Over the last nine weeks, we have been busy preparing for our Verification and seeking feedback about all facets of our school. One of the key characteristics we have focused on is 'Learning Culture' and how we build this in our school community. I thought I would share some of our ways we promote a strong 'Learning Culture' at GSCC:

• Our new Positive Behaviour for Learning framework;
• Focused Pastoral lessons on student wellbeing and academic skills;
• Analysis of data on student attendance, lateness and behaviour;
• Homework program four afternoons per week;
• A new Individual Education Plan for students with disabilities or special needs;
• Strong and dedicated School Officers who assist with learning in the classroom;
• Communication with Parents and Families about academic results - although this could be improved within the Junior school;
• Introduction of ‘Praise Notes’ to promote student engagement;
• Increased communication to Families about school events (Eg. ‘What’s On’ weekly newsletter and Compass notifications).

We will continue to look for innovative ways to promote a strong and healthy learning culture at GSCC. We also welcome feedback from our Parents and Families about how we can improve. Please send me an email if you would like to talk about this.

Road Safety

We have a growing number of students ‘dashing’ across the road to get to their Parent's cars, without using the pedestrian crossing. Please talk to your son or daughter about road safety awareness and remind them to use the crossings when approaching the car.

New Staff Member

Next week we will welcome Jaciara Bertossi to our College as one of our School Officers assisting in the classroom. Ms Bertossi has a history of working in radio and broadcasting and has been a teacher of English as a second language overseas. We look forward to welcoming her to Good Shepherd.

Have a blessed week.

Kathleen McCarthy
Principal

Scholars’ Awards

In Week Three of next term, the College celebrates the 2022 Semester One academic results of our students. 

Report cards for this semester will be available on Compass on the afternoon of Friday 24 June.

Eligibility for Scholars’ Awards are based on the results students receive for this semester as indicated on their reports.

Semester 1 Report Cards

Next Friday, students and families will gain access to Semester 1 Report Cards. These report cards are issued online, through the Compass Parent Portal. We will notify parents and students when report cards have been uploaded, and you will have immediate access to them at this time. Please see the documents included for instructions.

A reminder, that to access the Parent Portal, parents/carers must come into the front office to collect login information (office hours are 8am - 4pm Monday to Friday). We are unable to provide login details unless we can see you to verify your details; this is important due to the sensitive and sometimes confidential information that you will have access to on your child’s portal. Please call the College Office if you are unable to attend and they can discuss verification options with you.

The final day for Term 2 is Friday 24 June. As always, we will end the term with a number of activities followed by a BBQ. Families are most welcome to join us for the BBQ, which will take place outside the Cafe. School will conclude for the day at 1pm. The full schedule for the last day of school is below:

Term 3 Timetables

I will sync Term 3 timetables to Compass at the end of the holidays. All students will receive new timetables on the first day of next term.  Students should check Compass over the last weekend of the holidays to ensure they have the correct materials for the first day of Term 3.

Term 3 Start Date

We’ve almost completed Semester 1! Students deserve a well earned break after a VERY busy term. School will resume for Term 3 on Monday 11 July.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

This week our PB4L focus is on Drop Off & Pick Up Zones:

Uniform Expectations

There has been an increase in student non-conformance of our Uniform and Grooming Expectations and unfortunately, we have also experienced some students and families challenging these expectations despite agreeing to following these expectations at enrolment.  It is an expectation that all of our students wear our College uniform with pride and represent the College to the highest standard. I am a firm believer that when you do the little things right, everything else falls into place. If you have any issues or concerns regarding uniform or grooming expectations, I encourage you to either email or call me at the College to discuss.

This week during Year Level Assemblies, students will be given a verbal reminder of the expectations from their Pastoral Leader.  Attached is a copy of the uniform guidelines that are also outlined in our College Diary and Student Handbook.

For students in Years 7-9, this uniform should include:

For students in Years 10-12 this uniform should include:

Shoe types like: canvas runners, Vans, Converse, high tops, ballet flats and Mary-Janes are not acceptable.

Please note: Jackets or Jumpers that students receive through participation in extracurricular activities or Senior jerseys are not an acceptable winter uniform option. These jackets and jumpers are provided for use while on the trip/excursion/retreat/camp, and then for personal use upon students’ return to Mount Isa. They are not permitted to be worn with the College Sport or Formal Uniform.

Grooming Expectations

In this edition of SchoolTV - SLEEP

Students today have extremely busy schedules, with ever increasing responsibilities at school and at home. Many kids, especially adolescents, are going to bed later and later and are at risk of sleep deprivation. This affects three areas of a child’s development: psychological, physiological and psychosocial. All three are essential to a child's growth, learning ability and overall wellbeing. Sleep is vital to a child’s overall development and is as important as diet and exercise.

