We are excited to welcome our students and families back to Term 3. Traditionally our busiest term of the year, it promises to be full of great learning, parent engagement and spiritual growth. We are pleased to welcome back our Assistant to the Principal - Religious Education, Ms Jacqueline Warren, who is returning from maternity leave.  Dr Stephanie Massey is also returning from leave and we have Ms Claire Jones joining us full-time. We have such a dedicated and committed staff at Good Shepherd Catholic College.

One of our key parent engagement opportunities this term is our Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews in Week 3. If you are having any trouble making your bookings, please call the College office.

It was disappointing for our QISSN and Confraternity teams that their competitions were cut short in the holidays due to lockdown. Their many months of training, fundraising and preparing were not wasted though with two days of superb competition. Congratulations to the coaches, managers and all students involved - you all demonstrated the Good Shepherd spirit and showed that you could compete confidently against the many schools in the two competitions.

We are still recruiting for a School Officer in our Design and Technology Centre. If you know anyone looking for a permanent position, please contact me at the College for more information or direct them to this link.

Have a blessed week.

Kathleen McCarthy

Welcome back to Semester 2. I trust that you have all enjoyed your break and had some time to rest. 

Term 3 is always a busy term...

Year 10s are trialing some of their senior subjects over the next two terms, before they make decisions about their subjects for Year 11 and 12.  To assist them, Year 10s and their families will be invited to our Senior Pathways Information Evening and then to their SET planning interviews.

Year 11s are completing their Unit 2 content and assessments this term, before starting Unit 3 work next term in preparation for Year 12.

Year 12s are in the homestretch.  This is probably their most difficult time, remaining focussed amidst the excitement of what 2022 holds.  Year 12s are completing their final internal assessments and, in the case of the General Subjects, preparing for the external examinations.  Some Year 12s will be looking at University and further study options.  Others will be securing employment for 2022. 

In between the hard work and striving towards our Semester 2 goals, we’ll take a moment to acknowledge our students who have achieved academic excellence in Semester 1 of this year, at our Scholars’ Awards Assembly early this term.

Please keep an eye on our weekly newsletters for more details.

May Term 3 be blessed and productive!

Welcome to Term 3! We are set for another busy term, and are looking forward to all of the activities and events ahead of us. 

Below are some reminders, as outlined in our welcome Memo earlier this week.

Subject Changes

If students in Years 7 - 10 would like to request an elective subject change, they will need to collect a subject change form from the front office in the first week of school. All subject changes must be finalised by the end of Week 2.

Parent / Teacher / Student Interviews

A reminder that Parent-teacher Interviews will take place in the Lumen Christi Centre on Wednesday, 28th July (Week 3) from 3.30pm - 7.00pm. The interview schedule consists of 10-minute time slots and you are able to book back-to-back interviews for different classes. 

Bookings for these interviews are made through the Compass Parent Portal (either phone or desktop versions), these will close at midday on Friday, 16 July.

Please note that if you are using your phone to make your interview bookings, ensure that you are using the latest version of the Compass App. (You may need to update the Compass App on your phone if you haven't done this recently.) It is also important that you close the App and re-open it prior to doing your bookings or going to the App to change a booking. This ensures that any changes that we make to the settings or schedule for Parent/Teacher Interviews transfer through to your phone.

If you are experiencing difficulty booking interviews, please call the front office and they will assist you - 4743 2509.

Compass Update 

Over the holidays (30th of June - 1st of July) Compass released changes to their phone application. The update includes a new look, as well as some NewsFeed features that are detailed in this link.

Open Night

Open Night is happening on Friday - Week 1! This is an opportunity to explore our facilities and learn more about the great things happening at GSCC. The P&F are also cooking a sausage sizzle from 4:30pm!

Welcome to Term 3 which is already looking to be filled with many events for you and your child to be involved in! I would like to say a big welcome to our new students and families joining our College Community in Term 3. 

Year 9 Retreat

On Friday, 16th July (Week 1) the Year 9 cohort and homeroom teachers will be on their annual retreat.  I would like to remind all parents/carers that retreats are compulsory for all students and are considered an integral part of our students’ development as an individual and together as a cohort.  The theme for the Year 9 retreat is “Stepping Up” and will have activities based around their transition from junior secondary to senior secondary.  

The day will begin at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church at 8:15am for mass and then the students will make their way back to the College via the Mount Isa lookout to complete their activities for the day.

Students are to wear their full sport uniform. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

If you have any questions regarding the retreat, please do not hesitate to contact the Year 9 Pastoral Leader - Mr Willie Morganson via email on wmorganson1@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au or on 47432509.

