InFocus Edition 1 2023

GoodShepherd InFocus

Sharing news of Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School | Number 1, 2023

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 Daniel Weller

InFocus Editor

Mrs Penny Soong

From the Principal

God has a plan for us and will only present the changes and challenges that He knows we can handle

Greetings to all, and welcome to this edition of InFocus.

I have regularly talked with families and staff about the rapidly changing and challenging world that we live in. Just this year I have had many conversations with those in our school community around the growing curiosity of artificial intelligence (AI). As technology continues to advance at an exponential rate, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the unknown capabilities of AI and automation. Whether we like it or not, the rise of AI is reshaping our world, bringing both opportunities and challenges to our lives. Education is not immune to this and I believe it is vital for us all to be knowledgeable in the area but to also remind ourselves that these tools are simply that, tools. Yes, they can enhance our lives, but they can never replicate the important human element we look to nurture in our classrooms daily – those opportunities to improve emotional intelligence, communication, collaboration, interpersonal skills, and meaningful relationships. By focusing on these ‘skills’ we prioritise what is really important for our students and in turn equip them with the necessary mindsets to navigate complex situations. In doing so we also foster a sense of belonging in our schools, which I believe is core in us seeing, hearing and valuing all members at GSLPS.

In a world where machines are capable of handling more and more tasks, it’s easy to see how through this change we can

at times become anxious and uncertain of the future. Often, we can struggle with change, particularly when we can’t see the good in it. Whether it is through the small or the monumental events that suddenly change our lives forever, in Romans 8:28, St Paul writes that our God is a God of transformation, who through our experiences changes us into the people He wants us to be. It is therefore comforting to know that regardless of the changes that our school (and society) faces, God has a plan for us and will only present the changes and challenges that He knows we can handle. I take comfort in knowing that despite the changes our world faces He provides hope, direction and purpose in the quality Christian care and future focused education we can provide at our school. God is good and I give thanks for that.

This year only one combined publication of InFocus and LutherLetter will be developed for our school communities. A number of factors have influenced this decision but I am happy to announce that there is a commitment of providing joint Spring and Autumn editions in 2024. I hope you enjoy reading this edition and of the wonderful opportunities and achievements seen from both schools. Blessings for the year ahead.

Daniel Weller Principal

Community News Congratulations

Mrs Stephanie Witbreuk, Year 5 Teacher, and her husband Matt on the birth of their son, Jacob on the 23rd November 2022

Mr Dean Polychronopoulos, Head of Counselling and Wellbeing, on his marriage to Daniella on the 22nd April

Mrs Kara Snow, Receptionist, and her husband James on the birth of their son, Tommy on the 26th May 2023

Mr Jacinta Fry, Head of Counselling and Wellbeing, and her husband Chris on the birth of their daughter, Charlotte on the 15th February 2023

Farewells Welcome

We welcome the following Staff Members to Good Shepherd

Welcome back to the following staff members

Daniel Weller Principal

Hayley Defanis Year 6 Teacher

Courtney Bird Year 2 Teacher

Dean Polychronopoulos Head of Counselling and Wellbeing

Katherine Jones School Counsellor

Mrs Karla Nyhuis Drama Teacher

Kiara Semos Teacher Assistant

Tamara Kipping Prep Teacher

Coral Hoen Teacher Assistant

Bec Goucher LOTE

Jason Flanagan PE/Sport

Gary Ong Digital Technologies

Cameron Brammer Groundsperson

Amanda Flanagan Receptionist

Carla Milne HR/Risk and Compliance

Glenn Hamilton Brass Instrumental Tutor

Marie-Claire Stamford Drama Teacher

Mr Keyu Zhou Chinese - LOTE

Mrs Kara Snow Receptionist (Parental Leave)

Charlotte Di Liberto Choral

Around the School

Commencing Prep

The first day of Prep was a special day filled with anticipation, nervousness and excitement. The new students were feeling proud that they were finally ‘big school people’ but also apprehensive to be leaving the security of their homes and families. Parents were torn between celebrating this important milestone and a sense of letting go. They were excited about all of the amazing opportunities that lay ahead for their children. Prep Teachers, Learning Enhancement Teachers and Teacher Assistants were excited to meet their new students and ready to start building the foundation for their future learning.

