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10 Year Gala Event:
The 10 Year Gala Event is set to be an evening of great celebration making more memories for our school community.
Tables are now available for the GSFM 10 Year Gala Event. Tickets are $120 per person. Reach out to friends and family and get a table of 10 together for a night of food, drinks and entertainment.
This is an adult only event.
Thank You to our Gala Event Sponsors:
10 Year Gala Dinner Sponsorship:
Thank you to all those who have chosen a sponsorship package. Your generous support is very much appreciated. Packages are still able to be chosen.
See the Sponsorship Packages below:
Sponsorship Packages
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Platinum $1 000 + |
Gold $800 - $999 |
Silver $500 - $799 |
Bronze $200 - $499 |
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Facebook promotional post and business link added |
Group Facebook mention |
Group Facebook mention |
Group Facebook mention |
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Business name announcements /promotions during the gala evening |
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Contact information published within the School Newsletter & social media leading |
Contact information published within the School Newsletter & social media leading |
Contact information published within the School Newsletter & social media leading |
Contact information published within the School Newsletter & social media leading |
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Permission to erect your own banner at the evening |
Permission to erect your own banner at the evening |
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Your business name on school electronic sign for remainder of the year |
Your business name on school electronic sign for remainder of the year |
Your business name on school electronic sign for remainder of the year |
Your business name on school electronic sign for remainder of the year |
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Commemorative 10 Year gift and Certificate of Appreciation |
Certificate of Appreciation |
Certificate of Appreciation |
Certificate of Appreciation |
By sponsoring the 10 Year Gala Dinner, you will be contributing to the school’s ability to:
- upgrade classroom audio visual equipment
- purchase playground equipment
- maintain a consistent renewal and replenishment of English & Mathematics resources
- upgrade play and garden areas of the school, including a prayer garden
- redesign and landscape the school’s pedestrian entrance from Cabbage Tree Lane.
The contributions will also support the P&F to continue their work in supporting the learning and improving the school environment for students.
Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,
This week we celebrated The feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary which was defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950. He declared that after her death, Mary was assumed into heaven, body and soul.
It was a response to the horrible human carnage of two world wars and the horrors of concentration camps. The church wanted to reaffirm the dignity of the human body and rekindle faith in the resurrection of the body. This feast affirms that our human bodies are not mere shells but created in God’s image and likeness.
The Church wanted to say something not only about the body of Mary, but about the body of each of us. The feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary shows God’s love for all of us and of God’s reverence for the body of those created in the divine image. In Mary, human nature is glorified and God desires it to be glorified in every person. It is for this reason that Jesus became human flesh and dwelt among us in our world.
The celebration of Mary's Assumption celebrates the bodily presence and dignity of every person in our school community. Even in our differences, our challenge is to be aware that every one of us is made in the image and likeness of God. Our care and respect for the bodily presence of each other in turn glorifies God.
This is why, as a school community, we place a great emphasis on the respectful relationships that the students have with each other and the adults who work with them. The Love of Learning value of empathy helps the children, and adults, understand how we can interact with one another. This is reinforced by the social norms of the playground. These are all highlighted in the PB4L section of the newsletter each week.
The Assumption of Mary helps us to remember the importance of recognising the dignity of each individual and perhaps Pope Pius XII knew that society would need this reminder each year.
As we journey through this week, together, with Jesus let’s work to recognise that our differences emphasise the presence of God among us.
Toni Sillis
Principal
PDHPE
Personal Development and Health
Please find below information about what each grade is learning in their Personal Development and Health lessons this week. This includes a question for parents to use to engage in discussion with their child/ren.
We hope this information allows you the opportunity to discuss the content and activities that are covered in these weekly lessons. We have a shared responsibility to keep our children safe, cared for and help them to experience a life that is full and inclusive of respectful, caring relationships now and in the future.
