As we have passed the halfway point in the term, students will be experiencing a higher demand for homework and assessment completion. It is important that students are managing their time well. It is equally important that students are not working more (in paid employment) than they should be. There is a section in the Child Employment Act (2006) legislation that outlines the hours school aged children are permitted to work. Please ensure you are familiar with these requirements, and that your children are not working more hours than they should be.

Age restrictions on children working

The Child Employment Act 2006 prohibits the employment of children below the ages specified in the Child Employment Regulation 2016.

Generally the minimum age for employment is 13. This is lowered to 11 where the child carries out supervised delivery work that involves delivering newspapers, advertising material or similar items between the hours of 6am and 6pm.

Maximum hours children can work

School-aged children maximum working hours

The Act restricts businesses employing school-aged children outside of the hours stipulated by the Regulation. The Regulation differentiates between the hours that a school-aged child can work on a day when they are required to attend school and on a day when they are not required to attend school.

On a school day a school-aged child can work a maximum of 4 hours. When they are not required to attend school they can work a maximum of 8 hours.

A distinction is also made between the maximum hours a school-aged child can work during a school week and a non-school week. A school week starts on a Sunday, when the child is required to attend school on any day of that week. During a school week a school-aged child can work a maximum of 12 hours. During a non-school week a school-aged child can work a maximum of 38 hours.

Unless an industrial instrument provides otherwise an employer must give a school-aged child at least a one-hour break after the end of the fourth hour.

An industrial instrument includes an award or certified agreement made under state or federal legislation, or a code of practice made for outworkers in the clothing industry or for labour market programs.

School-aged and young children maximum working hours

The following table outlines the maximum allowable hours of work for school-aged and young children:

*A school week is a week commencing on a Sunday, when the child is required to attend school on any day of that week.

The Act makes it an offence for an employer to require or permit a school-aged child to perform work when they are required to attend school. A parent commits an offence under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 if they allow their child to work when they should be at school.

Shifts children can work in a day

Unless an industrial instrument provides otherwise, an employer must not allow a school-aged or young child to work more than 1 shift on a single day.

Breaks children must be given in a day

An employer must give a school-aged child at least a one-hour break after the end of the fourth hour unless an industrial instrument provides otherwise. A school-aged or young child must have a 12-hour break between shifts for the 1 employer.

Prohibited hours when children are not permitted to work

In addition to the prohibition on employing school-aged children when they are required to be at school, an employer must not allow a school-aged or young child to work between the hours of 10pm and 6am. A further restriction prohibits children between the ages of 11 and 13 years from carrying out delivery work between the hours of 6pm and 6am.

Assessments

Assessment Time and meeting deadlines:

Assessment time is upon us.  It is important that students and their families understand the process involved in applying for an extension of time for formal assessment.

Applications are made in writing, using an official form that can be collected from the College Office.

All applications must be made at least 3 days prior to the final due date of the assessment.

Extensions are granted in consultation with the classroom Teacher and Curriculum Leader for students in Year 7-10, and with the Deputy Principal and QCAA for students in Year 11 and 12.

Many factors are taken into consideration when approving an extension. Extensions are granted for legitimate reasons, and not simply because the student has not had enough time. The teacher will consider work ethic, use of class time, and whether the student has approached the teacher for help before signing off on an extension.  

In senior school, extensions will also need to be approved by QCAA, and require a submission of additional evidence of the circumstances to support the application.

It is not a given that an extension will be granted.  As far as possible, students are to manage their commitments well and communicate with their teachers if they feel they are struggling with assessments.

Please make contact with the classroom teacher for further assistance.  

Plagiarism: 

Plagiarised work cannot be marked.  The portion of work that is the student’s own, will be the only part of the submission that will be considered.  Plagiarism will also result in an after school detention. 

At the college we have processes in place to ensure quality assurance is maintained with all assessment tasks. If a student is concerned about their level of plagiarism please direct students to their Turnitin account which provides them with a detailed percentage highlighting what sections of their assessment has been plagiarised and the sources it has come from. 

ID Photo Cards

This week, students who were present for ID photos have received their ID card. If your child was absent on the day that these were handed out, they can be collected from the front office. Those students who were not present for the ID photo day will have an opportunity to have their ID photo taken at our whole College photos. 

Year 11 and 12 Exam Block

A reminder for families that there is no exam block for Term 1. Students will be sitting their examinations during their scheduled class times. 

Upcoming events

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

Week 6 Focuses: Front Office/Tuckshop and LCC/Assembly:

Lateness

As the Term has progressed, there has been a large number of students arriving to the College after the first bell (8:25am). Our expectation is that students are lined up outside their classroom when the bell sounds for the beginning of Homeroom at 8:30am. Unless students have a dated note from their parents /carers with an explanation for their lateness, they will be issued with a detention should they arrive late to school.  Three late to school detentions in a two-week period will result in an after-school detention.

Leaving the College Throughout the Day

Students are not permitted to leave the College without having a permission note from a parent/carer, which is signed dated and states a reason. The student must present this note to the College Office. Students must also be signed out of the College Office by a parent or carer and not meeting a parent in the carpark.

