2 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Gilroy on the Go

School Social

Gamers@Gilroy

“What good is sitting, alone in your room, come to the Gamers’ Day….”

It’s on again! Gamers@Gilroy is a community event for all interested computer and console gamers. The first gamers’ evening for the year will be held in M7 from 4:00pm to 11:00pm on Saturday the 11 March. So, ramp up your RAM, cue your CPU, hunt down your headset and get ready for a great evening of gaming. Cost is $10. Any enquiries, see Mr Matthews. All gamers MUST bring, and be responsible for, their own equipment.

Michael Matthews

From the Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

Last Wednesday we conducted our School Board Annual General Meeting. Our AGM is a meeting when our membership for the year is officially ratified. Thank you to the following people for their commitment to the service of our school community in 2017.

• Parish Priest: Fr Damian McGrath
• Parent Reps: Lawrence Di Bella (Chair), Raymond La Rosa, Linda McClelland
• Parish/Community Reps: Sr Nina Barra, Kristen Kernke

• ATSI Rep: Jasmine Pearce
• Cardwell Rep: Frank Hughes
• Leadership Team Rep: Melissa Carr
• Staff Rep: Debbie Greeff
• Principal: John Nuttall

I also take this opportunity to thank Mrs Diana Friday and Sr Marie Geddes for their years of service on the Board. Both ladies retired from the Board at the end of last year and their contributions were greatly appreciated.

Another important parent and community group, our Gilroy Parents and Friends also conduct their AGM next Wednesday evening 8 March at 7:00pm. The meeting is conducted in the Old Graphics Room and everyone is welcome.

In the coming weeks the final design and tendering process for enclosure of the MPH will get into full swing. It is indeed an exciting project for our school. While discussing capital projects, I take this opportunity to flag our intention to apply for a new Hospitality Centre and Library in 2018. As both current facilities are located in M Block it does present some uncertainty about the future of M Block as it stands. One option is that M block could be refurbished, another is that it could be partially or wholly demolished. Therefore, spending money on M block becomes problematic. I mention this now as it was our initial plan to construct a permanent shelter over our Pick-Up Zone. We still are looking to erect some sort of shelter in the area but I trust people will understand that we will look for some cheaper alternatives than first planned.

Reminder that a Term 1 Interim Report Card will be mailed out on Friday and should arrive at homes early next week. Please note that this report card is designed to give parents an indication of how their child has started the school year. There is no grade for the various subjects but instead a rating for each subject for your child’s behaviour and effort. The next reporting phase for the year will be Parent/Student Teacher Interviews in Week 6 of Term 2. At this time more assessment will have been completed and the grades so far can be discussed. Following this there will be a more comprehensive Report Card at the end of Term 2 and at the end of Term 4. As mentioned previously, underpinning our reporting calendar is our pledge to contact parents if we are concerned about your child’s progress and/or behaviour.

Good luck to all the students representing our school at the Interschool Swimming Carnival next Monday evening. I’m sure we will be proud of your efforts.

God Bless

John Nuttall
College Principal

From the Assistant Principal
(Religious Education)

Yesterday we celebrated the start of the Lenten Season with our Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Ash Wednesday is a day in which we are asked to reflect on what we need to do to rekindle our relationship with God and others in our lives. The ashes placed on our foreheads symbolise that we now can turn our hearts back to God, through Fasting, Almsgiving and Prayer and clean away the ashes left through time.

Within homerooms, each class has been asked to decide on a goal for their contributions for Project Compassion. It has been wonderful to listen to students discussing how much would be needed to purchase a piglet for a family or three first-aid courses to help one person protect their family and neighbours. There are only four weeks remaining in the term (2 less than usual for Lent) so we will have to go extra hard to attain our goals for Project Compassion.

Tomorrow is The World Day of Prayer. This is a prayer movement by Christian communities coming together in response to an issue of concern around the world. This year the host country is the Philippines. The theme, prepared by the women of that nation, is ‘Am I Being Unfair to You?’ Serving with the Missionaries of the Poor last year and Naga City and Manila was life changing and I look forward to participating in praying for their communities along with students from other schools and others in our local community.

