Dear Old Andreans

I hope you are all keeping well and staying safe. There has, no doubt, been disruptions to the way of life for all members in our community. At times like this it is helpful to remember that St Andrew’s was never defined by classrooms or even buildings but by the relationships, community and learning within. Even though there needs to be physical separation, the hope is that the community at the heart of SACS will continue.

This is the perfect opportunity to reach out to former classmates and friends from school that you have been meaning to touch base with for some time. Let’s take this moment to reflect on our years at school and invest in each other. If you have stories about how you have used this time to connect with other Old Andreans, we would love to hear them! Please let us know at  council@oaa.com.au.

In the last few weeks of Term 1 this year St Andrew’s delivered teaching through online learning for students in K-12. The teachers, staff, students and families have done such an encouraging job of adapting to this new environment. One bright spot at this time is how the school community has come together to learn and solve problems. This will continue when school resumes for Term 2. There’s even now a fun new way of delivering chapel. You can find out more about it and open the link in this newsletters article - "Chaplains in Cars with Teachers Getting Coffee".

For safety reasons all reunions and other planned events run by the association have been postponed. We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment caused and will let you know when things can resume. The council is currently discussing and planning ways in which we can still be engaging with one another and the school community. There’s some exciting stuff in the works, so stay posted. Make sure you follow our facebook page for updates. If you have any suggestions or ideas the council would love to discuss them. Please get in touch at  council@oaa.com.au

Stay safe, and make sure you are reaching out to friends and family! Hopefully this can be a time when SACS Pride can grow; where we can take the lesson from school to show love and care for those in our lives. As the scriptures say “these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Peace,
Matthew Noble (OA2005)
President
Old Andreans Association

During the unfolding COVID-19 situation, the school has been continuously responding to quickly changing conditions that affect how the school operates as a community and how it can continue to deliver a first class education.  

At the time of publishing this ELEVATE newsletter, there are suggestions that the NSW Government may in fact make a move back to the physical classroom sooner than at first thought and Friday 24 April will bring further news on this from Dr Collier to students, parents and staff as to whether the current online learning situation may change.

Throughout this rapidly moving situation part of the challenge has been to keep parents, students and staff informed; to not overwhelm and inundate with too much information and too many emails; to anticipate and answer all questions and concerns and to make sure the information and response is up-to-date and in-sync with the unfolding situation.

As COVID-19 began to emerge around the world, the school instigated the very best of hygiene practices, cleaning protocols and social distancing and in response to the urging of NSW Health, the Association of Independent Schools, the NSW Premier and the Prime Minister, it remained physically open.

Then in line with changing conditions and following several practice days for some and then all students, the school moved entirely to online learning on Monday 23 March.  It continued and will continue until otherwise advised, to provide supervision for a small number of students who need to attend the school campus because of their parents’ work.

As students, parents and staff settle in to this new normal, it has been really important that the school not only delivers online learning but also continues to deliver the pastoral services and co-curricular engagement that it is well known and valued for, albeit by distance mode. The challenge for staff has been to think differently about these elements so that they can be delivered online.

In line with the school’s commitment to continuing the co-curricular aspects of school life, staff are continuing to develop innovative ways to engage students in activities such as Dr Christian Watson and the Music Department's online music performance competition.

The school’s pastoral team continues to check in with students and School Counsellors have developed online consultation protocols. Because of social isolation and increased screen time, the sports staff have focused on helping the student community to stay fit and ready for the eventual resumption of the physical sporting program.

School Captain’s Harry Carson and Freya Leach and the other Year 12 student leaders have been active bringing the student community together despite remote learning with initiatives such as the SACS Pride Pet competition.

Very importantly the school and Dr Collier have adopted the practice that communication will be the key to ensuring that everyone - students, parents and staff – will feel connected, supported and confident throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  (The Lord says), Be still, and know that I am God."

The OAA is aware that COVID-19 is affecting everyone in the community.  Here are some suggested links to help with individual questions and concerns.

For current Australian Government COVID-19 health alerts, please visit: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
 
For information regarding limits on public gatherings, please visit:  https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus-covid-19/limits-on-public-gatherings-for-coronavirus-covid-19
 

For NSW Government information regarding social distancing, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/social-distancing

For mental health support, please visit:

Beyond Blue -  https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/

Black Dog Institute  - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/coronavirus-anxiety-resources

Head to Health - https://headtohealth.gov.au/covid-19-support/covid-19

Suggestions from the government on how you can help:

• Volunteer. Many regular volunteers are retirees which means many of they are morevulnerable to COVID-19. Because of this, some volunteers can't and shouldn't meet their regular volunteering commitments. If you can help, look at NSW Volunteering, Meals on Wheels or your local charity - https://www.volunteering.nsw.gov.au
• Look after your community. We are being asked to stay close to home so helping out in your community could be as simple as dropping a note in your elderly neighbours letterbox to ask if they woudl like assistance, or sharing old toys and books with a nearby family whose children are bored stuck at home.
• Donate blood. The Australian Red Cross needs blood donations. Each donation saves 3 lives and is urgently needed.
• Only share accurate information. Please listen to and share with others information from trusted sources only.
• Look after your own health and wellbeing can help you stay out of our healthcare system at a time it is working to capacity.

