Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

We have come to the end of the school year - and what a year it has been! We have achieved so much with the students under very testing circumstances. I am very grateful for the continued support of you, our parents who consistently encouraged us by your determination and commitment to overcome the challenges that we faced. I am hopeful that when we return in 2021 we will be able to engage with our parent community more actively. Hopefully, this will come with the continued easing of restrictions. 

I am also very grateful to our Good Samaritan staff who have really given their all this year. Their commitment to our students is remarkable. We have worked hard to Build Back Better. As a staff, the experiences of this year have been unpacked and examined. We have highlighted our successes and what we have learnt about teaching and learning. The experiences of this year need to assist us in how we recover. We need to refine our work, become more focused and learn from what we have experienced rather than just recover. This is a time of transition - a time when we can change direction and aim to Build Back Better than what we were before.

Now that Christmas is here it is time to rest. Rest is necessary for all of us. For all of us to function we need to rest emotionally, spiritually and physically. It’s time to look for the small good things. The moments of connection with other humans, animals and the environment. Over the Christmas period I encourage you to find those small good things. Saviour the moments that will refuel you and energise you. 

Take time to be silent - time to convalesce. Even though many of us have not been unwell, we need the time to be able to stay well. Like all teachers and principals, my mind tends to never switch off - continually thinking about my work, the students and how we can meet their needs and give them the best education each day. However, like all teachers and principals, I need to look for those small good things, appreciate them and let them energise me to take the next small step.

The holiday break will allow us to switch off and refocus - to come back in 2021 even better. 

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with Hope, Joy, Peace and Love

Toni Sillis

Principal