AROUND THE SCHOOL

St Laurence O'Toole Primary School acknowledges the traditional custodians of this land, the Bunurong and Gunaikurnai people of the Kulin Nation.  We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander cultures, and to the Elders, past, present and emerging.

Dates To Remember

2023

• Friday, 24 November - French Day (all day) and Christmas Market (3:30 pm - 7:00 pm)
• Monday, 27 November to Friday, 1 December - Grade 3/4 Bike Ed
• Thursday, 30 November - Junior Sports Carnival
• Monday, 4 December to Friday, 8 December - Grade 3/4 Bike Ed
• Tuesday, 5 December - Year 7 Orientation Day Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College
• Wednesday, 6 December - Grade 6 Graduation Mass - 6 pm
• Friday, 8 December - 3/4 Family Picnic at the park
• Tuesday, 12 December - Grade 5 Bike Hike to Meeniyan
• Wednesday, 13 December & Thursday, 14 December - Grade 6 Bike Hike to Inverloch
• Friday, 15 December - Whole School Mass - 9:30 am
• Friday, 15 December - Grade 5/6 End of Year Activity  
• Friday, 15 December - Last day of school for students
• Wednesday, 20 December - Last day of school for teachers and administration staff

2024

• Tuesday, 30 January 2024 - First day of Term One, 2024 for ALL students
• Wednesday, 31 January - Rest day for foundation students
• Wednesday, 7 February - Rest day for foundation students
• Wednesday, 14 February - Rest day for foundation students
• Wednesday, 21 February - Rest day for foundation students
• Wednesday, 28 February - Final rest day for foundation students

Principal’s Message

Students are getting on their bikes as the weather starts to warm up and with bike education and bike hikes entering our curriculum in the next few weeks I invite you to do the once over on all your cycling equipment.  Check that your wheels are tightly fitted, make sure your saddle is on securely, check your chain is clean, lubricated and free of rust, make sure the pedals can move freely and that the handlebars are aligned.  Don't forget the brakes and helmets!  

We look forward to having our staffing commitments for 2024 confirmed in the coming weeks and I will be sharing this information with you soon.

Don't forget to sign and return your Fee Intentions for 2024 to the office as soon as possible and get in touch regarding any outstanding fees you may have.  We are here to support you in any way we can and ensure that you have peace of mind heading into the holiday season.

We will be celebrating French Day and the inaugural French Christmas Market next Friday. As always, our staff and students are looking forward to indulging in some delicious French fries, doughnuts and sorbet during the day and sharing our school with you at the Market in the evening.  We hope to see you there and can't wait to see who wins one of the wonderful prints that have been created by the students.

Liz

ABC Awards

Act Responsibly - Be Respectful - Caring for Others

Our ABC Award winners this week are: 

Acting Responsibly - Isla Clarke

Being Respectful - Ryan Landry

Acting Responsibly - Nathaniel O'Hehir

Achievement Awards      

Nudel Kart

Nüdel Kart is a deconstructable, mobile play kart that can be reconfigured in endless ways to encourage self-directed learning.  The purchase of the Nudel Kart (we were able to purchase two) was made possible with funds raised by the Colour Run so a heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to the fund raising event and to our Parents and Friends Committee for the organisation and running of the event.

Students in all year levels  have spent the last two weeks exploring our new Nudel Karts. They have had a fantastic time being creative and overcoming design challenges as they built their creations.

Mad Science Incursion

On Monday, 13 November 2023, our students were wowed with the wonders and possibilities of the science world with an exhibition by Lisa from the Mad Science Show. 

By all accounts, the show intrigued all of our students and it was wonderful to hear them talking about the experience in the playground and amongst friends.

Call for Donations - Christmas Market

We are calling for donations of 

• glow sticks and/or 
• Christmas decorations

If you are able to assist with donations, please contact Marg Gatehouse on 5662 2192 or via email at mgatehouse@stlleongatha.catholic.edu.au

All donations will be gratefully received up until Wednesday, 22 November and can be dropped off at the Administration Office between 8:30  am and 3:30 pm.

NDIS - Empower360 Support Network

Do you have a school aged child with an NDIS plan?

Do you need assistance to understand and implement the plan?

Have you previously had an NDIS plan? Still need support?

Contact Empower360 Support Network on 0493844403 to see how they can assist.        

Prayer

Lord, please give me grace throughout this day, for with Your blessing I hope to succeed in trusting more fully in Your love, come what may, bringing more faith to a world in need. 

Amen.