Welcome back to Term 3 and what a busy and exciting term it will be! We are looking forward to our Open Day this Friday. There will be interactive displays, scavenger hunts and arts and cultural performances. Open Day is a great opportunity for us to showcase our fantastic facilities and the unique features of our College. All members of our community are welcome to come along. The P&F will be providing a BBQ. It starts at 4.30pm and concludes at 6.00pm.

A special shout out to Denan Duncan from Year 8 who attended the University of Queensland InspireU event in Brisbane over the break. Denan was selected after submitting an application to UQ, one of only 17 students chosen. He is also now being considered for the Year 10 STEM camp because of his engagement and outstanding academic achievements.

Next week our talented Mulkadee students will travel to Townsville for the week-long event, culminating in a performance of ‘Robin Hood’ on the Friday night. Please keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages to see the daily highlights. Thank you Ms Motteram, Mr Miller, Ms Lister and Mrs Webb who are travelling with them.

Welcome back to all students and families. I hope that you all had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.  I trust that our students are refreshed and recharged ready for the new term.

May I take a moment to remind you of the Curriculum Leaders at Good Shepherd Catholic College?  Please remember we are here to help- so reach out if you need the support.

Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come a remarkably far way in the last few years and we see the evidence of its impact in many areas of our lives, including Education. While AI can be a valuable source of research, there is a temptation for students to make excessive use of this tool, bypassing the process of critical thinking and analysis, and not developing their own expression and communication.

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) responds to Artificial Intelligence and gives schools, students and parents information regarding how to navigate the use of AI, particularly in assessments.

I cannot overemphasize enough the directive QCAA gives schools.  It’s the opening line of the document, Strategies for Ensuring Authentication:  Accurate judgments of student progress and achievement can only be made if students’ assessment responses are their own work.  In other words, only a student’s own and original work will be marked and contribute towards a final result or grade, and QCAA suggests a number of ways in which schools can determine the authenticity of a student’s response.

Ironically, I generated the following response from a popular AI tool,  to assist parents in supporting their children with the responsible and ethical use of AI:

• 1.  Encourage dialogue: Initiate discussions at home about the role of AI, its benefits, and potential drawbacks. Help your child understand the importance of developing their own ideas and expressing them authentically.
• 2.  Teach research skills: Emphasize the significance of conducting thorough research and teach your child how to evaluate and analyze sources critically. Encourage them to verify information from multiple reliable sources before drawing conclusions.
• 3.  Promote critical thinking: Engage your child in conversations that stimulate critical thinking. Encourage them to question, analyze, and evaluate different perspectives and opinions. Foster an environment where open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity are valued.
• 4.  Set boundaries: Discuss and establish guidelines together regarding the use of AI tools for academic purposes. Encourage your child to use such tools as supplementary resources rather than relying solely on them.
• 5.  Emphasize originality: Encourage your child to value their unique perspectives and original ideas. Emphasize the importance of expressing themselves authentically and developing their own voice.

Parents and Carers, you are an invaluable partner in creating an environment conducive to your child’s learning, and we thank you for your continued support at home.

Scholars’ Awards 

In Week Three, the College celebrates the 2023 Semester One academic results of our students. 

Eligibility for Scholars’ Awards are based on the results students receive for Semester One, as indicated on their reports.

Parent | Teacher | Student Interview Bookings

A reminder that Parent | Teacher | Student Interviews will take place on Tuesday 18 July (Week 2, Term 3). Interview bookings will close at midday on Friday 14 July, so please be sure to book in before this time. 

Click this link for instructions: Booking Interviews

Subject Changes

If students in Years 8 - 10 have reconsidered the elective they wish to study this year they will need to complete a subject change form and return it to Mrs Webb as soon as possible. For students in Years 11 and 12, any subject changes need to be discussed with Mrs Wood (Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning). Please note that no subject changes will be permitted after the conclusion of week 2.

School Calendar

The Good Shepherd Catholic College Website includes information about all upcoming events on the news feed at the bottom of the home page. If you have a ‘gmail’ account you are also able to add our School Calendar to your Google Calendar. Click this link to access.

College Volunteers

If you are someone who regularly volunteers at the College, we would ask that you complete the volunteer induction on our school website >> https://www.goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au/parents/volunteer-induction-for-parents-and-carers/ 

Volunteer Induction for parents and carers

If you are unable to complete the face to face volunteer package please complete the online modules below. Completing these modules will introduce you to Catholic Education in North Queensland and your rights and responsibilities as a volunteer. The modules will take approximately twenty minutes to complete. Following the completion of these modules you will receive a certificate of completion via email, you are required to forward this certificate to the school (Pilar Gregor pgregor@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au). 

Online Modules 

• Online Module 1
• Online Module 2
• Online Module 3
• Online Module 4
• Online Module 5
• Online Module 6
• Online Module 7
• Online Module 8

Instructions to Use

• Click on the Module link
• Click on the Pop-Out Icon in the top right-hand corner of the presentation
• Click on Open with Google Slides
• Click on  Present

Supporting documentation 

• Registration Form
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Volunteer Photo Consent Form
• Site Induction Acknowledgement 
• Blue Card Application Form
• Handbook - Volunteer Induction
• Volunteer Restricted Persons Declaration

Quiz

Click here to complete the Quiz.

