Dear Parents and Carers,

Last week Year 3 students from Good Samaritan, St Brigid’s and the local state schools made the sacrament of Reconciliation. For many of the children, this is the beginning of their journey of understanding what the sacraments mean in their spiritual and faith formation.

It is also a time when we, as adults, are able to reflect on the importance of the meaning behind each of the sacraments in our lives. Reconciliation is defined as ‘the restoration of friendly relations’ and as ‘an action of making one view or belief compatible with another’. I am sure that if we reflect on occasions within our own lives we would be able to recall times when we have had to restore relationships and, indeed, it may have been done by making our own beliefs compatible with that of another.

One of the greatest stories of forgiveness that Jesus offers us is that of the Prodigal Son. There are many commentaries on the meaning of this story and the way in which the brothers, the elder and the younger, relate to the father. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest of who heads the Centre for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, writes that this story may have been better titled The Merciful Father. Why? Because it is the actions of the father that demonstrate the proclamation of the nature of God’s love and mercy.

The Rule of St Benedict also incorporates Reconciliation into everyday life. In Chapter 4 of the Rule, Benedict points towards reconciliation and the preservation of strong community is made possible by selfless and loving interactions between people. We’re all familiar with the fact that when we don’t reconcile with another, when we don’t forgive, we can often hurt ourselves more than the other person.

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus uses the relationship between the father and the son as an image of the God/person relationship. This story expresses the true spirit and style of the historical Jesus. Jesus is saying that God takes the initiative, God loves unconditionally, God knows we have sinned, but God comes running after us.

In my short time at Good Samaritan, I have experienced such a wonderful sense of community. And it is within the community that the restoration, the reconciliation of relationships occurs. I continue to marvel at the way our parent community works to maintain positive relationships with the school. And I am sure that this takes some level of reconciling to make beliefs compatible with another.  In addition to this, I recently had conferences with each staff member and the strongest theme that ran through these was that of developing and maintaining strong relationships with the students. This, too, takes reconciliation as staff encounter frustrations, hurt and annoyances that they ‘let go’ in order to restore the relationship.

So, take a moment this week to identify where God is asking you to ‘let go’ and to practise forgiveness in the present moment because why keep a wound open when forgiveness can close it?

Working with you together, as we journey with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal

Safety: It’s everyone’s business at Good Samaritan!

Safety dropping students off in the morning:

Parents and carers are reminded that they must exercise increased caution within school zones. This particularly applies to the McGrath St driveway. Access to this driveway is restricted and parents should not be dropping students off in this area and reversing out of the driveway.

Parent Action: Parents are asked to be extra alert and vigilant in school zones.

Safety of students during the school day:

Recently, we had some concerns raised when it was reported that photographs were being taken of the children at play during break times. Teachers are most vigilant during these times and have spoken to the children asking them to report any concerns that they may have in this regard. Be assured that the staff of Good Samaritan consistently work to ensure the safety of all students throughout the school day.

Safety: New fencing/ new school access routines:

As you would be aware, the new fencing is being built between the school and the Parish carpark. Upon completion of this fencing the only access to the school during school hours will be via the administration building. All gates will be locked and the school will not be able to be accessed via the Parish or McGrath St carparks during the school day. The gates will be locked after the morning assembly and reopened for dismissal at 2:45pm.

Parent Action: When the fencing work is complete, enter the school grounds via the Cabbage Tree Lane pedestrian gate and the administration building.

NAPLAN FAQS:

Why do students do NAPLAN tests?

NAPLAN is the measure through which governments, education authorities, schools, teachers and parents can determine whether or not young Australians have the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. They also provide schools, states and territories with information about how education programs are working and which areas need to be prioritised for improvement.

NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process, and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance.

What will be tested?

NAPLAN tests the important skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. The content of each test is informed by the Australian Curriculum. The Literacy tests are based on content in the English learning area, and the numeracy tests draw content from the mathematics learning area.

What types of questions are in the test?

Questions are multiple choice or require a short written response for all tests except the writing test. Students are expected to write a continuous text for the writing task.

NAPLAN Testing 2019 Organisation:

This year NAPLAN goes online. It is no longer a pen and paper test. Students in Years 3&5 sat the ‘Omnibus Test’ today. This was a practice test aimed to support the students sitting for the full test next term and also to ensure that the school is well prepared to administer the test.

Long Service Leave:

I will be on a period of long service leave from today until the end of Term One. Mrs Sharon Smithers will be Acting Principal during this time. Mrs Kate Jennett will take the role of Acting Assistant Principal during this time. I thank both Sharon & Kate for taking on these roles during this period. I look forward to being back at Good Samaritan in Term Two.

Student Attendance Amaroo: Final Day Term 1

A reminder to parents of Amaroo that the staff of these classes have a compulsory training meeting hence an additional pupil free day has been provided for this purpose.

