Principal's Message 

A Strong Start Prayer

Loving God,

Thank You for the gift of each new day. Help us to begin with purpose, to arrive on time, and to be ready to learn. Bless our students, families, and teachers with calm, care, and commitment.

Amen.

Ensuring a Good Start to the Day

At St. Andrews School, we pride ourselves on fostering a learning environment where every student feels prepared, engaged, and empowered to succeed. One factor that quietly undermines this goal—but is within our collective power to address—is late arrival to school. As we move into the colder weather, we have noticed an increase in the number of late arrivals.

When students arrive late, the disruption extends beyond the individual child. Morning routines and classroom dynamics are carefully structured to set the tone for the day. A late arrival interrupts lessons already in progress, distracts peers, and forces teachers to reorient, costing valuable teaching time. The ripple effect is real.

For the students who arrive late, the cost is even higher. Missing the first 10–15 minutes of class can mean losing the context for the day’s learning, falling behind in subject matter, or starting the day in a state of stress and anxiety. Over time, habitual lateness can impact on academic confidence and performance. Worse still, it signals a lack of routine and commitment to one’s own success—habits that are harder to correct as students grow older.

We understand that occasional lateness can be unavoidable—traffic, emergencies, or family logistics sometimes get in the way. But when late arrival becomes routine, it’s time for a collective response.

Let’s recommit ourselves as a community to punctuality—not out of obligation, but because we believe in giving our students the very best start to every day. That begins with being on time.

Together, we can ensure that every school day at St. Andrews starts strong.

Regards

Brian Martin

Principal