God bless

Christine Timms

From the Assistant Principal
(Administration & Curriculum)

As we near towards the end of term, students will be having assessments due for various subjects. All students received their assessment planner in Week 4 of this term which outlined all their assessment and due dates. These planners are also available on our school website. These are an excellent tool for parents/care givers to use to help their child organise themselves as best they can in terms of planning their assessment tasks. As mentioned in our previous newsletter, exams will begin for all students on Friday 24 March. The exam timetable outlining when each exam is on will be emailed to parents/students and put on our website by Week 8 and available in our next newsletter.

From many reports, students are travelling well in their subject areas. Our Yr 12 students are currently having their OP Prediction Interviews with Nancy Douglas and myself. Both students and parents have been very beneficial in terms of knowing how they child is progressing, how OPs are calculated and discussing tertiary entrance and accommodation. We have had parents attend these meetings and we encourage yourself, if you are able, to attend also. As always though, please ring or email Nancy or myself any questions you have about your child’s academic progress and/or career pathways. Nancy is very knowledgeable when it comes to providing advice and assistance with tertiary entrance and accommodation. Following these interviews, Nancy will be talking to our vocational students who will be seeking jobs after school this year to ensure they are on track with what they would like to do in 2018. Again, my door is always open if you have any questions.

Interim Reports for all of our students will be mailed home on Friday of this week. This report will indicate your child’s behaviour and effort in all their classes. Our parent/student/teacher interviews are not until Week 6 of Term 2 (Wednesday 24 May) so if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s academic progress please contact their teacher. We ask that parents are regularly checking the back on their child’s diary where all results from their subjects are recorded. Teachers will also be contacting you via email or phone to let you know if there have been any non-submissions of assessment or any other major concerns.

Yrs 9 and 10 students will have their first set of career information sessions on Thursday 30 March (second last day of this term). Nancy and I will be taking these sessions. We will be provided vital information with regards to their subject selections and pathways for next year so attendance for this will be important.

God Bless

Melissa Carr

From the Assistant Principal
(Pastoral Care)

I have been reading and listening with great interest about last year’s OP and NAPLAN results for Queensland that have just been released to the public. As a teacher and a parent, the overemphasis that the media is placing on high achievements in our schools is very concerning to say the least. Not only are students under the microscope on their abilities to excel, but schools too are being unfairly judged on their ability to manufacture high percentages of OP 1 to 5 students or NAPLAN results that exceed the state norm’. From a Pastoral perspective this type of “name and shame” reporting that sensationalises exceptional results over the results of poorly performing schools displays a complete lack of regard for the very human aspect associated with the students, families and staff of all schools concerned.

With the airing of “My Year 12 Life” on the ABC, much attention has been placed on the high percentage of senior students who are experiencing stress and anxiety levels that are close to, or in the clinical range. While the message is definitely out there to find the balance between study and enjoying Yr 12, there is also an undeniable social pressure from many corners that almost implies the opposite. A recent opinion article in the Courier Mail suggested that parents need to be acutely aware of the high levels of stress that our children are experiencing and to ensure that we constantly reinforce that a higher OP is not the sole determinant of success or failure in their lives.

As a school, we continually promote the importance of academic rigour and the benefits of students reaching their potential. Students are definitely encouraged and supported to build resilience in the ways that they devote appropriate time and effort to their studies, but never at the expense of their wellbeing. Like anything in our lives, if we want to improve, we need to practice. However, this practice cannot dominate our lives at the expense of everything else. We only need to look at the amount of gaming time that our children are engaging in to understand that there is much more to life than being obsessed with only one aspect.

Parenting is one of the hardest things that we will ever do in our lives. There is no real textbook that will provide a magic blueprint for what we need to do with every problem or issue that confronts our children. We support, we encourage, we nurture, and above all we are there for them when they experience difficulty. If I were to add just one thing to this list it would be that we ensure that we all have a bit of fun in Yr 12 (parents included) so that Yr 12 becomes a year that we will remember for the good times experienced with family and friends, as well as a celebration of the results that our children received from putting in a decent and sustainable amount of effort throughout the year.

