Parent Engagement

I recently read an article prepared by the Australian Council for Educational Research for  the Queensland College of Teachers: Research Digest November, 2014.  The research included the benefits for children whose parents are involved in their learning.

The article impressed the importance of what parents do at home.  Parents have the most impact on their children’s educational outcomes when parents:

• Have high expectations of their children
• Show interest in their child’s development and learning
• Talk to their children about things of interest
• Discuss their children’s educational and career aspirations

Parent’s don’t need to be actively involved in their children’s school.  They can show support in other ways such as being supportive of what teachers are doing or taking an active interest in what their children are learning in school and helping them relate this to the world beyond school.

Children of families where this is the case, are more likely to be motivated to learn, to see the school in a positive light and to enjoy productive relationships with their teachers (Kraft & Dougherty, 2013, as cited in Queensland College of Teachers, 2014).

Please be your child's number one fan.

Assessment Calendars

Assessment Calendars were distributed to students this week. A copy will also be emailed to all parents/carers. The live Assessment Calendars are available via the College website under the Studies & Assessment page.

Year 12 Exam Block

Please note the date for the first Year 12 exam block has changed. It will now be Monday 8 & Tuesday 9 August 2022.

I will send the full details to students and families this week.

Year 10 Senior Subject Trials

A reminder to continue to talk to your teachers about your senior subject trails. In week 4, I will send the Edval form that students will use to select their top 6 subject preferences for 2023. This assists us as we generate senior subject lines for Year 11 2023. 

Once students have selected their preferences, we will gather feedback on the subject offerings. SET Planning will then take place in Week 7, where Year 10 students and families will be required to meet with a member of the College tracking team to complete the senior education and training plan for Year 11 & 12. I would recommend that students begin talking to their teachers about senior subjects, so that the preference selection process is as accurate as possible.

Subject Changes

A reminder that any elective subject change in Years 8 - 10 must be processed by the end of this week (week 2). No changes will be approved after this week; however, students will be allowed to change subjects at the beginning of Term 4 if required. 

North West MPX

Last week, some students from Years 10 - 12 attended the North West MPX conference. This was a great opportunity for students to consider different career pathways. 

While there, we also attended the Women in Manufacturing presentation where past student Sarah Eggmolesse, along with Anita Stevens and Kira Toholke spoke about their experiences working in the industry in Mount Isa.  Throughout the presentation, host Mel Ireland spoke about the increasing demand for new technologies, new skills, and new and effective strategies in business to assist with achieving greater workforce diversification and equality to support further innovation and growth in the sectors. 

Guest Panel:

• Sarah Eggmolesse an electrician from Glencore.
• Anita Stevens an Apprentice Boilermaker with MCA Engineering
• Kira Toholke a Service Administrator with Hastings Deering

After the presentation we spent some time at the expo, talking to different stall holders and testing out the virtual reality equipment! 

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
Week 2 Focus: Specialist Classrooms

PB4L Rewards Outing

On Wednesday 27^th July in Week 3, there will be the Semester 1 PB4L Rewards Outing for students who received 20 or more praise notes during semester one.  Congratulations to the following students will be going to Mount Isa Ten Pin Bowling for Lessons 4 & 5 to have lunch and a few games of ten pin:

Year 7:                  Clarita ADAMS, Amaris OGUNLOLA, Denan DUNCAN
Year 8:                  Hayley WINKS
Year 9:                  Ava RIECK, Cory ANDERSON, Holly GREENHALGH
Year 10:          Pantrea ADAMS, Charlotte EDGE, Bernadette FELICIANO, Darci GILLETT, Preston LEHMANN, Natalie MARSH
Year 11:                Abigail CONSTANTINOU, Maddison DOLZAN
Year 12:                Lance DIMARUCUT, Sophie GREENHALGH

Extra congratulations to both Lance Dimarucut and Denan Duncan who also joined Amaris Ogunlola in getting 30 or more praise notes for the Semester!  Well done!

