a word from our leaders
Blessing Service
What a joy and what a celebration to bless and graduate children who have this year, transitioned through our 4 year old program at Curiosity. Many of these children and families have been a part of the Curiosity family since it's commencement in 2020.
Yesterday, we thanked God for the blessings of Curiosity - our dedicated and committed staff, a connected community of families as friends, wonderful facilities, a rich and vibrant learning program and most importantly, an environment through which we can openly and comfortably celebrate God's presence, protection and guidance.
David Wilksch
Seeking a new Pastor
Your contribution is important and invited.
After having farewelled Pastor Reid to St Andrews Lutheran College at Tallebudgera QLD, the Good Shepherd Congregation is working through the process of ‘calling’ a new Lead Pastor.
Pastor Reid was well known within the Good Shepherd School Community and connected with many people. He connected on so many levels and in so many creative ways with students, staff, parents and the wider community. His relationship with our school was unique – in our inclusive environment he found ways to share Jesus’ love and grace in engaging, relevant and relational ways.
Our congregation sees the Pastor / School relationship as very important and wants to foster it further. As part of the Pre-Call process, the church board is therefore seeking input and feedback through an on-line survey which may be accessed by clicking on this link.
It’s acknowledged that the needs and dreams of the school parent community may be very different from the needs expressed by Sunday worshippers, so your involvement in the survey presents a single opportunity to be heard in the process.
Please note that the survey was designed for congregation members and therefore some questions may not be easily answered by you – just skip questions as needed.
The survey is aimed to help the church board see what is important to all who make up the Good Shepherd community. It will be available until Sunday 28 November. Results will be collated by the Lutheran Church of Australia district and a summary will be available at a congregational meeting on 5 December.
On behalf of the Good Shepherd Community
Lindsay Freund – Chairperson Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
David Wilksch – Principal Good Shepherd Lutheran School
Student Achievement Reports
Student Reports will be uploaded to Edumate at the close of school on December 1st. Student academic reports were once the cornerstone of communication to parents; much has changed. Families who have been with us at Good Shepherd over a number of years will recognise that feedback and the 'picture of student progress and achievement' has developed significantly.
- learning conversations
- incidental learning conversation during the year
- Semester One progress academic reports
- Semester Two end of year academic reports
- Book work being sent home and shared at different times
- Individual Learning Plans and ongoing conversations, and
- Seesaw, our digital portfolio of student learning.
Over years, there have been alterations to the academic report as curriculum changes have rolled out across Australia. Currently our academic report shares a summary of learning twice a year. We are compliant with government regulations as teachers report on your child’s achievement (A-E scale). It is our choice to also share an effort scale. Teachers also summarise Mathematics, English and Inquiry learning in report comments. An overview regarding what has been covered over the semester is also included.
We encourage you to be active in checking on Seesaw weekly and having conversations with your child about the ongoing feedback given to you. This feedback will continue to be intentional. We encourage you to participate in the journey of feedback and show an interest in the progress of your child. How is the feedback from teachers building and shaping a picture of your child on their learning journey?
Celebrate the growth of your child!
Karen Schoff, Director Learning Innovation
Thank you, teachers
Our teachers care deeply about each child as a learner. We thank our teaching staff for their commitment to providing rich feedback. More importantly, we thank them for the incredible time and dedication it takes to provide opportunities for students to grow and learn. Report writing time cycles around quickly during a school year, and teachers spend weekends and hours outside school writing, collating, disseminating data collected and formulating feedback. It's a privilege to work with this bunch!
Karen Schoff, Director Learning Innovation
Congratulations Bec
It's time to celebrate something big!
Over the past 3 years Bec Ingham has been involved in a AISSA Hub group, working across the Metapraxis and Agency projects in the area of Maths. Bec has developed learning and accountability regarding 21st century skills such as creativity, digital literacy and especially student agency. Bec has been part of a podcast series with Louka Parry (@loukaparry, Education Futurist, Ex-principal, Founder + CEO @learningfuture, Executive @karangaglobal) and Michael Bunce ( @michaelbunce Educator, Interdisciplinary Practice & Learning. https://metapraxisproject.org @impactmapping.)
and Charles Leadbeater (@LeadbeaterCh Innovation expert, Visiting professor at University College London) which will be released to share the learning from her hub group and project more broadly to the education community.
Bec has also been invited by the OECD (international organization) re her work in this area to connect with a global research group researching assessment and maths. Bec's voice as a leader in primary maths in our sector is something to be celebrated. We acknowledge her extra work in an area of passion and celebrate with her!
Karen Schoff, Director Learning Innovation
The developments continue...
As term 4 draws to a close in a couple of weeks, activity will immediately 'ramp up' on site. A substantial upgrade of senior bathrooms will be achieved between school concluding this year and commencing in 2022.
Fresh, modern facilities will no doubt be appreciated by students and parents alike. My thanks to the students who have invested time in researching and sharing views related to design ideas that are aimed to support the happiness and wellbeing of students using these facilities.
David Wilksch
Congratulations Learning Innovation Team
Let’s celebrate some more…
The learning and project development of our new learning framework (which includes our transdisciplinary approach, planner, planning wall and coming in 2022 impact mapping) by our current team (Bec Ingham, Sarah Shaw, Gen Hart, Ashleigh Willoughby, Trish Stewart, Karen Schoff & in previous years included Leah Smith, Bethany Kluge, Anthea Shields) is being recognized in our sector through a series podcasts. I will be interviewed next week by Louka Parry and Michael Bunce.
I celebrate this team and acknowledge the extra workload they carry throughout each year to grow and stretch us as educators. This work has been ground breaking; our growth and focus on a pedagogical approach which values students agency, problem solving and capabilities to equip learners for their future.
Karen Schoff, Director Learning Innovation
Car Park and morning drop off
Thank you to the majority of you who drive slowly through the car park, often finding a park out on the streets. We appreciate the morning rush requires patience to park and deliver your children safely.
We have observed a few cars who drive past kiss and drop then stop behind the parked cars to let children out of the vehicle. This is an unsafe procedure.
The safety of our students and families is paramount.
End of Year Events
Please see the attached information regarding our end of year events and celebrations. Parents are welcome to attend our Assembly and Worship services as available, however, we ask our Stage 4 parents to please make a booking for the Graduation Ceremony. Some all-school events will also be streamed live on Zoom. All details can be found on the attached pages.