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Dear Parents and Caregivers of Good Samaritan,
What a great community event the P&F Colour Explosion Fun Run was this year. It was wonderful to see the children so excited to be running together, getting sprayed with colour, having a disco and a treat of fruit with an ice block.
This year we had our Mystery Guests who were slimed as well. What a great sport Fr James was - although I don’t know that he quite knew what he was in for! Edward and Madix, two of our Year 6 leaders, also demonstrated great enthusiasm and commitment to their school. The boys knew that they were mystery guests for over a week and kept it highly confidential for all that time! That’s pretty hard to do when you are 12! Mrs Olima was pretty excited to be slimed as well!
Our P&F continue to show so much support of our school and we can now look forward to making our playground dream a reality.
Thank you to all who made Friday possible - whether it was sending your child to school in a white T-shirt or coming along on the day - all your efforts are appreciated.
Until next week,
Toni Sillis
Principal
October - Mental Health Month
Although October is over, it’s still important to think about our mental health and wellbeing!
5 Ways to Wellbeing provides practical tools and resources on how to make the 5 ways part of your ways to wellbeing. It’s as simple as Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Be Aware, and Help Others.
Working Bee
Safety when entering and exiting the school:
Recently, a community member contacted the school concerned about the manner in which some cars are entering and exiting the Parish carpark. Please be aware that pedestrians, often children and cyclists, are crossing the driveway at these busy times as well. Parents and caregivers are asked to drive slowly watching out for pedestrians.
Over the next few weeks we will focus on the value of Community and look at the focus of safety before and after school. Students will be explicitly taught the following expectations for before and after school.
What can students do in the morning?
- Students arrive at school each day from 8:20 when playground supervision begins, unless they are enrolled in before school care.
- When students arrive they go directly to their classroom, drop off their bag and move to the playground and stay until bell time. All other areas of the school, including buildings are out of bounds.
- Play games fairly
- Follow school rules
- Use equipment responsibly
- Return equipment to trolley after Stop, Drop and Turn as directed by the teacher
What can students do in the afternoon?
- Students on car lines assemble at 2:55 ready for dismissal.
- Students travelling by bus go directly to bus lines.
- Students on Parent Pick Up wait with their class teacher outside their classroom until parents arrive.
- Students who walk or ride to and from school do so in groups and leave the grounds promptly after dismissal and go straight home.
Getting to Know St Benedict
Saint Benedict lived in the beginning of the 6th century, but his teachings are still relevant to this very day. Saint Benedict’s life was marked by education, prayer, penitence and miracles, even during his own lifetime. The Benedictine Rule, the rule Benedict wrote for his monks, is still referred to today. The most famous phrase from this rule is “Ora et Labora” (Prayer and Work), which together with the principle of hospitality (meaning that all are welcomed), were the basis of the monastic lifestyle in Monte Cassino.
Celebrating All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day
In the Catholic tradition, November is traditionally a month of remembrance of the dead. The month begins with the Solemnity of All Saints on 1 November and the Commemoration of the All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on 2 November. While no longer holy days of obligation in Australia, the Church has consistently encouraged prayers for the faithful departed and, during November, a list of the names of the dead is usually placed in the church so that the community can remember them in prayer.
All Saints Masses | Wednesday 1 November
St Francis Xavier Cathedral: 7am & 12.10pm
All Souls Masses | Thursday 2 November
St Francis Xavier Cathedral: 7am & 12.10pm
St Brigid’s: 9.30am
To have Mass offered for your deceased relatives, friends, and benefactors, please print their names clearly on an envelope. Names will be published in the book of the dead. You can get envelopes at the church doors and parish office or visit our website at: lumenchristi.org.au/NovemberMass
Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal
Hamper Donations
As a school community, we will be collecting non-perishable food items from the list below. Donations are due by Friday 17 November (Week 6)
Christmas Mufti Friday 24 November
Students and teachers are encouraged to come to school dressed in your green, white and red Christmas clothes. Students will be asked to contribute a gold coin donation. This money will be used to add to hampers or buy small gifts such as soft toys, books, or beach towels.
Christmas Cards of Hope Lunchtime Club
Each Tuesday in Weeks 4-8 students are invited to join the Mini Vinnies team in the STEM ROOM to make Christmas Cards that will be added into the hampers. Students are to bring their pencil cases with scissors and glue.
There is lots to look forward to at this time of year and Miss Rae, Mrs Apolloni and The Mini Vinnies team thank you for your support.
