Filter Content
Dear parents and carers,
This week has seen our Year 3 and Year 5 students commence their NAPLAN testing. This is an exciting time for teaching and learning at Good Shepherd because it allows us to determine more quickly than ever before how best to support children with their learning. Not only does NAPLAN help parents and children understand a point in time in their learning journey, but the whole school results inform our annual and strategic planning, and assist us to target specific areas where we need to focus collectively as a staff.
We have robust data collection here at Good Shepherd. Data is collected at several points throughout each year, formatively each day in the classroom, and summatively across the year. NAPLAN testing is one data point we use. Our teachers are adept at interpreting NAPLAN, DIBELS, PAT-R, PAT-M and PAT Spelling results to effectively support every student.
We know that our focus on Explicit and Direct instruction programs in English and Mathematics are making a difference to all of our students in all year levels, and we also know that to foster a continuous culture of academic improvement to meet our two system Bold Goals: Every student is a competent reader and High Impact Teaching Practices are visible in every classroom, we need to ensure we are identifying how we can let good practices go to make way for even better practices.
Community Council changes
Recently I informed parents and carers about the incorporation changes to Catholic Education at the system level, which means our governance structures here at Good Shepherd and at every school in our Archdiocese, are changing.
I have attached a flyer for your information about the next steps in our process, as our Community Council positions are vacant from the end of Term 1. I encourage you to consider standing (or re-standing) for one of the positions on the Council.
A great school like ours has had significant Community Council leadership and support from dedicated parents and carers, many of whom are now moving on as their children graduate. The Council continues to need diverse voices and keen participants supporting all families to continue to keep our school activities vibrant and compelling for all.
I will send correspondence via Compass early next week with the position descriptions and application processes.
Our current Community Council Chair Mrs Erin Burrows is more than happy to answer questions from interested applicants. Good Shepherd Community Council can be contacted at gscouncil1@gmail.com
Vinnies support needed!
As a Catholic Community we continue to uphold our Catholic Social Teachings, particularly the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable and the support of the dignity of every person Caritas. As we undertake Project Compassion as part of Lent, I ask for your continued support our Catholic Charity, Vinnies. Please consider donating items for food hampers to support families in need. All non-perishable food items can be left in the school classrooms' Vinnies collection bins.
Fr Troy and the parish are also collecting warm jackets to aid the homeless in winter, and these items can be donated at the Parish office.
Good wishes for the week
Trazel
REFLECT and ACT
For those of you, like me, who were unaware that Lent has a ‘pink week’ just like Advent, you are not alone! In the middle of all the preparations for Jesus’ death and resurrection we are reminded that there is such joy and good fortune that God so loved everyone, that he sent his Son, Jesus, to earth to be with us and make a huge sacrifice for us. The Lectern at church last week was adorned with a rose-coloured pink to mark this special occasion.
Part of this weekend’s homily reminded us to rejoice, for Jesus has given his life for us - what an amazing, incredible gift! The wise words of the homily also reflected upon how the friendships and the relationships we foster and nurture, have initially developed from some common reference point between individuals. This reference point could have been when individuals were brought together in a common place, or by sharing a common experience.
These shared experiences between individuals then begin to form the basis of a deep and meaningful connection, and indeed, a relationship with others. In turn, these individuals begin to truly know and care for one another, developing an understanding for the pain or suffering someone else may be going through because they have experienced it themselves. This knowledge and understanding creates empathy and compassion. These individuals form a common bond that fosters into friendship. These friends start supporting each other and caring for each other. They let each other know that they understand and can relate to what they are going through. They reassure their friend that they are there for them, and whatever has happened, it’s ok, things can be worked out; they are not alone and can reach out for love, help, mercy, and healing.
Importantly, let us remember, that it is not only us humans that have had these shared experiences and developed these crucial relationships as a result. Jesus has too. He wanted a true connection and a genuine friendship with us so much that he came to earth and became human so he could truly relate to us and understand us. Jesus experienced trials, triumphs, sufferings and successes, just like we do. Through his gift and then sacrifice, Jesus can truly become our friend because we can foster a relationship with him that is borne of shared or common experiences, of mutual understanding, empathy and love.
Another key message to come from this weekend’s homily was that many people hide in the darkness; they are afraid of the light. They are afraid for people to see their flaws, their scars, their sins. These people don’t actually need anyone to judge them or criticise them for they have condemned themselves. This Lent, we are reminded to reach out to these individuals with an outpouring of love. Let God’s grace work through us as we help others be open to receiving the healing, forgiveness, mercy and peace that is offered to them from God. Tell them it is ok to be afraid, tell them to be brave, let them know that God loves them unconditionally, that all he wants is for them to shed their masks that keep them in the darkness and step out into the light.
PONDER
Let us Ponder a reflection from GPBS:
What does it mean to come to the light? It starts with honesty, primarily about ourselves. We have to lay down our defences and rationalisations, “our side of the story,” and confess ourselves in good old-fashioned Catholic tradition, tell the truth about who we are. It involves admitting we’re afraid of our darkness, ashamed of some of our choices. It involves another brave step – to step out into the light and to change our ways.
