Scholars’ Awards

The next two weeks are the busiest assessment weeks in a term.  Students are encouraged to invest more time on their studies during this time to ensure that they are achieving their best possible results.  

In Week Three’s Scholars’ Assembly of next term, the College will celebrate the 2021 Semester One academic results of our students. 

Year 11 Exam Block

Year 11 Exam Block commences on Wednesday, and concludes Friday 28 May.

A reminder of the following exam block expectations:

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. If students do not have exams to complete at school, they should remain at home during the exam block unless they are at school finalising assessment.

 Exam block is not free time.

Compass Update

There have been some technology updates from TCEO, and as a result some staff and families are experiencing issues with the Compass School Manager Phone Application. If you're having difficulty with the Compass app on your phone, please delete, reinstall and login again.

If you can’t remember your password or how to reset it, please contact the College Office and the ladies will be able to help you.

Drew Lane Visit

On Tuesday, students in Years 7 - 9 were lucky to attend workshops with Drew Lane. Drew is a songwriter, accomplished musician, sound engineer and classroom teacher. He spent time with us learning songs, as well as talking to students about the importance of never giving up on their dreams, and always having a go. He reminded us all that if you fall, you need to look up and reach out for help, and that God will always be there to guide us.

Thank you to all students who participated in the workshops and liturgy. It was wonderful to see our students enthusiastic, and willing to be involved.

Happy Chappy Week!

We are very grateful for our wonderful College Chaplain, Mr Coghlan. This week is Chappy Week in Queensland, which has given our College Community an opportunity to say thank you to James for his tireless work with our young people!

… we know we cannot live in the past, but the past lives in us … 

 ~ Charles Perkins ~

This week our nation recognises and celebrates National Reconciliation Week from 27th May to 3rd June. This year marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.

Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

In 2019, Good Shepherd Catholic College launched our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which was devised through the dedicated work of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Steering Committee.  This committee is made up of Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, parent and student representatives who drive the Indigenous Education agenda within our College community. Below is the vision statement of our RAP which is powerful and motivates our commitment to reconciliation:

We acknowledge and respect the values and traditions of the Kalkadoon people along with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities around Australia. As such, Good Shepherd Catholic College sees fostering positive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous people as our primary goal. This includes enhancing respect and opportunities not only in the classroom and around the school but also within our local community, built on the foundations of Catholic identity and gospel values. We believe in the strong partnerships of teachers, students, families and communities to come together and form a positive learning environment, leading the way for an equitable future for ALL Australians. We journey together as a community of people in the spirit of reconciliations where: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are fully valued; where relationships are restored; and social inequalities are identified, acknowledged and addressed.

We can contribute to the vision by:

• Raising awareness and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
• Working together as a community.
• Developing a deeper understanding of the reconciliation journey for all Australians.
• Creating a future based on mutual respect and responsibility.

Breaking the Code

This isn’t a story about Jarryd Hayne. This is a story about courage and leadership, the courage to do the right thing whether you are a leader or not.

Jarryd Hayne was convicted of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to prison. Two former teammates used social media to show their support for him and seemingly attack the justice system and the victim.

One had his contract torn up and the other is under investigation for his post, naturally when the repercussions to their statements came they were quick to apologise.

Morals and ethics are easy to stick by in good times.

Both kept using the word ‘bro’ which raises the question of when is it okay to break the ‘bro code’. As a young man I played football and our team used to do everything together, train, play and socialise; just as young men still do.

You stuck by your mates through thick and thin, “standing by your mate, when he’s in a fight.” (True Blue, John Williamson). But what if your mate is in the wrong? 

In 1994 AFL team Hawthorn boarded a bus for a pre-season camp and the driver began screening an X-rated movie. The team was full of Premiership players and big personalities and 24-year-old ruckman Steve Lawrence, though well-established, still felt on the edge of the power circle.

There were underage players on the bus and so Lawrence walked from the back to the front, accompanied by a chorus of "whhhhoooos." "My knees felt weak and my mouth dry from nervousness”, he recalled. 

