What do our School Council members and executive staff do when they go away for strategy days?
Well this time around, it was the high ropes course at the School’s Outdoor Education Centre, Kirrikee, in the Southern Highlands.
Last week executive staff and School Council members had the opportunity to spend two days together, working on the future direction of the School. Chair of School Council Michael Winram envisaged starting off by bonding over the terror of the high ropes and then getting down to business. It was a fantastic way to bring the two groups together and the discussions were very productive as a result.
Our great thanks go to the Outdoor Education Team for their care of this beautiful facility. The team's passion was tangible as they toured the group before they were put to work on high ropes, archery course and some may have even tried out the mountain biking course!
The combined team spent time reviewing the feedback and ideas generated from the recent Strategic Planning Day, with executive staff and Council sharing their vision for the School’s future direction. The sessions were infused with prayer and wisdom, with a unified love of the School and its community evident to all.
We hugely appreciate the volunteered time and effort School Council members bless us with, as they seek to govern the School.
We pray that this precious time of reflection and planning will serve our School and its community in the years to come. ... See MoreSee Less
Honouring Strength, Vision and Legacy at St Andrew’s Cathedral School
This week, our School community gathered to celebrate First Nations culture, learning and contribution during NAIDOC Week, hosted early by Gawura School ahead of the national dates (7-14 July), which fall during the school break. Guided by the 2025 theme ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’, we reflected on the milestones of the past 50 years of NAIDOC while looking ahead to a future shaped by proud, empowered and culturally grounded First Nations young people.
On Wednesday, Gawura School students visited the NSW Art Gallery with Aunty Gail Mabo, who not only led an art lesson but also shared her own works currently on exhibition.
On Thursday morning, the Junior School and Gawura School gathered in the Cathedral for a powerful NAIDOC Assembly, hearing Aunty Gail's testimony about her childhood and life with her father, followed by a moving Morning Tea, where students received their awards and were honoured with their embroidered 'Gawura Whales' that celebrate significant milestone achievements. Read more about this in our recent NAIDOC Assembly post.
In the Secondary School assembly led by Gawura School students dancing and the Year 12 Aboriginal Studies class, students showcased what it means to ‘Bridge Worlds’, highlighting how culture and allyship can walk hand in hand through respect, learning and shared action. Later that day, Aunty Gail met with our Aboriginal Studies students to hear about their Personal Projects and share insights into her own work as an artist and cultural educator.
NAIDOC Week is a dedicated moment in our calendar, but the values it represents – respect, truth, resilience and community – live on every day in the life of our Schools. Through strong partnerships with Elders and cultural leaders, and the continued leadership of Gawura School, we walk together on this journey of learning and listening. ... See MoreSee Less
On Wednesday night, the walls of Sydney Town Hall were filled with music, memory and meaning as our students took to the stage for Showcase 2025: Generations, a powerful celebration in St Andrew’s Cathedral School’s 140th year.
In a concert that drew on our School’s musical roots and far-reaching legacy, over 500 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, took the stage alongside Old Andreans, Hessians, staff and professional musicians. They united in a programme that honoured both tradition and transformation: powerful choral moments, iconic anthems, Western Art Music, musical theatre and vibrant works by women and First Nations-inspired voices.
The evening opened with ‘Sing! A Song for St Andrew’s’ by Ross Edwards, a specially commissioned piece that captured the spirit of a School founded in 1885 for the musical and spiritual formation of Cathedral choristers and is still shaped by that vision today.
In the words of Head of School, Dr Julie McGonigle, music at St Andrew’s Cathedral School has always been more than performance; it is “an educational influence… a reminder of what it is to be fully human.”
From choral masterpieces and classical works to musical theatre and iconic hits, the concert honoured the past and embraced the future. Performances included ‘Africa’, ‘Water Night’, ‘The Inferno’, ‘Time After Time’, ‘Children, Go Where I Send Thee’ and Haydn’s ‘Violoncello Concerto’, each piece a reflection of creativity, connection and purpose.
Director of Performing Arts, Mrs Dominique Haynes reflected on the metaphor that guided this year’s concert, the native grass tree, “branching across time, withstanding seasons and change… flourishing in an ever-changing landscape.” That image came to life both in the music and in the stories behind it, including the tribute to former Director of Music, Mrs Chris Belshaw (1958–2014), whose legacy continues to shape our community.
