It is hard to believe that we are already over the half-way mark of Term 3! It has been a wonderful start to the term with many activities finally being able to happen at the College. 

Last week our Year 11s shone at their Retreat with many positive reports about their behaviour and leadership skills. This is a positive sign for 2021. Opportunities such as camps, Retreats and excursions allow for development of the whole person. Yes, we know how important teaching and learning is, it is our core business. But our young people are also growing spiritually, physically, emotionally and culturally. Jesus says of his mission: ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’. This theme is surely central to our tradition of Catholic education. American educator Leo Buscaglia once said, “we run the risk of teaching everything in the world to our young, except the most essential thing: the essence of a full, creative and lived humanity”. (Tinsey, 2014)

Our goal at Good Shepherd is to prepare our young people for a complex and changing world, but to also be able to relate to other people. We encourage our students to question, play sports, learn an instrument, read, create and reach out to others in need. All of these skills develop the whole person and help them to be co-creators of their very own versions of the world. This is our point of difference.

We welcome Kate Hartley and Veronica Feliciano to our teaching staff this week. Kate is an experienced Music teacher at St Joseph’s and will be replacing Jade Marinelli in Junior Music. Acting Arts Middle Leader, Saskia Brown will be teaching the Senior classes. Veronica Feliciano will be teaching Religious Education for the remainder of the year, replacing Stephanie Massey who will be going on Maternity leave at the end of next week. We also congratulate Jordan Harries on his appointment to the Year 12 Pastoral Middle Leader position.

Next week at the Board meeting we will be discussing plans for further building development at the College. If you are interested in being in a committee to help drive this project, please send an email to kmccarthy5@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au.

Have a blessed week.

Effective Study Strategies

QCAA has published some helpful articles on study techniques.  All their resources are  available on their public site, and are well worth investigating.

I’ve summarised their techniques from their article on Effective Study Strategies below:

1. Review your notes and learning goals for each topic.  Next to each goal note how well you feel you have mastered the goal.  This will highlight where you need assistance or extra time on topic.
2. Review your content.  Investing a small amount of time on a topic often is more effective than revisiting a topic once only but for a prolonged period of time.
3. Align study with assessment questions.  Revise exam type questions - this will strengthen your exam writing techniques.

As exams approach, please make an early start to revising, while you still have time on your side.

Pastoral Team Planning Day

This week our Pastoral Leaders spent a day planning our pastoral program for 2021 and beyond with our aim being that students had a continuity of opportunities in pastoral care from Year 7 to Year 12.

The focus of the day was to map our pastoral care programs over the year levels; to identify our strengths within our team and program; and looking how to address areas of improvement to ensure our staff and students are well supported within our community.  We also looked at what programs we could access from external presenters that could enhance our students’ experiences and give them the same opportunities as other students in urban areas.

Senior Education & Training Planning 2020 (Year 10 Students only)

Compass bookings are open for Senior Education & Training (SET) Plan Meetings. These will take place with Year 10 students, families and a member of the College Tracking Team in Week 7 (24-28 August). Each interview will be approximately 20 minutes, and a parent or guardian must attend this meeting for all students.

Students in Queensland must be "learning or earning" for two years after they complete Year 10 OR they must complete a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), QCIA, Senior Statement or Certificate III or IV.

In the senior phase of learning (Years 10-12) students can choose from a wide range of learning options that will help them when they leave school whether they are planning to go to university, TAFE, take up an apprenticeship or get a job. 

All Year 10 students across Queensland develop a Senior Education and Training (SET) plan. A SET plan is a confidential document that students will develop, in consultation with their parents/carers and key staff at Good Shepherd, to map their learning and career pathways. These SET plans help students to:

•  set & achieve learning goals in Years 11 & 12
•  include flexible pathway options in their senior course of study
•  think about their education, training and career options after Year 12
•  structure their learning around abilities, interests & ambitions
• communicate with parents, teachers & guidance officers about learning pathways &  post-school plans.

