Dear Staff and Parents/Carers

Townsville Catholic Education is working with all schools within the Diocese to improve the education experience provided to our students. As a way to gain this feedback, all staff and families within our school communities will be sent a survey to shape the future directions of our schools.

Your responses are very important in this process as we continue to strive to provide the best educational, social, spiritual and emotional resources and environment for our children. 

The surveys will be distributed via email on Wednesday 10 May and we ask that they are completed by Wednesday 31 May. If you have children and/or work at more than one Catholic school, you will receive a survey for each school.

I would like to thank you in advance for providing feedback and assisting us to improve our school.

This year at Good Shepherd we have some key goals for our 2023 School Improvement Plan. As our Mission Statement highlights, “Our Vision is to journey together in faith with Christ our Light, educating and empowering young people to experience the community, live the values and achieve success.” This year we aim to do this by focusing on these four goals:

1. Develop writing skills to improve the writing standard across all school curriculum areas, providing students with skills necessary to succeed.
2. Use Universal Design for Learning to develop and deliver engaging, culturally responsive and inclusive curriculum. 
3. Build a culture of inclusivity and respect.
4. Analyse, and use Catholic Identity data to inform the school's vision, mission, ethos and charism. Clearly articulate, cohesively communicate, share and embed these throughout the school community.

These goals support the initiatives of Townsville Catholic Education and our five year plan for School Renewal.

This year we will begin developing our next 2024 - 2028 Strategic Plan and will be seeking feedback from our Parents, Staff and Students in its development. Stay tuned for how you can contribute.

Next week you will receive a link to our survey for our annual Satisfaction Surveys. We are asking every Parent to please contribute so we know where we are doing well as a College and the areas we need to improve on. It will only take a few minutes.

Have a great week,

Kathleen McCarthy

Principal

Developing effective study skills

Effective students are those who have clear goals, practised study routines and good organisational skills.

Becoming an effective student is no different from becoming good at anything else - it takes practice, skill, feedback and focus.

Studying is a learned behaviour, and it is very hard to all of a sudden know how to study in Year 11 when the academic pressure is more noticeable.

I highly recommend all students reflect on their study habits and skills. The following list represents a great starting point for improving skills and organisation as a student:

1. Develop a study timetable.
2. Take notes in class- highlight key concepts and ask clarifying questions. Really engage in the lesson.
3. Avoid absence from school.
4. Attend Homework Help. Make an appointment with your teacher if necessary.
5. Submit drafts - on time, and as complete as possible. Investing time here means your teacher can give you the best possible feedback and minimises the work for the final submission.
6. Study regularly and review older work every two weeks.

QCAA’s myQCE has a site, Study Tips,  specifically to assist students with improving their study habits. It’s well worth the time investment.

myQCE - Study Tipshttps://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/study-tips.html

myQCE

Online resource for Year 11 & 12 Students: 

The ‘myQCE’ website is a great tool for both students and families to explore as our senior students start to plan their future beyond schooling. This website will assist students in planning their pathway towards achieving their QCE, further study or training options and different career opportunities. 

The website specialises in the following topics:

•       Future pathway planning
•       Study Tips
•       Jobs and Careers
•       Stories from past students 
•       QCE projection. 

It also provides students with access to their senior learning account, which is available through the Student Portal. To gain access students will require their 10-digit Learner Unique Identifier (LUI). LUI numbers have been issued to all students by the QCAA, if students are unable to locate their LUI number they are encouraged to contact me. 

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to all who attend Parent Teacher Interviews this week. If you were unable to make a time to meet your child’s teacher, you can contact them directly either via email or through the College Office to talk about your child’s progress.

Upcoming Exam Blocks

This term, Year 10 and 11 students will have formal exam blocks.

