I write this newsletter to your from home as I am currently on sick leave having required some minor surgery during the past week (nothing too serious and I’ll be back at work on Monday April 1). In the meantime, Tracie and the staff will continue holding the fort in my absence.

Having been sick did prevent me from attending last Friday’s Confirmation Mass but from all reports it was a grand and reverent occasion for the 35 candidates and their families. We thank Bishop Mark for coming to our community to celebrate with us and our Parish Priests, Fr Albert, Fr Anil & Fr John Paul. It takes a large commitment to put on an occasion such as last Friday, and I thank the staff who contributed with a special mention to Anne Marie & Lidia, the Year 6 teachers. I also thank Elizabeth Kietner who prepared and led the Choir.

I also include a much smaller and easier survey on behalf of the Parents & Friends. It contains 3 questions and is a way of capturing the names of parents willing to be contacted to assist with P&F activities for the remainder of the year. Please copy the following link into your browser.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3LMY79M. This survey will also stay open to the end of term.

I remind all parents that students are not permitted to have mobile phones on the school grounds. Should a parent feel that there is a need for their child to have a mobile phone this needs to be put in writing. Mobile phones are not to be kept in school bags but to be turned off or placed on silent and handed to the teacher. Children will be given their phones at the end of each day but they are not to be turned on or used until students are off the school grounds.

Þ Tuesday 26 March  School Closure Day

Þ Friday 29 March  Subway Lunch Day provided by the Parents & Friends

Þ Wednesday 3 April School Photo

Þ Friday 5 April     End of Term   -   Students finish school at 1.00pm

A short time ago I wrote to all school families to explain the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) project, providing each family with instructions on how to log in and complete the survey. The project team has set a target of 50 parent surveys to be collected to make the results representative. To provide an incentive I am offering a weekly draw of either grocery vouchers or movie tickets but at the time of writing this newsletter we have no certificates of completion handed to the office. I urge parents to find the time between now and the end of term, April 5 to go online and complete a survey. The information will be circulated again through the skoolbag app in case the originals have been lost.

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.

SCHOOL PHOTOS   -  WEDNESDAY 3 APRIL

Information on ordering your school photos and family photos will be sent home on Wednesday 27 March.

Arthur Reed Photos are now offering online ordering. Each child will receive their own individual order with their own individual CODE. Please ask your children on Wednesday night for their sheet.

Read and follow the instructions - it’s as easy as 1 2 3 ..

For any families who are unable to order a school photo online you can complete the lower section on your child’s sheet and send it to school with the correct money on or before the day.

For any families who are unable to order online and would like to order a family/siblings photo, those forms are available from the school office. Complete and return to the office with correct money on or before the day.-

Look out for your Photos Information note on WEDNESDAY.

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

Drummond Street Services & Wyndham Library present 'Parenting children who worry too much ..'

For parents of children aged 2 - 12 years. Come along to find out more about anxiety and strategies to help child / children worry less and stay positive.

Wednesday 3 April  6.00pm - 7.30pm

Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre  Shop MM11
Level 1 Derrimut Road WERRIBEE.

The seminar is free but booking is essential. FREE childcare provided
bookings: www.wyndhamlibrary.webwiredsolutions.com.au