Session 4
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Kindergarten students are learning to identify different emotions so that we can share how we feel. Question to discuss with children: What are some emotional responses we have had in different situations? How did we respond? |
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Year One students are learning to recognise when to say ‘no’ in an assertive way. Question to discuss with children: What are some situations where we should say ‘no’ in an assertive way? |
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Year Two students are learning to identify and name the private parts of the male and female bodies. Question to discuss with children: Why is it important to know and use the correct names for the private parts of the body? |
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Year Three students are learning to identify changes that will occur to their bodies so that they know what to do when it starts to happen. Question to discuss with children: Why is it important to know and use the correct names for the private parts of the body? |
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Year Four students are learning to identify types of abuse so that they can appropriately respond to situations and be safe. Question to discuss with children: What is the difference between an accident and abuse? |
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Year Five students are learning how puberty will impact the bodies of boys and girls differently. Question to discuss with children: What hygienic products do we have to help with changes to our bodies during puberty? Eg. deodorant, shampoo, clean underwear, menstrual products etc… |
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Year Six students are learning to identify changes that will occur to our bodies during puberty so that we can know what to do when it happens. Question to discuss with children: What were some of your own personal experiences during puberty? |
Book Week:
Book Week Parade - Friday 26th August @ 12pm
This year's Book Week theme "Dreaming With Eyes Open" acknowledges Australia's First Nations People and their rich story based culture. Book week will be celebrated as a school community on Friday 26 August. Students will be completing classroom activities on this day and will participate in a book parade at 12pm.
Book Fair
A book fair will be set up on the morning on the Book Week Parade, Friday 26 August from 8:20am. Mrs Medina will have a range of books for students to donate.
Students can purchase a book which will be donated back into the Good Samaritan Library. The donation price of these will range from $5 - $15.
Students names will be included inside the book and they will be the first person to borrow this book from the school library.
Cash purchases only will be available.
Costumes
Students are encouraged to use recycled materials to create a book character for the parade. The parade will take place at 12pm. Parents and families are invited to come along.
There will be a prize for each class based on the creative use of recycled materials in the costume. A second prize will be given for the best entry into the Colouring in Competition. These will be completed at home and must be returned to school by Wednesday, 24 August.
Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian: Gathered As One
Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian: Gathered As One
Year 6 celebrated their final year of primary school with Bishop Brian on August 11 at All Saints Catholic Church, Shellharbour. Special mention to Alexander Bradshaw-Wett who welcomed the congregation and Acknowledged Country. We are all very proud of you Alex!
The students had the chance to have lunch together and mix with students from other schools - including meeting and talking to those who will be attending high school with them next year. They also thoroughly enjoyed the Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong (CYMW) team’s outdoor lunchtime concert together.
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: August 15, 2022
Luke 1:39-56
An angel of the Lord came to Mary and told her that God was pleased with her. She would conceive a son, who would be the Son of God. She should name him Jesus.
Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let God’s will be done to me.”
Soon afterwards, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant. As soon as Elizabeth saw Mary, the baby inside her womb jumped with joy. Elizabeth said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
Mary sang a song of praise to God, glorifying the name of the Lord and thanking God for all of the great things that the Lord had done for her.
She stayed with Elizabeth for three months before returning home.
Chloe Olima: Dragons Design Competition
Congratulations to Chloe Olima (Year 6) for winning the Dragons Logo Competition. Keeley Davies from the St George Illawarra Dragons came to congratulate Chloe at our school assembly.
Chloe won $1,000 for our school from the UOW, gifts for her classroom, a signed Dragon’s jersey and breakfast with the Dragons for Stage Three. Well done Chloe!
The Icon I have designed represents our school and the local community. This drawing includes many native species that you can find in my area, the Dharawal land. It incorporates many emblems and totems of the Dharawal people and land.
The Whale (Burri Burri ) is a totem of the Dharawal people and represents the relationship between students, staff and parents at our school. I also included a Red-Bellied Black Snake (Bahnaga) because snakes are another totem of the Dharawal people and the Lyrebird (Wiridjirbin Nura) and Cockatoo (Garraway-Kirrawee) which can both be found on our land.
