Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

We often hear people talk about children and the modern world in comparison to ‘what it was like in the past’ or that ‘things have changed since I was a child’. To a certain extent it is true. Children in primary school do need to deal with issues that did not appear to be there in the past - or were not spoken about openly in the past.

As we continue to support children to understand their world, their relationships and themselves it is important that we support you as the first educators of your children. As the children grow and change in the world today, it is also important to acknowledge the information we now have on Child Safety education. This means that children come to understand, value and experience a life that is full and inclusive of respectful and caring relationships now and into the future.

To support this, the PDHPE syllabus mandates teachers to take into consideration the local context students are growing up in, the strengths students bring to the classroom and school playground and how students interact with one another in an informed age appropriate way.

A Zoom meeting, Respectful Relationships,  Child Safety, Growth,  Development & Human Sexuality Education, will be held on Wednesday 19  July from 6:30pm-7:30pm.  

This meeting is for all parents - Kindergarten to Year 6.

We ran the same information session last year and received positive feedback from parents and caregivers. I would encourage you to attend once again as your child will be covering different topics and concepts this year. We recognise that we are changing the culture of our school community’s understanding of Respectful Relationships,  Child Safety, Growth,  Development & Human Sexuality Education. Changing culture is about schools, parents/carers and communities being on the same page and being counter-cultural to the narrative currently being displayed to our young people around relationships. 

At the meeting we will address the myths around this topic and also be informed by the facts. You will have the opportunity to to hear about the cyclical nature of skill and knowledge development across the areas of respectful relationships, child safety, child growth, development and human sexuality.

This is an important meeting and one that I am sure you will appreciate tuning into with other parents.

You’re invited to join the Respectful Relationships,  Child Safety, Growth,  Development & Human Sexuality Education Zoom Meeting:

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:

https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/67391518928?pwd=M2RPUkhmbDlUWHo1Z3lUNEZJREpOdz09

Password: 882778

I look forward to working with you to support our students in this area.

Enjoy the week ahead, journeying together with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Assemblies Weeks 9&10:

Friday 23 June will be the final whole school assembly for Term 2. Principal Awards will be given at this assembly.

In week 10 we will celebrate the term with a Liturgy recognising the Mini Vinnies team for 2023 and congratulating those students receiving a Good Samaritan award. 

Therefore, there will be no assembly in week 10.

Emergency drills are a part of all organisations including schools. On Monday each grade will be taken through an evacuation drill outlining at an age and stage appropriate level the importance of the drill. This will include explaining to students what to do in an emergency situation.

Following this we will conduct a whole school evacuation drill on Thursday 29 June. You may take some time next week to reinforce with your child the importance of practising for emergencies to keep everyone safe.

School Photos:

Advanced Life Photography have advised that school photos are due for delivery at the beginning of Term 3.