Dear Parents and Caregivers of Good Samaritan,

The school staff have been working on reviewing the Vision and Mission of our school. As with any organisation, mission, vision and values statements serve as the foundation for the organisation’s strategic plan. They convey the purpose, direction and underlying values of the organisation. When developed and implemented in a thoughtful and deliberate manner, these statements can serve as powerful tools that provide organisations with meaningful guidance, especially under times of rapid change. Consequently, taking the time to craft relevant mission, vision and value statements should be carefully considered.

This process has been one of deep discernment, listening and reflection. We have used key Diocesan documents to inform the process including the Bishop’s Decree - Bearer’s of Christ’s Love, the Diocesan strategic plan Lighting the Way 2023+ and the School Improvement Tool.

As we look towards renewing the Vision Statement we are asking the question: What does our future look like? in order for the Vision to give inspiration, direction and map out where we are headed.

The Mission statement focuses on today. It defines what we do and for whom we do it. It guides the day to day operation of the school and communicates the ‘solutions’ that we provide and answers the questions What are we trying to accomplish? and What impact are we trying to achieve?

This is an exciting period of time for our school community. I offer you an invitation to come and have a discussion about the Vision and Mission of our school on Thursday 26 October at 8:30am. Some of our Year 5 students will also be given the opportunity to discuss the Vision and Mission allowing for a strong student voice to inform this important work.

Enjoy the week ahead,

Toni Sillis

Principal

As Year 12 students sit the first of the HSC exams today it is timely to remember that their journey of school education began in Kindergarten and continued through to Year 6. These formative years of learning will contribute to the success these students achieve over the coming weeks.

We wish them well.

Who is St Benedict?

A LIFE OF SAINT BENEDICT 

After founding twelve communities of monks at Subiaco, Italy, Benedict of Norcia (480 AD - 21 March 547) traveled to Montecassino where he established a monastery and wrote "The Rule." This simple set of guidelines for how the life of a monk should be lived has become one of the most influential works in all of Western Christendom. 

EARLY LIFE — NORCIA

Saint Benedict was born at Norcia around 480 AD. That historical time frame, a mere four years before the Western Roman Empire formally fell by the deposition of the last Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was quite difficult. The only authentic life of Saint Benedict is that which is contained in the second book of the Pope Saint Gregory’s Dialogues, probably written between 593-594 AD. 

After attending primary schools in Norcia, Benedict went to Rome to broaden his knowledge of literature and law. However, since he was probably disgusted by the dissolute lifestyle of his peers and by Rome’s difficult political situation, he retired to Affile with a group of priests, taking his old nurse with him as a servant. 

At Affile, Saint Benedict worked his first miracle, restoring to perfect condition an earthenware wheat sifter which his man-servant had accidentally broken. The notoriety which this miracle brought drove Benedict to withdraw further from social life. He took shelter in a cave in the ruins of Nero’s village, near Subiaco, where he began to live as a hermit. Immersed in loneliness, his only contact with the outside world was with a monk called Romanus, whose monastery was nearby. He gave Saint Benedict a monk’s habit and provided for his spiritual and material needs. Three solitary years followed. Some shepherds befriended Benedict. They began to follow his teachings and the pastoral and apostolic principles of the Benedictine Order took root. 

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

Grade Newsletters will go out in the coming week to outline the planned learning to take place in Term Four. Key dates and grade expectations will be highlighted.

Representative Sports Trial Reminder: 

The nomination form for representative sports trials for 2024 are due Monday 16 October 2024. Nominations will not be accepted after this date.

Congratulations to Lily W

In the school holidays, Lily was part of the  Illawarra Hawks Under 14 girls team that travelled to Melbourne to participate in the Australian Basketball Club Championships. 

The Illawarra side was undefeated throughout the tournament and beat the championship favourite and the previously undefeated Kilsyth in the final to win the Gold medal. Congratulations Lily!

From the School Handbook

School Uniform Policy

The wearing of the correct school uniform is very important at Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School as it creates a greater sense of equality among the student population despite the diverse socio-economic backgrounds of their families. 

The following are some basic guidelines for following the expectations associated with wearing the correct school uniform at Good Samaritan:

1. All students are to wear the full, correct  uniform at all times.
2. Uniforms are to be labelled, cleaned, pressed, properly repaired and worn neatly at all times. 
3. Damaged or shabby items of uniform are to be replaced.
4. School uniform regulations apply equally to hair, jewellery, make-up (including false fingernails), hats and shoes.
5. Classroom teachers are responsible for checking uniform on a daily basis.
6. Where a uniform breach occurs a verbal reminder/warning is given.
7. If a repetition of uniform breaches occurs, parents will be contacted by way of letter.
8. Students out of uniform, who have a valid reason, should have a note to this effect, signed by their parents. This is to be counter-signed by the classroom teacher.
9. For extreme breaches of the uniform code, a student may be isolated from the rest of the school.
10. Where genuine financial difficulties hamper a student in fully meeting all uniform requirements, the Principal may supply items of uniform at the school’s expense. 

All items of uniform must be purchased from the Good Samaritan Uniform Shop.

Basis of Discretion

• Discretion may be used when a student is out of uniform on the first occasion. 
• The Principal has the right to waver uniform requirements in special circumstances. 

P&F Meeting: Monday 16 October 7pm

The next P&F meeting will be held in the Library and via zoom (link below).

Topic: P&F Zoom Meeting

Time: Oct 16, 2023 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:

    https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/63406659177?pwd=V3YyU0hpVHdkcnJXZVpybGJxbEtydz09

    Password: 031925

News from P&F

Please everyone dont forget to register your child /children for our biggest fundraising event of the year,

All monies raised will go towards upgrading our school playground.

The colour run will be the 27th of October there will be a compass notification sent out in the next week asking for parent/ carers help on the day.

All children that register and raise anything over $10 are eligible for a prize.

Register: australianfundraising.com.au

Thank you all so much for your support 

Good Samaritan P&F 

 The Canteen will be open Wednesday,Thursday and Friday

CASH ONLY

Mark you Calenders!

Kindergarten 2024 Transition to School Dates: