2025 Term 2 Week 10

Reflection from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

As Term 2 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredibly successful and busy ten weeks at Good Counsel College. Our students have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm, and I am deeply proud of all that we have achieved together as a faith community.

One of the term’s early highlights was our Year 7 cohort spending a full day with the Gondi Rangers, immersing themselves in a fantastic experience of cultural awareness, deepening their understanding and respect for First Nations knowledge and traditions. It was an enriching day for all involved.

Our Marist Netball team recently returned from Adelaide, where they proudly represented our College at the 2025 Marist Netball Carnival. Their sportsmanship, teamwork, and spirit were commendable. Meanwhile, our Senior Rugby League team will depart for Rockhampton this Friday to compete in the prestigious Confraternity Carnival. We wish them all the best as they carry our College banner with pride.

Leadership development has also been a strong focus, with our Year 11 students participating in three extended PD sessions centered on leadership preparation for 2026. These sessions have sparked great energy and thoughtful reflection among our future leaders.

This Thursday, our Year 12 students joined with peers from Innisfail State College for The Great Race at Warrina Lakes — a unique and engaging event that encourages teamwork, creativity, and connection as they near the midpoint of their final year.

A fantastic College celebration of our 50^th Jubilee, with a morning Mass led by Fr. Kerry, a luncheon in Mary’s Place for all students (served by staff) and an afternoon of fun activities to remember the 50 years since the beginning of a full Catholic College in Innisfail. This was also a significant occasion with the unveiling of Marcellin’s Table, so expertly constructed by Mr. Peter Korger.

All of this has occurred alongside the significant demands of preparation for and taking of our end-of-semester exams last week. Our students have shown resilience and focus, and we are confident they will be rewarded for their efforts.

None of this would be possible without the unwavering commitment of our dedicated staff. Their hard work, care, and professionalism continue to ensure that every student is given opportunities of holistic growth, as well as preparing them for the important mid-year exams.

As we move into the upcoming holiday break, I encourage all families to take time to rest, reconnect, and recharge. Term 3 awaits, filled with more opportunities for growth, faith, learning, and achievement.

Wishing you all a safe and restful holiday.

Kindest regards,
Paul Melloy
Principal

From the Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning

As we wrap up what has been a busy term, I want to extend my congratulations to all students and staff on the completion of Semester 1 assessment. It has been a demanding final fortnight, and while the pressure was certainly on, students have largely risen to the challenge with focus and determination.

A reminder that assessment is only meaningful when it reflects a student’s own learning and capabilities. Academic integrity remains a cornerstone of fair and reliable reporting, and we continue to encourage all students to complete their work honestly, respecting the value of their own progress.

Semester 1 Reports Now Available
Semester 1 academic reports were made available for families to access via The Learning Dashboard (TLD) from Thursday 26th June. Parents can access these reports through the Parent Portal or the MyCE app. Students also have access via their Applications Page by clicking on the TLD icon.

A reminder that reports can be downloaded as a PDF by selecting the blue “Print PDF” button in the top right-hand corner of the dashboard.

If you experience any difficulties accessing the system, please don’t hesitate to contact the College Office for support.

New Feature: My Learning Placemat
We’re excited to announce that a new feature - the BI Placemat (My Learning Placemat), has now been launched in The Learning Dashboard (TLD). This tool complements the academic report and presents a broader picture of student progress, including:

· Academic achievement over time
· Attendance data
· An interactive view of progress by subject

This feature has been activated for both students and parents, and we encourage you to explore it via the TLD platform. Helpful resources are also available on the Veritas Learning Dashboard page for guidance.

Parent-Teacher-Student Conversations – Tuesday 22nd July
Our Parent-Teacher-Student Conversations will take place on Tuesday 22nd July in the CHC. This is an important opportunity to reflect on progress and discuss learning goals for the term ahead.

Bookings will open on Tuesday 15th July and close on Monday 21st July. We strongly encourage students to attend these meetings alongside their parents or carers to take ownership of their learning journey.

