This week I draw inspiration from Dan Haesler, an international keynote speaker, educator, writer and consultant. He regularly contributes in the media and features monthly in the Australian Teacher Magazine in his column “School of Thought”. The article I draw to your attention this week is entitled “3 Things I learnt about success from mountain bike riding”. In the article, Haesler draws analogies between mountain bike riding and how to be successful in achieving ones goals, whatever they may be. I have summarized the three main points below;

1. 1. The harder the climb, the bigger the thrill.
   The thrill of racing downhill on a mountain bike might take 10 minutes but it may require a considerable 50 minute climb to reach the summit beforehand. The climb is hard and hot but the exuberance of the journey downhill is worth it.
   When pursuing your goals, the more challenging the goal, the more satisfying the achievement. If something is too hard, it’s probably worth doing and if something is too easy, it’s probably not.
2. Momentum is your friend.
   In mountain bike riding you often have to traverse treacherous terrain, the trick is to keep moving slowly forward. Don’t stop, for if you do you’re most likely to lose your balance and over you go. The forward momentum helps you keep your balance.
   When pursuing your goals keep moving forward, no matter how slowly or what obstacles may confront you. Any progress is good progress because as soon as you stop, you’ll fail.
3. Keep focused on where you want to go.
   On a bike, your path is determined by where your eyes are looking, on where you are going not where you are. You need to be focused on what’s ahead not what’s beneath your feet.
   When pursuing your goals, keep your eyes on the prize. It may seem a long way off, so regularly remind yourself of what you want to achieve and why. This will help you invigorate your desire to keep going.

The analogies Haesler draws here are very pertinent as we commence another term at Good Shepherd. The journey is long and we will encounter setbacks along the way, however as Haesler states; nothing easily gained is of much value, we must keep moving forward however so slowly and despite the obstacles that life presents us, with a view to the future and to the success that it may bring.

We have had a great start to the term so far. The Yr12’s have finally had their long awaited Retreat on Magnetic Island, which I believe was a great success. We had excellent representation at the Anzac Day ceremonies and I thank all those involved in these events of Week 1. Musical rehearsals have resumed and I’m very excited with the shape of the production, “The Wiz” (Mount Isa). Tickets go on sale at the college next week and the production will be at the Civic Centre, two shows, June 1.
On the horizon is Yr7 and Yr9 NAPLAN, Yr10 SPOLIN (Subject selection night), Interhouse and Interschool Athletics and the Origin Games (against Spinifex College). This term will also be a busy one for the Yr11s as they transition from Unit 1 to Unit 2 in their studies on the new QCE pathway. So it is indeed important for us all to remember; that hard work will lead to success, that we need to continue to move forward no matter how slowly and that we need to keep our eyes on the goal no matter how far ahead it seems.

During the Easter Saturday Vigil, five students from Good Shepherd were initiated into the Catholic Church. Sophie and Olivia Greenhalgh, Chase and Willow Shaw and Ryan Philp were baptised, confirmed and participated in First Holy Communion in front of their sponsors, family and the Good Shepherd parish congregation. We congratulate them all and welcome them with open arms into the Catholic faith.

This term, students in Year 8 are learning about organisations that are present and active in the world today and how they make a difference and continue the mission of Jesus.

Students have started the unit by looking at the College’s Mission Statement and how this differs from other schools.  

‘Mission Statement'

Vision

To journey in faith with ‘Christ Our Light’, educating and empowering young people to experience the community, live the values and achieve the success.

Mission

To provide a quality holistic education in a caring Catholic environment.’

Students have discovered that Good Shepherd is unique to other schools because we aim to educate the whole person by teaching students about living the Gospel Values. Our aim is to shape someone who is not just clever and achieves well academically, but also someone who demonstrates love, kindness, humility, gratitude, faithfulness, forgiveness, respect and servant leadership.

Students will now investigate how organisations that are present and active in the world today make a difference and how they continue the mission of Jesus in all that they do.

