Gilroy Santa Maria College eNewsletter

Happy and Blessed Easter

Save the Date

Important Information

Prayer

From the Principal - Kevin Barnes

Dear Families,

I am very pleased to share that Matthew Schrodter will return to Gilroy Santa Maria College at the start of Term 2 in the role as Assistant Principal, Pastoral. Matt has enjoyed a twelve month break from school life to pursue other interests and is now re-energised for a return to GSM. We look forward to Matt’s return after the Easter break.

Due to Matt’s return, Maddyn White will assume her former role as Year 9/10 Pastoral Leader, and Amy Squires will step back into a full-time teaching role. I sincerely wish to acknowledge the contributions of Maddyn and Amy whilst they have acted in higher duties. It is always wonderful to have staff who are willing to take on extra responsibilities to ensure the smooth operation of our College.

I remind all families that Parent, Student, Teacher interviews will occur in week 3, Term 2 on Thursday 2 May. The process of allowing families time to meet with teachers to have in-depth conversations about how students are performing and what strategies can be implemented to better support their learning. It is a College expectation that students and parents meet with the teacher to ensure all parties are aware of the conversation and strategies for improvement that may be discussed.

College Board

Last week the Gilroy Santa Maria College Board held its AGM which was a significant occasion to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past year and to set goals for the next twelve months.

Outgoing chairperson, Kristen Kernke, delivered her annual report which outlined the diverse occupations and backgrounds of our Board members and highlighted the outstanding results of our top-performing students in 2023. Kristen spoke of the Validation process our College was involved in last year and the implementation of improvement strategies as a result of the findings of the Validation report.

On behalf of the College, I sincerely thank and acknowledge the contribution from Kristen with her passion and drive to ensure Gilroy SMC always strives for continuous improvement in all that we do.

Nathan Henderson was elected as the new College Board Chairman. Nathan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the corporate world, along with a fresh perspective to the role. Nathan has already begun to plot a path for us to better communicate to the school community a clearer understanding of the function and purpose of the College Board. I am very confident that under his leadership, the College Board will continue to uphold our values and strive for excellence in all that we do.

Traffic Safety Reminder

Following a recent meeting with local bus companies, I remind everyone that school buses have ‘right of way’ at all times.

It is most important that all student, parent, and staff drivers are aware of traffic safety regulations involving school buses. Adhering to this rule is not only a legal requirement but also a critical measure to ensure the safety of our students and the whole school community.

Extract from the Qld Government website:

“When you are driving in a built-up area and the speed limit is 70km/h or less, you must give way to a bus that displays a give way to buses sign on its back right-hand side, and is signalling to enter traffic from:

a bus zone, bus stop or bus stop bay

the shoulder of the road, or the left side of the road.”

Pupil Free Day

Just a reminder that Week 2, Term 2 is a short week because Thursday 25 April is the ANZAC Day holiday, and then Friday 26 April is a Pupil Free Day.

Celebration of Easter

As we approach the Easter holidays, let us pause to consider its deep religious importance within our College life. This season marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in the Christian faith that brings the promise of hope and new life.

As we head into the holidays, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a safe and rejuvenating break for our students, families, and staff. May you all relish this valuable family time, make memories that last, and prepare for the upcoming term.

God bless
Kevin Barnes

Student Drop-off & Pick-Up

We would like to remind parents and family members that there are two designated drop-off/pick-up zone for students:

M Block for Junior students
SMC for Senior students

For safety and traffic flow reasons, the bus zone at the entrance of the school is for BUSES ONLY, after 8.00am in the mornings, and from 2.45pm to 3.20pm in the afternoons.

We would also ask parents to be mindful of dropping children off on the roadside around the intersection of Atkinson and Chamberlain Streets at peak times. It creates congested conditions and tight turning circles for buses at this time. For the safety of all, we would ask you to take the extra time to drop your children off inside the school grounds at the two designated zones mentioned above.

From the Acting Assistant Principal - Religous Education - Cassandra Venturato

Easter: A Time of Renewal and Hope

Dear Families,

As we approach the Easter season, I am reminded of the incredible significance of this time in our Christian faith. Easter is not just a single day; it’s a season of renewal, hope, and transformation. As your Acting APRE (Assistant Principal of Religious Education), I want to share some reflections on what Easter means for us as a school community.

During Lent, we embarked on a journey of self-reflection, prayer, and sacrifice. Our students participated in various activities—project compassion, Ash Wednesday Liturgy, classroom activities and the upcoming Stations of the Cross Liturgy. These practices helped us draw closer to God and understand the depth of His love for us.

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The empty tomb reminds us that death does not have the final say. Jesus conquered sin and death, offering us eternal life. As we witness the blooming flowers and the arrival of spring, let us also embrace the new life that Easter brings.

As students, parents, and educators, we are called to live out the resurrection in our daily lives. How can we be instruments of hope, compassion, and love? Let us:

Serve Others: Reach out to those in need. Acts of kindness and generosity reflect the love of Christ.
Forgive: Just as Jesus forgave, let us extend forgiveness to others. It frees us from bitterness and opens our hearts to healing.
Celebrate Joy: Easter is a time of joy! Let laughter, gratitude, and celebration fill our classrooms and homes.

