Thank you to all of our parents, families, teachers and students who attended our Meet and Greet on Friday. It was a great opportunity for engagement and discussion about the year ahead. We were grateful for the enthusiastic participation of our P&F helpers who cooked the BBQ. If you would like to help out at P&F events, please contact Mell Jones at the College (mjones19@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au). A recent Harvard study noted that the more parents interact with their son or daughter’s schooling in varied ways and at different points in time, family attention to learning gains a focus. When this is combined with teachers also facilitating opportunities to share their child’s learning experiences with parents, overall school and student performance increases. This helps to build trust and respect and a more authentic partnership between home and school. This is one of our goals for 2020 and we look forward to lots of opportunities for parent engagement about teaching and learning.

Our first week of learning was great! We celebrated the arrival of our new Year 7s and welcomed back all students, reminding them of the school focus on experiencing the community, living the values and achieving success. Many of our senior students have signed up for TAFE and School-Based Apprenticeships. These are important springboards to further training and employment post-school. We wish them well in their vocational education pathway.

This week we welcome Yvonne Van der Worm who is our new Guidance Counsellor. Yvonne is a highly experienced Psychologist with extensive time in the school context. Our new Speech Pathologist is Meaghan Mannix and she also begins with us this week. Both ladies are a great addition to our Well-being team. Sadly, we will soon farewell Casey-Lee Hadden one of our School Officers who has been supporting students in the area of Hospitality and Textiles. We are currently advertising for her position and an additional Cleaner/Facilities person.

Good luck to our Year 7s who will participate in their annual Retreat this Friday. This special day will give students time to reflect spiritually as well as enjoy time together in games and fun. Thank you to Ms Jacqueline Warren (APRE) and Mrs Kate Thinee (Year 7 Pastoral Leader) who are planning the day. Year 7s will also gather with Year 11 students on Wednesday for a combined Mass. This is compulsory for all students and they are to make their own way there promptly by 8.20 am. Teachers will walk students back to school. Parents and families are invited to attend.

Have a blessed week.

There have been some fantastic Teaching and Learning experiences happening in our classrooms. Please see some important curriculum reminders below:

Assessment Calendar

A reminder to students, parents and guardians that assessment calendars will be distributed to students this week. These will be shared electronically and are accessible via the College website under the Students tab, followed by the Studies & Assessment link. 

Senior Exam Blocks

There will be an exam block for both Year 11 and 12 students, in term 1. These dates are visible below:

Exam Block Timetables for Year 11 & 12 students will be released in the coming weeks.

Assessment Policy

The College implemented an updated and revised Assessment Policy in Term 4 of 2019. 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.

A copy of the assessment Policy can be found on our College Website.

The policy aims to ensure that all students submit a full and complete draft by the required date. This draft becomes the student’s final assessment submission until it is replaced with an updated version (either on or before the final due date & time). Students who fail to submit a final copy will have their draft marked as the final submission against the standards. 

Students will be well informed of this policy throughout the coming weeks, and its processes will be explained in detail as each assessment item is handed out this term.

Ultimately, students who are choosing not to submit their drafts and final assessment items on time will be jeopardising their overall results in that subject, for senior students this could result in the loss of a QCE point. It is vital that students and families are using the Assessment Calendars to manage their time effectively.

As we move towards the end of Week 2, it is important that students are settled into their classes, being involved in the introduction of their classes. As of this Friday (07/02/2020), students should not be making any further subject changes.

As a gentle reminder, the process for changing subjects is below:

1. Discuss subject change with classroom teacher;
2. Collect a ‘Subject Change Form’ from the College Office;
3. Complete form and have existing class, and new class teacher sign (this is the first stage of the approval process);
4. Take the Subject Change form home - a parent or guardian must sign it;
5. Take the Subject Change form to the College Office, Mrs Webb will process Years 7 to 10 and Mrs Kelley Years 10 to 12.
6. Collect your new timetable!

If you are in Year 11 or 12, you should consult the Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning regarding the change to ensure there will be no negative impact to your post schooling pathways.

Please note: not all subject changes are possible; however we will always do our best to accommodate requests.

ID Photos

Student ID Photos will take place on Monday 10th of February. Please ensure that students are in their best Full Formal Uniform for this day. Students in Years 10 - 12 will require their blazers.

We had a fantastic start to 2020 last week! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our parents and carers who came to our Meet and Greet events during the week. These events were great opportunities to put faces to names and most importantly to build positive relationships within our community, which can only benefit our students.

