This week marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. It is during Lent that we are invited to open our hearts a little wider to understand our God on a deeper level and to reflect on the many graces bestowed upon us by our God. We consider how we might make a sacrifice to give something up for Lent or to make an effort to be a better person - perhaps by showing gratitude; through random acts of kindness or committing to attending Church each week. Lent is an intentional season of focus - 40 days to reflect on the death of Jesus and the hope that comes from his Resurrection. 

A Lenten Reflection

"Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate. Joel 2:12-14

Scholars’ Assembly

Good Shepherd has a long tradition of promoting academic excellence amongst its students. The GSCC student is encouraged to strive for excellence, accept responsibility for their own learning, to embrace their unique gifts, to be filled with hope and to "go make a difference in the world". This week we acknowledged our outstanding academic achievers from Semester Two, 2020. In particular we awarded our Senior Dux Award and Bright Sparks Award. Congratulations to the following past students who received prestigious awards this week:

Senior Dux - Laura Szabadics

Bright Spark - Darcy Ryder

Year 12 Subject Prizes (2020)

We also congratulate all of the students who achieved Academic Excellence Awards in Semester Two of last year:

2020 - Academic Excellence Awards

Emerging Leaders’ Parent Night

We had an excellent turnout of Parents and Carers at our Emerging Leaders’ event on Monday night. As soon as Mentors have discussed the Personal Leadership Agreement with the students, we will send these home to be signed. The three pillars are Attendance, Academic Achievement and Engagement. A reminder that our Homework Help program is open from 3.00 pm - 4.00 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Emerging Leaders are expected to attend at least twice per week. Please call Ms Dottie Frew if you have any questions about the Emerging Leaders’ program.

As we approach midway through Term 1, students are reaching a time of term that becomes increasingly busy.  Summative assessments are becoming the order of the day.  It is important that students organise their time well, and that their work is completed to a high standard and within the time frames provided.  Parents play a vital role in helping their students succeed.

Here are a few helpful tips for students and for parents:

• Be familiar with the assessment calendar and plan your time accordingly.  Last minute tasks are not conducive to good work.
• Ensure that work missed due to absence from school is caught up as soon as is possible.
• Be involved in the classroom.  Teachers are there to help you learn.
• Read task sheets carefully and use the scaffolding provided.  Make the most of the drafting opportunities.
• Ask for help.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s school work please contact their classroom teacher. If you need to discuss the matter further please contact the Curriculum Leader for the subject of concern.

Communication Matters!

It is the time of term where students will be working hard in their classes, gaining all of the knowledge and skills they require before the busy assessment period begins. 

As the year progresses, I’m sure you will have questions, and sometimes concerns regarding your child and their schooling. Below are the communication channels at GSCC.

Your child’s teachers are always happy to hear from you, so please feel welcome to contact them by phoning the College (4749 9400), or emailing them directly. A list of staff email addresses can be found on our College Website → Our School Staff. 

Families are also welcome to meet with teachers in person; we would ask that these meetings be booked in advance by using the communication channels above. This will ensure the relevant staff are available to meet with you at a mutually agreed upon time. 

The Compass Parent Portal is also a great way to communicate with your child’s teachers. You can email directly from the portal, making keeping in touch with teachers easy for all.

A reminder to come into the College Officer between 8am - 4pm to collect your Portal login information if you are yet to do so

2021 Ski Trip Cancellation

We regret to inform you that due to the unpredictable circumstances that may arise with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to not proceed with the 2021 Ski Trip that was scheduled for July.  

Although we are disappointed that we are no longer able to offer this experience our students’ health and safety are our first priority and we feel that this decision is in the best interest of everyone involved. Additionally, we also believe that the financial risk for families is too high due to the unpredictable border restrictions that we have seen over the past twelve months. 

Parents/carers who have made payments towards their child attending the Ski Trip would have received a letter that  was given to your child on Monday and a copy of the letter sent via email.  Please check this letter for the options the College has provided for the refund of your payments that have been made. 

 If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact our Finance Manager, Mrs Joanne Davis or myself on 47432509.

Parenting in a Digital World

Next week the College will be hosting a parent information session on “Parenting in a Digital World” in the Lumen Christi Centre on Thursday, 25th February from 5pm.  

In my role, it is not uncommon for me to deal with student incidents resulting from their interactions with the digital world. In many incidences, students use technology inappropriately or without caution of the risks involved with some of the content that they access.  This information session is a great opportunity for parents to raise their own awareness about the online world and the risks and trends involved with social media, gaming and the Internet in general, so they can have positive conversations with their child about their online use. 

Please complete the RSVP form to register your attendance. Childminding and light refreshments will be provided. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the College Office on 47432509.

Welcome to Week 4

This week the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each Homeroom will have a Project Compassion box for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at lent.caritas.org.au    

Saint Oscar Romero is our inspiration for Project Compassion 2021, so in his words let’s “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”

I would also like to take a moment to thank Good Shepherd Catholic College for welcoming Sean and I into your community.  Our time here, though short, has been memorable and full of joy.  We have made great friends and the students have been an inspiration.  I will keep this community not only as a treasured memory but also in my prayers.

