Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

This week marks the end of Term 3 - a school term nothing like what we have experienced before. The term has certainly brought its challenges but it has also brought many moments of success. 

I have been very interested in the responses to the grade surveys that were sent out last week. Thank you for completing the surveys as it gives us great insight into your thinking and where you are seeing your child succeed and be challenged. If you haven’t had a chance to complete the survey, the links are below. They will remain open until the close of term on Friday afternoon at 3pm. Our aim is to work with you throughout Term 4 to have a well supported reorientation to face to face learning for your children.

Over the last week our teachers met to talk about the students and what strengths they were observing following a term of remote learning. A snapshot of these is:

As you are aware, several Diocesan and local government schools have had to close recently for deep cleaning following confirmation of a positive case of COVID-19 within the school community.

In order for our school to be able to accurately report to NSW should we have a positive case in the future we have  implemented some adjustments as to how the onsite staff and students operate. These are aimed to enable an effective method of tracing movements across the school during the day. These are outlined below:

Remote Learning Supervision Schedule:

All parents who send their children to school are asked to complete the form indicating which days children are planned to attend and for what reason. This schedule will  be sent to parents each Friday in readiness for the following week. 

Where anomalies exist parents may be contacted to explain their circumstances.

All parents are asked to remember the  following:

Parents and carers in these LGAs must keep children – across primary and secondary school – at home unless they need to be at school. Schools (including outside of school hours care) are open for any child that needs it. (taken from Advice for Families)

Teacher Supervision Onsite:

Teachers are rostered onsite each week or fortnight. Due to their face to face supervision responsibilities, teachers will no longer be conducting Zoom sessions whilst rostered onsite. Teachers will be able to respond on Google classroom and SeeSaw however this may not be  as immediate as it has previously been. 

Teachers will continue to take their  Professional Planning Time each Friday afternoon during lockdown in Term 4.

Learning & Play:

Students will now stay within their learning  cohort during the school day. This includes playtime and learning time. Students will be directed to their play area upon arrival to school. Play times throughout the day have been adjusted slightly to facilitate limited contact.

Recess and Lunch Times will apply which will include 10 minutes eating time & 30 minutes play for each break.

• Recess (10:30am-11:10am): Early Stage One  / Stage One / Specialist Setting 
• Recess (11:05am-11:45am): Stage 2/3 
• Lunch (1:00pm-1:40pm): Kinder / Year 1 / Specialist Setting 
• Lunch (1:30 - 2:10): Stage 2/3 

Students Arriving Late/Leaving Early:

Any student arriving late to school will be  met by a staff member at the McGrath St gate. Similarly, any student leaving the grounds early will be taken to the McGrath St gate. Parents are asked to use the intercom at this gate to communicate with office staff.

Remote Learning has brought many changes to all of our lives, especially our students. At Good Samaritan we are beginning the conversations about what strengths our students have displayed throughout this period, what successes they have enjoyed and also what concerns us as we plan and prepare for their re-entry into school.

The link below will take you to a Google Survey for your child’s grade. The aim of the survey is to gain an understanding of observed strengths of our students throughout remote learning and possible challenges upon returning to school.

We value your contribution to our planning for the return to school for Good Samaritan students.

Kindergarten Survey

Year One Survey

Year Two Survey

Year Three Survey

Year Four Survey

Year Five Survey

Year Six Survey

Social Emotional Learning is the development of emotional intelligence in students. Emotional intelligence includes the capacity to recognise and manage moods and emotions in real-world situations. Considered the starting point of social and emotional skill development, emotional intelligence also plays a vital role in the academic success of students.

At Good Samaritan the students have come to know and understand the ‘Zones of Regulation’. These zones allow students the opportunity to articulate their feelings in language that is common across the school - hence everyone learns to understand each other.

Below is a short video which describes the zones of regulation. There is also a graphic which you could use to assist when talking to your child about their feelings and how their feelings affect their behaviour.

I am very pleased to be able to communicate that our playground upgrade will begin during the student vacation period. The upgrade will see the removal of the picnic tables and decking area in front of the two storey building.  The playground will be a space that includes a giant cubby, seating and garden areas. Progress reports will be included in our weekly newsletter as well as on our social media platforms. I am really looking forward to having a new space that the students can enjoy.

As you are aware, our contract with the current supplier has come to an end and we have had to put the contract out to tender. This process is almost complete with interviews occurring this week. We are currently completing this process and will be able to advise of the new uniform supplier as soon as possible.

As students begin the staggered return to school in Term 4, parents are not expected to buy new uniforms for such a short period of time. So, students are able to wear either sports or Summer uniforms based on what fits your child and what can be managed throughout the school week. Let’s make the end of the year as seamless and stress free as possible!

We will return to full school uniform expectations at the beginning of the 2022 school year.

As we head into the student vacation period it is important that all our parents take some time out to rest. It has been a term of significant challenge for many of us in whatever shape or form. Looking after yourself is often the last thing on our minds however these times do place stress on our physical and mental health.

This blog post from Smiling Mind highlights some interesting information about the practice of mindfulness as well as warning signs we need to be mindful of and ways we can incorporate adult brain breaks into our day.

Our children need us to look after ourselves - self care means you care!

Love of Learning

How Can We Share in Our Community?

• We are willing and consistent helpers.
• We are able to check in using the Zones of Regulation.
• We consistently try to Work through and face challenges
• When we work in a small group
• When we show we are being a welcoming class member
• When we are including others in games
• When we can describe how to Work well with others 
• Contributing one's talents to the welfare of the group

• Knowing that it’s  ok to agree with the thinking of  others “I was thinking that” hand movement.
• Being  involved  in student led discussion and learning experiences
• When we share thinking and mental strategies we use in our learning
• Knowing what to say to show kindness like ‘I like the way you… because…’

TERM 3 DATES:

 SEPTEMBER:

• Monday 13 September- Friday 17 September- School Focus - Caring for Myself & Others (Social Emotional Learning)

• Friday 17 September  Jump Rope for Heart Day

• Friday 17 September  Term 3 Concludes

October:

• Friday 15 October Grandparents Day -TBC