Newsletter 2 - 18 February 2021

Principal's Page

Student Leadership Summit Days 
Congratulations to our Year 5's and 6's who participated in last week's Leadership Summit Days. Thank you to the staff who put the 2 days together down at the foreshore and the following day back at school. We were very fortunate to have special guests -  Bishop of Geraldton Michael Morrissey, Mayor of Geraldton Mr Shane Van Styn and Adrian Bartlett from Geraldton Aboriginal Sporting Corporation join with myself on the panel to discuss leadership with our Year 5-6 students.                                                                                                                                                                                           
Following the panel discussion, students worked on the Student Code of Conduct before we listened to the fabulous speeches for our Head Boy and Head Girl positions. Ministry Faction Speeches were also held in the afternoon. A huge congratulations to all students who nominated for these important positions. The results are listed below. 

2021 Student Leadership Positions 
Head Girl - Aila K 
Head Boy - Ryan L 
Kelly Ministry - Rahni T and Lucas R 
O'Collins Ministry - Opal P and Miller J 
Gummer Ministry - Tess C and Franz E 
Thomas Ministry - Sophie K and Maverick H

2021 Term 1 Class Leaders 
6R     Jacob C and  Shelby D 
6M    Arlo M and Darcy K 
6W    Ethan S and Molly H 
5C     Korbyn H and Ella F 
5M    Cooper D and Ava O 
5B     Evan W and Will H  

Leadership Lunch 
Last Monday the school Leadership Team put on a special lunch for our newly elected Heads and Ministry Leaders. We talked about what is to come and enjoyed the delicious plates of food supplied by the canteen. 

Happy Days 
David Tunchon 
Principal 

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.
The code to access the Szapp is 2733.

Religious Education

Reconciliation Retreat Day 
On Thursday 11 February, our year three classes participated in their Reconciliation Retreat Day. The children worked in mixed groups from all the year three classes so that they could meet other children that they may not know. After beginning with an opening prayer service in the undercover area the children moved off into their activities which were based around stories that Jesus used as teaching tools. The students learnt about the Story of Zaccheus, the Prodigal (Lost) Son and the Lost Sheep. Their last activity was a WWJD – What would Jesus Do roleplay game and then they made bracelets  to remind them about Jesus and his actions. 

Retreat Day activites

Shrove Tuesday
Year 6W lead the school in a Shrove Tuesday Prayer Service this week. All classes brought  forward their Lenten promises to be burnt and made into the ashes for Ash Wednesday. 

Ash Wednesday
This week the season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday – Wed 17 February, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.  
We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box this week, for their donations or you can donate online via the QR code on the Project Compassion Box. This year's theme is "Be More". 

Administration News

Year 6 Camp Parent Information Night 
Parents of Year 6 students are invited to attend an Information Night regarding Camp for 2021. The meeting will take place on Tuesday 16 March (5:00pm-6:00pm) in the Undercover Area where information will be presented by the Year 6 Teachers, then a Q&A session will follow. We ask that you do not bring your child to the meeting, as it is purely a session for parents. 

Before School
A reminder that Before School Supervision begins at 8:15am.  
Year 1 & 2 students remain in the Undercover Area 
Year 3 & 4 students are asked to move to outside the Year 3 Rooms 
Year 5 & 6 are asked to move to outside Year 5/6 Rooms 

School Photos 2021
MSP Photography will be attending St Lawrence's on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 March. 
Further information regarding Family Photos, Class Photos, purchase information etc, will be available in our next newsletter in Week 5, once everything has been finalised with MSP.

NAPLAN 2021
Testing for NAPLAN 2021 for Years 3 & 5 has been set for the following dates: 
25 March-Practice Test (Load testing the system) 
11-21 May-ONLINE TESTING (Years 3 & 5) 
11-14 May-PAPER TESTING (Year 3 Writing only) 
Further information will be made available in future newsletters and other communication mediums. 

Nut Aware School 
Please note, that due to the prevalence of nut allergies in our community, St Lawrence’s is a nut aware school. Therefore we ask that you:  

• Refrain from sending foods containing nuts for your child’s morning tea and lunch.  
• Ensure any foods sent in to be shared for birthdays or other celebrations do not contain nuts 
• Foods that may contain peanuts and tree nuts include:  
• Peanut butter  
• Nutella  
• Nut bars  
• Muesli Bars  
• Biscuits 

Thank you for assisting us with this request. 

