Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

With the season of Lent underway the children have been thinking about the purpose of Lent in our Church’s year. This season is when we prepare for the greatest event of the Church’s calendar - Easter.

Stage 3 students were challenged on Monday to take the meaning of Lent to another level. Rather than just giving up chocolate or soft drink they were challenged to think about how Lent may change the way they speak to each other, the way they may make judgements of others and how they might notice more about other people - their feelings, their interests and their talents.

We always speak to our children about how they can become better people but how often do we challenge ourselves to do the same? When do we make an effort to go out of our way for others, even in the ‘busyness’ of our lives?

Maybe, this week, it’s time to think about and pray for the strength to make a concerted effort to go out of our way to help another person even though it may mean running a few minutes late.

Maybe, just maybe, we need to challenge ourselves more often.

As we journey through this week, together, with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Working Together to Protect the Health of a Vulnerable Student

I wish to advise all  that there is a child in the school community who is currently receiving medical treatment for a blood disorder.

As a consequence of the treatment this student’s ongoing health is at risk if he comes into contact with infectious illnesses, in particular chicken pox, shingles, measles, mumps or whooping cough.

If your son or daughter is suspected to have any of these illnesses it is very important that they do not attend school. It is also important that whilst your child is unwell he/she remains home until he/she no longer is contagious. Information on infectious conditions can be found on national health websites e.g  www.health.gov.au or alternatively contact your local GP.

If your chIld has chicken pox, shingles, measles, mumps or whooping cough or is suspected of having illnesses please contact the school immediately. This will allow the school to assess the probable contact and therefore minimise the exposure of our student to the disease. Notification can then be given to the parents and medical specialists.

As a school community we value your support in relation to the well being of all our students. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any questions.

I will be taking Long Service Leave from 9 March through to 10 May. My daughter will be married on 17 March and then I will be travelling with my husband to London where he will participate in the London Marathon. During this time Mrs Cath Hailstone will take on the role of Acting Principal and Mrs Natalie Shelley will take on the role of Acting Assistant Principal. I am most grateful that both Cath and Nat have taken these roles on. Our school is in very good hands.

A short recruitment process for Acting Religious Education Coordinator is currently underway. 

One of the great things about working at Good Samaritan is being able to celebrate student learning. In this video Carlie helps to highlight the success of our improved approach to the teaching of reading. How wonderful it is to be able to celebrate the gift of reading.

Mark your calendars for this year’s Pupil Free Days. Students do not attend school on the following dates.

Thursday 6 April: Staff Spirituality Day

Monday 24 April: Staff Professional Learning Day

Monday 17 July: Staff Professional Learning Day

The 2023 school year will conclude for students on Friday 15 December.