Everyone I speak to cannot fathom how quickly this Term has flown. It has been an extremely busy time for learning and teaching at the College and I’m very thankful to our Deputy Principal Michele Wood for her outstanding leadership of this agenda at our school. She leads a strong team of Curriculum Leaders who work collaboratively with teachers to ensure high quality teaching happens in every classroom, every day. Here is a list of some of the many initiatives and programs happening in the learning and teaching space of the College this Term:

• Industry visits - Cert III Fitness
• Careers Advisor visit for Year 12 students
• Year 10-12 Work Experience
• Year 6 Orientation Days
• Time to Shine for Year 6 students
• Mock Exams for Year 12
• SET Plan meetings for Year 10s
• Blak Excellence Lunch for Year 12 First Nation students
• Positive Behaviour for Learning Working group
• Resilience survey for staff
• Term 3 Reporting
• Subject data collection for Awards Night
• Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the AC presentation by Tammi Webber and Kim McCosker
• QCAA webinars and PD continue
• Italian Proficiency PD
• Four Dimension Observations
• IT PD re: Cybersafety and Cyber Security
• QTAC presentation
• Science Week
• Ongoing planning by staff for implementation of new AC V9
• Professional Learning Plans check ins
• Revision of Applied Subjects
• Try-A-Trade
•  Coding Club

Of course there are many, many more things happening at Good Shepherd. Our teachers and school officers work so hard and deserve their upcoming holidays, just as our students do.

This weekend I am travelling to Brisbane with Year 12 student Lianne Woodsbey and her family as she has been nominated for the state wide Queensland Training Awards. She recently won the North Queensland regional finals pool. We are so proud of everything she has achieved as a School-Based Apprentice.

Here are some highlights from our wins at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduation Liturgy last week. Good Shepherd Catholic College won the Schools Recognition Award for Indigenous Education in the Diocese and Year 12 student Malachi Munns won the Bishop Michael Putney Award for Indigenous Education. 

Reports & Awards Night

This year our College Awards Night which will be held 8 November.  This 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. 

The Year 12 General Subject Awards and Dux Scholar Award will be presented at our first Scholars Awards in 2022 after we have received the students' final results. 

Lists of the Awards Recipients will go out early next term.  Please refer to the Year to Date result on your student’s report for eligibility.

Reports will go out next Friday.

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

End of Term Arrangements

The final day for Term 3 is Friday 15 September. This year, we will conclude the Term with our rescheduled Swimming Carnival. Mr Young will send specific details about this in the coming week.

School will conclude for the day at 1:30pm. 

Term 3 Interim Reports

Term 3 Interim Reports will be released on Compass at the end of next week (Week 10). Although there are no formal Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews next term, parents can contact classroom teachers at any time throughout the term regarding student progress. 

Instructions on how to access reports are below:

Accessing_Semester_Reports.pdf

Accessing_Semester_Reports _pdf 262.86 KB

Term 4 Elective Subject Changes (Years 7 - 10)

Any elective subject change must be completed by the end of week 2. Please be aware that some classes are at capacity so not all changes will be possible. If students already know they want to change subjects, they can complete the form before the end of term and submit it to the office. These changes will be updated over the holidays for a Term 4 start. A reminder that any subject change form needs to be signed by a parent or guardian; the teacher of the existing subject; the teacher of the subject request and the relevant curriculum leader.

Term 4 Senior Subject Changes (Years 11 & 12)

Please note that any Year 11 or 12 student who wants to change subjects must meet with Mrs Wood before commencing any paperwork. There are lots of considerations to make before proceeding with changes in the senior school so it is important that this process is followed.

SET Plans / 2024 Year 11 Subject Selections

We’ve enjoyed meeting with Year 10 students and parents over the last fortnight. This is an exciting time for students as they embark on their final phase of formal schooling. We understand that over the coming months there might be changes to subject selections and pathways. If students change their mind about the subjects selected for Year 11 2024, first check in with your SET Planner to ensure the change won’t impact the post school pathway. Once you’ve done this, parents/guardians should email me (awebb1@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au) with the proposed change and I will update it on our systems. It is important to note that we won't change any subjects without parent/guardian approval.

Any changes made next year will need to be in consultation with Mrs Wood, using an official subject change form.

Calling All Artists!

We are calling for GSCC artists to enter our 2023 GSCC Yearbook Cover Design Competition!

All you need to do is design and create a cover for the 2023 GSCC Yearbook. The designs will be voted on, and the winner will be used as the cover for the 2023 Yearbook. The designs should be:

• Aesthetically appealing & of high resolution;
• Hand drawn, painted or digitally created;
• A4 in size;
• Have a GSCC focus (although GSCC colours aren't necessary);
• Bonus points if the cover reflects our 2023 theme of Care for Creation.

