From the Principal
- Pablo Grana
- Aug 26
- 12 min read
Updated: Aug 28
Good Samaritan Day - Inspired By Our College Patrons
Good Samaritan Day is a very important day in the life of our College. We gather to celebrate our school charism—the story of the Good Samaritan. This parable is at the heart of who we are as a Catholic community.
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells of a traveller who is beaten and left on the roadside. Several people walk past, unwilling to stop. But a Samaritan shows mercy. He not only helps the injured man but ensures he is cared for long after. Jesus concludes with a challenge: “Go and do likewise.”
This parable reminds us that being a follower of Christ means more than words—it calls us to action. It asks us to see the dignity in every person and to respond with love, courage, and generosity.
It is therefore important to also remember our College patrons, who each lived out this Good Samaritan spirit through the values they embody.
Caroline Chisholm – Value of Mercy
Caroline Chisholm worked tirelessly in colonial Australia to support immigrant women and families who arrived with nothing. She showed mercy by offering shelter, food, and pathways to employment.
In our world today, we see the same mercy in people who welcome refugees, such as organisations and individuals who volunteer helping families fleeing war-torn countries to rebuild their lives in Australia.
St Vincent de Paul – Value of Compassion
St Vincent de Paul devoted his life to serving the poor and marginalised. His spirit continues today through the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies), where thousands of volunteers bring compassion to those sleeping rough or struggling to afford food or seeking shelter from Domestic Violence.
Every time one of us donates to a winter appeal, volunteers at a soup kitchen, or listens to a friend who is hurting—you are living that same compassion.
St John Baptist de La Salle – Value of Love
John the Baptist De La Salle was a pioneer in education, giving young people from poor families the chance to learn when society had ignored them. His mission was driven by love—a belief that every child is worthy of opportunity.
Today, teachers, mentors, coaches and even classmates who patiently help others with their learning are living out this value of love.
St Mary MacKillop – Value of Justice
Australia’s first saint, Mary MacKillop, stood firm in her commitment to justice, even when it meant personal sacrifice. She established schools so that children in rural and poor communities could have an education.
We see justice alive today in those who campaign for fairness—whether it be ensuring Indigenous voices are respected, or people who stand up for those who are suffering as a result of violence, war, and injustice.
St Angela Merici – Value of Nurture
Angela Merici, the founder of the Ursuline Sisters, placed deep value on nurturing the spiritual and personal growth of young women. She knew that education is not just about the mind, but also about the heart and soul.
Modern Good Samaritans who nurture include carers, nurses, and parents who quietly and lovingly give of themselves so others can thrive. At school, nurture is found in students who welcome new peers, showing friendship and inclusion.
Bishop John Bede Polding – Value of Service
Bishop Polding, the first Catholic Bishop of Australia, lived a life of service to God’s people. He travelled across vast distances to minister to communities and worked for the rights of Indigenous Australians at a time when their voices were silenced.
Today, people who dedicate themselves to serving the poor, the sick, or the forgotten—in hospitals, charities, or volunteer programs—are modern-day Good Samaritans. Every act of service, no matter how small, builds the Kingdom of God.
Our Call – To Be Good Samaritans
The parable of the Good Samaritan is not just a story from the past. It is our story. It is our charism.
Every time you stand up for someone being left out, every time you check on a friend who is struggling, every time you give your time to help another—you are being the Good Samaritan. You are bringing mercy, compassion, love, justice, nurture, and service into our world.
As a College community, let us honour our patrons by being Good Samaritans for today’s world, following the example of Christ who calls us to love without boundaries.
Prayer for the Inspiration of our College Patrons
Loving God,
You sent us Jesus, who showed us how to love through the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Bless our school community as we live out this mission.
May Caroline Chisholm inspire us to show mercy.
May St Vincent de Paul lead us in compassion.
May St John Baptist de La Salle teach us love.
May St Mary MacKillop guide us in justice.
May St Angela Merici remind us to nurture others.
May Bishop John Bede Polding inspire us to serve faithfully.
Give us the courage to be Good Samaritans in our world today.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Outstanding Good Samaritan People and Students
Below are great examples of outstanding Good Samaritan People and Students from Weeks 1 to Week 5 of Term 3:
 |  |
Some wonderful achievements at the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod!
Congratulations to Jai of Year 7, who placed 1st in the highly competitive String Solo: Grades 2–3 section. Representing Good Samaritan Catholic College with skill and confidence, Jai showcased his musicality and precision – a fantastic achievement!
Congratulations also to Sienna of Year 9, who received an Encouragement Award for her Hip Hop Solo performance today, recognising her energy and creativity.