Year 12 Y-Lead - Leaders for Life Workshop

Y-lead (a school leadership program) will be presenting a ‘Leaders for Life’ workshop to our Year 12 students on Monday, 19th July (Week 2). 

The workshop will be focused around leadership, motivating and empowering students to dream big, strive for success, and assess their values as they prepare to leave school and transition into adulthood.

Students will have an opportunity for reflection and teamwork activities to build comradery as well.

This event is compulsory and will be the last opportunity for the cohort to come together to reflect on their school journey and the ‘legacy’ they want to leave behind as the leaders of the school in 2021. 

Students will be allowed to wear their sports uniform on this day. If you have any questions regarding this event please contact Ms Nikki Dalla Vecchia via email on ndallavecchia@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au.

Year 11 Student Leadership Applications for 2022

On the last day of Term 2, applications from Year 11 students for 2022 Student Leadership positions closed. The first round shortlist will be announced to applicants on Friday, 23rd July 2021 (Week 2).

It was pleasing to see so many students apply for leadership positions next year and we thank all applicants for registering their interest and parents/carers for encouraging and supporting their child through this process.

Hasbeen - someone who has been there

I love history and I love sport so when the two combine it is one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. There are so many inspirational stories from sporting events and sportsmen and women that we can learn from; there are also lessons in the disappointments and heartbreak.

When we are young we think that old people never had a life because we look at them as they are now. If you want to be a better person, better sportsman or woman or smarter academically then look beyond the person you see and find the person that was.

Zoe Ryder’s mother can’t run anymore due to her knee but when she was of younger age she represented Australia in Touch and Queensland in Softball. Zoe’s father Col was an Australian Champion at Judo.

Brodie Roberts’ uncle played Rugby League for Queensland Primary Schoolboys and U/15 while Teuila Kuolhase’s father Darren played professional Rugby League in England and France, as did Mr Morganson.

Tiffany Griffin’s father was a representative Rugby League player from Penrith before moving to Cloncurry. Since retiring from football he has won a Queensland bodybuilding title. Lochlan Hazle’s father was a champion boxer and most sought after fitness trainer in Mount Isa.

Darci Gillet’s grandfather represented Queensland in Masters AFL and is a Life Member of Buffaloes. Amy Wishart’s mother Melissa represented North Queensland in Touch and attended Queensland camps for Softball. Amy and Ally Haddon’s mother played Touch for North Queensland and Will Carland’s father won a Stawell Gift Mile.

Johnny Famechon won a World Title in Boxing and was a hero of mine. I have a photo taken  with him after he retired and he has a beer belly. People age, that’s a fact; sometimes they age well, sometimes not.

The reason I’m telling you this is so you don’t let opportunities pass you by to make yourself better. These people have been where you are and achieved what you have yet to. So, the obvious question is why don’t we take advantage of their knowledge from the choices they made to learn.

Fear and arrogance are the answers. We are either scared to ask them because we think they won’t want to talk to us or we are so full of our own self importance we feel we don’t need to hear what they might have to say.

I talked to everyone when I was young (not about school but about sport because that was much more important). Some of what I was told was worth nothing to me but there were some nuggets of gold amongst the muck.

Yes, the World has changed but the recipe for success has not. Hard work and perseverance are still the key ingredients. There is an old saying from Roman philosopher Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” 

Part of preparation is learning what can make you better and then implementing it. So yes, you may be able to beat the oldies but they have been where you are now. They made choices that helped them and choices that harmed or hindered them; and that’s what can help you.

When you are given an opportunity similar to the one they had you don’t have to follow their advice, however knowing the result that came from their choice may help you ensure that your choice brings good luck rather than bad. 

Welcome back to Term 3, Semester 2! I hope you all managed to have a restful break. 

I am very excited to be starting the Semester as English and Languages Curriculum Leader, and look forward to seeing all of the wonderful things our department will be involved in during the remainder of the year. Mr John Harrop retired at the end of last term after 10 years at the College to prepare to move closer to family. He is going to be very sorely missed, but we wish him all the very best in the next part of his journey. 

We welcome Mrs Claire Jones to the English Department. Claire has been doing Supply work for our College for a number of years. Claire will be taking over Mr Harrop’s classes. We also welcome back from Maternity Leave, Miss Stephanie Massey. Steph will be teaching Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 Essential English. We are very excited to have these two ladies join our team, and look forward to the wonderful things they are going to contribute to our department. 

The English Department has a very busy term ahead, and all students will have the opportunity to engage in some wonderful topics through a variety of learning activities. 

