On Wednesday we celebrated the beginning of a new school year with our Opening Mass. This year is a special year for our Catholic schools as we celebrate 150 Years of Catholic Education in the Townsville Diocese. We come together today in a spirit of thanksgiving, prayer and celebration for the establishment and continued growth of Catholic education. We give thanks for those who first brought Catholic education to this diocese and we pray that their vision for faith will continue into the future so that our Catholic identity responds to the call of the church today and the diocesan vision of “Becoming New in Christ”.

As we celebrate 150 years of Catholic Education in Townsville, we celebrate the ways Catholic Education has served the community in the past, and reflect on how we can continue to follow in the steps of Jesus, serving our community into the future. 

At the end of last year, we carefully considered the school theme for 2023 based on what is needed in our community and in the world. This year Good Shepherd Catholic College has chosen to respond to the call of the Church in today’s world by focusing on the Catholic Social Teaching of “Care for Creation.” 

Together we will explore what it means to Care for Creation, and the Church’s call to give thanks and to care for all God has created. This year, I challenge you all to consider how you care for God’s creation. Our theme reminds us of our responsibility to look after our planet and all living things on earth, so that we may continue to enjoy its beauty and resources for now and for all generations to come. 

As the year unfolds, I encourage you all to embrace new challenges and seek new opportunities and make the most of everything Good Shepherd has to offer.May God bless you throughout this year, guiding you to share the wonderful gifts and talents you all possess.

Road Safety

A reminder to families to be extra cautious around our school grounds before and after school. Please ensure you adhere to the road rules, especially those relating to parking spaces. Cars that park on the yellow line before and after the crossing make it difficult for students to cross the road safely. It also makes it difficult for drivers to see children as they approach the crossing. You attention to this is appreciated.

100 Years of Mount Isa Celebration

Good Shepherd will be holding a stall at Mount Isa’s 100th Birthday Party on Thursday 23 February. Students who are willing to assist at this stall (selling glow products) should see me for details. A reminder that Friday 24 February is a bank holiday, and there will be no school on this day.

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.

GSCC P&F

Save the date for our P&F AGM - 21st February! If you’re interested in nominating for an executive position this year, please email the P&F on pandf@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au 

Communication 

It is important that you can access Compass School Manager as this is our student management system. Through Compass you can access reports, view praise notes, enter attendance notes and view your child’s timetable. If you are unable to access your Compass account, please contact the College Office.

Do you follow our College Facebook Page? We post lots of information here so I would encourage you to follow if you haven’t already.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)

As of 2023, NAPLAN will take place in Term 1.  This year, our Year 7 and 9 students will participate in the Writing and Reading tests on Wednesday 15 March, and the Conventions of Language and Numeracy tests on Thursday 16 March.  

NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. This testing system identifies whether all students have the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for their learning, and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community. Students are assessed using common national tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. NAPLAN tests broadly reflect important aspects of literacy and numeracy in the Australian Curriculum. 

In the next two weeks, NAPLAN software will be downloaded onto students' computers and practice tests will take place in Week 5.  Practice tests provide an opportunity for students to become familiar with the online test environment, and allows our school to rehearse for the test administration for the actual test days.

Additional practice can be found on the Naplan Public Demonstration Site, and parents/carers are encouraged to invest some time going through these resources with their students.

Please keep an eye on your emails over the coming weeks as more information is sent through.  

For more information about NAPLAN, please visit the ACARA/NAPLAN site.

ID Photos

Academy Photography will be at the College on Friday 10th February taking student ID Photographs. It is imperative that students are in their full academic uniform (Year 11 and 12 students require a blazer) and that they are adhering to the College expectations surrounding hair, makeup and jewellery.

Please see below the schedule:

Subject Changes

Students in Year 8-10 should now be settled into their subjects for the term, and are unable to make any further changes for Term 1. If students are wanting to change their subject selections, they will need to do so at the beginning of Term 2. 

