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10 Year Gala Event
Friday 16 September 6:30pm
The Fraternity Club
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.
- Tickets for this adult only event will be available up until the close of business on Thursday 8 September. Tickets are $120 per person and can be purchased at https://www.trybooking.com/CBMCB
- Today is the final call for sponsors for the 10 Year Gala Event
- Raffle tickets have been sent home this week: Great prizes to be won!
Silent Auction:
A Silent Auction will be running over the course of the next week. This has been made possible by our generous sponsors.
Place a bid on this form before the evening.
Funds raised from our 10 Year Gala Event 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.
Thank You to our generous Gala Event Sponsors
Anniversary Mass & Student Fun Day
Wednesday 14 September
9:30am: Mass with Bishop Brian Mascord presiding
10:45am: Morning Tea for invited guests and visitors in the hall
11:30am: Student Fun Day Rotations
(Year 6 parents only to stay as parent helpers during rotations)
Consent is required via Compass for children to participate in all activities.
Students are to wear Summer or Winter uniform (no sports uniform)
Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,
Last week’s Father’s Day celebrations were such a wonderful display of what we have all come to value about the Good Samaritan community. So many people commented on how much ‘love’ could be felt across the playground and then into the classrooms.
Thank you to Tom and Amy from Wildmann Group and all those who helped out on the BBQ. Stomachs were very satisfied with the breakfast that was so generously provided. Thank you to our P&F and the mothers who ran the Father’s Day Stall - so many smiles from so many children as they gathered in the hall to buy their dad that special gift.
This generosity of time and spirit is never expected in a school community however it is such a gift when it comes. On Friday afternoon I read a short reflection that focused on just that - everything being a gift.
Everything is a gift—one hundred percent pure gift.
The reason any of us woke up this morning had very little to do with us and
everything to do with God. All twenty-four hours today are a total gift.
And so, the only real prayer is to say “Thank you!” and to keep saying it.
When our prayer is constantly “Thank you,” and we know we deserve nothing,
and that everything is a gift, we stop counting. Only when we stop counting
and figuring out what we deserve, will we move from the world of merit into
the wonderful world of grace. And in the world of grace, everything is free.
As we head towards the end of the term there is so much to be thankful for at Good Samaritan. The commitment and generosity of our parent community who so easily volunteer their time and skills whether it be coaching sporting teams, establishing gardens, cooking BBQs, helping out in classrooms, sponsoring our 10 Year Gala Event or making sure that your child is Ready to Learn every day - you are what makes Good Samaritan the wonderful place it is for our students to thrive.
As we journey together, with Jesus, this week,
Toni Sillis
Principal
Congratulations to the P&F Father’s Day Raffle Winners!
1st Prize:
Maddi T (Y3) - Victa 18” Classic Catch Petrol Lawnmower
2nd Prize:
Cassandra (Y3) - Wheelbarrow filled with BBQ & Gardening Tools
3rd Prize:
Leo (Y2) - Ryobi Cordless Line Trimmer
4th Prize:
Amari (Y4) - Ryobi Cordless Garden Blower
5th Prize:
Genevieve (Y4) - Ryobi Water Pressure Washer
Once again, thank you to Bunnings for the generous donations for the P&F Father’s Day Raffle.
Good Samaritan Awards:
The Good Samaritan Awards are being reinstituted this term after a period of delay due to the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. A significant element of receiving this award is the prayer and morning tea that accompanies the presentation.
Due to the school being in remote learning for week 10, the Good Samaritan Award Presentation will occur on Monday 10 October (Term 4 Week 1).
The PB4L Team recently reviewed the Awards and Rewards structure of the school including the criteria of the Good Samaritan Award. This is outlined below:
The Good Samaritan Award is the formal recognition of a student’s commitment to Catholic learning, belonging, celebration, hope, respect and justice. This includes achievement, appropriate behaviour and consistently doing their best. The award is based upon the school vision statement embedding the Rule of St Benedict:
We are a Catholic community, inclusive and compassionate,
promoting quality learning, journeying with Jesus, drawing
all into the heart of God.
Therefore, the criteria for the award includes, but is not limited to a number of the following characteristics and core values by demonstrating a love of God and of all around them:
- using their personal gifts with humility
- a consistent commitment to applying themselves to their learning
- demonstrated improvement in their learning
- showing reverence and respect to the earth and all that God has made
- focusing on serving the community of Good Samaritan
- being an advocate for those in need or less fortunate both within the community and the wider global community
- a willingness to assist
This following describes the validation procedure for receiving a Good Samaritan Award:
Guidelines
- Teachers nominate one (1) student from each class, including Amaroo and the Learning Support Centre, in each term to receive the Good Samaritan Award.
- First Validation: Nominated student recipients are validated by teachers across the grade.
- Second Validation: Nominated student recipients are validated by the Principal and School Leadership Team.
- Students are eligible to receive the Good Samaritan Award once within a 2 year period.
- The Good Samaritan Award is designed so that all students have the opportunity to receive the award however, not all students will receive the award throughout their enrolment at Good Samaritan.
- The Good Samaritan award will be presented at the end of term prayer/mass/liturgy.
- Parents/Carers of award recipients will be invited to attend the award presentation and accompanying morning tea by the Middle Leader and Principal.
- The receiving of the award is kept confidential with only parents/carers being informed.
- The school’s validation process is the final decision of award recipients.
- One (1) award is presented to the student.
RUOK? Day:
This RUOK? DAY, GSFM are inviting everyone to start a meaningful conversation, and shine a light on mental health and wellbeing.
As a school community we will acknowledge and support RUOK? Day on Thursday 8 September 2022. This day will be incorporated into our term 3 PB4L Day.
RUOK? Day is a national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’
Students are encouraged to wear yellow themed mufti ensuring they have appropriate clothing and covered in shoes.
Tomorrow, we will also be celebrating the great things we do at Good Samaritan and participating in activities in our grades focusing on our whole school behaviour expectations in the classroom and on the playground.
Below is a colouring activity you may like to download for your child to help reinforce an RUOK? conversation.
WEEK 10: REMOTE LEARNING
Teachers have been busily planning for remote learning in Week 10 to allow students to access learning. Students in Kindergarten, Amaroo and the Learning Support Centre will receive printed booklets to complete throughout the week. The rest of the school will complete activities online.
Learning Plans will be published and shared with the school community at the end of Week 9, Friday 16 September. Daily overviews for each class will be available and individual teachers will share work through the learning platform with which students are most familiar. Years 1-4 will use Seesaw and Years 5-6 will use Google Classroom.
Daily ZOOM class meetings will be set up for students in Year 1 - 6. These will be a short 10- 15 check in at a set time each day except Wednesday.
Zoom Meetings:
Years 1 & 2 will be at 9am
Years 3,4,5 & 6 will be at 9:30am
The expectations of the ZOOM meetings will be discussed in class during Week 9.
See outlined expectations to reinforce with your child/ren.
Wednesday has been set aside as a device free day. Students will be given learning activities that can be completed without the use of technology.
More information will be provided next week.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
The information provided each week allows for discussion about the content covered in Personal Development lessons each week.
The content covered in Session 7:
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Kindergarten students are practising how to seek help so that they know what to do when they feel unsafe. Question to discuss with children: When we feel unsafe, we can say no, we can go, and we can tell someone we trust - this is the NO.GO.TELL strategy - when could we use this? |
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Year 1 students are learning to identify male and female parts of the body that are private. Question to discuss with children: What could you do if someone wants to touch you on the…? Practice on different parts of the body using the correct anatomical names. |
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Year 2 students are practising strategies to respond to bullying situations. Question to discuss with children: Bullying is something that someone does to someone else on purpose to make them feel bad and does it over and over again. Have you ever seen bullying happening? What did you do? |
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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 to describe protective actions so that we can identify skills to address abuse of power in relationships. Question to discuss with children: If someone is abusing their power how might it affect someone? |
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Year 6 students are learning to explore how emotions can vary according to context and recognise level of risk in certain situations. Question to discuss with children: What are potential risks or unsafe situation you may find yourself in? |
First Holy Communion
We pray for our Year 3 students who will make their First Holy Communion this weekend.
Lord Jesus Christ, bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time. May this day be the step toward a life-long love of the Eucharist.
Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship. Thank you for their innocence and goodness.
May their hands, extended in anticipation of your body and blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred Sacrament. Amen.
Please Pray For:
The Alenddaf family on the death of Teresa’s grandmother - Eilas and Elessia’s ‘big nonna’.
May eternal rest Grant unto her O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon her.
Year 3 has been engaging in lots of fun and interesting learning so far this term. As part of our history unit, we are learning about the history of the Illawarra.
We started this unit of learning with an amazing execution to Killalea Regional Park where we learnt about local Aboriginal History from local Dharwal Educators.
The day covered Aboriginal weapons, artifacts, dance and bush tucker. A great day was had by all.
In week 5, Year 4 went on an excursion to ‘The Rocks’.
We dressed up as convicts, British soldiers, governors and free settlers. We visited heritage listed sites and learnt about significant structures that are still standing today.
We loved our excursion. Here are a few photos from the day.
Love of Learning
How Can We Share in Our Community?
- We are willing and consistent helpers.
- We are able to check in using the Zones of Regulation.
- We consistently try to work through and face challenges
- When we work in a small group
- When we show we are being a welcoming class member
- When we are including others in games
- When we can describe how to Work well with others
- Contributing one's talents to the welfare of the group
- Knowing that it’s ok to agree with the thinking of others “I was thinking that” hand movement.
- Being involved in student led discussion and learning experiences
- When we share thinking and mental strategies we use in our learning
- Knowing what to say to show kindness like ‘I like the way you… because…'
GSFM Social Norm focus for our Playground
Social Norm #4: Think about others before acting.
- Ask for consent.
- Respect personal space.
- Wait your turn.
- Stand a comfortable distance away when talking.
From the School Handbook:
School Attendance and Absences
It is most important that students attend school unless there exists a genuine reason for absence. It is also most important that students attend school for the full school day. Whilst the first 10 minutes of school or the last 20 minutes of the school day may seem unimportant to parents, it is during these times that students are instructed of the essential routines and guides of the school day that help to create productive learning environments. As parents, you are urged to ensure your child/ren arrive at school on time and stay for the complete school day every day of the week.
CEDoW ATTENDANCE POLICY AND GOOD SAMARITAN PROCEDURES
Good Samaritan aligns Attendance Policy and Procedures with the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Attendance Policy.
Under this policy it states that it is the parents' responsibility for regular attendance and that they are legally obligated under the Education Act 1990.
Unsatisfactory school attendance is when:
- Regular absences without explanation occurs, this includes partial absences
- Explanations not accepted by the Principal
- Extended periods of absence without an explanation
Lateness is a partial absence which must be explained. All absences must be explained to the school within 7 days of the absence.
Permission to leave the school early must have been authorised in advance by the Principal or Assistant Principal in the Principal's absence.
Parents/carers must provide an explanation by Compass, phone, email or in person to the school:
- if your child is late for school, explaining this partial absence;
- if your child is absent for a full day from school, explaining this full absence; or
- if you are planning for your child to be absent from school, explaining this partial or full absence.
Medical certificates are required for extended absences due to medical reasons. Respiratory symptoms reporting must be followed in accordance with COVID-19 procedures.
Acceptable reasons for a partial or full absence include:
- Medical illness
- Medical appointment
- Pre-approved travel. It is encouraged that travel is undertaken during school holiday periods
- Other explained absence i.e funeral, special event, religious ceremony or critical incident
- Domestic necessity i.e misadventure, unforeseen event, serious illness of an immediate family member
- Natural disaster
- Other school activity
- Elite Arts/Sport
If absent for 10 consecutive days parents/carers must request and complete the school Application for Extended Leave form.
In accordance with CEDoW guidelines, attendance letters will be sent out twice per term in Weeks 5 and 10 to parents/carer via COMPASS, in regards to unexplained absences. Strategies will be adopted in accordance with the CEDoW Attendance Policy where attendance is unsatisfactory.
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.
The Canteen will be open
WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY and FRIDAY EACH WEEK
Term 3 2022
September:
Thursday 8 September
R U OK Day - All Students to wear Yellow
PB4L Day
Wednesday 14 September
Feast of the Holy Cross - Feast Day 10 Years of Good Samaritan
Mass at 9:30am
Fun Day for Students - Full Summer/Winter Uniform to be worn.
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