This week our Year 7 and 9 students have sat their NAPLAN tests. This time of year is a stressful one for our students (and teachers) and I am reminded that success at student school takes many forms. It is easy to become focused on League Tables and ATAR scores and miss the myriad of other achievements of young people at school. This could be sporting PBs, gaining a lead role in the Musical, being selected to attend the Girls in Mining workshops and many, many more.

Our goal at Good Shepherd Catholic College is to provide a holistic Catholic education to our students grounded in the values of Christianity. Our desire is to help every one of our students achieve their aspirations and to leave school with a pathway to their career of choice. Importantly, we want them to be happy too, so if we focus solely on academic results, some of our students will feel a sense of failure and we will ignore the growth of creativity, spirituality and emotional learning.

This is not to say that we won’t have high expectations of our students, but we will also always celebrate the other achievements of our young people and not just the results of system-wide standardised testing. If your son or daughter is involved in outside activities that are worth celebrating, please let us know so we can share them.

2023 Enrolments

Enrolments are now open for Year 7 in 2023. Please collect an Enrolment Pack from the office or download one from the College Website. Enrolment interviews are due to start on Monday 6th June.

Open Day

Open Day is coming! Save the date for our annual Open Day which is due to be held on Friday 15th July from 4.30 pm - 6.00 pm. Please let your friends and family know.

Year 11 End of Unit 1

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 at the stage where they need to be more discerning with their subject choices - should a subject be continued for the next three units of work, or should a change be made now? More 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.

Currently, subject changes have ceased for Years 7 - 10 students and will resume again at the start of Term 3. 

However, as the Year 11’s are working by units, they are encouraged to make these changes before Week 7 so that they are in the correct subjects for the start of Unit 2.

More information was provided to Year 11 students regarding their tracking and QCE eligibility this morning. 

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

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
Week 4 Focus: Specialist Rooms

This week our PB4L focus is behaviour expectations in our Specialist Rooms.  Our specialist rooms include rooms used for the following subject areas:  Art, Music, Drama, Computers/ITC, DTC Workshops, HPE, Hospitality, Textiles and Science labs:

SchoolTV Focus

This Friday, 13th May is Do It for Dolly Day so our SchoolTV focus this week is on Cyberbullying.  The eSafety Commissioner reports that 44% of Australian young people report having a negative online experience in the last 6 months, this includes 15% who received threats or abuse online. I encourage all parents/carers to take time to watch the video in this Special Report and to also access the eSafety Commissioner website on https://www.esafety.gov.au/ for more information about your child’s online safety.

A SPECIAL REPORT: Cyberbullying

In response to the media publicity surrounding the devastating death of Amy 'Dolly' Everett due to cyberbullying, SchoolTV responded by creating this special report. Her death highlighted the tragic number of teen suicides as a result of cyberbullying and how serious an issue it has become due to the digital world we now live in.

Dolly, as she was affectionately known, has since become the face of a campaign to raise the awareness of bullying, teen anxiety and depression as well as youth suicide. A legacy that Dolly’s bereaved family fully support in the hope of sparing other families from the same grief.

In this Special Report, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg highlights the dangers associated with social media and outlines what parents can do to protect their children. Preventing such a tragedy from reoccurring again, needs to have the support of parents, schools and the wider community. All must work together towards reducing the risks associated with it. Parents especially, need to be aware of dangers and be proactive in not accepting bullying behaviour of any sort.

Let’s do it for Dolly.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:

Commedia dell’arte at a Glance

Commedia dell'arte, also known as "Italian comedy," was a humorous theatrical presentation performed by professional actors who travelled in troupes throughout Italy in the 16th century.

Performances took place on temporary stages, mostly on city streets, but occasionally even in court venues. Music, dance, witty dialogue, and all kinds of trickery contributed to the comic effects. 

Below are snapshots of some Year 8 Drama students looking forward to the study of this unit.

Fractured Fairy tale

In Week 6 of Term 2, Year 8 Drama students will study Fractured Fairy Tale Unit.

Athletics Carnival

The Sports Department are completing the final preparations for the College’s annual Athletics Carnival which looks to be a very eventful day. If any students missed out on nominations for 1500m and 800m events, please see Mr Young to nominate, these events will be running on Thursday 20th of May, after school from 3:30-5pm.

If there are any volunteers willing to help run events on the day please email Mr Young at jyoung@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au 

May the best house win.

Representative Sport

Below is a current list of sports that students are able to represent the college in at either Mount Isa or North West level. If students wish to individually nominate for Northern Representative sport, please collect forms from the office - note: only students who play these sports competitively are eligible. 

Acknowledgements

Finally, the Sports Department would like to acknowledge students who competed last weekend as well as this weekend in Representative Sport;

• 10-12yrs North West Trials in Longreach
• 13-15 yrs Netball State Championships in Toowoomba 
• McDonald’s Junior Netball Carnival in Townsville 
• Arthur Beetson Rugby League Carnival in Barcaldine

Thank you to our staff and parents who have supported these students on and off the sporting field!

Our annual Hospitality dinner will be held this Friday in the Lumen Christi Centre.  Hosted by our senior Hospitality students, they will prepare, cook and serve a four course meal and finish the night with Barista coffee and shortbread.

Students achieve competencies towards their Certificate ll in Hospitality and also raise funds for their Hospitality Camp later in the year. It is a great opportunity for students to showcase their skills and for you to enjoy a home cooked restaurant quality meal.

Tickets are $55 each, 8 - 10 people per table. Tickets are now on sale from the front office or you can purchase them from Arili Thina Cafe on Wednesday Mornings.

On the night you can purchase Beer and Wine.

Hope you can join us for a wonderful night of good food. If you need any more information please give me a call or email, dcole@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

When: Thursday mornings
Where: GSCC Oval (Enter via May St Gate)
What time: 7:00am - 7:40am
What is it: Athletics /endurance running and or walking training
Who is it for: All students and teachers
Permission: Students will need to collect a permission note from the office
Cost: Free
How often: Come occasionally or as many sessions as you like
Equipment: Running shoes, comfortable clothing, water bottle
Prizes: Weekly lucky door prize of $10 canteen voucher
2 major awards at Sports Award Evening later in 2022
Information: See Mr Guest for any information/ questions

Term 2 2022 Training Program:

Week 1:
200m repeats x 5 (x 3 sets - 1 min walk/ jog between repeats, 200m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 2:
800m repeats x 4 x 1 set - 2 min walk/ jog between repeats).

Week 3:
500m repeats x 3 (x 2 sets - 2 min walk/ jog between repeats, 400m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 4:
Pyramid: 200m, 400m, 600m, 800m, 600m, 400m, 200m. (1 min walk/ jog between repeats).

Week 5:
400m repeats x 4 (x 2 sets - 2 min walk/ jog between repeats, 400m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 6:
300m repeats x 5 (x 2 sets - 1 min walk/ jog between repeats, 200m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 7:
Pyramid: 200m, 400m, 600m, 800m, 600m, 400m, 200m. (1 min walk/ jog between repeats).

Week 8:
200m repeats x 5 (x 3 sets - 1 min walk/ jog between repeats, 200m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 9:
3000m (alternate striding 100m, jogging 100m)

Week 10:
600m repeats x 5 (x 1set - 2 min walk/ jog between repeats).