Swimming Carnival
A reminder that our year 4-6 Faction Swimming Carnival is next Thursday 25 February.
Be aware that while students will be transported to the Aquarena by bus, it is the parents / guardians responsibility to pick up students at the conclusion of the carnival which will be at roughly 3.25pm. Please remember to sign your child out with the teachers in their faction bay.
Below you will find a copy of the carnival schedule. Be aware that times are a rough guide only.
We look forward to seeing all the students have a fantastic afternoon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following children who have recently celebrated birthdays: Koven H, Carter B, Blair M, Zaiden T, Oliver B, Dion P, Hudson W, Julian G, Luca Q,      Sasha W, Violet C, Coco S, Josie G, Halle C, Troy G, Nate J.

Merit Certificate Recipients

News from Year 1

P&F News

We held our first P&F Meeting for 2021 on Monday afternoon and introduced our 2021 Executive to our largest gathering of members in a very long time. We welcomed Margaret Devine to the position of Treasurer and were able to put names to faces for our members attending their first meeting of the remaining Executive members – Melissa Smith, Danielle Henderson, Nicola Tropiano and myself.  The meeting was positive and productive with valuable feedback given on past fundraising events and new ideas discussed.

As communicated to the school community on Friday 12 February, the 2021 Fete has been cancelled. It was not an easy decision made by the P&F Executive, however we feel it is the right one as we continue to live with the impact and uncertainty of COVID 19. We would like to thank the school community for your support and understanding of this decision. We would also like to thank those members who have come forward and proposed some really great ideas for fundraisers that we can plan for throughout the year.

Easter Raffle
The first fundraiser for the year will be the annual Easter Raffle. Stacey Williamson is the Coordinator of the raffle. As per previous years, raffle books containing 10 tickets will be sent home with the eldest child in the family and the ticket price is $1.
The timeline will be as follows:

Raffles will be bundled up on the 30 March from 12 – 4pm and 31 March from 8am – 12pm. If you are free and would like to volunteer some time to Stacey please get in contact with us.

Bogan Bingo Night – save the date
Start channelling your ‘inner bogan’ and find those ugg boots, flannel shirts and duffle coats in readiness for a Bogan Bingo Night in Term 2, Saturday 29 May 2021.
There will be tickets for 20 tables of 10 bogans available - tickets will be capped at 200. The evening will be held in the new UAC and BYO. Further details to be released closer to the event.
We are looking for volunteers to form a subcommittee. Thank you to those who have volunteered so far to be a part of this evening. If you would like to assist with the organisation of this event contact Melissa Smith or myself.

Carols on the Green 2021
Save the date for this year’s event: Term 4 Thursday 2 December (Week 8)
For the evening to run we are looking to form a subcommittee. If you would like to be a part of this event organisation contact Melissa Smith or myself. More details will follow in Term 3.

Fundraising purchase – new PA and Sound System
At the meeting on Monday night it was agreed to go ahead with the purchase of a new PA and Sound system using some of the monies raised from the 2020 Carols on the Green fundraiser. We will be purchasing this system from Opus Music. This much needed system will be donated to the school for use at school and P&F Fundraising events.  
The minutes of the P&F Meeting held on Monday 15 February is available for our school community to view through the Parent Information Group Facebook page and also the school website.

Our next meeting is Monday the 15 March in the Staffroom from 4.30pm – 5.30pm. Every parent is a member of the P&F and you are all invited to come along to share your thoughts and ideas.  Hope to see you there.
Kind regards
Julie O’Malley
President STLPS P&F

Community Notices

BLUFF POINT DENTAL
The Bluff Point DTC had an internal water leak during the Christmas break and consequently the clinic is closed until cupboards/bench tops can be replaced. 
The Bluff Point DTC is closed until further notice. If you have an appointment, we will contact you to reschedule. In the case of emergency only, please contact the Allendale DTC 99214218 or the Rangeway DTC on 99214373.