Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

I don’t know about you, but I  am having difficulty believing that in a month’s  time I will again be celebrating  Christmas  Day with my  family. It doesn’t seem that  long ago  that we were packing the  Christmas decorations away and now  we are getting them out again! 

The end of this year is one like no other - the end of  a year where we have faced challenges of a pandemic! Certainly there have been challenges but there have also been successes and, for both,  I am very grateful.

I recently came across this writing of Pope Francis and I’d like to share it with you for reflection, as you too, approach the end of what has been a remarkable year.

This life will go by fast.

Don't fight with people, don't criticize your body so much, don't complain so much.

Don't lose sleep over your bills. Look for the person that makes you happy. If you make a mistake, let it go and keep seeking your happiness.

Never stop being a good parent. Don't worry so much about buying luxuries and comforts for your home, and don't kill yourself trying to leave an inheritance for your family. Those benefits should be earned by each person, so don't dedicate yourself to accumulating money.

Enjoy, travel, enjoy your journeys, see new places, give yourself the pleasures you deserve. Allow dogs to get closer. Don't put away the fine glassware. Utilize the new dinnerware; don't save your favorite perfume, use it to go out with yourself; wear out your favorite sport shoes; repeat your favorite clothes.

So what? That's not bad. Why not now? Why not pray now instead of waiting until before you sleep? Why not call now? Why not forgive now? We wait so long for Christmas; for Friday; for Reunions; for another year; for when I have money; for love to come; when everything is perfect...look...

Everything perfect doesn't exist. Human beings can't accomplish this because it simply was not intended to be completed here. Here is an opportunity to learn.

So take this challenge that is life and do it now...love more, forgive more, embrace more, love more intensely and leave the rest in God's hands. Amen.

As we journey together, with Jesus, into the season of Advent,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Celebrating Our Sacramental Life:

Preparing students to receive the sacraments is one of the many privileges and responsibilities we enjoy in a Catholic  school. Recently, in partnership with the Lumen Christi Pastoral Region, we have celebrated the sacraments  of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Through Baptism children are able to enter into the sacraments as a gift of faith which begins the important Catholic Christian process of spiritual formation. The involvement of parents, Parish and school  in the sacramental life of the children is paramount in supporting the ongoing faith development and nourishment of our young people.

I was so pleased to receive an email from Holy Spirit College about our Year 6 boys and girls who recently attended the Holy Spirit College Orientation Day. The feedback was so positive about the way our students interacted with each other and with new friends that they met on the day. The email spoke about how respectful the students were and how they approach the day’s activities with a high level of maturity and willingness to be involved.

The College also commented about the importance of getting the little things right and this includes the correct wearing of uniform and the appropriate haircuts for both boys and girls. Good Samaritan also takes the same approach about getting the little things right. Hence the reminder below about the correct wearing of our school uniform, particularly the correct joggers. The students will be reminded over the next couple of weeks so that we don’t see the incorrect uniform creep into the school.

The wearing of the school uniform is an outward sign of the respect that a student has for themselves and the Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School community. The Good Samaritan uniform serves as an outward sign of what the school stands for, and the correct wearing of uniform is an indication of students’ pride in being members of the school community. At Good Samaritan, we believe that the wearing of a school uniform reduces the social inequities that may be evident in a community that does not enforce a standard uniform. This assists in respecting the dignity of each individual by reducing social class barriers. 

Joggers that are predominantly white are to be worn for sport and fitness. They must be predominantly white and may be lace up or velcro. No slip on ‘Raben’ type shoes, indoor soccer boots or coloured joggers are to be worn. Pictorial examples of appropriate joggers are shown here. Students currently wearing coloured or incorrect joggers will receive a reminder for the new year.

HAIR

Students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner. Hair should be well brushed and combed and it is assumed that hair will not be in such a condition as to invite comment. 

BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Extreme styles, bleaching, colouring or dyeing of hair are not permitted.
• Gel, mousse and hair spray or other substances should not be used.
• There will be no undercuts, steps or shaved lines within the hair.
• Hair should not extend to cover the eyes.
• Students who do not abide by the haircut requirements will be asked to fix the identified problem.
• Long hair is to be tied back or plaited.
• Ribbons and bands of school colour are to be worn.

Nails, Makeup, Jewellery:

Makeup is not to be worn to school including false eyelashes. Nail polish and acrylic, gel or long 

nails are not permitted. This is a WH&S issue. 

The following jewellery may be worn:

• watch
• 1 pair of small stud gold or silver earrings to a maximum width of 4mm
• 1 neck chain with a crucifix or cross

The staffing process is currently continuing and we are hoping to have this complete by early next week. Following this I will be able to communicate staff and class allocations with parents. However, please be mindful that we are currently finalising student class placements for the 2021 school year. 