Our school community is a family—a place where faith, learning, and growth intersect. As we celebrate Easter, let us remember that we are united by our shared beliefs and values. May the risen Christ continue to guide us, inspire us, and lead us toward a brighter future.

Wishing you all a blessed Easter filled with hope, joy, and renewed faith.

In Christ’s love
Cassy Venturato

Project Compassion 2024

From the Business Manager –Ros Giuliano

School fees are now overdue.

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.

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

If you currently pay your fees by direct debit, please check that the fortnightly amount is enough to cover your fees for the year, as there has been an increase. If you are unsure, please contact me.

2024 School Fees

Child	Tuition Fee	General Levy	Sub Total	Building Fund	Total	Per Term
1	$2634	$993	$3627	$500	$4127	$1031.75
2	$4476	$1987	$6463	$500	$6963	$1740.75
3	$5792	$2980	$8772	$500	$9272	$2318.00

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 contact me.

Ros Giuliano
rgiuliano@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au

Essential Emails

Yr 7 & 8 Pastoral Leader:	Ms Paula Rand	prand@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Acting Yr 9 & 10 Pastoral Leader:	Mrs Amy Squires	asquires@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Yr 11 & 12 Pastoral Leader:	Mrs Erin Cerutti	ecerutti@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Acting Assistant Principal - Religious Education:	Mrs Cassandra Venturato	cventurato@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Acting Assistant Principal - Pastoral:	Ms Maddyn White	mwhite16@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Deputy Principal:	Mrs Melissa Carr	mcarr1@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Principal:	Mr Kevin Barnes	kbarnes2@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au

Reminders

Compass - Update Personal Details Online

Please login to your Compass account, and select the Cog icon in the top, right-hand corner of the page. Select update My Details from the dropdown menu provided. It is very important that we have all updated information, including addresses and new phone numbers.

Students: Food Allergy/Insect Allergy/Medical Conditions

If your child has an allergy or any changes to medical conditions, it is very important that the school be notified to update their records as soon as possible. Asthma and Anaphylaxis action plans must be updated on a yearly basis and supplied to the school

Sports

Annual Interschool Swimming Carnival

Gilroy hosted the annual Interschool Swimming Carnival on Thursday 14 March. Students from Ingham State High School, Abergowrie, and Gilroy battled it out in the pool for top honours. Gilroy was successful on the night taking out the overall boys, and overall girls.

Congratulations to the following students who received age champion;

12 years: Rori Biasi & Charlie Reid

13 years: Lara Biasi

14 years: Samantha Scott & Brayden Marino

15 years: Lucas Masters

Opens: Lucy Tento

The GSMC Opens Rugby League team played their first game of 2024 against Columba Catholic College, with both teams playing hard in a well-fought match. Unfortunately Columba got the win 24-14, but our boys showed great grit and determination throughout the whole game. A special thank-you goes to Ryan Catholic College for allowing us to use their beautiful facilities. This was the first game as part of the 2024 Townsville Blackhawks Schoolboys Trophy, and the boys will look to hit back in next terms fixtures.

Jaidyn Spina
HPE Academic Leader & Sports Coordinator

Vet / Careers

Celebrating our School-Based Trainees and Apprentices

What an exciting assembly it was, as we gathered together, we raised our metaphorical hats and gave a resounding cheer for our senior students who have embarked on the remarkable journey of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs). These young trailblazers are not only balancing their academic studies but also diving headfirst into real-world work experiences.

What Are SBATs?

For those who might be wondering, let’s break it down. SBATs allow senior high school students to commence an apprenticeship or traineeship while still in school. It’s like having the best of both worlds: classroom learning and hands-on practical experience.

School-Based Apprenticeships: These intrepid students take the first stage of their apprenticeship training before bidding farewell to their final year at Gilroy.
School-Based Traineeships: Our spirited trainees complete their traineeship by the end of Year 12.

Why Celebrate SBATs?

Diverse Pathways: SBATs open up a world of possibilities. Whether you’re passionate about hospitality, IT, automotive, or any other field, there’s an apprenticeship or traineeship waiting for you. These programs honour individual interests and talents, allowing students to carve unique paths toward success.
Real-World Skills: Forget theoretical musings for a moment. SBATs plunge students into the thick of things. They learn to troubleshoot, communicate with customers, manage time, and collaborate with colleagues. These skills aren’t just for the workplace; they’re life skills that build resilience and adaptability.
Industry Connections: Our SBAT stars aren’t just learning from textbooks; they’re rubbing shoulders with industry professionals. Mentors guide them, share wisdom, and ignite their passion.

Spotlight on Our SBAT Champions!

A Round of Applause!

To our SBAT champions, we say: You’re not just students; you’re pioneers! Your courage, curiosity, and commitment inspire us all. Keep reaching for the stars, because the sky’s the limit.

And to the parents, teachers, and employers who support these young talents, thank you! Your encouragement fuels their dreams and lights up their paths.

So, let’s celebrate! Share this article, give a virtual high-five, and let our SBAT heroes know that their journey matters. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future—one apprenticeship at a time.

With joy and admiration
The Gilroy Community

Tuckshop

Student Accident Protection Plan - Claim Form

Student Accident Claim Form

Accidents will happen and they can be costly. Student Accident Protection Plan 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.