We are privileged at Good Shepherd to have a strong community supporting the work we do. This includes our Parents and Friends’ Association, College Board and the Indigenous Steering Committee. Each of these parent representative groups meet monthly to fulfill a variety of functions. I thought it might be useful to clarify the responsibilities of each group as they both have important but different roles in a school.

Parents and Friends’ Association

All parents and carers who have a child enrolled at a Catholic school in Queensland are automatically a member of the school’s P&F Association and remain members while they have a child enrolled at the school. The P&F is the official representative body through which parents and carers, as a group, seek to assist the school and communicate with school leaders or other individuals or groups. The P&F has no role in the governance of the school. At times the P&F may organise fundraising events, organise guest speakers or offer to assist the school with their events. At Good Shepherd we have a very active and engaged P&F Association. Key executive members are:

President: Ms Tarrene Frost

Vice-President: Mrs Tracey Pearce

Secretary/Treasurer: Mrs Barb Baker

College Board

A Catholic School Board is a group of people, who seek to assist the school community to be true to its Catholic identity and Mission Statement, to be alert to the signs of the times and to plan for a future of continual improvement. Board members believe that the Spirit of Jesus is present among them, and act in a spirit and process of collaborative ministry and shared wisdom, always in co-operation with the school Principal. A School Board provides an environment where members can make an important “big picture” contribution to the life of their school. The Board’s function is advisory and pastoral, not managerial or operational. 

School Boards are accountable to the Bishop through the TCEO Executive Director. The shared wisdom philosophy requires that, despite holding different positions in the school community and even different positions on the Board, members recognise that there is no rank within the Board, that each member has wisdom to share.  

In today’s newsletter, you will see a message from our Board Chair, Ms Kim Higgs, outlining some of the issues discussed at our latest Board meeting.

Our Board members are:

Chair - Ms Kim Higgs

Spiritual Leaders - Fr Mick Lowcock, Fr Emene Kelemete

Principal - Mrs Kathleen McCarthy

Leadership Team Representative - Mrs Pelly Morganson

Teacher Representative - Mrs Emily Watson

Parent Representative - Mr Will Webber

Community/Parent Representative - Mrs Karen Pye

Indigenous Steering Committee

This important group meet monthly to oversee the delivery of our College Reconciliation Action Plan. The committee is heavily involved in the planning of key Indigenous events throughout the year, such as NAIDOC Week, the Emerging Leaders program and Reconciliation Week. The Indigenous Steering Committee are very interested to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures are being represented in our curriculum and celebrated within the school.

Committee members include:

Pelly Morganson

Emily Watson

Kathleen McCarthy

Jordan Harries

Willie Morganson

Michele Wood

Samantha Richardson

Janelle Knack

Mell Jones

Tammi Webber

Alina Dempsey (Student Leader)

Leigh Harding 

I am honoured to accept the nomination as Board Chair.  Great schools are a shared responsibility and we are fortunate at Good Shepherd Catholic College to have a dynamic and vibrant school community where parent engagement is such a valued part of the education of our children.  I look forward to contributing as a Good Shepherd parent and bringing my professional experience as an educator to the Board.  I would like to acknowledge the wonderful contributions of outgoing Chair, Mr Tim Moes, whose counsel has contributed greatly to the formation of the Board.

Latest Meeting

The following items were discussed at the last meeting:

• AGM
• Annual School Improvement Plan
• RADII data from 2020
• Positive Behaviour for Learning
• Teacher accommodation
• Focus areas for 2021:
• PBL
• Student Support Services
• Academic data

What is the Board?

In Townsville Catholic Education Office schools, a Catholic School Board is a group of people, who, believing the Spirit of Jesus is present among them and acting in a spirit and process of collaborative ministry and shared wisdom, and always in co-operation with the school principal, seek to assist the school community to be true to its Catholic identity and its Mission Statement, to be alert to the signs of the times and to plan for a future of continual improvement. A School Board provides an environment where members can make an important “big picture” contribution to the life of their school.  The Board’s function is advisory, not managerial. 

