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Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School Fairy Meadow acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal and Gweagal people past and present, the traditional custodians of the lands on which our school is built.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you for ensuring that the children were well presented in their uniforms for the commencement of Term Two. The uniform certainly speaks of the outward respect the students have for their school and I look forward to the arrival of our school photos later in the term.
This week I have had the pleasure of interviewing new and existing families for Kindergarten 2026. Our enrolments are healthy and I have been delighted in the lovely feedback I am hearing about Good Samaritan. In particular parents are impressed with the sense of welcome and calm. Many also mentioned the confidence, manners and engagement of the students and this is certainly a reflection of home and your support.
The Confirmation Commitment Mass was a beautiful and reverent occasion. I thank Fr Bernard and the Parishioners of Lumen Christi for their support of our candidates and I look forward to joining the children as they confirm the Baptismal promises on Saturday 14th June.
Finally, I am excited to join you all from 7.30a.m for our Mother’s Day Breakfast, Liturgy and Open Classrooms. Following Open Classrooms parents and special friends are most welcome to join their child in the playground for recess. I wish all of our mothers a beautiful day on Sunday and hope you have the opportunity for some well-deserved relaxation.
Sincerely
Pauline Chrostowski
Principal
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)
Prayer for Pope Francis
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of Pope Francis,
the shepherd You have chosen to lead and guide Your Church.
Bless him with strength, wisdom, and courage
as he continues to serve with humility, compassion, and joy.
May the Holy Spirit inspire his words and actions,
and may he always feel the love and prayers of the faithful around the world.
Keep him safe and in good health,
and may his leadership bring peace, unity, and hope to all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer for Mothers and Mother Figures
Loving God,
We thank You today for the gift of mothers and all who show us a mother’s love.
For the mothers who gave us life,
for those who have nurtured us, guided us, and stood beside us—
We give thanks.
Bless all mothers with strength, patience, and joy.
Comfort those who are missing their mothers today,
those who long to be mothers,
and those who care for children not their own.
We thank You for grandmothers, aunties, carers, teachers, and all mother figures—
women who give of themselves with kindness, wisdom, and grace.
May they feel appreciated, uplifted, and deeply loved.
May Mary, the mother of Jesus, be their model and guide.
And may we all show gratitude and love to the women who shape our lives.
Amen.
Year 6 Confirmation Commitment Mass
On Sunday 4 May, 28 year 6 students were officially welcomed into the Parish of Lumen Christi as they began their program in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The students and their families enjoyed a lovely morning tea after mass and a chance to play. Please continue to keep these students in your prayers.
GSFM ANZAC Liturgy
Good Samaritan respectfully recognised our fallen soldiers at our school liturgy which was prepared by 4 Blue and Mrs Vazey. Your thoughtful readings, prayers, and reflections helped us to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice, and spirit of all those who have served our country.
City of Wollongong RSL Sub Branch Schools ANZAC Service
Year 6 represented the Good Samaritan Community at the City of Wollongong RSL Sub Branch Schools ANZAC Service on Friday 2 May at the Cenotaph at Wollongong. A special thank you to Ronny who read the Prayer For Peace, Braxton and Zoe who carried the wreath and Nyomi, Patti and Sofia who sang in the combined choir. We were very proud of the reverence and respect that our year 6 students showed throughout the ceremony.
Natalie Shelley
REC
Tell them from Me -
In the coming week we will be inviting students, 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 Catholic Primary School.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. A URL will be provided for you to access the parent survey.
Catherine Hailstone
Assistant Principal
Representative Sport News
Congratulations to Chase W on his selection to the MacKillop swimming team. Chase swam at the NSWPSSA championships on the last two days of Term 1 at Sydney Olympic Park. Chase placed:
6th - 50m breaststroke
13th - 50m freestyle
13th -100m freestyle
11th - 50m backstroke
8th - 50m butterfly
What a wonderful achievement Chase! Well done!
