This week, our Year 12 students spend their final days in formal classes. From next week, students studying General Subjects commence external exams.

These exams are a culmination of two years of hard work and dedication. We are so proud of everything our Year 12 students have achieved this year, and know that they are going to do amazing work over these coming weeks.

Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the exam timetable for this block to ensure you are prepared for this important phase of your senior learning journey.

Loving God be with the Year 12 students as they prepare for external exams.
Thank you for the many talents and gifts you have, given students and for the opportunity of education.
Calm their nerves and anxiety, and help them to remember all that they have studied, to express it clearly and to answer the questions the very best they can.
Holy Spirit, sit with the students in their exam - and always.

Amen.

Safe Persons 

Every school in the Townsville Diocese has designated  "Safe Persons" with whom students can discuss any concerns about things that happen at school, such as conflict with peer groups or study stress. Their concerns may also be about things that occur outside of school and more serious issues, such as abuse or self harm.

Did you know we have school Safe Persons at GSCC? These people have had specific training to do the following:

• Support students during school interviews -When police and/or Child Safety assess that they need to undertake an interview with a student at school, a Safe Person may assist by providing support to the child during the interview;
• Educate students and staff on the role of the School Safe Person;
• Promote and organize Child Protection initiatives in your school such as Child Protection week, R U Okay day etc;
• Advise colleagues on student protection processes and support them through this process;
• Keep connected with other safe persons and the Student Protection Team to share ideas, activities and events in your school.

Our school Safe Persons are: 

Pelly Morganson	Donna Cole

Students and families are also encouraged to reach out to Homeroom teachers or Pastoral Leaders to discuss any matters relating to child protection and student well being.

End of Year Celebrations

As we approach the end of the school year, there is so much for us to celebrate as a school community. Below are some key dates for the end of year events:

• Wednesday 19 October Emerging Leaders Showcase
• Friday 21 October Year 12 Final Assembly
• Friday 28 October World Teachers’ Day
• Monday 14 November Good Shepherd Catholic College Awards Night
• Wednesday 16 November Good Shepherd Catholic College Commendable Achievement Ceremony
• Wednesday 16 November Year 12 Graduation Mass
• Saturday 19 November Year 12 Graduation Dinner
• Friday 25 November - Final day for students. Nativity liturgy, BBQ lunch & farewells (finish 1pm).

We look forward to celebrating with you over the coming weeks.

Subject Changes for Year 11's

At this stage, students should be set in the subjects they wish to study for the remainder of their senior schooling. Year 11 students have one more final opportunity to make any subject changes before we start Unit 3 and our Year 12 content and assessments.  The last date for which subject changes can be made is Week 6 of this term.  NO further subject changes will be accepted thereafter, this year or next year.  Students, please carefully consider your subject choices and if you need any guidance, please contact Mrs Wood, Mrs Coghlan, Mr Harries or your subject teachers.

External Exams for Year 12's

As Year 12s move into their external exam period, GSCC would like to take the opportunity to wish our students all the best!

Please find the external exam timetable here.

Artist in Residence

The Year 11’s will have completed their two day Artist in Residence workshop at school earlier this week. The Visual Arts students worked on an intensive course for their QCE and I heard they enjoyed their time immensely. Thank you to Jane Edmiston for overseeing that workshop.

Emerging Leaders

The Emerging Leaders program is coming to an end this Year. Wednesday night we celebrate the deadly students participation not only in the program itself, but empowering them to be more involved and engaged within our school community. Deadly Awards will be given out and we look forward to celebrating with them. The showcase will run from 6pm for a 6:15pm start and we finalise the celebrations at 9pm. We thank students, mentors and event organisers for their tireless efforts throughout the Year.