Board Formation Weekend

The Board Formation was held over the weekend in Townsville and the following key ideas were discussed:

1. The importance of prayer and formation in the Board meeting.
2. The history of Catholic education in Townsville.
3. How the Board assists in the push for school improvement.

Assessment time is upon us.  It is important that students and their families understand the process involved in applying for an extension of time for formal assessment.

Applications are made in writing, using an official form that can be collected from the College Office.

All applications must be made at least 3 days prior to the final due date of the assessment.

Extensions are granted in consultation with the classroom Teacher and Curriculum Leader for students in Year 7-10, and with the Deputy Principal for students in Year 11 and 12.

Many factors are taken into consideration when approving an extension. Extensions are granted for legitimate reasons, and not simply because the student has not had enough time. The teacher will consider work ethic, use of class time, and whether they have approached the teacher for help before signing off on an extension.  In senior school, extensions will also need to be approved by QCAA, and require a submission of additional evidence of the circumstances to support the application.

It is not a given that an extension will be granted.  As far as possible, students are to manage their commitments well and communicate with their teachers if they feel they are struggling with assessments.

Please make contact with the classroom teacher for further assistance.  

As we move into Week 6 of Term 1, students will be busy working on assessment and studying for exams. During this time it is so important that students are organised; this ensures that a stressful time is managed well, and the levels of stress are minimised. 

Term 1 Exam Block - Year 11 & 12 Students

A reminder that Year 11 & 12 students will sit exams from Monday 22 March - Friday 26 March (Week 9), the schedule for this is below:

Student Representative Council Initiative

Tuesday, 2nd March was National Be Kind Day and was a fitting day for the Student Representative Council to launch the first initiative of their student led Anti-Bullying Campaign for our College. Their first initiative was to provide students and families with an email in which they can report bullying incidents to be actioned. The email for students and families to send their concerns or suggestions to is: nobullying@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au. 

The email address will also be linked to the student intranet page and College web page in the coming days.

Remember - Be Kind Day is everyday!!!

Lateness to School

We are seeing an increase in students arriving late to school after 8.30am without a dated note or phone call from a parent/guardian. If a student is late three times within a two week timeframe, a lunchtime detention will be issued.

Computer Devices

Students were advised last week that they are no longer allowed to use their computer devices in the playground at any time, nor in the Library during lunch times. The exception to this rule would be if students need to charge their device or if they are a senior student working on an assessment. For senior students working on assessment, they will need to show Ms Drover their assessment task sheet and the work that they will be doing during that time.  If senior students abuse this privilege, it will no longer be an option.

Rough Play / Hands Off Policy

We are seeing an increase in students engaging in rough play such as pushing, kicking, shoulder barging, tackling, slapping throughout the school day. Rough play,  with or without intent,  is a breach of our hands off policy. Any breach of the hands- off policy is an automatic send home and a re-entry interview would need to be conducted with the student, their family and a member of Senior Leadership.

Pedestrian Crossings on Mary St & Camooweal St

We need students to be more aware when using pedestrian crossings when they are arriving and departing the College grounds.  Students are not to assume that cars will stop and need to ensure that they are looking both ways when using the pedestrian crossing.  Bikes and scooters must also be walked across the crossings.

We also ask that parents ensure that they are not parking vehicles close to the pedestrian crossings and are only in allocated parking bays during drop-off and pick-up times.

Headspace Visits

Headspace staff will be visiting our College every second Wednesday at first lunch in the Wellbeing Space.

This is not a referral service but is an opportunity for students to meet the staff from Headspace for an informal chat and to find out about all the wonderful support programs that are offered over at Headspace. 

This Wednesday will be their first visit to the College, so students have been encouraged to pop in and say hello.

