Dear parents and carers,

As we reach the end of another busy and productive term, we want to take a moment to thank our students, families, and staff for their continued support and positivity. It’s been a full term of learning, growth, and progress across the school, and we couldn’t be more proud of how our students have embraced every opportunity.

Playground update
We know our playground is a special space for our children, and we are committed to keeping it safe and fun. The process is now underway to replace the sections of the playground that have been identified as unsafe. As part of this, the soft fall flooring will also be re-laid to provide a safe play surface for our students. While we are excited about these improvements, this is a very big job and we don’t yet have a confirmed completion date, but we will keep you updated as the work progresses.

Toilet refurbishment progress
We’re pleased to share that the toilet refurbishment project is progressing well and remains on track. Our fantastic builder, Adam, has confirmed that the Year 2 toilets will be ready for use at the start of Term 3. The Year 3 toilets will follow shortly after, with demolition and works scheduled over the holidays. Thank you for your patience as these important upgrades take place — the end result will be well worth it!

Road safety reminder – your child’s safety is our priority
We need to raise an urgent reminder about road safety during drop-off and pick-up times and when catching the bus. There have been two near misses and a collision where a car impacted a child in the last 3 weeks where children have run into traffic or in front of vehicles. Fortunately we did not have serious outcomes. There have also been vehicles overtaking other vehicles in the car park. Pick-up and drop-off takes time and patience from all stakeholders. We know everyone is busy and the pick-up area is difficult to navigate, but rushing in the car park is not the solution. This is incredibly dangerous and preventable.

Please remember:

✅ do not call your child to your car — all children must be collected from the designated pick-up area or by parking and walking to collect them; 

✅ plan your pick up time to avoid rushing; 

✅ talk to your child about safe behaviours around roads — we have been teaching road safety at school this week to reinforce these important messages.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping every child safe.

School photos – looking our best!
We are looking forward to our yearly school photos at the start of next term. These are always a special part of the year. We have secured an excellent school photographer who not only provides beautiful photos but also contributes to our school community by supporting our website photography, video production, and capturing all those proud school moments.

Please ensure your child is in full school uniform, including:

• neatly presented uniform items;

• no hair embellishments, coloured hair braiding, or novelty haircuts (including lightning bolts or shaved patterns); and

• correct school shoes. If your child has outgrown their uniform or shoes, please take this opportunity to check before photos!

Our new uniform pool will be ready to open at the commencement of Term 3 and can be conveniently accessed via the top car park (closest to the church). This will  be the go-to place for high-quality second-hand uniforms — a great option for growing children! Thank you to the Community Council for their continued efforts to keep this offering available for all parents and students.

Thank you for a wonderful term
It has been a privilege this term to work alongside our amazing teachers and to see your children transformed through their learning journey. Their growth, curiosity and enthusiasm have been inspiring, and we are so proud of the progress they’ve made.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday break. We look forward to seeing everyone back, rested and ready for a fantastic Term 3!

Warm regards,
Trazel and the Good Shepherd Team

WINTER WOOLIES
On Friday 20^th June 2025 (Week 8) we held our annual Winter Woolies Day. This included our annual winter clothing donation drive and gold coin collection. This year we raised $932 in gold coin donations and filled a large Vinnies Night Patrol Van to the brim with our clothing donations. Members from the Vinnies School Team visited our school on Monday 23^rd June on behalf of St Vincent de Paul to collect our donations, and they were most impressed with, and grateful for, our generosity and donations. As a school community we were able to generously and compassionately support the most vulnerable individuals and families across the ACT and surrounding regions during this Winter season. Thank you to each of you for your contributions!!  Together, we were the ‘heart of God in Amaroo.’

MINI VINNIES SLEEPOUT
On the evening of Friday 20^th June 2025 until Saturday morning at 7:30am (Week 8), we held our annual Mini Vinnies School Sleepout. It was so heartening and inspiring to see so many students and staff giving so generously of their time and comfort to sleep out overnight in our school hall to raise awareness and money to support those in our community who are doing it tough or have found themselves living in poverty or homelessness. Our students are true beacons of hope for others, spreading God’s message and love in our community through their compassionate, empathetic and kind attitudes and actions.

We had 105 students participate in this event, and together they were able to raise a most impressive amount of money.  To date they have raised $7,888!  We are blown away by, and so grateful for, the generosity of all who have supported and contributed to this worthy cause!  

Both of these successful, life-changing events supported the St Vincent de Paul Canberra/Goulburn Vinnies Winter Appeal to help people break free from the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Thank you so very much to all involved and for the blessing you are to our school community and those in our community and beyond.

