ST ANDREW’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER NE W S LE TTE R NO : 20 5

T H DE CE M BE R 2013

Yard Supervision commences at 8.15 am and concludes at 3.30 pm.

Please inform the school office immediately of any change of contact information – address, phone, etc. Before School Care operates from 7.00 am to 8.45 am. After School Care operates from 3.15 pm to 6.15pm.

St. Andrew’s Catholic Primary School

96 Bunney Road, South Clayton 3169 Telephone: 9551 5094 Fax: 9558 1216

E-Mail: principal@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au

Website: www.saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au

App: St Andrew’s Parish Primary School (from the App Store)

Twitter: @st_school

Blog: http:/ ptierney.global2.vic.edu.au

Dear Parents,

We have now begun the season of Advent and the time

to slow down and reflect and prepare ourselves for the

birth of Christ.

I am sure that the part about slowing down at this time of

year is a major challenge, as we frantically try to squeeze

all that we have not done in to the final weeks of 2013.

The Season of Advent however is an important time, and

deserves our focus and attention. While we are

surrounded by the excitement of Christmas and the

commercial aspect of Christmas it remains important for

Christian communities to prepare for and celebrate the

Birth of Jesus.

Each week the children will be coming together for a

short Advent prayer service at the beginning of the week.

This began last Monday and will continue for the next

two weeks. This coming Monday this will be at 8:45 am in

the Glasshouse. On the 3rd week the Advent Assembly will

be held at 11:00 am on Monday 16 December.

Parents who are at the school at the time of the Advent

prayer are most welcome to join us in the Glasshouse.

COMING EVENTS

TERM 1V

DECEMBER

Week 9

Frid 6 Closure Day – 2014 Planning Day

Week 10

Sun 8 2nd Sunday of Advent

Mon 9 Advent Prayer Assembly (8:45 am)

Wed 11 ‘I Sea I Care’ Program

Thurs 12 Year 6 Graduation

Frid 13 Year 6 Excursion

Week 11

Sun 15 3rd Sunday of Advent

Mon 16 Year 1 – 6 Orientation

Mon 16 Advent Prayer Assembly (11:00 am)

Wed 18 End of Year Mass

Thurs 19 1:00 Dismissal

2014 School Calendar

Term 1:

28 January - 4 April (students resume Wed 29 January)

Term 2:

22 April - 27 June

Term 3:

14 July - 19 September

Term 4:

6 October - 19 December

NE W S LE TTE R NO : 20 ST. ANDREW’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL PAGE 2

School Accounts

Throughout this term I have communicated the

concern over the large amount of outstanding

school fees and the lack of response from families

despite every effort being made by the school to

instigate communication. As I write this newsletter

we still have over $ 96,000 of unpaid fees.

The administration staff is spending an inordinate

amount of time in an attempt to contact families

regarding this matter. I need to reiterate the

following:

In instances where families ignore reasonable

approaches by the school, the matter of

outstanding fees will be put in the hands of an

external agency to be managed on behalf of the

school.

Recent Events…

… Two very successful excursions this week! The

Year 3 classes went on Monday to the city in very

hot weather and the Year 5 and 6 classes two days

later travelled to Luna Park in St Kilda in very wet

conditions. Melbourne’s weather, you have to love

it.

… If you are at the school over the next week, walk

the corridors and check out the outstanding art

work. It is a credit to the creativity of the students

and the talent of their art teacher, Miss Tomomi.

In this newletter she has an article about works

that have been selected for the 2014 Catholic

Education Week Art Show.

Coming Events…

… The Year 6 Graduation will commence on

Thursday at 6:30 pm with Mass in the Church.

… The Year 6 classes will be on an excursion to

Jells Park and Clayton Bowl on Friday.