La La La....

A core part of life at St Andrew’s is music. Music is important now, more than ever, as we struggle to stay connected in this period of social distancing. It is for this reason that the OAA has decided to launch a virtual St Andrew’s community choir. We are inviting Old Andreans, Hessians, current students, staff members and parents to take part!

The process will involve members of the choir recording themselves singing a specific part of a song. If your vocal chords are feeling a bit rusty, don’t worry, we have chosen a song that is very easy to learn. Furthermore, the choir will be provided with audio files and sheet music to help them learn their parts.

We would love to see entire families getting involved!

If you would like to be a part of the choir, simply fill in the expression of interest form by April 30 and we will contact you with more details. (If your whole family would like to take part in the virtual community choir, please fill out separate forms for each member of your family.)

The link to the expression of interest form: https://forms.gle/pXEPYgJbXBrDk5BeA

Pilot-Officer Neville Stokes (OA1931)

This year the SACS Anzac Chapel Service will be held online. Matt Noble (OA2005) will participate as OA President as will our current School Captains Freya Leach and Harry Carson. Led by Rev Craig Tubman the service will highlight a well known Old Andrean war hero, Neville Stokes (OA1931). Here is his story...

On 18 December 1941, in the skies over Germany, St Andrew’s Cathedral School Chorister and Old Boy, Pilot-Officer Neville Stokes, was piloting an Avro Manchester Bomber.  On this mission, Stokes was to join the Manchesters of 97 Squadron heading for Brest on the coast of Brittany where the German capital ships the Gneisenau and Scharnhorst were at harbour. It was imperative that these ships be destroyed before they could cruise into the Atlantic Ocean and attack Allied convoys.

Sergeant Tom Wade was on board Stokes’ bomber. His task was to open the bomb-bay doors. Once the bombs were dropped, Stokes turned and headed for home.

His Manchester and one other were the last to leave the coast of France. This left them at the mercy of the German Messerschmitt 109s, without their own fighter escorts which had returned with the main Squadron.

Stoke's plane was hit and with flames streaking from the plane and two dead gunners, Stokes ordered his men to bale out. He died when his plane hit the water.

Wade was rescued by the Germans and survived as a prisoner-of-war. He wrote a lettercard to his mother, Mrs TW Wade of Tempe in Sydney: "If you should ever meet the relatives of Pilot-Officer Stokes, my pilot, would you let them know that he stayed at the controls to enable his crew to bail out from the burning plane. He died a hero."

Mrs Wade eventually learned that Pilot-Officer Stokes' mother lived at Bexley. She visited the grieving mother. “We heard some time ago from the Air Board that Neville was missing, presumed killed,” said Stokes’ brother Richard (OA1924), also a SACS Old Boy, “but we did not know how he died until Mrs Wade let us read the letter card from her son, Tom. It was a great relief to hear the facts of my brother's death, as it put an end to the suspense and uncertainty. Without doubt Neville gave his life for the members of his crew.”

Pilot Officer Neville Stokes (OA1931) was posthumously awarded the Air Crew Star Medal for his service which lead to his death.

His brother, Richard T Stokes OAM (OA1924) was a long-time volunteer of the Old Boys Union, and later became a member of the School Council. He was a generous contributor to the School Foundation and a Lay Canon of St Andrew’s Cathedral. Richard donated a memorial award in memory of his brother, the former student and WWII hero.

So each year at our Evening of Celebration and Prize-Giving, the Richard T Stokes Award for Courage is awarded to the student who demonstrates “a life filled with courage” and who selects pursuits that show them to be courageous in ways which lead to the betterment of themselves and others. This student will be one who stands up for what they believe in and inspires others to do the same.

In this way the courageous spirit of Pilot-Officer Neville Stokes lives on and is emulated, remembered and celebrated each year by the SACS community.

The challenge for every business during the COVID-19 lockdown is how to continue to reach and engage their customers and it’s no different for SACS Chaplain, Rev Craig Tubman.

