Organising School Uniforms for 2020:

The wearing of the school uniform is an outward sign of the respect that a student has for themselves and the Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School community. The Good Samaritan uniform serves as an outward sign of what the school stands for, and the correct wearing of uniform is an indication of students’ pride in being members of the school community. At Good Samaritan, we believe that the wearing of a school uniform reduces the social inequities that may be evident in a community that does not enforce a standard uniform. This assists in respecting the dignity of each individual by reducing social class barriers. 

Joggers that are predominantly white are to be worn for sport and fitness. They must be predominantly white and may be lace up or velcro. No slip on ‘Raben’ type shoes, indoor soccer boots or coloured joggers are to be worn. Pictorial examples of appropriate joggers are shown here.

What is an appropriate haircut for school?

Recently, I have noticed several students who have haircuts that are not appropriate for school. This particularly applies to boys who are wearing almost ‘mohawk’ styles. This year I have been revising the School Handbook and within the uniform section of the handbook and I bring to your attention the following regarding haircuts for both boys and girls. Parents are required to support the expectation as we head into the new school year.

HAIR

Students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner. Hair should be well brushed and combed and it is assumed that hair will not be in such a condition as to invite comment

BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Extreme styles, bleaching, colouring or dyeing of hair are not permitted.
• Gel, mousse and hair spray or other substances should not be used.
• There will be no undercuts, steps or shaved lines within the hair.
• Nothing shorter than a Number 3 comb is acceptable.
• Hair should not extend to cover the eyes.
• Students who do not abide by the haircut requirements will be asked to fix the identified problem.
• Long hair is to be tied back or plaited.
• Ribbons and bands of school colour are to be worn. 

Staffing - 2020:

The staffing process is currently continuing and we are hoping to have this complete by early next week. Following this I will be able to communicate staff and class allocations with parents. However, please be mindful that teachers are currently finalising student class placements for the 2020 school year. 

This process will be completed on Friday 6 December. No further changes to classes will be made beyond this date.

Semester 2 Reports:

Semester 2 reports will be sent to parents on Monday 9 December. Beginning this semester all reports will be issued via Compass. 

There will be no longer be hard copies of reports distributed to parents.

Congratulations!

Last week Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong  recognised those members of staff across the Diocese who have given a significant time of service to Catholic Education with the Lighting the Way Awards ceremony. A number of Good Samaritan staff were recognised for their length of service. We congratulate the following Good Samaritan staff members:

• Mrs Kerry Jones
• Mr Terry Jansen
• Mr Sergio Ambrosi
• Mrs Mary Sinnreich

School Fees 2020

After much consideration, Bishop Brian Mascord has approved the Director of School’s increase to 2% to Primary Tuition fees and 4.59% to Parish SEDSO. Therefore the following fees apply for 2020:

Tuition Fees

The Primary tuition fee for 2020 is:

$1,678 per family (per annum)

Parish School Enhancement & Debt Servicing Obligation (Parish SEDSO)

The SEDSO Levy for 2020 is:

$1,025 per family (per annum) 

The School Resource Fee is:

$175.00 per student (per annum)

The Sports Levy Fee is:

$14.00 per student (per annum)

The Excursion Levy Fee is: (K - year 5)

$35.00 per student (per annum)

The year 6 Camp Fee is: 

$290.00 

Parents are strongly advised to put a 2020 payment plan into place if one has not already been done so. Fee Concession applications for genuine financial hardship will always be considered but must be applied for through the school office.

Keeping Children Focused in Term 4:

As this term progresses the children will become excited about the approaching Christmas season. It is very important that the children remain focused and settled throughout Term 4. When the children begin to bring Christmas cards, candy canes and the like to school too early they tend to ‘tune out’. It is for this reason, and the fact that waiting is a part of our Catholic Christian tradition with the season of Advent, that the children may begin to bring Christmas cards, candy canes etc for their classmates from the end of Week 9 – Friday 13 December. 

This is also our Christmas Mufti Day.

Do you need to know more information about 2020 OOSH service?

Organisation is in full swing for the establishment of the  CatholicCare - OOSH Good Samaritan service. To put your name down for the service click here  or follow this link: https://prodadmin.myxplor.com/enrollment/index/QkJYWlVtaG04NVU4anlGNlFuc3dWUT09

This evening, Wednesday 27 November, CatholicCare will be presenting information about this service at 6pm in the Library. All are welcome to attend! CatholicCare will be available to answer any questions about the service and to assist with enrolment.

SPB4L:

The value for this week is Generosity

Students who demonstrate Generosity:

• are generous with their time
• share their gifts and talents

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.

