Over the next couple of weeks our staff are participating in professional development from Townsville Catholic Education in relation to student protection matters. This is important as all staff are required to report harm or suspicion of harm. The specific topics we are focussing on are identifying neglect and how to support students who are experiencing or previously experienced trauma. Our staff are very well trained to suspect or record incidences of concern for our students - in fact they are legally required to. 

Last July, the Queensland Government introduced legislation to make it a criminal offence for anyone who is 18 years and over who does not report sexual abuse or offending against a child by an adult. Our Senior students have received education this week about student protection including the new legislation and the very serious matter of ‘sextortion’. These are difficult conversations to have but important for protecting our children.

We have three Safe Persons at the College who are able to support students if they need to report concerns about student protection:

Kathleen McCarthy - Principal

Jordan Harris - Assistant Principal - Pastoral

Donna Cole - Teacher & Middle Leader VET

This week we have been celebrating Laudato Si week which fits in beautifully with our theme this year of Care for Creation. I will leave you with the Laudato Si prayer we have been using this week:

SPOLIN

This Term the College will begin working with Year 10 students as they prepare to make decisions around their Transition into the Senior Phase of Learning.  Throughout Pastoral Care, the students will be introduced to the possible options available to them in Year 11 & 12.

Next week, the College will hold its annual Senior Phase of Learning Information Night where students and parents will have opportunities to talk to Curriculum Leaders and teachers about possible subject choices as well as exploring the wide range of Vocational Education & Training pathways available.  

Please do attend as this session will help with subject selections and pathways beyond school, as well as how students can achieve their Queensland Certificate of Education.

Tips for Successful completion of Assessments:

As we move into the second half of the term, students will be entering a phase of summative assessment in their classes - this is definitely the beginning of a student's ‘busy time’. It is important that students organise their time effectively to ensure all work is completed to a high standard, and within the time required.

 Tips for Successful Completion of Assessment:

For students to achieve the best possible results, assessment tasks must be carefully planned and executed. Below are some tips for the successful completion of assessment:

Be familiar with the Assessment Calendar and highlight all relevant due dates.

• Ensure students catch up on work missed when absent from school - students must make contact with their teacher for this work/ refer to Google Classroom.
• Actively participate in all classroom activities - this is where the learning takes place!
• Read task sheets carefully - highlighting the key information and requirements
• Use the scaffolding provided.
• Be organised - leaving all assessment tasks until the last minute is not conducive to a high standard of work.
• Use the drafting process - teachers can only give feedback if they receive full drafts by the due date.
• If you are unwell, or have been absent for an extended period of time - discuss the possibility of an extension with your teacher. This must occur a minimum of one week before the due date.
• Most importantly - ask for help. If students are unclear of task expectations - they must approach their teacher as soon as possible.

Athletics Carnival

A reminder that it is our Athletics Carnival this Friday 26 May at Sunset Oval, Abel Smith Parade. A couple of important notes for the day:

• All normal school rules apply - this includes mobile phone use. Any student found using a mobile phone or electronic device during the day will be required to sign it in at the announcers tent.
• Students must wear sun safe clothing (they're encouraged to wear their house colour!), this includes a hat. Students must also wear closed in shoes (athletic joggers are the best option).
• All students should bring a water bottle, and any food they want for the day.
• The Canteen will be open, with Eftpos only.
• There will be snacks/water/juice/Gatorade for purchase at a stall next to the announcers text (cash only). There will also be a Sausage Sizzle located near the canteen (cash only).
• The schedule for the day is below.
• The Carnival will conclude at approximately 2:30pm.

If you have any questions about the Athletics Carnival, please contact Mr. Young at the College.

If you have any questions about the upcoming exam block please don't hesitate to contact us at the College. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Senior Phase of Learning Information Night next Monday.

Student Protection: 

This week our senior students were lucky enough to have Alyse Howard from the Townsville Catholic Education Student Protection team here to speak to our Years 10 and 11 students about the idea of each individual having a digital footprint and also the concept of ‘Sextortion’, which is included in our SchoolTV report below. While our Year 12s were spoken to about the fact that as they begin to mature and become adults (18 years and older), they now have their own responsibilities around reporting illegal activity. Please take some time to speak to your child about these presentations. 