Upcoming: PISA Testing – Monday 28th July (Week 3)
A group of students will be participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) on Monday 28th of July. PISA is an international benchmarking test run by the OECD that assesses 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics, and science, and helps shape educational improvements globally.

It’s important to note that students are selected for PISA by the testing organisation, not by the College. We do not have any control over who is chosen.

Families of selected students will receive communication in the coming weeks with further details, including what to expect and how to prepare. We thank those students in advance for representing the school in this important national assessment.

Year 12s: Preparing for the Final Stretch
To our Year 12 students, these holidays are an excellent opportunity to recharge, but also to review, revise, and refocus. With external exams beginning in Week 4 of Term 4, now is the time to consolidate learning and ensure strong study habits are in place.

Use this break wisely, balancing rest with preparation, and come back ready to give your best in this final stretch of your school journey.

Wishing You a Safe and Restful Break
Finally, I wish all students, families, and staff a safe and enjoyable holiday. Whether you're heading away or staying local, we hope this time offers you rest, fun, and connection with loved ones.

I look forward to welcoming everyone back in Term 3, refreshed and ready for another term of learning and growth

Kind Regards,
Jess Squarci
Acting Deputy Principal

From the Assistant Principal - Wellbeing

Wellbeing Focus – Love Bites / Real Talk
In Term 3, the Cairns Catholic Education Relationship Education program continues at the college. The Love Bites & Real Talk programs will run for Years 7 – 10.

We are committed to providing a safe environment in which young people can discuss and learn about their rights and responsibilities in relationships and look at ways to access support when needed. The programs view young people as active participants and the interactive sessions use videos and activities to inform, educate and provide the opportunity to examine personal boundaries, values and choices.

Further information will be emailed to parents regarding both programs. They both come highly regarded and focus on key issues that impact our young people. If you have any queries about the programs, please contact gcc.wellbeing@cns.catholic.edu.au.

Expectations Focus – Uniform Reminder
As winter continues, I would like to issue a polite reminder regarding acceptable attire. Jackets/jumpers worn require the college logo – these can be purchased from the college uniform shop. Any deviations from what is outlined in the policy are not permitted – this includes beanies and scarves. We also ask that students respect our Class of 2025 by not wearing senior jerseys that may have belonged to siblings or friends from previous years.

While the year twelve cohort are the only students permitted to wear a jersey as part of the uniform, they are reminded that the jersey is to be worn in addition to the standard uniform, and NOT as a substitute (e.g. only wearing the jersey and not wearing a formal shirt underneath). Students will be expected to remove the jersey during examinations and formal college events.

For further information, please see the College’s uniform policy.

Event Focus – The Push Up Challenge
Our students have been hard at work during the month of June, participating in The Push Up Challenge. The challenge invites participants to complete 3214 push ups, which is the number of young people who died by suicide in 2023.

I have once again been blown away by the level of commitment of our students in participating in the challenge, as evidenced by some of the remarkable push up tallies below:

Marcellin – 17667
Clancy – 12422
MacKillop – 4365
Polding – 1810

Leadership Focus – 2026 Student Leadership Applications
The application process for 2026 College Student Leadership has now opened, and I would strongly encourage our year eleven students to submit an application.

Applications are due at the end of week two next term. College captain applications will then be considered by the college leadership team, before interviews and speeches commence in week four. Those who have submitted nominations for house captain will have their interviews and speeches the following week. Announcements of successful applicants will be made before the conclusion of this term three, with leadership formation to occur shortly after this.

If parents/carers or students would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact the college.

House Focus – Marist Cup
The current cup standings are as follows:

Clancy – 61
Polding – 61
Marcellin – 53
MacKillop – 52

Contact
As always, my office door and inbox are always open. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch (bpappas@cns.catholic.edu.au).

Take care,
Brenton

From the Assistant Principal - Religious Ed.

