“We are our choices – choose well….”    Etihad Advertising Campaign – 2019

Welcome back to another year at Good Shepherd. We look forward to delivering on our college mission statement, “to provide a quality holistic education in a caring Catholic environment”. I’m very excited at the prospect of another great year at the college. With some excellent new additions to our staff and some thorough preparation over the last two weeks we are ready to ensure all students are provided with the opportunity to experience the GSCC community, live the gospel values (of love, hope, respect, truth and justice) and achieve success in their educational journey.

During our welcoming assembly on Wednesday I had the opportunity to speak to the students and staff about “choices”. Over the break I had the fortune to do some international travel. While on an Etihad flight, my interest was captured by their most recent advertisement promoting flying with them. It was called “Choose well – Etihad”. Now, I’m not one to indulge in advertising, however this one caught my attention, because the message was synonymous with many of the ideas we hold as important at GSCC.

The advertisement begins with, “we are our choices, which ones will you make” and goes on to say;
“choose where you’re heading, choose to open the shutters, to open your horizons, choose to switch ‘off’ or switch ‘on’, 40 slides or 40 winks, choose tears, chats or just choose to think, you’re on a ‘bigger’ journey, with bigger choices. Choose your career, choose your glasses (half empty or half full), choose the easy path or make your own path, choose to change the world, it’s your choice….. we are our choices, choose well. You can see why I thought this was such a powerful message, especially for our students at the beginning of another year. I reminded them that they have chosen the GSCC “difference” and they will choose the path they travel this year. As educators of young adults it is imperative for us, not only to offer our students excellent choices but also to ensure they understand, that the choices they make now will affect the future they build for themselves.

I went on to talk about the work of Franklin Covey and his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, in particular the second habit, “Begin with the end in mind”. I spoke about the common paradigm; “we can’t predict how our lives will turn out, so just go with the flow” and the need to replace it with a more effective one; “clearly define your vision and purpose in life”, in other words, set goals each year and work on achieving them. Furthermore, the common practices of; “getting started without a clear idea of what you want to achieve and letting others’ agendas define how you live your life” need to be replaced by “defining outcomes before you act and creating and living by your own personal mission statement”.

At Good Shepherd, the staff have spent considerable time over the past two weeks shaping our School Improvement Plan for 2019, setting Professional Goals and engaging in Professional Development on “The Language of Growth Mindset”. We believe we are ready for the journey. As a parent, we ask that you spend some time in discussions with your children on their goals for the year and journey with them as they experience the GSCC community. With “Christ our Light” we journey together towards a defined future of hope, understanding and self-belief. I end as I began; “we are our choices, choose well”.

Welcome to 2019

I would like welcome all families back to the College for the start of the school year and wish to say a special welcome to our Year 7 students, and any new students joining the Good Shepherd Catholic College Community. I hope you have all had a restful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year period, and are returning to school with a refreshed mind and spirit. We can now all look forward to the adventures that 2019 is sure to bring.

The beginning of a school year is a good time for students to reflect on their successes and challenges from last year. It is also and important time to revisit some important school policies and procedures. As a College, we expect students to walk with us, to be a part of our community and to follow our mission and vision. By now, students would be familiar with our four very basic College expectations:

1. Respect all people and things
2. Be in the right place at the right time
3. Come prepared to learn
4. Follow instructions the first time

As signed by students and parents in the enrolment agreement, Good Shepherd students must be prepared to follow these expectations.

Uniform Policy

We have very clear uniform expectations here at Good Shepherd. Students must arrive and exit school each day in the full academic uniform, which includes their hat and diary.

If your child is unable to wear their full academic uniform, please communicate this with the Homeroom Teacher. If students are not adhering to the College Uniform Expectations the following steps will occur: (this does not apply to students who present a note from a parent or guardian)  Full academic uniform

1. Student will be issued a lunch-time uniform detention. Failure to attend the lunchtime detention will result in a Wednesday afternoon detention
2. Three (3) uniform detentions will result in an afterschool detention (Wednesday afternoons 3pm-4pm).
3. Continued breaches of the uniform policy or failure to attend a Wednesday afternoon detention will result in the student being withdrawn from class until a meeting is able to take place between the student, parent/guardian, Pastoral Leader and myself.

