This week we celebrate Reconciliation Week and reflect on the many ways that we can share our cultures, traditions and histories. In particular we mark the week by acknowledging Sorry Day, Mabo Day and educating the students about the importance of walking on the journey to Reconciliation together. Here are some the many ways throughout the year that we work towards Reconciliation at Good Shepherd Catholic College:

• Offer a Cultural Space known as Ngukupuni. Here Indigenous and non-Indigenous students can get support, spare lunch items if needed and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources;
• Fortnightly Indigenous Steering Committee meetings - attended by Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, parents and staff who are committed to promoting reconciliation and organising cultural events throughout the year;
• Three dedicated Indigenous Education workers who support Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in the classroom. These are Dorothy Frew, Mell Jones and Denice Knopjes. They are also supported by our Emerging Leaders’ Middle Leader Gemma Kyle. The whole team work tirelessly to promote tangible ways that students, staff and parents can contribute to Reconciliation;
• Our Emerging Leader program - Indigenous students work towards personal incentive goals of attendance, achievement and academic success. Our Emerging Leaders’ students volunteer at Jangawala, run Literacy reading groups at St Kieran’s Primary school and participate in many local community events;
• Multicultural Day - last year we held our inaugural Multicultural Day. The aim of the day is to celebrate all the diverse cultures within our school community. Students dress up on the day, taste international food and gain a greater appreciation and tolerance of other cultures.

These are just some of the ways that we promote Reconciliation the year through. The theme this year is Be a Voice for Generations. We hope that at Good Shepherd Catholic College we are inspiring all of our students to speak up when they hear racism, support those who may be disadvantaged and spread the message of Reconciliation in their daily life. Afterall, this is our Christian responsibility too. This is a quote from the National Reconciliation Week website which resonated with me:

“Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

SPOLIN

Thank you to all of the Year 10 students and parents who joined us Monday evening for the Senior Phase of Learning Information Night (SPOLIN). It was a great opportunity for students to explore the requirements for subjects that are being offered in 2024.

It was also great to have businesses from our local community come in and provide information on their field for students that are interested in that pathway. 

Below is a list summarising the key points for the night:

• To qualify for a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) students must achieve 20 QCE credits. The students receive a credit for each subject as long as they have met the satisfactory requirements for each unit;
• Students must meet the numeracy and literacy requirements to receive a QCE;
• All students must study English, Mathematics and Religion in both Year 11 and 12;
• To qualify for an ATAR students must study either 5 General subjects OR 4 General subjects and 1 applied or cert III subject; and must pass English in Year 12
• Students need to explore the prerequisites for their future career path before choosing their subjects.

Students will have an opportunity to discuss the requirements for 2024 again in their SET Plan Interviews in Term 3. If the students would like some more advice on subject selections or career pathways they can contact any of the following:

•         Curriculum Leaders
•         Classroom Teachers
•         Homeroom Teachers
•         Mr Roberts (Year 10 Pastoral Leader)
•         Mrs Coghlan (Careers Advisor)

External Exam Timetable

QCAA has released the External Exam Timetable for all General Subjects.

External exam timetable

These examinations are set and marked by QCAA and will contribute towards a student’s overall subject result. The examinations for Maths and Science subjects will equate to 50% of a student's grade in that subject.

Students have been preparing for these examinations throughout their Senior Schooling and in Term 3 we will begin an intensive programme to further prepare students.

There will also be a 'mock exam block' in Term 3 which will mirror the duration and style of examinations that students will sit in Term 4. Teachers will mark and provide feedback on these examinations, which have been set by QCAA as external exam preparation resources.

Students who are concerned or require additional assistance are encouraged to contact their classroom teachers as soon as possible.

Compass Update: OTP Login for Mobile App

Forgotten passwords will be a thing of the past with the latest update to the Compass app. With this latest feature update, users have the option to sign in with their mobile number instead of a password. When users click on “Sign in with mobile number” they will be prompted to enter their username and mobile number, if the mobile number matches their Compass account they will get sent a one-time passcode which they enter in the next screen to log into the app.

Users also have the option to login with a one-time passcode using their email address by clicking “I want to use my email address”.

On every sign-in users will be sent a new one-time code. 

PB4L:

This week our focus is on keeping our belongings safe in our lockers. As such Homeroom teachers and Pastoral Leaders will be doing regular checks on lockers to ensure our students are utilising the locks they have been given. Please also encourage this at home. 