Being Considerate of Confidentiality

At times there may be incidents within the school that involve certain students and you may hear about them through other parents. These may relate to another child’s progress and learning or their behaviour. It is most important that the confidentiality of that student, and of his or her family, is protected. Always treat such incidents with empathy – no one would like their own child to be the topic of discussion amongst parents. If you have some specific concerns that relate to your own child please do not hesitate to address these through the classroom teacher, Stage Middle Leader, Mrs Smithers or Mrs Sillis.

School Fees

Good Samaritan Band in 2020:

Good Samaritan are introducing a new Band programme which will be run by Mr Andy Yule of Yule Music. Click here to find out more about Yule Music.

The programme is going to be available for years 3-6 inclusive.  Each child who registers with the programme will receive weekly instrumental tutoring AND band tutoring. Our band will be given regular termly performing opportunities.

Please note the change of date for the Parent Information Evening on 

Monday 9 December 6-7pm 

where Andy will explain the details of the program in full. 

The previously advertised date clashed with the sacramental program.

2020 Calendar Dates:

Mark Your Calendars!

January 

Wednesday 29: Years 1-6 return to  school

Wednesday 29-Tuesday 4 Feb: Best Start  Kindergarten Assessment appointments

February

Thursday 6:  Kindergarten begin school

Wednesday 12: Years 1-6 Parent Information Evening

Friday 14: Opening School Mass/Liturgy

Wednesday 26: Ash Wednesday

March

Monday 2 - Friday 6: Catholic Schools Week

Tuesday 3: Welcome to Good Samaritan Sausage Sizzle (Kindergarten & Year 6) 

April

Thursday 2: School  Cross Country Carnival

Friday 3: Staff Spirituality Day Pupil Free  Day

Thursday 9: School Photos (Summer Uniform)

For your child’s safety, it’s very important to ensure they use the school crossing. At all crossings you must wait on the footpath, at least one step back from the edge of the road. If there’s a School Crossing Supervisor, wait until they have stopped the traffic and called you to cross.

e traffic and called you to cross.

Good Samaritan was represented by 10 highly skilled athletes. These talented athletes were recognised for their outstanding achievements in 2019.

Sports Council Red Award Winners

Gemma H and Ava H

Sports Council Medallion Award Winners

Zane T, Noah S, Alina P, Hayden H, Hana B, Axel A

Team Award

Junior Girls Swimming Relay Team

Matisse S, Ava H, Gemma H and Amelia P

These are exceptional awards to receive. Congratulations to all our award winners. We are very proud of you!

Year 3 Oil pastel and collaged Angels. Well done Vera, Ben, Sarah, Bonnie and Lucia.

More wonderful Christmas Story Artworks from Lily V and Katherine.

This week’s suggestions for a Christmas  gifts are a pair of scissors, a glue stick and a pad of coloured paper for collage. A great present that develops fine motor skills.

Mrs Susan McAlister

Art Teacher

Dear Everyone

I am writing to let you know that we have prepared a draft Recreation Master Plan for the Cringila Hills area.  

This includes mountain biking trails, a pump track and bike skills park as well as walking trails, recreation space and Wollongong’s First NATURE playground

We believe when fully developed the area will be a destination for people from across Wollongong,  including current and future children & young people.    

You can find out more by visiting our Have Your Say page to view the maps, read the FAQs and watch a short video. You do not need to register to view all the information here.

I have attached a poster that you may be able to share among your school networks and an easy read glossary of the activities that we plan for the Cringila Hills area.   

Any feedback can be provided until 31^st January 2020.

Below are the Videos we have shown the children at the schools and pre-schools  we have visited to discuss the Masterplan and playground to give their  ideas – If any schools or services are interested in running one of the sessions we have done at the schools – please contact me and we can send the run sheet information for the sessions for you to run at school. There is also a great website that the children can jump on and design their own nature playground.

https://playgroundideas.org/designer/app.php?userId=119432

If any work is done on this website we would love it if the children could screen shot their design and send it into me here at council by the close of business Friday the 29^th November please

YOU TUBE CLIPS on the various elements of the Cringila Hills Proposed Bike tracks

A MOUNTAIN BIKE TRACK

https://youtu.be/Z0tDKjKkkv4

A Skills Track

https://youtu.be/uLfxx5NYdhU

A PUMP Track

https://youtu.be/lSgdiaSSBHg

Nature play grounds in WA and Sydney

https://youtu.be/ixbcEkemIn4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdiNuPX32_c

Tracey Kirk-Downey
Community Development Worker - Children and Families
Post Locked Bag 8821 Wollongong DC NSW 2500
Phone +61 2 4227 7158
Email tkirk-downey@wollongong.nsw.gov.au  ●  www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au