This Sunday was the Feast of Christ the King, the closing of the church’s liturgical calendar. Next weekend is the first week of Advent, that special time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ. There have been many students who have celebrated a Sacrament this year and I encourage all families to maybe get at least one more stamp in their child’s sacramental journal for the year. 

This Saturday, 30th November is the Feast of St Andrew and we invite all families to celebrate as a school community at a Parish Mass at  6.00pm.

As a treat for our students to celebrate St Andrew’s Day there will be a special performance by the MacKillop College Junior Band on Friday at 11.45am. Students will also receive a Zooper Dooper with their lunch.

The Parents Association will begin sales of Zooper Dooper on Monday 2 December.
Zooper Doopers are 0.50c each and are available every day.
Orders will be taken first thing each morning and there is a limit of 2 per child.

I remind you that eating times have changed over the next few weeks as we trial this new initiative of eating after play at both recess and lunch time. If you have not done so, I encourage all parents to add a small fruit snack in their lunchbox for eating during the morning block.

We have a small number of teachers who will be finishing their time at St Andrew’s this year and we thank them all for their contribution to our school community:

• Mrs Barbara O’Farrell - Barbara began teaching at St Andrew’s in 1991, and during that time has been a staff member and a parent. Barbara will be moving to St Dominic’s in Melton in 2020 and we wish her every success
• Ms Teah Sullivan - Teah has been on the St Andrew’s staff since 2016 and will be moving to St Peter the Apostle, Hoppers Crossing.
• Ms Aimee Boyd - Aimee joined St Andrew’s this year as a replacement teacher for Glenn Mugavin’s Long Service Leave and her contract has ended.  We wish her well for the future.

In 2020 the classroom teachers will be as follows:

• Year 6  -  Mr Glenn Mugavin
• Year 5  -  Mrs Anne Marie Palmer Mr Daniel Cook / TBC 
  (Daniel will continue his Leadership role and will share with a new staff member)
• Year 4  -  Mrs Candida Fitzgerald Ms Lucy Righetti / Mrs Carolyn Martin
  (Lucy is a new staff member who will also be our Catholic Identity Leader)
• Year 3  -  Mrs Josie Briffa Miss Chrissie Van Der Hoeven
• Year 2  -  Mrs Lidia Filice Ms Primola Afribo
• Year 1  -  Mrs Mary Ornelis Ms Beth Henry / Ms Annemieke Hyland
  (Beth will continue her Leadership role and will share with Mieke, who will also teach some PE classes)
• Foundation  -  Miss Nicole Sciberras  Miss Chloe Boland

Parent Association

The final Parent’s Association meeting for 2019 is tonight in the staffroom at 7.00pm. All welcome.

Christmas Stalls will be open on Monday 16 December and Tuesday 17 December.

Children will be able to purchase between 9.00am - 11.00am Monday & 9.00 - 10.00am Tuesday

Term 4 Dates for your calendar:

Thursday 28 November St Andrew’s Parish Annointing Mass & Luncheon

Monday 2 December  -   Friday 13 December  Foundation - Year 2 Swimming Program

Tuesday 3 December  -  Twilight Carols

Friday 13 December  -    Year 6 Graduation Mass

Term 4 2019 finishes on Wednesday 18 December at 1.00pm

TWILIGHT CAROLS   Tuesday 3rd December  -  6.OOpm   School Oval

This will be an opportunity for all families to gather in the spirit of Christmas and welcome the festive season in song. The children are encouraged to dress in a character depicted in the Nativity Story. Some suggestions: Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Kings, Angels & Stars.

Bring a folding chair and please place these around the edge of the large area so all can see the stage.
Please bring a mat to sit on and your best voices. If you would like to bring candles - ONLY battery-operated candles will be permitted.

In addition, children are not permitted on the adventure playground before, during or after our Carols.

We would appreciate your assistance in monitoring your children to ensure they are not on the equipment.

Elizabeth Kietner - Music

RE News

• St Andrew's Community Mass - Saturday 30 November at 6:00pm St Andrew's Church. All school families invited to attend.
• St Andrew's Parish Healing Mass & Luncheon Thursday 28 November from 11.00am.
• We will celebrate the Feast of St Andrew on Friday 29 November with Mass at 9.00am.
  From 10.00am the children will be  learning about the importance of St Andrew through story and art.
  Parents are invited to join their children in the classroom.
  We also invite you to celebrate with us as we listen to the MacKillop College Band from 11.40am in the Sports Centre.

The following Fees & Levy structure will apply to the 2020 school year

Family Fee                         $1600 per family per year

Individual Student Levy       $385 per student per year

This charge covers the curriculum including excursions & sporting activities

Maintenance Levy                         $50 per family

Direct Debit Forms for 2020 Fees are available at the office.

Centre Pay for families with a current Health Care Card is now available and the forms are 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 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

GUITAR & PIANO LESSONS 

This Extra-Curricular Instrumental Program at St Andrews, is an exciting opportunity for students to learn either guitar or piano during school hours.  Lessons will be available individually, or with a partner once a week for a duration of 30 minutes.

For more information, please feel free to contact Sonia Overton 0418 541 213

St Andrew’s Parish Fair

The Parents Association would like to thank all the parents who volunteered their time at this year’s Parish fair. Especially providing more time than allocated. It was greatly appreciated.

Pavel Pagin, Kate Lind, Jacinta Elliott,  Suzanne Gaskin, Melanie Alexander, Karen Pryse, Darren Wiseman, Belinda Bennett, Claire Pridham, Georgi Miller, Nikki Doolan, and Catherine Wiseman.