Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

Having Kindergarten and Year 1 back at school this week has just been terrific. The children have come back together Ready to Learn and ready to play together. As the students come back to school they will be working on re-establishing strong routines for learning. This will include opportunities for Religious Education,English, Mathematics while embedding social emotional learning. 

Watching the students return and be in the company of one another again highlights our need to live in community - and what a wonderful community they are a part of here, at Good Samaritan. The energy that Kindergarten and Year 1 have brought back to our school site is palpable. We are so grateful to see them return. This energy feeds into our whole school community bringing meaning and purpose to our work. 

It reminds me of a quote I read recently by theologian, Fr Ronald Rolheiser: The fuel we need to resource ourselves for our journey in life does not lie in the strength of our own willpower, but in grace and community. We access that through prayer. We are mature to the degree that we open our own helplessness and invite in God’s strength and to the degree that we pray with others that the whole world will do the same thing. The classical definition simply defines prayer as “lifting mind and heart to God”.

My prayer, what I lift my mind and heart to God for, is that our collective recovery as a school community is one where we see the strengths in others, we acknowledge the commitment and success of us all during this lockdown and where we take comfort in the interdependence we have with each other.

Yesterday, NSW saw over 92% of people across the state receive their first ‘jab’ and over 80% having received both doses. I feel that this is evidence of our communities demonstrating a collective commitment to protecting one another - doing what we need to do for the common good of all. We all know that our primary school aged students under 12 years cannot yet receive a vaccination however, I heard a wonderful image being described on the radio that even though they aren’t yet eligible, the adults around them are cocooning them, wrapping around them, by being vaccinated ourselves. This really gives meaning to the saying:  It takes a village to raise a child.

As the week continues, our students in Years 2 to 6 carry on with their re-orientation to school activities within their daily learning plans. It will be wonderful to be able to welcome them all back to school next Monday as we return to face-to-face learning as a whole school community.

As we journey together, with Jesus, through this final week of remote learning,

Toni Sillis

Principal

The latest advice from NSW Health and Catholic Schools NSW is that masks are no longer compulsory outdoors for staff or students at primary schools. Masks must continue to be worn by all staff indoors and are strongly recommended for students whilst indoors. 

Many of our Kindergarten and Year 1 students are wearing masks during the day. To allow for ease of placing masks on, not misplacing their masks and ease of removal many parents have attached masks to students’ uniforms with this method:

Materials 

• 30 cm string
• bull clip
• mask

How to make

1. Attach one end of the string to the elastic of the mask
2. Attach the other end of the string to the bull clip
3. Attach the bull clip to the collar of the school uniform

When the child needs to remove their mask, the mask will still be attached to the child.

At the end of the school day, the teacher can cut the string close to the mask and re-use it the following day. 

For those children who wear a cloth mask with an elastic attached to the ear elastic, allowing the child to remove the mask and wear it around their neck, this device would still allow the child to take off their mask and let it drop onto their uniform as opposed to wearing it like a necklace which could become a choking hazard.

As we follow the road map together to a full recovery, the consistent attendance of students at school is crucial to the ongoing academic and social success of our students.

From an early age, if children are taught that they need to 'show up' for school and make a commitment, this positive mentality aids academic and career success and brings benefits in adulthood.

This week we have seen some positive attendance trends in Kindergarten with 94% of students attending and Year 1 with 95.5% of students attending. Thank you to all our parents for the positive approach taken in supporting the regular attendance of your child.

Work on our playground continues to run to schedule. The space is really taking shape and many of the children are intrigued by the daily progress. Unfortunately, the large gum tree that was to be incorporated into the space, had to be removed on Monday morning. This was due to it being lifted out of the ground by the high winds on Saturday. The tree posed an immediate risk to the safety of our students and staff forcing swift action with its removal.

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

Thank you to all our parents who have ensured that their children are wearing the correct uniform even with this leniency. It is very much appreciated!

A reminder about Sports days:

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

Week 4: Years 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Return to Face-to-Face Learning

The staff of Good Samaritan, along with our Kindergarten and Year 1 students, are looking forward to welcoming all students in Years 2 to 6 back to face-to-face learning on Monday 25 October. 

Good Samaritan continues to operate in Level  3+ COVID-19 restrictions so the following information for parents and carers is aimed to assist the school in managing the return within the restriction guidelines.

Morning drop off to school will remain the same. Car lines remains the school’s preferred safest and easiest mode of dropping off at school. Parents are not to enter the school grounds. Staff will be at the office/Library stairs area to greet the children returning to school. Gates will be unlocked at 8:20am when supervision begins.

