From the Principal

I take this opportunity to welcome everyone to the 2026 academic year. This year has started off with continued updates to our excellent results in the 2025 HSC both through achievement and growth data. We are very proud of our 2025 HSC cohort and their achievements.

I want to thank the staff and students for making an excellent start to the year both academically and spiritually.

Welcome to our New Year 7 Students

On behalf of the Year 8 to 12 students and staff, I warmly welcome our Year 7 students (HSC Class of 2031) to the Good Samaritan Catholic College community. They have made a great start to their life in secondary school. I want to extend a thank you to our Year 10 Peer Support Leaders led by Mrs Georgeff and Mr Colbran. They along with all students have ensured that all Year 7 students start has been well supported. I want to also thank the Year 7 Pastoral Care team of teachers led by Mr Rigney and Mrs Chehade for their ongoing support of our Year 7 students to ensure this successful start for them all.

Welcome to our New Staff

The Good Samaritan Catholic College Community warmly welcomes our new staff members, we are very excited to have you join our faith filled and learning focused community. Please join me in welcoming the following new staff:

Ms Martic - Acting Leader of Specialist Support Classes

Ms Attewell - Trainer - Human Services

Ms Baker - English Teacher

Mrs Caro - English Teacher

Mrs Chung - Science Lab Assistant

Ms Karavasilis-McEvoy - English/HSIE Teacher

Miss Leonardi - Italian Teacher

Mr Marks - HSIE Teacher

Mr Omwenga - Science Teacher

Mr Ossio - TAS Teacher

Mrs Talat-Hussein - Learning Support Teacher

Ms Temple - Science Teacher

Opening College Assembly - College Captains Address

I wanted to share the outstanding speech delivered to our College community by our 2026 College Captains Emilia Esposito and Daniel Dizon. They captured the very essence of who we are as an authentic Catholic community.

Emilia: Good morning Good Samaritan staff, students and esteemed guests, As your College Captains for 2026, Daniel and I would like to welcome you all to the beginning of this new school year.

To our returning students, welcome back. 

We hope you all had a well deserved rested and refreshing break with your friends and family. Your presence, your effort and your willingness to contribute is what makes this community what it is and we hope you are all ready for this year ahead. 

And to our new Year 7's, welcome! You are stepping into a new chapter that will challenge you, shape you and ask more of you than you can expect. You don’t need to have it figured out, and you don’t need to know who you are going to be. What matters is that you start this year with curiosity, courage and to know that you are supported in this community. 

A new school year brings forward a profound sense of possibility. With new subjects, new friendships, new classes, new goals and maybe even new promises to ourselves - like staying more organised, being more involved or actually using the study planner that our teachers relentlessly promote. But beyond that, a new year means an invitation to grow, academically - sure - but also spiritually and to grow more as a Samaritan and to think more practically: Who are we becoming? What kind of culture are we creating? And do our actions reflect the values we claim to stand for?

Journeying with Compassion is embedded in our identity as Samaritans and we invite you all to reflect this in your day-to-day lives. In this community, we are guided by the message of the Good Samaritan, a reminder that our compassion is not passive. It is active. It is choosing mercy over judgement, love over indifference and service over self-interest. 

Journeying with Compassion is not an idea, it is a decision that is made daily, often quietly and often goes without recognition. It is a phrase that shows compassion as not being a destination but a process in which we are will to walk side by side with others.

Being Good Samaritans isn’t shown in words or intentions but through action. Through inconvenience. The Samaritan does not stop because it was easy or it was expected, he stops because it is right This parable challenges us to consider not what we believe but how we behave.

Daniel: To our fellow Year 12 peers; it’s our final chapter at Good Samaritan. Today marks our last first day, and the start of our last chance to leave our mark on the college. Our theme is seen through Joshua 1:9, where we are reminded to “be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” As we step into this year, let this passage be kept close to our hearts and mind and to know that we are not doing this alone, and that courage comes from trusting that God walks with us, even when we feel unsure or overwhelmed.

