St Lawrence & Mary Immaculate Parish Balcatta:

Parish Priest Fr Irek Czech SDS, Assistant Priest Fr Mariusz Adamczyk SDS

Advent begins this Sunday. How are we preparing ourselves for Advent?

Many of us are in an ideal place to begin Advent, but we don’t know it. It can be

tempting to think that, because we are struggling these days, we can’t enter into

Advent without a big change in our mood or without distancing ourselves from

our real experience. Nothing could be further from the truth. Advent is about

letting God come to us. We do the letting and God does the coming. And, the

whole mystery of our faith is that God is not reluctant to come into an unusual

relationship (like Mary and Joseph’s) or to be born in the poverty of a makeshift

stable. We are tempted to prepare for Advent by cleaning everything up first –

by, in effect, saving ourselves first. Our opening to Advent is to realise we need

saving and to accept the saving love of our God.

STAFFING 2015

I am pleased to announce the following staffing for 2015. Pre Kindy Mrs Kaylene Bozich (Thursday)

Education Assistant Mrs Pina Nyersh

Kindergarten Mrs Simone Covich (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)

Education Assistants Mrs Michelle Seragusana/Mrs Kayli Thompson

Pre Primary Miss Edel Murray

Education Assistant Mrs Adelaida Baker

Year 1 Mrs Roselyn Pizzino

Year 2 Miss Anna Brenkley

Year 3 Miss Angela Leddin assisted by Mrs Kaylene Bozich (Wednesday)

Year 4 Mrs Marie Heavey assisted by Mrs Laura Krikorian (Wednesday)

Year 5 Miss Emma Reid

Year 6 Mr Phil Haydon

Education Assistant Mrs Lynette Staltari/Miss Courtney Leigh

Mrs Gillian Austin/Mrs Kayli Thompson

Library Mrs Lyn Archer

Library Assistant Mrs Louise Frenzel

Physical Education Mrs Claire Major

Music Mrs Svetlana Zenkina/Mrs Rochelle Albert

Liturgical Singing Mrs Rochelle Albert

Italian TBA

Lit/Num Co-ordinator Mrs Gabrielle Brennan

Reading Recovery Mrs Gabrielle Brennan

Lit/Num Support Mrs Sharon Milne

School Chaplain Sister Chitra Justin

Uniform Shop Mrs Angela Miola

Canteen Mrs Frances Svilicich

Administration Officer Mrs Lina Armstrong

Administration Assistant Mrs Marie Boyle

Groundsman Mr Ken Tonge

Assistant Principals Mrs Marie Heavey and Miss Angela Leddin

Principal Mr John Rose

Parish Priest Fr Irek Czech

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 26 November 2014

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.

FAREWELL

I would like to congratulate Miss Yen Wong who has been offered a permanent position at St

Anthony’s School Greenmount. I would like to thank Yen who has done a tremendous job with our

Year Four class over the last six months. Cinu Santhosh will also leave us this week after working as

Educational Assistant in the Pre Primary whilst Mrs Adelaide Baker was having a knee operations.

I thank Cinu for all the hard work and care of the Pre Primary students.

Thanks also to Mrs Rebecca Rzemek who has assisted in the canteen over the last few months. We wish

both staff all the best in the future.

SWIMMING

This week all students from Year One to Year Six have commenced their swimming lessons at Terry

Tyzack Aquatic Centre. Swimming lessons will continue until Friday 5 December. It has been pleasing

to see all students adapt to changing at school rather than at the pool. This process has led to many less

lost items and allowed students to change in the safe environment of the school and whilst they are dry.

I thank Mrs Brennan who has organised the swimming roster to ensure the safety of all students.

PARISH CAROLS NIGHT

On Friday 12 December the St Lawrence Parish will be holding a Carols by Candlelight. All families

are most welcome to attend. Please see flyer attached to the newsletter.

CPPA EXECUTIVE

At the end of 2014 I will conclude my three year term on the Catholic Primary Principals Association

Executive. Whilst I have enjoyed my time on Executive I am looking forward to the additional time I

will be able to devote to St Lawrence Primary School in 2015.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Thanks to all families who donated items to the Christmas

Appeal. It was pleasing to see the boxes grow and

overflow in recent weeks. The St Vincent de Paul Society

were very appreciative of the generosity of all families.