Term 4 Timetables

I will sync Term 4 timetables to Compass at the end of the holidays. All students will receive new timetables on the first day of next term.  Students should check Compass over the last weekend of the holidays to ensure they have the correct materials for the first day of Term 4.

Term 4 Exam Blocks

Term 4 is a busy time for exams and all senior students will sit exam blocks throughout the term.

• Year 12 External Exams: Weeks 4 - 6
• Year 11 Exam Block: Week 4 (the number of days tbc)
• Year 10 Exam Block: Week 8 (all week)

The full timetable for these exam blocks will be sent in Term 4.

Term 4 Key Dates

Term 4 is always busy, with lots of events on our school calendar! Please see people some of the big events for next term:

• Tuesday 3 - Friday 6 October: Final TAFE Block
• Wednesday 4 October: Mental Health Roadshow (Emerging Leaders)
• Wednesday 18 October: GSCC Sports Awards Night (LCC)
• Friday 20 October: Year 12 Final Assembly (LCC)
• Wednesday 8 November: GSCC Awards Night (Civic Centre)
• Saturday 11 - Thursday 16 November: Year 11 Retreat
• Wednesday 15 November: GSCC Graduation Liturgy (Good Shepherd Parish)
• Saturday 18 November: GSCC Year 12 Graduation Dinner (Civic Centre)
• Friday 24 November: Final Day 2023

I am on leave next week (Week 10), if you have any urgent questions please contact the College Office on 47432509 and they can direct your request to the appropriate person.

School resumes for Term 4 on Tuesday 3 October.  Have a wonderful break and see you in Term 4!

In week 7 of this term, students from the Technology and Arts departments were eagerly involved in a night that celebrated their amazing work and achievements. It was a delightful evening filled with artistic brilliance. This event served as a vibrant celebration of the students’ exceptional talents and boundless creativity. Parents were engaged with a special Art Showcase that featured a captivating fashion parade of a variety of wearable art and textiles projects. The night resonated with melodious tunes from Ms Motteram’s talented ensemble as well as the likes of featured solo artists and Rock Band performance. Throughout the night there was also an opportunity to see the amazing work from the Metalwork, Woodwork, Textiles, Design and Digital Technology Students.

The Art Tech Showcase Night underscored the remarkable talent within the school community, and we are immensely impressed by the students’ achievements. We’re looking forward to further nurturing their creative talents and witnessing their ongoing growth in the arts and technology subjects.

Jarvis Miller and Ann-Marie Lesca

Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. Butterfly changes lives by providing innovative, evidence-based support services, treatment and resources, delivering prevention and early intervention programs and advocating for the needs of our community.

The Butterfly Foundation has two upcoming webinar sessions. Information about the sessions, times and costs can be found using the following links:

Supporting Teens To Eat Well In A Food Confused World

https://events.butterfly.org.au/portal//event/?id=EP_BCCT_Parent_Webinar477928020&Name=12/09/23 BKF Teens Eating

Body COnfident Children and Teens For Parents

https://events.butterfly.org.au/portal//event/?id=EP_BCCT_Parent_Webinar2583081573&Name=17/10/23

Multicultural Assembly

Last week’s Multicultural Assembly was an absolute blast! It was a fantastic showcase of the rich tapestry of cultures that make our school community so vibrant and unique. I was thrilled to be a part of it and witness the colourful array of performances and displays representing cultures from around the world.

Our school is a true reflection of the world’s diversity, and this event celebrated the beauty of our unity in diversity. We proudly featured cultures from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, Brazil, Fiji, Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Taiwan, Tonga, India, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Each presentation was a testament to the rich traditions, art, music and stories that enrich our lives daily.

With the excitement and success of this year’s Multicultural Assembly, I can’t wait for what next year will bring! Stay tuned for more diverse celebrations, learning opportunities, and culture exchanges.

Swimming Carnival

Our annual Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 15th September as we celebrate the end of another successful Term for GSCC. Students are to meet at the Touch Fields by 8:15am, where we mark our rolls, open the carnival and start our first event for the day - house relay races!

As always, normal school rules apply - no phones, appropriate dress only (no two piece swimmers), parents/ visitors to see Ms Puxty at the Announcers tent. There will be a bbq hosted by Mika, Col and our Rugby 9’s Rugby League team so make sure to bring some coins. The pool tuckshop will also be open, selling food and drinks. 

There will be a number of races including - House Relay Race (Touch Fields), 200m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and our Teacher vs. Student race. Additionally, we have new activity rotations including - Fashion Parade, Sponge Relay, Bomb Comp and Inflatable Relay.

The Swimming Carnival schedule is as follows. 

Sports Awards Night

Save the Date! Students that have represented the College in Sport will be celebrated on the 18th October - Term 4. Can all parents and students please check the recipient list below. If there are any errors please contact me immediately. 

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