Year 11 Exam Block:

• Term 2, Week 6
• Tuesday 23 – Thursday 25 May 2023

Year 10 Exam Block: 

• Term 2, Week 9
• Monday 12 – Wednesday 14 June 2023

Exam timetables will be sent to students early next week. It’s important that students are aware of, and adhere to the Exam Block Expectations:

• Be on time
• Follow all regular College Expectations
• Sign in at the front office when you arrive and then sign out before you leave
• Be prepared! Don’t leave your study until the last minute.
• Get a medical certificate if you are unwell and unable to attend an exam - CONTACT SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE SICK AND CAN’T ATTEND YOUR EXAM.
• Come to school in your FULL Academic Uniform (your PL can send you home to change if you don’t adhere to this).
• Only come to school if you have exams to sit, or assessment to complete.
• Use the study room appropriately (quietly & productively).
• Only bring approved snacks (takeaway food, soft drink, energy drinks etc are not permitted).
• Adhere to the mobile phone policy (phones not permitted for use on the grounds between 8:30am - 3pm)

ALL ASSESSMENT MUST BE COMPLETED IN ALL SUBJECTS IN ORDER TO HAVE EXAM BLOCK PRIVILEGES. Students who have incomplete assessment will be required to attend school for the duration of the exam block.

If you are absent for an exam in exam block you must:

• Contact the College office ASAP, or your parent can contact the College office on your behalf.
• Have a medical certificate.

These requirements are in accordance with the GSCC Assessment Policy “If a student is absent from a Senior Exam Block exam, the student will complete an alternate paper in the next available session and a medical certificate must be provided upon their return. If a medical certificate is not provided the student may not be allocated a result for that internal assessment piece, resulting in no credit for the piece / unit studied."

Over the past week we have seen many great instances of community gatherings amongst our college. GSCC had a good presence at the ANZAC day activities, including Mass at the Good Shepherd Parish, and then our parade and both the dawn and 10am service. It always brings so much joy to see our students come together on these days to represent us as a college. 

The Year 8 Retreat was a hit last week, a massive thank you to Ms. Kylie McCarthy and the year 8 homeroom teachers for their efforts in making this day go so smoothly, helping these students come out of their shell and work together to build college spirit and contribute to this thriving community. 

PB4L Week 3: 

This week we shift our focus to ‘working positively in groups’, this is to highlight our great work we do in the classroom here at Good Shepherd Catholic College. As a team of learners, this week we focus on how we can collaborate to be our best in any setting, while maintaining a positive approach to our learning. As we work positively in groups, we expect to see students respecting each other, using appropriate voices, encouraging inclusivity, and emphasising positive language.

School TV: 

Over recent months, there has been a growing concern about the impending epidemic affecting young people in relation to the use of e-cigarettes and the trendy pastime of vaping. As this activity grows in popularity, most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and the potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health.

Vaping is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Although vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking, doctors advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Although vaping products are infused with enticing flavours, many contain high levels of nicotine as well as other chemicals and additives, that when inhaled, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products and despite it being illegal to use, sell or buy nicotine for use in e-cigarettes, users are purchasing these products through other avenues. A recent Australian study of chemically flavoured liquids used in e-cigarettes which are available here for purchase over the counter, has confirmed concerns about their safety and respiratory health impact. Attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of vape products containing nicotine. Unfortunately, manufacturers are developing vaping devices that are cheaper and easier to hide than conventional cigarettes, making it more attractive and cost-effective for impressionable young people.

For more information click here to download vaping fact sheets from the Lung Foundation Australia.

Or, if this Special Report has raised some issues, please seek support from your medical practitioner or one of the following services:

• Lung Foundation Australia 1800 654 301
• Quitline 13 78 48
• Poisons Information Line 13 11 26
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation 1300 85 85 84

Welcome back to Term 2! We hope you all had a lovely Easter, and enjoyed the public holidays in between then and now!

As we come to the end of the week, all PLA’s (Personal Leadership Agreements) should be finalised. Students have reflected on their learning and pathways with their mentors, and should be stuck into Term 2 classroom experiences and healthy study habits. 

Please take a note of  Engagements for Term 3. The list will be updated fortnightly. 