Parent Action: Parents of Amaroo have been asked to support the compulsory training of staff by keeping students home on Friday 12 April.

SPB4L

Yesterday the Term One Good Samaritan awards were distributed to students who work consistently towards the school vision

These students have displayed the following:

• Inclusivity in their relationships with others
• Compassion
• Consistent engagement in learning
• Independently fostering right relationships
• Consistently putting their best effort forward

We congratulate the following students who received the Good Samaritan this term:

Sophie L (KB), Kage B (KG), Cari S (1B), Claudia U (1G), Olivia H (2B), Jury K (2G), Chloe O (3B), Xander H (3G), Zane L (4B), Luke G (4G), Rosalie V (4R), Georgia L (5B), Tahlia C (5G), Amelia C (5R), Anita Y (6R), Cooper P (6B),  Dominic M (Amaroo G)

When do students start to wear Winter uniform?

As the weather starts to cool in Term 2, parents may be use their discretion in having students wear the Winter uniform. However, all students will be expected to wear their full Winter uniform from the week beginning 13 May 2019.

Parent Action: Parents are asked to ensure that students are dressed in the full Winter uniform from the week beginning 13 May 2019.

Easter Raffle:

The Easter Raffle draw will be held on Thursday 11 April following lunch at 2:15pm.

Parent Action: Please note the change of date for the Easter Raffle draw.

Season of Lent - During Lent we give 100%!

Lent is time in our Church's Liturgical Calendar where at our school we consciously take time to do things for others and give generously to Project Compassion. Each classroom has a Project Compassion box on their prayer table - please give if you can. We have raised $345.45 in total  so far during Lent.

Palm Sunday Mass - Saturday 13 April 6pm

Our school will be hosting the Palm Sunday Vigil at St John Vianney's Co-Cathedral. Music will be lead by Andrew Chinn and Carmel Leonard.Thank you to the many families who have already indicated that they can come. All welcome!

Easter Celebration

We will have a whole school Easter Celebration on Friday 3 May. Families have received a note about this day as it involves grade workshops lead by Andrew Chinn. We are so excited to celebrate the Risen Jesus in such a special and different way for 2019!

St Vincent De Paul Return and Earn Bins

Like many Catholic Schools in our diocese we have special blue Return and Earn bins as part of our waste management system at GSFM. In the past few weeks across all schools there has been an excessive amount of cross contamination occuring, especially with food being incorrectly placed in the blue bins.

You will see below a photo of one instance of some of the food and incorrect waste contamination that is making the processing of the containers a messy, smelly health hazard for the Vinnies workers at the depot. In some instances, the contamination is so bad that the bags are not even sorted and are having to go straight to landfill defeating the purpose of Return and Earn. Let's really try at GSFM to keep our Vinnie's Return and Earn Bins uncontaminated and only put drink cartons marked with 10c return into them.

MacKillop Swimming Trials

Congratulations to Wil E, Hayden H, Ava H, Gemma H, Amelia P and Matisse S who represented the Wollongong Diocese Swimming team at the MacKillop Swimming Trials on Wednesday March 27. They all performed well and displayed great sportsmanship.

The Junior Girls relay team, Gemma H, Ava H, Amelia P and Matisse S, were outstanding and won Gold!

The girls have now qualified for the MacKillop swim team for the PSSA Swimming Championships on April 11.                              

Cross Country Carnival

We will have our GSFM Cross Country Carnival on Friday April 5, weather permitting. We will be running the carnival at school.

The children who are 5, 6 and 7 years will have their own cross country on the grass over the road, while the children who are 8-12year old will run on the school grounds. Children who do not wish to compete, will be able to participate in a fun run/fun walk at the end of the races.

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to assist. We require more helpers, if you are available to assist please contact the school office.

Athletics State Selection Trial

In 2019 the School Sport Australia Track and Field Championships will be held in the Northern Territory. Due to this, a State Selection trial will be held at Sydney Olympic Park on 8 August.

Participation at these trials will be via a formal application to NSWPSSA and athletes MUST compete at this event to achieve selection in the 2019 NSW representative team.

An entry fee will be applicable to successful athletes.

Age eligibility: Participants must be in at least their tenth year (turning ten during the year of competition) in order to compete at a School Sport Australia Championship as per School Sport Australia policy. There are no events at the SSA 12 Years & Under Championships for competitors under ten or turning thirteen.

All athletes must apply using the form provided and include a verifiable official time, distance or height that meets the minimum qualifying requirements listed below, for each event he/she is applying for.

Completion of this application does not guarantee the right to compete at these trials as there are strict entry limits for all events. The convener will consider all applications and send invitations and further information electronically to successful athletes.

Application for invitation to the NSWPSSA Selection Trials for the 2019 School Sport Australia Track & Field Championships.

