Welcome to 2023! I am looking forward to working with you all as Principal again this term, with Mrs McCarthy due to return in Term 2. Other staffing news for the beginning of the year includes:

• We welcome Miss Mel Puxty back to the leadership team as she commences her role of Assistant Principal Religious Education.
• Mrs Sally Holland has returned early from maternity leave and will undertake the role of Acting Assistant Principal Administration, replacing me for Term 1.
• We welcome Nigel Mitchell back from leave this term.
• Mrs Pelly Morganson has been appointed as Indigenous Education Advisor in the Orange Service Team at Townsville Catholic Education from Term 2.
• Mr Willie Morganson has accepted a position at Saint Margaret Mary’s in Townsville, we wish him all the best as he commences in his new role this term.
• Ms Stephanie Whitehouse has been appointed as Year 9 Pastoral Leader for this year, replacing Mr Morganson.
• Mrs Sonja James will be taking long service leave from weeks 1 - 10 this term.

This year we welcome a number of new staff, these include:

• Chris Jantke (Maths Curriculum Leader)
• Karl Weiach (Maths / Physics Teacher)
• Riki-Lee Demetriou (Science Curriculum Leader)
• Anelda Phillips (Science Teacher)
• Carly Cooper (HPE/RE Teacher)
• Mika Raijas (Industrial Design Teacher)

This year, our school theme will focus on the Catholic Social Teaching Care for God’s Creation: “We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is a requirement of the Catholic faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.”  I look forward to your ideas and contributions in this space.

Over the holidays we have received the initial confirmation from the Australian Government Capital Grants Program for Non-government Schools that our proposal (BGA) has been approved. A tender will soon be publicised for these works and once we have the tender submissions we can gain the final approval. I will keep you updated about this as the term progresses.

GSCC Board

The Good Shepherd Catholic College Board is currently seeking interest from members of the school community to fill a parent position on our school board. If you are eager to become a member of the GSCC Board, please email me with your particular area of interest (awebb1@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au).

Please note that appointments to the School Board are for a tenure of 3 years. The Board works collaboratively to review and develop policy that supports the school’s vision and mission  in accordance with the principles of governance in Catholic schools. A copy of the full constitution can be supplied upon request.

Outstanding Achievements

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge some outstanding Good Shepherd students!

Our Year 12 students achieved some excellent results in 2022. They should be congratulated for their hard work and dedication to their studies across their senior years. 

Congratulations to our 2022 College Dux Lochlan Dew!

We are also very proud of these talented 2022 Year 12  students who were awarded ‘top of subject’ acknowledgements at our Scholar’s Awards last week. All Year 12 students should be so proud of the hard work and dedication they demonstrated across their senior years. I am looking forward to their amazing adventures this year.

There have been a number of Year 12 students who have received scholarships in their chosen pathways for this year.

Will Carland was presented with a $5000  Charlie Bell Scholarship. Recipients of the scholarships are chosen by the Ronald McDonald House® Awards Committee in each State. Criteria for selection includes the applicant’s current educational setting, their personal aims and achievements, community involvement and how the scholarship will help in achieving their future goals. You can read Will’s story here. Congratulations Will!

At the end of 2022, Amy Jones, Stephanie Marsh and Willow Shaw were presented with Glencore Student Excellence Scholarships. These scholarships are presented to a small number of Mount Isa secondary school students commencing a full time university degree in the following year. Applications for any university disciplines are encouraged, with at least two of the scholarships awarded to students undertaking a mining related degree. Congratulations ladies, this recognition of your hard work is well deserved.

Congratulations to these amazing GSCC students, who were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the Mount Isa Community at last Thursday’s awards.

• 2022 Graduate Sophie Greenhalgh who was awarded Junior Citizen of the Year.
• Aaliyah Poihipi who was presented the Junior Sports Award.
• Charlotte Byrnes who was presented a Spirit of Mount Isa award.

Well done ladies!

Finally, congratulations to Year 12 students Lisa Hennessey and Lianna Woodsbey who are 2023 Resources Awards for Women Finalists in the Exceptional Female QMEA Student category.

From QRC: each year, we love celebrating the contribution of women to our sector through these awards, and those who champion this movement - be it women, men, or companies as a whole. Discover our 2023 finalists’ inspiring stories in our latest media release https://bit.ly/3WIgSeV

Assessment Calendars

Assessment Calendars for this term will be published and sent to students, parents and staff this week.

The calendar is also accessible via the College website under the Students tab, followed by the Studies & Assessment link.

There will be no exam blocks for Year 11s and 12s this term.  All Year 11 and 12 exams will take place in class time this term to minimise the disruption to teaching time.

