Last year we undertook a comprehensive school renewal process known as Verification. It involved talking to Staff, Parents and Students to discuss our school’s strengths, weaknesses and priorities going forward. We evaluated our progress against ten Catholic School characteristics and were very proud that the Validating Panel’s assessment was similar to our own:

This year we will be visited by a Validating Panel who will evaluate our school renewal processes and listen to how the school will act on the feedback from Verification. A report will be prepared and then we can celebrate the end of the renewal process with a liturgy and presentation of our next five year plan.

Congratulations to Ms Gemma Kyle who is the Good Shepherd Catholic College recipient of the Spirit of Catholic Education Award for 2023. Ms Kyle is still early in her career, but has certainly already made a significant contribution to education in her roles as Emerging Leader and Inclusive Education Middle Leader. Ms Kyle will be presented with her Award at the Catholic Education Week Mass in Townsville early next Term.

Building Update: Over the Christmas holidays, we will begin our major building works. We will be demolishing E and F Block from the middle of our school, to make way for a brand new state of the art Library facility. During the building project we will also be refurbishing the old Library into new classrooms. This is an exciting and long-awaited project. It will revitalise our school environment and allow for contemporary and ‘fit for purpose’ teaching and learning spaces. Stay tuned!

Congratulations to the following GSCC students who participated in the Dance Eisteddfod over the weekend.

Year 10 Choosing the correct subjects for you

Year 10s are starting to consider their subject selections for their senior schooling, and Year 11s are making their final changes before settling into their Year 12 subjects.

Considerations when choosing subjects: 

1. Goals. What are you aiming for? Do you have a definite tertiary course in mind? If so, are there any subjects which you must do as pre-requisites for entry? 
2. Enjoyment. Take subjects you enjoy and in which you do well. 
3. Keep your options open. If you are not sure what you want to do after school, then you should keep as many options as possible open, and select a broad range of subjects. 
4. Find out about the subjects you are considering. Before finally deciding on your subjects, discuss your preferences with your parents, members of staff and students. Does the content, style of learning and assessment suit your interests, abilities and goals? 
5. Do some research. Make good use of Curriculum Leaders, teachers, the Careers Adviser, and resources such as: 

• Queensland Job Guide (Careers Room) 
• Queensland Tertiary Courses & the QTAC Course Guides Determine whether the subjects you are interested comprise of the following: 

Pre-requisite subjects — must be taken for future courses or careers

Recommended subjects — not essential, but may make future courses easier

Useful subjects — not essential, but give a general background or help develop particular skills. 

1. Applied/VET Subject. Consider an applied or VET subject if you intend to follow a vocational pathway.

Year 11 End of Unit 1

Year 11s are at the end of their first unit of study for their senior schooling. For every successful Unit 1 result, students will earn one QCE credit. Students are at the stage where they need to be more discerning with their subject choices - should a subject be continued for the next three units of work, or should a change be made now? 

More importantly, if students are not successful in the Maths or English that they have chosen, they should strongly consider moving into a different Maths or English class so that they are able to meet the numeracy and literacy requirements of their QCE.

More information was provided to Year 11 students regarding their tracking and QCE eligibility this morning. 

Parents/carers who are concerned about, or have questions regarding the tracking of their student’s QCE eligibility, are encouraged to contact the college.

DP snr_new_assess_te_qce_factsheet_requirements (1).pdf

Semester 2  - Year 10 Subject Trials

This week, Mrs Wood is sending Year 10 students and families an overview of the senior phase of learning as outlined last Monday evening. After you’ve had an opportunity to read through thsi information, I will open the form for students to complete their Semester 2 Senior Subject Trial selections. This will take place on Friday 9 June in Homeroom, and I will be available in D4 during this time if students require assistance. 

On Thursday, I will email students their Webcode which will allow individual access to the Subject Selection Form titled "Year 10 Senior Subject Trials (Semester 2)". 

Students - please note that you all have a different Webcode, so you must use your code only. If you do not receive a Webcode on Thursday, please come and see me as soon as possible. A reminder that you won't be able to enter any information into the form until I open it tomorrow morning. The form will then remain open until 3pm on Wednesday the 14th of June.

Please note that the process is the same as it has been for Elective Subject selections:

STEP 1: Go to: my.edval.education

STEP 2: Enter your Webcode

STEP 3: Click on the relevant form (image example attached)

STEP 4: Select your senior subject trial preferences and reserves 

STEP 5: Click [Submit].  

There is no need to print and submit the paperwork, I receive all submitted forms electronically. Today, I would encourage students to check that their Webcode is working; however, another reminder that they won't be able to access the information in the form until I open it on Friday morning.

If you have any questions about this process, please don't hesitate to ask.