As we come to the end of a busy term it is good to stop and reflect on what has happened. This term’s charitable focus is the Winter Appeal for St Vincent de Paul. Thank you to those who have supported their work in our local area. We will be donating warm clothing, blankets and $827.85 raised from the free dress day, icy cups and the drink stall at the carnival.

We have also celebrated Good Counsel College's 50^th Jubilee in June. Special thanks to the many volunteer hours that went into the information gathering, compiling and displaying of our College’s heritage. The weekend culminated in tours of the school, historical displays, mass and a luncheon at the Shire Hall. The school community marked Marcellin Champagnat’s feast day on June 6^th with a whole school mass followed by activities run by staff and students including the bungee jumping castle, always a favourite, and a shared lunch. Students were served by staff, who over the course of the week in addition to their teaching loads, created table decorations, moved tables, and prepared and cooked a baked lunch which was then served to students. Peter Korger’s beautiful replica of Marcellin’s table was also unveiled and was a credit to his dedication and workmanship.

This term also saw a new Pope. Pope Leo XIV has immediately stepped up to the challenge of leading the Catholic church in the 21^st Century.

The Holy Father’s words came just hours after US bombers struck nuclear sites in Iran, as Israel and Iran carry out strikes on each other’s territory.

“In this dramatic scenario, which includes Israel and Palestine,” continued the Pope, “the daily suffering of the population—especially in Gaza and other territories—risks being forgotten, even as the need for adequate humanitarian aid becomes ever more urgent.”

“Today more than ever, humanity cries out and pleads for peace,” he said.

The Pope said the cry for peace “demands responsibility and reason and must not be drowned out by the roar of weapons or by rhetorical words that incite conflict.”

Pope Leo urged every member of the international community to take up their moral responsibility to “stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss.”

When human dignity is at stake, he said, no conflict is distant.

“War does not solve problems,” noted the Pope. “On the contrary, it amplifies them and causes deep wounds in the history of peoples—wounds that take generations to heal. No military victory can ever compensate for a mother’s pain, a child’s fear, or a stolen future.”

In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV expressed his hope for the din of arms to fall silent.
“Let diplomacy silence the weapons!” he said. “Let nations shape their future with works of peace, not through violence and bloody conflicts!”

Let us all take the time to pray for peace in the world and the restoration of human dignity in societies, which have forgotten the suffering of the innocent, in their race for land and power.

Kind Regards, 
Annette

Celebrating 50 years

Good Counsel College recently celebrated 50 years of Catholic education in Innisfail with a Jubilee weekend attended by past and present members of the College community. Visitors travelled from across the country to join in this milestone event, reflecting the strong and lasting connections forged through the College over five decades.

To mark this special milestone, a commemorative artwork was installed on the glass panels of the administration building, reflecting the College’s foundations and honouring the people and values that have shaped its 50-year journey.

Guests explored a display of memorabilia and photographs capturing the College’s history since its foundation in 1975. The atmosphere was one of shared stories and reconnections as visitors reflected on the journey of Good Counsel College.

More than 100 guests took part in a College Tour, followed by a Jubilee Mass at Mother of Good Counsel Church. The weekend concluded with a Jubilee Luncheon at the Innisfail Shire Hall, bringing the community together in celebration.

Special thanks are extended to Mr Peter Dryden and Mrs Santina Keenan, former teachers, and Mr Paul Keenan, former Principal, whose significant contributions were pivotal in organising the Jubilee activities.

The Jubilee weekend was a fitting recognition of the many individuals and partnerships that have shaped Good Counsel College over the past 50 years—and laid a strong foundation for the future.

Feast Day

Celebrating Faith, Community, and Marist Spirit

Earlier this month, Good Counsel College marked the Feast Day of Saint Marcellin Champagnat with a day full of faith, connection, and celebration.

The day began with a Whole College Mass at Mother of Good Counsel Church. A special highlight was the Moment of Renewal, where members of the Marist Association prayed their annual Prayer of Commitment—affirming their dedication to the Marist mission.

