As the end of the year approaches, excitement builds around end of year events, being able to travel to see family and friends and of course Christmas preparations. And while we don’t celebrate the American tradition of Thanksgiving, it is timely during the lead up to Christmas to be thankful for what 2020 has brought us - yes you read that right! There is much to be grateful for, especially in our special Good Shepherd community.

This week we celebrated the Formal and Graduation Mass with our departing Year 12 students. They have guided our College with resilience, strength and Christian leadership.They have navigated major curriculum change, Covid-19 and the usual struggles associated with secondary school, but they have overcome all of these challenges and risen to the occasion. We farewell those who are leaving Mount Isa to pursue tertiary study and wish those who are staying to do TAFE or start full-time work, every success.

We are grateful to the dedicated and caring staff of the College. Many of our teachers are from outside Mount Isa and it is not easy to be separated by great distance from their families, especially when they may have been in lockdown. We thank all members of our staff who give so much of their lives to improve the outcomes of our students. Your commitment and love for your students knows no limits.

In 2020, we have been very grateful to have the wise counsel of Father Mick Lowcock and Father Emene Kelemete on our College Board. They are both very involved in our school community and we are richer for it. We thank them for helping us to build a strong partnership between home, school and the Parish. This year we farewell Mr Tim Moes who has been the Chair of our Board. I invite you to read his 2020 Report in the newsletter this week, as he reflects on the year. We thank him for his generous contribution to the Board as member and Chair and his 21 year connection with the Catholic Education in Mount Isa.

The support from our Board and P&F this year has also been incredible. Both of these groups meet each month to support ways to improve the College. Some of the P&F projects this year have included providing new sinks in the Hospitality Department, sponsoring students to attend sporting events and hosting events such as the Rodeo Trivia night to bring the community together and to raise funds. Thank you to the P&F Executive and to each parent or carer who attended a meeting throughout the year. Every student benefits from your commitment. 

Finally, we must give thanks to our God and the many blessings in our lives. I think this quote sums it up:

I was very proud this week to attend a function to welcome His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley to Mount Isa. Some of our Senior students were invited to ask questions to Their Excellencies. Some of the topics included how the couple continued their work with Covid-19 restrictions and also the challenges faced by young people in the North West accessing opportunities for sports, arts and cultural activities. They spoke very eloquently and impressed the guests with their confidence and maturity.

Year 7, 8 and 9 Assessments

Please refer to your Assessment Calendar for the last assessments due for Week 8:

It is expected that you attend school until Friday of Week 8, even if all your Assessments are completed.

Remember that your teachers are here to support you, so if we can help you in any way, please ask.

Year 10 and 11 Exams

All the best to our Year 10s and 11s who are writing their exams over the next week!  For our Year 11s, this will be their first Unit 3 (Year 12) Assessment. We believe in you!

Tips for Wellbeing in Students

As we move into exam blocks for Year 10 and 11 students and an influx of assessments for our Junior levels, I think that it is important for us to highlight the importance that students continue to care for their mental health and wellbeing. Below are some tips from Health Direct that will assist students to care for the mental health.

Build relationships

Having good relationships with other people is the most important factor contributing to a sense of wellbeing. This can include family, friends, workmates and others in the community. Investing time and energy in your relationships can lead to great benefits for all involved.

Exercise and stay healthy

Exercise has been shown to increase wellbeing as well as reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Good physical health is related to better mental health so a healthy diet and exercise routine can really help!

Develop gratitude

Count your blessings. Try to think about 3 positive things for each day - this can lead to increased wellbeing.

Identify and use your strengths

We all have different strengths and weaknesses but finding out what you are really good at and using those talents can increase wellbeing. Using your strengths to help others or contribute to the community creates a sense of meaning and purpose.

Create flow

Flow is the state of being so highly involved in an enjoyable activity that you lose track of time. This usually happens when the level of challenge is about right for your level of skill. Flow can happen during work, hobbies, creative arts or sports.

