5 February 2016

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

2016

Gilroy on the Go

Annual Meet & Greet

Great Start for Year 7's

Year 10 Laptop Program

The Year 10's all have their new laptops now. The Gilroy Santa Maria College Laptop Program has been very successful over the last four years and has ensured our students have been able to gain a variety of educational experiences. This year all Year 10 students have received the same high quality machine, meaning that maintenance upgrades and software options for students will be greatly enhanced.

A S A - After School Art

After School Art meets every Tuesday in the art room from 3:00pm till 5:00pm. Students can choose a project they would like to work on, or those who take art as a subject can work on class projects. Basic drawing and painting mediums will be provided but if someone wants to get involved in a bigger project we will discuss the cost.

All students are welcome to attend; the only requirement is a love of art and desire to create.

From the Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

It gives me great pleasure to welcome all our College community back for the 2016 School Year. I hope everyone had a great holiday break and are ready to dive into school work right from the beginning. I take this opportunity to also welcome all our new students to our school, I know our existing students will warmly embrace them and support them.

We also welcome new staff to the College. Ms Linley Cerqui is our new drama teacher and I know she is very excited about enhancing the Performing Arts in our college. Apart from Linley we have a number of teachers with us this term replacing teachers who are on long service leave. These include, Ms Amy Squires replacing Mrs Leonardi, Mrs Annette Cope replacing Mr Hayden and Mrs Leona Holmes replaces Mr Price.

This year promises to be another great year with many activities and projects planned which will continue to provide great educational opportunities for our students. One such project is a building application to construct a new drama hall and a new tuckshop. Our plan is to locate these facilities around the extremities of our MPH and therefore enclose this structure which has been a plan of the school community for many years. It's a really exciting project and has the full support of the Catholic Education Office and I'm hoping it will be ready for the beginning of 2017.

A highlight over the Christmas break was the results our 2015 Yr 12's achieved. Their OP results were outstanding with two students receiving an OP 1 score and many others with scores under 10. Other features of our 2015 Yr 12's was that 100% of our graduates received a Queensland Certificate of Education for passing Senior Schooling, 100% of graduates that applied for University were offered a position and just as importantly we received notification that many students were successful in gaining apprenticeships, traineeships and other forms of employment.

I'm pleased to report that school has started smoothly, highlighted by a great Induction Mass yesterday. It was very well attended and was a great moment particularly for our Student Leaders when presented with their badges and reciting their Leader's Pledge.

Next Wednesday evening we will be conducting our Annual Meet and Greet. This evening is for all our families and begins at 6:30pm. As it is Ash Wednesday that day, our P&F will be providing Fish and Chips for our community and I encourage everyone to attend. On the same night we will be conducting our Yr 7 Parent information Session beginning at 7:00pm in G Block and our Yr 11 Parent Information Session beginning at 7:30pm in the Function Room. So for families in these year levels please come early to have a bite to eat before these sessions begin.

A reminder to all parents/carers that we are very committed to supporting your child in every way we can, so please come and see me or your child's teachers if you have any concerns.

God Bless

John Nuttall
College Principal

OP 1 – Congratulations Corrine and Scott and 2015 Year 12's

From the Assistant Principal (Religious Education)

Christine Timms

It has been great to see everybody back at school for the new school year. A special welcome to all our new students, families and staff members.

This morning we celebrated our Induction Mass. Congratulations to the Year 12 students who received their senior badges. I hope that they cherish and value their final year at Gilroy. Many of the parents were commenting on this being their last Induction Mass as the youngest of family prepares to leave at the end of the year. There are always feelings of joy and sadness when this year comes around and I hope too, that our families enjoy their time with us as well.

This year we are celebrating an Extraordinary Jubilee 'Year of Mercy'. Pope Francis has this message to all:

The Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is meant for everyone: people of every age, from far and near. There are no walls or distances which can prevent the Father's mercy from reaching and embracing us. The Holy Door is now open in Rome and in all the dioceses of the world.

This grace-filled moment also concerns you, dear young people. I encourage you to take an active part in this celebration and to realize that each of you is a child of God (cf. 1 Jn 3:1).

I look forward to seeing you throughout the year.

God bless.

Lord, You have created each of us in your own image and likeness. You have made us equal and great in your sight. You have blessed us with many talents and abilities. Guide us Lord, as we begin this new school year, not to be anxious about the months ahead, but to place all our trust in you. Help us each day to share your love, kindness and compassion with all those we meet. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

From the Acting Assistant Principal (Administration & Curriculum)

Joan Devietti

Congratulations to all students and parents for a great start to the 2016 school year. In my new role as the Acting Assistant Principal for Administration and Curriculum, I am looking forward to working with the teachers and the Administration Team at Gilroy, as well as the parents in our community.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new families that have joined our college community.