Exam Block Update

Please note that the following subjects no longer require an exam during exam block:

• Year 11 Religion & Ethics
• Year 10 Physics
• Year 10 Biology
  
  

Last week I had much pleasure in accompanying the Year 11s on retreat to Echo Creek.  It has been some time since I have attended a retreat and so it was a wonderful experience to spend time in reflective practice, physical (and sometimes challenging) activities, spiritual reconnection as well as sharing time with the students and staff.  

During the time away while reflecting, I was again reminded of the Archbishop Oscar Romero prayer.  While they were never spoken by him, they beautifully summarise his philosophy.  I feel that as educators this is in essence what we are about.  Every student we engage with is seen as being inherently good and full of potential. It is our calling to help, support and encourage each individual to be the best they can be.  We work in partnership with them, with you their caregivers, with the Good Shepherd community and most importantly with our God.

I have reproduced part of the prayer here.

This is what we are about.

We plant the seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted,

knowing that they hold future promise.

We cannot do everything

and there is a sense of liberation in realising that.

This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,

a step along the way,

An opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest.

Yr 10 - Retreat Update

As a part of the Pastoral, Spiritual Development and Religious Education program at Good Shepherd Catholic College, all Year 10 students will participate in a compulsory Spirituality Retreat Program in Week 4 of Term 4. This Retreat will be held at various local locations and venues, from Wednesday 28th October until Friday 30th October, 2020. A full agenda will be confirmed before the end of Term 3.

The Year 10 Retreat program has been redesigned to give students an opportunity to learn more about themselves and the ways in which they ‘Shine’. Topics such as respectful relationships, spirituality, leadership and teamwork will be explored through a number of activities, workshops and engagement with guest speakers.  

The total cost of the retreat is $200 which includes all travel, meals, facilities, retreat shirt and activities. A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 must be paid to the College Office by Friday 4th September (Week 8 of Term 3). The remaining balance of $150.00 is due by close of business Friday 16th October, 2020 (Week 2 of Term 4).

A full and detailed letter, medical forms and Retreat Position Statement will be distributed to students this week. Please complete and return these forms to the College Office ASAP. 

If you have any questions or concerns in regards to the Retreat or payment dates, please don’t hesitate to contact the College on 07 4749 9400.

Fee statements were sent out in the mail last week, if you have not received your statement please contact the College Office for a copy. Term 3 fees are due on or before 09/09/20, prompt payment of your account is appreciated.

If you would like to organise a payment plan please call the College and ask to speak with me or email me at jdavis@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au and we can do the calculations for you. We offer weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment options, alternatively you can pay per term if you wish. We accept payment via credit card, Centrelink payments, direct debit and payment made directly at the front office. The College’s preferred payment option is direct deposit, payments set up by you through your bank, with funds paid directly into our bank account. 

The College’s account details can be found on the bottom of your fee statement, I have also included them below for your convenience:

Account Name: Good Shepherd Catholic College

Bank: Westpac

BSB: 034-203

Account Number: 133183

Description of payment: (Your family code, eg SMITH01. This can be found on the bottom right of your fee statement)

We understand that this has been a challenging year for some of our families. If you have had a change of circumstances recently or find that you are getting behind in your payments, it is important that you make contact with us to make us aware of your current situation. We encourage you to call the College and make an appointment to meet with the Principal, Kathleen McCarthy, to discuss how best we can support you moving forward.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me.

“To lead is to serve”

Anybody wanting to be a leader needs to know the primary goal is to serve the people you lead; in other words, make them and their circumstances better. Putting your hand up to lead because you want a title or privilege that comes with it is not the act of a true leader.

There are political leaders living in palaces surrounded by opulence while those they lead go hungry, uneducated and homeless. Pope Francis once relieved an arch-bishop of his duties after he spent $3,000,000 on a house for himself while people around him were struggling.

Pope Francis leads by example as he has not followed tradition by living in the grand papal apartment on the Vatican's Apostolic Palace’s top floor but rather a modest two-room residence. He understands he is in a position of power and can do things for those he leads which is one of the reasons he is so beloved, especially by young Catholics.

