Principal's Message
Laura Petrie
School of The Good Shepherd
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome back to all our students, families and staff for Term 4.
I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and enjoyable break and had the opportunity to spend some quality time together. It is wonderful to see our school community back together and ready for what promises to be a busy and exciting final term of the year. Term 4 is always an enjoyable time in the school calendar, filled with opportunities for learning, celebration, and reflection.
As we begin our final term, we encourage our students to approach each day with enthusiasm, continue to challenge themselves in their learning and make the most of every opportunity. For our Year 6 students in particular, this will be an important and memorable term as they prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey.
I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff, supportive families and wonderful students throughout Term 4. Thank you for the ongoing support you provide to our school and for the important role you play in making School of the Good Shepherd such a vibrant and welcoming community.
Reminder - School hats and Summer uniform
As we begin Term 4, a reminder to all families that students are required to wear their school hat when outdoors. With the warmer weather ahead, it is important that students have their school hat with them each day to support our SunSmart policy.
Students are also reminded that Summer uniform is to be worn throughout Term 4. We ask families to please ensure that students are wearing the correct uniform each day and that all items are clearly labelled with their name. Thank you to our families for your continued support in ensuring our students are dressed appropriately and ready for learning each day.
Families who are not returning to SoGS in 2027
As we begin planning for the 2027 school year, we kindly ask families who will not be returning to School of the Good Shepherd in 2027 to notify the school as soon as possible via email to principal@sogsgpark.catholic.edu.au
This information is important in helping us plan our classes and enrolments for next year and, where places become available, provide an opportunity for families currently on our waiting list to be offered a place. We appreciate your support in keeping the school informed and thank families for their assistance with our 2027 planning.
Bringing toys from home to school
Please note that students are not permitted to bring toys from home to school, unless specifically requested by their classroom teacher for a particular learning activity.
While we understand that students may be excited to share their favourite toys with friends, toys from home can become a distraction from learning and can sometimes lead to disagreements or items being lost or damaged.
We ask families to please support this expectation by ensuring that toys remain at home. This will help us maintain a focused, safe and positive learning environment for all students.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
Child safety - October: Online Safety – A Shared Responsibility
We remind all families of the importance of being vigilant and actively involved in your child’s online activity. Regularly check the apps, games, and websites that your child is accessing and maintain open conversations about their online experiences.
At School of the Good Shepherd, we are committed to the MACS October Child Safety focus ensuring that “Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.”
At the end of last term, members of the Victoria Police visited our Year 5 and Year 6 students to reinforce the importance of online safety. Their message highlighted the importance of making safe choices online and speaking to a trusted adult if something makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
We encourage families to continue these conversations at home. Online safety is a shared responsibility, and together we can help keep our children safe and confident in the digital world.
Christmas Carols and Christmas Nativity Play
As we approach the season of Advent towards the end of this term, we look forward to celebrating our Catholic faith as a school community through the story of the Nativity.
Please note that our Christmas Nativity Play will take place on Tuesday 8 December in the Church. There will be two sessions:
- 12:15–12:45pm: All ‘A Classes’
1:00–1:30pm: All ‘B Classes’
Our Prep students will bring the story of the Nativity to life through actions, while our Year 5 students will be the narrators. All other classes will participate by singing a special Christmas carol throughout the play.
The Christmas Nativity Play will take place every second year, alternating with our Christmas Carols event. Our next Christmas Carols event will, therefore, take place in 2027.
Kind regards,
Laura Petrie