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Peter William Ingham, the fourth Bishop of Wollongong, died peacefully in the late evening of 26 April 2024. He was 83 years of age and almost 60 years a priest.
With the mention of the name, Bishop Peter Ingham, words and images immediately spring to mind. Bishop Peter had a prodigious memory for names and faces, and it was a great joy to him to be among people at diocesan or civic gatherings. His warm and welcoming, happy and caring nature were evident in his engagement with each person. He was compassionate and approachable, faith-filled and prayerful—in essence, a servant leader. His greatest joy was to be a disciple of Jesus and a true shepherd of God’s people.
In 2016, Bishop Peter was diagnosed with fibrosis of the lungs which restricted his airways and his capacity to exert himself. As his condition deteriorated, he was cared for by a close family friend with the assistance of his doctor and palliative care teams in Sydney. He faced his death with the dignity, graciousness and serenity that had characterised his life—gently surrendering into the arms of our loving God at 83 years of age on 26 April 2024.
Paying tribute to the impact Bishop Peter had on the Diocese of Wollongong, the current bishop of Wollongong, Bishop Brian Mascord said: “Bishop Peter was a spiritual father of the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. We offer him a heartfelt ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ (Matthew 25:23), and we take comfort in the sure hope that we now have another advocate in the presence of our Lord praying for the needs and salvation of the people of God in the Diocese of Wollongong.
“A man of God—a man for the people. May his noble soul
rest in peace.”
Fr Bernard's father, Bernard Gordon (senior) passed away on Monday, April 29th. Bernard (senior). The Mass of Christian Burial took place at the Cathedral on Monday.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gordon family. We extend our deepest condolences to Bernard’s wife, Bernadette, Josephine (Dec), Fr Bernard, Patrick, Frances, and Sam.
It is wonderful to be back in the administration block – less than one month since we flooded. I extend my thanks to the staff at Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong for their prompt response in ensuring minimal disruption to the school.
There was a need for a late staffing change at the end of Term 1. Mrs Christie Gray has been seconded to Amaroo Gold for term 2 and Miss Tierney Dunne is teaching 3 Gold each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tierney is known to the students and a thorough handover was undertaken prior to her commencement in the role. She is working closely with both Leesa Ellul and Christie Gray to ensure excellent continuity for all students in the class. Both teachers will have input into the semester one reports. As I’m sure most of you are aware, Tierney is a passionate teacher with amazing energy and enthusiasm. 3 Gold are in great hands.
Our Year 6 Confirmation candidates are preparing to receive the sacrament on Saturday 18th May. Please keep these children in your prayers as they prepare for this significant event in their faith journey.
The school is making great progress in our AIP goal – All students will achieve growth and improved confidence in reading fluency. All staff spent our Staff Development Day at the start of this term learning about strategies to develop reading fluency in their classrooms. I thank Mrs Leesa Ellul for leading this day and sharing her expertise with all of us.
I wish all of the GSFM mums a wonderful day and I invite you to our breakfast and liturgy that is now occurring on Friday 17th May (date changed due to weather forecast).
We had a lovely P&F meeting via zoom last night. Our next meeting will be via zoom on Monday 17th June at 7pm.
Mrs Lisa Tyson
Acting Principal
From next Monday 13 May we will be inviting students in Years 4-6, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.
We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at Good Samaritan.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The survey link will be shared with you via compass on Monday, 13 May.
If you wish for your child to opt out of the student survey please print and sign the form that was sent out via compass last week and return the note to school by 10th May.
Winter School Uniform - Changeover
Thank you to our parents and carers for the high standards you expect of your children regarding the school uniform. The uniform is an important part of our identity as a school and each student's sense of belonging.
Students will begin wearing the winter uniform from Monday 13 May (Week 3 - after Mother's Day).
Kindergarten Interviews
Currently Mrs Tyson and I are interviewing students hoping to start at Good Samaritan in 2025 and will continue to do so over the coming weeks. This has been a wonderful opportunity to meet new and existing families and welcome new students into our community.
Grade Newsletters
Consistent and accurate communication between home and school allows for a positive relationship to develop and be maintained. The school will publish a fortnightly 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. These will be sent out at the end of Week 2.
