31 May 2023

From the Desk of the Acting Principal

It was fantastic to see a sea of yellow at school on Tuesday, as students, staff and families gathered for our Reconciliation Week Liturgy. Reconciliation Week, from 27 May to 3 June each year,
commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.
This week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Today, we also asked everyone to wear yellow to support “Children’s Ground”, an Australia-wide
community-led approach to changing the future for Frist Nations children.
Children’s Ground works with each child in every community to develop personal learning, health
and cultural development plans. They support the families that wrap around that child through
flexible employment and community development initiatives.
Wear It Yellow for Children’s Ground is usually a fundraising venture. However, we chose to support it as an awareness campaign, with staff given the option of donating to the organisation if they wish to.
Your child has been learning about Reconciliation Week in class. I would encourage you to discuss it with them.
Enjoy the rest of your week!

Maxine Nolan

AP

mnolan@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal Religious Education

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost – this Sunday the 4th June.  It is a solemn celebration of the belief in the revelation of one God, yet three divine persons.
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”—these are words we use every time we pray the Sign of the Cross. Even young children know them. The prayer expresses the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, that God reveals himself in Three Persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This is difficult for anyone to understand, especially young children. St. Patrick famously explained the Trinity by relating God in Three Persons to the shamrock. A three-leaf clover has three lobes that are unique from each other but all part of the same clover or shamrock. They are not three leaves, but one leaf.

On Trinity Sunday, the Christian Church ponders with joy and thanksgiving what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have done to accomplish the salvation of sinful humanity. It is brought to remembrance how Christians should respond to the love God has shown us, praising Him and giving Him glory. We remember the Father as our Creator, the Son as our Saviour and the Holy Spirit as our Comforter.

Mini Vinnies Parklands Visit
Our next visit on the 10th June, all Mini Vinnies who would like to attend will get a permission form this week and it should have returned  to Mrs Kershaw as soon as possible.

Rebecca Kershaw

APRE

rkershaw@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

PARISH MASS DATES                                                    Friday 9th June at 10am
Good Shepherd Community Centre
2C and 4/5E will be attending.
Parents are also welcome to attend

From the Desk of the Acting Assistant Principal Administration

Talofa lava parents, carers and students!

This past week I have had the pleasure of meeting more and more students and also some parents, grandparents and carers. From morning drop offs, morning greeting in the Shed, assembly, class visits and pick up, it has been wonderful to meet family members and witness your support of the school, staff and your children.

Young Speechmakers Competition
Last Thursday the 25th May, a number of students from across our Townsville Catholic Primary Schools competed in the annual Young Speechmakers public speaking competition at Southern Cross Catholic College.
The Southern Cross Catholic College Young Speechmakers Competition is for students in Years 4- 6 in Townsville Catholic Schools. The competition provides them with a platform to showcase their public speaking skills and aims to build confidence and self-esteem in our students. It also encourages and fosters proficiency in the art of speech writing and public speaking.
Good Shepherd Catholic School was well represented in the competition with a team of six young orators representing our school. Congratulations to all of these young speechmakers and a special thankyou to their teachers and families who helped them to prepare. Special congratulations to Jacob in Year 5 who placed third in his year level competition.

Parking
I would like to address an important matter regarding the use of the disability carpark at our school. It has come to our attention that some parents/carers have been parking in the designated space despite not having a valid disability permit. We kindly remind everyone that these carparks are specifically reserved for individuals with disabilities as mandated by the law.  We understand that parking can sometimes be challenging, especially during busy periods, but it is crucial that we respect the rights and needs of those who require these spaces. By adhering to the law, we ensure that accessibility is maintained for those who rely on it daily. It is our duty as a community to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all.
We respectfully request your cooperation in observing the proper use of the disability carpark. As responsible members of our school community, we ask that you make use of the designated parking areas available to parents and visitors, and refrain from using the disability carparks unless you possess a valid disability permit.
Please note that the parking bay in front of the disability carpark is for bus use only.
Your understanding and support in this matter is greatly appreciated. Together, we can continue to
demonstrate our commitment to compassion, respect and inclusivity.

Rebecca Rowan

AAPA

rrowan6@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

What's Happening In Year 2

This term students in grade two are writing an information report about mealworms. Students enjoyed having some mealworms in our classrooms and were able to see them transition through the stages of their life cycle. Students were able to understand scientific terms like larvae and pupa as they used these terms to discuss the changes they observed. They also understood that a newly hatched beetle was light in colour and as the beetle gets older its body gets darker and becomes harder. Once the beetles were dark we were able to release them into the garden. 

