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- 10 Year Gala Event
- From the Principal's Desk
- Tickets are now available for the Good Samaritan P&F Father’s Day Raffle
- Thank You!
- Screen Aware Week:
- Principals’ Retreat:
- From the Assistant Principal's Desk
- Our Catholic Life and Identity
- GFSM Headlines
- School News
- PB4L @ GSFM
- Parent and School Partnership
- Office News
- Canteen News
- Noticeboard
- Important Dates
- For Your Calendar
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.
Book your tickets through https://www.trybooking.com/CBMCBThank 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:
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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 the students are focusing on the Love of Learning Mission Behaviour of Involve. During the Stage 3 meeting on Monday morning the children were asked to think about how they feel when they are involved with others. Their responses showed a great depth of thought and understanding. They included: ‘I feel seen’; ‘I feel valued’; ‘I feel a part of something.’
We can never underestimate the power of involving others in our work and recreation activities. It also speaks to the importance of listening to others and taking the time to really be in the moment with them.
Being present to others can be difficult and being present to ourselves can be even more so. This week I offer you a spiritual practice that to support being present to yourself in order to be present to others.
Can you be present to this little bit of now?
Get curious: see if you can be present in a positive way, knowing that, reading these words, you're likely carrying the day's events, the day's memories, the day's hurts, and the day's disappointments.
We can let go of these right now, if we choose, because we're going to move into a different kind of knowing, one that the ordinary mind with its ordinary cares simply isn't up for.
Don't be afraid of this silence.
Don't be afraid of what first feels like boredom or nothingness.
Don't be afraid of this silence, which is where God seems to be.
Don't be afraid of this loneliness now and all that it might offer.
Out of this silence, and this hopefully more spacious place, let this prayer resonate in you.
God for us, we call you Father.
God alongside us, we call you Jesus.
God within us, we call you Holy Spirit.
You are the eternal mystery that enables, enfolds, and enlivens all things.
Even us and even me.
Every name falls short of your goodness and greatness.
We can only see who you are in what is.
We ask for such perfect seeing –
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.
Amen. (So be it.)
As we journey through this week, together, with Jesus,
Toni Sillis
Principal
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.
Today we had our school photos taken and I’d like to express my sincere thanks to all our parents who ensured that the children were in full Winter uniform. They looked terrific with their new haircuts which made them proud to be Good Samaritan boys and girls.
Your continued support of all we do at Good Samaritan is very much appreciated.
Next week is Good Samaritan’s Screen Aware Week. We have Screen Aware Week every term to support student use of screens and devices. This includes teaching students the importance of putting screens away and developing face to face skills with each other. We also take this week to revise our Good Samaritan iPad and computer expectations and procedures in class.
Recently, the Sydney Morning Herald highlighted the addictive nature of gaming with the headline Parents of Game Obsessed Teens Begging for Help. The article highlights the fact that gaming is now being considered a disorder. It also highlights the physical impact of children and young people who do not move as much as what is needed for their bodies to remain strong and healthy. This highlights that children are taking risks online rather than physically which, in the past, may have been seen as broken bones, scrapes and grazes.
The article also speaks about devices being used within schools. At Good Samaritan, we aim to have a proactive approach to the balanced use of technology within classrooms. Students come to understand that technology is used for learning. From time to time, games might be accessed however there is always an educational outcome that is related.
Research is starting to show that children’s sleep patterns are affecting their learning and general functioning throughout the day. The high use of technology and screens, including television, is being attributed in part to this concern. Having regular sleep routines is extremely important for all school age children and this includes having a regular bed time. The Sleep Foundation recommends that school age children (6-13 years) have 9-11 hours of sleep every night.
Screen Aware Week may be a good opportunity to review your screen expectations, including keeping screens out of bedrooms and having some no-screen times or days throughout the week.
Tomorrow and Friday is the Annual Diocesan Principals’ Retreat. Mrs Hailstone will be Acting Principal until the end of the week. I will return to work on Monday 29 August.
Student FUN DAY - 10 Years of GSFM
To celebrate 10 years of Good Samaritan students will take part in a GSFM Student Fun Day on Wednesday 14 September. This day will involve games, icecream, stalls, activities and a sausage sizzle for all students.
The day will begin with a whole school Mass celebrated by Bishop Brian Mascord followed by a morning tea for parents and invited guests. Students are expected to wear full school uniform on this day of celebration.
The day will be a chance to thank the students for their commitment to our wonderful school community.
The day is being hosted and supported by the P&F and there will be no cost to the students.
The Year Six students will be setting up and running a range of activities and games on this day.