2026 is more than just a school year. It’s a year of reflection, growth and positive change. Our goal for this year is to become better versions of ourselves. Through journeying with compassion together, and by living up to our College’s core values seen through our house Patrons of mercy, compassion, love, justice, nurture and service, we can understand what it takes to be a Good Samaritan and to live out our faith, making it a year we can all be proud of. 

As your 2026 leaders, we challenge and encourage you to reflect on the way that we treat each other. Not just to your friends, but to others around you, both inside and outside these school gates. The friend sitting alone. The teammate having a bad day. The classmate who you don’t usually speak to. We ask that you make an effort this year to choose to be compassionate to each other in moments like these, helping us to reflect Christ through our actions. 

Ultimately, Journeying with Compassion isn’t about doing big things all the time. More often, it’s found in the small, everyday choices we make - choosing patience instead of frustration, inclusion instead of silence, and kindness instead of judgement. These moments may seem insignificant, but together, they shape the culture of our school.

As we move through this year, we encourage you to be brave in your compassion. To step outside your comfort zone. To care, even when it’s inconvenient. Because when we choose to act with mercy and love, we don’t just change someone else’s day - we change who we are becoming.

2026 is an opportunity for all of us. An opportunity to grow academically, spiritually and personally. An opportunity to strengthen our community and live out the values that define us as Samaritans. If we commit to journeying with compassion together, this will be a year of purpose, connection and growth.

Thank you, and we wish everyone a meaningful and fulfilling year ahead at Good Samaritan. God Bless.

Opening College Mass

Our 2026 academic year officially began on the 6th February with our Opening College Mass. I take this opportunity to thank Father Simone of St Francis Xavier Parish for leading in the celebration of the Mass and for his endless support of our College Community in delivering an authentic and inspirational Catholic experience to all of our community in everything he contributes.

We also thank Mr Bradbury and Ms Haddad for their organisation of the Mass together with all of the student and staff ministers. Mr Mayes and the staff and student band and Mrs Georgieff who led the choir. They did not disappoint with the high quality music and singing throughout the Mass and of course our Media Team led by Mr Reyes continues to provide us high quality media support throughout all of our whole College events, including our highly professional and reliable Live Streams.

Principal Address at Opening College Mass

Today I want to talk with you about what really matters in life, especially as we live in a world that often tells us the opposite of what Jesus teaches. 

The secular world tells us that true happiness comes from buying things and competing with one another for who has the newest and best things.

This year we are celebrating the Jubilee Year of St Francis, a saint who chose a simple life, cared deeply for others, and loved all of God’s creation. St Francis reminds us that happiness does not come from having lots of things, but from loving God, loving others, and caring for the world around us.

St Francis lived about 800 years ago in Italy. When he was young, he was rich and enjoyed fancy clothes and having lots of fun. But over time, Francis realised that these things didn’t truly make him happy. He felt God calling him to live differently.

So Francis made a brave choice. He gave up his money and possessions and decided to live simply, just like Jesus did. He spent his life helping the poor, caring for people who were sick or lonely, and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

St Francis also had a deep love for nature. He believed the world was God’s gift and that we are responsible for looking after it. He even called animals and the earth his brothers and sisters, reminding us that we are all connected.

St Francis is important because he didn’t just talk about Jesus’ message, he lived it. He showed that being a follower of Jesus means caring for others, choosing peace, and putting love before money or popularity.

His message still matters today. In a world that often tells us to want more and think only about ourselves, St Francis reminds us that real happiness comes from helping others, living simply, and caring for God’s creation.

Today’s world often encourages us to think mostly about ourselves, about what we want, what we own, how popular we are, or how many likes we get online. We are often told that having more money, more clothes, or the newest phone will make us happy.

But Jesus teaches us something very different. Jesus teaches us to:

• care for others

• share what we have

• stand up for what is right

• and look after those who are lonely, poor, or left out

That is the way of the Gospel.

