05 February 2025

From the Desk of the Acting Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We all recognise that the start of the school year in North Queensland often comes with its share of rainy weather, though I don't think anyone anticipated the extent of the recent rainfall. With a school closure already and the cancellation of two swimming lessons in just the first week and a half, it's certainly been a unique beginning to the year.

That said, these circumstances have provided a wonderful opportunity to witness God's work in our everyday lives. It’s heartwarming to see the community spirit at our school shine through, especially as we welcomed staff and students from our newest college, Mary Help of Christians, who joined us this week due to the weather. 

This has been a fantastic chance for our students to connect with those who have recently transitioned to secondary school, observing classroom setups and teaching styles. It was delightful to see how warmly our students greeted the MHoC students, and it was particularly special to see some of our former students welcomed back like ‘rock stars’ to their primary school environment.

With the introduction of morning play before school, it has been lovely to witness our older students engaging in handball with peers from various year levels. The older students have embraced the role of mentors, taking the time to explain the rules, guide others on where to line up, and encourage taking turns. Such interactions greatly contribute to strengthening the relationships among students. 

We have also noted a high demand for hula hoops and skipping ropes, so we are pleased to share that we’ve purchased additional resources to accommodate everyone’s requests. Once the sun returns, we look forward to starting the run club, allowing students to enjoy playing on the astroturf and LEGO board situated outside the Year Two classroom by the shed. 

Beginning the school day with playtime and camaraderie among peers fosters a more settled classroom environment. Teachers have observed that students are consistently lined up outside their classrooms, hats off, and ready to enter quietly to begin our morning prayer and notices routine. These established routines play a vital role in promoting expected behaviour and enhancing the overall learning experience.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our parents for their commitment to the uniform, jewellery, and hair guidelines established during enrolment and published on our school website. I have had some earnest conversations with students who sort me out, regarding their shoes; many have kindly explained their purchase decisions before my previous communication. I appreciate their promise to choose all black shoes for their academic uniform  for their next pair. One of the key purposes of our school uniform is to foster a sense of unity and belonging among all students, minimising social divisions and creating a more positive school culture.

If you are purchasing new uniforms for your children this year—like many families, mine seem to grow over the Christmas holidays—please consider donating any gently used uniforms to our office. We strive to provide uniforms for families in need, and your generosity makes this possible. Our supply is running low, so any contributions would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, if you are in a position to do so, a donation of white socks would also be appreciated, as even small contributions can have a significant impact on those in need.

Once again, thank you for the warm and generous welcome I have received. I am eager to collaborate with all of you to create a rich educational experience for your children in a safe and inclusive environment that embodies the gospel values of love, hope, faith, and community.

With Blessings,

Annette

Acting Principal

apoulsen2@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning

Welcome back! After a wet and disrupted start to the 2025 school year, we are excited to welcome everyone and are looking forward to a productive, happy and engaging year. We value the involvement of our students’ families in the school and encourage you to become involved whenever possible.

Compass Parent Portal

The Compass Parent Portal is open to parents of Good Shepherd Catholic School. Each parent is issued with an individual login name and password for the parent Portal. Parents who are new to the school, or have never logged on to Compass, should have received an email with these details on Tuesday. If you have not received the email, please check your “junk” email folder.

The Parent Portal allows you to:

• 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
• 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 here. It is available under the parent tab on our school home page.

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.  The Compass website has an online guide and video for the Parent Portal at https://www.compass.education/guide.

SchoolTV

SchoolTV is a fantastic FREE resource that can be accessed via our school homepage, under the parent tab or by clicking here.

The SchoolTV platform is an integral part of a whole school approach to student wellbeing. It covers a huge range of topics, with each topic or edition addressing key issues using brief interviews with expert specialists, fact sheets, parent quizzes, recommended apps, books and much more. 

SchoolTV streamlines and brings together information from many reputable sources such as REACHOUT and beyondblue, Australian Psychological Society, Nutrition Australia, headspace and eSafety Commission. This provides a very reliable and accessible resource, saving parents time and confusion searching online across multiple sites.

Sometimes raising happy, healthy and resilient children and teens feels like a huge challenge – SchoolTV might be able to help! Take a look and bookmark the page.