He told the driver what he was doing was illegal and the driver immediately turned it off. Lawrence then had to turn around and walk past all those players who had jeered but to his surprise no-one said a thing, not then, not later, not ever in his years at Hawthorn.

It taught him that sometimes, even in the face of total opposition, when we feel weak and uncertain, we sometimes win the day simply because doing the right thing has its own power.

17 years later Lawrence attended the funeral of his old coach and had coffee with a couple of team mates. One was Andy Collins who had gone on to forge a successful coaching career.

"Do you remember the time you got the porno turned off on the bus?" Collins asked before revealing he had related the story to gatherings all over the country. "I tell them I think it is the greatest act of leadership I'd ever seen," he said. "That's because you knew everyone disagreed with you, but you still did what was right." 

Sometimes we choose an action because we would rather be liked than respected, like laughing while your friend bullies someone weaker even if you know it’s wrong. By saying nothing you are condoning the action. 

Lawrence wasn’t the leader but he knew the right thing to do and did it; and that is true leadership because it takes courage. Also, like Lawrence, you don’t know how much that simple act will last and the impression it will leave.

If it was your sister or brother being wronged would you like someone to step up?

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander important dates

National Sorry Day is an Australian event, held each year on 26 May since 1998 to express regret over the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal people.

It is also the start of Reconciliation week for all Australians, to come together as one to build mutually respectful relationships, between Indigenous and other Australians that allow us to work together to solve problems and generate success that is in everyone’s best interests.

To achieve Reconciliation we need to raise awareness and knowledge of indigenous history and culture, changing attitudes that are often based on myths and misunderstandings, and encouraging action where everyone plays their part in building a better relationship with us as fellow Australians.

Mabo Day

Thursday 3rd June

Mabo Day marks the anniversary of the High Court of Australia’s Judgement in 1992 in the Mabo case. This is a day of particular significance for Torres Strait Islander Australians as Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo’s name is synonymous with Native Title rights.

Our school community celebrates National Reconciliation Week each year by talking about Reconciliation in the classroom and around the school, and celebrating with the community. Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the National Reconciliation effort. 

Inter-School Netball

Last Friday saw the return of Interschool Sport, with Good Shepherd taking on Spinifex in the opening round of the 2 round Netball Series. Both teams competed well with great skills and team work on display. In the first game the Open Boys fell short by 1 goal, in what was an athletic and exciting game of netball. The 13’s and 15’s Girls both got off to strong starts to the series winning their games. Whilst the Open Girls fought valiantly in their first game, going down to Spinifex’s Open team. 

We look forward to Round 2 coming up this Friday, 28th of May, at the Mount Isa Basketball Centre, when competition kicks off at 4pm. I would encourage all students and parents to come down to support our Netballers.

GSCC Striders Running Club

Last Thursday saw the introduction of the GSCC Striders Running Club, coached by Mr Steven Guest. Mr Guest was surprised to find a lone participant on the first day. However, he was pleasantly surprised to see an increase of 120% when 12 students turned up on the second day. Mr Guest brings a wealth of knowledge in running and running training and will be a valuable asset to students looking to increase their running abilities, whether that be competitively or if they are just looking to gain or maintain their fitness. I would like to thank Mr Guest for taking the time to offer our students this opportunity.

Athletics Carnival

Next Thursday will see the return of the Annual GSCC Athletics Carnival which will be held at Sunset Oval on Abel Smith Parade. Students are to be dropped off and picked up from the oval on the day. Students should arrive by 8.15am for roll call, with the day concluding at 3.00pm. If students need to leave early they must see either myself or a member of the Senior Leadership Team, with a note or their parent/guardian present.

Students wishing to compete in the 800m event will be required to arrive at the carnival by 7.45am in order for an 8.00am start. Students that are late may not be able to nominate in this event.

There will be one event run pre carnival on the afternoon of Wednesday, 2nd of June. This will be the 1500m. Students who wished to nominate should have returned a permission slip to to be eligible to compete in this event. The event will start at 3.30pm and conclude by 4.30pm.

Finally, if any parents/guardians would like to assist at the carnival on the day, can you please email myself at jschofieldsmyth@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au so that I can add you to a job for the day.