Each year level will be looking at the following topics during Term 3:

• Year 7: Looking at Australian Literature

• Year 8: Literature that Influences

• Year 9: Global Texts

• Year 10: The Classics

• Year 11 Essential: Texts and Human Experiences (Unit 2, Topic 2)

• Year 11 General: Texts and Culture (Unit 2, Topic 2)

• Year 12 Essential: Representations and Popular Culture Texts (Unit 4, Topic 2)

• Year 12 General: Close Study of Literary Texts (Unit 4, Topic 2)

Year 12 General Students are now in preparation for their External Exam. This is a crucial, and stressful time for these students. We wish them all the very best in preparing for these exams, and also for their final weeks at the College. 

Assessment calendars will be available to both students and parents within the next week. Please familiarise yourself with the final due dates of the English Assessment tasks. 

If you have any questions throughout the term, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher, or myself. 

Welcome back to our Year 12 students and families. This is the last ‘full’ school term for our Year 12 Students, and we are very excited about our upcoming events, particularly, Graduation!

Last month, we held the Year 12 Student and Parent Engagement Soiree, which was very well attended. On the night, we discussed some important information regarding graduation events this year, but most importantly, it was an opportunity for parents, students/families to meet and mingle. Please see below some important dates/information regarding graduation which were communicated on the night as well as the poster for these key dates;

• First round of ticket sales will start from Monday, 12th July, and will close on Friday, 20th August. 
• Companion Booking Form & Dietary requirements - to be handed back to the College Office by Friday, 20th August (via email is also fine). 
• Requests for other additional attendees (close family members considered), must be made in writing to the College Principal by the parent/carer of the graduating student, no later than Monday, 26th July.
• Year 12 Partner Permission forms (for GSCC Year 11 students ONLY) - to be completed/returned by Friday, 20th August. 
• Second round of ticket sales will commence from Monday, 23rd August and all tickets must be purchased by Friday, 8th October. 
• Graduation Parent Request Letter - request for parents to send through items for their child’s graduation (various dates - please see letter).

Last term, Year 12 Students also participated in the LOVE BiTES presentation. LOVE BiTES is a Respectful Relationships Education Program for young people aged 15-17 years. It consists of two interactive workshops: one on Relationship Violence, and one on Sex and Relationships, followed by creative workshops and community campaigns. LOVE BiTES aim for the day was to provide our young people with a safe environment to examine, discuss and explore respectful relationships. Students also created campaigns (including a music video) in a practical workshop, which will be shared via social media. 

On this day, we also celebrated our Year 12 Rewards Program with a pizza lunch. Students received 128 rewards from the last few weeks of Term 2, which is an amazing effort and they should be congratulated! Students have been rewarded for; showing acts of compassion towards peers and staff, positive contribution to class and College community and applying extra effort to class/homework. 

On Monday of Week 2 (19th July), the Year 12’s will complete a ‘Leaders for Life’ workshop delivered by Y-lead (a school leadership program. The workshop will be focused around leadership, motivating and empowering students to dream big, strive for success, and assess their values as they prepare to leave school and transition into adulthood. This will be the last opportunity for our cohort to come together to reflect on our school journey and the ‘legacy’ we want to leave behind as the leaders of our school in 2021. Students are reminded that this is a compulsory workshop, and they will be allowed to wear their sports uniform on the day. 

Looking forward to the Term ahead. 

Where are they now?

RORY WOOD

Name, graduation year and House?

My name is Rory Wood and I Graduated from Good Shepherd Catholic College in 2014. I was in Benjamin House.

I then went to JCU in Townsville and studied Medical Laboratory Science.

I am currently working as a Travelling (Relieving) Pathology Scientist for Pathology Queensland, where we do bloods and other testing for the hospital, including COVID-19 testing!

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

I always thought I would do something involving science when I left school, but the specifics aren't what I thought they would be! Uni was a journey of discovering what I liked, and what I was good at (and still learning). 

Favourite tuckshop food?

Favourite teacher?

Mrs D'Costa was one of the main reasons I decided to be in Math C class!

Best piece of advice for current students?

My best piece of advice would be not to be afraid of university, it's never too late to change, and you're not as locked in as you think, and that the time you may have spent in the "wrong" degree isn't necessarily wasted, if the only thing it teaches you is what your strengths and interests are, that is a valuable lesson as well. 

What do you hope to be doing in 5-10 years?

In 5 years time I hope to be using my job to work overseas and travel, as there is demand for the role anywhere there is a hospital!

