Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

This week we recognise Reconciliation Week. The goal for this movement is for a more just, equitable and reconciled country. Yesterday we welcomed Christina Anu to Good Samaritan and what a great experience for our students!

Below, Amalia and Matisse have reflected on the experience together.

On Tuesday, Christine Anu came to our school to help us recognise Reconciliation Week. Christine is regarded as one of Australia’s most iconic female entertainers with a career spanning 30 years across music, stage, screen, radio and children’s entertainment. She has starred in blockbuster movies, musicals and has performed in many major Australian events.

Amalia Pitt, in Year 6, had a great idea to invite her to our school so we could learn more about Torres Strait Islanders.  Amalia wanted our school to learn more about the culture of Torres Strait Islanders because she feels that their history and culture are getting overlooked while we learn so much about the Aboriginals of the mainland.

Christine Anu taught us her language and where Torres Strait Islands are. We were taught different words and songs in her language as well as finding out what some of her culture's instruments are. We watched some of the traditional dances that Torres Strait Islanders do as well as learnt some sitting down dances. At the very end of her visit we sang ‘My Island Home’ with her.

We were very fortunate to have Christine come to our school and teach all of the students about her culture.We all found out so many new things and how she values her Torres Strait Islander heritage.

We are truly blessed at Good Samaritan to have a student community that is engaged in learning.

As we journey through the week with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

On Friday Good Samaritan students will participate in a PB4L Day. The aim of the day is for students to celebrate all that is done at GSFM and to be involved in activities that assist the development of their understanding of social norms and social emotional behaviours.

The PB4L Day coincides with World Environment Day so students can wear colours or clothes  that remind them of the environment eg: blue for the ocean/sky, green for the  grass/forests, yellow for the sun, orange representing Autumn colours or, if they can’t decide, rainbows!

Last Wednesday Peter Hill visited Good Samaritan spending the day hearing about our school improvement plan and engaging with our School Captains and Vice Captains. Mr Hill spoke of the warm welcome he received from the staff and students. 

Our Captains and Vice Captains spoke about our school community, what it means to them and also the legacy that they will leave behind. I was very proud as I listened to their ideas and views. They then took him on a tour around the school. Mr Hill commented on the way in which the younger students looked up to their student leaders, it was a natural respect that was shown.

It was wonderful to walk around the school with Mr Hill and have students come up to him and say, ‘Good morning Mr Hill’ without any prompting. What a credit they are to you, as parents, and to the whole school community.

After gaining quotes and securing funding we are able to begin the process of remodelling the playground around the tables and decking area. The first meeting will be held on Thursday morning to look at time frames etc. This area has been a WH&S concern and needs to be modernised. The area will become an imaginative and sensory play area including a prayer space and outdoor learning gathering area.

Holy Spirit College will be hosting a zoom parent information evening by Paul Dillon. “Teens alcohol and other drugs. What do parents in a post Covid-19 world need to know”

Holy Spirit College in collaboration with the College’s Parents & Friends would like to invite Year 6 parents (only) to attend this zoom parent information evening.

 Details: Monday 19 July 7-8.30pm

Teens, alcohol and other drugs: 

What do parents in a post-COVID-19 world need to know?

During adolescence, teens develop a biological need to be around friends and research strongly suggests that they should be provided opportunities to socialise with their peers whenever possible. Under the COVID-19 ‘social distancing’ restrictions parents have been asked to try to restrict these face-to-face interactions. This presentation will examine how teens have adapted to the current situation and discuss some of the risks, as well as potential benefits of teens living in ‘isolation’. Most importantly, as the restrictions are gradually ‘rolled back’ over the months ahead, how should parents respond? Socialising, in all its forms, is going to look different for some time to come but underage drinking will inevitably play a role in many teen parties and gatherings. To assist parents to navigate through a post COVID-19 world some simple tips will also be provided to help ensure teens are able to interact with friends on a Saturday night and, at the same time, reduce the risk of underage drinking and the potential dangers associated with such behaviour.

Our school assemblies are held each week on Friday afternoons following lunch at 2pm. All parents are welcome to come along to assembly. 

