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Shepherd Spy
WEEK 4 TERM 4
6 NOVEMBER 2014
Dear Parents
Good Shepherd
Catholic School
Amaroo is a
companion school
to Holy Spirit
School Nicholls, and
Mother Teresa School
Harrison.
Together we serve
and are served by
Holy Spirit Parish
Gungahlin.
Parish Mass is
held every
Saturday 6.00pm
Sunday 8am;
9.30am and 5.30pm
All are welcome
to join us.
Last Friday all principals throughout our Archdiocese gathered in Canberra for our
annual System Day. The Keynote Speaker of the day was Mr Francis Sullivan, CEO
of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council. You may recall that on 11 January 2013
the Federal Government formally announced the establishment of a Royal
Commission into the way institutions across Australia have responded to
complaints of child sexual abuse.
The Council was established in recognition of the importance of the Royal Commission and the imperative for the Church to address the past openly and honestly, the good with the bad. The formation of the Council has allowed the Church to
speak with one voice before the Royal Commission representing the numerous
organisations that make up the Catholic Church.
Francis Sullivan spoke with honesty and passion, opening his address by stating that
the Catholic Church’s response to the sexual abuse of children has been abysmal
and that the Church’s history in this realm is shameful and confronting. It was
refreshing to hear from an intelligent, courageous person who has a grounded and
human perspective. He delivers the same clear message to Bishops and lay
persons alike.
Catholic schools have in the recent past implemented stringent systems to ensure
that children are never again voiceless and vulnerable victims. There are ongoing
implications for all staff and volunteers in Catholic schools, in terms of our Code of
Conduct, screening for employment, Working with Vulnerable People checks and
ongoing training in this area.
As Francis Sullivan concluded, the Catholic Church has for many years operated
without clear systems and procedures in this area, hopefully the learnings that
come from the Royal Commission will never be forgotten.
School website
www.goodshepherd.
@cg.catholic.edu.au
Email
office.goodshepherd@
cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone
6255 7888
Fax
6255 7999
Parish Home
(Fr Mark Croker and
Fiona Wilkinson)
6242 9622
Lord we ask your blessing for children in our world who are
feeling unsafe and vulnerable. Guide those who are tasked with
developing protocols to ensure the safety of those who are
unable to defend themselves.
Staffing
Congratulations to Mrs Toni Pfeiffer, Mrs Nicole Rous, Mrs Erika Tokich, Mr Matt
Aquilina and Mrs Tess Roche who have been appointed to positions at our school
next year.
Mrs Alison Graeber informed me that she has accepted a position at St Clare’s
Assisi Conder next year. On behalf of our school community I would like to sincerely
thank Ali for her wonderful contribution to our school over many years.
As you may be aware Ali has lived in the Tuggeranong Valley the entire time she
has taught at Good Shepherd. Her new school will enable Ali to juggle the
demands of parenthood with her career.
To be together …...
School Fete
Our preparations for Saturday, November 15 are nearing completion. A hard working committee, led by
Mrs Sara Henden has met regularly for about six months in an effort to make the fete a most successful
day.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the committee by offering your time and energy.
Next week’s newsletter will contain final messages, but until then you could help us by saying a prayer for
a sunny day.
Don’t forget to invite your
friends to come along to and
have heaps of fun at
the Fete next
God bless you and your family
Saturday, 15 November
Graham Pollard
Principal
It is now possible to pay your school fees by credit card or debit card by using
the QKr! App. It is simple and easy to use. An information sheet was sent out last
week. It is also available on the school webpage and on Skoolbag.
Thank you to all of the families who have already paid their school fees for the year. School fees are due
to be paid by Friday, 14 November. Please make sure that all school fees are paid by this date, as it is very
difficult to chase unpaid fees at the end of the year unless prior arrangements have been made.
It is now possible to pay your school fees by
Direct Debit families - please ensure that your school fees will be completely paid by the end of
December. Action will be taken at the beginning of the year if fees are outstanding and no
arrangements have been made with Graham.
2015 School Fees will be finalised over the next few weeks and sent home as soon as possible.
Lighting the Way: Our next major project for our partner school in Kenya is to raise the money needed
to provide the school with electricity. A donation of $2.00 per child is all it will take to achieve this goal.
