From the Principal's Desk :
Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan
This week the Year 6 students are living the Benedictan value of Hospitality. In his Rule, Benedict defines hospitality as offering warmth, acceptance and joy when welcoming another. Year 6 are looking forward to welcoming our community in prayer Friday.
Benedict says, Let all be received as Christ [RB 53]. This understanding of hospitality is based on relating to another as guest, on cultivating an openness to others. Whilst our students are coming to understand Hospitality in a literal sense, they are also working towards understanding hospitality as St Benedict teaches - not as a social event but rather a holy event. Hospitality is costly, not in terms of money, but in the demands it makes on our hearts, our time, and our personal resources.
This leads me to reflect on the work that our Year 6 students are doing throughout this year. Overall, they are contributing so much back into our community by way of hosting assemblies, welcoming visitors into our school, leading the celebration of liturgies and leading the student community with great responsibility.
Through all of this they are not asking What will I get out of this? But rather, What more can I give?
We are, indeed blessed, to have such great student leaders who are having such a positive influence on our student community. Our Year 6 parents should be very proud!
As we journey together into the student holiday period, with Jesus,
Toni Sillis
Principal
COVID-19 Update - Mask Requirements:
As you would know through media reports, NSW Health has advised that masks are now mandatory on public transport and in all public indoor venues in all of Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour (excluding the Central Coast and Hunter) until 12.01am on Thursday 1 July 2021. Click here for more detail on face mask rules.
Good Samaritan has received confirmation from Catholic Schools NSW (via CEDoW) that schools are NOT included in the list of indoor areas where a face mask must be worn.
However, while schools are not directly identified as a public indoor venue, we strongly encourage parents to wear face masks whilst in classrooms.
Thank you for wearing masks in our classrooms during parent teacher interviews this week.
Thank You:
As we conclude Term 3, I would like to thank all our parents who work tirelessly to support our school community by ensuring that your child is Ready to Learn each day. Thanks is also extended for the positive relationship between parents and staff which continues to be strengthened each day.
Only when we work together and adopt a positive and hope filled attitude do we see students strive in their work, relationships and spirit.
Getting Ready for Book Week:
Book Week is just around the corner. Book Week is the annual celebration of books and Australian authors and illustrators. The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week since 1945.
Book Week for 2021 will run from 21 August - 27 August. Good Samaritan’s Book Week Parade will be held on Thursday 26 August.
The Theme of Book Week this year is Old Worlds New Worlds Other Worlds. Below is a colouring competition for Year 1 students. The design was completed by Eadie Cychowski in 2Blue.
Our Captains & Vice Captains invite you to:
GSFM Teddy Bear’s Picnic
The picnic will be held following the postponed Mother’s Day Liturgy as a celebration of the end of Term 2 on Friday 25 June.
The Liturgy will begin at 12noon.
Year 6 will be living the Benedictan value of HOSPITALITY with a selection of cakes and slices to share with you on the day.
Please note that in the event of poor weather Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 & Year 6 will join together for the Liturgy. Following the liturgy we will join together for the Teddy Bear’s picnic.
Given the current communication regarding restrictions, all parents & visitors are asked to wear face masks if attending the school site on Friday.
If the school receives further advice regarding restrictions following the publication of this newsletter a Compass alert will be sent to parents.
Screen Time and School Holidays:
As the school holidays approach it may be time to relook at the agreements you have with your child about the use of technology at home. Promoting healthy online habits and that includes a balanced use of devices supports children to use digital technologies with confidence. Your routines at home can include device-free times and places in your home.
It is important to remember that devices should always be kept out of children’s bedrooms. The temptation to use the device instead of sleeping is too great for primary school aged children.
You will find further information from the below.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice
Throughout Term 3 Good Samaritan will participate in Jump Rope for Heart.
The link below is the launch video that the students will watch in the first week of Term 3. The students will jump rope for fitness lessons throughout the term. The focus of Jump Rope for Heart is to promote healthy living and fitness whilst also raising funds for the Heart Foundation. More information will be communicated in Term 3.
Claim the Date:
On Tuesday 7 September Good Samaritan Staff will be attending the annual Staff Spirituality Day. This is a Pupil Free Day so students will not attend school on this day.
Staff will be working off site on the day at The Hermitage Retreat Centre in Mittagong.
