Dear Parents and Carers

Last week I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the NSW Catholic Schools Principals’ Conference. There was a great line-up of speakers including Pasi Sahlberg, Finnish educator, author and scholar who now works with the Gonski Institute at the University of New South Wales. Finland is one of the top performing OECD countries in terms of education - so listening to Pasi was quite extraordinary!

Pasi spoke to this group of principals about the importance of play in the life of a child. Sometimes, in the ‘busyness’ of our adult lives we may not place enough importance on play for our children. Take a minute to reflect on how you played as a child and then ask yourself: Do your children play - physically play - as much as you did as a child? If not - where are you putting the emphasis for the development of your children?

These are tough questions not only as parents but also as educators. I came away from the conference asking myself: Are we running the risk of not having people who are creative, empathetic, problem solvers, risk takers? Are we moving children toward an adult world too quickly? Are we expecting children to take on adult understandings and live in an adult world way before they are ready?  & the big question I kept asking myself was:  Are we robbing our children of their childhood in the relentless pursuit of standardised academic achievement?

In 2018, the LEGO Foundation produced a report aiming ‘to simply to help better understand what the simple, instinctive act of playing means: the way it’s evolved, the benefits it brings to the individual and families, the barriers that get in the way and how we can protect it.’

The report came up with some really interesting findings including 10 Principles to Inspire Families to Play Well:

All of these can be a challenge - but so can parenting and teaching. This week take some time to observe how your child plays and how you encourage him or her to play. You may even challenge yourself to sit down for 10 minutes and really play with him/her - don’t let the ‘adult’ in you get in the way!

Until next time, may we journey together with Jesus

Toni Sillis

Principal

PDHPE - Parent Survey

The new PDHPE Syllabus has been released and support materials are currently being developed for teachers within the Diocese of Wollongong. The following survey will provide helpful information that will inform the Collaborative Writing Team. Your assistance in completing this short survey would be greatly appreciated as we value your input in improving student learning experiences. Please click here to complete PDHPE Parent Survey or follow this link: https://forms.gle/GxqSb59jf8BvrBns5

Arriving at School on Time:

Arriving at school on time ensures that students are ready to learn as soon as they enter the classroom. At Good Samaritan the first bell sounds at 8:50am allowing students 5 minutes to be ready on assembly.

Currently we still have students arriving at 9am well after classes have left assembly and learning has begun.

Parent Action: Parents are asked to ensure that their child/ren are at school ready for assembly between 8:45-8:50am. Students are deemed ‘late’ following this time.

To ensure consistency of processes and practices across the school community, aspects of the Parent Handbook (currently under revision) will be published in each week’s newsletter. This week the focus is on Car Park Safety at Good Samaritan.

Safety within the Parish and McGrath St car parks and driveways is everyone’s business. Students, parents and staff can only be kept safe if everyone is vigilant about their actions when using these spaces. It is every parent/carer’s responsibility to exercise safe actions within the carpark and/or driveways of the school. This includes using the car park as indicated below:

• A safe speed of 10km/h when driving into the car park
• Do not exit your vehicle when dropping off or picking up students in the Parish carpark
• Ensure that children are well within the school gate when dropping off before moving off
• Ensure students have safely entered the car and closed the door when picking up
• There is no pedestrian access to the carpark when car lines have begun in both the morning and afternoon
• Gates into the school are closed and locked from the Parish car park following morning assembly

Thank you to those parents who continually exercise the utmost care when accessing the school via the Parish car park. Every child’s safety is everyone’s concern.

This week we are remembering to value:

         Collaboration

We can do this by:

• Being a willing and consistent helper, working together to keep our environment clean
• Working well with others
• Contributing one’s talents to the welfare of the group

How are reports written? Understanding the A-E reporting process: Parent Sessions

Information sessions that are aimed to support parents’ understanding of the A-E reporting process will be held on Monday 3 June at 2pm with a repeat session at 6pm prior to the P&F meeting. A third session is offered on Tuesday 4 June at 9am. All sessions will be held in the school library.

These information sessions will be particularly appropriate for parents of Year One children receiving their first A-E report or for any parents who are seeking clarification regarding the reporting process.

National Sorry Day & Reconciliation Week

26 May - National Sorry Day

National Sorry Day is held on May 26 each year to acknowledge and recognise members of the Stolen Generations.

Website: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-sorry-day-an-important-part-of-healing/

27 May - Referendum Day (1967)

Referendum Day recognises the struggle undertaken by Aboriginal people and ultimate success in achieving a 97% ‘yes’ vote in the Referendum of 17 May 1967. The Referendum changed the constitution to allow Aboriginal people to be counted in the census and to enable the Commonwealth government to make laws for Aboriginal people.

Website:

http://theconversation.com/right-wrongs-write-yes-what-was-the-1967-referendum-all-about-76512

27 May to Friday 3 June - Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is celebrated across Australia each year between 27 May and 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

5 Principal's Awards

Alexander A (1B), Sebastian S (1B), Gabriella V (1B), Claudia T (1B), Harper F (1G)

Rosalie V (4R)

10 Principal's Awards

Atticus A (Amaroo Blue), Ivy T (2B), Nate O (3B), Bryson B (4B), Kathrine A (6R)

15 Principal's Awards

Finley C (4G), Kayla G (6R)

Year 4 were inspired by Aboriginal Spirit people. Wandjinas are only found in the Kimberley region. These Wandjinas have large eyes, like the eye of a storm, but no mouth. Well done Penny, Evie, Christian and Alessia.

Mrs Susan McAlister

Art Teacher

Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students should continue wearing sports uniform on Tuesdays and Fridays.

If however any Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students are participating in the AFL Auskick they may wear their sports uniform on Wednesdays as well, starting this week.

Good Samaritan are introducing girls winter long pants. They are available in the uniform shop from Thursday 30 May 2019.

The sizes available are size 4 to 14, limited stock this winter.

The cost is $41.00.

Uniform Shop normal opening hours are:

Monday 8.30am - 9.30am

Thursday 2.15pm - 3.15pm

Please feel free to share this link to your staff via email/Compass, too...and like/share on your own school social media channels! To start, I'm happy to share this on schools' Facebook pages today/tomorrow, but let me know if you'd like to do this yourselves.