To our students, staff, tutors, conductors, choreographers, technicians and families — thank you.
Showcase 2025 was more than a performance. It was a celebration of who we have been, who we are and who we are becoming. ... See MoreSee Less
Plenty of parents onstage this time too! Not just Old Andreans, Hessians, staff and professional musicians.
Standing tall in culture: A powerful NAIDOC Assembly
Today, Gawura School led our school community in a moving and powerful NAIDOC Assembly and Morning Tea in the Cathedral. In line with this year’s theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy', the assembly honoured the rich culture, history and achievements of First Nations peoples.
For the first time, the Secondary School Assembly was entirely led by the Year 12 Aboriginal Studies class. Their leadership, storytelling and presence embodied the strength and vision that NAIDOC Week celebrates.
We were deeply honoured to welcome Aunty Gail Mabo as our guest speaker. A proud Meriam woman and artist, Aunty Gail shared reflections on her ancestry, the legacy of her father, activist Eddie Koiki Mabo and the enduring importance of standing tall in your culture, carrying stories forward and striving for truth-telling and recognition.
Students from Gawura School performed a series of traditional and contemporary dances, led by Aunty Rayma including ‘The Travelling Dance’, ‘Cod Dance’, ‘Speak the Truth’ and a powerful farewell to our Year 6 Gawura School students as they prepare to transition into Middle School. The dances were a vibrant expression of culture, identity and connection to Country.
A highlight of the assembly was the presentation of the Mudyi Awards, recognising friendships and cultural engagement between First Nations and non-Indigenous students. ‘Mudyi’ means ‘friend’ in Wiradjuri, and these awards celebrate the spirit of connection and mutual respect at the heart of our School.
While this week is set aside for focused reflection and celebration, our commitment to truth-telling, cultural learning and reconciliation continues every day. It is part of the lifeblood of both Gawura School and St Andrew’s Cathedral School – to walk together in respect, listening deeply and learning always. ... See MoreSee Less
The energy, the dedication, the music, it’s all coming together. For weeks, students have been deep in rehearsals, refining harmonies, perfecting choreography and preparing to fill Sydney Town Hall with sound and story.
These rehearsal moments offer just a glimpse of what’s to come tonight, as we count down to the opening of Showcase 2025: Generations, a musical celebration of St Andrew’s Cathedral School’s 140th year.
Stay tuned for a full wrap-up of this unforgettable evening later in the week. ... See MoreSee Less
A great presentation last night! Thank You, Cathedral School!
Fantastic evening well done SACS!
It was brilliant! We done SACS! 👏
Australia’s most inspiring writing competition
Our Junior School and Gawura School took part in the national Write a Book in a Day challenge yesterday.
It was an action-packed day – the ultimate test of teamwork, challenging writers to create something great within a 12-hour time period.
Prizes and awards are up for grabs for state and national winners, while there is also a need to fundraise in the lead-up for childhood cancer research.
Our teams had to write and illustrate an entire book.
Every book submitted will also be made available for free to kids in hospitals around Australia, potentially changing a child’s day in hospital, while funds raised will work to get them out of hospital and back in the classroom sooner.
All books submitted will be assessed by our talented team of judges, and there are prizes on offer throughout the competition. Winners of the ‘Best Overall Book’ and ‘Best Illustrations’ prizes will be chosen from each state as well as nationally at the end of the competition. ... See MoreSee Less
We’d like to extend a huge congratulations to our 2025-26 Year 12 Student Leaders, who were announced today!
School Captains – Ruby Buckam and Lachlan Sparshott
School Vice Captains – Bella Gorman and Joe Scott
House Captains – Leila El-Khoury (Canterbury), Henry Stanton (Durham), Cassidy James (Hereford), Martha Way Stamatellis (Salisbury), Mika Chin (St Paul’s), Sarah Baines (Westminster), Hanna Jones (Winchester) and Izzy Darge (York)
Cru Captain – Maisy Harricks and Jake Partington
Sport Captains – Keet Van De Zande and Felix Fung
Drama Captain – Bella Gale
Service Captain – Rich Hu and Pyari Qureshi
Music Captain – William Wheeler
Design Captain – Thomas Gordon
Prefects – Sarah-Faith Chang, Yuze Ding, Zoe Lane and Martin Norman
Well done to these deserving students, who will be formally Commissioned in an assembly on Monday 28 July. We look forward to witnessing all you bring to our School in the year ahead! ... See MoreSee Less
On Monday 16 June, over 60 Year 10 and 11 students stepped into the shoes of world leaders at the first Model United Nations Conference held at our School in two years.
