Best of the Best
As the changing calendar sweeps us along and days become weeks and months, St Andrew’s has been actively engaged in compiling a steadily growing body of feedback from our community about their perceptions of the School. Garnering an insight into what exactly changes a building from a place that houses an educational institution into one encompassing a nurturing and tolerant community is of the utmost importance. Below are eight pivotal facts about St Andrew’s that have been gathered in our research. Although every School is constantly changing to accommodate for the unique needs of its students, it is also important to retain the fundamental values that draw individuals and families here initially, those sometimes inexplicable, but ever-present characteristics which make this city School the vibrant place it is. A School is a community and all of those involved have an equally important role to play in its functioning. The feedback below comes from parents and members of our teaching staff with each fact followed by a quote from one of our graduating Year 12 cohort of 2009, giving a unique insight into exactly how they feel at the end of their 'secondary' journey.
1. STUDENTS’ RELATIONSHIPS WITH STAFF
“At St Andrew’s I enjoyed a positive environment where topics could be discussed with honesty and respect.”
2. THE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS STAFF HAVE WITH EACH OTHER
“This School is everything a School should be; great people as well as caring and committed teachers.”
3. A PLACE THAT ENCOURAGES CHANGE, INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY
" The opportunities here were unbelievable. I went overseas on music tours three times and performed in brilliant musicals and concerts in front of thousands of people.”
4. A CITY LOCATION
“Unlike many other schools we are not limited by our location, our opportunities are bigger. An excursion starts when we walk out the front doors.”
5. PRIDE IN THE SCHOOL AND EACH OTHER
“There is no division between Middle and Senior School whatsoever; it is such a tolerant environment. If you are wearing the blue and white, you are one of us. Going here from years 3-12 has shown me a strong community atmosphere that shapes the way I live my life. My grade is just like a big family that grows tighter as time goes on. Having a good group of friends rallying around you makes the world of difference in the HSC year.”
6. CHRISTIAN ETHOS
“St Andrew’s has never given up on me and never let me down.”
7. SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT IN HELPING OTHERS
"I loved being able to interact with different age groups throughout my time at SACS, especially through the House system. I came to gain a tight group of friends who were not always restricted to my year group."
8. PASTORAL CARE
“What I’ll miss most about SACS is the strong sense of community and the open attitude of all the students and teachers.”
