade of shining light, turning and turning until it softly slowed and everything became still once more. Her green eyes flicked open. She stood before the bank of a deep blue lagoon, its glassy surface gleaming, flawless. Across the water lay dense, green vegetation. A thick canopy surrounded her as the calls of wild birds and animals echoed between the trees. In the air was the cry of colonies of bats returning after a night of flying, the landscape shimmering in the dawn light. It seemed at any moment the earth, enveloped in a rosy mist, would fade and disappear like a mirage. Her world became a kaleidoscope of colour, moving so fast it had become a single shade of shining light, turning and turning until it softly slowed and everything became still once more. It was just as she had remembered. But there was something else different this time. Her eyes narrowed. Someone else was there. She spun around. A young boy lay beside her on the bank, curled into the nook of a tree. His sleeping body rose and fell with each breath, nose whistling ever so slightly. What a splendid sight indeed he was. Thick rows of lashes adorned his eyes – he had a small cherry mouth and his skin gleamed obsidian in the flickering light. She blushed as she realised he wore no clothes, save a skin loincloth and satchel. She observed him with curiosity, wondering perhaps if the boy knew how she came to be in this jungle. Cautiously she walked forward, gathering a long stick. Standing on tippy toes as far away as she could, she extended the branch forward and poked the sleeping figure. “Ouch!” He stirred and grumbled, rubbing his sore arm before turning to face her. “That was a bit uncalled for. A ‘wake up’ would have sufficed.” THE THINK BIG EDITION | THE ANDREAN MAGAZINE 31 St Andrew’s: St Andrew’s Cathedral School is an Anglican day school for boys and girls from Kindergarten to Year 12 located in the heart of Sydney. Get connected on our social media: Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StAndrewsCathedralSchool Follow our Twitter https://twitter.com/SACS_Official Subscribe to our YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/StAndrewsOfficial St Andrew’s Cathedral School Sydney Square, Sydney NSW 2000 phone +61 2 9286 9500 fax +61 2 9286 9550 email [email protected] ABN 34 429 367 893 CRICOS Registration: The Council of St Andrew’s Cathedral School 02276M www.sacs.nsw.edu.au