Below is the link to our latest Careers Newsletter.  Some of the topics include:

• Career as a Green Architect
• Study Assist
• Domestic Student Exchange Program
• Gap Year
• Careers in Criminology
• What is Engineering?

Careers Week - Guest Speakers

Last week our students were able to learn more about the following professions.  

A BIG thanks to all of our presenters for taking time out of their busy days to share their experiences and job information with students:

• Police, Acting Inspector - Patrol Services, Renee Hanrahan
• Mechatronics Engineer, Graduate Brayden McConnell - Glencore
• Law, Abbey Huckstep - Legal Aid
• Paramedic Craig Hansen, Qld Ambulance Service
• Health, including: medicine, physio, occupational therapist, social worker.  JCU did an amazing job covering ALL topics in 30 minutes!

Where are they now?

Jasmin Rogers

Name, Grad year and House?

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

I always had a pretty much set in concrete idea of what I wanted to become when I left school. This made choosing a career path so much easier than a last minute change.

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

Yes I most definitely am and I'm loving it. I work for the Myuma Group company in Camooweal and I'm finishing off my Cert III in Diesel Fitting Heavy Engineering. I’m working a 3 weeks on and 1 week off roster and the best part is I’m following the career path I’m so passionate about.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt since leaving school?

I remember when the teachers always used to tell us, when you get out in the big wide world it will be an eye opener. Looking back at that I can definitely say that they were quite correct in that.

Favourite tuckshop food?

Hands down the chicken and avocado toastie.

Favourite teacher?

Mrs Gilles-Hughes and Mrs Millan.

Best school memory?

I will always remember the teachers telling me to always strive to achieve my highest goal in life and to never stop striving to be great at what I do. 

What do you miss most about school?  

Look to be honest I miss the atmosphere of my science class room, and how Mrs Gillies-Hughes would always tell me I have the power to do anything in life.

Best piece of advice for current students?

Always hand in a draft and don't leave your assessments to the last minute and complete them to the best of your ability. 

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? 

I hope to have finished a Bachelor of Agriculture and to also have my Masters degree in Mining Engineering.

Homework Club attendees and Year 12 Geography students became citizen scientists in Week 5 as they collected soil samples to be used in a University of Queensland Institute for Molecular Bioscience research project. The Institute is using the help of Queenslanders to collect 100,000 backyard soil samples from across the State. Researchers will grow and analyse the micro-organisms in each sample. The chemicals produced by these soil microbes will be catalogued and developed into new antibiotics and other life-saving medicines. 

Students and teachers will be able to follow the progress of the project. We will be notified through the Soils for Science app when images of the microbes living in the soil from Mount Isa can be viewed. We intend to continue to follow the progress of the research as information becomes available.

The students enjoyed the FieldWork and the opportunity to be a part of a State-wide Scientific research project.  

Lynn Gillies-Hughes, Curriculum Leader - Sciences                                 

Leigh Harding, Curriculum Leader - Humanities and Emerging Leaders      

We had our first running club session on the College oval last Thursday.  

The sessions will run each week during Term and are Tuesday & Thursday mornings from 7am - 8am. Students of all abilities are welcome to attend. Attendance is casual and need not be both mornings or every week as long as a permission slip has been signed and returned, students can attend on a casual basis and GSCC Staff are also most welcome to come along. 

Last week's session was approximately 3.2 km during a pyramid session, i.e. 1 x 200m, 1 x 400m 1 x 600m, 1 x 800m, 1 x 600m, 1 x 400m, 1 x 200m with a min walk/jog rest between each. The sessions will vary each week and probably range between 3 and 4k.

Attendees can run at their own pace.  

Please see the Admin office or Mr Guest (DTC) for a permission note.

A reminder that the next P&F meeting will be on Tuesday, 1st June at 6pm in the GSCC Library.  Everyone is welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you then.

Please feel free to email us if you have any questions or suggestions at c56.pandf@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au.

Every Wednesday morning from 7.00am - 8.30am. 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.

Skatepark Bowl Replacement - Concept design

Following on from the review period for the skate bowl replacement, Council are pleased to present the skate bowl replacement design concept for public review.