Ever the innovator, Rev Tubman has begun his new online alternative to Chapel for students.  It’s called THE CHAPLAIN WITH TEACHERS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE and it’s not just SACS students who are enjoying this weekly treat.

On the face of it, this streamed segment introduces the audience to a member of the school’s teaching staff but there is more to it than that.  We hear about their journey to faith, key Christian messages that sustain them in good times and during COVID-19 as well as some of the challenges they have faced.  

Rev Tubman delves into what makes these teachers tick.  He even covers important topics such as what board games they like to play and what shows they might be planning to binge watch during the coronavirus shutdown.

Rev Tubman may not get picked up by Netflix or be nominated for an Emmy as Jerry Seinfeld’s series have but he has actually found a way to bring a new version of the weekly Chapel experience to students at home in a way that really resonates with them. 

During this time of social isolation and remote learning, THE CHAPLAIN WITH TEACHERS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE is helping to draw the SACS community together in a unique but totally SACS way. 

You can take a look and find out more about new and well known staff by following this link : THE CHAPLAIN WITH TEACHERS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE

Kirrikee Picnic Fundraiser

Whilst Kirrikee survived the recent fires that devastated the Australian countryside earlier this year, many of our neighbours were heavily impacted.

For many years, SACS has donated the proceeds from our Kirrikee Picnic Day to the local brigade, the Penrose Rural Fire Brigade who provide a delicious lunch for all the guests.

This year, the entire school came together to support the Penrose RFB. Middle School students ran a gold coin day and the traditional Valentine’s Day Hereford House fundraiser supported the brigade as one of their key charities this year. We added a guessing competition where the winners received an overnight stay at Kirrikee (thank you outdoor education staff for your donation) and we also had families donating through a link provided.

The enthusiasm and generosity of SACS families who donated to our fundraising efforts was wonderful! Together we raised $10,000.

The Penrose RFB will be able to put this donation towards much-needed additional equipment. They are currently in need of a thermal imaging camera, additional firefighting equipment, an Oxy-Viva resuscitation machine, improved face masks for the crews, improved communication equipment and a dedicated electronic weather station, so our fundraising will be much appreciated

Help make your reunion a success

COVID-19 has placed a temporary hold on gatherings including OAA reunions but we will eventually be able to hold these again and when we do they will, as always, be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, build friendships and share stories.

Each year, the OAA facilitates 1, 5, 10 and 20 year reunions and 30, 40 and 50 year reunions by request.

The best-attended reunions have graduates in the year group who help by reaching out to their graduating class, most often through social media.

We make it as easy for you as possible by providing the invitation, sending it out on our social media channels, contacting alumni whose details we have, ticketing and providing tours or drinks at school if desired. Ideally each year has 2-3 organisers who we can help track down the others in their year group. All our reunions are lots of fun.

If you are interested in making your reunion one of the best - please email alumni@sacs.nsw.edu.au. We are currently looking for organisers for reunions later in 2020 (subject to COVID-19 regulations) and 2021.

10 Year Reunion - Class of 2010

FRIDAY 14 AUGUST, 2020
(subject to COVID-19 regulations)

Save the Date - to be confirmed                                                      

If you are interested in making your reunion one of the best - please email alumni@sacs.nsw.edu.au. We are currently looking for organisers for reunions later in 2020 (subject to COVID-19 regulations) and 2021.

5 Year Reunion - Class of 2015

SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER, 2020 - moved from May
(subject to COVID-19 regulations)

Save the Date - to be confirmed                                                        

If you are interested in making your reunion one of the best - please email alumni@sacs.nsw.edu.au. We are currently looking for organisers for reunions later in 2020 (subject to COVID-19 regulations) and 2021.       

20 Year Reunion - Class of 2000

FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER, 2020 
(subject to COVID-19 regulations)

We hear you guys like to party, so we're having a big one on the rooftop of St Andrew's House!

If you haven't already been in touch with Dacien Hadland please email the OAA at alumni@sacs.nsw.edu.au and we'll put you in touch with Dacien.

Save the date - more details to follow

30 Year Reunion - Class of 1990

October/November - date to be confirmed
subject to COVID-19 regulations)

If you haven't already been contacted by Rich Buggy please email the OAA at alumni@sacs.nsw.edu.au and we'll put you in touch with Rich.

Class of 2018 have their first reunion!

In March, the class of 2018 had their first SACS reunion. The evening commenced with drinks in the SAH foyer and within an hour of the night starting, the foyer was completely full. After catching up with a few teachers and each other at SAH, the group headed to Hotel Sweeney’s for some food and drinks. The reunion was a big success and the fact that so many Old Andreans had travelled interstate for the evening made the night even more enjoyable. A special thanks to Claire Darewell (OA2015), Mika Rosewarne (OA2016) and Lyn Jarvis for helping out on the night.