QMEA Oresome Trade Camp

Last week nine of our Year 11/12 students attended a Trade Camp sponsored by QMEA and Qld Metals/Glencore. The students had to build a small vehicle using metal fabrication techniques, then they had to wire the vehicle so that it could move in a realistic fashion.

It was a very interesting experience for me. I learned a couple of things from the camp, and I recommend that others should try the camp as well.  Anesu, Year 11

Work Experience

A number of our students attended work experience during Week 10 and during the School Holidays.  

We would like to thank the following employers for their wonderful support in hosting our Students:

• Mount Isa Courthouse
• Mount Isa City Council
• Clancy Corporation
• Sandvik
• The Xtramile
• SJY Constructions
• SMH Engineering
• Cava Hydraulics
• NorthWest Allied Health Services
• Grants Cakes & Pies
• Barkly State School
• Mount Isa Veterinary Clinic
• Commerce North West
• The Buffs Club
• The Coffee Club
• The Abacus Motel
• North West Tours
• Ibis Styles
• Outback at Isa
• Red Earth Hotel
• Mount Isa Police
• Isa Quality Dental
• BNF Inspections
• Happy Valley Kindergarten
• Kretschmann Engineering
• Glencore, George Fisher Mine
• Glencore, Copper Operations

I’ve spoken to a number of students who thoroughly enjoyed their work experience with these employers.  It has given many a very real sense of what they’d like to do when they leave school.

Here are some photos of our students on their placements.

NAIDOC

NAIDOC week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and this year’s NAIDOC theme was ‘Heal Country’. This year Good Shepherd Catholic College staff and students (which also included our year 6 Indigenous students from St Kieran’s Catholic & St Joseph’s Catholic Schools) all got to participate in various activities during the day. To start off the day we began with our Liturgy which was followed by our Elders Morning Tea. Attending our celebrations this year we had the Deadly Ninja Warrior, Jack Wilson, running and participating in a small Ninja Warrior Course. We also had the Deadly Jacob Takurit from Mob FM teaching some deadly Move it Mob Style dances with our staff and students. Our staff and students also created their own art work by painting their own representation of what ‘Heal Country’ means to them using traditional symbols on cut out hands, and also got to cook some yummy Johnny Cakes.

Emy Hopkins Year 9 - I really enjoyed competing in the Ninja Warrior course, as I got to spend time with my friends and enjoyed having our teachers being involved also. I also enjoyed listening to Jack Wilson after our liturgy when he talked about how he motivated himself to become a Ninja Warrior.

Sienna Goddard-Wilson Year 7 - My favourite activity during our NAIDOC was the ninja course with Jack Wilson, as it was amazing and fun and it was an exercise activity.

The day would not have been achieved without the help from Jack Wilson - Australian Ninja Warrior, Will Blackley (performed ‘Welcome to Country'), and Jacob Takurit from Mob FM. We would also like to thank all our invited guests that attended our NAIDOC Liturgy and Elders Morning Tea.

A big thank you also goes out to all our Emerging Leader Students, Miss Mel Jones & Mrs Codie Kemp and Father Mick who helped Mrs McCarthy with the NAIDOC Liturgy, Teachers/Staff  & the Leadership Team who helped one way or another for the day, as it was very much appreciated. 

During the first week of the school holidays, the GSCC Senior Rugby League Team travelled to Brisbane to attend the Confraternity Carnival hosted by Iona College. As detailed previously in this newsletter, the boys had been training hard throughout much of the year in anticipation of this Carnival. 

Before their games, the boys attended an excellent Opening Mass and Ceremony at Iona that celebrated the qualities and values of this prestigious Carnival. Father Emene Kelemete is to be thanked for assisting in the proceedings and for giving the team an extra blessing during the Mass. 

After the Mass, we eagerly made our way to Suncorp Stadium for Game 2 of the State of Origin series. There was a sense of betrayal by some team mates, as they were quick to realise there were some NSW supporters among them. The incessant squealing of support from Peter Mataia after every NSW try was piercing, but the result did not lessen the enthusiasm for the boy’s games the following day. 

On Monday, we played our first two games of the Carnival. The first game was a defensive battle against St John’s Roma. With the scores locked at 6 all, St John’s scored two late tries to come away winners, 18-6. Highlights of the game included a 60 metre runaway try to Brodie Roberts and some extremely hard runs and tackles from Chavez Hegarty. Special mentions to Te Arawa Tapu who was awarded the Player of the Match Award for his constant attack and organisation.  

