St Lawrence Primary School

386 Albert Street, Balcatta 6021

Phone: 08 9344 4944

admin@stlawbal.wa.edu.au

https://www.stlawbal.wa.edu.au/

The vision of St Lawrence Catholic Primary School, Balcatta is to share the message of God’s love and friendship in a community of learners, developing the full potential of each child.

11 - 17 MAY | NATIONAL FAMILIES WEEK
Every Family, Everywhere is the theme of National Families Week, an opportunity to celebrate the vital role families play in our communities, our Church, and our wider society. This year’s theme highlights the gift of family in all its diversity and invites us to strengthen relationships through care, compassion and connection.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

What a wonderful start to Term 2 it has been! Our school community came together beautifully last Friday morning to celebrate our Mother’s Day Breakfast, and it was truly a memorable occasion. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and helped create such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It was fantastic to see so many families sharing time together and celebrating the important people in our lives.

We would especially like to acknowledge our Fathering Group, who went above and beyond to make the morning such a success. Preparing an impressive 270 bacon and egg rolls alongside 200 yoghurt and granola cups is no small feat! Their generosity, teamwork, and enthusiasm were on full display. We look forward to seeing this group continue to grow, with even more dads and father figures getting involved in future events. There is a wonderful sense of camaraderie and purpose, and everyone is encouraged and welcome to join our Fathering Group.

A big thank you must also go to our dedicated P&F team for their tireless work behind the scenes. From organising supplies for the breakfast to purchasing ingredients and ensuring everything ran smoothly, their efforts were instrumental in bringing the event together. The Mother's Day stall they ran, was also a huge hit! The children were buzzing with excitement as they chose their special gifts. Thank you for all the time you gave for the benefit of our students to be able to celebrate their mums!

To our amazing staff, we extend our sincere appreciation. Your willingness to arrive early, serve our community, and assist wherever needed truly reflects the spirit of our school. Your commitment does not go unnoticed. A special mention to Ms Frenzel, who did a beautiful job creating a welcoming and visually appealing space for the morning. The thoughtful decorations provided a lovely backdrop and helped capture some special moments for families.

We encourage everyone to check out the photos from the morning on our social media platforms; they perfectly capture the joy and connection shared across our community.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sttlawrenceprimaryschoolbalcatta/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st_lawrence_balcatta/

Thank you again for your ongoing support and involvement. It is events like this that highlight the strength of our school community.

Our staff are currently reviewing our Behaviour Guidelines and student behaviour expectations to ensure they strongly reflect the values that underpin our school. This work is important, as we believe every child has the right to learn in a safe, supportive environment where wellbeing is prioritised for all. As part of this process, students will also have a voice, helping to shape a shared understanding of positive behaviours across our community. We look forward to sharing more details with you once our updated guidelines are finalised and ready to be introduced.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Mrs Sarah Williams

Principal

Please note: All dates and events are subject to change.

Term 2

• Monday 11 May - Wednesday 13 May - Afterschool Kindy Parent Interviews
• Thursday 14 May - Ascension - Whole School Mass 9am, School Advisory Council Meeting 2pm
• Friday 22 May - Leadership Assembly 8.45am, Official opening of new landscaping and Carmelo's Corner 10.20am, Year 5 Excursion to Parliament House.
• Saturday 23 May - Yr 6 Confirmation Ceremony 4pm
• Tuesday 26 May - Yr 3 Excursion to State Library
• Wednesday 27 May - Yr 1 National Simultaneous Storytime 9am
• Thursday 28 May - LifeLink Day Cake Stall 10am-12pm

• Friday 29 May - Student Free Day
• Monday 1 June - WA Day - Public Holiday
• Tuesday 2 June - Student Free Day

• Wednesday 3 June - School Photos - (Kindy to Yr 6)
• Thursday 4 June - Mass Yr 4-6 9am, Pre Kindy Photos 10am-11am
• Wednesday 10 June - LifeLink Day Official Opening
• Thursday 11 June - Yr 5 & Yr 6 Winter Carnival 9am-3pm, Mass Yr1-Yr3 9am
• Friday 12 June - Leadership Assembly

FATHER ADAM'S BIRTHDAY

Everyone is warmly invited to join the parish in celebrating Fr Adam’s birthday on Sunday, 17 May. Morning tea will be held at St Lawrence in the Alverna Hall following the 8:30am and 10:00am Masses. We hope you can join us for this special occasion.

