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Dear Parents and Caregivers of Good Samaritan,
This week has been busy with some of the most significant events of the school’s calendar.
On Sunday Year 3 gathered in the Parish along with a couple of older students for the mass of commitment. This marks the beginning of their preparation for the sacrament of First Holy Communion. On Tuesday, these same students celebrated the Rite of Reconciliation. This is a significant part of the preparation period. Reconciliation is a prayerful way to reflect on where we went wrong in our lives and how we can make things better in the future.
On Monday the students enjoyed a terrific sports carnival where they joined with their peers to compete for their house. It was a great day with many achievements across the day. I was very proud to see so many students having a go and gaining points for their house.
Today we celebrated Grandparents’ and Great People Day. This is held on the feast of Joachim and Anne - Parents of Mary Mother of God. It was wonderful to see so many people come and join together at the liturgy and then enjoy the children’s work across the open classrooms.
Each of these events demonstrates how important it is to belong. Belonging is our capacity to feel joy, freedom, and love in any moment. Zen teacher Charlotte Joko Beck [1917–2011] said: Joy is exactly what’s happening, minus our opinion of it.
She made a distinction between joy and happiness—Happiness has an opposite: unhappiness. Joy is not about being happy or unhappy, liking or disliking. Joy is accepting each moment for what it is without contention. We belong to any moment simply by meeting it with joy. This is freedom. Love is the ultimate expression of joy and freedom. Joy, freedom, and love could be considered synonyms for each other, and for belonging.
I leave you with that thought this week having made many new memories at Good Samaritan.
Until next time,
Toni Sillis
Principal
Please pray for:
Mrs Louise Testa and Bailey (Year 6). Louise’s father and Bailey’s grandfather passed away on Monday morning.
Eternal rest
Grant unto him O Lord
And may perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Book Week 2023: Read, Grow, Inspire
It’s that time of year where we get ready to celebrate Book Week! It’s time to think about a costume or outfit for the Book Parade. The GSFM Book Parade will take place on Monday 21 August.
School Uniforms:
We have been in conversation with Poppets Uniforms regarding an option for the girls’ Summer uniform. Below are some images of the option for the girls to wear shorts and a shirt during the Summer months. The girls will still be able to wear the Summer dress. The girls will continue to wear the school unisex ankle socks and black school shoes.
In the coming weeks, some girls from the primary classes will be asked for their feedback on the shorts option. The manikin display will be in the office foyer until Monday 31 July.
Please complete this Google Form to indicate your agreement with the option or any concerns that you may have. The form will close on Monday 31 July.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN results were delivered to students in Years 3 and 5 yesterday.
NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students undertake.
As students progress through their school years, it’s important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy.
NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.
Mrs Cath Hailstone
Assistant Principal
A prayer for the journey as we prepare to vote on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament
Dear Lord
We pray for a bright and just shared future for all who call Australia home.
We ask that Your grace of acceptance and compassion will guide us.
Let the Creator Spirit lead our journey with the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of this land.
May we share Your Spirit more deeply; celebrate the gifts You have given us.
Help us appreciate true harmony and peace just as our Old People did;
Keep us strong, make us resilient and remember us in this time.
Now is an opportunity to change our Nation’s history for the better.
Walk with us as we write a new chapter together and may we be one in Your love.
Amen.
You can find this prayer and more information about the Voice to Parliament on the NATSICC One Journey, Together website.
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)
School Canteen:
We will advise when the canteen will be open.
Book Club:
We were fortunate to hold our annual Athletics carnival on Monday with beautiful weather. Our Infant's children enjoyed their fun tabloid activities and had a great time running on the track, jumping in the long jump pit and completing fun activities with their class.
Our Primary students ran, jumped and threw with lots of enthusiasm and energy. A highlight was Year 6 leading our House war cries and the whole school cheering on our 100m finalists in the afternoon.
We would like to thank all of our parent volunteers. We would not be able to do this without you.
The ribbons and age champion medals will be handed out on Friday 11 August (Week 4) at assembly.
Playground and Lunchtime Clubs
A number of clubs have been established and students have been invited to join during one lunch time a week. School clubs are a great way for students to participate in activities they enjoy, learn new skills, and meet new people. The clubs this term will cater for different needs and skills of students and aim to create a sense of belonging and connection to school.
The groups this term are:
Monday - Band
Tuesday - RECESS - Years 3-6 Lego and Games in Kindy rooms
Tuesday - LUNCH - Choir and Makerspace - see details below
Wednesday - Games in Library - Lego and Board Games.
Thursday - STEM & Games, Lego and Origami in the Library.
Friday - Games in the Library - Lego and Board Games.
Friday - Dance - Mrs Corby’s Room
Thursday - Friday - Christmas Art for Years 5&6 students
Makerspace
As of this week a new club will begin, it is called Makerspace. A makerspace is a place where people can come together and learn using materials to develop and create a project such as a Marshmallow launcher or coding a robot to clean your classroom. This club, promotes learning through play.
Maker Space will be held in the STEM room on Tuesdays each week with it being open to grade a week.
Week 2: Year 3
Week 3: Year 4
Week 4: Year 5
Week 6: Year 6
Week 7: Year 3
Week 8: Year 4
Week 9: Year 5
Week 10: Year 6
Students will be invited to attend a club that interests them and we hope to engage students to try something new.
We also have passive areas available in each playground. These areas provide options for students to play quietly or engage in a range of activities. Passive playgrounds are a great way to support students with social skills and social engagement.
Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead:
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DATE: |
REMINDER: |
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Friday 28 July |
2:10pm: School Assembly - ALL WELCOME |
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Saturday 29 July |
17 Sunday in Ordinary Time A treasure is not something we earn but something we find. We can spend a lot of our lives wishing and hoping that some treasure will come our way. We can forget that we already possess a wonderful treasure in our loved ones and in the gift of life itself. And the greatest treasure of all is the kingdom of heaven which Jesus freely offers to us. May we have the wisdom to seek our treasure in God, and not in the glittering goods of a passing world. |
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Sunday 30 July |
|
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Monday 31 July |
7pm: P&F Meeting |
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Tuesday 1 August |
P&F Pie Drive Pick Up |
From the School Handbook:
STAGES OF HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
- If you have any educational/behaviour concerns about your child always contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. Your child’s classroom teacher will always make contact with you if they have any concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour.
- Grades and classes across the school are supported by Middle Leaders. You are asked to contact the Middle Leader/s responsible for your child’s class/grade if you have continued concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. The Middle Leaders will also contact you when and if necessary.
- All academic and behaviour concerns made to the office will be directed to the classroom teacher in the first instance. This may be followed up by support from the Middle Leader responsible for the stage/grade.
Middle Leaders 2023
|
Stage/Grade |
Middle Leader |
|
Early Stage 1: Kindergarten |
Mrs Cath Hailstone |
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Amaroo & Learning Support Centre |
Mrs Cath Hailstone |
|
Stage 1: Year 1 Year 2 |
Mrs Patricia Foster |
|
Stage 2: Year 3 Year 4 |
Mrs Christie Gray |
|
Stage 3: Year 5 Year 6 |
Mrs Natalie Shelley |
The Middle Leader represented in bold will be your first port of call beyond the classroom teacher.
The next P&F Meeting will be held on Monday 31 July 7pm in the School Library. All are invited to attend in person or via zoom (link below).
Topic: P&F Meeting
Time: Jul 31, 2023 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/67853105751?pwd=WjliTkpUT0JyK2plVExBdzREckRQZz09
Password: 819720
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.