Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

On Monday the Good Samaritan staff gathered for our annual staff spirituality day. The focus of the day was our mission as educators of Good Samaritan. The day centred around reviewing what our mission statement is and how this is lived daily within our school.

Whilst Good Samaritan began as a school in 2012, it has a rich history with the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict who established the schools previously known as St John Vianney’s and St Francis Xavier.

Throughout the day we were led to focus on three aspects:

• The Parable of the Good Samaritan

• The Rule of St Benedict 

• The Good Samaritan Sisters

These three aspects are the story that shapes us as a school today within a journey that has spanned over 162 years.

The Sisters of the Good Samaritan Order was founded by Archbishop John Bede Polding, a Benedictan Monk, in 1857. Polding asked Mother Scholastica Gibbons for assistance. Mother Scholastica was a Sister of Charity and yet devoted her life to the formation of this new group until 1876.

Five women came together on February 2 1857 as the Sisters of the Good Samaritan to become known as the first congregation of religious women in Australia. In writing the ‘rules’ for the congregation, Polding drew heavily on the ancient Rule of St Benedict. This rule dates back to the sixth century yet continues to speak to countless women and men around the globe today. The text of the Rule is remarkably brief, but it is refreshingly realistic in its understanding of who people are and who they can become.

Although written for a group of monks, there are lessons for all contemporary people: lessons about mercy and humility; about hospitality, care and welcome; about living a balanced and sustainable lifestyle.

It is intended for those who seek peace. It speaks about acceptance, compassion, and commitment to prayer and work.

The Rule presents a gospel way of life, a life based on the teaching of Jesus Christ, the Good News, which Benedict called “the truest of guides for human life”.

Our vision statement is that towards which we strive, our mission is how we get there. As a Catholic school, steeped in the history of the Good Samaritan Sisters of the Wollongong area, the charism to which we belong is that of St Benedict. A charism becomes the story we enter; the language we speak; the group to which we belong; a way to pray; a work to undertake and a face of God to see.

 This week’s spirituality day was just the beginning of revising our mission statement in light of the Benedictan tradition. There is still much work to do as we Listen, as we Learn and as we Live. But we will do this as a  community of students, s

taff and parents.

I leave you this week with a quote from St Benedict:

‘... be faithful to finding God in the ordinary

circumstances of daily life…’

 As we journey, together, towards Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Year 6 Parents - Get Set for High School!

As an important part of their preparation for moving to high school, the Year 6 children will take part in the ‘Get Set For High School’ workshop next Thursday 26 September. This will be facilitated by Jenny Atkinson. Jenny has 30 years’ teaching experience and is the author of the award winning book for parents, ‘High School Rocks: Make Starting High School An Awesome Experience.’ 

The activities focus on how high school works, coping with change, getting organised and developing essential skills for handling the high school workload. During this interactive program, Jenny Atkinson helps take the ‘unknown’ out of moving to high school so that the children are more prepared and confident to manage this important transition.

At 7.00pm on Thursday 26 September, Jenny will present a session for the Year 6 parents, ‘How to Help Your Child Cope With High School’. She will explain the challenges children face in adjusting to high school and you will take home practical strategies for supporting your child. Some of the issues covered include: supporting your child through their transition, navigating technology and cybersafety, managing the increased homework load, getting organised and dealing with changing friendships. Please RSVP your attendance will be sent home closer to the date.

Year 6 Parent Action: RSVP your attendance for the Parent Workshop by clicking  here

SPB4L: 

This week we are remembering to value:

Gratitude

We can do this by:

• Being thankful for the little things in life
• Showing gratitude for God’s creation
• Being thankful for the things that we have 

NAPLAN ASSESSMENT:

Today, students in Years 3&5 received their report on their performance in the NAPLAN tests held in May this year. Below is a FAQs about Individual Student Reports. This is to be read in conjunction with your child’s NAPLAN report.

Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School is interested in continuing our participation in the National School Chaplaincy Program for 2020 to 2022.  In order for the school to be eligible for this valuable program we require you to complete a short 30 second survey by close of business Thursday 19 September.

 Please click here or follow the link below for the survey:

School Chaplains support the wellbeing of students and the school community. Participation in programs delivered by the chaplain is voluntary. Chaplains deliver a range of non-therapeutic welfare, spiritual and emotional support to students, families and staff at the school. Some of these beneficial activities may include:

• Grief and loss programs
• Support for the spiritual needs of the school community
• Individual support
• Mindfulness
• Parent workshops
• School community support initiatives
• Social justice groups
• Social skills groups
• Youth groups

The Chaplaincy program at Good Samaritan has served the needs of students very well in the past and it is our hope to continue to offer this across the school.

 Thank you for your participation in the survey.

Principal’s Awards

With the recent change to Compass we have come across some anomalies with the merit and Principal’s Awards. Please be patient as we sort out where each student is up to within the award system.

To ensure consistency of processes and practices across the school community, aspects of the Parent Handbook (currently under revision) will be published in each week’s newsletter.