Two committees, the Disarmament and International Security Committee and the United Nations Human Rights Council, debated pressing global issues like nuclear proliferation and humanitarian aid in warzones. Students navigated complex international dynamics, delivered powerful speeches, passed notes, negotiated alliances and crafted innovative solutions.
There were discussions on state sovereignty and defence mechanisms as well as spirited arguments over the accents of aid workers. The day was a celebration of diplomacy, critical thinking and student leadership. Despite many students experiencing UN procedures for the first time, the energy and insight were exceptional.
A huge thank you to our student chairs Meha Agrawal, Ishi Agrawal, Sarah-Faith Chang, Yuze Ding, Mira Forstner and Hannah Nixon for guiding delegates through the day. We’re proud of all who participated, your voices brought the UN to life at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. ... See MoreSee Less
NAIDOC Week at St Andrew’s Cathedral School: Honouring Strength, Vision and Legacy
This week, our School community comes together to celebrate NAIDOC Week early, as the national dates (7–14 July) falls during the school holidays. Led by Gawura School, these celebrations honour the 2025 theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy. This calls on us to reflect on the past 50 years of NAIDOC and look to a future shaped by young Indigenous voices, grounded in culture, wisdom and connection to Country.
Each year, Gawura School students host a whole-school assembly – this Thursday, they will once again share stories through dance and speak to what this year’s theme means to them. Guest speakers Aunty Gail Mabo and Aunty Rayma Johnson will join us in celebrating culture, resilience and legacy.
Classroom-based initiatives and events across both the Junior and Secondary Schools will further support students in deepening their understanding of First Nations perspectives throughout the week.
Together, we celebrate culture. We honour our Elders. And we stand with the next generation as they carry forward the stories, strength and vision that shape our shared future. ... See MoreSee Less
What do our School Council members and executive staff do when they go away for strategy days?
Well this time around, it was the high ropes course at the School’s Outdoor Education Centre, Kirrikee, in the Southern Highlands.
Last week executive staff and School Council members had the opportunity to spend two days together, working on the future direction of the School. Chair of School Council Michael Winram envisaged starting off by bonding over the terror of the high ropes and then getting down to business. It was a fantastic way to bring the two groups together and the discussions were very productive as a result.
Our great thanks go to the Outdoor Education Team for their care of this beautiful facility. The team's passion was tangible as they toured the group before they were put to work on high ropes, archery course and some may have even tried out the mountain biking course!
The combined team spent time reviewing the feedback and ideas generated from the recent Strategic Planning Day, with executive staff and Council sharing their vision for the School’s future direction. The sessions were infused with prayer and wisdom, with a unified love of the School and its community evident to all.
We hugely appreciate the volunteered time and effort School Council members bless us with, as they seek to govern the School.
We pray that this precious time of reflection and planning will serve our School and its community in the years to come. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Honouring Strength, Vision and Legacy at St Andrew’s Cathedral School
This week, our School community gathered to celebrate First Nations culture, learning and contribution during NAIDOC Week, hosted early by Gawura School ahead of the national dates (7-14 July), which fall during the school break. Guided by the 2025 theme ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’, we reflected on the milestones of the past 50 years of NAIDOC while looking ahead to a future shaped by proud, empowered and culturally grounded First Nations young people.
On Wednesday, Gawura School students visited the NSW Art Gallery with Aunty Gail Mabo, who not only led an art lesson but also shared her own works currently on exhibition.
On Thursday morning, the Junior School and Gawura School gathered in the Cathedral for a powerful NAIDOC Assembly, hearing Aunty Gail's testimony about her childhood and life with her father, followed by a moving Morning Tea, where students received their awards and were honoured with their embroidered 'Gawura Whales' that celebrate significant milestone achievements. Read more about this in our recent NAIDOC Assembly post.
