November 2022

Farewell Graduating Class 2022

Balistaz Awards

The annual "Balistaz" Awards evening was held last week, with a record number of students and parents in attendance. A highlight of the evening was the awarding of the very first Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year awards. Known as the Cathy Freeman and Artie Beetson Awards respectively, these awards were presented to Kiesha Devow and Lance Ivey.

Emerging Leader incentive awards were also distributed on the evening, as well as a number of other major awards. Kaylee Hillyard took out the Deadly Community Service Award as well as the Senior Balistaz Award, while Paige Benfell took home the GRIT Resilience Award and Shayla Williams received the Junior Balistaz Award.

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Gadalung (Summer) Program

There has been some fantastic news for two of our Indigenous students, Ashleigh Smallwood and Ruby Drury-Smith! Both students have been successful in their applications to attend the Gadalung (Summer) Program, held at the University of Sydney from Monday 5 to Friday 9 December 2022.

This is a residential program and includes a 4-night stay in University accommodation, so students can experience what it's like to live on campus. Both Ruby and Ashleigh are very excited to be accepted into the program. We wish them all the best as they embark on their University experience.

What's Happening

Important Dates

Essential Emails

From the Principal - Kevin Barnes

Dear Families,

2022 .. the year that was

On reflection, 2022 has been a challenging, interesting, yet very successful year at Gilroy Santa Maria College - if I may remind you of some of the highlights and the less noteworthy events we encountered together.

The start of the school year was disrupted due to the ongoing drama of COVID 19 as we were forced to “learn from home’ for the first two weeks.  Those few weeks were an experience most students and teachers would rather we never experience again.  Who will ever forget the endless distractions to the delivery of lessons, keeping students motivated, poor internet connection, login problems and not being able to ask someone for help. 

Our teachers and students were in a very fortunate position because we had introduced Google Classrooms as the digital learning platform that allows teachers to set assignment tasks, share information, provide comments on drafts and grade responses when students submit assignments, seek feedback and complete classwork tasks.

To everyone’s credit, we soldiered on, we persisted, and we were all reunited at school by week 3. Student feedback told us that they missed the interaction with their friends and peers and wanted face-to-face collaboration with their teachers.

The interhouse swimming carnival had to be postponed several times, initially due to COVID restrictions, then excessive heatwave conditions and the threat of unseasonal torrential rain.  However, we were determined that the carnival had to progress, and we eventually were able to compete in the pool on the last day of term.  Looking back, it was a great way to finish the school term which had thrown so many challenges at us.

Fortunately, term 2 and 3 returned to normal, with learning and teaching the focus once again.  However, persistent wet weather disruptions hampered preparations for the cross-country carnival, but a can-do attitude from students and staff ensured the event was held, although an alternate route had to be used.  Thankfully, the athletics carnival was blessed with perfect weather which allowed students to showcase their skills, which resulted in several students setting new records.

Weather again presented a challenge for our students as they set off on their year level camps or retreats as minimum temperatures required everyone to rug up and face the elements.  Again, our College spirit shone through to make a wonderful week of memories and stories to tell.

Term 4 is always a busy time when our College celebrates the success we have all worked so hard to achieve.  The Sports Awards ceremony was a time to appreciate the talented sportsmen and women we have amongst our students and recognise the importance of building resilience, team spirit and pride into our students.

Recognising academic success is the highlight of every school year and a time to appreciate the dedication and devotion students commit to their studies to achieve the recognition they deserve. I commend each student who received an academic award and encourage them to build on that success and strive for even higher achievement next year. 

Industry and Effort awards are a well-earned reward for students who strive to do their best and perform to their potential in all aspects of their studies.  Every student is capable of being nominated for these awards regardless of their academic performance.  Every student should be motivated to achieve an Industry and Effort award in all subjects.     

Each year, the highlight of the end of year celebrations is the Year 12 graduation ceremony where our students begin the transition from a school student to the next phase of their lives.  We wish them well in their future endeavors and look forward to following their journey into adulthood.   

I extend a very sincere thank you to all parents/caregivers, staff and volunteers who have contributed to providing our students with opportunities and making this a very successful year for our College.  Without each person’s contributions, our achievements are not possible. 

I look forward to launching into 2023 without the constant challenges we faced this year, but I know we are well paced to jump the hurdles that are placed in front of us.

Merry Christmas to our families and a very prosperous New Year to all.