LIFELINK DAY

The official launch of LifeLink will take place on Wednesday, 10 June. LifeLink Day provides a wonderful opportunity for students in Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Perth to come together in support of Church social service agencies. These organisations provide practical care and assistance to thousands of people in need within our community.

To help raise funds for LifeLink, our school will be hosting a Cake Stall on Thursday, 28 May. Families of students in Years 3–6 are kindly asked to donate cakes, slices, or biscuits for this worthy cause.

Year 6 Leaders and staff will sell these treats at recess, lunchtime, and after school (while supplies last).

Please bring all baked goods to school on the morning of Thursday, 28 May and place them on the Learning Centre benchtop. Kindly ensure that all items are nut-free.

The school will also hold a Free Dress Day on Wednesday, 10 June. Students may wear casual clothes in exchange for a gold coin donation. During that week, Faith Leaders will also be selling raffle tickets at a cost of 50c each or three for $1.

Thank you for your continued support.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE LANDSCAPE GARDEN

The official opening of our new Landscape Garden will take place on Friday, 22 May. Hon. David Michael MLA and Fr Adam have been invited to formally open and bless this beautiful new space.

ASCENSION DAY

Ascension Day commemorates Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven. We will celebrate this important feast day on Thursday, 14 May, with Mass at 9:00am. Students from Pre-Primary to Year 6 will attend, and parents are most welcome to join us for this special celebration.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

How to Order Your School Photos

1. Visit www.photohendriks.com.au
2. Click on ‘Order Your School Photos’
3. Enter your access key: TPHGKQXJ
4. Enter your email address
5. Follow the prompts to complete your order

Both individual and family photos can be ordered using the same access key. Please note that family photo orders must be submitted by 4:30pm on Tuesday 3rd June, the day before photo day.

Photo Schedule

• Kindy, Pre-Primary, and Years 1–6: Wednesday 3rd June
• Pre-Kindy: Thursday 4th June

Uniform Requirements

• Years 1–6: Full winter uniform with school jumper (no vest). Year 6 students should wear their leavers jacket.
• Hair: Long hair must be tied back using blue or white accessories.
• Pre-Primary: Sports uniform

Please ensure all students are dressed appropriately on their scheduled photo day.

Ms Kathleen Tranquille & Mrs Gabrielle Brennan

Assistant Principals

Buongiorno a tutti! Hello everyone!

Italian lessons are progressing well in Term 2. All students are enthusiastically increasing their Italian skills. Bravissimi studenti for giving it a go!

Pre-Primary and Years 1,2,3,4, and 5 are working on the Italian Festival 2026 Primary School Student Competition which is organised by the Italo-Australian Welfare & Cultural Centre Inc. The theme for this year’s Italian competition is:” Gli Anniversari Straordinari 2026”: (Extraordinary Anniversaries in 2026).

La Festa della Repubblica Italiana 2 giugno: celebra 80 Anni

Celebration of the Italian Republic Formation 2 June – 80th Anniversary

Il Centro di Assistenza e Cultura Italo-Australiano celebra settant’anni, 24 gennaio 2026

The Italo-Australian Welfare & Cultural Centre Inc celebrates it's 70th Anniversary on 24 January 2026.

Each year level has a different activity to complete. All writing must be in Italian. We look forward to completing the activities and submitting three entries from each class in Week 5.

Selected students' work will be submitted from the above classes. If your child brings home a permission form, please return the form to the classroom teacher by Wednesday May 20. No late entries will be submitted. Grazie.

