This week is a very important one for our Year 12 Students and Parents. It marks the conclusion of 13 years of schooling and 6 at Good Shepherd Catholic College. This evening we will come together to celebrate Eucharist and then the week culminates with the Graduation Dinner on Saturday evening. I am extremely proud of our Graduands and know that they will make a positive difference in the world - armed with an excellent education and a deep understanding of how to be an example of Christ to others. We thank our Parents for your support of the College and congratulate you for reaching this milestone too. As learning partners, you have helped shaped them in immeasurable ways and this is your achievement too. I thank all of the Staff who have worked with this cohort of students - it is a privilege as a teacher to see students grow through their high school years and to reach this moment.

Our Year 11 Retreat-ers are having a wonderful time on beautiful Magnetic Island. The leadership camp is designed to bring the cohort together and to teach skills of co-operation, team building and supporting one another. We look forward to their return later in the week.

Good luck to our Year 10s who are on Exam Block next week. These are very important exams as they are their final ones before entering the Senior Phase of Learning.

On Monday we are starting the removal of furniture and equipment out of E and F Block so demolition can begin for our Building Project. Please join us for a Blessing of the Buildings on Thursday 23rd November at 11.00 am in the Quadrangle.

Year 7-9 students will continue to have assessment and assignments due next week and on Friday the 24th November, we will gather for a Christmas Liturgy and BBQ. I hope you can come along to celebrate the end of the school year.

Finally, as this is our last Newsletter for the Term and my last as Principal, I would like to say farewell and thank you to all the Students, Staff and Parents for your support over the last four years. It has been a real privilege to lead Good Shepherd Catholic College and I know I will miss this community very much, I wish you every blessing for Christmas and the New Year.

God bless,

Kathleen McCarthy

2024 Elective Subject Selections (Years 8 - 10 2024)

On Tuesday the elective subject selection forms were opened for students in Years 7 - 9. All students need to log into my.edval.education this week, enter their web code, choose the relevant subject selection form and submit their preferences for 2024. Forms will close at 1pm on Friday and after this time I will allocate any students who haven’t completed their preferences to subjects for next year.

A couple of reminders:

• When completing this form, you are required to select one subject from LINE A and one subject from LINE B. You should discuss your elective choices with your parents. 
• You are NOT allowed to study a subject on more than one line. 
• You must select a reserve subject for each Line. Subjects will fill in order of form submission. 
• If you did not receive your first preference your second preference will be used.
• If you have any questions about subjects, please speak to the Curriculum Leader, or you can access the Junior Curriculum Handbook on our school website. 
• Submission of this form is considered confirmation of subject choice.

Year 10 Exam Block - Week 8 (20 - 24 November)

A final reminder that Year 10 students will sit their next Exam Block next week (Monday 20 – Friday 24 November 2023).

Effective Behaviour Surveys: 

Thank you to those who have responded to the survey that was sent out on Monday morning, we really appreciate your feedback here. For those who have not been able to, this survey will be open to responses until the end of next week (week 8). If you have any questions or concerns regarding this please do not hesitate to contact me at jharries@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

SchoolTV: 

A child can form an opinion of their own body at a very young age. Research suggests that children as young as three years old can have body image issues, and there are many things that influence them. Parents play a critical role in helping children develop a positive body image.

Today’s media can negatively influence our young people on what is the “ideal” body shape and size. The problem is, a “perfect” body doesn’t really exist. Although body image issues are mostly associated with girls, boys are also affected. A negative body image can trigger eating disorders in some children and parents need to be aware of the signs. Their child’s eating habits and language around appearance can be an indicator. Parents and teachers need to help kids understand that appearance does not equate to an individual’s health or success.

Please seek help if you notice any body image tendencies, from a school stand point you can always reach out to a pastoral leader or myself. Alternatively, SchoolTV has great resources available on the following link: https://goodshepherd.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/body-image

On Saturday 11 November Good Shepherd attended the Remembrance day ceremony at the Civic Centre. Our 2024 school leaders were all present and they laid a wreath from our school at the ceremony. We also had students from our school who were part of the Cadet unit that was present for the ceremony. 

Arili Thina Morning Cafe - Next Week will be our last Cafe for the year .

Thank you for supporting the Cafe this year.

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 in 2024. 

Cheers Mrs Cole and senior Hospitality Students