The Assessment Calendars are designed to:

• assist students to plan their study time
• help students to prioritise
• be an organisational tool
• communicate due dates to parents/carers and students

Assessment Calendars should inform the amount of study and assignment work needed at different points in the term and the commitments students make

NB: Parents and students are encouraged to be mindful of the assessment due dates, and to arrange for specialist appointments/holidays and trips, around these dates. Wherever possible, students should also minimise paid work/casual employment, and cut back during busy weeks of the term. 

In Year 11 and 12, all absences from assessments must be approved by QCAA.  Please ensure that if it is absolutely necessary to be absent and that your assessment is not handed in at the stipulated time, that you have all appropriate supporting documentation and submit to Mrs Wood as soon as possible.

Please also see the flowchart to help with navigating student absences, particularly for assessments.

Parents & carers with any questions or concerns in regards to subject curriculum or assessment are encouraged to contact the classroom teacher first. Following this, the Curriculum Leader for each Learning Area is available to speak with you regarding any concerns you may have.

May I take a moment to introduce our wonderful Curriculum Leaders?

Welcome back to all families, students and teachers to the 2023 school year! We welcome a number of new staff members to our College community and I would especially like to welcome our Year 7 students and new students who are joining our College this year. 

Timetables

Each student was issued a timetable on the first day of school last week. If changes have occurred, students have been issued with new timetables reflecting these changes. A reminder that our College timetable works on a two week cycle (Week A and Week B). If there are any questions in regards to student timetables, please do not hesitate to contact me.

College Bell Times

Our school day begins at 8.30am with homeroom and concludes at 3pm each day. We have five lessons per day running for one hour in length. It is important that students arrive at school by 8.25am to ensure that they are ready to enter Homeroom at 8.30am with the required equipment for Lesson 1 and Lesson 2. 

Please see the bell times below:

Elective Changes (Years 8-10)

Students in Year 8-10 have the opportunity to change their electives (subject to availability) until Friday 3rd February (end of Week 2). At the conclusion of this week, no other changes will be permitted. 

Subject Changes (Years 11-12)

Those who are studying in Year 11 and 12 and wish to make a subject change must collect a Subject Change form from the front office. This form needs to be submitted to Mrs Michele Wood (Deputy Principal- Teaching and Learning) for discussion and approval. 

ID Photos

Our College ID photos will be taken next Friday 10th February. Students are required to be in full academic uniform, with Senior students (Year 11 and 12) requiring a blazer. Students must be following the College Uniform expectations in regards to hair, makeup and jewellery. Each student is required to have an ID photo taken. 

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

Week 2 Focus: Specialist Classrooms

Student Representative Council Nominations and Voting

Last week we asked students in Years 7 to Year 11 to nominate if they were interested in being a part of the Student Representative Council in 2023. 

The Student Representative Council (SRC) is made up of a group of students who represent their year level and present ideas, which benefit all students, to the Senior Leadership Team.  The SRC also informs its peers of any important information which affects the student body. Being on the SRC teaches skills which students can put to use in later life, particularly in terms of leadership. 

On Wednesday, students who have nominated presented a speech to their cohort addressing how they will represent them during the year and voting by their year level will occur afterwards.  

I would like to wish all the students who have nominated for SRC all the best and thank them for their enthusiasm to represent their fellow peers.  

A SPECIAL REPORT: Starting Year 7

When a child starts high school, they suddenly become one of the youngest and newest kids at school all over again - a small fish in a big pond! The transition between Year 6 and Year 7 is one of the biggest jumps in a child's life and is a very important milestone. This can easily become a daunting time for students and parents alike.

Starting Year 7 poses many new challenges, but also exciting opportunities. It comes with a number of mixed feelings. Some students may be feeling a little anxious about their expectations of starting Year 7 and finding their place in the “big pond”. As your child grasps new skills and engages in new study practices, it is important for parents to be supportive, but also realistic in their expectations. Parents and students can easily become overwhelmed during this time of transition but, there are a number of strategies that can be implemented to start things off on the right foot!

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:
https://goodshepherd.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-starting-year-7

At the end of last Year 12 student Lianna Woodsbey was announced as a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) Ambassador for 2023.

During the school holidays Lianna attended her first event as a QMEA Ambassador and this is what she had to say…….

The QMEA Ambassador program was nothing like I imagined, it was an amazing experience and one where memories will stick forever. There was so much to do in the 4 days I was there but it was definitely worth it. 

We went to the CORE pilot plant and they took us into the workshop, showing us how they use the floatation method to find copper in dirt that has been fermented. We also went to the Glencore offices and talked about how the world is changing with mining and what it’s going to look like in the future with all the electric trucks. 

