SCHOOL INFORMATION
Welcome
Good Shepherd is a K – 6 school with a population of over 600 students. We have dedicated, and professional staff who work hard to produce high academic standards within a safe and caring learning environment.
We have an active, supportive school council as well as a strong partnership with Good Shepherd Parish.
We are proud to serve the following communities:
Dechene, Bridlewood, Donsdale, Rural West Terwillegar, Jamieson, Hawkestone, Wedgewood Heights, Cameron Heights, Woodbend Estates, Triple Acres, River Valley Country Estates, Riverview Acres II, Woodhaven, Edgemont, Rural West and Sharonden Ravines, Uplands and Stillwater.
Our Mission & Vision
Our students will thrive as valued members of a Christ-centered community, where they are supported to realize their full potential through acquired knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes.
The mission of Good Shepherd Catholic School is to provide a Catholic education that empowers students to grow in faith, achieve academic excellence, and become compassionate leaders who serve others.
School Charism
Inspired by our Good Shepherd, Jesus, to Love, Learn and Lead.
Our Namesake
At the time Jesus was teaching in Galilee, many people kept sheep. Shepherds cared for their sheep, leading them wherever they could find food and water. The sheep knew their shepherd so well, they would come when he called. If a young lamb lost its way, a shepherd would carry it home and care for it. Shepherds took great care in protecting their flocks.
Sometimes when he was trying to teach people about himself, Jesus told them stories about shepherds to help them understand. Jesus said he was a good shepherd. In the same way that sheep know the voice of their shepherd, people would come to know him too. If they followed his teachings, they would live their lives as God wanted them to. Jesus said they would become one flock, with one shepherd.
Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd. We trust in the Good Shepherd to find us when we are lost and to protect us when we are scared. We know the voice of the Good Shepherd and come when we are called. Christ’s teachings permeate all that we do in our community of Good Shepherd School. We are one flock with one shepherd.
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know mine and mine know me.”
- John 10:14
School Team Name
Good Shepherd Saints
We are an APPLE Ally School!
We are so very pleased to share with our community that Good Shepherd is an APPLE Ally
School. APPLE Schools is a health promotion project with the vision of healthy kids in healthy
schools. The organization works across British Columbia, northern Alberta, Manitoba, and
Northwest Territories to improve the lives of thousands of students annually, targeting their
healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health habits.
The APPLE Schools organization works with each APPLE ally school to transform its
community through an approach called comprehensive school health (CSH). CSH empowers
school communities to lead boldly, choose wisely, and embrace health at every turn.
What does an APPLE ally school look like? We empower students to make healthy choices and
work with them to create positive experiences. All healthy initiatives reflect our school's specific
needs. Initiatives can include:
• Monthly wellness campaigns
• Wellness challenges
• Movement breaks
• Non-food rewards
• Mental health education
• Healthy classroom celebrations
• Foods lessons
• Health-focused student leadership opportunities
• A focus on positive physical, social, emotional and mental well-being
• Teaching and learning through a positive health lens.
Key Features of the Site
- High academic standards
- Dedicated, professional staff
- Christ-centered learning environment
- Safe and caring learning environment for over 450 students
- Outstanding inclusive special needs programming
- A wide variety of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities
- Yearly residencies
- Active, supportive School Council
- Strong partnership with Good Shepherd Church
- Strong parental involvement
Facilities/Technology/Resources
Good Shepherd Catholic School recognizes the importance of preparing its students for an exciting and challenging future and our facility is representative of this. In terms of technology, the school’s vision is to aid its students in becoming skilled, knowledgeable, independent, and self-directed learners who are comfortable with, and proficient in, using technology in all its forms as information resources and tools for learning. Through the use of technology, with its varied aspects and applications, each student is afforded opportunities and challenges that will allow them to successfully engage in their learning, develop to their full potential and be prepared for the 21st century. Teachers and students currently use many types of technology quite consistently and effectively. Our goal is to fully integrate technology into teaching and learning in an inquiry-based environment through the use of a multitude of hardware and software. We actually have a large quantity of technology at our site. We have 1-1 access of Chromebooks or iPads, and SMART boards, projectors, FM systems and videoconferencing capabilities in every classroom.
We are also happy to report that we have an abundance of other resources for teaching and learning at our site. We have a well-equipped music room, an outstanding learning commons and library, which includes a countless number of print resources for students and teachers, and more than ample art supplies and Phys-ed equipment. We also have a terrific playground, park and an outdoor classroom area. We are truly fortunate here at our site.
Extra/Co-curricular Activities
Good Shepherd is a vibrant and active school, with something happening almost every day. Every year, we provide a wide variety of extra-curricular and co-curricular opportunities for our students.
One highlight is our school-wide reading incentive program, Good Shepherd Reading Superstars. Students track their reading minutes, and the more they read, the higher their chance is to join Administration for a special lunch at the start of each month. These lunches not only celebrate students’ efforts but also serve as a wonderful way to hear their feedback in an informal setting.
Our co-curricular program also includes an extensive array of field trips across all grade levels. Many units of study are launched with a field trip, giving students hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and deepen learning.
Students are encouraged to step into leadership and service roles within our community. Opportunities include serving on the Grade 6 Saints Leadership Team, patrolling, lunch monitoring, recycling, distributing milk, assisting in the office or library, and contributing to various committees that strengthen our school community.
Faith is at the heart of Good Shepherd. We celebrate religious milestones throughout the liturgical year, gather for Mass at Good Shepherd Parish several times annually, and come together for our much-loved Advent Concert.
Our Good Shepherd Houses initiative helps build character and community by centering on the 7 Sacred Grandfather Teachings: Humility, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect, and Love. These values guide us in nurturing the whole child throughout the year.
Finally, our students and families are engaged in many meaningful social justice projects and initiatives, offering countless opportunities to live out our call to service.
We are proud to offer:
•Rigorous academic programming
•Extensive field trip program in all grades
•Religious celebrations
•Masses at Good Shepherd Catholic Parish
•Musical concerts
•Yearly residencies
•School spirit days
•Annual Student Faith Development Day
•Choir/Vocal Team
•Recycling teams
•Good Shepherd Houses (based on the 7 Sacred Grandfather Teachings)
•Intramurals
•Inter-school Athletics
•Running Club
•Gr. 6 Volleyball Teams
•Tabletop hockey
•Social justice projects
•Lunchtime Milk Program
•Hot Lunch Program
•A focus on supporting positive mental, social, spiritual and physical health.
•Good Shepherd Reading Superstars Program