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- From the Principal's Desk
- P & F Colour Explosion Fun Run
- How are classes formed each year?
- Staffing - 2023:
- Organising School Uniforms for 2023:
- What is an appropriate haircut for school?
- Library News:
- From the Assistant Principal's Desk
- Our Catholic Life and Identity
- School News
- Sports News:
- PB4L @ GSFM
- Canteen News
- Pupil Free Day
- Parent and School Partnership
- Important Dates for Term 4
- ALUMNI:
- Noticeboard
All information for the combined Lumen Christi Parish & Schools’ Christmas Concert have been sent on Compass.
Dear Parents and Caregivers of Good Samaritan,
What a wonderful day we had at the P&F Colour Explosion Fun Run last Friday. It was a real day where we can reflect on how much gratitude and generosity is in our community.
As I reflected on Friday, I was humbled by the fact that the students enjoyed themselves so much and the day really didn’t involve any major incidents or injuries - which is always a risk with days such as this.
I think the smooth running of the day comes down to the generosity of our parent community with their time in organising the fun run materials, the sausage sizzle and the ice blocks as well as manning the colour stations around the course.
I am sure that our strong reinforcement of routines, procedures and expectations throughout each term by our staff also contributed to the success of the day.
The day was highly successful from a donation point of view with many students vying for the opportunity to slime Mrs Hailstone or myself. This was evident in us having to ‘recruit’ a couple more staff members to be slimed - such good sports they were too!
Once again, a reflection I read this week speaks to gratitude and generosity. It says:
‘Gratitude and generosity are similar virtues, but they differ in that gratitude is an internal characteristic and generosity is our external expression of our sense of gratitude. Basically, gratitude is how we feel, and generosity is how we express that feeling out in the world. . .’
On Friday we witnessed our community displaying these virtues thousandfold. And for that I am most grateful.
Enjoy the week ahead - as we journey together with Jesus,
Toni Sillis
Principal
MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM YOUR PRIZE VIA THE COLOUR EXPLOSION FUN RUN WEBSITE https://myprofilepage.com.au/
ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT TO CLAIM PRIZES!!
Attached to the newsletter this week is the Formation of Classes Policy and Procedure. This policy is used to direct the process of class formation each year. This is a lengthy process that works towards ensuring that every child’s needs are considered. The process begins throughout Term 4. It is important that parents are aware that the teachers know the students within the school - classroom and playground - environment exceptionally well and always put the best interests of every child first.
Please take time to read the policy. This will give you some indication of the process. Whilst parental requests are considered, there is never a guarantee that they will be granted. If you plan to make a request, particularly about your child being placed within a friendship group, please be aware that there may be circumstances surrounding such requests that prevent it from being granted.
Often there can be experiences where children are placed in classes with friends upon parental requests. The children have then encountered difficulties with the friendship causing awkward situations for all involved that could possibly have been avoided. In addition, parents have requested that their child not be with a particular child/ren and the concern rests more with the adults than the child/ren involved.
Please remember that, first and foremost, Good Samaritan is a place of learning. Learning involves academic achievement as well as learning how to work effectively with a range of people including peers, teachers and school support officers.
Classes will be finalised on Monday 12 December.
No further changes to classes will be made beyond this date.
The staffing process is currently continuing and we are hoping to have this complete by early next week. Following this I will be able to communicate staff and class allocations with parents.
The wearing of the school uniform is an outward sign of the respect that a student has for themselves and the Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School community. The Good Samaritan uniform serves as an outward sign of what the school stands for, and the correct wearing of uniform is an indication of students’ pride in being members of the school community. At Good Samaritan, we believe that the wearing of a school uniform reduces the social inequities that may be evident in a community that does not enforce a standard uniform. This assists in respecting the dignity of each individual by reducing social class barriers.
Joggers that are predominantly white are to be worn for sport and fitness. They must be predominantly white and may be lace up or velcro. No slip on ‘Raben’ type shoes, indoor soccer boots or coloured joggers are to be worn. Pictorial examples of appropriate joggers are shown here.
