This week we have 26 students from Year 10-12 involved in our Work Experience program. Co-ordinated by Mrs Liesel Armstrong, the program aims to provide students with real-life experiences in a range of business and industry placements to help them make decisions about their career choices post-school. We also have almost 20 students lining up for the next block of TAFE. Both of these opportunities are invaluable for our students and an integral part of our senior school plan to provide our student with skills, knowledge and experience to equip them for when they graduate.

Last week we had an opportunity to thank our local businesses and industry groups for their continued support of the College at our Business Breakfast - it was a great success and our guest speaker Mr Matt O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer for Glencore’s Qld Metals and Zinc Assets, gave an inspiring speech about the importance of partnership with Community; a theme GSCC has embraced in 2022.

Over the holidays our QISSN Netball and Confraternity Rugby League teams will head to Mackay to compete against other Catholic and Independent schools in Queensland. Both teams have been training hard all year and we wish them every success in their competitions. Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who are accompanying them and for their sponsors.

Confro Team

QISSN Team

Staffing News

Next Term we welcome new teacher Ms Gemma James who will be teaching HPE and English. We also welcome Mrs Jaciara Bertossi into the classroom as a School Officer assisting students. We farewell Ms Rebekah Coles who is leaving us to return to her family in Bowen. Thank you Ms Coles for your contributions to the College as School Officer and for your assistance with the school Musical.

Term 2 has been a jam-packed term of learning, celebration, connecting with community and student success. Our Positive Behaviour for Learning program is seeing real progress and we await a final outcome on our application for a new library and transformed buildings. Next term promises to be just as rewarding for the College and we look forward to seeing our Parents and Carers at our Parent|Teacher|Student Interviews on Wednesday 20th July (Week 2).

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Kathleen McCarthy

Semester 1 Report Cards

This Friday, students and families will gain access to the 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 document below 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.

How to access your child’s report

Term 3 Parent Teacher Student Interviews

Parent Teacher Student Interviews will take place on Wednesday 20 July (Week 2). Bookings for these interviews will be made through the Compass Parent Portal (either phone or desktop versions) and will open at 5pm on Friday 24 June, after Semester 1 Report Cards have been uploaded to Compass. The bookings will close at midday on Friday 15 July.

Booking Interviews

Scholars’ Awards

In Week 3 of next Term, the College will celebrate the 2022 Semester 1 academic results of our students. 

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

Year 12 External Exam Timetable

QCAA has released the External Exam Timetable for all General Subjects.

External Exam Timetable

These examinations are set and marked by QCAA and will contribute towards a student’s overall subject result. For most subjects, the exams will contribute 25% towards the student's overall Year 12 results for that subject.  The examinations for Maths and Science subjects will equate to 50% of a student's grade in that subject.

Students have been preparing for these examinations throughout their Senior Schooling and in Term 3 we will begin an intensive programme to further prepare students.

There will also be a 'mock exam block' in Term 3 which will mirror the duration and style of examinations that students will sit in Term 4. Teachers will mark and provide feedback on these examinations, which have been set by QCAA as external exam preparation resources.

Students who are concerned or require additional assistance are encouraged to contact their classroom teachers as soon as possible.

End of Term Arrangements

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:

Year 10 Senior Subject Trials

Thank you to Year 10 students and families for completing your Semester 2 Subject Trial selections. If you change your mind about your trial subjects, you will need to complete a subject selection form before the end of Week 2 in Term 3. Please be aware that some classes are at capacity so not all changes will be possible.

Elective Subject Changes (Years 7 - 10)

Any elective subject change must be completed by the end of Week 2. Please be aware that some classes are at capacity so not all changes will be possible.

Senior Subject Changes (Years 11 & 12)

Please note that any Year 11 or 12 student who wants to change subjects must meet with Mrs Wood before commencing any paperwork. There are lots of considerations to make before proceeding with changes in the senior school so it is important that this process is followed.

Open Night

The GSCC Open Night is being held on Friday 15 July. All are welcome to join us to explore our wonderful facilities. 

The event will run from 4:30pm - 6:00pm, starting in the Lumen Christi Centre.