As we move into the cooler weather, it is important that students have the appropriate winter uniform. Below is a list of the College winter uniform options:

Please note: Jackets or Jumpers that students receive through participation in extracurricular activities are not an acceptable winter uniform option. These jackets and jumpers are provided for use while on the trip/excursion/retreat/camp, and then for personal use upon students’ return to Mount Isa. They are not permitted to be worn with the College Sport or Formal Uniform.

This week we will have a representative from Safe on Social Media come to the College to discuss cyber safety. This will take place on Thursday the 2nd & Friday the 3rd of May. Over the two days, all students & staff will partake in a 1 hour workshop. Parents are also invited to an information session which is being held on Thursday the 2nd of May from 6pm to 7pm.

The topics covered in student and parent/community presentations include but are not limited to:

Using social media with awareness; what you signed up for – explanation of terms and conditions of use and what they mean; Keeping personal information private; online stranger danger (grooming); posting and sharing photos; sexting, revenge porn (age appropriate); managing your digital footprint positively; curating your online image; cyber-bullying, online harassment and how to report it; known scams and hoaxes; Identity theft; legal responsibilities; privacy settings; online gaming safety & strategies to build resilient digital citizens.

Welcome back to all students, families & staff for Term 2. I hope that you all had a relaxing and enjoyable Easter Season with family and friends, and I trust that our students are refreshed and recharged ready for the new term.

On Tuesday 30th April, we conducted our first round of Student-Parent & Teacher interviews for 2019. I would like to thank all parents who attended this important event, allowing students & parents to have learning conversations around their child’s learning journey in various subjects. We had a fantastic turn out and it was great to see so many in our community invested in the education of our young people.

Term 2 assessment calendars will be published and distributed to students by the end of this week. These are available via the College Website under the ‘Students’ and ‘Studies & Assessment’ tabs, as well as on the student portals. Students and parents will also be emailed a copy of the calendars when they are published.

Assessment Calendars should inform the amount of study and assignment work needed at different points in the term. Assessment is a vital part of the learning journey that students are on, and it is important that students are organised and committed to ensure that all assessment items are submitted in full, on or before the due date. Once again, parents/carers and students are encouraged to be mindful of the assessment due dates, and to arrange for specialist appointments/holidays and trips, around these dates.

Exam Block Timetables for senior students will also be released in the coming weeks.

The 2019 NAPLAN tests for Years 7 & 9 students will be held from 14th - 16th May. Students will participate in the Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy. As with all assessments, it is important that students are well rested, have a good night's sleep and are starting their days with breakfast to allow them to work to the best of their ability.

If you do not want your child to sit the 2019 NAPLAN tests, please contact the College Office so that we can arrange the necessary paperwork for you, prior to the 13th May.

Please see below for some other important dates for Term 2:

• Labour Day Public Holiday - 6th May

• SPOLN (Senior Phase of Learning Night) for Year 10 students - Thursday 23rd May
• Interhouse Athletics Carnival - Friday 7th June
• Week 8 & 9 Exam block for senior students
• Mount Isa Show Day Holiday - Friday 21st June
• Week 10 - TAFE block and Year 10, 11 & 12 Work Experience

• NAIDOC Day Friday 28th June - Students will finish at 1.30pm

On Monday the 22nd of April our Year 12’s departed on their rescheduled retreat. However, our excitement quickly turned to despair as our bus arrived with a shattered window as a result of vandalism, threatening to disrupt our journey once again. Thankfully, APG glass was able to complete an emergency repair, sending us on our way to Magnetic Island. On arrival in Townsville, the students enjoyed a day of shopping, bowling, and games before departing on the ferry to Magnetic Island. The students then took part in an assortment of day and night activities with Magnetic Island serving as a phenomenal backdrop to this retreat. All activities were designed to test and extend the students physically and emotionally, ultimately bringing them closer as a cohort.

