Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan

Today is Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent.  A time when we concentrate on Prayer, Fasting and Good Deeds. We do all of this in preparation for the great feast of Easter. During Lent, we give special attention to prayer - attending to the quality of our prayer more than the quantity - we look at where we can fast - emptying ourselves so that we may be filled with the life and love of Christ - and good deeds - not to be noticed but to help others. 

Often we can think about Lent as a time of Penance - a time where we deprive ourselves of those things that we enjoy. It is easy for Lent to become just about the fasting - the giving up of something - rather than focusing on the fact that in the giving up I am renewing myself. Renewal of actions, of thinking in order to let God into my life more fully. By remembering that to combine the fasting with prayer and good deeds takes the time of Lent to another level entirely.

Today, Matthew’s Gospel reminds us what Jesus said to his disciples:

Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice

Matthew reminds us of that because 

Your Father, who sees all that is done in secret, will reward you

As I think about this, I reflect on the way that our children operate at Good Samaritan. Many of them, every day, give so much to their school and do not expect anything in return. Of course, like anyone, they like to be acknowledged but often they just do good for others because they know it is the right thing to do.

I’ve seen our Good Samaritan boys and girls help each other out on the playground, offering to assist teachers, following our school expectations, greeting fellow students and staff each morning and the list could go on. 

These behaviours can also be identified as Mission Behaviours. As adults we can also look at our everyday actions as fulfilling the Mission of God here on earth. As we enter Lent, take some time to reflect on how your daily life is rewarded by God.

ESTEEM: build & maintain - paying a compliment to someone; thanking someone for what they have done for you; listening to the compliment that is paid to you...

EMPATHY: listen first then respond - taking the time to make the phone call to someone you haven’t heard from for a while; responding to what you hear with the ear of your heart; putting yourself in the shoes of others when you go to make a judgment or criticise…

INVOLVE: ask for help & encourage - encourage a friend or family member to take a step that may be difficult for them; ask for the opinion of another person before you make an important decision or action; take time to involve yourself in your child’s school work…

SHARE thoughts, feelings and reasons why - think about what you want to say to another person and let them know why you feel the way you do; take action to find out how a friend or family member is feeling and encourage them to share their thinking with you…

SUPPORT without removing responsibility - reflect on the structures you use to get your child/ren ready for school. Who does all the work? What responsibility do the children need to have? Stop to think Am I doing something here that may be removing the responsibility of my child/friend/partner? How do I support them but leave the responsibility with them?

Our students are working to come to know the Mission Behaviours and how they can identify these in their own daily lives. Together, being evermore conscious in Lent, we are building the Kingdom of God here on Earth - just as we are asked to do.

As we journey together, with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Drivers reminded to slow down with students around

Recently Transport NSW communicated the following media release now that schools are back after the holiday break.

Drivers are being urged to take extra care and slow down with school zones back in force.

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said while most students were returning to the classroom later in the week school zones are enforced from the first day of term.

“The 40 kilometre an hour school zones have been switched on this morning with the official start of the school year. As we see students start returning to the classroom after a disruptive 12 months, we really need everyone to be extra vigilant.

“...Drivers need to remember school zones are now active. We all need to slow down and stick to that reduced speed limit.

“It’s also really important to remember the rules apply around school buses. When you see those flashing lights on the back of the bus remember to keep an eye out for children. By law it’s a requirement to drop down to the 40 kilometre an hour speed limit,” Mr Constance said.

Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary for Safety,Environment and Regulation,Tara McCarthy, said two children have died in school zones in the last two years. 32 have been seriously injured in active school zones between 2015 and 2019.

“Although school zones are one of the safest places on the NSW road network, we know children can be unpredictable around roads so we need everyone to be attentive and watch out for children,” Ms McCarthy said.

The NSW Government has implemented numerous safety initiatives to improve the visibility of school zones such as signage, road markings and flashing lights.

The Government is also investing an extra $18.5 million to provide 300 new School Crossing Supervisors, offering more protection for children and improved visibility of crossings for motorists.

Higher fines and demerit points also apply to certain driving and parking offences committed within school zones.

Picking up your child in the park:

Parents are asked to ensure that the teacher dismissing your child is able to see you and acknowledge that you are collecting your child safely when being dismissed in Cram Park. Parents are asked not to call students to cars without parking first. If you are having difficulty finding a parking space to collect your child from the park then carlines may be a safer alternative for you.