Heavenly Father

As I enter another week of my Lenten journey, guide me to the path that leads to you. Fill my heart with gratitude, patience, strength, and peace as I strive to become

the-best-version-of-myself, honestly admitting my shortcomings and sins.

As I renew my resolve each day to become a better person, let me hear your voice in the deepest reaches of my heart. Give me rest in you.

Help me to accept others, showing them your great love instead of casting judgment.

Stay with me through the busy days this week and remind me that when I need comfort,

solitude, wisdom, or guidance, I can always turn to you.

Help me develop discipline and generosity through fasting and almsgiving, and come closer to you through prayer this Lent.

In your name I pray,

Amen

Dear Parents and Friends

Inspiring Christ-Centre Leaders

All Catholic Schools are required to have an Evangelisation Policy. This policy helps our school to shape

and form the Evangelising mission of a Catholic School within the Catholic Church.

The Principles underlining our Evangelisation Policy are:

At St Lawrence we are called to share the word of God with those in the school community.

God’s message of hope will be shared with all.

Every effort is made to please God as we imitate Christ in all we do and all we say.

The Evangelisation Policy is central to all we do at St Lawrence.

The Procedure underlying our policy is:

At St Lawrence we endeavour to spread the mission of Jesus Christ in word and action; by offering

students primary proclamation and initiatory catechesis:

386 Albert Street Balcatta WA Telephone: 9344 4944

Email: admin@stlawbal.wa.edu.au www.stlawbal.wa.edu.au

Newsletter No. 6 11 March 2020

The vision of St Lawrence Catholic Primary School, Balcatta is to share the message of God’s love and friendship in a community of learners, developing the full potential of each child.

Providing students with many opportunities to witness their faith

Foster the sacramental life of our school community

Pastorally care for all members of the school community

Enable staff to participate in Faith Development opportunities

Being aware of the global community and giving support where possible

Ensuring the inclusion of the school community when appropriate

By striving to live and model good Christian Witness

Catholic Schools of Excellence I have been very impressed with our children’s presentation during this term. Uniforms have been well

presented, clean and in general student grooming has been of its usual high standards. I do however

remind all parents about the need to support the uniform policy which includes general presentation.

Some time I notice the occasional hair cut that sits very close to a breach of the uniform policy.

This is not acceptable and I ask parents to ensure you send your children to school well-groomed and

appropriately presented and in the correct school uniform. I sincerely thank all the boys and girls who do

follow the policy and their parents, for supporting our schools policies and procedures at all times.

Enrolment at St Lawrence is subject to our policies and procedures being adhered to. Again thank you to

all the boys and girls who dress and present so well every day.

Catholic Pastoral Communities Our prayers and thoughts go out to all the people in this world at this time who are unwell due to the

Coronavirus. At such time we all become somewhat concerned and worried about all the “what if” and

“could be”. It is hard to explain to our children something we often do not truly understand ourselves.

I provide some tips and thoughts from child experts you may wish to read and process to help with your

own families responses at this time.

These tips can help:

Find out what they know.

We would all like our children to remain blissfully unaware of the sadder events in this world, but do not

expect that you can shield them from them. Children are very intuitive and perceptive, if they do not hear

it on television, other kids are going to be talking about it. They can see that their parents are more

concerned than usual, paying more attention to the TV. They may overhear adult conversations. Even if

they do not know what it is, they still know something is happening. Having information can actually help

take away the confusion, and help kids feel better.

Let the information they have launch the conversation, and then let the children steer the discussion with

their questions and concerns. If you do not want to open a can of worms, just ask about their day, or if

they heard anything interesting, and see if they bring it up.

Limit TV so you know your children are only getting age-appropriate information.

Answer any questions your children have in language they can understand. Keep it very simple.

Bring it to their level. Avoid getting into too deep conversation, or related conversations that drift into

other topics. “Children are very egocentric, and they want to know that they are okay, and the people

around them are going to be okay.”

Encourage them to express how they feel.

Listen to their worries and help them name their feelings. What we are trying to do is help children cope

and understand what is going on, but we are also teaching them coping strategies that can last a lifetime.

Young children need to have a vocabulary for what they are feeling. How do you express feelings? What

do you do when you are angry? What do you do if you are sad?

Reassure them.

While you can acknowledge that what happened is scary, you want to reassure your children with your

words and behaviour. Emphasise that while there are some concerning things happening in the world, we

have nothing to worry about. That you are safe and that school, the governments and mum and dad are

doing everything to ensure our safety. Consistency is also important, so keep your routines the same and

keep life feeling normal and make sure your behavior and conversations in front of the children are not

cause for worry for the children.