Have you ever compared brand-new white socks with your old white socks? The old ones might be dingy, more grey than white. In fact, maybe you forgot how white socks could be until you saw those new ones. It’s sort of the same thing with sin. Sometimes we don’t notice how we slip in the bad habits that can lead to sin. It can happen a little at a time, so slowly that we don’t notice until it feels like it’s too late. But it’s never too late. We can always s come to God and ask God’s forgiveness, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. God will forgive us, so we’ll be good as new. www.gpbs.com.au
The Year 1 teachers prepared a beautiful, heartfelt and relevant Liturgy this week for their students. They celebrated their Liturgy with Fr Troy on Wednesday. The key messages of their Liturgy were:
- the Lord is kind and merciful, full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love, faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds; and
- the Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down.
Just as the Year 1 teachers and students prayed with Fr Troy, let us pray together:
Dear Lord
We remember your compassion and your merciful love as we reflect and are sorry for our wrongdoings. Guide us and protect us as we strive to be of service to others.
Thank you for your abundant love and care for us. Thank you for forgiving our sins, even for the sins we do not realise we commit. Lord, please fill us with your wisdom and your compassion for others. May you bless us with your never-ending love.
Amen.
At Good Shepherd School we are the heart of God in Amaroo.
We are the hands, eyes, voice and feet to all we meet.
These are not just words prayed during our school prayer. This is faith in action! We are literally doing God’s work every time we tell others about who God is and how great he is. We are also doing God’s work every time we reach out and help others.
Let us continue to act well and have our actions count!
Make a difference by bringing in a pantry item any time you can.
Our local St Vincent de Paul Gungahlin Conference continues to appreciate and rely on our donations for the Food Pantry. These food items are bundled together into hampers.
This term the Year 5 Mini Vinnies Team have been collecting the weekly grade donations from our school and delivering them to the church, ready for the St Vincent de Paul Gungahlin Conference to collect.
We are sad to say that pantry item numbers have been very low these past few weeks. Please, whenever possible, send in a grocery item for the pantry with your child/ren. Thank you so much to all those who have been donating grocery items. It is making such a difference.
NOTE: Parents and Caregivers of 2024 CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES
Last week an email was sent out to all parents of 2024 Confirmation Candidates who had completed the online registrations. Within the email was a link to a Google Form of key details required from you concerning the Rite of Confirmation (seat numbers, photo permissions etc). If you have not had the chance yet, please fill this out ASAP as the form will soon be closed. Due to the continued Hall renovations, this year there are certain challenges to be factored in when finalising seating charts etc. for the Rite of Confirmation. The sooner we have the required information the greater the chance of all factors being successfully addressed. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.
Here is the link to the form for those of you who are yet to provide your key details. Thank you to all those who have. https://forms.gle/wSysKkbbPFxH86By5 (Please note: you may need to copy and paste this link into your browser for it to work.)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mel at mel.unwin@cg.catholic.edu.au.
Thank you.
Kindergarten | KD - Vincent G | KH - Hugh C | KT - Ellie N | KTC - Arielle A |
Year 1 | 1D - Celeste M | 1L - Elliot A-D | 1M - Hayley B | 1R - Blessing A |
Year 2 | 2B - Aarika P | 2C - Penelope B | 2E - Patrick M | 2FO - Noah L |
Year 3 | 3Ca - Elle C | 3Ch - Antonela S | 3T - Runze Z | 3W - Grace B |
Year 4 | 4BP - Georgia R |
4I - Trisha R |
4R - Alana C | 4T - Matilda H |
Year 5 | 5DJ - Evaan B | 5G - Liam E | 5Sc - Harrison K | 5Sm - Rosabella D L |
Year 6 | 6G - Baaba A-T | 6K - Grace A | 6M - Mia O | 6W - Mia W-F |
Part-day absences
Students who arrive to school late or leave school early, must be signed in/out of school by a parent/carer at the Compass kiosks in the front office foyer. Submitting an absence via Compass is not appropriate for these purposes. If you wish to collect your child from school early, please email your child's class teacher before the beginning of the school day with a request to have him/her meet you at the front office at the nominated time.
Looking for that perfect book? We are here to help with our
NEW Parent Library
If any of the books in Parent Library spark your interest and you would like to borrow them, please complete a Parent Library request form and hand it to the lovely ladies at the Front Office.
Requests will be filled once a week.
You will receive an email informing you that the book is ready for collection from the Front Office.
If you have any questions, please email kylie.horrigan@cg.catholic.edu.au
FREE COURSES
ADHD for Parents & Autism for Parents
Want to learn more about ADHD or Autism?
Catholic Education have registered to allow parents access to FREE Online Courses.
We are aware of disturbing content that may be circulating on social media in connection with the situation in Israel and Gaza.
We encourage parents and carers supporting young people who may be more vulnerable to check in with them.
Distressing_content_online_fact_sheet_1_.pdf
Support services:
If a life is in danger call Triple Zero (000) right now.
Please encourage anyone who may be at risk or experiencing emotional distress, including worried family and friends, to contact one of the following services:
Kids Helpline, for 5–25-year-olds, on 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au (webchat is also available).
headspace support for young people, professionals, educators and families
Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
More support services can be found at https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/counselling-support-services
TeamKids have another amazing Autumn Holiday program planned!
Come along and experience the TeamKids difference:
- Learn new skills and make new friends
- Qualified and REMARKABLE Educators
- Digital detox with our no screens policy
- Delicious and nutritious morning and afternoon snacks
- CCS-approved care
Head to http://downloads.teamkids.com.au/good-shepherd-catholic-primary.pdf to check out Good Shepherd Catholic School's program + secure your spot today!