“You gotta stand for something, or you fall for everything” – J Cougar Mellencamp, Rain on the Scarecrow

The mantra for Catholic schools across the country is that we exist “to make a difference”. At Good Shepherd it resides in our college vision and mission statements. It goes without saying, that in order to exist as a separate educational institution, we must be different. Catholic schools are not “private” schools, in the true sense, and we are not state schools. The history of most Cat6holic schools being, that they were established by various orders or parishes in order to provide a “catholic” education, primarily for the poor. Many of the teachers were religious. The few lay teachers (who were all Catholic) had their wages paid for by the “Sunday collection plate”. The students were primarily from Catholic families.

Much has change of course and today Catholic schools are 80% funded by the State and Federal Governments, the residual costs being covered by fees. At Good Shepherd about 50% of our students are non-Catholic as too are our staff. However we maintain the position that Catholic schools are “open to all who share our values”. In our enrolment interviews we make this very clear and indicate that anyone may enjoy the Catholic experience as long as they are prepared to “walk with us”. By this we mean; engage in the study of religion, attend all college liturgies, and uphold the Christian values of love, respect, truth and justice. It also means being participants in shaping the Good Shepherd story, both in and outside of the classroom. Of course this is not only a student responsibility, it is also relevant to staff and parents.

The Catholic journey at Good Shepherd is one founded in our Catholic charisms and traditions but also one which is shaped by a recontextualised faith (specific to our young people in this place at this time), which is post-critical (shaped by contemporary understandings of constructed truths) and which is highly relevant to providing our students with the support and direction they need in these times of rapid change and growing uncertainties.

So, it is imperative for our Catholic schools (that is Good Shepherd), that we continue to articulate the hope and courage that our Catholic faith has to offer. It is also very important that our students continue to engage with this message and fulfill the responsibilities they “signed on for”, to participate in the full Good Shepherd experience, otherwise, as an educational institution we will cease to exist. We are already under great pressure from external agencies and the secular world and our voice is losing its potency. The value of a Catholic education however is to offer a holistic education that addresses all needs of our students; intellectual, physical, social/emotional and spiritual, in an environment of respect and inclusion. It is by this that we stand separate of other educational institutions and it by this that we will be judged. Our quest is always to be, “seeking the truth”, for “when we think we have the truth, we stop learning”.

It was with great pleasure that we celebrated the graduation of our 2019 senior cohort this week. These young people take with them our best wishes and blessings for the future. In their time here at the college they have been part of shaping the story that is Good Shepherd. The beautiful period of reconciliation and the Graduation Mass with Father Mick on Wednesday was a reminder of the Catholic journey they have been on, the Graduation Assembly on Friday morning and the exciting Graduation Dinner on Saturday were reminders of the community to which they belong and contribute to. On behalf of the graduates I offer my thanks to all those that facilitated these events and especially to the Yr.12 Pastoral Leader, Mr. Domenico Cullen. These are the events and rituals that mark the passing of 5 important years. I hope and pray that we have served them well and that they go on to greater things. May they always remember the wonderful time they shared here at GSCC.

Dressed by Vinnies

Next Friday 22nd of November all students are invited to wear free-dress in support of Vinnies second-hand clothing stores. Students are encouraged to shop at our local Vinnies store on Miles street and wear their purchases on this free-dress day.

There will be a number of prizes for best dressed and most creative outfits. Free dress day standards and sunsafe rules still apply.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Each year the College supports the Vinnies Christmas Appeal by providing Christmas hampers and gifts to those less fortunate.  

This year we would like each year level to focus on creating hampers for particular age groups. Please see the table below for how your family can assist in supporting this initiative. 

All items can be brought to the front office or to students’ homerooms.

Over the past term, many Year 11 students have been engaged in the student leadership team selection process. These worthy applicants participated in formation, prepared applications, interviewed, and presented a well planned and articulate addresses to the College Community. Upon completion of this process, all students and staff voted for the students who they believe would best represent the College as members of the 2020 Student Leadership Team. Congratulations to the successful applicants, and thank you to all who participated in this process. We had so many fantastic nominees this year and are looking forward to all Year 11 students becoming the leaders of the school when they are in Year 12 in 2020! I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our graduating student leaders, the energy and enthusiasm that you have given to your roles this year has been admirable, and we thank you for your service to the College.

End of Term Family BBQ

All parents are invited to attend our end of term family BBQ where will we celebrate the joy of the Christmas season with staff and students. This will be taking place at the College on the last day of term, Friday the 29th of November. The BBQ will commence at 11am, following will be a College Liturgy and Assembly. All students will be dismissed at 12:30pm. 

We hope to see you there.

This week, students in Years 7, 8 & 9 have been sent a google form to choose their two elective subjects to study at the College next year. Elective choices should be made based on subjects that students enjoy and are good at. Students are encouraged to avoid choosing electives based on what their friends might be choosing. 

