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Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,
What a wonderful week we’re enjoying having all the children back learning face-to-face. From arrival to dismissal there are smiles, laughter and fun as the children connect and engage with each other again.
A recent Sydney Morning Herald article reported that parents juggled, on average, 14 hours of remote learning each week with one child throughout the lockdown. The article went on to say:
‘The work-school juggle was the greatest source of stress for parents (34 per cent), but that was followed by the pressures of social isolation (27 per cent) and their child’s lack of engagement and motivation to do their lessons (19 per cent).’
As we settle back into the classroom and school routines, we are taking into account the social and emotional reconnection for students as they return to a learning at school structure. Our teachers have been planning learning experiences that take into account the skills that students have developed throughout remote learning. This is aimed to maximise engagement in learning and motivation to learn.
Your juggle of remote learning has given the children experiences that they may never have had if schools had not needed to deliver learning remotely. They have experienced what it means to be hopeful and that, although things may seem grim, they do not stay the same forever.
The Gospel of Blind Bartimaeus tells a similar story of hope. Life for the blind beggar was pretty grim however Jesus’ faith in Bartimaeus won over and he was able to see again. This extraordinary period of everyone’s lives has tested our faith and hope but when I see the children return to school with a spring in their step and a smile on their faces I know that, once again, hope has won.
As we journey together, with Jesus, enjoy the week ahead,
Toni Sillis
Principal
The greatest impact on student learning are the joint interventions that involve both parents and teachers. We have recognised this throughout remote learning and will work this term to ensure that there is regular communication of student learning with parents. This may be in the form of students posting their work to SeeSaw, sharing videos of learning, links to students’ Google classrooms.
Below are some ‘Good Learner’ questions that you can use with your child to dig that little bit deeper into their learning.
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 to your own social media accounts like Facebook & Instagram:
Use one of the images below to show your support of our teachers! Don’t forget to tag us in with @goodsams.fairymeadow
Take 3 minutes for yourself this week:
This prayerful meditation is a short way to re-centre yourself and create a sense of connection with others and our universe.
Recognising Halloween:
This weekend our neighbourhoods may have the Trick or Treaters visit. This ancient tradition has its roots in our christian beliefs. Some time ago, Emeritus Bishop Peter Ingham wrote about Halloween and its connection to our Catholic traditions.
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 our average attendance trends are:
|
Grade |
Percentage |
|
Kindergarten |
94.5% |
|
Year 1 |
96.7% |
|
Year 2 |
90% |
|
Year 3 |
76.6% |
|
Year 4 |
76.7% |
|
Year 5 |
78.5% |
|
Year 6 |
72.8% |
The shade sails are due to be re-installed over the next week. The sails have been fully replaced and reinforced. Unfortunately, delays in construction materials have led to a longer time frame for this re-installation
Vinnies Christmas Appeal 2021
We are preparing to once again partner with the St Vincent de Paul Society to help change lives. Each grade will be asked to bring specific food items to school as we bundle up our food packages topped with love and prayer.
On Friday 3 December we will have a St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal Mufti day. Food items can be brought before this day however 3 December will be the last day for items to be brought to school.
Kindergarten: Tea/coffee
Year 1: Christmas Pudding/ Pasta Sauce
Year 2: Custard/ Fruit Mince Pies
Year 3: Milo/ Dried Pasta
Year 4: Long life milk/ Cereal
Year 5: Tim Tams/ Vegemite
Year 6: Christmas Lollies/ Fruit cake
Many thanks for your continued support.
WHY DO WE DO THAT?
St Jude lived during the first two centuries of Christianity and wrote a letter in the New Testament, however we don’t actually know much about him at all. He became the patron saint of hopeless cases after performing famous miracles. So when times are desperate, St Jude is the man you need for your hopeless causes.
From the Classrooms:
Amaroo:
Students from Amaroo have been busy this week working and playing together while welcoming new friends to their classroom and welcoming back students who were learning from home during remote learning. Everyone is happy to be back in routine, spending time with each other and their teachers.
Learning Support Centre:
The students from the Learning Centre have been working and playing with their peers, reconnecting with friends that they haven’t seen during remote learning and many of the students are beginning to turn their thoughts towards high school. Others are learning class routines and are enjoying being supported in learning with their peers.
Early Stage One:
Welcome Back Kindergarten!
It has been so wonderful to see Kindergarten return to school. We have loved seeing their beautiful smiles back in our classrooms. Kinder were welcomed back last Monday with a Beanie Boo and decorated classrooms. The children were so happy to see their friends and teachers again. The children have been busy relearning the school routines and playing with the new playground equipment. They have been practising their reading, writing and Mathematics and are particularly enjoying the fine motor activities and rotation activities.
Year 1:
It is the second week back for Year 1. The students have been focusing on ways they can feel happy and be ready to learn. One of the many things they have been doing to feel happy is learning how to create fabulous self portraits.
Year 2:
It is the first week back for Year 2. The students have been focusing on building a greater understanding of their own social emotional learning and working together to make learning in their classrooms fun!
This week we were delighted to be back in our Stage 2 classrooms, learning with and from each other face to face. Throughout these first few days we have spent time getting to know each other and our routines all over again and have been focusing on our wellbeing, reflecting on the year that was.
In Year 3 we have taken advantage of learning in our outdoor learning spaces and the beautiful weather. Here you can see us sharing our remote learning information reports on a favourite animal. We also worked on some of our favourite activities on seesaw like problem solving and our spelling word sorts that were similar to what we did during remote but this time we were able to work with each other and practise relationship skills such as working in groups and communication.
