Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

Over the past week we have had much to celebrate at Good Samaritan. The daily work and life of our  school  is something to celebrate and also give thanks for. Most mornings across the week, I greet the children at the gate, with hand sanitiser, and I have to say this can be the best part of my day. I have watched the children grow and change as the weeks have rolled by. They come into the school with smiles on their faces and such a willingness to greet me along with their friends. 

Just last week two Year 6 girls saw each other on the path and cheered to be together again. What a great show of friendship! Many children, when I ask ‘How has your morning been?’ or ‘How was your weekend?’ will reply with the same or similar question showing a mature and genuine interest of inquiry. This is evidence to me of our work - parents and school - in developing a strong and important message on social connection and how we relate to each other.

Last Friday, we were able to come together for a short afternoon assembly. What a great joy that was! To be back together as a school community, receiving the same message face to face rather than via Zoom, hearing the students’ voices as they described their learning and, of course, celebrating the achievements of our houses with the House Cup! I have certainly missed this part of school life through COVID. We also missed having you, our parents with us, and we look forward  to further easing of  restrictions  and welcoming you back into the grounds.

On Monday our Year 6 students welcomed their friend, Cruz, back to school after a significant absence. Cruz had a  mountain bike  accident which resulted in him breaking both wrists. He was  cycling with  his mates, Eli, Eamon, Corey and Daniel - all  Good  Samaritan boys. When Cruz came off  his  bike, his mates knew he had  been badly hurt and quickly called an ambulance then Cruz’s parents. They wouldn’t let Cruz move and stayed by his side until help arrived. 

What a tribute these boys are to their parents! As a school we are very proud of their actions which showed a modern day demonstration of the Good Samaritan. 

Until next time, as we journey together with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

GSFM’s Masterchefs

Our Good Samaritan chefs had a fabulous time cooking “Potato Mice” in the Learning Support Centre kitchen last Friday.

The students baked this healthy and delicious dish as part of their fortnightly cooking program.  Amalia suggested making the potatoes after trying out the recipe at home. Mitch rated the recipe a “10 out of 10!”

Some of our favourite recipes this year include Katie’s Pasta Boscaiola, Rice Paper Rolls, Mini Pizzas, Amalia’s Weet-Bix balls and Miguel’s Rock Cakes.  Next on the menu is Hamburger Sliders and Gingerbread Men…yum!

Thank you to all the parents who were able to contribute to the recent annual survey about our school. This information is genuinely used for us to reflect upon the work we do at Good Samaritan.  Whilst much of the information gathered was positive, there are also some things that require further work and attention. Whilst the survey is anonymous, I am unable to respond directly to those who may have raised concerns or questions. However, I would like to assure parents that anything stated directly about staff or processes will be acted upon.

Each year the organisation of staff for the following year must adhere to the recruitment procedures and processes of the Enterprise Agreement for Teachers & General Employees as well as the Diocese. This includes advertising and interviewing for positions, mainly 12 month temporary positions, each year. This process is almost complete and I would anticipate being able to communicate the school staffing for the new school year within the next fortnight.

Relationships at any age are hard to navigate. Our children try so hard to get it right - and sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. At Good Samaritan we aim to approach relationships with compassion. But compassion isn’t about being soft and allowing what isn’t right to continue. Compassion can also be about challenging each other to get it right when things go wrong, owning their actions or behavior and learning from that.

Often when children get it wrong they may respond to staff who ask about what they’re doing with ‘It was just a joke’ or ‘It was a prank’. Recently, I have asked some students to take the ‘joke’ or ‘prank’ away and what do their actions become? In these particular instances it becomes one person hitting another on the back of the head, a hat being thrown through the fence into the carpark or taking someone’s popcorn and throwing it to the ground. This type of behaviour does not mean kids are being kids as it can quickly turn into aggressive behaviour with students lashing out and/or bullying if it continues over time.