I would also like to say a big thank you to my Pastoral Team for getting our Homeroom Teachers prepared for the start of year. In particular, I would like to thank our Year 7 Cohort, led by Mrs Kate Thinee, for ensuring that our Year 7 students had a smooth transition to the Good Shepherd Catholic College community last week.  This Friday, the Year 7 students and their homeroom teachers will have their retreat where they will do activities that focus on team building and coming together as a cohesive year level; establishing their College house identity and spirit; and developing their spirituality.

Student Representative Council

This week we are seeking nominations from students in Years 7 to Year 11 who are interested in being a part of the Student Representative Council in 2020. The Student Representative Council (SRC) is made up of a group of students who represent their year level and present ideas, which benefit all students, to the Senior Leadership Team.  The SRC also informs its peers of any important information which affects the student body. Being on the SRC teaches skills which you can put to use in later life, particularly in terms of leadership. Please encourage your child to nominate if they are interested by completing the nomination form that I have emailed them.

Year 7 Immunisation Forms

Tomorrow morning Year 7 students will be issued with their Immunisation Packs with forms that need to be completed prior to immunisation day on Wednesday, 18th March 2020. Please ensure that the forms are fully completed with the relevant information. It is also important that if you choose for your child to not participate in the immunisation program that it is also indicated on the forms. All completed forms need to return to the College by Monday, 2nd March 2020.

School ID Photos

On Monday, 10th February Academy Photography will be at the College to photograph all staff and students for ID cards. Please ensure that your child is following the College Uniform expectations to have these photos taken especially focusing on hair, jewellery and make up requirements. 

Next Wednesday, 12th February, our Good Shepherd College community will be celebrating our Opening Mass. We would like to invite all parents, caregivers and friends of the College to attend. Year 7 students will receive their College Badge, and Year 12 students, their Senior Badges. This is an exciting celebration that we would like to share with you all. The mass begins at 9am, followed by morning tea. Please see the official invitation below.

We have launched into Week 2 with smiles and enthusiasm. 

Have a look at us in Homeroom Monday morning ahead of a huge week.

Please remember this week:

• Thursday: Students who would like to apply for a SRC position will present to the Year 7 cohort.
• Friday: Year 7 Retreat day - Please wear your Sports Uniform and bring  your swimmers, hat and water bottle. Students need to be at the College by 8.30am and collected at 3pm from SPLASHEZ Pool.

It’s busy, and most of us are finding our way!

If there is anything I can do to support you and your child, do not hesitate to contact me.

I want to start by congratulating all of the Year 10 Students for such a fantastic start to the new school year. I have been overwhelmed by their friendly and warm welcoming nature and I am looking forward to a great year ahead. 

Pastoral Care Program (Term 1) and Work Experience:

This term in our Pastoral Care lessons, students will be participating in activities focusing on stress. These activities are designed to help them identify the signs of stress and to implement strategies to deal with stressful situations. Additionally, we will be working with Mrs Fiona Coghlan (Careers Advisor) to learn more about the Careers Department and her role at the school. This week, students will be receiving information about the process to engage in Work Experience and the School Based Traineeship opportunities that the College can provide. This information goes hand in hand with the following important dates:

Work Experience Round One: Term 1

Students of Rice and Mackillop Houses

Cut-off date to apply: 28th February

Last week Term 1 (30 th March-3rd April) and/or

DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

1st Week: 6-10th April

2nd Week: 13-17th April

A letter will also be distributed to families outlining the same information students are given about Work Experience and School Based Traineeships. However, if you have any further questions, I encourage you to contact Fiona via email or through the school office. 

Please note that each Thursday, all Year 10 Students have their Hat and Diary checked (in addition to a Full Uniform check). The diary needs to be in good condition and is considered to be part of the uniform. Failure to produce their hat and diary (both should be clearly labelled with their names) will result in a uniform detention that day. 

School ID Photos

Please note that students will be be having their School ID photos taken on Monday 10th February. All Year 10 students are required to wear their Blazers. 

I would like to introduce myself as the Year 12 Pastoral Leader this year, as well as the Year 12 Homeroom teachers Mr John Harrop, Mr Trent Wilkinson and Ms Emily Watson. 

We have already had a busy start to the term with students engaging in their academic tracking and commencing their career action plans. In Week 1, students engaged in a Year 12 Liturgy and also spent time looking towards their future and how they will display and embrace leadership as Year 12 students at Good Shepherd.

