“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches……….we shall never surrender” Winston Churchill 1940

There are two aspects of college life that drive us forward and ensure success, our college culture and our college team. Both are difficult to build and even harder to maintain. I want to talk briefly about them in this week’s newsletter.

A Catholic college’s culture has it’s foundations in its charism, its mission and its vision. The history of GSCC is relatively recent. Although Catholic education began in Mt Isa in the 1930’s (St. Joseph’s), and there has been a school on this site since 1960 (St Kieran’s), GSCC really began as Mt Isa Catholic High in 1985 and only became Good Shepherd (a secondary college 8 – 12) in 2005. So although we can claim a long tradition in the town with links to both the Josephine Sisters and the Christian Brothers our college has a very recent history. My point is, that our college is still very much in the formation stage, especially in the building of a college “culture”. So what is it that defines us and where are we going in the formation of what we hope to be a wonderful story of Catholic education on this site?
Our vision talks about a contemporary Catholic education where we attempt to make a difference in the lives of the young people we serve (and in the hope that they will make a difference in their world) by shining Christ’s light (the power of the Christian message). Our mission extrapolates further by stating that we journey together (students, staff and parents) as partners, focusing on a holistic education within a welcoming and caring community. From these we build a college culture, one that is inclusive, dynamic and authentic, which celebrates school spirit, fosters faith and spirituality, is challenging and innovative and ensure each student develops socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually.

The GSCC team contributes to the building and maintaining of our culture through a sense of belonging and ownership which is born out of a commitment to the ideals of the college. Wearing the uniform with pride, acknowledging the rich faith traditions on which we are built, treating each other with respect, working hard and most importantly ensuring that we “turn up” every day to contribute to the team with whatever talents we have been gifted. Whether you are a student, a staff member, a parent or a member of the broader community you all have a role to play on the team of GSCC. As a team we can achieve so much more than as individuals and we can be sure that if you do contribute, you will become part of the success that is the story of GSCC “now”. As Churchill said to the English people at a time of dire need, “fight…and never surrender”. They did and were victorious!

Peter Scott

Appropriate Online Behaviour

With students having access to a range of online social media platforms, there is a responsibility for them to act both appropriately and legally online. Being aware of a few simple strategies can help keep the use of social media positive and constructive:

• Before you post something online, ask yourself is it relevant, positive and appropriate?
• Do not post derogatory, explicit or inappropriate material to any online forum (this includes Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, emails, chats etc.)
• Remember that what you post online is a direct reflection of who you are. People may form lasting opinions of you based on what you post online.
• Taking a few moments to think about the content you are about to post could save upset, embarrassment, and possible legal action.
• Remember once you post something online, you can’t take it back.

For parents - you have an important role in supervising and regulating your child’s online activities at home and its impact on the reputation and privacy of others.

It is important that students remember that a serious instance of inappropriate online behaviour may constitute a criminal offence and become a police matter. For example, online content may substantiate the offence of ‘using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence’ (Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) s. 474.17).

The Impact of Gaming

Recently, we have noticed a rise in students’ participation in online gaming. It is important that students limit their time spent playing video games to ensure that other important aspects of their weekly routine (such as study and sleep!) are not negatively impacted.

It is important that students develop a well rounded weekly routine, this doesn’t mean totally removing gaming from their schedule; but it is important that students find a healthy balance to ensure they are able to maintain good mental health.

Problems Associated with an Addiction to Video Games:

1. Psychological
   Some people dealing with an addiction to video games may also struggle with issues such as depression, high stress levels, and shyness / social anxiety. If they recognize the problems that excessive gaming is causing yet are unable to control it, they may also experience feelings of shame, guilt, or a sense of powerlessness

2. Physical and Health
   Obviously, if one's weekly activities are largely comprised of playing video games, health may be neglected. People with an addiction to video games may no longer take part in previously enjoyed physical activities or exercise, may develop poor sleeping habits depending on gaming schedules.

3. Family
   An addiction to video games can cause problems within the family. For example, parents of a teenager who is addicted to video games may tolerate excessive gaming for a while (and hope that it goes away by itself), but if their child shows no signs of getting his gaming under control they will eventually demand change. The teen may become angry at his parents for "interfering" in his life, deny that it is causing any problems, and claim that it is "none of your business". Families with a child or teen who is addicted to video games often have daily arguments about time limits on games and the neglect of other responsibilities.