ALL EMERGING LEADER STUDENTS

• Dear Friend In Poetry- The POEM FOREST Prize plants a native tree for every poem received from a young person or accredited teacher in Australia. Over the last two years, over 10,700 trees have been planted!
• NAIDOC Celebrations- 22nd June 
• Creative Art Competition (See Flyer Attached) 
• Jungalwala-Cook & Serve- 21st May
• Jungalwala-Cook & Serve- 25th June 
• Reconciliation Week- Homeroom Facilitation Activities
  

YEAR 10, 11 & 12

• Jcu Winter School Applications- Application Link 

Over five days, students live on campus and take part in academic lectures and team-building activities in an interactive program that provides opportunities to meet University staff and students and form bonds with other students in the program.

• Raise the Bar- Application Link
• Raise the Bar, Cairns Academy: 25th - 29th of June, 2023.  Applications CLOSE 5 May 2023
• Raise the Bar, Mackay Academy: 17th - 21st of September, 2023. Applications CLOSE 17 July  2023
• Raise the Bar, Brisbane Academy: 11th - 15th of December, 2023. Applications CLOSE 11 October 2023

Raise the Bar is an exciting residential camp program specifically for Indigenous secondary school students in years 10, 11 and 12 who aspire to participate in athletics and study at university. Athletics Australia, Queensland Athletics and Athletics North Queensland are pleased that three Academies will be held in Queensland in 2023.! Past participants have been about to build both athletics and early acceptance pathways into University and TAFE.

•  QUT Outreach Tour- F2 at 11.00am- 10th May

QUT Outreach Team presenting information about pathways to University for First Nation Students. 

• GSCC Business Breakfast- 8th June 

Interschool Netball

Round 1 of our Inter School Netball tri-series starts this Friday 5th May from 3:30-5:30 at the Mount Isa Basketball Stadium. Make sure you come down and support your GSCC teams!

Note - participating students must collect a permission note from the office and bring the note signed by Thursday 4th May for a possible lunch time trial (depending on participation numbers). Students have the opportunity to compete in the following divisions.

• 13’s girls
• 15’s boys
• Opens boys
• Opens girls

Keep an eye out on notices and our facebook page for schedule updates, see you all then.

Athletics Carnival

Pre-events for the Athletics Carnival are as follows

• High Jump Workshop (Fosbury Flop technique) - 11th May 3:15-4pm at GSCC
• Athletics Pre-Events (1500m & High Jump) - 15th May 3:30-5:30pm at Sunset Oval

Note - students wishing to participate in either 1500m or High Jump must collect and return the signed permission note from the office. High Jump participants are also required to attend the Fosbury Flop workshop in order to participate (or must have a certificate Athletics coach sign off on their technique on the permission slip).

The official schedule for the Athletics pre-events will be released closer to the date.

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

In Year 9HASS we are finding out about the First World War. In class we looked at trench warfare and the use of poison gas. Students had a chance to wear a gas mask and a helmet to get an idea what it might have been like for the soldiers. Here are students from Mr Blake's class wearing the gear. 

Hospitality Dinner 12th May 

Tickets are now on sale for the Annual Hospitality Dinner, hosted by GSCC Senior Hospitality Students.Being held on Friday 12th May in the LCC at Good Shepherd. 

This Dinner provides students with the opportunity to achieve competencies towards their Certificate in Hospitality but also fundraising for their 2024 Camp to the Gold Coast. 

Tickets are $55 per person for a four course Dinner -  Starting 6pm for Canapes, followed by 6.30pm for Entree, Main , Dessert and to Finish Barista Coffee and Shortbread.

You can purchase tickets through the front Office or Wednesday morning at the Arili Thina Breakfast Cafe open from 7.30am to 9am. 

Limited tickets, so please get in quick.

Blessings, Donna Cole

Hospitality Teacher

Good Shepherd Striders Running Club                       

When: Tuesday & Thursday mornings.

Where: GSCC Oval (Enter via May St Gate).

What time: 7:00am - 7:40am.

What is it: Cross Country trials & Athletics 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.

Information: See Mr Guest for any information/ questions. 

Term 2 2023 Training Program: (until May 25, 2023)

1. Warmup (10-15mins)
2. 2k time trial 

There are 4 $50.00 SportsPower vouches to be won:

• Senior Male & Female; Junior Male & female. 

Dates to remember:

• Cross Country May 12 (See Mr Young for details)
• Athletics carnival May 26.
• Parkrun (5k run or walk) every Saturday at 7:00am