*Principals' Message

What a busy two weeks it has been since our last newsletter issue. We have celebrated many wonderful and memorable events.

Monday 7th August was an exciting day with the Senior Choir placed second in Part A of the Monash Youth Music Festival Primary School Choir competition - Year 6 and under.
On Tuesday the whole school celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the 9.15am Mass. The students' singing was beautiful and helped to make the occasion prayerful and reverent.
After Mass on Tuesday, Grandparents and Special Persons were celebrated for the special contribution they each make to the lives of our Good Shepherd students. Students were thrilled to be able to show their classrooms to their Grandparents and Special Persons and to introduce them to their teachers, other staff and friends.
Year Six students were confirmed at a special Mass on Wednesday 16th August at 6.30pm. Sixty-Five Good Shepherd candidates have now completed their third Sacrament of Initiation - Confirmation.
Preparations are now well underway for the Sacrament of Eucharist. Seventy young people will make their First Holy Communion in September.
Early in Term Four we will celebrate the Sacrament of Penance when Year Two students make their First Reconciliation.
Excursions and incursions are a focus of our school program in Term Three. Students enjoy the learning opportunities they bring and delight in sharing their new knowledge with others.
The chance to come to school ready for bed was taken up by most students and staff. The classrooms and playtimes looked very different on Pyjama Day.

All of these events have required forward planning, preparation and hard work to ensure their success. We thank everyone for their contributions.

A distinctive mark of any school is the emphasis on community. The Good Shepherd school community is blessed with delightful students, supportive parents and such a dedicated staff.

It is hard to believe that there are only four more weeks left of the term. This coming week we celebrate Book Week with fun events scheduled through the week. On Friday, 25th August, we encourage students to dress as their favourite book character. We don't want the preparations to disrupt family life so we encourage families to keep costumes simple.

It is an opportunity for the children to have a fun day focussing on their chosen book characters. It is is also a chance for you to have a break from making lunches and get behind our fundraiser by ordering sushi.

We hope you have all had a peaceful and relaxing weekend.

We hope your football team won!

Ruth and Danielle