InFocus Edition 1 2022

GoodShepherd InFocus

The Good Shepherd

Lutheran Primary School

53-57 Plymouth Road

Croydon Hills Vic 3136

Phone: (03) 9726 2900

Email: goodshep@gslps.vic.edu.au

Web: www.gslps.vic.edu.au

Principal

Mr Greg Schneider

InFocus Editor

Mrs Penny Soong

From the Principal

When relationships are mutually supportive, when they are positive and respectful, when people think of others, learning blossoms and care, kindness and compassion bear fruit

It is an exciting time in the life of Good Shepherd. Last month our School Board spent a full day dedicated to reviewing our existing School Strategic Plan, and to begin working on our new Strategic Plan that will guide our endeavours as we look to the future. It was an excellent day and I thank our Board Directors for willingly giving their time in the service of our school.

In 2021 Good Shepherd commenced a new stage of growth with the enrolment of a fourth Prep class. That continued in 2022, and next year we will again enroll 100 Prep students across four classes. By 2027 Good Shepherd will have reached its maximum enrolment of 700 students. What a wonderful blessing it has been to support these additional families who have so eagerly enrolled their children in our school. We thank God for the opportunity to share His message of love in an environment where high quality learning is valued and individuals matter.

Good Shepherd is in its 44th year of operation. It is time for the School to begin replacing our oldest facilities. Not just because of their longevity, but more importantly, to design and build facilities that support teaching and learning in the 21st Century. Facilities that are intentionally designed to support the development of collaborative skills, that help grow students’ creative capacity, that provide flexibility in learning environments and equip our school for many years to come.

Following the development of a comprehensive Master Plan, the School Board has embarked upon Stage 1 of construction of new facilities to provide for the educational needs of our students. No doubt there will be some inconveniences for a period of time, however, the end result will be a wonderful addition to our school, and students for many years will benefit. We look forward to the first stage of construction commencing in the coming weeks. While buildings and facilities are very important, they are not what is at the heart of the School. Good Shepherd is centred on relationships; relationships with our loving God and relationships with each other. When relationships are mutually supportive, when they are positive and respectful, when people think of others, learning blossoms and care, kindness and compassion bear fruit.

I love the name of our School’s Learning Management System, “FLOREO”. Whenever you access or use FLOREO, I encourage you to think of its meaning, “to flourish, to bloom, to blossom”. At our heart, Good Shepherd exists to support our students, our staff, our School community to flourish, to bloom and to blossom.

Greg Schneider Principal

Community News School Captains

Congratulations to our School Captains for Terms 1 and 2, 2022.

Term 1 Amity Evans and Harry Kirkwood

Term 2 Zara McCullen and Jonathan Boer

Congratulations

Term 1 Captains

Term 2 Captains

Mrs Mary Russo, Prep Teacher, on her marriage to Michael on the 15th January

Mrs Jessica Bentley, Classroom Teacher, and her husband Sam on the birth of their daughter Margo on 24th May

Mrs Amelia Stringer, Receptionist/ Teacher Assistant, on her marriage to Corey on the 2nd April

Miss Ashley Payet, Prep Teacher, and her dance partner Jared for winning both the Professional Vogue and Standard at the 75th Australian DanceSport Championships

Mrs Tamara Kipping, Prep Teacher, and her husband Dave on the birth of their son, Sonny on the 15th January

Staff Farewells Welcome

Kara Snow Receptionist (returning from Parental Leave)

Kathy Roberts Library Technician

Suné Boswell Year 5 Teacher

Tina Miller Teacher Assistant

Mr Chris Duffy

Jacinta Fry Head of Counselling and Wellbeing (returning from Parental Leave)

Melody Lewis Learning Enhancement & Year 6ST Teacher

Belinda Kaberry Year 2 Teacher

Xin Zhao Teacher Assistant

Hannah Loveday Year 1 Teacher

Ian Haines Brass Tutor

Kristine Richardson Woodwind Tutor

Reneé Schilte Year 5 Teacher

Marie-Claire Stamford Drama Teacher - Term 2

Tom Weller Grounds

Mrs Sandra Hutchinson Ms Jess La Mari

We welcome the following Staff Members to Good Shepherd

Around the School Commencing Prep

The first day of Prep 2022 was a special day filled with anticipation, nervousness and excitement. Our Preps arrived at school with their freshly cut hair and crisp new uniforms, clutching brand new chair bags and looking for their names’ on the Prep classroom tables. With the nerves there were a few tears as mums and dads said their goodbyes, however, the Preps quickly settled down to their new lives as primary school students.

