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- From the Principal's Desk :
- A Message from our School Captains: Bonnie & Bede
- Welcome to Good Samaritan!
- Thank You:
- Sports Days 2022:
- Students Travelling to and from School on Buses:
- School Opal Cards/Travel Cards
- #playitFairOnline: Safer Internet Day Tuesday 28 February
- School Maintenance Work:
- Our Catholic Life & Identity :
- Office News
- PB4L
- PARENT & SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP:
- Noticeboard
- Dates to Remember
Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,
Welcome back to the new school year! We have had a good start to the year welcoming the students back yesterday and beginning to re-establish our school for learning and growth.
The next couple of weeks will see the students engage in establishing the routines for learning which will optimise student participation and attention. The teachers have spent time ‘penning the script’ of the stage of the classroom so that they are able to deliver lessons that promote learning.
This includes organising the physical space, establishing classroom rules and determining and introducing routines and procedures that guide both the teacher and student behaviour throughout lessons.
Our attention to this throughout this first part of the term enables students to adjust themselves as they come into the school environment. This is a complex task for children. Some find it easy adjusting from one environment to another whilst others find it difficult and harder to accept. However, a school is a ‘mini’ society and has to function as such. Some may ask the question: ‘Why can’t schools/classrooms run like families?’
We can look to philosophers of old who studied the need for societies to have parliaments and laws. One such scholar was F.A. Hayek (1899-1992) who wrote:
‘Part of our present difficulty is that we must constantly adjust our lives, our thoughts and our emotions in order to live simultaneously within different kinds of orders according to different rules. If we were to apply the unmodified, uncurbed rules of the microcosmos, that is, the small band or troupe or of say, our family, to the macrocosmos - wider civilisation - we would destroy it. Yet, if we were to always apply the rules of the extended order, civilisation, to more intimate groupings, for example, families, we would crush them. So we must learn to live in two sorts of worlds at once. To apply the name ‘society’ to both or even to either, is hardly of any use and can be most misleading.’
(F.A. Hayek The Fatal Conceit 1988)
Whilst this may be a dense philosophical argument, it does highlight the thinking which underpins Positive Behaviours 4 Learning (PB4L). The processes and procedures of our classrooms and playground support the children to work and play successfully.
Over the next couple of weeks, as your child settles into the school year, ask some questions about how their classroom is organised for learning. Below are some to get your conversation started:
- What does it look like when you line up ready for class in the morning?
- What does it sound like when you are at your desk working?
- Describe what happens when your teacher asks you to pack up your belongings.
- How does your teacher know what you are thinking during a lesson?
Deliberate focus on our routines in playgrounds and classrooms aims to make sure that students are Ready to Learn every day.
As we journey through the week, together, with Jesus,
Toni Sillis
Principal
for your commitment as parents to preparing your child for the new school year. The children presented so well yesterday in their full uniforms, hair cuts, equipped with all of their classroom resources and smiles galore at seeing their teachers and friends.
Our combined effort of supporting the children to be “Ready to Learn” certainly sends a consistent message to all.
Please note the change to Sports Days in 2022. All students will wear sports uniforms every Tuesday. Students will also wear sports uniforms for grade physical education lessons as indicated below.
|
Tuesday |
All Sport K-6 |
|
Wednesday |
Year 5 Physical Education Lessons Year 1 Physical Education Lessons Kindergarten Gold Physical Education Lessons |
|
Thursday |
Year 6 Physical Education Lessons Year 2 Physical Education Lessons Kindergarten Blue Physical Education Lessons |
|
Friday |
Year 4 Physical Education Lessons Year 3 Physical Education Lessons |
Primary school students are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask on buses when travelling to and from school.
School students will be required to have a valid School Opal Card or travel pass for the commencement of school in January 2022.
Parent Action: Parents need to read the attached information Travel for 2022 and respond accordingly to receive or renew your child’s School Opal Card/Travel Card.
Next Tuesday, Good Samaritan will recognise Safer Internet Day. The students will engage in activities to learn about the importance of playing it safe and fair online. This will be used in conjunction with establishing the routines and procedures that make iPads an effective tool for learning in Years 3-6.
Students in Years 4-6 are not required to bring their iPads to school until Week 4, Monday 14 February.
The eSafety Commissioner is offering a series of free parent webinars across the year. The term 1 webinar offers tips for parents about how to socialise, learn and have fun online safely. You can access more information about the webinars here.
Below you will find further topics that will be available on webinars throughout the year.
