Filter Content
Last Friday the Good Samaritan staff attended the annual Staff Spirituality day. This was an opportunity for us to engage in reflective thought and discernment about our school, particularly as we are now 10 years as Good Samaritan.
All effective organisations need to take the time to work through the vision and mission in order to stay true to the purpose and story for which they were built. Our day focused around the priceless gift of education and the privilege we experience in our position to be able to provide primary education to the students of Good Samaritan.
As we know, Good Samaritan was formed by the amalgamation of two schools both of which were begun by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan in the Benedictan tradition. This gives us the gift of the Benedictine heritage as our charism - a shared identity that touches everything we do.
As we head into the new school year, our community will come to know, reflect and connect with how St Benedict and the story of the Good Samaritan influence the life of our school.
We Pray:
God of tenderness and compassion,
teach us to be neighbour, especially to the excluded and disenfranchised.
Empower us to stand with and be a voice for those who are voiceless,
and to seek peace through justice.
As partners in the call of the Gospel, co-workers in the mission of Jesus Christ,
give us clarity of understanding and determined hearts to lead wisely, to listen deeply and to to treat all people and all creation with justice, love and the compassion of Christ.
With open hearts we respond …
May we walk in the tenderness of God as ministers of Christ’s mercy and messengers of Christ’s compassion. May we be neighbour to all those we serve. Amen.
As we journey together, with Jesus,
Toni Sillis
Principal
The school year will begin for students in Years 1-6 on Tuesday 31 January. Kindergarten students will begin school following the Best Start Interviews on Tuesday 7 February.
Lumen Christi Parish & Schools’ Christmas Concert:
With just over a week to go until the Lumen Christi Parish & Schools Christmas Concert the children have been practicing hard to be ready to give a wonderful Christmas performance.
Please note the following organisation arrangements for the evening:
- 5:10pm: Good Samaritan students arrive via the Cabbage Tree Lane Pedestrian Street Gate.
- Students will then meet their teachers in front of the Year 2 buildings.
- Parents then find a seat and get comfy.
- Students will assemble at the left hand side of the stage ready for the carols performance.
- 5:30pm (sharp): Christmas Carol Concert begins
- 6:30pm: Family ‘picnic dinner’ followed by raffle draw & DJ Christmas dancing
- 8:30pm: Concert concludes
Scan the QR code for & be ready to sing along with the carols on the night!
Order of Performance:
|
Year 5 |
Moses |
|
Kindergarten and Year 1 |
Jonah |
|
Year 2 and Year 3 |
John the Baptist |
|
Year 4 |
Birth of Christ |
|
Year 6 |
All I want for Christmas |
The Good Samaritan P&F are selling sausage sandwiches however there are also a range of food trucks have been booked for the evening including:
|
Steve's Wood-fire Pizza |
Italian Cuisine |
|
Amigos Wollongong |
Mexican |
|
Bun Me Bar |
Vietnamese |
|
2 Smoking Barrels |
Meat, burgers |
|
BBQ |
GSFM P&F Sausage Sizzle |
|
Ken's Kones |
Ice cream and drinks |
|
Dean's Donuts |
Fresh mini donuts and drinks |
|
Trevor's coffee van |
Coffee, hot chocolate, cold drinks |
|
or you may wish to pack your own picnic hamper |
|
Please be mindful that all guests will have to park in the surrounding streets. If you are able to walk to the school, that may be preferable.
In the event of inclement weather the concert will be cancelled.
P&F BBQ Volunteers:
The P&F will need volunteers on the BBQ for the Christmas Carol evening. If you are able to assist on the evening in between your child’s carols, please fill in your name and contact information on this form.
Advent: Hope
The tradition for the first Sunday of Advent includes lighting the candle of hope.
This candle of hope symbolizes promises delivered through the prophets from God as well as the hope we have in Christ. God crafted a great rescue plan that he lays out in Scripture. This plan foretells years in advance the arrival of Christ. The Bible also gives us a glimpse of the future and promises that God will come down to create a new heaven and Earth.
This first Sunday of Advent we read, pray, and reflect on the hope God’s plan gives us (foretold by the prophets and fulfilled by the life and death of Christ), and we meditate on the promise of Christ’s coming glory-filled return.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Many thanks to the whole school community for your kind donations towards our St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. It is much appreciated and I’m sure that it will brighten the lives of many in our region. Also, a big thank you to the Mini Vinnie’s Team for your help in the process.
Andrew Chinn Concert:
Reminder!