Following Mass, the College hosted its first-ever Whole College Jubilee Lunch. Staff and guests, including visitors from Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns, served a roast meal to students—an expression of Marist values in action: Presence, Family Spirit, Simplicity, Love of Work, and In the Way of Mary.

A key moment of the day was the unveiling and blessing of the Marist Table, hand-crafted by Furnishings Teacher Mr Peter Korger. Inspired by Saint Marcellin’s original table in La Valla, the timber piece stands as a lasting symbol of Marist hospitality—where all are welcome and everyone has a place. It will be permanently placed outside the La Valla Centre to invite connection, conversation, and shared purpose.

Richard Quinn from Marist Schools Australia addressed the community and gifted two meaningful texts: Gathered Around the Same Table and Sub Tuum Praesidium, strengthening our Marist identity.

The day concluded with student-led activities and time to explore the College’s newly installed history display installed on the administration office glass panelling, in commemoration of 50 years of Good Counsel College.

First Nations

QATSIF Updates

QATSIF Round 15 Graduation Ceremony
The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF), in partnership with the Indigenous Education and Research Centre at James Cook University, invites our graduating QATSIF students and their families to attend the QATSIF Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday 6th August 2025 at 10:30am.

Please RSVP with the number of attendees and any dietary requirements to statipata2@cns.catholic.edu.au  by Wednesday 23rd July 2025.

The ceremony will recognise the commitment, effort, and achievements of students over their senior years of schooling. While students and families are expected to arrange their own transport, any student requiring assistance should speak with the GCC First Nations Liaison Officer.

QATSIF Round 17 Applications
Round 17 QATSIF Scholarship Applications have now been sent to eligible Year 10 students.
Please ensure applications are fully completed and returned to the GCC First Nations Liaison Officer in Term 3.

Girringun SLIC Exchange
The Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, in partnership with the University of Sydney, formally invited selected Good Counsel College students—young Girringun Traditional Owners—to participate in the Service Learning in Indigenous Communities (SLIC) project presentation and exchange held in Sydney from 18–21 May 2025.

Congratulations to London Nicholls-Mooka (Year 7) and Tama Wilson (Year 11) who proudly represented Girringun and Good Counsel College. The SLIC Exchange provided a valuable opportunity for our young First Nations leaders to build confidence, strengthen self-esteem, explore future pathways, and develop meaningful networks.

Reconciliation Week 2025
Good Counsel College commemorated National Sorry Day with a special morning Liturgy and creatively colouring Stolen Generation Commemorative Flowers to honour the mothers and children of the Stolen Generations through reflective prayers and poems.

This year’s Reconciliation Week and Mabo Day were marked during a whole-school Liturgy on Wednesday 4th June, followed by a variety of cultural activities in Period 4. Activities included face painting, colouring, Yulunga games, Goondoi Rangers land management demonstration and a screening of In My Blood It Runs. Thank you to our Leadership team, all staff and community members involved.

Cassowary Coast Indigenous Art Show 2025

Amazing work by Ceira O’Brien (Year 11) was showcased at the Cassowary Coast Indigenous Art Show 2025. Her three-piece series, Roots and Reverence, reflects a personal connection to her Indigenous heritage and featured the works Yadar – Stingray, Ngagi – Grandfather, and Yagi – Torn.

Sketch to Shirt Workshop

As part of National Reconciliation Week 2025 celebrations, 4 of our Year 7 First Nations students were selected to participate in the Sketch to Shirt workshop. This exciting initiative facilitated by the Innisfail Library and Mamu Sports and Recreation provided a great opportunity for youth from around the community to connect and celebrate the spirit of reconciliation whilst designing their own unique T-Shirt.

Year 7 NAIDOC Day Excursion
On Friday 13th June, all Year 7 students attended an excursion to Radiant Life College to participate in NAIDOC Day cultural activities facilitated by the Goondoi Rangers. The day began with a Welcome to Country performance, followed by rotations through a variety of engaging activities including Indigenous arts and crafts, storytelling, the Dreaming Trail, spear throwing, damper making, and traditional song and dance.