Accessible, Affordable and Sustainable

KINDERGARTEN APPLICATION FOR 2021

Applications for Kindy in 2021 are currently being processed.

Even if you have siblings at the school you still need to

fill out relevant application forms for your child.

If you have a child ready to commence Kindy in 2021, please contact the school office

immediately for an application form.

If you know of other families within the community that would like to attend our

Kindergarten programme for 2021, please let them know that they need to contact the school

for an application form.

Applications close Friday 13 March 2020

PRE-KINDERGARTEN (3yr old) APPLICATION FOR 2021

If you have a child ready to commence Pre-Kindy in 2021, please contact the school office

immediately for an application form.

If you know of other families within the community that would like to attend our

Pre-Kindergarten programme for 2021, please let them know that they need to contact the school

for an application form.

Applications close Friday 13 March 2020

God bless each and every one of you.

Sheldon Carey,

M Ed, B Ed, Grad Dip

Principal

PASTORAL CARE We pray for all our community as we move through our

Lenten journey. May almsgiving, prayer and fasting help

us all grow in our love of God.

I want my children to read

Here is a simple reflection around

some professional reading I did

recently….

I want my children to be readers.

I want my children to have big dreams.

How can I help my children learn to

read?

I show them that reading matters…

I help them find books they like.

They see me read.

We go to the library together.

We write letters to their relatives and spell out all the words.

We read before bed every night.

All of these suggestions will have a positive impact on developing good reading habits in our children,

which will enhance opportunities to learn to read and support what our teachers are doing in their

classrooms.

HOME LEARNING TIPS

ENROLMENT MASSES

It was wonderful to see so many children in Church last weekend at our Enrolment Masses. If your

child was not able to attend and did not submit their enrolment form, please contact the Parish Office

on 9344 7066.

YEAR THREE LITURGY

The Year Three class will be having the Liturgy of the Word Prayer service on Friday 20 March.

Parents are welcome to attend.

TEACHER PARENT INTERVIEWS

During the upcoming weeks, classroom teachers will be inviting parents to meet with them to discuss

their child’s progress over the term. These interviews form an important part of our Reporting policy

and are essential component in developing open communication between home and school.

As part of readiness activities for NAPLAN online schools in Western Australia

schools participating in NAPLAN online will undertake a practice test. Our year 3

students will complete the online practice test on Monday 23 March. The test

includes numeracy, reading and conventions of language questions. The duration of

the test is 45 minutes. Information about NAPLAN Online has been sent home

today with students in Years 3 and 5.

You can view the type of questions and related functionalities available in the NAPLAN Online

assessment at www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

FACETIME AND MESSENGER

It has come to our attention that parents and students were using messenger and FaceTime during

school hours which was causing major disruptions to the children’s learning and detrimental to the

classroom environment. Accordingly access to these applications have been restricted. However, in

the process it has removed home access as well. IT Dynamics is working to rectify home access while

maintaining the school restriction.

WELLNESS WEEK

During Wellness Week, some of our staff visited Saint Catherine’s House of Hospitality to partake in

a meditation session led by Sister Elizabeth. It was a relaxing and calming way to refocus our minds

to help maintain a balance in our life. I hope all families were able to take the opportunity to reconnect

with their family and friends during this week.

DANCE CONCERT

On the last Thursday of this Term, Thursday 9 April, your children will be participating in the St

Lawrence Dance Concert for 2020. All students will be required to wear black shorts, a coloured t-

shirt with no logo or designs and sneakers. Below are the t-shirt requirements for each year level:

Year 6- Free choice but not black and black shorts

Year 5- Light blue and black shorts

Year 4- Green and black shorts

Year 3- Red and black shorts

Year 2- White and black shorts

Year 1- Yellow and black shorts

Pre Primary- Orange and black shorts

On the day of the performance, students come to school dressed in their school uniform. Please send

their performance outfit in a labelled bag so they can change after lunch.

The concert starting time has been changed to 1.30pm. Family and friends are welcome to join us

on the junior oval for this amazing dance performance.

Miss Kathleen Tranquille and Mrs Gabrielle Brennan, Assistant Principals

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

PRE KINDY

This week we begin our new focus for the remainder

of the term – Easter.

Many people think that Christmas is the most

important day in the Catholic liturgical calendar, but

from the earliest days of the Church, Easter has been

considered the central Christian feast. Although quite

difficult to explain to our little 3-year old’s e.g.The

Last Supper, Jesus dying on the cross, the resurrection

etc. We try to expose these ideas in a simplified

manner to the children via our class The Beginners

Bible and animated stories that we share during our

session.