How Can We Live Gospel Values Every Day?

Here are some simple ways we can live more like Jesus and less like the world around us:

Be grateful: Instead of always wanting more, we can say thank you for what we already have such as our family, friends, teachers, school, and talents.

Care for others: Living the Gospel means noticing when someone is sad, left out, or struggling and doing something about it.

Share and serve: We can follow St Francis by sharing our time, our talents and skills, and even belongings.

Choose kindness over popularity: Jesus asks us to choose kindness, honesty, and fairness, even when it’s hard.

Look after God’s creation: Caring for the environment is one way we show respect for God’s gifts.

Choosing to live our lives by following Christ will lead us to true happiness, rather than a false happiness based on wanting more of everything and being left unsatisfied.  True richness is not measured in how much money or possessions we have but rather how much we embrace our Gospel values.

I would like to finish my address with a prayer: 

Loving God,

Thank You for the gift of our school and our community.

Help us to live like Jesus,to care for others, to share what we have,and to choose kindness each day.

Teach us, like St Francis,to live simply, to respect all people and to care for Your creation.

May our words and actions show Your love at school, at home, and in all that we do.

Amen.

Congratulations to the HSC Class of 2025

A huge congratulations to our Year 12 HSC Class of 2025, below are some of the highlights of their outstanding achievements and that of our teaching and support staff who all made a contribution to their success.

Open Day 2026 for Year 7 2028 and Year 11 2027

We ask all parents/carers to spread the word that our College Open Day is on Saturday 28th February 2026 (10.00am to 12.00pm). More details follow below:

Building Works and Maintenance Updates

Over the Christmas and New Years break we had the following building works completed and improvements to our facilities:

• Specialist Support Class Building - Classroom addition (Senior Class - Judea) and addition of a new staff room and facilities

• 16 additional CCTV cameras were installed around the site

• Trade Skills Centre toilet upgrade Installation of floor to ceiling cubicles

• Installation of block and directional signage around the College

• Tabletops in various classroom replaced

• Two (2) additional Table Tennis Tables in Polding Courtyard bringing the total to six (6) Table Tennis Tables.

Traffic and Parking Safety

We remind all members of our community regarding the importance of maintaining road safety in and around our College at all times.

The following are important reminders for both parents/carers and students:

• All drivers are to adhere to the sign posted speed limits within the school grounds

• When picking up or dropping off students in the College Bus Bay, please move the car to the furthest spot to allow as many cars access the area for pick-up or drop off as possible and avoid any traffic queues at the front gate of the school and subsequently affecting traffic on Hoxton Park Road.

• No student is to be dropped off on the median strip or middle of any road or street. This is very dangerous and places at risk the lives of students and other drivers.

• Respecting all road and parking laws both on the roads near the school, local streets and the parking areas in local shopping centres around the vicinity of the College.

• Respecting the local neighbouring homes and not parking in front of driveways, on the grass areas in front of homes, leaving any litter and ensuring noise is kept to a minimum.

• Students are to respect and follow all pedestrian road rules when using all forms of crossings in and outside the College site.

  
  

The local NSW Police Force has been briefed to carry out regular checks during morning and/or afternoon peak times to ensure drivers and pedestrians are following all road and parking laws and rules.

We encourage parents/carers to speak to their children about maintaining safe behaviour when making their way to and from the College. To assist you, please find the link below, that provides a suite of educational resources.

On the Move Road Safety for Parents/Carers

Morning Attendance Reminders

We also remind students that once they are dropped off in the morning inside the College grounds, they are to remain on the College grounds and are not permitted to leave the College grounds to visit the local shops. If students are found to be leaving the College grounds once dropped off inside the College grounds in the morning before school, will be dealt with in accordance with consequences for truancy.

We thank all parents/carers and students in advance for ensuring the road safety of everyone in our community and ensuring that students remain on College grounds once dropped off before school.

