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Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,
Last weekend our Year 6 students celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation. The ceremonies were all beautiful focusing on the children and this terrific moment in their faith journey.
Being able to celebrate Confirmation on Pentecost makes the occasion all the more special. Pentecost is that time of the year where we recognise the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit is God’s energizing presence among us. The Spirit of God moves us to new heights of understanding, to new types of witness, to new dimensions of life needed in the here and now.
The Confirmation candidates were able to come to recognise how they could work with the Spirit in their lives. Bishop Brian spoke to the children about what they could do to show others that they stood for and with the Spirit. One response was to ‘Be an upstander - not a bystander!’
What a great response! Being an upstander means that they recognise when something is wrong and they work to do something to make it right. This isn’t easy for 11 and 12 year olds. At times it is easier to be a bystander, not say too much, allow things that may make them feel uncomfortable go without saying or doing anything.
However, often children don’t feel skilled enough to call out poor behaviour or to get extra help when things aren’t going well. It’s important that, as adults, we lead them to come to recognise the Holy Spirit and access the gifts that are the treasures of the Confirmation. Our faith allows us to believe that we will have the courage to stand up for what is right.
We are given the gifts of the Spirit so that they bear much fruit in our daily lives. As we experience the fruits they grow and intensify allowing the Spirit to be recognised more and more often.
Our challenge in this season of Pentecost is to reconnect with the fruits of the Spirit, lead our children to recognise them and, most importantly, allow them to flourish in our lives.
Enjoy the week ahead as we journey together, with Jesus,
Toni Sillis
Principal
Premier has written to all schools, including Good Samaritan, to remind staff, parents and students that if a student does not have a valid opal card they are not able to catch any bus.
Starting from Monday 13 June 2022, any student that does not have a valid opal card will be handed back to the school via the teacher on duty.
Please see below website outlining the Student Code of Conduct as displayed on Transport for NSW’s website.
https://transportnsw.info/student-code-conduct
The aim is to ensure that all students are able to travel on school buses with their Opal Cards. Our teachers will be reminding students to have their Opal Cards out & ready as they board the bus each day leaving school.
Students have been working hard in their Creative Arts lessons each week preparing for the upcoming Musical. Make sure to claim the date - Thursday 23 June - in your calendars.
Recently, we have had a number of students across the school who have had to go home unwell. This is because of ‘bugs’ that have been going around including vomiting and ‘flu. If your child is unwell please remember that they will recover more quickly with rest. Some children are being sent to school unwell which only leads to further school absence and loss of learning.
What do I need to know about Semester One reports?
Last year reporting on the A-E scale was suspended due to COVID-19 remote learning and the reduced load of the curriculum. This year reports will return to the A-E scale and reporting will occur on the full curriculum across the two semesters.
Semester One reports will be sent to parents on Friday 24 June.Reports are written in line with the requirements of the NSW K-10 syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum in English,Mathematics and Science.Grades are awarded to students following the Common Grade Scale.At the Parent Teacher Interview in week 10,your child’s class teacher will be able to explain how the grade awarded reflects the level of work your child is currently achieving.
Further explanation of the reports is provided with the following:
It has now been a requirement of national legislation for Primary schools to provide twice-yearly written reports for students in Years 1 - 6 to parents.These reports are to be standards-referenced which in NSW means reporting based on the Common Grade Scale.Standards-referenced reporting requires teachers to consider the performance of each student according to the standard detailed at each level (A-E) of the Common Grade Scale for each Key Learning Area (KLA).Students are then awarded a grade based on the evidence teachers have of their learning in that particular KLA and the standard it reflects.According to the Common Grade Scale a ‘C’ grade is considered sound. That is, if awarded a C in a particular KLA the student has demonstrated that they have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding expected of them at that point in time.