God bless
Kevin Barnes

Prayer

A PRAYER FOR GRADUATES

Loving God, we thank you for all who graduated from Gilroy Santa Maria College in 2022. You have blessed them during their years in school with wisdom, friendships, and skills. You continue to challenge them to make this world a better place because of their education.

Help them to look forward to their next steps: continuing in their education or entering the work world. Give them faith and a sense of purpose in their next steps.

Show them how to serve others in effective ways.

And may they always be aware in everything they do that they will find fulfilment in doing your will, that you will be with them always.

Amen.

From Melissa Carr -Deputy Principal

Hello Gilroy Santa Maria Community,

As I write my final article for our 2022 College newsletter, I reflect back on the great year that we have had. Being a teacher is such a rewarding experience as I get to see our young students grow into capable and contributing members of our College and society. Only 10 months ago, our Year 7 students had their first day with us at their new College. I stood out at M Block earlier this week and saw just how much they have grown; how their friendships have changed and/or developed, their  willingness to engage in a conversation and enjoy their time at Gilroy as well as take the bells, transitions and changes to daily routine in their stride.

Late last week, I also was fortunate enough to celebrate our Graduation Mass on Thursday night and then Graduation evening on Friday night with our Year 12 students. Everyone of our Year 12 students arrived in ‘style’ and looked absolutely stunning. As a College, we are very proud of all of our students, especially our graduating students who completed their journey with us and embarked on their new chosen adventures. As I said to them all last week, it is both a very exciting time of their lives but also a little bit scary! I am glad to say they have all taken the necessary steps forward to ensure their life, post school, gives them a bright and enjoyable future and I wish them all the very best for whatever pathway they have chosen. 

Our Year 8 students have now completed their elective subject process for 2023. Families will receive a letter home today confirming their child’s elective subject selections. This form is also attached below. It does require a parent/carer’s signature to confirm their child’s subject choice and is to be returned by Friday 24 November. I am pleased to report that 97% of our Year 8 students are able to undertake their first two preferred elective subjects with all students able to undertake their preferred subject using their reserve selection. By the end of this year, we will have completed renovations to our Trade Training Centre Classroom which we commenced in Term 3 of this year. This will allow us to run Design Technology (Graphics) classes of up to 26 compared to 16 in past years. A lot of this work has been completed by our Academic Leader for Technologies, John Barbagallo, and Mr Doug Adams, who is completing a lot of the cabinetry. As always, our Head of Maintenance, Peter Staples has contributed a lot to this project over the past semester. Our Food Technology and Engineering & Construction Technology classes continue to be very popular, having created two classes again for next year. I am sure our Year 8 students are very much looking forward to undertaking their chosen subjects throughout years 9 and 10.

Link to Year 8 Confirmed Subject Selection Form Template for Parents/Carers

As mentioned in previous newsletters, NAPLAN will be undertaken earlier next year. 

This link provides some useful information to our Year 7 & 9 parents about NAPLAN, including why this has been moved forward next year.

Link to QCAA NAPLAN 2023 information - https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/p-10/naplan/naplan-2023 

The primary reason for moving NAPLAN forward is to allow results to be available earlier in the year and therefore allow schools and teachers to better unpack and utilise this information to better inform their planning and teaching of each student in their classrooms. The dates for NAPLAN in 2023 will be Wednesday 15 March - Monday 27 March. Our students will undergo their testing over a week during this testing period.  Year 8 students have already begun some familiarisation with NAPLAN processes and we will continue this into the new year. We want to ensure that all students’ results are not affected by the electronic platform they are using to complete their test and that they are familiar with the overall process of NAPLAN. We understand that this is one form of data used to inform your child’s learning and teaching and want to ensure that this is indicative of their abilities.

This year we will say goodbye to some of our teachers due to moving away and retiring. As always, we will miss our valued teachers and wish them all the best in their next adventure. I would like to personally acknowledge Joan Devietti’s commitment to our College. Joan has supported me whilst I have been working at the College and when I was on maternity leave she stepped into the Deputy Principal role. Joan is a very passionate teacher and, more so, someone that our staff and I admire and respect. Whilst we are sad to see her leave, we know it is time for Joan to enjoy the next chapter of her life and I’m sure she will be back from time to time for the odd day of supply. THANK YOU JOAN!

As this year draws to a close, I want to thank all of our College families for their support and commitment to our College over this year. It has been a year of great student achievement; whether it be academic, sporting or cultural. 2022 has come with its challenges, but I am glad to say that we have finished the year strong and are looking forward to what 2023 brings. 

