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- From the Principal's Desk :
- COVID RAT Delivery for Weeks 4&5:
- Safer Internet Day:
- Year 6 Leadership Liturgy 18 February
- Premier’s Letter
- Sport Timetable Adjustments:
- FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S DESK:
- OUR CATHOLIC LIFE & IDENTITY:
- SCHOOL NEWS:
- Office News
- SPORTS NEWS:
- PB4L @ GSFM:
- PARENT & SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP:
- ALUMNI:
- Dates to Remember
- Noticeboard - Copy
Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,
What a great start to the 2022 School Year we have had! Yesterday, we welcomed our newest members of our community - our Kindergarten students. They are an absolute delight to watch as they navigate the school environment under the expert guidance of our Kindergarten teachers and support staff.
One of my greatest pleasures is watching the children engage with each other. As you know, the morning carline gives me a perfect opportunity to greet the children but also allows me to observe the great friendships that they are forming. I came across a quote recently that made me think of the children I see each day:
Friendship is contingent on love—real love: compassion, empathy, reaching out, going beyond what we imagine is possible. That is the command: love. And if we reach out in love, friendship is the result, even friendship with God. (Diana Butler Bass)
On Monday, one of our senior students expressed to me how excited she was as she got out of the car. I asked her what she was excited about - her response was ‘School! I just love being at school!’ This is how friendship is expressed by our children. Their excitement to see each other, their care and concern for each other and their genuine empathy for each other.
Kindergarten’s start to the year is looking very successful as they engage with each other and their teachers during these first few days of school. We all look forward to watching these students grow and learn during their time at Good Samaritan.
Enjoy the week ahead, as we journey together, with Jesus.
Toni Sillis
Principal
The RATs for weeks 4&5 will be distributed to students on Thursday afternoon. Four tests will be placed in a plastic shopping bag. Please check your child’s school bag for their 4 RATs to be used over the next 2 weeks. If your child is absent on Friday, teachers will note those students who do not receive their tests and they will be given to them when they return to school.
Yesterday was Australia’s Safer Internet Day. Our students have been learning about what keeps them safe when they are online. We can never presume that the children know this. The internet, and their exposure to it, changes extremely quickly as they grow, change and experience the many platforms that are out there.
The eSafety Commissioner has an enormous amount of resources for both schools and parents. I highly encourage you to become familiar with what is there and to regularly check into the site for the latest updates. It is too late to look for resources to assist you when something happens that puts your child’s safety at risk.
We are reminded each year with Safer Internet Day to reassess our routines and structures at school and it is also a timely annual reminder for parents to review their Family Tech Agreement. You can see an agreement below that will assist you to review or establish a Family Tech Agreement with your children.
Year 6 parents are invited to a Leadership Liturgy on Friday 18 February at 9:30am. At this liturgy, students will receive their leadership badges. Students representing Years 1-6 will also be in attendance under COVID safe supervision.
In keeping with the COVID Smart Start to the year, two people (parents or other relative/friend) who are fully vaccinated are asked to check into the Church using the Service NSW app, wear a mask for the duration of the liturgy and physically distance themselves from students and other parents whilst in the Church. Visitors will also be asked to leave the Church prior to the students returning to the school grounds.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet recently wrote to schools across the state acknowledging the work and commitment of schools and parents throughout the pandemic and coming into the new school year. This letter is below for your information.
Due to the logistics of running a cohorting timetable and the inclusion of a whole school Sport day, we have had to adjust the Sports days for Years 3&5. Thank you for your understanding of this adjustment.
Sport (During COVID safe cohorting model timetabling)
|
Monday |
Years 3&5 |
|
Tuesday |
Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2, Year 4, Year 6 |
|
Wednesday |
Year 1, Year 5 |
|
Thursday |
Year 2, Year 6 |
|
Friday |
Year 3, Year 4 |
|
Changes to sports days will be communicated via the school newsletter or Compass notification. Kindergarten’s PE day will be advised when students are in class groups. |
|
I wanted to take some time this week to introduce myself. I have received a warm welcome from staff and students over the past few weeks and feel extremely privileged to be working at Good Samaritan.
I look forward to meeting parents and carers throughout the year as we work together to promote a positive year for all students, socially and academically.
I have been teaching for over 20 years and love the enthusiasm and challenge that is experienced every day in a school setting. I have two teenage boys and a husband who is also a teacher. My previous role was as an education officer in the Catholic Education Office and prior to that I was working at St Pius X, Unanderra.
I would like to share a rule of St Benedict, who guides the values and vision at GSFM. This rule highlights my vision for all members of the GSFM community and hangs in my office as a reminder of the significant role we play to ensure all feel valued, included and supported.
