As we come to the ‘pointy’ time of the Term when students have drafts due and exams approaching, it is important that our students take additional time at home to prepare thoroughly. Our Homework Program runs four afternoons a week from 3.00pm - 4.00pm and there are always teachers and school officers there to provide support.

If you are unsure about what assessment your student has due, please familiarise yourself with the Assessment Calendars for each year level. These can also be found on our school webpage. If you have any concerns, please contact the subject teacher in the first instance or if needed the Curriculum Leader.

I am in Townsville this week attending the Principal Meetings. The first session is about Gender Incongruence and how we can pastorally care for the students in our schools who may be experiencing a ‘mismatch’ between their assigned sex and their gender. It is an important conversation for schools to have to ensure that every one of our students feels cared for and loved. I’m sure there will be more work to be done in our Catholic schools so that our Trans students and those from the LGBTIQA+ community do feel welcome and supported. This is reinforced in our Scriptures, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine. You are precious in my sight and honoured, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:1,4) This article is being used in schools now as a valuable resource in this space.

Don’t forget that this Friday is our P&F Foot Night. There are some fun games and activities for the whole family.

Have a blessed week.

Kathleen

Annual College Awards Night

Preparations have begun for the College Awards Night which will be held 8 November.  Our Major Awards Night recognises various achievements of students throughout the year. For academic achievements, students are eligible for a number of awards in various categories based on their results from the entire year.  Special awards are nominated and voted on by College staff.

Below is the criteria used to determine the various awards, and students will be notified early in Term 4 what awards they are receiving. 

It is important to note that results used to determine awards eligibility are cumulative for the entire year.

We always look forward to celebrating this with the College and wider community.

SET Plan Meetings

Thank you to all of the Year 10 families who have booked SET Plan Meetings this week. If you haven’t booked a meeting yet, please contact the College Office to book in as soon as possible.

Subject Selections / Changes - Frequently Asked Questions 

As we approach the end of Term 3, students might be casting their mind into the next term. Below are some frequently asked questions and a response to each.

I am in Year 8 - 10 and considering an elective subject change for next term… What should I do? 

Please complete and submit the paperwork in before Friday Week 10 (this term) to ensure you make the most out of a very short Term 4.

I am in Year 10 and am wondering if I can change senior subject trial subjects? 

Of course you can! The process is the same as any subject change. Like the elective subject change, please complete the paperwork in Week 10 this term to ensure you make the most out of a very short Term 4.

I’m in Year 7 - 9 and am thinking about what subjects I will do next year… What is the process for this? 

Don’t worry! Subject Selections for 2023 will be sent early in Term 4, so there will be ample time to consider your options.

I am in Year 11 and want to change subjects, what should I do? 

Please make a time to meet with Mrs Wood asap to ensure the change won’t impact your QCE or ATAR eligibility. The sooner you make changes the better.

I am in Year 10 and I haven't selected my subjects for Year 11, and haven’t booked a SET Plan Meeting, is it too late? 

Of course it’s not too late! Please contact the College Office asap and we will book you in. We can select subjects during the meeting.

Year 12 Exam Block

A reminder that Year 12 students have a full exam block in Week 9 (4-8 September). 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.

Compass School Manager -Tips for Parents

At the end of this term, interim report cards for students in Years 7 - 11 will be uploaded to Compass. To access these, follow the instructions below. If you’re using your phone to access report cards, please ensure you have the most up to date version of the Compass School Manager app.

Viewing Academic Reports

From the home screen, click on the ‘View Academic Reports’ item or navigate to the ‘Student Profile’ and click the ‘Reports’ tab.

Upcoming Retreats: 

We have an amazing team of Pastoral Leaders who throughout the year plan and facilitate various activities, although the biggest ones on their calendars are always our retreats. Thank you to Mrs Thinee and Ms McCarthy who have already completed their retreats. Before I talk briefly on the upcoming retreats I will begin by stating all retreats at GSCC are compulsory, and students that are unable to attend for whatever reason must let us know in writing well before the event. GSCC retreats are compulsory and something that all students have signed up to in their contract of enrolment. Obviously it is reasonable that students may have medical needs or family circumstances, however, please communicate with either the pastoral leader or myself, should there be any issues with attending these events. 

Year 10: 

This week we have the Year 10 retreat which focuses on indigenous spiritualities with the theme of “How do you shine”. This is a great chance for our students to connect to the land around them and get a deeper understanding of the culture and history that shapes our beautiful home. This will take place at Lake Moondarra and allow our students to engage with each other outside of a school setting and show the growth in this context. The aim of this retreat is to allow yourself to shine, essentially showing the amazing things that you have and can continue to bring to the table, without being ‘shame’. Please take the time this weekend to speak with your child in Year 10 and ask how they were able to unpack that theme and shine with their peers. Also, a massive thank you to Mr. Travis Roberts and his team for planning and facilitating this Retreat.

Year 9: 

During Week 9 of this term our Year 9 students will take part in a day full of activities that align with their theme of diversity and teamwork. They will complete certain activities that will push them as individuals to grow together as a cohort. They will be put through different games and challenges to develop growth in their diversity as humans. We are really excited for what Mrs. Whitehouse has planned for this group and are excited to see the growth and comradery after this Retreat. 

Year 11 Retreat:

This week information regarding the Year 11 Retreat will be sent home with information regarding the costs, activities, and dates associated. Please take time to plan your dates around this event. It will be a three day retreat on Magnetic Island, Townsville. We will begin our travels Saturday 11th, November and Return Thursday 16th November. Please also consider any work or other commitment your child might need to put on hold whilst away on this Retreat. Lastly, thank you to Ms Luarca who has been working hard to plan this retreat for ourYear 11 students. 

