Principal's Message
WELCOME TO TERM 3
Your child's school is an important community for both yourself and your child. There are many opportunities to engage with the school community both in the education of your child and in the social networking that allows them to develop strong lasting relationships within our local community and region.
Please consider joining the Parents and Friends or School Advisory Committee, help run events or participate in events conducted by the P & F. Speak to members of the P & F if you have ideas, suggestions or talents to share. The goal of P & F is to act as a fundraising arm of the school but also, and possibly more importantly, help parents connect with the other parents within the community for mutual benefit.
Our school looks to see how we can support families in a range of ways in addition to educating hands, hearts and minds. This term we have three very exciting opportunities that parents and students may wish to take advantage of.
The first, is a free parenting program called “123 Magic & Emotion Coaching Parenting Program”. This well respected program is hosted here and run by Mark Brookes of Uniting based here in Leongatha. The program will run on Thursdays from 12.45pm until just before pick up time in our conference room in the gym commencing 15th August through to the 19th September (totaling 6 sessions). Any parents from our school or the wider community are most welcome. Please read the information supplied in this newsletter and contact myself for any further assistance.
The second event, is Camp Bravo which returns for the second year. Our school will be able to send up to 25 students who wish to participate in the great music intensive day camp this year. Please find additional information in the newsletter with guidance about which students are eligible to attend and how to apply.
The third exciting event is that St Laurence's will hopefully be, hosting a coding camp during the school holidays. In order for it to go ahead we need Expressions of Interest from 20 children. It is not limited to our school community, any child aged 7 to 17 is welcome to attend. The camp will be a 2 day intensive on the first Monday and Tuesday (23/24th Sept) of the holidays. The cost is approximately $250. More information is available in the newsletter.
CONDOLENCES: Please keep the Wynne family in your thoughts and prayers on the recent passing of Paul's father. Father-in-law to Karen and Grandfather to Henry, Oscar and Noah.
CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to Kara Schelling and family on the arrival of Joelle (sorry if spelling is incorrect), a little sister for Alshija.
SCHOOL BUS AFTER SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS: A reminder to please call the school if your child is deviating from your orginal intentions that were given to the school. These intentions went onto a bus list. We have very little time to be chasing after parents for intentions for the day if the child says something different from the what is on the list. If your child is crossed off on a certain day then they do not get on the bus regardless of whether they say they should be on. If you have not informed us of any change to routine then we run with the current list. You must call the school if you have alterations to the list you have given us. The same goes in reverse. If the list indicates they are on and they say they are not - they will be put on the bus if you have not contacted us to say otherwise.
PRAYER
Throughout this day, may I be keenly aware of your presence in everything I do – as I commute to work, drop children off at school, keep house and speak with my neighbours. There are many that are hurting in this world – may I be a salve to someone today Lord, in a way that I can’t even imagine.
Lord, you know my faults and my flaws – forgive me for being unkind with my words and my thoughts; forgive me for being self-serving; forgive me for holding on to old wounds instead of giving them to you.
When I am overwhelmed, confused, unsure and restless, may your Word come alive to me so that it is a living guide in every situation. When we are fearful, may we remember your love for us and use that love as the impetus to love others and see situations differently; may we tap into the power that you have given us – for we are never alone because you have not left us comfortless. May we remember that we don’t have to be anxious and when we are tempted to be anxious or worrisome, may
we verbalize our concerns to you and then leave them there as you instructed us.
Help me to remember my worth in you when I’m faced with challenging situations. When I feel depressed, help me to remember that I’m fearfully and wonderfully made in your image – a replica of you and that you loved me so much you thought that I was worth dying for. I don’t know too many people that would die for me, but you did, and I’m eternally grateful and humbled.
For the unseen, Lord, thank you. You are beyond understanding, you are abundant, you are mine, and I am yours. Amen.
EUROVISION CONTEST
There was much excitement, enthusiasm, glitter, spangles and dancing galore as our students entertained parents and extended families in our biannual performing arts concert. This year's theme was Eurovision winners. There was an impressive range of songs across the decades. What a fantastic display of talent. A lot of hard work goes into producing and directing such a show. Special thanks and bravo to Mrs Melinda Stephan who designed/choreographed our concert (with a few helpers along the way) and the props were the combined efforts of Mrs Margaret Gatehouse and students in the French/Art program who always come up with the most amazing designs. There are always disruptions to classes when undertaking such an event, so thank you to all the staff who just went with the flow during rehearsals and made sure that every child was meant to be where they were meant to be. The children were all very well behaved on the night and we appreciated parents assistance in following school procedures on the night. Thank you to everyone who donated a coin or two to help with the expenses of putting on the performance. I believe everyone who attended were well entertained and enjoyed our production.
