Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

Over the past couple of weeks the staff have been discerning how the remote learning experience has influenced and, indeed, changed their teaching whilst  also trying to capture what it is that we know about the Good Samaritan learners we work with each day.

As a school we are looking at the experience of the pandemic as an opportunity to reflect on our own learning as educators and capture the positive elements of teaching and learning that have emerged.  This process will be ongoing but one that  I feel is essential in order for us to ‘grow back better’ rather than just ‘recover’.

I always find it intriguing that a reading, experience or reflection will come along just when you need it. Last week we celebrated the feast day of Mary Magdalene. I have always looked at Mary Magdalene as the best friend of Jesus. This recent reflection I read, written by Richard Rohr, says:

One of the lessons we might learn from the Gospel stories of Mary Magdalene is that, in the great economy of grace, all is used and transformed. Nothing is wasted. God uses our egoic desires and identities and leads us beyond them. Jesus’ clear message to his beloved Mary Magdalene in their first post-resurrection encounter is not that she squelch, deny, or destroy her human love for him. He is much more subtle than that. He just says to her “Do not cling to me” (John 20:17). He is saying “Don’t hold on to the past, what you think you need or deserve. We are all heading for something much bigger and much better, Mary.”

Rohr’s interpretation of not clinging onto the past but moving forward to things that are much bigger and greater spoke to me about how important it is for our children that we don’t just snap back into what was but we take time to think about what has been good in the period of COVID lockdown and now the restrictions.

In order to build the future improvement plans for Good Samaritan I invite our parent community to give their perspective. This invitation isn’t so much for feedback but rather what you learnt from the remote experience, what positive observations you have about your child/ren’s learning and how  you  better understand him or her as a learner. I would also like to explore our parents’ thoughts on what impact this experience has made on your understanding  of the partnership parents have with the school. A similar process will be done with our students. We have so much to learn about ourselves and how we operate even when times are testing and challenging. We have certainly all been thrown out of our comfort zone.

To be able to submit your perspective, I invite you to complete this form. It will take some reflection and also some time to complete however it will be valuable to our ongoing improvement strategies.

As Mark Twain wrote: Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection. To improve in a school environment we need to consider the perspectives of all stakeholders in order to fulfil our responsibility of faith development, learning and wellbeing of all our students.

Enjoy the week ahead, as we continue to journey with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

The Gonski Institute for Education:

The Gonski Institute for Education operates out of the University of NSW faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The core mission of the institute is to address the inequity experienced in education across Australia. In doing this the institute is able to act as a key enabler and powerful voice of change. 

One of the recent resources presented by the institute is for Parents and Caregivers. Throughout Term 3 our school newsletter will highlight some of these resources. This week focuses on:

Why is play important?

What if you were told that there was something you could do everyday to help your child learn better, feel better, behave better and grow better? What if you were also told that it would not cost you a cent? Finally, what if you were told that your child’s doctor says it is an essential part of childhood? So, what is the answer? Let the children play! The attached guide talks about the research and also what parents can do to support their child’s need to play.

Thank You:

Thank you to all our parents and carers who adapted so easily to the wet weather dismissal this week. We were able to safely and efficiently dismiss the children. Your cooperation is deeply appreciated.

OOSH EDUCATOR DAY:

Today we celebrate and acknowledge the work of our OOSH Educators. Good Samaritan has had such positive feedback about the CatholicCare OOSH service provided throughout the school term and also the opportunity for the children to engage in Vacation Care.

During Vacation Care our Good Samaritan students set the standard for behaviour, following directions and including all in the activities of each day. What great news!

This video highlights the work of CatholicCare OOSH Educators as well as what is offered within this valuable service.

STAGES OF HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION 

1. If you have any educational/behaviour concerns about your child always contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. Your child’s classroom teacher will always make contact with you if they have any concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour.

2. Grades and classes across the school are supported by Middle Leaders. You are asked to contact the Middle Leader/s responsible for your child’s class/grade if you have continued concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. The Middle Leaders will also contact you when and if necessary.

3. All academic and behaviour concerns made to the office will be directed to the classroom teacher in the first instance. This may be followed up by support from the Middle Leader responsible for the stage/grade.

Middle Leaders 2020

The Middle Leader represented in bold will be your first port of call beyond the classroom teacher. 

Library News

Book Week Theme Competition Winners

If you missed the announcement via Instagram / Facebook, congratulations to the following students for the Book Week Theme Competitions:

Colouring Competition 

Winner: Serena KG

Highly Commended:Roman Amaroo Gold & Sabinna KB

Create-A-Curious-Creature Competition Year 1

Winner: Zane 1B & Izaac 1B

Highly Commended: Indie 1B & Oscar 1G

Create-A-Curious-Creature Competition Year 2

Winner: Evie 2B

Highly Commended: Aurora 2B & Jye 2G

Poster Competition

Winner:  Amalia 5G

Highly Commended: Georgie 6B & Emmerson 4G / Bonnie 4G    

Year 5 & 6 Picture Book of the Year

We are really looking forward to seeing the final efforts of our Year 5 & Year 6 students at the end of this term when they submit their Picture Book of the Year for marking.  All Year 5 & 6 students will be completing this task and the final draft will be due in their library lesson in Week 9. The final published copy will be due in their library lesson in Term 4, Week 1 ready for the judges.

Lost Library Library Bags

No, this isn’t a mistake. We had a set of library bags that we used for K-2 students if they were sad about not being able to borrow. We started with 8 spare and now have none. If you might have one at home, could they please be returned to the library?  Many thanks in advance for your support.

In order to manage the physical distancing requirements, parents will continue to make appointments at the uniform shop to purchase uniforms. This can be done through the Compass. 

If you would like to place an order with the uniform shop an order form has been added to the school website under parents/uniform.  Please complete the form and return with payment to the school office.  These orders will be filled on uniform shop days.

• Canteen will only be open on Wednesdays Thursdays & Fridays until further notice 

• Canteen will be open for breakfast from 8.20am Wednesdays,Thurdays & Fridays Term 3