RING PULLS FOR WHEELCHAIRS

This morning Mrs De Kuya praised all students for

supplying over six large boxes of ring pulls. I would like

to thank all families who supported this great initiative.

Congratulations to the Pre Primary class who donated

the most ring pulls in 2014.

With God’s Friendship and Love we Grow

John Rose

Principal

At a glance……

Monday 24 November to

Friday 5 December Swimming

Friday 28 November: Year 3 Assembly

Saturday 29 November: P&F Christmas Drinks – Botanica’s

Tuesday 2 December: 7pm School Board Meeting

Wednesday 3 December: Kindy Nativity

Thursday 4 December: Year 5 Mass

Friday 5 December: PP Nativity

Year 5 Excursion

MERIT AWARD WINNERS

Pre Primary: Sebastian Iacobelli, Anthony Donatelli

Year One: Ikechukwu Diamondstar, Tina Makuaj

Year Two: Alissa Passeretto, Carl Sgro, Sandra Lacki

Year Three: Joshua Carbone, Rosleen Makuaj, Sienna Tati

Year Four: Natalya Fazzari, Alexandra Bruno, Alex Zaekis

Year Five: Danica Germano, Monika Hujdurovic, Alexander Ienco, Nicholas Sgro

Year Six: Zoe Garcia, Pasquale Italiano

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

BUSY BEE

A big thankyou to Angela Messina, Jasenka Mannino, Iole Germano and

Tram Phan for helping to contact our new literacy resources at our busy bee

on Monday morning. Your help was greatly appreciated.

ADVENT

The season of advent begins on Sunday 30th

November . May all families

use this time to prepare for the coming of Jesus.

ADVENT ASSEMBLY

On Monday the 8th

December Years 1 and 2 will present the Advent

assembly. The Advent assembly will be followed by the presentation

of the Year 1 and Year 2 St Lawrence Awards. All parents are

welcome to attend this assembly at 2.00pm at the church.

GRADUATION

The Year 6 Graduation will be held on Thursday 11th

December at

6.00pm. It is compulsory for all children in Years 3 – 6 to attend.

The St Lawrence Awards for children in Years 3 – 6 will be presented at the graduation ceremony.

Miss Angela Leddin and Mrs Gabrielle Brennan

School Mass – Presentation of the Virgin Mary

CLASS NEWS

YEAR THREE

The Year Three class will be hosting the assembly this Friday 28 November. I have emailed parents

regarding costumes. Please let me know if you have any queries. As part of our class prize we will be

having a free dress day on Friday, children are also welcome to bring in board games for reward time.

The children are enjoying swimming lessons. They may need extra food to eat at recess as we do not

have lunch until 1:25pm.

Miss Angela Leddin, Year Three Teacher

YEAR FOUR

Thank you parents for your ongoing support with the iPad rollout. The children are loving this fantastic

educational tool. You may like to sit down with your child and get them to show you what they have

been doing on them so far.

This week the children will take home their end of term incursion note. They are participating in a

dance workshop in the school hall. This links into the Arts Learning Area where the children will be

communicating their ideas through body movement. Please can the note be signed and returned to

school by 5 December.

Miss Yen Wong, Year Four Teacher

YEAR FIVE

We welcome Miss Scheer to our classroom for the next two weeks. She is on an Immersion Prac from

The University of Notre Dame. We hope she enjoys her time at St Lawrence. The children have been

organising themselves and are enjoying swimming lessons. It is great to see items clearly labelled and

the children taking responsibility for all their items. Our class mass is on Thursday 4 December. It

would be wonderful to see many parents join us. On Friday 5 December we will be going on an

excursion to Scitech. We will be leaving at 9.30am and return in time for swimming lessons. Please

return all permission slips by Friday 28 November. Thank you to all those who already have. Have a

wonderful week.

Mrs Roselyn Pizzino, Year Five Teacher

YEAR SIX

With swimming well underway, the Year 6 students have again showed their responsibility in assisting

their younger buddies in transitioning to and from the pool. We are back in class by 1.10pm which

makes for a long afternoon. Mindful of the tiredness that swimming lessons engender it is important we

are gentle with each other, yet always respectful. The students have enjoyed having Miss Sophie

Monisse (Notre Dame student teacher) with us for the two weeks of swimming.

