Gilroy Santa Maria College eNewsletter

Enrol for 2026

Important Dates Term 3

Acting Principal - Melissa Carr

Dear Families,

As we begin Term 3, I’d like to thank you for your continued support and share some highlights and updates from across the College.

Camp Week – Term 3, Week 1

Camp Week has once again proven to be a memorable and rewarding experience for our students. These opportunities outside of the classroom foster personal growth, strengthen friendships, and provide a chance for students to challenge themselves in new environments. A sincere thank you to our staff for their dedication and preparation in ensuring such a successful week.
Our Year 7 students will enjoy their camp experience in Week 5 with an exciting program planned on Magnetic Island.

QISSN & CONFRATERNITY

During the school holidays, our students proudly represented the College at both the QISSN and Confro competitions. These weeks were filled with challenges, triumphs, and valuable team experiences. While a few students sustained injuries, they are now on the road to recovery. Thank you to the staff who accompanied the teams and to all the families who supported this journey.

Year 10 SET Planning & Work Experience

Our Year 10 students recently completed their Work Experience placements, gaining real-world insights and valuable exposure to various industries. We’ve received positive feedback from students, staff, and employers alike. Our Gilroy community is very appreciative to all the business who supported our students in gaining valuable insights in potential career pathways.
SET Planning interviews are currently underway and being led by Jaidyn and Sarah Martin. These important conversations assist our students in identifying their pathways and subject selections as they look ahead to Year 11 in 2026.

Year 7 Transition Days

Our Year 7 Transition Program continues to provide students with the chance to explore our College environment, meet new friends, and begin building their confidence as future Gilroy students. These sessions support a smooth and positive transition from primary to secondary school. We have now completed 3 out of 4 of our transition mornings and will look towards commencing 2026 enrolment interviews later this term.

Velocity Raptors

The Velocity Raptors team has successfully secured a large portion of their much needed funds for their trip to Germany to compete in the World H2GP Germany Worlds competition. We are again very appreciative to our many sponsors and money raised through fundraising - an incredible achievement! The team will travel between Monday 18 August and Friday 29 August (Weeks 6–7). We’re incredibly proud of the students and staff involved.

75th Anniversary Celebration

We are excited to confirm the date of our 75th Celebration on Thursday, 30 October 2025. The proposed schedule for the day includes:

9:15am – 9:30am: Welcome and Principal’s Address
9:30am – 10:30am: Commemorative Whole School Liturgy in the SMC with invited guests and student participation
A special video tribute: “75 Years of Giving Hearts and Minds a Place to Grow”
10:30am – 11:00am: Morning Tea (catered)
11:00am – 11:30am: Optional guided College tours

This event will be a wonderful opportunity to honour our College’s history and the people who have shaped it.

Staffing Updates

Joshua Spina’s Permission to Teach has now been approved. Josh has been supporting the classes he is now teaching so that there would be a seamless transition for our students. Josh is teaching junior HASS and co-teaching senior Economics with Maddyn White. Recruitment is underway for a new School Officer to fill his previous role.
Vicki Gardner has resigned after relocating to Charters Towers for family reasons. We thank her for her contributions and wish her all the best. Sarah Martin is currently covering this position as recruitment is currently in progress.
We are pleased to have secured a full-time teacher for the Trade Training Centre commencing Term 4. Annan Whittington is an experienced teacher originally from Ingham who is returning to our community. Annan will be teaching a range of subjects in the Trade Training Centre as well as HPE. Kevin Tierney will continue in this role until the end of Term 3. We are very grateful to Kevin for covering this role to allow for quality learning and teaching to be ongoing until Annan commences.
Megan Carpenter concluded her time with the College on Friday of Week 1 due to family commitments. Megan has been outstanding in her role as Emerging Leaders Coordinator. Megan brought a genuine passion and care to her work, and her impact across the College has been significant. Staff who have had the opportunity to work with Megan have thoroughly enjoyed it — she embodied every aspect of her role and consistently led with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to our students. Recruitment has now commenced for this role.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we work together to provide the best possible learning environment for our students. I look forward to a productive and exciting Term 3.

Warm regards,

Melissa Carr

Assessment Planners Term 3

Year 7 Assessment Planner 2025.pdf

Year 8 Assessment Planner 2025.pdf

Year 9 Assessment Planner 2025.pdf

Year 10 Assessment Planner 2025.pdf

Year 11 Assessment Planner 2025.pdf

Year 12 Assessment Planner 2025.pdf

Acting Assistant Principal - Religous Education - Cassandra Venturato

Dear Parents and Carers,

Celebrating Catholic Education Week

This week, we join Catholic schools across Queensland in celebrating Catholic Education Week - a time to reflect on the heart of our mission: to be communities of faith, hope, and love. The theme this year, “Communities of Faith, Hope and Love”, invites us to recognise the everyday moments where our students, staff, and families live out the Gospel message.

Our school community has embraced this week with reverence and joy. Students have participated meaningfully in Masses, and we’ve taken time to honour those who embody the spirit of Catholic education in our midst.

We are especially proud to acknowledge two outstanding members of our community:

Gemma Di Bella, nominated for the Deus Caritas Est Award, whose quiet leadership and compassion inspire those around her.
Nadine Jorgenson, nominated for the Spirit of Catholic Education Award, whose dedication to our mission is evident in every aspect of her work.

Their contributions remind us that Catholic education is not just about what we teach, but how we live and serve together.

As we continue through the term, may we carry the spirit of this week with us - committed to nurturing a community where faith is lived, hope is shared, and love is shown.