Hastings Deering visit was my favourite. They had 3 different types of simulators for a dump truck, a loader and an excavator. All machines that work in the mines. We also used virtual reality to climb and look at a truck without having to go out to site. 

Fun fact: Most, nearly all of the copper, lead and zinc that goes to Brisbane for research are all from Mount Isa. 

Qld Minerals ARISE Oresome Minds Camp - Hunter Valley NSW

Two more of our senior students were very busy during the break chalking up memories and experiences.  

Year 12’s Lisa Hennessey and Thomas Schlencker attended the QMEA ARISE Oresome Minds Camp in the Hunter Valley

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS PROGRAM

Olivia Greenhalgh and Danica Taylor attended UQ’s annual Young Changemakers program in December.  The program is designed to give students the opportunity to “live” a university experience, ask questions and learn about where further study can take you.  The girls share their take on the experience.

The Young Changemakers program was an incredible learning experience. I was offered the opportunity to go through practicals of nursing studies which included taking blood pressure, reading vitals, as well as using holographic technology to learn about the human body. I learnt about engineering and was able to walk through workshops inside the campus and inquire about the international exchange programs they have available.

 Over the duration of the program I lived on campus and experienced student life at UQ, learnt about how to apply to university and I was able to sit in on a lecture. We had different activities throughout the day, which included a model UN debate, in which I ‘represented’ Portugal in a mock UN meeting. During our downtime on the camp, I make lifelong bonds with fellow year twelves from all across Australia who I’ve made future plans with. It was a program I would recommend to anyone on an ATAR pathway, and I can’t wait to go back later this year for the Young ChangeMakers reunion! Olivia Greenhalgh, Year 12

I found the Young Changemakers Program last year to be an inspiring experience. There was a diverse range of students from all over Queensland and Australia, bringing together different kinds of interests and knowledge that were so fun to share.

At the camp I tried so many things for the first time as there were all kinds of exciting activities! My chosen faculty sessions, run by the university teachers and professionals, delved into climate change and sustainability, which I found very motivating. I also enjoyed participating in the model UN, playing a representative of the Central African Republic, the amazing guest speakers, the group games, and especially the dance party on our last night (I had very impressive moves). 

All in all, it was a wonderful experience, the information was very insightful and the energy was great! I’m so glad I ended up putting in my application to attend, and I recommend it to any year 11s wanting to learn more about University, or broaden their horizons.  Danica Taylor, Year 12

Welcome to our new families and welcome back to all our existing families. I hope you all enjoyed time off with family and friends over the Christmas break. Please find below important information regarding College Fees, please read through carefully.

The College has endeavored to keep fees to a minimum this year, however, there has been a slight increase to tuition costs and levies, which are in line with other Catholic schools within the Diocese. Accounts are generated on a per term basis and are emailed, within the first 3 weeks of the term to each individual debtor on the account. As of this year, an additional statement will be emailed each month, this will show any payments which have been made on the account and will enable better tracking of any outstanding balances.

College Fees for 2023

There are different charges for students in different year levels at the College. There are also levies that are charged on a per family/student basis and discounts on tuition fees for multiple students attending the College.  Please note that any multischool discounts are processed at the primary schools and will show up on fees from there. For more information on costing please click on the Link to our website.

The College’s preferred payment options are BPAY or PAYWAY. Your BPAY reference number can be found on the top right of your fee statement. For more information on our PAYWAY deductions and setting up a payment plan (Direct Debit or Credit Card Payments) please contact the College. Alternatively, you can make payments in person at the front office or over the phone.

Some families may already have a payment plan in place. If this is the case, payments may need to be increased this year to cover fee increases. All PAYWAY agreements need to be revised. Please email me at accounts@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au to ensure your payment amount is sufficient to cover fees for this year. If PAYWAY payments were stopped at the end of 2022, please email me for new paperwork.

It is an expectation that accounts are paid on time or a regular payment plan is adhered to. For families opting to pay fees per term, the due date for payment can be found on the Statement.

IMPORTANT: Any families who are making payments to the College for fees, using our old BSB and account number, please STOP payments now and change to one of our preferred payment options. This is no longer an acceptable method of payment for College Fees.

Centrelink Concession Cards

Good Shepherd Catholic College offers a concession on tuition fees for families holding eligible Centrelink Concession Cards. (NB conditions apply) If you have not already made the College aware you have a card, please do so asap. When your card expires, it is your responsibility to present any new cards to the College to ensure that your concession continues. For more information on fees for families with a centrelink concession, please click on the Link to our website. 

Concessions

We understand that in these uncertain times people’s lives can change dramatically in a short period of time. We are here to support families who may be suffering financial hardship due to unemployment or illness and who may need fee relief. If you feel that you are unable to meet our payment deadlines and are genuinely experiencing hardship, I urge you to contact the College and make an appointment to speak with the Principal to discuss how we can help you manage your account. 