Important Reminders Regarding Attendance and Applications for Leave Reminders

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) make very clear that “school attendance plays a critical role in enhancing the lives of students in schools. Every day of attendance adds to a student’s academic achievement and success at school, and conversely every absence, can impact their learning and progress.”. Studies are clear about the importance of attending school to ensure your sons and daughters progress and grow in their learning.

In NSW, all children from six years of age are legally required to attend school. After students complete Year 10, and until they turn 17 years of age, they must remain enrolled in school, be engaged full time in approved education, training, employment, or a combination of the two. This is a legal responsibility of all parents/carers.

Responsibilities of Parents/Carers with Student Attendance

As per the SCS Attendance Policy, parents/carers of students enrolled at an SCS school are required to:

• Ensure their child attends school each day unless exempt or absent for an approved reason.

• Explain the absence of a student as soon as possible and within seven (7) school days from the first day of absence, otherwise the school will record the absence as an unexplained absence.

• Provide a medical certificate where a student’s frequent, recurring or long term absence is explained as being due to illness.

• Apply in advance for planned student leave

• Work in partnership with the school and SCS to address any issues impacting on a student’s attendance.

At Good Samaritan Catholic College, we work in partnership with parents/carers to ensure your sons and daughters attend school each day. When attendance becomes an issue, this partnership is critical to ensure that the student’s learning and wellbeing are at the forefront of the response.

We ask that parents/carers work with our College in ensuring that you support the importance of daily school attendance, especially when you may be challenged by your sons and daughters who may ask for a “day off” or a “break from school”. Allowing this will affect their learning as you can see below:

1 day absent = 5 hours of learning missed

5 days absent = 25 hours of learning missed

10 days absent = 50 hours of learning missed

20 days absent = 100 hours of learning missed

30 days absent = 150 hours of learning missed

40 days absent = 200 hours of learning missed or the equivalent of a whole two (2) years of a HSC course.

Application for Extended Leave Procedures (Five (5) Days or More)

I have noticed a high rate of applications for extended leave recently, mostly for overseas or domestic family holidays. As you would be aware, the College does not encourage student breaks during school time, but I understand that at times, this cannot be avoided in situations where there may be a legitimate family emergency or an international learning or sporting experience. As stated earlier, I must stress however, that any absence can have a negative impact on students’ performance and, in turn, can affect their academic results.

I encourage parents/carers to avoid requesting extended leave during school terms (except in cases of extreme emergencies) and instead plan/arrange these trips during school vacation periods to avoid your son/daughter missing learning time and in some cases assessment tasks/exams and risk receiving zero marks.

• Parents/carers must complete and submit the Application for Extended Leave (A1) form together with the school based (yellow) Application for Extended Leave of 5 days or more prior to commencing leave.

• Both forms must be submitted with a minimum of four (4) weeks in advance of the first date of the requested extended leave. If the form is submitted late, this will result in the leave request being declined.

• Travel documentation, such as travel itinerary or e-tickets, must be attached to the application.

• We will not accept a reason for travel during the school term if it is not in the best interest of the student, academic or otherwise.

• It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are accessing work missed and complete any work/assessment that has been required by teachers by the time they return to school or in some cases during their leave.

• If the application is accepted, the code Leave (‘L’) is used. A copy of the certificate (C1) is attached to the application form (A1) and a letter is sent to parents/carers confirming the acceptance of the application.

• If the application is declined, the code ‘A’ for unjustified absence is used. A copy of the certificate (D1) is attached to the application form (A1) and a letter is sent to parents/carers confirming the application being declined.

  
  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the College Office or your son/daughter’s Year Coordinator.

In Memorium of Mr Noel O'Donnell

As a College community we would like to honour Mr Noel O'Donnell who was a dedicated member and servant of not only the Good Shepherd Parish community but also to the wider Liverpool community in his role with St Vincent De Paul. His life was devoted to serving those on the margins in our local area and his life's work reflected the values of the Gospel. We extend our deepest condolences to the O'Donnell family for their loss.

Inspirational Quote from Pope Leo XIV