The Prep – Year 5/6 buddy relationship is a vital ingredient in helping our Preps settle in. Just knowing that they all have a special someone to guide them, or be with them when they feel uncertain, is very reassuring.

The first year of school is a joyous year. From day one our Prep students are given opportunities to think, be creative and to work in collaboration with their peers. They are so excited to learn every new letter, word, concept and skill. A lifetime of learning begins with enthusiasm and delight.

Celebrating our Mums

A highlight of our term was to celebrate Mother’s Day by inviting our mums and special friends into our classrooms.

Choral Program

It has been wonderful to have the Choral Program back up and running again in Term 2!

The Good Shepherd Junior Choir and Senior Choir have approximately 50 singers in each, while the Chamber Singers is a smaller group of 20 students from Year 5 and Year 6. The students have only been singing together for a short amount of time but are already making a glorious sound. Students in Junior Choir and Senior Choir learn to sing in unison and two parts, while the Chamber Singers extend their skills into three-part repertoire and unaccompanied singing. Choral students rehearse before school for 45 minutes each week and are looking forward to performing at the Choral Concert later this year.

The Prep students sang a Mother’s Day song and performed a poem just for them. Mums then joined their child in making a special woollen heart to remind them of

how grateful we are of all that our mums do and how much they are loved. It was a lovely afternoon full of smiles and laughter.

Excursions

Prep Excursion to Healesville

On Tuesday 24th May, the Prep students went on a very exciting excursion to Healesville Sanctuary. The sun was shining as 100 Preps and their teachers set off on a wonderful adventure to explore the many different kinds of Australian animals. For some students, this was their very first bus ride. For them, the bus ride to Healesville was a highlight!

During Term 2, the Preps learn about “Living Things and their Needs” in their Integrated Studies unit. They have engaged in many hands-on activities which have included the use of Thinking Routines as well as activities which have developed their creative, critical thinking and collaborative skills.

Students also enjoyed writing about their experiences and sharing with one another many interesting facts. The students had a terrific day, with some taking a quick power nap on the way home. A sign of a very busy but enjoyable excursion!

Year 1 Excursion to Mont de Lancey

Year 1 students take part in an Integrated Studies investigation on the topic ‘Now and Then’.

The students were intrigued by our visit to the historic homestead of Mont De Lancey. The students explored the museum, watched a blacksmith twist metal and attended a chapel with a surprise mock wedding. They also spent some time with Sir in the 1800’s classroom. The students had fun playing with olden day toys and making peg dolls and lavender bags. They twisted twine into rope and rode on homemade billycarts. By visiting Mont De Lancey, the students were able to experience what it would have been like to live in the 1800s and explore how aspects of daily life have changed over recent times.

Year 1 Excursion to Edendale Farm

On Tuesday 10th May our Year 1 students went on an excursion to Edendale Farm in Eltham.

In the Science unit, Schoolyard Safari, the students have been learning about the features and behaviour of small animals and the diversity of animal life. Students spent the day learning about small animals leading to a better understanding of how their adaptations help them survive in their habitats. The students were given the opportunity to investigate biodiversity at the Farm and completed activities that emphasised the importance of plants and animals in the environment. These activities included: What water bug is that? (aquatic macroinvertebrate discovery); Buzzing around (the amazing life of bees); Fun with worms (exploring the fantastic world of worms) and Who am I? (Eltham Copper Butterfly). We were blessed with a beautiful day of blue skies and sunshine. Students and teachers had a very enjoyable day full of new learning.

Year 2 Excursion to Maroondah Dam

On Thursday 17th March, our Year 2 students visited Maroondah Dam as part of their ‘WaterWorks’ unit in Science. They were so excited to be able to go on an excursion with their parent helpers and the weather was perfect for their time outside exploring the dam and surrounding area.