Leadership is not about being loud, it is about being strong. John Eales is arguably the best Rugby Union player in Australian history. He was famously nicknamed ‘nobody’ by his team mates because of the saying; ‘nobody’s perfect.’

When Eales first took the reins, Australia was smashed by South Africa and New Zealand and humiliated at the 1995 World Cup. Incoming coach Rod McQueen had doubts because Eales was a quiet reserved person.

However, he quickly realised beneath the surface was a strength and resolve that didn’t need bolstering with a loud voice. Eales went on to be one of Australia’s most successful captains and showed his strength of character in the 1999 World Cup final.

After a number of players were eye-gouged and another kicked in the face Eales approached the referee and told him he feared for his team’s safety and if the rough-house tactics continued he would lead his team off the field and forfeit the game.

The referee (and opposition) took heed and the game continued without any more incidents and Australia claimed the victory.

A leader does what is right, regardless of the cost to themselves. A bloke called Jesus Christ is a good example but a more recent one is Ricky Ponting.

Ponting gave up the Australian Cricket team captaincy because he knew it was the right time to do so. Disregarding those who felt it would harm his place in history if he stayed on as a player he did so to help a group of young players through their early experiences of test Cricket.

It took great strength to give up that title and the power and privilege that came with it yet stay within the team but Ponting did so because it was in the team’s best interest.

Leadership does not always require a title. Last year when Good Shepherd played Spinifex in Rugby League they were down 16-0. Darcy Ryder was co-captain of the team and he slumped down on the ground behind the tryline.

Trent Bakhash speaks about as much as Marcel Marceau. (Google him) Trent reached down with his hand and said “come on Darcy, this is when we need you.’ Darcy realised Trent had not given up and so climbed off the canvas and began rallying the team.

I’m sure any of you who were there will remember it as one of the best games of football as Good Shepherd stormed home to tie the game 16-all. Unfortunately, the fairy tale ended when Spinifex kicked a field goal in golden point extra time.

Trent was a leader at that moment in time because the team needed someone to believe and when he showed his, they found theirs again.

John F Kennedy said “Think not what your country can do for you, think what you can do for your country.” When you are thinking about a leadership position use this quote and replace country with school, team, etc. before making your decision.

Our Hospitality students run a Coffee morning every Wednesday, 7.30am - 8.45am as part of their Certificate ll in Hospitality. These mornings students gain competency towards their certificate and get to showcase their skills learnt from theory. We hope you will consider making Arili Thina Cafe your coffee stop on a Wednesday Morning.

Krause Health and Safety has been a local family run business in Mount Isa since 1996. Through this time Krause Health and Safety has grown and expanded with the demands of the community.

Krause Health and Safety has been a major sponsor to many community events such as the Pink Ta Ta run for local breast cancer patients, Irish Dancing candidates to go away for National events, Highland Dancing fundraisers, Blackstar under 14s Rugby Football and Vixens Netball teams.

Last year Krause Health and Safety held their first Mums with Bubs First Aid course and their first annual Free Family Fun day with an amazing turn out which provided all attendees the knowledge and skills to prepare themselves in emergency situations. The local Queensland Fire Emergency Services, Rural Fire Service and Police were also in attendance. With the Covid 19 restrictions and the importance of social distancing, Krause Health and Safety has had to postpone our family fun day until further notice. Therefore, Krause Health and Safety would like to extend an exciting competition to any students within your school community who have an eye for design or passion for art. This artwork will not only be displayed on all Krause Health and Safety’s social networking but the successful winner may have their artwork displayed on our new Confined Space and Working at Heights trailer (photos attached).

Prizes for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd are money value vouchers where the winner will be able to select from any of the following:

• Itunes
• EB Games
• Kmart
• BCF
• Sportspower

This mobile training will be able to ensure that Krause Health and Safety can not only service the Mount Isa Community but outward communities as well and, we look forward to the possibility of having a local young artists work to represent that.

It has been a motto of Krause Health and Safety for a very long time that to benefit from  the community, you must give back into that community.