To wrap up the day, students enjoyed ice blocks while hoping to catch a glimpse of the Goondoi (male cassowary) wandering nearby. The event concluded with fun competitions and prizes before students boarded the bus to return to school.

Our students conducted themselves with excellent manners and respect, positively engaged in activities and proudly representing Good Counsel College. The day provided a meaningful opportunity to build community connections and deepen students' understanding of local First Nations culture and knowledge.

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Marist Netball

In Week 6 of Term 2, the Good Counsel College Netball team travelled to Adelaide to compete in the Marist Schools Australia Championships. The team included: Hannah Dryden, Shekinah Goddard, Erin Luxford, Ella Picini, Jemimah Conroy, Elle Gracie, Charlotte Goodes, Clair McBride, Charlotte Bull, and Sophia Lindsay. These players showed strong commitment, beginning training back in Term 4 of the previous year.

The trip began early on Sunday morning, with the team leaving home at 4:00am for a 7:30am flight. Despite the early start, spirits were high as the group began their Adelaide adventure. Upon landing in Adelaide, the first stop was a quick shopping trip whilst waiting for our check-in to open at the Big 4. Later that day, the team headed to Sacred Heart College for team photos, Mass, dinner, and a fun scavenger hunt.

Day two marked the start of the championships. The team played eight intense games, three of which were livestreamed to friends and family at home. Notably, the team won one of these games and another three were very close, by the end of the first half. Despite the tough competition, spirits remained high. Elle Gracie was awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her impressive defensive performance. That evening, the team still had enough energy to play three games of laser tag, followed by a sweet treat at Yo-Chi.

On day three, the team faced another eight games, claiming another win. The players showed great resilience, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm throughout the day. Most of the opposing teams were made up of Year 12 students, in contrast to our team whose eldest players were our two Grade 11 students. However, this experience allowed our younger players to enhance their skills whilst participating at a higher level of competition. At the end of the day, Ella Picini was named MVP for her outstanding shooting performance. That evening, the team went to check out the Ferris Wheel at Glenelg Jetty that Miss Luxford had been hyping up all week. Upon arriving at the jetty, we found that the Jetty was unexpectedly closed due to wild weather and there was an empty patch of grass where the Ferris Wheel once was.  Not to be discouraged, the team explored a nearby park, then headed out for dinner and ice cream.

Day four began with an early morning walk along the beach and a pitstop at the local bakery before heading to the courts one last time for the finals. We played one game and unfortunately, narrowly missed the win. We stayed to watch Lavalla Catholic College win the championship against last year’s reining champs Sacred Heart College.

The final day in Adelaide was filled with fun. We headed to Adelaide Zoo, with many students seeing animals such as pandas, giraffes and tigers for the first time. The team then went to Rundle Mall for some retail therapy. Finally, we headed back to the Big 4 to watch the State of Origin and get some much-needed sleep before our 6:00am flight the following morning.

The girls enjoyed meeting and playing against a wide array of students from across the country. They had a great time both on and off the court, and returned with improved skills, stronger friendships, and wonderful memories.

A heartfelt thank you to Miss Olivia Luxford and Ms Jacinta Goodes for their incredible support, both in travelling with the team to Adelaide and for the many hours spent coaching and mentoring the girls during training sessions. Thanks also to our wonderful parents for their ongoing encouragement and support—it was truly a team effort!

By Hannah Dryden

Confraternity Jersey Presentation

On Monday evening, our Good Counsel College Confraternity squad, together with their families, gathered for the inaugural 2025 Jersey Presentation, held in the school’s Auditorium. Guests enjoyed pizza and soft drinks as our players were formally recognised—marking a historic moment as the first Good Counsel College team to return to the Confraternity competition since 2000.