Phillip Tierney PRINCIPAL

2014 Staff List

The staffing of the school is almost completed and

while next week is not a newsletter week, I will send

out a complete staff list next Thursday. It will however

be released first through the St Andrew’s App. If you

have not yet downloaded the app on to your iphone,

android phone or iPad you are missing out on the

latest school news. Once again we have attached the

details of how to access the app to this newsletter. We

now have 485 followers who are getting information

that you may be missing.

One innovation we will be introducing next year will

be to employ a teaching assistant at each of the seven

year levels. These staff members will be able to

further support the teaching and learning programs by

taking individual and small groups of students as

needed. This will add valuable support to all the

students as we attempt to further develop the

personalisation of learning.

Over the past month the teachers have been carrying

out valuable assessments particularly in Reading and

Mathematics. This information will assist us to set

individual learning targets for each student in 2014

and then support them in achieving their target.

We will involve parents in this process throughout

next year.

1-to -1 iPad Program

Early this week I placed the order for the iPads that

the students will be using throughout Year 3 – 6 in

2014. A percentage of families decided that they

would supply the iPad from home. The majority of

families have decided to go with the fully managed

school program. I did not receive a response from a

small number of families.

At our 2014 Planning Day the staff will be reporting

back on apps that they have been trialling with a view

to making recommendations on their use from the

commencement of 2014.

I will provide further details of the project via

newsletters, the school website and the school app.

AROUND THE CLASSROOMS

We have entered the visual arts competition which will be held during Catholic

Education Week in 2014 and the following artworks have been accepted for the

VAE 2014. Congratulations to: Danica Oung 5/6TKDanica Oung 5/6TKDanica Oung 5/6TKDanica Oung 5/6TK

JJJJacinta Dinh 2Cacinta Dinh 2Cacinta Dinh 2Cacinta Dinh 2C

Jane Gleeson 4MJane Gleeson 4MJane Gleeson 4MJane Gleeson 4M

Richard Vongkham 6TRichard Vongkham 6TRichard Vongkham 6TRichard Vongkham 6T

In God's Hands by Danica Oung 5/6TK

We painted a nature scene using acrylic paints with tiny dots

which is called pointillism technique. This technique gives us

freedom to create a contrast with multiple layers of coloured

dots. When viewed from a distance, the colours blend to

form a sharply realistic image. God’s hands were drawn with

a charcoal soft pastel in black and white. The background

demonstrates the lights glowing from the God’s hands to

emphasize the power of God.

Scratched Animals by Jacinta Dinh 2C

Year.2 students created animals onto a torn piece of rough

cardboard to get a similar effect of an Aboriginal artist, Jonny

Bulunbulun’s textured bark painting. He used natural earth

colours and brushes made from twigs and grass. Students

were asked to draw caveman’s drawing–like-animals with

different patterns inside the lines using scratched art

techniques. They recreated original work inspired by the

artist very well.

Underwater Magical Creatures by Jane Gleeson 4M

Paul Klee created magical fish pictures using water colour

and oil paints. We created a similar effect with watercolour

paints and oil pastels.

Four Seasons by Richard Vongkham 6T

Students observed the lines, shapes and colours in natural

objects from different positions and noted the changes to

draw trees with a black oil pastel. We discussed why one

viewpoint may be more interesting than another. Then

students investigated depth and perspective, and also

explored tone through the blending of light and dark hues to

create gradations of colour in order to express Four Seasons

with acrylic paints.

Miss Tomomi

Art & Music Teacher

WELLBEING WRAP 2013

It is difficult to believe that yet another year has slipped by and that

we are all one year older and hopefully wiser. Our students are

preparing to transition into another year level, the Year sixes are

moving on to Secondary School and we are in the process of

welcoming the new Preps! Before this is finalised, it is important to

reflect on many things have occurred in our school this year to make

it a positive learning experience for all our students.

This year as a staff, we have had a focus on identifying and supporting students who experience anxiety or coping issues.

