Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan, 

This week we welcome Kindergarten into the Good Samaritan school community. As of Thursday 8th February our Good Samaritan family will be complete. Beginning school is a significant milestone in the life of children and their families and we look forward to working together in the faith, learning and well-being development of all of our students.

We recognise Safer Internet Day this week. This worldwide initiative helps to create safer online spaces for children

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

As we commence the 2024 school year, the prevalence of mobile digital devices (such as smart watches and mobile phones) amongst the primary school students at Good Samaritan has highlighted concerns regarding learning focus, social connections and potential breaches of the CEDoW Student Responsible Use of Technology Agreement. I understand that parents may wish their child to have a mobile digital device for travel to and from school. Whilst at school, however, where we have a duty of care to provide a safe learning environment, such devices pose a heightened risk of the above-mentioned concerns, as well as a heightened risk of access to inappropriate sites and potential cyber abuse. Please note also that the school does not take any responsibility for any loss or damage of personal mobile digital devices if they are brought to school. 

As a way of enhancing the safety of our learning environment for all students, the following process will be in place from the commencement of Week 4 - students who bring mobile phones or smart watches to school will store their device in a school provided storage container during school hours.Students will hand their devices to their class teacher each morning and collect them each afternoon. 

I appreciate the anticipated support of this process as a way to enhance your child’s ability to learn and play in an environment where access to technology is an integral part of the curriculum using school managed devices. As a school community we aim to minimise the possibility of harm caused by the potential misuse of technology.

NAPLAN: Information for Parents 

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. All students in these year levels are expected to participate in tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. 

At Good Samaritan we focus on quality assessment to drive student learning and reflection on teaching practice. As children progress through their school years, it is very important that checks are made along the way to see how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and mathematics – skills that will set them upon the path to success as adults.

NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that allows parents and carers to see how their child is progressing in literacy and numeracy against the national standard and compared with their peers throughout Australia. At the classroom level, NAPLAN provides additional information to support teachers’ professional judgement about student progress.

The NAPLAN online test window starts on 13 March and finishes on 25 March 2024. A NAPLAN brochure has been attached with further information.

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.

Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day - Tuesday 13 February

Shrove Tuesday, often referred to as Pancake Day, is a Christian tradition that marks the day before the start of Lent. It’s a day of preparation and feasting before the 40-day period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter. On this day, many people indulge in pancakes as a way to use up rich and indulgent ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting period begins. The name “Shrove Tuesday” comes from the word “shrive,” which means to confess one’s sins and receive absolution from a priest. It’s a day for Christians to prepare their hearts and souls for the penitential season of Lent.

Good Samaritan students and staff will celebrate this day by selling pancakes for a gold coin donation. All proceeds will go towards the Diocesan yearly charity Project Compassion. If you are able to assist us from 9.30-10.30am we would appreciate your help and enjoy your company. 

Good Samaritan Units in Religious Education

All students will revise the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Religious Education lessons in Term 1. The story of The Good Samaritan tells us how God wants us to treat other people, reflect on their relationships with other people, explore the beauty and diversity of creation

and consider ways to take care of creation.

We encourage parents to talk to your child/children about how they can learn to be a Good Samaritan in their own lives.

FOLLOWING OUR CATHOLIC TRADITIONS DURING LENT

THE LENTEN OBSERVANCES

• All who have completed their 18th year (until the beginning of their sixtieth year) are bound to fast (one full meal and two smaller meals, subject to medical and health requirements) and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

• All who have completed their 14th year are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

• Pastors, teachers, and parents are to ensure that even those who, by reason of their age, are not bound by the laws of fasting and abstinence from meat, are taught the true meaning of penance.

PASCHAL PRECEPT

• Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This is to be done in Australia between Ash Wednesday (14 February 2024) and Trinity Sunday (26 May 2024).

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

News from Year 5 Classrooms 

Year 5 have had a great start to the new year. Everyone in year 5 is “Ready To Learn”. We look forward to and great and exciting year ahead.

News from Year 6 Classrooms 

Year 6 has had a smooth transition into the new 2024 year. It is lovely to see the students well rested, happy and looking so smart and respectful in their school uniforms. We look forward to an exciting year with them and seeing them learn and grow into lovely young Good Samaritans.

GSFM Swimming Trials

Our School Swimming Selection Trials will be held on Thursday 15 February 2024 at the Wollongong University Pool.  

This trial is ONLY for students who can swim 50m and are turning 8 or above this year.  Students from these trials may gain selection in the GSFM Swimming Team to participate at the South Coast Swimming Selection Trials in March 2024.

If your child would like to participate please complete the Compass payment and consent event by Friday 9 February (this is in addition to the nomination that was completed at the end of last year. 

Over the last week students have spent valuable time in their classrooms collaboratively establishing essential rules, expectations, routines and consequences. This empowering initiative aims to create a positive and conducive learning environment, reinforcing our commitment to supporting each child in being "Ready to Learn." Emphasising the importance of positive behaviours, our entire school community follows the PB4L (Positive Behaviours for Learning) model, fostering a culture where every student can thrive academically and socially.

Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead:

P&F AGM

Please come along to the P & F AGM 

Date: 27.02.2024

Time: 7 pm in the School Library

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)