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 Exam Blocks

There are two Year 12 exams blocks to take place in Term 3:

• Year 12 (short block) Friday 5 and Monday 8 August (Week 4/5).
• Year 12 Mock Exam Block (all General Subjects) Monday 5 - Friday 9 September (Week 9).

I will send the full timetable for these exam blocks early in Term 3.

Year 10 and 11 students do not have another exam block until Term 4.

School will resume for Term 3 on Monday 11 July. Have a wonderful break and see you in Term 3!

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
Week 10 Focus: All Locations

In All Locations around the College it is really important that students follow what we believe encompasses all of our four PB4L College Expectations:  Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Our Best and Be Christ’s Light.  Many of these expectations are outlined in our College policies and procedures and are the attributes of what it means to be a student of the Good Shepherd Catholic College Community.

Praise Notes – Semester 1

I am so very proud of all our students who have received praise notes over the semester.  At certain points of the semester we have presented students who have received 10 or more and 20 or more praise notes with certificates during year level or whole school assemblies.  

A very big congratulations must go to Amaris Ogunlola from 7C who was the ONLY student in our whole College to receive 30 or more praise notes this semester.  Amaris will receive an additional reward in which she is able to choose some books for her outstanding efforts in meeting PB4L College Expectations this semester.  

Well done Amaris!!!

The following students have received 20 or more praise notes this semester and are eligible for our End of Semester PB4L Rewards event which will occur early in Term 3 when we have all students back at school:

Year 11 Student Leadership Formation Day

On Thursday 10th June, our Year 11 students participated in the Student Leadership Formation Day which is their first official step towards their leadership roles as Year 12 students in 2023.

Leadership presents itself to us in many different ways and this year we approached amazing leaders within our community to address the cohort about their own leadership journeys and the important attributes that effective leaders possess.  We were so grateful to have the following leaders from our community who we believe would ignite and inspire the leadership qualities within our students:

• Father Mick Lowcock – Parish Priest - Good Shepherd Church;
• Senior Sergeant Sean Wade – Crime Manager at Queensland Police Service - Mt Isa;
• Mrs Tammi Webber – Indigenous Education Advisor, Townsville Catholic Education Office;
• Mrs Kathleen McCarthy, our College Principal; and
• Amy Haddon and Rachael Scrimgeour, our College Captains.

Students were able to listen to each of our guest leaders share their stories and Mr Harries and I then facilitated workshops to get students to think deeper about their leadership roles in the College.

A big thank you goes to all of our guest leaders and also to our tuckshop convenor Mrs Alissa Simphalivanh for the amazing afternoon tea spread that she provided for us all.

In this edition of SchoolTV - HAPPINESS & GRATITUDE

Happiness is a term that captures a huge variety of positive emotions such as humour, serenity, optimism, joy, pride, inspiration, love and hope. Happiness means different things, to different people and is essential to your understanding of emotional literacy. Throughout history, philosophers, religious writers and poets have pondered on the meaning of happiness and how it might be achieved. In the last few decades, scientists and psychologists have researched this further by studying a field of science called positive psychology.

The result of this research suggests there is a strong correlation between gratitude and greater happiness. Practising gratitude helps you shift your focus to positive memories or experiences, noticing the good in your life. Over time, this will re-wire your brain to create new neural pathways, increase your state of happiness and overall wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and care-givers will learn how to achieve happiness and the benefits of practising gratitude.

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 Happiness & Gratitude edition of SchoolTV

End of Semester 1 – Thank you

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank my Pastoral Team for all of their hard work this Semester.  It has been a very big start to the year with the roll out of PB4L which has been a learning journey for all of us.  PB4L has allowed us to streamline our behaviour management processes and we have seen significant response from our students because we focus on their positive behaviours. Each day I am inspired by our Pastoral Leaders and Guidance Counselor on how they support our students to ensure that they feel happy, safe and inspired at school. 

I would also like to wish all our staff, students and families are very safe and relaxing holiday and I look forward to seeing everyone return recharged and refreshed for another amazing term ahead.

God bless

You are invited!

High School Musical 

26th August at 6:30pm for 7:00pm start - Lumen Christi Centre

27th August at 1:00pm (Matinee) and 6:30pm for 7:00pm start - Lumen Christi Centre

We would like to invite all of you to come and enjoy the creative, artistic and musical talents of our students. 

