17 August 2023

Date Claimer - Gilroy On Show

We Are Now Accepting Enrolments For 2024

Student Absences

2023 Year 6 Transition Days

Important Dates

Essential Emails

From the Principal - Kevin Barnes

Dear Families,

Leadership Speeches

Our future student leaders will be presented to the school community at this week's whole school assembly.  Current Year 11 students who have self nominated to be considered for the role of school captain or vice captain will present a speech to outline why they would be an ideal candidate to lead our College.  In the following weeks, students and staff will vote and candidates will be interviewed to elect the most suitable candidates.  This process is always a time of high emotion as students put themselves in front of the entire school and declare their intentions to be a student leader.  I wish all candidates well and express my gratitude that they want to be leaders of our student body.     

Vaping

Gilroy Santa Maria College, like all other schools, has seen a recent spike in young people vaping.  I have addressed this highly addictive habit several times in the newsletter to encourage all parents and carers to work with us and be proactive to help our young people understand the harmful effects of vaping. 

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, often called ‘vapes’, are electronic devices designed to deliver vapourised liquids into the lungs. There are many different styles of vapes and types of e-liquids, or e-juices, available. Vapes come in many shapes and sizes and can be made to look like everyday items including highlighters, pens or USB memory sticks.

The biggest misunderstanding about vapes is that they are harmless compared to cigarettes. Vapes are not safe as the following facts prove:

•  Many vapes contain nicotine making them very addictive
• The nicotine in 1 vape can equal 50 cigarettes
• Vapes can leave young people at increased risk of depression and anxiety
• Young people who vape are 3 times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes
• Vaping has been linked to serious lung disease
• Vapes can cause long-lasting negative effects on young people’s brain development

Young people often illegally purchase vapes online, from retail stores or from friends and contacts on social media.

• It is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18 years
• It is illegal to sell nicotine vapes to anyone unless they are prescribed by a doctor

Parents, I urge you to talk to your child about the harmful effects of vaping.  Whether you suspect your child is vaping or not, take the time to talk to them about vaping and help them understand the risks. Try to start the conversation in a relaxed, easy-going way, be patient, and remember your goal is to have a conversation, not deliver a lecture. Importantly, have your facts ready. Here is a link to an article on our School TV network for more information.

NAPLAN

Recently we received NAPLAN results for students in Years 7 and 9, which have been shared with families. This year there are changes to how NAPLAN reports student achievement using four categories - Exceeding, Strong, Developing, and Needs Additional Assistance, which replace the old language of Upper Two Bands, Above, National Minimum Standards, and Below.  Parents will be able to see where their child has performed against the national mean in the areas of numeracy, reading, writing, grammar, punctuation and spelling.

I encourage all families to review the NAPLAN report with your child to determine how they compare to national literacy and numeracy standards.

Validation Process

Last week Gilroy Santa Maria College underwent Validation which is part of the ongoing 5-year school renewal process where an external panel reviews our processes and set the strategic direction of the College for the next five years.  I am very happy to report that the initial feedback from the review committee was very positive and supportive of the many programs within our College.  Several improvement strategies have been identified for us to focus on to ensure we are always looking for ways to better cater to our student's needs.

As part of Validation, we begin to develop two very important documents which guide our future decision making:

• 2024 Annual School Improvement Plan; and
• 2024 - 2028 Strategic Plan.

I look forward to sharing the final report and discussing strategies as we embark on our ‘journey towards 2028’.

Interschool Athletics

This Friday GSMC will compete in the Herbert River Interschool Athletics carnival against St Teresa’s College and Ingham State High School. Our College has a proud tradition of performing exceptionally well at this carnival and I look forward to maintaining that reputation.

Success is only possible if our athletes give their best effort, compete in every event and show pride in our uniform as they represent Gilroy Santa Maria College.  I wish all competitors well as this is their opportunity to shine.

College Musical 2024

2024 is looking to be an action-packed year with one of the highlights being the musical ‘Grease’ which will bring back many fond memories for many of us.  Very shortly the audition process will begin for students to try out for a role.  These events are an opportunity for students to use the skills and abilities that they have which we may not see in normal school routine.  I strongly encourage students to be brave enough to have a try, enjoy a new challenge and have fun doing so.  I hope to see many boys stepping up and being involved.   

God bless
Kevin Barnes

Prayer

From Amelia Burrows - Acting Assistant Principal - Religious Education

This month, we commemorate the life and teachings of a remarkable woman, our patron saint of Australia, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop . As I reflected on her journey, I discovered her inspiration lives on in the lives and work of our community here at Gilroy Santa Maria College.

As parents and teachers, one of the most significant lessons we can take from St Mary MacKillop was her unwavering dedication to education. She firmly believed that education was the key to empowering individuals and communities, especially those who were marginalised or disadvantaged. St Mary MacKillop recognised the transformative power of knowledge and worked tirelessly to ensure that education was accessible to all, regardless of their background or circumstances. Here at Gilroy, we follow in her footsteps by advocating for quality and inclusive educational opportunities and supporting initiatives that provide education to those in need with our mission to nurture the growth of the whole person in a safe, supportive and inclusive Catholic learning environment.

