Filter Content
Dear Parent and Carers of Good Samaritan,
Last Friday Good Samaritan staff gathered for a professional learning day which focused on aligning the Diocesan Life to the Full framework, Social & Emotional Learning, the newly released PDHPE syllabus and PB4L data.
The day was most productive as we came to a common understanding about the competencies within Social and Emotional Learning and the strengths our students display with these skills. We also identified the areas of development for students. The PDHPE K–10 Syllabus is organised into three content strands with a focus on three PDHPE skill domains. One of the strands is Health, Wellbeing and Relationships.
Key to this strand is the students’ ability to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills important for building respectful relationships, enhancing personal strengths and exploring personal identity to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others. They develop strategies to manage change, challenges, power, abuse, violence and learn how to protect themselves and others in a range of situations.
The key competencies of social emotional learning are outlined below:
Self Awareness:
- Being able to identify what we are feelings, thoughts and values - how they influence behaviour
- Understanding why we might feel a certain way
Self Management:
- Ability to successfully regulate one's emotions and thoughts, and behaviours in different situations
- Manage stress, control impulses and motivate oneself
- Ability to set and work toward personal and academic goals
Social Awareness:
- Recognising what others may be feeling
- Trying to understand a situation from another's point of view
- Accepting and valuing people who are different from ourselves
Relationship Skills:
- Making friends and maintaining healthy relationships
- Dealing effectively with negative social influences
- Seeking help if we are not able to solve a social problem ourselves
Responsible Decision-Making:
-
- Understanding how a social situation makes us feel
- Considering the different choices we have and the positive and negative consequences of each of these choices when making a decision
- Making positive choices, while considering how these choices may affect ourselves and others.
The teachers worked with their knowledge of student behaviour which is captured by regular data entries and then planned a unit of work for the second half of the term addressing the associated syllabus outcomes.
The day was highly successful giving staff a true insight into what our students need in order to be truly successful in their learning - Ready to Learn.
As we journey together with Jesus this week,
Toni Sillis
Principal
Welcoming Director of Schools - Peter Hill - to GSFM:
Today Mr Peter Hill, Director of Schools, visited to hear about our wonderful school community. We were all very excited to show off our school which is marked by the commitment of staff and the diligence of our students.
What do I need to know about Semester One reports ?
Last year reporting on the A-E scale was suspended due to COVID-19 remote learning and the reduced load of the curriculum. This year reports will return to the A-E scale and reporting will occur on the full curriculum across the two semesters.
Semester One reports will be sent to parents on Friday 18 June. Reports are written in line with the requirements of the NSW K-10 syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum in English, Mathematics and Science. Grades are awarded to students following the Common Grade Scale. At the Parent Teacher Interview in week 10, your child’s class teacher will be able to explain how the grade awarded reflects the level of work your child is currently achieving.
Further explanation of the reports is provided with the following:
It has now been a requirement of national legislation for Primary schools to provide twice-yearly written reports for students in Years 1 - 6 to parents. These reports are to be standards-referenced which in NSW means reporting based on the Common Grade Scale. Standards-referenced reporting requires teachers to consider the performance of each student according to the standard detailed at each level (A-E) of the Common Grade Scale for each Key Learning Area (KLA). Students are then awarded a grade based on the evidence teachers have of their learning in that particular KLA and the standard it reflects. According to the Common Grade Scale a ‘C’ grade is considered sound. That is, if awarded a C in a particular KLA the student has demonstrated that they have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding expected of them at that point in time.
Some features of the report include:
Overall grades
Each KLA has an overall grade that is determined by the teacher by considering the evidence of each student’s learning and the standard on the Common Grade Scale it reflects. Overall grades are not determined by averaging performance on strands within a KLA. In many cases more time has been dedicated to learning in one strand over others and this contributes significantly to the balanced judgement a teacher is required to make in order to award an overall grade. It is not unusual for a student’s overall grade to change from one reporting period to the next as the knowledge, skills and understanding they encounter in each KLA will vary from one reporting period to the next. The Common Grade Scale is outlined below and is also included on the front of the report.
Common Grade Scale:
|
A |
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
|
B |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations. |
|
C |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
|
D |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
|
E |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
Effort Descriptors:
This section of the report captures the student’s attitude to the particular KLA and their skills in managing their work, persisting when challenged and working to their potential. A scale explaining the three standards used to describe student effort is included on the front of the report.