The Good Sam Factor will be showcased on Monday 5th December. On Monday, the WHOLE SCHOOL is to wear their SPORTS UNIFORM. The performance will start at 11:45pm and we anticipate the show will go for about an hour and a half. Parents are seated in the hall by 11:30.
There will be a meeting in the Hall at lunchtime after eating time on Friday 2nd December
Please find below the running order of the show:
|
1 |
GSFM Choir |
|
2 |
Ezekiel D |
|
3 |
Matilda P and Aaliah G |
|
4 |
Marcos S and Louie K |
|
5 |
Nyomi N |
|
6 |
Zara H, Lola S and Kaisha B |
|
7 |
Madeleine S |
|
8 |
Beau E |
|
9 |
Sofia W |
|
10 |
Rose C, Lalia S, Juliette S and Aaderyn P |
|
11 |
Serafina D, Leah B, Zara P and Stella D |
|
12 |
Seth B, Mateus C, Caiden H, Edward H, Marcus P, Madix B, Lucas P, Lucas G, Callumn C, Sergio B, Jonny A and Angus B |
|
13 |
Molly M , Anni P and Xanthe J |
|
14 |
Audry S |
|
15 |
Maya S and Ruby S |
|
16 |
Maddi T |
|
17 |
Claudia U, Cari S, Ayla S, Ava G, Sienna E |
|
Break- heads and tails game |
|
|
18 |
Elizabelle P and Isabella G showing us some skillful Magic |
|
19 |
Cole T |
|
20 |
Madison S, Darcie W, Jazzmin N, Lola N, Ella M |
|
21 |
Alexander T and Hugo N |
|
22 |
Joseph W |
|
23 |
Zarah G |
|
24 |
Devna V |
|
25 |
Marcus D and Kage B |
|
26 |
Nina I, Lia M, Julia I and Lucia I and Vienna G |
|
27 |
Gus L and Max L |
|
28 |
CJ A |
|
29 |
Tore, Aston D, Jonas, Eli, and Bailey T ? |
|
30 |
Phiya P |
|
31 |
Genevive G, Evie W, Aurora D |
|
32 |
Isabella O, Jasmine I and Jessica B |
|
33 |
Year 6 Dance |
Congratulations:
Audrey Sulehadi (Year 2) and Ruby Martin (Year 5) represented their clubs at BJP Physie Junior Nationals Competition at Homebush last Sunday. The girls competed against clubs from across Australia. This is Audrey's third year of competing and Ruby has now competed for 6 years.
The girls did extremely well. Ruby made the semi final whilst Audrey, unfortunately, didn't make it out of her heat but tried her very best. It was tough competition this year so congratulations to the girls for their achievements.
News from Year 3:
Ciao! In History this term, Year 3 has been learning all about the influence of the Italian immigrants on our local community. We have learnt that Italians brought industries such as fishing, religious traditions and delicious food with them to Fairy Meadow.
We were lucky enough to visit Massimo Papa in Fairy Meadow for a delicious lunch of Pizza, Cannoli and Gelato. We would like to thank Massimo Papa for his generous hospitality and for filling our bellies with scrumptious food!
In Mathematics, we have been learning about measuring the area of an object or space. We made squares where all sides are 1m each and used it to measure the area of objects around our school. It was tricky to get our squares perfect but with persistence we were able to do it!
Last Thursday the Diocesan touch football representative team trials were held at Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow. With a large number of students from schools as far away as Milton to Ingleburn and up to Mittagong trialing, it was very competitive. All the students from Good Samaritan represented themselves and the school proudly and congratulations go to Holly in Year 5 for being selected for the Diocesan Girls Touch football team to attend the Mackillop trials in early 2023.We are very proud of you!
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…’
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.
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:
The Canteen will be open
WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY and FRIDAY EACH WEEK
Term 4 2022
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 5.30pm
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
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
FEBRUARY:
Monday 6 February
GSFM Swimming Trials
Monday 6 February
P&F AGM
Friday 17 February
Year 6 Leadership and Opening School Liturgy
MARCH:
Monday 6 March
P & F General Meeting
Wednesday 8 March
GSFM Open School Twilight (2024 Enrolments)
Thursday 16 March
GSFM Cross Country (Kembla Joggers)
Monday 20 March
Kindergarten and Year 6 Welcome BBQ
JULY:
Monday 24 July
GSFM Athletics Carnival (Beaton Park)
Wednesday 26 July
Grandparents Day ( Feast of Joachim & Anne)
AUGUST:
M-F 21-25 August
Book Week (Friday 25 August GSFM Book Parade)
Further dates will be added to the calendar upon confirmation of bookings etc.