At the beginning of each year, students are issued with a locker (and have their lock from the previous year returned). In order for students to safely secure their belongings, a lock must be locked onto their lockers. Students without a lock will have two days to replace it before consequences are applied. Locks are available for purchase at the College Office for $20. Please note that students are not permitted to bring their own lock.

Mobile Phone Policy

We have a strict Mobile Phone Policy at the College that must be adhered to at all times. The policy states that: “Mobile phones are not to be used at school and students are discouraged from bringing them. However, students who choose to bring their mobile phone to school, must comply with the following expectations:

• They are not to be used at all during College hours ‒ from the first bell for Homeroom to the final bell at 3:00 PM.
• Mobile phones should be switched off and handed in at the Office.
• They should not be kept on a studentʼs person, or in a studentʼs locker.
• Should a parent need to contact their child during the day for any reason, they should contact the College Office and a message will be passed to the student.

Students who are found to be in breach of the Mobile Phone Policy will be required to sign their devices into the College Office before 8:30am for the four (4) consecutive days following the breach (they may collect the phone from the Office after 3pm each day), they will also receive a lunchtime detention.”

More serious consequences will apply to students who repeatedly breach the policy.

Responsible Thinking Process

At Good Shepherd, we utlise the Responsible Thinking Process (RTP) as our strategy for managing student behaviour. This process is reflective and restorative, which aims to build and maintain positive working relationships within the classroom. If students do not following classroom expectations, it will result in them being referred to the Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC). If this occurs, the classroom teacher will contact parents/guardians that day. At the end of each week, Pastoral Leaders will be provided with a record of who has attended the RTC. If a student has multiple referrals or seriously breaches College expectations, more serious consequences will apply.

We have six fantastic Pastoral Leaders who are here to support your family through what can be a challenging high school journey. Please feel welcome to contact us at any time.

The Pastoral Leaders for 2017 are:

Year 7 Mrs Pelly Morganson

Year 8 Mr William Morganson

Year 9 Ms Kylie McCarthy

Year 10 Miss Caitlin Conway

Year 11 Mrs Kate Thinee

Year 12 Mr Domenico Cullen

Welcome back to all families, students and teachers to the 2019 School Year. This year, we welcome a number of new staff to our College and look forward to all that they bring to our College and community. I would also like to especially welcome our Year 7 students and any new students who join our College community this year.

 Timetable/Daily Organisation

By now, all students should have received their 2019 timetable. A reminder that the timetable works from a fortnightly cycle/two week cycle (Week A & Week B) - This allowed us to better balance class times, as well as lessen the impact of missed days and events that occur during curriculum time. There are five lessons each day of 1 hour in length. Morning Tea is our larger break of the day, and runs from 10:50 am to 11:30am, with Lunch beginning at 1:35pm and finishing at 1:55pm.

Students should be fairly set in the classes they wish to study for the remainder of the year. Changing subjects from here means that students may have missed key introductory information, and may find it challenging to catch-up on these concepts. Should students wish to change subjects, they must collect a form from the College Office, and talk to both their current teacher and the teacher of the subject they wish to change into in order to assess the impacts that moving classes at this stage might have. A parent/carer is required to sign the form to approve the change. Once this form is completed, students can hand this into the College Office and the Subject change will be assessed and processed and a new timetable printed for the student to collect in homeroom.

 Assessment Calendars

Assessment Calendars will be distributed to students this week. These will be shared electronically and are accessible via the College website under the Studies & Assessment page. A copy will also be emailed to all parents/carers. The live Assessment Calendars are designed to:

• assist students to plan their study time
• help students to prioritise
• be an organisational tool
• communicate due dates to parents/carers and students

Assessment Calendars should inform the amount of study and assignment work needed at different points in the term and the commitments students make.

