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Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we continue to carry out our mission of fostering a spirit of love, faith, and learning under our school’s motto, "Christ, our Light", I would like to highlight an area of concern that can significantly impact our students' success: regular school attendance. Lately we have been observing more unexplained absences and habitual lateness of some students that is also not explained.
The importance of attending school every day might seem obvious, but numerous studies support the lasting effects of consistent attendance. According to the Smith Family Foundation, an Australian children’s charity, students who miss out on school regularly are more likely to fall behind in their learning and may even disengage entirely from education- ultimately hindering their future prospects.
The research indicated that missing out on learning fundamental concepts could impact the understanding of more complex ideas years later, demonstrating the ripple effect of attendance.
To bring this closer to our own community, in our school, consistent attendance has been directly linked to the overall academic performance, engagement, and individual development of our students. Not only do they thrive academically, but they grow spiritually as well, truly embodying our motto, “Christ, our Light”.
Moreover, regular attendance equips students with essential life skills and values such as commitment, responsibility, resilience, and discipline - all key attributes resonating profoundly with our Catholic values and our motto.
In Proverbs 22:6 it states, "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not depart from it". Let's work together to support our children by emphasizing and ensuring their regular attendance.
A commitment to ‘Every student at school every day’ means that we can best support our students to do their very best.
Have a blessed week and enjoy the Rodeo festivities this weekend.
Kathleen McCarthy
Kathleen McCarthy - Principal
Phone: 07 4749 9400
Email: enquiries@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

Drafting at GSCC
Assessments are an extension of the work completed in class, and allow students to demonstrate their application of the skills and knowledge they have acquired during this term.
Drafting is a very important part of the assessment process. When students submit drafts to their teachers for feedback and guidance, the submission should be the student’s best possible response to the task. This way the teacher can provide the best possible feedback to the student.
Students are reminded to be organised to enable them to complete full drafts by the required date. Teacher feedback on drafts will vary from task to task and is generally subject-specific, thus meaning that how a teacher drafts in English will be different to how another teacher drafts in Maths.
Year 7-10 students who are unable to submit assessments on time and have a valid reason for requiring a revised assessment date, should collect an extension form from the office, and complete and return the form to their teacher with any supporting documentation at least three days before the assessment is due.
In Senior School, planned student absences during assessment time require QCAA approval, and must be accompanied with supporting documentation.
Drafting at Good Shepherd is a compulsory process in which all students are expected to take part. If students are struggling or finding the drafting process challenging I encourage them to make contact with their classroom teacher as soon as possible.
Michele Wood - Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning
Phone: 07 4749 9400
Email: enquiries@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

Year 11, 2024 SET Plan Meetings (information for current Year 10 students)
Compass Conference bookings will open next Monday for SET Plan Meetings. These will take place with students, families and a member of the College Tracking Team in Week 8 & 9 (28 August - 8 September). Each interview will be approximately 30 minutes, and a parent or guardian must attend this meeting for all students.
As you may be aware, in Queensland, students must be "learning or earning" for two years after they complete Year 10 OR they must complete a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), QCIA, Senior Statement or Certificate III or IV.
In the Senior phase of learning (Years 10-12) students can choose from a wide range of learning options that will help them when they leave school whether they are planning to go to University, TAFE, take up an apprenticeship or get a job.
To assist with the transition into Year 11, all Year 10 students across Queensland develop a Senior Education and Training (SET) plan. A SET plan is a confidential document that students will develop, in consultation with their parents/carers and key staff at Good Shepherd to map their learning and career pathways. These SET plans help students to:
- set & achieve learning goals in Years 11 & 12
- include flexible pathway options in their Senior course of study
- think about their education, training and career options after Year 12
- structure their learning around abilities, interests & ambitions
- communicate with parents, teachers & guidance officers about learning pathways & post-school plans.
You will book your interview through the Compass Parent Portal. If you have any questions or concerns (or need help booking!), you can email me, or contact the College office on (07) 4749 9400. Bookings will close at 3pmThursday, 24 August.
Year 12 Exam Block
In week 9, Year 12 students will sit a Mock Exam Block (Monday 4 – Friday 8 September 2023). Throughout the week, trial exams for all General Subjects studied at GSCC will be completed. Even though these are trial exams, it is COMPULSORY for all students to attend their exam. The results from these trials will provide valuable feedback for students before they sit external exams in Term 4. The schedule is below, we will advise if there are any changes to this in the lead up.
Amy Webb - Assistant Principal - Administration
Phone: 07 4749 9400
Email: enquiries@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

Vaping concerns:
Recently the issues regarding vaping have started to arise again. In lieu of this, please see the following SchoolTV report for information and insights to how we can manage this at home. We are currently working on many things across the school to educate and prevent our youth from engaging in vaping and e-cigarettes, however, this information may help you at home to navigate through this concerning health issue that is not going away.
SchoolTV: https://goodshepherd.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-vaping-au
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
Jordan Harries - Assistant Principal - Pastoral
Phone: 07 4749 9400
Email: enquiries@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

On August 7, 2023, Senior Geography Students from Good Shepherd Catholic College visited the Diamantina Power Plant, Mount Isa as part of their assessment task. The purpose of their visit was to analyse the challenges that different regions in Australia face.
During the visit, the students were able to conduct an analysis of the power parameters of Mount Isa and explore the Solar Farm, which spans approximately 126 hectares and contains approximately 186,000 solar panels that have the potential to generate 88000 MWatt of power. This is sufficient to meet the requirements of the town and its mining production.
Furthermore, it serves as a dependable backup in the event of accidental maintenance issues or power outages. The visit provided a valuable learning opportunity for the students to gain knowledge about renewable energy and its potential. The Diamantina Power Plant intends to invest more in sustainable sources such as wind and water with the objective of reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources such as gases, petroleum, or coal.








Shreeparna Banerjee Lahiri - Geography Teacher
Phone: 4743 2509

Inter school Rugby League
A big thank you to everyone who came down to support the College in our opening round of School of Origin last Thursday. Both of our teams did extremely well, demonstrating skill, determination and mateship throughout the afternoon.
Our 13 years boys had some skillful performances from the likes of Denan Duncan, Coby Lewry, Cruz Pyke and Man of the Match - A-Tai Li-Downie. While both sides played hard, Good Shepherd won the battle 30-0.
Our Senior team played with a lot of heart as some key players went down with injuries throughout the game. Mikeal Kuskopf, Marshall Turner and Jack Peng stepped up into their roles off the bench to give the team the extra boost to complete the game. Good Shepherd won 16-4, Man of the Match - Clay Phillips.
The next and final round is Thursday 17th August - if anyone is willing to volunteer and help work the canteen that would be greatly appreciated!
Jericho Young - Sports Coordinator
Phone: 07 4749 9400
Email: enquiries@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au
Arili Thina Morning Cafe
Arili Thina Cafe is open every Wednesday Morning from 7.30am - 9.00am, the cafe is located behind the LCC next to the Hospitality Kitchen.
Offering a range of espresso Coffees and cold drinks ; milkshakes, frappes , Iced Coffee. There is also a selection of food : Ham and Cheese Croissants, Bacon and Egg toasties and Smashed Avocado on sourdough, this may change weekly.
Our Year 11 and 12 Hospitality Students run this Cafe to achieve their competencies towards their Certificate ll in Hospitality and also fundraise for Hospitality camp.
Year 7, 8 and 9 Students are welcome to Cafe if accompanied by a parent or adult.
We encourage everyone to dine in.
We look forward to seeing you at the Arili Thina Cafe.
Cheers Mrs Cole and senior Hospitality Students