St Andrews PS Newsletter

We have had so many amazing activities going on over the last few weeks. From our Prep's very first and VERY entertaining assembly, to our very first Athletics carnival, it's easy to feel thankful to be a part of such an amazing school. 

Athletics Carnival

A huge thanks to Ryan and our parent volunteers for organising a terrific Athletics carnival. Our students put a high level of energy and enthusiasm into each activity and we are very proud of each of their individual achievements. We can't wait to see what you all achieve nect year! 

School Council

A big welcome and welcome back to our 2021 School Council Members: Ingrid Oosterhuis, Gabriel Baldessin, Theo Vouthas, Jane Courtier, Tegan Baillie, Steph Ryan, Elise McColl, Robert Powers, Chan Ruwandeniya and Michelle Commerford. We have our first official meeting this coming Monday and I'm looking forward to working with an amazing team this year. 

Twilight Sports - March 25th

We are so excited to jump into a sports evening next Thursday. Hopefully we have this week's weather forecast. Students will start their school day at 12 noon before starting games at 3:30. We will run a range of activities through until 5:30. Please come along (bring the your family and friends) and join the fun. Our amazing PFA will have food available from 4pm - gourmet sausages, fruit icy poles and cake stall. If you need support with care for your children that morning, please contact the school by Friday. 

Echidna Council Meeting

We had our first Student Representative Council meeting a few weeks ago with our new members; Paisley, Maxwell, Odin, Margot, Wade, and Mira. Our school captains did a great job of chairing the meeting. They're keen to be working on reducing calling out in classrooms and rubbish in the yard and are planning a Movie and PJ day on the last day of school to raise money to buy watercolour brushes for the art room. 

'Come and Try' Sessions

We are so excited to have planned out the 'Come and Try' sessions for children who are looking to join STAPS in the future. All of the details can be found below. Feel free to join in and/or spread the word. 

Tea Ceremony at Arthurs Creek PS

Lastly, I wanted to say a HUGE well done and thank you to Ada, Scarlett and Rahni who ventured across to Arthurs Creek PS yesterday to assist Kerry with running a tea ceremony for the school. Our students love learning Japanese and it was so nice to be able to spread that enthusiasm beyond our school. 
Hayley Styles

Hi Everyone!

My name is Tracey and I am the new STAPS Chaplain.  I have been a School Chaplain for 15 years now and I still love it!  There are never 2 days that are the same.  I don't know what to expect from the moment I arrive at school to the minute I leave.  I find it very rewarding though and have met many amazing people.  I am very excited to be here at this wonderful school and feel very priviliged for this opportunity.

I am sure that the word "Chaplain" has some of you concerned about what that entails.  Hopefully I can help reassure you and to ease your minds.  My key role as a chaplain is to care for, help and support the students, staff, parents and the whole school community.  As I tell the students, I am here as an adult friend.  Someone they can talk to if they have any worries or concerns, or even good stuff they'd like to share - such as going on a holiday, sharing proud schoolwork or a new baby brother or sister, etc. 

As you would have noticed in the packs sent home at the start of the year, there was a consent form to be signed for this service.  This permission form is just a formality for me to be able to take your child/ren for a separate one to one conversation. If you haven't completed a form, you are still able to sign one at any time you feel your child/ren may benefit from some extra support.  If I speak with your child I will touch base with you if there are any concerns or if you would like an update on how they are going.  I also only take case notes for serious conversations.

In my one to one sessions with the students I get them to do lots of fun and interesting activities, including playing a game or 2!  I try to make my time with the students enjoyable and as relaxed as possible. While I am a chaplain by name, religious education is not part of my role. 

My role is very flexible and I am here to work to the needs of the school, students, staff and parents.  Everyone is important and ultimately, if the staff and parents are ok then the students will be ok.  

I am also here if you would like to pop in for a chat and a cuppa. It may just be for a bit of 'chit-chat' or it could be for more formal type conversations.  Whatever type conversations I have with you, everyone of them is treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality.  I am not here to judge and I respect everyones right to have their own choices and I will treat everyone the same. 

If you have any questions please feel free to come and have a chat with me about them so I can help to alleviate your worries.  I am here for you all as a support service.

It's always hard starting in a new place and getting to know everyone so please make yourself known to me - stop and say 'Hi!'

I'm the one with the COLLINGWOOD footy scarf on so you can't miss me! :D

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Take care, 

Tracey : )

"Go Pies!!!"

Japanese Assistant

Congratulations to Rahni for taking up the position of  Japanese Assistant. She will help me with the planning of Japanese events, making of resources, and promoting all things Japanese. Rahni has already helped with the making of Hiragana cards in her own time at school. I really look forward to working with Rahni this year.

Japanese Assembly - Wednesday 31st March 3pm

Students are busy planning and learning the Japanese language needed for the Japanese assembly. If any students would like to practice at home, I have uploaded the songs in the STAPS Japanese Google Classroom. 

Unfortunately I have not taught this years Prep students yet, but we do not have too much longer before we meet. I hope they enjoy the assembly and it sparks excitement to learn Japanese.

We are so glad to finally tell you that individual lessons and band opportunitites are back at STAPS. We've got the very talented, Jayden Wilson, on board to teach your budding musicians. 

For now, individual lessons will be on offer from next week and band sessions will start next term. Lessons and band positions are on offer for students in Grade 3 and up at this stage. Students doing lessons are also invited to take part in bands. 

Get in touch to get started!

Dear Parents and Families,

On Thursday 25th STAPS is holding a Twilight Sports carnival for families and friends from 3:30-5:30.

The PFA will be holding a cake stall, sausage sizzle and selling icy poles from 4:00pm.

For the cake stall we would love donations of sweet or savoury single serve treats. They can be dropped at the school canteen Thursday morning.

We would also love helpers to do short shifts on the stall. We figure parents do a half hour shift each everyone gets more time to participate with their kids.

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Regards,

STAPS PFA 2021