During the unit on 'WaterWorks', students explored the water cycle, water’s interaction with different surfaces, as well as how and why dams are made.

Students learnt how the dam water travels through pipes to be used by the City of Melbourne and were fascinated by the size of the dam and how much water it holds.

The excursion to Maroondah Dam stimulated rich questioning and conversation in the classroom. In the following weeks at school, our Year 2 students applied their learning

by creating reservoir models, discussing how water is used at school and home, and reflecting on the excursion experience through their writing.

Year 4 Excursion to Cook’s Cottage and Polly Woodside

On Wednesday 25th May, the Year 4 students visited the Polly Woodside, the Fitzroy Gardens and Cook’s Cottage after learning about World Explorers like Captain James Cook, Life In England, the First Fleet and life as a convict in Australia. Students enjoyed learning through interactive activities where they had a

chance to explore and ask questions. They used their prior knowledge from classroom studies to connect with the new facts they had learned. We were blessed with beautiful weather and a fabulous day was had by all.

Year 5 Excursion to Chinese Museum and Chinatown

On the 2nd June, our Year 5 students ventured into the city to visit Chinatown. This authentic learning experience allowed students to connect their prior learning about the country of China with their learning about the Chinese people who arrived during the Australian gold rushes.

The students visited the Chinese Museum, which showcases the heritage and culture of Australia’s Chinese community. The students marvelled at the 63 metre long Millennium Dragon and they were taught about the symbolism of the Chinese dragon. Our guided tour continued outdoors as we explored Chinatown and were introduced to various aspects of Chinese street culture, architecture and cuisine.

Back inside the Museum students took part in a Kung Fu workshop focusing on discipline and respect in Chinese culture. The day was completed with an authentic Chinese lunch in the heart of Chinatown. A fabulous day of learning.

Camps Year 4 Camp to Phillip Island

From the 8th - 10th June, the Year 4 students had an exciting time on camp at the Phillip Island Adventure Resort.

There were many highlights for the students over the three-day camp. These included activities like the giant swing, archery, canoeing, flying fox and camp cooking which involved making pancakes. Across the three-day period, the students were challenged to cooperate with one another, show consideration for their peers, work together as a team and learn new and exciting skills. The students were able to see the pelican feeding in San Remo, visited the Penguin Parade, the Nobbies and had a fabulous time exploring some of the playgrounds around Phillip Island. The students were great ambassadors for our School and the Year 4 camp is one that students will reflect on with many happy memories.

Sport

Swimming Squad

The 2022 Good Shepherd Swimming Squad consisted of 27 students from Years 3 to 6. These students qualified to be part of the team that represented Good Shepherd at the District Swimming Carnival in Term 1. The District Carnival saw our squad of swimmers compete at a very high level with 13 students being selected to progress to the Divisional Swimming Carnival. Eleven students then progressed to compete in the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Championships. Congratulations to Charlotte Butlin (3JS), Mia Gu (4LP) and Liam Joy (5SW) who qualified to compete in individual events. Congratulations also to the following students who competed in the 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay Teams:

11 Years Boys

Andrew Kolb, Jayden Zou, Liam Joy, Jake Leung and Hamish Williamson

11 Years Girls

Indigo Ascenzo, Charlotte Clements, Elise Edmonds, Sophie Edmonds

Open Mixed

Mia Gu, Andrew Kolb, Jayden Zou, Liam Joy, Willow Naismith

A very special mention to Mia Gu who won her Butterfly event and went on to compete at the State Swimming Championships. Mia came 2nd winning a Silver Medal with a time of 37.63 seconds. A tremendous achievement!

It is a great achievement to reach this level of competition and we are extremely proud of the commitment the students showed with their training. The students displayed wonderful sportsmanship in supporting and encouraging each other and their competitors. We also wish to acknowledge the incredible team spirit and camaraderie between the students who have represented Good Shepherd in an exemplary manner.

Senior Athletics Carnival

Our Middle and Senior School students participated with great team spirit and sportsmanship at this year’s Senior Athletics Carnival. It was a pleasure to observe the students participating with enthusiasm and trying their best, while at the same time encouraging and congratulating each other.