School holidays can be a time where rules and expectations may relax in relation to haircuts and colours etc. However, parents are required to support these expectations as we head into the new school year.
HAIR
Students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner. Hair should be well brushed and combed and it is assumed that hair will not be in such a condition as to invite comment.
BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Extreme styles, bleaching, colouring or dyeing of hair are not permitted.
- Gel, mousse and hair spray or other substances should not be used.
- There will be no undercuts, steps or shaved lines within the hair.
- Nothing shorter than a Number 3 comb is acceptable.
- Hair should not extend to cover the eyes.
- Students who do not abide by the haircut requirements will be asked to fix the identified problem.
- Long hair is to be tied back or plaited.
- Ribbons and bands of school colour are to be worn.
New Year! New Class!
All students K-5 will take part in a Transition program over the next few weeks to prepare for the new year. This program introduces students to the changes that will take place next year. At the end of the program they will meet their teacher for the 2023 school year and share information about themselves with their new teacher.
Screens Aware Week
Each term during Week 7 we take time to focus on being screen aware across the school community. Time is dedicated to refocus and reteach classroom technology expectations and review the school guidelines for iPad/Computer use.
Parents may like to take an opportunity to rethink or reinforces expectations at home as well. The eSafety Commissioner has a wealth of resources for parents including how to establish good online habits from a young age - Good Habits Start Young.
ADVENT
This Sunday marks the “First Sunday of Advent”
The Church calendar begins with the Advent Season. This is a time of preparation, not for Christmas gifts, lunches and holidays, (although they too are exciting) but for the great feast of God’s revelation through the birth of Jesus Christ. Like the Jews waiting for the Messiah, we look forward to the second coming of Christ at the end of time. Although we do not know the hour nor the day, each Advent we renew our faith in this great promise.
Andrew Chinn Concert
On Tuesday 29 November, Australian religious songwriter and singer, Andrew Chinn, will be visiting our school to lead an Advent/Christmas Concert with our children. Andrew’s songs, such as “These Hands”, “Rainbow”, “An African Blessing” and “Rise Up!” are used in classrooms and liturgies around Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. This is a STUDENT ONLY event. Children are invited to wear Christmas Mufti. We are looking forward to celebrating with Andrew Chinn.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Card Competition
Back by popular demand is the Vinnies 2022 Christmas Card Competition!
We would love students to get involved.
Last year, the Vinnies Christmas Card Competition started in schools and was a wonderful success! Vinnies members are now using these cards to share holiday messages as we enter the Christmas season.
Visit this webpage for more information and to submit your child’s entries. Winners will be announced before the end of Term 4.
This is NOT a school competition. Students enter with PARENTAL SUPPORT.
Faith in Action at Good Samaritan
As we approach the end of the 2022 school year, we will be having our yearly Vinnies Christmas Appeal for people in need in our community.
Collection of items will be this week.
Mini Vinnie’s Christmas Hamper Appeal
The annual St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal is fast approaching! To contribute to the Christmas Hamper Appeal please bring in the following food items. These will be collected by the St Vincent De Paul Fairy Meadow and Wollongong Conference Members and distributed to people in need in our community.
|
Kindergarten Amaroo |
Fruit cake (no mince pies please) |
|
Year 1 |
UHT milk/custard |
|
Year 2 |
Sweet Biscuits |
|
Year 3 |
Cereal |
|
Year 4 |
Crackers/chips |
|
Year 5 |
Soft Drink |
|
Year 6 |
Lollies (soft) |
Feast of St Francis Xavier:
Saturday 3 December 2022
On December 3, we celebrate the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, who is considered by some to be the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles.
After studying at the University of Paris and then joining the Jesuits, St Francis travelled as a missionary to India, Malaya, Japan, and Sancian, a small island off the coast of China.
To celebrate the Feast of the Patron Saint of our Cathedral, you are invited to Wollongong Cathedral for Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (11am to 12pm), Mass at 12:10pm, and a blessing with the relic of St Francis at the end of Mass.