Day one saw the students take part in kayaking, teambuilding and raft building activities at Picnic Bay testing their endurance and teamwork. The day concluded with an extraordinary outdoor liturgy.

Thursday 25th of April, Anzac Day, served up one of the highlights of the retreat, abseiling, which the students found challenging but enjoyable. The courage showed by our learners in overcoming their fears was praiseworthy and inspiring. Prior to this several of our students attended the Anzac day, dawn service held on Magnetic Island.

The retreat culminated with an amazing race which involved the students finding a series of checkpoints, once again educating them about teamwork and how each team member are able to contribute a different set of skills to the activity. The students were rewarded with some leisure time on the beach before departure.

My sincere thanks to all parents for your patience and understanding with the unforeseen changes,  the staff for your generous sacrifice and the students for your exceptional behaviour and wholehearted participation in all the activities. The result was an amazing and memorable 2019 Year 12 Retreat.

Welcome back to term two!

I hope you have all had a restful break and are ready for the fast-paced, exciting term 2! This term, the focus for our Year 10’s is understanding and making a smooth transition into the Senior Phase of Learning (Years 10-12). In Queensland, students must be "learning or earning" for two years after they complete Year 10, until they turn 17 or have completed a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), QCIA, Senior Statement or Certificate III or IV.

Students in their Senior Phase of Learning can choose from a wide range of learning options that will help when they leave school, whether they plan to go to university, TAFE, take up an apprenticeship or get a job.

All students in Year 10 across Queensland develop a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan. A SET Plan is a confidential document that students develop, in consultation with their parents/carers and key staff at Good Shepherd, to map their learning and career pathways.

The purpose of a SET Plan is to:

○ set & achieve learning goals in Years 11 & 12

○ include flexible pathway options in the senior course of study

○ think about their education, training and career options after Year 12

○ structure their learning around their abilities, interests & ambitions

○ communicate with parents, teachers & guidance officers about learning pathways & post-school plans.

Student will have presentations from all Curriculum Leaders in Week 4 discussing subject options for 2020, which they will be able to trial in Term 3 this year, in most subject areas.

Following this, on Thursday 23rd May, the college will host their annual Senior Phase of Learning Information Night (SPOLIN) which is compulsory for all Year 10 students and a parent/carer. An invitation will be released in the next few weeks with further details.

From here, the students will engage in an explicit teaching lesson during Pastoral Care, where they will confirm their subject choices and pathway plan.

Then, SET plan interviews will be conducting with all necessary stakeholders to discuss the students decisions. These will be completed by the end of term 2.

This term the students will be challenged to make decisions which may be daunting, especially if they have no idea what they would like to do when they finish school. However, the best advice we can give, is that students choose subjects they enjoy and subjects they are good at!

If at any time you have any questions regarding any of the above information or events, please don't hesitate to contact me via email, phone or we can arrange a meeting.

Welcome back to Term 2!  I hope you all had a safe and relaxing Easter break. In the next couple of weeks, we have a few events happening at the College that I wanted you to be aware of.  

Today in our Pastoral Care Lessons, Year 7 students set two Academic Goals and one Personal Goal for the semester and remainder of the year.  Within the next couple of weeks, each Year 7 student will then meet with me individually to go over their goals so I can then monitor these throughout the year. It is important that parents/caregivers are also aware of the goals that their child has set so that we all can support them to reach their targets – please ask your child to see a copy of their goals that they have set.  

I would like to encourage all parents to attend the Safe on Social Media information session which will be held tomorrow evening at the College at 6pm.  In our growing age of technology, it is important that parents are aware of how students can use Social Media safely and appropriately.

