Term 1 Week 3 Newsletter 2025

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Principal's Messages

SUPPORTING SARAH IRVINE: OUT OF UNIFORM DAY FUNDRAISER

Our school community has always been one that rallies around those in need, and now, one of our own needs our support more than ever. You would remember Sarah Irvine’s smiling face as part of our Admin team—a role she loved and carried out with kindness and dedication. Sadly, Sarah had to recently resign from her position as her health declined, making it increasingly difficult for her to come to work. During her time with us, she was always friendly and nurturing to our students and a wonderful support to our parents.

In August 2023, Sarah received the devastating news that she had cancer in her lungs. Despite undergoing multiple treatments, her tumours continued to grow. Now, she is undergoing chemotherapy with a drug called Trodelvy, which has shown promising results - her last scan in January 2025 revealed that her tumours were shrinking. However, this treatment comes at an overwhelming financial cost. While Trodelvy is covered under the PBS for breast cancer patients, it is not subsidised for Sarah’s condition, leaving her to pay an unbearable $12,200 every three weeks. As a single mother now unable to work, this financial burden is immense.

Sarah has fought so hard, and now she needs our help. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in easing the crushing cost of her medical care.

To show our support, the P&F is hosting an Out of Uniform Day on Friday, 21st February. Students are invited to wear casual clothes and bring a gold coin donation (or a donation of your choice). All funds raised will go directly to Sarah’s treatment.

We encourage everyone to contribute in any way they can - whether through this fundraiser or by spreading the word to help Sarah continue her fight by sharing her GoFundMe page (see below). 

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

P&F WELCOME BBQ AND PARENT INFORMATION EVENING

Our Parent Information Evening and P & F Welcome BBQ will be held on Thursday 20th February.

The night will commence with our P&F Welcome BBQ followed by parent information sessions.

6.00 pm - P&F BBQ starts

6.30 pm - Principal Address in the school hall - general information for all students

7.00 pm - Kinder, Year 3 and Year 6 parents attend parent sessions

7.30 pm - Year 1, Year 2 and Year 5 parents attend parent sessions

8.00 pm - Home

** Please note - Year 4 Parent Information session will be held on Wednesday 26th February at 5:30pm, as Mrs O’Connor is unable to attend 20/2.

Parent Information Evening

The parent information evening provide an opportunity to meet your child’s class teacher and receive important information about their class and the school. By combining the picnic and information evening into one event, we hope you can enjoy time with friends while also gaining valuable insights into your child’s learning.

We understand that families with children in multiple classes may experience some scheduling conflicts. To ensure all parents receive the necessary information, teachers will share their presentations via Compass. If you miss a session, you can refer to these materials.

Please note that this is an information session only. Due to time constraints, individual parent-teacher interviews will not be available during the evening. If you would like to arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher, please contact the school office or the teacher directly to schedule a suitable time.

To assist with catering, please complete and return the note that was sent home last week by Monday, 17th February, indicating your order. Additionally, we are seeking parent volunteers to help with cooking the BBQ and handing out food to ensure the evening runs smoothly for everyone. Your support will help lighten the workload and contribute to a successful event.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES - WEEK 8 TERM ONE

At St Laurence’s, we continually reflect on our practices to ensure they best meet the needs of our school community. Based on staff reflection and feedback from last year’s parent survey, we have adjusted the timing of Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parents indicated a preference for meetings later in the term, rather than in the first few weeks, allowing for more meaningful discussions about student progress.

As a result, Parent-Teacher Conferences for Term 1 will take place in Week 8 (Monday 24th March – Friday 28th March). Moving forward, these conferences will now be scheduled in Week 8 or 9 of Term 1, with an additional opportunity available upon parent request following the semester reports.

All parents from Kindergarten to Year 6 are invited to meet with their child’s teacher to strengthen our partnership in supporting student learning and wellbeing. These conversations are invaluable in fostering positive relationships and developing a deep understanding of each individual child.

Booking Information:
Bookings for Parent-Teacher Conferences will open on Wednesday 12th March and will close on Friday 21st March at midday. Please refer to the instructions below on how to make a booking via the Compass online portal or Compass app.

