Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

Over the last week I have been working with our Year 6 students to evaluate and refine the student leadership structure for Good Samaritan. We are doing this in order to ensure that student leadership remains relevant and purposeful for the school community. 

As a school we aim to work towards students being active partners in their education. Year 6 have been very responsive and are demonstrating a positive attitude. It has been a terrific way to begin the year with them. 

The process is that I will work through a number of meetings with Year 6 volunteers who will give input and then report back to their peers. The first such meeting happened last week. 

The first step has been understanding why a school needs student leaders.  The students came up with the following:

• having role models within the school
• bringing a student perspective to teachers, staff & parents
• to keep the school organised
• keeping our student behaviour and wellbeing informed by positive teacher/student relationships
• keeping school relevant in class and on the playground
• to guide the future of students beyond this Year 6 group (K-5 students 2021)
• to gain other students’ perspectives on the life of the school
• to represent our school within the community
• participation and engagement with the community
• having trustworthy peer for all the students
• maintaining effective communication between school and home

The next meeting will be for students to look at the various models of student leadership that are possible. 

Thank you to Mikayla, Penny, Amalia, Logan, Ella and Cohen for their contribution to the first meeting and their presentation to their peers.

As we journey together with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Last Thursday we were all so excited to welcome Kindergarten to Good Samaritan. They have enjoyed a great week so far - settling into big school, making new friends and showing a love of learning!

The balloon arch helped to settle some nerves and added to the excitement.

Learning on day one included developing fine motor skills…

Learning is about construction and co-operation with each other….

Make believe games aim to develop speaking and listening skills...

How was your first day ?

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Grade Newsletters:

This week you would have received a Grade Newsletter in the same electronic format as this newsletter. These comprehensive newsletters will be sent out at the beginning of each term with the aim to keep parents informed as to what students will be covering in Key Learning Areas across the term.

Our school newsletter will work to support the grade newsletter by publishing regular reports of learning from our classrooms.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to effectively hold Parent Information Evenings. However, should you wish to have a ‘Meet & Greet’ phone call with your child’s class teacher so follow the link in the grade newsletter in order for the teachers to arrange the phone calls. Phone calls are not compulsory.

Latest COVID-19 Cases:

Please read the latest case locations by following this link. It is very much appreciated that our parent community continues to follow the health advice and is so cooperative of our local school measures to keep all safe at Good Samaritan.

Safer Internet Week:

At Good Samaritan we have taken the whole week to recognise the importance of working within safe internet boundaries. The students have been involved in activities and tasks each day that promote a safer internet. 

The students have been introduced to, and revised, a variety of terms related to the internet. Below is an easy little story that uses these terms. You might take the time to read the story to your child and the ask a few questions like:

• Who is the eSafety Commissioner?
• What does it mean to be online?
• Tell me 3 ways to stay safe online
• Explain to me what download & install means
• What should you do with your personal information while you are online? How do you do that?
• How should you feel when you are online with a friend?

One of the greatest challenges parents encounter is around how much screen time is appropriate for their children. There are many factors to consider and the attached tip sheet may help you to enforce the right amount of time for your child.

You can find a tremendous amount of information for parents on the eSafety Commissioner’s website.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data: NCCD

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. Good Samaritan staff work consistently each year collecting and recording data about student goals and progress to be counted within the collection.

A small group of teachers in the school will participate in a training day at the end of this month to fully understand what information needs to be completed and how this needs to be completed throughout the year.