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Welcome to our vibrant Junior School in 2019
Head of Junior School, Mrs Rhonda Robson
If you are looking for a primary school
that takes the time to discover exactly
what your child needs in order to thrive,
look no further than St Andrew’s
Cathedral School.
At St Andrew’s, each student is valued
and encouraged to reach their full
potential. Just as each student is an
individual with their own character and
needs, so too their educational growth
is unique. The teachers are high quality,
committed to nurturing and developing
the ability of each student through
carefully planned and innovative
teaching programs.
We have enjoyed outstanding NAPLAN
and ICAS results, being recognised as
the school with the greatest academic
improvement in the region. We also
have a highly reputable outdoor
education program and co-curriculum,
including steller music programs and
sport opportunities.
Please come and visit us, meet our
students and discover our unique
campus and learning environment.
Heads of School welcome
Head of School,
Dr John Collier
St Andrew’s Cathedral School is a
unique learning community in the heart
of Sydney’s CBD. We strive to develop the
whole child – their heart, mind and life.
We develop their character through our
wellbeing program which nurtures
specific character strengths based upon
our foundational Christian values.
Our Junior School offers an incredible
breadth of opportunities, all within a
nurturing culture of care with highly
experienced and specialist teachers.
Our Junior School students utilise
secondary school facilities, including
performance spaces, science laboratories
and outstanding sports facilities.
This, along with specialist teachers in
music, languages, science, sport, drama
and theatresports, art, library, technology
and Christian Development, ensures
students have every opportunity to reach
their potential.
Since the beginning of 2011, Deputy Head
of School K-6 and Head of Junior School,
has been Mrs Rhonda Robson, formerly
Head of Junior School and Deputy
Principal at Broughton Anglican College
in Menangle. Prior to Broughton,
Mrs Robson was the School Counsellor
and Gifted and Talented Coordinator
at St Paul’s Grammar School.
Particularly helpful is her intimate
knowledge of the International
Baccalaureate Primary Years
Programme, which is widely
regarded as international best
practice in primary education, which
she has weaved into the educational
framework of St Andrew’s. Her
people skills and insight based on
her training and experience as a
psychologist, and her extensive track
record in gifted education have set
her up to be a transformative leader.
Mrs Robson has an advanced
understanding of integration of Christian
faith through the whole school and
worked extensively with the Anglican
Education Commission to that very
effect at Broughton Anglican College
and here at St Andrew’s.
Since Mrs Robson’s arrival eight years
ago, the Junior School has more
than doubled in size and is much
in demand. She has transformed
the teaching and learning practices,
successfully improving the levels of
Literacy and Numeracy in particular.
The impact of this strategy is visible
in quality teaching methodologies,
and impressive NAPLAN results.
The Junior School is a happy,
vibrant and thriving part of
St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
SACS - Junior School 2019 | 1
Character strengths sit at the centre of our student wellbeing framework, with all students from Kindergarten through to Year 12 being involved in age-specific wellbeing programs. Our school’s overarching theme is to develop in our students hearts that love, minds that grow and lives that give.
Below are the key attributes of learners at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
In the light of Christ, we strive for students to have:
• Hearts that love,• Minds that grow and• Lives that give.
HeartMindLife
Grateful
ServantHearted
CaringPrincipled
Courageous
Open
Minded
Knowledgeable
InquiringThinking
Reflective
Persistent
Balanced
Hopeful
Communicative
SelfControlled
| SACS - Junior School 20192
SACS Character Strengths
SACS - Junior School 2019 | 3
Nurturing the individual in community under Christ
The student wellbeing vision statement “Nurturing the individual in community
under Christ” underpins the student wellbeing
structures, programs and relationships at
St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
There is a tradition at the school of staff
caring for the individual students and an
acknowledgement of the need to develop
in the students a strong sense of identity,
resilience and connectedness through all
areas of school life, from the classroom
to the playing fields. The school recognises
that each student is entitled to individual
care and attention and that continuity of
that care throughout the student’s time
at St Andrew’s Cathedral School will help
to achieve this sense of identity, resilience
and connectedness.
Programs include Bounce Back, Visible Wellbeing, Character Strengths and the
Raising Responsibility System.
The Junior School employs two
psychologists who are experienced in
providing advice and support on pastoral
and academic issues affecting students
at the school. The counsellors are able to
provide further advice regarding specialist
help in cases where it is required.
St Andrew’s provides a comprehensive
approach to student wellbeing built on
the premise that young people learn best
when they are healthy, safe and happy.
Resilience and connectedness will increase
the individual’s wellbeing and decrease their
chances of becoming ‘at risk’. The structure
aims to be a holistic, cohesive and systematic
approach to health and student wellbeing
which will be reflected in curriculum,
teaching and learning strategies, school
organisation, policy, culture and service
provision. It will also seek to build
community links and partnerships.