Relationships can be particularly hard to navigate when children are trying to maintain them online and not face to face. Online behaviour is very quickly misinterpreted and becomes quite distressing for all involved. Primary school aged students do not have the capacity to manage relationships effectively online as they still need to work it all out face to face. Please keep this in mind the next time your child is playing an online game.

In order for the school to ensure that all staff and volunteers have the necessary WWCC, all parents who wish to volunteer are asked to ensure that they have the appropriate clearance in order to remain as a volunteer within the school. Once the WWCC is completed the school maintains a register of parents who are able to volunteer within the school. This includes classroom assistance, excursions, camps, canteen, Library assistance and general helping about the school.

Further information  about the Working With Children Check can be found on the CEDoW website. Follow this link to the website.

Congratulations to the boys who attended the Diocesan Cricket Trials last Tuesday. All played very well and Congratulations to Ben G. in Year 5 on his selection in the 2021 Diocese of Wollongong team.

Yesterday the 2021 Diocesan trials were held for Basketball and Tennis. Well done to all of the students who participated, all participants should be very proud of themselves.

Congratulations to Jett H. Ava G. and Sarah C. in Year 5 who have made the Diocese of Wollongong Basketball teams.

Congratulations to Evie N in Year 5 who has been selected for the 2021 Diocese of Wollongong Tennis Team and to Hannah L who is the teams reserve.  We wish all students well at the MacKillop trials next year.

VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2020

This year, Christmas will be like no other. With more families facing uncertainty, no one knows what to expect for Christmas day. Family feasts, presents and festive gatherings with loved ones will all look incredibly different for many people this year as we celebrate Christmas. We are asking our school community to commit to donating the following non-perishable items to make Christmas a time to renew hope. To uphold the dignity of those receiving the goods, please ensure that all food items are not due to expire for 6 months and are non-perishable.

Kindergarten- Jam, Custard (long life)

Year 1- Pasta, Lollies

Year 2- Pasta sauce, Sweet biscuits

Year 3- Christmas Cake, Vegemite

Year 4- Long life milk, Christmas Pudding

Year 5 -Pancake mix, Cereal

Year 6- Tea/coffee, Savoury Biscuits

Amaroo/LSC- Milo, Candy canes

God Bless,

Natalie Shelley

Religious Education Coordinator

Thank you to all the families who donated a book during our library book donations.  The students are starting to return them so that other students might be able to borrow them.  It has also meant we have been able to get the latest Guinness World Records, the latest 130-Storey Treehouse and now have some fantastic skinny chapter books for our Year 1-3 students.  All of the students who are borrowing, are enjoying locating books that have been donated not just this year but in previous years.

The library is hosting its own treasure hunt which is an exciting thing to observe.

The Scholastic Book Club orders have arrived and will be distributed by Monday, 23rd November.

Apple Classroom and iPads

At Good Samaritan, iPads and digital technologies are used for the purpose of learning.  Years 4, 5 & 6 are now connecting to an app called Apple Classroom during their learning time.  This app helps teachers guide learning, share work and manage student devices to minimise distractions during their completion of tasks.  It allows teachers to lock student iPads when modelling and explicit teaching is happening and whole class or whole group focus is needed.  Teachers can lock students into certain apps so that they are using their time wisely to complete tasks. It allows for the sharing of student work so achievements can be celebrated.

At the end of each session, teachers are able to monitor what apps students have accessed and also how long students are spending within each app. 

Friday 20 November 

• TOPS Day Trip (Year 6)

Wednesday 25 November 

• Ready Set High School Workshop Day

Friday 27 November 

• Activate Fire (Year 6)

Friday 11 December 

• Reports available to Parents via Compass 

• Students may bring Christmas cards to share with friends 

 Monday 14 December 

• 9.30am Year 6 Farewell Liturgy (students only)

• Year 6 Farewell (Fraternity Club 6.30pm)

 Wednesday 16 December

• Last Day Term 4