The evening was a tremendous success, highlighted by the presence of several special guests. Principal Mr Paul Melloy was joined by Mr Peter Greven, head coach of the 1997, 1999, and 2000 Confraternity squads, along with a number of former players who shared inspiring messages with the team. Among them were 1997 player Ryan Stepanoff, 1999 vice-captain Mick Horsford, 2000 vice-captain Matthew Abbott, 2000 captain Shaun Torrisi, and 2000 player Ben Abbott.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Mr Greven for curating an incredible memorabilia display, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance. We also extend special gratitude to Shaun Torrisi, who generously donated his 1999 and 2000 jerseys back to the College—these treasured items will be proudly displayed for future generations of Good Counsel College students to admire.

Sincere thanks go to Good Counsel College staff members Mrs Alex Vecchio, Mr Jacob Vecchio, Mr Liam Crossland, and Mr Brayden Huey for their dedication and effort in making the evening a success. We also acknowledge Mr Stuart Russell for his ongoing commitment in the lead-up to the competition.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce a Sponsor's Night to be held in Term 3 as a gesture of appreciation to those who have supported the 2025 Sports Program.

Our team departs tomorrow, and we wish them all the very best for the upcoming carnival. All matches will be live streamed—stay tuned for updates and links to follow their journey.

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Yr 8 Drama

Exploring the Elements of Drama!
During Term 1, our Year 8 Drama students immersed themselves in the foundational elements of drama—exploring role, relationship, time, place, tension, focus, and mood.

Through a variety of dynamic and hands-on activities, they honed their performance skills and gained a deeper understanding of how these elements combine to bring characters and stories to life on stage.

The unit concluded with a series of monologue performances, where students confidently showcased their growth in characterisation, vocal expression, and physical movement.

Drama Students Dive into Melodrama!
In Term 2, the Year 8 Drama students dove into the vibrant and theatrical world of melodrama—a genre celebrated for its exaggerated characters, clear-cut heroes and villains, and emotionally charged storytelling.
Students explored how to use expressive body language, dramatic facial expressions, and vocal techniques to bring these larger-than-life tales to the stage. Their performances were bursting with enthusiasm, imagination, and all the classic hallmarks of melodramatic theatre.

The Joy of Creativity

The art room has been buzzing with energy throughout this Semester as students immersed themselves in their creative projects. From vibrant paintings to sculptural narratives, our art room is a hub of imagination, exploration and expression. Students explored new techniques, experimented with various materials, and supported one another's artistic journeys under the guidance of their teachers.

Here are just a few photos taken during lessons, that captures not only the incredible talent on display but also the joy, collaboration, and sense of community that define our art program. The vibrant atmosphere in the art room is a true reflection of the creative spirit that flourishes across our school.

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Good Counsel College Shines at Innisfail Young Performers Competition

A few weeks ago, the talented students of Good Counsel College proudly took part in the annual Innisfail Young Performers Competition — and what a fantastic experience it was! With an incredible 70 entries from our school, it was truly inspiring to see the hard work, dedication, and talent of our students on full display.

From captivating drama performances to powerful musical pieces, our students excelled across every category. Our Drama students impressed audiences and adjudicators alike with their group plays, duologues, poetry recitations, and creative characterisations. Their countless hours of rehearsal and commitment to their craft truly paid off, with many of our performers receiving glowing feedback, high scores, trophies and medals.

The College Choir gave a stirring performance of three beautiful songs and were awarded an outstanding 2nd place, earning 90 out of 100 points — a remarkable achievement and a testament to their harmony, discipline, and teamwork.

Not to be outdone, our instrumental music students, including our solo singers also shone brightly, with entrants receiving a place in their respective categories, gaining positive feedback and awards.

This year, we were also honoured to host the Young Performers Speech and Drama Day at Good Counsel College. It was a huge day — running from 8:30am to 10:00pm— filled with performances, applause, and an electric atmosphere of creativity and enthusiasm. A big thank you goes out to the staff, volunteers, and families who helped make this day such a success.