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
Year 1 has started making their major art project for this term - a 3 dimensional Christmas wreath. Each student has around 120 strips of fabric that they are tying around a wire coat hanger that has been shaped into a circle. It is quite a long process - but we are getting lots of fine motor skills practice which will benefit many other skills such as handwriting, drawing and shoelace tying! It will be another few weeks until they are all finished, but I think you can agree that they will be marvelous when they are done.
Year 1 has also been learning the Mexican hat dance in PE. There have been lots of smiles and laughter as we keep fit while moving our bodies to music - OLE!
News from Year 2
In week 2, Year 2 visited the Botanical Gardens in Wollongong. We discovered all the wonderful creatures that live in our aquatic environment. Students investigated aquatic environments in the Botanic Gardens and discovered some of the plants and animals that live there. Students actively engaged in using dip nets and charts to learn about the observable stages of life-cycles. Students learnt about the components of the aquatic environments such as food, shelter, temperature and learnt about the indicators of pollution.
Congratulations!
Last week Maddi was successful in running the Under 9’s 100m semi finals at the NSWPSSA championships. Callum ran the 800m achieving a PB and Jacob competed in the Long Jump. Well done to these students who have successfully represented GSFM, Wollongong Diocese and the MacKillop team at the State Championships. We are very proud of you!
Our school's focus is on "Following Instructions" as part of our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) program. This initiative aims to create a more positive and productive learning environment for your child.
During this time, your child's teachers will be working with them to enhance their ability to listen carefully, understand, and follow instructions both in the classroom and playground.
We encourage you to reinforce these skills at home by providing clear expectations, offering consistent routines, and acknowledging their efforts to follow instructions effectively.
By working together, we can help your child develop essential life skills and succeed academically. Thank you for your continued support in promoting a positive and cooperative learning environment for all students.
2024 School Fees:
We have been advised of the following regarding School Fees for 2024. There has been a slight increase in fees for the upcoming school year. The following is billed to parents per family.
School Fees are generally due 30 days after invoicing, however, families are provided with flexibility to meet their commitments. To facilitate this flexibility families must complete a Request to Pay School Fees by Instalment Form to advise the school of their intended payment option. Once you have completed the Installment form the instalments will show on your fee statements with the amount to be paid each instalment and the date by which it is due. The instalment amount will be calculated so all fees are paid in one school calendar year with an end date the first week in December.
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Primary School Fees Diocese of Wollongong |
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Tuition Fees K-6 (Family Fee Type) |
$1843.00 |
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SEDSO Levy K-6 (Family Fee Type) |
1245.00 |
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GSFM School Resource Fee K-6 (Individual Student Fee Type) |
$215.00 |
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GSFM Carnivals (Individual Student Fee Type) |
$26.00 |
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At Good Samaritan, excursions are billed at the time of the event.
Year 6 2 single day School Camp and annual activities are also included within the school fee structure.
The Canteen will be open Wednesday,Thursday and Friday
CASH ONLY
From the School Handbook
What do I do if I have a concern regarding a student/s who is not my child?
At times parents may become concerned about the behaviour of other students and, in an effort to resolve the situation, approach the student concerned. However, under no circumstances are parents to approach other students when trying to resolve an issue. Always seek assistance from the school. Incidents such as this can very quickly lead to reportable Child Protection matters that have to be investigated and reported.
It is also good practice to seek assistance from the school when you have a concern rather than approaching other parents about school related matters.
Always think about what you would do, or how you would feel, if another parent approached your child or confronted you about a matter where you were not fully informed of the details.
News from P&F
Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead:
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DATE: |
REMINDER: |
| Wednesday 1 November |
All Saints Day November: Diabetes Awareness Month |
| Thursday 2 November | All Souls Day |
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Friday 3 November |
2:10pm Principal's Award Assembly - All Welcome
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| Saturday 4 November |
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A Observe the sort of life we live. In every society people observe the actions of others. When many people ignore a particular law others conclude that it is alright for them to do the same. Children often imitate the behaviours of their parents. When we practise the law of love in our lives we benefit not only those who need our help but also those who observe our actions. |
| Sunday 5 November | |
| Monday 6 November | |
| Tuesday 7 November |
Mark your Calenders!
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NOVEMBER |
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Friday |
10 November |
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Monday |
13 November |
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DECEMBER |
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Tuesday |
5 December |
Yr 6 Jamberoo Day Out |
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Wednesday |
6 December |
School Christmas Concert |
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Thursday |
14 December |
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Friday |
15 December |
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The Lord Mayor's Picinic in the Park