2017 SCHOOL NEWSLETTER – TERM ONE, WEEK SIX
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL…
Dear Parents,
I hope your week has begun well and that you are “growing with GRIT”. I would like to continue to explain a few of the
sayings that are pertinent and specific to our great school that was initiated last newsletter. This week I would like to give
you all a little background in relation to why the school family uses the word “zooties”. This word has become part of our
culture in a very big way over the past couple of years. Basically what it means is that the person giving the zooties is saying
to those receiving the zooties that they are sharing all the good things in their heart with them.
Below is the story of where the word and its meaning originated, predominantly from the thoughts and words of AMANDA
GORE and formed a part of her Gospel of Joy which she shared with our staff a couple of years ago. The Gospel of Joy talks
about the concept of “joy” being the antithesis of “fear”. As a result, our staff at the time thought that it was important to
keep Amanda’s passion for spreading “joy” (goodness) alive in our school family. This is why we have adopted the giving of
zooties into our daily ritual at St Andrew’s.
I would like to say thank you to the many parents who were able to make it to the PARENT INFORMATION EVENING with
Luke McKenna. The message on the night about Growth Mindsets/GRIT and RIGOUR will certainly stand you in good stead
within your own personal and professional life but more importantly will assist your child/rens ability to achieve in their
learning now and into the future. Having the night with Luke and also the Parent Teacher meeting presentation the week
prior are really important occasions for making the parent body more involved and included in your children’s learning and
the development of the pedagogies that we utilise when facilitating the kid’s learning. One of the key awakenings from the
Parent Teacher meeting in week three was to emphasise the fact that education/schools have changed dramatically since
we all went to school, me in particular!! St Andrews is embracing new pedagogies, new ways of learning and new
environments every day and we want you as parents to be involved and more importantly, informed, so that you are better
able to support the learning.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about the Gospel of Joy, courtesy of Amanda Gore. What we need to do now is to get out
there and spread the zooties good news, with GRIT!!
Zooties to you all.
John
GET GRITTY WITH JEN KOWALENKO…
Ash Wednesday Liturgy- beginning of Lent
Yesterday we gathered as a school community to participate in our Ash Wednesday Liturgy.
It was lovely to see so many members of our St Andrew’s family join us today.
Here are some of the words shared today…
“Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Christian season of Lent. Lent is a time when we pray,
do kind things for other people, give up things we enjoy and give to others, as we prepare to
celebrate the great feast of Easter. For forty days, we accompany Jesus on his journey to
Calvary and we see the mercy he shows towards others, despite his suffering. Just as God
shows mercy towards us, like Jesus, we try to show mercy to others. The ashes that will be
placed on your forehead today are a symbol to remind us that during Lent we are trying to
grow to be more like Jesus. The cross is a sign to remind us that just as Jesus gave of
himself for others, we need to do the same by loving our neighbours.”
Caritas Project Compassion
During Lent, as a school we raise money for Caritas who are the international aid and development
organization of the Catholic Church in Australia. They deliver long-term development programs,
help people regardless of ethnicity, religion or political beliefs, work with the poorest of the poor
and help people help themselves.
Each classroom has its own Caritas Box. We encourage students to think about ways they can earn
money to donate to others less fortunate.
Each newsletter we will share some of the stories of those in the communities for whom Caritas
raises money.
Week one of Lent:
Dinia, Philippines
Dinia, widowed and shy, struggled on her own to make ends meet until her
community encouraged her to participate in the Socio Pastoral Action Center
Foundation Inc. (SPACFI) program, supported by Caritas Australia.
SPACFI’s Integrated Community Development Program helped her develop
diverse ways to gain a sustainable livelihood, continue to send her children to
school and contribute to her community. Now she inspires her neighbours
through her commitment to the common good.
Please donate to Project Compassion 2017 and help our
most vulnerable neighbours in the Philippines to build a
stronger future for their families and their communities.
You can donate through School boxes, by visiting
www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning
1800 024 413.
Week two of Lent:
Martina, Timor-Leste
For Martina, a mother of eight, escaping domestic violence was the first step
in her journey to a new life. Uma PAS, the shelter where she sought refuge,
is a partner in Caritas Australia’s Protection Program, a holistic communitywide program that offers women like Martina economic empowerment and a
life of safety in a supportive community.
Please donate to Project Compassion 2017 and help
domestic violence victims in Timor-Leste to build a
secure future, and live in communities that uphold
everyone’s dignity. You can donate through School boxes,
by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion
Jen’s prayer share
FROM THE AP’S DESK…
Swimming carnival
Last week we participated in our annual swimming carnival for Year 3-6 students. All students participated in events that
suited their swimming ability and joined in the war cries with gusto. Thank you to the support from the parent body who
helped cheer on our students and assist with the supervision near the toilet/tuckshop areas. Congratulations to the Amalfi
Yellow team who took out first place this year.
Swimming carnival photos – 2017
Pick up
Thank you to the children who are meeting up with their siblings down at the pick-up zone. This is allowing the pick-up
process to run more smoothly. Please do not encourage your child to enter into your car without the supervision of an adult
who is on duty. We have had phone calls over the past weeks from people trying to get through to Ferny Grove State School
but are held up due to our school traffic waiting to get into the drive way. Please be considerate of others and resist from
blocking the road for other drivers.
School Photos
This year the school photos will be held on Tuesday 28th March, the last week of term. Information will be coming home
soon with more details on how to order class and family photos.
Samford Bus
For those families who use the Samford bus service the bus tags for this year have not been as robust as usual. The names
of the students have worn away. The bus driver has asked that you remove the tag from your child’s bag and put it into an
envelope with your child’s name and address and a new tag will be sent out to you.
Looking ahead…
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St Patrick’s Day – Friday 17th March
School Photos – Tuesday 28th March
Holy Week Liturgy – Thursday 30th March
Cross Country – Friday 31st Mach
YEAR 3 NEWS…
MUSIC NEWS…
2017 Band Captains and Section Leaders
Introducing the 2017 Senior Band Captains - Ella & Ethan. Pictured
with Section Leaders: Nat, Fox, Daniel, Riley, Henry and Leah.
I'm looking forward to working with this current group of music leaders. The bands have a busy
schedule ahead of them for 2017 including ANZAC Day Ceremony, Dreamworld, Senior Band Has
Talent, PJ Party Workshops and our annual band competitions.
Stay tuned for Band Captain reports coming soon as well as 'Where are they now'? which will
profile a selection of former students who were part of the band program during their primary
years.
Steven J McKay
Instrumental Music
SCHOOL FEES…
Term One School Fees were due on the 17th of February and should now have been paid.
Year 6 Families purchasing the laptop upfront should now have paid the laptop cost in full.
Overdue statements will be sent home next week. You will receive one if you have a balance owing and do not
have an arrangement in place to pay either via Direct Debit or BPoint (Credit Card deduction).
Unfortunately will are unable to stop overdue statements going out to BPAY customers who have set up auto
payments. Please check your statements to ensure your payments are being received and are covering all fees.
Please note that any monies intended for the Building and Library Funds should not be receipted on your family
fee statement. If any have been please contact the school.
St Andrew's School Fee Policy is available on the Parent Portal.
If you are unable to meet your financial commitment to the school, please contact the school to discuss.
PARISH NEWS…
St. William’s Parish, Grovely
Sacred Heart Parish, Samford
Our Lady of Dolours Mitchelton
Sacramental Programme
Children who have celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Reconciliation are now preparing
for First Communion which will be celebrated in April/May.
We extend a warm welcome to new families in our Parish. Please contact Sacramental Coordinator,
Marie-Louise Singson (Parish Office 3355 1665 Monday - Thursday) if you have any questions about
our Sacramental Programme. (A copy of your child’s Baptism certificate will be required for
enrolment.)
Children in Year 3 will celebrate their Confirmation in August. An information letter will be sent to all
Year 3 Families in Catholic schools and State schools in March and April. Families can also express
their interest in joining the program by ringing Marie-Louise at the Parish Office.
TO PUT A
ON YOUR DIAL…