Year 7 Immunisations

Next Wednesday 15th February, students in Year 7 will receive their immunisations. Queensland Government’s School Immunisation Program (SIP) gives families the opportunity to have their children in Year 7 the chance to be vaccinated for free through secondary schools; these vaccinations are fully funded. Year 7 students are offered:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) (1 dose)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) (combined vaccine) (1 dose)

Please ensure that your child has a healthy breakfast the day of the vaccinations.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Kate Thinee, myself, or Amy Ryder at Child Health on 4743 2168.

Year 10 students will be offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccination (1 dose) on Wednesday 26th April.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

Week 3 Focus:  Lockers

2023 Student Representative Council 

Leadership is something fostered in all year levels here at Good Shepherd. Our Student Representative Council (SRC) plays a very important role in the College and is a great opportunity for students in all year levels to be involved in all aspects of College life. Our SRC has two representatives from each year level who have been elected by peers and will work with our Student Leadership team to implement initiatives for the betterment of our student body and College community as a whole.

It is with great pleasure that I announce the following students as our 2023 Student Representative Council:

Yr 7: Indiana Gourley & Sophie Carrington

Yr 8: Lachlan Frost & Haidyn Shawcross

Yr 9: Stanley Bona & Harmony Minniecon

Yr 10: Winsome Mock & Marianna Taylor

Yr 11: Lara Siemer & Pratik Seegoolam

Students were presented with their SRC badges and formally recognised at our Opening Mass this week, along with our Student Leadership Team. We look forward to their leadership throughout the year.

A SPECIAL REPORT: Moving to a New School

Moving to a new school is a big deal! Your child is going to meet lots of new people and be thrown into new situations. That’s bound to make them feel lots of different emotions. They may feel worried and anxious, but also excited and happy – all at the same time!

It is considered to be one of the most important transition periods of a student’s life and can present some significant psychological challenges for both students and parents.

Making new friends, learning new routines, discovering new environments, accepting new cultures and adjusting to new learning practices is all part of the process. Some children will sail through this period of change, whilst others may need a bit more guidance. It is important to give your child the chance to feel comfortable in their new space. This may take a few months, but ensure you keep the lines of communication open and check in regularly with your child to see how they are settling in.

In this Special Report, parents and care givers will be presented with a number of strategies that can be deployed to help ensure a smooth transition.

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/moving-new-school

Welcome to the start of the year filled with creativity and plenty of musical and artistic opportunities awaiting. It is always great to see many students involved within the Arts and I am looking forward to the fantastic opportunities that awaits for the students. Mulkadee 2023 has arrived and is now open for student registration and auditions. This year’s production is Robin Hood, students will have the option to sign up in the following sections: Dance, Band, Strings, Choir, Guitar, Drama and Audiovisual Media. 

Students also have the opportunity to be involved with various music ensembles throughout the school. Being involved in these ensembles allows students to develop their musicianship skills as well as introduce them to a new passion.

• Vocal Ensemble commences at 7:50am - 8:50am in B2 (Music Classroom) on Friday morning and is open to all students. 
• During First Break every Wednesday the Music Classroom will be running a Ukulele Club involving students playing a variety of popular music. 
• Instrumental Music is also available as Enrollment for lessons in 2023 are now open. If you are interested in learning an instrument and would like to be a part of the School Ensemble please make sure to contact Ms Catherine Motteram (limited spots available).

As always, your continued investment and support to be a part of these amazing programs is much appreciated. If there are any questions regarding Mulkadee or the other fantastic musical opportunities at Good Shepherd, please do not hesitate to send me an email.

Have a blessed week,

Mr Jarvis Miller

Qld Resources Council - Exceptional Female QMEA Student of the Year Award

We are very pleased and proud to announce that the following Year 12 students have been named as finalists for the above award.  

Both students have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their studies and also plan to work full-time in the resources sector once they have completed their schooling and further study.

CONGRATULATIONS……..Lisa Hennessey & Lianna Woodsbey

Both students will travel to Brisbane next month to attend the awards ceremony at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre.

We wish them all the very best of luck!

