Newsletter 18 - 28 October 2021
Principal's Page
Dear Parents and Guardians,
World Teachers Day
Tomorrow, St Lawrence's will celebrate World Teachers Day which covers everyone who works at St Lawrence's for the good of the children. I would like to congratulate all 69 staff and the 8 staff who are currently on leave for the work they do for the benefit of all children. We are so blessed to have such a remarkable staff who are so dedicated in what they do each day. Thank you to the P&F who have organised a special morning tea tomorrow for the staff to celebrate their day.
Congratulations to the St Lawrence's Primary School Staff.
School Opening and Blessing Stage 17
On Friday 12 November at 1.30pm, you are invited to the School Opening and Blessing of Stage 17. This opening includes the two Year 5 classrooms, staffroom, workroom and carpark extension. Special guests will include Bishop Michael Morrisey, The Hon Melissa Price MP and Director of Finance and Infrastructure CEWA - Dr Glenda Scully.
2022 Class Splits
During this term teachers will be reviewing class splits for 2022 using their professional knowledge and expertise in meeting the educational needs for all students. Considerations are taken into account for the academic, social/emotional, behavioral and cultural needs of all students in a year level cohort with the intention of creating well– balanced, vibrant and positive learning environments. Whilst parental issues and concerns are valued, the best judgements of professionals will form the basis of classes for the next educational year.
School Advisory Council Nomination
We are looking for nominations for two parents to join the School Advisory Council in 2022. The council meet once a term, finishing off the year with an annual community meeting.
The applicant would need to (a) make a commitment and desire to promote Catholic education and give service to the Catholic School Community; (b) a commitment to the safety, wellbeing and pastoral care of all students and staff; (c) an ability to work cooperatively and constructively with the Principal, school leadership team and all other members of the Advisory Council; (d) the possession of skills, competencies and experience that are reflective of, relevant and beneficial to the Catholic School Community.
The Advisory Council carries out the follow functions:
(a) support planning for the present and future operation of the Catholic school;
(b) provide membership, at the principal’s request, on selection panels for the employment of staff to the Catholic school in accordance with the relevant CECWA Policies and Executive Directives;
(c) provide membership on the panel that recommends the appointment of a Principal in accordance with the relevant CECWA Policy and Executive Directives;
(d) in consultation with the Principal, communicate about the Catholic school and about Catholic education to persons and organisations in the School Community;
(e) endorse the Catholic school’s annual budget before submission to CECWA for approval; and
(f) advise the Principal on school financial matters such as performance against budget, sustainability, and capital and recurrent planning
If you are interested in the position please contact me at admin@stlps.wa.edu.au for more information.
St Lawrence’s School Code of Conduct - Voice of the student
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 the students of St Lawrence's. This week I have interviewed the O'Collins Ministry Leaders - Darcy and Jacob.
Code of Conduct - Statement 5
You respect the dignity, culture, values and beliefs of each member of the school community.
- As students at St Lawrence’s, we need to respect the cultures, values and beliefs of other students.
- Students are always honest and respectful to others at our school.
- We treat everyone equally and we do not judge others about their differences.
- We respect everyone at our school and each other’s human rights.
To see a full copy of St Lawrence’s School Code of Conduct go to:
Happy Days
David Tunchon
Principal
Religious Education
Fruit of the Spirit
For the next two weeks St Lawrence's PS will be focusing on:
Patience and Trustfulness.
Patience – Jesus, help us to be more patient with other people so that we may honour you.
Trustfulness – Trustfulness is a great gift from Jesus. May others learn to trust me and all in our classroom and school community.
Masses:
All Saints Day Mass – 9.30am Monday November 1st
Year One Family Mass - 6.00pm Saturday November 13th
Year Six Graduation - 5.30pm Tuesday December 7th
Catholic Missions Fundraiser: Crazy Sock Day
Thank you for your generosity – total amount raised was $715!
Catholic Missions is supporting the Good Shepherd Sisters in Thailand with their Kindergarten Facilities.
3 Year Old Kindy News
Visual Art News
Book Fair 2021
Come along to our Scholastic Book Fair for 2021! The fair will run Thursday 25 Nov until Tuesday 30 November, with a special Sunday opening just in time for Christmas.
Administration News
STLPS Transition
Purpose: Transitions are organised and structured so that ALL students at St Lawrence’s become familiar with the learning environments they will be working in when they return to school after the Christmas break.
Transition Wednesday
For the next few weeks all classes will have a ‘Transition Wednesday’ lunch break. This will involve them eating their lunch and playing in their new year group area for 2021.
Transition Dates: K to PP—WED Nov 24, and P-5 Thurs Nov 25, teachers will make sure that their students have the opportunity to visit their next year level’s classrooms and areas as much as possible eg our Junior classes are buddying up for shared reading, taking messages to new parts of the school, touring where their new facilities are— toilet blocks/drink fountains etc.
Whole school Transition: Children complete an activity in each of their next year level classrooms with the teacher who is in that room this year.