A SPECIAL REPORT: Riding the Corona Coaster

Riding this corona coaster and navigating the ups and downs of the current reality is proving to be confronting for many people. The coronavirus has turned our lives upside down with some students returning to remote learning and parents continuing to juggle the home environment.

The uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next may have an impact on many students and their families. There is a concern that mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse, will increase, especially amongst young people. In the coming weeks, it will be vital for adult carers to reduce the stress levels at home and make life seem more manageable.

As an adult carer, it will also be essential to look after your own wellbeing during this time. Ensure you make time to de-escalate your own nervous system and maintain your sleep routine, healthy eating habits, get some regular exercise and reach out virtually to friends and family.

In this Special Report, families are encouraged to embrace the guidance offered to help minimise the impact of this corona coaster.

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:

Year 12’s gain another qualification!

During the last week of Term 2 thirteen of our Year 12’s attended a course to obtain a Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure.   

A big thank you to the Australiasian Drilling Institute (ADI) for travelling to Mount Isa to deliver this course to our students.  The units of competency included measurements and calculations, read and interpret maps, work safely at heights, provide first aid, identify and assess environmental and heritage concerns, isolate and access plant, work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures and conduct local risk control.

Not only did our students obtain the qualification but they have also been awarded 4 credits toward their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).  Congratulations to:  Abby Benson, Conner Boshoff, Ella Coghlan, Elizabeth Elliott, Charlize Ferguson, Taylah Hogan, Breana Mothe, Aaron Nyakureba, Tianna Percy, Rachael Scrimgeour, Jenz Supan and Beau Vlaar.

Here are some action shots.

QMEA Holiday Camps

During the second week of the July school holidays some of our Senior students dedicated their time to learning new skills through the Queensland Minerals & Energy Academy (QMEA).  There were two workshops on offer - Oresome Minds Camp and Oresome Trades Camp. The following students attended:

Oresome Minds Camp: Amy Jones and Rachael Scrimgeour

This program targets students considering professional pathways into engineering or technology.  Amy and Rachael engaged with industry mentors to solve genuine problems encountered on mine sites.  At the end of the week they had to present their findings to industry representatives.

The QMEA Oresome Minds Camp was a unique experience where we were lucky enough to tour MIM surface, and GFM surface and underground. Our project encompassed researching and analyzing new data of GFM drill holes to identify anomalies. Overall, this camp was very intellectually stimulating and I learned what being an Engineer really means. Amy Jones, Year 12

The QMEA Oresome Minds Engineering Camp was an amazing experience. It cemented that I wanted to be a part of engineering or geology. It was great being able to meet and collaborate with new people across Queensland. I learned much about how the core is extracted, sampled and analysed, and how they locate and map orebodies and dyke rock. I also learned how to collaborate with people who work in the mines, especially the amazing Geology Team. I am very grateful I was able to be a part of this camp. Rachael Scrimgeour, Year 12

Oresome Minds Camp photos 

Oresome Trades Camp:  Renee Moran, Braiden Higgs, Beau Vlaar, Leonardo De Leon, Mikayla Wills and Malachi Munns

This five day program requires students to complete trade-based challenges as they work alongside qualified tradespeople and apprentices to complete their project.  Students also participate in activities including safety induction, fabrication, mechanical and electrical trade tasks.  This year's task was to transform a regular bicycle into an electronic version.

The QMEA Oresome Trades Camp was a great experience and lots of fun, especially seeing the hard work pay off. Mikayla Wills, Year 11

The Camp was a great week, we learnt a lot through the support of our mentors, lots of fun. Beau Vlaar, Year 12

Oresome Trades Camp photos 

Engineering for Mining

Five of our Senior female students have engaged in a Glencore initiative “Engineering for Mining”.   They are Shaima De Sagun, Amy Jones, Mikayla Wills, Rachael Scrimgeour and Darcy Webber.

