Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

On Saturday we celebrate the Feast of Mary MacKillop. Mary MacKillop was a big hearted woman full of compassion and love. She felt and experienced the abundance of God’s love for her. In times of trials and tribulations she found refuge in the hospitable heart of God’s love. ‘When storms rage, when persecutions or dangers threaten, I quietly creep into the deep abyss of the Sacred Heart; and securely sheltered there, my soul is in peace’ (1907). She was a woman whose heartbeat was in unison with the heartbeat of God. In her life she became a heartbeat of God for our wounded world.

As we progress through 2020 with all of its trials, I wonder if we take the time to reflect on what keeps our hearts full of trust when facing difficult situations?

The news coming out of Victoria each day is troubling. We hear of rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and increased lockdowns and curfews. However, we also hear about those who are trying to do the right thing for the common good of all. One of our most basic Catholic teachings is solidarity. Standing in solidarity during these current times works to support all of us in our physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Our community has been incredibly supportive of our school. I cannot fault our parent community in their commitment to ensuring that the school remains to look and feel safe. Last week’s wet weather pick up was testament to this commitment. I am so grateful for the way in which our parents followed the procedures and made dismissal so easy for our staff.

Mary MacKillop faced many difficulties over the course of her life - not least being excommunicated from a Church that she so desperately loved. But what an incredible woman! Her life was a great example of compassion and love. Love and compassion didn’t mean that she shied away from the difficulties of life but rather that she confronted them knowing that her work would benefit people way beyond her lifetime.

This week I leave you with this passage for reflection - one which Mary would often have prayed:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

    because he has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

    and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free.

Luke 4:18-19

As we continue to journey together with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Thank You!

Thank you to all our parents and carers who are ensuring that students are Ready to Learn by arriving at school on time.

We have seen a marked difference in our gates being able to be closed by 8:50am each morning.

This has resulted in the students being in classrooms and Ready to Learn by 8:50am.

  SAVE THE DATE!

Staff Development Day:

Good Samaritan staff will be participating in a staff professional development day on

Friday 11 September.

This is a student free day that was previously postponed due to the COVID-19 remote learning period. Students will not attend school on this day.

Throughout this day teachers will engage with the new PDHPE syllabus with particular emphasis on the Social Emotional wellbeing of students.

Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection:

 (Mark Twain)

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. Last week parents were invited to submit their perspective on the Term 2 Remote Learning Period. Thank you to those parents who were able to submit a reflection. This week, I again invite you to complete this form. It will take a few minutes of  reflection and also some time to complete however it will be valuable to our ongoing improvement strategies. The form will close on Friday 7 August.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data: NCCD

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. Good Samaritan staff have worked consistently over the past semester collecting and recording data about student goals and progress to be counted within the collection.

What do I do if I have a concern regarding a student/s who is not my child?

At times parents may become concerned about the behaviour of other students and, in an effort to resolve the situation, approach the student concerned. However, under no circumstances are parents to approach other students when trying to resolve an issue. Always seek assistance from the school. Incidents such as this can very quickly lead to reportable Child Protection matters that have to be investigated and reported.

It is also good practice to seek assistance from the school when you have a concern rather than approaching other parents about school related matters.

Always think about what you would do, or how you would feel, if another parent approached your child or confronted you about a matter where you were not fully informed of the details.

GSFM KNITs 4 Need

 “When you understand, you cannot help but love. . . . To develop understanding, you have to practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion. When you understand, you love. And when you love, you naturally act in a way that can relieve the suffering of people”. Richard Rohr.

Our School community has certainly looked at our neighbours through eyes of compassion. We have knitted over 50 items of warmth! Scarves, blankets and beanies have been “made with love” by grandparents, parents, friends, staff and students to help keep our friends in the Illawarra warm. A big “thankyou” to everybody involved for sharing your love, effort, time, talent and commitment.

• 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  

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

Monday 24 August 

• Premier Reading Challenge Due 

Friday 4 September 

• Father's Day Stall & Prayer TBC

• Pupil Free Day (Staff Developement)

Friday 11 September

• Walk Safely to School Day 2020

Monday 19-23 October 

• Book Week Celebrations

Friday 6 November 

• Grandparent's & Great Friends Day Liturgy & Open Day