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Dear Parents and Caregivers of Good Samaritan,
Yesterday we celebrated The feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary which was defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950. He declared that, after her death, Mary was assumed into heaven, body and soul.
It was a response to the horrible human carnage of two world wars and the horrors of concentration camps. The church wanted to reaffirm the dignity of the human body and rekindle faith in the resurrection of the body. This feast affirms that our human bodies are not mere shells but created in God’s image and likeness.
The Church wanted to say something not only about the body of Mary, but about the body of each of us. The feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary shows God’s love for all of us and of God’s reverence for the body of those created in the divine image. In Mary, human nature is glorified and God desires it to be glorified in every person. It is for this reason that Jesus became human flesh and dwelt among us in our world.
The celebration of Mary's Assumption celebrates the bodily presence and dignity of every person in our school community. Even in our differences, our challenge is to be aware that every one of us is made in the image and likeness of God. Our care and respect for the bodily presence of each other in turn glorifies God.
This is why, as a school community, we place a great emphasis on the respectful relationships that the students have with each other and the adults who work with them. The Love of Learning value of empathy helps the children, and adults, understand how we can interact with one another. This is reinforced by the social norms of the playground and within the carefully planned Respectful Relationships units of learning the children are currently studying.
The Assumption of Mary helps us to remember the importance of recognising the dignity of each individual and perhaps Pope Pius XII knew that society would need this reminder each year.
As we journey through this week, together, with Jesus let’s work to recognise that our differences emphasise the presence of God among us.
Enjoy the week ahead
Toni Sillis
Principal
BOOK WEEK
Book Week will take place next week, Monday 21 August.
We hope everyone has a book character and costume ready for the parade. Please ensure students have appropriately footwear and clothing for the day.
The parade will start at 9:15 am. Parents, carers and families are welcome to join us for the Book Charcter Parade, cheer on the students and enjoy the vibrant display of characters.
We can’t wait to see the wonderful characters our students will bring to life!
MUNCH and CRUNCH
A friendly reminder about our daily Munch and Crunch session, held each morning. This is a quick and nutritious snack, focusing on fruits and vegetables. It shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.
We kindly ask that you adhere to the guidelines and provide your child with only fruit or vegetables for this session. The aim is to keep it simple, healthy and swift.
Mrs Cath Hailstone
Assistant Principal
Tuesday 15 August is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary
The Assumption of Mary is celebrated on 15 August every year. The Assumption of Mary is a teaching of the Catholic Church. It signals the end of Mary’s life on Earth and her return to be reunited with Jesus in Heaven.
Mary, Queen of every heart, accept all that I am and bind me to you with the bonds of love, that I may be yours forever, and may be able to say in all truth: “I belong to Jesus through Mary.” My Mother, assumed into Heaven, I love you.
Thank you from Project Compassion for our support.
Mrs Hennessy writes, “ It is the passion and spirit of supporters, such as your school community, that enables Caritas Australia to have our hands and feet in vulnerable communities across the world, helping local people to build better futures. Thank you for your continued support”.
Prayer for our First Holy Communion Candidates
On Sunday 27 August, our Year Three and a number of other students throughout the school will experience a very special day in their lives. It is the day on which they will be making their First Holy Communion (Eucharist) at St John Vianney. Our Catechism teaches that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. When we receive the Lord in the Eucharist, it is an act of thanksgiving to God. It recalls the Lord’s Supper with his Apostles. The Eucharist is essential to the communal dimension of our faith. It is the nourishment that enables us to remain spiritually strong and healthy.
Pope Francis refers to the Eucharist as a gift. He reminds us about how important the Eucharist is to our faith journey. He encourages us to receive the Eucharist as a family as often as possible if we are so disposed and in the state of grace. Our Holy Father spoke to a group of children in Italy as he recalled his First Holy Communion many years ago. He addressed the children and stated, “You will make your First Communion, always remember that day your whole life: the first day that Jesus came to us. He comes, makes himself one with us, makes himself our food, our nourishment to give us strength.”
As we reflect on these words of Pope Francis, we can give thanks for all the teachers, relatives, and friends of these children who have helped prepare them for First Holy Communion, and who assist them in their future growth in faith through their prayers and actions. We especially thank the parents who are the primary educators of the children in the ways of the faith.
The following “PRAYER AT A CHILD’S FIRST COMMUNION” is a prayer for those children preparing for their First Holy Communion and reflects our great appreciation of the Eucharist:
Lord Jesus Christ, bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time.
