Newsletter 20 - 29 October 2020

Principal's Page

CEWA Staff Breakfast

On Friday 16 October I was fortunate to attend the annual CEWA Staff Breakfast in Perth. Paula Roach, Mary Catalano and I received certificates for 30 years of service to Catholic Education in Western Australia. Our P&F  treasurer Shannon Wegert was nominated in the parent category for the work she has done with our P & F in building community. All Catholic Schools in the Geraldton Diocese were also nominated for the marketing strategy we have been working on to increase numbers in our Catholic Schools. Congratulations to all recipients.

Year 6 Fun Week
Last week, Year 6 students were involved in a fun week of activities as their school camp had to be cancelled in Term 2. I would like to thank the many staff that were involved in putting the fun week together including the Year 6 teachers who spent many hours in preparation.

First Eucharist
Please keep in your prayers our Year 4 students and 4 x Year 5 students  who will be making their First Eucharist this Sunday. Due to Covid restrictions, mass will be held in the undercover area with limited seating. Thank you to our APREC Donna Kempton and the Year 4 teachers for preparing them for their special day.

 2021 Class Splits 
During this term teachers will be reviewing class splits for 2021 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.  

A personal SMS will go out to each family at the end of the school year to inform parents what class your child will be in for 2021. 

Staffing Information
Congratulations to Ciarra Ryan who was the successful applicant for our middle/upper primary teacher position starting in 2021. Ciarra has worked at St Lawrence’s previously as an Educational Assistant and relief teacher. She has also worked at Kids Hub as an educator. Ciarra is a past student of St Lawrence’s and will be a great asset as a staff member of our school and community.

2021 Uniform Changes
Please note there will be 3 major changes to our school uniform throughout 2021. We are still negotiating prices with our uniform supplier and will advertise these as they come in.

1. From January 2021 new faction shirts will be available for purchase from Total Uniforms for Years 1-6 in the 4 faction colours. The shirts will eventually replace the existing sports shirt. This will be a 12-month process. The new sports shirts will be able to be worn twice a week as well as carnival days. Throughout 2021 they will also be used as our interschool shirt.    

2. From January 2021 new T-shirt  will be available for purchase from Total Uniforms for 3 and 4-year-old kindy as well as Pre Primary. Theses shirts are optional. There is no uniform policy           for these classes however these shirts may help parents out. The shirts will have a ‘Little Lawrie’s’ design on them and will be available in multiple colours.

   3. From January 2021 black school shoes will be optional. Children may wear plain all black                       sandshoes or brown sandals with their uniform.

St Lawrence’s School Code of Conduct
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 each of us.
Code of Conduct - Statement 2 – You give priority to students and well-being in all your behaviour and decision making.  For parents, this may look like:

• Clear, explicit communication
• Model safe behaviour
• Emotional and mental issues-awareness
• Restorative practises
• You act in accordance with the values of the Gospel as defined in the Code of Ethical Conduct.
• You conduct yourself in accordance with laws, agreements, policies and standards relevant to your relationship with the school community.
• You respect the dignity, culture, values and beliefs of each member of the school community.
• You treat personal information about members of the school community as private and confidential.
• You support all members of the school community in making informed decisions about students.
• You promote and preserve the trust and privilege inherent in your relationship with all members of the school community.
• You maintain and build on the community’s trust and confidence in Catholic schools and the Church.
• You act reflectively and ethically.
• You allow students to have a voice in their education, safety and well-being.                               

To see a full copy of St Lawrence's School Code of Conduct go to:
https://www.stlps.wa.edu.au/Profiles/stlawrence/Assets/ClientData/Documents/Policies/codeofconduct.pdf

Religious Education

First Eucharist:
We offer prayers to all our students making their “First Eucharist” with Bishop Michael this weekend.
We have 38 Year Four communicants and 4 Year Five communicants who will receive the Jesus for the first time in Holy Communion on All Saints Day – Sunday Nov 1.
They will have a Eucharist Retreat Day at school on Thursday Oct 29.
Halloween – origins:
Halloween has deep Christian roots, dating back to the eighth century, when Pope Gregory III established All Hallows (known to Catholics as All Saints Day) on November 1st. This was to be a day to honour all the saints who died with or without Church recognition. All Souls Day follows on November 2nd and is a time in which we pray for all the dead, including our own special friends and family.
Light, long a symbol of life in Jesus, was used on ‘Halloween’ (meaning ‘All Holies (or Saints) Eve’) to welcome good spirits and ward off evil ones. Candles were lit and placed inside hollowed-out squash, turnips, or later, after the discovery of America, pumpkins. Children, wearing masks, would go ‘souling’ from door to door, begging for soul cakes for the those in purgatory.
At All Hallows, we celebrate…
Our heavenly family – Those men and women of virtue and faith who lead lives of holiness, courage and generosity and are now saints in heaven. Their heroic lives inspire us and provide excellent role models for our children. Some families like to pray the ‘Litany of the Saints’, calling on favourite saints to “pray for us”.
Our deceased family member – This is a good time to recall fond memories of our loved ones, go through old photo albums, visit their grave sites, and of course, pray for them. Children enjoy lighting candles and saying prayers for loved ones.
Our living family – We shy away from talking about death, but really, death is the surest reality of our lives. This feast reminds us to reflect on our priorities and make the most of every opportunity to express our love and affection for those close to us. Use this time to affirm a saintly quality or virtue that you see in each family member.