All Junior School teachers exercise
strong pastoral care and support for
the children in their care. The nurturing
process of guiding, listening and
leading is very important in these years.
Student wellbeing
Bronwyn Wake Wellbeing Coordinator K - 6
| SACS - Junior School 20194
Academic curriculumSt Andrew’s works to the guidelines of
the NSW Board of Studies and is fully
accredited and registered. The school
teaches from a Christian perspective in
accordance with our vision for teaching
and learning. Subjects taught are English,
Mathematics, Science and Technology,
Human Society and its Environment, LOTE
(Mandarin K-6), Christian Development,
Creative Arts, and Personal Development
Health and Physical Education.
City links 2019 – city excursionsAt St Andrew’s we use our unique location
to assist learning through first-hand
experiences of our city environment.
Learning spaces extend beyond the
school’s buildings to organisations and
facilities in the city and include online
learning spaces and outdoor learning
spaces such as St Andrew’s Oval at the
University of Sydney and The Rocks.
We make use of the many educational
facilities close to the school, including
Darling Harbour, the various museums,
libraries and art galleries, with most of
these being ‘no cost’ excursions.
Junior School program
SACS Junior School Learning FrameworkOur mission is to provide quality Christian
education that stands apart from other
schools and other systems. We strive to
be authentic and the best we can be as a
relational Christian community that seeks
to develop the Heart, Mind and Life of our
students and staff in the heart of Sydney.
In the Junior School, we recognise that
effective student learning and wellbeing
are interrelated and that we need to
focus upon promoting each student’s
engagement in their own wellbeing and
their own learning process, making both
visible. Teachers construct teaching and
learning opportunities that are purpose
driven, based on clear evidence of student
progress, to devise a clear understanding of
what will work best for improving student
accomplishment.
The framework draws on the best of the
school culture and current educational
research, promoting best practice by
encapsulating the best of explicit teaching,
inquiry-based learning, cognitive science,
all combined with the aim of achieving
mastery teaching practices and fostering
deep learning.
The framework acknowledges the
importance of surface learning moving
to deep learning and then transferring
that learning to practical contexts. As the
learner gains automaticity and fluency
of the essential skills, then learning
becomes more student-led and less
explicit in nature.
SACS - Junior School 2019 | 5
Specialised LearningAs a Christian school we have a
responsibility to recognise a wide range of
student abilities, and to provide challenging
educational experiences for all students,
helping them to achieve their God-given
potential. This includes students of high
academic potential, or gifted and talented
students, along with those who need
additional support..
Specialised Learning in the Junior School
is led by the Primary Coordinator,
Mrs Cathy Danger and supported by
a team of teachers and aides.
It is the role of Specialised Learning to
work closely with teachers, students, parents
and outside professionals to cater for the
individual needs of students. We also work
closely with our school psychologists.
Services provided by the Specialised
Learning team in the Junior School
may include:
• In-class support
• Diagnostic assessment
• The development of Individual Learning
Plans and the creation of Student
Learning Profiles
• 1:1 or small group academic
organisational support where appropriate
• Parent information sessions
• Professional development sessions to
enhance teacher skills and understanding
• Assistance with the modification of
curriculum and assessment
• Transition programs
• Collaborative planning with teachers,
students, parents and outside
professionals.
• Determining appropriate adjustments
for students with a disability
• Collection of data to access
Commonwealth funding (NCCDSWD)
Gifted educationAt SACS, we endeavour to meet student
needs through the process of differentiated
instruction. Gifted and talented students
are recognised as having unique educational
needs and need to be catered for in order
that their learning outcomes are optimised.
Developmentally appropriate programs
for gifted and talented students incorporate
a combination of grouping strategies,
enrichment, counselling interventions
and acceleration.
Each year a Parent Information Evening
is held, outlining the school’s policy
and procedures and directions in
gifted education.
Chapel and Christian DevelopmentChapel is a weekly event attended by
all students. It provides a communal
expression of the school’s Christian basis
and commitment, and goes hand-in-hand
with the Christian Development course.
The Christian Development course aims
to introduce students to the Christian
faith as it is revealed in The Bible and
provides them with the opportunity to
engage in healthy discussion on both its
theory and practice. Chapel sees students
participating as they provide the music,
lead the singing, read The Bible, offer prayer,
and occasionally speak of their own
experience of the Christian life.
In addition to weekly Chapel services,
the chaplaincy team coordinates a range
of voluntary lunchtime groups for Bible
study, prayer, fun and encouragement.