This process will be completed on Friday 4 December. No further changes to classes will be made beyond this date.

At times there may be incidents within the school that involve certain students and you may hear about them through other parents. These may relate to another child’s progress and learning or their behaviour. It is most important that the confidentiality of that student, and of his or her family, is protected. Always treat such incidents with empathy – no one would like their own child to be the topic of discussion amongst parents. If you have some specific concerns that relate to your own child please do not hesitate to address these through the classroom teacher, Stage Middle Leader, Mrs Nunes or Mrs Sillis.

Yule Music will be taking a break from teaching band in 2021 at Good Samaritan. Whilst we are most grateful for the work of Andy and his team, it is  exciting to be able to advise that the Good Samaritan Band is able to continue under the tuition of The Academy - Music Dance Drama. Expressions of Interest are now open and you are able to follow this link for more details.

Parents of students in Years 5&6 next year are invited to have their child’s 1:1 iPad join the school managed fleet of devices. By joining the school’s managed fleet students, parents and families will:

• have more control of the screen time access of the device
• know the apps that students are using
• not have access to inappropriate social media or gaming  
• learn that the iPad is a tool for learning at school
• have access to special education 200GB iCloud accounts
• continue to learn about how to be a responsible digital citizen

If you have a child in Years 5 and/or Year 6 next year and you want your child’s device to be school managed,  follow this link to complete the form.

Our students from Good Samaritan and surrounding schools celebrated the Sacrament of First Holy Communion over the past weekend. We congratulate them on this special day.

Dear Students,

Jesus shows His great love for you by giving His Body and Blood which you now receive.

Praying these sacred gifts will sustain you today as you grow in faith.

God Bless You on this Special Day

Blessings From the Good Samaritan Community

2020 St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Sincere thanks to you our school community for your kind donations of food for our 2020 Christmas Appeal. Our local co-ordinator from St Vincent de Paul was very appreciative of the kindness shown. We were able to fill over 50 shopping bags. A special thank you to Woolworths, Bulli for donating the green reusable bags. 

Many thanks and blessings,

Natalie Shelley

Religious Education Coordinator

The Value for this week is: 

• Perseverance

 Perseverance means we are:

• Not giving up
• Trying even when the going gets tough
• Working through or facing a challenge courageously

School Fees 2021

After much consideration, Bishop Brian Mascord has approved the Director of School’s increase to 2% to Primary Tuition fees and 4.59% to Parish SEDSO. Therefore, the following fees apply for 2021:

Tuition Fees

The Primary tuition fee for 2021 is:

$1,712 per family (per annum)                                      

Parish School Enhancement & Debt Servicing Obligation (Parish SEDSO)          

The SEDSO Levy for 2021 is:

$1,076 per family (per annum) 

The School Resource Fee is:

$ 175.00 per student (per annum)

Parents are strongly advised to put a 2021 payment plan into place if one has not already been done so. Fee Concession applications for genuine financial hardship will always be considered but must be applied for through the school office.

• Reminder to all families that School Fees must be finalised and paid by Friday 4 December 2020 

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.

Last Friday, 20 November, Year 6 travelled to the uppermost reaches of Stanwell Tops to visit a conference and camp site like no other. There we encountered trees of beauty and views of the coastline. It was truly an experience to behold. We were placed into three groups to enjoy gliding around a race track when go-carting, shooting for the stars during archery and working co-operatively as we navigated our way through a range of obstacles posed by the challenger course.

A highlight of the day was that we needed to co-operate and work as a team to fully enjoy the activities and to be successful. As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”. This quote sums up the type of day we had as we collaborated to achieve at a much higher standard than would have been possible otherwise.

Our day at The Tops was a great way to enjoy quality time together as our primary school life comes to an end before we head off to new adventures, assured that there is so much hope in our futures, particularly if we work in unison with others.

Report by Olivia and Sienna (6 Blue)

 

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

Hello Families & Friends,

What challenging times we’ve seen in 2020 so far!  As our community responded to the global health pandemic, GSFM P&F have quietly focused on ensuring that our school and community remained safe and supported.  Sadly, this meant many of our fundraisers and activities did not go ahead.  Fundraising has not been a priority and we did not wish to place any additional financial pressure on our school community during these times.

As the end of the year approaches and with the easing of restrictions, your P&F is very excited to once again offer our Good Samaritan School Community discounted single-entry tickets to Jamberoo Action Park!  As season passes will not be offered this year, these tickets are the perfect gift for your family, friends and loved ones.  At a flat rate of $44.00 per ticket, and no limit on the number of tickets you can purchase, this is an offer too good to miss.

This offer is available for a short time only.  To purchase tickets, please complete the attached form and return to school with any cash payments NO LATER THAN Friday 4th December 2020.