Newsletter 5 - March 30
Principal's Page
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Staffing News
Mrs Megan Medway has been employed as a new Education Assistant for the remainder of the year in kindy. Megan has a daughter Karly in 4B and son Jonathon in 2T. Welcome Megan.
Harmony Week
It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community.
Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it. Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
Harmony Week was celebrated at St Lawrence's last week with children wearing orange to school last weeks.
Diocesan Leaders Day and Mass of Oils
Geraldton Diocesan Leaders (including principals) met yesterday at the Catholic Centre for their annual meeting. Fr Gerard led us in prayer and discussion on the Plenary Council before Bishop Michael spoke on the Bishops Synod. We were also given overviews of Catholic Education, Centacare, Health Care and Aged Care. We were given the opportunity to feed back to the group in a series of spiritual conversations.
The day concluded with 16 students from St Lawrence's and their teachers attending the Mass of Oils with myself and the other Diocesan Leaders. The Mass of Oils is a special mass when we gather with the Bishop and the priests of the Diocese for not just blessing oils and consecrating chrism, but also to pray for everyone and everything they will anoint in the coming year. The Oils blessed at this Mass – Oil of the Sick, Oil of Baptism and the Holy Chrism will reach:
- Every Catholic in our diocese who becomes sick and is anointed;
- Every baby and young child in our diocese who is baptised;
- Every young person and adult in our diocese who are fully initiated into the community of the Church;
The gathering celebrates the unity of the Diocese where priests, religious and laity renew their commitment to call to serve in Christ's name as baptised members of his Church and sharers in his mission.
Triple Stream Principal's Meeting
Today I was privileged to host 7 visiting Principal's from other Triple Stream Primary Schools and was given the opportunity to show them around our wonderful campus. I am usually travelling to Perth to visit these schools, however this time it was my turn to host. The Principals were amazed at our facilities and the diverse educational programs we provide. From our three year olds , extension and classroom differentiation programs to our ovals and gardens - they were extremely impressed. They also commented on our children's manners and our new school uniforms.
School Advisory Council
The SAC met for the first time this week with their main purpose being to support the Principal in fulfilling his responsibilities in leading the Catholic Identity, Education, Community and Stewardship functions of St Lawrence's Primary School. This is in pursuit of the vision of CEWA to be Christ-centred and child-focused.
The 2023 council members are:
Chair - Leigh Jones
Vice Chair - Jesse Moore
Secretary - Christine Silvester
Treasurer - Paul Pollard
Marissa Drummond
P&F Rep - Clare Venturini
Parish Priest - Fr Gerard Totanes
Principal - David Tunchon
I thank each member of the council for giving up their time and supporting St Lawrence's in the decision making of our 4 pillars.
Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Westlake (nee Miss Steph Burro and Mr Aaron Westlake) who were married last weekend at St Francis Xavier Cathedral. They are now off on their honeymoon so we won't be able to congratulate them properly until they return next term. May you both have many years of happiness together.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Please keep in your prayers our Year 3 students as they make their Sacrament of Reconciliation this weekend.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, thank you for this time today. Help us learn about why people celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
Help us to:
- Reflect on our lives
- Take responsibility for our wrong words and actions
- Understand that our words and actions can hurt ourselves and our friendship with God, our family and friends, the Church family and the world community.
- Say sorry
- Ask for forgiveness
- Promise not to do the wrong thing again
We ask this through Christ Our Lord - Amen
I will be taking some long service leave next week. As we move into Holy Week, I would like to wish you all a very safe, happy and holy Easter. School returns for students in Term 2 on Wednesday 26 April. God Bless
Happy Days
David Tunchon
Principal
Religious Education
Fruit of the Spirit Focus: Patience
We are patient when we wait our turn and think about others first.
Stations of the Cross:
On Thursday, April 6th - Year 6T will lead the school through the Stations of the Cross.
This is when we recreate the journey that Jesus took on his way of the cross, from being given the cross, to his death and then resurrection. This is our reminder that Jesus died and rose again to forgive our sins and so that we all may have eternal life.