Another thing incorporated into this artwork is the Illawarra flame tree, which is connected to a cross and heart. The cross and heart represent my school logo and motto “Moved to Compassion” because we must always care for our environment and planet and strive to make it a better place for future generations to live in. The Illawarra Flame Tree is a beautiful tree especially when it explodes with colour when it blooms and is iconic for our Illawarra community.
Amaroo Blue
Amaroo Blue
What a busy beginning to Term 3 we have had in Amaroo Blue!
In Religious Education, the Year 3 students are preparing to make their First Reconciliation and First Communion. The Year 5 students are working on their Christmas Art and engaging with the scripture passages.
In English, students have been learning to write Procedural Texts, and last week wrote their own procedure detailing how to make breakfast. We have continued to follow procedures in our cooking classes, making Nut Free Muesli Bars and decorating cookies.
As part of our Geography and History units, students visited the Killalea State Park and participated in cultural activities with local indigenous people. Students were exposed to local tools and artefacts, went on a bush tucker walk and learnt some traditional dances. They also learnt some local vocabulary for sea animals.
In Science this term, students are Exploring Forces of push and pull. They will engage in experiments exploring the properties of gravity, magnetism, air resistance, water resistance and friction.
Amaroo Gold
Amaroo Gold has also been very busy this term. In week 1 we welcomed our Grandparents into our room and gave them a beautiful portrait that we created.
In Religious Education we have been exploring the Holy Family, our own family and stories of Jesus’ childhood. We painted pictures of what we enjoy doing with our family and compared it to what Jesus would have done when he was a child.
In English we have been listening to some wonderful books like “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister, and describing the characters using adjectives.
This term we have been involved in Sports Ready again and have enjoyed participating in lots of fun activities to improve our gross motor skills.
Learning Support Centre
There is a lot going on in the Learning Support Centre too!
We enjoy participating in Sports Ready on Mondays.
Year Three students are preparing to make their First Reconciliation and First Communion. We have been talking about making good choices and the effects our actions have on others. We have also been talking about God’s mercy and forgiveness when we are sorry for our actions that have had a negative impact on others, and we try not to repeat those actions.
Year Five students are participating in Christmas Art and have some works in progress they are producing with Mrs Jancetic. It is great to learn from different teachers.
Of course we always enjoy cooking with Amaroo Blue on Fridays.
We had a great day at Killalea State Park and learned so much about the Indigenous culture of the area.
Tomorrow we participate in a Combined schools Sports Day at Beaton Park and on Friday our Year 4 and Year 5 students will go on excursions.
We are still managing to fit in lots of reading, writing, speaking and listening and maths - particularly multiplication - and working on being the best learners we can be.
Science Week 2022
We were pleased to actively participate in National Science Week again. Many thanks to our Year 6 leaders for showcasing some fun and scientific experiments. As year 6 teachers, Mr Condon and myself were very proud of the way year 6 were responsible, safe and respectful scientists.
Mrs Shelley and Mr Condon
Dioscesan Athletics Selection Trials
On Tuesday, 12 students from the GSFM Athletics Team participated at the Diocesan Athletics Selection Trials at Beaton Park Athletics Track. These trials brought together athletes from the Western Region Carnival and the South Coast Region Carnival for a chance to gain selection into the Wollongong Diocese Athletics Team.
The results of the Diocesan Athletics Selection Trials are:
Maddi T - 1st: 8years 100m
Milla E - 3rd: 9years 100m
Aaliah G - 8th: 9years 100m, 5th: Junior Long Jump
Jacob D - 2nd: Junior Long Jump, Junior High Jump
Madeleine S - 4th: Junior Discus
Junior Girls Relay Team (Ria RB, Maddi T, Milla E, Aaliah G): 5th
Callum C - 1st: 11years 800m, 1st: 11years 1500m
Lucia I - 4th: 11years 100m, 5th: 11years 200m, 8th: 11years Long Jump
Annastasia P - 1st: 11years 800m
Macy E - 3rd: 11years 200m
Darcie W - 5th: 11years Shot Put
Alexander BW - 5th: 12years 100m
The top two placegetters in each event have gained selection into the Wollongong Diocesan Team to represent at the MacKillop Trials, which will be held at Sydney Olympic Park Selection Trials in September.
Congratulations to Maddi T, Jacob D, Callum C and Annastasia P, who have gained selection into the Wollongong Team to represent at the MacKillop Athletics Trials. We wish them all the best!
Week 5:
Love of Learning
How Can We Build & Maintain Empathy in Our Community?
- Show 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
GSFM Social Norm focus for our Playground
Tickets are now available for the
Good Samaritan P&F Father’s Day Raffle
Ticket books went home with students last week for the GSFM Father’s Day Raffle.
Tickets are to be returned by Tuesday 30 August with prizes being drawn on Friday 2 September.
P&F Meeting: Monday 17 October 7pm
The next P&F meeting will be held on Monday 17 October at 7pm. All are welcome to attend face to face in the School Library or via Zoom. (Details below)
P&F Meeting Zoom Details:
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/64556102577?pwd=RHJMeE80UUdrYTVSbGt2UTA1eVdFZz09
Password: 531322
From the School Handbook:
Car Park Safety
Safety within the Parish car park is everyone’s business. Students, parents and staff can only be kept safe if everyone is vigilant about their actions when using this space. It is every parent/carer’s responsibility to exercise safe actions within the carpark. This includes using the car park as indicated below:
- Parents are not to park on school or Parish grounds during drop off (8:20am-8:50am) or pick up (2:30pm-3:20pm) times
- When arriving prior to dismissal at Car Line Pick Up parents are asked to turn engines off once the car is stationary
- A safe speed of 10km/h when driving into the car park
- Do not exit your vehicle when dropping off or picking up students
- Ensure that children are well within the school gate when dropping off before moving off
- Children only exit vehicles when the vehicle is at the front of the queue
- Ensure students have safely entered the car and closed the door when picking up
- There is no pedestrian access to the carpark when car lines have begun in both the morning and afternoon
- Gates into the school are closed and locked from the Parish car park following the morning bell at 8:45am.
Thank you to those parents who continually exercise the utmost care when accessing the school via the Parish car park. Every child’s safety is everyone’s concern.
Save the Date!
Good Samaritan will be holding a Small Steps Anxiety Information Seminar for Parents in Term 4 - Tuesday 18 October. The Small Steps is a program aimed at raising awareness and improving the recognition of anxiety disorders in children.
Topic covered during a Small Steps session:
- Signs and symptoms of anxiety
- Different types of anxiety and how they present
- Evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders
- Referral and treatment options
- Stressors, including COVID-19 and natural disasters
The Small Steps session is run by an independent facilitator. The sessions will be attended by members of the school leadership team and our school counsellor, Kath Walsh.
The sessions run for one hour, with time afterwards for discussion and questions.
If you think your child might have anxiety, you have observed symptoms of anxiety in your child or you are just interested in what to look out for, come along to learn a little more.
Session 1 will be held on Tuesday 18 October 2pm-3pm. A repeat session will be held from 5pm-6pm.
Good Samaritan school photos will be held on Wednesday 24 August.
Students are expected to wear full Winter uniform for the photos.
The Canteen will be open
WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY and FRIDAY EACH WEEK
Term 3 2022
August:
Monday 15 August
Feast of the Assumption
Friday 15 August
Science Week Begins
Wednesday 17 August
Eucharist Programme -Session 3 SJV 6pm
Thursday 18 August
Eucharist Programme -Session 3 SJV 6pm
Monday 22 -26 August
Book Week (Dreaming with eyes Open)
Wednesday 24 August
School Photos
Wednesday 24 August
Eucharist Programme -Session 4 SJV 6pm
Thursday 25 August
Eucharist Programme -Session 4 SJV 6pm
Friday 26 August
Book Parade
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
Friday 16 September
GSFM 10 Year Gala Event
Monday 19-Friday 23 September
Remote Learning
Friday 23 September
Last Day of Term 3
18-25 September
UCI 2022 Road World Championships- Wollongong
October:
Monday 10 October
First Day Term 4