NB: Parents and students are encouraged to be mindful of the assessment due dates, and to arrange for specialist appointments/holidays and trips, around these dates. Wherever possible, students should also minimise paid work/casual employment, and cut back during busy weeks of the term.

Parents & carers with any questions or concerns in regards to subject curriculum or assessment are encouraged contact the classroom teacher first. Following this, the Curriculum Leader for each Learning Area are available to speak with you regarding any concerns you may have.

Hello everyone, as I am new to our School Community, I thought I should start by introducing myself. My name is Nicole Graham, my role at Good Shepherd, is that of Leader of Teaching and Learning. I am very excited to be here in Mount Isa and would like to thank all of you for making me feel so welcome. As part of my role, I will be focussing on Student Growth and on the transition to ATAR for Senior students.

I am struck by the enthusiasm and energy with which all students, particularly Year 7's have embraced their 2019 school year. Irrespective of year level, as parents and guardians, you can also support your students by ensuring they have a quiet, distraction-free place to study, and a regular time set aside to complete set homework and revise lesson content, as well as to read every day.

The Roman philosopher, Seneca is attributed as saying, “while we teach, we learn”. Likewise, a study published in 2018, in the journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology affirmed that students who teach others what they have learned, demonstrate greater understanding and knowledge retention than those who simply revise content on their own. So, a powerful way to support your student's at home is simply to ask them to teach you, and their siblings about what they are learning, and to encourage lots of curiosity and conversations about classwork.

Learning is a lifelong endeavour for everyone, even for teachers. Over the last few weeks GSCC staff undertook several days of professional development, which we will be applying in the classroom. This included the Seven Steps to Writing Success program, how to use Learning Intentions & Success Criteria, and Unleashing Personal Potential. UPP taught us about the work of Luke McKenna (2015) and how application of an effort-based teaching and learning ideology, cemented in wellbeing has an enormous effect on learning outcomes. This is achieved through the use of TOP goals, fostering of Grit, the language of resilience in the classroom, and a Growth mindset.

We will be conducting PAT-R (reading) testing of Year 7-9 student's reading during English classes in the coming week to provide us with diagnostic information to go with the PAT-M numeracy data generated at the end of 2018. This information will provide teachers with valuable information to inform teaching and learning and monitor student growth.

Important news for senior students:

Parents of both Year 11 and 12 students are reminded that any changes to subject choices must take place within the first three weeks of school, before the curriculum gets too far along, and before we have to log enrolment information with the QCAA.

DATE CLAIMER: We will be holding an information evening in Week 4, Wednesday 20^th February, at 6:00pm for Parents and Guardians of year 10 students about their senior education, including a discussion of ATAR, the Senior school journey and changes to the schedule for camps, retreats and graduation events.

Welcome back to GSCC for 2019. This year marks the beginning of your son’s/daughter’s transition into the senior phase of learning. I would like to formally introduce myself to you as the Year 10 Pastoral leader for 2019 along with the Year 10 Pastoral Team; Ms Sheridan Scott, Mrs Sally Holland and Mr Jordan Harries.

2019 will be a year filled with many new and exciting experiences. It is a time when our students begin to shape their identity through the senior phase of education. At GSCC we like to ensure the wellbeing of our students is maintained through a well-developed pastoral programme. Pastoral Care lessons in Year 10 are used to help form the lives of our students through study skills development, identifying career opportunities, and building a career pathway. This is often achieved through targeted programs and guest presenters.

Consequently, on Wednesday 27^th February, Elevate Education will be meeting with our Year 10’s to discuss their study habits to ensure success in senior learning. Since 2001, Elevate has been transforming the way study skills programs are run across Australia. ‘Elevates high impact seminars and workshops help students improve their study techniques, increase motivation, build confidence, and lift exam performance’. These skills will be important to our Year 10’s who will be completing external examinations through the new ATAR system.

Furthermore, the Year 10’s will be reviewing their 2018 results and creating a Career Action Plan in Term 1 to help them identify their pathway for senior schooling. This will also enable them to set goals and strategies that will help them achieve success.