In this edition of SchoolTV - SCHOOL TRANSITIONS

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.

Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary sc

hool, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist your child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.

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 School Transitions edition of SchoolTV
https://goodshepherd.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions

School Based Apprenticeship

Year 11 student Cole Finter has this week commenced a school based apprenticeship with Trevor Morris Builders.  Cole will work toward a Certificate III in Carpentry.  Good luck Cole!

School Based Traineeship

Amy-Lee Bond (Year 11) is studying a Certificate III in Business whilst undertaking a school based traineeship with MEGT.  Amy’s host employer is National Australia Bank where she will complete her practical placement.  Congratulations Amy-Lee!

Darci & Hayley getting a headstart on Education

Our Year 11 students have been particularly busy over the last month securing apprenticeships, traineeships and now Darci Gillett and Hayley Richards have commenced the following education qualifications:

Darci Gillett

Darci will commence a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care and she will complete her placement hours at St Mary Mackillop Early Learning Centre.Darci would like to study a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education when she completes her senior studies.

Hayley Richards

Hayley will work towards a Certificate III in Education Support and will attend placement at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. Hayley plans to study a Bachelor of Primary Education when she completes Year 12.

We wish all of these students the best of luck as they commence qualifications and learn new skills that will bring them one step closer to their desired career pathways.

EMERGING LEADERS UPDATE

• Our PLA’S (Personal Leadership Agreements) are on the way! Parents & Carers, make sure you have had those conversations with your child about their overall PIG’S & goals for the year. They will be actioned within the weeks!
• Make sure your child has registered for the Emerging Leaders Program. If you have not registered, please sign through the link below. https://forms.gle/ynroG7mZoUkCodg88

DEADLY LEARNERS

FOR OUR ELDERS 

Darci Gillet (Year 11) has written a letter this week to Aunty Dottie Frew who is our Emerging Leader Coordinator at Good Shepherd. Darci is currently completing a Cert 3 in Early Childhood Education. She has been grateful for Dotti’s support, especially this year! 

SHOUT OUTS

St Kieran’s have been lucky to have some of our Emerging Leader Students mow the whole oval & school while in absence of a Groundskeeper. Great work Taige, Ryder & Will!

Another exciting week for the College as we look forward to the many sporting events in the coming weeks. The QISSN and Confraternity teams have been hard at work in preparation for their Columba Carnival this weekend in Charters Towers. Due to the cancellation of the event last year, students have been excited about the return. 

Swimming Carnival 

The Sports Department is hard at work in preparation for our annual Swimming Carnival. This will include the staple events such as the 200m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, student v. teacher race and the exciting introduction of new activity rotations throughout the day. The carnival will be held on Friday 10th March at Splashez Aquatic Centre from 8am to 3pm (approximately). More information will be posted on next week's newsletter and on our social media - see you all then!

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

Acknowledgements

The Sports Department would like to congratulate the following students on their achievements in the following sporting events

• Charlotte Byrns: North West Netball Trial (injured prior competition)
• Grace Littlemore: North West Netball Trial
• Kaleriah Luff-Armstrong: North West Netball Trial
• Kya Garrett: Adrian Vowles Cup (Dream team selection #10 & Best and Fairest overall)
• Cole Finter: Adrian Vowles Cup (Dream team selection #1 & Player of the Carnival)
• Ryder Soper: Adrian Vowles Cup
• Clay Phillips: Adrian Vowles Cup (Best and Fairest)
• Peahi Siufanua: Adrian Vowles Cup
• Boh Baillie: Adrian Vowles Cup
• Coby Lewry: Adrian Vowles Cup

A massive thank you to all the staff, parents and organisers for giving up your time and providing these opportunities for our students. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

This Friday through to Sunday, GSCC Senior Rugby League players will compete in the Catholic School’s Carnival hosted by Columba Catholic College in Charters Towers. For the last five weeks, Monday and Wednesday mornings have seen the boys training hard in anticipation for their first games of the year. A massive thank you to Mr. Young for facilitating our Strength and Conditioning sessions and to Col Ryder for the Skills and Conditioning sessions as well.  As to be expected, the boys are eager to represent the College after missing out on this Carnival last year. 

As a team, we are excited to welcome new additions to the senior side in Peahi Siufanua, Charlie Vatuvei, Sam Pou-Pomare, Cooper Fahey, Jayden Berry, Ryder Soper, Brendan Wade and Tyrone Hauga. Special mentions to Cole Finter and Clay Phillips for their exceptional efforts in leading every fitness session so far this year. I am certain that the boys are in for a great Carnival and we will provide an update of results next week. 

Lastly, GSCC Senior Rugby League continues to be supported by an extremely generous group of sponsors each year. We would like to offer our thanks to our major contributors Mobilise, CAVA Hydraulics and Engineering, City and Country Realty and The Buffs Club  for their valuable donations to our team. Your help and generosity allow these students the chance to represent the College through playing a game they love.