We would also like to extend a huge thank you to Mrs Pedley and Mrs Alder for their incredible support, encouragement, and dedication in helping our students prepare and practise for their performances. Their passion for the arts and commitment to our students made a world of difference, and we are so grateful for all they do.

We are incredibly proud of every student who participated. Their dedication, courage, and passion for the performing arts is an inspiration to our whole school community. Congratulations to all our young performers — you represented Good Counsel College with excellence and pride!

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Chess Challenge - Check Mate!

On Thursday of Week 7, over 500 keen competitors from 21 Far North Queensland schools gathered at Trinity Anglican School for the Term 2 Gardiner Chess Challenge.

After seven exciting rounds of competition, one of our talented Year 9 students, Alvin Soharta, triumphed undefeated in the Grade B division—an incredible accomplishment that reflects dedication and skill.

We extend our sincere thanks to the office staff and to Librarian Julie Elliot, whose coordination and weekly training sessions were instrumental in preparing our students for success.

A big congratulations to all our participants who represented Good Counsel College with pride and distinction. Your commitment and sportsmanship were truly commendable.

For those considering joining in Term 3, we encourage you to give it a go! While it may seem like a break from the classroom, the day starts early—students arrive by 7:15am—and the mental challenge is real.

The competition venue, much like our own CHC, is lined up with rows of tables and fills quickly with eager players. The atmosphere buzzes with energy until the buzzer sounds, and then it’s 20 minutes of pure focus, silence, and strategic thinking.

VET & Careers

Write for The World Competitions
Write the World's free monthly competitions for teen writers (ages 13-19) offer opportunities to explore a variety of exciting genres, from poetry, fantasy, and fiction to environmental writing and journalism.

How to Enter:

• Visit this website.
• Choose your category.
• Submit your original work online.
• Follow word count and formatting guidelines.

Prizes:

• Cash prizes for winners.
• Publication opportunities.

July 2025:
Science Fiction & Fantasy Competition

• Opens: July 7
• Closes: July 28
• Craft imaginative stories set in speculative worlds.

10 Poems by Teens for Teens - YouTube
Listen to young writers from around the world share their own poems!

Entrepreneur Virtual Work Experience
Discover the path to the entrepreneurial success in this exciting new Virtual Work Experience, featuring the innovative Aussie food entrepreneur Ali Chebbani.

Entrepreneurs are the adventurous spirits of the business world, with some of the most successful ones who become household names thanks to their amazing inventions, viral media moments, and influence.

But, what does it take to be a great entrepreneur? We’ve teamed up with Chartered Accountants ANZ to bring you a brand new Virtual Work Experience, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to run a successful business brand.

In this experience, we’ve been given exclusive access to a day in the life of Ali Chebbani, the 24-year-old entrepreneur behind Chebbo’s Burgers. With an accounting background, Ali combined his business know-how, eye for content, and hard work to turn a small stall in his family’s garage into a thriving food truck and brick-and-mortar location in Sydney’s trendy Marrickville.

This Virtual Work Experience includes:

• An explanation of the key qualities you need to become a great entrepreneur.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes content about Ali Chebbani’s creative and entrepreneurial approach.
• Fun interactive activities that help you develop your strategic skills, including decision-making, business budgeting, risk management, long-term business sustainability and growth.
• Study pathways, opportunities and programs to kickstart your entrepreneurial career.
• Some study areas and subjects you could take on to help to start your journey in Accounting, the foundation of the business world.

Access this free Virtual Work Experience in Career Tools today!
Challenges Open NOW!

Young ICT Explorers
Registrations: Now open for 2025
The Young ICT Explorers competition encourage students in Years 3-12 to create innovative technology projects that address real world problems. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to develop practical tech solutions!

Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC)
Registrations: Now open for 2025
Challenges students from Years 3 to 12 to solve unique and engaging mathematical problems that develop critical thinking skills. Open to all ability levels, the AMC is one of Australia's largest and most prestigious maths competitions.