Term Two Sacramental Program:
Year 4: First Eucharist Sacramental Timeline:
Father Gerard Sacramental Letter to families: Term Two, Week One
Eucharist Commitment Masses: Term Two, Week Two:
Saturday May 6th 6:00pm or Sunday May 7th 9:00am ( St Lawrence's Church)
Eucharist Retreat Day: Term Two, Week Three: Thursday May 11th (Bill Hemsley Centre- White Peak)
Sacrament of Eucharist: Term Two, Week Seven: Sunday June 11th, 11:00am – School Undercover Area
Term Two Prayer Services:
Week 1: Thursday April 27th: Anzac Service 11:10am – UCA
Week 3: Wednesday May 10th : Kindy Mother's Day Prayer Service
Week 3: Thursday May 11th : Pre-Primary Mother's Day Prayer Service
Week 4: Thursday May 18th : Year One Prayer Service
Week 8: Thursday June 15th : Year Two Prayer Service
School Masses:
Week 5: Wednesday May 24th Communio Mass – Whole School, 9:30am – Undercover Area (6G to lead)
Week 9: Saturday June 24th : Year Five Family Mass, 6pm – School Undercover Area
Administration News
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following students who will be celebrating their
Birthday soon:
Noah W, Dominic P, Garry R, Vittani J, Taya G, Rebekah M, Ari P, Lewis R, Riley M, Kora B, Frieda A, Leni J, Matilda W, Hayley H, Oliver M, Myles M, Isaac W, Rose M, Mason G, Harlow M, Sophie H, Makenna P, Marlowe O, Harlyn T, Axel C, Isabelle O, Bailey O, Eva M, Tilly T, Denzel N, Emily M and Karlee P!
The last day of Term 1 is Thursday the 6th of April and School returns for Term 2 on Wednesday the 26th of April.
3 Year Old Kindy
P & F News
P & F News
Fundraising Goals for 2023
At the general P&F Meeting on Monday 20th March the executive and committee members approved a budget to present to the School Advisory Council and identified the Fundraising Goals for 2023. Decisions on spending were made that related to using funds that have been collected through fundraising activities in 2021 and 2022 and those funds we aim to collect in 2023, from fundraising and the P&F levy.
The fundraising goals were identified from the ‘wishlist’ that was presented at the planning meeting early in Term 1. We have approved the following expenditures in 2023: 6 x Park Style Seating from Felton Industries for Year 3/4 areas, catering for staff on World Teachers Day in October, Lunch for the Year 6 ‘Big Day Out’ in Term 4, 2023/2024 Year 6 Leavers Shirts, 2023 Ministry Leader Fundraising activities and Shade Structures for the Basketball Court terraced seating area, to be provided by local company Sheetmetal Co, pending approvals from CEWA.
The Agenda from this meeting can be made available if anyone is interested and the Minutes from this meeting will be available once they are approved at the next scheduled general P&F Meeting.
Subcommittees in 2023
At the same meeting on the 20th March, the following subcommittees and members were established:
Easter Raffle - Term 1 Heidi Teakle and Sarah Murray
Disco - Term 2 Nadine Smith and Kara Fraser
Carols on the Green - Term 4 Julie O’Malley and Amy Campbell
Easter Raffle
The Easter Raffle is in progress and all raffle books should have made it home by now. With only six days left we would like to remind you that if you do not want your raffle book please return it to school to the Front Office as soon as possible, so it can be made available purchase by another family. If you would like to purchase another book, please check in with the front office to see if there are any spare, where it will be cash and carry only. Tuesday 4th April is the last day for Easter egg donations and return of tickets and money. Wrapping and draw of prizes will be conducted on Wednesday with prizes ready for distribution through classes on Thursday afternoon.
The Communio for the Easter Raffle will be the Geraldton Women’s Refuge with donated baskets of Easter chocolates to be delivered in time for Easter Sunday.
A very big thankyou to the Easter Raffle subcommittee for your efforts with our first Fundraiser of the year. Thankyou to Heidi Teakle and Sarah Murray for organising the subcommittee and your commitment and effort to ensure the success of the Easter Raffle.
Sea Container Cleanout and Busy Bee
We are scheduling a Busy Bee during a weekend in Term 2. The sea containers need to be cleared of the resources that have been collected over the years when the Fete was an annual event and fundraiser at St Lawrences Primary School. We will put a call out for some volunteers who would be willing to be a part of this team. Our aim is to have the clean out completed by the end of Term 2.
Next Meeting
Our next general meeting is on Monday 1st May at 4.30pm in the Staffroom. Everyone is welcome to attend and we would love to see you there.
Wishing you all a happy Easter and a safe, relaxing holiday.
Kind regards,
Julie O’Malley
P&F Chairperson
Community Notices
