Newsletter 23 - 10 December 2020

Principal's Page

Dear Parents & Friends
Carols on the Green
A huge thank you to our amazing P&F for staging our biggest community event of the year – Carols on the Green last Thursday evening. It certainly was an evening to remember with plenty of food, raffles and entertainment. Of course, Santa was the winner with the kids as he made his way across the oval on Grant's tractor. Well done to Julie O’Malley and her team for putting on a great event to end the school year.

Carols on the Green

Year 6 Graduation Mass
On Wednesday evening our Year 6 Class of 2020 graduated from St Lawrence’s Primary School with a reverent evening led by Bishop Michael. Congratulations to our annual award winners:
Sr Marie Citizenship award – Cruz Henderson
Sr Monica Christian Witness award – Tessa O’Malley
St Lawrence’s Primary School Academic Award -Meg Patman
15 Years of Service
Congratulations to the following staff who have been recognised with 15 years of service at St Lawrence’s: Robyn Friday, Beda Donnelly, Danielle Lawrie, Alison Sumner and Bianca O’Malley. We thank you for your many years of dedication to the St Lawrence’s School Community.
Farewell
Today we say farewell to Mrs Anita Krippner. Anita will be moving on from St Lawrence’s to the Leaning Tree School. We wish her all the best. We are currently advertising for a new teacher to replace Anita.
St Lawrence’s School Code of Conduct
Fortnightly in our school newsletter, we will explore an aspect of the Code of Conduct, so we can all gain a better understanding and how it applies to each of us.
Code of Conduct - Statement 5
You conduct yourself in accordance with laws, agreements, policies and standards relevant to your relationship with the school community.
You respect the dignity, culture, values and beliefs of each member of the school community
*Respect all human rights
*Show respect during prayer
*Fair and just
*Recognising first nations people
*Pastoral care
*Clear communicating with each other
*Celebrating cultural diversity
*Living like Jesus
To see a full copy of St Lawrence's School Code of Conduct go to:
https://www.stlps.wa.edu.au/Profiles/stlawrence/Assets/ClientData/Documents/Policies/codeofconduct.pdf

Merry Christmas
The Leadership Team would like to take this opportunity to wish all the staff, students and families a very happy, safe and holy Christmas. Enjoy time with your family and friends and I look forward to seeing you all in the New year.

God Bless

SZapp - Schoolzine App

SZapp is a mobile app that’s free for parents to download and is a great way to keep up to date with all of our latest news and information. You will find tiles for the latest newsletter, Class Dojo, SEQTA, links to the absentee form and more.  Click the link below to find out how to set up the app.

Year 6 Artwork Presentations

At our Year Six Graduation night, Mielah T presented an amazing artwork to St Lawrence’s on behalf of her family and we would like to share her presentation speech with the school community:
“On behalf of my family I would like to present this painting by my nana, Loretta Egan to St Lawrence’s School as a thank you gift.
The painting story is about school, the circle in the middle represents school. The U shapes around the circle represents students. The little hands show student learning. The U shape on the outside represents past students.
My family have a long tradition with St Lawrence’s as nana also went to school here. Thank you”

St Lawrence’s would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Mielah and her family for giving the school an amazing piece of art – we will make sure that is has a display position so that everyone has a chance to appreciate this magnificent painting.
Loretta Egan was born in Carnarvon on the 4th of January 1964. She is a proud Yamatji woman and speaks the Wajarri language. She attended primary school in Geraldton at St Lawrence’s Primary and High School at St. Norbert's College, Queen's Park Perth.
In 1981, she moved to Alice Springs Central Australia, where she was given permission to do dot painting. Loretta acknowledges that she learnt the art form and received permission to practice from traditional landowners.
One of Loretta's paintings was presented to the Queen, on a visit to Perth. A year later, she was approached to do a special piece that would go on to be a part of an Art Exhibition in London in which the guest of honour was Her Majesty, the Queen of England.
Throughout the 90s and into the new millennium she has worked extensively with various Art Galleries around Perth, as well as having been part of numerous Exhibitions around Australia. Loretta plans to hold an Art Exhibition of her own sometime in the near future.
Painting Story
Circle in the middle represents the school and the U shape around the circle representing students. 
Little hands also represent students learning. The u shape on the outside represents past students.

