Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This year, Lauries will highlight the unique culture and community spirit we all love and enjoy.  The theme to capture this spirit is “Heart of Gold”.  This theme highlights that at Lauries, the personal and holistic development of each boy is central to everything we do.  Helping the boys develop a world perspective with values of care and support of others defines the Lauries Journey.

This year we hope all boys have many opportunities to show their “Heart of Gold” and step up to support others, while being the best version of themselves in all contexts.

The boys have started the year with a lot of enthusiasm. It has been very pleasing to see them return to school looking neat and tidy, reflecting their strong school pride. I thank you for your support in ensuring they look their best. I firmly believe a neat appearance has a positive impact on how they engage and learn at school. It also helps them build self-respect, personal pride and personal confidence.

I know that your son/s will already feel very welcome and supported in each of the classrooms. I particularly mention the following teachers, Alicia Sheehan (Head of Year 5) and Danny O’Toole (Head of Year 6) who you would have heard presentations from earlier in the year. They have the added responsibility of being Heads of Year in 2023. They are the second port of call, after your son’s “Home Class Teacher” if you have any school related concerns or family matters that are impacting your son. They are also responsible for the daily curriculum and pastoral leadership of their respective year level. I am sure you will find them, and all of the staff very approachable and professional should you require their assistance this year.  All teachers can be contacted on (Primary Office-3010 1142) or via their email addresses. To view the “Primary Staff Contact List” please click on the link Staff Contact list-2023. If you would like to discuss any school or family issues directly with me, I can also be contacted through the Primary Office or via email cwigan@slc.qld.edu.au

Student Absentees

Please note, should your son be absent from school, it is essential for parents to notify the Primary Office. This can be done on the College APP or via phone (30101142).  If the boys are away sick or need to miss school for any reason, they are encouraged to follow lessons or class OneNote pages and to email their teacher if they need further explanation or assistance.  Please keep in mind that a reply might not be immediate as they will still be teaching the boys at school. 

Co-Curricular Activities

Co-curricular activities for Term 1 are already well underway. I encourage all of the boys to engage in this aspect of school life this year. The Co-Curricular program is a fantastic way to connect and build relationships.

General Information-Events

For parents new to our school, we have many wonderful community events throughout the year to celebrate special milestones such as; Mother’s Day, Father’s Day etc. Please look for these in the calendar and attend if possible. Some of the upcoming events for parents to attend are listed in the “Upcoming Event Section” of this Primary Newsletter each fortnight. I highlight the “New Parent BBQ” in Week 7 (Friday,10 March).  This is a very relaxed afternoon for new parents and boys to meet other families. More information will be out soon.

I look forward to continuing the strong sense of community and partnership between school and home this year as we work together to provide the boys with the best possible learning experiences and pastoral support.

REMINDER:

Each week, Co-curricular information and the College Newsletter will also be available to all families via the College APP.  The Primary Newsletter will also be posted to the APP each fortnight.

Finally, I would like to thank all the Senior boys who have helped with “Transport Buddies” in the first two weeks. They were amazing again and make a huge difference to our Year 5 and Year 7 boys.  Thank you to those parents who have emailed a vote of thanks, I have passed them on to the older boys on your behalf.

Welcome again to 2023 and best wishes for a continued positive start to the year.

Regards

Cameron Wigan
Dean of Primary

Cameron Wigan
Dean of Primary

Lauries Primary Curriculum Update - Katie Jordan

Teaching Learning Dispositions in the Primary School

In the first few weeks of the school year, it is important for us to teach the boys the ways in which they can successfully engage in, and relate to, the learning process. At St. Laurence’s Primary, we believe that all students are active participants in their learning: building, rather than simply absorbing knowledge.

The learning dispositions (sometimes called ‘habits of mind’) help the students to ‘learn how to learn’. The learning dispositions nurture the students’ willingness to solve problems, and build their capacity for demonstrating hard work and persistence. The SLC Primary learning dispositions are:

RESILIENCE: Resilient learners ‘bounce back’ from challenges, issues and mistakes. They strive to repair relationships when things go wrong. Resilient learners own their behaviour, choices and responsibilities. They are willing to try new things.

PERSISTENCE: Persistent learners stay calm and focused, and learn to ‘tough it out’. They recognise that challenges help them to grow. Persistent learners are determined to reach their goals and recognise that learning collaboratively can help them to achieve success.  

REFLECTIVE: Reflective learners understand what they are learning, why they are learning it, and what success looks like in their learning. They are flexible with their thinking. Reflective learners set goals and work towards them. They adopt a ‘growth mindset’ towards developing as learners.

ENGAGED: Engaged learners can work both independently and collaboratively. They actively participate in their learning. Engaged learners are organised and ready to learn. They remain focused and avoid distractions.

SELF-DIRECTED: Self-directed learners show initiative and own their learning. They look for solutions to problems and understand themselves as learners.

In the first two weeks of the school year, classes engage in the explicit teaching of these learning dispositions. The language and behaviours associated with these dispositions are continuously encouraged and celebrated as the boys progress through their Primary Lauries Journey.

Music-Ross Capern

Welcome to all new families and welcome back to continuing students.  We are looking forward to a great year of music making.

YEAR 5 MUSIC ENSEMBLE PROGRAM

It is exciting to see so many Year 5 students taking up the opportunity to learn a musical instrument at St Laurence’s! We are looking forward to our new Laurie’s musicians begin their musical journey over the next few weeks.

TREBLEHOOD (Year 5 and 6 singing group)

Any students interested in joining the Treblehood Choir, please see Mr Brown in the Music Department or just turn up to rehearsal next Tuesday morning 7:15am in ERPAC backstage Music room, meeting outside the back area of ERPAC.

PRIMARY SCHOOL MUSIC LEADERS

We are delighted to announce our Primary School Music Leaders for Semester 1 2023.  Congratulations to:

Eamon Hayles – Bassoon, Concert Band 3 and Treblehood; and Pedro De La Cruz – Guitar and Guitar Orchestra 2

TERM 1 CONCERTS

Our junior ensembles will be presenting a series of breakfast concerts at the end of this term.

21 March:   Treblehood. SLC Chapel 7:30am

22 March:   Concert Band 3, Big Band 3 and String Orchestra 3. ERPAC foyer 7:30am

LAURIE’S MUSIC SUPPORT GROUP (LMSG)

Thank you to all of the parents who attended the first Laurie’s Music Support Group (LMSG) meeting on the evening of Tuesday 7 February.  The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 8 March @ 6pm in the Music department room Mu1 (Top floor VAPA Building).

It’s a great way to support your son at SLC by joining the Parent’s Music Support Group.  Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (Term time).  Meetings are informal, approximately an hour long and a great way to hear the details and help with the planning of upcoming music events!  If you are unable to make the meeting’s but are available to help at Concerts/Events, join the group so you can be on our email list and be kept up to date. 

If you need any further information about our music program or any of the above, please contact the Music Department: music@slc.qld.edu.au or telephone 3010 1138.

Best Wishes

Strike up the Band!
Mr. Ross Capern   

Mini Vinnies News:

Thank you so much to the many boys and staff who supported our ‘Show Your True Colours’ Day last Friday. We have managed to raise $245.45 for Caritas from this much-loved event! Our ‘Guess the Lolly Jar’ is still happening each morning tea, so students are still able to get involved. We will announce the winners before camp.