So, as our new students arrived with their freshly cut hair and crisp new uniforms, clutching brand new chair bags and looking for their name on the Prep classroom tables, the Good Shepherd community strived to ensure that their entrance to school life was a positive and reassuring event. Of course, a successful start does not just happen. It involves a great deal of planning that started in early 2022. Interviews with the Principal, a Pre-Prep Sibling Assessment session and the comprehensive Orientation Program during November, all contribute to giving the students a sense of familiarity within

the Good Shepherd environment and the people that make up our wonderful community. The importance of the Buddy Program should never be understated.

The fact that each Prep child has a special person in Year 5 or Year 6 looking out for them, showing them school routines, and checking on them at recess and lunchtime, is invaluable.

The Good Shepherd focus on the ‘Learning that Matters’ begins in Prep. As early as the first weeks of school, lessons are designed to incorporate aspects of collaboration, creativity, communication and critical thinking. Prep students learn to work together, to listen and discuss tasks, to think beyond the obvious and to begin thinking about their own thinking. This year’s Preps have made an excellent start at Good Shepherd and it has been wonderful to watch them grow and develop academically, socially and emotionally. The students enthusiasm and love for learning continues to grow and shine each day.

Year 6 Leadership Activities

Good Shepherd warmly embraced the Year 6 students of 2023 as they embarked on their journey as leaders of the Senior School. Throughout the semester, these students actively participated in various activities centered around leadership, including the empowering ‘Aspire’ Leadership incursion. This incursion provided high-energy training exercises that left a lasting impression.

A highlight of the incursion was the exchange of positive affirmations among students, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment. Students focused on teamwork and cooperation. Every student played a vital role by contributing through their influence, strength, teamwork, and actions. The activities highlighted the significance of kindness, reinforcing the idea that leadership can be exercised with or without a badge.

Inside our classrooms and during devotional sessions, we discussed the concept of leadership. These discussions were complemented by engaging tasks and challenges, encouraging students to think critically, take risks, and work together to achieve their desired outcomes. We emphasised that leadership requires continuous effort, thoughtful consideration, and self-reflection. Although leading can be challenging, the rewards are abundant.

As part of their growth journey, students stepped out of their comfort zones and participated in learning sailing skills with their peers at Lillydale Lake. Over a period of three weeks, their growth in sailing was evident, showcasing their determination and willingness to embrace new experiences.

Determination, commitment, and teamwork were the essential attributes we encouraged our Year 6 students to apply in their leadership positions. As teachers, we witnessed their commendable collaborative efforts within their team groups and their responsible service to others.

In the words of Luke 6:31, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” This guiding principle epitomised the spirit of leadership that our Year 6 students embraced as they embarked on this exciting journey in the Senior School.

Camps Year 3 Camp

On the last day of Autumn, the Year 3 students set off on their first School Camp. This camp was a step up from the students first camping experience at school, being the Year 2 Sleepover last year. Being away from home for two nights in a row was a first for most.

ADANAC CYC in Yarra Junction ran another exceptional camp for our Year 3 students and there were many wonderful memories made. On the first night they went for a night walk through the bush.

On their walk they stopped to marvel up at the tall gum trees under torch light, then arrived at a campfire to roast some marshmallows. The flying fox, archery, indoor basketball, trampolines and Ga-Ga pit were other highlights.

During camp, the students had the opportunity to further develop many great life skills and mindsets. Whether it was harnessing up for the flying fox, supporting a classmate on the low ropes, designing and building a bush hut or rolling up a sleeping bag, it was wonderful to see the students having such a great time together.