Supporting Student Learning: Replenishing Equipment for the New School Term

As we approach the upcoming holidays parents are asked to ensure that their child’s pencil case and school supplies are replenished. Having everything at their fingertips each day aids in the learning process allowing children to focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about not having the equipment to complete the task.

Also, as we approach Term 4  it is important that the students continue to wear full school uniform until the end of the year. It may be a good idea to check your child’s uniform, including school hat, school shoes and joggers, to make sure that they will all ‘last the distance’. This is particularly important for Year 6 students.

Parent Action: Check that your child’s school equipment is replenished. Make sure that students’ equipment and uniform are clearly labelled.

Why Have a School Newsletter?

The school newsletter/bulletin is the major form of consistent communication between the school and parents/carers. The newsletter is the means by which the school acknowledges all that is done within classrooms at the grade, class or individual level, on playgrounds and within the community.

It is also an opportunity for me, as Principal, to reflect on our community and how we can work toward further improving all that we do. As a Catholic school principal it is most important that this is done within the context of our faith, hence the references that are written to the Sunday Mass readings, theological reflections or information about spirituality. This is one aspect that works toward to keeping our charism as a Catholic school alive.

The newsletter is the place from which the school is able to ensure that parents, and the community, have a good understanding of the processes and procedures of the school. This is done through reminders, excerpts from the School Handbook, publication of School Policies etc. Some may feel that this is unnecessary but in any school it is most important that we maintain as much consistency as possible. This helps to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all within the school.

For some parents the newsletter is the only contact that they have with the school. This may be due to work commitments or to family/personal circumstances so the newsletter has to cover a wide audience hence, some parents may feel that certain aspects of the newsletter may not be needed or be relevant. However, they may just be aspects that are of great relevance to another parent or family.

I continue to encourage parents to read the newsletter regularly to know what is happening within the school.

Feast of the Holy Cross

Last Friday 13 September we celebrated our School Feast Day which we align with the Feast of the Holy Cross. Our Liturgy was beautiful - full of uplifting signing and prayerful reverence.

First Holy Communion

During the next few weeks many of our children will be making their First Holy Communion. We keep these children and their families in our prayers.

End of Term 3 Liturgy - Catholic Mission Launch

On Friday 27 September we will be celebrating the End of Term 3 and launching Catholic Mission Month with a Liturgy. We will commence at 9:30am in the Co-Cathedral. Term 3 Good Samaritan Awards will also be presented at the conclusion of this Liturgy. We ask that students bring a gold coin to kick start our fundraising for the Missions.

Parish/Grade Mass

Our next Mass with the Parish will be next term.

MacKillop Trials

Yesterday Zane T, Hana B, Alina P and Ava H represented the Wollongong Athletics Team at the MacKillop Trials at Homebush.

It was a very successful day by our Athletes representing Good Samaritan.

We are still awaiting some further results, including the final selections into the NSW Athletics

Team. 

800m:                          Ava 5th, Hana 7th

1500m:                        Ava 2nd, Hana 3rd

200m:                          Alina 3rd, Gemma 2nd

100m:                          Gemma 4th and Alina 5th

Long jump:                  Alina 1st.
High jump:                  Zane 4th, on a count back as he was tied for 3rd.

Junior Discus:              Gemma 9th

Junior Girls Relay         (Alina, Ava, Hana & Gemma): 2nd.
Alina 1st in long jump.

The Junior Girls Relay team, consisting of Alina, Ava, Hana & Gemma have gained selection into the NSW State Athletics Team. Congratulations girls on a wonderful achievement!

A reminder that parents need to add their child's full day absence explanation through Compass.  Please do not enter any late arrival or early departure times as this will be entered by office staff.  All children are required to be accompanied by an adult if arriving at school late. However, if your child does arrive late without an adult you will be required to put an explanation in Compass without adding times.

Fee Statements are emailed to parents on a monthly basis, please review your amount owing and make any adjustments necessary. 

School fees are due to be finalised in full by Friday 6 December unless you have  made prior arrangements with the school.  If you are having financial difficulty please do not hesitate to contact the school office to access a Fee Concession Application Form.

The Zip up Calico bags are available in the uniform shop and are now $5.00.

There are currently a limited amount of size 6 & 8 sport track pants in the Uniform Shop.

Uniform Shop normal opening hours are:

Monday 8.30am - 9.30am

Thursday 2.15pm - 3.15pm

Casual 1 day per week on Thursdays, at Lumen Christi Catholic Parishes Wollongong.

As casual administration assistant, you provide a range of clerical and administrative duties to ensure the smooth and effective operation of the parish office for the parishes of St Francis Xavier Cathedral Wollongong, St John Vianney FairyMeadow/Mater Dolorosa Balgownie and St Brigid’s Gwynneville.

Closing date is 4pm Friday  20^th September 2019.
For further details and a full position description, please contact Frances. This position is also advertised at www.dow.org.au

Your application should include a cover letter and resume.

Completed applications should be emailed to Frances Van Leerdam at frances.vanleerdam@dow.org.au

The 2019 Wollongong Relay For Life will be held at Beaton Park on October 12th.