Karora House, who had not won the Athletics Shield since 2004, were very excited to secure victory at the end of the Carnival. Congratulations on a strong effort by Karora competitors throughout the day.

Second place went to Angara, Talpa came third and Iluka were fourth.

New School Records

Congratulations to Archie Hattwich who set a new record in the Year 6 Boys Triple Jump – 8.50m.

Age Champions

Age Champion medals were awarded to the boy and girl in each year level who achieved the best results across all of their events. Congratulations to this year’s winners.

Year 3 Girls – equal 1st Alice Burich, Chelsea Bourne

Year 3 Boys – Kade Messenger

Year 4 Girls – Morna Su

Year 4 Boys – Jeremy Hewitt

Year 5 Girls – Charlotte Clements

Year 5 Boys – Cejay Goodman

Year 6 Girls – Violet Rodaughan

Year 6 Boys – Archie Hattwich

District Tennis

Bob Li (5SB) and Jayden Peng (6WN) represented Good Shepherd at the District Tennis Championships.

House Cross Country

On Tuesday 17th May, students in all Year levels competed in the Good Shepherd House Cross Country. The enthusiasm on the day and the spirit with which the students competed was a delight to see. Congratulations to Karora, this year’s House Cross Country Champions.

Results

1st Karora

2nd Talpa

2nd Angara

4th Iluka

Junior Athletics Carnival

Our Junior Primary students enjoyed their Athletics Carnival on Thursday 12 May. It was wonderful to see the students trying their hardest and having so much fun competing for their respective Houses.

Thank you very much to Mr Flanagan and all Junior Primary staff for their excellent organisation. They were well supported by our Senior School House Captains.

Congratulations to Karora House who are the Junior Primary Athletics Champions for 2022.

Results

1st Karora

2nd Talpa

2nd Angara

4th Iluka

Both boys played very well against strong competition. Bob progressed through to the Division Championship which was a great achievement.

District Cross Country

On Wednesday 24 May, 60 students from Years 3 to Year 6 represented Good Shepherd at the District Cross Country Championships. There were ten schools competing at this event and the standard of competition was extremely high. All Good Shepherd students are to be commended for the enthusiasm and effort that they displayed.

Good Shepherd finished second overall on the day which is a wonderful achievement.

Ten Good Shepherd athletes have now qualified for the Division Cross Country Championships to be held on 7th June. Congratulations to all our students on their wonderful achievements.

Results

1st Donvale Christian College

2nd Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School

2nd Kalinda Primary School

4th Wonga Park Primary School

AFL Girls Gala Day

On Friday 29th April 15 girls from Years 5 and 6 represented Good Shepherd at the annual Girls AFL Gala Day. Five of our girls play for a team while the other ten girls are new to competitive AFL.

The team played four games, losing only one, and made it through to the Grand Final against Park Orchards Primary School. They gave their absolute all and had to face the reality that they were up against a very strong team. The final siren went and the team, although disappointed, were very pleased with their day.

Congratulations to the girls for their amazing efforts on the day.

Year 6

Leadership

Good Shepherd Year 6 staff warmly welcomed our Year 6 students of 2022 to their new roles as Student Leaders of the School. Leadership qualities have been discussed in classrooms, the students have participated in leadership tasks with peers and devotions have focused on the theme of Leadership. Early in Term 1 our Year 6 students enjoyed an educational incursion called ‘Aspire’ that challenged them and taught them valuable life lessons. Students worked together during challenges to find solutions and encourage each other. Tasks required the taking of risks and determination to work towards achieving a desirable outcome.

Together they learnt about leaders having goals, working with others, listening, sharing a vision and adapting to situations.

Leading takes work, effort, much thinking and self-reflection. Leading can be hard but it can be very rewarding.

There is a saying that some people are born leaders, however, it is only with consistent effort throughout life that one can become a great leader. Sometimes this involves trying things and then when some of those things don’t work as planned, it means learning from those times. That’s what makes a leader great.

Determination, commitment and teamwork is what is required and the students are encouraged to apply those attributes to their Year 6 leadership positions.

