Newsletter 7 - 12 May
Principal's Page
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As this newsletter goes out to you, I am in my second day of isolation with many other staff, students and community members. Please be kind to each other and look after your loved ones. Teachers have been instructed to send any child that has Covid symptoms home immediately, as we do with our own staff. If your child has any symptoms, please keep them home.
Mrs Shea
With the P&F disco coming up in 3 weeks I would like to pay tribute to Mrs Joanne Shea who passed away earlier this year. Mrs Shea's grandchildren are Livinia, Austin and Havana here at St Lawrence's. Mrs Shea contributed many hours to St Lawrence's as a parent volunteer helping out at many school discos and of course the annual school fete. It is very heartening to know that some of these early traditions set by our past parents and grandparents are still happening in our school today. May she rest in peace.
3 Year Old Kindy
You would have seen the special announcement last week about our third kindy group starting up on Friday 3 June. I am pleased to announce that the teacher appointed to take the group is Mrs Amber Gratte (Amber has children in Kindy, Yr 1 and Yr 4) and helping her out as the EA will be Mrs Georgia Johnson. (Georgia has children in Kindy, Yr 1 and Yr 3) Welcome to St Lawrence's staff. There is a lot of work to do between now and then and I would especially like to thank our ground staff who have started on the gardens and getting quotes for fencing, paths, aircon etc. Leadership and the whole kindy staff will get together and brainstorm what we need for our third group to be successful. We will be using Fitzgerald Hall for this on a Friday for the remainder of the year. Thank you to Father Gerard and the St Lawrence's Parish Council for giving us this space to use.
Restorative Practice
On Tuesday the staff had a refresher course in Restorative Practice. Our school psychologist Jackie McMahon delivered the course to all staff and many of our relief teachers as well. Restorative Practice was introduced to St Lawrence's in 2016 and now forms the basis of the schools Behaviour Management Guidelines. Restorative practice is a whole school teaching and learning approach that encourages behaviour that is supportive and respectful. It puts the onus on individuals to be truly accountable for their behaviour and to repair any harm caused to others as a result of their actions.
Since the introduction of Restorative Practice into St Lawrence's there has been a significant reduction in serious breaches of behaviour with less detentions and suspensions.
NAPLAN
Congratulations to our Year 3 and Year 5 students that have completed their first week of NAPLAN testing.
- Tuesday - Writing
- Wednesday - Reading
- Thursday - Language Conventions
- Friday - Numeracy
The National Assessment Program is a series of literacy and numeracy tests on basic skills that are administered annually to all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9. Its purpose is to provide a snapshot in time of each students current reading, writing, language and numeracy skills.
Next week any student that was away will be given the opportunity to catch up on any test that was missed.
Year 4 First Eucharist Retreat Day
Last Thursday Mrs Kempton and I went out to the picturesque Bill Hemsley Centre at White Peak to visit the Year 4 students participating in their special retreat day. Thank you to Miss Ahearn, Mrs Waldock, Mr Hood and Mrs Proudlove for putting together a day of prayer, learning and playing in preparation for their special day on Sunday 19 June. Thank you also to the parent volunteers who came along to help out with the activities. First Eucharist will take place on Sunday 19 June.
RAT Distribution
The State Government has delivered a box of 20 RATs for every child at St Lawrence's. If you have not collected yours yet, please drop into your child's classroom to pick them up.
Please keep your child at home if they present any flu symptoms and use the RATs provided to test your child if necessary.
Self-Reporting Form
Please continue to use the Self-Reporting Form as required as well as WA Health, These forms can be accessed via the links below:
https://cewa-collections.powerappsportals.com/COVID-19-Self-Reporting-Form/
https://datalibrary-rc.health.wa.gov.au/surveys/?s=WDLLNTW4RDX8AWPH
Happy Days
David Tunchon
Principal
Religious Education
Fruit of the Spirit Focus
During weeks three and four we are focusing on Peace:
Peace is the sense of being content, we can show peace in our words and actions when we are not anxious or disturbed.
First Eucharist
Please note: Father Gerard will hold commitment services for First Eucharist candidates with them at school in their classrooms. Year Fours DO NOT have to attend a commitment service at St Lawrence's church this weekend.
Communio Week
Communio Week will be celebrated during week 5 – May 23 – May 27.
This is a special week in the Geraldton Diocese where we focus on the many catholic aid agencies that are active in our community. Some of these are Centre Care, Drug Arm, Pregnancy Help, St Vincent de Paul, and Nazareth House. During this week each year level will participate in a special activity to help raise funds for Bishop Michael's Communio Appeal – all money raised goes towards supporting the less fortunate and people in all areas of need. Each year level will post more information on Seesaw next week.
Our Communio Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 25th at 9:30am with parents/carers welcome to attend.
