Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It is hard to believe that we are in Week 5 of Term 2 and almost halfway through the school year. Life certainly goes by at a fast rate. I recently attended the funeral of a friend who lost her fight with cancer. She lived a short but exciting life and upon her final diagnosis was quoted as saying, “some people die while they are living, but I intend to live as I am dying”.

This made me reflect on the true meaning of living life to the fullest and how we can best do this. 

The desire for fulfillment is universal. From the moment we are born we recognise within ourselves an insatiable hunger for more of life. We try to grasp onto every experience, enjoy every relationship, and maximize every opportunity. Yet even if we strive to fill our lives to the brim with adventure, are we ever truly satisfied?

The “abundant life” is about grace, it’s about holy living. It’s about the deep-down assurance that you belong to each other.  “Life to the fullest” is God’s gift to us, free and unconditional. So how are we doing in our desire to live a “full” life? 

Here at Good Samaritan, we strive to provide our students and families with an “abundance” of opportunities, celebrations and of course learning opportunities. The last two years have taught us to appreciate the small things in life and to not take others or gatherings for granted. 

This year we have been able to reconnect and have families back on site and in the classroom. We have been able to join together for morning teas, mother’s day stall, open classrooms, sporting events, masses, liturgies, sacramental programs, excursions, Year 6 Camp, Welcome BBQ, try Year 7 for a day, Feast day celebrations, Harmony day celebrations, Mackillop sports trials, Naplan, Mufti days, Easter Hat Parade/ raffle, Holy Week Celebrations, Cross Country, Year 6 Leadership Program, da Vinci Decathlon, Athletics Carnival and other fundraising events such as our hot cross bun drive and lolly guessing competition for Project Compassion.

Thank you for allowing us to live our professional life to the fullest with your child/ren that you entrust in our care every day as we continue to live life with grace and holy living.

Go Gently,

Natalie Shelley

Religious Education Coordinator