Guided by the Rule of St Benedict… to value community that challenges and nurtures, where the strong have something to strive for and the weak have nothing to run from. RB64:9
I encourage you to engage with your child and school. Working together to build relationships and trust will ultimately have a positive impact on student learning and wellbeing. This week we invite you to read through the Grade Newsletters and take some time to complete the Google Form linked in the newsletter to provide any information to best support your child.
Cath Hailstone
Assistant Principal
LOOK CLOSER: Fish or Fisherman? There’s a difference between fish and fishermen. Fish live in schools and just follow each other. Fish don’t like to take risks. Fishermen are more daring. They can catch, breed and farm fish. Jesus does not want His disciples to follow him like mindless fish. He wants us to make His mission our own and use all our gifts and abilities to share His message of love with others.
TALK ABOUT IT: Are you more of a fish or a fisherman? Do you just follow or have you taken up a call to be a fisherman?
On Sunday 13th February 2022, Australia commemorates the 14th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.
In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd presented this apology in the Australian Parliament which was a momentous occasion of recognition and reconciliation in our nation's history.
It was a moment of solidarity and empathy that could be shared by everybody who heard it.
National Apology Day is a day to remember and pray for the children who were taken away from their families and homes and commit to right the wrongs of past injustices and build a bridge of respect between all people.
As a system of schools we are committed to walking together with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers in a spirit of reconciliation.
One way of expressing this commitment is to acknowledge this apology in our school communities.
Year 3 News
Year 3 has had a great start to 2022. We have been learning about our classroom routines and expectations, getting to know our peers and getting back into the routine of school.
Here are a few words that the Year 3 students have used to describe the start of the year.
We shared the book “I Wish You More” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and created our very own wishes and wish lanterns for each other for 2022.
2/2/22 Is A PALINDROME - Year 4 had fun finding words and numbers that were palindromes.
Diocesan Touch Football Trials:
Last Friday, Bailey (Y5) participated in the much anticipated Diocesan Touch Football trials. This was the first Diocesan trial that has been held in over six months due to Covid restrictions. Bailey represented Good Samaritan proudly displaying positive sportsmanship and respectful behaviours throughout the day.
From over 40 boys that trialled, he made it to the final selection round. Well Done Bailey!
Diocesan Basketball Trials:
Yesterday at the Snake Pit (Beaton Park), we had six students vying for selection in the girls and boys Diocesan teams. Competition was fierce and Sarah (Y6), Ruby G. (Y5) Sophie (Y5), Jaxson (Y6), Harrison (Y6) and Zac (Y6) all did an amazing job representing themselves and their school to the best of their ability. Due to Covid restrictions it was made more challenging as no spectators were able to support them during the indoor trials. Congratulations go to Sarah and Ruby for being chosen to represent the Diocese at the MacKillop trials to be held on the 25th February. Well done to all of our representatives!
Diocesan Tennis Trials:
Yesterday was a busy day for sports trials at Beaton Park. Calvin (Y6) participated in a round robin competition competing to be part of the four person Diocese of Wollongong boys tennis team. Calvin should be very proud of his effort, skill, enthusiasm and the sportsmanship he displayed. Great work Calvin!
Sports Trials Information:
The upcoming trials student nominations were sent through to the Catholic Education Office (CEO) for approval last year and no additional students are able to be added after the submission cut off date of last October. The only exception may be elite athletes that are new to our school and then it is up to the discretion of the CEO and the convenors. If a student's nomination has been successful they will receive a letter a couple of weeks prior to the trial date.
The nominations for 2023 school year will be sent out in October for elite athletes, who have made representative teams in their chosen sport or competed at a high level such as being in the A team where sports are graded but no representative opportunities are available. The nomination form is usually available to students going into Years Five and Six.
Upcoming 2022 trial dates:
Friday 25 February: MacKillop Basketball Trials
Friday 4 March: Football, Rugby League & Netball Trials
Love of Learning
How Can We Build & Maintain Empathy in Our Community?
- Show kindness towards others through actions and/or words.
kindness towards others through actions and/or words.- Use active listening & showing this with your whole body
- Think through what you say before you say it
- Be aware and supportive of those less fortunate
- Value the perspective others even though you may not always agree
- Turn taking when listening and speaking
- Setting expectations for social interactions
- Recognise different opinions and viewpoints are ok
- Speak up when you know or hear something that is not right
From the School Handbook:
What do I do if I have a concern regarding a student/s who is not my child?
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 1 2022 DATES:
February
- Monday February 14- 18-- Teacher /Parent Introduction Week
- Friday February 18 - Year 6 Leadership Liturgy
- Monday 28 February -4 March - Catholic Schools Week
March
- Tuesday March 1 -ERC Try Year 7 for a day 9.30am-3.30pm
All Families College tour 3.30pm-6.00pm
- Friday 4 March - Primary Football Rugby League and Netball Trials
- Friday 4 March - Clean up Australia Day
April
- Friday 8 April - Holy Week Liturgy and Easter Hat Parade /Last Day of Term 1
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
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