Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

Semester One is racing to an end and what a semester it’s been! We have moved through cycles of normal, new normal, not normal and it seems like everything in between. We have kept students' learning at the centre of our work whilst also recognising the importance of their emotional wellbeing. Out of all that we have done, the children have done even better. 

They have risen to the occasion in a way that, I don’t believe, any of us really expected. They have coped extremely well with remote learning, learning at school for some of the time and returning to face to face with confidence. They have demonstrated a sense of responsibility in making sure that they are ready to learn at the beginning of every session. I also feel that they have an overall new found respect for their teachers, their friends and their school.

Reflecting on what we have gone through, and continue to go through, as a community, a state and country, brings us renewed gratitude for what we have. I recently heard a quote from Br David Steindl-Rast, an American Benedictan monk who said:

It is not joy that makes us grateful;

it is gratitude that makes us joyful.

This semester has brought so much to be joyful for. As I look around our school, I see the delight in the faces of our children as they come into the playground; I hear the friendships that are created during play; I see the work that our staff do to make sure that learning occurs each and every day; I hear the conversations of teachers who care deeply about the emotional wellbeing of our students and their colleagues; I work with parents who demonstrate a genuine commitment to the partnership between home and school - each of us recognising the responsibility we have to support children in their learning, wellbeing and faith development.

This semester has also seen the enrolment process for Kindergarten 2021. I know that I am in a very privileged position to be able to have the conversation with parents about why they have chosen Good Samaritan - a Catholic school - for their child’s education. I am reminded of what Jesus told the disciples when I think about the welcoming community of Good Samaritan. Jesus said, 

 ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.’ Mt 10:40

Why am I taken by this quote? Because it is the sense of a welcoming community that has come through in many of the conversations I have had with our new parents and those who are enrolling siblings. Welcome was so wonderfully shown by our students last week in recognition of Refugee Week. We are brought to the fullness of life, to a real spiritual joy, when we demonstrate gratitude for all that we have. If you didn’t catch the video, take a couple of minutes to watch it here.

Our Year 5 students have led the way in ‘Knit4Need’ with many stitches being cast on across the playground. One student said to me, ‘It’s so good that we are able to help others by doing this.’ 

How grateful I am to have students recognise that what they have can be shared with another in need.

Until next term, enjoy the break with your children as we journey together with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal