Newsletter 5 - 1 April 2021
Principal's Page
Open Night
A huge thank you to all the families who attended our first Open Night since 2019. It was an amazing sight to see so many parents, grandparents and extended families flood into our school and witness the learning that has gone on throughout this term. With a Learning Journey approach children had the opportunity to explain to their families what they had learnt in Term 1. Thank you to all the teachers who presented your classrooms in such a welcoming manner. To those who cooked and served our sausage sizzle - what a huge success. 250 people RSVP, however 500+ sausage sizzles were distributed. I apologise to those who missed out. What a great way to end Term 1.
Open Night Fun
Interschool Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to the 30 students from years 4-6 students who represented St Lawrence at last week's Interschool Swimming Carnival. The team performed very strongly, finishing a commendable second behind Grammar. Special congratulations to all students who won ribbons and our champions Opal P, Angus MacD and Charlie O.
Thank you to Mr Gaby and Mrs Miragliotta for organising and looking after the team throughout the meet.
Geraldton Grammar - 1128 points
St Lawrence’s Primary School - 1055 points
St Francis Xavier - 886 points
Geraldton Christian College - 727
St John’s Primary School - 699
Staffing Changes
I would like to welcome Mrs Angie Wnek to St Lawrence's staff as of Term 2. Angie will be replacing Trish Chivilo and teaching PPO each Friday for the remainder of the year.
Bishops and Pastoral Leaders Day
Last Wednesday at the Geraldton Catholic Centre I met with Bishop Michael, Pastoral Leaders, Diocesan Priests and Principals for an informative day of discussions. Topics included the Plenary Council, National Response Protocol and Child Safety in Schools. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with so many other Pastoral Leaders from our amazing diocese.
Congratulations to our Bishop and Priests. Bishop Michael is celebrating 40 years since his ordination, Fr Gerard 20 years, Fr Tai 10 years and Fr Larry became an Australian, pictured above.
Mass of Oils
On Wednesday evening I attended the Mass of Oils with 16 of our students leaders and year 6 teachers. This is the opportunity for priests ministering in the Geraldton Diocese to gather and celebrate Mass with Bishop Michael and renew their priestly commitment. A representative of Confirmation candidates and their parents from local Catholic Schools as well as RCIA candidates also attended the mass.
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 7
You support all members of the school community in making informed decisions about students
- Staff treating community with equality and respect
- Clear communication- professional and respectful language
- Use a common/plain language
- Include non-teaching staff
- Respect parent’s opinions and concerns
- Protective behaviours
- Team approach
- Value all team members
- Communication between Leadership and staff and parents
- Shared responsibility
- “it takes a village to raise a child”
- Case Management Approach
To see a full copy of St Lawrence’s School Code of Conduct go to:
Easter Message
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our St Lawrence's families a very happy and holy Easter. Please take care if you are travelling over the holidays and we will see you back after the school holidays on Monday 19 April.
Happy Days!
David Tunchon
Principal
Religious Education
Year 3 Reconciliation
Congratulations to our Year Three students who made their First Reconciliation on Saturday.
A special Thank you to our Year Three Class Teachers – Miss D'Souza, Miss Knowles & Miss Thomas for all the help, support and time they have put into preparing the students to receive this Sacrament.
Easter Prayer
Lord,
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!
We will open our hearts to his faithfulness.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!
We will stand beside those who are crucified today.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!
We will work with those who bear his name.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!
We will thank God for our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Easter Message from Bishop Michael Morrissey
Administration News
Crossing Chapman Road
We have been notified that some of our students are not using the Cross Walk designated for Chapman Rd. If you are collecting or dropping children via Chapman Road, please use the designated Cross Walk in front of the Church. The safety of our children and families is a priority for us all.
School bus drivers have reported incidents of parents and students crossing the road in front of buses on Railway Street. This creates a very hazardous situation for all. Please be careful in the morning and afternoon when the buses are near.
Year 6 Camp (Day 1 Term 2)
On the first day of Term 2, 19 April, the Year 6's and associated staff will leave for camp. We wish them all the best during this very exciting time and we pray for them while they are away.
Departure day/time: Monday 19 April@ 7:30am
Arrival back in Geraldton: Friday 23 April@ approximately 3:30pm
School Photos
On photo day speciality group images (eg Netball, Faction Captains) were taken at your school.
These images can be viewed and purchased at a unique website, which is DIFFERENT to where you order the portraits and class photos online.
- To place your Order online simply go to https://mspphotography.shootproof.com/
- Locate the Schools Name, then select the album titled: St Lawrence's PS Specialist Groups - 2021
3. You will then be required to enter a password to view the Album. The password for this DJSMWN21 - Please ensure that you use your child’s name at the checkout
- The images you are viewing are uncropped and will be cropped to fit to a 10x8 print (as per the first image in your gallery, a sample of layout & colour)
- The online orders will be open until midnight on Monday, 12 April 2021 – for the Bulk Pricing Offer
- The Bulk Pricing Offer is $20 per print and these will be delivered to the school BY CLASS GROUP
- After the $20 pricing expires, the photos will remain available online, but the photos are now at a cost of $35 per image and delivered to a preferred address.