At Good Shepherd, we use an academic tracking system called ‘Traffic Lights’ utilising green, amber and red zones. This system indicates to the student and their parents and teachers whether they are on track to receiving their QCE. Tracking will occur for the core classes of English, Math, HASS, HPE, Science and Religion.

 For a student to be in the Green Zone they must be passing both English and Maths, but may have failed 1 of either: Religion, Science, HASS or HPE.

For a student to be in the Amber Zone, they must be passing both English and Maths, but may have failed any 2 of: Religion, Science, HASS or HPE

For a student to be in the Red Zone they may have failed either English or Maths, or both, OR they have failed 3 or more of the 6 core subjects.

 Your child will be reviewing this data to set their goals for 2019.  They will then meet with me to discuss them, to ensure that they are achievable and targeted on a successful pathway through Senior.

Most importantly, on Wednesday 20^th February, we will be hosting a Year 10 Senior School Information Evening where the successful transition into Senior will be explained explicitly. This evening is essential for the ongoing success for your son/daughter.

Finally, our Year 10 camp in Week 1 of Term 4, will focus on leadership, team building, resilience and maturation. The Year 10’s will be traveling to a camp facility in South East Queensland. The details of this will be explained at the Senior School Information Evening.

Even though there is significant change occurring, much has stayed the same. Your son/daughter will still receive the utmost support on their journey. We look forward to being there to watch them grow into the successful young adults we know they can be.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

Welcome to Term 1 for 2019, I am looking forward to working closely with the year 8 cohort and building on the strengths and friendships that were made last year. I would like to introduce myself as the Year 8 Pastoral Leader along with the following Year 8 Homeroom teachers; Mr Bill Parkes, Miss Tiffany Apap, Mr Keith Fainges, Miss Katherine Algie and Mr Trent Wilkinson.

2019 has started off extremely well along with the wet weather and I am very pleased to say that everyone has returned excited and looking forward to continue on where they left off in 2018. Students will cover a variety of topics in this year’s Pastoral care Program to allow each individual to grow and reach their full potential throughout the year.

The Year team look forward in working with all Year 8 students and their families in making it a memorable and enjoyable year in their learning experiences. By now all students are back into the full swing of lessons and have collected the necessary text books and student diary. All students will need to take their diary and hat with them to Homeroom each Tuesday morning where their Homeroom teacher will check to see that they have these items.

If you have any enquiries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s homeroom teacher or myself at the College. on 47449 9438.  Additionally, I can be contacted via email wmorganson1@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au.

Welcome Year 7 Parents and Guardians

The move from primary school to high school is a transition that fills our Year 7 students with many mixed emotions.  Some students are excited about seeing their friends and are enthusiastic about high school and other students find that starting at a new school can be a little overwhelming.  Normally our first couple of weeks in Year 7 are about students setting routines and getting to know the staff and their cohort.

Last week our Year 7 students arrived on the first day with the Year 12 students. The first two days of high school gave them an opportunity to set themselves up for the school year with learning about our College policies and procedures and gaining an understanding of what life is like for a student at GSCC.  On the first day we also continued with our Buddy Program where our Year 7 students are buddied up with a Year 12 student who will offer them support and guidance throughout the year.

This Friday the Year 7 students will continue to work together as a whole cohort during our Retreat.  The purpose of the retreat is for students to build positive relationships with staff and students, engage in team building activities and to also nurture their spiritual wellbeing.

I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce my homeroom teachers who are the most important people for our Year 7 students as they meet with them each morning:  

Homeroom 7.01  - Ms Maddison Stone (mstone2@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au)

Homeroom 7.02  - Mrs Mary Horton (mhorton@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au)

Homeroom 7.03  - Mr Hein Kamffer (hkamffer@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au)

Homeroom 7.04  - Ms Dianne Imarisio (dimarisio2@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au)

If you have any issues or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s homeroom teacher or myself on pmorganson1@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au so we can best support your child.

I look forward to a fun filled year that sees every Year 7 student thrive and prosper in the Good Shepherd Catholic College Community.

