Newsletter 11 - 1 July 2021
Principal's Page
Dear Parents and Friends,
NAIDOC Celebrations
NAIDOC week was celebrated at St Lawrence's this week. Thank you to Dayne Cox and her team for all the planning and effort that went into organising a terrific week of activities to highlight the cultures of our First Peoples. It has been a wonderful way to finish off our term of learning.
Year 5 STEM Showcase
On Tuesday, June 29th, our Year Five classes and teachers headed to Nagle to 'showcase' their STEM solutions to very pertinent and important issues that everyone faces in their daily lives. The children worked in collaborative teams to decide on an issue, brainstorm actions, produce a solution and then present their ideas in a Showcase format. Congratulations on the huge variety of important ideas and solutions that were developed throughout their term's inquiry.
Celebration of Dance
Thank you to our semester one Dance classes who performed the dances they learnt for their peers on Wednesday. A very important part of the arts is being able to perform. Congratulations to everyone in Year 1, 3 & 5 for your wonderful dance moves and the courage to perform in front of a large audience. Thank you Mrs Attrill for your awesome Dance teaching skills. Please see photos further below.
Andrew Chinn Concert
Unfortunately our Andrew Chinn Concert had to be postponed as he was unwell. He will be visiting our school in term four instead (interstate travel permitting).
Year Six Football and Netball Carnivals
On a very cold Friday – June 18th, our year six students headed to either Eadon- Clarke Oval or the Geraldton Netball Centre to join in the interschool football and netball carnivals. All teams enjoyed their day.
Football
Our two teams of footballers were very committed, and played four games with a two win and two loss ratio. According to our year six students they demonstrated good sportspersonship, played well on the day and tried their best at all times. This included the many players who were playing footy for the first time. Well done year six footballers, Mr Gaby, Miss Ryan and Mrs Sumner!
Netball
Our three netball teams played five games over the course of the day. Each team had a few wins and a few losses, showed good sportspersonship, and tried their best at all times even if they had never played before. Thank you to Mrs Wheeler, Mrs Millet and Miss Cox, and our parents who helped on the day to coach, umpire or score. Well done to our year six netballers!
Reports
Semester One reports went live on Thursday June 24th. Please contact our helpful office staff if you have been unable to download your child's report.
Term Three
We look forward to seeing everyone for our first day of term three on Monday, July 19th.
Have a wonderful holiday break .
God Bless,
Damien O'Malley
Acting Principal
Religious Education
The Sacrament of Confirmation - Year Six
Our year six students will begin their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in term three during their Religious Education lessons.
Bishop Michael will officiate at our Confirmation Mass which will be held at 6:00pm on Tuesday September 7th in the school undercover area. Father Gerard will con-celebrate this Mass with him.
Important Dates for Confirmation
Term Three, Week 2: Father Gerard will send out a letter about the Sacrament of Confirmation to all families. This will take the place of a parent meeting.
Confirmation Retreat Day: Thursday July 29th, school based (UCA) Week 2.
Commitment Masses: Attend either Saturday evening July 31st at 6pm, or Sunday morning August 1st at 9am - St Lawrences Church, Bluff Point.
Reconciliation: with Father Gerard before recieveing the Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday, September 2nd (Week 7).
The Sacrament of Confirmation (Bishop Michael & Father Gerard): Tuesday, September 7th at 6.00pm in the St Lawrences School Undercover Area (Week 8).
School Holiday Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for this holiday—
an extra chance for fun and play.
There’s so much I can learn and do
even if I’m not in school.
All the beauty and gifts abound.
The world you created is all around.
Today’s a chance to go explore,
try new things, and discover more.
I’ll miss my teacher and my friends
just as happens on weekends.
But I know that for today,
I’m thankful for this holiday.
Administration News
St Mary's School Northampton Fundraiser
Last week, Bianca, Charlee and Max visited St Mary's School Northampton to present their Principal, Mr Ben Will, with a cheque from the STLPS fundraiser. Mr Will showed them around the school to see the damage caused by Cyclone Seroja. We wish our northern 'cousins' well and we hope the funds can go towards putting smiles on the faces of the students and staff at St Mary's. God bless.
School Uniform during Winter
Parents and carers, please encourage your children to wear their jumpers to school daily as the days are getting cold now we are officially into the winter months.
Don’t forget to clearly label these jumpers and check the lost property for jumpers misplaced by students.
Lost Property
Our lost property is currently overflowing, especially jumpers. All items can now be found in the OLD UNDERCOVER AREA.