Mrs Catherine Hailstone
Assistant Principal
THE MONTH OF MAY FOR MARY AND WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY
During this month of devotion to Mary we will also celebrate the Church’s first World Children’s Day (25-26 May) when thousands of boys and girls will meet the Pope in
Rome. Let us ask Mary our Mother to pray for children and a deepening of our acceptance and love for children. During the month of May we will pray the prayer for World
Children’s Day at the prayers of the faithful. Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty,
reflected in the faces of children all over the world. Come, Jesus, you who make all things new, who are the way that leads us to the Father, come and remain with us always. Amen.
Further information about World Children’s Day will be provided in our next newsletter.
PRAYER BAGS
Each class will have a prayer bag whereby students will have the opportunity to bring it home for family prayer during the month of May (traditionally the month of Mary). Each bag will contain a statue of Our Lady, battery operated candle, rosary beads and an instruction booklet on how to pray the rosary. Please ensure that it is returned after one night to ensure that all students are given the opportunity for prayer at home.
ANZAC LITURGY
Good Samaritan staff and students paid their respects to our ANZACS on Wednesday 1 May. Special thanks to Mrs Vazey and Year 4 for conducting a beautiful ceremony to remember all those who lost their lives in service to their country, in all wars.
Prayer for Confirmation Candidates:
God of all ages,
You send out your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people,
Look kindly on our candidates for Confirmation as they seek to hear your voice.
As they embark on their journey, we pray that you send your Spirit to enlighten, guide, strengthen, console, and open their hearts as they continue to seek a closer relationship with you.
Help them to truly know the deep and abiding love you have for each of them and fill them with the joy of your presence
As our community prepares these children for Confirmation, make us an instrument of your love,
Teach us to revere what is holy in others and to be patient with what we do not understand.
Deepen our faith and help us to pass it on by our example
We pray that you continue to guide and sustain us,
and teach us the Way of Love
We praise you through Christ our Lord
Amen
Year 3 Enrolments for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
A reminder for all year 3 parents/carers that enrolments are open for 2024 candidates. Please enroll your child before this due date. Enquiries may be made via our school phone or email.
Students seeking the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist are invited to enrol in the Sacramental program through the Lumen Christi Parish Online Portal. Visit: lumenchristi.org.au/sacramental
Enrolments close on Friday 17 May 2024.
Year 6 Retreat Day Information
We would like to inform you that the postponed event for Mothers' Day will now be taking place on the same day as Year 6 Retreat day Friday 17 May. Despite this scheduling change, we want to assure you that Year 6 students will still have the opportunity to attend the Mothers' Day Breakfast and Liturgy. This will be their final celebration for Mothers' Day at Good Samaritan.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAM DATES
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TERM 1 & 2 |
GOOD SAMARITAN FAMILIES |
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School Program St Brigid’s and Good Samaritan |
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Parish Mass Attendance |
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Sacrament of Reconciliation |
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Retreat Day |
Friday 17 May from 8:50 am - 3:00 pm |
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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)
Congratulations to our Week 1 Recipients:
|
Year |
Values |
Merit |
|---|---|---|
|
K Blue |
Matthew W |
Hugo I Aizola N |
|
K Gold |
Austin Z |
Cruz H |
|
1 Blue |
Tiana M |
Penelope K |
|
1 Gold |
Lewis M |
Isla B Lockie N |
|
2 Blue |
Chloe C |
Mabel S Philippa S |
|
2 Gold |
Knox B |
Evie E Vignana A |
|
3 Blue |
Emily J |
Delta L Lucy R |
|
3 Gold |
Emily C |
Tobias H Freya N |
|
4 Blue |
Claire B |
Josefina D Ashton W |
|
4 Gold |
Leo P |
Alexander T Zara H |
|
5 Blue |
Sofia W |
Jayden G Maya S |
|
5 Gold |
Oscar H |
Roman D Riley S |
|
6 Blue |
Harper F |
Nash T Marcos S |
|
6 Gold |
Rose C |
Alexander. A Beau. E |
|
Amaroo Gold |
Arlo S |
Students who receive 10, 20, 30 awards will be presented a Principal Award on Friday 7 June.