God Bless

Peter Groundwater

WW1 Link Project Club

Gilroy students have an exciting opportunity this year to be a part of a new club that is being established. The WW1 Link Project Club will be participating in a long term project of researching Ingham's 39 WW1 Honour Roll Soldiers, compiling the information in a digital format and then in the future working with the RSL, Local Council and community members to upload the information to a new Digital Kiosk which will be situated in Ingham.

Students will meet once a week to research the lives and stories of our local men who fought and died in the battlefields of places such as Flanders, Gallipoli, Fromelles and Pozieres during WW1. They will have the opportunity to learn valuable research skills when accessing the Australian War Memorial Archives and completing local research into the lives of our WW1 heroes.

This is an amazing opportunity for students who will be working as part of a team to participate in a project that will not only honour Ingham's WW1 diggers, but also contribute a long-lasting legacy to the Ingham community. If you would like any further information about this club, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Sarah Dunn at the College or via email on sdunn1@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au

All students from Yrs 7 to 12 are welcome to join this club and participate in this opportunity to gain leadership, communication, interview, research and evaluation skills. Students will be informed about when the meetings will commence through Student Notices.

Sarah Dunn

Young Vinnies

Get involved in the Gilroy Santa Maria Young Vinnies Group.

What do Young Vinnies Students do?

Last year we……

..visited the three Aged Care Homes in the district on a regular basis….we brought iPads, participated in quizzes, brought small gifts or simply just chatted.

.. helped empty the St Vincent de Paul Donation Bins on a weekly basis.

..organised a Sleepout for Homelessness to raise awareness and funds for this important cause.

.. filled a duffle bag with essential items to send to the Missionaries of the Poor in the Philippines.

… we provided morning tea for the people who volunteer at our Vinnies Store during Volunteers Week

We are always open to new ideas.

This group aims to make a difference to those who are less fortunate and provides a great opportunity to put our faith into action. Meetings are held each fortnight during the second lunch break. Come and join us! You don’t have to do everything …. just do something.

Rita Martin

Sports News

Open Rugby League:

In Rugby League news, the Open League team performed very well recently at the annual Matty Bowen 9’s Carnival held at Abergowrie. Playing two games over the course of the day in hot and humid conditions, Gilroy went down to Bentley Park 16 - 8 in their first game of the day. The second and final game of the day was against a combined Shalom and St Anthony’s team which ended in an 18 – 8 loss for the Gilroy team. Stand out performers across the day were Regan Adams, Keiffer Moroney and Wes Gangemi in the forwards whilst Damian Goitiandia and Chase Coyne never stopped trying all day. The Matty Bowen 9’s has provided the first opportunity for our Open Gilroy Rugby League team to apply what we have been working on at training in a game setting for 2017. Whilst the results on the day did not go Gilroy’s way, it has shown what needs to be worked on before our next competitive games. With this in mind, it is important that all players interesting in playing Rugby League must attend training each Monday at 3:15pm to 4:15pm held by Mr Schifilliti and Mr Dezolt. If the effort that the boys demonstrated at the Matty Bowen 9’s is any indicator, the signs are positive for future success on our build up to competing in the Confraternity Shield later in the year. Gilroy’s next Carnival that the Open Team will participate is in the Columba Catholic Secondary Schools Carnival held on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March. Any parents that can help with team management for this event can contact Mr Schifilliti at the school. All help in organising our Open Gilroy Rugby League team would be greatly appreciated by the Gilroy Staff.

Herbert River Secondary School representatives:

It is currently a busy Term 1 for Herbert River Secondary School sporting teams with Herbert River teams being selected to trial for North Queensland Region teams. Gilroy Santa Maria College has been well represented in these Herbert River Secondary School teams with students being selected for the following teams:

Northern Region Rugby League and Netball trials for Open and Under 15 age groups will be conducted this Wednesday 1 March. Northern Region Squash trials for Open and Under 15 age groups along with Northern Region Open Age trials for Volleyball and Rugby Union will be held on Tuesday 7 March. All of the students chosen to represent Herbert River Secondary School teams are to be commended not only their sporting prowess in making these teams but their exemplary behaviour and sportsmanship shown throughout the Herbert River trials. Well done and we wish these students the best of luck at their respective trials.