Year 12’s

Year 12 will be finishing up with us this week where their GSCC education journey will come to an end, only to open to a new journey. I’ve spoken to a few students about their plans and most are quite unique, with plans all over Australia. Wherever their path takes them, we thank you for your time here at GSCC. We celebrate their final assembly at 2pm this Friday however some will return to us next week for external exams for the next few weeks. We wish them the best of luck.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
Week 3 Focus:  LCC / Assembly

2023 Student Leadership Team

On behalf of Mr Jordan Harries (Year 11 Pastoral Leader) and the Senior Leadership Team, I have the absolute pleasure of announcing the following students as our 2023 Student Leadership Team:

COLLEGE CAPTAINS

Malachi Munns	Maddison Dolzan

SPIRITUAL LEADER

Olivia Greenhalgh

HOUSE CAPTAINS

Zoe Ryder	Patrick Wade	Mikeal Kuskopf	Lanilda Sue
Benjamin	Chisholm	Mackillop	Rice

The Indigenous Leader role will be re-advertised in 2023 due to Malachi Munns being the only applicant for this role.  

Congratulations to these students who have been successful after a rigorous four-month application and selection process.  We look forward to their leadership in 2023.

A SPECIAL REPORT: Year 12 Exam Stress

Students in their final year of school are considered a high-risk group for depression and anxiety. Sleep deprivation, diet and social media are some of the biggest issues faced by this group of teens. Therefore, it is vitally important that a student’s mental health is looked after as well as their physical health.

Keeping things in perspective for students and parents alike, can help prevent everyone getting overwhelmed. Although this final year is important, it will not be the most important year of your child’s life.

There are many strategies that students can implement to help themselves. Parents can provide support, not only emotionally, but also practically by keeping their child well-nourished and encouraging physical activity.

In this special report, parents will find useful tips to support their child during this often-stressful time.

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:

Heroes for Health

Earlier this Term a number of our Year 11 & 12 students had the opportunity to participate in a Heroes for Health program hosted by James Cook University.

The students were able to learn about various careers in the health sector and even got to participate in some practical activities.  

This two day program is available to our Senior students and I encourage all those interested in health to take advantage of this opportunity in the coming years.

Last weekend, the GSCC Senior Rugby League team traveled to Townsville to attend the Queensland Mental Health Week 9’s Carnival organised by Southern Cross Catholic College. The Carnival has become a yearly fixture since its inception in 2019, and aims to raise valuable funds in support of mental health charities. Additionally, teams are playing for the Bishop Putney Shield in honor of the late Bishop Michael Putney of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Townsville.

The Carnival’s games served as a rewarding capstone to the year, but also provided a pathway for some new players to make the step up into the side, with the Carnival only being opened to students in Years 9-11. I am proud to say that Good Shepherd were the eventual winners of this Carnival winning all pool games and the subsequent Grand Final!

Results: 

Game 1 vs Gilroy Santa Maria College 
14 - 10 WIN 

Game 2 vs Ryan Catholic College 
10 - 0 WIN

Game 3 vs All Souls 
22 - 4 WIN 

Grand Final vs Abergowrie 
12 - 0 WIN

Patrick Krause is to be congratulated for being awarded GSCC’s Player of the Carnival as the result of some sparkling attacking raids and brilliant ballplaying. We look forward to building on another successful year for GSCC Rugby League in 2023. The help of Jericho Young, Col Ryder and Sean Wade also needs to be recognised both before and during the trip away. Thank you for giving up your time in support of this great group of young men.

GSCC Senior Rugby League would like to use this avenue to once again thank Brumby’s Mount Isa, 2Seas Catering, Mobilise, The P&F Association, Robbie Katter: Member for Traeger and The Buffs Club for their valuable donations to our team. If any interested business would like to come aboard as sponsors of GSCC Rugby League for 2023, please contact me via email at troberts5@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au. 

Farewell Assembly

It is amazing to think that the Year 12 students only have a few more normal days of school remaining.

This Friday as a whole College, we formally acknowledge the end of the Year 12s’ schooling journey through our Farewell Assembly to be held in the LCC from 2:00pm.

We look forward to celebrating this special event with students, families and staff. 

In the meantime, preparations will continue for our Graduation Mass and Graduation Dinner with final information concerning table allocations and arrival times to be communicated to students.