Good Shepherd
In Focus Sharing news of Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School Number 2, 2026
Contents From the Principal
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Community
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Confidence
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Wellbeing
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Camps
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The Learning That Matters
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Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School 53-57 Plymouth Road Croydon Hills Vic 3136 (03) 9726 2900 goodshep@gslps.vic.edu.au www.gslps.vic.edu.au Principal Daniel Weller
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
The importance of human connection Greetings and welcome to the Spring edition of In Focus. It is hoped that the recent break provided an opportunity to rest, recharge and enjoy a change of pace. Stepping away from routines can often bring renewal and perspective, whether through quiet reflection, leisure activities or time spent with loved ones. While breaks from our normal rhythm are valuable, it is often our connections with family, friends and community that make them most meaningful. During the recent break, I found myself reflecting on the importance of human connection. There are many stories and studies that highlight how people can suffer significant physical and emotional challenges yet often struggle most when they feel isolated or disconnected from others. While resilience, determination and hard work are important, our own wellbeing is shaped by the relationships we have and the support we receive from those around us. As the pace of life increases, it is often our connections with others that help us navigate busy seasons. Encouragement from colleagues, friendship, shared experiences and a sense of belonging can provide strength when demands are high. I am continually thankful to be part of a community where people care for and support one another. Strong relationships have a remarkable way of making challenges seem more manageable and successes more meaningful.
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This is a truth that is reflected throughout Scripture. The Bible does not promise a life without difficulties, but it does offer the assurance that we are never alone. In Psalm 23, David writes, ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.’ These words remind us that God’s presence remains constant, regardless of the circumstances we face. He walks beside us, offering guidance, comfort and strength. Often, His care is experienced through the people He places around us. In a world that can at times rely on independence and self-reliance, the Christian faith reminds us of a powerful alternative: we are created for relationship with God and with one another, and it is through those connections that we find encouragement, hope and support for the journey ahead. May we be blessed in our relationships at Good Shepherd. Let us move forward with confidence and hope, remembering that in our Lutheran community, we are never alone. God leads us, walks alongside us and provides for our daily needs. Whatever lies ahead may we be strengthened and supported by God’s constant presence. Daniel Weller Principal
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COMMUNITY
School News Congratulations!
Congratulations to Kristy Budden and Alistair on the arrival of their son, Oakley
Congratulations to Ben White and Jane on their engagement
Introducing our new mascot: The Good Shepherd Guardian We are excited to introduce you to our new school mascot: The Good Shepherd Guardian! Driven by our Student Representative Council (SRC), the process to develop a mascot began in 2025 when students and staff were invited to submit design ideas of what they believed would best represent the Good Shepherd spirit. Four options were put to the student body, who voted for The Good Shepherd Guardian. The Guardian is represented by a Maremma sheepdog – a breed that is renowned for its loyalty, gentle strength and protective nature. The Maremma’s tradition of watching over its flock perfectly mirrors our school community’s commitment to caring for one another, guided by our shared faith and values. 2
Good Shepherd In Focus
COMMUNITY
Staff Updates Staff farewells
Kristy Budden Digital Technologies Teacher (Parental leave)
Wendy Eddy Prep Teacher
Anita Roberts Prep Teacher
Introducing our new staff members
Claire Toner Risk and Compliance Officer
Emily Durham Digital Technologies Teacher
Jess Fisher-Robertson Prep Teacher
Lane Martin Grounds and Facilities
Tanya Chivers Teacher Assistant
Rebecca Coad Music Teacher
Number 2, 2026
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COMMUNITY
PTFA Trivia Night PTFA Trivia Night brings our school community together. Laughter, friendly competition and impressive displays of general knowledge filled the Gym at our recent annual PTFA Trivia Night! Teams put their brains to the test across a wide range of categories, all battling it out for top spot. Beyond the friendly rivalry, it was a wonderful opportunity for families, staff and friends in our school community to enjoy time together.
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A huge thank you to our hardworking PTFA committee for bringing it all together behind the scenes, and to everyone who came out to support the night. We are already looking forward to the next one!
Good Shepherd In Focus
COMMUNITY
Want to get involved? None of our events would be possible without the support of our school community. Whether you can lend a hand at an event, help behind the scenes or contribute in any small way, every bit of involvement makes a difference and is truly appreciated. Scan the QR code, and express your interest in volunteering for PTFA events. Number 2, 2026
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COMMUNITY
Book Week Book Week remains one of the favourite events on our school calendar! Starting with the annual Book Week Dress Up Day, where students and staff came to school dressed as their favourite character, the rest of the week was filled with opportunities for students to celebrate the joy of reading. Year 4 and 5 students were visited by ex-Good Shepherd student, and now accomplished illustrator and author, Laura Stitzel. Laura shared her fantastic creative process in developing story concepts and whimsical illustrations. Year 6 students explored narrative structure with author Adrian Beck, who broke down his formula for how to write a suspenseful mystery. Both visits encouraged students to see what life might look like beyond their time at school and encouraged their efforts to develop their creative skills.
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Meerkat Productions brought the shortlisted book Dear Broccoli to life for Prep to Year 3 students, delivering a theatrical performance about being heard, listening to others, expressing yourself and the benefits of healthy eating. Complementing the stage show, library craft activities at lunch times allowed students to connect with shortlisted literature through arts and craft projects.