In Year 4, we spent time catching up with our friends in “Yarning circles”. A yarning circle is the practice of speaking and listening from the heart. They are a traditional part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture that have been used for centuries to learn from a collective group, build respectful relationships and to preserve and pass on cultural knowledge.
We also spent time on our self-awareness by designing “Proud peacocks”. We thought about all the things that we are proud of and shared them with our friends. We also worked together on maths games and problem solving. It was a welcome change to be learning in groups. We missed this during remote learning.
Year Six have been enjoying reconnecting with each other and being able to have the next 8 weeks together before they embark on their journey to high school.
Canteen News:
Canteen is currently closed
The Canteen will reopen in November following the return of all students to the school site. Parents are asked to pack morning tea and lunch. You might also consider an extra snack as the children may be hungrier returning to school than usual given they have been able to eat at different times throughout the day.
The Uniform Shop will be closed for appointments until further notice
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.
Tuesday mornings 8.30am to 9.30am
Thursday afternoons 2pm to 3.15pm
Diocesan Sports Trials:
The Diocesan Trials 2021 2022 Nominations are now open.
Nominations must be submitted by Friday 29 October
Late nominations will not be considered
This needs to be completed on the Insight in Compass. Please take time to read the attached note giving information on the sports and requirements for students to participate. Should you have trouble completing the Insight on Compass there is also a Tip Sheet attached to help.
SCHOOL FEES
MEDICAL PLANS -UPDATE
Due to remote learning a number of Action Plans have lapsed.
If your child is on an Asthma or Anaphlylaxis Action Plan please make sure that the school has an updated copy of their plan. Copies can be scanned and emailed through to the school email. info@gsfmdow.catholic.edu.au
Love of Learning
How Can We Involve in Our Community?
- Encourage others through turn taking.
- Encourage students to listen to each other.
- Raising your hand
- Not giving up - persist when things get tough
- Working through or facing a challenge
- Using good manners when asking for help
- being a willing and consistent helper
- including others in games and activities
- students are encouraged to ask for help - every question is relevant and valued
P&F Meeting: Monday 1 November
7pm
All Welcome!
On Monday evening a P&F meeting will be held via Zoom at 7pm. All parents are welcome to attend.
ZOOM DETAILS:
Meeting ID: 616 6868 5939
Password: 251378
P&F News
Jamberoo Tickets
Hello Families & Friends,
After the challenges of 2020 we were certainly not expecting to repeat these challenges in 2021, but how amazing to be coming out the other side and have all our kids back at school together! As our school community responded to the global health pandemic, GSFM P&F have met regularly throughout the year and quietly focused on ensuring that our school and community remained safe and supported. Fundraising has not been a priority and we did not wish to place any additional financial pressure on our school community during these times.
As the end of the year approaches and with the easing of restrictions, your P&F is very excited to once again offer our Good Samaritan School Community discounted single entry tickets to Jamberoo Action Park! At this stage, Jamberoo will not be offering Season Passes for the 2021/2022 Season, so these individual tickets are the perfect gift for your family, friends and loved ones. At a flat rate of $49.00 per ticket, and no limit on the number of tickets you can purchase, this is an offer too good to miss.
This offer is available for a short time only. Tickets can be purchased by filling out the attached order form, which is also being sent home, and transferring payment into the P&F account. Order forms and payment must be made by Friday 26 November 2021, with tickets being available the week commencing Monday 6 December 2021.
Account Name: Good Samaritan P&F, BSB No: 066-711, Account No: 007 045, Ref: ‘JAP – Your Name’
From the School Handbook:
Bus Travel
Transport NSW has a complete set of Guidelines for managing school students behaviour on buses. These guidelines unpack the Code of Conduct responsibilities of students, parents and school principals in relation to bus behaviour. The guidelines also indicate the consequences for a breach of the Code of Conduct.
For your information, the following is taken from section 2 of the Guidelines - Student Code of Conduct.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ON BUSES
It is every student's responsibility to behave in a manner that ensures the safety and comfort of passengers and drivers. This includes:
Behaviour on buses:
- Use appropriate language not offensive or racist language
- Fighting, spitting, feet on seats, throwing things in or from the bus is not permitted
- No eating or drinking (other than water) — unless for medical reasons or the bus operator gives written permission
- Offer seats to adults including people with a disability, elderly or expectant mothers
- Do not touch, push or shove other people
- Do not bully or harass other passengers or the driver. This includes photographing, making lewd or suggestive comments, acting in a manner or participating in activities that may be deemed inappropriate or of a sexual nature.
- Avoid attracting the attention of the driver except in the case of emergency
- Do not play music at such volume that it may distract the bus driver or other passengers.
Parent Action: If your child/ren catches a bus to or from school please familiarise yourself with these guidelines and speak to your child/ren about their responsibilities on the buses.
TERM 4 DATES:
October:
- 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
December:
- Wednesday 1 December - Red and Yellow Day-Surf Lifesaving MUFTIDAY
- Friday 3 December - St Vincent De Paul Christmas Mufti Day
SCHOOL TRAVEL 2022
Below is some useful information to assist with student travel enquiries. We have also attached a newsletter-friendly version you can share with parents/carers and students.
Applications for student travel in 2022 opened on Tuesday 12 October 2021.
GSFM OSHC