Dear parents and carers,

What a busy and joy-filled week we’ve had at Good Shepherd! From celebrating 100 days of Kinder, to unveiling sparkling new facilities, to gearing up for our much-loved STEM Fair, and preparing for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our community has truly shone. It is a great joy to me to be able to see your beautiful children learning and working hard but also when they share their bubbly personalities with me in conversations in the playground.

Thank you for the way you continue to support one another, showing empathy and kindness, it’s in these moments that our Good Shepherd spirit really shines.

100 Days of Kinder!

Last week our Kindergarten students reached an exciting milestone—100 days of learning!

Kinder teachers: Thank you for creating a day filled with fun, creativity, and joy.

Parents: Your costumes, creativity and support made the celebration extra special for our youngest learners.

Thank you for your support

Like many ACT schools, we’re facing staffing shortages this week and next due to teacher illness and a shortage of relief staff. Sometimes we cannot communicate the staffing changes when they are as unpredictable as they are at the moment. We know that it can cause anxiety with children when the routine is disrupted. Your patience, encouragement, and understanding are appreciated.

We’re hopeful that as the weather warms and those winter bugs ease, things will begin to improve.

New toilets – they’re sparkling!

This week we officially opened our two brand newly refurbished toilet blocks after extensive renovations. They’re modern, bright, and a huge improvement for our school.

Next steps: We’ve started the 2026 budgeting process to try and fund Stage 2—bathroom upgrades in the Ryan Building.

STEM Fair – this Friday!

Get ready! This Friday is our annual Good Shepherd STEM Fair, one of our biggest events of the year.

We have 200+ entries from across the school—bubbling volcanoes, clever inventions, and mind-bending science tricks. Thank you to the STEM teachers for all the logistics and the enthusiasm in pulling this together.

A huge thank you must go to our parents and carers who are helping bring these experiments to life—your support is the secret ingredient to our students’ creativity!

Did you know??

• Bananas are berries but strawberries aren’t!

• An octopus has 3 hearts. Two hearts stop beating when it swims.

• Water can boil and freeze at the same time. It is called the “triple point”.

Catholics believe that Mary, mother of Jesus, was taken up into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her life. This special event is called the Assumption. This Friday, 15^th August, Christians all over the world will be celebrating this significant Feast Day.

Images of the Assumption of Mary usually include Mary wearing a crown of 12 stars. The stars represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The crown symbolises Mary as the Queen of Heaven. The roses at Mary’s feet symbolise Mary’s purity and love.

One of the key messages conveyed in the Scripture readings (Isaiah 35:1-2, 5-6, 10 and Luke 1:39-56) for Mary’s Feast Day is that God promises to bring joy and healing. They are words of hope — that God will save us and make everything new.

In Luke’s Gospel reading for this Feast Day, Mary goes on a journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth. When she arrives, Elizabeth’s baby jumps with joy because Mary is carrying Jesus. Mary sings a song praising God for His love and mercy. She knows that God keeps His promises.

These Scriptures remind us to be brave like Mary, who trusted God and stepped out in love. They invite us to cast our nets out deep with kindness, believing that God will guide us and help us grow, just like the desert blooming with flowers in Isaiah.

Reflecting on the words of God’s wisdom, we are reminded that God is always working in our lives even in quiet, hidden ways. Mary’s journey shows us how faith moves us to love, serve, and trust.

As a Good Shepherd School community, we walk together on a pilgrimage of learning, growing, and becoming more like Jesus, our Good Shepherd. We are never alone. God walks with us, guiding us with kindness and leading us to hope.

This term, we are invited to be brave, to trust God, and to cast our nets out deep with kindness—reaching out to others, trying new things, and believing that God is with us every step of the way.

Let us pray together:

May Jesus, our Good Shepherd and loving role model of compassion, bless each of us, our families and our community. May God fill our hearts with hope and courage.

May your journey be filled with joy, learning, and growth. May you be brave in your choices, trust God in every moment, and cast your nets out deep with kindness.

