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Acknowledgement of Country:
Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School Fairy Meadow acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal and Gweagal people past and present, the traditional custodians of the lands on which our school is built.
Dear Parents and Caregivers of Good Samaritan,
Last weekend we entered the season of Pentecost - a season of the Church’s year that marks the ‘birthday’ of the Church.
Pentecost is the time when we remember the disciples who were together when the Spirit of God entered their lives. This was only 6 weeks after the death of their good friend Jesus. It was at Pentecost that they realised what gifts Jesus had left for them. These gifts are what we are taught within the sacrament of Confirmation.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are recognised within the Catholic faith however they are not exclusive to baptised Catholics. As a Catholic community we believe that everyone has these gifts because everyone carries the Spirit within them - we are all made in the image of Christ. The recognition of the gifts within ourselves and others help us to acknowledge the Holy Spirit at work in our lives and the lives of others.
So, what are the gifts?
Wisdom: One way to think about wisdom is not to make judgements of others based on assumption or limited information but to rather inquire into another’s thinking or actions
Understanding: This gift allows us to gain insights into why things may occur. Understanding helps us to see the work of the Spirit in our daily lives.
Counsel: This gift helps us to make the right decisions. It shows us where our intentions lay and what actions we should take based on our intention.
Knowledge: Knowledge allows us to see what is around us within people, the earth. It is about the mystery of what we have seen, are experiencing and what is yet to come. Knowledge helps us move towards an understanding of God’s love and mercy.
Fortitude: This is a wonderful gift when we acknowledge it. Fortitude is about perseverance and resilience. We have certainly drawn on this gift over the last couple of years! This is the gift that helps us grow in love, faith and hope.
Piety: The gift of piety helps us towards an understanding of why things happen the way that they do. It is this gift that is responsible for us praying as if by reflex and without hesitation or planning.
Fear of the Lord: This gift isn’t about fear as we know it today. This is about having a loving and profound reverence for God and all that he has created for us. There are moments and times when we recognise that we are a part of God’s plan which builds upon the wonder and awe we experience in life.
As we continue through the week, the term and the year, Pentecost is a timely reminder of all that we have, all that we experience and all whom we meet are connected to the gifts given by God.
Enjoy the week ahead,
Toni Sillis
Principal
Road Safety Fence Banner
Over the next week you will notice a Road Safety Fence Banner around our school. School communities play a key role in keeping children safe around schools. Everyone can play a part in keeping children safe on the roads around the school.
Attached is a glove box guide to School Zone Parking.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data: NCCD
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. It is a nationwide initiative that helps ensure all students with a disability are supported appropriately in their educational journey. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of students' additional needs, allowing us at Good Samaritan to tailor support and resources accordingly.
Teachers play a crucial role in the moderation process of the National Consistent Collection of Data on School Students (NCCD) to support students. They collaborate with colleagues to review and validate the data collected, ensuring accurate identification of students with disability and the appropriate level of support required to meet their individual needs.
Please find a letter outlining NCCD and an information sheet if you would like to know more.
Mrs Cath Hailstone
Assistant Principal
Monday 5 June is World Environment Day.
The theme for World Environment Day on 5 June 2023 will focus on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution.
The world is being inundated by plastic. More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year, half of which is designed to be used only once. Of that, less than 10 per cent is recycled. An estimated 19-23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas. Today, plastic clogs our landfills, leaches into the ocean and is combusted into toxic smoke, making it one of the gravest threats to the planet.
To recognise this day we are hosting a Waste Free Lunch Day.
Any student who brings a waste free lunch and shows it to their class teacher will receive a token. The most environmental house colour will win the“Mission Cup”.
Mrs Natalie Shelley
Religious Education Coordinator
PARISH CONTACT DETAILS:
General enquiries
Lumen Christi Catholic Parish, Wollongong
Diocese of Wollongong
PO Box 874 (36 Harbour Street)
Wollongong NSW 2500 Australia
Ph: (02) 42 110500
Email: wollongong@dow.org.au
Office hours: Monday to Friday (9:00am–1:00pm)
News from Kindergarten
There has been plenty of learning and fun happening in Kindy this term. In English, the children have been working on blending sounds to read words and stories, and listening carefully for sounds in order to write their own words and sentences. We have enjoyed reading about the Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Cranky Bear, Very Brave Bear and this week looking at the beachside and rock pools as a story setting in The Magic Beach.
In Maths we now understand the concept of Mass, in terms of heavy and light and the different properties of 2D shapes, we have also been working on our fast facts to ten.
We had a great time participating in the National Simultaneous Story Time last week and listening to the delightful story of The Speedy Sloth. We also created our desert rose artwork in recognition of Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. We completed our kids connect program that has helped us learn how to control our emotions and be a great to friend. Every day brings opportunities to discover new and exciting lessons and the growth is happening so quickly. The kindy teachers are very proud!
Congratulations!
Edward, Callum and Nash represented Good Samaritan and the Wollongong Diocese at the MacKillop Football Trials held in Goulburn last Friday. We are very proud to have three students selected for these trials where games are played against teams from Dioceses across the state.
The competition was certainly tough but a stellar effort was made by the team with wins against Wagga Wagga and Canberra Goulburn. Unfortunately, the Wollongong team lost to Sydney and Parramatta and whilst our Good Samaritan boys were not selected for the MacKillop Team they displayed enormous courage against some of the best players in the state.
Basketball NSW Primary Schools Tournament
On Tuesday 10 boys from Year 5 and Year 6 participated in the NSW Basketball Primary Schools Tournament. They had some very impressive wins and also went down to some tough opponents. Congratulations to the team for being great ambassadors for our school.
Special thanks to Mr Biela and Mr Mafouz for taking the team, training them and managing on the day. We appreciate your time!
Save the Date -
Monday 24 July - Athletics Carnival at Beaton Park
Canteen will be open Wednesday,Thursday and Fridays.
ANAPHYLAXIS
We have several children in the school who are allergic to nuts. Their allergies are life threatening, therefore, we ask all parents to refrain from sending their children to school with peanuts, peanut butter and peanut products.
Whole School Expectation - Weekly Focus for Students
Peer-to-Peer Interactions on the Playground
This week our whole school focus is how we interact with others when on the playground. It has long been understood that play is an essential factor in childhood development. Unstructured play — or play that is not regimented or directed by adults — is about so much more than having fun. It fosters physical and cognitive development, as well as the development of healthy social skills. Skills students learn on the playground include greetings and initiating communication, listening and comprehension, previewing, reading and understanding social cues, problem solving and conflict resolution and apologising.
From the School Handbook:
Working With Children Check:
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 News
The next P&F meeting will be held on 19 June starting at 7pm. This will be in the school library. Everyone is welcome.
https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/61167642704?pwd=YXVBVHF1REcrblFzUjE1U3RHTEdOdz09
Password: 444175
If joining by Zoom, please remember Zoom Etiquette:
- Be ready with your camera on
- Be ready to introduce yourself to the group
- Pay attention to muting when not speaking to the group
- Avoid multitasking whilst in the meeting
This makes for an easier meeting for all attendees to fully participate in the meeting.
Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead:
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DATE: |
REMINDER: |
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Thursday 1 June |
Reconciliation Week: Whole school story time |
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Friday 2 June |
2:10pm: Principal’s Awards Assembly All Welcome |
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Saturday 3 June |
The Most Holy Trinity (SOLEMNITY) God sent his Son to save the world through him
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Sunday 4 June |
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Monday 5 June |
Waste Free Lunch Day |
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Tuesday 6 June |
Year 6 Leadership Program with Cameron |