TAFE PLACES STILL AVAILABLE - Year 11 & 12 students

TAFE has advised there are still some places available for the following courses:

Cert II Health Services

Cert II Plumbing

Cert II Retail Cosmetics

Cert II Electrotechnology

Cert II Engineering (Diesel Fitting/Sheet metal)

These courses are considered “job starters” and are highly regarded by prospective employers. First block will commence Week 9 of this term. See Fiona Coghlan for further information.

FREE TAFE COURSES FOR ADULTS

ATTENTION:  Mums, Dads, Carers or past students

TAFE has announced that they are now offering a large number of FEE free courses.  The criteria states:

To be eligible for Fee-Free TAFE funding, you must be:

• an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency

• a Queensland resident

• no longer at school
• not currently enrolled in training.

Some of these qualifications are at Diploma level and can usually cost over $15,000.  If you’re thinking about a career change, or want to increase your knowledge in a particular area then this could be for you.

Areas of study include:

BUSINESS & IT

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY

HEALTH & SCIENCE

SERVICE INDUSTRIES

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

ENVIRONMENT & ANIMAL STUDIES

INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORT

Click on this link for more information about enrolment, course delivery (many are online), course information etc.

https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/apply-and-enrol/subsidised-training/fee-free-tafe

Welcome to a new year of Health and Physical Education!!

I am super excited to be back on board as the Curriculum leader this year, we have some great new initiatives and plans that we aim to implement throughout the year. One that has started already is our new Year 7 unit - Challenge and Adventure. I have received such great feedback already that the students are loving it and the teachers are loving the excitement in this new program. We are building new skills such as cooperation and team building, which ties in really well with their welcome to GSCC. 

The rest of our year levels have all started off really well as well, with our Year 8 - 11 students beginning with Volleyball for Practical lessons, and a variety of health and physical education content for their theory lessons. 

Our theme for the HPE department this year is ‘Excitement in physical activity’, we are aiming to build new and innovative ways of teaching and learning with a focus on our practical lessons, to help build student capacity to perform and enjoy physical activity. Please take the time to ask your students what happened in their practical lessons throughout the week, and what brought excitement to them through their engagement. 

With any curriculum related concerns this year, please contact your child’s HPE teacher and if you ever need my assistance as well, my email is below - any way that we can help we are always available by email or a quick phone call through the front office. 

The HPE staff for 2023 are below: 

• Mr. Jordan Harries (Curriculum leader) - Teaching Year 10 HPE and Year 11 and 12 Physical Education jharries@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au
• Mr. Jericho Young - Teaching Year 7, and 10 HPE and Year 11 and 12 Recreation jyoung10@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au
• Mr. Travis Roberts - Teaching Year 9 HPE troberts5@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au
• Mrs. Stephanie Whitehouse - Teaching Year 7 and 8 HPE swhitehouse@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au
• Ms. Carly Cooper - Teaching Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 HPE ccooper3@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au
  
  

HPE Week: 20-23rd of February 

During Week 5 this term, we are celebrating HPE Week with many different activities focused on health and physical education. Please see our advertisement below: 

PIN NIGHT

A massive thank you to all of our families who attended the PIN night for our Emerging Leaders Program. Mentors will be in touch with students over the next few weeks to touch base and also to complete the Personal Leadership Agreements. These will then be sent home for your consent. In the meantime, have those conversations with your child about their goals for the year, and how you can help your child achieve those goals as a team.

HEARING AND VISION CHECK

On Thursday the 23rd of March (Week 9) local services will be coming to Good Shepherd to complete hearing and vision checks for year 7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students. Please keep an eye out for consent forms that will be coming home over the next few weeks.

TERM 1 EVENTS

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TEAM

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.

FOR OUR ELDERS

Capree has written a letter to her Greatpop. Capree has had a deadly start to the year. She was brave and nominated for SRC, has acknowledged country in Homeroom and is starting her first shift in the Arili Thina Cafe this week! Great job Capree.

STUDENT SHOUT OUT

Congratulations to Harmony Minniecon who has been elected for year 9 SRC this year! Harmony is very active in her classrooms and school community and a great advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Congratulations Harmony!

The Sports Department is extremely excited for another busy start to the term. With the large amount of opportunities in Term 1, we recommend all students to listen to morning notices to stay up-to-date. Some key dates in the upcoming weeks.

