This week, along with some colleagues from Good Shepherd and the other local Catholic schools, I attended a Framework for Understanding Poverty workshop. It was run by Annette Moes at the Centre of Learning and Wellbeing here in Mount Isa. Annette shared some startling statistics with us about the impacts of poverty on children and that we should expect 1 in 6 of our children to be living under the poverty line. She also explained the fragility of many people’s lives and that in fact we are all one day away from situational poverty based on crises such as natural disasters, family break-up, domestic violence, pandemic or unemployment. 

At Good Shepherd we work to support those students and families who may be struggling. Here are a few ways to reach out to those in need:

• Fee concessions for families in financial stress
• Brekky club on Wednesday mornings
• Snacks and fruit in the Cultural space
• Staff roster for preparing meals at Jangawala
• Home visits for at-risk students
• Support local charities such as St Vincent de Paul
• Counselling support for students
• Referrals to Family and Child Connect - support services for family and parenting challenges

We can always do more but we do not always know what is going on for our families. Please reach out to us in the College if you need support.

God bless.

A Prayer for a Better World

For a better world Generous God, we thank you: 

For the gifts you have given us, the abundance of your Creation, and the beauty that surrounds us.

For the people whose lives have touched ours, for the love they show, the burdens they lift, the hopes we share.

Compassionate God, we ask you: to fill us with your love, to place in our hearts a spirit of courage, to move us to reach out to others in need.

And lead us to play our part, so that now and in generations to come all your children may share in our hope for a better world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Written by Catherine Gorman

Congratulations to all our students who received a Scholar’s Award for Semester One 2020:

Scholar Award Recipients Semester One 2020 

We look forward to another successful Semester!

Anxiety

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. While stress and anxious feelings are a common response to a situation where we feel under pressure, they usually pass once the stressful situation has passed, or ‘stressor’ is removed.  Everyone feels anxious from time to time. When anxious feelings don't go away, happen without any particular reason or make it hard to cope with daily life it may be the sign of an anxiety condition. 

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. On average, one in four people – one in three women and one in five men – will experience anxiety at some stage in their life. In a 12-month period, over two million Australians experience anxiety.

Next week our staff will be involved in a professional development session about anxiety. The session will be an overview of anxiety focussing on: the different anxiety conditions; how we can assist and support someone who is experiencing anxiety; and what strategies can we use to manage anxiety.

Leaving the College

I would like to remind students and families that students are not permitted to leave the College without having a permission note from a parent/guardian, which is signed, dated and states a reason. 

The student must present this note to the College Office as they sign out of the College Office by a parent or guardian.  

Year 11 Retreat

This week our Year 11 students were bound for Mission Beach for their retreat.  This retreat signifies the transition from Year 11 into Year 12 and focuses on spirituality, reflection, goal setting and leadership. I would like to thank all the staff who have contributed to ensuring that this retreat is a success for the students: Mr Jordan Harries, Mr Gregory Blake and Ms Leigh Harding (Year 11 Homeroom teachers), Mrs Julie Hutchinson, Mrs Anne-Marie Hammond and Father Emene Kelemete. In particular, I would like to make a special mention of our Year 11 Pastoral Leader, Ms Nikki Dalla Vecchia for the long hours of preparation she has undertaken behind the scenes to make this retreat possible. 

We wish our Year 11 students and the staff all the best for the week and look forward to hearing about their experience in future newsletters.

Exam Block

In my newsletter article last week, I included the Exam block schedule for Years 10, 11 & 12 to take place later this Term. Please ensure you check the schedules carefully, and develop a study plan to prepare for coming weeks.

Year 10 into 11 (for 2021)

Thank you to the Year 10 students who are engaging in the Senior Phase of Learning process. Subject Selections should now be finalised, and the form will be closed from midday Tuesday 11 August. At the end of this week (Week 5), booking instructions will be sent to families to prepare for SET Plan Meetings. Please note that these SET Plan meetings are a compulsory aspect of the transition into Year 11 and must be attended by all students, with at least one parent per family attending. These meetings will take place in Week 7, from 24 - 28 August. If the booking times don’t fit your work schedule, please contact the Office.

School Timetable

In light of recent staffing changes, there will be a timetable update this coming weekend. Students will receive a printed copy of their timetable in Homeroom on Monday morning.

Upcoming Events

As our country, particularly Victoria, grapples with the increasing spread of COVID-19, earlier in the year the Bishops of Australia wrote some words of encouragement to the people of Australia. It is timely to revisit their words at this time.

We are intensely conscious of our isolation – not only from each other but also from you, the people whom we serve in the name of the Risen Lord. As we think of you, we make our own the words of St Paul: “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).  Even when our doors are closed, our hearts are still open. 

Australians in general have also shown the solidarity and good sense, the generosity and kindness needed in such a time. In our healthcare workers particularly, we have seen an exceptional spirit of self-sacrifice, and for that we are all grateful.

We urge people to abide by the best advice on how to keep themselves and others safe physically, emotionally and spiritually, especially the vulnerable elderly.

One important service which people of faith provide to the wider community in this time is an unceasing prayer of intercession. So we ask you all to continue praying in the power of faith for those who have died, who are sick or at risk from COVID-19, for our healthcare professionals, essential service providers and researchers, for all who are isolated and anxious, and for our civic leaders and health authorities. 

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE CATHOLIC PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA

FROM THE BISHOPS OF AUSTRALIA.

https://www.tsv.catholic.org.au/a-word-of-encouragement-to-the-catholic-cpeople-of-australia-from-the-bishops-of-australia/

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.

In the previous week we have been able to continue our House Sporting competition. Last Thursday we participated in House Volleyball in the LCC, this was a great opportunity for our students of all Year Levels to participate and help their House. Throughout this Round Robin tournament we saw Benjamin House take out the top spot, contributing to their overall House points for this Year's Sports competition. Below is an updated tally of our current competition.

Saints Catholic College is situated at James Cook University in Townsville and provides accommodation to Tertiary students. As part of the accommodation, residents are provided with private rooms, all meals included, Wi-Fi, free parking, overnight security, staff on site and after-hours support. 

For more information please contact the office on – 4727 7200 or catholiccolleges@jcu.edu.au