Southern Cross Speech Makers

Last week we had six students across year levels 4, 5 and 6 compete in the Southern Cross Speech Makers competition. All participants delivered wonderful speeches and showed such confidence in their performances. Out of the six students Jacob M came away from the night winning a third place for his efforts.

Congratulations also to Sienna J (Year 4),  Olivia S (Year 4),  Reece T (Year 5) Connah M (Year 6) and Cooper W (Year 6) for a great effort. 

Eisteddfod 2023

The Townsville Eisteddfod, held each year in September, is a great way for children of all ages to showcase their talents. 

Students who enjoy writing, art or photography are encouraged to enter one of the following sections: Poetry, Creative Writing, Functional Writing, Visual Arts, Media, Photography (Digital). 

Entry Fee is $8 per entry and is due Thursday, 1st June.  Finished work is not due until Monday, 31st July. If your child is interested, would like to enter or want more information, please see their classroom teacher.

Jenny Bulmer (2A Teacher)

Student Awards for This Week

Birthdays for this week!

  Mason (1A)  Cillian (2A)   Emma (3A)   Jasmine (4/5B)   Romeo (4/5B)   Jacob(4/5B)   Jaxon (4/5C)   Hunter (4/5C) Sienna (4/5E)    Bray (6B)       

The Good Shepherd Way

This week our Good Shepherd Way Gospel in Action value is Love where I share my good heart with others. 

Our Service prayer is also below:

The GSCS Way

The GSCS Way is our positive behaviour support program here at Good Shepherd Catholic School.

All in our community are encouraged to:

• Give My Best
• Show Respect
• Compassion and Care
• Safe Responsible and Fair

Each week we focus on a different area of our matrix.

This week we are focusing on: In the Toilets.

Assembly

6A will be presenting our Assembly this Friday in the BBC at 8:40am

Our lucky Praise Note winners from last week are :  Ava (Prep C), Lewis (1A), Cooper (2B), Ally (3A),

Olivia (4/5A), Amelia (4/5D) and Finn (6B). 

Parent Library Borrowing

Breakfast Club and Running Club

Both Clubs will run every morning. Breakfast Club will run from the Tuckshop from 8:10am and Running Club will be held on the Junior Oval from 8:10am as well.

Environmental News

5th June – World Environment Day 
Each year, June 5 is set aside as World Environment Day. It's a day to remind us of our interconnectedness to the earth and the importance of caring for our earth. As the Native American Indians say, "We do not inherit the earth from our parents; we borrow it from our children.

Parent Portal

Parent Portal

If you have any problems accessing please send an email to the school office at rsmssn@tsv.catholic.edu.au. 

The Parent Portal allows you to:

• View your child’s timetable and the school calendar
• View up to date attendance information for your child
• Enter details of upcoming absences or explain past absences or late arrivals for your son or daughter
• Access your child’s Semester reports
• Make bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews
• View a news feed of school announcements, alerts and updates
• Provide consent for school events/excursions
• Communicate by email with your child’s teachers
• Update your contact details (email and mobile phone number).

The parent portal is a web-based system that can be accessed by clicking this link:

An app called Compass School Manager is also available for both iPhones/iPads (via the App Store) and Android phones/tablets (via the Google Play Store). When you have installed the app, search for “Good Shepherd Catholic School – Rasmussen”.
The browser version of the Parent Portal contains more features than the app.  Please click the link below to access the Compass website which has an online guide and video for the Parent Portal.

Tuckshop

Wednesday - Thursday - Friday

Please contact the school office or Ann-Maree at Tuckshop with any enquiries.

CUTOFF time to order TUCKSHOP
from FLEXISCHOOLS
is 8:30am.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ORDERS ARE TO BE PLACED ONLINE AT THE LINK BELOW. Please visit the website to set up your account if you are new to Flexischools.

Flexischool How To Guides for Parents and Caregivers
• Online help is available any time at Flexischools via the link below.
• Phone between 8am - 12pm (AEDST) on weekdays or on the parent phone line (1300 361 769). 

How-To Guides for Parents
Flexischool has spent some time over the holidays developing some quick how-to guides for  parents. If you'd like to see these, please click the link below.
They include: 
•    Introduction to Flexischools;
•    How to Register; 
•    How to Top-Up;
•    How to Place an Order. 

Teacher Contacts

Community News