On Tuesday 1^st July some of our Year 6 students had an opportunity to run a Mini Spirituality Retreat for our Year 2 students. They used the skills they have learned over this semester during Ministry classes as well as during their own grade spirituality retreat and the inter-school Illuminate Conference last week to lead this Retreat.

The retreat consisted of games, small group reflections and activities, all led by the Year 6 students. Some of the key messages to come out of the retreat were:

• God promises to look after and care for people and all of creation;
• God asks people to be responsible, caring and empathetic by helping him care for all creation; and 
• God invites people to listen, learn and to making loving choices.

This past Sunday the Catholic Church celebrated The Feast Day of two significant saints - Sts Peter and Paul. Christians celebrating this feast day focus on diversity, unity and greatness.

As members of Good Shepherd School and Holy Spirit Parish, we are members of a diverse and unique community. As individuals we may find ourselves relating to both of these important men within the Christian community. Peter can be described as the everyday person who was called into greatness. In contrast, Paul can be described as the passionate advocate for truth and grace. Both men, despite their differences, are remembered together in one shared feast. Their lives remind us that God often works through unexpected reversals: Peter, the impulsive one, becomes the rock; Paul, the persecutor, becomes a teacher to the nations.

As families, parents, teachers, parishioners and members of the Church, we may sometimes feel pulled in different directions—like Peter and Paul once were. And yet, this Feast Day reminds us that unity doesn’t mean sameness. It means valuing each other's unique journeys and learning from them.

Loving God,
As we step into this season of rest, we thank You for the many ways You’ve walked with our school community—guiding our learning, nurturing our friendships, and blessing our days.

Watch over each student, family, and staff member during this holiday break. Grant us peace, refreshment, and moments of joy shared with loved ones. May we return renewed, ready to continue growing in faith, wisdom, and kindness.

Good Shepherd, lead us always in Your care. Amen.

WHEN
School photos will be taken on Tuesday 22^nd and Wednesday 23^rd July by a company called The School Photographer.  It is important to note that this is the first week back for Term 3.

Further information will be provided tomorrow (Thursday 3 July) regarding which classes will be photographed on Tuesday and which classes will be photographed on Wednesday. 

HOW TO ORDER
A flyer was sent out with initial information on how to order individual, class and sibling photos through the Compass newsfeed last week. It will be sent again tomorrow. A QR Code is supplied on the top left of the flyer if you wish to order through a device.  If you prefer to order through The School Photographer's website, the details are included in the flyer.  If you do not wish to purchase photos online, you are welcome to phone The School Photographer's office and make payment over the phone. Cash will not be accepted by the school.

UNIFORM
Photos will be taken in full winter uniform.  Please see our website for our uniform requirements: https://www.goodshepherd.act.edu.au/for-parents/uniform

Please be reminded that hair accessories should be navy in colour and cheer bows are not permitted. 

The second- hand uniform shop is not open in the school holidays.

SIBLING PHOTOS
Sibling photos will be taken across both days. You may wish to dress your children in full winter uniform on both days.  Please note that ordering of sibling photos will close on Friday 18^th July and re-open on Thursday 24^th July.

YEAR 6 GRAD PHOTO
The Year 6 Leadership graduation photo will be taken later in the year. Information will be sent out to Year 6 parents and carers closer to the time.

Welcome to our Parent Representatives
Following our recent Expression of Interest for Parent Representatives, we are very excited to welcome five new members to our School Community Council:

Stewart Holmes-Brown, Lee-Anne McGuiness, Christian Everart, Lyndell Hudson, and Alicia Dalziel. We are thrilled to have you on board!

Wishing all of our school community and fun, safe (and warm) winter break. See you for Term 3!

Support your child’s emotional wellbeing (and improve yours, too!)

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program^® has been developed here in Australia and is now the world’s most widely researched parenting program, with hundreds of clinical trials and real-world studies to back it up. From confidently handling a toddler meltdown, to learning how to control your emotions and deal with anger management, Triple P empowers you with a toolbox of strategies, skills, and knowledge. It can help you create a closer bond with your child as you support their learning, development, life skills and emotional wellbeing. Triple P can work for you too — and it’s online!

Is Triple P Online right for me and my child?

• Understand what’s within your control to change and influence for your child’s benefit
• Create the best environment for your child’s development
• Know how to address child behaviours
• Promote new skills and help emotional self-regulation
• Improve your relationship with your children
• Enjoy family life more!

Try it yourself