GSCC Website

You might have noticed that the GSCC website has undergone a revamp over the past weeks! We are still finalising the content, but for the next few weeks I am going to draw your attention to different areas of the new website! Today - take a look at the P&F page. On this page there is information about the P&F along with how to apply for travel assistance for students representing the College. Here is a direct link to the P&F Page: https://www.goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au/parents/parents-friends/ 

Good Shepherd Catholic College Parents and Friends Association Co-Curricular Travel Assistance

The Good Shepherd Catholic College Parents and Friends Association (P&F) understands and supports the College’s commitment to holistic education. There is a shared belief that education occurs beyond the classroom and that students benefit from opportunities that allow them to grow academically, socially, emotionally, spirituality and physically. There is funding available to staff and students from Good Shepherd College to support those who are required to travel away to other locations to represent the College.

To check eligibility requirements or to submit an application, please complete the form on the website and email it to the P&F directly (pandf@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au).

Compass Parent Portal

As we approach the end of term, it is important for parents and carers to ensure you can access the Compass Parent Portal. If you don’t have access, please contact the front office as soon as possible to rectify this. 

Both Semester Reports and Term 3 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews will open through Compass on Thursday 22 June. Below are instructions relating to access, reporting and interviews (conferences).

Final Day - Term 2

With only two weeks remaining for Term 2, planning is well underway for our annual NAIDOC celebrations. Please see the schedule for the day below. Students will be dismissed from the Lumen Christi Centre at 1:10pm.

PB4L Week 8

Our PB4L focus for Week 8 is to “I will follow the College assessment policy” with this in mind, please be aware of our assessment guidelines, which is available through our school website and in every student diary. At this time of the term, it is important that we are following this to ensure that our students have the best chance of success when submitting assignments and completing exams.

Reminders for Students and Families

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.

Food and Drink Items not Permitted at the College

A reminder that students are not permitted to consume soft drink, energy drinks, frozen and hot drinks, and takeaway foods during breaks at the College. If a student is found with one of these, they will be asked to put it in the bin immediately.  If you need to bring your child lunch during the day, please take it to the College Office, and they can notify the student. Students should not be waiting at the front of the College for lunches to be delivered.

With the cool weather starting we have also seen an increase in students bringing 2-minute cup noodles for lunch because the boiling water poses a work place health and safety risk. 

Touch Football on the Oval

While we encourage students to have fun and play games such as soccer and touch football on the oval during their break time, we have had an increasing number of students breaking our College hands-off policy through tackling each other at the end of breaks. Please be aware that any student that does break the hands-off rule through tackling someone will be spoken to by their pastoral leaders, to inform them of the consequences of this. The consequences for breaking the hands-off rule with intent, may include being issued a two (2) day suspension. This poses a huge safety risk for our students, and we ask that you would help reiterate this to your child. 

 In this edition of SchoolTV - SCHOOL REFUSAL

School refusal, sometimes called school avoidance or school phobia, is not uncommon. It is different to ‘wagging’ or truancy and is often related to worry or anxiety-related issues about going to school. School refusal may start gradually or happen suddenly. Although it is normal for a child to occasionally miss a day of school, parents should only be concerned if a child regularly complains about feeling sick or often asks to stay home due to minor physical complaints.

School refusal is a complex issue as there is rarely a single cause. It affects children of all ages across primary and secondary levels. It can often occur during times of transition at school. More recently, the Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the educational experience of all students, affecting some more than others. Dealing with a school refusal child can affect the whole family, adding pressure to an already challenging time. School refusal is not considered a formal psychiatric diagnosis. It’s a name given to an emotional and/or behavioural problem.

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers will learn how best to approach this issue and work towards a solution.

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 Refusal edition of SchoolTV
https://goodshepherd.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-refusal

The Sports Department would like to thank everyone involved during our very busy  Term 2. These events would not be possible without the help of all our volunteers, staff, students and parents. As we look forward to Term 3, we ask that all students pay attention to the morning notices for all updates and news on sporting opportunities at the school. 

Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to the following students and houses for another fantastic Inter House Athletics Carnival. We look forward to the upcoming Inter School Athletics Carnival early in Term 3. Nominated students will receive paperwork next week.

Inter school sport

Term 2 saw another successful tri-series as we took on Spinifex State College. Both sides showed great athleticism, determination and sportsmanship. 

Here are the results on the rounds for each age group.

Thank you to all staff, parents and students for their support and participation during this event. We would also like to thank Mount Isa Basketball Association for hosting us for the third year in a row!

Students interested in participating in Inter School Rugby League next term please contact Mr Young immediately. Training will begin shortly. 

When: Tuesday & Thursday mornings

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

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

What is it: Cross Country, Athletics training, endurance training for footy, netball, soccer, walking etc.

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

1. Warmup (10-15mins)
2. 2k time trial (There are 4 $50.00 SportsPower vouches to be won: Senior Male & Female; Junior Male & female. 

Good Shepherd Striders Running Club

2k Time Trial Leader Board