Mini Vinnie’s Christmas Hamper Appeal
The annual St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal is fast approaching! To contribute to the Christmas Hamper Appeal please bring in the following food items. These will be collected by the St Vincent De Paul Fairy Meadow and Wollongong Conference Members and distributed to people in need in our community.
|
Kindergarten Amaroo |
Fruit cake (no mince pies please) |
|
Year 1 |
UHT milk/custard |
|
Year 2 |
Sweet Biscuits |
|
Year 3 |
Cereal |
|
Year 4 |
Crackers/chips |
|
Year 5 |
Soft Drink |
|
Year 6 |
Lollies (soft) |
News from Year 5
Year 5 have enjoyed learning about Solids, Liquids and Gases and how these properties can change to form a different type of matter. We have made ice cream from using ice, milk and salts. Another fun experiment was mixing a solid with a liquid to create gas! The result from mixing baking soda and vinegar was that it formed a gas and the gas blew the balloon up.
News fromYear 6
Year 6 have thoroughly enjoyed working with Cameron and the Year 6 Leadership Program. Each session provides the students with the tools to be leaders, include others, practice teamwork, value opinions (theirs and others), listen and become the best version of themselves. We have concluded our program for 2022 and we extend our thanks to Cameron and his professional attitude and care that he has shown to our Year Six Students. We look forward to working with Cameron in 2023.
OzTag Gala Day:
A big thank you to the students that attended the oztag gala day. Students displayed great sportsmanship on the day. All teams played their hardest and were encouraging towards each other. Thank you to the parents that attended and also supported on the day.
Callum was awarded a Primary Sports Council Red Award for his achievements in representing at school and Diocesan levels in Athletics and Cross Country.
Callum also represented at the MacKillop level in Athletics and Cross Country.
Congratulations Callum!
Jacob was awarded the Primary Sports Council Medallion.
Jacob represented the school and Diocese in Athletics and Cross Country. Jacob was also the GSFM Athletics Age Champion.
Congratulations Jacob!
Annie was awarded the Primary Sports Council Medallion.
Annie was a school and Diocesan representative in Athletics and Cross Country. Annie came first in the 800m event.
Congratulations Annie!
Hope was awarded the Primary Sports Council Medallion.
Hope was a school and Diocesan representative in Netball and Swimming. Hope came first in the 50m and 100m freestyle swimming events. Hope came first in shot put. Hope was also a MacKillop representative in Netball.
Congratulations Hope!
Sarah was awarded the Primary Sports Council Medallion.
Sarah was a school and Diocesan representative in Athletics, Cross Country, Basketball and Swimming.
Sarah was also a MacKillop representative in Basketball.
Congratulations Sarah!
Bonnie was awarded the Primary Sports Council Medallion. She was a school and Diocesan representative in Athletics, Cross Country, Netball and Swimming. Bonnie came first in high jump and long jump at the school athletics carnival and first in butterfly and backstroke at the school swimming carnival.
Congratulations Bonnie!
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
The Canteen will be open
WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY and FRIDAY EACH WEEK
From the School Handbook:
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.
Topic: P&F Meeting
Meet via Zoom or in person at 7pm in the School Library
Time: Nov 28, 2022 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/68539884301?pwd=TUN0WUVuamovdnVDSnFrL2xGYVloZz09
Password: 130838
THANK YOU
We would like to thank Simon at Sign Me Up Graphics for his assistance this week with preparations for our Christmas Concert props. Simon is Alexander T’s (2Blue) uncle and quickly responded to our message of support sent out this week. Thank you for your support.
@signmeupgraphicswollongong
P & F Christmas Gifts
The GSFM P&F is excited to be running a Gingerbread House Fundraiser this year to get us all into the Christmas Spirit. You may like to buy one for yourself or as a gift. It’s such a lovely Christmas activity to do with the kids!
Please read the information flyer attached HERE.To purchase click on the following link:
Good Samaritan Fairy Meadow Gingerbread Folk Unique Purchasing Link:
Term 4 2022
November:
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
Tuesday 13 December
K-2 Christmas Craft Morning 9-11am
Thursday 15 December
Year 6 Farewell - Fraternity Club (students only)
Friday 16 December
Final day of school for students 2022
