Sports Teams

NOOLUP – Yellow and Orange

Written records tell us that the aboriginal elder Noolup was a great leader to his people. Noolup travelled across Ngunnawal country and beyond, establishing strong kinship ties across the region, earning deep respect. Good Shepherd has been built on the land that was held sacred by Noolup and his people. It is with great pride that we named our first house Noolup in his honour and use the colours of yellow and orange to indicate the earth, and ochre, signifying the sand and bark - the earthy, natural colours of the environment in which he lived. Noolup’s story teaches us the qualities we strive to develop in our own lives - a strong connection and relationship with the land and the people, and a sense that all things should be held sacred.

CAVANAGH – Green and White

Our school is built on land farmed by the Cavanagh family who came from Ireland about 150 years ago to start a new life in Australia. The family grazed sheep and cattle, grew crops, cared and nurtured the earth, and tended God’s creatures. Local settlers respected the Cavanagh family as honest, hardworking, and generous. We named our second school House Cavanagh, in honour of this family. Green and white were the house colours to represent the pastures and the sheep’s fleece. The Cavanagh’s story teaches us the qualities we strive to develop in our own lives - to become people who are patient, brave and willing to endure hardship.

PATTERSON – Red and Black

As the city of Canberra changed and grew, farms gave way to the expanding city, and suburbs crept further from the city. People like Father Bernie Patterson, our Foundation Parish Priest, moved to this area to welcome others, nurture their spirits, nourish their families and to share God’s love with all. In the early days of Gungahlin’s development, a small number of people assembled in the lounge room of a home in Palmerston to celebrate the first Sunday Mass, which Father Bernie presided over. Holy Spirit Primary School, Good Shepherd Primary School, Mother Teresa School and ELC, and St. John Paul II College are part of the Holy Spirit Parish and were begun with Father Bernie’s vision. With great pride, we named our third House Patterson, in Father Bernie’s honour, using the colour red to symbolise the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Father Bernie’s story teaches us qualities we strive to develop in our own lives - to trust in our God, who never stops loving us, and to open our lives to God’s immeasurable love.

BRESCIA – Blue and Purple

In Italy, over 500 years ago, a girl named Angela Merici was born. As she grew, she was called by God to change the lives of people she met through teaching about Jesus’ love. In a little town called Brescia, she gathered a community of women who were later called the Ursuline Sisters. These great women worked among the local people and shared in the lives of their families. Angela taught about Jesus, and about God’s great love for everyone. Throughout our Good Shepherd journey, Sister Genny Ryan and Sister Anne Cougle (who were foundation members of the parish team), together with the sisters of Angela Merici, have travelled with us and blessed us with countless gifts. Their contribution to our school is beyond measure. We named our fourth house Brescia, the first place of St Angela’s work. The vibrant colours of blue and purple are the colours for joy, hope and possibility. St Angela’s story teaches us that God touches our lives in so many ways. We are challenged in turn to bless the lives of those who travel with us each day, especially those who are most in need of our compassion.