Thank you to Charmaine Yeates for the donation of the beautiful artwork below.

Religious Education

The 2021 Sacramental Program for St Lawrence’s Parish, Bluff Point will be confirmed and published in the newsletter and on the website once Father Gerard returns from overseas.

Advent Prayer Week 2
In the second week of Advent we light the second purple candle of the Advent wreath and we pray for peace.
Advent Prayer for Peace 
Jesus, Prince of Peace,
banish from our souls
whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten the minds of rulers
that they may care for their peoples
and guarantee them the gift of peace.

Inflame our desires
to break through the barriers that divide us,
to strengthen the bonds of mutual love,
to learn to understand one another,
to pardon those who have done us wrong.

Jesus, Prince of Peace,
through your power and inspiration,
may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts
as sisters and brothers.
And may the peace they long for
ever flower and ever reign among them.

Adapted from Pacem in Terris n 171 by Sandie Cornish

                                   Catholic Diocese of Geraldton
                                         Bishop of Geraldton W.A.
                   PO Box 46 Geraldton WA 6531 Ph: (08) 9921 3221
                                7 Maitland Street Geraldton WA 6530
                                             Email: bishsecretary@diocese-geraldton.org

                                                             BISHOP M MORRISSEY’S
                                                         2020 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
                                                                             R U OK?
On the road from Northampton to Kalbarri, there is a tree painted blue. I always notice this tree when driving to Kalbarri capturing my attention and thoughts. Where did the idea come from?
In 2014, Jayden White painting a dead tree blue on the family farm at Mukinbudin. One day his Father spotted it and remembered the blue tree again when tragically his Son, Jayden, took his own life in 2018. Two of Jayden’s friends wanted to honour their friend and make sure he was not forgotten, so they did what Jayden had done in 2014 and painted a dead tree blue. They then placed what they did and the reasons why on Social Media.
This simple decision, stemming from their hearts and care for Jayden, called on the community to focus on the mental and spiritual wellbeing of everyone and to leave no one alone in their concerns and sadness of spirit. The blue trees that have sprung up all around the place are a powerful reminder to us to take care of ourselves and look out for each other.
Another simple and yet powerful message, ‘R U OK?’ grew out of another young man, Gavin Larkin’s, desire in 2009 to honour his late Father, Barry, who took his own life in 1996.
‘R U OK?’ has become familiar to everyone and is a question we have taken more seriously this year, given the way our lives have been affected so much by the COVID-19 Pandemic. In the past, when people were asked ‘R U OK?’ by a friend or family member, the response was often flippant and given without much thought. This year, I would suggest, the question has been asked with much more feeling and concern, a sign people do care for each other when all that was familiar to us has changed so much.
As we journey towards Christmas 2020 many people will not be able to follow their usual plans for Christmas. These plans might have included gathering with family and friends or travelling overseas to their home country. The question, ‘R U OK?’ takes on a deeper meaning as what we have liked to do every Christmas cannot happen, causing sadness and loneliness in people’s lives.
In his letter, Laudato Si, “Care for our Common Home”, Pope Francis calls on everyone to create a “culture of care”. A blue tree and a catchy slogan ‘R U OK?’ are great examples of a culture that recognises how vital it is for all of us to care.
There now is a need more than ever for this culture of care for our family, friends and those who are alone or far from home due to travel restrictions, to come to the fore during these days and times of uncertainty. Human Beings, as with all of creation, are created for relationship with God and each other. One priceless gift we can give this Christmas is the giving of our time to be present and to listen to each other, making a call to connect with someone far away or simply asking the question, ‘R U OK?’.
As we know, Christmas commemorates and celebrates the birth of ‘Baby Jesus’ 2000 years ago in a Stable in Bethlehem. He was born in uncertain times, into a family far from home and away from all that was familiar. From the outset they had to rely on the care of others – an innkeeper, visiting shepherds and even angels and kings, - but their lives were far from easy. Yet this great Feast we celebrate is always about Hope, that great Christian virtue. We believe therefore, during the darkness and uncertainty of this pandemic, the words of the Prophet Isaiah offer a message of great hope. “The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light, on those who live in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone” [Is 9:2]. Christ is the Light and our Hope. The Light he brings to our lives, we too can give to others, through our care.
I wish all of you and your families the blessings of all that comes to us from celebrating again the birth of this baby, Jesus Christ in Bethlehem who enters our world in all its present uncertainty giving hope and meaning in our lives.