Volunteers will be required to achieve 6/6 on the quiz and will receive a Certificate of Completion via email within 24-48 hours. Volunteers should forward this email to their school (Pilar Gregor pgregor@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au).

Parents/Volunteer Code of Conduct

Click here to view the Parents/Volunteer Code of Conduct.

Welcome back to Term 3, we are halfway through the year and by now you would already be familiar with our wonderful pastoral leaders, however, I would like reintroduce you to the staff who, along with the rest of the teachers, ensure that we are offering programs and activities that further develop the needs and skills of the students at GSCC. 

Throughout the term if you ever have any questions regarding your students well being or holistic development as a student, please feel free to contact any of our wonderful pastoral staff set below:

2023 Pastoral Team

Uniform Expectations

As we start a new term, I would like to remind students and families that our uniform policy also includes our hair, grooming and jewellery expectations. Please note that we will now provide only a two day “grace” period for students to rectify any uniform non-conformance. Students who do not comply with uniform expectations will be issued with uniform detention during lunchtime.  If non-conformance continues, consequences will escalate to an after school detention or a student - parent/carer meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership team.  Uniform expectations are as follows:   

For students in Years 7-9, this uniform should include:

 For students in Years 10-12 this uniform should include:

Please note: Shoe types like canvas runners, Vans, Converse, high tops, ballet flats and Mary-Janes are not acceptable. Jackets or jumpers that students receive through participation in extracurricular activities or Senior jerseys are not an acceptable winter uniform option. These jackets and jumpers are provided for use while on the trip / excursion / retreat / camp, and then for personal use upon students’ return to Mount Isa. They are not permitted to be worn with the College Sport or Formal Uniform.

Grooming Expectations

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L): Check in Check out

In term 2 we implemented a new student support program to help some of our students adjust to their school day with a simple check in - check out, which will only be conducted with students who we believe would benefit from extra support. In any case parents will be notified for permission of their child to be on this program, alternatively they can approach their students' pastoral leader to get more information or indicate their interest in this program. 

Our Check In – Check Out (CICO) Support Program is a way to support individual students. The student will check in and check out with a nominated staff member on set days where the student will focus on goals to help them in areas such as: organisation, relationships, self control, ability to focus and problem solving.

The nominated staff member will encourage or support the student each day to develop the target skill. The program is voluntary and will be supported for as long as they are committed to it. We ask that parents are also involved in this program by reviewing their daily check in – check out Compass entry and giving their child praise and encouragement for working towards their goals. 

Welcome back everyone! I hope you have all had a chance to enjoy your holidays and are ready to take on the term ahead. 

Celebrating Catholic Education in Queensland

This term we will be celebrating Catholic Education in Queensland. Catholic Education Week, specifically, is in week 3, and provides an opportunity for all 309 Catholic schools in Queensland to celebrate and promote their distinctive mission and ethos.  Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our school and community by  challenging our students to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. The theme for this year is “Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.”Celebrating our Good Shepherd Community of Faith, Hope and Love there will be a variety of events throughout the term that invite us to celebrate and thank God for the gift of creation. 

Few School Community Events This Term:

Good Shepherd Feast Day - 28th July

Mt Isa, World Youth Day Pilgrimage - 17th July till 11th August

MacKillop Feast Day - 4th August

Multicultural Day Assembly - 30th August

Year 9 Retreat - 8th September

Year 10 Retreat - 25th August

RUOK? Day - 14th September

Multicultural Day

As part of multicultural week this year, Good Shepherd will be celebrating the diversity of culture at our college community at a school assembly in week 8.If you or your family are interested in expressing and showcasing your beautiful culture through song, dance or traditional clothing, please contact us, as we would love to celebrate you and your family. This event will be held in week 8 (30th August), more information and details will be sent out closer to the date. 

ALPHA Youth Program

ALPHA Youth will continue this term for students in year 9 to year 12. This is a judgment free after school program held once a week where we eat food, watch videos and ask questions about faith, life and the role of God in our individual journeys. All are welcome, and you do not have to be Catholic to come alone. 

ALPHA will be held after school on Thursday from week 3 onwards. If you have any questions, please reach out via email on mpuxty@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au.

Ignite Youth Brisbane Conference 2023

Every year, Ignite Youth hosts one of Australia’s most powerful Catholic youth conferences. Ignite Conference draws together a network of high schoolers, young adults, ministry leaders, families, teachers, priests and religious from around the country, sending them out with a passion for mission and authentic faith in Jesus. 

This year, GSCC will join students, and staff from all over the diocese to attend the Ignite Youth Conference in Brisbane from the 21st of September till the 24th of September, during term 3 holidays. Students, and their families are invited to experience four days of real-world formation, encouragement in faith, great people and powerful worship. Please reach out to Mel Puxty at mpuxty@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au if you are interested or have any questions.