Hooray - our brand new Design and Technology Centre is open! Our students were very excited to begin their practical classes in the new facility this week. It has been an enormous project for our Design staff and we sincerely thank everyone involved in its construction and installation. We will be providing parents and community members an opportunity to look at the facilities soon, but here is a sneak peek of some photos:

This week our teachers have been working with our Learning and Teaching Adviser Nic Beltramelli from Townsville Catholic Education to modify assessment for our students with special needs. At Good Shepherd Catholic College, we are committed to providing equity of opportunity for our students and we can achieve this through differentiation of our curriculum and modifying assessment tasks so that they are achievable for our students. This year will be the first year that our students on an Individual Education Plan will be assessed against the appropriate year level descriptors for their ability, and not against their year level cohort. Thank you to Mrs Laura Jackson and our Inclusive Education Committee who are spearheading the work in this area.

Next term our Learning and Teaching focus will return to the model of Gradual Release of Responsibility. If you are interested in this Diocesan and school-wide pedagogical practice, you might enjoy reading this article.

We look forward to celebrating NAIDOC Week at Good Shepherd on the last day of term. All Parents and Carers are invited to join us for an Elders Morning Tea in the Library at 9:30am. It will be a great opportunity for us to present our Reconciliation Action Plan to the community. The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations is Always Was, Always Will Be.  This is a compulsory school day for all students except Year 11 and 12 students doing TAFE or Work Experience. Stay tuned for more information about the day.

Finally, a reminder that this Friday is a public holiday for Show Day. Unfortunately the Council has cancelled the Show, however the public holiday is still being recognised.

Each week we will profile a section of our Annual School Improvement Plan for 2020. This is the document that guides our plans and priorities for the year. We prepare this document based on initiatives set by the Townsville Catholic Education Office and through consultation with our school stakeholders: parents, staff and students.

Reflection on Term 2

As it is coming to the end of Semester 1 and a day closer to the report cards being distributed to families I challenge all students to use this time for reflection. Reflection could be focused around time management, academic grades or achievements, drafting practices, attitude and application to class work. The purpose of this reflection is to evaluate or reassess goals that students had established at the beginning of the semester and either tweak or develop new ones for Term 3. An American Philosopher who is often used to call upon in regards to reflection is John Dewey, who released ground breaking research in 1991 on the significance of self-reflection in students' lives. He stated that it is through reflection that students are fostering critical thinking while demonstrating professional values and skills. 

In light of students' reflections it is important to consider how much time is being prioritised each week for homework or assignment preparation. The Queensland Government has set out guidelines for homework, including the amount of time students should spend on homework each week. The policy briefly outlines the following: 

• Year 7: up to 3-4 hours per week
• Year 8 and 9: up to 5 hours per week 
• Year 10: up to 6-8 hours per week 
• Year 11 and 12: up to 9-10 hours per week 

The students are provided with assignment time during their classes, however, depending on the conditions of the task, responses are required to be completed away from the classroom.

In Term 3 there are a number of important curriculum events, especially for the Year 12 students undertaking the ATAR pathway. There will be preparation lessons scheduled for PC time for students to prepare for the external exams, as well as a mock external exam block in Week 9 of the Term. I strongly encourage students to look over past papers for their Senior Syllabus’. 

The Year 11 students will also be transitioning onto their Year 12 studies in Term 4. This will mean that the current Year 11 students will enter into Year 12 at the beginning of Term 4.

The Year 10 students will also be provided with an opportunity in Semester 2 to study electives in preparation for their subject selections for Year 11. I encourage students to select their electives and Year 11 subjects based on their interests, strengths, abilities and future pathways. This is an amazing opportunity to provide students with a snapshot of what to expect in Year 11 and 12.

College Expectation Focus:  Follow instructions the first time.

This week I wanted to focus on our fourth College Expectation: Following instructions the first time.

Following instructions is important to make tasks simpler, to ensure things are done effectively, to eliminate confusion and to save time. When instructions are properly followed, things work well. Students who follow instructions show that they are cooperative, intelligent and dependable, while not following instructions can lead to serious situations.

When students do not follow instructions properly, it can cause chaos and frustration in any type of environment. In a school context, following instructions is key to learning and getting quality outcomes.

In order to follow instructions, a student must:

• listen well;
• read carefully; and
• ask questions if necessary. 

When a student does not follow instructions, they could find that finishing tasks are much more difficult.  Tasks that are done properly the first time do not have to be redone, saves time and effort by following instructions each time a task is tackled.

Following instructions can preserve one’s health and wellbeing, and it is a necessary skill for a quality life. 

NAIDOC Celebrations

NAIDOC Week celebrations are normally held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself.

Every year at Good Shepherd we celebrate NAIDOC on the last day of the term two.  Nationally the dates for NAIDOC have moved to the 8th to 15th November this year from the original July dates due to the impacts and uncertainty from the escalating Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across our communities and cities.  

The NAIDOC theme for 2020 is Always Was, Always Will Be and recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for our continent for over 65,000 years and their spiritual and cultural connection to this country.