We encourage all families to take this opportunity to connect with teachers and engage in meaningful discussions about their child’s progress.

ZONES OF REGULATION - SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Last week, students delved into activities focusing on understanding behaviours and recognising emotional zones. Lessons covered various key points:

• Understanding how behaviour affects thoughts and feelings
• Recognising behaviour's impact on others' emotions
• Identifying emotional zones in others and analysing social skills
• Evaluating behaviours in videos and their emotional impact
• Learning to recognise their own emotional zones
• Accepting natural fluctuations in emotional states
• Reflecting on experiences' influence on emotions
• Adapting behaviour to situational demands for comfort
• Identifying expected and unexpected behaviours

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PUPIL FREE DAYS - TERM 1 & 2

5 WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED AT PRIMARY SCHOOL

As parents, we all want our children to succeed academically and develop a lifelong love for learning. While teachers play a vital role in a child's education, parents also have a significant influence on their child's academic progress. By implementing a few proven strategies, you can create a supportive and enriching environment that nurtures your child's growth and development.

1. Establish a Consistent Routine

Children thrive on stability and predictability. A well-structured daily routine provides a sense of security and helps them manage their time effectively.

Set a Regular Bedtime
Quality sleep is essential for concentration and learning. Ensure your child has a consistent bedtime routine and sufficient rest so they can be alert and engaged at school.

Create a Homework Schedule
Set aside a specific time each day for homework and study. Whether before dinner or later in the evening, find a schedule that works for your family and stick to it. Including short breaks can help maintain focus and productivity.

Involve Your Child in Planning
When children have input into their daily routine, they are more likely to follow it. Encourage them to take responsibility for their schedules in age-appropriate ways.

2. Foster a Love for Reading

Reading is fundamental to success in all subjects. Encouraging a love for reading from an early age significantly impacts literacy skills and overall academic performance.

Read Together
Set aside time each day to read with your child. Choose books they enjoy and discuss the stories to improve comprehension.

Create a Reading-Friendly Environment
Ensure reading materials are readily available at home and designate a quiet space for reading. Making books a visible and accessible part of daily life encourages reading as a natural habit.

Model Reading Habits
Children imitate what they see. If they observe parents reading books, magazines, or newspapers, they are more likely to develop a similar interest. Research also shows that when fathers model reading, boys are more likely to engage in it.

3. Communicate with Teachers

Building a strong relationship with your child’s teacher can provide valuable insights into their progress and learning needs.

Attend Parent-Teacher Meetings
Regularly attending conferences allows you to discuss your child’s strengths, areas for improvement, and any challenges they may face.

Stay Informed
Keep up to date with school newsletters, emails, and announcements to be aware of upcoming events, assignments, and school initiatives.

Collaborate on Solutions
If your child faces challenges, work together with their teacher to develop strategies to support their learning both at school and at home.

4. Set High but Realistic Expectations

A parent’s expectations greatly influence a child’s approach to learning. Setting goals that are challenging yet achievable encourages growth and persistence.

Praise Effort, Not Just Results
Recognising hard work and perseverance rather than just outcomes reinforces the idea that effort leads to improvement.

Encourage Independence
Teaching your child problem-solving skills and responsibility helps build their confidence and ability to tackle challenges on their own.

Promote Self-Reflection and Goal-Setting
Encourage your child to think about what they have learned, what they can improve on, and how they can achieve their goals.

5. Create a Positive Learning Environment

A supportive and structured home environment significantly impacts a child’s academic success.

Designate a Study Space
A quiet, well-lit, and organised area for homework and study helps minimise distractions and promotes concentration.

Provide Learning Resources
Ensure your child has access to books, stationery, and educational tools. Technology, such as educational apps, can also be a useful supplement.

Encourage Curiosity and Exploration
Foster a love for learning by allowing your child to explore their interests through hands-on experiences, such as science experiments, art projects, and educational outings.

POLICIES AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

At St Laurence’s, we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where all members of our school community can thrive. To ensure transparency and clarity, our school and diocesan policies are readily accessible to parents and carers via our school website under the Parents and Families tab. These policies outline important regulations, processes, and procedures that guide our school’s operations.