Maximum Work Hours for School Aged Children

It has come to our attention that some of our students are working long shifts during normal school weeks. Working long hours in addition to school and extracurricular commitments can take its toll on students and can affect their academic progress.  Part time employment provides students with great workplace skills, opportunities to build good work ethic and also gives students some financial responsibility as they earn their own money.  However, we ask that parents/carers monitor their child’s work hours and ensure that they have school-work-home life balance.

The Child Employment Act 2006 outlines work restrictions for school-aged children:

The Act restricts you 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.

The following table outlines the maximum allowable hours of work for school-aged 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.

PB4L Week 6: 

This week we focus on the PB4L standard “I will role model respectful behaviour and language to others”. The areas of focus are all locations, we hope to build a culture of respectful language and positive behaviour. 

School TV Focus: Sextoration

‘Sextortion’ has been an issue for over a decade, with many adults falling victim to this type of online crime. It is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share intimate images of you unless you give in to their demands. Organised criminal gangs across Eastern Europe, Russia, and Africa connect to their victims via social media, chat apps, instant messaging platforms and online games. More recently though there has been a higher rate of adolescent males falling victim, that is not to say that young females are not also targeted.

Since the beginning of 2022, there has been a 400% increase in this type of crime being reported to police in Australia alone. However, these figures are being replicated in most western countries. Having an understanding of how your young person can fall victim to such an offender may help to protect them from engaging or conceding to their demands. It is vitally important for parents and carers to be aware of this serious issue and to start having an age-appropriate conversation as early as possible. Be aware that even with an online account set to private, random people can still message your child. Emphasise to your young person the importance of only engaging online with people they actually know, not someone they think they might know.

Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open between you and your child. Young people who fall victim to these offenders will feel distressed and blame themselves. Let them know that no matter what, they can come to you and ask for help, and that there is nothing so bad that they cannot come to you. Managing devices can be difficult especially with older teens, but it is important to weigh up the risks and the dangers. Sadly, even good kids who never make a poor decision elsewhere in their life, can and do make poor choices online. The information presented in this report is intended to alert and not alarm parents and caregivers of this potential issue.

Further information and resources relating to this topic can be accessed via the following websites:

eSafety Commissioner

Think U Know

Netsafe

For more information directly from the ShoolTV website, please see the following link: https://goodshepherd.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-sextortion

SPOLIN

A reminder for Year 10 students and parents/carers, of the upcoming Senior Phase of Learning Information Night within the College's Lumen Christi Centre on Monday, 29th of May at 5:30pm for a 6pm start.

SPOLIN will be a great opportunity for Year 10 students to find out about the Year 11 and 12 Senior Phase of Learning and the College strongly recommends attendance from each student and at least one parent/carer. 

On the night, you will be provided a detailed outline of the ATAR and QCE pathways and an overview of our Senior Education and Training Planning procedures to be conducted next semester. Further, each Curriculum Leader will also be available for questions in regards to senior subject options.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me on troberts5@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au or call the College on 47432509. 

Townsville University Trip                                                                                

At the beginning of Term 3, 20 Year 10 students will take part in the 2023 Year 10 University Experience Trip to Townsville from Sunday the 9th of July to Wednesday the 12th of July. 

Parents and students involved, please refer to all particulars contained within the permission form and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  

Additionally, please ensure that you and your child review and complete the medical consent and permission forms by this Monday the 29th of May, Week 7. These can be returned to the College Office or to Mr. Roberts directly. 

If you intend on making alternative arrangements for your child to travel to Townsville, can you please inform me before Wednesday the 31st of May as costs will need to be adjusted.  

Please note, a detailed itinerary and packing list will also be provided in the coming weeks.

Last week we celebrated Careers Week by inviting a number of guest speakers to provide students with information about various careers.  A big thank you to the following speakers:

• Rachael Scrimgeour - Glencore School Leavers Program
• Queensland Police Service - Gracie Ryder and David Barron talked about the many careers within policing - both civilian and police pathways.
• Amy Henrich from Talking Numberz - Accountancy pathways
• Legal Aid - former student Danielle Marten and Lawyer Jessica provided terrific insight into the many different careers within the legal profession.

GIRLS FOR MINING - PROGRAM LAUNCH

Each year Glencore invites our senior female students to join its Girls for Mining Mentoring program.  Throughout the year our students will attend a number of team building and information sessions to help them discover different careers within the mining industry.  The launch was last week and teams had to build a bridge using very limited materials with minimal “non verbal” instructions.