SchoolTV: Anxiety

As we approach assessment and exam time of the term, I would like to share a SchoolTV article shaped around anxiety and stress, with some helpful ways to manage this. 

Chances are, you or someone you know suffers with anxiety. Whether it's a mild feeling of apprehension and unease before a completely routine event, or a full-blown panic attack - anxiety can disrupt your daily life.

Anxiety disorders are the most common kind of mental illness. 

They include post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, general anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and even forms of depression. On average, one in four people one in three women and one in five men will experience anxiety at some stage in their life. According to BeyondBlue, in a 12-month period, over two million Australians experience anxiety. Anxiety is common, but the sooner people with anxiety get help, the more likely they are to recover. Still, only one-third of those affected seek help.

For people who have sought professional treatment for their anxiety, as well as those who prefer to keep it private, SchoolTV have chosen the best anxiety apps of 2016.  

Please see the link below for access to apps that can help with managing stress and anxieties that come with everyday struggles: 

https://goodshepherd.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter-article/7306/182

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 

Inter School Rugby League

Last week was the final round of our Inter School Rugby League competition. Both sides worked extremely hard and put on a great show of enthusiasm and talent on the football field. A big thank you to Spinifex State College for organising the event and giving our students the opportunity to play the game they love. Good Shepherd had a great year as both Under 13s Boys and Opens Boys teams went undefeated in their two rounds. 

Our 13’s won 20 - 8, with some big performances from an undermanned squad. Congratulations to Denan Duncan who won Man of the Match. Our Opens team won 40 - 18, with Ihaia-John Waenga winning Man of the Match. 

Thank you to our Coaches, Managers, Trainers and water boys for helping prepare the teams throughout the Term!

MISSA Athletics

Over the weekend, a number of GSCC students and their families travelled to Longreach for the Annual Sunset Carnival combined with the North West School Sport trials. It was a fantastic weekend with many students achieving personal bests and placing in their events. Special mention to A-Tai Li Downie and Allison Thomson for receiving Age Champion in their age groups. Congratulations to all athletes for representing the District and the College.

NQ All Schools Touch Football Carnival

For the first time since 2017, GSCC competed in the NQ All Schools Touch Football Carnival. The school took away an Opens Mixed team full of talent and Coached by a very accomplished player - Eryan Haddon. While the team started off slow, it did not take long for them to find their team chemistry. Backed by experience from Captain Ihaia-John Waenga and Senior player Zoe Ryder - GSCC finished 1st place during the Pool Rounds. 

Game 1: 3-5 vs. St Anthony's CC (Loss)

Game 2: 6-1 vs. Ryan CC (win)

Game 3: 8-1 vs. Townsville SHS (Win)

Game 4: 4-1 vs. Gilroy SMCC (Win)

Game 5: 10-1 vs Mirani SHS (Win)

Unfortunately, the next day during the Finals rounds GSCC lost in the Semi Finals to the eventual Opens Mixed winners - Southern Cross Catholic College, 1-5. 

The team would like to thank Coach Eryan Haddon and Manager Steph Whitehouse for the great opportunity to compete in this Carnival. As well as thank Sponsors

• Bell & Moir
• DM Panel Repairs
• JAYS Real Estate
• Trekk Advisory

A final reminder that as a part of the Pastoral, Spiritual Development and Religious Education program at Good Shepherd Catholic College, all Year 10 students will participate in a compulsory Spirituality Retreat Day on this Friday 25th August, 2023. 

Our retreat day aims to allow students the opportunity to develop spirituality connections and leadership skills with a focus on Indigenous Spirituality at Lake Moondarra, followed by an afternoon of Indigenous Games to build togetherness and teamwork at the College. These developments are an essential part of being a student in a Catholic School.

I would like to further emphasise that this is a compulsory attendance day for students, and that any absences need to be communicated to the College Office. Additionally, any outstanding permission/medical forms need to be returned by tomorrow morning as well, so that we have all the necessary particulars required. 

Most importantly, I ask that your child is at the College no later than 8:25am on Friday, so as to ensure that we depart on time in our organised buses.

If you have any questions or concerns in regards to the Retreat, please don’t hesitate to contact myself via email (troberts5@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au) or phone (4743 2509).

Regards,

Travis Roberts

Year 10 Pastoral Leader

Hello Parents, Students, and Community Members,

I'm excited to share some wonderful news about the creative buzz around our school and town. Join us this Thursday, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in the Lumen Christie Centre, for the Arts Tech Showcase Night. We're putting together an evening filled with student performances that are sure to dazzle, an art exhibition and an intriguing presentation from the Design & Technology Department.

The Mount Isa 100 Voices Choir are still eager for keen vocalists to perform at the upcoming Multicultural Festival (Friday, 2nd of September). Rehearsals are from 6:30pm - 7:30pm in the Music Room at St Keiran’s.

In other fantastic news, the Multicultural Assembly is next (Wednesday, August 30th) from 8:50am - 9:50am. Students and staff will proudly sport their traditional attire and showcase their cultures through captivating performances. Parents and community members are invited to join this celebration. Let's come together and celebrate the unique talents, cultures, and community spirit that make our school truly special. 

If you have any further questions about being involved with all things arts and culture please do not hesitate to contact me: jmiller11@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au