Invitations will be sent to parents.
GSFM Voice Code
Students also enjoyed learning the rules of the Sandpit and having some fun.
Year 6 Polo Shirts
Year 6 are proud to be finally wearing their new Sports Polos and looking very smart.
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:
- All students are to wear the full, correct uniform at all times.
- Uniforms are to be labelled, cleaned, pressed, properly repaired and worn neatly at all times.
- Damaged or shabby items of uniform are to be replaced.
- School uniform regulations apply equally to hair, jewellery, make-up (including false fingernails), hats and shoes.
- Classroom teachers are responsible for checking uniform on a daily basis.
- Where a uniform breach occurs a verbal reminder/warning is given.
- If a repetition of uniform breaches occurs, parents will be contacted by way of letter.
- 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.
- For extreme breaches of the uniform code, a student may be isolated from the rest of the school.
- 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.
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.
WINTER UNIFORM:
CHILDREN WILL WEAR WINTER UNIFORM FROM WEEK 3
MONDAY 13 MAY 2024
Due to the anticipated weather forecast for the remainder of this week, including Friday, I have made the decision to postpone our Mother's Day celebrations (Breakfast and Liturgy) until FRIDAY 17th MAY.
The Mothers' Day stall will still go ahead this Friday 10 May
We look forward to celebrating Mothers' Day with you all on Friday 17 May
Mothers Day Stall - Friday 10 May
Gifts will be available for purchase from the cost of $2,-$10. Children are to bring in their own bag to transport gifts home.
Upcoming key dates:
|
Friday |
17 May | Mother's Day Breakfast/Liturgy | 7:30am |
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Friday |
21 June | Pie Drive | |
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Monday |
17 June | P & F Meeting via ZOOM commencing 7pm | |
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Friday |
21 June |
Pie Drive Delivery (more details to follow) |
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Friday |
13 September |
Trivia Evening (more details to follow) |
MAY
T2W2
Friday 10 May: Mother's Day Stall
Monday 20 May: Book Club Orders Due
T2 W3
Monday 13 May: Winter Uniform
Thursday 16 May: Pentecost Liturgy- Hall Whole School 11:30am
Friday 17 May: Mother's Day celebrations (Breakfast and Liturgy 7:30am)
Friday 17 May: Confirmation Retreat / School Hall
Friday 17 May: NO ASSEMBLY
Saturday 18 May: Celebration of Confirmation 4:30pm SJV Co- Cathedral
T2 W4
Monday 20 May: Pentecost
Tuesday 21 May: Holy Spirit Yr 7 2026 Interviews
Wednesday 22 May: National Simultaneous Storytime 12-1pm
Friday 24 May: Assembly 2:10pm
T2 W5
Tuesday 28 May: Primary Diocesan Cross Country
Friday 31 May: Assembly 2:10
T2 W6
Wednesday 5 June : World Enviroment Day
Friday 7 June: Assembly 2:10pm
T2W7
Thursday 13 June: Musical Musical 5-7pm
T2 W8
Monday 17 June: P&F Meeting via ZOOM 7-8pm
Friday 21 June: Assembly 2:10pm
Friday 21 June: Pie Drive delivery (more details to follow)
T2 W9
Friday 28 June: Assembly 2:10pm
T2 W10
Thursday 4 July: Athletics Carnival (Beaton Park)
Friday 5 July: Last Day Term 2
It’s time to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations, and businesses in our region!
Multi award-winning musician, Dan Sultan, will be headline performer at the 2024 Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards to be held on
Saturday 27 July 2024 at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre. Tickets are now on sale for the event that will feature the renowned Aboriginal singer-songwriter and guitarist alongside cultural dances and musical performances by talented local artists, Gadhungal Marring and Jiah King. Master of Ceremonies for the Awards will be, well known media personality Shelley Ware.
Get in quick to get your tickets!
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre Box Office, 42 Bridge Rd, Nowra NSW 2541
Online:
Phone: (02) 4429 5757
Please click on the link to view
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