Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

Welcome to the 2024 school year. I always find this time of the year to be energising as it heralds another year of growth in faith and learning for all students. The staff have been working hard to ensure that the year commences smoothly for all.

I am very excited to be fulfilling the role of Acting Principal at Good Samaritan, and I see it as a great privilege and honour to have the opportunity to work with such a beautiful school community. I extend my thanks to Mrs Sillis for her thorough handover of information to assist my transition to Good Samaritan.

The students in Year 1- Year 6 return to school tomorrow, Thursday 1st February. They are to wear their full summer uniform, or their sport uniform as per the roster below. Please note that Mrs Olima and Mrs Jancetic will take classes for their first Physical Education and Creative Arts lessons next week.

School Staff 2024

Safer Internet Day Tuesday 6 February 

Tuesday 6 February, Good Samaritan will recognise Safer Internet Day. The students will engage in activities to learn about the importance of playing it safe and fair online. This will be used in conjunction with establishing the routines and procedures that make iPads an effective tool for learning in Years 3-6.

Students in Years 4-6 are not required to bring their iPads to school until Week 2, Tuesday 6 February.

The eSafety Commissioner is offering a series of free parent webinars across the year. The term 1 webinar offers tips for parents about how to socialise, learn and have fun online safely. You can access more information about the webinars here.

The theme for Safer Internet Day 2024 is: Connect. Reflect. Protect.

Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly. 

Reflect on how your actions online may affect others or your safety. 

Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to find out how to stay safe online and report online abuse.

iPads:

iPads will not be required in Years 3-6 until 6 February. This is to allow teachers to establish the classroom procedures and expectations regarding the iPads for learning. Parents are asked to ensure that iPads do not  come to school until this date.

Students in Year 3 as well as new students will engage in an iPad Bootcamp on 6 February so will require their iPads on this day. 

Grade Newsletters

Consistent and accurate communication between home and school allows for a positive relationship to develop and be maintained. The school will continue to publish a weekly newsletter to keep the community informed about the activities within the school.

In addition, each grade will publish a grade newsletter at the beginning of each term. This newsletter will highlight the planned learning to take place for the term. In addition, grades will be able to highlight key dates, remind parents about school and grade expectations.

A link to a Google Form will be included in the grade newsletter which will be sent out in Week 2. We invite all parents to take the time to complete this form. This form is to gain any further information from you to help your child's teacher this year to support them to reach their full potential. Please provide any specific details or information about your child.

Within this form there will be an option to request a face to face or ZOOM meeting with your child’s class teacher.

Kindergarten teachers will send a grade newsletter in Week 4 once the students have had a week to start school. 

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION ENROLMENTS 2024

Parents and caregivers of children in Year 6 are now invited to enrol their child into the 2024 programme for Sacrament of Confirmation.

To enrol your child in the Sacramental program visit the parish website: lumenchristi.org.au/sacramental

If you have any queries, please contact the Lumen Christi Office on (02) 4211 0504.

N.B. Enrolments close 1 March 2024.

BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR LITURGY

Friday 23 February SJV @ 9.15am

Join us as we celebrate the beginning of another school year, welcome our Kindergarten and new students/staff and induct our year 6 into their leadership roles for 2024.

FEAST DAYS:

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD - 2 FEBRUARY

In Luke’s account, Jesus was welcomed in the temple by two elderly people, Simeon and the widow Anna. They embody Israel in their patient expectation; they acknowledge the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Early references to the Roman feast dub it the feast of Saint Simeon, the old man who burst into a song of joy which the Church still sings at day’s end.

DATES FOR SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS:

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

SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY

Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead:

Week 1

1 February – first day Years 1-6

Week 2

5 February – enrolment applications open for Year 7 2026 at Holy Spirit College

6 February – Internet Safety Day

8 February – First day Kindergarten

9 February – Assembly

Week 3

14 February – Ash Wednesday (Mass at 10:30)

15 February – GSFM Swimming trials at UoW Pool

16 February – Assembly

Week 4

23 February – Welcome Liturgy SJV 9.15am

23 February - NO ASSEMBLY

Week 5

28 February – Kindergarten/Year 6 Welcome BBQ

1 March – Sacrament of Confirmation enrolments close

1 March - Assembly

Week 6

5 March – South Coast Regional Swimming Carnival

8 March – Assembly

Week 7

13 March – NAPLAN Commences

13 March – Open School – Twilight 5pm – 6pm

15 March – Feast of St Patrick Liturgy 9:15am

15 March – Assembly

Week 8

NAPLAN continues

20 March – Feast of St Joseph’s liturgy

20 March – Parent Information evening – Sacrament of Confirmation 6:30pm – 7:30pm

21 March – Cross Country Carnival at Kembla Joggers

22 March – Assembly

Week 9

24 March – 8:30am Confirmation Student Commitment Mass

25 March – Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord Liturgy/ Holy Week Liturgy 9:15am

27 March – Easter Hat Parade and Raffle

28 March – Staff Spirituality Day – Pupil Free Day

29 March – GOOD FRIDAY

Week 10

31 March – EASTER SUNDAY

1 April – EASTER MONDAY

2 April – Year 6 Mass 9:30am

5 April – Assembly

Week 11

9 April – Year 6 Mass 9:30am

12 April – GSFM Award Liturgy 9:15am (LAST DAY TERM 1)