Welcome back to Term 4, which this year, is rather short. The Yr.12s have six weeks of learning and the rest of the college, eight. As this time will literally “fly by”, it is important that students return with a sense of diligent commitment to the journey ahead. For Yr.11s in particular, having just come back from their end of year exams in week one, it is now time to begin their final year (their Yr.12 year). This of course is necessitated by the new QCE pathway they are on. They will also be considering the very important role they now will now play as they transition into becoming the leaders of the college for 2020. In this respect to this, they will be participating in a Leadership Retreat in Week 4. For the Yr.10s, this final term is one for them in which to consolidate their learning and ensure they have chosen the right pathway for their senior.

Of course Term 4 is always busy with many important events and I look forward to the college supporting and celebrating the Sports Awards Night on Tuesday - October 15, The Rock,Pop,Mime  on Friday - October 18, the College Awards Night on Wednesday - October 23 and the Bishop’s Dinner on Thursday - October 24 (and that’s just the first two weeks). I would like to congratulate our Optiminds Junior Team for their representation at the State Finals last weekend and thank Mr. Wilkinson and the team for their hard work. My congratulations must also go to the many students and their coaches representing GSCC who have been involved in the local Netball competition and who celebrated their Break Up and Awards Night last Friday.

Ahead of us we have a very full calendar. We will be celebrating various graduation events, farewells, break ups, and the orientation of incoming Yr.7s, so make sure you remain informed of all these very special occasions and lend your support and encouragement in celebrating the successes of 2019.

So as we begin our last chapter for this year let us ensure we write it well. Our students are the books in which we help them write their story but first they must be prepared to open the covers, reveal the pages and be ready to take down the wisdom that will help them to make a success of their lives. The work begins today, for as in the words of James Montgomery,
“Tomorrow – it will never be
    if we should live a thousand years!
Our time is all today, today,
    the same, though changed; and while it flies
with still small voice the moments say:
   ‘Today, today, be wise, be wise.’”

RCIA 2020

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It may also be referred to as ‘the Catechumenate.’ It is a process of Christian formation offered to those who seek to become Catholic.

The initiation of new members is a gradual process allowing enquirers time to grow in faith and become full participants of the Catholic community. The catechumenal journey or RCIA process is marked by three major liturgical rites.These rites act as key gateways along the way. These are Baptism, Confirmation and Communion.

It your child would be interested in becoming Catholic, and participating in the RCIA program, please contact Jacqueline Warren (jwarren2@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au) or the Good Shepherd Parish Office (mountisaparish@tsv.catholic.org.au).

Reconciliation 2019

Another important step in the spiritual development of your child is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Your child may have been involved in RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) this year, or may be interested in this for next year, so you may wish for your child to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation to support this? Before committing to what is offered, please have a read of the following notes:

1.       Penance, Reconciliation and Confession are some adult terms used for this Sacrament. Some concepts we look at are forgiveness and sorry - Reconciliation, making up – Penance, admitting we did something wrong – Confession. How this is expressed in our lives and the need we have at times to make it formal or expressed in not only words but also in the action of forgiveness is important.

2.       Completing the Sacrament entails: Who – the whole family (even if they have completed this Sacrament in the past as it is an ongoing event). If you start the program and think your child is not ready, you do not have to complete it until you think they are. This Sacrament can happen before or after they have made Confirmation and First Eucharist.

3.       There will be two Retreat sessions before the celebration where the child and a family member must attend. Retreat sessions will be held here at the College. We would like a parent or guardian to be present with the child at this time. It is always good to have some parent input into the session. Dates and times for these sessions will be advised as soon as possible. 

Should you be interested in your child participating in the Sacrament of  Reconciliation, please contact Jacqueline Warren (jwarren2@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au) or the Good Shepherd Parish Office (mountisaparish@tsv.catholic.org.au).

 A date for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is to be advised. 

Bishop’s Dinner Invitation

This week is Queensland Mental Health Week and the theme for 2019 is take time for mental health - with 6 steps. These steps are achievable for everybody, and it is important that we keep them in mind as we navigate an incredibly busy term.

Be active – do what you can, enjoy what you do, get moving and improve your mood
Keep learning – embrace new experiences, recognise opportunities, surprise yourself
Connect – talk, listen, be there
Give – your time, your words, your presence
Take notice – remember the simple things that give you joy
Care for our planet – it’s the home we all share

With schoolies fast approaching, be sure you have all the information you need to help your teenagers celebrate safely. Positive Choices have published the information sheets below to assist parents in preparing their teen for schoolies:

• How parents can keep their teenagers safe during schoolies
• What parents can do to prepare teenagers who are attending parties
• Hosting a teenage party

• The free Regional Speakers Series - Young People: Surviving to Thriving, is coming to Mount Isa!

  Well-known and highly regarded clinical psychologist, researcher and author Andrew Fuller will be in town as the keynote speaker for the event.

  Thursday 17 October, 2.00pm – 5.30pm at the Mount Isa Civic Centre Auditorium with canapes and networking to follow.

  To register for the free event, head to:https://bit.ly/33fISva

Assessment Calendars

Assessment calendars will be distributed to students and parents this week, and published on the College website and student portal. 