May this day be the step toward a life-long love of the Eucharist.
Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.
Thank you for their innocence and goodness.
May their hands, extended in anticipation of your body and blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred Sacrament. Amen.
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
Dear Parents and caregivers,
SAVE OUR KNEES | PADDING FOR CHURCH KNEELERS
The kneelers in our churches at St John Vianney Co-Cathedral and St Brigid’s need renewal with padding that will provide comfort and support to all, students, parents, and teachers who kneel during liturgical worship. Improving this practical aspect of our community life will foster an environment of welcome and prayer.
Please contribute to the purchase of padding materials for the kneelers in our churches. No matter how large or small your donation is, your generous donation will help ensure a far more agreeable experience for all members of our congregation, young and old.
HOW TO DONATE?
To be part of this important renewal for our liturgical worship, please complete a pledge form online at: www.lumenchristi.org.au/kneelers
Direct Deposit
BSB: 066 711 Account #: 008056 Ref: Your Name-SOK
Cheques Payable to: Lumen Christi Parish
Or collect an envelope from the church door (mark it “Kneelers Donation”) and place it inside the collection bag, collection boxes, or hand it in at the parish office.
Thank you for helping to save the knees of our students, parents/caregivers, and teachers who come to the House of God to pray in thanksgiving and for the needs of their loved ones.
Fr Bernard Gordon
Vicar General & Administrator
News from Amaroo Gold:
The first few weeks of Term 3 have been incredibly busy and fun for Amaroo Gold. We have been participating in the Sports Ready Program each week and learning new games and skills.
We also celebrated Grandparents Day, with many of our grandparents spending time in our classrooms. They loved our creative portraits.
We also had fun supporting the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal by wearing our pyjamas to school and donating a gold coin.
Amaroo Blue
In Amaroo Blue this term we have been focusing on information texts and building a tiered level of vocabulary to use when writing. We have been building our tiered vocabulary across all Key Learning Areas. Our students have investigated the difference between imaginative and informative texts and we have worked hard to build our knowledge of spelling patterns and rules.
Sports Ready has seen the students from Amaroo join other students in the school for lessons that are developing skills involving sportsmanship and teamwork along with many gross motor skills.
Learning Support Centre
We have had a great start to Term 3 in the LSC. It is wonderful to see so many smiling faces coming through the door each day! All students have been working hard on improving their reading and writing skills. Our older students have been working on some tricky math’s concepts, including angles and fractions. Our younger students have become experts with numbers to 100! Cooking class is always a hit, with some yummy additions such as Mars Bar Slice and Dutch Pancakes. Delicious!
The Canteen will be open Wednesday,Thursday and Friday
Diocesan Athletics Carnival
On Tuesday 15th August, the Primary Athletics Selection Trials were held at Beaton Park. Good Samaritan sent a team of 23 athletes. The whole team proudly represented Good Samaritan.
The first two placegetters in each event, gained selection to represent the Wollongong Diocese at the Mackillop Trials. These will be held at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush on Monday 18 September.
These students are:
1500m Senior: Callum C and Sophie B
Junior Boys Relay Team: Leon P, Flynn C, Isaac P, Jacob D
Junior Girls Relay Teams: Milla E, Aaliah G, Maddi T, Piper T
100m: Maddi T, Milla E
200m: Milla E
800m: Callum
Long Jump: Aaliah G
High Jump: Phoenix D
A special thank you to family members that were able to support the students on the day and to Ms. Malady for supporting our team.
Congratulations to our Athletics team on their results:
Sophie B, 800m - 4th, 1500m - 2nd
Callum C, 800m - 1st, 1500 - 1st
Edward P 1500m - 3rd
Annie P 1500m - 4th
Junior Boys relay: Jacob, Isaac, Flynn, Leon - 1st
Junior Girls relay: Milla, Aaliah, Piper, Maddi - 1st
Senior Boys relay: Callum, Edward, Christopher, Noah - 6th
Senior Girls relay: Lucy, Ivy, Macy, Ria - 5th
Milla 200m - 2nd, 100m - 1st, HJ -1st
Maddi T 200m - 3rd, 100m - 1st
Macy 200m - 6th, 100m - 5th, LJ - 3rd
Evelyn 100m - 3rd
Aaliah 100m - 6th , LJ - 1st
Darcie SP - 4th , Discus - 4th
Madeline Discus - 6th, SP - 7th
Elizabelle P SP - 3rd
Piper T 100m - 8th
Jacob 100m - 4th, LJ - 3rd
Flynn Discus - 4th, SP - 3rd
Phoenix D HJ - 2nd
Sam T Discus - 4th
This week at Good Samaritan, our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) focus has been RESPECT. Each class have explored the meaning of this word, what it looks like in the classroom and how to demonstrate respect to others and yourself.
