From the Principal's Desk
Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,
Yesterday we welcomed our Kindergarten students to school on their very first day. What a wonderful day they had. Beginning school is a significant time in the life of our children and also our families.
School is a place where learning occurs and it is also where lifelong friendships begin and are nurtured over time. We have so much enjoyed being a part of this journey for our Kindergarten children.
Yesterday we recognised Safer Internet Day. Safer Internet Day is a global event that brings together communities, families, schools and organisations from more than 200 countries to help create safer online spaces.
This worldwide initiative is celebrating 20 years in 2023, making it a great time to reflect as well as look forward.
Technology has evolved dramatically in the past two decades and the benefits have been huge. These developments have also exposed us to many risks with real-world impacts, making online safety awareness even more important.
That's why the eSafety Commissioner is calling on Australians to Connect. Reflect. Protect.
Connect safely and with purpose – by keeping apps and devices secure and using social media in positive ways.
Reflect before we act – by taking a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect others.
Protect ourselves and others by taking action – by telling family, friends or colleagues about eSafety and how we can help.
By doing these simple things, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.
What do you think of when you think about the words
CONNECT REFLECT PROTECT?
ESafety advice for parents - ThinkUKnow program
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are urging families to be proactive this school year and update the privacy settings on children’s devices to help prevent predators from contacting them online.
The AFP-led ThinkUKnow program – Australia’s first and only nationally delivered, law enforcement-led online safety program – has produced guides for parents and carers.
The eSafety Commissioner holds free 30 minute webinars across the year. Below are the Term 1 topics.
This PDF (below) has topics and dates for the year.
STAGES OF HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
- If you have any educational/behaviour concerns about your child always contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. Your child’s classroom teacher will always make contact with you if they have any concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour.
- Grades and classes across the school are supported by Middle Leaders. You are asked to contact the Middle Leader/s responsible for your child’s class/grade if you have continued concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. The Middle Leaders will also contact you when and if necessary.
- All academic and behaviour concerns made to the office will be directed to the classroom teacher in the first instance. This may be followed up by support from the Middle Leader responsible for the stage/grade.
Shade Sails:
You may have noticed that the shade sails in front of Year 2 & 3 have been removed. This is because one of the poles has buckled over the Christmas break. We have been advised that the safest option is to remove the sails until an engineer can assess the post and work towards a solution.
Our Year 6 students want to have some fun while raising money for some play equipment.
Bring along a gold coin to guess the number of M&M’s in the jars.
There’s 2 jars to win along with a kid’s voucher!
Winners will be announced on Friday afternoon at assembly.
Mark Your Calendars!
PUPIL FREE DAY
Thursday 6 April
(Holy Thursday)
Thursday 6 April will be the Good Samaritan Staff Spirituality Day.
This day aims to connect Christian Meditation to student social and emotional learning.
Students do not attend school on this day.
As we progress through the week as a full school community with all our Kindergarten students right through to all our Year 6 students, we journey together with Jesus,
Sincerely,
Toni Sillis
Principal