4. Financial
   Even for players who are not addicted, video games can be a very expensive form of entertainment. It is very easy to spend thousands of dollars on computer upgrades, new gaming consoles, subscriptions to online services, newly released games, and the latest expansion packs.

5. School / University
   Academic success is often one of most obvious casualties of video game addiction. Children, teens, and university students who spend all their free time playing video games will almost certainly see their grades deteriorate. They may ignore upcoming deadlines, promise to study "tomorrow", deny that they have homework, and rush through assignments so that they can continue playing.

6. Interpersonal Impact
   As someone addicted to video games spends more and more hours in front of a computer or television screen, time spent with other people (friends and family) necessarily decreases. One-to-one in person contact with others is minimized and online / virtual contact is increased. For those who rarely spend time with others in person, online-only friends may not prevent a gaming addict from feeling socially isolated and disconnected from the world around him / her.
   
   Source: Addiction to Video Games

Tips for Good Mental Health

When considering the impact that stress and anxiety can have on young people, it is important that they 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.

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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!
   
   
3. Develop gratitude
   Count your blessings. Try to think about 3 positive things for each day - this can lead to increased wellbeing.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. 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.
   
   
8. 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.

Last week, the College hosted a significant event to celebrate the Year of Youth. The theme of the day was to ‘Celebrate Youth- the life you’re living'. The event ran all day, with students beginning with activities in their homeroom classes. Students were asked what the Year of Youth image, the ‘Christ our Joy’ painting means to them and to recreate a painting to reflect this. These paintings were then collated to create a Year of Youth banner that will be placed on display at the College. The rest of the day including prayer, ritual and music ministry to engage students in the theme of the life they're living.

The keynote presentation for the day was international singer/songwriter Jesse Manibusan. Jesse was incredibly engaging, using music, comedy and storytelling, to connect faith with the lives of young people. His key message was around the Church, and that the Church is all of us, it is everywhere and anywhere. This was a powerful message for our students connecting them with one another and fostering a sense of love and community. He had the whole congregation singing and dancing, spreading positivity and joy.

The day concluded with mass with Fr Mick, and Bishop Timothy Harris who joined us for the day. We were blessed to have so many wonderful people contribute to a fantastic day, and to help send a very important message to our young people. Bishop Timothy, in his homily spoke about how we are called to love, to love ourselves and love another. We hope that students continue to be reminded of this. I would like to thank all those involved for making the day such a great success. Particularly Miss Tayla-Maree Roberts, our Youth engagement officer. Finally, to the students for their willingness to fully involve themselves in the day. They made our College very proud.

Last week we also had a visit from the ALIVE.org team, sponsored by Queensland Rugby League and PCYC. ALIVE provided a workshop for staff and our Year 10 HPE classes, to reinforce the key message of mental and emotional wellbeing and life skills. The aim of ALIVE is to build more resilient young people and communities. They provided some information and strategies to enhance resilience, self-esteem, as well as providing tools to help young. We would like to thank PCYC for giving our students and staff to engage with these workshops.

The College would also like to congratulate and recognise those that have recently undertaken sacraments of initiation, and Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults. To the following students; Vonnavie Silvestre (Yr 7), Jacob Staples (Yr 7), Shenay Donnelly (Yr 7), Kaleb Donnelly (Yr 9), Amy Kuhne (Yr 9) and Miss Katherine Johnson (staff), we gracefully welcome you to this Church. We pray that your hearts be open and that you find fulfilment as you continue this journey in faith. Below is a prayer for all wishing to strengthen their faith journey or to help set an example in faith for others;

Lord, make me an instrument of your love.
Teach me to reverence what is holy in others,
and to be patient with what I do not understand.
Deepen my faith in the gospel, and help me to pass it on by good example.
With those who are hesitant or afraid, let me be a source of encouragement.
And with those who are weak, let me be a pillar of strength.

Amen

If you are interested in becoming Catholic or would like to complete any of the sacraments of initiation please contact the College.

Term 2/2018 College Fees went out in the mail on Thursday of last week. If you have not received your statement please call the College for a copy. Fees are due on the 18^th of June 2018 and prompt payment of your account is appreciated. We have a number of payment options and payment plans available  at the College, if you wish more information please call the office to discuss.

It is important to notify us if you are unable to make payment on time or if you are currently on a payment plan and payments need to stop. Alternately if you are experiencing financial hardship please make an appointment with the Principals PA to discuss your payment options.  Please note that any accounts that fall 2 terms in arrears and no contact has been made by you to the College, your account will be forwarded on to our collection agency for management.