Please note that students will go straight to their play area for their cohort. Staff will be there to direct them. From the playground, they will be met by their class teacher. The bell will ring at 8:45am However, with the staggered arrival during Level 3+ restrictions, the expectation is that all students will be at school by 9am.

There are changes to afternoon dismissal car lines

Car lines remain the safest and most efficient way to drop off and pick up students. 

Afternoon car lines will begin at 2:40pm. 

Students will sit in their cohort lines maintaining physical distancing.

Please observe all traffic regulations when entering the school grounds including no right turn into or out of the Parish carpark. Should the line extend beyond the carpark please drive around the block to avoid any traffic jams onto Cabbage Tree Lane and the Princes Highway.

Dismissal for bus lines, OOSH and walkers remains the same.

• All parent pick up will continue to take place in Cram Park on the corner of McGrath St and Cabbage Tree Lane. Dismissal will be staggered in the following order:

• Students will be supervised safely across the road by a teacher of their cohort
• Parents are asked to wait on the perimeter of the park until all students have crossed to the park. Please do not gather at the crossing area to allow all students to get into the park safely.
• Parents are asked to allow time for teachers to settle the students before collecting them
• Students will be asked to indicate to the supervising teacher who is picking them up
• Parents are asked to always be considering social distancing whilst in the park.

Any work books used during remote learning can be returned to school when your child returns so that learning can be shared and celebrated. Teachers are keen to see the books, affirm your child and also gauge your child's learning.

Please also return any other school resources that have been sent home including any reading books, technological devices and small whiteboards. This will save the school the considerable cost of replacement.

World Teachers’ Day:

Australia will celebrate and thank the teaching profession on World Teachers’ Day on Friday 29 October 2021.  

Teachers (with support from parents and carers) have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of children and students, their families, and communities. There are a few ways you can join in saying ‘Thanks’ to our teachers. 

Virtual Apple Thank You:

Join with your child to share a million virtual apples with teachers to let them know they’re appreciated. Visit worldteachersday.edu.au  and play a virtual game of catching as many apples as you can to add some virtual apples to the collection as a super easy way to say thanks.

Thank You Card:

Print off a Thank You card and ask your child to write a special message to their teacher onto the card. Your child can bring the card along to give to his/her teacher on Friday 29 October.

Post on your Facebook or Instagram:

On Friday 29 October, use the badge below to post on your Facebook or Instagram feeds. Don’t forget to add @goodsams.fairymeadow

As we recover from the lockdown we need to remember that the recovery period may take time and may also be complex. Having a self care approach may be just what we need as we move back to work, meeting others, getting children ready for school and preparing for the busy Christmas period that is fast approaching.

Dear Parents and Carers

Thank you for your patience as we navigate through the current COVID restrictions. It has become necessary to restructure the Lumen Christi Preparation Programme for the Sacraments for the remainder of 2021. 

Bishop Brian has announced that with the easing of restrictions the Churches in the Wollongong Diocese will open for Mass when the population will reach the 80% vaccination target.

At Lumen Christi atholic Parishes we value the health and safety of our parishioners. We understand the apprehension many may feel during these uncertain times.

We greatly appreciate your patience however having considered all of the options available it has been decided to ask you to enrol your child in the Sacramental Programme for 2022. 

Please mark this date in your diary for the 2022 Sacramental Programme Parent Meeting and enrolment evening on 29/30 June 2022 SJV 6:30 pm. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the commencement of this meeting.

You will receive further communication regarding the Sacramental Programme for 2022 in the New Year either through your child’s Catechist or through your school.

Yours in Christ

Fr Bernard Gordon

Kindergarten & Year 1 Teddy Bear's Picnic:

To celebrate the first week back at school, Kinder and Year 1 will be celebrating a Teddy Bear's Picnic this Friday 22nd October. The Children will be able to wear mufti clothes. They will need to bring a packed lunch and their favourite Teddy Bear or Soft Toy.

At times parents may become concerned about the behaviour of other students and, in an effort to resolve the situation, approach the student concerned. However, under no circumstances are parents to approach other students when trying to resolve an issue. Always seek assistance from the school. Incidents such as this can very quickly lead to reportable Child Protection matters that have to be investigated and reported.

It is also good practice to seek assistance from the school when you have a concern rather than approaching other parents about school related matters.

Always think about what you would do, or how you would feel, if another parent approached your child or confronted you about a matter where you were not fully informed of the details.

TERM 4 DATES:

October:

• Friday 22 October - Kindergarten & Year 1- Teddy Bears Picnic 

• Monday 25 October - Years 2,3,4,5,6 - Return to School 

• Friday 29 October - World Teacher's Day 

November:

• Monday 1 November - All Saints day

• Tuesday 2 November - All Souls Day 

• Thursday 11 November - Remembrance Day