Below are some of the snapshots taken during their rehearsals.

The Year 7’s and Year 8’s were treated to an amazing opportunity in the LCC on Tuesday morning. Brisbane based musical group Topology presented a performance of various sounds. The performance allowed students to unleash their creativity and create their own musical shape, which focused on utilising the school motto “Christ our Light”. 

A big thank you to the staff who supervised the event as well as Musica Viva who arranged for Topology to visit.

If you are interested in finding more information about the group or wanting to listen click this link.

From June 26th to July 1st, the College’s Senior Rugby League team will compete at the time-honoured Confraternity Carnival hosted in Mackay. Our team is one of 48 teams, mostly from Catholic schools, who will compete in this prestigious rugby league carnival.

For the last two Terms of school, the boys have been training hard twice a week in anticipation of playing for Division 3’s Confraternity Cup. For our Year 12 students in the team, it will be their last chance to attend the Carnival and they are excited about representing the College one last time.

For those wanting to support the boys, their games will be live streamed via the website https://confro-qissn2022.com.au/# and the QISSRL- CONFRO Facebook page. Their first three game times are as follows:

• Monday June 27th at 10:20am – vs Chanel College
• Monday June 27th at 1:40pm – vs Emmaus College
• Tuesday June 28th at 9:20am – vs St Augustine’s College
• Remaining games are dependent on placings and will take place across Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 

Lastly, GSCC Senior Rugby League continues to be supported by an extremely generous group of sponsors. We would like to offer our thanks to Brumby’s Mount Isa, 2Seas Catering, Mobilise, The Buffs Club, Robbie Katter: Member for Traeger and the GSCC P&F Association for their valuable donations to our team. Your help and generosity allow these students the chance to represent the College playing a game they love.

Semester Reflection 

Over the last Semester, the Emerging Leaders Program has been a massive success at Good Shepherd Catholic College. The Emerging Leaders Program is based on encouraging First Nation Students to improve their attendance, academic results and leadership capacity through engagements in their own personal lives and community. The Emerging Leaders Program, started by Tammi Webber and the Indigenous Education Team at TCEO has truly been instrumental in our student success so far. Through the support of TCEO and our Senior Leadership Team, as well as our Indigenous Education Team (Dottie Frew, Billi-Jean Armstrong & Mell Jones) our students have been encouraged to engage within the school community and events in the Mount Isa Community, fostering true leadership and service.

Upon reflection, our Emerging Leaders have participated in, and volunteered in many events, such as Close the Gap Day, Park Run, Athletics Day, Reconciliation Week, Mabo Night, Coming of the Light and Jangawala. It's fantastic that our students have the opportunity to Be Christ's Light, by making a difference through serving those around them. A special thank you also goes out to the parents and mentors who attended each event in support of our First Nation Students.

This Year, we have introduced the First Emerging Leaders Homeroom where Junior and Emerging Leaders Students have come together to reflect upon their own Educational Journeys and how they have been involved in the school and local community as young Emerging Leaders. In this, our Cultural Leader, Darcy Webber, has been able to connect with our younger Emerging Leaders. With Darcy’s leadership, we have had more Junior students engaging within the school as each event becomes available. 

The Indigenous Education Team have also shared Good News Stories amongst a variety of Newsletters. From sporting achievements to crazy sports fans and acceptance into extensive programs on behalf of our Senior Students, we are blessed to be able to celebrate the talents, achievements, gifts and blessings that all of our Emerging Leader students bring to the College. The Indigenous Education Team looks forward to continuing to celebrate Good News Stories moving into Semester 2.

Term 3 and 4 are looking just as exciting and as opportunistic. Through the continuation of Emerging Leader Homeroom, students will be kept informed of upcoming school and community events. However, some special events are upcoming including our NAIDOC celebration (Thursday the 4th of August) and the Emerging Leaders Showcase (Thursday the 20th of October). More information about our events will be posted in the Newsletter as time becomes closer.

Finally, thank you to the staff who help each and every one of our students. Dottie Frew, Billi-Jean Armstrong, Mell Jones and the Mentors involved within the Emerging Leaders Program are constantly supporting the Emerging Leader Students and helping them to reach their academic and leadership goals.