On Monday all parent/Carers were given their Compass login details sent home in a letter with their child.  This is how Good Samaritan will communicate to all families going forward. 

*  School Newsletters

*  Permission Notes (parent online approval)

*  absences (parent online explanation)

*  general class notes etc

*  School Reports

*  Change of routine (car lines, wet weather, cancellations etc)

Parent Action:

Parents must login to Compass to access ALL communication. 

My Community Project

Recently, the school submitted an application under the My Community Project for shade sails on our Infants Playground. After a little confusion as to our eligibility to apply for this project we have been advised that voting is open for the ‘Shade Sails at Good Sam’ application. 

Voting closes tomorrow night!

So to have your vote for the Shade Sails at Good Sam click here.

Assistant Principal Appraisal: Parent Survey

This term an appraisal will be conducted by Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong on the role of Assistant Principal fulfilled by Mrs Smithers at Good Samaritan. Below is a letter from Mrs Carolyn Hadley, Head of Human Resource Services. 

An essential component of the appraisal is the feedback from the school community, staff and parents included. This feedback is to be collected by way of survey. Parents are asked to follow this link. You are also able to follow the link within the attached letter. Surveys are to be completed by 30 August.

Helping our students get it right!

Over the last couple of weeks we have been working with our Stage 3 students (Years 5&6) to support them to ‘get things right’ when it comes to their relationships and the way in which they interact across the school. Like all areas of life, students don’t always get it right and they need to be taught how to re-establish trust within friendships and how to identify behaviours that may make themselves or others feel uncomfortable. Both Years 5 & 6 had grade meetings over the past week which included discussions including:

• Behaviours that make others feel uncomfortable are not ‘jokes’. A joke is something that causes amusement or laughter to both parties involved. Recognition that a joke may come across as portraying two contrasting meanings.
• Inappropriate language (swearing) will be immediately recorded as a minor, both on the playground and in the classroom. Parents will be contacted when 3 minor incidents have been recorded.
• The importance of being an ‘upstander’ not a ‘bystander’ and that saying when you are uncomfortable and seeking support is not a sign of being a ‘dobber’.
• Appropriate online behaviour, including the sharing of photographs, messaging and acceptable social media use.

Parent Action: 

• Keep the amount of online time reasonable and have a period of ‘no device’ each day.
• Take a read of the attached article Are They Old Enough? to keep informed about the use of social media.
• Talk to your child/ren about the importance of being an ‘upstander’ and seeking adult support when they feel uncomfortable or if they see something occur that they don’t like.

Student Illness:

As the term has begun many students have come down with vomiting bugs and have shown symptoms of the ‘flu. To prevent these illnesses spreading further to students and staff please keep your child at home until they are well enough to return to school. If your child is persistently coughing, or appears generally unwell, the school will call you to come to collect him/her.

Year 6 Parents - CLAIM THE DATE!

As an important part of their preparation for moving to high school, the Year 6 children will take part in the ‘Get Set For High School’ workshop on Thursday 26 September. This will be facilitated by Jenny Atkinson. Jenny has 30 years’ teaching experience and is the author of the award winning book for parents, ‘High School Rocks: Make Starting High School An Awesome Experience.’ 

The activities focus on how high school works, coping with change, getting organised and developing essential skills for handling the high school workload. During this interactive program, Jenny Atkinson helps take the ‘unknown’ out of moving to high school so that the children are more prepared and confident to manage this important transition.

At 7.00pm on Thursday 26 September, Jenny will present a session for the Year 6 parents, ‘How to Help Your Child Cope With High School’. She will explain the challenges children face in adjusting to high school and you will take home practical strategies for supporting your child. Some of the issues covered include: supporting your child through their transition, navigating technology and cybersafety, managing the increased homework load, getting organised and dealing with changing friendships. Permission notes and RSVP for your attendance will be sent home closer to the date.

Year 6 Parent Action: Mark the date in your calendar!

SPB4L: 

This week we are remembering to value:

                 Perseverance      

We can do this by:

• Continuing to work through when faced with a challenge;
• Consistency in trying your best;
• Not giving up in the face of adversity

To ensure consistency of processes and practices across the school community, aspects of the Parent Handbook (currently under revision) will be published in each week’s newsletter.

Bus Travel Reminders

Transport NSW has a complete set of Guidelines for managing school students behaviour on buses. These guidelines unpack the Code of Conduct responsibilities of students, parents and school principals in relation to bus behaviour. The guidelines also indicate the consequences for a breach of the Code of Conduct. 

For your information, the following is taken from section 2 of the Guidelines - Student Code of Conduct.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ON BUSES 

It is every student's responsibility to behave in a manner that ensures the safety and comfort of passengers and drivers. This includes: 

Behaviour on buses: 

• Use appropriate language not offensive or racist language 
• Fighting, spitting, feet on seats, throwing things in or from the bus is not permitted 
• No eating or drinking (other than water) — unless for medical reasons or the bus operator gives written permission 
• Offer seats to adults including people with a disability, elderly or expectant mothers 
• Do not touch, push or shove other people 
• Do not bully or harass other passengers or the driver. This includes photographing, making lewd or suggestive comments, acting in a manner or participating in activities that may be deemed inappropriate or of a sexual nature. 
• Avoid attracting the attention of the driver except in the case of emergency 
• Do not play music at such volume that it may distract the bus driver or other passengers. 

Parent Action: If your child/ren catches a bus to or from school please familiarise yourself with these guidelines and speak to your child/ren about their responsibilities on the buses.

Survey Link

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SmithersParent2019

From Monday 2 September Students may wear Summer uniform between now and the end of the term dependent upon the weather and parental discretion. Full Summer uniform is to be worn by all students from the beginning of Term 4.

Southern NSW Interschools Snowsports Championships

Congratulations to our snow sports competitors Lilly F (6B), Noah O (6B), Brandon F (2G), and Nate O (3B) who represented Good Samaritan recently in the Southern NSW Interschools Snowsports Championships. Our skiers competed in the Giant Slalom and Ski Cross events with 20-30 other schools represented in each division. Our team demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and achieved some great results with a number of placings well into the upper half of competitors. Well done team!

NSW Selection Trials

Last Thursday, Hana B (4R), Ava H (4G) and Gemma H (4G) attended the NSW Selection Trials at Homebush. The girls had to prove they could run very quick times to qualify for this event. The girls tried their best against very strong competition. We are still awaiting the final results. Congratulations girls.

Uniform Shop normal opening hours are:

Monday 8.30am - 9.30am

Thursday 2.15pm - 3.15pm