Our College will celebrate NAIDOC next Friday with a virtual liturgy during homeroom, an Elders and parents morning tea and culturally specific activities throughout the day for our students.  This is a wonderful opportunity for all our students to come together and be involved to celebrate the wonderful diversity of our community.

If you would like further information about our NAIDOC event, please do not hesitate to contact either Ms Frew, Ms Crebbin or Ms Eggmolesse in the Cultural Space for further details.

Compass Parent Portal / Semester Reports

A reminder that Semester Report Cards will be uploaded to the Compass Portals on the last day of Term 2. If you do not have access to your Parent Portal, please contact the College Office as soon as possible so that we can assist. 

Year 10 Senior Subject Trials

In Pastoral Care this week, students have heard from the remaining Curriculum Departments before they choose the senior subject they will trial in Semester 2 (next term).

Students have received instructions to complete the subject selection, and should choose one (1) subject from each of the following lines:

Line 1:

• Religion and Ethics (Applied)
• Study of Religion (General)

Line 2:

• Essential English (Applied)
• General English (General)

Line 3:

• Essential Mathematics (Applied)
• General Mathematics (General)
• Mathematics Methods (General)

Line 4 (Science/Humanities Group A):

• Science in Practice (Applied)
• Physics (General)
• Legal Studies (General)
• Geography (General)

Line 5 (Science/Humanities Group B):

• Social & Community Studies (Applied)
• Modern History (General)
• Chemistry (General)
• Biology (General)

Due to staffing, and timetable requirements these classes have capped numbers, therefore in some cases a student’s first preference might not be successful. This is most likely to occur in Lines 4 and 5, so students will provide a second preference for these.

Once the subject selection is complete, students will receive an overview of their selection to either email, or print and take home with them (see image below).

If you have any questions regarding the senior subject trials, please contact the classroom teacher, Miss Wiles, or Mrs Kelley.

Loan Laptops

As stated in the BYOD Position Statement (available on the College Website) ‘students are required to bring their own laptop or netbook (in a case) to school every day fully charged so that it can be used in all classes’. The College has a small number of laptops available for short term loan for students; however, these are not for students who forget their laptops, they are reserved for those who are without a laptop due to repair/replacement wait times.

To borrow a laptop, students should follow these steps:

• Collect a loan agreement form from the Library;  
• Take this agreement home and have it signed by a parent or guardian;
• Return the signed agreement to Ms Drover in the Library;
• Collect the loan laptop;
• Return the loan laptop (if repairs are taking longer than 6 weeks, a second loan agreement will need to be completed).

This agreement is your family taking responsibility for the loan laptop while it is in your possession; this also means that you are also responsible for payment if the laptop is damaged while on loan. Loan computers are available on a short term basis only. 

Please note: If students are in possession of a loan laptop and/or charging cord, they must return them to the College Library no later than Wednesday 24 June.

Computer Repairs

Please note that the College IT Department is not able to repair student’s BYO Devices. If a student laptop requires repair, you should contact the company you purchased it from and they will be able to assist. 

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

As we are now able to return to our church and celebrate Eucharist together, and it is the Feast of Corpus Christi, it is an opportune time to briefly reflect on their significance.

Pope Francis spoke about the dual effects of the celebration of the Eucharist.

Union - Jesus is present in the Eucharist to be our nourishment and to ‘become in us that renewing force that gives energy”.

Communion – in participating in Eucharist we become one with each other and with Christ, ‘one cannot participate in the Eucharist without committing oneself to mutual fraternity’.

The Pope then explained that “this dual fruit of the Eucharist: first, union with Christ and second, communion between those who are nourished by Him”, continually renews the Christian community. 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-06/pope-francis-angelus-corpus-christi-allow-yourself-transformed.html

The Arts Department 

What a busy term The Arts Department has had. With week nine coming to a close, students are now completing and finalising the practical components of each unit. With the theory component completed within the first 5 weeks of Online Learning.   

Media 

Students are completing the following for their units: 

Year 7 Animation -  To reanimate a trailer for Nursery Rhyme, Fairtary or a Movie of their choice. 

Year 8 Movie Trailers - To create a sequel of a movie or create their own movie trailer. 

Year 9 Animation - Their choice of their own story and animation up to 2 to 3 minutes. 

Year 10 Movie Poster -  With the focus on Australian Identity. 

Music 

Students are completing the following for their units: 

Year 7 - Have been focusing on the 7 elements of music and completing various online activities.  

Year 8 - Have been working on completing their songwriting compositions.

Year 9 - Have completed their exams for music and completed an online Music Theory Course.

Senior Music 

Have been completing their Senior Assessments.   

Drama 

Year 7 -  Have been completing their practical Monologue with a focus on improvisation and character development.

Year 8 - Have been deconstructing the plays Blabbermouth and Two Weeks with the Queen. With a focus on characterisation of a single character and performing this character in front of an audience.     

Year 9 - Have been working hard to complete The Scene Project with a fantastic Australian Play written for The Scene Project called Wisdom. 

Year 10 - Have been exploring the contemporary play Juice. The students have been working hard to perform a section of the play in groups this week.

Senior Drama

Have been completing their Senior Assessments.   