If you have any queries please contact MSP Photography on 9240 8000 or via email on ordering.perth@msp.com.au
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following children who have recently celebrated birthdays: Rebekah McL, Olyvia W, Lewis R, Riley M, Leni J, Maisie A, Rose McA, Olivia R, Stella R, Harlow McA, Sophie H, Makenna P, Marlowe O, Isabelle O, Eva M, Tilly T, Denzel N, Emily M, Karlee P, Alice H, Mia DB, Hunter J, Alexander S, Lily S, Connor P.
Dyslexia Speld Foundation
The foundation provides monthly general information sessions regarding specific learning disorders for parents and professionals. The next session will be 7th April 2021 and will cover:
- What does current research tell us about reading acquisition?
- Why do some children struggle with reading and writing?
- What is a learning disability?
- What is dyslexia?
- What are the causes?
- What can we do about it?
- How important is the school / home partnership?
The next session is in the holidays on the 7 April 7:00- 8:00 pm. Please see this link for details on how to register -
Geraldton Athletics Centre
Last weekend, 19 athletes from Geraldton Athletics Centre competed at the WA Little Athletics State Championships in Perth. Seven of those athletes are students and past students at our school.
Mainly qualifying through medals earnt at the WA Country Championships in the January holidays, they competed extremely well under state pressure, with many securing top 8 positions in their events and all earning personal best records.
Congratulations to all the following students:
Amelia H: Year 4 (U9) 6th in 60m Hurdles, 12th in 100m Sprint, 14th in 200m Sprint, 13th in 70m Sprint
Elainey T: Year 4 (U9), 5th in 700m Walk
Lochie H: Year 5 (U11), 5th in Javelin, 10th in Shot Put, 9th in the 1100m Walk
Paige H: Year 6 (U11), 13th in U11 Triple Jump, 17th in U11 Long Jump, 15th in 80m Hurdles
Macey H: Year 7 (U13 / previous STPLS student 2020, currently at NAGLE), 5th in Shot Put, 10th in Discus, 8th in Javelin
Riley H: Year 8 (U14 / previous student 2019, currently at NAGLE), 9th in 800m, 9th in 1500m Run
Tahlia S: Year 9 (U14 / previous student 2018, currently at NAGLE), 7th in Javelin,Competed in 1500m Walk
Finance
School Fees
School fees were emailed to families in Week 3, and every family is required to return the Payment Options Advice Form that was attached to the fee statement by March 5. If you have not yet returned your payment form please do so as soon as possible.
Thank you
News from Year 3
P&F News
Easter Raffle
Our first fundraiser for the year has been a great success. Thank you to the St Lawrence’s School Community for your generosity and support of this event. Mr Tunchon was able to draw tickets to award prizes to just over 130 winners. Congratulations to all winners and we hope you enjoy your prizes over the Easter and holiday break. I would like to extend thanks and appreciation to Stacey Williamson who very expertly coordinated the raffle this year. I would like to acknowledge the ladies who generously gave their time over the last three days to assist Stacey with various aspects of the raffle, but most of all transforming the donations into those wonderful prizes. Thankyou Natasha Kirkpatrick, Vanessa Heinrich, Lara Stewart, Amanda Mackenzie, Dee Watts, Amber Gratte and Ashley Mills for assisting Stacey and contributing to the success of the 2021 Easter Raffle. A list of winners and an acquittal for the raffle will be published next term in the newsletter.
Bogan Bingo
Tickets have been released for the Bogan Bingo Night on the 29th May and are selling quickly. Just a reminder that you do not need to purchase a table (10 tickets), you can buy individual tickets and tables can then be allocated later and there will be opportunity to be with friends. It is BYO everything and remember to bring some cash to enter into the various games and competitions during the evening. There will be a Silent Auction which will run throughout the evening. All funds raised throughout the night will go to the P&F – our second major fundraiser for the year.
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, the sub-committee have been hard at work preparing for the evening and put the call out for assistance with some aspects of the evening. If you feel that you could contribute to the evening contact Dee Watts and Sally Marshall if it is related to theme and decorations, or to help with prizes and donations for the Silent Auction, contact Amanda Sattery and Claire Bickers.
It is set to be a fun and fantastic night and we look forward to seeing you there.
Disco and Movies
Thank you to the ladies who have contacted me to assist with the coordination of a Disco and/or a Movie night for the children later in the year. We will confirm at our next meeting in May a date for these events. If either of these two events are something that you would like to be a part of, please contact me and I will add your names to the subcommittee. Stay tuned for more information.
All Welcome!
Just a reminder that all parents/caregivers are members of the P&F and your levy is paid in your fees. Everyone is welcome to our meetings that are held in the Staff Room at 4.30pm on the Mondays for an hour (please see the calendar for dates). We would love to see you at our meetings and hear your thoughts on how we can support the children and parents of St Lawrence’s. If you can’t make it to the meetings, you can keep up to date with things that are discussed through the minutes that are uploaded to our social media platforms and the school website after each meeting.
Happy Easter
On behalf of the P&F Executive I would like to thank all of our members and the school community for your support this term and we wish everyone a safe and happy Easter break and a relaxing school holidays. See you next term.
Kind regards,
Julie O’Malley
P&F President
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.