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Dear parents and carers,
Thank you
What a wonderful start to the year! I can appreciate how challenging it is to establish routines at home after such a long holiday, and it is wonderful to meet your beautiful children. Thank you for ensuring they arrive on time and that they look wonderful in their shiny uniforms.
I would like to thank those who attended the Welcome Breakfast and Mass last Friday morning. It was terrific to see so many in attendance and be able to gather as a community. The Community Council did a wonderful job putting the breakfast together. The morning also allowed parents to meet their child’s teacher and visit the classroom.
Our Year 6 students are at camp Borambola, near Wagga Wagga Wednesday to Friday this week. Camp is a great opportunity for our senior student leaders to further develop their leadership skills and work with their friends. I am sure they will return to school exhausted and full of great memories! A huge thanks to our Year 6 teachers and other staff who are spending time away from their own families to ensure the students have a memorable experience.
Some changes
Whilst there have not been too many changes to our Good Shepherd processes since my arrival, we have developed a specific behaviour curriculum which all staff will be teaching to students over the course of the term. This week our focus is to Be Respectful. This means focusing on manners and polite language. The reason for teaching behaviour is to ensure every child is safe and calm, ensuring they maximise learning time. Parents can assist us in supporting our behaviour curriculum by including nutritious food in lunch boxes to keep blood sugar levels even throughout the day.
Please also note that we no longer have a Monday morning assembly. Monday morning is peak learning time for all our children, and they need to be in class. Our Friday assembly will continue as normal, and parents are welcome to attend. Teachers will celebrate birthdays within the classroom.
Thank you for your patience as we streamline our drop-off and pick-up arrangements. There is always chaos at the commencement of the school year, however, to assist us with moving almost 800 children in through the gate and to ensure all children are at school on time, it is appreciated if you can “kiss and drop” your child at the gate in the morning and if you can continue to circle the carpark in the afternoon rather than creting a static car line- this will ensure the traffic bottle neck is eased. It is recommended if you are picking your child up via the car line that you wait until at least 3:20pm before joining the line. Staff will be there to assist with directions in the monrings and afternoons.
School Calendar
Due to the many inconsistencies that arise throught the school year, we cannot print a full school calendar, as it is only accurate at the time of printing. This is not only a significant waste of finances being spent on a defunct document, but is also frustrating for all your busy households. We strive to provide accurate, up to date information for you which means the school calendar is best accessed via the school website or via this link.
We will print fewer copies of a blank calendar for families to have on the fridge or to give away. The savings from printing the calendar will go towards the purchase of new classroom novels.
For the diary
I have included some upcoming dates to note and hope you can attend:
• Wednesday 14th February – Ash Wednesday Mass (Years 4-6 in the Church)
• Tuesday 20th February - “Think U Know” presentation for parents only commencing at 6pm in the Year 5 breakout space.
The "Think U Know" presentation provides information on the technologies children and young people use, the challenges they may face, and importantly, how they can be overcome.
Topics include:
a. privacy and preventing inappropriate contact
b. sharing your child’s information
c. self-generated content
d. online grooming
e. image-based abuse
f. sexual extortion
g. signs of online child sexual exploitation
h. taking action
Due to the nature of the topics discussed, this presentation is not suitable for children. If your child must attend the presentation, I will organise care for them. I would prefer parents to attend rather than not, because as your child's first educators, your awareness about cyber security and cyber safety will help them immensely as they navigate life with technology.
Have a safe and happy week!
Good wishes
Trazel Scott
Principal
God reinforces through scripture that each person is created in God’s image, exactly as we are. This is exactly as we should be and in being who we are, we are more than enough for God. We learn through developing a greater understanding of our own spiritual charisms, we have been gifted by the Holy Spirit that we are not meant to be anyone else, we are meant to be ourselves. What’s more, we are each here right now, exactly as who we are as a direct result of our emotions, thoughts, experiences, scars, triumphs, challenges, trials, and relationships. Who we are is result of where we have been and what has happened in our lives to date. The significant message is that all of it – everything that has brought us to right here, right now – makes us worthy and ready to answer our calling and make lives better, making God present in the world.
Importantly, we don’t need to do anything alone – the Holy Spirit is here by our side, ready to protect, guide, transform, enlighten and empower. Whether or not we choose to embrace the Holy Spirit is up to us.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. This is the time in the church year where we are reminded of Jesus’ great love for His people. Lent also gives people the chance to reflect on, pray over and repent for the wrong things they have said and done. We would love for you to join us in celebrating this most important event in the church year.
What: Ash Wednesday Parish Mass (with Years 5/6 attending)
When: this coming Wednesday 14 February at 9:15am
Where: Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Burdekin Ave, Amaroo
The position of Secretary/Administration Officer at Holy Spirit Parish has become available
This role has responsibility for a wide range of administrative and organisational activities in a busy Catholic Parish in the Gungahlin area and to ensure the smooth and effective operation of the parish office. The Secretary/Administrative Officer is often the first point of contact for people connecting with the parish, and therefore is required to have an understanding of parish functions and groups, be able to answer a variety of general questions relating to parish life, and be able to show compassion, understanding and patience when dealing with a wide range of people.
Applicants are required to be enthusiastic and have the ability to contribute to building community, have excellent administration skills, be able to self-manage work priorities and projects, and to work effectively within a small team.
For the full job description and selection criteria, please click here or visit our parish website.
Applications
To apply please provide a covering letter which includes your response to the Selection Criteria along with your Curriculum Vitae to Fr Troy Bobbin at recruitment@holyspiritgungahlin.org.au.
For more information, contact Theivani on 0472 921 518 or 6242 9622 (Tuesday to Friday).
Applications close: Friday 9 February 2024.
Kindergarten | KD - Thomas N | KH - Kendrick A | KTC - Scarlett E | KT - Lily S |
Year 1 | 1D - Alivia E | 1L - Miracle O | 1M - Arne R | 1R - Jordan B |
Year 2 | 2B - Grayson G | 2C - Ava B | 2E - Kyana T | 2FO - Beau W |
Year 3 | 3Callaghan - Cohen W | 3Church - Hamzah K | 3T - Bezaleel A | 3W - Archie D |
Year 4 | 4BG - Macie R |
4I - Leonardo A F |
4R - Eden A-D | 4T - Sephora F |
Year 5 | 5DJ - Lachlan T | 5G - Pranav S | 5Scott - Olivia M | 5Smith - Dhanvin G |
Community Council Meeting -Tuesday 13th February
Our first Council Meeting of the school year will be this coming Tuesday 13th February 2024 at 6pm in the staff room. All parents are welcome to attend for the first 30 minutes.
There will be changes to the way the Community Council operates from Term 2. More information will be shared once available.
Canteen volunteers required
We are looking for some extra help to assist with the lunch order distribution on Fridays. If you have a spare 30 minutes to help between 1:15 - 1:45pm, please email your contact details to gscouncil1@gmail.com
Clothing pool - donations
We are always looking for donations to our second-hand uniform pool. If you have any clean, undamaged uniforms to donate, please drop them off at the front office. We are especially short on summer dresses and sport shorts at the moment.
Thank you
A massive shout out to Jodie H from the Community Council and all the helpers for their assistance in arranging the Welcome Breakfast last Friday - what a wonderful way to start the new school year! We hope you enjoyed your morning.
Back to school travel information
Updated information on school public transport services is available on the Transport Canberra website.
There is new information about routes and timetables, MyWay cards, and school safety tips.
Contact: Transport Canberra 13 17 10
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.
Support services
If a life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000).
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