I am pleased to announce that Ms Debbie Greeff is now Humanities Coordinator replacing Mrs Dianne Leonardi. Dianne is currently on leave and will return in term 2 as a part-time teacher. We thank her for her many years of hard work in this area and her endless passion and dedication to her department. I am sure Debbie will be able to continue this good work.

QCS

The Year 12 OP eligible students have started the year with 3 days of intensive QCS training delivered by Dr Theresa Bourke from QUT. The importance of this workshop cannot be emphasized enough and we trust the students have gained some of the valuable skills needed to perform at their best in the September test.

ASSESSMENT POLICY

As we begin the academic year, students are already being given assessment and work in their subject areas. Students need to ensure that they have all the required writing materials and books for their classes and need to begin revising work and ensuring homework is completed.

The assessment planners for Years 7-12 are currently being developed. These will become available on our school website by next week and included as a link in our next school newsletter. This will contain all the information for your child's assessment throughout Term 1 as well as what exams to expect at the end of this term.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Academic Support will be offered for students after school MONDAY, TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY from 3:00-4:00pm.

Monday: Support will be available in the Library, senior Sciences in L1 and at the Trade Training Centre.
Tuesday: Support will be available in the Art Room for the Arts (Art, Creative Art, Drama etc).
Wednesday: Support will be available in the Library and the Indigenous Tutoring program will also continue.

Lunch time support is still available Monday – Friday in the Library.

Students can use this time to:

• Complete homework
• Work on assessment
• Gain subject specific tutoring

with up to 3 teachers from various faculties present for student support.

Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this very generous donation of precious teacher time.

From the Assistant Principal (Pastoral Care)

Peter Groundwater

As the Assistant Principal – Pastoral, and as the Year 11 Pastoral Coordinator, I would like to welcome all students and parents to Gilroy Santa Maria College in 2016. While the weather has been brutal in the first week, we have been very fortunate to not have to endure any major flooding or cyclone alerts. Fingers crossed that we will manage to have some kind of wet season in the coming months.

The first week of school has seen a smooth introduction for new and existing students with the flow on effect of creating a very settled teaching and learning environment within the school. I envisage that there would have been some very nervous, yet excited Year 7's waiting their very first day of secondary school. From all reports, their first days have been incident free and I can imagine that by Term 2 they will just about be running the place. On Monday, Mrs Rita Martin and myself hosted a number of our Year 11 students who were continuing their induction into the Peer Support Program. This is a wonderful program that provides an opportunity for our aspiring leaders and community minded Year 11's to work with the Year 7's throughout Term 1 and 2.

On Wednesday, Father Damian, Mrs Debbie Greeff, Mr John Nuttall and myself spent an afternoon and evening discussing the goals and aspirations that the seniors would like to achieve in 2016. This was a very productive session with many realistic and achievable targets set by our new leaders. As a staff, we look forward to assisting and enabling our seniors to achieve all of their goals throughout the year. Thursday morning of Week 2 will be the Induction Mass for our senior leaders and the Year 12 cohort. This is a time-honoured and special ceremony within our Catholic school calendar and we look forward to sharing this day with parents at St Patrick's Church. Also on the same day will be school photos for our entire college. It always amazes me how much students can physically change from one year to the next; some even within 6 months.

Week 3 is a massive week for everyone with the Meet and Greet and Information Sessions for 7's and 11's on Wednesday evening, followed by the Annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival on the Friday. Being a Rice supporter for a number of years, I must take my hat off to McAuley and O'Meara for continuing to provide opposition for our swimmers to defeat. Highlights for the day will no doubt be the annual students and teacher challenge, as well as watching the graceless splendour associated with the Belly Flop competition.

Finally, in Week 5, the Year 7's are reminded to get ready for an awesome camp at the Lake Tinaroo Recreation Centre. No doubt, as in past years, Mr Giliberto will be serving up a plethora of activities designed to excite and inspire the next generation of Gilroy Santa Maria College students.

New Staff

My name is Linley Cerqui and I am happy to say that I am the new Drama teacher at Gilroy Santa Maria College for 2016. I grew up in Charters Towers and spent a year teaching in the Burdekin last year. I am really looking forward to getting to know all the students both inside and outside the Drama classroom.

I am Amy Squires, and I am teaching History and English for first term here at Gilroy. I have been living in Lucinda for the past 5 years and was originally from North-Western New South Wales. I have only recently finished my degree, and am enjoying this start to teaching!!

