10 May 2023

From the Desk of the Principal

School Feedback Surveys

Townsville Catholic Education is working with all schools within the Diocese to improve the education experience provided to our students. As a way to gain this feedback, all staff and families within our school communities will be sent a survey to shape the future directions of our schools.

Your responses are very important in this process as we continue to strive to provide the best educational, social, spiritual and emotional resources and environment for our children. 

The surveys will be distributed via email TODAY and we ask that they are completed by Wednesday 31 May. If you have children and/or work at more than one Catholic school, you will receive a survey for each school.

I would like to thank you in advance for providing feedback and assisting us to improve our school.

Leave

Due to unforseen circumstances I have commenced my leave earlier than anticipated. Mrs Maxine Nolan will be the Acting Principal and Mrs Rebecca Kershaw will continue in her role as Assistant Principal Religious Education. Recruitment has also commenced for the role of Assistant Principal Administration.

I wish you all the best for the remainder of Term 2 and look forward to reconnecting upon my return in Term 3. 

Glenda Scrase

Principal

gscrase1@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal Religious Education

Our Lady of Fatima – Feast Day – May 13
This Friday the 13th May commemorates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three children in Fatima, Portugal on the 13th of each month from May to October in 1917. Our Lady appeared to Lucia, age 9, Blessed Francisco Marto, age 8, and Blessed Jacinta Marto, age 6, while they were tending sheep; they described her as “a woman all in white, more brilliant than the sun”, and her message was to do reparation for sins that offend God, and to pray constantly for the conversion of sinners.

She asked for devotion to the Holy Trinity, and for praying the Rosary daily for world peace. Word spread, and by the final apparition on 13 October, 70,000 people showed up to witness the Lady and the sign that she had promised; they witnessed the sun make three circles and zigzag around in the sky.

During this holy Season of Easter, may the Easter gift of "grace and mercy" be ours through the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary; she who is "our life, our sweetness and our hope" - the Mother of the Risen Lord!
Our Lady of Fátima, pray for us.

 PARISH MASS DATES

Friday 26th May at 10am
Good Shepherd Community Centre
2B and 4/5D will be attending.
Parents are also welcome to attend

Rebecca Kershaw

APRE

rkershaw@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal Administration

Youth Mental Health

Parents and carers can play a crucial role in their children's mental health. As a result, staying informed on the current state of youth mental health is vital, as it not only affects individuals, but also families and communities. According to recent research, the frequency of mental health disorders among young people is increasing, with anxiety, depression, and self-harm being among the most common challenges.
According to a SchoolTV’s Special Report “The State of Youth Mental Health”, one of the reasons being attributed to this rise is the heightened stress and anxiety that many young people face in today's society. Academic success, social media, and family issues are all influencing factors.
The report states that parents can play an important role in their children's mental health. Creating a safe and open environment for your children to talk about their emotions, thoughts, and feelings is vital. Encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper sleep can help reduce their stress levels and boost your child's overall mental health. There are also many resources and services available to children, adolescents, and their families, such as school counsellors, various mental health organisations, support lines, and of course, mental health professionals. It is important to remember that seeking help is a show of strength, not weakness, and that early intervention is critical in addressing young people's  mental health difficulties.
“The State of Youth Mental Health” discusses some of the major mental health issues affecting
young people and how to support a child experiencing them. There is also a range of resources
available. The report can be accessed here: Here is the link to this month's edition
https://gstsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/state-youth-mental-health
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please talk to your child’s teacher or
seek medical or professional help.

Maxine Nolan

APA

mnolan@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

What's Happening In Year 1

In Year One students have been learning about observable changes in their local environment within HASS and Science. We have enjoyed getting out and about the school to identify natural, managed and constructed features around us. This week we are beginning our Visual Arts Unit which will be part of our Arts Showcase in Term 3. We have introduced collage techniques and students first participated in a directed drawing of a parrot. They then completed the art piece by collecting natural items such as leaves, sticks and bark to create the birds nest and surrounding tree. Students will continue developing their collage skills over the next few weeks. Parents have been invited to join their child on Friday, 2nd June to create a natural landscape collage which will be photographed and displayed in the upcoming Arts Showcase. .

Year 1

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Student Awards for This Week

~Penelope (PB)    ~Lesila (PB)   ~Indianna (2C)   ~Faith (2A)  ~Ally (3A)  ~Latoya  (3C)  ~James (4/5C) ~Sahara (4/5B)  

Assembly

Friday we will be presenting our Mother's Day Liturgy in the BBC at 8:40am

Our lucky Praise Note winners from last week are :  Theodore (Prep A), Freyah (1C),Gabriel (2C), 

Alaska (3B), Esha (4/5E), Warlu (4/5B), Marley (6A). 

The Good Shepherd Way

This week our Good Shepherd Way Gospel in Action value is Hope where I see good all around me. 

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 Eating Area.

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

Reusable Bags 
By using a reusable bag, you are not only reducing the amount of non-renewable resources necessary to produce plastic bags, but you’re also reducing the amount of money your community spends on clean up costs each year. Their durability also prevents them from ripping or tearing.

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. 

Upcoming Events

ARRGGH! Books are the treasure!
Our first 2023 Book Fair is coming! It will open on Monday, 15th May and will be open before and after school every day next week. Walk the plank to the Library and support our school whilst getting your hands on the best new children’s books for your little pirates!

Teacher Contacts

Community News