Congratulations to this year’s participants:

Arwen Ingram

Lisa Hennessey

Mikayla Wills

Tawananyasha Maigurira

Darci Gillett

Gabriela Tabone-Cook

Magelia Tabone-Cook

Makayla Davies

Milla Van Lelyveld

Students have been actively engaged in various events, showcasing their talents and immersing themselves in the world of music and arts. Recently, our enthusiastic Year 7 students and music enthusiasts had the opportunity to attend a Musica Viva concert organised by the renowned ARIA Award Winning ensemble, MARA!. The concert was a resounding success, captivating the young minds with their exceptional musical prowess and infectious energy. All students were thoroughly engaged and it was wonderful to witness their enthusiasm and appreciation for the performance.

In other news, our industrious Year 8 students have been busy this term studying the history of Rock and Roll music. Students have demonstrated their creativity and knowledge by creating an impressive Rock Music Timeline, highlighting the evolution of this iconic genre. Students are currently working towards their group performance pieces, and are eager to showcase their talents. 

I am proud of the active participation and enthusiasm shown in the cultural and arts activities at Good Shepherd Catholic College. 

For those interested in being apart of the many opportunities, please don’t hesitate to send me an email - jmiller11@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

First Week of the Premier’s Reading Challenge at GSCC

Welcome to our year 7 to year 9 students who are participating in the Queensland Premier’s Reading Challenge. They can start registering their interest by submitting a Non-State School Reader Record Form which they can get from their English teachers or from the library. The challenge runs from 22 May to 25 August and students can register within this time frame. They are encouraged, however, to return their forms as soon as they can so they can get organized with their reading challenge and they can get support from their teachers and from the library to help them get the most out of this challenge.

School and parental support will enable our students to build and strengthen their reading foundation and the library is here to provide them the support they need through recommending good quality books to them and encouraging them to join reading challenges such as the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Students can start reading books, newspapers, or magazines that they have at home or reading an eBook from our school’s student reading app, Sora. I want to share five reasons why reading is good for our students. They are:

1. Reading enriches their vocabulary.
2. Reading improves their grammar. 
3. Reading improves their comprehension of text in various forms.
4. Reading fiction can develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
5. Reading, especially reading the biography of good role models, can positively inspire them to reach their goals.

There are more benefits that our students can get through having a reading habit. My goal as a teacher librarian is to help our students develop a love for reading. I believe that reading is a gift that keeps on giving and that it will help our students academically and beyond. 

Please remind your child to join the reading challenge and they will get a chocolate and bookmark gift from the library when they register between this week and next week.

Inter School Netball

Last Friday was another exciting afternoon as we Good Shepherd took on Spinifex for round 2 of our Netball Tri-series. Both schools demonstrated great sportsmanship and effort throughout each of the four games. We look forward to next week for the final round, see you then!

Athletics Carnival

Our annual Inter House Athletics Carnival is finally here! The Sports department have been busy behind the scenes preparing for the carnival as we look forward to another great day of athleticism, spirit and fun. Below is some key information. 

• Dress up theme - Over the top Sports! Any piece of sports wear/costume but over the top. Don’t forget to bring something warm as it looks to be a cool morning!
• Students wanting to do the 800m event need to be at the oval by 7:30am, with the event starting at 7:45am
• All other students must be there by 8:15am for an 8:30 start.
• When you arrive find your homeroom teacher to get your names marked off before moving to your house tent
• Non competitive students who wish to do a single participation throw or jump to gain points will be able to do so at the start of each event, so please listen out to the event leaders at each station
• Canteen will be open with food and drinks available (eftpos only)
• Year 12 Business students will also have a stall selling chips, lollies and drinks (cash only)
• QISSN team will also be running a sausage sizzle fundraising for their trip (cash only)
• Headspace will also be running a coffee cart for parents and staff from 8:30-10:30am
• Students cannot leave the oval unless their parent signs them at the announcers tent.
• Normal school rules apply, including no phones or chewing gum and must be in appropriate clothing throughout the day.

Year 12 Certificate III Business

The Year 12 Certificate III Business Class will be selling a range of snack items at the Athletics Carnival on Friday. This project is part of their current unit of work, and contributes to their overall competencies. They will be located next to the announcers tent. Please bring CASH for this stall!

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:

• Athletics carnival Week 6, Friday, May 26.

• Parkrun (5k run or walk) every Saturday at 7:00am

2k Time Trial Leader Board