Leadership Activities

Sailing Program

The Sailing Program, which is part of the Year 6 Leadership Program, is a highlight with the students in Term 1. Each student was able to experience three 90 minute sessions sailing on Lillydale Lake. The twoperson sailing dinghies used are an ideal craft to learn the basic principles of sailing in a fun and safe environment. Innovative technical modifications mean that even the very young are able to learn to sail. The dinghies are virtually impossible to capsize. The students learnt about various parts of the vessel and their purposes, as well as learning some sailing terminology. The variable Melbourne weather certainly played its part in allowing for periods of tranquility, only for the wind to suddenly spring to life and catapult the boats through the choppy water. There were many benefits to the Program. Students got to learn through discovery, enhance their decision making skills, work as a team and develop perseverance. All of this ‘learning’ was accompanied by a lot of fun.

Science Program

Fostering ‘The Learning That Matters’ in Science

‘Science is a way of thinking, much more than it is a body of knowledge’ (Carl Sagan). Students thrive on questioning, investigating, exploring, wondering, trialing, debating and reflecting. These skills are the foundation of quality teaching practices for students to engage in the Science curriculum.

Mrs Alysha Schneider, Head of Science at Luther College, is leading our Science curriculum redevelopment. Alysha openly shares her passion for science in building teachers’ capacity to confidently teach science and their role in embedding a love of science for their students. We continue our journey working with Alysha in developing our creative teaching practices. Through ‘The Learning That Matters’, we target developing learning and teaching practices to grow creative capacity in both our students and our teachers. Creative learning practices include:

• Ask questions that encourage deep thinking

• Share knowledge, understanding and experiences

• Actively listen and be led by student curiosity

• Expose students to different ways of learning

• Role model risk-taking

• Learn from mistakes and failures

• Demonstrate there are different ways to achieve success

Staff actively engage and participate in professional learning sessions of asking deep questions about their practices in science. They creatively plan and deliver lessons that model creativity for students to be curious about the world around them. As teachers, our shared focus is to build curiosity and confidence in our students.

Campus Master Plan

CAMPUS MASTER PLAN COMMENCEMENT OF STAGE 1

Good Shepherd is excited about the commencement of construction of Stage 1A and 1B of the School’s new Campus Masterplan. Stage 1A involves the construction of an extension to the Senior Primary Centre, comprising four new permanent classrooms. Stage 1B involves the demolition of some of our older classrooms in the Junior Primary building and the construction of a new Middle Primary building. The new building will encompass twelve classrooms, contemporary learning spaces designed to support collaborative and creative learning, and student and staff facilities. We are very excited about the wonderful learning opportunities these new facilities will provide.

Helping our students to thrive in today’s and tomorrow’s world

STAGE 1A: SENIOR PRIMARY EXTENSION

COMMENCEMENT OF STAGE 1

During 2021, Good Shepherd submitted an application to the Commonwealth Government for a Capital Buildings Grant. We are very pleased that our application was received favourably and Good Shepherd will receive a $2 million grant to go towards the cost of the project.

Good Shepherd School Board has worked very hard for many years to ensure School Fees remain at an affordable level for our school community. This has been made possible through careful management of the School’s finances. The School Board is pleased to be able to undertake this building project, while still maintaining an affordable fee schedule for our school families.

We have an exciting time ahead of us, and we look forward to the wonderful new facilities becoming available for our students and staff.

No doubt there will be some inconveniences while construction takes place. However, we will be working hard to ensure student learning is not impacted upon. The School has been through the process of building projects before and have managed them very well.

Construction of Stage 1A (the Senior Primary extension) will commence prior to the end of Term 2, and it is planned for Stage 1B (new Middle Primary Building) to be completed, ready for occupation at the commencement of the 2024 school year. We will continue to keep the school community updated throughout the project. We are looking forward to construction commencing in the near future.

STAGE 1B: MIDDLE PRIMARY BUILDING

Learning spaces designed to foster 21st Century Learning Skills - Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking and Communication.

Each level features:

Four contemporary classrooms

Central collaborative learning spaces

Break out areas

‘Wet Area’ for creative learning

Indoor/Outdoor learning

Modern, light-filled spaces

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