We are so proud of you both!
 |  |  |
More incredible success from the SCS Eisteddfod! Our talented students have once again made us proud with outstanding results across multiple categories:
Slam Poetry
• 1st Place – Angela (Year 11)
• 2nd Place and Highly Commended – Natahlia (Year 9)
• 3rd Place and Encouragement Award – Massi (Year 9)
Self-Devised Monologue
• 2nd Place and Highly Commended – Jessica (Year 11)
Classical Piano Solo – Grade 4
• 1st Place – Emma (Year 9)
Contemporary Piano Solo – Grade 5
• 1st Place – Jai (Year 7)
This marks Jai’s third 1st Place win at the Eisteddfod – an exceptional achievement. Congratulations to all our performers for their creativity, confidence and commitment to the arts.
10 Years of St Joseph Trade Skills Centre
We recently celebrated a major milestone in our school's history: the 10-Year Anniversary of the St Joseph Trades Skills Centre, commemorating a decade of excellence in vocational education. As part of the celebration, we were honoured to bless the newly installed statue of St Joseph the Worker, a meaningful reminder of our Catholic mission and identity.
 |  |  |  |
We are indeed privileged to have such a state of the art facility here at Good Samaritan Catholic College, that serves the Vocational Education needs of our partner Colleges students. For the last 10 years, St Joseph Trade Skills Centre has provided vocational opportunities to thousands of students and will continue to do so well into the future, thanks to the support of Sydney Catholic Schools and the Federal and State Governments.
St Joseph Trade Skills Centre is part of three Colleges in SCS that offer a variety of nationally recognised VET courses with state of the art facilities, high quality trainers and delivered in an authentically Catholic environment, where Christ is at the centre through a focus on it’s patron, St Joseph the Worker. St Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travellers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftspeople, engineers, and working people. It was therefore significant and appropriate that our trade skills centre was named after St Joseph the Worker.
We celebrate 10 years of existence, 10 years of providing students from our partner SCS schools with vocational opportunities beyond our own school gates, ones that they would not have been able to gain if St Joseph's was not in operation. I take this opportunity to say thanks, to God for providing us this Trade Skills Centre, to Sydney Catholic Schools in particular Dr Dan White (former Executive Director), Dr Mark Turkington (Former Director SCS Southern Region) for having the futuristic vision over 10 years ago for this centre to be thought of, planned and establish, thanks to the Federal and State governments for providing the funding for its construction and ongoing running, former and current SCS staff, former GSCC Principals , especially Mrs Jane Donovan, Former and current GSCC Leadership Team members and Mr Andrew Sip, Current Assistant Principal of the St Joseph Trade Skills Centre.
Future Calendar Planning - Staff Professional Learning Days for the Remainder of 2025
For future planning for all families, Staff Professional Learning Days for the remainder of 2025 are on the following days and dates:
Friday 26th September
Monday 13th October
Friday 21st November
Please contact the College if you require supervision for your child/ren on any of these dates.
Facilities Improvement Updates
Our facilities are always being maintained and improved to ensure ongoing safety and access to the best resources we can provide. A big thank you goes to Mr Maharaj (Business and Operations Manager) and the Maintenance Team led by Mr Gatto.
Below are some planned upgrades to facilities and resources around the school
Canteen Building Boys and Girls Bathrooms
To improve safety in update cubicle facilities, these toilets will be closed for a short time near the end of the term to carry out needed construction works that will result in new cubicles that provide greater privacy and the widening of entry points to each bathroom to improve safety and supervision.
Addition of Stage 6 Classroom and Staff Study for the Specialist Support Classes
We have been finally given the go ahead for the construction of the Stage 6 (Year 11 and 12) classroom and Staff Study to complete the final stage of the Specialist Support Class Building. Construction will begin in the final weeks of Term 4 and be scheduled for completion by the beginning of Term 1 2026.
Update of Classrooms
Selected classrooms will be updated with new paint and also table tops for student desks. This will slowly be rolled out across the College in each holiday period throughout 2025 and 2026.
Update of AV in Classrooms
There will be 10 classrooms that will be updated with new Audio Visual (AV) technology to ensure that teachers and students have the latest and most responsive technology available in their classrooms. These upgrades will continue into 2026 as well.
Important Reminders
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.
Morning Attendance
We remind all parents/carers that once their sons/daughters are dropped off in the morning inside the College grounds, they are to remain on the College grounds and are not permitted to leave to visit the local shops.
Our Duty of Care Obligations require that all students, once on College grounds, remain on College grounds until the end of the day.
If students are found to be leaving the College grounds once dropped off before school, this will be followed up with in accordance with consequences for truancy.
If students wish to access the shops before school, we advise parents/carers to drop them off safely outside of the College grounds.
We thank all parents/carers and students in advance for ensuring that students remain on College grounds once dropped off before school.
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
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.
Online Safety At Home
We ask parents/carers to keep a close eye on their sons/daughters to ensure they are safely using the internet. We also encourage all students to communicate any unsafe or threatening online behaviour to their parents/carers immediately. Parents/Carers are then advised to contact Police and/or the eSafety Commissioner if there are any serious concerns regarding online behaviour.
For more information, please visit the eSafety Commissioners Website: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
Inspirational Quote from Pope Leo XIV