We look forward to celebrating 10 Years of Good Samaritan together throughout this week.
Personal Development and Health
The information provided each week allows for discussion about the content covered in Personal Development lesson each week.
The content covered in Session 5:
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Kindergarten students are learning to identify body signals so that we can recognise unsafe situations. Question to discuss with children: What are some body signals you might feel when you are feeling unsafe? |
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Year 1 students are practising persistence when seeking help from trusted adults. Question to discuss with children: What are some possible reasons why people don’t listen or immediately act when we tell them something? |
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Year 2 students are learning to recognise body signals that might come with different feelings. Question to discuss with children: The feelings and signals we get when we are safe are yes feelings. What are some yes feelings that you feel when you are safe? The feelings and signals we get when we are unsafe are no feelings. What are some feelings and signals that you get when you are feeling unsafe? Remember to NO-GO-TELL when you get unsafe body feelings. |
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Year 3 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 4 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 5 students are learning strategies so that we can stay hygienic during puberty. Questions to discuss with children: What are some ways to stay hygienic and healthy during puberty? Do you have any questions about the changes you are or will be going through? |
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Year 6 students are learning about the reproductive system so that we can understand the process of creating babies in a healthy life-giving relationship. Question to discuss with children: What were some examples of a healthy, life-giving relationship? |
Look Closer:
Running the Race:
It is important to remember that our life on earth is short and, in the time that we have, we should prepare ourselves for our eternal life with God. When life is difficult, remember that Jesus is always with us and will always give us what we need when we turn to Him in prayer.
Talk about it:
Share an experience when prayer gave you the power to overcome a difficult time.
FRUIT AND VEG MONTH 2022
MONDAY 29 AUGUST- FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER
This year’s theme is all about Building Fruit and Veg Communities!
Students are encouraged to think more about what fruit and veg your family is eating and if you need to increase your intake for your health. Discuss how we can grow some of our own. Each class has a poster and stickers to encourage more fruit and veg to be eaten.
Book Week:
Book Week Parade - Friday 26th August @ 12pm
Have you got a costume ready?
Book Week celebrations will take place this Friday, 26 August. Students are invited to come to school dressed as a book character. They are encouraged to be creative and use recycled materials to create a costume. It is suggested that they also bring the book their character is taken from.
Please ensure they are dressed appropriately and have closed-in shoes. The students will have time after recess to prepare their costume and get ready for the parade at 12noon. Parents and families are welcome to join us for the book parade.
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.
We hope Book Week is a chance to celebrate a love of reading and to highlight the significance of books in our lives.
Students will take part in a range of activities based on this year's Book Week award winners. The full list of winners can be found here https://cbca.org.au/shortlist-2022
A book fair will be set up on the morning of the Book Week Parade, Friday 26 August from 8:20am in the school playground. Mrs Medina will have a range of books for students to donate. This will also be available before and after the parade.
Students can purchase a book which will be donated back into the Good Samaritan Library. The donation price of these are $5, $10 or $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. If students would like to donate a book please ensure they have the correct money in an envelope.
Cash purchases only will be available.
Love of Learning
How Can We Involve in Our Community?
- Encourage others through turn taking.
- Encourage students to listen to each other.
- Raising your hand
- Not giving up - persist when things get tough
- Working through or facing a challenge
- Using good manners when asking for help
- being a willing and consistent helper
- including others in games and activities
- Students are encouraged to ask for help - every question is relevant and valued
GSFM Social Norm focus for our Playground
Social Norm #3: Pay attention to others.
- Stop what you’re doing so you can listen.
- Read people’s emotions through their body language and facial expressions.
- Change your behaviour to match what other people are doing, such as quieting down with the rest of the room.
Working With Children Check (WWCC)
In order for the school to ensure that all staff and volunteers have the necessary WWCC, all parents who wish to volunteer are asked to ensure that they have the appropriate clearance in order to remain as a volunteer within the school. Once the WWCC is completed the school maintains a register of parents who are able to volunteer within the school. This includes classroom assistance, excursions, camps, canteen, Library assistance and general helping about the school.
Further information about the Working With Children Check can be found on the CEDoW website. Follow this link to the website.
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
The Canteen will be open
WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY and FRIDAY EACH WEEK
Term 3 2022
August:
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
Tuesday 30 August
Year 1 Symbio Excursion
September:
Friday 2 September
Father's Day BBQ Breakfast & Stall
Friday 2 September
PB4L Day
Monday 5 September
Feast of Mother Teresa
Monday 5 September
Students can wear Summer Uniform
Thursday 8 September
R U OK Day
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
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.