Year 4 Camp

From 7 to 9 June, the Year 4 students had an exciting time on camp at the CYC- Phillip Island Adventure Resort. There were many highlights for the students over the three-day camp. These included activities such as: a 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 camp experience allowed the students to see the Pelican Feeding in San Remo, included a visit to the Penguin Parade, a trip to the Nobbies and 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 set to be one that students will reflect on with many happy memories.

Year 6 Camp

In the month of May, 72 enthusiastic Year 6 students embarked on a journey that would forever be etched in their hearts. The highly anticipated Year 6 camp proved to be an exceptional experience, leaving an indelible mark on the young minds that were fortunate enough to partake in this adventure. Packed with a week of excitement, exploration, and learning, the camp offered a unique blend of educational opportunities and recreational activities.

One of the highlights of the camp was the visit to the High Court in session. The students witnessed justice in action as they observed real-life court proceedings. Sitting in the courtroom, they were captivated by the legal proceedings and gained a profound understanding of the importance of the justice system in our society. This experience instilled a sense of respect for the rule of law and the tireless efforts of those who work towards upholding it. Parliament House was another notable destination on the camp itinerary.

Stepping foot into the heart of Australian democracy, the students were awestruck by the grandeur of the building and the significance of the decisions made within its walls. They engaged in a mock parliamentary debate, showcasing their persuasive skills and fostering an appreciation for the democratic process. This hands-on experience left the students with a newfound understanding of the power of their voices and the impact they can have in shaping their communities. However for some, the pinnacle of the camp was the visit to the Australian Deep Space Discovery Centre. Nestled in the heart of the picturesque countryside, this

state-of-the-art facility revealed the wonders of space exploration. The students were astounded to learn that radio waves from the Voyager 1 spacecraft, launched in 1977, are still being received by the Deep Space Network on Earth. This remarkable fact showcased the enduring power of human ingenuity and the vastness of the universe we inhabit.

Additionally, they were amazed to discover that the Australian Deep Space Discovery Centre is one of only three facilities in the world that can communicate with spacecraft at the edge of our solar system. This mind-boggling revelation emphasised Australia’s pivotal role in the global quest for knowledge and exploration beyond our planet’s boundaries.

As the week-long camp reached its conclusion, the students departed with hearts full of special moments and minds filled with enhanced understanding. It was a great experience for everyone involved.

Sport Swimming Squad

The 2023 Good Shepherd Swimming Squad consisted of 28 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 15 students being selected to progress to the Divisional Swimming Carnival.

Fourteen students then progressed to compete in the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Championships held at Aquanation Pool in Ringwood. Congratulations to Liam Joy (6HD) for earning 2nd place in the 12/13 Boys 50m Freestyle and Mia Gu (5KL) for her 3rd placed effort in the Under 11 Girls 50m Breastroke. Congratulations also to the following students who competed in the 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay Teams:

11 Years Girls - Mia Gu, Chloe Fox, Alana Eriksen & Sophie Zhao

Open Boys - Jake Leung, Liam Joy, Andrew Kolb & Hamish Williamson

Open Girls - Sophie Edmonds, Charlotte Clements, Lucy Eriksen & Indigo Ascenzo 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, on what was a magnificent day.

Angara House, who had not won the Athletics Shield since 2018, were very excited to secure victory at the end of the Carnival. Congratulations and a strong effort by all competitors throughout the day. Second place went to Karora, Talpa came third and Iluka were fourth.

Age Champion (Athletics)

Age Champion medals are awarded to the boy and girl in each year level who achieves the best results across all of their events.

Congratulations to this year’s winners.