Please note that it is College policy, that accounts which fall 2 terms in arrears, with no communication from you to advise us of any change in your circumstances, will be forwarded on to our central office for assessment and possibly from there to our collection agency for management.

If your child departs the College at any time during the year, please ensure that you fill out a Departing Student Form at the front office. This can be emailed through to you for your convenience. It is important that this form is completed and returned to the College, signed and with all the items on the checklist completed. This will ensure that fees and charges are calculated appropriately

To ensure the accuracy of your personal information, please ensure that any changes to your address, email address or phone numbers have been communicated to the College.

WELCOME BACK!

Welcome to 2023 in Indigenous Education! We hope that all students, families & new families joining us this year have had a well deserved and a fantastic holiday.

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

As celebrated last year, the Emerging Leaders scheme is continuing for another two years. The First Peoples Emerging Leaders Incentive Scheme is a holistic and equality-based approach to Indigenous scholarships and student development within Townsville Catholic Education (TCE) secondary schools. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across the 11 secondary schools in the Diocese are able to join the program. 

Please join us on Monday the 6th of February (Week 3) to attend the Parent Information Night in regards to the Emerging Leaders Scheme at Good Shepherd. Please take note of the information below:

• Meet in the LCC at 5:00pm from a 5:15pm start.

• It is an expectation that all parents are there to understand the fundamentals of the scheme and the incentive levels. It also provides a time for parents to ask any questions. 
• This night is a mandatory requirement of all Year 7 & Year 8 parents and carers, as well as new students, as we did not have a PIN night last year due to COVID. 
• Please bring one student laptop per family to complete online registrations

You are welcome to stay after for some light refreshments & to yarn with mentors.

NAIDOC  2023

This year's NAIDOC theme is “For Our Elders”. The Emerging Leaders community is excited to celebrate and acknowledge our Elders in our community, including the love, strength, guidance and sacrifice that our Elders have given us. Each week, one of our Emerging Leaders will give a shoutout to one of their Elders in the Newsletter. Kaleirah Luff-Armstrong (Year 9) has written a message to her Pop. 

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY!!!

Faye Tapu has reached out to our Emerging Leaders to offer a Youth Leadership program. What a fantastic way to build leadership skills whilst becoming involved within our local community! 

What is a Youth Leadership team?

Youth Leadership Team (YLT) is an ongoing youth development program aiming to engage young leaders looking to improve on their strengths in a supportive environment.

What do we need?

Proactive young people aged 14-24, who want to be leaders, learn and give back to their community.

What is required?

Meet once a month (1st Monday) with their peers to discuss programs, activities and/or events that they will facilitate including 1 adventurous end of year journey for the team.

Facilitate and deliver activities and programs to young people in the community once a week, every Tuesday from 3pm - 6pm, not including any other activities they design themselves.

How do you get involved?

Please contact Faye: fayelynne.tapu@pcyc.org.au or Gemma Kyle (gkyle5@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au) who can help facilitate registration.

Gadalung Program - University of Sydney

During the first week of the school holidays, 7 of our students had the opportunity to attend the Gadalung Program at the University of Sydney at the end of Term 4 2022. The Gadalung Program was held over a week-long residential at the Wesley College, located on the university’s main campus - Camperdown, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who were keen to explore what university life is like.

Each day students visited different areas of the university and participated in activities such as - Pathways and Support Services, Royal Botanic Gardens, Gadigal Centre Q&A, Cultural Tours, Cultural Activities with Deadly Education, Engineering, Law, Art, Health etc. Students also got to meet other students from across Australia and made some new friends

Overall, students had a great time and got them thinking about their pathways after finishing year 12.

The Sports Department would like to welcome back all students to the 2023 sports year. Our staff and students have begun preparations for another busy term including training for our Senior Rugby League team, QISSN, Good Shepherd Netball Club as well as individual nominations for MISSA and North West teams. 

Inter School Volleyball - Anyone interested in competing in the upcoming North-West Volleyball Schools Cup against Spinifex in week 4, please collect a permission note from the office. There will be a Junior and Senior division, boys and girls team. Notes due back Friday 3rd Feb. 

Listed below is a current list of sports that students are able to nominate for to represent the school in a Mount Isa or North West level. Students wanting to nominate are asked to see Mr Young at break times for more information. 

Nomination dates for the following sports, due dates and venues are displayed below

- Unless stated, nomination dates involve both Boys and Girls in different sporting codes.

- Students who nominate will need to travel independently at their own expense to attend the trial

- Individual nominations require students to currently compete in the sport and must provide a coach who can confirm skill level

Please see Mr Young for any nomination forms before the due date