To support students, staff and parents, we have hosted staff and parent information sessions led by our consulting psychologists

Dr Natalie Flatt and Laura Forlani. As a result of this, a number of parents have taken the opportunity to seek support for their

children through counselling sessions that are focused on building resilience, social skills and strategies to reduce or manage

anxiety.

Another area of focus has been the area of student safety online and Digital Citizenship. We were very fortunate to have

accessed the services of The Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) in the person of Mira Dadone, who ran

informative, current and relevant sessions around the issue of online safety for students, parents and staff.

Better Buddies and the buddy program across the school is working well to foster friendships

and support for students across age levels. We are currently training the Year Four students

to be responsible, effective

Buddies to their prep buddy in 2014.

Student Voice has been valued and sought this year through our student Leadership Program

and the SRC. This team of students has made positive contribution through fundraising ideas

and actions, providing feedback on issues relevant to the students, planning buddy days and

teaching their peers about environmental and social justice issues through a "Kids Teaching

Kids" program.

The Student Leaders for 2014 have been appointed and have attended two

Leadership training days and are already developing their vision and actions for next year!

We look forward to continue to work with you in 2014 to provide the best possible outcomes for all our children.

Teresa Maio

Year 6 teacher and Wellbeing Leader

A Real Scientist Visits 3P!

Last Friday, 3P were very excited to welcome a “real-life” scientist into the classroom – Mrs Lida Joubran, Jordyn’s

mum. Mrs Joubran was invited to assist the students to see science as an integral part of life and to deepen their

understandings of the properties of matter – our Science unit of inquiry this term.

Mrs Joubran speaking to the class

Mrs Joubran has enjoyed a 16 year career in the field of science and is passionate

about it. She spoke to the class about her career pathway from school and explained

her current role in industry. In the new Australian Curriculum, one of the aspects of

Science to be explored is Science as Human Endeavour. Mrs Joubran’s story fitted this

aspect very well.

Mrs Joubran – and her able assistant, daughter Scarlet – had worked hard at home to prepare several experiments

and these worked very well on the day. In the first experiment, Mrs Joubran demonstrated the different properties

of water and oil - these substances do not mix. In order to get our dishes and clothes clean, we need water and oil to

come together. She explained that scientists have developed substances called surfactants to change the properties

of water so that it mixes with oil and cleans our dishes and clothes.

A Real Scientist Visits 3P! (Continued)

Having a closer look

The second experiment explored the density of different liquids. First, some apple juice

was poured into a glass. Next, some blackcurrant juice was slowly added, then some

Powerade. The liquids did not mix and three layers were visible: the apple juice formed

the bottom layer as it has the most sugar, next the blackcurrant and the Powerade sat

on the top as it has the least sugar.

The students were totally engaged during this session and many asked deep and

inquiring questions about the world around them and how and why it works. We had a

shared vision to get students motivated and

enthusiastic about science and to make it real in

their lives. My grateful thanks to Mrs Joubran for

helping make this vision a reality.

Danielle Priest Year 3 teacher

Children with great animation, teachers with full activation and parents in nervous anticipation…so began our Year 3

Excursion into the city on a day forecast to be 36 degrees! Hats on and water bottles filled, we boarded our buses for

town.

Our first stop was the Myer Christmas windows. The students had some

familiarity with the theme, as we had listened to the story of “Gingerbread

Friends” in class. Aside from the windows, the air conditioning at Myer was

a relief for all! Next we made our way to the Royal Arcade, ever watchful for

trams criss-crossing the Mall. The old worldly charm of the Arcade and its

varied selection of shops and delightful decorations fascinated our students,

particularly the old-style toy store. The wooden doll’s house was the envy of

many! Weaving our way through the Arcade, we did at times intimidate

diners confronted by the wave of 75 students heading towards them. The

piece de resistance of the Royal Arcade though, was the magnificent clock

flanked by the giants of Greek mythology, Gog and Magog.