Strands:
The term ‘strands’ refers to the breakdown of learning within each Key Learning Area (KLA) that is presented in a grid with the options Extensive, Thorough, Sound, Limited and Basic for teachers to indicate the performance of the student within each strand. Over a reporting period some strands will have a greater focus than others, which will impact the overall grade for the KLA. In some KLAs not every strand will be covered each reporting period; those that are not covered will not appear on the report.
Comments:
There are three kinds of comments on the report:
Learning Gains – These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student has demonstrated in the reporting period
Areas for Growth – These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student will encounter as the ‘next step’ or ‘targeted area for growth’ on their learning path
Final Comment – The longer, final comment is written by the teacher and may cover a range of academic and non-academic areas
Positive Behaviours for Learning Descriptors:
This section of the report focuses on the student as a community member and as a learner. A scale is included to detail the three standards that are used to report on this aspect of the student’s behaviour.
Absences for the Semester:
This section of the report indicates the whole and partial days absent throughout the semester as recorded in the class rolls. Regular and consistent attendance at school increases the likelihood of academic and social success for children each year.
Reporting: Parent Information Sessions
If you would like to know more about the way in which reports are written you are invited to attend a parent information session. Whilst this invitation is particularly targeted towards parents with children in Years 1&2, all parents are welcome.
Session times:
- Monday 31 May 2pm-3pm
- Monday 7 June 9:15am-10:15am
Please click here to RSVP for the sessions.
Download the CEDoW Quick Sign In:
In order for quick sign in when entering the school during class time download the CEDoW Quick Sign In. After downloading, you are able to fill in your details ahead of time then tap ‘Show Code’ to display a QR code which can be read by the iPad at the front counter.
Lost Property:
This week the Lost Property box will be cleared and any items that have names will be returned to their owners. Items with no names will be put out each afternoon in sizes for parents to take as spare jackets/uniform.Please check your child’s uniform to ensure that it is clearly labelled with their name.
Kindergarten 2022 Enrolments:
If you know anyone who is considering Kindergarten to Year 6 enrolments at Good Samaritan in 2022 enrolments are still open.
Celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Education:
On Monday Catholic Education across the country celebrated 200 years of educating the young. Good Samaritan’s School Captains, Matisse and Christian, accompanied Mrs Sillis to the mass which was celebrated with Bishop Brian and all schools of the Wollongong Diocese.
Scott Morrison also released a video message for the Bicentenary of Catholic Education.
From our Classrooms:
It has been a busy time in Kindergarten over the last few weeks. The children have been working very hard learning lots of new things.
In Mathematics, the children have been learning about wholes and halves. They have been folding and cutting different 2D shapes as they explore this concept.
Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School will be providing students in Years 3-6 the opportunity to participate in external quality curriculum assessments.
The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is an independent, quality skills-based assessment program which rewards and recognises achievement. ICAS gives you broad insights into your child’s performance across English, Mathematics and Writing.
ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to online assessments. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results.
Learn more about ICAS here: https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas
This year our school has signed up for the ICAS Assessments parent payment system (PPS) for English, Mathematics and Writing. Through this system parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at our school.
Within the next few weeks you will receive more information regarding how to register.
Library News:
BOOK WEEK POSTER COMPETITION 2021
Each year during Term 2, we hold a Good Samaritan Book Week Poster Competition. Entries are now open for Years 2 - 6.
The poster needs to be no bigger than A4. It needs to have the words Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds / Book Week 2021 written on the poster. It needs to have original picture / images that match the theme - Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds.
Prizes will be given: 1 winner and 2 Highly Commended.
The winning entry will be used to promote activities that will take place during Book Week.
The last day for submission is Thursday, 10 June.
Canteen News:
Canteen is only open Wednesday to Friday
The Uniform Shop is now open on
Tuesday mornings 8.30am to 9.30am
Thursday afternoons 2pm to 3.15pm
Appointments Only
Winter Uniforms are now available
In order to manage the physical distancing requirements, parents will continue to make appointments at the uniform shop to purchase uniforms.
This can be done through the Compass Portal.
If you would like to place an order with the uniform shop an order form has been added to the school website under parents/uniform.
Please complete the form and return with the correct money to the school office.
These orders will be filled on uniform shop days.
Athletics Carnival:
Last Monday the 17th May we were blessed with the most gorgeous sunny day for our school Athletics Carnival. All of the students participated enthusiastically and with great sportsmanship.