Regards

Welcome back to Good Shepherd Sport in 2019. There are new staff, new ideas and lots of opportunities for students to get involved in the various sporting endeavours that are offered by the school.

NORTH WEST REGIONAL TRIALS

First up are the NW regional trials individual nominations. Nominations are open to anyone who thinks they might have the ability to play for the region. Forms need to be signed by parents, coaches,  and you will need to travel to the various venues ( if selected) for the trial dates. Best performances will also need to be entered.

Nominations for the following sports are due soon

Friday 8th February: Golf (boys/girls U10-19), Hockey (boys/girls U13-19), Rugby Union (boys U17-18), Soccer ( girls U16-19, boys U17-19)

Friday 15th February: Swimming ( boys/girls U10-12, boys/girls U13-19)

If you want a individual nomination form please see Mr Kustka before the closing dates

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Advance notice that the school swimming carnival will be held in week 10. The exact time/date will be published soon

A warm welcome from the Technology department to all students, both new and old to 2019.

I would like to introduce myself to you as the Acting Curriculum Leader for Technology. This year we welcome Ms Emelda Fransch-Jonathan who will be teaching Year 7-9 LVT and Mr Mika Raijas teaching Year 7-10 Woodwork and Metal Work. We’d also like to wish Mrs Laura Jackson all the very best as she goes on maternity leave this week.

If your son or daughter is studying Industrial Technologies subjects, I’d like to advise you of the uniform workshop procedures.

To maintain consistency of the uniform in the Industrial Technologies subjects to meet Workplace Health and Safety Guidelines, the correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) must be worn to enter these classrooms. Failure to not wear the correct iniform will result in a RTC uniform infringement. The student will then be sent to RTC for the lesson. After 3 referrals, the student is referred to the Curriculum Leader to discuss their enrollment in the subject. 

The following is NOT acceptable: 

• Incorrect footwear
• Not wearing safety glasses
• Incorrect outer wear (long sleeved work shirt and pants/overalls – Engineering and Furnishing students only)
• Other safety issues the classroom teacher observes prior to entering the lesson.

This term the Year 7 - 12 students are learning many new skills and creating some exciting projects in the technology subjects. Here is an outline of what the students will be doing this term.

 ICT

In year 7 and 8 ICT, the students learn about the world wide web in which they design a poster about them. They are also introduced to coding through programming a Micro:Bit to complete certain tasks which is all documented in a journal on a website. In year 9, they are working on OOP (Object Orientated Programming) where they are controlling the interactions of objects in a computer game environment. Year 10s learn how to program an EV3 Robot to compete in a sumo challenge or a dance off. The Year 11 & 12 students are designing a game in a 3D gaming environment.

 ICT Co-Curriculum

We are seeing if any Parents and Friends are interested in improving their computing skills with an evening class once a term to be held at the College where you can learn Website Design or other interesting developments in the Information Technology field. Please contact Keith Fainges at kfainges@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au with your expression of interest.

 LVT

In Year 7 and 8, students learn and develop new Cookery Skills and the ability to interpret cookery terms in recipes. These include Pizza Muffins, French Toast with blueberries and chocolate sauce, Nachos and Hamburgers, Milkshakes and Scones. In Textiles, they develop and demonstrate basic sewing machine skills by designing a banner following the design processes from design brief to end product. In Year 9, the students learn about Bush Tucker in Australia and how the food has evolved through the arrival of the European Settlement through to Immigration with gold rushes, war etc. They also look into how chefs are using bush foods in their menus with recipes in their practical lessons.

Design

Year 7 and 8 Design are both looking at designing a building to be representation of various cultures here in Mount Isa. They will be exploring the design process and applying it to create an object that can be 3D printed. In Year 9, the students will be assisting with this year’s College Musical “The Wiz” by using the design process to come up with ideas for both prop design and stage design and sell their ideas to the production team of the College Musical. The Year 11 Design and 12 Graphics classes are both working on creating new branding/logo for Mount Isa City Council to match the new slogan “City of Opportunity”.

