Parent engagement in our last P&F and Board meetings has been terrific. Good Shepherd Catholic College is fortunate to have interested parents advocating on behalf of the school and keen for its continued improvement. When there is a strong partnership between school, parents, community and Parish - our students only ever benefit.

We are seeking further parent representation in a Catholic Identity Team at the College. The aims of the Team are to:

• Contribute to the interpretation of school data on Catholic Identity;
• Form recommendations for the school about how to enhance our Catholic Identity;
• Assist with strategic goal setting;
• Enhance creativity and excellence in Catholic Identity;
• Optimise engagement with staff, students and families;
• Strengthen partnerships between parish and school.

Meeting times will be approximately once per term, but as we commence the work in the Team, we may meet more frequently. Times for meetings will be determined based on what suits most members.

If you have an interest in how the College can keep enlivening its Catholicity, please contact me at the College.

Our students began their NAPLAN testing today and I’m proud of the calm and conscientious approach they have taken. NAPLAN is only one indicator of school success and achievement, and I encourage each and every one of our students to pursue excellence in all they do - that may be in the classroom, it could be on the playing field or in the Arts. It states in John’s gospel, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” This is what we want for our students - a life lived fully and joyfully.

Enrolments for 2022 - Our interviews for Year 7 2022 commence in Week 7 so please complete enrolment application forms as soon as possible and send through to the College Office.

Developing effective study skills

Effective students are those who have clear goals, practised study routines and good organisational skills.

Becoming an effective student is no different from becoming good at anything else - it takes practice, skill, feedback and focus.

Studying is a learned behaviour, and it is very hard to all of a sudden know how to study in Year 11 when the academic pressure is more noticeable.

I highly recommend all students reflect on their study habits and skills. The following list represents a great starting point for improving skills and organisation as a student:

1. Develop a study timetable.
2. Take notes in class- highlight key concepts and ask clarifying questions. Really engage in the lesson.
3. Avoid absence from school.
4. Attend Homework Help. Make an appointment with your teacher if necessary.
5. Submit drafts - on time, and as complete as possible. Investing time here means your teacher can give you the best possible feedback and minimises the work for the final submission.
6. Study regularly and review older work every two weeks.

QCAA’s myQCE has a site, Study Tips,  specifically to assist students with improving their study habits. It’s well worth the time investment.

Year 11 Exam Block

From Wednesday 26 - Friday 28 May (Week 6), Year 11 students will be on Exam Block.

It is important for students to remember that all assessment must be completed (in all subjects) in order to have exam block privileges.

If you are absent for an exam in exam block you must:

1. Contact the College Office ASAP, or your parent can contact the College Office on your behalf.
2. Have a medical certificate.

These requirements are in accordance with the GSCC Assessment Policy, “If a student is absent from a Senior Exam Block exam, the student will complete an alternate paper in the next available session and a medical certificate must be provided upon their return. If a medical certificate is not provided the student may not be allocated a result for that internal assessment piece, resulting in no credit for the piece / unit studied."

Exam Block Timetable

Meet the SRC

If you follow us on social media, you might have seen our Student Representative Council (SRC) profiles. The SRC include Year Level Student Representatives along with Year 12 Student Leaders. We are lucky to have a proactive SRC, who are wonderful advocates for the students at GSCC.

Year Level Masses

Our next Year Level Mass is for Year 8 & 10 students. On Wednesday 26 May, all students in Years 8 & 10. Students should arrive directly to Good Shepherd Parish by 8:20am, they will then walk back to school in time for Lesson 2.

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.

Headspace Visits

Just a reminder to all of our students and families that Headspace staff visit our College every second Wednesday (Week B on timetable), during 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 and groups that are offered over at Headspace. We encourage students to pop in and say hello and familiarise themselves with the staff who visit.

My Friend Col

Col Ryder is my friend. We have known each other for over 30 years and knew of each other for more than 40. So when I walk past a bit of rubbish at school I bend down and pick it up, not every bit of rubbish but if I am in the vicinity because if I don’t he has to.

So what you may ask.

If I throw a piece of rubbish on the ground then I am saying I don’t respect him. Sure, keeping the grounds clean is part of his role as groundsman but by cleaning up after myself I am showing the person in that position my respect.

It takes very little to be nice to someone or do something to make their life easier. So why do we toss our pie wrapper on the ground and leave it for someone else to pick up?

Some people do it because they feel a sense of power in it. Students working in the hospitality or service industry will understand exactly what I mean. You can tell a lot about people by how they treat others when in a position of power (eg. a customer).

I worked for the Department of Mines and inspected mines around Queensland. My first day I was given some valuable advice by my District Manager, a man I respected greatly.

He told me, “don’t think they are respecting you, always remember they are respecting the position.”

When I visited mines I was always very well looked after but always went out of my way to be respectful. Even more so when approaching a delicate situation where I had to tell someone what they were doing was wrong or not good enough and needed improvement.

I held the position of power but tried to behave in a manner where people felt respected. I see those people now and, despite them now holding the position of power, am treated as an equal.

The photo of Barack Obama is a classic example of how a leader (or person in a position of power) should treat people. He was the most powerful person in the free world and could simply walk past without acknowledging a lowly cleaner. That he did shows he respects the person, regardless of their position.

In the late 60’s Mount Isa Mines had an electronic department and one day a special machine arrived from overseas but they couldn’t get it to work. An old cleaner was nearby and suggested they remove a bridge.

The young workers scoffed at him and continued their attempts to get it operating. Eventually they exhausted their ideas and, despite their derision at the cleaners suggestion, removed the bridge.

To their amazement the machine turned on and began operating. They sought out the cleaner who politely explained that he had been an electronic engineer in Germany before the war but when he emigrated to Australia his qualifications were not accepted.

When he made the suggestion they looked at his position not at the person. The position didn’t know it was common-practice for European companies to insert a bridge but the person did.

A position description, job title, Gold Medal or award doesn’t define who you are; in most cases they are simply rewards for hard work. How you treat people, no matter their position (at work, financially, within a team, etc), is a measure that defines the person you are.

GSCC vs Spinifex Netball

After a year's absence due to the Covid pandemic, we will finally see the return of our annual netball and rugby league series against Spinifex. These series allow for our students to compete within the Mount Isa region whilst also helping to build and strengthen relationships with Spinifex State College.

Term 2 will begin with a 2 game Netball Series which is to be played on the 21st and 28th of May at the Mount Isa Basketball Centre. We are asking for nominations for 4 teams, including a junior school, middle school, open girls (Div 1 Team) and open boys.
Any students wishing to participate are asked to see Mr Schofield for a trials form.

Trials will be held on Tuesday the 18th of May in the LCC at Good Shepherd. Due to Mount Isa representative trials, students that are unable to attend GSCC trials, will still be considered for teams.

Where are they now?
Phoebe Ryder

Your name, graduation year and House?

Phoebe Ryder, 2018, Benjamin

What did you think you would do when you left school?

Something in the health field.

Did you follow that pathway and/or what are you doing now?

I am in my last year of my nursing degree.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt since leaving school?

In order to learn the value of something, you have to create space where it once was.

Favourite tuckshop food?

Chocolate milk.

Favourite teacher?

Mrs Warren.

Best school memory?

I will always remember the feeling of hearing the final bell at the end of the day.

What do you miss most about school?

I miss not having to decide what to wear everyday.

Best piece of advice for current students?

If it is not going to matter in 5 years, don’t waste more than 5 minutes worrying about it.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?

In 10 years, I hope to be living a life that helps others.

Careers Week

Next week is National Careers Week. GSCC will be celebrating by having special guests present to our students each day during their first lunch break. We encourage students to join in to find out more about these professions: Queensland Police, Health (Medicine/Nursing), Law, Paramedicine.

Work Experience

Applications for Term 2 work experience now open. Contact Mrs Armstrong to apply.

Applications close Friday 21st May

Once again our Year 7-9 students will be participating The Premier's Reading Challenge. It is not a competition but a way to encourage students to develop a love of reading for life. Through the challenge children and students are given an opportunity to develop their appreciation of the English language, and additional languages, and are encouraged to explore and enjoy a wide range of literary texts.

Children and students who complete the challenge have their efforts recognised through the receipt of a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier of Queensland.

To successfully complete the Premier's Reading Challenge students are required to read or experience 15 books between May and August 2021.

Interested students can sign up and collect their reader record form at the library.

On Friday of Week 3 the Beginner Coding Club began with many enthusiastic students participating from Good Shepherd Catholic College, St. Joseph’s and St. Kieran’s Primary Schools. They are learning to code Python programming language using Minecraft Education. On Friday of Week 4 the Intermediate Coding Club began as well. They are learning to code games using text-based Python programming language. It’s really great to see how keen all the students are wanting to learn how to code. A huge thank you to Saskia Brown, Helen Wade and Lachlan Ward for your assistance with running both of the groups. If your son/daughter would like to join either clubs for the next round (starting mid Term 3) please email Ann-Marie Lesca to have your child's name put on the waiting list at alesca@goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au. 

During our Year 12 meeting last week we celebrated the birthdays of all those who had a birthday since our previous meeting. All the birthday people gathered out the front wearing party hats and we sang happy birthday to all of them. After that everyone had a piece of birthday cake. It was a really fun time. 

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.