St Andrew's Primary Marayong Newsletter

It is  with great pride that I announce to our community the School leaders for 2021

School Captains and Student Leaders

Sports Captains and Vice Captains

I wish to thank all our Year 5 students for the great leadership they have shown this year.  It was a very hard decision to select only 16 students as every student in Year 5 has exhibited leadership qualities in some way this year.  A big thank you to the Year 5 teachers for facilitating the election process. 

Christmas Raffle

Just a reminder for families who have sold tickets to please begin sending them back to the school office ready for the 10th of December.  The raffle will be drawn on Thursday the 10th.  

Christmas Pop Up stall

There are only weeks left before our children will have an opportunity to buy a special gift for a loved one.  All gifts are Five dollars.  The stall will operate on the 10th and 11th of December, run by our wonderful office and executive staff. 

 St Andrew’s Staff for 2021

Executive Leadership Team

Principal Mrs Yvette Baird

Assistant Principal Ms Kim McDonald (on leave Terms 1 & 2)

Mrs Jacqueline Van Der Burg (Acting for Terms 1 & 2)

Religious Education Coordinator  Mrs Karen Whitticker

Coordinators           Ms Joanne Fuigaro   Infants

                                   Mrs Luisa Brewer     Stage 2

                                   Mrs Debbie Ross     Stage 3

                                   Mr Matt Haynes     Learning ICT

Leaders Learning - Kindergarten   

                                Miss Julie Figuero, Miss Justine Klafas, Mrs Livia Iafigliola, Miss Stephanie Loesch, and Mrs Melanie Hatcher

Leaders Learning- Year 1

                                Mr Jordan O'Keefe, Mrs Miriam Formosa, Miss Joanne Figuero, Miss Veronica Sultana, Miss Nicole Fitz, Miss Caitlin Gaffney and Mrs Caty Adler

Leaders Learning- Year 2

                                Mrs Meliessa Schrader, Mr Matthew Haynes, Mrs Nicole Leahy, Mrs Vanessa Lesar, Miss Jenny Khazan, Miss Sophie Barrett and Mrs Sueanne Aquilina

Leaders Learning- Year 3

                                Mrs Janine Spurtacz, Mrs Eva Delaney, Miss Jaala Dan, Mrs Luisa Brewer and Mrs Claudia DeCruz

Leaders Learning-Year 4

                                Mrs Wendy Herbert, Mrs Rebecca Borg, Mrs Karen Ciantar, Mr Matthew Reitano and Mrs Angelina Yalda

Leaders Learning- Year 5

                                Mrs Grace Tabone, Mrs Leandra Magno, Mrs Maree Burke, Miss Lauren Spencer-Salt and Mrs Debbie Ross

Leaders Learning- Year 6

                                Mrs Maria Hyson, Miss Jillian Villar, Mrs Judith McMurrich, Miss Liana Scarpin and Mr Graham Paynter

Specialist Teachers

        Reading Recovery

                                     Mrs Vicki Taylor and Mrs Karen Whiticker

        Inquiry Pedagogy

                                    Mrs Karen Ciantar

        Sports Coordinator

                                    Mr Graham Paynter

Teacher Assistants

                                     Mrs Jennifer Sharp and Mrs Skye Duncombe

Release from Face to Face Leaders in Learning

                                       Mrs Nadeen, Mrs Editha Mendoza, Mrs Savitta Star and Mr Graham Paynter

Office team members 

                                        Mrs Anne King, Mrs Joyce Inglis, Mrs Debbie Muscat, Mrs Reshma Kerai and Mrs Lesley Camilleri

Groundskeepers

                                         Mr Mario Spiteri and Mr Richard Ackroyd

What a year!!!!   2020 will be remembered for so many reasons

This year,  we have  been blessed in so many ways.  Although we  have faced many new challenges we have proven that together we can overcome adversity and still continue to grow and succeed.  

As this is the last newsletter for the year I  wish to begin by thanking my school executive  team.  I can not thank you enough for the support and endless work and decision making that has occurred this year and by working together as a very effective team we have made the learning and safety of  all our community a priority and seen success in all areas of school life.

To the teachers and staff of St Andrew's. I am truly humbled by the way in which we  have collaborated as a faith team to bring out the best in all we teach and interact with.  You are all stars and I wish you a very relaxing time during the Christmas season. I look forward to another year to continue the great work of learning.  

To our beautiful children. We are all here for you  to ensure that you have opportunity, love and support to grow and flourish into the best citizens for our great world.  You have worked hard and shown  care to  each other.  Enjoy your break and see you in the new year. 

It is with sadness that I say goodbye to our beautiful Year 6 students.  You are amazing leaders in our world.  I wish you the best as you begin your journey to your new schools  Your schools do not know how great you are yet, but they will very soon.  They are very lucky to have you as part of their community.  

I would like to make mention of two very special people. 

Firstly, Ms McDonald is one of the hardest working colleagues I have had the privilege to work alongside.  Her dedication to the children is unsurpassed.  Ms McDonald will be  taking a very well deserved  long holiday next year. Ms McDonald will return in Term 3.  Enjoy, relax and be safe in all you do. 

 I am pleased to announce, Mrs Van De Burg will be Acting Assistant Principal in her absence.  Mrs Van Der Burg is currently the Assistant Principal of St Monica’s Primary School at  Richmond.  She brings with her years of experience in the role and a very deep faith that she will share with our community.  On behalf of the  school I welcome  Mrs Van Der Burg to St Andrew’s.  

Secondly I would like to thank and acknowledge the close relationship we have with our  St Andrew’s Parish.  We are one  faith community and work together every day to continue the mission of Our Lord Jesus.  Monsignor Ron is an extraordinary, gifted spiritual leader and I am very blessed to have him as a confidant and a friend.  I also wish to thank Fr Flor and Fr Luis. They are special  members of our parish family and have been an outstanding support to our students and staff.  I also wish to sincerely thank Joe  and the parish staff for all they do to make our community thrive.

To our beautiful parents and carers,  thank you so much for supporting us this year. It has been a year like no other and successful in its own right due to parents and school working together for a common goal, our children. Special thanks to the P&F committee for all their hard work this year.  I encourage our families to join this committee as it is a fun and social way of meeting other members of our school community as well as helping out in many ways to continue to improve our learning and faith community. 

Personally I wish God’s blessing on you all.  

God bless and be safe

Merry Christmas 

Mrs Baird

Principal

Dates for your calendar

Last day of the school Year Wednesday - 16th of December

First day of the new school year - Thursday 28th of January - Years 1-6

Kindergarten  -

                Thursday group 30th January 2021 - half day

                  Friday group   31st January 2021 - half day

First full day for all Kindergarten - Monday 1st Feburary 2020

All children return in Full Summer Uniform 

Christmas message from the school

Wishing all  our families a very safe and peaceful and Holy Christmas 

God bless you all from the St Andrew’s staff 

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.