We are extremely grateful to the many parents that helped out on the day including: Dhevesh Vallabh, Sebastian Shinto, Troy Smith, Sarah Navarrete, Paul Verheyen, Louise Richardson, Doreen McKibbin-Agno, Alicea Heffernan, Sarah Conte, Erryn Schettino, Kevin Humphery, Wendy Parolin, Vanessa & Markus Strauss, Leanne & Colin Grant. And for the many other parents that stepped up to help on the day - thank you your assistance is very much appreciated by our school community!
It was also an end of an era for some of our parent helpers who have helped out every year at a carnival; including Mr & Mrs Grant (who have been with us for 19years); Erryn Schettino (12 years) & Kevin Humphery (9years). We thank you so much for your contribution over the years and know that you will be sorely missed.
A big congratulations to all students who participated in the Carnival.
Please see below for the list of students who will represent our School at the South Coast Athletics Carnival which will be held on Tuesday August 3rd 2021 Term 3 Week 3. We wish these students the very best of luck!
Congratulations to Ingham house who received the most points for our 2021 Athletics Carnival.
|
Athletics Age Champions |
|
|
Junior Girls
|
Junior Boys
|
|
11 years Girls
3. Lillia K
|
11 years Boys
|
|
Senior Girls
|
Senior Boys
|
|
100m |
|
|
8 years Girls
|
8 years Boys
|
|
9 years Girls
|
9 years Boys
|
|
10 years Girls
|
10 years Boys
|
|
11 years Girls
|
11 years Boys
|
|
12 years Girls
|
12 years Boys
|
|
200m |
|
|
Junior Girls
|
Junior Boys
|
|
11 years Girls
|
11 years Boys
|
|
Senior Girls
|
Senior Boys
|
|
800m |
|
|
Junior Girls
|
Junior Boys
|
|
11 years Girls
|
11 years Boys
|
|
Senior Girls
|
Senior Boys
|
|
High Jump |
|
|
Junior Girls
|
Junior Boys
|
|
11 years Girls
|
11 years Boys
2. Austin R
|
|
Senior Girls
2. Talia F
|
Senior Boys
|
|
Long Jump |
|
|
Junior Girls
|
Junior Boys
|
|
11 years Girls
|
11 years Boys
|
|
Senior Girls
|
Senior Boys
|
|
Shot Put |
|
|
Junior Girls
|
Junior Boys
|
|
11 years Girls
|
11 years Boys
|
|
Senior Girls
|
Senior Boys
|
|
Discus |
|
|
Junior Girls
|
Junior Boys
|
|
11 years Girls
|
11 years Boys
|
|
Senior Girls
|
Senior Boys
|
2021 South Coast Athletics Team
|
800m Junior - Annastasia P Junior - Callum C 11yrs - Sarah C 11yrs - Joshua T Senior - Hana B Senior - Luke G |
Shot Put Junior - Lucia I Junior - Madix B 11yrs - Bonnie K 11yrs - Lucas C Senior - Matisse S Senior - Lucas C |
Discus Junior - Holly L Junior - Marcus P 11yrs - Shaye W 11yrs - Lucas C Senior - Talia F Senior - Kobi T |
|
Long Jump Junior - Aaliah G Junior - Callum C 11yrs - Sarah C 11yrs - Joshua T Senior - Gemma H Senior - Hamish G |
High Jump Junior - Lucia I Junior - Madix B 11yrs - Sarah C 11yrs - Alexander BW Senior - Gemma H Senior - Finley C |
100m 8yrs - Aaliah G 8 yrs - Milla E 8yrs - Jacob D 8 yrs - Isaac P-T 9yrs - Ria R B 9 yrs - Jazzmin N 9 yrs - Louie K 9 yrs - Harlan J 10 yrs - Lucia I 10 yrs - Macy E 10 yrs - Christopher P-T 10 yrs - Edward P 11yrs - Sarah C 11 yrs - Calli F 11yrs - Joshua T 11 yrs - Alexander BW 12 yrs - Gemma H 12 yrs - Talia F 12 yrs - Hamish G 12 yrs - Luke G |
|
200m Junior - Macy E Junior - Callum C 11yrs - Sarah C 11yrs - Joshua T Senior - Gemma H Senior - Luke G |
Junior Girls Relay - Lucia I Macy E Aaliah G Ria RB Junior Boys Relay - Christopher P-T Edward P Callum C Louie K |
Senior Girls Relay - Gemma H Talia F Matisse S Sarah C Senior Boys Relay - Joshua T Hamish G Luke G Alexander BW |
House Colour Points
|
Vianney 605 |
Xavier 559 |
Ingham 784 |
Mackillop 725 |
Love of Learning
How Can We Build & Maintain Empathy in our Community?
