Newsletter 19 - 24 November

Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Advent Prayer
This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent. Let us pray:

God of hope, 
We praise you during this season of Advent and always. 
Draw us into your light as we journey. 
May we be filled with trust. 
May our anticipation of the joyful coming of your Son ever increase. 
May our hope grow with each passing moment.  
We ask this through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

Staffing News 
I would like to congratulate Miss Ashe Buckley on her appointment to Mt Tarcoola Primary School in 2023. Ashe has been teaching at St Lawrence's for the past 18 months in Year 2 and Year 6. We wish her all the best at her new school. 

Also congratulations to Kate Snow on her appointment as an EA at St Lawrence’s for 2023. Kate will be working 3 days a week down in Larmenier (Kindy). Welcome to St Lawrence’s Kate.

CEWA Principal's Thanksgiving Mass 
Last Friday I travelled down to Perth to meet with all CEWA Primary Principal's. The day comprised of 14 farewells for those retiring. This was followed by the Catholic Primary Principals Association AGM. In the evening, Mass was celebrated at The Chapel of St Michaels the Archangel, where new Principals were blessed by the Bishop of their Diocese. Following Mass, retiring Principals received citations and Principals concluding ten or more years of service were awarded Brady Medals at a presentation in the grounds of CEWA Leederville. 

Congratulations
Congratulations to one of our parents, Mr Brett Love, who has been appointed Principal in 2023 at St Mary's Northampton. We wish him all the best at his new school. 

2023 Class Splits 
During this term, teachers will be reviewing class splits for 2023 using their professional knowledge and expertise in meeting the educational needs for all students. Considerations are taken 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.  

2023 Bell Times 
In 2023 we will be adjusting our bell times to meet CEWA policy requirements. The new times will be as follows for K-6: 
8.30am - Classrooms open 
8.45am - Learning starts 
3.00pm - School concludes 

The Lion King JR 
Congratulations to all students from our Arts Extension program who auditioned for a main role in next year's production of The Lion King JR. For those who were not successful, thank you for being a part of the ensemble as it too has many elements of acting, singing and dancing. 

I would compare our biennial school musical to the interschools carnivals in our sports programs. Our art teachers have the difficult task in choosing students for the extension program who are predominantly our A and B, high performing students. We don’t put a child in a champion swimming race that cannot swim. Likewise we can't have a child in a musical production without having certain talents. We aim to give students every opportunity in all areas of the curriculum. Students have the opportunity to perform in their class assemblies as well as use their drama, music and dancing talents in our specialist classes in which all students from PP-6 attend. 

You can see who was successful for the lead roles further down in the newsletter. 

Christmas Gifts For Staff  
Thank you to the many parents who are organising special Christmas gifts for their child's teachers. Please don’t feel obliged to 'have to' hand over certain amounts of money that have been requested. All of our teachers love what they are doing and the gift of your child each day in watching them grow and learn is a gift within itself.  

2023 Enrolments 
With 2023 enrolments almost complete, I would like to share with you some feedback received from one of our new families who has just completed the enrolment process: 

Dear Louise, 
Thank you so much for sending through the letter of acceptance for xxxxx. We are very excited about him attending 3 Year Old Kindergarten at St Lawrence's next year.   

I would also like to say thank you so much for making us feel so welcome on the tour we had of the beautiful school grounds. The atmosphere of the school was one of learning and happiness. We really appreciate the beautiful book that xxxx received from the librarian. It is a fabulous book about a bull ant and has quickly become one of xxxxx’s favourite books! We loved the tour and the gifts were so lovely! 

Please find attached the signed letter of acceptance. 

Have a great week! 

Happy Days,

David  Tunchon
Principal 

Religious Education

Fruit of the Spirit
Fruit of the Spirit Focus - Weeks 7, 8 & 9: 

LOVE: Showing kindness and respect to others
PEACE: Letting our inner happiness shine out to our friends
GOODNESS: Using all our fruits with our friends - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, trustfulness, self-control & gentleness. 

Advent
Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s new year and is a season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. In fact, this season of Advent focuses on Christ’s threefold coming—past, present and future:

• We await and prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas.
• We hope and give thanks for Christ’s presence within us and in the world and sacraments.
• We look to the future, waiting for Christ to come again. 

The word ‘advent’ means ‘coming’. Lighting the candles on the wreath symbolizes the coming of light (Jesus) into the world. Advent wreaths can be used in church, at school or at home. 

The first candle (violet) represents hope, the second (violet) represents peace, the third candle (rose) represents joy, and the fourth (violet) represents love. The central white candle is lit on Christmas day and represents Christ (not shown). 

This Advent, we invite our school community to learn, act and pray for a more just and fair world—a world full of hope, peace, joy and love. 

Art News

The Lion King JR Cast List

Administration News

2023 Booklists
A reminder that Booklist order forms for those children entering Years 2-6 in 2023 are due back to the office tomorrow, or you can order online until Sunday 27th at www.campion.com.au using the code  K2KR. 

Year 6 Student Reports
A reminder to parents of Year 6 students to please download copies of any reports you require from SEQTA Engage, as when the end of year student processes are completed you will no longer be able to gain access to their reports. We strongly encourage parents to access and download your child's report as soon as it is available.

2022 Student Reports
Student Reports for 2022 will be made available electronically through SEQTA, Week 9, Thursday 8th December.

These reports have changed from being a Semester 2 Report only, to an End of Year Report. The Overall Grade is the student’s final grade after a full academic year, and the Components show the student’s Semester 2 result as per the example below:

BRLA Results
Results from the 2022 Bishops' Religious Literacy Assessment for Years 3 & 5 will be made available electronically through SEQTA, Week 9, Thursday 8th December.  

SAC Nominations
There are positions to be filled on the STLPS School Advisory Council (SAC) for the year 2023-2024. Parents interested in standing are invited to submit a nomination via the Form link below prior to 30th November 2022.  Positions will then be decided at the Annual Community Meeting on December 13th 2022. SAC Meetings are required to be held at least once per term, so becoming a member  does not involve much of a time commitment, as we know how busy parents are already with existing commitments. 

https://forms.office.com/r/tuab6BU319 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following students who will be celebrating their Birthday soon:

Chavez T,  Hunter P,  Kyle J,  Payton J,  Loclan P,  Emmerson B,  Sadie L,  Hudson S,  Amber M,  Jax J,  Spenczar M,  Gabriel S,  Archie C,  Eden C,  George J,  Denva U,  Ezra R,  Cylas S & Stella C.

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 

Community Notices