Art

Year 7 - Have been focusing on their elements of art, completing a colour, line and shape. drawing. 

Year 8 -  Completing ceramics and making absurd mugs. 

Year 9 -  Have been completing still life portraiture, focusing on flowers.

Year 10 - Have been completing portraiture. 

Senior Art

Have been completing their Senior Assessments.

It's been a busy few weeks for our Yr 10 students, but assessment is finally drawing to a close! I would like to congratulate all of our students for their hard work, dedication and especially for the way that they have approached the craziness of Term 2! Nothing could have prepared us for the first 5 weeks of term, but the resilience that each student demonstrated during this time is a credit to them!

Retreat Update

Due to the recent restrictions in place, a decision has been made to push Retreat back until Term 4. The tentative date booked is Week 4, 29-30 October. More information will be released next term as planning for the Retreat gets underway. 

SPOLIN (Senior Phase of Learning Information Night)

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday 4th August, 2020 for our SPOLIN event at the College (including a welcome BBQ).

Yr 10 Students and parents are invited to this presentation where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Senior Pathway and senior subjects from the Curriculum Leaders.

Pastoral Care Lessons - Week 9 and 10

The last three weeks of PC lessons are being used to prepare and inform students about Senior School Pathways for Yr 11 and 12. Last week, students heard from Mrs Samanatha Kelley (DP - Teaching and Learning) who taught students about the difference between ATAR and QCE pathways and applied and essential subjects. Students then heard from the Curriculum Leaders in Maths, English, Science, Humanities and Religion. 

This week, students will hear from the Curriculum Leaders in Health and Physical Education, The Arts and Technologies. The purpose of these presentations is to give students a snapshot into each of the senior subjects that we have on offer at the College and help them to choose which subjects to trial in Semester Two.  

Next week, we will have a guest speaker from TAFE who will present information about the courses that students can participate in next year. We will also hear from Mrs Fiona Coghlan, the College Careers Officer, who will go over her role and some possible university options that are available.

This term, our Year 9 English classes have been exploring the exciting world of advertising. Students have examined and scrutinised a variety of video and print advertisements, analysing the range of advertising techniques that companies use to promote their products and services. Whilst this term has presented unique and unforeseen challenges with the onset of COVID-19, we are proud to say that our GSCC students have shown resilience and perseverance during our five week online learning period.

The assessment task for this term required students to compare and contrast a provided print advertisement with another print advertisement of their choosing. Using their knowledge of the AIDA theory, they were to analyse and evaluate various techniques used on both advertisements to draw conclusions about how the advertisers attempted to persuade and appeal to their respective demographics. Their responses were written in essay form where they provided opinions and reasons as to why each advertisement succeeded or failed in motivating their target audience.

We are bombarded with advertisements in our daily lives. The purpose of this unit was to educate students on the ways that organisations use techniques such as language choices and conventions, images and emotions to influence an audience and manipulate them into buying their product or service. This was a thoroughly enjoyable and intriguing unit and we are looking forward to our next unit – Global Texts.

Our latest Careers newsletter includes the following information:

What is a Sports Physiotherapist?

Learn about careers in:

• Real Estate
• Event Planning
• Organisational Psychology
• Paediatric Nursing
• Rail Industry
• Space Careers

2021 Australian Government Digital Apprenticeship Program - Applications close Monday 29th June.

https://www.careertools.com.au/resources/newsletters/qld/2020/t2_w8_2020_qld.pdf

Glencore Apprenticeship Information Session 

Today Glencore visited with Year 12 students who are interested in applying for their 2021 apprenticeship program.  Students were encouraged to research their areas of interest and pay particular attention to their application answers, cover letters and resumes.  

A School Leavers information session will be held later in the year.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Year 10/11/12 students will be out and about undertaking work experience during week 10 and the school holidays.  We wish them the best of luck (and learning) as they trial various careers.

TAFE recommences next week

TAFE recommences next week for 50 of our Year 11/12 students.  They will continue to focus their studies in auto, electrical, construction, health, engineering and for the first time plumbing.

Our very dedicated students will also attend their classes during the first week of the school holidays to make up for missed lessons during COVID-19.

2021 TAFE

A TAFE representative will visit the College next Wednesday to talk to Year 10 students about course availability in Year 2021. TAFE courses are government funded, so FREE!

Poetry is a great way to express yourself and tell a story…so why not have a go at this? 

Red Room Poetry is currently running a competition for students up to the age of 18 and is called Poetry Object 2020…it invites all interested students to write a poem that is inspired by treasured, curious, everyday, extraordinary, interplanetary or talismanic objects. That is, an object that means something to you or has a special story attached to it that you would love to share.
Terms and Conditions:
Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 10th July. There is only ONE submission per student and it must be an original piece of work. There are great prizes…$500 cash, a book pack for our avid readers and also a poetry mentoring session with a well-known poet!
You can access the entry form on the Red Room web page or see Mrs Millan for further details or questions. I hope to see lots of entries.

Due to COVID-19 Apex Mount Isa has cancelled this year's Rock Pop Mime Show. The event will be back again on the 15th of October 2021.