In the Secondary School assembly led by Gawura School students dancing and the Year 12 Aboriginal Studies class, students showcased what it means to ‘Bridge Worlds’, highlighting how culture and allyship can walk hand in hand through respect, learning and shared action. Later that day, Aunty Gail met with our Aboriginal Studies students to hear about their Personal Projects and share insights into her own work as an artist and cultural educator.
NAIDOC Week is a dedicated moment in our calendar, but the values it represents – respect, truth, resilience and community – live on every day in the life of our Schools. Through strong partnerships with Elders and cultural leaders, and the continued leadership of Gawura School, we walk together on this journey of learning and listening. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Hear the voices that echo through generations...
On Wednesday night, the walls of Sydney Town Hall were filled with music, memory and meaning as our students took to the stage for Showcase 2025: Generations, a powerful celebration in St Andrew’s Cathedral School’s 140th year.
In a concert that drew on our School’s musical roots and far-reaching legacy, over 500 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, took the stage alongside Old Andreans, Hessians, staff and professional musicians. They united in a programme that honoured both tradition and transformation: powerful choral moments, iconic anthems, Western Art Music, musical theatre and vibrant works by women and First Nations-inspired voices.
The evening opened with ‘Sing! A Song for St Andrew’s’ by Ross Edwards, a specially commissioned piece that captured the spirit of a School founded in 1885 for the musical and spiritual formation of Cathedral choristers and is still shaped by that vision today.
In the words of Head of School, Dr Julie McGonigle, music at St Andrew’s Cathedral School has always been more than performance; it is “an educational influence… a reminder of what it is to be fully human.”
From choral masterpieces and classical works to musical theatre and iconic hits, the concert honoured the past and embraced the future. Performances included ‘Africa’, ‘Water Night’, ‘The Inferno’, ‘Time After Time’, ‘Children, Go Where I Send Thee’ and Haydn’s ‘Violoncello Concerto’, each piece a reflection of creativity, connection and purpose.
Director of Performing Arts, Mrs Dominique Haynes reflected on the metaphor that guided this year’s concert, the native grass tree, “branching across time, withstanding seasons and change… flourishing in an ever-changing landscape.” That image came to life both in the music and in the stories behind it, including the tribute to former Director of Music, Mrs Chris Belshaw (1958–2014), whose legacy continues to shape our community.
To our students, staff, tutors, conductors, choreographers, technicians and families — thank you.
Showcase 2025 was more than a performance. It was a celebration of who we have been, who we are and who we are becoming. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Plenty of parents onstage this time too! Not just Old Andreans, Hessians, staff and professional musicians.
Standing tall in culture: A powerful NAIDOC Assembly
Today, Gawura School led our school community in a moving and powerful NAIDOC Assembly and Morning Tea in the Cathedral. In line with this year’s theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy', the assembly honoured the rich culture, history and achievements of First Nations peoples.
For the first time, the Secondary School Assembly was entirely led by the Year 12 Aboriginal Studies class. Their leadership, storytelling and presence embodied the strength and vision that NAIDOC Week celebrates.
We were deeply honoured to welcome Aunty Gail Mabo as our guest speaker. A proud Meriam woman and artist, Aunty Gail shared reflections on her ancestry, the legacy of her father, activist Eddie Koiki Mabo and the enduring importance of standing tall in your culture, carrying stories forward and striving for truth-telling and recognition.
Students from Gawura School performed a series of traditional and contemporary dances, led by Aunty Rayma including ‘The Travelling Dance’, ‘Cod Dance’, ‘Speak the Truth’ and a powerful farewell to our Year 6 Gawura School students as they prepare to transition into Middle School. The dances were a vibrant expression of culture, identity and connection to Country.
A highlight of the assembly was the presentation of the Mudyi Awards, recognising friendships and cultural engagement between First Nations and non-Indigenous students. ‘Mudyi’ means ‘friend’ in Wiradjuri, and these awards celebrate the spirit of connection and mutual respect at the heart of our School.
While this week is set aside for focused reflection and celebration, our commitment to truth-telling, cultural learning and reconciliation continues every day. It is part of the lifeblood of both Gawura School and St Andrew’s Cathedral School – to walk together in respect, listening deeply and learning always. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Jade Shaw
The energy, the dedication, the music, it’s all coming together. For weeks, students have been deep in rehearsals, refining harmonies, perfecting choreography and preparing to fill Sydney Town Hall with sound and story.