Next Tuesday we will enjoy seeing all our new Year 7 faces for Orientation day. This will be their first experience spending the day at our College as previous transition days have only been half days.

Important dates for 2023 will be available shortly and published on our Facebook page. Very importantly, DAY 1 for students will be Monday 23 January. Students will be available to view their timetables from Friday 20 January 2023 on compass. Printed timetables will be given to students on Monday morning. For our new Year 7 students, a letter informing families about what to bring on day 1 will be given to students at their Orientation day next week, along with key dates for Term 1 2023.

I hope that our Gilroy Santa Maria College families and wider community have a Holy and safe Christmas holiday! I hope everyone finds time to spend with their families and enjoy the pleasures of life without the day to day 'hustle and bustle’! I know I will enjoy not having to make kids’ lunches each morning and spending some time with my family.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Kind regards,
Melissa 

From APRE - Christine Timms

Well, it is that time again. Another year has gone by too quickly and we are preparing for Christmas celebrations and time with family and loved ones.

Last week I had the privilege, as both parent and staff member, to farewell our Year 12 cohort. The week started with a two-day retreat at Gumburu, Paluma. It was a very special way reflect and reminisce about their time at GSM, to catch up and have a bit of fun before the big festivities started. On Thursday night we celebrated Graduation Mass and gave thanks for all the blessing God has bestowed upon our group of students and their families over 2022. Of course, Friday night was spectacular with the hall decorations, food, speeches, dresses and suits, and the amount of work put into giving our children their big and final farewell.

All these events could not be possible without the tireless work of many people. I would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who contributed in any way, big or small, to the success of last week. A special mention should go to Miss Demae McMahon, the Year 12 Pastoral Coordinator, for the coordinating the events of the week and to Father Damian who ran the retreat on Monday and celebrated Mass on Thursday night.

The St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal was another success this year and I would like to thank our many families and students who contributed items that will be great appreciated by those less fortunate this Christmas.

Christmas is an important part of the Catholic Church calendar and Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus birth. We are called to prayer and contemplation, asking God to strengthen our hearts for what is to come. It is also a time of joy, looking to hopeful beginnings, setting out and looking forward to new life.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday shared with family and friends. If you are travelling, I pray that you return home safely and look forward to seeing you all again in 2023.

God bless
Christine Timms

From the Business Manager –Ros Giuliano

PAYMENT PLANS

If you are currently on a payment plan. Please check that your current repayments will be enough to cover the increase in fees and adjust them accordingly. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.

MULTI-SCHOOL FAMILY FEE DISCOUNTS

As of 2015, a new fee structure gives families discounted fees for the second, third and subsequent
children across both secondary and primary systemic Catholic schools in the Townsville Diocese.
To take advantage of this extended fee discount, parents/carers should contact the principal of the
primary school, informing them of older siblings attending a systemic Catholic secondary school.
Diocesan Tuition fee discounts will be applied accordingly.

PENSIONER AND HEALTH CARE CARD HOLDERS FEE DISCOUNTS

In addition to these family fee discounts, parents/carers with a means tested Australian Government Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card may be eligible to receive a 70% discount to tuition fees. Cards must be in the name of the parent/carer not in the child/student. Families without these cards who are experiencing financial difficulty should speak with their school principal to apply for special consideration.

No child will be denied enrolment due to financial difficulty. Parent/carers should discuss this
matter with the school principal who will treat the situation with understanding, sensitivity and
confidentiality.

If the statement does not look, quite right and you do not agree with balance or if you have any
issues or questions regarding the statements please do not hesitate to see me.

Just a reminder that our preferred way of payment is now BPAY and those details are on the
statement. As always, you can pay by credit card, cheque or cash or we can set up a direct debit
through Pay way.

As always, if for any reason you are finding it difficult to pay school fees. Please contact the Principal or myself to discuss the matter.

The school office will closed on Friday 9 December and we will reopen on Monday 9 January 2023.
Keep an eye out on Facebook and emails for times and dates for when the library is open to collect
your textbooks.

2023 School Fees

The discounts are as follows:
One Child - $18.40
Two Children - $31.30
Three Children - $40.50

Ros Giuliano
rgiuliano@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au

Vinnies Term 4 Cookup

Thanks to all those who participated in our Term 4 Cookup. The students made 42 family sized pizzas and many containers of Christmas Chocolate Balls which were delivered to the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre. Thank you to Galipo’s Midtown Meats and to the Saint Patrick’s Parish Women’s group for their support.

