St Lawrence & Mary Immaculate Parish Balcatta:

Parish Priest: Fr Emil Ciecierega SDS Assistant Priest: Fr Leonard Macionczyk SDS

It is hard to believe that the Season of Advent begins this Sunday!

As we prepare a place in our hearts and homes for Jesus,

may we be mindful of those with broken hearts and broken homes.

May our prayer and our practice go out to those in need.

The St Vincent De Paul Society will appreciate your gifts of present and Christmas cheer.

PRE PRIMARY NATIVITY

This Friday at 8.45am is our Pre Primary Nativity Play. This is one of the highlights of our school year

where our pre Primary students re-enact the birth of Jesus. Thanks to Mrs Byrne, Mrs Baker and

Mrs Tana for preparing all the students.

CHRISTMAS PLAY

In 2017 our school is modifying our Advent Assembly and changing into our Christmas Play which will

occur on Tuesday 5 December at 2.00pm in the church.

All students from Kindergarten to Year Six will have a role and participate in this play. I would like to

thank Mrs Annette Tana for her chorography and planning of this play. Following the play our Year 1 and

Year 2 St Lawrence Medal Award Winners for 2017 will be announced. It would be great to see many

families attend what will be a fantastic Christmas Play to celebrate the birth of Jesus. All students in Year

Four to Year Six are requested to wear their school uniform on this day.

FATHERING PROJECT

Our 2018 Fathering Project Camp is planned for Moore River on 16 and 17 March. Families are

requested to pay a $50 deposit, which will confirm their booking for 2018. As lots need to be booked by

early December, families are asked to pay their money to the office before the end of the school year.

This will be your last chance to guarantee your spot for the camp in 2018.

St Lawrence Primary School 386 Albert Street Balcatta WA

Telephone: 9344 4944 Fax: 9344 5099 Email: admin@stlawbal.wa.edu.au

Home Page: www.stlawbal.wa.edu.au

Newsletter No. 38 29 November 2017

School Vision Statement 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.

CHILDREN’S PARISH PARTY

This Sunday after the 5.30pm Mass there will be a party to celebrate the new liturgical year in the

Alverna Centre. It will be pleasing to see many students attend this party.

BPAY CODE

Effective 2 January 2018 St Lawrence Primary School will have a new BPay Biller Code. If you have an

automatic deduction paid out through BPay for January 2018, please ensure you suspend this until school

resumes or you are notified of our new BPay Biller Code. Any queries please contact Mrs Armstrong.

SACRAMENTAL DATES

With today’s newsletter is a list of all the Sacramental dates for 2018.

John Rose

Principal

Year Six Assembly

Thursday 30 November: Year 6 Excursion

Friday 1 December: Pre Primary Nativity Play

Monday 4 December: Pre Primary & Year 5 Excursions

Tuesday 5 December: Christmas Play

Year 3 Excursion

Wednesday 6 December: Year 1 & Year 4 Excursions

Thursday 7 December: Year 2 Family Picnic

6pm Mass & Graduation

Friday 8 December: Year 6 Excursion

Last day for students

MERIT AWARD WINNERS

Pre Primary: Riley Knoz, Flynn Zonato, Miles O’Leary, Brooklynne O’Flynn, Georgia Gentile

Year One: Myah Cottone, Rita Farah, Bailey Smith

Year Two: Aliza Aquilia, Chloe Cabanayan, Jordan Condo, Carlo Deluca, Sanaa Hamer,

Jayden Macri, Nathaniel Farah

Year Three: Jasmine Strati, Anthony Donatelli, Luca Yang, Amelia Tamburri

Year Four: Christopher Veletta, Dylan Condo, Riley Zaknich, Sofia Trimboli

Year Five: Grace Gentry, Liliana Radich

Year Six: Sofia Sorgiovanni, Rosleen Makuaj, Ben Kuzmicich, Marco Hadzic, Chanel Ewen

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

ADVENT

This weekend, we commence the liturgical season of

Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word meaning

“coming” and during this period, we prepare ourselves

for the coming of Jesus.

BOOK COVERING

On Monday, teachers will be sending home notes regarding covering and labelling workbooks for 2018.

Please watch out for this notice and check with your current classroom teacher who will have spare

copies.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Christmas hampers filled with non-perishable food items are a great way to provide families with dignity

and joy during the Christmas season. Each classroom has a box for families to donate food items. This is

a lovely message to pass onto children about giving and social justice issues in our society. There is a list

of suitable items below and one in every classroom. Many thanks for your generosity in supporting this

cause. Hampers will be collected on Wednesday 6th December.

