Since returning to face to face learning the students have been wearing the uniform that best fits and shoes that may not necessarily be what is within our uniform policy. However, as you prepare for the new school year it will be important to be considering our regular uniform policy guidelines when purchasing shoes for Summer uniforms and joggers for sports days.

The wearing of the school uniform is an outward sign of the respect that a student has for themselves and the Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School community. The Good Samaritan uniform serves as an outward sign of what the school stands for, and the correct wearing of uniform is an indication of students’ pride in being members of the school community. At Good Samaritan, we believe that the wearing of a school uniform reduces the social inequities that may be evident in a community that does not enforce a standard uniform. This assists in respecting the dignity of each individual by reducing social class barriers. 

Joggers that are predominantly white are to be worn for sport and fitness. They must be predominantly white and may be lace up or velcro. No slip on ‘Raben’ type shoes, indoor soccer boots or coloured joggers are to be worn. Pictorial examples of appropriate joggers are shown here.

The students will be reminded of this at our upcoming school assemblies. They have been encouraged to remind parents  of this when purchasing joggers and school shoes for 2022. Parents are asked to continually support the uniform policy of the school.

Students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner. Hair should be well brushed and combed and it is assumed that hair will not be in such a condition as to invite comment. 

BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Extreme styles, bleaching, colouring or dyeing of hair are not permitted.
• Gel, mousse and hair spray or other substances should not be used.
• There will be no undercuts, steps or shaved lines within the hair.
• Nothing shorter than a Number 3 comb is acceptable.
• Hair should not extend to cover the eyes.
• Students who do not abide by the haircut requirements will be asked to fix the identified problem.
• Long hair is to be tied back or plaited.
• Ribbons and bands of school colour are to be worn.

This year we know that students have had to pivot and adjust to many different modes of learning.  They have also had a disruption to their friendship groups as well as trying to manage a return to school with  less than a term of the year remaining.

To ensure that we set up all of our Good  Samaritan learners  for a successful  start to  the new school year all classes will be engaging in transition sessions. The sessions are based around the PDHPE outcomes of Communicating and Decision Making. The sessions will focus on the topics:

1. I Can Try New Things: Here we talk about things that will be the same and those that will be different moving into a new grade.
2. How Do I Feel?  Identifying feelings and what we can do to keep calm.
3. What Is It Like?  Current students speak to participants about their experiences in that grade.
4. I’ll be OK:  Students will receive a calendar of the school holidays to keep track of key events and the return to school. They will also record information about themselves that they would like their new teacher to know.

Some  of the  learning that is completed during  these sessions will be used to introduce students to their new class teacher on Monday 13 December. 

Teachers have also identified students who may need a more intensive transition session which aims to further alleviate any stress or anxiety the child may feel about the change to the new year. If  you feel your child may need a more intensive session please let the class teacher know.

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. As Catholic christians we use Advent to prepare for that wonderful celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation. It is also a time to show one another our appreciation for who you are and what you do. 

Our classes will be joining in a Kindness Challenge. The aim of the Kindness Challenge is  that students will end the year feeling supported by their peers and to celebrate all that has happened throughout the year. The challenge may be as simple as saying Thank You!  or Sitting next to someone different at eating time. Our teachers are looking forward to having the children join in the challenge!

Safer Internet Day 2022 Tuesday 8 February 

Once again the eSafety Commissioner is holding some great events for parents. Mark your calendars so you can attend these webinars in 2022.

Compulsory school attendance

Regular attendance at school is essential for students to achieve quality life outcomes. Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students.

Parents or carers of children of compulsory school age are responsible for ensuring their child attends school every day. Children must commence school by age 6 and then complete year 10.

Attendance and absences

Parents of children from Kindergarten to Year 12 must ensure their children attend school every day. On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• being sick or having an infectious disease
• having an unavoidable medical appointment
• being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
• exceptional or urgent family circumstances e.g. attending a funeral

Following a recruitment and appointment process, the staffing for Good Samaritan is coming to completion with the appointment of school support officers and some part time teaching staff. Please see the updated 2022 staff list below.

Year 1 has been busy this term learning about the story of Creation.

During Advent, Year 1 is preparing for Jesus' birthday. On Thursday, we started making a wreath decoration and it has taken us four painting sessions to paint the wooden template.

Year 2 remembered all the people that have fought in the wars to keep us safe on Remembrance Day.   

We created a picture of a soldier playing his bugle to mark the end of a day. It was an important artwork, as we wanted to show respect and remember the soldiers who lost their lives during the war. 

We also created a poppy wreath. Poppies were flowers which grew on the battlefields after the First World War ended and have been used to remember the soldiers who died during war. 

Year 2 has learnt that it is important to remember and never forget the brave men and women who fought for our country's freedom.

“Lest we forget.”

In Mathematics, Year 2 have continued learning about multiplication and division, focusing in particular on repeated addition and arrays.

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) has informed the school that the trials for Touch Football, Cricket, Tennis and Basketball have now been postponed and are to be held early next year. Only the students whose nominations have been approved by CEDoW will be sent the trial dates and locations.

The Canteen will now be open Thurdays & Fridays for the rest of the term.  

Why have a School Newsletter?

The school newsletter/bulletin is the major form of consistent communication between the school and parents/carers. The newsletter is the means by which the school acknowledges all that is done within classrooms at the grade, class or individual level, on playgrounds and within the community.

It is also an opportunity for me, as Principal, to reflect on our community and how we can work toward further improving all that we do. As a Catholic school principal it is most important that this is done within the context of our faith, hence the references that are written to the Sunday Mass readings, theological reflections or information about spirituality. This is one aspect that works toward keeping the Catholicity of our school at the front of our minds.

The newsletter is the place from which the school is able to ensure that parents, and the community, have a good understanding of the processes and procedures of the school. This is done through reminders, excerpts from the School Handbook, publication of School Policies etc. Some may feel that this is unnecessary but in any school it is most important that we maintain as much consistency as possible. This helps to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all within the school.

For some parents the newsletter is the only contact that they have with the school. This may be due to work commitments or to family/personal circumstances so the newsletter has to cover a wide audience hence, some parents may feel that certain aspects of the newsletter may not be needed or be relevant. However, they may just be aspects that are of great relevance to another parent or family.

I continue to encourage parents to read the newsletter regularly to know what is happening within the school.

TERM 4 DATES:

December:

• Friday 3 December -  Good Samaritan Fun Day
• Friday 3 December - St Vincent De Paul Christmas -MUFTI DAY

• Monday 13 December - Year 6 Farewell 

• Wednesday 15 December - Last Day of Term 4 2021

TERM 1 2022 DATES:

• Friday 28 January - PUPIL FREE DAY/ Staff Return 

• Monday 31 January -  PUPIL FREE DAY /Staff Developement Day 

• Tuesday 1 February - Students Return