Give to others

Making a contribution to the community increases social wellbeing. Many people feel a sense of contributing through meaningful work, but this could also mean volunteering, helping a neighbour or performing small acts of kindness. Take some time to do the things you really enjoy. Pleasant events can lead to positive emotions that can cancel out negative feelings.

Spirituality or religion

For some people, being involved in spiritual or religious practices can improve wellbeing, help in coping with stress and reduce symptoms of mental illness. This can include belonging to a faith community, meditation, prayer, mindfulness or practices like yoga.

Seek help

If you are struggling to feel happy, cope with everyday life, find meaning or feel connected to others, talk to someone! It is important for students to know that they are not alone, and that there is always someone who can help, they just need to ask. The Pastoral Leaders at the College are a wonderful source of support for all students and I would encourage students to approach them whenever they have concerns. 

Year 8 - 10 Elective Subject Selection

Subject selections for 2021 have now closed. Some students have been emailed with a notification of second preference, all other students have received their first preferences. If students change their mind over the holidays, parents/guardians can email me directly with requests.

Year 11 2021

Students have received a draft copy of their Year 11 2021 timetable this week. If students have made changes since their SET Plan meeting, it is important that parents/guardians communicate these to us as soon as possible.

Exam Block

This week, Year 10 and 11 students and families will be emailed the Term 4 Year Exam Block expectations. This Exam Block will commence on Monday November 23 and conclude on Friday November 27 (Term 4, Week 8). Information regarding this Exam Block has been emailed and sent home in a letter over the last week.

Click to access the most up to date School Calendar

Queensland Resource Council Indigenous Awards

Congratulations to Rory Kerkhoffs, Tormisha Hankin-Muir and Zachary Crosato for 

their nominations at the QRC Indigenous Awards - Exceptional Student for 2020.

The online Awards ceremony will take place 30th November 2020.

We wish Rory, Misha and Zach the best of luck.

Where are they now?

Name

Willow Denton

Graduating Year

2019

What did you want to be when you were at school?

When I was in school I knew I wanted to do something related to the health profession but I wasn’t set on nursing until it became time to apply for QTAC and I had to make a decision.

 What are you doing now and how did you decide on that?

I am currently studying nursing through James Cook University at the Mount Isa campus. I knew I wanted to do something in the health sector since around year 10, and found a love for nursing when completing work experience at Mount Isa Hospital.  The fact that I didn’t have to leave town and could stay here with my friends and family was a huge bonus too. 

 What’s the best thing about studying nursing?

Before I went on my first placement I wasn’t set on nursing and I was actually contemplating transferring courses next year, however, on placement I fell in love with the profession.  I loved the relationship you build with your patients, and how much they truly trust and depend on you.  The community nursing and the team element I also loved, everyone is always looking out for one another. 

 Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

In five years I will have been graduated for 3 years and will hopefully be travelling around Australia and doing 6-8 week contracts in different locations.  On placement I met many nurses doing this and it sounded like so much fun and a great way to see the difference in healthcare in different locations of Australia. 

What advice do you give to current students?

Definitely to do work experience in many different areas that you think might interest you. I never thought nursing was for me until I did work experience at the hospital and loved it.  

Anybody who knows me knows I love sport. I love its drama, I love the courage it produces and I love the friendships and memories it leaves you with.

There are moments of my sporting life that I will remember forever; most of them to do with people rather than awards. I’ve won Grand Finals and State Championships and while you are in that moment you are full engrossed.

Afterwards though it is the little (shared) moments that you celebrate with your teammates. The moment someone did or said something silly or spectacular or something that brought the team together. A moment in time that binds a group of people for eternity.

I saw that this week when Good Shepherd and Spinifex played Basketball and although I was a spectator I will forever remember the pride I felt. Yes, I was proud of the boys for winning their games and the level of skill they showed.

But what I was most proud of though was the courage shown by our ladies side; for it is courage I value more than anything else.

Only one lady on our team had played Basketball before but they didn’t hide behind that excuse when their school came calling. They stood up when they could have taken the easy option and sat down.