Careers

Nancy Douglas

Careers and Work Experience

To begin the school year, fifteen keen Year 12 vocational students engaged in three days of work experience with local employers. Feedback from both students and employers has been positive and we would like to convey our thanks to our host employers:

Desiree's Style Inn
G & K Aluminium
Gilroy Santa Maria College, IT Department
Gilroy Santa Maria College, Year 7 teachers
Good Year Auto Care
Harle's Electrical, Mission Beach
Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Environmental Health Department
Ingham Betta Electrical
Lahtinen's Electrical
Lou's Food Emporium
Lourdes Primary School
McDonalds Ingham
MO-DE
Richard Peeke Building and Carpentry
Robyn's Mobile Computer Services
St Sebastian's Farming Company

Gilroy Santa Maria College graduates of Year 12 in 2015 have been finding their way in the world post-secondary school, with twenty-seven students accepted into their university courses, heading to universities in Cairns, Townsville, Gatton, Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as some studying by distance or part-time.

Two students, Joshua Girgenti and Corey Mina, were successful in gaining apprenticeships with Wilmar Sugar and three students, Jordan Bentley, Christopher Simmonds and Liam Staples were successful in gaining apprenticeships with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council. Kiara Spampinato has secured employment with My Family Dental and will be completing her Certificate III in Dental Assisting. Many other students have enrolled to begin occupational courses or started employment.

I am still available at the College for Year 12 graduates who have questions or may like assistance in job seeking or resume preparation.

Best wishes,
Nancy

Youth Survey

Mission Australia has released the results of its annual Youth Survey report, providing valuable insight into the lives of young Australians. The 2015 survey focuses specifically on the barriers faced in reaching work and study goals, exploring young people's concerns about their post-school plans. Read more about the study on the hyperlink below.

Counsellor

Megan McQuade

7 point checklist for helping kids have a good school experience

Michael Grose, Parenting expert and Psychologist offers some great ideas to assist with students enjoying their school experience. There are things that are out of our control, however, as parents, there are some things you can do to assist your kids start the year with a clean slate. Here's how to make the most of a fresh start and set them up for a great year ahead. Here's a 7-point checklist to help make sure that the start of the school year goes smoothly:

• Commit to your child going to school every day on time.
• Help kids start each day well
• Establish work & study habits.
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
• Insist kids exercise.
• Focus on being friendly.
• Develop self-help skills.

Sports

Ian Schifilliti

With Term 1 2016 underway, Herbert River Secondary School Sport trials are about to begin. Below is a breakdown of the age groups involved in these sport trials, when and where each of these trials will take place along with dates for Northern Region Secondary School trials. For team sports where there aren't enough students to form a Herbert River Secondary school team to participate at the Northern Region Secondary School trials, students may be forwarded on to these Northern Region Secondary School trials at the discretion of the teachers and coaches of the respective sports.

With only a limited amount of time between Herbert River and Northern Region Secondary school trials, it is important that both students and parents use the information given in our Gilroy Santa Maria newsletter, student notices or contact our sports co-ordinator, Ian Schifilliti at the school to keep up to date with trial information.

Rugby League:

In Rugby League news, both the Open and under 15 Gilroy Santa Maria teams will begin training this week in preparation for their upcoming fixtures as part of Herbert River Secondary School Trials, Matty Bowen 9's competition and the Columba Open Catholic Schools Rugby League carnival. Below is a time table with the relevant information regarding each of these rugby league events. All students wishing to play rugby league for the school this year will need to have their parents fill out a permission note and return it to Mr Schifilliti, as well as attend training sessions. At this stage training will be held on Monday afternoons 3:15pm to 4:15pm. Any parents or friends of the school wishing to help out with the Gilroy Santa Maria program are more than welcome to contact Mr Schifilliti at the school.

Swimming:

Students should have begun training in their favourite swimming event for the upcoming Gilroy Santa Maria Inter house swimming carnival on Friday 12 of February. Despite heavy rainfall last year, this event was well attended and students who participated had a lot of fun and success on the day. Though Rice won the overall swimming aggregate in 2015, both O'Meara and McAuley will be looking to change this result, so all students are encouraged to swim in events to help their House achieve victory in 2016. This healthy competition should help improve our overall swimming abilities in order to perform to our maximum capabilities at the following Inter School Swimming carnival to be held on Tuesday 23 of February.

Finally, with so many sports being played during the school year, an expression of interest to coach, manage, train or help out in any way is being sort by new H.P.E Head of Department, Mr Ian Schifilliti. With such a vast array of sporting talent and experience amongst our school community, any or all help from parents and friends in preparing and managing Gilroy sporting teams would be greatly appreciated by the students and staff here at Gilroy. If parents or friends of the school are interested in helping out please do not hesitate in contacting Mr Ian Schifilliti via the school. ischifilliti@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au

Gilroy Gamers

Gilroy Gamers is on again - Saturday 20 February (End of week 4) in M7. The cost is $10 for the day; bring your own equipment etc. Please see Mr Matthews for more information.

P&F News

The next P&F Meeting is on Wednesday 10 February at 5:00pm in the Old Graphics Room (P&F Room). All parents are encouraged to attend.

Tuckshop

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR 2016!!

If interested contact Sandra or Jodi at the Tuckshop during school hours on 4776 2888.