2017 SCHOOL NEWSLETTER TERM TWO, WEEK TWO

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1 2017 SCHOOL NEWSLETTER TERM TWO, WEEK TWO Dear Parents, A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL Great to have you all back with us for this already busy term. I would like to thank and congratulate Jen, the teachers and those children who had leading parts in the Holy Week and Resurrection liturgies that were held early this term. Obviously, the timing of these occasions was disrupted considerably when we were told to close the school on the last two days of last term. Still and all, the occasions were executed with dignity and excellence. Well done to all concerned. In addition to these fantastic liturgies, we also congratulate Kylie.Murphy, Jen and the children and teachers involved with our remembrance ceremony for ANZAC Day which was held on Monday of this week. Unfortunately, I was unable to be present on this occasion but from all reports our school family gave the reverence and recognition that this important social feast day deserves. Well done and thanks to Fox Wood for his playing of the Last Post. Again, from all reports a sterling and dare I say gutsy, rendition. Teamwork will always make the dream work. Having said all that has been said in the above two paragraphs got me to thinking about what we are on about here at St Andrews. It has been well documented in newsletters, at Parent Information Evenings and because of many different schools visiting and working in our learning spaces that our school is regarded as one of the benchmark schools displaying the important pedagogical techniques/strategies that enhance and give control of the children s learning back to the children. Our learning spaces are flexible and authentic with collaborative co-teaching creating something very special. All of this is great, something which we should all be very proud of from an educational/pedagogical perspective. However, I would be extremely disappointed if we ever lost the real reason why we as people who make Jesus real are in this profession. You as parents and we as educators have the unreal responsibility of creating and moulding the minds and hearts of those children in our care to typify and resemble the type of child that is described and depicted in this quote. This is the real reason why we all exist and we all should never forget the honour that is ours to cherish.

2 Just want to explain my frequent absence from the coal face over the past two weeks. I have been under doctor s orders to rest my leg, particularly my knee. I have contracted a dreaded staph infection in my right knee which if not rested and treated properly could require further surgery to clean it out and make it better. This, obviously and ideally is not the road I want to go down!! Hope you have the best week and that you value what you have and how good your kids are at life! Zooties, John. Holy Week Liturgy GET GRITTY WITH JEN KOWALENKO See the photos below of this year s Holy Week Liturgy celebrated the Tuesday after our return from holidays. The students spoke, sang and acted with great meaning and purpose. It was a lovely way for the whole school to be involved in celebrating the story and the music which accompanied the liturgy provided a great opportunity for reflection.

3 ANZAC Day Liturgy On Monday afternoon, as a school we gathered to celebrate our ANZAC Day Liturgy. Our band lead by Steve McKay played our National Anthem and Abide in Me. On his guitar Mr Mac played True Blue as students from each class laid wreaths. We had many students from Year 3-6 and staff who read prayers and poems and shared information with us. Fox Wood from Year 6 bravely played the last post and lead us through our minute s silence. Additionally, all students in the school contributed to the creation of a 4-metre-tall soldier who stood behind the cenotaph as a reminder of those who have and are serving in the defence forces. Our students were, as always, respectful and thoughtful during the liturgy. It was a beautiful liturgy and, as with all things St Andrew s, a team effort. Special thank-you of course goes to Kylie Murphy our DSTA who was the driving force behind all our ANZAC celebrations and who brings with her an enormous amount of dedication, creativity and compassion to everything she does.

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5 Samford Anzac Day March

6 Jen s prayer share Pope Francis 5-finger prayer is a lovely way to teach children how to pray FROM THE AP S DESK Welcome back to Term 2, we are in the second week and in full swing for a packed term of good fun and great learning, complete with the School Fair and the State of Origin. Easter Raffle On Tuesday morning, the Year 6 team drew the tickets from the Easter raffle. Thank you to those families who helped to support the Year 6 students to fundraise for their end of year celebrations. It s never too early to get organised for such things. Congratulations to the Easter basket winners!

7 Cross-Country Last Friday we had amazing weather for our annual cross-country event. Congratulations to the students who participated in the race. It is one of endurance and we certainly witnessed many true grit moments. We are very proud of all students who gave it their best shot. Thank you to Mr King and Mrs Grant for the organisation of the day and the training sessions that enabled our students to compete so well. Also, it would have not have been the successful day it was without the parent support. Thank you to the volunteers who helped supervise around the course throughout the day and Megan Towner for her organisation. Your work is appreciated! Congratulations goes to Assisi for winning the St Andrew s 2017 Cross Country!

