30 March 2022

From the Desk of the Principal

It is hard to believe this is the last week of Term 1. It has been an interesting term with many challenges and absences. Thank you all for your ongoing resilience, support and understanding as we have navigated these challenges together.

On Monday we held our Prep Open Morning for students joining our Good Shepherd Family in 2023. Enrolments are now open with first round offers going out in mid-May. Be sure to submit your child's application as soon as possible. Enrolment applications are available from the Office or from our website at https://www.gstsv.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/enrolment-package/

I will be taking long service leave from the start of Term 2 and will return on Monday 16 May. In my absence Maxine Nolan will be the Acting Principal. Rebecca Kershaw will continue to support Maxine and will be joined by Amanda Marshall in Week 2, Elle Niland in Week 3 and Jeni Gillman in Week 4.

A Prayer for the End of Term

We thank you Lord, for this term.

For the challenges, the successes,

and the mistakes from which we have learnt.

Be with us as we spend time with family and friends.

Give us strength and courage to do what is right;

to be witnesses of our faith.

Help us to be practical Christians these holidays,

to appreciate what others do for us,

to give time and effort to help others,

to be peacemakers in our family.

Keep us safe in our activities;

give us good rest and good fun.

Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term.

We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents

and a community that cares for us.

May we always be conscious of you in our lives.

Amen

Thank you for a wonderful term. I wish you all a happy, safe and holy Easter break and look forward to catching up with you all when I return in mid-May.

Glenda Scrase

Principal

gscrase1@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal Religious Education

Stations Of The Cross

This Friday we have a special ‘Easter Assembly’. This assembly will be led by 6A, who will be walking us through the ‘Stations of the Cross’ in preparation of the Easter Season. The Stations of the Cross is a form of prayer that is used traditionally during Lent. Each of the 14 Stations retells part of Jesus' Passion (his suffering and death) through images and words. These Stations of the Cross introduce us to Jesus' Passion, breaking it down into stages that they can reflect upon and remember. All parents, carers and community members are warming invited to join us for this special occasion.

Mini Vinnies

Yesterday the Mini Vinnies Group organised and held a Cake Stall to help raise money for Project Compassion. We had many baked treats donated and the Mini Vinnies members worked hard right through lunch to ensure all students got a treat. Their hard work was rewarded with raising $303 for Project Compassion. Thank you to all the children and families that supported this event.

Project Compassion at GSCS

Please ensure that ALL Project Compassion boxes are returned to school by this Friday 1st April. Don’t forget you can use your Project Compassion box for your donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au

Rebecca Kershaw

APRE

rkershaw@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal Administration

There is no doubt that the start of the 2022 school year has been unique, but it has also offered some amazing moments and shown just how resilient and adaptable our children are.  Highlights that come to mind from the term include:

• the sportsmanship, encouragement and enthusiasm shown at the swimming carnival; 
• Year 6 students showing their leadership and community spirit by helping with running and breakfast clubs every day;
• the engagement during the Magical World of Crazy Science Show;
• Mini Vinnies hosting a Bake Sale to raise funds for Caritas.
• Thank you everyone – students, families, and staff – for a great Term 1!

School Holiday Fun

What are you doing this school holidays? Keeping children occupied can sometimes be a challenge!
Townsville City Council is putting together the Easter School Holiday Guide, which will be available on Saturday 2 April from the Townsville City Council website or by clicking here.

A number of holiday activities are also listed on the Council website, covering everything from creative pottery classes, to golf lessons, to free make-your-own-frisbee sessions. A picnic in the local park, a trip to Riverway for a swim, a bike ride around the block, camping in the backyard, a family movie night are just a few other budget-friendly ideas.

School TV: Understanding Adolescence

Adolescence is the transitional stage of development that is usually associated with the teenage years. In 2018, the Australian Curriculum Assessment Authority, redefined adolescence as affecting young people aged between 10-24 years. During this time, they experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth which affects how teenagers feel, think, make decisions and interact with the world around them.
During adolescence, a child's brain can be considered as being “under-construction”. The rate at which this progresses will vary depending on the individual and also their gender. As a result, some parents may view adolescence as stressful or difficult. However, it does not need to be. Setting boundaries, implementing consistent monitoring and maintaining a strong and loving connection will help families adjust during this time.
It is also an important time to keep the communication lines open through clear and age appropriate conversations. Speak openly about changes that they are experiencing and be conscious of their mental health as many of the conditions people confront in adulthood, can begin to manifest in adolescence.
In SchoolTV’s “Understanding Adolesence” edition, adult carers can learn how to guide and best support their young person as they transition through adolescence. Click the below link to access the information, or go to School TV under the "Students"tab on the Good Shepherd home page.

Maxine Nolan

APA

mnolan@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

What's Happening In Our Year 5 Classes?

What a huge term it has been in Year 5. We have had regular meetings with our Prep B and C PALS, where we are all enjoying buddy reading and games sessions. We have begun our Italian lessons with Mrs Aili and enjoyed having our Deadly Learner students come back into our classroom each fortnight to share their cultural knowledge with the rest of the class.
Recently, students completed a practice online NAPLAN test, where they learnt how to log onto the site and wrote a practice writing sample. This is all in preparation for the real NAPLAN early next term.  
These last couple of weeks many of our students and parents/guardians have met with classroom teachers to have an interview, where we all set some goals for students to aim their learning toward. 
Students have also been working hard completing assessments so their teachers can mark their work in preparation for their school reports at the end of next term.    

Awards For The Week

Birthdays For This Week

~Marcus(PrepA)       ~Sienna(2B)       ~Nate(2B)        ~Keona(2C)      ~Henny(3C)                ~Shania(3C)               ~Amilia(4A)        ~Amelia(5B)    ~Joeviah (5A)

Assembly

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

Our lucky Praise Note winners drawn last week were:   Elizabeth(PrepC); Archie(1A); Katy(2B); Henny(3C); Rhylee(4A); Sophie-Rose(5B).  

The Good Shepherd Way

This week our Good Shepherd Way Gospel in Action value is Stewardship where we care for all of creation.

Our Stewardship 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: Assembly around Community Centre .

Congratulations to our GSCS Way VIPs for last week - Harmony, Toby and Anarchy.

Fun Run - 22 April

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.

Library News

Tuckshop

Wednesday - Thursday - Friday

Please place your order with Flexischool no later than 8:30am on the day you wish to order. You will find a menu on our webpage. If you wish to place an order of cupcakes for your child's birthday please place your order the week before.

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. 

Environmental Tips

Replace Disposables:  

Wherever possible, replace disposable products with reusable ones (ie, razor, food storage, batteries, ink cartridges (buy refill ink), coffee filters, furnace or air conditioner filters, etc).

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