These rehearsal moments offer just a glimpse of what’s to come tonight, as we count down to the opening of Showcase 2025: Generations, a musical celebration of St Andrew’s Cathedral School’s 140th year.
Stay tuned for a full wrap-up of this unforgettable evening later in the week. ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
A great presentation last night! Thank You, Cathedral School!
Fantastic evening well done SACS!
It was brilliant! We done SACS! 👏
Australia’s most inspiring writing competition
Our Junior School and Gawura School took part in the national Write a Book in a Day challenge yesterday.
It was an action-packed day – the ultimate test of teamwork, challenging writers to create something great within a 12-hour time period.
Prizes and awards are up for grabs for state and national winners, while there is also a need to fundraise in the lead-up for childhood cancer research.
Our teams had to write and illustrate an entire book.
Every book submitted will also be made available for free to kids in hospitals around Australia, potentially changing a child’s day in hospital, while funds raised will work to get them out of hospital and back in the classroom sooner.
All books submitted will be assessed by our talented team of judges, and there are prizes on offer throughout the competition. Winners of the ‘Best Overall Book’ and ‘Best Illustrations’ prizes will be chosen from each state as well as nationally at the end of the competition. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We’d like to extend a huge congratulations to our 2025-26 Year 12 Student Leaders, who were announced today!
School Captains – Ruby Buckam and Lachlan Sparshott
School Vice Captains – Bella Gorman and Joe Scott
House Captains – Leila El-Khoury (Canterbury), Henry Stanton (Durham), Cassidy James (Hereford), Martha Way Stamatellis (Salisbury), Mika Chin (St Paul’s), Sarah Baines (Westminster), Hanna Jones (Winchester) and Izzy Darge (York)
Cru Captain – Maisy Harricks and Jake Partington
Sport Captains – Keet Van De Zande and Felix Fung
Drama Captain – Bella Gale
Service Captain – Rich Hu and Pyari Qureshi
Music Captain – William Wheeler
Design Captain – Thomas Gordon
Prefects – Sarah-Faith Chang, Yuze Ding, Zoe Lane and Martin Norman
Well done to these deserving students, who will be formally Commissioned in an assembly on Monday 28 July. We look forward to witnessing all you bring to our School in the year ahead! ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations to all!
Congratulations guys
Model UN returns to St Andrew’s Cathedral School!
On Monday 16 June, over 60 Year 10 and 11 students stepped into the shoes of world leaders at the first Model United Nations Conference held at our School in two years.
Two committees, the Disarmament and International Security Committee and the United Nations Human Rights Council, debated pressing global issues like nuclear proliferation and humanitarian aid in warzones. Students navigated complex international dynamics, delivered powerful speeches, passed notes, negotiated alliances and crafted innovative solutions.
There were discussions on state sovereignty and defence mechanisms as well as spirited arguments over the accents of aid workers. The day was a celebration of diplomacy, critical thinking and student leadership. Despite many students experiencing UN procedures for the first time, the energy and insight were exceptional.
A huge thank you to our student chairs Meha Agrawal, Ishi Agrawal, Sarah-Faith Chang, Yuze Ding, Mira Forstner and Hannah Nixon for guiding delegates through the day. We’re proud of all who participated, your voices brought the UN to life at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
NAIDOC Week at St Andrew’s Cathedral School: Honouring Strength, Vision and Legacy
This week, our School community comes together to celebrate NAIDOC Week early, as the national dates (7–14 July) falls during the school holidays. Led by Gawura School, these celebrations honour the 2025 theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy. This calls on us to reflect on the past 50 years of NAIDOC and look to a future shaped by young Indigenous voices, grounded in culture, wisdom and connection to Country.
Each year, Gawura School students host a whole-school assembly – this Thursday, they will once again share stories through dance and speak to what this year’s theme means to them. Guest speakers Aunty Gail Mabo and Aunty Rayma Johnson will join us in celebrating culture, resilience and legacy.
Classroom-based initiatives and events across both the Junior and Secondary Schools will further support students in deepening their understanding of First Nations perspectives throughout the week.
Together, we celebrate culture. We honour our Elders. And we stand with the next generation as they carry forward the stories, strength and vision that shape our shared future. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook