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- From the Principal's Desk
- Small Steps Anxiety Information Seminar for Parents:
- Major Repair Work of Parish Car Park:
- Thank You!
- Annual Parent Survey:
- Staffing Update:
- Our Catholic Life and Identity
- School News
- PB4L @ GSFM
- Parent and School Partnership
- Canteen News
- For Your Calendar
- Important Dates
- Noticeboard
Dear Parents and Caregivers of Good Samaritan,
Last week was the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi (4 October). St Francis lived for 45 years (1181-1226) and his timeless legacy continues to be honoured by both Catholic and non-Catholics who unite in the simplicity and grace of spirit that captures the human imagination.
St Francis was born in Assisi to quite a well off family. He was a regular young man that we would recognise today as charming, happy go lucky and not too interested in the business of his father. Life events, including being a prisoner of war, led Francis to a life of poverty. He believed that God was speaking to him to look after the poor, the marginalised and those who had lost their way.
Francis never sought out followers however followers began to seek him out. This led to the movement that we now know as the Franciscans. Francis has a strong connection with the Benedictines from whom he rented a small property in a place called Portiuncula (the ‘little portion’).
Francis loved all creatures. He loved to refer to all creatures as his ‘brothers’ - Brother Sun, Brother Sky, Brother Fish. He even called the idle members of his community Brother Fly!
Francis’ life was a journey of decisions - many forks in the road where he chose the narrow, difficult way over the wider easier route. He was continually surprised at how that harder road would bring joy time after time.
Francis wanted people to be free - free to be what they wanted to be in their own hearts. He wanted them to be brave enough to ask what they really wanted to do with their life.
We know St Francis as the Patron Saint of animals, Catholic action, ecology, Italy, merchants and zoos. As I reflected on the life and message of St Francis I was reminded of the actions of our Kindergarten students at the end of last term. Kindergarten built a beautiful garden for us all to share. However, in the building of the garden they gathered the community who worked for Brother Earth.
On the Feast Day of St Francis, Good Samaritan representatives along with St Brigid’s and Parish opened a garden dedicated to St Francis at the Cathedral.
Next time you are in the school walk by the Kindergarten garden or if you are near the Cathedral, take a moment to stop and reflect on Brother Earth and all that that is given to us to share, love and cherish.
Until next time, as we journey together with Jesus and St Francis,
Toni Sillis
Principal
Good Samaritan will be holding a Small Steps Anxiety Information Seminar for Parents next week on Tuesday 18 October. There are 2 sessions available for parents: 2pm-3pm OR 5pm-6pm. Please note each session contains the same information.
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.
Major repair work of the Parish Car Park will take place next week beginning on Monday 17 October. This work was planned for the recent student vacation period however the weather stalled progress of the work.
This means that our morning and afternoon carline routine will not be available for the full week. We should be able to resume these routines on Monday 24 October.
Throughout the week (17 October - 21 October) the carpark will only be open for staff parking. The main gate of Cabbage Tree Lane will be closed from 8:20am each morning.
All parents and carers are asked to make alternative drop off and pick up arrangements throughout this week. This may mean allowing some extra time in the morning to avoid parking and/or traffic delays. Please be mindful of any No Stopping/No Standing zones around the school to avoid being penalised by Police or Rangers. Also be considerate of our neighbours and their access to and from their driveways on Cabbage Tree Lane or McGrath St.
To assist with dismissal, Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 classes will be ready for dismissal in front of the Year 2 classrooms (weather permitting) at 2:45pm each day. Amaroo classes will also be ready for dismissal at 2:45pm at their classrooms. Parents are asked to exit the grounds promptly to allow for the primary class dismissal.
Years 3, 5 and 6 will be dismissed at 3pm from their classrooms. Year 4 will be dismissed at 3pm from the Primary playground (under the shade COLA).
Staff will be at each alternate entry to the school to ensure the safe entry and exit for students.
Please ensure that any caregivers (grandparents, family friends etc) are aware of this change in routine for this week if they assist with the morning and/or afternoon routines.
I apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause however the carpark is a potential WH&S hazard for both the school and parish community and needs to be rectified as soon as possible.
Thank you to our generous P&F who recently purchased 3 water bottle refill stations for our playground. The children love the stations and are looking after them really well.
The P&F are able to support the school in this way due to the generosity of our parent community with fundraising events.
The Good Samaritan Annual Parent Survey is now available for completion. This survey is designed to capture a range of experiences and attitudes of the school community towards practices and procedures.
The surveys aims to capture opinions about the culture of a school, including
how welcoming and supportive the school is. It will also provide data on the practices that parents and teachers are employing to support students at home and in the classroom.
The data captured in the survey will be used to plan for continuous school improvement and to measure and monitor the effective practices and procedures of the school over a period of time.
The annual parent survey will be triangulated with the data from the student and staff surveys that will also be completed over the coming weeks.
Please take a few minutes to complete this year’s survey. Click here to access the survey. The survey will close at 4pm on Friday 21 October.
As we head into Term 4 we begin the annual staffing process in readiness for the 2023 school year. This often becomes the period of time when staff reassess their intentions for the new school year and also their ongoing personal and professional formation.
In doing so, Mrs Meg Brannon has made the decision to resign her position at Good Samaritan. Mrs Brannon’s work at Good Samaritan during the first 10 years of the school was significant in building the strong culture we enjoy today.
Mrs Brannon will continue to work casually across schools including Good Samaritan so students will continue to have contact with her as time goes on.
I'd like to sincerely thank Mrs Brannon for all she has done for, and brought to, Good Samaritan.
Wollongong and Fairy Meadow Catholic Women’s League
ANNUAL RAFFLE
Tickets are now available for the CWL Annual Raffle. Great prizes to be won!
1st Prize:
$500 cash
2nd Prize:
St George Dragons General Admission Family Pass and Merchandise Pack (6 Games)
Valued at $285
3rd Prize:
Figtree Gourmet Kitchen Dinner Voucher
Valued at $200
Plus 5 Hampers to be won!
Tickets $2 each and are available at the school office
Drawn: Friday 9 December
at the Combined Schools and Parish Christmas Evening
Welcome back to Term 4.
Library will be open on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.
Below is the timetable for borrowing:
MONDAY:
Amaroo Blue
LSC
1 Gold
6 Blue
5 Gold
6 Gold
4 Blue
TUESDAY:
5 Red
3 Blue
3 Gold
5 Blue
FRIDAY:
1 Blue
Amaroo Gold
Kinder Blue
Kinder Gold
2 Blue
2 Gold
4 Gold
Students will need to bring a library bag (no plastic)
The Mission Behaviours help us to recognise the actions of others, and ourselves, when we are together in community. The students are also coming to know these behaviours and what are being taught the actions that can identify the behaviours.
Understanding the Mission Behaviours also provides an opportunity for us to love learning. Our PB4L values are aligned with the Mission Behaviours.
From the School Handbook:
School Uniform Policy
The wearing of the correct school uniform is very important at Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School as it creates a greater sense of equality among the student population despite the diverse socio-economic backgrounds of their families.
The following are some basic guidelines for following the expectations associated with wearing the correct school uniform at Good Samaritan:
- All students are to wear the full, correct uniform at all times.
- Uniforms are to be labelled, cleaned, pressed, properly repaired and worn neatly at all times.
- Damaged or shabby items of uniform are to be replaced.
- School uniform regulations apply equally to hair, jewellery, make-up (including false fingernails), hats and shoes.
- Classroom teachers are responsible for checking uniform on a daily basis.
- Where a uniform breach occurs a verbal reminder/warning is given.
- If a repetition of uniform breaches occurs, parents will be contacted by way of letter.
- Students out of uniform, who have a valid reason, should have a note to this effect, signed by their parents. This is to be counter-signed by the classroom teacher.
- For extreme breaches of the uniform code, a student may be isolated from the rest of the school.
- Where genuine financial difficulties hamper a student in fully meeting all uniform requirements, the Principal may supply items of uniform at the school’s expense.
All items of uniform must be purchased from the Good Samaritan Uniform Shop.
Basis of Discretion
- Discretion may be used when a student is out of uniform on the first occasion.
- The Principal has the right to waver uniform requirements in special circumstances.
Thank You to our 10 Year Gala Event Sponsors:
We shared together in an enjoyable evening of food, drink, games, music and dancing whilst reflecting on the importance of community.
We would like to again acknowledge and say THANK YOU to our wonderful sponsors who contributed so significantly to make the gala event such a success.
Platinum Sponsors:
Construction Science
First Class Accountants
Gifts by Bella
R&D Group
Journey 2 Business & Personal Wealth
Adam Casey’s Football Academy
SMAI Fitness
Soul Fit Woonona
Maintenance Made Easy
Gold Sponsors:
Balgownie Beauty
Stella Interiors
Silver Sponsors:
Carbon Reduction Institute
Evil Eye Cafe
The Fraternity Club
Interscope Flooring
Quest Accounting & Financial Services
Regional Appliance and Electrical Services
Figtree Travel
Bronze Sponsors:
Boston Money
Emmanuel’s Barber Shop
Grand Connection Gifts
The Humber Bar
Ianni & Co Property
Studio Mikayla
Ivy & Quill
Lighthouse Home Loans
MG Marino Group
MCR - Multi Civil & Rail
One Agency - JD Property Agents
PCC Computers
Perossa Hair Artistry
Perre Bros Smash
Vantage Dental
Wolf & Woman Distillery
The Canteen will be open
WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY and FRIDAY EACH WEEK
Items to be discussed:
- 10 Year Gala Event Wrap Up
- Colour Run
- Welcome to 2023 Kindergarten
Come along & join in the discussion whilst enjoying the company of other parents!
If you wish to attend the P&F meeting via zoom follow these details:
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/64556102577?pwd=RHJMeE80UUdrYTVSbGt2UTA1eVdFZz09
Password: 531322
Term 4 2022
October:
Wednesday 12 October
Christmas Art Exhibition Openiong Night 5-7pm
Friday 14 October
Liturgy for Minnie Vinnies 9.30am
MUFTI DAY for Vinnies
Monday 17 October
Year 3 2023 School Managed iPad meeting (Year 2 2022 parents) 6PM
Monday 17 October
P&F Meeting 7PM
Tuesday 18 October
Year 3 2023 School Managed iPad meeting (Year 2 2022 parents) 9.15am
Tuesday 18 October
Small Steps Anxiety Information Seminar for Parents 2-3pm
Friday 21 October
Socktober Mufti day-Students are encouraged to wear sport socks and/or sport jerseys and bring along a gold coin donation.
Monday 24 October
Kindergarten 2023 Parent Information Night 6-8pm(children do not attend)
Thursday 27 October
Kindergarten 2023 Playgroup
Friday 28 October
Kindergarten 2023 Playgroup
November:
Tuesday 1 November
All Saints Day
Wednesday 2 November
All Souls Day
Thursday 3 November
Kindergarten 2023 Playgroup
Friday 4 November
Kindergarten 2023 Playgroup
Thursday 10 November
Kindergarten 2023 Playgroup
Friday 11 November
Kindergarten 2023 Playgroup
Monday 14 November
Andrew Chinn Day for Christmas (students only)
Thurday 17 November
Kindergarten 2023 Playgroup
Friday 18 November
P&F Colour Run
Friday 18 November
Kindergarten 2023 Playgroup
Thursday 24 November
Kindergarten 2023 Orientation Day
Friday 25 November
Staff Spirituality Day (This is a Pupil Free Day - students do not attend school on this day) Staff will be off site for the day.
December:
Tuesday 6 December
Year 6 Farewell Mass 9.30am (Year 6 parents please note change due to an adjustment in Fr Bernard's calender.)
Friday 9 December
Christmas Carols -a combined Lumen Christi, Good Samaritan and St Brigid's event 6.30pm at St Francis Xavier Cathedral
Thursday 15 December
Year 6 Farewell - Fraternity Club (students only)
Friday 16 December
Final day of school for students 2022