Policies available include Child Safe, CEDB Attendance, School, Parents and Community Charter, Communication, Complaints Management, Excursion, Privacy, Enrolment, and Suspension, Transfer & Termination. We encourage families to familiarise themselves with these documents as they provide valuable direction on key aspects of school life.

For further information, please visit our school website or contact the office if you have any questions.

CELEBRATING SAFER INTERNET DAY: BUILDING eSAFETY SKILLS

At St Laurence’s, we are committed to promoting online safety and respectful digital interactions, ensuring our students develop the skills they need to navigate the digital world responsibly. As part of Safer Internet Day, our Year 4 students participated in an eSafety Commissioner Live Virtual Classroom Webinar, where they explored the importance of respectful and responsible online friendships.

Through this session, students learned practical strategies to stay safe online, recognise potential risks, and seek support when needed. By developing these essential eSafety skills, they are better equipped to engage positively in the digital world.

We encourage families to continue these important conversations at home, reinforcing safe and responsible online behaviours.

BE BUS AWARE - BUS SAFETY WEEK!

Bus Safety Week, from Monday 17 – Sunday 23 February, raises awareness among all road users on how to stay safe on and around buses, helping to reduce injuries and fatalities.
School-age children might seem independent, but they still need a hand.

Remember:

• Always meet your child at school or the bus stop. Never wait on the opposite side of the road and call them across.
• Always supervise your child and hold their hand when walking to and from the bus stop/interchange and when crossing the road until they are at least 10 years old
• Wait until the bus has gone then use a safe place to cross the road
• Encourage your child to take a seat quickly when they get on the bus and to buckle up if the bus has seatbelts.
  

Talk to your children about using Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time they cross the road:

• Stop one step back from the kerb
• Look continuously both ways
• Listen for the sounds of approaching traffic
• Think whether it is safe to cross and keep checking until safely across.

Religious Education

Gospel Focus

In Luke 6:27-38, Jesus calls us to love, forgive, and give without expecting anything in return. This may seem difficult, but it is also a message of hope - when we choose kindness, we help create a better world. Every act of mercy brings us closer to God’s love.

We can Make Jesus Real by being generous in heart, trusting that even the smallest kindness can make a difference. Let us use the MJR compass points to help us.

Term 1 Events

MASS TIMES: St. Brigid’s: Saturday - 6:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 6:00pm.

St. Laurence’s Church: Monday- 9:30am, Wednesday - 9:30am, Friday -12 noon and Sunday - 7:30am

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

As part of our ongoing commitment to Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) each class spends time reviewing and learning about the expectations in specific areas. The focus can be developed from feedback and data. This week our focus is Assembly.

Being respectful at assembly means:

• We stop talking and listen to the person on the microphone
• We are active listeners
• We enter and leave the hall quietly and in an orderly manner
• We use manners when receiving awards
• We clap politely
• We join the end of the line

Being responsible at assembly means:

• We stop playing when the music plays
• We are lined up before the bell
• We say our School Prayer and sing the National Anthem sensibly 

Being safe at assembly means:

• We sit with our legs crossed and hands in our laps
• We keep our hands and feet to ourselves
• We walk quietly in two lines to class
• We finish our food before assembly

Library

Canteen

Thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who have heard our call for help and put their hands up to volunteer on Friday's in our school canteen.

The roster for Term 1 is available by clicking the link below: CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS ROSTER - TERM 1 2025

Helping in the canteen involves serving students at the canteen window, helping sort and organise the lunch orders, cooking food for lunch orders, washing up and cleaning up.

Our meal break times are:
Recess 10:50 - 11:10am;
Infants Lunch 12:40 - 1:20pm;
Primary Lunch 1:10 - 1:50pm.

Any assistance will be much appreciated to ensure our canteen is able to continue functioning for our students.

Dates to remember

Birthdays

Curriculum Corner

Year 2

Year 2 have had a great start to the year learning all about Koala’s, participating in sport lessons focusing on hitting and striking and sharing our thoughts and ideas on Images of God. The students have created beautiful crosses to hang around our prayer space. Year 2 love learning the actions and words to new songs in Religion.

Awards

Happy Families

Community News