Welcome to Week 6

This week through Project Compassion we learn about 39-year-old Margret, a teacher at a vocational school for deaf students in the Solomon Islands. She was born deaf, so she knows the challenges it poses to education and employment. Apart from the difficulties the students all have, the school also faced water shortages, with not enough to supply staff and students with safe water for drinking, cooking, washing and growing vegetables.

Then Tropical Cyclone Harold damaged the school and its vegetable garden, amidst the threat of COVID-19. Staff and students rely on the vegetable garden to provide food for their meals. 

With Caritas Australia’s support, the school installed water tanks, provided cyclone-proof building materials and helped to implement COVID-19 prevention measures. Margret’s school now has enough water for its students and the capacity to cater for more, with plans to boost food security, through increased agricultural production. 

• Around 60% of people in rural areas in the Solomon Islands don’t have access to piped water, while about 80% don’t have access to latrines or toilets. (UNICEF, 2019)

Watch a short film about Margret’s story here.

 “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

God’s blessings

My mate Mick

I gave a talk to an older group about careers and told them research suggested they would average 12 different jobs over the course of their life. I laughed until I counted mine.

Nine full time positions of at least a year, four significant part time positions and a fair few voluntary roles. I started as an electrician and the advice was right, “get a trade, you’ll never be out of a job.” Three times I was able to get a job because of my electrical ticket. 

I didn’t always enjoy the job but it allowed me to make money to do what young men do, socialise, play sport, go away on trips and chase girls. I wasn’t a rev head but those that were added cars to the list.

When I did my apprenticeship I spent the first three months standing at a bench filing and the guy opposite me was Michael (Mick) Ebert. Though we had gone to school together we didn’t mix but soon became friends during this period and that friendship endures today.

Mick worked as a tradesman at the mines for a while and then left for Cairns, which at the time had massive construction going on due to heavy investment. On arriving he convinced the supervisor of a high rise he had high-rise experience (he didn’t) and was given a job.

Mick was unemployed a couple of days later and walking down the street with his tool bag over his shoulder saw a sign outside a pub that said “yardie wanted.” It wasn’t high paying but he had always been drawn to the hotel industry so he went in and was given the job. 

A few months later he was fixing a post-mix machine and the Hotel Manager saw him and, impressed with his work ethic, had a chat. He offered him a position as a night manager which Mick took and when the manager left Mick replaced him.

Mick then began managing a nightclub and turned it into one of the most popular venues in Cairns and then did the same with another.

His next move was to take on management of a backpackers hostel with a small beer garden attached and Mick found his calling. Eventually Mick was in charge of 20 backpacker hostels down the eastern seaboard from Cairns to Melbourne and even New Zealand.

He did that for several years until he started a family and his wife wanted to go home to Perth. Mick’s employers did not want to lose him and so they allowed him to continue managing their hostels from Perth with a week in Sydney every month.

When the CIA Youth Group headed to Perth for the Australian Youth Festival Mick was the first person I called to check out accommodation. Found us the right place for the right price.

There were 56 electrical apprentices in my intake but many are not on the tools anymore. One works for Coca-Cola as a technician, one a salesman selling four’n’twenty pies and another a psychiatric nurse. 

So it makes it interesting when we think about deciding on careers. Some of those I started with are still electricians and love what they do while others used their careers to make money and follow their true passions; travel, sport, racehorses, cars and bikes, etc.

Some went back to university to study and change careers while others took a step sideways at their business or just changed direction with their own businesses.. 

See as you get older priorities change, especially when you settle down, and you begin to enjoy cerebral activities more than physical ones. Instead of just doing something you began to ask “what am I doing, why am I doing it, how am I doing it and can I do it better?” 

Parents (and I am one) want the best for their children and that means a safe and secure job that is either one their children love or will enable them to make enough money for them to do the things that they love.

That’s why education is important; it gives you options. The higher your marks the more choice you have at a younger age. 

My biggest regret is that when I wanted to do something I needed a piece of paper that said I had passed a test or a course. When I was employed by the Queensland Rugby Union to manage the content on their website they thought I had a university degree. 

I didn’t, I had enrolled in one (semantics). They didn’t discover until a few months in that I didn’t have a piece of paper but by then they knew I could do the job and so kept me on.

You have two choices.If your passion can be found in a career then do whatever you have to to make it your career. If what you are good at is not your passion but allows you to follow it then become as good at it as you can because that will give you time and money to follow your passion.

Took Mick 30 years to find what he loved doing to earn a crust and took me around 50; I hope you find yours much sooner.

This week Youth Group is Grade 6 and above and is at Kruttschnitt Oval on Sunday between 4:00pm-5:30pm.

Last week thirty of our Year 11 & 12 students commenced TAFE.  

They will study a variety of qualifications including Automotive, Electrical, Construction, Diesel Fitting, Health, Plumbing and Retail Cosmetics.  Here are some pics:

This is what students had to say about their first week at TAFE:

• "I'm currently studying Cert III Health Support Services and so far, so great. In my first week of TAFE, I was able to extend my knowledge and understanding of Healthy Bodies and Terminology, and also Organise work priorities and development. Super keen to smash out the next TAFE block." - Caitlyn Mataia, Year 12

• "I really enjoyed the Automotive class and learnt new things each lesson.  I am looking forward to the next block of learning at the end of the term." -  Michael Kelly, Year 11

• "My first week was amazing! Enjoyed every moment doing the Certificate II in Health Services, waking up in the morning being excited to do what I find interesting and fun. Can't wait to go back!"

This week’s snapshot is…….Anthropology

Anthropology Career Shapshot

• Study of cultural similarities and differences
• Strong growth industry
• Employment in education, research, consulting

Australian Defence Force Visit

Last week the two ADF representatives visited the College to talk to students about the various jobs within defence, benefits, study support, Gap Year and more.

This Friday through to Sunday, GSCC Senior Rugby League players will compete in the Catholic School’s Carnival hosted by Columba Catholic College in Charters Towers. For the last five weeks, Monday and Wednesday mornings have seen the boys training hard in anticipation for their first game of schoolboy rugby league in over a year. As expected, the boys are eager to represent the College and build upon the friendships and team culture that has been fostered through trainings. 

It has been pleasing to see so many students take upon leadership roles at training and guide those with less experience. Our captain Chavez Hegarty has been exceptional, with the likes of Jake Russell, TJ Tapu, Brodie Roberts, Michael Kelly and Jack Petitt being equally supportive and helpful. 

As a team, we would also like to offer our best wishes to Cooper Beil as he recovers from knee surgery. Cooper was a regular attendee at trainings this year and last; however, an injury means he will not be able to represent the College this year. All the best Cooper. 

Lastly, GSCC Senior Rugby League continues to be supported by an extremely generous group of sponsors. We would like to offer our thanks to our major contributors Brumby’s Bakery Mount Isa, 2Seas Catering, Top Fire Constructions, Mount Isa Mining Supplies, the GSCC P&F Association as well as Pharmacy First,  for their valuable donations to our team. Your help and generosity allow these students the chance to represent the College through playing a game they love. 

Welcome to ALPHA!

Alpha is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment. Alpha is for anyone who is curious or wants to explore their faith. Alpha is fun. The talks are designed to explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly, honest and informal environment. Each session will begin with a meal. Alpha Program sessions are weekly and run for 11 weeks. If you are away you can catch up online or by talking with the group.

We will be meeting on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm - beginning 16th March 2021.

Contact:

Lorna Fisher 0402 934 489

Kath Byrnes 0419 713 806

or the Parish Office/Priests 4749 8555

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.

Face-To-Face Events – Come See Us!

*Please note: Staff will be adhering to up to date health guidelines. It is highly recommended you book as soon as possible to avoid missing out - places are strictly limited!

We hope you can make it!

Thanks,

Nikki Manning

Events Coordinator – North Queensland

CPTTownsville@dfr.com.au