Filter Content
Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,
It is very pleasing to see how well the students are settling back into their routines. It is also wonderful to see how well the Kindergarten students have adjusted to school life in such a short amount of time. Our classrooms reflect very happy places of learning and friendship.
Our school rules and expectations support our students to grow. Our consistent expectations are encouraged through positive reinforcement, proactive and preventative management and processes and systems that work to provide strong, stable structures to the students. By encouraging our students to be Safe, Respectful and Responsible we are establishing lifelong skills of socialisation whilst also allowing our classroom environments to be conducive to learning.
I take this opportunity to remind you of the following process commencing next week as mentioned in the Week 2 Term 1 newsletter. 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.
Wednesday, 14th February 2024, marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. During this season, parents and teachers explain to children that it is a time of reflection, preparation and prayer. I invite our parents/carers to encourage your children to participate in Lenten practices such as giving up something, doing acts of kindness and attending Mass.
On Tuesday 13th February, our two school captains (Claudua U and Eric L) accompanied me to John Therry Catholic College Rosemeadow for the launch of Project Compassion. The liturgy was led by Bishop Brian Mascord. Caritas’ special guest speaker, Alicia, provided those present with interesting facts on how the funds raised are used to support people in need in Australia and around the world.
In Faith and Learning,
Lisa Tyson
Acting Principal
Grade Newsletters and Google Forms
Grade newsletters were sent out via compass last week and Kindergarten on Tuesday.
In each grade newsletter there is a link to complete a Google form to provide valuable information and insight about your child to assist class teachers. Included in this form is an opportunity for you to request a face to face meeting or phone call with your child’s teacher.
These forms will be closed on Friday, 23 February for Years 1-6 parents.
Kindergarten will hold an information session for all parents on Monday 19 February at 5:30pm in the Kindergarten rooms.
NAPLAN Timetable
Please note these dates in your calendar. Students will attend normal classes outside of these periods. An note outlining further details about NAPLAN will be sent to all Year 3 & 5 parents.
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
Join us as we celebrate the beginning of another school year, welcome our Kindergarten, new students/staff and induct our year 6 into their leadership roles for 2024.
Please join us for a picnic morning tea after in the school grounds. Coffee van will be available should you wish to purchase a coffee. If the weather is wet, there will be no picnic.
Friday 23 February SJV @ 9.15am
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).
THANK YOU
Thank you to the many parents who helped serve pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. It was lovely to see everyone working for a common good and modelling to our students how we continue the work of Jesus. Congratulations to Ingham House on raising the most money. We raised $393.70 for Project Compassion.
DATES FOR SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS:
|
TERM 1 & 2 |
GOOD SAMARITAN FAMILIES |
|
Parent information Evening |
Wednesday 20 March at 6:30pm |
|
Candidate's Commitment Mass |
Sunday 24 March at 8:30am |
|
School Program St Brigid’s and Good Samaritan |
5 weeks with 2 weeks of pupil vacation |
|
Parish Mass Attendance |
Tuesday 26 March - no Mass |
|
Sacrament of Reconciliation |
Saturday from 11:00am - 12:00 noon on 1 of the following days: |
|
Retreat Day |
Friday 17 May from 8:50 am - 3:00 pm |
|
Celebration of Confirmation with Bishop Brian Mascord |
St John Vianney Church |
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)
News from Year 3 Classrooms
Last Wednesday, 7 February, Year 3 were excited to receive their 1:1 iPads. We had Mr Woods from the Catholic Education Office come to Good Samaritan to help us set up our new devices and show us some tricks and tips. We will use the iPads for focused learning experiences that will support the work we are doing in the classroom.
News from Year 4 Classrooms
In 4B we have been settling in and getting to know one another. We have been looking at each of our talents and how we are all unique and different, yet the same. It’s been a very busy, yet wonderful start to the year!
Year 4 G has had a great start to the year. We went head on into learning and have been busy looking at Australia prior to colonisation, reading the narrative The thing about Oliver By Deborah Kelly and breaking open the parable of The Good Samaritan.
We are ready for another amazing year!!!
From Monday 19 (Week 4) students will be coming to the library to borrow/return books.
Students will need a library bag (no plastic) each time to protect those books.
| MONDAY | 1Blue | 6 Gold | 5 Blue | 6 Blue | ||
| TUESDAY | Amaroo Gold | Amaroo Blue | Emmaus | Kinder Blue | Kinder Gold | 1 Gold |
| FRIDAY | 3 Blue | 2 Blue | 2 Gold | 4 Gold | 3 Gold | 4 Blue |
GSFM Swimming Trials
Swimming trial information for Thursday 15 February (University of Wollongong Pool)
The trials will start at 8:45am. Please be at the pool by 8:30am. Students need to sign in and out of the pool with Mrs Apolloni.
The trial will conclude at approximately 11:30 - 12:00 pm. Students must be signed out at the end of the trials.
The first event will be the 100m freestyle, therefore those swimmers need to be at the pool by 8:30 am ready for the first race at 8:45am.
List of events -
100m Freestyle (OPEN - all ages)
50m Freestyle - (Age event 8 - 12, age you are turning THIS YEAR)
50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke, 50m Butterfly (Junior, 11’s, Seniors) *Juniors are 8, 9, 10’s together
200m Individual Medley - Order: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle (Junior, 11’s, Seniors)
Ribbons will be given for each event NOT heat. Overall results will be decided on times, there will be no finals. An Assembly will be held to give out ribbons back at school, date to be confirmed.
Children are to wear their sports uniform including a school hat and SUNSCREEN. Swimmers must be on when arriving at the pool under your uniform. All clothing AND towels must be labelled with your name. PLEASE COLLECT everything before leaving the pool.
Students must bring a packed recess and lunch with water bottles.
Students requiring medication (Including Asthma medication, epi pens etc) are to bring their own.
REMINDER IT IS PARENT TRANSPORT TO AND FROM THE POOL
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.
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.
Diary Dates & Reminders for the week ahead:
|
DATE: |
REMINDER: |
|
Thursday 15 February |
GSFM Swimming Trials -UOW Pool |
|
Friday 16 February |
Assembly |
|
Monday 19 February |
Kindergarten Parent Information Session 5.30pm-6.30pm |
|
Friday 23 February |
Welcome Liturgy Fr James's Farewell Assembly 2pm |
P&F AGM
Please come along to the P & F AGM
Date: 27.02.2024
Time: 7 pm in the School Library
Week 3
15 February – GSFM Swimming trials at UoW Pool
16 February – Assembly
Week 4
23 February – Welcome Liturgy SJV 9.15am
23 February - Fr James's Farewell Assembly 2 pm
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)