Able Bodied Application: http://bit.ly/Ablebod_application

Multi Class Application: http://bit.ly/MClass_Application

Applications close: 5pm Wednesday 26 June 2019

Please note: Any athletes who attend on the day without a formal invitation or approval will be unable to compete.

For additional information please see the school office or Mrs Patricia Foster.

2019 NSW PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE

Our school is participating in the Premier's Reading Challenge again.                

​Kinder to Year 2 will complete with the teachers in the classrooms.

 All of Years 3 - 6 have been given their log in details.  We have had a glitch with Year 3 and are currently waiting for their details to be reset.  Years 3 - 6 will be completing their own reading logs online. It is best to use the Safari web browser. For Year 3 & Year 4 the class teachers and I will be promoting the Challenge as a mandatory home reading activity. Our expectation is that students will read for at least 20 minutes per night.  The first 20 minutes of the library lesson will be dedicated to students reading or borrowing so that they are successful with this challenge and in class teachers have times for reading as well.  It is also important to realise that the local libraries also encourage the Premier's Reading Challenge and are only too happy to help over the holidays

Year 5 & 6 are now able to complete Bookopoly and the Premier's Reading Challenge as the students site matches up with the squares on our Bookopoly board.  

BOOK COVERING

Any parents who are able to cover some books for us we would love to have you pop up to the library on  Friday morning.

CONFIRMATION:

Students who are eligible to participate in the sacrament of Confirmation this year (Year 6) will be confirmed on the weekend of 7 June. Please be advised that this is the June Long Weekend

Mark your calendar!

MONDAY 13 MAY

STUDENT FREE DAY

Students will not attend school on this day

Staff will be working with the Mathematics curriculum

MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

STUDENT FREE DAY

Students will not attend school on this day

Staff will be on a Spiritual Formation Retreat & off site on this day

Band Information Evening

THURDSAY 9 MAY 10:15am to 11:15am

Mother's Day Liturgy and Morning Tea

THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 

Father's Day Breakfast BBQ and Prayer

Parent Action: Mark your calendar with these important dates.

P&F Meeting
Our next P&F Meeting will be held at 7pm in the School Library on Monday 6
May 2019. We will be busy preparing for our Term 2 fundraiser events. As
always, anyone is welcome!

Easter Raffle
Information Notes and Raffle Ticket Booklets have now been sent home. This
year we are asking all GSFM Families to donate ONE Easter item (chocolate, soft
toy, basket, etc) for the Raffle. Donations can be sent in to school anytime up
to Friday 5th April 2019.

Tickets are $1 each with booklets of 10 tickets sent home to each GSFM Family.
Please return all sold and unsold tickets & money to school no later than
Wednesday 10th April 2019. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday 11 April 2019.

2019 Fundraising
Our Principal, Mrs. Sillis, has advised the GSFMPF Committee of a strong desire
to install air conditioning and further shade sails for the comfort of our children.
The committee agree that these items are a priority and have committed to
donating all funds raised in 2019 towards achieving this.
We have some exciting events planned for Terms 2 & 3. Please follow our
FaceBook Page https://www.facebook.com/GSFMPF/ and read the School
Newsletter for updates. If you would like to be involved in the planning and
organising of these events, please speak to a committee member or send us an
email gsfmpf@gmail.com

Entertainment Book 2019/2020
The Entertainment Book is a well-loved fundraising item at GSFM and we are
happy to offer early bird specials to our GSFM Community. Pre order before 4
April for bonus vouchers! Please jump over to our Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/GSFMPF/ for more information and a link to order
online.

Good Samaritan Band Program

Good Samaritan are introducing a new Band programme which will be run by Mr Andy Yule of Yule Music. Click here to find out more about Yule Music.

The programme is going to be available for years 3 -6 inclusive.  Each child who registers with the programme will receive weekly instrumental tutoring AND band tutoring. Our band will be given regular termly performing opportunities.

Andy Yule will be delivering an instrument presentation to students in Years 3-6 on Tuesday 9 April.  Following this a letter will then be sent home explaining how you can register your child for the program.

There will then be a Parent Information Evening on Tuesday 30 April 6-7pm where Andy will explain the details of the programme in full.

We anticipate the programme to begin in week 5 or 6 of term 2.  Toward the end of term 2/beginning of term 3, there will be a child-parent free workshop which will explain practice techniques to ensure your child is getting the most out of playing an instrument.

Andy is a young-retiree who started Yule Music as a hobby just a few years ago, a very professional hobby!  Music is his passion which he wants to share whilst inspiring children to play an instrument - showing them how much fun it can be.

We are extremely fortunate to have Yule Music run our programme.

Kat Carroll – Parent and GS Band Volunteer Co-ordinator

Holy Spirit College enrolment application closing date reminder