Gawura's Annual Cocktail Fundraiser

Our Gawura school was grateful to everyone involved in our Annual Fundraiser Cocktail Party on Friday March 13. Thankfully the event was scheduled to go ahead just before restrictions on large events were put in place. Everyone had a fantastic time and we had over 150 of our community attend. Some of the amazing Gawura students performed on the night to a very excited audience This was a wonderful example of what our Gawura School can provide for our budding music minded students. This wonderful event raised just under $60,000 which goes a long way to supporting Gawura scholarships for Indigenous students from K-12. 

The event was also well attended by Old Andreans including;

• Jack Toohey (OA2010)
• Tamsin Rose (OA2011)
• Bindi Jarvis (OA2010)
• Anastasia McGrath (OA2009)
• Isaac Rigney-Sebastian (OA2019)
• Rachel Durmish (OA2015)
• Georgia Durmish (OA2015)
• Chris Turner (OA2009)
• Matt Noble (OA2005)
• Kate Robertson (Scarfo) (OA2002)
• Sarah Ralph (OA2019)
• Bronwyn Hammond (Turner) (OA2008)

Leiutenant General John C. Grey AC OA1953

Lieutenant General John C Grey (Retd) AC   was welcomed into the St Andrew’s Cathedral School Hall of Honour in 2019.  

He attended St Andrew’s Cathedral School from 1947 until 1951 before entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon as an officer cadet in 1957.

After graduating, Grey served in a variety of staff and regimental appointments and saw active service in South Vietnam for which he was later awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service. 

He is also a graduate of the British Army Staff College Camberly, the Joint Service Staff College and the National Defence College, India.

In 1984, as a Colonel he was made Director of Co-ordination at the Department of Defence.  He then became Assistant Chief of Defence Force - Logistics.  He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1991 for his dynamic leadership and forthright common sense in this role managing the rapidly changing division.

Lieutenant General Grey served as Chief of the General Staff (now called Chief of Army) from 1992 to 1995.  He was promoted to the Order of Australia (AC) in 1995 for his exceptional leadership and strategic vision of the Australian army and his long service which was distinguished by integrity and exemplary performance during a period of profound restructuring.

He was Patron of the Military Christian Fellowship from 1992 until 1995 and served as an elder at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Canberra from 1983 until 1992.  

In 1995 he retired from the Army and moved to Queensland where in 1999 he became Chancellor of James Cook University serving in this role until 2016.  His leadership of the university saw a period of expansion both in Australia and overseas for the university and significant steps for the university in the area of Indigenous reconciliation. 

He is a leader of the Far North Queensland Sugar Industry Task Force, Patron of the Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund and has served as Chair of the Cape York Natural Heritage trust and the Wet Tropics Management Authority.

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University in 2016, in recognition of his exceptional and exemplary service to James Cook University.

Whether serving his country in the Army, the tertiary education field or the environmental needs of the community in which he lives Leiutenant General Grey (AC) has exemplified a life committed to service. 

During his visit to the school in December 2019 to be part of our Evening of Celebration and Prize-giving Leiutenant General Grey (AC) spoke of his time at SACS as being integral to laying the foundations of his Christian faith that has been such an important part of his personal and professional life.

SACS now has an 'Alumni' Page!

What does that mean? It means that you are now able to connect with other Old Andreans via LinkedIn.

LinkedIn’s Alumni page provides access to the professional profiles our Alumni have shared. It can help you:

• Explore possibilities: See what alumni in your field have accomplished since graduation - and expand your sense of what's possible for you.
• Make connections: Reconnect with old friends, and reach out to alumni in your field for their industry expertise and career opportunities.
• Find opportunities: From mentoring to jobs, your fellow alumni are often ready to help.

How do I become an 'Alumni' on Linkedin?

You will need to update your 'Education' and select 'St Andrew's Cathedral School' with the SACS icon from the drop down box to connect as an alumni. Click here to view a You Tube video of more detailed instructions or go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORc9NrJ0OtI&feature=youtu.be

Stay in Touch

We are always searching for 'lost' Old Andreans. Please let us know where you or your classmates are now.

We have lost touch with many graduates over the years and really need your help to track down members of our SACS community. If you know of alumni, former parents and former staff who would like to reconnect, you can start by forwarding this e-newsletter onto them.

Please send your name, final year at SACS if applicable, email, mobile number and street address to alumni@sacs.nsw.edu.au or by mail c/- Karen Swibel, St Andrew's Cathedral School, Sydney Square, Sydney NSW 2000.