Week 4 has been one of community, celebration and blessing for the College. We spent the early part of this week interviewing some of our prospective Year 7 students for 2021. What an impressive group of students who we know will bring joy, enthusiasm and a passion for learning to Good Shepherd. Our Enrolment Interviews will continue over the next few weeks, so please spread the word to your friends and family about finalising any applications. Our Year 10 students and their families gathered on Tuesday for our Senior Phase of Learning evening and it was encouraging to see so many of our students and parents attending - a genuine learning partnership between home and school.  It was also a terrific community event as we were  joined by the following industry groups:  Glencore, TAFE North; JCU and Qld Health and Busy @ Work.

Wednesday saw the Blessing and Opening of our Design and Technology Centre and we were joined by Bishop Tim Harris and Executive Director Ms Jacqui Francis. We acknowledge that this was the vision of former Principal Mr Peter Scott and I am sure he would be very proud of the final project.

Finally, we enjoyed visiting St Keiran’s Primary School this week for the opening of their Sacred Space. Some of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students also attended and assisted with the Hospitality - what a great activity for them to include in the Emerging Leaders’ portfolio.

Community is central to what we do here at Good Shepherd and is one of the cornerstones of our Catholic faith. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matt 18:20). I encourage all of our families to stay connected to the activities of the College and perhaps even come to one of our Parents and Friends’ Association meetings to join the conversation about school improvement. There just happens to be one next Tuesday in the Library ;).

Have a great week.

Developing effective study skills

As we head into the part of the term where assessments, and assessment preparations have begun, students would do well to reflect on their study habits.  Successful students are usually those students who have established clear goals, have study routines in place and who are organised.

Studying is learnt behaviour and anyone can get better at the skill.  The time invested now is well worth the while when the academic pressure increases.

Here are a few tips on how to improve study skills:

1. Develop a study timetable.
2. Take notes in class.
3. Avoid being absent, or catch up the missed work as soon as possible.
4. Ask for help/ attend homework help.
5. Invest time in drafts for your assignments.
6. Proofread, edit and improve your work.
7. Study regularly and revisit previous sections of work often, rather than cramming the night before your exams.

It’s hard to believe that we have been back at school for almost an entire month since the holidays! With the term progressing rapidly, the time has come to commence planning for our Term 3 Exam Blocks.

This term there will be three blocks of exams taking place during Weeks 8 & 9. 

Year 12 students will sit ‘mock exams’, to prepare for their upcoming external examinations. These exams are compulsory, and will run as a regular exam block. Year 12 Exam Block commences on Thursday 3 September and run through to Thursday 10 September (see schedule below). All exams and study will take place in D Block for Year 12 students.

During this block, students in practical subjects will also be expected to attend exam sessions, these sessions are reflected in the exam schedule.

Year 11 students will sit exams from Monday 7 September to Thursday 10 September (see schedule below). During this block, students in practical subjects will also be expected to attend exam sessions, these sessions are reflected in the exam schedule. Exams will take place in the LCC, with study to take place in F2.

Year 10 students will sit exams from Tuesday 8 September to Thursday 10 September (see schedule below). Students enrolled in Certificate I Hospitality will participate in one practical session during the exam block, this class has been split into ‘Group 1’ and ‘Group 2’ - Mrs Cole will communicate these groups directly with students. Exams will take place in the LCC, with study to take place in G3, G4 & H6.

Study Rooms

There will be separate study rooms for each group sitting exams at the end of the term. Please note that the study rooms will be available for students in-between the morning sessions, but will close when the second exam session commences at 12:00pm. It is important to note that if students are not sitting exams they should be at home.

More information regarding the exam block will be distributed in the coming weeks. If you have any questions regarding specific exams, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.

This week is Vocations Week. This is where we take some time to consider what our vocation is within our Catholic faith whether it be the married life, single life, priestly life or consecrated life.  Following is a prayer for vocations.

God our Father, You made each of us to use our gifts in the Body of Christ.

We ask that You inspire young people whom You call to the priesthood, consecrated life, married life or single life to courageously follow Your will.

Send workers into Your great harvest so that the Gospel is preached, the poor served with love, the suffering are comforted and Your people are strengthened.

We ask this through Christ our Lord

AMEN

We all have a part to play in God’s family.

Half way through Term 3, our Year 11 ICT students visited Lake Moondarra and the Mount Isa Lookout, to gather images for the task of producing a portfolio of Commercial Photographs for promoting Mount Isa.

We walked along the Wallaby track to capture rugged quartz terrain and capture the lake shore and large vista you gain from that level. This was followed by photographing moving targets - Peacocks and Peahens grazing on the lawns, Galahs and waterbirds. 

On our way back to campus, we pulled over to photograph pretty purple Mula Mula.

Our final stops were the dam and finally, Mount Isa Lookout for a panoramic view of the Mine, Chimney Stacks and other iconic structures, such as the Underground hospital and the Outback at Isa building.

In Week 6 on Friday 21st August, our Senior Hospitality students will be hosting a Hospitality Dinner to showcase their skills by cooking and serving you a 3 Course Dinner: Entrée, Main, Dessert and to finish, complimentary coffee from the Café. There will be bar facilities available, a lucky door prize and raffles on the night. Tickets are available from the front office, $35 per person.

The dinner will contribute towards competency requirements of their Certificate ll in Hospitality. Hope you can join us for a night filled with great food.

Congratulations to the winner of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes competition, Lisa Hennessey in Year 9. Lisa won a Songbird and Snakes hardbound journal. 

National Science Week Promotion: From 10-21 August we will be running a Library Scavenger Hunt for National Science Week. This year’s theme is Deep Blue, focused on the restoration and protection of our oceans.

The prize is a gift card with the value based on how many plastic bottles and cans GSCC students collect for recycling in the next 2 weeks. This is an apt collaboration with Science Week’s theme. 

Over the last week, students have collected 180 containers. The more our College community recycles, the greater the prize. Containers for recycling can be left outside the Library each day.

Top eBook Borrowers in July

1. Makayla Davies
2. Faith Finter and Natalie Marsh

Top Library Borrowers in July

1. Zac McClymont – Year 7
2. Anesu Chahwahwa – Year 10
3. Charlie Klowss – Year 7
4. Ella McClymont – Year 7
5. Anthony Kleinman – Year 8   Deepali Sharma - Year 10
6. Matthew Armstrong – Year 7  
7. Fiona Pan – Year 8   Alina Dempsey – Year 11   Ella Coghlan – Year 10

Premier’s Reading Challenge: It is not too late for students in Year 7, 8 and 9 to sign up for the Challenge. See Miss Drover in the Library to learn how you can take part.

Congratulations to the following students who have recently commenced School Based Apprenticeships:

Zach Crosato, Year 12 

BAM Auto Electrical

Certificate III Light Vehicle Mechanical

Zach will transfer to full-time apprentice when he finishes school this year.

Aiden McCarthy, Year 11

Shaine Hunter Locksmith

Certificate III Locksmithing

Aiden will attend work placement one day each week to gain on the job experience.

A reminder that the third payment for the 2021 Ski Trip is due on the 8th of September 2020 (Week 9, Term 3). Flights will be booked after this payment has been received. Please refer to the image below with all remaining payment dates. Mr Jordan Harries will be taking over the planning of the Ski Trip, please direct any enquiries to jharries@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au