a word from leadership
Welcome to Term 3!
It is such a privilege and joy to meet and greet students and families each day, but the smiles and excitement during Week 1 are always a treat as friends are re-acquainted and new friends are found. Term 3 is full of wonderful opportunities for growth and learning, as your children set goals for Semester 2 learning.
We have many extra curricular activities occurring throughout the term. Swimming (Stage 3), camps, sleep-ins, excursions, Men 'n' Minors weekend, Maths Week (Week 6), our SP Musical Showcase "Aladdin Jr" and other such activities to support, extend, grow and challenge our students.
Please pop in and say hello to your teachers, create times to build those relationships and of course, connect with one another in our community. We look forward to walking Term 3 alongside you.
Welcome to New Families
Welcome to new students and their families who joined our Good Shepherd community on Monday: Grace – Stage 2J, Aniko – Foundation S, Jethro – Stage 3H and Saanvi – Stage 3Arm.
Strategic Planning - capturing the voice of an entire community. Will you join us?
As announced earlier in the year, the Board has committed to develop a new strategic plan to guide the school’s development over the next three to five years. The Board wants to ensure the school provides outstanding opportunities for students, is a welcoming, nurturing community and in general terms is as good as it can possibly be. To achieve this, we want to know what issues are important to you, what works well currently and what could be improved.
You might recall that in late Term 1, parents were asked to complete a School Health Check survey to let us know how you feel the school is performing across a range of criteria. Thank you to those who took the time to complete the survey, your help is greatly appreciated.
I now ask that you help us again (whether or not you completed the survey), by attending one of two workshops held at the school, scheduled this term. The workshops will provide us with richer insight into how the school is now and how you would like it to be in the future. The workshops will be attended only by parents and an independent facilitator, with de-identified information provided to the school afterwards. Your attendance will be valuable, even if you’re not clear about what feedback you would provide.
Each workshop will go for one hour. Please see the dates below and register your attendance for one, via the button by Wednesday 10 August.
- Monday 15 August 1.45 - 2.45pm
- Monday 15 August 7.00 - 8.00pm
Your input is vital in enabling the Board to make good decisions, as we partner to make this a great school for your children and those who follow.
Staff Learning in week 10
During the last week of term, our entire staff participated in a variety of professional learning opportunities. Our week began with a Spiritual Retreat and valuable time with one another. Having specific time set aside to rest in God's Word, and be in one another's company gave us the energy required for the remainder of the week.
Our Co-educators and Admin staff participated in a 2-day Mental Health First Aid course. Teaching teams planned together and engaged in developing their spelling and language programs.
Our teachers faced a 'choose your own adventure' as they delved into deep study and research around their professional learning plans, with the aim to develop a presentation to share with their peers.
10 staff headed to Melbourne for the Australian Conference on Lutheran Education. With the conference being cancelled the previous 2 years, we embraced the theme "One Voice, many paths", re-connecting with educators from across Lutheran education nationally. The line up of key-note speakers and breakout sessions included Rev Chad Rimmer from Lutheran World Federation in Geneva, Switzerland; Australian thought leader Louka Parry; author Julianne Schultz; staff sharing research and a focus on the voice of the First Nations people. Using our Lutheran lens, rich conversations, learning and networking occurred.
We are thankful for the many and varied ways we continue to grow as staff, both individually and collectively.
COVID 19 Vaccination Hub
Good Shepherd was one of 40 primary schools in South Australia to support a COVID-19 vaccination clinic earlier in the year.
The vaccination clinic will be returning to our school in Term 3 to provide an opportunity for the school and the broader community to be vaccinated. Anyone eligible is able to be vaccinated regardless of which dose they require.
All students aged 5 and over and their families are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Students can only be vaccinated with a parent or legal guardian present.
Consent to be vaccinated must be provided by the parent or legal guardian to the vaccination provider on the day. The consent form is quick and easy to do online via a QR code. Paper consent forms will also be available.
The final clinic will be held on this Saturday 30 July, in the church café, for both the general community and our students and their families.
Baby News
Congratulations to Anthea Shields (Stage 3), her husband Chris and big sister Alexis, on the birth of their second daughter, Paige, on 23 July. We wish you God's richest blessings as you welcome her into your family.