ST LAWRENCE PARISH SACRAMENT DATES 2018

CONFIRMATION

EVENT DATE TIME/LOCATION/PRESENTER

Enrolment Mass Saturday 10 March/Sunday 11 March 2018

Saturday 6.00pm OR Sunday 8.30am OR 5.30pm Mass

Parent Meeting Wednesday 29 August 2018

7.15pm School Hall (Fr Giosue)

Family Workshop Wednesday 5 September 2018

5.30pm AND 7.00pm - School Hall

Retreat Wednesday 12 September 2018

8.30am – 3.00pm (School Hall) - Spiritiva

CONFIRMATION DAY Saturday 15 September 2018

Sunday 16 September 2018

5.00pm Mass*

8.30am Mass

EUCHARIST

EVENT DATE TIME/LOCATION/PRESENTER

Enrolment Mass Saturday 10 March/Sunday 11 March 2018

Saturday 6.00pm OR Sunday 8.30am OR 5.30pm Mass

Parent Meeting Wednesday 30 May 2018 7.15pm – School Hall

Family Workshop Wednesday 6 June 2018 5.30pm AND 7.00pm - School Hall

Retreat Monday 11 June 2018 8.30am – 3.00pm (School Hall) –

Sr Chitra

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASSES

Saturday 16 June 2018

Sunday 17 June 2018

5.00pm Mass*

8.30am Mass

RECONCILIATION

EVENT DATE TIME/LOCATION/PRESENTER

Enrolment Mass Saturday 10 March/Sunday 11 March 2018

Saturday 6.00pm OR Sunday 8.30am OR 5.30pm Mass

Parent Meeting Wednesday 19 September 2018

7.15pm – School Hall (Fr Giosue)

Family Workshop Wednesday 10 October 2018

5.30pm AND 7.00pm (School Hall)

Retreat Wednesday 17 October 2018

8.30am – 3.00pm (School Hall)

RECONCILIATION NIGHT Wednesday 24 October 2018

6.30pm – St Lawrence Church

CLASS NEWS

PRE KINDY

Well only two more Pre Kindy days and then it is time for a break before Kindy begins for all our

children. We are having fabulous days with our friends, learning so much and becoming so grown up.

This week we will watch the story of Jesus’ birth and we have already made a Nativity scene which is on

display in the class. Thanks to the wonderful mums and dads who have been coming on roster to share

time with us.

Mrs Kaylene Bozich, Pre Kindy Teacher

KINDERGARTEN

I can't believe we are nearly at the end of the school year! We are fully into the 'Christmas' theme,

learning about Christmas and making special arts and crafts. The children are busily practicing for their

concert on Wednesday, 6th December at 8.45 in the Under croft. Children can wear Christmas t-shirts or

Christmas coloured clothing. The children who have parts in the Nativity play will be given costumes to

wear on the morning.

We will also be participating in the whole school Christmas concert on Tuesday, 5th December at 2pm in

the Church. Everyone is welcome.

The list is up for food ideas for the last day party lunch. Please bring only a small plate of food to share as

there is always plenty to go around. We will have shared fruit as per usual.

Have a wonderful week, Mrs Simone Covich, Kindergarten Teacher

PRE PRIMARY

The Pre-Primary’s loved their visit to the Constable Care Safety School. Every child was able to ride a

bike, learn to cross the road safety and learn the safe actions to take around cars, trains, buses and bikes.

Many children in the class have since been talking about how they have been practicing their bike riding

at home. I have also seen some children write a bike on their Santa list. The Pre-Primary’s are incredibly

excited and a little nervous about our Nativity on Friday. They have been practicing hard and I’m sure

they will all be fantastic. All Pre-Primary families are welcome to join us in the Pre-Primary playground

after the assembly for photos and a quick play.

Mrs Laura Byrne, Pre-Primary Teacher

YEAR ONE

The children are continuing to work hard even though the end of the year is fast approaching. We are

looking forward to our last weeks together in Year One. A note was sent home yesterday with

information regarding costumes for the Christmas play on Tuesday 5th December. Please see me if you

did not receive the note from Mrs Tana. A big thank you to the parents who volunteered to help on our

excursion to Perth Zoo on Wednesday 6th December. As this is our last excursion and we had many

parents put their hand up to help, parents who were not chosen as a parent helper are welcome to

attend. Unfortunately, you will need to pay for your own entry into the Zoo if you wish to come

along. Entry is $31. Please let me know if you would like to come along. Thank you to all the parents

who have helped us on excursions throughout the year. Your help is very much appreciated. On

Tuesday morning 5th December, we will be cleaning desks. If anyone is able to help please let me know.

Mrs Roselyn Pizzino Year One Class Teacher

YEAR TWO

It has been great to see our class members develop their self management skills over the two weeks of

swimming lessons with minimal items misplaced and many friends helping others with their belongings

and shoe laces.

To celebrate our final week of Year Two, we will be gathering for a Family Picnic on Thursday 7

December at Braithwaite Park. All families are welcome to join with us for a play and picnic lunch

from 11.00am through to 1.30pm. A note outlining further details will be sent home by the end of the

week.

Mrs Jacki Tucker, Year Two Teacher

YEAR THREE We are looking forward to our trip to the movies next Tuesday. Thanks to all the parents who have

volunteered to help out. We have a busy last week of term.

