Our Verification process for reviewing our school is progressing well but we would like more parent involvement. Every five years we assess ourselves against Ten Characteristics of Catholic Schools and are evaluated by a Service Team from the Townsville Catholic Education Office.  If you are interested in sharing your thoughts about our College, please feel free to share your thoughts on the following by either emailing me or giving me a call with verbal feedback:

Ten Characteristics of Catholic Schools

• The School Improvement Agenda
• Catholic Identity
• School-Parents-Church-Community Partnership
• A Culture that Promotes Learning
• Targeted us of School Resources
• A Data Informed Practice
• Effective Pedagogy
• Learning and Teaching
• A Coherent Curriculum
• An Expert Teaching Team

For a full overview of the Characteristics, you can find them here. 

Mabo Movie Night

We are looking forward to welcoming all of our families to our Mabo Movie Night this Friday from 5.30 pm. We will begin our evening at our Indgienous Garden with Pizza and a yarning circle and then move into the LCC to watch the movie. Families are welcome to bring children. Please RSVP to Billi-Jean Armstrong for catering purposes (barmstrong1@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au or 4743 2509).

Building Grants Authority Application

Please pray for the College over the next few weeks as we travel to Brisbane to make a case for new funding to demolish some of our old buildings to  build new classrooms and a beautiful new Library. I would like to thank the College Board and the Senior Leadership Team who have supported me in our preparations for the BGA presentation next week.

Eisteddfod Results

Congratulations to all of the Good Shepherd students who participated in the Eisteddfod over the weekend. Miss Catherine Motteram our Instrumental Music Teacher shared the following results with me:

Ella Coghlan - Vocal Award
Shilpantha Dias - Piano Award (past student)
Fiona Pan - Woodwind/Brass/Recorder Award
Lance Dimarucut - Senior Woodwind/Brass/Recorder Championship
Gyan Angon - Accompanist Award; Senior Piano Championship and Daniel Johnson Music Award. (Recipient of $500 Scholarship)

God bless.

Kathleen McCarthy

Managing Stress at School

Stress is a natural part of being human. It is one of the ways that our body’s prepare us to face challenging situations. Stress can be categorised as either productive stress, or unproductive stress. It is this unproductive stress that can cause problems with students in the classroom, and therefore it is important that students learn ways to manage and cope with that stress. There are a number of key signs to look out for, including: trouble sleeping, irritability, anxiety, panic attacks, isolation and avoidance of school and work. The biggest cause of stress we see in students is usually due to lack of time management. Below are a few tips to help effectively manage time and avoid unproductive stress:

•         Create a list of what needs to be done, and then break it down further by writing what needs to be done for each item. Ensure it is manageable and achievable.
•         Use a diary or notebook to keep track of important dates and deadlines
•         Work in 20 - 30 minute chunks and then allow yourself some time to have a break. Limiting distractions to break times makes the time you are working more productive.
•         Ask for help if it's not working: Time management is a skill, like any skill - it sometimes takes work and help to master it.

Parents who are concerned about their child are encouraged to contact the relevant Pastoral Leader and let us know so that we can support you and your child. Students are also encouraged to speak with their Pastoral Leader if they feel they need some additional support or skills in the area of time management or stress management.

Term 2 Year 10 Exam Block

Monday 13 June – Wednesday 15 June 2022
Exam Room – LCC      |     Study Room – F1/F2

In Week 9, Year 10 students will participate in their first formal exam block. It is important to note that exam block is not free time,  all Year 10 students should be studying/completing assessment at home; studying quietly in the Study Room or completing an exam during the three day block. If students have overdue assessment, they are expected to attend school for the duration of the exam block.

Year 10 - Semester 2 Subject Trials

Thank you to all of the Year 10 families who attended SPOLIN on Tuesday evening. On Friday morning, students will receive their Semester 2 Subject Trial online selection form. This must be completed by 3pm on Tuesday the 7th of June. A couple of reminders:

• Students will only trial senior subjects in English, Maths, Science, Humanities & HPE
• Elective Subjects will remain the same
• Students are allowed to make subject changes in any subject up until the end of Week 2 each Term.
• ALL Year 10 students will commence Unit 1 (Year 11) Religion & Ethics in Semester 2 this Year.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
Week 7 Focus: Toilets

As with locker areas, toilets can also often be areas where students seem to congregate during lunch breaks.  When covering our expectations in toilet areas, we also teach students about practicing good personal hygiene and the toilets are being used for the right reason.