This week we will combine assembly with the World Environment Day Liturgy.

Mrs Michelle Cook will be taking leave from her position as Teacher Librarian for Mondays and Tuesdays for the remainder of the year. Michelle will be pursuing an enrichment opportunity in adult education during this time.

We wish Michelle every blessing as she takes on this opportunity and all that it has to offer her.

We are currently in the process of replacing Michelle for Monday & Tuesday at Good Samaritan.

Last year reporting on  the A-E scale was suspended due to COVID-19 remote learning and the reduced load of the curriculum. This year reports will return to the A-E scale and reporting will occur on the full curriculum across the two semesters.

Semester One reports will be sent to parents on Friday 18 June. Reports are written in line with the requirements of the NSW K-10 syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum in English, Mathematics and Science. Grades are awarded to students following the Common Grade Scale. At the Parent Teacher Interview in week 10, your child’s class teacher will be able to explain how the grade awarded reflects the level of work your child is currently achieving.

Further explanation of the reports is provided with the following:

It has now been a requirement of national legislation for Primary schools to provide twice-yearly written reports for students in Years 1 - 6 to parents. These reports are to be standards-referenced which in NSW means reporting based on the Common Grade Scale. Standards-referenced reporting requires teachers to consider the performance of each student according to the standard detailed at each level (A-E) of the Common Grade Scale for each Key Learning Area (KLA).  Students are then awarded a grade based on the evidence teachers have of their learning in that particular KLA and the standard it reflects. According to the Common Grade Scale a ‘C’ grade is considered sound. That is, if awarded a C in a particular KLA the student has demonstrated that they have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding expected of them at that point in time.

Some features of the report include:

Overall grades

Each KLA has an overall grade that is determined by the teacher by considering the evidence of each student’s learning and the standard on the Common Grade Scale it reflects. Overall grades are not determined by averaging performance on strands within a KLA. In many cases more time has been dedicated to learning in one strand over others and this contributes significantly to the balanced judgement a teacher is required to make in order to award an overall grade. It is not unusual for a student’s overall grade to change from one reporting period to the next as the knowledge, skills and understanding they encounter in each KLA will vary from one reporting period to the next. The Common Grade Scale is outlined below and is also included on the front of the report.

Common Grade Scale:

Effort Descriptors:

This section of the report captures the student’s attitude to the particular KLA and their skills in managing their work, persisting when challenged and working to their potential. A scale explaining the three standards used to describe student effort is included on the front of the report.

 Strands:

The term ‘strands’ refers to the breakdown of learning within each Key Learning Area (KLA) that is presented in a grid with the options Extensive, Thorough, Sound, Limited and Basic for teachers to indicate the performance of the student within each strand. Over a reporting period some strands will have a greater focus than others, which will impact the overall grade for the KLA. In some KLAs not every strand will be covered each reporting period; those that are not covered will not appear on the report.

 Comments:

There are three kinds of comments on the report:

Learning Gains – These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student has demonstrated in the reporting period

Areas for Growth – These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student will encounter as the ‘next step’ or ‘targeted area for growth’ on their learning path

Final Comment – The longer, final comment is written by the teacher and may cover a range of academic and non-academic areas

Positive Behaviours for Learning Descriptors:

This section of the report focuses on the student as a community member and as a learner. A scale is included to detail the three standards that are used to report on this aspect of the student’s behaviour.

Absences for the Semester:

This section of the report indicates the whole and partial days absent throughout the semester as recorded in the class rolls. Regular and consistent attendance at school increases the likelihood of academic and social success for children each year.

Reporting: Parent Information Sessions

If you would like to know more about the way in which reports are written you are invited to attend a parent information session. Whilst this invitation is particularly targeted towards parents with children in Years 1&2, all parents are welcome.

Session times:

• Monday 31 May 2pm-3pm
• Monday 7 June 9:15am-10:15am

Please click here to RSVP for the sessions.

Download the CEDoW Quick Sign In:

In order for quick sign in when entering the school during class time download the CEDoW Quick Sign In. After downloading, you are able to fill in your details ahead of time then tap ‘Show Code’ to display a QR code which can be read by the iPad at the front counter.