Around the School

ST VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL FINISHES FRIDAY

All our non perishable items will be collected this Friday, 13th Dec. Your donated items will contribute to Christmas Hampers being made up this weekend by St Vincent de Paul volunteers. Thank you to everyone who donated items to make someone elses Christmas great.

ANGELS TO BE SEEN

Angels have been made by the children at school and placed in Fr Arju's front garden. If you happen to be out and about, take a look in Fr Aju's garden to see the children's handiwork.

LIONS CLUB EYE SCREENING

Wednesday 27th November saw the Lions Club Eye Health Program come to school to conduct free eye screening. 50 families took up this opportunity and 75 students were screened. Selected members of the Lions Club have been specifically trained to perform 4 vision screening assessements which include: Visual acuity, colour vision, depth perception and spot vision screening. We wish to thank these fantastic volunteers who are undertaking an interest in children's eye health. The Lions Club will offer this program again in 2 years.

GRADE 2 EXCURSION

This term we have "stepped back in time" with our olden day theme. We have explored the similarities and differences between now and then, with a large focus on our own school and town. Eliza and I have been having a lovely time revisiting our own experiences of St Laurence's when we were students. We have not only shared our experiences with the children, but have had the joy of wondering about artifacts we have discovered along the way that neither of us had known about. We have been supported by the Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College Youth Ministry team who gave up their time to assist in our classroom and our activities days.

It was with much anticipation that each of our Coal Creek Excursions began. Grade Preps and 1s headed off into the freezing cold, but the weather was soon forgotten as the children stepped back in time to experience life in the olden days. They cleaned clothes the old fashioned way, attended school in the 1900s and rode the tram. The day ended with a trip to the General store where treats of yesteryear were on offer for the children to buy. The Grade 2 students were treated to the art of Peggydoll making during their excursion.

In true South Gippsland style, we were greeted with a 39 degree day for our final excursion. The children were fantastic and enjoyed exploring the Leongatha Library and were enthralled by the stories of the past at the Leongatha Historical Society. We finished off our fun day with the movies and finally back to school to enjoy hot chips and an icy pole.

What an exciting time our term has been. We look forward to exploring the story of Christmas with the children.

3/4 CAMP

Camp Reflection by Alyssa Blackshaw.

This years 3/4 camp was awesome. The amazing activities were: flying fox, giant swing, mud run, archery, canoeing and low ropes.

In archery I nearly hit the target. You had to be patient and wait your turn. The flying fox was just as amazing. I was one of the first students in our group to do the flying fox. On the first day before we started doing the activities we had lunch and went on a tour. We had to watch out for animals on the tour because it was a farm and in thick bushland. We also learnt a new dance called the Git Up. After we had done the activities we had afternoon tea. For afternoon tea we had a biscuit and had fruit. Then we went to the big shed and played a game of poison ball. After that we had free time and most people were outside playing sport with Mr Dixon and the helper dads. Some people were practising for the talent show. Then we had dinner. For dinner we had chicken nuggets, veggies and rice. Then we had dessert and the talent show. After that we had supper and it was then bed time.

My new experiences were going on the bus and doing archery. I’ve never done archery before but now I have. I was surprised at myself that I had a go and did better than last year.

My favourite thing was probably the activities because they were super fun. I especially like the flying fox and archery.

My overall emotion was happy and glad. I was happy that I had a go and stepped outside of my comfort zone.

FRENCH DAY

Thank you so much to our wonderful parent helpers who all contributed to another fantastic French Day. With the French flag flying, we were blessed with great weather and a wonderful sense of fun to experience everything French. Merci - Mrs Gatehouse.

END OF YEAR AFTERNOON TEA

5/6 TOWN LIBRARY ILLUSTRATOR VISIT

PHOTO BELOW IS AMY TREACY AND PATCH WILSON WHO REPRESENTED ST LAURENCE'S IN THE MARY MACKILLOP END OF YEAR MASS HELD LAST FRIDAY.

GRADUATION MASS

Last Thursday we celebrated our 37 exiting student with a Graduation Mass. It was a lovely celebration of our senior leaders' 7 yrs at St Laurence's. Several special awards were presented on the night. Congratultions to all our well deserving award recipients who are listed below:

Grade Award

Role Model to others

Shows Initiative

Works Cooperatively

Demonstrates the ABC’s

Presented to: Connor O'Loughin and Gretchen Clarke

Mary Mackillop Award

A role model who will be attending Mary Mackillop

Reflects the values of St. Laurence’s.

Presented to: Amy Treacy & Patrick Wilson

Sisters of St Joseph’s Award

An altar server