Rugby League Trials
Well done to Madeleine S and Zane S for trialling for the Wollongong Diocese Rugby League team. Madeleine impressed on the day and was selected for the Possibles and Probables teams. Zane faced strong competition and put in a solid performance, showing great determination and skill. Congratulations to you both!
Football Trials
This year saw an exceptionally high number of nominations across the Diocese for Football (Soccer), with initial trials held in both the South Coast and West regions. From these competitive trials, selected students were invited to a second combined trial the following week.
We would like to acknowledge the outstanding calibre of students who represented our school in these trials. Their skill, determination, and sportsmanship were clearly evident and truly commendable. Being selected to progress through such a competitive process is an achievement in itself.
A huge congratulations to the following students for their efforts and representation:
Angus B, Cristiano B, Izaac E, Jayden G, Jack P, Riley S, Maison V, Evelyn B, Aaliah G, Zara H, Summer P, Audrey S, and Piper T.
A special congratulations to Cristiano B, Riley S, Maison V, Aaliah G, and Piper T, who were selected to attend the final combined trial. Although they were not chosen for the final team, reaching this stage is a significant accomplishment and reflects their high level of talent and perseverance. Well done!
Wollongong Running Festival
Join us for an unforgettable day where young runners can experience the joy of movement, build confidence, and make new friends. Our festival offers age-appropriate races designed to inspire and challenge children in a fun, supportive environment
Our school, ‘Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School’ has been set up on the Wollongong Running Festival registration page of the website. You can find it under 'Join A Team' when registering for the event.
Getting involved is easy. Simply register your child for the Peoplecare 2km Kids Fun Run or 5km Fun Run*, then select your child's school under the 'Join A Team' tab on the registration page.
Did you know: The school with the highest number of student registrations will win $500 and the Wollongong Running Festival perpetual trophy!
Don't miss this opportunity to cheer on your young runners and celebrate their accomplishments. Register today and let your child experience the thrill of the race!
Opportunity for Year 6 students - flyer attached
YOUNG ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM – 6-WEEK PROGRAM STARTING MAY 2025 - UOW
The Young Athlete Development Program is designed for school-aged athletes (12–15 years
old) of all skill levels. This comprehensive program focuses on strength & conditioning, injury prevention, agility, holistic health, and nutrition, providing young athletes with the tools to excel in sport and life. Participants will also receive athlete pathway support (including the US College Pathways), helping them navigate their sporting journey, and develop a growth mindset to achieve long-term success on and off the field. This program introduces athlete training, open to all young people who are eager to enhance their skills and unlock their full potential, regardless of their background, experience level, or sport. The Young Athlete Development Program offers similar content for younger age groups, serving as an introduction to our high-performance program.
There will also be 6 weeks free at the UniActive gym for parents who have their kid/kids participating in the 6-week program.
Each component of the program is delivered by expert coaches:
- Claire Rayner – Athlete Wellbeing Specialist
- Sam Burford – Lifting Technique Specialist
- Charlotte Flynn – Personal Trainer
Program Details:
- Start Date: May 21st ( Wednesday for boys), May 22nd (Thursday for girls) – the program runs for 6 consecutive weeks.
- Finish Date (Last Sessions): June 25th (Wednesday for boys), June 26th (Thursday for girls)
- Location: UniActive Wollongong Campus (Sports Hub)
- Schedule:
- Wednesdays for boys 4:30pm – 6pm
- Thursdays for girls 4:30pm – 6pm
Registration & More Info: The Young Athlete Development Program
Give your child the opportunity to develop key life and sporting skills with expert guidance!
Carla Olima
PE Teacher
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHESS PARTICIPANTS:
GSFM Shines at Interschool Chess Challenge!
Congratulations to our talented chess players who competed in the recent Interschool Chess Challenge, hosted by the Sydney Academy of Chess at Edmund Rice College on Monday 5th May. Good Samaritan proudly placed 2nd Primary School overall, a fantastic achievement that reflects the dedication and strategic thinking of our students. Chess is a game that demands focus, problem-solving, and creativity—skills that our students demonstrated with enthusiasm and excellence. Special mention goes to Cristiano B (Yr 5) and Zach G (Yr 5), who both achieved impressive individual placings, dropping only one of their seven games. A total of 18 students from years 3-6 represented Good Samaritan, each contributing to a fun and rewarding day. Well done to all involved!
