Newsletter 6 - 22 April 2021
Principal's Page
A prayer for those suffering from the after effects of Cyclone Seroja
Gracious God, we pray for all those suffering from the ravages of natural disasters.
Grant them encouragement, strength, fortitude, patience and insight as they struggle with their many losses — material, physical, emotional, and personal — and begin to pick up the pieces and create a new future for themselves, their families, and their community.
Be for them a beacon of unwavering hope and confidence that there can and will be a better day. Surround them with your love and the love and compassion of others that they might be sustained in this time of trouble.
We ask this through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes and in the name of your Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Cyclone Seroja
As you are well aware, Cyclone Seroja caused destruction and devastation to our community and neighbouring towns over the holidays. Many of you were personally affected by this traumatic event. Our school Psychologist Services have been very proactive in this area and have equipped our teachers with some resources to help our students through this difficult time. Please also note that if your family are having financial difficulties due to the events of the cyclone, please come and have a chat with me to see how I can assist you for the short and long term.
Thank you to our amazing grounds team Grant, Tina and Sue who have gone over and above to ensure that the school was all cleaned up and ready for the children.
Welcome Back
Welcome to Term 2. Despite the craziness of the second week of the holidays, I do hope you had some quality time with your family and loved ones.
I would like to welcome Angie Wnek to the St Lawrence’s staff. Angie will be working on a Friday in PPO for the remainder of the year.
Congratulations to Helen Prosser who has been appointed the new fulltime admin assistant at CEWA Geraldton office. Helen has been with us since 2016 and her calming disposition will surely be missed. We are currently advertising Helen’s position. Helen will be still with us until the end of Week 2. Congratulations Helen on your new position.
Year 6 Camp
Year 6 will be on their way home from Perth early tomorrow after a very exciting week away with their classmates. I am sure they will have many stories to share over the coming weeks and close bonds and friendships that have been developed whilst in Perth. A huge shout out to our totally exhausted staff who have spent the last 5 days away from their own families looking after your kids and making sure they had a wonderful time on camp. Thank you, Damien O’Malley, Claire Wheeler, Ciarra Ryan, Shannon Millett, Stuart Gaby, Jenny Attrill and Dayne Cox.
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 9
You promote and preserve the trust and privilege inherent in your relationship with all members of the school community.
- Be sensible in relationships outside of school
- Respect confidentiality
- No gossiping
- Open and honest relationships
- Have responsible and appropriate boundaries with parents and students
- Social media responsibilities
- Professional relationships
To see a full copy of St Lawrence’s School Code of Conduct go to:
Religious Education
Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22
"What the Spirit brings is different; Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. There can be no law against things like that, of course."
We honour the traditions of St Lawrence's Primary School by implementing the Fruit of the Spirit Program in our classrooms and school community. This tradition was introduced by our Sister of Nazareth leaders – Sr Marie and Sr Monica to enable us to grow and develop strong relationships with those around us and by doing so, help to create a better world for all to live in.
Our fruit focus for weeks one and two this term is the fruit of "Love", we explore with the children ways that we can show love to others – in our classrooms, playgrounds and daily lives. We will know that we are showing the fruit of love when we look beyond ourselves and seek ways we can offer help and support to others. We show 'love' through being respectful to all.
St Lawrence's Parish Children's Mass (9am Sunday 25 April)
All families are welcome to attend this special children's Mass – Mass is led by our "Sunday Children's Liturgy" Group.
The Sacrament of Eucharist
Our Year Four students begin their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist (First Holy Communion) this term.
Important Dates
Year 4 Eucharist Retreat Day- Thursday 29 April, St Lawrence's Undercover Area – see your class dojo for more information.
Eucharist Commitment Masses- Saturday 1 May at 6pm or Sunday 2 May at 9am – St Lawrence's Church, Bluff Point – students who want to make their First Eucharist need to attend one of these Masses to make a promise during a 'commitment service' after the homily, that they are ready to be prepared to receive this Sacrament.
Reconciliation (9:30am Thursday 10 June)
Students will attend Reconciliation before they receive the Eucharist, so that they are in a 'state of grace'. (Free from sin).
The Sacrament of Eucharist Sunday 13 June, 11am in the school undercover area
Important note:
Instead of parent/child meetings – Father Gerard will publish a letter to all families about the Sacrament of Eucharist in the school newsletter.
The Year of St Joseph
Pope Francis on December 8, 2020 published an Apostolic Letter Patris corde (With a Father’s Heart), commemorating the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of St Joseph”, running from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021.
Today every family in our school will receive a special "Year of St Joseph" Prayer Card to pray with your families. I would also ask that you include in your prayers, everyone in our state who has been affected by Natural Disasters this year.
For more information please see the website below:
https://catholic.org.au/yearofstjoseph
Year Two Family Mass
Our Year Two children will lead Saturday evening Mass for our St Lawrence's Parish on Saturday May 22nd. This Mass will be held in the school undercover area and starts at 6:00pm.
We are celebrating the Feast of Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus and this historical event is seen as the beginning of the Church. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Administration News
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
NAPLAN 2021
Testing for NAPLAN 2021 for Years 3 & 5 has been set for the following dates:
11th-21st May-ONLINE TESTING (Years 3 & 5)
11th-14th May-PAPER TESTING (Year 3 Writing only)
Davis Street Carpark
Just a reminder that the Davis Street Carpark is extremely busy on a Wednesday. Can we remind parents please to use this car park only if you are dropping and picking children up from Kindy and Preprimary.
The chains are locked for this carpark at 3.30pm.
Merit Certificate Recipients
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following children who have recently celebrated birthdays: Matilda P, Hannah B, Benjamin H, Ruby McA, Amelie H, Ella G, Miller J, Ayla D, Marlee L, Logan K, Charlie H, Jaegar C, Lucy H, Axel G, Asta M, Isla P, Ned S, Ivy B, Ella B, Phoenix W, Maddison J, Hayden P, Harper C, Erica L, Hudson W, Hugh W, Abigail P, Austin H, Asha H, Saxon W, Tanzi T.
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 Visual Arts
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.