Meet the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Friends of the St Andrew’s College Community,

It is indeed a great privilege to welcome you to St Andrew’s Catholic College.  Please explore our website to see that we are a thriving Catholic College P-12 co-educational community with strong values, extensive curriculum offerings, outstanding facilities, and exceptional academic outcomes.  Our Mission is simple and clear: Through life-giving relationships, we journey together with Christ:

• to celebrate the uniqueness of each individual,
• to experience quality teaching and learning,
• to foster active community participation,
• to promote and live out social justice.

Jesus said: “I have come that you may have life in all its fullness” from John 10:10. By this, we are called to live our lives to the full, utilising our unique gifts and talents and embracing the many opportunities available to us. Each member of our community has something special to offer, and it is rewarding to see each of our students flourish.

Saint Andrew (the patron saint of Fishers, Sailors and Scotland) achieved his mission to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. He helped Jesus in the miracle of the loaves and fishes by pointing out to Jesus, the young boy who had what was needed. St Andrew journeyed afar to plant the Faith in Scythia and Greece. Although he never travelled to Scotland, his life and examples were greatly admired by the Scots who embraced him as their Patron Saint.

At St Andrew’s, our students demonstrate a clear sense of pride and commitment to their schooling, whether it be in the classroom, on the sporting field or through service to the religious life of the College. A strong sense of social justice and outreach programs permeate within and beyond the College supporting those in need. We are blessed to have Rev Fr Dariusz Osinski  as our Parish Priest who regularly attends the College and celebrates Liturgies and Masses with us. As a systems school, we are part of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Cairns, making up a strong network of 30 schools and colleges.

This quote encapsulates the need for all St Andrew’s community members to be lifelong learners, committed to improving themselves each day.

The range of College facilities is impressive and include spacious green grounds with a beautiful Chapel, exceptional Music facilities, a state of the art Theatre, a newly implemented Learning Management System (AndIE), lush sporting ovals, all set within the picturesque Redlynch Valley. Architecture plays an important part in learning spaces to accommodate our students that involve, light, bright and spacious, technologically-enriched spaces and furniture, promoting both collaborative and individual learning. 

A strong focus at the College is the investment of well-being programs and activities for students and staff. As a College, we are committed to promoting resilience and a growth mindset. In the future, we will endeavour for all our staff to be engaged and trained in Positive Education; a highly regarded program.   It is my vision that St Andrew’s Catholic College remains a leading school for promoting positive spiritual, mental and physical health for all students and staff.

You are aware that in a rapidly changing society, 21st-century learners’ need to be confident with technology, global in their thinking, problem solvers and collaborative workers ready to adapt to any situation. These skills are reflected in the Australian Curriculum and Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), which include capabilities in:

• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Information and communications technology capability
• Critical and creative thinking
• Personal and social capability
• Ethical understanding
• Intercultural understanding

I am committed to you in achieving this as Principal at St Andrew’s Catholic College.  Our venture together into the future promises hopeful anticipation of a successful partnership.

I look forward to meeting with you and sharing in your family’s educational journey.

Mr Ian Margetts
Principal