a word from our leaders
Welcome back
A warm welcome back to school as we also experience our first taste of winter. Although we continue to operate with numerous restrictions in place, it was an absolute pleasure to open our classrooms on Tuesday to the majority of students (85%) who were keen to reconnect and again experience learning as community.
For those who are connecting with us remotely, including three children learning with us from a location in India, we are reminded that the world is indeed a ‘small place’ and as we grow to be global citizens, our love and care for one another should readily cross all kinds of boundaries and barriers. God bless you, our online participants in learning, as you continue to be in the world, from your home.
David Wilksch Principal
COVIDSafe app
Hugely to its credit, Australia has managed the COVID-19 outbreak, so far, better than the vast majority of countries in the world. Australia and South Australia in particular, has set a remarkable example of strong leadership and community cooperation. There is much to be proud of up to this point.
Good Shepherd has thankfully been unaffected by forced school closure due to the virus, while others, including our Lutheran schools in the Barossa, have not been so fortunate. I applaud any effort to eradicate the disruptive effects of this virus on our way of life, including the smooth functioning of schools through the next stage of recovery.
A few days ago, the Government released an app, COVIDSafe. This app lies behind a strategy to ensure that we deal swiftly with any further traces of the infection in the population, reducing the number of cases and fatalities.
If you have not done so already, I encourage you strongly to get behind the launch of this app. By doing so, we will limit the dire health impacts of the virus and support a faster return to some kind of normal life.
We all have opportunity to be a positive influence and increase the chances of achieving the 40% uptake needed to ensure the system works.
Staff news
We welcome Sarah Shaw (Stage 1) and Zoe Puiatti (Stage 2) to our team this term. At a difficult time to transition between schools, it’s pleasing that our new teachers have been able to commence their teaching face-to-face with their learners when a week ago, this looked unlikely.
We continue to celebrate with Anthea Shields (Stage 3) as she progresses towards the birth of her first child and maternity leave from Term 3.
Good Shepherd has appointed Lena Harmer as Anthea’s replacement from Term 3. Lena is a past student of St Paul Lutheran School and Endeavour College. Lena also completed one of her student teaching practicums with us at Good Shepherd. It almost feels like she's part of our community already! Over the past 4 years Lena has faithfully served the Vineyard Lutheran School, Clare, community.
David Wilksch Principal
Uniform
As attachments to this article, are copies of our uniform policy (F-2) and (3-6). Please take some time to review them and refresh your memory. There remains an expectation that all children will present in the correct uniform each day. We do appreciate that Term 2 materialised much quicker than anticipated and a little time will be required to secure new items for those outgrown.
As winter approaches, consider a warm jacket for movement to and from school (as per policy). Please refrain from additional visible layers of clothing placed under the uniform that do not conform with policy. Be reassured that our school is temperature controlled. These layers whilst useful outside, can serve to overheat children in the classroom. An external layer for outdoors is our policy.
Some other items to cross check with policy currently include:
- Hair ties
- Sport shoes (including laces)
- Earrings
Thank you for your support.
Uniform Shop
My thanks to Dani Levy in our Uniform Shop who last Thursday was expecting a very slow start to the term. That changed very quickly and her effort to meet the demand has been a sight to behold!
In order to maintain social distancing guidelines and ensure safety, the following guidelines are in place regarding uniform sales.
- Online sales via QKR at this time (For first time users of QKR, see instructions below)
- Fittings by appointment are welcome for Year 3 and new students who are moving into official winter uniform for the first time
- Tight restriction exists around exchanging uniform
Again, your patience is appreciated as we serve to the best of our ability.
For more information, please make contact with Dani Levy, our uniform shop manager, by clicking here.
Selecting the correct size
To assist in ordering the correct size, please find below the sizing charts for winter uniforms. Parents are encouraged to take their child's measurements and use this guide before ordering on QKR!.