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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 presented so well in their Winter Uniforms. With the recent cold weather it was certainly timely that the uniform transition has occurred.
In the coming weeks I will meet with parent representatives of our Building Committee, Catholic Education Office Properties and architects. At this meeting we will have the opportunity to view and give feedback on the final concept design of our 3.7 million dollar building refurbishment (see image below). I look forward to sharing the plans with you shortly.
The playground is inclusive of shading and has also taken into consideration landscaping near the Church, as a screener, particularly during events such as funerals. The playground will be located on the grass outside the Kindergarten rooms. The second phase will be built, once the demountables are removed. Here is an initial “Sneak peek”, with colours and final details to be discussed at the next Parents and Friends Meeting.
Thank you the P&F for contributing $50,000.00.
A digital sign quote has also been accepted, and we are awaiting DA approval from council for its installation on the Princes Highway. I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the Parents and Friends Association for their generous support of these projects, and for all your fundraising efforts! Also to the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong for their financial contributions.
Finally, on a personal note, thank you as parents for your ongoing support, lovely written and verbal feedback that I have received and willingness to engage in all facets of school life. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need any support or have any further feedback in areas of Faith, Learning and Well-being. In the interim I encourage you, if you have not done so already to complete the Tell Them from Me Survey. Tell Them From Me
Staff Update
This week we welcomed Mrs Adele Fraser to the Good Samaritan Staff. Mrs Fraser will commence initially in Amaroo Blue, whilst Mrs Gray is on leave. Mrs Fraser joins us from St John's, Dapto and brings a wealth of experience. Welcome Adele!
Have a lovely week,
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 Leo XIV
Loving and faithful God,
We thank You for guiding the Church and giving us a new Pope.
Bless him with wisdom, courage, and a heart filled with love.
May he lead with kindness and truth,
and help bring Your light to people all around the world.
Give him strength to care for the Church,
to speak for peace, justice, and hope,
and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
May the Holy Spirit guide him every day,
and may we support him with our prayers and faith.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CHILDREN— 25 MAY 2025
On Sunday, 25th May, all children present at Mass will be invited to come forward and receive a special blessing. This is a beautiful opportunity to surround our young ones with prayer and encouragement as they grow in faith. I warmly invite you to bring your children, grandchildren, and to invite as many families as you can to join us for this special occasion.
Let us ask Mary our Mother to pray for children and a deepening of our acceptance and love for children. 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.
Prayer for Confirmation Candidates
Loving God,
We thank You for the young people preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Fill them with the gifts of Your Holy Spirit:
Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgment, Courage, Knowledge, Reverence, and Wonder and Awe in Your Presence. Help them to grow in faith, hope, and love,
and to follow Jesus with joyful and generous hearts.
Guide them as they take this important step on their journey of faith.
May they always know Your presence in their lives
and be strong witnesses of Your love in the world.
Bless their families, teachers, and sponsors
who support them on this journey.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
LAUDATO SI’ WEEK
LAUDATO SI’ WEEK 17th – 24th May is a global celebration where we remember Pope Francis urging us in his encyclical Laudato Si’ to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. In Laudato Si’,
Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of loving God, one another, and creation. He calls for an ecological conversion, and a transformation of hearts and minds towards greater love and care for the planet. This love extends to both the natural world and our fellow human beings. Today, with the universal church, we celebrate 10 years of inspiration and action since Laudato Si’ was promulgated. And as a Catholic Earthcare Parish, we celebrate our part in the journey towards the Laudato Si’ Goals set before us by Pope Francis to achieve ecological conversion.
How can you be involved in caring for our planet at home?
How Can I Help Save the Planet at Home and Pray?
At Home
You can take small actions every day that care for God’s creation:
- Turn off lights and devices when you're not using them
- Use less water – turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
- Recycle paper, plastic, and cans properly
- Reuse bags, containers, and clothes
- Compost food scraps if you can
- Walk or ride your bike instead of using the car when possible
- Pick up litter and keep your community clean
- Take care of plants and animals around you
These actions show love for the Earth and all the people and creatures God made.
Through Prayer
You can also care for creation through prayer:
- Thank God for the beauty of the Earth
- Pray for people affected by pollution, floods, or drought
- Ask God to help you make good choices for the planet
- Pray for world leaders to protect the Earth
- Reflect quietly in nature and feel close to God
We wish Fr Bernard Gordon a very Happy Birthday! Thank you,
Fr Bernard, for your faithful service and the care you show to our school
community. May God bless you abundantly with good health, peace, and
happiness in the year ahead from the Good Samaritan Community.
Natalie Shelley
REC
Semester One Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews
Following the NSW curriculum reform led by NESA, and in line with Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong's adjustments, you'll notice some positive changes in Student Reports designed to give you a clearer understanding of your child's learning.
Here's what's new in your child's report on Compass:
- A fresh layout reflecting the updated K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses, with descriptions for each key area.
- Kindergarten: Written reports in both Semester 1 and 2, using a three-point scale (Thorough, Sound, Basic).
- Years 1-6: Semester reports twice a year, continuing with a five-point scale
(Extensive, Thorough, Sound, Basic, Elementary).
- Personalised Reports: For students working towards individual goals, you'll receive detailed comments aligned with their Personalised Plans instead of grades, following discussions with the school.
We believe these changes will provide valuable insights into your child's progress. Reports will be available on Compass in Week 9, and Parent & Teacher Interviews (K-6) will be held during Weeks 9-10. Keep an eye on Compass for booking information!