Moving forward and onward, we headed into The Block Arcade. As

one of the students commented, “It looks like Diagon Alley” from Harry

Potter. A very narrow walking area, so single-file walking was definitely

the order of the day. The highlight of the Block Arcade was definitely

the visit to the chocolatier Hagues. Mouths were drooling as the

students received a surprise in the form of a chocolate frog! Our final

destination point in the city was the city square that had been

transformed into a Christmas wonderland. The students had an

opportunity to have their much needed snacks and drinks of water.

Santa and his Elves were kind enough to share their Christmas spirit by

allowing all the students to have a group photo with Santa. Tin soldiers,

Rudolph the reindeer, a giant nativity scene and the Christmas maze

were all part of the fun.

Soon it was time to pack bags, say farewell to Santa and head off for our buses to continue onward to the Royal

Botanic Gardens.

(Continued)

A short bus ride later, we disembarked at the gardens, ready to find a much

needed cool and shady area for some respite from the heat that was building

throughout the day.

The students, staff and parent helpers had an opportunity to relax amidst some

of the most beautiful and exotic surroundings in Melbourne. We then headed

into the Children’s Garden for all groups to participate in the Christmas

programme organized at the Education

Centre. 3P and 3D were the first groups to

participate in a craft activity, creating

Christmas decorations using natural

materials such as cones and gum nuts. 3C, on the other hand, began a sojourn

around the gardens learning about the myriad species flora and fauna. We were

relieved to enter the rainforest as the trees provided all of us with shelter from the

sun and a cool change in temperature. After all activities were completed, we

thanked our guides and proceeded to our buses for the journey back to school. A

wonderful, though

very tiring, day

experienced by all

participants.

Don’t be surprised

if your sons and

daughters request a weekend outing to the City or the

gardens, both sites are well worth a family visit! I’m

sure your children will gladly lead the way back to

Hagues!

Our thanks are extended to all our parent helpers who

did a wonderful job of supervising the students, and

our bus drivers for their patience and punctuality.

Year 3 Teachers ☺

Education Maintenance Allowance in 2014 The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) helps to cover the costs related to your child’s schooling. The EMA provides families on a low

income with financial assistance to support their child’s education up to the age of 16.

In 2014, the EMA payments to eligible parents will be:

• $200 for parents of eligible Prep students

• $150 for parents of all other eligible primary school students

• $300 for parents of eligible Year 7 students

• $250 for parents of all other eligible secondary school students up to the age of 16.

The EMA is paid in two instalments annually (70% in March and 30% in August).

Eligibility criteria To be eligible for the EMA:

1. Your child must be under the age of sixteen; and

2. Your child must be enrolled at a primary or secondary Government or registered school in Victoria on, 28 February 2014 for the first

instalment and 1 August 2014 for the second instalment; and

3. You must on 28 January 2014 for the first instalment and 14 July 2014, for the second instalment: o be a parent or legal guardian of the student; and o be an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004, that is, be a holder of Veterans Affairs

Gold Card or be an eligible Health Care Card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder or be a temporary foster

parent.

4. Submit your application to the school by the due date: 28 February 2014 for the first instalment*

Second Hand Uniforms for Sacred Heart

Girls' College

• Blazer (excellent condition) RRP:

$212, SELLING: $140

• Pullover (excellent condition) RRP:

$71, SELLING: $40

• Summer Dress (excellent condition):

RRP:$70, SELLING: $40

• Winter Skirt (excellent condition):

RRP: $104, SELLING: $60

• Winter Blouse (excellent condition):

RRP: $45, SELLING: $20

• Scarf (excellent condition): RRP: $15,

SELLING: $7

• Sports Rugby Top (good condition):

RRP: $79, SELLING: $40

• Sports Polo Top (excellent condition):

RRP: $42, SELLING: $20

• Sports Shorts (excellent condition):

RRP: $27, SELLING: $20

• Sports Cap (excellent condition-

brand new): RRP: $19, SELLING: $15

• School Bag (excellent

condition): RRP:$85, SELLING: $50

• School Sports Bag (excellent

condition): RRP: $30, SELLING: $25

Please call Angelie on 0411422551 after

school hours to negotiate prices if needed.