Mandatory Contact Registers - New COVID-19 Requirement
The WA Government has announced that mandatory contact registers at relevant businesses and venues including places of worship, will be introduced from 5^th December 2020. Maintaining a contact register is an extra safety measure and one of the most effective ways to control the spread of COVID-19. To assist with this, the State Government has released a new app called SafeWA which provides us a unique QR code, which will be available at the church doors from next Saturday.
What you need to do while attending the Church and How to register your attendance?
1. Contact register forms will be available which you will have to fill out each time you visit the Church. So be early to attend the services to avoid delays and ques at the last minute.
2. Or download SafeWA app in your mobile phone and scan the QR code at the Church entrance while entering the Church, which is safer, easier and faster way to provide your details. Your data will   be encrypted at the point of capture, stored securely and only be accessible by authorised Department of Health contact tracing personnel should COVID-19 tracing be needed. Any priest, staff or volunteers cannot see your details.
3. Please remember to do this whenever you visit the Church regardless of the purpose of your visit, whether you are a Priest, staff, worshipper, volunteer or worker. We are required to keep this record for 28 days.
Please follow the 1.5mtr social distancing protocols whilst in the Church premises. If you feel unwell, please stay at home and be safe.

St Lawrence’s Church, Bluff Point
Diocese of Geraldton, WA
Please fill in your details and the parishes you attend for Prayer, Mass, Confession, or other purposes.  You need to fill out this form ONLY ONCE for One Church.

FirstName_______________________
Last Name_______________________
Email:__________________________
Phone/Mobile:_____________________
Post Code______
Thank you for registering as Church/Mass attendees – this will assist us in contacting you if someone in your parish tests positive for Covid-19.
Alternatively, you can register online at www.massregister.com.au

Administration News

Important dates for 2021

TERM DATES:
Term 1-Monday  1 February (First day for students) to Thursday 1 April
Term 2-Monday 19 April  to Friday 2 July 
Term 3-Monday 19 July to Friday 24 September 
Term 4-Tuesday 12 October (Monday 11 October  is a Pupil Free Day) to Friday 12 December 

CATHOLIC DAY: Monday 23 August 

PUPIL FREE DAYS:
*Friday 26 February 
*Friday 4 June
*Friday 24 September 
*Monday 11 October 

Ziggies Book Lists
If your family chose Option 2, School Pick Up for Book Lists, please see the dates and information below:
Pick Up Point: Allendale Primary School
Dates: Friday 15^th January 2021 (4pm-6pm)   or    Saturday 16^th January 2021 (9:30am-2:30pm)

Nagle Catholic College have made a very generous offer of Free HASS textbooks to parents of 2021 Year 6 students.  The books have a normal retail value of $62.95, and can be collected from the Nagle school office up until Friday 18 December. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following children who have recently celebrated birthdays: Emmerson B, Sadie L,      Hudson S, Amber MacI, Gabriel S, Archie C, Sienna W,       Rhein O, Evie T, Kerby M, Cylas S, Ezra R, Stella C, Jesse C, Hugo C, Nate H, Sabre H, Oliver L, Ethan S, Archie S, Cohen D, Jay L, Abbi F, Milla S.
And children celebrating birthday's in the remainder of 2020: Isabella S, Marli S, Flynn G, Finlay S, Prapti N, Mikayla R, Nate S, Shaylan S, Josephine R, Cooper M, Oliver S, Jasper T, Noah B, Logan M, Cayden B, Madison C, Cooper D, Jaxon C, Michael B, Diesel C, Poet B, Matilda C, James B, Stella B, Lucie J, Latoya B, Harlen G, Sienna G, Cadeon McK, Brydee W,  Joli K and Aiden H. 

Semester 2 Reports
Semester 2 reports will be available on Thursday December 10.  To download a copy of your child's Semester 2 Report, please log in to SEQTA Engage via the app or via the link below. 

A reminder to parents of Year 6 students to please download copies of any reports from SEQTA Engage, as when the end of year student processes are completed, you will no longer be able to gain access to their reports.

News from GAT

P&F News

THANK YOU! Carols on the Green...
A massive thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors, who either provided in donations of goods / discounted produce.
We know how tough 2020 has been for everyone involved and we were blown away with the support of - not only the school community - but the broader community through these fantastic local businesses. Please consider supporting them - if you can!
Our fantastic grazing boxes put together by the wonderful Vanessa Heinrich and Lara Stewart, and their elves Brooke Rafferty, Teehani Reynolds, Clare Bickers, Melody Schofield, Amber Gratte, Margaret Devine, Glen Campbell and Avril Louise.
Deanne Watts, Julie O'Malley, Sally Mills-Marshall, Susan Roberts and Billy Marshall for all the help and organising of the Hampers for our Raffle, as well Grant and Tina for their storage!!!! (64 hampers!!) AND all the amazing sponsors and donations, we had so many businesses offer gift vouchers and items for our hampers after our raffle was announced, we were absolutely blown away.
The lovely ladies on the Lolly Stall, Helen Heinrich, Anne Dixon, Maxine Campbell, Margaret Devine, Amber Gratte, Helen Bone, Marissa Drummond!
And the Sausage Sizzle, Clint and Danielle Henderson, Tom and Annette Tomlins, Jess Hadley, Jack Skwirowski, Brad Grover for cooking away all night and serving the best sausages sizzles seen in 2020!
The Entertainment, Anne & Toby, Anna and the Violinists and Sing Australia. The wind made for a tough gig - but knowing the success of this year, we will make sure to have a better sound system for next year...!
Julie O'Malley, Danielle Henderson Shannon Wegert, David Tunchon, Melissa Smith, for all the background organisation and help throughout the term to make the Carols a successful event.

Carols on the Green – a great success!

Thank you St Lawrence’s School Community! Your support of our only major Fundraising event, Carols on the Green 2020 was overwhelming and made the evening a success that we did not anticipate. We have raised for the P&F Association nearly $7000. 
Fundraising such a significant amount can only happen with a dedicated and talented team of people working together. I would like to acknowledge the work of the coordinators of each section of the evening and the efficient way they managed their team of volunteers; Vanessa Heinrich and Lara Stewart for the delicious Grazing Boxes and the fun, festive Lolly Stall; Dee Watts and Sally Mills - Marshall for their professional display and management of the raffle hampers; Danielle Henderson for her coordination of the popular Sausage Sizzle and Melissa Smith for her management of the advertising campaign. Thank you to Grant Shadforth for assisting with the set up prior to the evening and acting as Santa’s Driver! Thank you also to Marissa Drummond for catching the excitement of the evening as our photographer.
Thank you to our performers for the evening especially to Anne Williams in assisting with the setting up of the sound equipment and the fun performance with her daughter Tobi and the cute Joli. Thank you also to Anna and Phoebe’s violin students – The Salt Fiddlers and the community choir Sing Australia. It was difficult to hear most of the performances due to the sound equipment but that will be improved next year.
Our raffles were the result of the donated items for the cancelled 2020 Fete – all 69 of them from our parent body, some individuals and local businesses. Having so many prizes available added to the fun and festive atmosphere of the evening. I would like to acknowledge the supporters of the Raffles and ask in return the school community to consider supporting these people and small businesses. 

Raffle Winners
Below is the list of the lucky raffle winners on the evening. We would like to congratulate all of our winners and some of you have been pictured on our Facebook Page already. As per our Raffle Permit requirements all prizes and winners are listed via the link below:
https://www.stlps.wa.edu.au/profiles/stlawrence/assets/clientdata/documents/community/raffle_winners-carols_on_green.pdf
2021 P&F Executive elected
On Monday November 16^th the P&F AGM was held. I would like to announce the P&F Executive for 2021.
President: Julie O’Malley
Vice President: Danielle Henderson
Secretary: Melissa Smith
Treasurer: Margaret Devine
P&F Representative to the School Advisory Council (formerly the School Board): Nicola Tropiano

I would like to acknowledge outgoing Treasurer Shannon Wegert. Shannon was presented with flowers and an acknowledgement of her work as Treasurer over the last three years.
We will advise the school community of our meeting schedules early next year. Remember everyone is a member of the P&F and all are welcome to meetings.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas. See you in 2021.
Kind regards,
Julie O’Malley
P&F President

Community Notices