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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,
We have celebrated another week of learning and achievements for our students. It was wonderful to see how well the children participated in the Waste Free Lunch Day on Monday. Many of them were extremely enthusiastic to participate and to gain points for their house to win the Mission Cup.
We also congratulate Ruby and Lily who represented the Diocese and Good Samaritan at the MacKillop Basketball in Tamworth last week. Ruby and Lily demonstrated the same commitment to their team as they do to their school each day. On Friday, Lily will go on to Melbourne to play in JNC Basketball and Ruby will play in Country Champs in Bathurst. We wish the girls the best of luck in these upcoming games.
Next week we also have Callum, Milla and Edward running in the NSW CCC Cross Country Championships. At assembly last week, Callum and Edward were interviewed - along with Nash - about their commitment to their sports and their training schedules. Routines such as these help support students’ academic work and their social interactions with their peers. Having a high level of commitment and, in turn, achievement, helps support a child’s overall growth and development.
As we move towards the end of Semester One, our teachers have been writing reports that indicate the progress and achievement throughout the semester. Below is an explanation of the A-E reporting system. It is important that parents know we report on student progress over the semester.
These reports are not a report of growth from one year to the next or one semester to the next. Therefore, you may see your child not receive the same grade as last year’s report. This is because they have studied different work aimed to meet different syllabus outcomes. If you would like to know more about the reporting system and how the reports are written we are offering sessions for parents before reports are distributed.
These sessions may be of particular interest to Year One parents whose children have not yet received an A-E report. I encourage you to come along and remain informed about the reporting system.
Enjoy the week ahead, particularly the long weekend,
Toni Sillis
Principal
2024 Enrolment Campaign:
Good Samaritan is entering an enrolment campaign for students and their families to join our wonderful community in 2024. On Thursday 22 June we will hold a School Open morning where we will welcome potential students to our school.
Please share this information with friends, relatives and work colleagues.
Road Safety Fence Banner
The Road Safety Fence Banners are able to be viewed on McGrath St. 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 Drop Off & Pick Up School Zone Safety Tips.
What do I need to know about Semester One reports?
Semester One reports will be sent to parents on Friday 23 June for students in Years 1-6. Reports are written in line with the requirements of the NSW K-10 syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum in English, Mathematics and Science. Grades are awarded to students following the Common Grade Scale. At the Parent Teacher Interview in week 10, your child’s class teacher will be able to explain how the grade awarded reflects the level of work your child is currently achieving.
Further explanation of the reports is provided with the following:
It has now been a requirement of national legislation for Primary schools to provide twice-yearly written reports for students in Years 1 - 6 to parents. These reports are to be standards-referenced which in NSW means reporting based on the Common Grade Scale. Standards-referenced reporting requires teachers to consider the performance of each student according to the standard detailed at each level (A-E) of the Common Grade Scale for each Key Learning Area (KLA). Students are then awarded a grade based on the evidence teachers have of their learning in that particular KLA and the standard it reflects. According to the Common Grade Scale a ‘C’ grade is considered sound. That is, if awarded a C in a particular KLA the student has demonstrated that they have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding expected of them at that point in time.
Some features of the report include:
Overall grades
Each KLA has an overall grade that is determined by the teacher by considering the evidence of each student’s learning and the standard on the Common Grade Scale it reflects. Overall grades are not determined by averaging performance on strands within a KLA. In many cases more time has been dedicated to learning in one strand over others and this contributes significantly to the balanced judgement a teacher is required to make in order to award an overall grade. It is not unusual for a student’s overall grade to change from one reporting period to the next as the knowledge, skills and understanding they encounter in each KLA will vary from one reporting period to the next. The Common Grade Scale is outlined below and is also included on the front of the report.
Common Grade Scale:
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A |
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
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B |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations. |
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C |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
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D |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
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E |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
Effort Descriptors:
This section of the report captures the student’s attitude to the particular KLA and their skills in managing their work, persisting when challenged and working to their potential. A scale explaining the three standards used to describe student effort is included on the front of the report.
Strands:
The term ‘strands’ refers to the breakdown of learning within each Key Learning Area (KLA) that is presented in a grid with the options Extensive, Thorough, Sound, Limited and Basic for teachers to indicate the performance of the student within each strand. Over a reporting period some strands will have a greater focus than others, which will impact the overall grade for the KLA. In some KLAs not every strand will be covered each reporting period; those that are not covered will not appear on the report.