Years 8 & 9 2020;

Students in Year 7 will need to choose a subject from both the Arts and Technologies for Year 8 next year. However, students in Year 8, now that they have completed their trial of all subjects, will have an opportunity to continue studying any two from these areas in Year 9 next year. The elective subjects offered in Years 8 & 9 include:

• Drama
• Media Arts
• Visual Art
• Music
• ICT
• LVT
• Metalwork
• Woodwork
• Design

Year 10 Students 2020;

Year 9 students are encouraged to be mindful of the subjects that they would consider studying in Senior and to choose within these specialist areas, in order to gain the relevant prior knowledge and skills. For example, if students are interested in choosing Engineering in Year 11 & 12, they should consider studying Metalwork in Year 10. Electives offered for Year 10, 2020 include:

• Drama
• Media Arts
• Visual Art
• Music
• ICT
• LVT
• Metalwork
• Woodwork
• Design
• Certificate I Hospitality & Business (offered in blocks throughout the year - see below)

At this stage the College will not be offering a Certificate I in Hospitality and Business as an elective option for Year 10 students, but will be providing an opportunity throughout the year for students to complete these certificates in blocks. This also aligns with how our current Year 11/12 TAFE students complete their learning. If circumstances change however, and we are able to offer the Certificates from the start of next year, we will allow students an opportunity to choose their electives again at the start of Term 1 2020.

Please note: the College will continue to offer the Certificate II in Business and Hospitality for students in Years 11 & 12. This will be open/available for all students to enrol in Year 11. A Certificate I/or other prior knowledge is not required to be eligible to choose a Certificate II in Year 11.

Students will be placed in electives on a first come first served basis. Any student who is aware they will not be returning to the College, do not need to complete the elective form. Electives/subject choices will be due Wednesday Week 8 (27th November). Students who do not complete the form before this due date, will need to meet with the Assistant Principal Administration early next year to confirm subject choices. 

Fortnightly Date Claimer (Term 4)

Week 6

• Year 12 Graduation Mass - 13th November
• Year 12 last day/Graduation assembly - 15th November
• Year 12 Graduation Dinner - 16th November

Week 7

• Year 10 Visual Art Excursion - 19th November
• ‘Dressed by Vinnies’ free dress day - 22nd November
• Year 10 HPE ‘Op Shop Ball’ - 22nd November

Week 8

• Year 9 & 10 Basketball Competition - 27th November
• Year 7 - 11 final day & family BBQ - 29th November

This term is flying by, which is even more apparent as we prepare to celebrate our cohort of Year 12 graduates. It has been great to see so many of our students achieve personal success, in both our junior and senior years. 

Important Dates & Information - Year 12:

Our Year 12 students will not receive a Semester 2 Report Card; instead, they are issued a Senior Statement by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Please mark the following dates in your diaries for the release of the year 12 results/certificates: 

• Release of QCS Test grades:
  From 9 am on Wednesday 13 November 2019 students will be able to access their individual QCS Test grade — from A to E — in their learning account on the Student Connect website: https://studentconnect.qcaa.qld.edu.au  
• Release of Year 12 results, OPs and FPs
  From 9 am on Saturday 14 December, all results contributing to the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), OPs and FPs will be available in student learning accounts on the Student Connect website: https://studentconnect.qcaa.qld.edu.au 
• Senior Education Profile - Hardcopy
  From Monday 16 December, students will begin receiving their Senior Education Profiles in the mail. Depending on students’ individual circumstances, their profile will comprise one or more of the following documents:
  • QCE
  • Tertiary Entrance Statement
  • Senior Statement
  • Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement.   

I encourage students to ensure they can access their learning accounts, and let me know before Friday 6th December if they need login details.

Remembrance Day 2019

I would personally like to thank Miss. Katherine Algie and members of the Good Shepherd History Club for their involvement in our Remembrance Day Service at the College. The students not only attended the service held by the Council but coordinated and conducted a full service at the College. 

Remembrance Day is a topic that holds great significance to the Good Shepherd Community. On this day we joined together in unison to not only pay our respects, but to say thank you for the sacrifices that have been and continue to be made for us to experience education the way that we do today.

Assessment Calendars:

We are approaching the busiest time of the term for our students in regards to assessment items and their due dates. The assessment calendars are available on our college website, these can be viewed and downloaded from the following link:

https://www.goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au/students/studies-assessment/ 

Farwell Year 12’s

It’s time for our Year 12’s to commence their adult lives and I wish them all the very best as they take the next step toward their future goals.  

I will be available up until 6th December should any students (or parents) require assistance with cover letters, resumes, job applications, QTAC etc.  please email me at fcoghlan@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au to make an appointment.

QTAC Applications - Important Information

Students, please remember that every one of you can apply for the EAS (Educational Access Scheme) to accompany your QTAC applications for living remotely - there are also other categories you may apply for e.g. educational disruption, illness etc. This means than you could receive adjustments (bonuses) toward your OP/Rank, so worth the effort to apply. You must complete the EAS and give to either Mrs Kelley or myself so that we can provide required documentation. Please do this as a matter of urgency. This link will take you to the QTAC site and the application process for the EAS. I suggest you view the video and read the information provided.   https://www.qtac.edu.au/applying/educational-access-scheme

Year 12 Practice/Mock Interviews

Earlier this term members of our community volunteered their time to assist our Year 12 students with “Mock Interviews”. The program allowed students to gain experience in an interview situation. Students were nervous (as expected) but agreed this was a very helpful process in which to engage.  Each participant received written feedback from their interviewer so they know what improvements they could make before they are in a real job interview. A big thanks to the following people who generously donated their time to assist:

Margaret Munns, Zoe Douglas and Lee Pang - Department of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Program

Kylie Douglas and Alex Batemen - Glencore Copper Operations

Leonie Ferriday - Busy at Work

James Coghlan - Good Shepherd Parish

Mick Scotney - Clancy Corporation

Cliff DeJager - Glencore Zinc Operations

Congratulations Liam!

Liam Baynes has recently commenced a School Based Traineeship studying Certificate III Animal Companion Services with Furry Friends.  Well done Liam.