The long awaited building program officially begins today. Reliance Constructions were the winning contractors and have taken possession of the site. Over the next 6 months Reliance Constructions working with architects, Baldasso Cortese, will construct a new administration and staff area as well as 6 new contemporary learning areas made possible by funding from the Victorian Government’s Capital Funding Program along with our own local contribution. The first stage will involve the area that was once the library, technology lab and teacher planning areas. The entrance to the builder’s compound will be off Greaves St Nth, opposite the church. The gate will remain operational with temporary fencing separating the building area . Please be aware that parking will be affected during this time as builders cars will also be parked in some of the spaces.
Every four years Catholic schools in the Archdiocese participate in the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Project. This project will assist us in better understanding how our Catholic Identity is expressed in work and practice here at St Andrew’s.
The Catholic University in Leuven, was commissioned by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) to design a process and tools, based on sound research, to accomplish the goal of understanding our current Catholic Identity and where the school community might like to see itself in the future.
The ECSI survey is a key element in this process and I write to request your participation. The online survey gathers responses from students in Years 5 and 6, all staff, and a representative sample of parents. All families will receive instructions on how to complete the survey and I ask that where possible at least one parent in each family complete the survey. On completion please print the ‘Certificate of Completion’ and present it to the school office as there will be lucky draws with weekly prizes such as movie tickets & grocery vouchers on offer.
Catholic children in Year 6 will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation next Friday 22 March at 6.30pm. The Mass will be celebrated by the regional Bishop for the west, Bishop Mark Edwards. This is always a special moment in the faith journey of these student and I ask the school community to keep them in your prayers over the next few weeks.
SCHOOL CLOSURE - Tuesday 26 March CAMP AUSTRALIA
Outside School Hours Care are offering to open on the School Closure Day Tuesday 26 March at an approx. cost of $55.00 for the day. If you are interested contact Camp Australia 1300 105 343
Come and join us for Harmony Day St Andrew’s 2019
We will be celebrating Harmony Day Monday 18th March in a variety of ways:
· Green Hat Workshop is visiting which involves playing with thousands of miniature Plank construction blocks. Here we will be practising our Learner Dispositions of Collaboration, Resilience, Persistence Creativity and Self-Regulation.
· We will celebrate the diversity of our families through the languages area by learning how to greet each other in the languages of our families using the gestures we use for Italian.
Please come and teach us how to greet each other in your family language. Maybe make a video or photo of your family saying ‘hello’ in your language using our gestures. Let the teacher know if you can help.
We will explore the concept of Harmony and Diversity and our Catholic Identity in each of our classrooms by collaboratively designing and creating a Prayer Mat to reflect this.
We are cooking a sausage sizzle for lunch for a gold coin donation!
We would love you to join us for all or some of these celebrations. Check on Remind for relevant times. We invite families to work with their children and their classes in learning to use our gestures with their family language.
NOTE there will be No Assembly on this day.
Year 6 Confirmation Family Night — Tuesday 12 March
A reminder to the Year 6 parents of children celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation that parents, sponsors and children are expected to attend the Adult Faith night in the Sports Centre tonight at 7.00pm.
Teeth on Wheels
Teeth on Wheels will be at St Andrew’s School Friday 22 March & Monday 25 March.
If you would like your child/children to visit the Teeth on Wheels dentists please complete the form sent home last week and return to school as soon as possible. More forms available at the office.
Engaging Wyndham Families with St Andrew’s School
The Engaging Wyndham Families program is an early intervention service that aims to support local families who may have a child with some challenging behaviours, a child who may not want to be going to school or families who don’t know where to get information and help.
We will work alongside schools, and other services in the community to deliver a collaborative and integrated service.
When working with families, we can provide the following interventions:
· Consult with families to understand their needs
· Short terms case management to help put strategies in place to improve their situations
· Secondary consultations with teachers and agencies as appropriate
· Referrals as appropriate
We are here if you need us. We will be at St Andrew’s School for consults on Wednesdays 9.00am – 11.00am.
For more information contact Chris or Joelene 9216 7777 or Tracie K St Andrew’s School 9741 3686