The Lions Christmas Cakes are on sale from

the School Office.

1.5kg $15.00 1kg $11.00

Monday 6th January Tuesday 7th January Wednesday 8th January Thursday 9th January Friday 10th January

WELCOME 2014

Activities Include:

Get to know you games/activities

Making Friendship Wreaths

Then join us in an afternoon filled

with mayhem by playing some:

WACKY GAMES

OPERATING ONLY FROM

ST.ANDREWS PRIMARY SCHOOL

96 BUNNEY RD CLAYTON STH

SUMMERTIME FUN

Activities Include:

Ocean/Sea Mobiles

Create your own Summer Collage

Later Have Fun Playing:

Cricket/Beach Volleyball & Being Part

of Our Sand-Castle Competition

OPERATING ONLY FROM ST.ANDREWS

PRIMARY SCHOOL

96 BUNNEY RD CLAYTON STH

SPORTZ RULEZ

Come and join in the fun playing:

Basketball

Cricket

Rounders

And many other Multi-Sport Games

Ready Steady Go!! Fast Laps, Long Jump & Sprint Races

Challenge Yourself Hula Hoops & Skipping Competition

OPERATING ONLY FROM

ST.ANDREWS PRIMARY SCHOOL

96 BUNNEY RD CLAYTON STH

TROPICAL ISLANDS

Activities Include:

Design your own Island & Treasure

Maps

Have fun making your own Lei

Then challenge yourself in our

ISLAND PHYSICAL CHALLENGE

OPERATING ONLY FROM

ST.ANDREWS PRIMARY SCHOOL

96 BUNNEY RD CLAYTON STH

MUSICAL MADNESS

Bring along your favourite CD’S

and get down to Boogie!

Activities Include: Making Musical Instruments

Crazy Hair Designs/Face Painting

Games Include: Pass the Parcel/Musical

Chairs/Limbo

Then take part in our dance party!

BYO: YOUR FAVOURITE CD’S

OPERATING ONLY FROM

ST.ANDREWS PRIMARY SCHOOL

96 BUNNEY RD CLAYTON STH

Monday 13th January Tuesday 14th January Wednesday 15th January Thursday 16th January Friday 17th January

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Let’s Bring in the New Year by

creating:

Personalized Calenders & Place Mats

Then join us in the afternoon to play

an array of different Multi-Sport

Games

WATER BOMBS Expect to get wet!!

EXCURSION-MOVIES

Join us as we see the latest Children’s

Movie at Chadstone Shopping Centre

Movie Title and session times will be

confirmed a week prior

COST:$20

BYO:SNACK/LUNCH/DRINK

PLEASE BE AT THE SERVICE BY 8.45AM

BUS LEAVES AT 9AM

CALLING ALL GREEN

THUMBS Activities Include:

Making Egg Carton Caterpillars &

Bugs/ Flower Prints/Planting our own

Seedlings

Then take Part in Our Worm Eating

Challenge!

ANYTHING GOES!

Activities Include: Hama Bead Creations/Crazy Hair

Designs/Face & Nail Painting/Dance

Competition!

Later Join us as we

Have fun splashing in our MINI POOL

BYO: BATHERS/TOWEL/CHANGE OF

CLOTHES/HAT/ SUNSCREEN Afternoon Tea: Icy-Poles

BYO: Electronic Games/ Favourite CD’S/Super Soakers!

WHEELS DAY

Bring your favourite bike or scooter

along for a day of fun. Weave your

way through the obstacle course and

play games of lucky corners and

time trials.

NO HELMET/NO PLAY

Other activities for the day include:

Assorted Sponge Crafts and Taking

Part in our Sail Boat Competition!