The fundraising drive will be launched on Monday, 10 November. Children are asked to bring a $2.00
contribution. They will receive a light globe with their name on it which will be added to a school display.
We aim to reach our target in 15 days.
The Good Shepherd community has already made such a difference in the lives of the children
who attend the School of Hope. We appreciate your continued support as we work towards
continuing this journey with our partner school.
Simon will be attending assembly this Friday to talk to the children about their previous donations. You are
more than welcome to attend this presentation to see the marvellous things we are doing.
School Disco
Tomorrow, 7 November
Music will be supplied by BT Beatz.
Cost $5 (includes entry, drink, chips and glow stick).
Entry will be payable at the door.
Kinder to Yr 2: 6.15pm - 7.20pm
Yr 3 to Yr 6:
7.30pm - 8.45pm
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Parents please
be prompt in
collecting your
child
A Ninetendo game
has been found.
If this belongs to
your child please
contact the Front
Office.
A Panasonic Lumix TZ 40
camera in a brown case
with a Velcro was lost at
the Catholic Schools
Netball Carnival.
If you have found this
camera please contact
Michael 0400 793 556
Shepherd Spy
...the heart of God.
Religious
TOGETHER
Education
To be together the Heart of God
Our Whole School Focus for 2014, “To be together the Heart of God” is designed to help us
explore and refresh the mission statement and vision of Good Shepherd.
We began our journey last year as we explored our focus for the year,
“On the Road to the Heart of God”.
In Term 4 our focus will be on what it means “To be Together the Heart of God”.
We will explore this focus by asking the question - As God’s children and disciples of Jesus,
how are we truly called to be the Heart of God?
Our next prayer celebration will be tomorrow, Friday 7 November.
The students of 4ME and 3Zaja will be leading our prayer
“Jesus Calls the First Disciples”
As always, we warmly invite all parents, family and community members
to join us in the hall
Remembrance Day on November 11 marks the anniversary of the armistice which
ended the First World War (1914–18). This is a day we remember and pray for all
those who have died flighting for and defending our Country.
We are holding a Remembrance Day Liturgy next Tuesday, 11 November at
10:30am. We warmly invite all families and friends of Good Shepherd to join us for
this liturgy. We will observe one minute’s silence at 11:00am in memory of those who
died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.
During the liturgy we would like to take a moment to pray for and honour those
members of our families who have fought for and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our
Country and those who are still serving at this time.
FRONT CAR PARK WILL BE CLOSED NEXT
FRIDAY, 14 NOVEMBER.
All CHILDREN MUST BE DROPPED OFF AND
COLLECTED AT THE CHURCH CARPARK.
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To be together …...
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...the heart of God.
Poster Competion:
We would like to thank all the children who entered the Poster Competition. We were impressed with
the effort you all made. It was a hard choice, but there can be only one winner. Mr Pollard and Mrs
Jamieson were given the entries without knowledge of who designed them and both picked the same
one. We are pleased to announce, Chloe Whybrow is the winner and her poster will be advertising our
Fete along the GDE. Well done Chloe.
Volunteers:
Thank you to those of you who have volunteered your time to run stall on the day it is
very much appreciated. We could not do this without you. That said we do still need
volunteers as we have gaps which mean some stalls will have to close. If you can
spare just an hour during the fete we would really appreciate it. Please either let the
front office know or email gscouncil1@gmail.com. We need approximately 20 volunteers.
Hands: If you have purchased “Hands” these will be sent home via the note bags from Wednesday next
week so please check your child’s bag. You will also be able to purchase more hands at the
Pre-purchase Ride Stall next week please see the dates and times below.
Cake Stall:
Next week a plate and a note will come home for donations for the cake stall so please
feel free to start planning what you will make. The cakes will need to be brought to the school on Friday,
14 November between 2-5 pm or Saturday from 9 and have the ingredients clearly detailed. We would
ask that there is no fresh cream or nuts, and please bear in mind if it a hot day any chocolate may melt
(although I am sure the kids won’t mid a bit of melted chocolate!) Please remember that a number of
students have serious allergies to nuts. This includes all nuts , Nutella and allhazlenut-based spreads.
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To be together …...
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...the heart of God.
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