On Thursday, 9th May all Year 7 girls will be involved in the Enlighten Education Program which will run for the whole day.  Girls are able to wear their sports uniform on this day. The workshops include the following:

• Equiping students with the necessary skills to make safe, important decisions about their friendships.
• Giving students skills on managing time, prioritising, organising their space and work, problem solving and thinking creatively.
• Fostering gratitude to develop the skills needed to have successful futures – in their studies, personal lives, and careers.
• Encouraging girls to critically evaluate the messages that bombard them every day in the media and on social media about body image and develop strategies that help them respond intelligently and objectively.

If you have any questions about any of the events mentioned or if you have any concerns or enquiries about your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.

This year the Confraternity Shield Tournament is being held in Bundaberg during the June/July school holidays. Whilst this prestigious tournament has a competitive element, its fundamental purpose is to place young men in a unique environment where they experience the many benefits of competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie. In addition there are many talent scouts from the various NRL teams closely observing the talent on offer.

Without the generosity and support of our sponsors, opportunities like these may not be possible for our students. With their assistance, we are able to help reduce the expensive costs involved, enabling families to allow their sons the opportunity to participate and gain valuable experience playing Rugby League at a high competition level.

GSCC and the Rugby League Confraternity Team of 2019 would like to personally thank this year’s sponsors that are seen in a sneak peek of some of this year’s Confraternity gear below.

Greetings from the P&F committee, we trust that you enjoyed your Easter break. On the last day of Term 1, we drew our major raffle, with prizes to the value of $8000. The very lucky winners were: 1st prize -Dave Carroll, 2nd prize -Arsenic Family, and 3rd prize -Kelly Jones. We would like to congratulate the winners, and give a huge thank you to all those who bought or sold tickets on our behalf.

As we move forward into the year, preparations are underway for our Ball, to be held in Term 3, Saturday the 14th of September. We are very excited to be organising this, and look forward to sharing a new event with the community. If you would like to be part of the organising committee, please contact us via email . Our next general P&F meeting will be Tuesday 7th May, in the curriculum centre above the school library, new and familiar faces are most welcome.

pandf@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

The Homework Help Program runs from week 2 - 9 of each term. Students from all year levels can attend two sessions a week. There are five teachers at every session who help students with a variety of subjects offering one on one and small group support.  

The Homework Help Program is:

• Located In the Library
• Held from 3pm - 4pm.
• Available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

To attend students need to return a signed homework help permission form which students can collect from the office or library. This form explains the expectations of behaviour while in attendance.  

Students will need to bring their student ID and sign in to record their attendance.

When students are attending homework help they are expected to be on time and working on homework or assessments. If students are not working or are distracting others they may be asked to leave and wait at the front gate until their parents collect them.  If students complete all their work before 4pm they are also welcome to leave early but need to sign out.

For more information, students can visit the homework help page on the student intranet site.  

It may be useful to plan out with your child what days to attend by when assessments are due. Assessment calendars can be accessed via the school website under the student tab - studies and assessments.

Firstly, many thanks again to all of our host employers.  I’ve spoken to a number of students who thoroughly enjoyed their work experience with you.  It has given many a very real sense of what they’d like to do when they leave school in a few year’s time.

OMISSION - Sincere apologies to St Kieran’s Catholic Primary School.  I did not include them in our list of employers last term. Not only does St Kieran’s regularly host work experience students but they currently employ two students as School Based Trainees.  Both students are studying a Certificate III in Education Support. Thanks to Principal Claudine Dank and St Kieran’s team!

On Friday the 22nd of March, GSCC’s Anti-bullying Committee had the amazing privilege to visit Central State School to celebrate Harmony Day as well as Bullying No-Way Day. We were all warmly welcomed by the schools pastor Corlia Pienaar. Once the junior primary classes arrived the activities commenced. The committee were allocated tasks of either helping to set up for the assembly or helping the classroom teacher with games on the basketball court. Then it came time for us to speak at the assembly. The committee were proud to stand on the stage to talk to the students about who we are, what we are about, and the importance to not be a bully. Some of the students got asked to help hang up some of the paper chains from the class activities. The host school announced the members of their first Anti- Bullying Committee. Afterwards, we stayed for a brief morning tea where we got to chat with staff and students from the school. This was definitely a highlight of our committee’s year so far! Malachi, Sophia and Miss Lesca were interviewed by the North West Star's journalist for an article to be in the local newspaper.