This is what Shaima had to say about the program:

The Engineers for Mining program is a great experience to explore and understand the copper mining operations and the crucial role engineers play both underground and surface sites. The mentoring side of the program guides you possible pathways for your career. Not only did my mentor assist me with applications for university and opportunities like school leavers program, but also was a role model who motivated me to give everything a try. I was fortunate enough to do work experience with my mentor where I got to visually see the processing of copper at the smelter, study the engineers' projects throughout the mines, and the role of mechanical engineering in the process for extracting ores. Overall, if you're like me and are unsure on which pathway to take, Engineers for Mining is a great program that will offer a once in a lifetime experience.   Shaima De Sagun, Year 12

Townsville University Trip 

At the beginning of Term 3, Year 10 students visited Townsville to explore post school pathways. Students stayed in James Cook University (JCU), John Flynn College accommodation, along with 15 other schools, to truly experience University life. The College provided catered breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as recreational activities such as pingpong, pool table, volleyball and other team sports.

Students visited Central Queensland University Townsville Campus. Here they attended a Forensic Science lecture led by the Associate Lecturer, Rebecca Wilcoxson. Students investigated an unsolved case which inspired some to consider Forensic Science as a pathway after school! The Townsville Copper Refinery delivered a tour of the site and explained its important connection to the Mount Isa Mines. Through large machineries, the refinery demonstrated how copper is refined and redistributed around the world. 

At JCU Senior Unix, Year 10s had the opportunity to explore the courses available, as well as accommodation options. Students joined lectures based on their preferred career such as Medicine, Engineering, Arts and Media and Education. Each course also had information stalls that demonstrated practical skills such as virtual reality and how to administer veterinary practices. Visiting the Colleges offered opportunities to ask questions regarding accommodation, amenities and costs. 

Whilst the Year 10 students gained a real insight of post school pathways, their interactions with other high school students and College personnel provided a true university experience. We thank Glencore Mt Isa and James Cook University for sponsoring this trip.

Former AFL player and commentator Rex Hunt has been condemned this week because he made a comment about gender equality; at least that is what the media made it out to be.

What Rex actually said was that Wayne Carey is a better football analyst than Daisy Pearce.  Wayne is a male and Daisy female, so straight away people were up in arms because he was obviously sexist. 

The media does what it can to sell papers and if that means throwing someone to the Wolves then so be it. The same goes in your life because people love drama.

You need to reserve your judgement and get all the facts before you make decisions. Too often we make a judgement based upon what our friends think, what someone on social media says or just plain rumours.

Many years ago I was coaching a team of juniors and the assistant coach and I were sitting on the bench feeling a little bored. So, we decided to start a rumour about someone and see how long it took to get back to us.

I know now that was a pretty low thing to do but at the time I didn’t realise the damage a bit of fun could do to people. Fortunately, no one was hurt and within an hour the rumour came back to us. That’s how easy it is to destroy someone without any substance. 

These days if someone has a different opinion we shout them down rather than listen to their argument. Some people do this because they are scared the other party may have something relevant to say that disproves their belief.

If we are so sure of our belief then we should have no issue with listening to the other side. At present however, there is no debate possible when it comes to climate change, LBGTQ, indigenous, vaccines, #metoo and several other topics.

Social media has led to the phenomenon of cancel culture where public figures are rapidly boycotted or everyday people are trolled for comments they make that we disagree with. People consider cancel culture a form of social justice for marginalized groups. 

Supporters argue that cancel culture is a long-overdue way of speaking truth to power, enabling marginalized people to resist long-standing forms of abuse and prejudice. However, critics believe it is an unfair and indiscriminate rush to judgment that relies on "mob mentality."

Some liken cancel culture to a witch hunt against public figures for either personal, political, and ideological reasons. 

The other day at our formation day for World Youth Day the overwhelming reason for going forward was to explore faith. My advice was to ask questions and put yourself in situations where you will learn.

Most were surprised when I told them I had read the Bible from cover to cover but before you discount something you should learn about it. The Alpha program’s first video features a scientist explaining that as a scientist his life is centred around facts and so before discounting God he should first explore the facts. 

If people would have listened and examined exactly what Rex said they would see that he said Daisy was a good analyst with a keen football brain and very knowledgeable. However, he felt Wayne Carey was better than her.

