Let your friends know we’re holding a school Open Day on Thursday 22 June at 9 am. Children will embark on an exciting school adventure with their very own student passport, and parents will have an opportunity to meet members of our school community over a delicious morning tea. 

Click on the image above to register your interest.

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, 

Over the last couple of weeks there has been a reality show about parenting on television. Whilst entertaining, it made me begin to think about how parenting can so easily be characterised into labelling. For me, this brings almost a competition to how people should parent their children as defined by a ‘parenting style’. 

I am not sure about you, but my ‘style’ as a parent adapted and changed almost daily based on what was going on, my child’s behaviour and my frame of mind at the time - which really could be anything from extremely patient to extremely impatient.

I suppose it is our experience as parents that allows us to understand that parenting styles are general categories, and individual parents may display a combination of these styles or adapt their approach based on different situations. It would seem that the most effective parenting style typically involves a balance between setting clear expectations, providing support, nurturing emotional connections, and fostering independence.

Interestingly, I am able to make very close comparisons to how our teachers use high impact teaching strategies within the school and classroom environments. At Good Samaritan,  Our teaching approach is called the Gradual Release of Responsibility - it works from a highly structured approach within a lesson or unit of work and moves through guiding the student towards independence.

In my experience, when children are given similar expectations at home and at school, they thrive. It’s when expectations clash or when teachers and/or parents are given a ‘label’ that confusion becomes apparent within the child.

One thing I will say about the parenting reality show is that when one set of parents really listens and seeks to understand the approach of the other it seems to make more sense to them. Listening in an effort to seek to understand is something that we don’t see as much as what we should. When Jesus appeared to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, it was through the listening that they recognised him. It can be through our listening that we understand those around us and respond in faithfulness and love.

Enjoy the week ahead,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Valentino Quintero who is extremely unwell. Valentino is one of our Year 6 boys and is suffering from Leukemia.  Valentino is currently receiving intensive treatment at Royal Randwick Children’s Hospital. 

Valentino’s brother, Fernando, is in Year 1 at Good Samaritan, his older brothers are Enrique who is in Year 8 at Holy Spirit College and Gabriel who is now out of school.We keep them and all the family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

In the coming weeks some of our staff are accessing leave. I wish to advise the following:

Mrs Kylie Minns has been appointed SSO replacing Janice during her long service leave

Mrs Alison Needham has been appointed SSO replacing Josephine during her long service leave

Mrs Kerrie Hennessy has been appointed 0.2fte replacing Tessa during her upcoming maternity leave.

In addition:

Mrs Diane Malby has advised that she will be resigning her position as Amaroo Blue's class teacher due to personal reasons. Mrs Sharon Smithers has kindly accepted this position until the end of the term. A recruitment process will begin to fill this position.

Parent Teacher Interviews will take place during Week 10; 26 - 29 June. Available times to book in with your child’s teacher will be sent out this week via compass. This interview is an opportunity to hear more about your child and their learning. If you wish your child to be involved in the interview, bring them along and involve them in the discussion.

School-level results will be available towards the end of Term 2 with a school and student summary report (SSSR) and a new proficiency standards report.

Print copies of individual student reports and additional student reports are expected to be sent to schools for distribution to parents and careers early in Term 3.

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

Web: www.lumenchristi.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.

Congratulations to Callum C, Edward P, Sophe B and Milla E who competed at the NSW CPS Cross Country Championships on Tuesday in Sydney. Well done to Callum who came 4th and will now represent the Mackillop team at the State championships. We wish Callum the best of luck for his upcoming race.

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.

• 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 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

Pie drive orders are now available through compass.  Orders need to be in by 24 July and will be delivered to the school on 1 August.  The pies will be supplied by Berkely Cakes and Pies and are always a big hit.  It’s the perfect meal to put in the freezer for those cold winter nights when you don’t have time to cook.  A tip from the P&F – the apple pies are a winner!

More details on school disco in term 3 to come!

Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead: