National Career Week has been a big hit at Good Shepherd Catholic College. Our students have enjoyed presentations from Queensland Police, James Cook University and even from a Mechatronics engineer. Our students are extremely lucky to have the expertise and support of Mrs Fiona Coghlan and Mrs Liesel Armstrong who coordinate our Careers Program at the College.

Our Time to Shine program for Year 6 students has been going amazingly well. This week they enjoyed learning to speak and cook in Italian! All students got to take home their pasta carbonara and hopefully learned a few new words in the language. Thanks to Mrs Cole and Mr Mitchell for assisting the students.

A huge congratulations to the combined Junior GSCC and St Joseph’s Cloncurry Soccer team who were the inaugural winners of the Burdekin Catholic High School Combined Schools’ Soccer Cup over the weekend. The team was undefeated across the competition! Thanks to Mr Gono, Mr Schofield, Fr Emene and Mr McIntyre for giving up their time to support the students.

Next week we are celebrating Happy Chappy Week. We are very fortunate to have Mr James Coghlan as our school Chaplain and next week we will be thanking him for the work he does to support our staff, students and families. Please join us on Tuesday morning at 10.50 am to share in some cake. We will also be selling ‘Chappa-cinnos’ at our Cafe on Wednesday morning. Thank you James for being our Happy Chappy!

Have a blessed week.

Year 11s

Year 11s are coming to the end of their first unit of study for their senior schooling. For every successful Unit 1 result, students will earn one QCE credit. Students are now at a crucial point in their senior studies - should a subject be continued for the next three units of work, or should a change be made now? Most importantly, if students are not successful in the Maths or English that they have chosen, they should strongly consider moving into a different Maths or English class so that they are able to meet the numeracy and literacy requirements of their QCE.

Parents/carers who are concerned about, or have questions regarding the tracking of their student’s QCE eligibility are encouraged to contact the college.

Year 12s

QCAA has released the External Exam Timetable for all General Subjects.

These examinations are set and marked by QCAA and will contribute towards a student’s overall subject result. The examinations for Maths and Science subjects will equate to 50% of a student's grade in that subject.

Students have been preparing for these examinations throughout their Senior Schooling and in Term 3 we will begin an intensive programme to further prepare students.

There will also be a 'mock exam block' in Term 3 which will mirror the duration and style of examinations that students will sit in Term 4. Teachers will mark and provide feedback on these examinations, which have been set by QCAA as external exam preparation resources.

Students who are concerned or require additional assistance are encouraged to contact their classroom teachers as soon as possible.

Year 11 Exam Block

Week 6 (next week) is a busy one! Year 11 students will commence a three day exam block on Wednesday 26 May.

All students should be studying/completing assessment at home; studying quietly in the Study Room. (Year 11 – F2), or completing an exam during exam block.

Exam block is not free time.

ALL ASSESSMENT MUST BE COMPLETED IN ALL SUBJECTS IN ORDER TO HAVE EXAM BLOCK PRIVILEGES.

Study tips

The following represent the most common study techniques:

• Reading class notes
• Summarise information from a source after reading it
• Skimming and scanning textbooks or websites for relevant information
• Memorising by copying information or reading it repeatedly
• Completing practice or mock questions
• Discussing answers to questions with peers or a teacher

RE Update

Next Wednesday 26 May, all Year 8 & 10 students will attend a combined Year Level Mass at Good Shepherd Parish. Please see attached the letter sent home earlier this term for full details.

All students are required to make their own way to Good Shepherd Parish, where they should meet outside the church by 8:20am. After mass, students will return to the College, walking back with their teachers.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at the College.

Drew Lane Workshops

One of the activities for the 200 Year Anniversary of Catholic Education is a series of musical workshops for our Year 7-9 students. This is happening throughout the day on Tuesday 25th May, culminating in a Liturgy in Period 5. The program for the day is:

Lesson 1 - Year 9

Lesson 2 - Year 7

Lesson 3 - Year 8

Lesson 4 - Leaders/Set up

Lesson 5 - Liturgy (Year 7, 8 and 9)

Drew Lane

A man of many talents, Drew is a songwriter, accomplished musician, sound engineer and classroom teacher. He has written many original musicals for primary schools, including “Under One Roof” based on my music. His first CD with Butterfly Music is “Love Faith Hope” and showcases his broad range of songs for many occasions throughout the school and church year. Drew lives with his wife Jen and three young sons in Melbourne. He is currently a performing arts teacher at St Peter’s School in East Bentleigh, VIC. His second CD, "We Are One", will be released in 2017.

http://www.butterflymusic.com.au/artist/drew-lane

College Winter Uniform

With the recent cooler weather change, I want to remind students and families of the Winter Uniform requirements. Please note that Senior Students (Year 10 - 12) are NOT PERMITTED to wear any College sports jacket with their formal uniform.