Tuesday 5th December

Movie in the morning

Early lunch at Jack Adder Lake

Christmas play at 2pm in the church

Thursday 7th December

Cleaning desks in the morning

Graduation Mass in church at 6pm

Friday 8th December

Last day of term- reports available online after school

Mrs Marie Heavey, Year Three Teacher

LIBRARY NEWS

Borrowing during Library Sessions has now finished for this

year as we need to use the next few weeks to do collection

maintenance and chase up outstanding loans.

However, as was the case last year, children from Years 1-5 are

invited to borrow up to 4 fiction books and 1 non-fiction book

for the Christmas School Holidays. This invitation is only

available to students from these years who have been careful and

reliable borrowers throughout the entire year and have had no

more than five overdue notices.

As there will be no library lessons in the last week of term, those children wishing to borrow can come

to the library, in the last week of term, either before school or at lunchtime, on Tuesday or

Wednesday. They will need to bring their library bags. Parents are most welcome to accompany their

children when they borrow.

LEXILES

All lexile books need to be returned this Friday. Over the years, a number of lexiles have gone missing. If

all families could just check at home for any stray lexiles and return them to the library, it would be much

appreciated.

Mrs Lyn Archer, Teacher Librarian

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

UNIFORM SHOP CLOSED

Please note that this Thursday afternoon 30 November, the Uniform Shop will be closed. The Uniform

Shop will be open on Friday 1 December from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

SUMMER UNIFORM

Students in Year 1 to Year 6 return back to school in Term 1, 2018 in their summer uniform.

Pre-Primary parents are reminded to collect their uniform orders for students commencing in Year 1,

2018 by the end of this term. Please note that the last day that the Uniform Shop will be open for this term

will be Thursday 7 December from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDENTS COMMENCING 2018

Pre-Kindy students may wear early childhood t-shirt (not compulsory).

Kindy students may wear early childhood t-shirt (not compulsory).

Library Bags are required (compulsory).

Pre-Primary students may wear early childhood t-shirt (not compulsory).

Library Bags are required (compulsory).

School Hats must be worn (compulsory).

Early childhood t-shirts, library bags and school hats are available from the Uniform Shop. Please

purchase the required items before the end of this term in readiness for the commencement of Term1

2018.

JANUARY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Parents please note that the Uniform Shop will be open on Tuesday 30 January 2018 from 2.30pm to

4pm and Wednesday 31 January. The first day that the students return back to school the Uniform Shop

will be open at 8.00am.

UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS

Wednesday 8.30am to 9.30am and Thursday 2.30pm to 3.30pm

Mrs Angie Miola, Uniform Shop Manager

NETBALL NEWS

On Monday 27 November we held our netball AGM where we elected our

new netball committee for 2018 and beyond.

New netball committee are:

President: Leah Ferolla

Vice President: Natalie Multari

Secretary: Kathy Vu

Treasurer: Maria Orifici

Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM on Monday night. A special thank you to the outgoing

committee members, it has been an absolute pleasure working alongside these lovely ladies:

Lucia Ewen, Mary Mucciarone and Sandra Caccamo.

Thank you to everyone at the St Lawrence Netball Club, players, coaches, managers, umpires and all our

volunteers, for all your hard work. You have all helped make this a successful year.

Best wishes to the new committee.

Mrs Paula Bulich

Outgoing St Lawrence Netball Club President

CLASS REP NEWS

YEAR THREE

Please come along for the final Year 3 catch up for the year. Dinner will be at Tamarind Restaurant in

Mount Hawthorn at 7pm on Tuesday 5th December. Please R.S.V.P to Chantelle or Sam by Monday

4th December.

CONDOLENCES

To the Brandwood family on the passing of their dear great-grandmother to Gemma (Year 1) and

Dean (Year 3). May her soul rest in peace.

CANTEEN NEWS END OF TERM SAUSAGE SIZZLE

All orders must be in by Friday 1 December. Hot Dog and Drink $5.00.

BIKE RAFFLE – Last chance to buy your ticket. Raffle will be

drawn tomorrow!

We thank Modern Glass and Metro Glass who each purchased $200

worth of tickets towards the Canteen Bikes Raffle. Thank you

Modern Glass and Metro Glass for your very kind support

THANK YOU: Nat Multari, Sue Del Borrello, Karen Hall, Rebecca Rzemek, Nicole Tamburri, Lea

Ferolla and Antonella Crupi. Your help and support this term has been very much appreciated.

Amanda, Nancy and Christina

Celebration

Celebrate the beginning of the new church year with

a free party at the

ALVERNA CENTRE.

Sunday 3rd December After the 5.30pm mass till 8.00pm.

All children are welcome. Free food and drink and

lots of fun!!

To all our soon to be footy legends please register your interest in attending the Stirling Saints Junior

Football Preseason Summer Training.

This event is free for school students Years 3 to 10

Make sure you spread the word

Bring a friend or family along too!

Register at trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/TFTE

Any issues with registering please contact me on luciaewenssjfc@gmail.com

Look forward to seeing you there. Lucia Ewen Event Organiser