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

• Monday, 13 November - Mad Scientist Show School Incursion - Whole School
• Thursday, 16 November - Foundation Transition Day - 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
• 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

And just like that we have skipped passed the middle of the term! Just five weeks to go for our students (a little more for the teachers and administration team).  I hope that you all enjoyed an extended weekend last weekend and are feeling refreshed as we head into the "silly" season.

As things get busy with celebrations, shopping and other end of year commitments, the festive season can often put extra pressure on us and this can affect wellbeing in lots of different ways.  Please do not forget to dedicate some time to boosting the emotional wellbeing of your children and yourselves and where possible, maintain regular routines and sleep patterns in order to be your best selves.  

Further to this, I would like to remind you that regular attendance at school is vital if students are to obtain maximum benefit from the educational and social opportunities that school can offer and this is especially important as the year draws to a close.  There may be occasions when your child is reluctant or refuses to attend school however, we strongly encourage you to work in partnership with your child’s teachers to address factors which may be causing the problem and implement agreed strategies to promote attendance in the last five weeks of the year.   This time is important as transition into the next year begins and will assist in relieving any stress and worry over the summer holidays and settling into the 2024 school year.

You will receive the Fee Intentions for 2024 via a note in schoolbags today.   Please complete these forms ASAP and remember that we are here to support you.  I again extend an invitation any families with outstanding fees, or those who are worried, to contact me to set up a payment plan that is affordable, achievable and will bring you piece of mind. 

Tomorrow, Saturday 11 November 2023 is the day when we acknowledge those who died while serving in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.  Please pause for a moment to reflect on those we have lost and give thanks for our freedom.

Lest we forget

Liz

ABC Awards

Act Responsibly - Be Respectful - Caring for Others

Our ABC Award winners this week are: 

Knox McRae - for always being a kind and inclusive member of our class. Great work!

Aiden O'Neill  - for being a positive and encouraging class member.

Congratulations.

Achievement Awards      

Grade 3 / 4 Excursion

Last Wednesday, the Grade 3 / 4 students took a walking tour of Leongatha and visited the library and the Historical Society as part of their Australian History studies.

On the way back to school the students were lucky enough to meet Brisbane artist Ash Taylor, the artist creating the mural along the Rail Trail in the Railway Precinct who took some time to explain the project and the significance of the flora and fauna being included. 

French Day - Friday, 24 November 

Bonjour tout le monde

French Day is fast approaching and is the day we celebrate all things French. 

Students are encouraged to dress up as anything French.  They could dress in red, white and blue or red or white or blue, as a snail, a French fry, a famous French person, Napoleon, Bridget Bardot, a French citizen, a firefighter (the French love their Pompiers!). 

There will be a parade during assembly on Friday morning at 8.55 am followed by the annual snail race. 

A food permission form will be released next week, please ensure that you respond to this form. 

French Christmas Market

The inaugural French Christmas Market will be held from 3.30 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, 24 November 2024. 

There will be rides, food, market stalls, live music and free activities as well as three door prizes of original one off, framed prints of junior, middle and senior school students’ work. 

The winners will be announced on the night, but you have to be there to win! 

Merry People Boots have generously donated  fabulous  prizes to our raffle of

• 1 pair of Adult Bobbi boots ($149.95)
• 1 pair of Adult Billie Clogs ($119.95)
• 1 pair of Adult Fergie Boots ($189.95)

Madame Browne (our Foundation Teacher) has also generously donated a marvelous array of prizes as pictured.

Hot Wheels City

Disney Princess Castle

Barbie Tie Dye Deluxe Styling ahead

Wahlberg Cricket Set

Duplo Disney Princess

Harmattan Bluetooth headphones 

Fur Fluffs

2 x Frozen Dolls

Call for Donations - Christmas Market

We are asking 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.

Remembrance Day Prayer

The Ode is the fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For The Fallen’. 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

We will remember them