• Grey stockings are available from the Uniform Shop.

Decluttering the Mind

Having a busy mind can make you feel stressed, anxious and overwhelmed. For our students, sometimes the stresses of study, extracurricular involvement, family responsibilities and part-time work commitments means that students can feel stressed, anxious and overwhelmed. With the help of some tips from Reachout.com here is a list of ways to help our students declutter their mind.

1. Identify the problem

It’s hard to fix something if we are not sure what’s wrong. Students can be aware of warning signs that their mind is becoming overcrowded. Some common things to watch out for are trouble sleeping, poor concentration and being unable to relax.

2. Put pen to paper

When students are trying to keep mental tabs on everything that’s going on or keeping up with a busy schedule, their thoughts are likely to get jumbled. Writing them down will help them to prioritise what’s most important, which will make them feel less stressed. Students can mark important dates and reminders on a calendar or in a notebook, and jot down their thoughts on anything that’s worrying them in a College/personal diary. It doesn’t matter whether they use an app or just good old pen and paper.

3. Be mindful

We’ve all heard that meditation is a good way to clear your mind and relax. What you may not have heard is that there are thousands of ways to be mindful. This means that students can look for a way that suits them. Some common things that students can try are yoga, exercise and deep breathing. Some not-so-common ways to practise mindfulness are taking a bubble bath, cuddling your pets or chilling outdoors. It’s important that students choose whatever works best for them.

4. Talk to someone

Talking to a trusted friend or family member, whether online or face-to-face, can be a great way for students to clear their mind, release some emotions and get whatever’s bothering them off their chest. It also helps to get a fresh take on a problem that’s got them stumped and is stressing them out. If students are really struggling, remember that they don’t have to tackle the problems on their own. At the College, students are able to access their Homeroom Teachers, Pastoral Leaders, our Guidance Counsellor or any staff member with whom they feel comfortable. There are also a number of external services such as Headspace, Centacare or their GP who can provide support for students.

5. Keep at it!

We encourage students to work some of the tips listed above into their everyday life to help them offload mental clutter. Students should get a bit of ‘me-time’ every day so that they can wind down properly. Just like cleaning their room prevents it from turning into a total dump, reflecting, writing, meditating and talking with others every day will help prevent the build-up of clutter in their mind.

Be a Pearl

When I grew up in Mount Isa I didn’t want for anything, we played every sport imaginable, the Mines was the best in the World and the city was vibrant and full of energy.

Mount Isa Mines was the leading mine in the world with employees finding solutions to problems that were adopted all over the mining world. From the little minsup clip that is a vital piece of safety equipment, Nixon flaps for better ventilation, the IsaMill™ and Isasmelt (a process adopted across the globe).

In 1978 brothers Dave and Adrian Little invented a solar tracking hot water system specifically for the Australian domestic market and won the prestigious ABC Television Inventor of the Year. Before that the tent house was invented to help cope with Mount Isa’s harsh conditions and around the district QANTAS and the RFDS were started.

In 1959 locals started what would become the largest Rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere and arguably the second largest in the world behind the Calgary Stampede. Our sportsmen took on the World and represented Australia, Queensland and North Queensland.

Then something happened, our leaders began to think the only way to improve was to bring something in from outside. They were wrong then and they are wrong now.

The solution to any problem is to be found in the people who live here and students who go to school here. You, me, us, are as good as anyone from anywhere and the only person who can decide otherwise is you.

On the weekend I was in Townsville and watched eight Mount Isa teams play Netball. From nervous beginnings they stood tall and made me so proud to be associated with them. Their opponents were taller and consistently play in higher level competitions but there was one thing they could not match our girls for; heart.

If you give me the choice of coaching a team with the best players or a team with the most courageous players, I will take the latter everyday of the week and twice on Sundays. We are not the poor cousins, nor are we the little brother or sister. Our city is unique and that is why we are so good.