Geography of Mind

Kate Johnson

In Hereford Cathedral in England, there is a map. It is a circular map made of calf skin in about 1300AD. It is called the Mappa Mundi - the map of the world - even though it only encompasses Europe, the Middle East, and some of northern Africa. On it are places like Paris, the Camp of Alexander the Great, and the Garden of Eden, and creatures labelled ‘Troglodytes’, ‘Lynx’, and ‘Unicorn’. And at the centre of this magnificent map is Jerusalem.

It’s an utterly remarkable piece of cartography, and it gives profound insight into the minds of the people at the time. As much as we can learn from documents like the Domesday Book (which was really a glorified tax register), I would argue that we can learn more from people’s perceptions of geography.

Geography and religion have had a fundamental link since humans first conceived of each. The Mappa Mundi demonstrates this clearly: Jerusalem, as the city of Christianity during the Crusades (still in progress when the Mappa Mundi was made) is at the centre of the world, while Christ in Majesty sits to the east of the earth. There is logic to its placement outside of religion, however. England is separated from Jerusalem by the sea, while the Middle Eastern portions are not, and the Mediterranean Sea is present, albeit squashed.

The English had sailed across those seas, and walked across Europe. They knew how far it was, as they could plan for a journey and provision an army to travel during the Crusades. The design, then, was a decision made to demonstrate the power of God. Man had literally shaped his understanding of geography to demonstrate his most fundamental belief.

In Indigenous Australian traditions, geography took on an even more fundamental aspect of life. From the stories of the Dreaming to the trees in South Australia where the ancestors call out, the land and the people have taken on a relationship unique to this country.

But the call of land to people is universal. There is a reason that the Jewish people yearned to return to Israel for two thousand years; a reason that Russian literature features cold so often in its themes; that the primacy of man is demonstrated in Australian literature through bush metaphors; a reason that civilisation in Britain is shown in green rolling hills.

Geography is part of human life. In my humble opinion, we are nothing without it.

Congratulations to all students who participated in the District Cross Country last week. The efforts of Mateusz Skora (1st), Ralph Supan (1st), Jayden Boshoff (1st), Mitch Thinee (1st), Brodie Roberts (2nd), Conner Boshoff (3rd), Madison Clauson (1st), Abby Benson (2nd), Isobella Sloan (2nd) and Connor Heiur have bought the District Trophy back to GSCC. Well  done all students and good luck to those competing at North West trials. 

The GSCC Athletics Carnival student nominations for events were released this week. The carnival will be held on Thursday 31 May after school from 3:15 - 5:15pm and Friday 1 June 7:45am - 3:15pm at Sunset Oval. All students are expected to attend the Athletics Carnival on Friday 1 June from 8:25am - 3pm. Students need to arrive and depart from Sunset Oval. Nominations for events are recorded via Google Form up until Monday 28 May.

Sporting Schools after school Rugby League and Athletics before school have been running well. Sporting Schools Touch Training will begin soon.

The HPE Department afternoon detentions will take place this Wednesday and next. Students can prevent detentions by attending HPE lessons prepared with laptops and correct sports uniform.

“There is in the act of preparing, the moment you start caring.” Winston Churchill

WORK EXPERIENCE

Term 2 Work Experience applications close this Friday 25th May at 3pm.

Available to Year 10 students in Rice and MacKillop Houses.  Year 11/12 students also invited to apply.

Please see Mrs Coghlan in Careers if you need assistance.

QMEA STEM AND TRADE WORKSHOPS

Twenty of our Year 10 students recently attended Qld Mineral & Energy Academy workshops.

STEM students worked on laboratory experiments including copper extraction and filtration.  Students were assisted by Glencore professionals including Geology and Environmental specialists.

Trade students had the opportunity to speak with trades people and apprentices about how and why they chose a trade career, what they do on a day to day basis and what they enjoy about their work.

Preparation is well underway for the 2018 QISSN Netball Carnival. The girls have been playing very well and are starting to gel really well together as a team. They have been extremely committed to training this year, turning up very early in the mornings (and sometimes twice a week) to make up for missed sessions. We have been extremely impressed with their dedication and passion to develop as individuals and a team.

Not only have the girls been committed to training, but they have also put in many hours into fundraising for their trip to Townsville in the June/July holidays. So far, we have run BBQ’s, helped out as wait staff at events and organized/ran the Golf Variety Bash in support with the Mount Isa Golf Club.