The Mandarin programThe Mandarin program aims to enable
students to develop communication
skills, focus on languages as systems
and gain insights into the relationship
between language and culture, leading
to lifelong personal, educational and
vocational benefits.
Junior School program
| SACS - Junior School 20196
Music St Andrew’s started out more than
130 years ago as a choir school and has
carried on that tradition, with the learning
of music being very much a part of general
school activities. Many students take private
instruction with one or more of the
numerous quality vocal or instrumental
tutors employed by the school
Approximately 3/4 of Junior School
students learn an instrument.
Additionally, each student who is learning
privately is encouraged to participate in
an ensemble. These activities are designed
to supplement and extend the work that
is covered in private lessons and also to
provide performance opportunities at
various concerts that are arranged during
the year, including our annual Showcase
concert at Sydney Town Hall.
Outdoor educationThe school owns and operates Kirrikee,
an Outdoor Education Centre in the
Southern Highlands south-west of Sydney.
Students from Years 3-6 attend an
Outdoor Education Program once each
year. The Outdoor Education program is an
important component of the curriculum,
helping students to challenge themselves
mentally and physically and to build strong,
lasting friendships.
The focus in the primary ages is to have
fun and give these young students a taste
of the Australian bush with time away
from the normal comforts and security of
home, together with some small outdoor
recreation skill development.
The camp is run by the school’s own
Outdoor Education Staff.
SportSt Andrew’s has a sport program for
students from Kindergarten to Year 6 that
focuses on a different sport each term.
Sports included are Auskick, gymnastics,
tennis, AFL, touch football, football,
netball, Tee-ball, cricket, volleyball and
athletics. The program aims to build on
skills developed in previous years, utilising
various facilities in the school and city for
both summer and winter sports.
We are also a part of ASISSA (an inter-
school sporting association) for students
in Years 3 to 6 and compete against other
schools throughout the various sporting
seasons of the year commencing in Term 2.
Students will either walk to a venue or
travel by transport provided (usually bus).
There is an optional interschool Saturday
sport program available from Year 5 in
rugby, netball and basketball.
There are a number of carnivals held
throughout the year. All students (Years 3-6)
are expected to participate at the School
Swimming and Athletics Carnivals as part
of the school sports program. There are
opportunities for students to represent St
Andrew’s at ASISSA Carnivals and at NSW
Combined Independent School level.
Co-curricular educationAt the beginning of each term, students
are invited to enrol in one of more of the
many extra curricular activities offered.
Along with the various music ensembles,
these activities include: philosophy club,
homework club, minecraft, maths club,
fitness fundamentals, chess club, book
club, code camp, Theatresports, Chinese
Eisteddfod, Christian fellowship and a
variety of training afternoons for students
involved in Saturday sport competitions
Online canteenThe school canteen, located on Level 9
of St Andrew’s House, uses QuickCliq,
an online ordering system that offers a
fast and intuitive way to order healthy meal
options that are delivered to classrooms
at recess and lunch.
SACS - Junior School 2019 | 7
Learning technologyTechnology is an important part of the
learning experience at St Andrew’s in all
years. We aim for learning technologies to
be used authentically and appropriately to
enrich, enhance and extend learning. In the
Junior School, only students in Years 5 and
6 are required to bring their own device to
school. iPads are the device of choice, and
allow consistency and growth across the
Junior School into the Middle School.
Child progress reportsThe task of educating young people is
shared between the home, the school
and the individual student. For this reason,
the provision of clear communication
channels is vital.
Parents are kept informed about their
child’s progress through end of semester
reports and parent-teacher interviews.
We also encourage parents and teachers
to make direct contact with one another
through phone calls, emails and meetings
as needed.
Detailed information about your child’s
class and activities are available on the
Junior School Portal.
Before and after school care and vacation careOur before school and after school care
and vacation care is run on-site by Camp
Australia, a nationally operated and fully
approved provider of after-school care
which offers ongoing professional training,
supervision and quality resources.
Before School Care operates each
morning from 6.30am and After School
Care operates each afternoon from 3.10pm
until 6pm in the rooftop classroom and is
available to all Junior School students.
School uniformThe St Andrew’s School Uniform includes
winter and summer options and a separate
sport uniform for sport and PE. Students
are expected to abide by the uniform code
and wear their uniform with pride while
travelling to school and while at school.
| SACS - Junior School 20198
St Andrew’s:
St Andrew’s Cathedral School is a coeducational K-12 Anglican school, located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
St Andrew’s Cathedral School Sydney Square, Sydney NSW 2000 ABN 34 429 367 893
phone +61 2 9286 9500 fax +61 2 9286 9550 email info@sacs.nsw.edu.au
CRICOS Registration: The Council of St Andrew’s Cathedral School 02276M
www.sacs.nsw.edu.au
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