Exam block timetables will also be released in the next week. This Term, there will only be one exam block for Year 12 students during the following period:

• Monday 4th November → Friday 8th November

Subject Selection for 2020

Over the coming weeks, students in Year 7 & 8 will be given the opportunity to pick two elective subjects to study in Year 8 & 9 2020. Now that they have completed their trial of all subjects, they will have an opportunity to continue studying two full time next year. I will meet with these students to explain their choices and the process.

Students in Year 9 this year, will also be given a subject selection form to pick their subjects for Year 10. Students may choose to stay in their current elective subject, or choose from the new electives that begin in Year 10. Subject selections will be due before the end of the year.

Fortnightly Date Claimer (Term 4)

Week 3

• CTJ Day (Pupil Free) - Monday 21st October
• College Awards Night - Wednesday 23rd October
• Interschool Netball Carnival - Thursday 24th October

Week 4

• Year 11 Retreat (all week)
• Whole School Christian Meditation (Feast of All Saints Day) - 1st November

2019 Awards Night

Preparations are well underway for our Annual Awards Night. This week, students were notified if they are receiving an award at the awards night. Copies of the list have also been posted on the noticeboard at school and sent in an email to all Parents and Caregivers. Students are encouraged to check these lists thoroughly and notify their Pastoral Leader if they feel there are any errors.

I would like to extend an invitation to all parents and students to attend the event. Awards Night is a fantastic event that showcases the year that was, and gives us an opportunity to recognise the many facets of College life and the successes we have had.

Parents can also find a copy of the award recipients by clicking on the below link.

Awards Recipients List.PNG

Students who are receiving an Award will be required to attend a rehearsal at the Civic Centre on Wednesday of Week 3. Students will walk to the Civic Centre under teacher supervision and participate in the rehearsal and then walk back to school. We require students who are receiving an award to arrive at the civic centre no later than 6:15pm and have their names marked off by their Pastoral Leader on the night of the assembly. Students who arrive after this time, may not be able to receive their award on the night.

If recipients are unable to attend the awards ceremony please let us know for our planning purposes.

Year 11 Unit 3 - Update

Year 11 students are now well underway in their 3rd unit of study. This is an exciting time for students as they begin studying their first year 12 unit. Students are encouraged to meet with our careers officer at the college Fiona Coghlan throughout this term to discuss their pathway options once they conclude their schooling at the end of 2020. 

This is also an important time for students to consider if they are in the right pathway. Students need 20QCE points in total to receive a Queensland Certificate of Education. If students have not been receiving a passing grade it is very important that they consider changing pathways to be eligible for a QCE.

The report cards for year 11 students for Unit 2 will be distributed to families at the end of Week 3.

Although the end of the year is in sight the HPE department continues to work hard in promoting health and giving students many opportunities to get involved in playing sport.

Year 7 & 8 Netball and Touch tournament

On the last Thursday of Term 3, Year 7 and 8 students played in either a House touch football or netball carnival at the College. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to compete against each other, get active and let off some steam! Although the weather was hot all students put in a massive effort throughout the day and all were looking exhausted by 3 o’clock. In the netball section, Benjamin went through the day undefeated but were overrun by a determined Chisholm team in the final. In the touch section McKillop went throughout the whole tournament without dropping a game, and once again beat Benjamin in the final. 

As this was the first year for the event, it was great to see the effort and application of the students. Due to the students interest and efforts we can hopefully hold more events of this nature in the future.

SPORTS AWARD NIGHT

On Tuesday, 15th October, our annual Sports Awards night was held at the College. Presentations were made to our District, Regional and School team representatives. There were also presentations for Spirit in Sport students as well as our Sports persons of the Year. It was a wonderful evening with an inspiring speech made by John Doyle to start the evening off. The evening showcased what a wonderful student body we have, who commit themselves to represent the school in many different sports, and at many different levels.

Spirit in sport winners were:

Week 10 of last term saw a number of students attend work experience.  

Thank you to the following host employers:

- Autobarn

- Mount Isa Courthouse

- James Cook University/Centre for Rural and Remote Health

- SMH Equipment

- Mount Isa Florist

- Bax Plumbing

- Bellaobsessions

- Salon Bronze

- Glencore, George Fisher Mine

- Glencore, Copper Operations

- Clancy Corporation

- Furry Friends

CONGRATULATIONS Jake, Jorja and Jacob

The following students have recently commenced School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeship:

Jake Foschi - SMH Equipment (Cert III Engineering - Mechanical Trade)

Jacob Pyke - SMH Equipment (Cert III Engineering - Mechanical Trade)

Jorja Kuskopf - Red Earth Boutique Hotel (Cert III Hospitality Operations)

2019 TAFE now complete - APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2020

We had 28 students attend TAFE courses this year including automotive, electrical, health, construction and engineering.  If there are any students commencing Year 11/12 next year who would like more information about TAFE opportunities please contact Mrs Coghlan.

RESPONSIBLE SERVICE OF ALCOHOL

Recently some of our senior students attended a Responsible Service of Alcohol Course with Asset Training.  This will enable students to work in a club/bar and understand the requirements that go with working in that industry.