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
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.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following students who will be celebrating their Birthday soon:
Angus Mc, Imogen S, Chase O, Samantha D, Blake M, Bailey S, Lylah K, Macee V, Indi O, Thomas S, Nathaniel L, Emilie S, Marlo B
Grandparent's Day
St. Lawrence’s school community would like to invite all grandparents to our Grandparent’s Day Prayer Service on Friday, 30th July (Week 2) commencing at 10am. A shared morning tea will follow at 10.30am - 11am. Due to COVID restrictions we are unable to provide morning tea, however families may like to provide some extra morning tea in their lunch boxes for grandparents to share. Coffee and tea will be provided.
School Cross Country events will follow.
OUTLINE OF EVENTS:
10.00am: Whole school Grandparent's Liturgy
10.30am -11.00am: Grandparent's have morning tea with their grandchildren out on the tiered steps (canteen will provide tea/coffee and each family brings their own food to share with their Grandparents).
11.00am - 12.15pm: STLPS Cross Country - Bottom oval
12.15pm - 12.45pm: Grandparents have the opportunity to visit classrooms
We look forward to seeing many Grandparents there!
Celebration of Dance
The students from Year 1, 3 and 5 performed a Celebration of Dance showcase on Wednesday 30th June. Congratulations to Mrs Attrill and all the students involved who worked hard all semester and treated our school to a fantastic performance of music and dance!
Music News
Bastille Day
Please click the link below to read a news article from the ABC news about our recent Bastille Day event: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-28/bastille-day-school/100242916
STEM Showcase
Our Year 5 students and teachers participated in the Geraldton STEM Showcase held at Nagle Catholic College on Tuesday, June 29th. Congratulations to STEM finalist, the 'Waste Water Warriors', Pia, Gaia and Makayla.
P&F News
Save the date for our Family Movie Night!
We can confirm from our Meeting on June 21st that our Family Movie Night will be Saturday night 18th September, end of Week 9 Term 3. We are planning for an outdoor movie experience and tickets will need to be purchased prior to the event. Our subcommittee has already commenced planning and we will keep you updated as to what you can expect for the evening. Thankyou to the following parents who have put their names forward for the subcommittee to plan this event: Alana Chung, Julie O’Malley, Vanessa Heinrich, Sam Heirich, Margaret Devine, Nicola Tropiano and Lara Stewart. Calendar the date and stay tuned for more information throughout next term. If you have any suggestions for a movie you and your children are really looking forward to seeing let us know. Our first subcommittee meeting will be in Week 2 Term 3.
Uniform Committee
At our last P&F Meeting it was confirmed by the Administration that there will be a subcommittee formed to review the current school uniform. There are positions for two parents from the Parents and Friends Group – one from the Executive - thankyou to Melissa Smith for taking on this position and the other a Parent with children at the school. If you would like to be considered for this position, please forward your expression of interest to the Principal. A reminder this subcommittee will remain separate from the P&F and our meetings. Meetings for this committee are due to commence next term.
Next P&F Meeting and Tabling items for the Agenda
Monday 16th August is our next meeting. As always everyone is welcome at these meetings and they run for approximately one hour. Agenda items we will endeavour now, to have uploaded one week prior to our meetings and you can access the agenda via the school website. Alternatively, you can keep up to date with what has been discussed at our meetings by clicking on the link in the newsletter to view the Minutes.
All parents are welcome to attend our meetings and you can come along just to listen and be part of the discussions or to present an Agenda item. If anyone would like to table an item for approval to the Agenda you are more than welcome to do so. It is procedure though for all Agenda items to be presented in person. If you are unable to attend that meeting to present the item, it will not be discussed and moved to a meeting when you can present.
Look forward to seeing you at our next meeting. Come and join our team of regular active P&F members it is becoming quite a crowd.
Have a safe and happy holiday everyone.
Kind regards,
Julie O’Malley
President
Community Notices
SAINT PATRICKS COLLEGE REUNION
There is to be a reunion of former students of Saint Patrick’s College, Geraldton, for following years:
- 1969 Junior Certificate
- 1970 Sub Leaving, and
- 1971 Leaving Certificate
The reunion will be held in Perth WA on the first or second weekend of October 2021.
If you are interested in attending please contact Terry Pass (Ph. O401 610 158 or terry.pass2@bigpond.com) or Laurie Cream (Ph. 0420 525 780 or lacream@optusnet.com.au)
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 9921 4218 or the Rangeway DTC on 9921 4373.