8 NAPLAN The NAPLAN test begin the week after next and test dates include, Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11 th May. As NAPLAN approaches it is important to ensure that the children in Year 3 and Year 5 do not experience unnecessary pressure due to sitting a test. These National tests are a one-off assessment taken at a period in time as a snapshot. Teachers conduct many assessments throughout the year and these assessments combined with NAPLAN results create a rounded picture of your child as a learner. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the NAPLAN tests for your child, please speak with the classroom teacher. Cup Cake Sale On Wednesday 3 rd May OSHC will be selling cupcakes to raise money for research into Autism. If you would like to support this cause, cakes will cost $1 and be sold at second break. Looking ahead Public Holiday - Monday 1 st May Year 4 Mass Monday 8 th May 2pm Year 2 Liturgy Friday 12 th May 2pm Queensland Catholic Cup Netball Monday 15 th May District Cross Country Monday 15 th May DSTA NEWS April marks a very busy month for the Defence Students of St Andrew's. We had the Gaythorne RSL ANZAC Day writing competition. This year we were very lucky to have some great entries from the school. St Andrew's was lucky to come away with three prizes, one being the President's Special Encouragement Award, this award is chosen from all of the entries and is given to the recipient from the President of the RSL. On Monday Mrs K and I got to take some of the Year 6 students into the ANZAC Commemoration Ceremony for Students in ANZAC Square on Monday 24th April. Hundreds of students from across QLD come to participate in this commemoration to honour the sacrifices of so many Australian and New Zealand men and women over the past century. This year we were lucky enough to have three generations of one family present at this event. These students came away with a sense of pride for not only what their parents do for this country but for what has been sacrificed for us all to live in freedom.

9 Kylie Murphy Defence School Transition Aide MOTHER S DAY STALL The Craft Group will be holding a Mother's Day Stall at school for the students on Tuesday, 9 May Students in Years 1 to 6 will come to the stall when it is convenient for their class to attend. Gifts will be available for purchase, with a price range of $1 to $6. The children should bring their money along on the day so they can come along to the stall to purchase that special gift for Mum or for someone special in their family. Prep children will also have the opportunity to purchase a special gift for Mum and the process for this will be arranged by the Prep teachers. Thank you for your support, St Andrew s Craft Group.

10 MUSIC NEWS On Friday, 21 April, St Andrew s hosted the Senior Band Workshop This was a great opportunity for the instrumental students to spend time polishing existing pieces and attempting new ones. Mr McKay worked through 4 pieces with the band including - Cosgrove, Geronimo, The Spook and Swan Lake. Students were asked to dress up as their favourite fictional character and many people went to a lot of trouble to look like their favourite character for the night. A big thank you to the parent helpers for their assistance during the night, especially the all important feeding of the children. Mr McKay was greatly impressed with some of the musicianship exhibited by several students in particular. Thank you to the students for working so hard and remaining focused for such a long period of time, especially on a Friday night! Steven J McKay Instrumental Music

11 LIBRARY NEWS PARISH NEWS St. William s Parish, Grovely Sacred Heart Parish, Samford Our Lady of Dolours Mitchelton Sacramental Program Latest Information

12 (Preparation for Confirmation, Reconciliation and First Communion.) Parents and caregivers of students involved in the parish sacramental programme this year will have received a letter from the parish in regards to an information evening being held on the 16 th May. If you have any enquiries please don t hesitate to contact Marie-Louise Singston, sacramental co-ordinator, on sc.grovewly@bne.catholic.net.au or Altar Server training Please see below information regarding altar server training Would your son or daughter enjoy being more involved during Mass? Have you asked them would they like to be an altar server? The roster involves your child serving at one Mass (not 6.30am) each weekend on every second month. (Allowance is made for family commitments) Hurry, training starts in May. Please contact Margaret on or margaret.carr@uqconnect.edu.au IN OTHER NEWS

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14 Samford Netball Club NetSetGo Netball - 8 Week Program Net Set Go is a fun filled netball program for children aged 5 to 9. It is designed and accredited by Netball Australia for young players. When: 2 nd May to 20 th June 2017 Where: Samford Netball Courts at the Samford Parklands Mt Samson Rd, Samford Time: 5:00pm to 6:00pm (Tuesday Afternoons) Cost: $90 per Player Each Player will receive a Netball Pack Register online: Further Enquiries president@samfordnetball.org.au or Phone: TO PUT A ON YOUR DIAL