Monday 20th January Tuesday 21st January Wednesday 22nd January Thursday 23rd January Friday 24th January

BUBBLE BOUNCE

Bubbles, Bubbles everywhere, on

your toes and up your nose!

Activities Include: Bubble Burst Paintings/Bubble

Prints/ Making our own Bubble

Maker and Lots More!

Then have Fun Playing Balloon

Volleyball & The Chocolate Game!

Excursion

Live Action Play (Thomastown)

Neon Indoor Play Centre with Flying fox/ Glow in the Dark Mini Golf &

LASER TAG

COST :$28 BYO: Lunch/Snack/Drink

Please be at the Service by 8.45 Bus leaves at 9am

EGYPTIAN ADVENTURE

Activities Include: Ancient Egyptian Headbands/Collars

Hieroglyphic Bookmarks

Then join in the fun in our Pyramid

Making Competition and MUMMY

WRAP GAME

WET AND WILD DAY

COME PREPARED TO GET SOAKED

Have fun under the sun:

Splish, splashing in our MINI POOL

Playing, crazy wet and wacky relay

races & getting soaked with our water

bombs

Afternoon Tea: Icy-Poles

BYO: BATHERS/TOWEL/CHANGE OF CLOTHES/HAT/ SUNSCREEN &

SUPER SOAKERS

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!

Come join us celebrate Australia

Day and the end of the holidays with

music, party games and lots of fun

Activities Include:

Aboriginal Dot Paintings/Thong

Throwing Competition/Making

Green &Gold Jelly/Having a game

of Cricket

BYO:Your Favourite CD’S

Please Bring a Plate of Party Food To Share

YOUTH LEADERSHIP VICTORIA SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM- JANUARY 2014 St. Andrews Primary School

Contact your Co-ordinator for a Booking Form or visit: www.ylv.com.au/holiday-programs/

You must provide your child with a Packed Lunch/ snacks for morning/afternoon tea/ refillable water bottle/Hat to wear outdoors

Parents Please Note that the Program commencing Mon 6th January - Fri 10th January

will only operate from St.Andrews Primary School (96 Bunney Road, Clayton South)

The program will operate at all three venues Carnegie/Amsleigh Park/St.Andrews

from Mon 13th

January till Frid 24th January, 2014.

TUCKSHOP ROSTER

GOOD MANNERS AWARD:

Massimo – 2M

FOR SALE

6’6” tall artificial Christmas Tree.

In good condition.$40.00

Ring Toni on 9551 3553

or 0402 766 739

YEAR 6T To all of 6T. You have been a great class all year and it has been a pleasure to teach you all.

YEAR 5LC Sebastian for your cheerfulness and input in class. Well Done.

YEAR 5H To Adam, Patricia, Isabella, Sylvia, Olivia, Anthony, Antigit, Daniel G, Daniel W, Melanie, Abel,

Kunashe, Pellegrina, Matthew, Jeanna and Mya-Maria – congratulations for a great term of work!

YEAR 4M Jessica, Harrison, Karissa, Vincent and Thevesh – Excellent work on your Inquiry project.

YEAR 3P

Jordyn for your energetic participation in school activities.

Elyssa for always doing your best and being a good friend.

Ethan for kindly assisting others in ICT. Well done Ethan.

YEAR 1S Beautiful reading skills – Congratulations Ayden, Aaric, Malaya and Serena for showing how hard

you can work. You are excellent Reading Champions.

PREP V Well done to Charlotte for all your great help in assisting others, Congratulations to Nicholas,

Polliana, Issac and Yamato on all your great work in your reading :)

PREP C Congratulations to Justin and Jonathan on your great work. Keep up the great work!

Fri 13 Dec Des Nikolitsis

Mon 16 Dec Debbie McKernan

Tues 17 Dec Monica Dang

Wed 18 Dec Angela Koupouzos

Thur 19 Dec NO TUCKSHOP -

School finishes at

1pm