Summer Uniform Reminder (Years 1-6)
Boys:
School grey shirt with school emblem on pocket and grey shorts
Plain all black school shoes or dark brown sandals
School hat
Girls:
School dress with emblem
Plain all black school shoes with white school socks or dark brown sandals
School hat
Sport Uniform:
School sports top and shorts
Plain all black sandshoes with white school socks
Hair:
Gold, white or dark green hair ties or school scrunchie
Hair touching the collar needs to be tied back
No extreme cuts or designs
Jewellery:
One plain ring may be worn
A plain chain with a religious symbol may be worn under the uniform
Earrings:
One pair of plain sleepers or studs can be worn
Boys are permitted to wear one single earring
2022 Kindergarten Enrolments
As we are now in the last term of 2021, please remember if you have a child born between 1st July 2017 and 30th June 2018, they will be eligible to start Kindergarten in 2022.
If you have not already enrolled them, please contact Louise at the office for an enrolment pack so we can ensure they are all ready for school in 2022!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following students who will be celebrating their BIRTHDAY soon:
Tyler S, Seabury W, Hawkins W, Myles C, Hunter S, Devron D, Salty W, Kirra V, Darcy E, Jada J, Kiara S, Liam Mc, Evie D, Ava-Maree F, Louis W, Ella P, Molly H and Levi W.
Water Bottle Reminder
Please remind students to bring their water bottle to school with them every day. We do have cups available at the office if a student has forgotten their water bottle, however we are giving out approximately 20-30 cups per day, over 100 per week! As we always strive to minimise our school's environmental impact, we would love to be able to reduce this number.
P&F News
Next Meeting - AGM November 15th in the Staffroom 4.30pm
The final meeting for the year will be the AGM. It will take place on Monday 15th November at 4.30pm in the Staffroom. There will be no approvals for expenditures at this meeting, with the Agenda distributed prior to the meeting. As per meeting protocols for AGMs, all positions on the Executive will be declared vacant and open to new nominations. Three members of the current executive will be renominating for their positions and the roles of Vice President and Secretary will be open to new nominations. If you are interested in nominating for any position on the Executive and would like further information, please contact me prior to the meeting. All P&F members are welcome to the meeting.
P&F Fundraising Survey Results
Thankyou to our parents and caregivers who took the time to complete the survey. We discussed the results at our last meeting and were pleased to see the support for the fundraisers the P&F have organised this year and can confirm you can look forward to the Easter Raffle, Discos, Outdoor Movies and Carols on the Green in 2022. We can confirm at this stage that the Fete will not return in 2022. There was not enough support from the parent group for someone to take on the huge and time consuming role of Fete Coordinator and without this role a Fete cannot run. In regards to the question regarding the P&F Levy increase added by the Administration, further information will be distributed to the parent body after the P&F AGM on the 15th November.
On behalf of the P&F I would like to extend thanks to the school community for your support of the events the P&F have organised this year. They have been overwhelmingly successful, with total monies raised yielding more than the single event of the 2019 Fete. All the financials and expenditures of the P&F for 2021 will be available at the AGM and if you can’t make the meeting, Minutes and Treasurer/President reports will be available through the website.
Carols on the Green 2021- Thursday 2nd December
The subcommittee for this event have been busy over the last month organising Carols on the Green. Thankyou to those people who have answered the callout for support via donations to the raffles or joining the COG team. Save the date on your calendar: Thursday 2nd December from 5 – 7.30pm. Over the next couple of weeks keep a look out for your raffle tickets that will come home in your child’s bag and the links through Eventbrite to book your delicious Grazing Boxes (yes the same as last year) and your sausage sizzle. Reminders will come out through the Parent Information Page and Dojo as we countdown to the last event for the year and look forward again to a special guest appearance from the man in red. The question on everyone’s lips is how will he arrive this year?
A big thankyou to the subcommittee coordinating various aspects of the Carols on the Green:
Leigh Jones – who will be our MC, Anne Williams/Mrs Hart – entertainment and sound, Dee Watts, Sally Marshall, Katie Kingdon, Heidi Teakle, Melissa Smith – Raffles, Ashe Murdock – Sausage Sizzle, Vanessa Heinrich/Lara Campbell – Grazing Boxes, Sam Heirich – Popcorn and Lollies, Marissa Drummond/Julie O’Malley – Craft Stall, Margaret Devine – Drinks stall and all things financial. Thankyou everyone for dedicating your time and energy to the organisation of this event. If you would like to help, there is room for you to join us on the subcommittee. Feel free to contact me.
Garage Sale and Church Morning Tea Fundraiser Sunday November 28th
From 9am – 1pm Sunday 28th November is our very first Garage Sale to take place in the school undercover area. We are working with the Church Parish on a dual fundraiser with the Parish Committee making available Morning Tea for hungry shoppers. The items that will be for sale are those Megan Desmond collected for the 2020 Fete Second Hand Stall. There are some real treasures in Megan’s collection in the sea container so spread the word to your friends and the wider community and come see what hidden gems you can find. Just in case you have missed Megan’s posts on facebook she is looking for people to help with sales on the day. Megan is also taking more donations, contact her if you have anything to contribute to the stall or would like to assist.
The library bookfair will also be open on the Sunday. Ms Agi will be available for you to purchase that special book or item just in time for Christmas.
Mr Tunchon will also be available to conduct a school tour for any new families who would like to see our amazing facilities. These will need to be booked prior through the office. Please call Louise or Belinda on 9968 2000 to book your personalised tour.
Enjoy the term everyone and hope to see you at the Carols on the Green.
Kind regards,
Julie O’Malley
President
Community Notices
St Lawrence's Performing Arts Extension Group will be performing at 6.20pm as well as student artwork being featured throughout the exhibition. Please join us for a wonderful evening.