Students have received their QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) check that demonstrates their progress towards a QCE based on their current achievement. Students are allocated one of three colours based on their QCE progress:

GREEN - means you are on track to achieve a QCE. Have met Literacy & Numeracy requirements, and are likely to have 20 credits and you are likely to meet the completed core requirement.

AMBER - you are at risk of not getting your QCE. This is usually because you only just have 20 likely credits possibly because you are getting C- in a couple of subjects.

RED - you are not on track to achieve your QCE. You have not met one, two or all three of the QCE requirements. Unless you change your effort and application dramatically & urgently, you will not get your QCE.

Students will continue to receive their QCE check at the start of each term this year. I encourage families to have conversations around their QCE progress. Meetings will be requested for students who are in the amber and red zone to put an action plan in place to best support them in achieving a QCE this year. 

The Formal is quickly approaching and I’m certain our Year 12 students are excited for the evening to take place. After discussions with our Student Leaders and Year 12 cohort, we as a College have made the decision to allow our Year 12 students to celebrate with their partners at their Formal Dinner. Previously, partners were only permitted to stay for the arrival ceremony and caneps in the foyer however moving forward, they will be able to remain for the entire evening. Tickets will be available for purchase for Year 12 students and their graduation partners for $80 each from the College Office closer to the date. Information about all graduation events and formal celebrations will be distributed to Year 12 students and their families this week. 

This week we are still focusing on North West Nominations for our students, if your child has experience in any of the sports noted below please encourage them to nominate for the trials. All dates are below and further information is important for you to remember:

-‘Mount Isa’ (highlighted) nominations will go straight to trials, coaches will finalise trial dates and locations - Students will be notified when confirmed.

-‘North West’ nominations will be processed through the College and then on to Linda Asburn (Regional Sport Officer) and further details will be sent back once the nomination is accepted.

-Unless stated, nomination dates involve both Boys and Girls in different sporting codes.

-All nominations are for individual, not team trials.

UQ YOUNG SCHOLARS PARTICIPANTS

In December Year 12 students Alison Godfrey and Jayden Sweet participated in the University of Queensland’s Young Scholars Program. The program is designed to nurture and develop future leaders by providing academic extension and enrichment. Later this year Year 11 students will be invited to apply for the program.

This is was what Alison had to say about her experiences:

"The University of Queensland's Young Scholars' Program is an experience like no other. The program caters not only to provide an understanding of University life and all that comes along with it, but also allows you to connect with like-minded people who have similar interests, ideas, and understandings as you do. The program not only allowed me to understand what I want to study after school, but also gave answers as to why I should choose university, as throughout the week-long event you pick course exerts which give you experience in the field chosen. As someone who has always wanted to be a teacher, the first course I chose was "Teaching with Oobleck" - and it only affirmed the idea that I love teaching others and learning at the same time. I would strongly recommend the program to any who are interested!"

https://www.goodshepherdmtisacareers.com/index.php

Some of the functions include:

• Career Quizzes (just logon under “For Students” then Students secure area).  Parents, feel free to do your own quiz.

• Job Videos - listen to stories about specific professions.

• University Course information

• “For Parents” - there is even a section for parents.

CONGRATULATIONS MADELENE & CAITLYN

Madelene Rogers-Vandenbos (Year 12) and Caitlyn Mataia (Year 11) have recently commenced school based traineeships with Mount Isa Central Pharmacy. Both students will study a Certificate III Business Administration. Well done ladies!

WORK EXPERIENCE

Work experience opportunities commence Week 10 of this term.  More information to follow. In the meantime, please feel free to discuss this or any other career queries with me.

Instrumental Music will commence this week with lessons now taking place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from the Instrumental Room. If your child is interested in commencing lessons, information letters can be collected from the College Office.

 All Ensembles commence rehearsals this week. We are very excited to have a number of additional ensembles this year. Permission notes can be collected from the College Office.

The P&F welcomes all returning and new families to the Good Shepherd community in 2020. Last Friday the P&F hosted a welcome back BBQ for families and staff members, with a great turnout for the event. A break in the rain made for a lovely afternoon spent getting to know each other and enjoying a delicious burger. We would like to thank all those that attended, and look forward to more community events throughout the year. 

The P&F is having its AGM next Tuesday, 11th February, at 6pm in the College Library. New and familiar faces are encouraged to come along and join us for a very exciting year for both the P&F and the College. Hope to see you there!

Please see the link below regarding the current Novel Coronavirus situation and students attending the College.

Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)