We will be hosting another fundraising event, the ‘Very Sporty Trivia’ night on Friday 15th June, with the College Confraternity Rugby League team. It is $15 per person with 8 people per table/team. Tickets must be purchased from the office by Monday 11th June. The trivia night will be held at GSCC Lumen Christi Centre, from 6.45pm with the Bar opening at 6pm. This is an over 18 years event. Please see the flyer attached for more information.

We have also been extremely grateful to receive a number of donations from sponsors to put towards a multi draw raffle to be drawn at this event. There are 10 prizes, with tickets $5 each. These can be purchased from any of the girls in the team or the College office. Please see the list of prizes below;

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our major sponsors for the raffle and will announce these businesses in our next College newsletter.

What is cyberbullying?

Written by Janelle Wolland-Ropiha

Cyberbullying is bullying that occurs on any digital device like your phones, computers, tablets etc. It can occur through text messages, apps, social media, forums, email and gaming. Cyberbullying includes posting, texting or sharing negative, harmful and false information content about someone. This may not be intentional but it will harm the other person if they don’t know what you are talking about.

The most common places where it occurs is:

• Social media
• SMS (short message service)
• Instant messages
• Email

GSCC Cyberbullying Committee

The CBC (cyberbullying committee) formed on the 29th of April to help address cyberbullying of young people at the college. The committee consists of students from years 7 to 12, Miss Ann-Marie Lesca, Mr Peter Scott and Mrs Carmen Toohey. The committee has been formed as part of the Queensland Anti-Cybrbullying Taskforce. They are seeking our school’s involvement to submit school based activities for students with ideas on how to prevent cyberbullying. The aim of our committee is to continually promote a safe learning environment for all students. Students of the CBC include:  

Year 7: Olivia Greenhaigh, Erich Petalcorin, Malachi Munns and Thomas Schlencker

Year 8: Angus Gillic and Sophia Thomas

Year 9: Grace Heuir

Year 10: Hunter Langtree

Year 11: Janelle Wolland-Ropiha, Rochelle Cremer, Courtney Boshoff and Taylor Vasallo

Year 12: Adam Godwin and Patrick Harman

The committee meet once a month to discuss how we can educate students about the different forms of cyberbullying and how to prevent it.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON CYBERBULLYING

Many parents and teachers are concerned about cyberbullying. It is a serious problem that can hurt young people, families and school communities. Cyberbullying is also a complex problem that is often invisible to parents and teachers.

In February the Premier appointed a group of Queenslanders who are passionate about stopping cyberbullying of young people. The Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Taskforce is chaired by well-known author and commentator, Madonna King, and includes members with knowledge and expertise in education, youth health and wellbeing, law, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, disability and families.

The Taskforce needs your help to develop a framework for Queensland to help reduce cyberbullying of young people. They want to hear from parents, carers, students, teachers and other experts in schools. In particular, the Taskforce wants to hear about your ideas to:

•        prevent or reduce cyberbullying
•        support people affected by cyberbullying of young people.

How to have your say

Email the Taskforce at antibullyingtaskforce@premiers.qld.gov.au

Upload your ideas as a submission on the Taskforce website

https://qld.gov.au/cyberbullyingtaskforce

Come to a public forum in 12 Queensland locations including Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton and Charleville. For information about forums visit https://qld.gov.au/cyberbullyingtaskforce

Everyone can be part of the stand against cyberbullying. Ms King and the Taskforce members look forward to hearing from you.

Family Zone Cyber Safety Software

Family Zone is a cyber safety software that is designed to help parents keep their children safe online. Family Zone is a box that connects to the family WIFI to protect all devices linked to the network. From here all devices can be monitored (to the level that the parents chose) whether they are being used inside the house, or on the other side of the world. Parents are able to monitor what apps their children are downloading, appropriateness of their online behaviours, are provided information from cyber experts on the latest apps, sites and trends and access to cyber safety experts.

Check out the website for further information https://www.familyzone.com/au/

Three weeks onto the competition and our DOTA2 team remains undefeated! They were also the featured team on the weekends twitch stream. Follow the link below to watch our team come back from a rocky start to decisively dominate in the end game.

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/262981963

Our CS:G0 team is yet to win a match but is steadily improving in a highly competitive space! GSCC!

Free event at the Library Tuesday 14^th August.  To find out more and/or register for free tickets click on link.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/inspiring-creative-young-people-parents-and-educators-forum-in-mount-isa-tickets-43513851100?aff=ehomecard