Each class haven created a definition of what respect means to them:
Amaroo Gold -Respect is treating others like we want to be treated and accepting others for who they are, even if they are different from you or you don't agree with them.
Amaroo Blue-Respect means greeting each other with a happy smile, being kind to others, treating each other politely and sharing.
Kindergarten Blue-Respect is listening to our teachers and Friends, taking turns and putting our hand up.
Kindergarten Gold-Respect is Listening to our teacher and one another with the ear of our heart.
*Being kind to everyone
1Gold-Respect is when you listen and look at someone when they are talking.
2 Blue-Respect is treating others kindly and greeting others in a positive manner. We display good sportspersonship and use uplifting words.
2Gold -Respect is valuing ourselves and each other.
3 Blue-Respect means treating others how you would like to be treated and accepting people for who they are. We can show respect by listening to each other's ideas and opinions, including others even if they like things that are different and giving everyone a fair turn.
3Gold-Respect means that we accept each other for exactly who we are. Respect in relationships builds feelings of trust and safety.
4 Blue -Respect is treating others how you would like to be treated and putting yourself in other people's shoes. Respect is also respecting other peoples boundaries, listening to others and using manners.
4Gold-Respect is when you show love and care for people. It is when you listen and help others showing compassion and empathy. Respect is when you treat others the way you want to be treated.
5Blue-Respect is being kind and inclusive. It involves using your manners when interacting with others and treating others how you would like to be treated.
5Gold -Respect is when we look out for everyone.
6 Blue -Respect is having pride in yourself that is lived out in the way we treat others, the environment and all of God's creation.
6 Gold - Respect is equality and inclusivity. It is being compassionate to everyone and knowing other people's boundaries. Respect is acknowledging others in conversation, using manners and maintaining eye contact.
6 Red-Respect is the mutual trust and compassion shown to yourself and others through applying your best manners
From the School Handbook:
Car Park Safety
Safety within the Parish car park is everyone’s business. Students, parents and staff can only be kept safe if everyone is vigilant about their actions when using this space. It is every parent/carer’s responsibility to exercise safe actions within the carpark. This includes using the car park as indicated below:
- Parents are not to park on school or Parish grounds during drop off (8:20am-8:50am) or pick up (2:30pm-3:20pm) times
- When arriving prior to dismissal at Car Line Pick Up parents are asked to turn engines off once the car is stationary
- A safe speed of 10km/h when driving into the car park
- Do not exit your vehicle when dropping off or picking up students
- Ensure that children are well within the school gate when dropping off before moving off
- Children only exit vehicles when the vehicle is at the front of the queue
- Ensure students have safely entered the car and closed the door when picking up
- There is no pedestrian access to the carpark when car lines have begun in both the morning and afternoon
- Gates into the school are closed and locked from the Parish car park following the morning bell at 8:50am.
Thank you to those parents who continually exercise the utmost care when accessing the school via the Parish car park. Every child’s safety is everyone’s concern.
P&F Treasurer:
The position of P&F Treasurer has recently been vacated. If you wish to nominate for this position please have all nominations emailed to info@gsfmdow.catholic.edu.au by tomorrow afternoon (Thursday 17 August) at 3pm.
No further nominations will be accepted beyond this time.
The position of P&F Treasurer will then be decided by ballot at the next P&F meeting on Monday 28 August at 7pm.
https://signup.zone/school-
Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead:
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DATE: |
REMINDER: |
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Thursday 17 August |
Science Week Celebrations at Good Samaritan |
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Friday 18 August |
2:10pm: School Assembly - All Welcome |
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Saturday 19 August |
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Paul’s Letter to the Romans in the Second Reading reinforces this theme of hospitality and welcome of all people. God does not revoke the gift of love and mercy given to all. Paul’s message is to all those who hear and accept the Word of God. He affirms his special call to those outside of the Jewish faith but who hear and respond to the Word. |
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Sunday 20 August |
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Monday 21 August |
Book Week Celebrations at Good Samaritan
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