God’s blessings

Anne-Marie

Respectful Relationships

When I was a young man I went out with a beautiful young lady named Fiona who, to me, was a Princess. For those budding comedians, no, that does not make me Shrek. We broke up and I did not like her very much, in fact I disliked her quite a bit.

The thing was though, at that time in her life she wasn’t ready for the same type of relationship that I wanted. 10 years later we came together and found that we both wanted the same thing and were at the same stage of our lives.

Why she married me? I still don’t know.

Relationships are partnerships and everyone contributes, whether it is a couple in love, a business or a team. In relationships people complement each other, they should never ‘complete’ each other.

When you enter a relationship with another person that person should never ‘complete’ you because if they disappear from your life, you can never be a complete person.

Rather that person should ‘complement’ you by allowing you to be who you really are and make you better. So why do some people go into a relationship and change who they are, how they behave and what is important to them?

We change because we think we have to so that the other person stays with us. The thing is though, the other person likes us for who we are, not who we think we should be.

The other person can also make a decision that we should change but if you ever find yourself in a relationship where the other person tells you to change for their benefit; make yourself single very quickly.

A relationship is a partnership built on respect, honesty and trust, which is also how it should start. As young people we quite often ask someone to go out with us and then get to know them instead of getting to know them and allowing feelings to develop.

Eventually one may decide they really don’t think the relationship will work and they end it. This is a crushing feeling and when you’re young with little life experience it can seem like the end of the World.

That person is just being honest and treating you with respect. It doesn’t mean you have failed or are a loser, it simply means you are not the right fit. So rather than become bitter at the person and go around saying nasty things thank them and move on.

Don’t neglect your feelings and emotions though because there will be hurt. There is pain in every separation because you are suffering loss, and with loss comes grief, so take time to grieve but don’t let it turn you against the other person.

Tom Brady played quarterback for the New England Patriots for 21 years and won the Superbowl (Premiership) six times; more than any other player.

Last year Brady turned 43 and had changed from a player who turned up and did what he was told to an experienced veteran who could read a game and the opposition better than most coaches. He felt his opinion was not being respected and decided to leave and join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

One of the parties in the relationship (Brady) had changed and felt the environment they were in did not complement them and so left it. A week ago Brady led the underdog Buccaneers to a Superbowl win.

Both the Patriots and Brady were hurt over their relationship ending but rather than become bitter they showed respect toward each other and wished each other well. The Patriots missed the finals for the first time in over a decade but when the Superbowl was finished they tweeted seven words.

“Congratulations to the greatest of all time.”

They may have been hurting, watching their former partner move on and enjoy success while they struggled, but they didn’t show it; they showed they could be happy for him and were respectful. Because of that there is no bad blood, which is important because over time wounds heal and pain lessens.

The respect shown leaves the door ajar in case down the track both Brady and the Patriots are wanting the same thing; an environment for the greatest of all time to come and teach a new generation.

Can’t believe it is already Week 4 of the final year for our Year 12 students. The countdown is on. The 12's started their year with career action plans and tracking of their senior results so far. We also met our Year 7's in Week 1 and had a fun little prayer/role play reflection with them around the Good Shepherd. It was great to see our Year 12 and Year 7 students finally meeting and buddying up, just in time for our College Opening Mass.

We also started the year off with our Opening Liturgy which was really lovely. The students were asked to think about their legacy, what they want to leave behind before graduating, how they want to be remembered as the leaders of the College 2021. We planted these in pots, and are growing desert roses with these reflections to remind us of this journey of growth and development we are embarking on. The roses are already starting to bud which is very exciting!

Finally, students have already been very busy joining various groups/committees, as well as kicking off the year with an inaugural Valentine’s Day initiative, raising money for Project Compassion. They did a fantastic job and raised over $700! Well done Year 12 leaders and students that helped out on the day. It was amazing to see so many of you contributing to helping out a good cause.

For those new to the College, or those who were unaware, the English Department holds a writing competition each term. This term, students are invited to write a Haiku, which takes the form of 5, 7, 5 syllables, on the current and ever changing Covid-19 Pandemic. 

This competition is open to all students across each year level and a $50 gift voucher and a certificate will be awarded to the best entry from each grade level. 

The entries must be handwritten, and they can be handed into their English teacher, or directly to Mrs Holland. If there are any questions in regards to the competition, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to assist. 

It has been wonderful welcoming back all of the students from their holidays, and it has been great to see how well all of the students have settled into their classes. Each year level is studying a variety of topics this term that have a variety of literature to keep students engaged;

Year 7- Transforming Texts- Protests

Year 8- Personal Stories

Year 9- Australian Identity

Year 10- Representations of Adolescents

Year 11 General- Novel Study: The Cellist of Sarajevo

Year 11 Essential-  Language that Works

Year 12 General- Challenging Issues of our time

Year 12 Essential- Language that Influences

The English Department is committed to ensuring that each student gets the most out of their learning in the classroom, and each of our wonderful teachers are there to assist the students in any way they can. 

