Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan, 

As we continue to live through this period of the pandemic, I have read many articles and listened to some great suggestions about how important it is to take a break, to let our bodies recharge and allow our minds to slow down. This is just as important for our children. They need opportunities to stop, to play and to be mindful. Many parents will continue to work through the next two weeks but the slowing down of the children’s school routine may just allow for a window of opportunity for you to also experience a ‘retreat’ of sorts.

A recent article by the American Benedictan nun, Joan Chittister, spoke about how the soul learns to always return to the cave of the heart, where the excesses of life do not distract from the significance of life. This requires the cultivation of a reflective soul and a disciplined mind that goes regularly into “retreat”—into that space where we look, first of all, at what we set out to be, and then look consciously at what we are now doing to get there.

Retreat time is the practice of making personal time for the kind of spiritual time that is beyond the routine of what we do each day or each week.

Part of our spiritual journey, St Benedict implies, must be spent remembering what we say are our intentions in life, in the light of what we can clearly see are becoming the patterns and actions of our lives. In fact, what we’re called to do is to pray more thoughtfully, to read more intensely, to feel more keenly in order to strengthen ourselves as we regather our energy for the next part of the year.

Retreat times remind us that it is easy to become slack in concern for the mundane, the daily, and the unglamorous in the face of a world so enticingly exciting.

Retreat times remind us always to make the space to begin—again—and in the midst of the demands of work and family, of money-making worries and the stressors of social systems, to fix the eye of the heart on the really important things of life.

We must establish regular times that are set aside for us to take another look, a new kind of look, at ourselves.

A retreat of the heart, mind and body is not for our sake alone but for the sake of those who depend on us - our children, our husband, wife or partner, our families and our work colleagues. My wish for you during this break is that you have time to do this for yourself.

Thank you for your support of all we have worked on and achieved at Good Samaritan in Term 3.  It is very much appreciated.

As we journey together, with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Week 10 Feel Good Moment!

Once again Mrs Jancetic and our talented Good Samaritan boys and girls have put together a great ‘Move of the Week’: AIRPLAY! Take a moment to watch this … you can only come away feeling good…

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.

Being online during the holiday break:

The holidays can often mean that children have more time to play on their devices than what they do during the school terms. This may be a good time to reestablish your expectations as parents as to what you deem to be appropriate use of electronic devices.

The https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents has an extensive range of resources to support parents in managing the online access of their children. By visiting the website, you will find information about Time Online, Online Gaming, Unwanted Contact & Grooming. 

The https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/time-online support page answers questions like How much time is too much? Signs to watch for and What to do if you are concerned.

Below is another resource from the https://www.carlyryanfoundation.com/ called APP FACTS.  This particular fact sheet relates to TIK TOK as a social media platform. This is a quick read that gives basic information about the app, the challenges associated with it and an age rating.

Lost Property:

This week any Lost Property marked with students’ names will be returned to them. Any lost property without names will be washed and donated to the Clothing Pool. Next term we aim to have no lost property at Good Samaritan. 

Parent Action: Please check your child’s clothing and belongings to ensure that they are labelled with their name.

Friday 25 September

• Last Day Term 3

Monday 12 October 

• First Day-Term 4

Monday 19-23 October 

• Book Week Celebrations TBC

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.