Some features of the report include:
Overall grades
Each KLA has an overall grade that is determined by the teacher by considering the evidence of each student’s learning and the standard on the Common Grade Scale it reflects.Overall grades are not determined by averaging performance on strands within a KLA. In many cases more time has been dedicated to learning in one strand over others and this contributes significantly to the balanced judgement a teacher is required to make in order to award an overall grade. It is not unusual for a student’s overall grade to change from one reporting period to the next as the knowledge, skills and understanding they encounter in each KLA will vary from one reporting period to the next. The Common Grade Scale is outlined below and is also included on the front of the report.
Common Grade Scale:
|
A |
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
|
B |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations. |
|
C |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
|
D |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
|
E |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
Effort Descriptors:
This section of the report captures the student’s attitude to the particular KLA and their skills in managing their work, persisting when challenged and working to their potential. A scale explaining the three standards used to describe student effort is included on the front of the report.
Strands:
The term ‘strands’ refers to the breakdown of learning within each Key Learning Area (KLA) that is presented in a grid with the options Extensive,Thorough,Sound,Limited and Basic for teachers to indicate the performance of the student within each strand. Over a reporting period some strands will have a greater focus than others, which will impact the overall grade for the KLA. In some KLAs not every strand will be covered each reporting period; those that are not covered will not appear on the report.
Comments:
There are three kinds of comments on the report:
Learning Gains –These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student has demonstrated in the reporting period
Areas for Growth –These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student will encounter as the ‘next step’ or ‘targeted area for growth’ on their learning path
Final Comment –The longer, final comment is written by the teacher and may cover a range of academic and non-academic areas
Positive Behaviours for Learning Descriptors: This section of the report focuses on the student as a community member and as a learner. A scale is included to detail the three standards that are used to report on this aspect of the student’s behaviour.
Absences for the Semester:
This section of the report indicates the whole and partial days absent throughout the semester as recorded in the class rolls. Regular and consistent attendance at school increases the likelihood of academic and social success for children each year.
Reporting: Parent Information Sessions
If you would like to know more about the way in which reports are written you are invited to attend a parent information session. Whilst this invitation is particularly targeted towards parents with children in Years 1&2, all parents are welcome.
Session time:
- Wednesday 15 June @ 2pm
- Friday 17 June @ 9.15am
Please click here to RSVP for the sessions.
Congratulations to our Year 6 students who received the gift of the Holy Spirit over the past weekend. “May the Lord bless them with His guidance from this day forward”.
Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost was celebrated in the Church’s calendar on the weekend. Happy Birthday! The word “Pentecost” means “fiftieth day” in Greek. It commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples as tongues of fire. It also marks the end of the Easter season and is often called the Birthday of the Church as it was from this event that the disciples went forth to spread the good news.
LUMEN CHRISTI PARISH RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION ENROLMENTS 2022
The Sacramental Programme for Reconciliation & First Holy Communion will begin with the Parent/Caregiver Meeting at 6.30pm on Wednesday 29 June, and Thursday 30 June 2022, at St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, Fairy Meadow.
Parents/caregivers must attend either one of these meetings to enrol their children for the First Holy Communion Programme. Please bring your child’s completed enrolment form and a copy of your child’s Baptism Certificate.
You can download the enrolment form from our parish website. Go to: www.lumenchristi.org.au/sacramental2022
Enrolment forms will only be accepted at the Parent/Caregiver session held 6.30pm on 29 & 30 June at St John Vianney Co-Cathedral.
No late enrolments will be accepted.
The cost for administration and materials for the First Holy Communion Programme is $60. The sessions for each sacrament will be held in St John Vianney Co-Cathedral commencing at 6.30pm sharp.
If you require any further information or need to discuss any concerns, please contact Cathy on 4211 0506 or email: cathy.zamroz@dow.org.au
Celebrations for Families Weekend
On the weekend of 25/26 June our parish will offer the Mass for families. A prayer card for families will be distributed at all Parish Masses and will be read during the prayer of the faithful.
