Celebrating the Gifts of the Spirit
Last Thursday, our Year 6 students, alongside students from Holy Spirit and Mother Teresa primary schools, received the Sacrament of Confirmation, a significant milestone in their faith journey. This sacred occasion marks the deepening of their relationship with God and the strengthening presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We congratulate each of these young people and pray that they continue to grow in faith, courage, and compassion.

We offer our sincere thanks to Fr Eden, the Year 6 teaching team, our Religious Education Coordinator, and our Sacramental facilitators, whose tireless preparation and behind-the-scenes support made this celebration possible. Your guidance and commitment have helped nurture the spiritual growth of our students in such meaningful ways.

Term 3 staffing news
We are pleased to let you know that Mrs Charlotte Fitzpatrick will be extending her hours as one of our classroom support teachers, and that Mrs Kylie Horrigan will be stepping into the role vacated by Mrs Diana Jones for the remainder of Term 3 and Term 4. We are grateful to both for their willingness to serve our students with dedication and care. Later in Term 3, we will readvertise this position to secure the right person into 2026 and beyond.

We are also excited to welcome back Mrs Jessica Wilson, who will be rejoining the Good Shepherd staff following her maternity leave. Mrs Wilson will be with us three days a week, and we are thrilled to have her back on the team.

A fresh look
Our school has had a visual refresh, with new signage now installed at the front of the campus and on the Year 5 building with visibility from the oval. The updated look and feel of our buildings and logo reflect the vibrant, welcoming spirit of our community while honouring our identity and mission. We hope you love the new look as much as we do!

Kindergarten 2026 enrolments
Kindergarten enrolments for 2026 are progressing rapidly toward capacity. Over the past two weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting many new and returning families as we welcome the youngest members of the Good Shepherd community. If you have a sibling who is intending to start Kindergarten in 2026 and you have not yet submitted your enrolment paperwork, we strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible to ensure that a place is secured.

Playground update
Following a routine safety inspection on the playground, it has been determined we must enhance the soft fall underneath the playground structure. The high elements including the monkey bars and spider web have been removed until rectification works can begin. This will happen as quickly as we can arrange it (hopefully in the holidays). We have to undertake remediation works in the sand play area as well but we are yet to determine when this might occur. Thank you for your patience during this time. Safety of our students is paramount.

Toilet refurbishment update
We are delighted to inform you that the toilet refurbishment project has commenced with the demolition of the Year 2 toilets over the weekend. Fit out will commence this week and continue until the end of term. Following the completion of the Year 2 toilets, demolition of the Year 3 toilet spaces will commence in the holidays.

Vinnies CEO Sleepout
Thankyou to all our GS families and supporters for donating to the Vinnies Sleepout. Ending homelessness in our community is a priority for me. To me, supporting the dignity of every person is the reason we are here. So far your donations have helped deliver 13 individual support programs, 34 beds and 140 meals for homeless people in our community. Together we raised over $5000- Thankyou!

A moment of reflection
Last week, I had the privilege of attending a Principals’ Retreat Day at Galong. Together, we reflected on the Council of Jerusalem in 49 AD and explored the spiritual discipline of listening. In our busy lives, true listening is a radical act of humility, one that opens us not only to the voice of the Holy Spirit but also to the humanity of the other. Listening is not about waiting for a chance to reply, but about entering a space where mutual transformation becomes possible. May we all continue to grow as listeners, open to faith, to each other, and to the Spirit moving in our midst.

Stay warm and well.

Kind regards,
Trazel