Year 11 Biology Camp

Biology students travelled to Orpheus Island Research Station in Week 5 to collect data for their Unit 3 student experiment. They sampled the intertidal zone (mangroves and mudflats) using quadrats and transects to collect data on the abundance and distribution of shrimp gobies and mudskippers.

They collected data under the water as well; mastering the use of tape measures and slates while snorkelling. Coral colour and growth form were recorded by students and this information was uploaded to the Coral Watch citizen science database to help inform scientists about the health of the reef. Carly spotted an octopus, a few lionfish were seen and Holly was certain she saw a reef shark. On our last day we celebrated Lily-Rose’s birthday with a cake made by Mrs Roati (thank you!) and at the birthday girl’s request we all got to snorkel over the giant clam garden. 

A big thank you to Galipo’s Midtown Meats for their generous support, Mr Spina for his coordination of the BBQ and pasta cooking, Dr Allison Paley from JCU and the staff at OIRS for their knowledge and helpfulness. Students and staff had a fun, educational experience making memories that will last a lifetime. 

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VET/Careers

Important reminders for our Graduating Students:

Accessing your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)

Students completing Year 12 in Queensland will be issued with an electronic senior education profile (SEP). Students can download, save and print the certificates and statements in their SEP via their learning account in the Student Portal on the Student portal: myQCE website

When can you access the Senior Education Profile? 16 December 2022 from 9am

The electronic documents are official. They feature a unique document ID at the bottom and a blue signature panel along the top. This certifies they are authentic. Students may request a print copy of their SEP from the QCAA for their convenience if they do not have access to a printer:

• Students can submit a request via their learning account by 31 January. Print copies are free of charge and are posted in March, once applications for verification have been finalised.

Link: QCAA Information Senior Education Profile Information page

Link: Student portal myQCEwebsite

ATAR Release

 ATARs for 2022 Year 12 students will be released between 8am – 9am on Friday 16 December 2022.

How to receive/ view your ATAR:

• Online: You can view your ATAR by logging in to your ATAR Portal account. https://www.qtac.edu.au/atar/
• Print: Log in to the ATAR Portal to view your ATAR and to download and print a copy of your ATAR certificate.
•  Receiving the ATAR by text message is not an option.
•  ATAR notices will not be posted by mail to all students.

Responding to your QTAC Offers

It is vital to be checking your personal emails.

You have 4 days to respond to an offer once it's been sent.

•   QTAC offer information page > https://www.qtac.edu.au/offers/
•   Key dates > https://www.qtac.edu.au/key-dates/
•    QTAC Portal page: https://www.qtac.edu.au/

 How do we notify you of an offer?

We notify you of your offer by email, and may also notify you by SMS.

You only get one offer each offer date. This is for your highest eligible preference (ie the highest preference for which you have met the admission criteria and selection rank requirement, if applicable).

Responding to offers:

Respond to your offer by the date and time specified on your offer letter so that it does not expire. To respond to your offer:

•     Log in to Application Services.
•     Under My Application, select View or Edit.
•     Under Offers, select View offer details.
•     Select the Respond to offer link.

 Early offers:

Ensure you carefully read your emails regarding your early offer and instructions of the university. If you are at all unsure of what an email means or how to respond, contact the university you are applying to.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES PAGE:

https://www.gilroysm.catholic.edu.au/students/career-opportunities/

Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships

Nathan Venturato will be travelling to Adelaide 9 - 11 December, to compete in the Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships and will be representing the first ever North Queensland Team to compete and will participate in the 800m. 

Nathan was selected in the team after competing in the North Queensland Championships held in Townsville in September.  Laura Poggio also qualified to be part of the team from the North Queensland Championships but due to Year 12 commitments, Laura was unable to attend. 

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data

NCCD and supporting students with disability

The NCCD is an annual collection of information about Australian school students with disability. The NCCD enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can be best supported at school.

What's Happening in the Parish

St Patrick’s, Ingham
Saturday Vigil: 6.00pm
Sunday: 8.30am and 7.00pm

St Peter’s, Halifax
Sunday: 7.00am

Canossa Chapel, Trebonne
Sunday: 10.00am

St Teresa’s, Abergowrie
Sunday: 10.00am

INGHAM REGION CATHOLIC PARISHES NEWSLETTER:

https://inghamcatholic.com/category/newsletter/

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

Around the District

Christmas In Hinchinbrook - Carols in the Park

Sunday December 11 

4:30pm - 8:30pm