Good Shepherd In Focus
COMMUNITY TAG
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TAG COMMUNITY
Celebrating our Special People Each year, Good Shepherd classrooms open their doors to some very important guests. These visits offer a wonderful opportunity for our students to share their classroom and show off what they’re learning to the people that mean the most to them. This year, our junior primary students welcomed mothers, grandmothers and mother figures for Mother’s Day and hosted fathers, grandfathers and mentors for Father’s Day. The entire school joined in for Special Person Day, where every student invited a special guest into their classroom. The big smile on our students’ faces when showing their special guests around the classroom is a great reminder of how vital the partnership between home and school is. Thank you to everyone who took the time to visit us this year, our students absolutely love sharing their classrooms with you!
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Good Shepherd In Focus
COMMUNITY TAG
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CONFIDENCE
A Big First Year for Our Preps Our Preps are nearly done with their first year! To mark how much they’ve grown and learned since their first day at school, the Preps have recently celebrated finishing learning the letters of the alphabet and their first 100 days of school! 100 Days Brighter The Good Shep Preps celebrated their first 100 days of school in neon style! Dressed in their brightest clothes, they started with a morning parade before enjoying art, writing, maths and drawing activities centered on the number 100. They capped off the day with a glow-stick disco.
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Good Shepherd In Focus
CONFIDENCE
Alphabet Celebration Day The Preps also celebrated learning all their letters and sounds. Dressing up to represent their favourite letter, they spent the day rotating through letter bingo, treasure hunts and alphabet yoga.
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CONFIDENCE
Dear Edwina Jr. This year, the Year 5 and Year 6 students introduced us to advice expert, Edwina Spoonapple, and her lively group of friends in the production of Dear Edwina Jr. Turning everyday problems into toe-tapping adventures, the students spent the first semester of the year working hard to learn the script and rehearse the choreography. Their hard work was evident as they took to the stage with confidence to perform for the school community.
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For our Year 5 and 6 cohort, this year’s production represents more than just catchy tunes and bright costumes – it was a celebration of working together to perform in front of an audience and the fun they had bringing Edwina’s story to life.
Good Shepherd In Focus
CONFIDENCE
Number 2, 2026
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WELLBEING
Sensory Garden The Sensory Garden is a student-led initiative that was designed by our Student Representative Council (SRC) and brought to life with the support of our Maintenance Team. A project that commenced in 2025, the garden has continued to evolve throughout the year with the addition of student-created artwork, sensory installations and interactive activities. The future plans for the garden include a storage shed for activities, nature based imaginative play areas, sensory stimulating plants and installations, quiet games and reading zones. Our student leaders have played an important role in the success of the project by helping to supervise and facilitate the space during recess and lunch times, ensuring it remains a positive and inclusive environment for all students to enjoy.
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Good Shepherd In Focus
CAMPS
Year 3 Camp For many Year 3s, the camp at CYC Adanac in Yarra Junction is their very first time sleeping away from home. It’s a milestone that allows students to grow in their independence and allows them to bond as a cohort. Students took advantage of the many outdoor adventures that were part of the camp program, including the flying fox, the low ropes course, canoeing, archery and working as a team to build stick huts. For many of the students, it was also their introduction to gaga ball, which quickly became a camp highlight! When the sun went down, they took to the trails for an evening bushwalk, switching off their torches to stargaze beneath a canopy of towering trees. The camp is a highlight of the year for the Year 3 students, leaving with new friends and great memories.
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TAG CAMPS
Year 6 Camp Earlier in the year, our Year 6 students travelled to Canberra for the chance to see for themselves Australia’s story up close. While they have been learning about Law and Government in the classroom, visiting Canberra allows students to trace our nation’s history and government from the halls of Parliament House, the Australian Mint, the Electoral Education Centre and the High Court to the Australian War Memorial, the CSIRO and the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex. They also enjoyed an evening of bowling together and a visit to Questacon to learn about physics, space and natural science, plus the chance to take on the famous free fall slide! As their final primary school camp, the Canberra trip is a memorable opportunity for our Year 6 students to step outside the classroom to explore the nation’s capital and bond as a cohort before moving on to high school.
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Good Shepherd In Focus
CAMPS TAG
Ski Trip A group of Year 5 & Year 6 students returned to Mt Buller for another three days on the mountain for our annual ski trip. When they arrived, they were greeted with bluebird conditions and quickly made their way to their first ski and snowboard lesson to learn the ropes. Over the next three days, the students spent the mornings at lessons and enjoyed the afternoon exploring the slopes and putting their new techniques into practice. The Skip Trip has quickly become a highlight of the Good Shepherd extra-curricular calendar!
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THE LEARNING THAT MATTERS
Science Week With the theme of Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all, during Science Week students explored scientific concepts to build their curiosity, strengthen critical thinking and, most importantly, have fun! Our Prep students stepped into the role of botanists, exploring hands-on tactile stations to observe, describe and depict the distinct properties of various seeds.
In Years 5 & 6, the senior students observed changes in matter during a ‘dry bubble volcano’ experiment, identifying key indicators of chemical reactions.
Years 1 & 2 students took a closer look at life cycles, using microscopes to examine intricate seed structures and discover how scientific tools can uncover hidden details in nature.
The final activity to complete a week of scientific learning was for the whole school. Students from all year levels joined forces to construct LEGO shelters designed to protect growing plants.
In Years 3 & 4, students took on an engineering challenge! They investigated air resistance and gravity by designing and testing parachutes and tried to engineer for a safe landing.
By experimenting, creating and collaborating, students enjoyed an incredible week of discovery during Science Week!
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Good Shepherd In Focus
THE LEARNING THAT MATTERS
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