May you always know that as you journey each day, you are held in God’s love.

Amen.

Save the date - Father's Day Breakfast and gift stall
We will be celebrating our dads and father figures over a bacon and egg roll and coffee on Friday 5 September, from 7:45am.

Children will be able to purchase a gift or two from our gift stalls, with all items sold at $5 each.

More information will be shared on Compass and our socials in the lead up to the event.

We are seeking volunteers from our mums and female community! If you can help at this event, please email gscouncil1@gmail.com.

Interested in helping to plan for our Book Fair?
We are seeking volunteers to be part of a small working group to help bring together our first Book Fair on Sunday 26 October 2025.

If you'd like to be involved, please email gscouncil1@gmail.com and we will be in touch.

More information will follow about how you can support the event on the day - keep an eye on Compass and across our socials.

Calling for volunteers - Second-hand uniform pool
We are always looking for volunteers to join our uniform pool. If you have availability for either of the following, please email gscouncil1@gmail.com:

8:45 - 9:30am - Friday mornings odd weeks of school (weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9)
8:45 - 9:30am - Wednesday mornings even weeks of school (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10)

The Cancer Council advises that the hats on/hats off message is changing.  It is now understood that even when the UV is below 3, it can still be necessary to use sun protection when outdoors for extended periods of time. This means that when students or staff are out for a few hours in June and July sun protection is recommended.

The UV in Canberra typically reaches 3 or higher from the beginning of August to the end of May, so it is required that students and staff be using sun protection at least during those months, and then using sun protection as required in June and July.

Absence for family holidays
We encourage families to take family holidays during the official school holidays to minimise any effect on the learning sequence. However, if a family holiday or extended absence occurs during term time, the school will not set any formal activities for a student during such a period.

Written notice of extended absence should be provided to the classroom teacher and the front office at the earliest opportunity. An ‘Application for Extended Leave’ form must also be submitted for any absences from school of more than 25 days, to the school Principal for approval. Application forms can be obtained from the front office.  

Attendance at school
It is most important that students attend school each day. Generally, each day’s work is built upon the previous day’s work and any loss of time may hinder the learning progress of the student. The exception to this is if a child is sick. Ill students should be kept at home to receive the care needed for recovery. Educational support will be provided by their class teacher where appropriate.

The school should be notified of a child’s absence on the day the absence occurs, or as soon as possible thereafter. A formal explanation of absence is a legal requirement and should be completed via Compass.

Outside appointments
Where possible, students’ private appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours. If a student must attend an appointment during school hours, contacting the school is necessary. Please email the class teacher and the front office before the start of the school day. Teachers will send the child to the front office at the nominated time.  Parents/carers should collect their child from the front office and sign them out using the Compass kiosk.  

Students are not permitted to leave school grounds without a responsible adult.  In all cases, parents/carers must visit the office to sign out a student during the school day, and similarly, visit the office to sign the child back in when they return to school.

GEM Chats – Feel-Good Conversations for the Whole Family

At school, students take part in GEM Chats—quick, meaningful conversations that focus on Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness. These chats help kids build emotional resilience, strengthen friendships, and feel more confident expressing their thoughts and feelings.

But GEM Chats aren’t just great for kids—they’re good for grown-ups too! Taking a moment to reflect on what we’re thankful for, how we’ve shown kindness, or when we’ve felt calm can help reduce stress, boost mood, and create stronger family connections.

Try these GEM Chat starters at home:

• What’s something that made you smile today?
• Who did you help or show kindness to this week?
• What’s one moment you felt calm or proud of yourself recently?

Tips for parents:

• Keep it relaxed—chat during dinner, on a walk, or at bedtime.
• Share your own answers to model openness and reflection.
• Celebrate small wins and everyday moments.
• Be patient—some kids take time to warm up, and that’s perfectly okay.

GEM Chats are a simple way to bring more positivity, connection, and calm into your home. Why not give it a go tonight?