Catherine Hailstone
Assistant Principal
Representative Sports News
MacKillop Netball trials
Congratulations to Maya S for her participation in the MacKillop Netball trials. Maya competed as part of the Wollongong Diocesan team and played exceptionally well, showcasing great skill and determination, just narrowly missing out on final selection.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Athletics Carnival – Thursday, June 19
Beaton Park
Get ready for a fun-filled day of sports and community spirit!
☕ Coffee Van
A coffee van will be onsite for parents and visitors to purchase coffee throughout the day.
Sherrin Face Footy
Sherrin have given each GSFM student a gift voucher which can be used online. It can be used for $15 off any Face Footy purchased at Sherrin.com.au between now and 30/6/25
Carla Olima
PE Teacher
Listening to Student Voice: Positive Changes to Playground Policy
At our school, we believe that students thrive when they feel heard, valued, and involved in the decisions that affect their daily lives. This term, we’ve been proud to respond to student voice in reviewing and updating our playground policies.
Following conversations and feedback from students, we’ve made a key change: students are no longer required to cross the road to play during breaks. Instead, they now have a choice in where they would like to spend their playtime. This greater sense of agency has been warmly welcomed and is helping students feel more ownership over their school environment where appropriate.
To support this change, and with more children choosing to remain on the main playground, we have put clear procedures in place to ensure safety and fairness for all. These include continued structured supervision, designated play zones, and equipment sharing systems—ensuring play remains fun, respectful, and inclusive.
In addition, we’ve expanded our range of lunchtime clubs to reflect student interests. Whether it’s gardening, drawing, sport, coding, or quiet games, there are now more opportunities than ever for students to enjoy their break times in ways that suit them best.
These updates are a wonderful example of how student voice can shape a more engaging, inclusive school environment and we look forward to the inclusion of our multi stage playground upgrade to further this positive change.
We thank our students for speaking up and our staff for working together to make these positive changes possible.
"When we listen to student voice, we don't just hear ideas — we empower young people to become active, valued members of their school community."
Listening to Parent Voice: Seesaw: Strengthening the Home-School Connection
We’re excited to be using Seesaw as a direct communication tool to keep families informed, involved, and connected with classroom learning. Through Seesaw, you’ll receive updates on student work, classroom activities and helpful reminders— all in one easy-to-access place. Many of you are now connected and we hope you are enjoying this additional layer of communication. If you are not connected, please reach out to your child’s teacher for assistance if needed.
This platform allows parents and carers to get a window into the school day, celebrate learning achievements, and stay in touch with teachers in a simple, timely way. It’s just one of the ways we’re making communication more accessible and meaningful for our school community.
Mrs Leonie Vazey
Middle Leader
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
UNIFORMS
Students looking amazing wearing their Winter uniform!
BOYS WINTER UNIFORM:
long navy school trousers pin stripe shirt with crest striped tie with crest red woollen jumper or vest with crest blue zip jacket with crest black leather school shoes
GIRLS WINTER UNIFORM striped tunic or long navy school trousers pin stripe shirt with crest and Peter Pan collar red woollen jumper or vest long school socks or navy tights blue zip jacket with crest
SPORTS UNIFORM
school track pants or shorts with GSFM insignia red polo with crest school jacket with crest GSFM short white socks with stripe predominantly white sports shoes school hat/GSFM rep hat
OTHER UNIFORM ITEMS & EXTRAS
GSFM brimmed hat with crest (No hat, no play rule applies), GSFM rep hat on sports days plain chain or with cross, plain silver/gold stud earrings school ribbon for girls (no big bows, pompoms etc) If a singlet/undershirt can be seen under shirt, this must be white under white shirt/blouse or maroon/navy blue under sports
POINTS TO NOTE Representative jerseys and hats are no longer to be worn on sports days. If a student receives/purchases a jersey or hat at a rep carnival, they may wear it to school for one day following the carnival, to celebrate their achievement, otherwise they are to wear the expected school uniform.
Discussion regarding this will occur at our next Parents and Friends Meeting. School hats are not designed to last from K through to Year 6. After two or three years, when hats have faded significantly, or have loose threads/rips, please consider purchasing a new hat. This also applies to GSFM representative caps.
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:
We invite all to our P&F meeting Monday 26 May commencing at 6pm in our School Library.
We will be reviewing the results from the survey that was recently sent to all parents, as well as planning for our upcoming school and fundraising events.
Please click on the link to complete the survey.
Pauline will be discussing the upcoming Playgrund and Building works.
Please join to be part of the discussion!
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.
Sausage Sizzle
Please note: this BBQ fundraiser will only go ahead if we have enough volunteers.
- All students will receive a free sausage sizzle provided by the school.
- Parents and siblings can also purchase sausage sizzles on the day.
Year 6 Fundraising Stall
Year 6 will be hosting a stall with the following items for sale:
Bottled water
Poppers (juice boxes)
Chips
Lollies
Raffle tickets to win 2x Jamberoo Tickets $2 per ticket
Year 6 will contribute to redoing the basketball courts. If they have funds left over they will have a Year 6 fun day lunch.
Come along, support our students, and enjoy the day!
Year 6 fundraising will occur throughout the term.
| Friday | 30 May | School Assembly Principal Awards and Values Award |
| Friday | 6 June | Pupil Free Day no students at school |
| 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 |
Fireflies Multilingual Storytelling Festival is coming to The Music Lounge Wollongong Town Hall May 30 and 31.