Maxine Nolan

APPL

mnolan@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal Religious Education

Greetings. My name is Rebecca Kershaw and my role at Good Shepherd Catholic School is as the APRE – Assistant Principal Religious Education. I have been on staff at GSCS for the past 5 years and within Catholic Education for over 24 years across New Zealand, New South Wales and now Queensland. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at GSCS getting to know all our children and their families and supporting and nurturing them on their personal faith journeys. I look forward to getting to know all our new and returning students and families better this year and working in partnership to support your children in their learning and relationship with God.

Opening Liturgy
Our Opening Liturgy will be held this Friday 7th of February, in the Good Shepherd Community Centre, at 8.40am. Our School Captains and Sports Captains will be presented with their badges at our liturgy and our new Year 6 students will take their leadership pledge. All families and community members are welcome to attend

Mini Vinnies
Notes will go home today with interested Year 4, 5 and 6 students to join our Mini Vinnies Group for 2025. Mini Vinnies is the Primary School section of the St Vincent De Paul Society. A commitment to be involved for the whole year is required by students who wish to join this group. Interested students need to return their permission note as soon as possible.

Breakfast Club

The Good Shepherd Breakfast Club will be held Monday - Friday at 8:10am-8:25am in the shelter shed. The Breakfast Club has had a great response from the students and school community.  As you know breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it helps students to concentrate and focus on their learning.  Toast will be available free of charge for all students. The YMCA are kindly donating bread for the program on a weekly basis.  We thank them for their generosity and support.  It would be wonderful if families in could assist by donating some spreads for the program (vegemite, jam and honey in a squeeze bottle if possible) this term. These can be left at the Office.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – Sunday 2^nd February

On February 2, we observe the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, honouring Jesus Christ’s presentation in the Temple when he was a young child. The feast of the Presentation of the Lord takes place 40 days after Christmas. According to Jewish law, if the firstborn child was a male, the infant would be given, or consecrated, to God. This feast commemorates how Jesus, as a baby, was presented to God in the Temple in Jerusalem. This presentation finds its complete and perfect fulfillment in the mystery of the passion, death and Resurrection of the Lord.

February 2 is early in the New Year and is a wonderful reminder that God is with us.  He is the Light that has come to dispel our darkness.  Moreover, we belong to Him and are His beloved children.  He came to save us, He loves us, and He always walks with us.

Rebecca Kershaw

APRE

rkershaw@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

What's Happening in Prep

Prep students have had a fantastic first week learning what it means to be ‘BIG’ kids at ‘BIG’ school! They have shown wonderful courage as they explore their new environment, build friendships, and settle into their routines.

This week, students were introduced to the GSCS Way and were thrilled to take their praise notes to the office for a special stamp. They have also been immersed in stories about starting school and exploring feelings through the Zones of Regulation. Engaging in a variety of hands-on activities, the Preps have been practising writing their names, developing their cutting skills, and demonstrating patience and resilience—especially while being indoors due to the rainy weather!

A highlight of the week was meeting their Year 6 buddies, who welcomed them with open arms and helped them feel comfortable in their new school environment.

We are so proud of our Preps and look forward to a wonderful year of learning and growth together!

Library

Story Dogs

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.

The Good Shepherd Way

Term 1, Week 1

This week our Good Shepherd Way Gospel in Action value is Community where I connect and engage.

Our Community prayer is below:

Term 1, Week 2

The Good Shepherd Way Gospel in Action for Week 2 will be Compassion where I show care and concern for others.

Our Compassion prayer is 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 Classroom. 

In Term 1, Week 1 we are focusing on: Before School. 

Enrol for 2026

Student Wellbeing

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. 

Lost and Found

Sports

League Stars is coming to Good Shepherd in term 1!

 What is League Stars?

League Stars program is all play and non contact run by fully accredited NRL staff, appealing to the true nature of kids. It is fun, messy and high energy just like our kids which creates a great environment for them to have fun and learn new skills. 

 This League Stars is a 6 week program that runs on Monday afternoons Starting on the 24th of February and running until the 31^st of March.

 If you would like to sign up to league stars please head to:

https://profile.mysideline.com.au/register/clubsearch/?criteria=4815&type=player&activity=&gender=&agemin=&agemax=&comptype=contact,non-contact&source=rugby-league

Teacher Contacts

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.

Community News