Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

The past week at Good Samaritan has been filled with moments of renewal, hope and striving for a future that offers our children the very best in education.

Last week the staff began working through a process of Case Management where students’ progress is brought forward to a supportive educational team, their work examined followed by a professional conversation to ensure that the student’s strengths are acknowledged and the support needed to continue to build upon these is offered in a constructive and explicit manner.

Throughout this process, I was able to come to know students more in an academic sense. I was able to observe the skill and dedication of our teaching staff and I was energised by what we have been able to put in place to support the academic progress of the students of Good Samaritan.

On Thursday the Good Samaritan community came together to celebrate Mother’s Day with a beautiful liturgy prepared by Year 3. This was followed by a Mother’s Day ‘High Tea’ provided by the school staff. This commitment to community continued on Friday with the Mother’s Day stall which was run by mums volunteering their time and the gifts were organised and laid out for sale by our P&F. All of this together, I believe, shows the supportive parental engagement we have at Good Samaritan.

In addition, I have been conducting interviews for Kindergarten in 2020. This has been such a privilege. This process allows me the opportunity to hear about the strengths of Good Samaritan and also what parents want for their children.

As I listen to parents I have heard that they really want to experience a sense of community. They have heard of the reputation Good Samaritan has within the wider community. Many parents themselves went to the school at either St John Vianney or St Francis Xavier and their experiences have been memorable and good. They want the same for their own children. I have heard of the importance parents place on consistent structures and routines for their children and they believe that enrolling their child in Good Samaritan will provide them with an education based on common values.

This was then extended further in a conversation with a colleague about how we might measure the impact of the core values of Catholic Education within the Diocese of Wollongong. The following Core Values are what we are called to act with as Catholic educators in this Diocese.

Hope: Adopting a positive and resilient approach to life and embracing the future with faith filled confidence.

Integrity: Being truthful, authentic and reliable, and acting with discernment and fidelity to the Holy Spirit.

Justice: Seeking right relationships, advocating with those in need and challenging unfairness and exploitation.

Compassion: Caring deeply for the dignity and wellbeing of others and welcoming all with love and respect and mercy.

I invite you as parents and carers to consider these values and to ask yourselves how you also contribute to bringing these alive within our school community. I also invite you to let me know how you have recognised these values through actions, events or messages from within the community.

Although my time at Good Samaritan has only been short thus far, I continue to marvel at the privilege I have been given to be the Principal of this school community. It is indeed one of my life’s greatest blessings.

Until next time, may we journey together with Jesus,

Toni Sillis  

Principal