• 9th Feb: Miniroos Certificate course. 
• Email Mr Young immediately to register
• 10th Feb: 11-12yrs (boys) MISSA Rugby League Trial. 
• Paperwork at the office, due asap
• 14th Feb: NRL Road to Region classroom visit
• 14th Feb: QLD Volleyball School Cup vs. Spinifex
• 20th Feb: Start of HPE Week

If you have any questions about the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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

Acknowledgements

The Sports Department would like to congratulate A-Tai Li-Downie, who competed in the Australian Amateur Boxing Championships in Melbourne over the holidays. Making his way through to the finals and became the new Australian Amateur Champion in his weight and age division. A-Tai will again be competing this month on both a professional and amateur card. Congratulations A-Tai!

What is VET?

• VET is Vocational Education and training that provides students with nationally recognised qualifications that focus on delivering skills and knowledge required for specific industries

Participating in VET can provide students with:

• nationally recognised qualifications
• credit points towards the attainment of the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
• hands-on industry experience needed by employers
• work-ready, real world knowledge and skills
• support in their transition to employment, vocational and higher education pathways

The VET pathway can be study at school or at TAFE, also includes school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

At Good Shepherd, students have many opportunities to study a VET qualifications.

 Year 10

•  Certificate l in Hospitality SIT10222

 Across  2 years in Years 11 and 12 

• Certificate l in Construction CPC10120
• Certificate lll in Business BSB30120
• Certificate ll in Hospitality SIT20322
• Certificate lll in School Based Education Support CHC30221
• Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121
• Dual Certificate lll in Fitness SIS30321 through external RTo Binnacle (RTO Code 31319)

If you would like to know any more information, please contact me.

Donna Cole 

Firstly, I would like to welcome our families back to GSCC for our very last year with this group of students. We have such a great cohort, that I can see doing great things this year to be celebrated. This is a year of celebration - over the next few weeks I will be sending out a memo on the upcoming events of 2023, we have a lot happening this year, including a day of team building, graduation activities and school events. Please put this memo in your calendars and feel free to send me an email to seek any clarification at all. 

Secondly, I would like to acknowledge Olivia Lee as the new Rice House captain of 2023. Olivia, will be a wonderful and strong addition to our student leadership team and we are very grateful for her accepting this role to help support Rice House this year. On that note I would like to refamiliarise and celebrate our 2023 Student leadership team, all of whom are already doing such a great job to be the example for all other students. 

Lastly, I know that we have new drivers in the school and as our Year 12 students begin to gain that independence and start to drive their own vehicles to school, I would like to remind you of our school driving policy: 

1. If a student is driving to and from school, they must have completed a ‘Drive to school’ form, which can be collected from the front office. The information regarding this is all on the form.
2. If a student is a passenger of another student, please ensure that the necessary forms are filled out for this as well (Located at the front office). This is to ensure that students are all accounted for by both sets of parents (Not just the driver), and we can ensure safe passage for all. 
3. Students who have filled out the necessary paperwork can drive to and from school events, such as Mass and sporting events - They will only need to inform the organiser of that event, e.g a pastoral leader or Sports coordinator. 

As always, have an amazing start to your year and please, if you have any questions or concerns regarding any matter of Year 12 school, do not hesitate to contact me - jharries@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au 

The Mount Isa Underground Hospital and Museum opens Monday to Sunday 9:30am to 2pm from 1^st April to the end of September/mid October.

We have an exciting NEW Underground Hospital Experience launching April 2023 and we need to build our team for the 2023 Tourist Season.

We have various roles including paid and volunteer positions.

Any of these positions would suit a parent who is looking to return to the work force as it allows drop off and pick up of school age children. We are flexible with the number of days worked. It can be one day or up to five days. We can also work around 7/7 roster.

Paid Position:

• Underground Hospital Experience Host
• Front Desk ticket sales

Volunteer Roles:

• Gallery Hosts
• Tour Guide
• Front Desk

For further information please email info@undergroundhospital.com.au or phone Erica 0498 193 859.