 Woodwork and Metal Work

This term in Year 7 and 8 students will be using basic workshop tools and entry level machines to create a Pencil Case. They will also learn basic joints and manufacturing techniques that will assist them in the production of their project. In Year 9, they are creating a nail caddy which will assist with developing basic techniques for future projects. The Year 10's will be creating a Camp Chair which has the ability to fold flat. Year 11 in Furnishings will design and build a Bedside Table from raw materials which will improve their problem solving skills and encourage forward thinking. The Year 12’s in Furnishings will design and develop an Outdoor Furniture Setting in small groups which will encourage working in a team environment.

 In metal work, the Year 9’s initial project is a carry all which develops the students skills to assist them with their designing of a Bedside Lamp and Shade. The Year 10’s will similarly do an initial project (tool box) to develop their skill. Then they’re given the design challenge of creating their own bar stool using the Industrial Design process. Year 10’s create a tool box as their initial box to develop their skills. They are then given the design challenge of creating their own Bar Stool using the Industrial Design process.

 The Metal and Engineering sector is a diverse sector that gives people skills to work in many areas such as Construction, Mining, Health, Food and Hospitality. The Camp Shovel that the Year 11 students make is an example of machining and fabrication. The BBQ Plate is another example that the senior students make which involves fabrication and welding skills.

 I am very much looking forward to a productive and successful year.

A warm welcome to all our new and returning students for 2019. This year myself (Ms Sarah Keating)  will be the School Librarian, if this name sounds familiar, I have previously worked in this role for the college and I have some exciting plans for the library space for 2019.

Library use and Screen free sessions:

The library is open for general use in both breaks throughout the week, with special activities and events planned throughout the year. The library is open to students to before school on Tuesday and Thursday, this is to allow students to print their assessments. On Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the library is open after school for homework help participants. Read more below about this program.

The library has introduced screen free sessions during the first break until 11:20 and during the second break, however Year 11 and 12 students are permitted to use their computers for study purposes in the second break. The purpose for these computer free times is to encourage students to have a break through the day, eat their lunch and spend time with friends so their brains can recharge and they are ready to learn in the classroom. During these screen free times students can play board games, sit and chat with friends and of course, read books! Other activities will also be planned throughout the year.

Homework Help:

Good Shepherd Catholic College offers an afterschool homework program where teachers support our students academically. Our Homework Help program has been very valuable for students who genuinely engage with the program.

The Homework Help program is offered 4 days a week - Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3:00pm - 4:00pm in the Library. Available to both Juniors and Seniors, each of these days will see approximately 3 staff members available to support the students during this program, with the program running during weeks 2-9 of each term. Students are only permitted to attend a maximum of 2 days per week to allow availability for as many students as possible to attend throughout the week.

All students must have a parent/guardian sign the homework help contract in order for them to attend a hard copy can be obtained from the library. This contract is required once a year, for the current year.

Students are also required to bring their Student ID cards with them. Their Student ID cards will be scanned in order to track their attendance and departure of each session.

Textbook hire:

As part of studies, students require text books for many subjects, these are loaned out at the start of the school year and returned at the end of term 4. If a student purposefully damages or looses their book they may be charged a replacement fee. All the books have a slip on the front page where students can write their name so they know which copy is theirs.  If students have any issues with their books they are encouraged to speak with Ms Keating in the library.

General borrowing, including fiction and non-fiction books:

The school offers a range of fiction and graphic novels as well as non fiction. Books can be borrowed for two weeks at a time and renewed if there is no one else waiting for the title. Students can also borrow out books in the term 1, 2 and 3 holidays.

Overdue notices:

Students will be emailed if their book is overdue, they can request a renewal on the book or return it using the library return chute. At the end of the year any items still needing to be returned is communicated home with a final due date to avoid replacement costs.

Please be aware that from Week 3 (Monday 11 February 2019) The Uniform Shop opening hours will be strictly adhered to.

The shop will be open on:

Tuesday mornings 8.15 am - 9.00 am 

Thursday afternoons 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm. 

You may pre-order any items by downloading the Uniform Order Form from our website and emailing to cdenton@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au alternatively forms are available from our office.