Sleep also strengthens a child’s immune systems and supports their ability to function properly on a daily basis. Children who do not get enough sleep show increased levels of aggressive behaviour, are less attentive and are much less active. Trying to catch up on sleep on weekends is not the answer and can still lead to severe sleep deprivation.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn about the importance of sleep and how sleep deprivation can have adverse effects on a child’s health and wellbeing.

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 Sleep edition of SchoolTV

Good News Stories

JCU Winter School 

A massive congratulations to Pantrea Adams, Darci Gillett and Lily-Rose Batten who have been accepted to attend this year’s JCU Winter School in Townsville.

The JCU Winter School is for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students and it offers students in Year 10, 11 and 12 the opportunity to experience university life during the school holidays.

Over the five days, students will live on campus and take part in academic lectures and team-building activities. The program also endeavours for students to form bonds with other students on the program. 

We look forward to hearing from our Year 10 Girls when they return in Term 3. All three students are aiming to attend University post school.

Business School 

Last week, Tianna was accepted for Business School. Below Tianna discusses a little bit about what the Business School entails and about her interests in Business as a subject.

“The Business School is from the 26th of June to the 2nd July. I applied so I can gain knowledge and more tips about what it's like to work in a business workplace. I like working in Business because it helps me to learn new things and use those new skills to educate and teach other people. I am looking forward to meeting other people who have applied to this school as well as making new friends while I am there. A few people encouraged me to apply including Mrs Coghlan, Mrs Jones, Mrs Frew, and Miss Armstrong. All of these people have helped me along the way including Mr Blake who is currently my mentor who helps me apply for these things and also helps me with school. I look up to mainly my parents, teachers and friends because they all support me so much to become a good and better person for myself.”

Good luck Tianna! We look forward to hearing about your experience when you return.

NAIDOC Week preparations

By Billi-Jean Armstrong.

In the lead up to NAIDOC Week, our Year 12 Indigenous representative, Darcy Webber and Indigenous Education Worker, Miss Billi-Jean Armstrong attended a Community NAIDOC Meeting, they networked and connected with other Indigenous community organisations. During the meeting, they were gifted NAIDOC posters which display the chosen theme this year which is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! These posters have been put around the College thanks to our emerging leaders Kaleirah Luff-Armstrong, Khoupa Armstrong and Denan Duncan who kindly volunteered.

NAIDOC Week is held during the school holidays from Sunday 3 July to Sunday 10 July, each year. If you or your family would like to participate in the NAIDOC march or other activities please contact Miss Billi-Jean Armstrong who would be able to provide you with more information.

The College will be celebrating NAIDOC Week by presenting a special NAIDOC Day for all of our students, staff and parents in Term 3. Watch this space!

Historical Dress Up Day and the Library

We held our Historical Dress up Day in the library on Monday, 6 June. It was great to see teachers and students who, by dressing up, remembered and honored our famous men and women in history. Thank you to the staff and students who helped in preparing for this activity and to everyone who dressed up. We had 9 teachers who wore historical costumes. For our student dress up participants, we had seven in Year 12, two in Year 11, three in Year 10, and two in Year 9. They diligently researched their costumes and wore them with great pride and confidence. It was also wonderful to hear them briefly share what they know about the lives of their historical characters. Many thanks, too, to Miss Ann-Marie Lesca for her camera, and student photographers Charlotte Edge and Leonardo de Leon.

Two of our student dress up participants: (left) Sharni Pierce as Amelia Earhart and (right) Lance Dimarucut as Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

There was an interesting mix of historical figures that included famous women in various careers and positions in society. The other famous people in history honored in the event came from different countries (such as the Philippines for Dr. Jose P. Rizal) and disciplines such as aviation (Amelia Earhart, for example), music, the arts, science, religion, and common folks and royalty alike. Our students need great role models like them to follow.

This dress up activity can help students learn history. Fielding (2005) strongly believed that history instruction should help learners develop what he called “historical imagination” which can be achieved by providing students with occasions where they can have conversations about history. This collaboration between the Humanities Department and the Library gave the students and teachers such an opportunity.

It is a great to know that our College library can support students in their need for biographical and historical resources. The library is a great place for students to learn from the lives and experiences of these famous people. The biography and history section of our library are full of stories that can make our youth believe that they, too, can overcome obstacles and make their dreams come true.

Reference

Fielding, J, (2005). Engaging Students in Learning History. Canadian Social Studies, 26(8). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fullteext/EJ1073994.pdf

Congratulations to our Historical Dress Up Day costume competition winners:

1^st – Sharni Pierce, Yr. 12.

2^nd - Sarah Pierce, Yr. 10

3^rd – Mariana Taylor, Yr. 9; Danica Taylor, Yr. 11; Julina Hati, Yr.12

4^th- Lianna Woodsbey, Yr. 11

5^th- Magelia Tabone- Cook, Yr.10; Gabriela Tabone- Cook, Yr. 10

Each winner will receive a book prize and Praise Notes.

