Newsletter 4 - 17 March 2022
Principal's Page
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we head well into the second half of Term 1, one can only wonder where time is going. Schools are busy places - they were before COVID-19 - but now we’re doing the same and adding COVID to an already crowded work space. How are you going? I do feel my work has a definite tilt towards the Health Department these days. Listening carefully to the Chief Medical Officer, the Premier, the Education Minister and the Catholic Education Office have now become part of my daily routine. We are all doing different things, and following advice which can frequently change. What is heartening is the support from so many of you in this challenging time. Thank you for acknowledging the communication we must make available to keep everyone informed and safe. Please read the correspondence carefully to make sure you keep informed of any changes to the way we are operating.
CEWA Visitors
Last week we had visits from CEWA - Director of Teaching and Learning Mandy Connor, new Geraldton Regional Officer Lisa Gallin and Geraldton Consultant Helen Carrier. Both Mandy and Lisa had not been to St Lawrence's before, so I was delighted to be able to take them on a tour of the school to show our wonderful facilities.
They all sat down with the Leadership Team and went through our schools 2022 School Improvement Plan. The four pillars that make up Quality Catholic Education are Catholic Identity, Education, Community and Stewardship. We were able to clarify 2022 -2026 Strategic Intent, as well as our Faith Formation Document.
The feedback I received from them was very positive and rewarding. This is a huge credit to all of our staff here at St Lawrence's and the excellent programs we offer and the professionalism in how they are delivered. Well done St Lawrence's staff.
Staffing News
Sheree Barden will be in for the remainder of the term teaching HPE whilst Karen Burro has a well-deserved rest as she relaxes on long service leave. Kassie Whitby will be working for the remainder of the term as an Education Assistant four days a week.
Ventilation Update
One of the safety mechanisms schools have been addressing in relation to COVID-19 is ventilation. At St Lawrence's School, we have been working as a staff to use fresh air and well-ventilated learning spaces where possible. Recently, CEWA appointed an external company to undertake a detailed audit of all learning spaces. I have since received the report from the auditors and I am in the process of addressing the recommendations.
CEWA has also provided us with two carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor. Whilst CO2 is not a direct measure of exposure to COVID-19, CO2 monitors provide the ability to assess ventilation. A high carbon dioxide reading can be used to indicate when actions should be taken to improve ventilation including opening windows or reducing the occupancy in the space. Based on the reading of the CO2 monitor, we are able to gauge if the learning space is adequately ventilated and if not, further open doors and/or windows or increase air con fan speed.
We are continuing to work in the best interests of the students in these very challenging times.
School Events
Due to regulations introduced state wide, the following school events have either been postponed or cancelled for Term 1:
- Parents attending school assemblies - cancelled until further notice (we will record and share each assembly)
- Classes attending parish masses - cancelled
- Year 5 setting up 'Table of Blessings' - cancelled
- Year 5 Family Mass - cancelled
- School Open Night and Welcome BBQ - cancelled
- Year 6 Camp and Parent Info Meeting- postponed to Term 4
- Year 6 Mass of Oils - cancelled
Please keep an eye on the school calendar. We will continue to keep you informed of any other changes.
Happy Days
David Tunchon
Principal
Religious Education
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Please keep our Year Three students in your prayers as they prepare to make their First Reconciliation (First Confession) on Saturday March 26th at St Lawrence's Church with Father Gerard.
Fruit of the Spirit Focus
Kindness: Kindness is found in the freely offered gestures of help and support that benefit others. Kindness is driven by the desire to do good for others whilst seeking no reward.
An Act of Contrition
God our Father,
I thank you for loving me.
I am sorry for all my sins,
For what I have done and what I failed to do.
I will sincerely try to love you and others in everything I do and say.
Help me to walk in your light today and always.
Amen.
Project Compassion 2022: For all Future Generations
https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/
Across the six weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.
Get involved by watching the stories of Project Compassion through the Caritas link above.
Project Compassion boxes have been sent home to every family, please return these to the school office and help support Caritas Australia.
Feast Days
March 17th: St Patrick's Day
St Patrick:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your field,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
(Traditional Irish Blessing)
March 25th: Annunciation of the Lord
God Our Father,
Your Word became Man
and was born of the Virgin Mary.
May we become more like Jesus Christ,
whom we acknowledge as our Redeemer, God, and man.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Larmenier News
Administration News
Netball Grading
A reminder that the netball grading for Year 5's is at the GNA courts on Monday 21st March from 4.30pm - 5.30pm.
Kiss and Drop Points- Use of Family Name Signs
Thank you to those families who continue to use their provided family name sign for their vehicle during school pick up in the afternoons. Doing so assists our hard working staff to quickly identify your car, alert your child/children, and move the line safely and efficiently.
NAPLAN 2022
Please be aware that the scheduled Practice Test for Years 3 & 5 will now take place on Thursday 31st March (Week 9). NAPLAN Testing will take place between Tuesday 10th May and Friday 13th May.
2022 School Fees Reminder
School Fee Payment Plans are now overdue. If you have not yet returned your payment plan form to the school, please do so as soon as possible. If the payment plan provided doesn't suit your needs, please contact our office for an alternative arrangement.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following students who will be celebrating their Birthday soon:
Dominic P, Garry R, Vittani J, Taya G, Cruz M, Matilda T, Rebekah Mc, Lewis R, Riley M, Frieda A, Leni J, Matilda W, Maisie A, Oliver M, Rose Mc, Stella R, Olivia R, Mason G, Harlow Mc, Sophie H, Makenna P, Marlowe O, Harlyn T, Isabelle O, Bailey O, Eva M, Tenielle T, Emily M, Denzel N, Karlee P, Alice H, Mia D and Hunter J.
P & F News
Next Meeting – Time and Venue Change
Our scheduled meeting for the 21st March will be conducted off the school site due to the current COVID restrictions. We are meeting at DOME at 4.30pm. The agenda for this meeting will be limited, and we will discuss what is necessary with the main focus the Term 1 Fundraiser – Easter Raffle.
All of our members are welcome to attend the meeting. We are still in need of a Secretary. If you would like to nominate for the position, please get in contact with me, or alternatively, come along to our meeting on Monday.
Easter Raffle
The Easter Raffle subcommittee have been busy preparing over the last few weeks, with Heidi Teakle and Sarah Murray coordinating the team. Heidi has already posted various reminders and requests regarding the raffle in the Facebook Parent Information Page. Keep a look out, especially over the next week or so, for information regarding distribution of raffle tickets, timelines and when and how to donate eggs. The timeline is very tight with an 8-day turn around on ticket sales. A very big thankyou to the people who have come forward to assist with the collection and wrapping of prizes - we value your support with this fundraiser.
Just a reminder that ticket books contain 10 tickets at $1 each, with sold tickets and monies to be returned in the envelope provided to the Front Office by the due date. Please take note of the last day for the donation of eggs.
If you do not want your raffle book when they are distributed, please don’t hesitate to return it to the Front Office so another family can buy the book. There will be one book only distributed to families and limited extras available to purchase. We always have families looking to buy extra tickets.
Term 2 Meeting Schedule
Date, time and venue for our next P&F Meeting in Term 2 will be discussed on Monday afternoon, and you will be advised through the Week 9 newsletter. Until then stay safe and take care everyone.
Kind regards,
Julie O’Malley
President
Community Notices
COVID Information from the WA Department of Health
Please click the below links to view the fact sheets:
