Catholic Schools Week:

This week we celebrate all that is good as a Catholic school. The children have been asked to think about what they hope for their school. We will gather together as a school community to pray for all we do together at Good Samaritan.

Ash Wednesday:

This week we celebrate Ash Wednesday as it marks the beginning of the Lenten period for 2019. Lent is a time when we reflect on what we can do to become better people. A two page message from Bishop Brian about Lenten penance and obligations is attached for your information.

Parent Teacher Information Evening Feedback:

Parental Feedback is important to ensure the smooth running of the school particularly events where you have also been required to make a commitment. Feedback also gives us indications of where we can improve our systems, processes and supports as a school community. Last week we held the Parent Information Evening. We are now seeking your feedback about the evening.

Parent Action: Please respond by clicking here which will take you to a Google form. Thank you for providing this feedback and it should only take up to 5 minutes.

Attendance Policy & Guidelines:

The following information will be included in the revision of Good Samaritan’s Attendance Policy & Guidelines.

REASON FOR ABSENCE

For any whole day absence the school must receive notification of the reason for the absence within 7 days of the return to school. Please supply the reason on a short note to the classroom teacher. In the event that a note is not supplied the absence will be recorded as Unjustified/Unexplained. Prents/Carers will be sent regularly sent reminders to explain absences where no explanation has been provided.

Partial absences are recorded when the child enters school after 8:50am or leaves school before 3:00pm via the school office.

Parent Action: Sign your child/ren in or out of school if they are late or leaving early. Return an absence note as soon as possible following the absence.

ABSENCES AND PART ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL

It is most important that students attend school unless there exists a genuine reason for absence. It is also most important that students attend school for the full school day. Whilst the first 10 minutes of school or the last 20 minutes of the school day may seem unimportant to parents, it is during these times that students are instructed of the essential routines and guides of the school day that help to create productive learning environments. As parents, you are urged to ensure your child/ren arrive at school on time and stay for the complete school day every day of the week.

Below is an outline of the processes Good Samaritan will use to follow up extended absences from school.

As a systemic primary school within the Wollongong Diocese, Good Samaritan adheres to the School Attendance Guidelines and Procedures of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. As such, the following process will be used to support the regular attendance of students at school.

Step 1: 3 - 4 days absent

• Phone call to parents (if required ).
• Follow up with letter to parents if absences continue - arrange meeting with parents to discuss.
• Review situation for the following week.

Step 2: 7 - 14 days absent

• Regular phone call to parents re attendance.
• Registered letter to parents re attendance.
• Referral to school counselor/Family Support.
• Meeting with school Principal.
• Head of School Services to be informed.

Step 3: 14 - 21 days absent

• Inform Head of School Services.
• Regular contact to parents.
• School informs Catholic Education Office.
• Meeting with school Principal and Head of School Service (Action Plan agreed on and review date set).
• Registered letter to parents.

Step 4: 22+ days absent

• Head of School Service with Principal to determine Action Plan.

Step 5: Above 30 days absent

• Report ‘education neglect’ (i.e., habitual absence or not enrolled) to Community Services (CS) Child Protection Helpline.
• Letter to parents from Head of School Services advising that the system has reported to Community Services (CS) or if not enrolled, also reported to Department of Education and Communities (DEC). If there are any concerns for the child’s wellbeing, normal child protection procedures apply - this can be made any time during the above procedure.

Behaviour on School Buses

Transport NSW has a complete set of Guidelines for managing school students behaviour on buses. These guidelines unpack the Code of Conduct responsibilities of students, parents and school principals in relation to bus behaviour. The guidelines also indicate the consequences for a breach of the Code of Conduct. Last week I needed to speak to one of our buses and remind them of the appropriate behaviour when travelling to and from school.

For your information, the following is taken from section 2 of the Guidelines - Student Code of Conduct.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ON BUSES

It is every student's responsibility to behave in a manner that ensures the safety and comfort of passengers and drivers. This includes:

Behaviour on buses:

• Use appropriate language not offensive or racist language
• Fighting, spitting, feet on seats, throwing things in or from the bus is not permitted
• No eating or drinking (other than water) — unless for medical reasons or the bus operator gives written permission
• Offer seats to adults including people with a disability, elderly or expectant mothers
• Do not touch, push or shove other people
• Do not bully or harass other passengers or the driver. This includes photographing, making lewd or suggestive comments, acting in a manner or participating in activities that may be deemed inappropriate or of a sexual nature.
• Avoid attracting the attention of the driver except in the case of emergency
• Do not play music at such volume that it may distract the bus driver or other passengers.

Parent Action: If your child/ren  catches a bus to or from school please familiarise yourself with these guidelines and speak to your child/ren about their responsibilities on the buses.

Need to know more about safeguarding your child online?

Whilst the internet provides many enriching and engaging experiences for children it can also be a place where they are exposed to illegal, offensive and highly inappropriate material. The office of the eSafety Commissioner has an enormous amount of resources for parents in an easy to navigate webite.

Parent Action: Click here to read about online safeguards for your children.

Enrolling Now for Kindergarten 2020!

Enrolment applications are currently being accepted for Kindergarten 2020 at Good Samaritan. An open afternoon is being held on Friday 15 March 3:30pm-5:00pm and on Saturday 16 March 10:00am - 12noon.

Parent Action: If you have a child ready to start Kindergarten next year ask the school office for an enrolment package or download an enrolment form here

Let your relatives, friends and colleagues know that the enrolment period is now open.

School Newsletter:

Starting next week, the school newsletter will be published and distributed every Wednesday.

Thank You!

to all our parents who chose to shop at Athlete’s Foot Wollongong this year for joggers and school shoes. This week Brett and Cameron from Athlete’s Foot presented our school with a $565 cheque. This will go towards the purchase of a new shade structure for sporting and gala days.