The Year 6 students will be having a special talk on Thursday 4th

December – you already have

received a note about this. Please remember the Graduation Mass and presentations will begin at 6pm

Thursday 11th

December in the church.

Mr Phil Haydon, Year Six Teacher

CLASS REP NEWS

PRE KINDY MUMS

We are having an ‘End of Year’ catch up for all the Pre Kindy students with mums at the Beach House

on Friday 28 November 247 Balcatta Rd Balcatta (entry on Geddes St) at 9.30am. Please bring socks.

Can you please call Sue on 04199 77 357 if you are able to come.

KINDERGARTEN PARENTS PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE AND VENUE Please note the Kindy dinner has been moved to Saturday 13th December at 6.30pm and will now be at

the Osborne Park Hotel (Main St Osborne Park) Please RSVP by Wednesday 10th December.

(Maria 0419043738) Apologies for any inconvenience.

YEAR THREE PARENTS

Quick coffee catch up in the school hall after the Year 3 Assembly this Friday 28th November. Please

bring along a small plate to share. See you there. Paula Bulich

YEAR FOUR PARENTS

Please join us for dinner at the Kingsway Tavern at 7.00pm Friday 28th November. Look forward to

seeing everyone!! Please RSVP by 25th November. Thanks Maria (0419043738)

SCHOOL BANKING

Today was the last day of school banking for 2014.

Thank you to all students and parents for your support.

With commissions being paid to the school, we have raised

approximately $1,800.00 for the year. A great effort!

We are in need of helpers for next year. If you are able to spare one hour on a Wednesday morning

(from 8am to 9am) please contact Nancy Donatelli or Lucia Ewen. If we get more than 2 helpers, then

we can work out a roster system between all of us.

A big thank you to the lovely Lucia Lizzi, Lucia is taking a well deserved break next year and will not

be returning to school banking. We thank you for your time and effort, we will miss your smiling face

on a Wednesday morning!

New Accounts. If your are keen to have your child start saving next year, please open a bank account at

your local CBA branch over the holidays. Then come and see us in the new year to start banking and

receiving cool prizes along the way.

Thanks again to Lucia Ewen and Lucia Lizzi for their dedication and help. Happy olidays everyone.

CANTEEN NEWS

Raffles

We have two great hampers to be won. Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for

$5.00. Please come down and support the canteen. The raffle will be

drawn on the last day of school.

Christmas Competition

We also have Christmas Competitors happening at the canteen, as

follows:

PP Colouring In

Years 1-3 Colouring In

Years 4-6 Best Fun feastive Christmas Recipe

Judging will take place during the last week of school.

Sausage Sizzle

Will be held on the last day of school Friday 12 December. Please pre-order by Thursday

11 December for catering purposes. Cost is $3.50 each.

Reminders

Swimming lessons continues. Children can still order as normal. There will be different lunch

breaks.

Sausage rolls, pies and chicken nuggets are only available on Fridays.

Sausage rolls and pies are now $3.50 each. Sauce sachets are 50cents each.

Drinks and ice-creams are now $2.00 each.

Freshly brewed coffee is now $3.00 each and available on Wednesday Thursday and Friday.

Hope you all have a great week. Mrs Frances Svilicich, Canteen Manager

P&F NEWS

CARD FUNDRAISER The Cards should be arriving in the next couple of days. If you have ordered Cards please see Lina in

the school office to collect your boxes. Thank you your support in this fundraiser.

BOTANICA CHRISTMAS DRINKS Christmas drinks at Botanica, Innaloo will go ahead on Saturday 29th November from 7.00pm. If you

have not RSVP it is not to late. Please email pandf@stlawbal.wa.edu.au or advise Sue, Narelle or Ang.

Join us to help celebrate a successful 2014.

P&F RAFFLE Enter the draw to win one of five gorgeous hampers drawn at the

Christmas drinks at Botanica, Innaloo, on Saturday 29th November from

7.00pm. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 available from the office and will

also be sold on the night. Hampers include gardening, kitchen items and

glassware.

Narelle Zaknich, P&F President and Executive