St Mary MacKillop's compassion and commitment to social justice are also worth emulating. She recognized the inherent dignity of every person and dedicated her life to serving those on the fringes of society. St Mary MacKillop's work with the poor, the sick, and the marginalised reminds us of the importance of reaching out to those in need and standing up for justice. Early this month I was privileged to witness our Vinnie’s Cook-up team honour her legacy by freely and lovingly giving up their Friday afternoon to create meals to distribute to our local community via the HUB.

Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks throughout her life, St Mary MacKillop remained steadfast in her belief that God's providence would guide her. Her resilience and unwavering trust in divine guidance remind us all to have faith in the face of adversity and to trust that God's plan will unfold in due time.

As we commemorate St Mary MacKillop's life and work, let us remember the lessons she taught us. Let us strive to be advocates for education, champions of social justice, and individuals who place their trust in God. By embodying these values, we can continue her legacy and make a positive impact not just in our school, but in our wider communities.

May we all be inspired by the life of St Mary MacKillop of the Cross and strive to follow her example of love, compassion, and unwavering faith.

Blessings,
Amelia Burrows

From the Business Manager –Ros Giuliano

Invoices for Term 3 fees and levies have been emailed to all parents. If you have not received them, please check your spam emails or contact the office. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Payments were due last Friday 11 August 2023.

In accordance with the mission, values and ethos of our school, we remain
committed to providing an education to all students regardless of their financial circumstances.

BPAY is our preferred method of payment. The details are on the family statement. You can also pay weekly, fortnightly, monthly or by term by Payway, direct debit, credit card, cash or cheque.

As always, if you have any questions or queries, please contact the Principal or myself to discuss the matter. The sooner you make contact the sooner we can work together for a solution.

Ros Giuliano
rgiuliano@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

Bullying. No Way!  

Today is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence … but because today is the Athletics carnival, our Years 7 and 8 students watched a video in their homerooms yesterday, as well as engaged in an activity to highlight the importance of a sense of belonging and connectedness.

The activity supports students' social and emotional well-being and helps the prevention of bullying. Gilroy says “Bullying. No Way!”  

Please watch the video by clicking on the link: https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/

A Night in Capri - Hospitality Dinner

Last Friday evening, our Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students presented a magnificent dining experience ... "A Night In Capri" .... for their parents and the administration staff.

Guests indulged in a spectacular six-course Italian style dinner of: Antipasti of Honey Fig, Salami and Bocconcini Fiori, Prosciutto Wrapped Pears and Gorgonzola, Olive Fritte with Fetta, Primo of Formaggio Arrancini with Rocket and Aioli, Secondi of Handmade Gnocchi with Basil Pesto and slow cooked Beef Ragu served with Polenta,  Dolci of Caprese Lemon Tart and Italian Cioccolato Mousse.  They then finished off with an Affogato - a Coffee Shot with Vanilla Gelato and Savoiardi.

The students had been preparing for this event during Term 3 and spent Friday in the kitchen preparing the dishes for the Friday night restaurant service.

A big congratulations to the students and staff involved in what was a truly fine dining experience, which the students executed in a professional manner. Each dish was cooked and presented with flair, style and a wonderful pairing of flavours. 

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100 Days until Graduation

  days until graduation for our Seniors. Recently the Year 12 came dressed in their best centenarian getups!

Kasey Roati is a 'Trail Blazer'

We are excited to inform you that Kasey Roati has been recognised as a Top 50 Year 11 & 12 Trailblazer and their profile is now featured on the Trailblazer website!

Congratulations to Kasey Roati for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the community. Kasey's dedication, skills, and experiences have set them apart as a remarkable student, especially with students from all over Australia having applied to be recognised as a Trailblazer.

We invite you to celebrate this momentous achievement by visiting:
 http://artofsmart.com.au/trailblazer-awards/Kasey-Roati-2023/

Here, you will find a detailed profile highlighting Kasey Roati's remarkable journey, accomplishments, and the positive impact she has made during her final years of school.

Kate Butcher Selected for JCU Heroes in Sport Program

Recently, Year 12 student Kate Butcher, went behind the scenes at the Cowboys Community, Training and High-Performance Centre as part of the JCU Heroes in Sport Program run in partnership with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys.

Kate's selection into the program gave her the opportunity to meet other like-minded students, participate in a high-performance training session and learn from industry experts in Physiotherapy, Biomechanics and Sports and Exercise Science.

Extra Curricular Activities

Student Care Insurance - Information Sheet

Accidents will happen and they can be costly.  Student Care is a student accident insurance policy specifically designed to help cover the costs.  Please click on the link above for more details and how to make a claim.

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

Cash Only

Tickets available at Student Reception.