- Show kindness towards others through actions and/or words.
- Use active listening & showing this with your
whole body - Think through what you say before you say it
- Be aware and supportive of those less fortunate
- Value the perspective others even though you may not always agree
- Turn taking when listening and speaking
- Setting expectations for social interactions
- Recognise different opinions and viewpoints are ok
- Speak up when you know or hear something that is not right
School Assemblies:
All parents are invited to our Friday afternoon school assembly at 2pm. This week will include a 'Sorry Day Liturgy.'
Helping Your Daughter Navigate Friendships: A Webinar with Michelle Mitchell & Linda Stade
Tween and teen girls' friendships can be complex, intense and filled with unpredictable ups and downs. Even though we might wish they could “just get on with it”, most girls need adults to help them problem solve daily challenges.
In this webinar Michelle Mitchell and Linda Stade will address the most common of all girl challenges – relational aggression, and how it surfaces in the playground. They will discuss frenemies, exclusion, gossip, the silent treatment, belittling and conditional friendship. Together they hope to help you dial down the drama and replace it with a framework of empowerment. This presentation will provide you with the following how-to information:
- How to identify relational aggression - what it looks and feels like for our tween and teen girls, and the way it surfaces in the playground.
- How to bring down the emotion and encourage girls to solve friendship problems by offering a framework of empowerment.
- How to navigate the ups and downs of friendships with your daughter, without taking over.
- How to approach schools with troublesome friendship issues.
- How to help girls navigate cliques and the pecking order.
- How to support girls as they transition between friendships or friendship groups.
- How to model and explain the role of forgiveness and empathy in relationships.
- How to help girls deliberately dial down the drama and reduce conflict in relationships
Who is this webinar for?
This one-hour presentation will be directed to parents of girls 8 - 16 years old.
Good news: You are welcome to watch it with your tween or teen. We believe it will be super helpful for them too!
How do I access the webinar?
Once you register by following this link, you will automatically receive an email containing a link to register for the live webinar. You will also receive a reminder email a week before, 2 days and 2 hours before.
Remember, if you can't join us live, you can watch the replay, anytime.
You will also have a chance to submit questions on registration, and if time permits we will also take questions live.
How much is this webinar?
AU$25
Working With Children Check (WWCC)
In order for the school to ensure that all staff and volunteers have the necessary WWCC, all parents who wish to volunteer are asked to ensure that they have the appropriate clearance in order to remain as a volunteer within the school. Once the WWCC is completed the school maintains a register of parents who are able to volunteer within the school. This includes classroom assistance, excursions, camps, canteen, Library assistance and general helping about the school.
Further information about the Working With Children Check can be found on the CEDoW website. Follow this link to the website.
May
- Monday-Friday 24- 28May Screens Down Week
- Friday 28 May Year 4 Excursion The Rocks Walking Tour
- Monday 31 May Reconciliation Week
June
- Thurday 3 June MABO Day
- Friday 11 June Term 2 PB4L Day (Mufti Day)
- Monday 14 June Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend
- Tuesday 15 June Sth Coast Netball Gala Day
- Friday 18 June Semester One Reports distributed to Parents
- Monday-Friday 21-25 June Parent Teacher Interview Week
- Friday 25 June Mother's Day Liturgy and Picnic
- Friday 25 June Last Day Term 2
TERM 3 DATES:
JULY:
- Wednesday 12 July Feast of St Benedict
- Friday 16 July Grandparent’s Day
AUGUST:
- Tuesday 3 August Sth Coast Region Athletics
- Thursday -Friday 5-6 August Year 6 Camp
- Monday 8 August Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
SEPTEMBER:
- Friday 3 september - Father’s Day Breakfast/Prayer & Stall
- Monday 6 September Students return to wearing Summer Uniforms
- Wednesday-Thursday 8-9 September Assistant Principal Overnight Retreat
- Thursday-Friday 9-10 September Basketball Gala Days (Junior & Senior)
- Monday 13 September MacKillop Athletics Carnival
- Friday 17 September Term 3 Concludes
