Principal's Message
Laura Petrie
Dear Parents/Carers,
It has been wonderful to see the children back into the school routines over the past couple of weeks, ensuring that they are at school each day, ready for their learning. The children have also been working on moving to their class areas on the Tiger turf, at the end of lunch time and recess, when the music is being played, having a drink of water, going to the bathroom and ensuring that they are seated and ready for Mindful practice as the bell rings.
nForma Parent Connect App reminder
A reminder to please download the new nForma CONNECT app, which is now available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Please note that the existing nForma for Parents app has been decommissioned at the end of July, therefore, to continue receiving important school communications, notifications, and updates, we encourage all families to download the new nForma CONNECT app.
Prep 100 days of school
Yesterday, our Prep students proudly celebrated 100 Days of School, marking 100 days of learning, growing, and making wonderful memories together.
The day was filled with fun and engaging activities centred around being 100 days brighter, with the children reflecting on all they have achieved since beginning their school journey. There were also plenty of smiles as students and staff embraced the celebrations, with many dressing up to mark the special occasion.
Over the past 100 days, our Prep students have shown remarkable growth in their confidence, independence, friendships, and learning. They have embraced new experiences with enthusiasm and curiosity, and we are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated Prep teachers, Rosemary Anderson and Amelia Mihocic and LSO's Jade Laidler, Kym Delaney, Samantha Merceica and Ash Cefai and families for their ongoing support in making these first 100 days such a positive and memorable experience. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones together as our Prep students continue to learn, grow, and thrive.
Year 4 Holy Communion
We are looking forward to our upcoming celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday, 2 August at 1pm and 3pm. This special occasion marks an important milestone in the faith journey of our Year 4 students as they receive the Eucharist for the first time, surrounded by their families and friends. We keep these students in our prayers as they prepare their hearts for this sacred celebration, and we thank their families and teachers for their support and guidance throughout this meaningful journey of faith.
Religious Education Symposium
On Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd July, Michelle Peel, Fr. Dishan and I, along with a number of other Religious Education Leaders, Parish Priests and Principals attended the Religious Education Symposium at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Symposium, titled 'Inspired by Faith', offered valuable opportunities for reflection, professional learning, and collaboration with colleagues from across the Melbourne Archdiocese. The messages shared will continue to inform and enrich our Religious Education programs, supporting our commitment to nurturing faith, compassion, and hope within our school community.
Parent Code of Conduct
At School of the Good Shepherd, we are committed to fostering a community where every person is treated with dignity, kindness, and respect. Our Parent Code of Conduct (link below) outlines the expectations for positive and respectful interactions between parents, carers, staff, students, and members of our wider school community.
We ask all members of our community to communicate respectfully when speaking with staff, corresponding via email, attending meetings, or engaging in conversations at school events. We recognise that there may be times when questions or concerns arise, and we are committed to working together to resolve these in a constructive, courteous, and collaborative manner.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in creating a welcoming and supportive school environment. By working together with kindness and respect, we continue to model the values we hope to instil in our children and strengthen the positive culture of our school community.
Road safety around SoGS
The safety of our children is a shared responsibility, and we ask for your support in reinforcing safe road-crossing habits with your children.
Recently, we have observed some students crossing the road away from the designated pedestrian crossing and, in some instances, stepping out in front of moving or stationary vehicles. This behaviour places children at significant risk and can be frightening for drivers and other members of our community.
We ask all families to remind their children to:
Always use the designated pedestrian crossing when arriving at and leaving school.
Stop, look, listen, and think before crossing the road.
Wait until all vehicles have come to a complete stop before crossing.
Avoid crossing between parked cars or stepping onto the road unexpectedly.
Thank you for your continued support in helping to keep every member of our school community safe. By working together, we can ensure that our children travel to and from school safely each day.
Student Representative Council (SRC) News
Over the next few weeks, our Student Representative Council (SRC) members will be the eyes and ears of the School of the Good Shepherd, looking for one student from each class who consistently demonstrates our school values through their words and actions. These students don't just talk about our values, they live them every day by showing compassion, striving for growth, cultivating a sense of belonging, and maintaining a positive attitude towards learning and others.
Through their observations, the SRC will nominate one student from each class who they believe best exemplifies our school values. These students will be recognised and celebrated at our next whole-school assembly on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
This initiative is another way we are encouraging and celebrating positive behaviour across our school community. We look forward to recognising the many students who make our school a welcoming, respectful, and supportive place to learn.
Kind regards,
Laura Petrie