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE:
Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal
Each year the Mini Vinnies team run a collection of non-perishable food to support vulnerable community members through the cold winter months. This year, our Winter Appeal theme will be “no one chooses to be homeless”.
The focus is on addressing homelessness, highlighting the factors that lead to homelessness and the support needed to recover and rebuild over the long-term of experiencing homelessness.
The Vinnies Winter Appeal plays a major role in ensuring our Members and Volunteers can continue to provide support to the people we assist and that our services are able to meet their individual needs.
How can our community help?
Donating to the Winter Appeal is a meaningful way to live out our school values. By showing Love of Christ and Neighbour, we extend care and compassion to those in need. Through Hospitality and Community, we open our hearts to others, fostering a spirit of generosity and kindness. Finally, through Stewardship, we use our resources wisely to support those less fortunate, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to making a positive difference. Every donation, big or small, helps bring warmth and hope to those in need.
Hamper Donations
Please bring your donations to school by Term 2 Friday Week 9.
|
Kindergarten |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
|
Weet bix |
Small packets rice/pasta |
Long Life Milk |
Tinned spaghetti/ baked beans |
Tinned Fruit |
Tined tuna |
Tinned tomatoes/ tinned vegetables |
Pyjama Day
Get ready to stay cosy for a cause! On Monday 30 June, students are invited to wear their favourite pyjamas or tracksuits to school for our Pyjama and Tracksuit Day Fundraiser. All we ask is for a gold coin donation, with proceeds going towards the Winter Appeal. Let’s come together in comfort to support a great cause!
Miss Ashley Rae and Miss Bianca Aylett
NEWS FROM P&F:
This year the event is entirely free to say thank you to the wonderful women in our children’s lives. Breakfast will be provided along with a free coffee prior to the liturgy for all Mum’s.
Unlike previous years we will not run a Mother’s Day stall or a raffle. This decision was made to keep the event free for all families.
Instead, each child is making a gift for their Mum which will be brought home this week. The cost of this has been supported by the school and we thank them for their support.
We hope all enjoy this school community event. We welcome feedback (positive or negative) on all P&F activities via email on gsfmpandf@dow.catholic.edu.au and your participation in the P&F to support the school community.
With Thanks,
P&F Committee
VOLUNTEERS:
Athletics Carnival Volunteers:
Attention Parents and Carers:
All parents and carers wishing to volunteer at any event must first download the app below and be approved by the CEO before they can participate.
For those volunteering at the Athletics Carnival, please make sure to meet Liz or Olivia with your barcode before starting.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Office.
| Thursday | 8 May 2025 |
Shoalhaven Eisteddod Choir & Musical Thearte |
| Friday | 9 May 2025 |
Mothers Day Celebrations Breakfast - 7:30am Liturgy - 9:15am - Parish |
| Monday - Friday | 12 -17 May 2025 | Happy Harold - Life Education Van arrives at GSFM |
| Monday | 12 May | Full Winter Uniform commences |
| Tuesday | 13 May | NRMA Science and Road Safety |
| Friday | 16 May | Walk to School Day |
| Friday | 16 May | NO assembly due to Happy Harold Van |
| Friday | 30 May | School Assembly Principal Awards and Values Award |
| Monday | 9 June | Kings Birthday - Public Holiday |
| Tuesday | 10 June | Confirmation Retreat in School Hall - Year 6 |
| Saturday | 14 June |
Sacarment of Confirmation SJV 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 19 June | Athletics Carnival - Beaton Park |
| Friday | 27 June |
Year 4 Excurison - The Rocks |
| Monday | 30 June |
Pyjama Day - Gold Coin donation |
| Friday | 4 July |
Last Day Term 2 |