From the Principal's Desk
Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,
Last week’s Father’s Day celebrations were such a wonderful display of what we have all come to value about the Good Samaritan community. So many people commented on how much ‘love’ could be felt across the playground and then into the classrooms.
Thank you to Tom and Amy from Wildmann Group and all those who helped out on the BBQ. Stomachs were very satisfied with the breakfast that was so generously provided. Thank you to our P&F and the mothers who ran the Father’s Day Stall - so many smiles from so many children as they gathered in the hall to buy their dad that special gift.
This generosity of time and spirit is never expected in a school community however it is such a gift when it comes. On Friday afternoon I read a short reflection that focused on just that - everything being a gift.
Everything is a gift—one hundred percent pure gift.
The reason any of us woke up this morning had very little to do with us and
everything to do with God. All twenty-four hours today are a total gift.
And so, the only real prayer is to say “Thank you!” and to keep saying it.
When our prayer is constantly “Thank you,” and we know we deserve nothing,
and that everything is a gift, we stop counting. Only when we stop counting
and figuring out what we deserve, will we move from the world of merit into
the wonderful world of grace. And in the world of grace, everything is free.
As we head towards the end of the term there is so much to be thankful for at Good Samaritan. The commitment and generosity of our parent community who so easily volunteer their time and skills whether it be coaching sporting teams, establishing gardens, cooking BBQs, helping out in classrooms, sponsoring our 10 Year Gala Event or making sure that your child is Ready to Learn every day - you are what makes Good Samaritan the wonderful place it is for our students to thrive.
As we journey together, with Jesus, this week,
Toni Sillis
Principal
Congratulations to the P&F Father’s Day Raffle Winners!
1st Prize:
Maddi T (Y3) - Victa 18” Classic Catch Petrol Lawnmower
2nd Prize:
Cassandra (Y3) - Wheelbarrow filled with BBQ & Gardening Tools
3rd Prize:
Leo (Y2) - Ryobi Cordless Line Trimmer
4th Prize:
Amari (Y4) - Ryobi Cordless Garden Blower
5th Prize:
Genevieve (Y4) - Ryobi Water Pressure Washer
Once again, thank you to Bunnings for the generous donations for the P&F Father’s Day Raffle.
Good Samaritan Awards:
The Good Samaritan Awards are being reinstituted this term after a period of delay due to the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. A significant element of receiving this award is the prayer and morning tea that accompanies the presentation.
Due to the school being in remote learning for week 10, the Good Samaritan Award Presentation will occur on Monday 10 October (Term 4 Week 1).
The PB4L Team recently reviewed the Awards and Rewards structure of the school including the criteria of the Good Samaritan Award. This is outlined below:
The Good Samaritan Award is the formal recognition of a student’s commitment to Catholic learning, belonging, celebration, hope, respect and justice. This includes achievement, appropriate behaviour and consistently doing their best. The award is based upon the school vision statement embedding the Rule of St Benedict:
We are a Catholic community, inclusive and compassionate,
promoting quality learning, journeying with Jesus, drawing
all into the heart of God.
Therefore, the criteria for the award includes, but is not limited to a number of the following characteristics and core values by demonstrating a love of God and of all around them:
- using their personal gifts with humility
- a consistent commitment to applying themselves to their learning
- demonstrated improvement in their learning
- showing reverence and respect to the earth and all that God has made
- focusing on serving the community of Good Samaritan
- being an advocate for those in need or less fortunate both within the community and the wider global community
- a willingness to assist
This following describes the validation procedure for receiving a Good Samaritan Award:
Guidelines
- Teachers nominate one (1) student from each class, including Amaroo and the Learning Support Centre, in each term to receive the Good Samaritan Award.
- First Validation: Nominated student recipients are validated by teachers across the grade.
- Second Validation: Nominated student recipients are validated by the Principal and School Leadership Team.
- Students are eligible to receive the Good Samaritan Award once within a 2 year period.
- The Good Samaritan Award is designed so that all students have the opportunity to receive the award however, not all students will receive the award throughout their enrolment at Good Samaritan.
- The Good Samaritan award will be presented at the end of term prayer/mass/liturgy.
- Parents/Carers of award recipients will be invited to attend the award presentation and accompanying morning tea by the Middle Leader and Principal.
- The receiving of the award is kept confidential with only parents/carers being informed.
- The school’s validation process is the final decision of award recipients.
- One (1) award is presented to the student.
RUOK? Day:
This RUOK? DAY, GSFM are inviting everyone to start a meaningful conversation, and shine a light on mental health and wellbeing.
As a school community we will acknowledge and support RUOK? Day on Thursday 8 September 2022. This day will be incorporated into our term 3 PB4L Day.
RUOK? Day is a national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’
Students are encouraged to wear yellow themed mufti ensuring they have appropriate clothing and covered in shoes.
Tomorrow, we will also be celebrating the great things we do at Good Samaritan and participating in activities in our grades focusing on our whole school behaviour expectations in the classroom and on the playground.
Below is a colouring activity you may like to download for your child to help reinforce an RUOK? conversation.