Some classes will also learn about the Il Giro d’Italia (The Tour of Italy) an annual three-week multi-stage professional road cycling race in Italy. The dates for the Giro d’Italia are May 8-31.

che Dio vi benedica! May God Bless you!

Signora Jenny Acquarola

Italian Specialist Teacher

A beautiful Holy Wall is located close to our Years 3, 4 and 5 classes - for our school to reflect, quietly stand near or simply say a silent prayer in front of. We always remember to be respectful of those who may be in quiet thought whilst standing in front of the wall.

Presently, the Holy Wall features Our Lady because we are in the month of May.

May is traditionally dedicated as the "Month of Mary" in the Catholic Church, a time to honour the Blessed Virgin through special devotions, prayers, and crowning of her statues. This, along with October (the Month of the Rosary), highlights her role in the Church, often associated with the renewal of life in springtime.

Our Year 6 Leaders also guide us in prayer at Friday line up in May, after lunch for a decade of the rosary. The wall will regularly change focus depending upon the church season or special occasion for our school.

A special thank you to Mrs Nyersh for sourcing the items and setting up the displays so beautifully.

Pray for us, oh Holy Mother of Jesus!

The Religious Team

Play Group has recommenced for Term 2 so if you're looking for a fun way to start your Friday morning join us in the kindy classroom. A reminder that all members of the community are welcome at St Lawrence Play Group so feel free to spread the word.

Mrs Gillian Austin

Play Group Facilitator

We have an external provider to deliver a lunch service for Thursday & Friday each week.

LunchboxHub will be supplying a variety of healthy lunch options which parents can now access to order school lunches.

Lunch orders need to be placed by 8:30am on Thursday and 7:30am on Friday.

To Order Lunches:

Please visit the following link that will provide you with all the information and an ordering guide:

All you need to know about ordering from Lunchbox Hub and visit: https://school-lunch.lunchboxhub.com.au/ to create your new account.

For further information about our new canteen service please click here: https://stlawbal.wa.edu.au/parents/school-canteen/

MOTHER'S DAY STALL

The Mother’s Day Stall was a big hit with the students! It was a pleasure serving them and watching their faces light up as they thoughtfully selected gifts for their mums/grandmothers and carers.

I would like to thank our mums, Annette, Sherryce & Fatma from Year 1, for arriving early to help set up, serve and pack down. Without our parent reps and volunteers these events aren’t possible.

MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST

Thank you to all those who came along to the Mother’s Day Breakfast – we hope you enjoyed the morning.

A very big thank you to the fathering group who decided to try something new and bring us bacon and eggs muffins – they were delicious.

We would also like to acknowledge the incredible staff of St Lawrence who worked tirelessly with the dads to ensure the morning ran smooth. It wouldn’t have been possible without you!

**Event Sponsors/Vendors**

Le Corte Beauty Clinic @lecortebeautyclinicperth

Kasia & Co Hair Artistry @kasiacohairartistry

Simply Charlottes @simply_charlottes

The Famers Pantry WA @thefarmerspantrywa

Cappuccino Xpress Balcatta - arranged by the Fathering Group

QUIZ NIGHT – 31st July 2026

A reminder to save the date and arrange a table of ten to come along and enjoy an adults only quiz night!

Ticketing information will be released in the coming weeks.

P&F TEAM

Fr Adam is in need of an electrician at the Church to fix some broken lights amongst other things. If you are able to quote the work for him, please contact the Parish office at balcatta@perthcatholic.org.au or drop in and have a chat to Fr Adam.

Thank you for supporting the parish community in our school.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY

The Children’s Liturgy is offered at the 5pm Mass on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays of the month, during school term.

At the beginning of Mass, all primary school children are invited to join our Children’s Liturgy team, in the Parish hall, for activities tailored to help them better understand ‘The Liturgy of the Word’. The children return to church when the offertory gifts are taken up. Please encourage your kids to join in.

Visit balcatta.perthcatholic.org.au to read our bulletins and find out more

information about happenings in our parish.