We also explain that the Easter egg reminds us – just

as a chick breaks the shell when it is hatched and

begins life, so Our Lord comes forth living from the

tomb.

Mrs Kaylene Bozich, Pre Kindy Teacher

KINDERGARTEN

The children are settling in very quickly now and learning to pack away and sit on the mat using our

mat manners really well. A big focus in Kindy is Oral Language. We are working on speaking in full

sentences. We will focus more on this in Term Two when we begin news telling. We will begin

learning about 2D shapes and sorting objects this week and next. I will be sending home some

information on sorting so please keep an eye out for this in the children’s red folders.

Next week we focus on good health and hygiene. They are encouraged to speak in a full sentence

when talking. Parent roster will start next week. but we are happy to accommodate other times if this

does not suit you. Our focus for the next two weeks is 'Our Senses'. This week is the senses of smell

and taste. The children have had fun with these! Next week is sight, hearing and touch.

Wellness Week in Kindy included moments of

meditation and yoga.

Mrs Rachel Wake, Kindergarten Teacher

CLASS NEWS

PRE PRIMARY

This week we are learning about new life in Religion

as we prepare for Easter. We have talked about some

important things that Jesus teaches such as being kind,

sharing with our friends and caring for others. In

Maths, we have been learning all about 2d shapes and

their properties. We have been making 2d shapes using

different materials.

This week we read the book ‘Hairy Bear’ by Joy

Cowley. We painted our favourite part of the story.

I hope to have completed the on-entry assessments by

the end of this week.

I have put out a timetable so please put your name

down for a meeting. I would like to meet with

everybody to discuss your child’s progress. If the

allocated times are not convenient for you then please

feel free to email me to arrange another time.

Thanks and have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Tania Preston, Pre Primary Teacher

YEAR ONE

In Year One we have been looking at different strategies we can use to decode words when reading.

We have been looking at the strategies Lips the Fish and Eagle Eye. More information on how we use

these was sent home in the children’s Homework Journals.

In Mathematics our focus is on number patterns we have been working on skip counting.

Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to help with morning reading. It is also much

appreciated that parents are allowing the children to settle into their morning routines by leaving

promptly.

Mrs Gloria Edwards, Year One Teacher

YEAR TWO

Last week we celebrated Wellness Week and we

participated in some activities with our buddy class.

We made stress balls out of balloons and rice and did

mindful colouring in.

We had a blast with the Year Four class and

Miss Fogliani.

We have been discovering all about the world around

and how many states and territories make up Australia

as well as the continents and oceans of the world.

Miss Allison Spagnolo, Year Two Teacher

Year 3 Family Picnic

Please join us for a family picnic at Stirling Civic Gardens (near the play area). Sunday 5th April at

1pm. Please RSVP via the WhatsApp group chat. Look forward to seeing you all there!

Gabs & Cheryl

Year 5 We hope you can come join us for a Leisurely Ladies Lunch at the Greenwood Tavern on Sunday

15th March at 12:00pm. Let us know if you can make it. Would love to see you all there 🙂

For those children taking part in the NATIONAL RIDE2SCHOOL DAY they

may wear their sports uniform to school on this day.

There will be a designated area for the children to store their bikes.

CLASS REP NEWS

BOOK CLUB

Issue 2 of Book Club will be sent home with your child this afternoon. All

orders are due back at school next Tuesday 17 March. You can order online

using the LOOP system, or send your child’s order back to school with cash.

Please note that it takes approximately 3 weeks for the orders to arrive back

at school. Please make sure that you clearly write your child’s class, name and a

contact number on the order form.

We still have a book club order from Issue 1 that cannot be identified. If this is yours, please come and

see Mrs Frenzel in the library.

Mrs Jane Stanton, Teacher Librarian

WINTER UNIFORM Students in Year 1 to Year 6 return back to school in Term 2 in their Winter Uniform. Please ensure

that the Winter Uniform is worn correctly.

YEAR ONE AND NEW STUDENTS who have commenced this year will need to purchase their

Winter Uniform before the end of this term. Winter Order Forms are available from the school

office.

YEAR ONE PARENTS Please note there is NO roster for fittings. Winter stock is now available to

purchase directly from the Uniform Shop.

OPENING HOURS Please note the last day the Uniform Shop will be open for this term will be Thursday afternoon

9 April and will re-open in Term 2, Wednesday, 29 April. The Uniform Shop is closed during the

school holidays.

UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS

Wednesday 8.30am to 9.30am & Thursday 2.30pm to 3.30pm Mrs Angie Miola, Uniform Shop Manager

MOORE RIVER CAMP – FATHERING PROJECT

Once again, a great turn out to the Fathering Project camping weekend. Hopefully, there will be more people

committing earlier for next year. This will enable the whole process to run a lot smoother. A reminder to the

current Year 5 students and parents, that next year will be their last year to participate!

Thank you to all.

Patrick King,

Co-ordinator

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

LIBRARY NEWS

P&F meeting - Thursday 12 March, everyone is welcome to attend.

If you have anything you would like to discuss, please email me so that we can

add it to the agenda prior to the meeting.

Cadbury Fundraiser All money from the sale of boxes and any leftover chocolates MUST be returned to

the office by Friday 3 April.

If you have any queries, please see one of the P&F committee at school or email

pandf@stlawbal.wa.edu.au

Mrs Penny Godfrey, P&F President & Committee

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted their child’s registration!

The cut-off date for netball registrations will be next Friday 20th March 2020 at which time the portal

will close. This allows the committee time to organise the teams through the Vault and deal with any

technical issues before the season starts.

We would like to thank the Coaches and Managers who have committed their time to help our club!

Year 6

Coach: Jason Fazari

Manager: Antonella De Luca

Year 5/4

Coach: Adele Cirillo

Manager: Fiona Femia

Year 4

Coach: Sue Del Borrello

Manager: Melissa Cumace

Year 3

Coach: Cheryl Cappa

Manager: Natalie Multari

Year 2

Coach: Sarah Sabatino/Lara Siciliano

Manager: Anna Speranza

If you have any questions or concerns surrounding winter netball pre-season, your manager/coach is a

good place to start! Links for WDNA code of conduct for clubs/players/parent-spectators will be

distributed by your team manager.

Adele & the Netball Committee 2020

P&F NEWS

WINTER NETBALL 2020

CRICKET CARNIVAL FRIDAY 13 MARCH

Please note: Children going to the Cricket Carnival on Friday in Years 5 & 6, will still be able to

order lunch as they will return to school.

THANK YOU To Melinda last week for her help on Thursday! If you can help at anytime over the next term, please

come and see me, even if it’s only for an hour or two!

Week 7 - Year 1

Week 8 - Year 6

Week 9 - Year 5

Week 10- Year 4

BIRTHDAY ICY POLS

Birthday icy poles and brownies are still available for the

class $15; cupcakes or muffins $20!

EASTER RAFFLE

If you have any items you would like to donate please come and see me. A big thank you to Linda and

Ross for their kind donation and also to Kmart in Warwick!

Tickets will be on sale next week!

CONGRATUATIONS To Italia C, Year 4, who took home the Sonic Family Pass

and Light up Hydration Backpack!

Christina, Fran and Antonella, 2020 Canteen Staff

CANTEEN NEWS

TRINITY COLLEGE MUSICAL: THE MIKADO

Trinity College is proud to present 'The Mikado', a musical comedy written by Gilbert and Sullivan

(arranged by David Spicer Productions, Essgee Entertainment) and is set in the fictitious town of

Titipu, Japan. Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado (the Japanese emperor), has fled in disguise to avoid

his arranged marriage to Katisha, to find his beloved, Yum-Yum. He soon discovers that Yum-Yum is

already engaged to Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner and thus, a love triangle begins. As usual in

Gilbert’s imaginative plots, the tangled web unravels, nothing is as it seems and everyone lives

happily ever after! This musical is characterised by the clever wordplay, memorable tunes, and

unforgettable characters. Tickets for the performances on the 7,8 and 9 of May are now on sale and

can be purchased via this link: http://www.trybooking.com/BGSTC.

TRINITY COLLEGE OPEN DAY – WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2020

Discover Trinity College at our Open Day on Wednesday, 13 May 2020 to learn more about the unique

TC Spirit and the vast curricular and co-curricular opportunities that the College has to offer. Each of

our College Open Day sessions will include an address from the Principal and Junior/Senior Head

Prefects, student-led tours, light refreshments and a Q&A with key staff, teachers and the admissions

team. We look forward to meeting you! Please note that your son is welcome to attend the Open Day.

Further details can be found via www.trinity.wa.edu.au or you can register directly through

https://www.trybooking.com/BILZB. You can also email registrar@trinity.wa.edu.au or call 9223

8120.

COMMUNITY NEWS