SchoolTV - MANAGING SCREEN TIME

As a result of the global pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in the amount of time people spend on screen-based devices. Families are transitioning back to pre-COVID routines but many are still struggling to re-establish the boundaries and rules around screen use. Some continue to deal with digital conflict and tech-tantrums on a daily basis. The latest research found that 77% of teenagers spend more than five hours on screens per day, but it is important to note that not all screen time is considered equal.

Parents play a crucial role in modelling a positive and healthy approach to using screens and assisting children to navigate the content they watch. It is better to model and mentor screen use, rather than monitor it. Children tend to do more of what they see us do, and less of what we tell them to do. However, it is still important to outline the risks and highlight the benefits of screen use to ensure you keep a balanced attitude. Encourage discussions around the issues that people experience in monitoring their screen time and be honest about your own difficulties.

Parents need to remain firm in their approach to managing screen time. Excessive screen time can be detrimental to a child’s overall wellbeing. Ensuring the correct privacy settings are in place is vital to prevent children from being inadvertently exposed to inappropriate content or online predators. Parents need to also be mindful of the potential impact screen time can have on a child’s social, emotional, educational, behavioural, and even physical domains.

In this edition of SchoolTV, care-givers will be provided with a range of guidelines and strategies to help manage screen time at home.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Managing Screen Time edition of SchoolTV

Cultural News

Last weekend saw the commencement of the Music and Speech & Drama sections of the Mount Isa Eisteddfod. Held in the Lumen Christie Centre the weekend was filled with a variety of musical performances and it was fantastic to see a number of Good Shepherd students involved. 

A special congratulations to Ella Coghlan (Yr12), Lance Dimarucut (Yr12), Gyan Angon (Yr11) and Fiona Pan (Yr10) for achieving the highly competitive Mount Isa Eisteddfod Championship awards. The awards received show the dedication and responsibility that the students have in their discipline. We will be blessed with their championship performances in upcoming school assemblies. Special thanks to Miss Catherine Motteram for all her hard work and inspiration that she gives to all her students. It is such a rewarding experience seeing your students' passion come to fruition. Thank you also to Sophie Greenhalgh (Yr12) for the technological support. Sophie was a big help for the Adjudicator, her knowledge was highly appreciated. 

Eight students from GSCC participated in a filming event as part of this year’s Mulkadee Festival. In preparation for the amazing Mulkadee event in Term 3. The Mulkadee team have been travelling around the diocese filming various dance pieces. Yesterday evening, students travelled to the Granite Mines to film their dance piece which involved an interpretative dance that celebrates the vast landscape. Well done to Amaris Ogunlola (Yr7), Charlotte Byrnes (Yr7), Meadow Shaw (Yr8), Jayleigh Brown (Yr8), Winsome Mock (Yr9), Mariana Taylor (Yr9), Holly Lobegieger (Yr11) and Olivia Greehnalgh (Yr11) for being apart of this amazing opportunity. A big thank you to Mr James Coghlan for driving the bus, some impressive manoeuvring through the rugged terrain! I am looking forward to the film premier in Townsville during the Mulkadee performance. 

2022 Business Breakfast

We would like to extend an invitation to our families for our annual GSCC Business Breakfast on Thursday 16th June.

“Dream without Fear”

So many people have dreams that they keep hidden and never let see the light of day because of fear. On the weekend I attended the Eisteddfod and saw some students sing, dance and play musical instruments and was amazed at their talent.

The week before I was at St Josephs and was asked to judge an audition for their “Joey’s Got Talent” competition. There were only a handful of senior students performing at the Eisteddfod but the Joey’s auditions took two weeks to get through.

I can guarantee that in five years’ time, of those hundred students who auditioned at Joey’s, only a handful will perform at the Eisteddfod. So, what happens in that period?

Our bodies, minds and emotions begin to change and with it comes a fear of not knowing where we belong in the World. When we are little we tell everyone our dreams – I want to be a fireman, play for Australia, sing in a band, be a movie star – and everyone says good on you.

When the change comes however we go the opposite direction and try and fit in so we don’t get noticed; though secretly we do. Very few young people know who they are and are comfortable with their place in the World.