If he had said Wayne Carey was better than another bloke nobody would have batted an eyelid. People got to his statement and because there was a female involved turned it around to fit their narrative and took to social media to brand him as sexist.

Isn’t it funny how he compared two people and yet others ignored that fact and used his words to push their own agenda. 

Don’t believe everything you read or everything you hear, do your research and make your own informed decisions; and don’t be afraid to change them if what you find is not what you expected.

On Sunday 31 July there is an 11:00am Mass at St Joseph’s in the Penola Centre. Prior to this at 10:00am there will be a presentation for those attending World Youth Day in Portugal next year. We will try and answer all the questions you have and provide all the information we currently have. If you have questions you can send them through to me on email or phone. My number is 0427 192 273.

Holiday News

The mid-year holidays were busy for several Emerging Leader students as they attended various opportunities at University camps. Indigenous Leader and Sports house captain Darcy Webber attended the UQ InspireU camp, while Pantrea Adams, Darci Gillett and Lilly-Rose Batten attended the JCU Winter School. Read a little about their experiences below:

The UQ InspireU camp allowed me to experience the wonders of engineering in a fun and positive environment. I was surrounded by other indigenous people from all over Queensland who shared interests with me and inspired me to consider University next year. I created amazing new friends and connections and I am so happy that I took that opportunity. Darcy Webber

The Winter School was a great experience to step out of our comfort zone, meet new people and it also gave us a chance to see what attending JCU would be like. Each discipline group was given an assessment to do, and for education we had to make a mini lesson based on the Australian Curriculum. We explored the campus and lived in dorms. It was a really great way to connect with different people from all over Australia, and at the end we had a mini graduation. I just wanted to say a big thank you to Ms Frew and Ms Jones for encouraging us to apply and go to the Winter School. Darci Gillett 

I got the excellent opportunity to attend a Winter School Camp at JCU Townsville during the first week of the June and July holidays. I was able to make wonderful friendships with other campers who were interested in attending University to pursue their studies after high school, and I also had the opportunity to experience university life as a University student. Pantrea Adams

Hi my name is Malachi Munns. I am a Year 11 student that had the opportunity to attend the QMEA Trade Camp, sponsored by Glencore. We were given the task to put a small two stroke engine on a bike.  Note, it sounds simple, but it was far from that, it took a lot of time and effort to ensure it worked effectively. We had to pull the engine off more than 10 times because we needed to cut the frame and make it look good. Our team was called the “great pocket rockets”. We took our muffler off because we wanted it loud. After all, we had a good time and it was definitely a stepping stone towards my future career as a Diesel Fitter. Malachi Munns

Last Friday, seven of our Senior students volunteered to help run St Joseph’s NAIDOC celebrations. They did a terrific job, helping to set up, then facilitating the face painting, sports activities and serving the different types of food on the day. It was a busy but very enjoyable day and our students showed their leadership skills throughout the day.

NAIDOC

To all friends, families, teachers and staff. Just a reminder that on Thursday the 4th of August, Good Shepherd is having our NAIDOC celebrations. Please see the below invitation.

We have a range of activities to look forward to too, including Indigenous Games, Art, the creation of Native Spices, the Cooking of Johnny Cakes and more! 

The P&F Committee of GSCC would sincerely like to thank all the staff, families and friends of families that were able to help work in the bar at the Mount Isa Campdraft last weekend. It was a massive commitment for our school community and it would not have been possible without the assistance of you all. This event is one of our largest fundraising events for the year, and the funds that you have helped the P & F raise over this weekend, will help your children in the future. Thank you all so very much. 

Our next fundraising event is at the Mount Isa Rodeo Ball on the 6th of August, from 5:45pm until 1am. If you are available to assist on the night, please contact the P&F via email: pandf@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

Good Shepherd Striders Running Club                

When: Thursday mornings. Recommencing Week 2, July 21 ,2022.
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.
Information: See Mr Guest for any information/ questions. 

Term 3 2022 Training Program:

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).