Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan

October is Mental Health month. We all have mental health; just like we all have physical health. Our state of mental health changes day to day and throughout the day. Like physical health, our mental health needs ongoing maintenance and care, and follow ups with health professionals when we feel it is starting to impact the way we go about our day to day activities. 

Throughout 2020 and the pandemic we have consistently been reminded about the importance of our mental health, the mental health of our children, our families and our workmates. I  have a good friend who is a Catholic school principal in Melbourne. This week the students of her school were allowed to return to school as restrictions are slowly lifting in Victoria. In a text she sent she said:

‘There’s so many mental health issues down here. The kids and teachers were so happy yesterday. (when they returned to school) I’m hoping  the positive mindset will sustain us. There is zero interaction between  staff. All must stay in  their safe bubble…’

I must say that reading this brought a tear to my eye. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to maintain and sustain remote learning for such a long period of time. I cannot imagine the anguish and loss that the staff,  families and students have felt for their school community. It  led me to reflect on  how important it is for our own mental health, and spiritual maturity, that comes with our care for one another.  

Our spirituality can bring a sense of security and our beliefs can be a strong coping mechanism through trying times. I am not implying that we drop to our knees in prayer when we feel upset, down or when we are concerned about someone else. What we can do is look to the traditions of  our faith and what they can tell us about what to do next. Benedictan spirituality requires an outreach to those in our families, neighbourhoods  and community whose needs may be greater than our own. It calls for attention to children, regular interaction with the elderly, and care for those whose conditions limit their own participation in the community. Whatever the situation, whatever the group, Benedict says we are called to build community with the entire community.

As we come back to school for the final term of 2020, take time to care for your own mental health, to reach out to others where you can and to always seek support if you need it. Remember that your doctor/GP is still the place to go for initial help for mental health concerns. 

As we journey together, with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Thank you to all our parents who consistently support the wearing of the correct school  uniform  each and every day. This week the majority of students have come to school wearing the correct uniform  however, some  girls are wearing false nails and/or nail polish. Whilst this may be appropriate for  the holiday period it is not appropriate for school.

The following is an extract for the Good  Samaritan School Handbook:

The wearing of correct school uniform is very important at Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School as it creates a greater sense of equality among the student population despite the diverse socio-economic backgrounds of their families. 

The following are some basic guidelines for following the expectations associated with wearing the correct school uniform at Good Samaritan:

1. All students are to wear the full, correct  uniform at all times.
2. Uniforms are to be labelled, cleaned, pressed, properly repaired and worn neatly at all times. 
3. Damaged or shabby items of uniform are to be replaced.
4. School uniform regulations apply equally to hair, jewellery, make-up (including false fingernails), hats and shoes.
5. Classroom teachers are responsible for checking uniform on a daily basis.
6. Where a uniform breach occurs a verbal reminder/warning is given.
7. If a repetition of uniform breaches occurs, parents will be contacted by way of letter.
8. Students out of uniform, who have a valid reason, should have a note to this effect, signed by their parents. This is to be counter-signed by the classroom teacher.
9. For extreme breaches of the uniform code, a student may be isolated from the rest of the school.
10. Where genuine financial difficulties hamper a student in fully meeting all uniform requirements, the Principal may supply items of uniform at the school’s expense.

In the last  week  of Term 3 any Lost Property marked with students’ names was returned to them. Any lost property without names will be washed and donated to the Clothing Pool. This 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.

During the holidays our playground sinks were installed with water bottle refill taps. Now students are able to refill their water bottles much more easily. Many thanks to our parents who, through the  P&F, who supported the cost of these taps.

Planning  is currently underway for  the establishment of a school managed 1:1 iPad program for Good Samaritan in 2021. Parents of students who are currently in Years 2&3 have recently received detailed information about how the program works.

School Managed iPads allows the school to support parents with the introduction of a personal electronic device for learning. In addition, the main features and benefits are:

• Purchase: The school bulk purchases all devices and parents pay the device off, interest free (through school fees) over a two year period. Optional packages are available eg: 128GB iPads, AppleCare+.
• APPS & Social Media: Apps are restricted by the school and are strictly educational. All social media apps, including Messages & Facetime, are blocked. Parents can request additional Apps which the school can remotely install.
• iCloud: students receive a 200GB school managed education iCloud account.
• Screen Time: in the interest of student health, screen time is limited to students. The iPad Apps are unavailable between 8pm to 7am (for example). This time can be flexible to meet specific family needs. 
• Filtering: The iPads have Internet content filtering enabled while not at school.
• Apple ID: The school remotely supplies apps (including paid apps) to the device. No Apple ID is required hence no issues with students using their own, or their parent’s Apple ID.
• End of Year 6: When your child leaves Good Samaritan, the iPad will be restored to factory settings for continued use without school management.
• Students who already have an iPad: If the iPad isn’t too old, it can be erased and added to the school’s managed fleet of devices.

We look forward to rolling out this program in 2021.

Throughout the holidays we received information that COVID-19 restrictions would allow the school to host Kindergarten 2021 Orientation. We are currently planning the orientation sessions and will distribute the information regarding the organisation of the sessions in the coming week.

We are very excited to be participating in Socktober this year and helping our students to Sock it to Poverty!

Our Socktober Day will be on Friday 16^th October. Students are asked to bring in a gold coin donation and wear their favourite jersey and/or socks with their sports uniform.

We will have a liturgy, some fun activities and will be kicking goals for kids around the world.

Student will also have the opportunity to create their own soccer ball from recycled materials. Here is the website showing a clip of how to make a “sockball”. Perhaps a school holiday activity!!!!! Three prizes will be given to the best “sockballs”.

https://www.socktober.org.au/compassion

Thanks for support and we look forward to updating you on our Socktober journey!

Go Gently,

Natalie Shelley

Religious Education Coordinator

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.

TERM 4

Canteen is only open on Wednesdays,Thursdays and Fridays.

   

Canteen will be open for breakfast from 8.20am Wednesdays,Thurdays & Fridays  Term 4

• Socktober (Gold Coin Donation)

Thursday 22 October 

• Book Week Celebrations (students only) 

Monday 14 December 

• Year 6 Farewell (Fraternity Club)

 Wednesday 16 December

• Last Day Term 4