NSWPSSA Basketball Championships
Last week Tamworth hosted the NSWPSSA basketball championships for girls and boys. This was the first year in history that both the boys and girls state carnivals were played together. Sarah C (pictured with the trophy) from 6 Gold captained a strong Mackillop side and despite them being crowned NSWPSSA champions, narrowly missed out on selection in the NSW state team.
Mr Collins represented Good Samaritan as coach of the boys team who were unlucky to finish 4th narrowly being defeated by eventual winners Combined Independent Schools by 4 earlier in the tournament.
Tamworth hosted great joint carnivals and congratulations again to Sarah and Mr Collins for representing Good Samaritan so admirably.
Good Samaritan’s Sarah C Year 6 (holding trophy) NSWPSSA Basketball Champion and Captain!
News from Year 5 Classrooms
Year 5 are working on Persuasive texts in English and learning all about BushFires and Safety for Geography. What good way to incorporate both a Persuasive text and Bushfire safety into one.Year 5 has been exploring the impact bushfires have on Australian people, places and environments. They are looking at ways people can reduce the impact of bushfires in the future. Designing a Persuasive poster about BushFire Facts has been a great way to explore BushFire safety and Persuasive texts.
POSTPONED NETBALL GALA DAY
The Netball Gala Day originally calendared for 21 June has been postponed until Term 3. Further details will be communicated as they become available.
Love of Learning
- 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.
Being Considerate of Confidentiality
At times there may be incidents within the school that involve certain students and you may hear about them through other parents. These may relate to another child’s progress and learning or their behaviour. It is most important that the confidentiality of that student, and of his or her family, is protected. Always treat such incidents with empathy – no one would like their own child to be the topic of discussion amongst parents. If you have some specific concerns that relate to your own child please do not hesitate to address these through the classroom teacher, Stage Middle Leader, Mrs Hailstone or Mrs Sillis.
If you have a sibling that will be ready to begin school in 2023 contact the office for an enrolment pack.
The Canteen will be open
WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY and FRIDAY EACH WEEK
PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE (PRC) 2022
PRC is back again. From Monday 21 March, students will be able to borrow any books from their respective challenge group (3-4 or 5-6).
Those students doing the PRC can check in SORA and find one of the Premier's Reading Challenge categories matching the right challenge level. If students are having trouble, they can download the reading log from the PRC website (https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html) to keep a track of what has been read. We will assist them to enter their data.
Students from Yrs 3-4 need to log 20 titles in which 5 of them are free choices. Yrs 5-6 need to log 20 titles of which 5 are free choices. Students from K-2 will do the Challenge (K-2) as a classroom.
The last day to log PRC titles is 19 August 2022 for students.
Mrs Medina
All students who travel on the bus to or from school each day must carry an Opal Card with them every day. Drivers are warning students and communicating to teachers that travel can and will be refused without an Opal Card.
Please ensure that your child has a current Opal Card if they travel to or from school by bus.
Information below will assist you in applying for the Opal Card.
2022
June
Friday 10 June
PB4L Whole School Mufti day
Monday 13 June
Queen's Birthday
Tuesday 21 June
Parent/Teacher Interview Week
Thursday 23 June
School Musical
Wednesday 29 June
Parish Reconciliation & First Communion Enrolment Sessions
6:30pm: Parent/Cargiver meeting at St John Vianney Co-Cathedral
Thursday 30 June
Parish Reconciliation & First Communion Enrolment Sessions
6:30pm: Parent/Cargiver meeting at St John Vianney Co-Cathedral
July
Friday 1 July
Whole School Run & Picnic
Last Day of Term 2
Monday 18 July
First Day Term 3
Friday 22 July
Grandparents & Great People Day
September
Friday 2 September
Father's Day BBQ Breakfast & Stall
Wednesday 14 September
Feast of the Holy Cross - Feast Day 10 Years of Good Samaritan
18-25 September
UCI 2022 Road World Championships- Wollongong
