4 minute read
From the Chair
This year commenced with Council reviewing and updating our strategic plan. The main areas we continue to focus on include attracting and retaining a diverse and distinctive community of students; developing a world-class residential life program; ensuring we have high quality facilities; and building and maintaining enduring relationships with our community.
In this pursuit of excellence, Council’s strategic plan highlighted the need to substantially improve the aesthetics and amenity provided in the Junior Common Room (JCR). A substantial renovation is set to take place during 2024/2025 summer break and further details can be found on page 11.
This redevelopment will ensure the JCR is activated daily with a café and casual seating area; an evening bar; can be used in various function modes (Highlanders, AGM, cocktail functions, professional development events, dinners, conferences), and be a base for the non-residential students. The Major Works Commmitte is redesigning the existing layout to provide a new bar location, bathroom facilities, a back of house kitchen, furniture storage, plumbed in keg lines, and pedestrian access off Missenden Road for external guests to use for improved College security. The estimated costs of the construction is $4m and Council is working hard to value manage the design. Also, it has been fantastic to engage a number of alumni property professionals to help bring this project to life.
While on campus improvements, I must mention the success of the Main Building Bedroom refurbishment that occurred over the previous summer. These rooms have received great feedback from students and parents – they look beautiful, are functional and are more comfortable with the underfloor heating and ceiling fans. There is more information about these in the Campus Upgrades story on page 8.
Other areas Council is focused on in 2024 include improving the admissions process and associated communications; connecting further into Asia via a reunion event later in the and student recruitment from the top schools in that region; and ensuring we are an employer of choice for staff in the residential college sector.
In terms of the Council structure, we have had some changes the last six months. I would like to thank outgoing Councillors Leesa Ronald (Fr 2006) and Amanda Mostyn for their service the last few years. These women have provided invaluable guidance on public relations, communications, human resources and board governance.
We welcome onto Council Rev Christopher Waterhouse from St James’ Church in the Sydney CBD, and alumni Walter McCallum (Fr 1988) and Munraj Dhaliwal (Fr 2006). These Councillors will advise on skill sets such as pastoral care, legal, and finance. In addition, we look forward to welcoming a new Councillor who will be voted onto the Council via the Council Elections process in July.
This redevelopment will ensure the JCR is activated daily with a café and casual seating area; an evening bar; can be used in various function modes (Highlanders, AGM, cocktail functions, dinners, conferences), and be a base for the non-residential students.
Finally, I encourage you to read the Annual Philanthropy Report, which is published and printed alongside this issue of Blue & White. Thank you to those who have helped us raise significant funds and been part of making a difference to the lives of our students and the College. I encourage you to read about the impact of giving and consider contributing to College. We wish to foster a strong culture of giving at St Andrew’s and we would love for those who received financial support during their time at College to consider assisting the next generation of Androvians.
As always, if you have feedback or wish to be involved in what’s going on at the College, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