They made mistakes, they missed shots they missed rebounds but they never quit. They tried on every play and everybody sitting in the grandstand fell in love with them; even Spinifex supporters. While we all like winners we like people of character more.

So we cheered when Rachel Scrimgeour launched an over the head throw that sailed in for a three pointer. Zoe Ryder, the only player who has played Basketball, stood like the Colossus of Rhodes under the basket.

Grade Seven students Jamyson Roberts and Amy Wishart showed no fear and instead of staying on the porch got out and ran with the big girls. It’s a perfect example of how we love anyone who has a go, even when all hope of victory is long lost.

It is why the winner of the marathon gets applauded as they finish the race and yet the last place finisher gets a standing ovation. All of the ladies were nervous and scared but they faced their fear.

The next time they are in a situation that generates feelings of fear they can look back and know they have been there before. Their mind tells them they can overcome it and anybody who has shown great courage will attest that it was not done in the absence of fear, but in its face.

This year has been a very trying year for the College P&F and this has been largely due to Covid-19. We have only managed to host 1 event which was our Rodeo Trivia night which was a very successful night. 

We were able to follow through with the $20,000 donation from last year’s P&F committee to help towards equipment for the GSCC Trades Centre. 

We proudly sponsored groups within the school for many events such as: QISSN Netball Team, Confraternity Football Team and Senior Polos for all the 2021 Senior Students. 

We were also able to assist Hospitality with 2 new plumbed in sinks to the value of $4100 along with $1300 to the Drama department for a portable microphone system. 

The College P&F were also proud to be apart of the Spirit of Service awards presented to Year 7-12 students at the end of the school Year.

We have also helped with the purchase of a new wheelchair that will assist all of the school community.

The college P&F have also committed $20,000 towards a new cool room for the school for 2021. 

The P&F has been running this year on very limited Volunteers.  Without Volunteers we are not able to raise much needed funds to commit to our wonderful Good Shepherd Catholic College.  I would like to thank the present committee for all your hard work during these trying times and look forward to seeing some fresh new faces with some fresh new ideas for 2021.

Tarrene Frost President P&F

It is with great pleasure I submit a 2020 Board Report.

A big thank you to the members of the Board for their commitment of time and energy. The Board members in 2020 were

• Father Mick Lowcock                                   
• Father Emene Kelemete
• Kathleen McCarthy
• Michele White
• Kim Higgs
• Pelly Morganson
• Emily Watson
• Tim Moes

The Board was excited to see the Design and Technology Centre officially opened this year. Seeing a project coming to a successful completion is very satisfying, what a facility for our young people.

We spent some time discussing the findings of the Royal Commission into Child Abuse and reviewed the school’s policies and procedures to ensure we minimise potential future risks.

COVID-19 and the introduction of the new ATAR system resulted in significant disruption and adjustments to Year 12 end of year functions.  It was very difficult for the school to navigate the constantly changing rules around COVID and at the same time managing external exams and their impacts on Awards Night and Graduation.  The Board is confident that as we head into 2021 the path forward will become clear for these functions.  We thank the school and the students for their good will, diligence and patience around this.

It is gratifying to note that the school’s budget is in good shape.  The Board and school are hoping to get further Commonwealth  BGA approvals to finish off the building program with more classrooms and an administration centre.

This year we reviewed the Curriculum in Catholic School’s Policy, Inclusive Practices in Catholic School’s Policy, Risk Assessment Policy and the Fraud and Corruption Management Policy. We also oversaw the implementation of the Annual School Improvement Plan.

The Board thanks the school for its amazing work during the COVD period when they embraced home learning.  Given the timelines and speed of the changes it was a job well done.

On a personal note.  This is my final year as a parent of school aged children after 21 years associated with the Catholic School system here in Mount Isa. Our three boys have had the privilege of a quality faith based education. We have been blessed to have had many quality teachers and principals in our time and of course the one constant in their schooling life Father Mick. Thanks to everyone for making the community around our children a great one.

Tim Moes

Chair of the Board