St Andrew's Primary Marayong Newsletter

School Goals 

This year we are committed to continue to develop our very explicit learning agenda.  This entails building up the necessary learning dispositions of every student to be effective learners.  These dispositions are the backbone to our Inquiry Pedagogy.

Our other focus is building skills in the area of student wellbeing.  A committee has been formed, consisting of staff members, to begin to unpack the direction the school needs to go to improve the mental health of our students. 

Parent and Friends Annual General Meeting  6.30pm

On Monday the 22nd of February we will be holding our P&F Annual General Meeting.  At this meeting we will thank our outgoing executive team and hold elections for our new team for 2021. A letter inviting parents to attend went home on Monday the 15th of February. This year, as we are still under COVID restrictions we have sent home a registration letter.  Unfortunately we need to comply with protocols regarding social distancing so we are limited to how many people can attend.  If you are successful, you will receive an attendance card that must be handed in at the meeting on the 22nd.  Only parents who have successfully registered may attend. I look forward to welcoming you to our school. 

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday the 17th of February we began the very important liturgical season of Lent. The children participated in a prayerful Liturgy in their classrooms. I wish to thank Mrs Whiticker for coordinating the liturgical prayer experience for the students and staff. 

Census Day

On Friday the 19th of February the school will conduct a whole school census.  We ask that all children are at school on this day.  If your child is absent, please ensure that an absent note accompanies your child on their return to school.  

Zone Swimming Carnival- 18th of February

It seems such a long time since I mentioned a sporting event at St Andrew’s.  As of today, the Zone Swimming Carnival will go ahead at the Mt Druitt Swimming Center.  We have a strong squad of 14 striving to swim their personal best.  

Please be advised that NSW Health Department COVID19 policy restricts the number of people on the site. Once the limit has been reached, parents and friends will not be able to enter the complex.  Parents and friends will not be allowed to enter the CEDP designated  competition area. 

We wish our team the best of luck.  Enjoy the experience of competing.  A big thank you to Mr Paynter and Mr Haynes for supervising the event. 

St Andrew’s Primary School 2021 Blacktown Zone Swimming Carnival

 Squad Members

Morning Hugs and Kisses at the gates

Thank you to all families for continuing to hug and kiss and say goodbye to your children at the gate each morning.  This process will continue.  Parents can only enter the school grounds in the morning if you have business with the school office, a scheduled meeting with a staff member or you need to finalise a lunch order at the canteen. If a staff member is not present at the gate, parents are to still follow the school morning procedure. 

Whole School Assembly

Last Friday was the first time in many months that we were able to gather as a whole school to celebrate the great achievements of our students. Although it was a modified assembly following our COVID plan, the children were still acknowledged. 

As parents are still unable to be present at these events, photos were taken to share with our community.

Meet the Teachers Information Nights, Goal Setting Meetings and Personalised Plans

At the moment, each grade is in the process of creating a slideshow presentation for parents.  As we can not yet meet face to face, information will still be shared with families using a slide show presentation.  Information will be sent home shortly explaining how to access the presentations for your child’s grade. 

Information regarding Goal Setting Meetings with parents and teachers will be sent home shortly.  Goal setting meetings will be conducted by phone conversations.   

Personalised Plan meetings will also be underway in the coming weeks. Information regarding these meetings will be shared shortly with the families.   

As expected in this climate,  we do have a new normal way of sharing information with our parents and friends. If you are unsure about accessing a meeting time, please contact the school office and ask to speak with Mrs Muscat and she will assist you in making a time.  

Please do not ring until the information is sent home to parents. 

Open Days

Our school will be hosting Open Days on Thursday the 18th and 25th of March.  Limited access and number restrictions apply. 

Our limited tours will begin at 10am and conclude at 10.30am.  All tours will only include outdoor areas and visitors will not be able to walk into indoor areas or areas where children are present.  If you know a family who is interested in attending St Andrew’s next year please encourage them to attend by contacting the school to register their interest.  

Open Day Tours may be cancelled at any time, on the advice of  CEDP and NSW Health. 

All visitors must register prior to attending on the day and must fill in a registration card prior to entering the grounds. 

All classes have a specific library day for borrowing library books (see below). Children can also borrow and return books before school and at lunchtime every day, provided they have their library bag with them.

Students in Year 1 to Year 6 have started borrowing.

Kindergarten will commence borrowing in Week 6 (March 5).

KINDERGARTEN - Friday

YEAR 1 - Tuesday

YEAR 2 Blue/ 2 Yellow - Tuesday

YEAR 2 Red/ 2 Green - Thursday

YEAR 3 Green/ 3 Red - Wednesday

YEAR 3 Blue - Thursday

YEAR 4 Blue - Thursday

YEAR 4 Red - Wednesday

YEAR 4 Green - Friday

YEAR 5 - Wednesday

YEAR 6 - Monday

Building Child Safe Communities - Volunteer Undertaking

Dear Parents/Carers 

In Catholic Education Diocese Parramatta (CEDP), we see parents and carers as partners in your child's learning journey. Parents and carers are encouraged to become involved in our schools in many important ways such as supporting classroom learning, being part of advisory groups, mentoring programs, coaching sporting teams and supporting other extra-curricular activities, canteen support and other kinds of help.

 A range of checks and undertakings are required for people who work for or provide services to CEDP. These checks reduce potential risk and form part of our strategy to build child safe communities.

 CEDP has launched a new Building Child Safe Communities form and online training module that all volunteers are required to complete. 

The purpose of this training is to inform you of the standards of behaviour and other requirements that must be adhered to when volunteering for CEDP.

The undertaking should take no more than 5 minutes to complete and the training module      approximately 10 minutes. Once the form and training modules are submitted, an automated email will be sent to you within two business days to confirm the status of your submission.

The undertaking form will expire within two years or when your Working With Children Check expires (if applicable), whichever is sooner. At that time you will need to complete the undertaking form and training module again. You will receive an automatic reminder email when this occurs. 

Further information on the new online form and training module can be found at www.parra.catholic.edu.au and clicking on about us/building child safe communities. Within the form you will also find help sheets and a video tutorial to assist you. 

Thank you in advance for your support.