Year 3 Girls Jessica Qiu

Year 3 Boys Lucas Pauly

Year 4 Girls Jayde Bueler

Year 4 Boys Reef Chivers

Year 5 Girls Alana Eriksen

Year 5 Boys Jeremy Hewitt

Year 6 Girls Lucy Eriksen

Year 6 Boys Andrew Kolb

House Cross Country

On Wednesday 17 May, students in all Year levels competed in the Good Shepherd House Cross Country on a magnificent day.

The enthusiasm on the day and the spirit with which the students competed was a delight to see, competing and showing tremendous effort throughout. Congratulations to Angara, this year’s House Cross Country Champions.

Results

1st Angara 349

2nd Talpa 310

3rd Karora 266

4th Iluka 253

District Cross Country

On Tuesday 23 May, 60 students from Years 4 to Year 6 represented Good Shepherd at the District Cross Country Championships at Quambee Reserve. 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 fourth 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 6th June at Yarra Glen Racecourse.

Congratulations to all our students on their wonderful achievements.

AFL Girls Gala Day

On Friday 28 April, 20 girls from Years 5 and 6 represented Good Shepherd at the annual Girls AFL Gala Day.

We had a number of our girls participate in the day who are new to competitive

AFL and it was fantastic to see their commitment and enjoyment on what was a great day of participation.

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

Results

1st Croydon Hills Primary School

2nd Antonio Park Primary School

3rd Wonga Park Primary School

4th Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School

Campus Master Plan Update

Development of a new Middle Primary Building

It has been quite a joy to see the curious faces of our students peek through the builders’ compound to watch our new Middle Primary Building come to life. With the concrete slab now poured and the large wall panels going up, you can really start

to imagine what this new learning space will look like. It is set to be a spectacular building that will assist the School in achieving its strategic objective of providing the highest quality 21st century learning experience for our students.

The School’s learning philosophy is centred on ‘the learning that matters’. We constantly ask ourselves what skills our students will need to thrive, not just in today’s world, but tomorrows world. We aim to equip our students with exceptional skills in

collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication. This new learning environment will facilitate this learning philosophy through the provision of varied and dynamic learning environments, that will foster these skillsets.

We thank our school community for your patience throughout the building process. We understand that a large building project comes with some inconveniences and we are grateful for the support we have received from our students, their parents and our staff.

We look forward to opening the doors to our new building in Term 1, 2024, and inviting our Year 2, 3 and 4 students to their exceptional new learning environment.

GSLPS School Values in Action

Excellence

We strive to do our best in all things

Excellence in Action:

Our Year 2 students demonstrated excellence when they took part in a collaborative project, where they designed a dam wall, built the dam wall to test their theory and reported on it. They worked together with a positive attitude, demonstrated perseverance and set high expectations for themselves.

Service

We show God’s love through the way we serve others

Service in Action:

On Tuesday 30th May, our Year 5 and 6 students participated in ‘Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) Day’. ALWS is the overseas aid and development agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Students explored our basic human rights, imaged life for those who are less fortunate and discovered the impact that we can have when we offer our service to those in need.

Compassion

We care for ourselves, each other, our community and our world

Compassion in Action:

Our Year 5 and 6 students have shown such compassion and kindness to their Prep Buddies, as they have assisted them with settling into School life. This special friendship provided by buddies is of great comfort and support to our Prep students. Well done Year 5 and Year 6 Buddies!

Community

Confidence

We approach the future with curiosity, courage, determination and resilience

Confidence in Action:

Our Term 1 and Term 2 School Captains demonstrated outstanding confidence and leadership throughout their terms as leaders of the student body. They approached their roles with courage and dedication and we applaud them for their efforts.

We work together to develop a sense of belonging based on acceptance, respect, forgiveness and common purpose

Community in Action:

On Wednesday 22 March, we celebrated ‘Cultural Diversity Day’ as a School. This special day provided students with an opportunity to intentionally recognise our rich cross section of cultures within our community and to embrace diversity in all its forms. Additional to our Chapel service and class led activities, students were encouraged to come dressed in clothing that represented their cultural background.