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 College Newsletter, Student Notices or contact our Sports Co-Ordinator, Ian Schifilliti at the school to keep up to date with trial information. Below is a list of the remaining Northern Region and Herbert River Secondary School trials for Term 1.

North Queensland representatives:

Congratulations to Trinity Reinaudo (Girls Under 14 Swimming and Under 14 Triathlon) and Harrison Reinaudo (17 Yrs & Opens Boys Triathlon) for their recent selections to represent Northern Region in their respective sports. Both of these students competed in Queensland Secondary School State Triathlon trials at Hervey Bay held on the 24 February.

Interschool Swimming Carnival:

The Gilroy Interschool Swim Team has been announced, with a printed list of all selected swimmers and their respective events, posted up outside Student Reception and the Gilroy Swim Team placed in our last school newsletter. Students are asked once again, to check if they have been selected to swim for Gilroy at the Interschool swimming Carnival to be held on Monday 6 March. Students who will be swimming in this carnival should continue their training in order to give their best possible effort at the Interschool swimming carnival. Any questions regarding the Interschool Swimming Carnival can be raised with Mr Schifilliti at the Year Level Co-Ordinators room at either break times.

Ian Schifilliti

GSM Cup

Academic Support

Indigenous Homework Support

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster 2017

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED!!

Please note: The lunch times this year are as follows:

1st Lunch – 11:15am – 11:40am
2nd Lunch – 1:20pm finish 2:05pm

Start time is preferably 9:00am until when you are available. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all again this year. If there is any query in regards to this roster or you are unavailable, please contact Sandra Benedetto Home [4776 5321] Jodie Lino Home [4776 5718]

What’s Happening in the Parish

40 Acts for Lent

Last year over 100,000 people signed up for “40acts”, a generosity challenge that encourages participants to one different act of kindness each day during Lent. Sign up at 40acts.org.uk and each day a generosity challenge and short Bible-based blog will be sent to your inbox. Each act is designed to sharpen your awareness and give you practical ways to stretch your faith as well as your generosity, with three challenge levels. They can be followed on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Edge

This group meets every Friday night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Mercy Hall. Any students in grades 7 to 9 are welcome. The group will meet to build friendships with each other, have fun and dive deeper into our Catholic faith. If you have any questions, please contact our Youth Ministry worker Michael Van Blerk on mvanblerk@tsv.catholic.org.au.

St Patrick’s Day Morning Tea, Mercy Hall

The Women’s Group will be hosting a St Patrick’s Day Morning Tea in Mercy Hall commencing at 10:00am following the Mass. Cost of Tickets $15 each on sale from Monday 27 February at the Parish Office. Parishioners, if you are able to donate a prize to be used in the Cent Sale, please have these into the parish office by Wednesday 8 March, Also if you are able to bake for the morning tea on the 17 March, please contact Jeanette on 0447720740 or a.c.glas@bigpond.net.au

Stations of the Cross during Lent

There will Stations of the Cross in St Patrick’s Church each Friday during Lent at 5:30pm. There will also be Stations of the Cross held in Canossa Assembly Room each Friday of Lent at 9:30am.

Upcoming Events

• World Day of Prayer—Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Friday 3 March
• St Patrick’s Day Morning Tea, 17th March
• Easter Sunday, 16 April.
• Debutante Ball, Sat 22 April.
• Confirmations, Mon 22 & Tues 23 May
• Feast of St Anthony, Bemerside—11 June

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

District News

Advertising with Schoolzine

Would you like to advertise in our new Schoolzine eNewsletter? Currently, Schoolzine is working diligently to source family friendly advertising sponsors and will then rebate quarterly 20% of revenue back to the school.

If you are interested in advertising either contact the school office or feel free to email Schoolzine any questions, suggestions or advertising enquiries.

Email: advertising@schoolzine.com.au
Phone: 07 5414 2361