SchoolTV: 

SPECIAL REPORT: Managing Overwhelm

Willingly or not, we have all been exposed to a piece of bad news that has lingered in our thoughts for days afterwards. This seems to be more common in the current environment than ever before. Due to the pandemic, the world we now live in is a very different place, so it is easy to see why we might feel impacted. It can often seem like there are many stressful events occurring simultaneously, and the hyperconnected nature of our environment means we are constantly being reminded of the challenges we face via numerous media and social media channels. Our connectivity to the digital world exposes us to a barrage of messages that can often leave us feeling overwhelmed.

It is therefore important for children and parents alike, to consciously and intentionally learn good wellbeing strategies. Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved fast enough to adapt to the digital landscape we find ourselves in and this often leaves us feeling overwhelmed and can result in increased levels of stress and anxiety. If left untreated or unmanaged, constant stress and anxiety can lead to a number of behavioural issues or health consequences.

The blueprint for parenting, based on our own experiences, is no longer fit for purpose in raising kids as citizens of tomorrow. The combination of constant access to information and having little control over the situations presented, can be stressful and overwhelming. Although we can’t provide our kids with certainty, we can provide them with the skills and strategies to cope to enable them to flourish and thrive, socially, emotionally and academically. It may not necessarily be the information itself that is harmful, but more their inability to process and make sense of it.

Here is the link to the Managing Overwhelm edition of SchoolTV:

https://goodshepherd.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-managing-overwhelm

MALACHI MUNNS - FINALIST - QRC EXCEPTIONAL INDIGENOUS STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Exceptional Indigenous Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Student Award  |  recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous student at a QMEA school who has shown significant promise and passion for a career in the Queensland resources sector.

Congratulations to Malachi who has been named a finalist in the 2023 QRC Indigenous Student of the Year Awards.  Malachi’s nomination was selected as a finalist due to many factors including his community involvement, academic achievements, TAFE, work experience, QMEA attendance and his determination to work really hard in an effort to be hopefully offered a Diesel Fitting apprenticeship at the end of this year.

He will travel to Brisbane in a couple of weeks to attend the Awards Ceremony.

Good luck Malachi!

CONGRATULATIONS ISABELLE!  SCHOOL BASED APPRENTICESHIP

Year 10 student Isabelle Cameron has this week commenced a school based apprenticeship with Danielle Ann Advanced Hairdressing.  We wish Isabelle the best of luck for her apprenticeship.

Jangawala

On Sunday 28th May, a group of Emerging Leader students volunteered at Good Shepherd Parish, cooking and serving for Jangawala. The students cooked up a storm, producing butter chicken, curried sausages, kangaroo spaghetti and chicken stir fry. Their dedication continued with the service of food to members of the community. We thank all students that attended, and a special thank you to Vanessa Munns, Kylie Duncan, and Peta Laffin for also helping out in the kitchen and with service. What a great way to start Reconciliation week!

It is only 24 sleeps until the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools (QISSN) Netball team makes their way to Brisbane for the most elite competition in the state. The team and coaches/managers have been working incredibly hard to ensure that they are ready for the competition which will be held from Sunday 25 June until Friday 30 June, 2023. 

The team has secured some incredible sponsors for their trip, who have alleviated the substantial cost to families this year. They include:

• Good Shepherd Catholic College Parents and Friends Committee
• Superior Machinery Maintenance 
• Izuzu Utes
• Burke and Wills Motel
• Elex Electrical
• Coles Supermarkets
• Mobilise
• Worn out West

Without the support of these incredible businesses, the opportunity for these players to play in this competition would not be possible, and we are incredibly grateful to each and everyone of you.

At the Athletics Carnival this year, the girls also fundraised by cooking and selling Sausages. The girls worked tirelessly throughout the day, and were able to secure some more funds towards their trip- we thank each person who contributed to this by purchasing a sausage in bread on Friday. 

Finally, Worn out West has very generously donated a Yeti Esky worth over $1000!! We are selling tickets to win this prize from the College office. They are $5 each, and all sales from these tickets will be split between the 10 girls on the team. The raffle will be drawn on Monday 19 June (Week 10), with the final day to purchase tickets on Friday 16 June (Week 9).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Miss Phoebe Ryder (Head Coach), Mrs Chelsea Tully (Assistant Coach) and Miss Rebecca Stretton for all of the work that they have done over the past 6 months to ensure the team are ready for their trip away. It is a huge amount of work and time out of your own busy schedules, and we are truly appreciative of everything that you have done.