Dear Parents and Caregivers,

The first four weeks of this term have already been filled with many significant events and some terrific learning experiences.

The recent Parent Teacher Interviews provided an opportunity for staff and parents to reflect on the start to 2024. The interviews were a great way to open the lines of communication and to create a strong bond between home and school. I encourage all parents to share any appropriate information with their sons, to provide clear areas to focus on, and to celebrate any achievements from Term 1. A reminder to parents that a full Academic Report will be issued at the end of this term.

Edmund Rice Feast Day and Mass

It was wonderful to join the rest of the College community to celebrate Edmund Rice Feast Day with Mass last Wednesday. The amazing generosity, vision, compassion and care displayed by Edmund in Waterford, Ireland all those years ago, has inspired thousands to make a difference in the world. Lauries is a thriving community of genuine care and compassion. Edmund would be proud of our College and we all need to ensure we respect his vision and charism each day to continue to keep his spirit alive.

Co-Curricular Sport

Term 2 sport commenced a couple of weeks ago, with large numbers of boys involved in either Rugby, Football or Chess. All of these activities are an excellent way for boys to engage outside of the classroom.

Public Speaking & Debating

The Public Speaking and Debating season started last week, with boys in Year 5 (Public Speaking) and two teams of Year 6’s (Debating) representing Lauries in these terrific co-curricular opportunities. Congratulations to the Affirmative team debating ‘Homework should be Abolished’. They walked away with a win for the first round against ATC.

Both Fraser St Clair and Jamie Cragg won “Speaker of the Night” for their respective debates.

All of the Year 5 speeches were very well presented. Congratulations to Joshua Dillon and Joseph Parry who where our Year 5 “Public Speakers of the Night”. The next round will be on Tuesday evening, 14 May and we look forward to the boys developing their skills this season.

Mother’s Day

It was wonderful to celebrate with all mums and special females yesterday morning, in advance of what we hope is a fantastic weekend. The boys are very lucky to have the love, support and guidance of all of the special women in their lives. Our school community acknowledges this special bond and hopes that all of our young men love, appreciate and respect all of the ladies in their lives. We thank all of those who were able to attend and we wish all mums, stepmothers, aunties, grandmothers and the fabulous Lauries ladies a very special Mother’s Day this Sunday.

Please see dropbox link below for the Mother’s Day photos that were taken yesterday.

MOTHER’S DAY PHOTOS-Dropbox

In this Edition of the Primary Newsletter, you can also read about Curriculum Updates, Music, Date Claimers -Upcoming Events, Lauries Journey Awards.

We appreciate your continued support of the boys and staff and look forward to all of the great learning and community opportunities coming up in the next fortnight.

Regards

Cameron Wigan
Dean of Primary

Lauries Primary Curriculum Update-Jon Tracey

Public Speaking and Debating in the Primary School

On Tuesday, 30th April, the first round of Public Speaking (Year 5) and Debating (Year 6) took place for some of our students. Primary students from St. Laurence’s College, Ambrose Treacy College and Marist College gathered to showcase their critical thinking and oral language skills.

Twelve students in Year 5 prepared a two-to-three-minute speech on a topic of their choice. Some of the speech topics included, “Financial Investments, Why Football is the best game and What makes a hero”. The boys had worked very hard preparing their speeches in their own time, meeting frequently during lunch hours to create and rehearse their speeches.

The Year 6 debate topic was “Homework Should Be Abolished”. The boys did an extraordinary job of preparing and delivering their points of view. Again, the boys relinquished lunch breaks in the lead up to the debate to meet in their teams. It is to be noted that the level of debating for the first round was outstanding!

Engagement in public speaking and debating opportunities have numerous personal, social and academic benefits, including:

• Improving one’s ability to communicate effectively and clearly

• Becoming more comfortable and confident addressing an audience

• Improving critical thinking and leadership skills

• Expanding friendship groups – working with students who share similar interests

• Overcoming fears/challenges – this can lead to a sense of reward and accomplishment

• Learning to present and defend viewpoints

• Improving research skills

The Speaker of the Night awards were given to Fraser St. Claire (Year 6), Joshua Dillion (Year 5) and Joseph Parry (Year 5).