Coaches, teachers and managers love people from here because they know they will always give 100 percent and never quit, all they need is a chance. Coen Hess never made a North Queensland side but within three months of living in Townsville was in the Queensland side.

Scott Campbell went to school here and is now a leading Neurosurgeon while Reagan Brosnan went from delivering the North West Star on his pushbike to becoming a respected Orthopaedic Surgeon. Good Shepherd students Kathryn Orda and Tara Gavan are both studying Medicine with a stethoscope in their future.

Sport, education and business, Mount Isa has produced leaders in every field so don’t let anybody ever tell you living here is a disadvantage. The only limit to fulfilling your potential is the one you put on it and the effort you don’t put in.

We may not live by the sea but if you believe in yourself and put in the hard work then the World becomes your oyster; and you, a shining pearl within.

It was my pleasure to chair the recent GSCC School Board Meeting.  The meeting focus was the academic achievements of the 2020 Year 12 cohort, and support provided to our current Year 11 and 12 Seniors as they work towards their goals.

The 2020 Year 12 results are a great testament, not only to the students and their families, but also to the Principal, teachers and support staff. In an academic year like no other, this success has enhanced Good Shepherd Catholic College’s reputation within our Mount Isa community and provided inspiration to younger students. The Board joined me in congratulating all graduates and wishing them every success in their future endeavours. 

Deputy Principal, Mrs Michelle Wood, outlined the tracking system used to identify where students are sitting academically on their journey to QCE or ATAR.  As parent of a student in Year 11, it was very pleasing to hear there are so many caring professionals focused on helping students achieve success.

Principal, Mrs Kathleen McCarthy, introduced a plan to summarise the attributes of a GSCC graduate.  What is it about our graduates that identifies them as GSCC alumni?  A very thought provoking discussion allowed us to brainstorm characteristics.  It was wonderful to see so many qualities pertaining to our students.

A final report from Mrs Morganson updated the board on the progress of PBL - Positive Behaviour for Learning.  While not a quick fix, this plan has the potential to create lasting cultural change and improve student outcomes.  The PBL committee is certainly moving forward and achieving goals as they move towards full implementation.

Mrs Kim Higgs

Board Chair

Year 12 Recreation

This term in Recreation we are studying Sports Medicine/Injury prevention with a specific focus on the sport of Netball. Today our students were lucky enough to have a staff member of Health First Physiotherapist, Mount Isa to come in and run an ‘Intro to Sport Strapping’ course.

We learnt how to strap the common areas for joint injuries: Ankles, knees, and Shoulders and we also were shown how to use Kinesio tape to strap the most common Muscle injuries: Calf strain, Hamstring strain, and Quadricep strain/Knee pain. All students were able to practice on each other through the different types of strapping. We are really appreciative of the great instructor from Health First and what we were able to achieve in this lesson.

Where are they now?

Kelsey Verhoeven

Your name, graduation year and House?

Kelsey Verhoeven, 2020, Rice.

What did you think you would do when you left school?

When I left school I thought I would be working in the mines. I am currently employed as a junior admin assistant at light fleet in Mount Isa Mines.

Did you follow that pathway and/or what are you doing now?

Yes, I have followed my chosen career pathway.

Favourite tuckshop food?

My favorite tuckshop food would definitely have to be the chicken, cheese and avo toasted sandwich.

Favourite teacher?

I had a lot of favorite teachers but the two that had the most affect on me during school were Mrs Webb and Mrs Holland.

Best school memory?

My best memory at school would have to be formal.

What do you miss most about school?

I definitely miss how easy and chill school was and not having to get up super early!

Best piece of advice for current students?

My best piece of advice for current students is, follow their dreams.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?

In 10 years' time, I hope to still be working in Glencore.

Every Wednesday morning from 7.00am - 8.45am. Parents and Friends are invited to The Arili Thina Cafe to purchase your morning coffee and breakfast.

By doing so you are supporting our Hospitality students to achieve their competencies towards their Certificate ll in Hospitality and all profits go towards their Hospitality Camp to the Gold Coast in August. 

There are a range of coffees, cold drinks and breakfast food available. Please see our Menu. Our students are becoming fantastic baristas. Come see for yourself how good they are.