Parent Information

School Census

Each year, schools are required to participate in several data collection processes for government reporting and funding purposes. In a letter attached below, I have outlined three key processes taking place this term: 

• School Census Day
• The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) and,
• Our obligations regarding persistent absenteeism. 

These processes do not involve direct testing or impact on your child’s day-to-day learning. I encourage you to read the letter for further information, and please feel welcome to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you

Evie Stevens

Chat Academy Family Evening Sessions

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Family Evening Sessions, hosted in partnership with The Chat Academy - specialists in delivering age-appropriate, inclusive, and engaging sexual health education in South Australian primary schools.

Date: Next Wednesday, 29th July.

Location: GSPV Library

These interactive sessions are designed to support open and honest conversations between children and their trusted adults about bodies, development, and growing up. Each session is fun, informative, and delivered in a way that encourages curiosity, respect, and understanding. There will be two sessions on the evening:

Session 1 – Chat & Discover: The Journey of Babies

Recommended for families of all ages, with parent/caregiver guidance

Time: 6:30pm – 7:20pm

Topics include:

• Exploring different family types (e.g. nuclear, single-parent, blended)
• Learning correct terms for male and female reproductive body parts (e.g. uterus, ovaries, testes, penis)
• How egg and sperm work together in reproduction
• The importance of consent in all relationships
• Understanding conception: from fertilisation to early development
• The stages of pregnancy and how mothers and babies grow and change
• How babies are born and cared for after birth
• A chance to ask questions in a safe and supportive environment

Session 2 – Chatting About Change: Understanding Puberty as a Family

Designed for families with children in Years 3–6

Time: 7:30pm – 8:20pm

Topics include:

• What is puberty and why does it happen?
• Learning correct terms for male and female reproductive body parts (e.g. uterus, ovaries, testes, penis)
• When puberty typically begins and how long it can last
• Physical changes for boys and girls, e.g. breast development, menstruation, voice changes
• Importance of good hygiene: deodorant, skincare, and period care
• How healthy eating and activity support growing bodies
• Coping with emotional changes during puberty
• Encouraging children to talk to trusted adults—parents, teachers, or counsellors—for support

These sessions are a valuable opportunity to support your child’s learning and development in a positive and open environment. At the end of each session, we’ll share a list of age-appropriate resources and book recommendations for families.

We warmly encourage all families to attend.

Playberry Literacy Workshop for Parents

Tomorrow, Friday 31st July at 9:00am, we are excited to welcome Linda Clune from Playberry Laser to Good Shepherd for a Parent Information Session.

This practical, hands-on workshop will help you understand how we teach phonics, spelling and vocabulary, and how we support your child in building strong literacy skills.

To sign up, scan the QR code on the flyer, or visit this link. 

2026 Book Week - Symphony of Stories

We are very excited to be celebrating Children’s Book Week this year. Our Book Week Parade will be happening on Monday Week 6, the 24th of August at 8.45-9.15am.

There will be a designated area for parents to come and watch if you are able.

Students are invited to dress up to the Book Week theme or as their favourite book character. If students are dressing up, we ask that they also have a copy of the book that their character appears in, or a copy of the front cover of the book will also be accepted.

Please note, we do not expect you to spend a lot of money on costumes. Get creative, using items that you may already have, or try your local op shop. You can also find some great simple ideas online at sites like Pinterest.

Keep your eye out for other special Book Week events, an author visit, and activities in the weeks to come!

Father's Day Stall

Hi School Community,

The Father's Day Stall team is beginning to get ready for the FD stall, which is coming up in Week 7.

The dates are Wed 2nd Sept and Thurs 3rd Sept. Please watch this space as the volunteer form will come out soon. Please consider whether you'd like to volunteer at the stall and serve the kids whilst they buy; it is such a sweet thing to be a part of.

The stall will be held between 11am-3pm on Wed 2nd Sept and 8.45am - 2pm on Thurs 3rd Sept.

Thanks all,

The Father's Day Team

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 5 Scholastic Book Club catalogues have been sent home this week.

Scholastic apps are available to download for both Apple and Android devices to make ordering through the Loop system easier.

There is the option to mark your purchases as GIFTS. When these books arrive, you will be contacted directly, rather than books going home with students.

Please also note that some titles offered, differ from the Christian ethos followed by the school. 

Cash orders are not accepted by the school, so please place all orders via LOOP by Thursday 30th July 2026.  

Happy Reading Everyone!

Business owners, market stallholders & entrepreneurs - We need you!

Do you run a business, operate a market stall, or have experience building and managing a successful enterprise? We'd love your support in inspiring our Stage 4 students as they embark on their exciting Entrepreneurial Enterprises unit in Term 3.

We're looking for community members who can share their knowledge, experiences, insights, and practical tips about running a business. Whether you're a small business owner, market stallholder, self-employed professional, or have valuable experience in entrepreneurship, your story could make a lasting impact on our students.

• Tues 11th Aug 2026 (T3 W4)
• 1:30pm – 2:55pm
• GSPV

If you are interested in participating, please send an email to the Stage 4 teaching team by Friday 24th July 2026 (end of Week 1, Term 3).

We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming members of our community to share their entrepreneurial journey with our students!

Art Room Request – Donations Welcome!

Our students have been busy creating amazing artworks, and right now there is a big interest in box construction and creative making in the art room!

We would greatly appreciate any donations of clean, unwanted materials from home that could be reused for art projects, including:

• Cardboard boxes of all sizes (cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, cosmetic packaging, etc.)
• Small packaging materials
• Cardboard rolls from paper towel or cling wrap rolls (no toilet paper rolls. Please remove the metal cutting blade on cling wrap rolls)
• Cardboard plates and cups
• Ribbon, string, or fabric scraps
• Sequins, buttons, beads
• Paper doilies
• Any leftover craft supplies you no longer need

If you have items you’re looking to clear out, please consider sending them along to school. These materials are transformed into imaginative creations by our students and help support hands-on, sustainable artmaking.

Thank you for helping us inspire creativity while reusing and recycling!

Volunteer Training

We have many volunteer opportunities for parents and families within our school for those interested in contributing to our vibrant community at Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista, and your involvement is crucial in creating a nurturing environment for our students. 

Our next Volunteer Training session is:

• Monday 24th August, 10.00am

To learn more about the available opportunities and the application process, please take a moment to review the attached PDF document. We greatly appreciate your willingness to support our educational journey, and we look forward to welcoming you as valued members of our dedicated team.