A huge thank you must also go to Mrs. Susan Dean, Ms. Kate Flanagan and Mr. Danny O’Toole for guiding the boys through the public speaking and debating program. Additionally, the Year 12 students did an outstanding job of adjudicating on the evening.

We look forward to seeing the boys in action again at their next event which will be held on Tuesday 14th May.

Jon Tracey

Head of Teaching and Learning Primary

Edmund Rice Mass

Congratulations to all choirs and members of worship band for leading the college through the Edmund Rice Mass last week.

Upcoming Events:

16 May - Junior Ensembles Concert | ERPAC 6:00pm
Ensembles: Year 5 Concert Band, Year 5 String Orchestra, Year 5 Guitar Ensemble, Year 5 Musicianship, Concert Band 3, Percussion Ensemble 3, Big Band 3, String Orchestra 3, Treblehood

21-22 May – Speech & Drama Showcase | McElligott Theatre

22 May - Combined Schools Workshop & Concert | ERPAC 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Ensembles: String Orchestra 3, Treblehood & St Joseph's Kangaroo Point

31 May - Cabaret Concert "A Night at the Movies" | ERPAC 6:00pm
Ensembles: Concert Band 1, Percussion Ensemble 1, Big Band 1, String Orchestra 1, Fellowship of the String, Symphony Orchestra, Guitar Orchestra 1, Brotherhood, Big Brotherhood, Treblehood

3 & 5 June – Strings Recital | Chapel

6 June – Piano Recital | Chapel

14 June - Intermediate Ensembles Breakfast Concert | ERPAC Foyer 7:30am
Ensembles: String Orchestra 2, Big Band 2, Concert Band 2, Little Brotherhood, Cambiata

Call for Volunteers – Junior Ensembles Concert

The Music Department and Laurie's Music Support Group (LMSG) are calling for volunteers to assist with Junior Ensembles Concert. If you are available and interested in assisting with the event, please register using the link below.

https://volunteersignup.org/LDH8R

Volunteers Needed: BBQ & Bar Setup, BBQ & Bar Service, BBQ & Bar Packup, Raffle Ticket Sales, Entry Door Donations

Music Communications – Laurie’s App

The Music Department now uses the College App as our main point of contact with families.

We have redefined the groups under Music and do ask you take a couple of minutes to update your preferences to ensure you receive the relevant notifications for this ensemble.

Note: You will receive notifications for all ensembles under the categories you subscribe to, however it will be clear which ensembles that notification relates to.

Any events that fall outside the usual ensemble routine may require a parent or guardian consent, and if required, an invitation will be sent via parent lounge.

Year 5 parents, please ensure your subscriptions include the Year 5 Music Program under ‘Music.’ Any program updates or performance information will be posted here once available.

If you would like further information regarding any of the above, please contact the music department: music@slc.qld.edu.au or telephone 3010 1138.

Strike up the Band!

Ross Capern

Head of Instrumental Music

STUDENT LEADERS SPOTLIGHT

This cycle’s primary spotlight was ‘Wearing the Yard Hat With Pride’. We have noticed that boys have been ripping the brim off their hat, highlighting their name or not wearing the hat how it is intended to be worn. This spotlight is important because doing these actions is not portraying the Lauries spirit in an appropriate manner. We’ve noticed improvements since focusing on this at our week four assembly, so we encourage the boys to keep it up. This is just one way that we are continuing to improve in the primary.

Mini Vinnies-Kate Flanagan

Mini Vinnies – Annual ILF Book Swap

It’s that time of year again, Lauries Community, where the Mini Vinnies boys are chasing any novels or picture books you might have at home that would suit primary aged readers. All books donated will be sold for $1 in Week 8 this term as part of the Primary school’s annual Indigenous Literacy Foundation Book Swap. This is a fantastic initiative that has been happening at SLC for over 10 years!

Students are able to purchase ‘new’ books, you can claim back much needed shelf space in your homes and the ILF receives funds to support their excellent literacy programs all over Australia. For more information about the ILF and their programs, feel free to visit their website: https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/

In the meantime, any donations can be handed to the Primary office or the 6MR classroom. Thank you in advance for your support.

Thank you in advance!

For further information about the ILF, follow the link below:

The Great Book Swap | Indigenous Literacy Foundation