Robert Menzies Institute Speech Competition
Registrations: Now open for 2025
Students in Years 7–12 are invited to submit a speech based on the 2025 theme for the Robert Menzies Institute Speech Competition. It’s a powerful platform for developing public speaking and leadership skills.

Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge
Registrations: Now open for 2025
The Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge is designed for Years 10–12 students studying Commercial Cookery, Hospitality, or Home Economics. Students can compete in regional cooking competitions throughout the year.

Build your Construction Career
Want to get started in construction, but not sure where to begin? We’ll show you how to build your construction career starting now! Explore your options and visit Construction Pathways for information about occupations and pathways, and the resources to help you make your start.

Map Your Pathway
Consider the type of education and training your preferred occupation requires. You could choose:

• A VET school subject or pre-trade program to learn practical skills and get job ready.
• An Apprenticeship, Traineeship, or School-based option so you can earn while you learn. You’ll combine paid work with a nationally recognised qualification.
• A Vocational Education and Training (VET) course for hands-on learning to develop your skills.
• A Higher Education (university) degree if your preferred occupation requires it.

Get Your White Card
Compulsory to ensure you’re safe onsite, this one can’t be skipped.

Do Work Experience
Explore a range of jobs and find out if the construction industry is for you. Develop your skills and the confidence to step onsite now, with the Year13 & CSQ Construction Pathways Virtual Work Experience! You can explore a day in the life of a Pipe layer, Carpenter or Design Manager, with interactive tasks to help you discover what a career in construction could look like.

Parent / Teacher / Student Conversations

Parent/Teacher/Student conversations will be held on Tuesday afternoon, 22nd July (Week 2) from 3.30pm to 7.30pm in the CHC.

This is an opportunity for some very valuable conversations to take place and parents are encouraged to book a time to see teachers regarding student progress.  Students are strongly urged to attend, to ensure that everyone is aware of the relevant learning goals and what is needed to achieve these.

How to book an appointment
The online booking system BOOKED (Rebranded, previously known as PTO - Parent Teacher On-Line) allows parents to book interview times of their choice from any internet enabled device.

BOOKED will open at 9AM on Tuesday, 15th July and close at 3.30pm Monday, 21st July.

BOOKED can be accessed in the following ways:

1. MyCE mobile phone App
My account > Parent Portal > BOOKED (under Links)  

2. BOOKED App
BOOKED has its own free app for Apple and Android devices which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Please use Good Counsel College access code:  rpnwt

3.  College Website (gcc.qld.edu.au)
Links > Parent Links > BOOKED

4.  BOOKED Direct Link
Click on the link below.

How to Login
Click “Obtain PIN/Password” and enter your email address.
Your PIN will be emailed to you.
Enter your surname (not your student's) and the PIN provided.

Choosing a time

• When you log on, the system displays only your own student/s.
• Bookings are made for individual parents/guardians. If two parents/guardians wish to attend a single interview time slot together, only one parent/guardian should make the booking.
• Only available time slots will be displayed.  As time slots are booked, those time slots are no longer displayed as available. BOOKED prevents double-booking.

1.  Select times for each of your child's teachers that you wish to meet with.
2.  When you have made all the bookings you require, you can download or email a report of your bookings in time order for printing.
   
   NOTE:  Other parents may be making bookings at the same time that you are using the system. It is possible, though unlikely, that a time slot is displayed to you as available, but is then booked by another parent shortly afterwards. If you then attempt to book this time slot it will not be available and a message will be displayed to indicate this.

Making Changes
You can log in and change bookings any time up to 3.30pm on Monday, 21st July.  Please contact the office on 4063 5300 for any changes after this time.

Further Help
If you encounter any problems using BOOKED please contact the office  on 40635300.

Bus Fare Assistance Program

College Calendar

All college events, special days, meetings and class activities are recorded on the College Calendar and can be accessed via the Student, Parent and Staff portals.

Accessing the Calendars

The Parent Portal can be accessed via the college website and through the MyCE app. 

To download the MyCE app, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play (android phones)

The following guide provides information on how to log in to the Parent Portal.

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