Prayer for First Eucharist
May many blessings come to all
On your First Eucharist Day,
And may God’s love
Be in your hearts.
To strengthen you along life’s journey.
Amen

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Administration News

2021 Booklists

Booklists have gone out for 2021 for students entering Yr2-6. You may order online or in paper form. Please read the instructions carefully especially the return dates. 

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 Tuesday: Starting Week 5, all classes will have a ‘Transition Tuesday’ lunch break, this will involve them eating their lunch and playing in their new year group area for 2021 (L2 Thursday’s)
Whilst the whole school Transition happens on Thursday November 26, P-6.
K-PP—WED Nov 25 & Fri Nov 27, teachers are already making 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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following children who have recently celebrated birthdays: Indie S, Cruz H, Franz E, Aila K, Taylahni C, Oliver S, Jensen W, Charli R, Ruby D, Ilahi G, Bryson M, Lahni P, Tully W, Kaden S, Baylee S, Kaden S, Marco L, Levi S, Axel W and Sailor S.

Merit Certificates

News from Pre-Primary

P&F News

Carols on the Green evening
The preparations for Carols on the Green on Thursday 3^rd December are well underway and as promised here are more details as to what you can expect from the evening.
Raffle Prizes
Pictured below are most of our raffle prizes. Draws will take place during the evening with winners choosing from the pictured selection of prizes.  If you have purchased a ticket and you are not able to attend the evening a prize will be selected for you. There is something for everyone as these are the items that have been donated by you as well as some of our local businesses for the 2020 Fete.
Ticket Books and Sales
The format for selling raffle tickets will be the same as our Easter Raffle. Check your children’s bags for the Raffle Books during Week 4. One book containing 10 tickets will be sent home with the youngest child. If you require more books, they will be available from the Front Office to collect. Tickets are $2 each. Raffle books (sold or unsold) and money will need to be returned in the envelope provided to the Front Office at school by Thursday 26^th November in Week 7. Happy selling and good luck!
Grazing Boxes
Wanting a stress free preparation for the evening? Consider ordering a Grazing Box (see below) for a cost of $20. All boxes must be pre-ordered and pre-paid as they will not be available for purchase on the evening. Your orders will be available for you to pick up from the canteen on arrival to the Carols. An order form will be sent home with the youngest child in each family during Week 4.
If you wish to order a Grazing Box, place your order form and money in the return envelope provided. Return to the Front Office by Week 6 Friday 20^th November. We will need a minimum of 50 orders to make this viable.

Grazing Boxes

Sausage Sizzle
A sausage sizzle will be available all evening for a purchase price of $1.50. A reminder that it is BYO all drinks.
Entertainment
A program of entertainment for the evening will be published over the coming weeks.  Our entertainment will include Anne Williams, Mrs Hart and the Choir, the Year 3 Piano students and other musical performances. Keep checking our Facebook Page, Parent Information Group FB page and Class Dojo for the Evening’s Program closer to the event.
We look forward to you joining us for what we hope will be a relaxing evening with friends and a celebration of the St Lawrence’s School community.

Julie O’Malley

P&F President

P&F Executive Nominations
Just a reminder that if you are considering nominating for a position on the 2021 P&F Executive you will need to complete a nomination form.
Please indicate the position or positions you wish to nominate for.
Elections will take place at the Meeting on Monday 16^th November. Voting will be by secret ballot and nominees must be present for the vote.
If you require further information on how to nominate contact Melissa Smith via email slpfsecretary@gmail.com

All members of the parent body are welcome to attend this meeting.

Julie O’Malley

P&F President

Community Notices

Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the summer school holidays.
VacSwim in January offers fun lessons at beach or pool locations during the long break. Not only are they a great school holiday activity, they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water. Your children can start as young as five years old.
Don’t wait! Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/vacswim