None of this would have happened without the committee members and our amazing  support teacher Miss Lesca. The students involved were; Lisa Hennessey, Sophia Thomas, Malachi Munns, Erich Petalcorin, Josie Green, Rachel Horton, Jorja Kelly, Will McIntosh, Liv Greenhalgh and Angus Gillic. Also a thank you to Mrs Jones for supporting us as well. It was a great privilege for our committee to be able to travel to another school in our community to talk about the work we do at Good Shepherd. We look forward to collaborating with the Central State School this year and other schools of Mount Isa.

GSCC says… BULLYING NO WAY!!!! 

Written by Lisa Hennessey and Sophia Thomas

House sport competitions will commence in week 3 of the term. Junior House Soccer will take place on the oval and the Senior House netball on the outside basketball courts. All competitions will be held at first break.

The first fixtures will be Rice v Benjamin on Tuesday ( Junior Soccer); McKillop v Chisholm ( Senior Netball) on Wednesday and McKillop v Chisholm ( Junior Soccer) on Thursday.

Junior teams are open to Years 7-9 inclusive, and seniors are Years 10,11 and 12.

GSCC have had two students selected in the NW Teams for both U12 Hockey and U12 Netball. Congratulations to Anthony Kleinman, Hayley Richards, Nouvel October and Trinity Ottaviano on their selection. MISSA cross country and athletics will be held during the term. More updates to come.

There will be an opportunity for U14 & U16 Girls (born 2005, 2004, 2003) to participate in Representative Rugby League. There are two upcoming tournaments during May. These are on the following dates:

10th-13th May NQ Country Carnival Atherton

Playing agianst girls from Weipa, TI Islands, Innisfail, Atherton, and Ingham. From this carnival the girls could be selected for the NQ Country Teams that will then participate in the Championship in Townsville from the 6th to 10th of June. Costing for the trip is $160, this includes; Bag, Polo Shirt, Travel cost and Accommodation.

24th -26th May Arthur Beetson Challenge Longreach

Playing against girls from Central Qld regions. From this carnival the girls could be selected to participate in the Cultural Exchange in Coolum wich will run from the 26th June till the 1st July.

Costing for the trip will be $120, this includes; Travel costs and Accommodation

Trip’s Itinerary is still to be confirmed.

If you are interested please see or email the PE staff to get more information.

GSCC v Spinifex is coming soon. First match is on 16 May, and teams are busy preparing themselves for the matches. Results will be published in the next newsletter.

The State Championships are being moved forward this year for Atheletics, so we have had to reorganise our athletics program at GSCC this term. The District Athletics carnival is on the Friday of week 5 ( Thursday for the U12’s), so students will have to nominate themselves to be selected for the school team. Our school athletics carnival will then be on the Friday of week 7 at Sunset Oval. Mr Kustka will explain everything to students at assembly next week.

This year’s College production promises to be a “fun filled” show with lots of quirky characters and great songs, movement and colour. The production is set to hit the stage on June 1st, two shows – a matinee at 1.30 pm and an evening show at 7.30pm.

“The Wiz” is a highly acclaimed “soul” version of “The Wizard of Oz”. Our particular representation will place the story in North West Queensland. The story begins with the main character Dot finding herself relocated outside Cloncurry where she has been deposited after a cyclone swept her away from her home in Cairns. She heads off along the red dirt road towards Mount Isa to find the Wiz and encounters lots of adventures along the way. Joining her in her journey are a Scarecrow, a retired Country Singer (Tinman) and a Frilled Neck Lizard (Lion). More about the story in our next newsletter.

Tickets will go on sale at the Civic Center from next week. Don’t miss this great show.