GSCC Rugby League

Pathways Program 

As part of our preparations for the annual Confraternity Carnival this year and future years, a Pathways Program was established to identify development players, predominantly from across the younger grades, and give these boys the opportunity to train with the Senior team, so as to ease the transition into our team for this year or next. 

Thanks to our valuable sponsors Brumby’s Mount Isa, 2Seas Catering, The Buffs Club and Mobilise, each player received a training shirt as reward for their commitment and enthusiasm to turn up to training throughout Term 1 and 2. 

The following boys are to be congratulated for their commitment to this program: 

Ryder Soper, Cole Finter, Harry Morris, Mikeal Kuskopf, Brendan Wade, Riley Eggmolesse, Cooper Fahey and Sam Pou-Pomare.

A further congratulations to Mikeal Kuskopf and Harry Morris (pictured below) who have graduated from the program and will be representing the College in Mackay at the Confraternity Carnival. Without a full squad of players each year, the College risks forfeiting their place in this prestigious carnival and as such, I would like to thank these boys for their eagerness and readiness to commit to the Carnival on short notice. 

School of Origin Series 

It has been pleasing to see a number of boys and girls indicate their interest in representing the College in our School of Origin Series against Spinifex in Term 3. These games will be played on Thursdays of Week 3, 4 and 6 in hopefully U13, U15 and Open Boys and Girls divisions. 

Permission notes and training information have been handed out to all interested students, and they must return these as soon as possible. Notes are available from the office for those that missed the meeting or have not yet registered their interest. The importance of attending training and only registering interest if fully committed has been stressed to these students, as these games depend on having full squads of players. 

Final information around playing times will be communicated shortly and I look forward to a busy Term 3 of GSCC Rugby League! 

Year 12 Pastoral Update

Elevate Education 

Last week, our Year 12 students undertook a Pastoral Care lesson that was facilitated by Elevate Education online via Zoom.  Elevate Education is a widely used educational company that offers targeted high impact seminars that help students improve their study techniques, increase motivation, build confidence, and lift exam performance. The “Finishing Line” lesson was particularly timely, and the title just as apt, as our Year 12 students are coming into an academically challenging time of the year. The program offered some exceptional strategies to focus and improve study skills, so students become reengaged and refocused at a time where they need it most. Additionally, a number of stress and wellbeing techniques were outlined to help students navigate through this busy time. 

Senior Jerseys and Winter Uniform 

With the increasingly cooler days thanks to Winter, I would like to outline the uniform expectations for our Year 12 students in terms of blazers, pullovers and jerseys. 

Senior Jerseys are only an acceptable part of the Year 12 uniform on Fridays. Wearing the Senior Jersey as a winter uniform option throughout the week is not permitted. 

The College allows for the College Blazer and Pullover to be worn with the Academic Uniform and our College Winter Sports Jacket for the Sports Uniform. 

Please refer to Pages 9 & 10 of your child’s College Diary for all Uniform Guidelines. Your cooperation as parents to ensure your child adheres to the College Uniform is greatly appreciated.  

TAFE and Work Experience

A reminder to our Year 12 students completing Work Experience and TAFE, either next week or at the beginning of Term 3, that they need to ensure that they remain engaged with any class or assessment work that they are missing throughout their absence. Please encourage your child to speak with their teacher before they leave for these commitments, so that they are exercising their diligence as students. 

All the best to these students as they are strengthening their own knowledge and skills in many wonderful industries and trades. As an example, see below some of our students undertaking their First Aid Course as part of their Certificate II Infrastructure and Resources on Monday of this week. 

Extra Curricular Activities

A number of our Year 12 students have been busily involved with sporting and cultural events throughout this Semester. Preparations continue for our College Musical in Term 3 which is being led by many talented singers and dances within the cohort. 

Additionally,  I would like to wish our Year 12 students travelling to Mackay for QISSN and Confraternity all the very best. I am sure they will represent the College with respect and pride. 

Save the Dates

This week your child was issued a Save the Dates magnet/card for our upcoming end of year dates for the Year 12 students:

• Farewell Assembly - Friday 21st of October (Week 3, Term 4) at the LCC from 2pm.
• Graduation Mass - Wednesday 16th November (Week 7, Term) at the Good Shepherd Parish, 6:30pm for a 7pm start. 
• Graduation Dinner & Arrival Ceremony - Saturday 19th November (Week 7, Term 4) at the Mount Isa Civic Centre with student arrivals commencing from 5:30pm.  

I would like to extend a massive thank you to the Graduation Committee for their assistance in designing the card and theme. 

Please ensure that they have shared this card/magnet with you and take note of these dates for now, as more information will be communicated once we get closer to the events. Graduation ticketing and invites are to be released early in Term 3. 

In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

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).