Throughout the Christmas holiday break the school underwent some significant maintenance work including:
- External painting of administration building, Kindergarten, Year 1 & Year 2 classrooms
- Replacement of doors in Year 1 and Year 2
- Replacement of doors in the school hall
- Removal of second area of decking replaced with crushed granite around flag pole area
- Replacement of ‘bridge’ between the Kindergarten building and Year 1/2 building
This work has made a huge difference to the aesthetic appeal of our school grounds.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, on the pastoral care of families, Pope Francis is calling for a Year of the Family from 19th March 2021 – 26th June 2022.
A Story: “We are the body of Christ!” When attending a youth group event or gathering with other believers, you can enjoy a strong sense of community and belonging as you boldly proclaim your identity in Christ. Being Catholic is a bit like being part of a family- we’re all different, we all bring unique gifts, yet we are all one family, one body in Christ.
Make it: Design a family crest together. For ideas and inspiration see: www.cathfamily.org/activities
MEDICAL PLANS and MEDICATION
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 Build & Maintain Esteem in Our Community?
- Showing care for myself like wearing my uniform correctly
- Showing an in interest in what others are thinking and doing
- Using positive and encouraging words towards everyone I meet
- Using positive self talk like - ‘I can do this!’
- Performing random acts of kindness - like carrying someone’s telling someone how good their work is
- use a growth mindset and just giving new things a go
- looking, smiling and saying hello
These are just some of the ways that we can build and maintain esteem while developing a Love of Learning.
From the School Handbook:
Home School Communication
STAGES OF HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
- If you have any educational/behaviour concerns about your child always contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. Your child’s classroom teacher will always make contact with you if they have any concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour.
- Grades and classes across the school are supported by Middle Leaders. You are asked to contact the Middle Leader/s responsible for your child’s class/grade if you have continued concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. The Middle Leaders will also contact you when and if necessary.
- All academic and behaviour concerns made to the office will be directed to the classroom teacher in the first instance. This may be followed up by support from the Middle Leader responsible for the stage/grade.
Middle Leaders 2022
|
Stage/Grade |
Middle Leader |
|
Early Stage 1: Kindergarten |
Mrs Patricia Foster |
|
Amaroo & Learning Support Centre |
Mrs Sarah O’Donnell & Mrs Cath Hailstone |
|
Stage 1: Year 1 Year 2 |
Mrs Sarah O’Donnell |
|
Stage 2: Year 3 Year 4 |
Mrs Cath Hailstone |
|
Stage 3: Year 5 Year 6 |
Mrs Natalie Shelley |
The Middle Leader represented in bold will be your first port of call beyond the classroom teacher.
School Travel 2022
School Road Safety Messages 2022
Welcome to 2022! Wollongong City Council supports safe travel for your school community.
40km school zones often experience an increase of vehicle and student movements during pick-up and drop-off times.
To help your school community maintain safety during these time, please find attached suggested content for your school newsletter, school app and/or social media pages, to support the promotion of road safety messages to your school community and specifically school zone parking protocol.
Attachments include:
- Keeping our kids safe around schools
- Look out before you step out, school flyer
- School zone pick-up and drop-off tips
- School road safety parking rules
TERM 1 2022 DATES:
February
- Friday 4 February - Touch Football Trials
- Monday 7 February - School Swimming Trials
- Tuesday 8 February - Basketball & Tennis Trials
- February 18 February -Opening School Mass /Liturgy (COVID restrictions may apply )
March
- Eucharist Group 2021
- February 23/24 - Parent Meeting 2022 SJV 6:30 pm
- Eucharist Group from 2021
- Session 1 9/10 March SJV 6:30 pm
- Session 2 16/17 March SJV 6:30 pm
- Session 3 23/24 March SJV 6:30 pm
- Session 4 30/31 March SJV 6:30 pm
- March 28 -April 4 - Catholic Schools Week
May
- Thursday May 5 - Mother's Day Liturgy & Morning Tea (COVID restrictions may apply)
- Friday May 6 - Mother's Day Stall
June
- June 29/30-2022 Sacramental Programme Parent Meeting & enrolment evening 6.30pm SJV
July
- Friday July 22 - Grandparents & Great People Day
September
- Friday 2 September Father's Day BBQ Breakfast & Stall
- Wednesday September 14 - Feast of the Holy Cross - Feast Day 10 Years of Good Samaritan
- September 18-25 - UCI 2022 Road World Championships- Wollongong