Secondly, we faced Trinity College from Beenleigh in a tough match. This game was a brilliant team effort with two tries each to Chavez Hegarty and Jack Petitt being the difference, as the boys came away winners, 20-10. Brodie Roberts was the recipient of the Player of the Match Award for once again leading the team in both attack and defence. 

Unfortunately, we were only able to play one more game on Tuesday before the Carnival ended due to the COVID lockdown. Chavez Hegarty received the Player of the Match Award in this game where we were beaten by Chanel College from Gladstone. The development of players who had never played before this year was extremely pleasing to see during this game. 

One of the special abilities of team sports is that qualities of mateship and togetherness can be fostered within. The rugby league world was rocked last year with the news that former Cowboys, Broncos and QLD legend Carl Webb was facing the fight of his life after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. 

One of Carl’s teammates and friends for some 33 years, ex-NRL player Chris Walker decided to walk from Cairns to the Gold Coast to raise funds in support of Carl and other charities as well. These efforts constantly inspired the boy’s preparations for the Carnival, as they realised the strong friendships that can be formed for years to come through the game. 

After walking from Cairns to Brisbane, there was Chris Walker sitting alongside Carl Webb at State of Origin Game 2 in Brisbane as well. Understandably, the boys were disappointed to only play in half of the Carnival, but they were still appreciative of the time they were able to spend together as mates and as a united team. 

GSCC Senior Rugby League would like to use this avenue to once again thank Brumby’s Mount Isa, 2Seas Catering, GSCC P&F Association, Top Fire Constructions, Mount Isa Mining Supplies, Clancy Corporation and The Buffs Club for their valuable donations to our team. Lastly, many thanks to Mel Hodgetts, Jordan Harries and Col Ryder for their assistance before and during the Carnival.

What a whirlwind QISSN carnival the Good Shepherd Team were involved in. We arrived at the airport in excitement and anticipation for a full on, fun filled week in Brisbane. The carnival started with a wonderful Opening Ceremony on Sunday afternoon followed by the State of Origin game. 

The girls were in high spirits when they woke on Monday morning, dressed and ready with their hair braided well before we needed to leave. The beginning of our carnival on Day One saw us play three games, our opening game against St Augustine’s College, Augustine Heights saw the girls fight for a very close win, with the scoreline, 17-16. We were unfortunate in our last two games of the day, and lost those. We headed back to the apartments, and the girls got straight into the pool for some recovery. 

Day two we were eager and ready to play on the show court, and have all of our family and friends be able to watch a snippet of the carnival from near and far. We played well, and came back strong in the second half of the first game, but unfortunately came away with a loss. Our last game of the day, and sadly, for our time at the carnival, was against St Luke’s Anglican School, Bundaberg. Father Emene joined us, and led us in prayer before we took the court. This game had everyone on the edge of their seats, and the girls showed everyone what they had, coming away with another very close win, 21-20. 

As we finished early on Tuesday, we hopped into the bus, and headed to Iona College to support the Confro boys in their afternoon game. Unfortunately, whilst travelling, the news came out that Queensland was going into lockdown. We were straight onto QANTAS to change our flights, and back into the bus to head back to the apartments to pack up. The girls took all of the stress, and uncertainty in their stride, and they showed us that no matter what comes their way, they are ready for it all. 

Congratulations to Chelsea Barlow, who was awarded Most Valuable Player for GSCC from the two days of competition. This was voted on by the opposition coaches of the teams we played, as well as our own coaches. 

We would again like to say a very big thank you to our sponsors, who even though our trip wasn’t the whole week, the five days were incredible and would not have been possible without your support:

• GSCC Parents and Friends Association
• Superior Machinery Maintenance
• Trekk Advisory
• The Irish Club
• The Boss Shop
• 2Seas

Thank you so much to our entire Senior Leadership Team, particularly our College Principal, Kathleen McCarthy, and also our Finance Officer, Joanne Davis, for getting us home at such short notice. It was greatly appreciated. A very special thank you to our Head Coach, Julie Hutchinson, and Assistant Coach, Nikki Dalla Vecchia. Without your commitment, dedication and passion towards what you do, these trips would not be possible, the QISSN team would not be possible, and the experience that the students get, no matter how short, wouldn’t be what it is. 

Although our trip was cut short, the five days that we spent together were incredibly memorable, and the girls gave it their all, both on and off the court. They all pitched in to help with cleaning, and setting things up for meals, as well as providing endless laughs and fun. They checked in on each other, and they showed incredible friendship and sportsmanship. Thank you girls, for giving us your all, and for making our time together one that we are sure not to forget!

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.