Comments:
There are three kinds of comments on the report:
Learning Gains – These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student has demonstrated in the reporting period
Areas for Growth – These comments use syllabus text to capture the new learning the student will encounter as the ‘next step’ or ‘targeted area for growth’ on their learning path
Final Comment – The longer, final comment is written by the teacher and may cover a range of academic and non-academic areas
Positive Behaviours for Learning Descriptors: This section of the report focuses on the student as a community member and as a learner. A scale is included to detail the three standards that are used to report on this aspect of the student’s behaviour.
Absences for the Semester:
This section of the report indicates the whole and partial days absent throughout the semester as recorded in the class rolls. Regular and consistent attendance at school increases the likelihood of academic and social success for children each year.
Reporting: Parent Information Sessions
If you would like to know more about the way in which reports are written you are invited to attend a parent information session. Whilst this invitation is particularly targeted towards parents with children in Years 1&2, all parents are welcome.
Session time:
- Thursday 15 June 9am-9:45am
- Monday 19 June 2:15 - 3:00pm
- Monday 19 June 6pm-6:45pm
Please Click here to RSVP for the session.
Mrs Cath Hailstone
Assistant Principal
World Environment Day Prayer for 5 June
God of creation,
who loves all he has made and all that has evolved,
open the eyes of your people,
that your love might be reflected in our care for the planet.
Through Jesus Christ, who walked this earth and calls us by name.
Amen.
Thank you to the students and staff who came to school on Monday with a “Waste Free Lunch”.
Tokens were given and the winning house was MacKillop.
Congratulations MacKillop for winning the Mission Cup.
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)
Click here to view the Parish Mass Times
Term 3 /Year 3
Reconciliation and Eucharist
Parent information evening 18 July at 6.30pm in the school hall.
This information evening is for the parents of students enrolled in the sacramental program.
News from Year 6 Classrooms
Week 6 gave us a good insight into the subject of Length. We discussed how and why length is important not only in mathematics but it also gives us skills for life. Not only did we measure with tools but we discussed who in our community would use length in their daily lives or in the workforce.
Year 6 have been writing sizzling starts to our informative texts to hook the reader into reading our writing.Last week we changed this short text into a sizzling start.
Seahorses live in the ocean. They are fish but some people think that seahorses look a bit like ‘land’ horses. A group of seahorses are called a herd.
This is an example of one of our sizzling starts. Which one hooks you into reading it?
The Horses of the Sea.
Whoosh! The violent currents threaten to drag and destroy anything in its way. Most of the marine animals withstand the forces, hiding in protective burrows or using their slippery fins to swim against the currents. Out of all animals, one is struggling the most … the seahorse! It fiercely clutches onto seaweed, hoping not to be dragged away.
By Patrick Parker
What a start!
6 Red has a visitor for the next Four Weeks.
6 Red welcomed Miss Gifford last Monday for her 4 week Teaching Practicum. Miss Gifford will be teaching lessons each day up to a full day in her final week. She will even be joining us at our upcoming camp next week. We are so excited to have her in our class. Please make her feel very welcome.
Basketball
Congratulations to the boys basketball team who played in the NSW Basketball Tournament in Penrith last week.
Congratulations to Ruby & Lily who represented the Diocese and Good Samaritan at the MacKillop Basketball in Tamworth last week. They had a fantastic week and fought hard to bring back the Bronze medal coming 3rd place overall.
Save the Date -
Monday 24 July - Athletics Carnival at Beaton Park
Whole School Expectation - Weekly Focus for Students
Our whole school PB4L FOCUS this week is Playing Fairly. Students have explored what does this look, sound, feel like?
1.Looking like fair play: Students actively follow the rules of games, treating all players with respect and demonstrating good sportsmanship. They make fair decisions and accept both wins and losses. There is no cheating.
2.Sounding like fair play: Students communicate respectfully and positively with their classmates. They encourage and support each other, offering words of praise and constructive feedback.
3.Feeling like fair play: Fair play creates an atmosphere of inclusivity, where students feel valued and supported. They experience a sense of fairness and equal opportunity, knowing that everyone has an equal chance to participate and succeed.
Through fair play, our students learn to follow rules, treat others with respect, and embrace the spirit of healthy competition, creating a positive and inclusive environment for all.
Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead:
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DATE: |
REMINDER: |
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Friday 9 June |
2:10pm: School Assembly - ALL WELCOME |
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Saturday 10 June |
The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ (CORPUS CHRISTI) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem |
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Sunday 11 June |
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Monday 12 June |
King’s Birthday Long Weekend |
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Tuesday 13 June |
Year 6 Camp (Day 1)
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Wednesday 14 June |
Year 6 Camp (Day 2)
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Olivia H, Jacey A, Ella M, Darcie W, Edward P, Harriet W, Katie C, Zara P, Serafina D, Stella D, Amelia B.
The next Principal Awards will be presented at assembly in Week 9.
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.
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.