Some of us never find ourselves or where we belong, while for others it takes long into their adult life. From those young fearless dreamers, we become young adults full of fear that stops us from chasing those dreams, either because we fear failing or fear standing out.

Some people unconsciously sabotage their chances of success because they haven’t got the confidence to be better than others. So, they slide into mediocracy rather than chasing their dreams or just give up altogether.

It is only later in life they regret their cowardice. Australian boxer George Kambosis fights this Sunday to become the undisputed lightweight champion of the World. Across his chest is a tattoo reading “Dream without Fear.”

Most people let the negative voices fill them with fear but Kambosis set his dream and let nothing distract him, not the negative voices in his head or the words of others. “To ignore them is a life changing thing.”

What makes me laugh is the fact boys think that dancing, singing and acting are not cool but actors such as Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Jackman, Taylor Lautner, Chris Hemsworth and Vin Diesel are cool. All of them dance and only those who have never had the courage to attempt learning to dance can understand how hard it is.

A couple of years ago the Wigan Warriors Under 19 team, a professional Rugby League team in England, began taking weekly ballet classes to improve their strength and posture and reduce injury to their ankles and knees. The players admitted they were surprised to find they enjoyed it and noticed an increase in their strength thanks to the training.

English Soccer player Rio Ferdinand, Boxer Evander Holyfield, Arnold Schwarzenegger (when bodybuilding), Australian Olympic Boxing silver medalist Harry Garside and Steve McLendon from the NFL are just some of the sportsmen who took/take ballet to improve their performance.

Years ago I was friendly with some visitors from Canada and both of them played Ice Hockey. One was a “goon,” - the bloke who fought when someone threatened his skilled teammates.

When I asked him about Ice Dancers he shook his head and told me, “those guys are tough, hey. I can do a single (spin) axle and it hurts when I land but those guys do triples, and you can’t understand the force on their ankles.” 

If your dreams are big, people may mock you for them; you need to forget those people because they will not help you succeed and their opinions are not what you use to validate your life. As J.K. Rowling said “Never be ashamed of chasing your dreams! There’s some who will hold it against you, but they are not worth bothering with.”

Athletics Carnival

This year’s carnival was as big as ever, which was evident in the amount of participation points from each event. It was great to see all of our students get involved, whether it be in events or in war cries and this morning at our school assembly we acknowledged these students. 

The Sports Department would like to congratulate the following students for their achievements in this year’s carnival. 

Our next award is the Jack Skinner House Spirit Award, which is awarded to the house who shows great sportsmanship and a collective commitment in supporting their house group through war cries, cheers and dances. 

The 2022 Jack Skinner House Spirit Award goes to:

Lochlan Dew and Chisholm House

Our final award is the 2022 - Overall House Champion Award. This is the total accumulation of points awarded throughout the athletics events including points for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and participation. These participation points, while at a smaller value, made the biggest difference in what was a very tight race between houses. 

The 2022 Overall House Champion Award goes to:

Anesu Chahwahwa and Rice House

Interschool Netball

Last Friday we saw both schools compete in the round 2 match-ups. We saw some great performances from our students with similar results from round 1.

• Open’s Boys (Win)
• 15’s Girls (Win)
• 13’s Girls (Loss)
• Open’s Girls (Loss)

A big thank you to our students, parents and staff who came down to support the teams. It was great to see a big crowd at the stadium to cheer our students on. Come down this Friday 2nd of June for the final round of our Interschool Netball Tri-Series. Please see the adjusted schedule below

• 3:30pm – 15 Girls – 2 x 8 min halves
• 3:50pm – 13 Girls – 2 x 8 min halves
• 4:10pm – Open Girls – 4 x 6 min quarters

Acknowledgements

Finally, the Sports Department would like to congratulate the following students for their efforts in representative sport.

Charlotte Byrnes - QLD Representative Umpire: 10-12yrs Netball
Riley Eggmolesse - North West Representative Player: 13-15yrs Rugby League
Ryder Soper - North West Representative Player: 13-15yrs Rugby League *player of the carnival*
Sienna Wilson - Australian Representative Player: U14s Softball

GSCC Club Netball

We are pleased to announce that we are selling GSCC Netball socks. These are $15 each, and are an excellent addition to the girls playing uniforms. If you would like to purchase a pair, please see the College office. 

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).