Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

Thank you for the kind messages that I have received following the announcement of my Principalship at St Pius X Unanderra from the commencement of the 2025 school year. I truly appreciate your kind words and good wishes. I look forward to working with the Good Samaritan community for the remainder of 2024. 

Last Sunday was World Mission Sunday - our annual opportunity to support the work of Catholic Mission through prayer and financial donations. This year, the focus is on the work of the Church in Mongolia, where harsh conditions compound serious issues already facing people experiencing homelessness, people with disability and victims of domestic abuse. Thank you for supporting this worthwhile cause through our Socktober fundraising last Friday, enabling us to donate $350.

The opening night of the CEDoW Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition took place last Wednesday evening at the Wollongong Art Gallery. This competition invited students to engage with Scripture passages related to the Christmas story, encouraging them to connect these messages to their own lives. By exploring the Scriptures from a new perspective, students selected a passage that resonated with them and expressed their interpretations through their artwork.

This year, 163 entries were submitted from 29 primary schools and one K-12 college in our diocese. A panel of judges selected 48 artworks for exhibition, highlighting the dedication and passion of both students and their teachers. Isabelle O, Elizabelle P and Amelie B had their artwork chosen for the competition, with Amelie receiving Highly Commended and Isabelle receiving the Packing Room Prize. A wonderful achievement! 

Our teachers are commencing the process of discerning 2025 class placements. Please email the school office if there is a special consideration that requires my attention before 30 October.. Any emails after this date will not be able to be considered. 

I ask that considerations do not pertain to individual teachers. 

Please understand that class placements are the result of several factors including, but not limited to:

• gender balance
• social/emotional development
• social strengths/challenges
• academic strengths/challenges
• class sizes
• diversity
• equitable classrooms
• combinations of learning styles

Please note that not all considerations will be able to be catered for.