Year 4 News
Administration News
School Photos
A reminder that school photos will take place on Wednesday 22nd June and Thursday 23rd June. It is preferred that students wear their Faction Sports Shirt for photos while we are in transition to our new uniform.
Swimming Lessons
Forms for swimming lessons were sent home with students earlier in the week.
Please complete and return to your child's class teacher by tomorrow.
Swimming Lesson Timetable
Weeks 5 and 6 (starting 23rd May)
9:20am: 1G, 3T
10:05am: 1T, 4G
11:00am: 1B, 4T
11:45am: PPB, 5G
12:55pm: PPG, 5T, 3G
1:40pm: PPT, 5B, 3/4B
Weeks 7 and 8 (starting 7th June)
9:20am: 2T, 2G, 6B
10:05am: 2B, 6T, 6G
New Uniform
The new jackets are now available for purchase from Total Uniforms.
Pupil Free Day and Public Holiday
Friday 3rd June is a Pupil Free Day and Monday 6th June is a Public Holiday (WA Day)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following students who will be
celebrating their Birthday soon:
Johnny M, Paige C, Josie D, Jasmine W, Brayden Mc, Odin B, Freya D, Bluebell S, Barry C, Milla C, Minty Mc, Michael V, Lyla P, Eliyanah C, Sophie V, Pia W, Koa P, Ruby W, Tyler C, Jaeger J, Hale S, Billie L, Isla C, Harlen W, Indigo P, Isla R, Harper Q, Mischa Mc, Baylee H, Reef F and Carson S.
P & F News
School Disco
Hopefully you have saved the date for our Disco this term. There will be three discos on the one day, with year groupings as follows: Years 1 & 2, Years 3 & 4, and Years 5 & 6. For Pre-Primary students it will be optional, and they will attend with the Year 1's and 2's.
Disco details
When: Thursday 2nd June (Week 6) the next day is the pupil free day
Where: Under Covered Area
Times:
3.45pm – 4.45pm | Year 1 / 2 (PP optional) |
5pm – 6pm | Year 3 / 4 |
6.15pm – 7.30pm | Year 5 /6 |
Theme: Neon & Bright Lights
Tickets: $5 entry package includes drink, popcorn or chips
DJ Leigh returns, Lolly Bar available at each disco
Stay tuned for more information from Nadine Smith and the Disco Team through the Parent Information Group page on facebook. The disco note will be distributed through classes and all students attending must have the parent permission slip returned with money prior to the disco. Pre-Primary children who would like to attend and can cope with the loud noises, will need a parent/carer to collect the disco note from their class teacher.
Please be aware that students will need to be signed in and out of each disco they attend by a parent or carer.
See you at the disco!
Save the date – Carols on the Green 2022
Carols on the Green this year will be held on a new date, Thursday 24th November, Week 7 of Term 4. Mark this family event on your calendars. This year we will be seeking new coordinators for the ever popular and delicious grazing boxes. We need two people to join our COG subcommittee who are willing to take over the coordination of the production of the grazing boxes. Vanessa Heinrich and Lara Campbell, the previous coordinators are very happy to share their knowledge and offer any advice and support to those taking it on. If you are interested, please get in touch with myself, Vanessa or Lara.
Next P&F Meeting
Monday 13th June is our next scheduled meeting, in the Staffroom starting at 4.30pm. Just a reminder everyone is welcome as you are all members of the St Lawrence’s Parents and Friends Association. Come and join us to contribute ideas of how we can continue to support the education and well-being of our children at St Lawrence’s by the Sea.
Hope to see you at the meeting.
Kind regards,
Julie O’Malley
P&F President
Community Notices
The Council for Catholic Women Perth
Promoting the Participation of Women in the Catholic Church
The Council for Catholic Women Perth warmly invite you to hear Dr Mary Coloe PVBM at two free events in Perth.
Mary is a Presentation sister and a professor of New Testament Studies at Yarra Theological Union who has lectured at the Australian Catholic University and at tertiary institutes overseas. Through her books and teaching she is internationally renowned as a specialist on the Gospel of John
An inspiring and informative speaker, Mary explores John's positive message that affirms life and speaks to the heart of human desire.
The Passion Gospel of John - Friday 10 June 6-8.30pm at James Nestor Hall Catholic Education Office 50 Ruislip St West Leederville,WA. Gather at 5.30pm for light refreshments.
Understanding The Woman at the Well Story - Saturday 11 June 9.30am -12 noon at Treacey Hall, Iona Presentation College Junior School Campus.Enter from 43 Victoria Street, Mosman Park (Next to Playing Courts and opposite Cafe).
RSVP by Thursday 9 June to Kerry at kerrymacfarlane2@gmail.com / 0400 886 835.
All welcome. Audiences can be appropriately spaced at both events.
Mary gave the homily for Easter Sunday for WATAC – Australian Women Preach - here is the link: https://anchor.fm/awp/episodes/58--Mary-Coloe-PBVM---17-April-2022-e1gutuh
