It is a joy to see all of our Year 11 and 12 students back at school. They are to be commended for the resilience and maturity they have shown during these uncertain times. They have shown a continued focus on their studies and a willingness to ‘step up’ and take responsibility for their learning. Thank you to our wonderful Parents who embraced this different way of supporting their children with online learning. It has been a steep learning curve for all of us.

Our Year 7 to 10 students have continued their remote learning this week and will do so for two more weeks, hopefully resuming on Monday 25th May. Please keep an eye out for an email after the 15th May which will provide further clarity about transition arrangements.

Inclusive Education

Teachers this week have been focussing on how they can make modifications for their students so that they all can access the curriculum fairly. Our Inclusive Education department at the College, lead by Mrs Laura Jackson is determined to ensure that all students are provided an equal opportunity to learn. I sincerely thank all of our teachers who are in the process of documenting adjustments and modifications for the NCCD (Nationally Consistent Collection of Data). This is an enormous task, but a vital one to assure accountability in supporting students with a disability.

Assisting us in this process is our Learning and Teaching Adviser Ms Nic Beltramelli from Townsville Catholic Education. Ms Beltramelli joined us this week for a staff workshop on Differentiation.

Staffing News

This week we welcomed Courtney Davidson to our staff. Courtney is one of our new School Officers - Assisting Student Learning. She will be a valued addition to our team of teacher aides who support our students in the classroom. 

To our Senior Leadership Team, we welcome Acting Assistant Principal Religious Education Anne-Marie Hammond. Anne-Marie will officially start on the 20th May, but is spending time this week getting to know the staff and doing a handover from Ms Jacqueline Warren who will be shortly going on Maternity Leave.

Parent Engagement

Even though we cannot hold our usual Parent Teacher Interviews in the Lumen Christi Centre this term, we are encouraging parents to contact subject teachers if their child’s Term 1 report indicated a concern. Staff email addresses can be accessed easily  in the 'Our Staff' section of the College Website.

Welcome back to Year 11 and 12 students

We were pleased to welcome our Year 11 and 12 students back to school at the beginning of the week. Students have settled in quite well as they transition from online learning and back into the classroom. As previously communicated, in the majority of subjects, students in Year 12 will no longer need to do their IA3 assessment.  We have adjusted the assessment calendars to indicate this. I strongly encourage students to examine these assessment calendars carefully to ensure assessment is not missed. 

Years 7 to 10 students

Students in Years 7 to 10 will continue learning in the online platform. Over the previous weeks I have made my way around the learning spaces at school, as well as engaging with my own classes online and whilst students have taken to the online platform differently the resilience our students have shown in this time has been commendable. I encourage students to check their emails at the beginning of each week and use their classroom diaries to record the due date of tasks and Zoom sessions. 

Tracking Interviews - Year 11 Students

We encourage all students and parents to keep their eyes peeled over the coming weeks as communication will begin to come home about Year 11 Tracking Interviews. These interviews are to ensure students are on track to receiving their QCE. We also look at eligible students' progression towards their ATAR. If at any stage a student is wanting to make a pathway or subject change we encourage them to contact myself (skelley@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au) or Pastoral Leader Nikki Dalla Vecchia (ndallavecchia@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au) as soon as possible. A Subject Change form must be completed and handed in for the changes to be processed. Please note that some subject changes will not be permitted depending on a student's QCE progress or the availability in each class. 

Senior Workshops 

Our Senior teachers are dedicated to assist students in transitioning back to school. The following classes will have the opportunity to engage in additional tutorials which will be held after school from 3pm to 4pm on the afternoon specified. This is such a great opportunity for students to catch up on missed work or receive additional help from teachers. 

College Uniform

This week I want to reiterate the importance of students wearing the FULL Academic School Uniform at all times – this includes their travel to and from school. There is a number of students who do not come to school wearing their full school uniform (this includes ties for Senior students). Students who are not wearing their full academic school uniform will receive a lunchtime detention and this will escalate to an after school detention for students who repeatedly fail to comply with the uniform policy.

With the recent cooler weather change, I also wanted to remind students and families of the Winter Uniform requirements.  Please note that senior students (Year 10 - 12) are NOT PERMITTED to wear any College sports jacket with their formal uniform.

The Five Dimensions of Self care

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

As emailed to all parents on Friday (08/05/2020), Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews are unable to proceed as normal. If your child had an interview requested on their Term 1 Report Card and you are yet to discuss their progress with the classroom teacher, we ask that you email your child’s teacher/s to arrange a time for a phone or Zoom interview. All phone/Zoom interviews should take place at an agreed upon time between Wednesday May 13 and Wednesday May 27, 2020.

All teaching staff email addresses are available in the 'Our Staff' section of the College Website, all you need to do is click a teacher’s name and it will open their email address in your preferred email platform.

Please note: If you have already been in communication with your child’s teachers, you won’t need to participate in another interview.

Students at School

It is wonderful to have the Year 11 and 12 students back on campus with us. Their daily routine is now back to ‘normal’ and students are following their timetable each day.

For students in Years 7 - 10 who join us on campus due to their parents essential work commitments, there has been a change to their supervision this week. Students in Years 7 - 10 will follow their regular timetable, to their timetabled room each day. This is an administration change only, and these students will continue to learn online; however, it will be from their regular classrooms. Timetables are accessible on students’ Compass Schedules.

A reminder for all students in Years 7 - 10 to complete the online form that I send each morning. This form must be completed by all students every day to ensure online participation intentions are recorded.

Please note: If you are not able to participate in online learning because you are unwell, please ask your parents to notify the front office, or to add an attendance note in the Compass Portal.

Hygiene / Social Distancing

As we have more students returning to the College grounds today, it is an important time to remember the importance of being vigilant with our personal hygiene. Here are some important considerations to begin our week:

1. If you are unwell, even just a little, stay home. If your child arrives at school with, or develops, any symptoms of illness, you will be required to collect them immediately.
2. Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands! 
3. If you sneeze, do so into your elbow…. and then remember to…
4. Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands! 
5. Students should adhere to the social distancing requirements on the College grounds, follow signs at the tuckshop, maintain a 1.5m distance at lunch, and sit in a space away from others in the classrooms.

JCU has announced the following information to assist with university entrance in response to COVID-19.

Our latest Careers Newsletter covers the following topics:

• Practice critical thinking
• Be creative or innovative
• University Open Days - ONLINE
• Literacy & numeracy skills for trainees and apprentices
• Practice aptitude tests
• What does an Environmental Health Officer do?

Check out the link:  https://www.careertools.com.au/resources/newsletters/qld/2020/t2_w3_2020_qld.pdf

TAFE - NEW BLOCK LESSONS ADVISED

In order to make up missed TAFE lessons two new weekly blocks have been confirmed.  All TAFE students and their parents/guardians have been advised of this information.  Should anyone have any concerns or questions about these blocks please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.  fcoghlan@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

WORK EXPERIENCE

At this stage we are unable to confirm whether work experience will proceed this term.  

Students, please keep checking your emails and school notices for updates.

Currently Good Shepherd Catholic College is looking for an Assistant Tuckshop Convenor. Please see the Position Discription and link below to apply. 

Apply here: https://applynow.net.au/jobs/ni/TCE487