In Faith and Education,

Cassandra Venturato

Prayer

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 and questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

The due date for payment is 15 August 2025. Please deduct the discount amount from the payment. Discounts are as follows:
One Child - $20.85
Two Children - $35.45
Three Children - $45.85

In accordance with the mission, values, and ethos of our school, we remain committed to providing an education to all our 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

Direct Debit Form

2025 Census

The 2025 Census will take place on Friday 1 August. Part of our census procedures is to notify all parents about the information that is collected and reported for Census. Please read the attached form and if you have any questions, please check the SchoolHub website."

2025 Non-government schools census privacy collection notice.pdf

NAIDOC Week 2025

NAIDOC Week 2025: The Next Generation – Strength, Vision & Legacy

In Week 4 of Term 3, our school community proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week 2025, a time to honour the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” marks the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week. It invited us to reflect on the strength of young Indigenous leaders, the vision of communities working together, and the enduring legacy of Elders who have paved the way for culture and truth.

Our celebration included a whole school assembly, where we gathered in prayer and storytelling to deepen our understanding and appreciation of First Nations peoples. This was a special opportunity to recognise the contributions of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to our shared identity.

To further honour the Torres Strait Islander peoples, Friday of Week 4 will be a Floral Free Dress Day. Students are encouraged to wear floral-themed clothing, symbolising the vibrant culture, tropical landscapes, and deep connection to land and sea that characterise the Torres Strait Islands.

We came together in celebration and solidarity, to continue to build a school culture rooted in respect, inclusion, and reconciliation.

Camps and Retreats

Year 8 Camp - Quinola Lakes

The Year 8 students headed to Quinola Lakes for their camp. They made the most of the fantastic facilities with the waterslide proving to be a favourite. Throughout the camp, students were placed into teams and took part in a range of activities, including Trivia Competitions and the Mini Olympics.

One of the highlights, was a challenging but rewarding hike to the summit of Mt Baldy. On the final night, students were treated to a camp fire filled with great stories, tunes and heaps of marshmallows.

The teaching staff were extremely impressed by the students' positive behaviour and the support they showed one another throughout the experience.

The Year 9 Gilroy cohort arrived at the Bluewater campsite and jumped straight into a variety of outdoor educational activities run by the Bluewater Girl Guides group. Students took aim in archery, followed by an attempt at the low ropes course.

As the afternoon progressed, students enjoyed some free time swimming and fishing in the creek, which was followed by marshmallows and music around the campfire.

Day Two:
Students took part in shelter building, traditional Indigenous games, and environmental activities with the Paluma Environmental Education Centre team. The afternoon wrapped up with more free time before students geared up for a competitive evening of team trivia, followed by cheering on the Cowboys on the big screen.

Day Three:
Students enjoyed a final opportunity for a swim and a fish before packing up their campsites and heading back to Gilroy. Staff were extremely impressed with the students' behaviour over the three days and were proud to see their teamwork and leadership skills grow.

In Week 1 of Term 3, our Year 10 students embarked on a transformative three-day retreat at Camp Gedling, themed “Bridges of Life.” This retreat was more than just an adventure - it was a journey of connection, growth, and faith.

Day One: Building the Foundations
The retreat began with excitement and anticipation as students arrived and set up camp. Through team challenges and shared laughter, they began laying the foundations of friendship and trust. The theme of the day reminded us that “Friendship is the bridge that brings hearts together.”

Day Two: Strengthening the Connections
Students faced physical and emotional challenges through activities like abseiling, high ropes, and collaborative cooking. These experiences deepened their bonds and highlighted the importance of mutual support. The evening’s Liturgy of Friendship offered a spiritual reflection on John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Day Three: Crossing Into Growth
As the retreat concluded, students reflected on the bridges they had built - between each other, across challenges, and toward deeper understanding. The final session encouraged them to carry these connections forward, inspired by the message: “May your friendships be a reflection of the divine friendship we find in Christ.”

The Year 10 Retreat was a powerful reminder that when we walk life’s journey together, we grow stronger in faith, friendship, and purpose.

Our Year 11 cohort arrived at Columba Catholic College for our leadership camp, and from that moment, we got to experience the beautiful grounds and facilities of the school. The ovals were stunning and the pool was refreshing - oh, and the food was top-tier! Later that evening we headed to the drive-in-cinemas, a new experience for many, where Jurassic World Rebirth screened.

The second day was packed with activities - from competitive relays to group challenges - teaching us the value of teamwork, overcoming challenges with resilience and most importantly what makes a good leader. Trivia nights had us laughing and thinking hard, but the real highlight was hiking up to the Charters Hill lookout, enjoying dinner beneath a surreal sunset. We had the privilege of being captivated with tales of the town’s history - stories that had us leaning in with wide eyes.

Our last day of camp made the reality of being seniors truly sink in. Choosing our Senior Jerseys for next year and listening to Mrs Carr and Mrs Cerutti talk about what it means to take on College leadership positions.

On behalf of the grade, I think it’s safe to say our camp was a very rewarding experience! Not only did it enhance student's desires to run for leadership positions, but it was an opportunity to reflect and strengthen existing friendships, bringing other students who wouldn’t normally interact together.

I am very grateful to the teachers who gave up their own time to accompany us on the camp. If it wasn’t for them, school camps would not be possible. I would highly recommend all students attend the Year 11 camp next year, as if it is anything like this year, you will not regret it!

Term Dates 2025

Student Accident Protection Plan - Claim Form

AIG is our insurer for the student accident policy, with claims managed by CSN. Our WHS Sharehub - Student Accident Insurance page has been updated with all the current information.

The forms can also be found on the main TCE website . Forms are found under the 'Parents & Community' tab on the website.