We take great pride in introducing the English Team for 2021:

Head of Curriculum- Mr John Harrop

Teachers: Miss Jan Luarca, Ms Kate Millan, Ms Leigh Harding, Miss Melissa Puxty, Miss Stephanie Spano, Mrs Stephanie Whitehouse, Mr Travis Roberts, and Mrs Sally Holland. 

If there are any questions at any point throughout the year, please contact your child’s English teacher.

As it is starting to get to the busy time of term, it is important that students are completing the set work both in class, as well as any homework that is being given. Students will begin receiving assessment tasks over the next few weeks, please encourage your child to familiarise themselves with the due dates, and put any reminders into their diaries.  

We look forward to a wonderful, and very busy 2021!

What is VET?

• VET is Vocational Education and Training that provides students with nationally recognised qualifications that focus on delivering skills and knowledge required for specific industries.

Participating in VET can provide students with:

• nationally recognised qualifications
• credit points towards the attainment of the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
• hands-on industry experience needed by employers
• work-ready, real world knowledge and skills
• support in their transition to employment, vocational and higher education pathways

The VET pathway can be study at school or at TAFE, also includes school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

At Good Shepherd, students have have many opportunities to study a VET qualifications:

 Year 10

•  Certificate l in Business BSB10115
•  Certificate l in Hospitality SIT10216

 Across  2 years in Years 11 and 12 

• NEW Course Certificate l in Construction CPC10111
• NEW Course Certificate lll in Business BSB30115
• Certificate ll in Hospitality SIT20316
• Dual Certificate ll in Sport and Recreation SIS20115 and Certificate lll in Sport and Recreation SIS30115 through external RTo Binnacle (RTO Code 31319)

If you would like to know any more information, please contact me.

Website

We have our very own Careers Website.  Loads of information including Careers Bullseyes, University courses, post school options, traineeships/apprenticeships, how to apply for a tax file number etc.

https://www.goodshepherdmtisacareers.com/ 

Career Snapshot

Starting this week we will regularly share with you a “Snapshot” of various careers. 

This week we highlight... Animal Scientist.  Click on the link below to find out more including:

• Animal Science Careers
• Skills and Experience you will learn while you study
• Professional Associations
• Searching for jobs
• Graduate Programs
• Weekly Average Pay
• Future Growth

https://www.jcu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/977044/Animal-Scientist-Snapshot.pdf

Work Experience

Applications for Term 1 close 26th February

Contact Mrs Armstrong if you have any questions, or need help finding a placement. larmstrong1@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au 

Love your Library raffle

Our Love your Library raffle gained 182 responses about different areas and aspects that staff and students loved in the Library. The information was very positive with students giving indications that the environment, the services and the books in the Library are appreciated and enjoyed. 

Our lucky raffle winners were Kate and Caitlyn in Year 8. 

New Books

This year we are trialing a new supplier for our Standing Order of books. Lamont is an Australian, family owned company that is celebrating 30 years in business this year. The first package has arrived and the titles, themes and variety of genres, interest levels and topics are quite impressive!

Students should look out for the New Books Display to borrow some of these great titles.

After School Supervision on Tuesday

A reminder for parents and students that they Library is open for students until 4pm each Tuesday (Staff Meeting Days excluded.) Students can complete homework, play board games or engage in quiet reading or complete mindfulness activities. Students are asked to sign in to comply with our College’s safety processes and parents can see attendance details in Compass.

Top Borrowers: Week 4

1. Nathan Kirley
2. Grace Doran
3. Elena Brown
4. Zane Blackmore
5. Renee Cameron
6. Josh Warhurst

Our annual Hospitality dinner will be held on Friday 12th March in the Lumen Christi Centre.  Hosted by our senior Hospitality students, they will prepare, cook and serve a four course meal and finish the night with Barista coffee and shortbread.

Students achieve competencies towards their Certificate ll in Hospitality and also raise funds for their Hospitality Camp to the Gold Coast later in the year. It is a great opportunity for students to showcase their skills and for you to enjoy a home cooked restaurant quality meal.

Tickets are $55 each, 8 per table. Tickets are now on sale from the front office or you can purchase them from Arili Thina Cafe on Wednesday Mornings.

On the night you can purchase Beer and Wine.

Hope you can join us for a wonderful night of good food. If you need any more information please give me a call or email, dcole@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au

Please note that as from this week, for the remainder of the term, the Uniform Shop will only be open on Tuesday mornings 8.00 am - 9.00 am and Thursday Afternoons 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm.  Hats, socks and ties may be purchased at the Office at any time. Orders can be placed at the Office (order forms available from the Office) or you may also place an order online via the College website, once processed the order will be passed on to your student.

Every Wednesday Morning from 7.00am - 8.45am.

Parents and Friends are invited to The Arili Thina Cafe to purchase your Morning Coffee and breakfast.

By doing so you are supporting our Hospitality students to achieve their competencies towards their Certificate ll in Hospitality and all profits go towards their Hospitality Camp to the Gold Coast in August. 

There are a range of coffees, cold drinks and breakfast food available. Please see our Menu. Our students are becoming fantastic baristas. Come see for yourself how good they are.