28 April 2017

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Gilroy on the Go

Labour Day Holiday

Just a reminder this coming Monday 1 May is the Labour Day holiday. School as usual on Tuesday.

GSM Musical

Reminder to get your Musical Tickets from our school office, Herbert River Newsagency or from Duffy Bros. Family $55; Adult $20; Pensioner/Senior Student $15; Primary Student $10; Under 5 free.

Transition Program 2017

ANZAC Day Marches & Liturgy – Lest We Forget

Mulkadee 17 July – 21 July

It is that time again! Mulkadee is a great opportunity for students to get involved with The Arts with categories ranging from Dance, Drama, Choir, String, Guitar and Band. This opportunity is a weeklong experience where you will travel to Townsville every day to learn from talented expert professional tutors in your nominated discipline. If you are interested, nomination forms are to be collected from the front office and returned by May 12 (Friday week 4). If you would like more information, please see Miss Cerqui.

Art

WANTED: Easter Egg wrappings and plastic bags (from supermarkets) for Wearable Art costume. If you have any please drop off to the Art Room.

From the Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

Last Saturday, I was pleased to attend the Annual Catholic Debutante Ball. It was a great night and it was obvious that many people within our local community had made much effort. All the girls who made their debut looked beautiful and their partners looked equally as handsome. Congratulations to all the Debutants and thanks very much to everyone who contributed to the success of the evening. Special thanks to our Parents and Friends and the many helpers they had in serving and running the bar. They would have raised a great deal of money for our school community.

This week’s ANZAC celebrations said so much about our College and the wider Herbert River and Cardwell communities. The manner in which everyone supported the various liturgies, ceremonies and marches was extremely impressive. It demonstrated a great spirit, one of appreciation, respect and reverence. We had over half our student population and most of our staff attend either one or more ceremonies at six different commemorations beginning at the Dawn Parade in Ingham and finishing at Cardwell. Thanks also to Mrs Dianne Leonardi and our Senior Modern History class for presenting an informative and respectful ceremony at school last Monday. It was well attended by local government and RSL officials and I know they were very impressed by our commemoration.

Next Wednesday, Mrs Timms, a group of students and I will join other members of our local community to attend the Ordination of Rev Timothy Harris who will become the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Townsville. Since Bishop Putney’s death a couple of years ago, we have been without a Bishop and Rev Tim’s appointment is well overdue and welcomed. I’m hoping he will visit local communities as soon as possible.

Next Thursday we begin our Yr 6 Transition Days in preparation for their secondary schooling in 2018. All children throughout the Ingham district have been invited to attend these days and I am confident they will enjoy the experience. Students will experience lessons in our great facilities, meet our teachers and generally become familiar with our school. We received great reviews to last year’s program with many parents sharing that it made the transition to secondary school this year very smooth. If you know of any families with current Yr 6 students encourage them to attend or contact the school for more details.

Our Yrs 7 and 9 students are involved in the NAPLAN Testing in Week 4. Both year levels will be joining the rest of the country in completing Literacy and Numeracy tasks. Results from the testing will provide reports that identify areas of success and areas that might need improvement both at an individualised and whole school level. The results of these tests are becoming increasingly important and I encourage students to give themselves the best chance of success by being well rested and prepared for these three days.

God Bless

John Nuttall
Principal

From the Assistant Principal
(Religious Education)

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope that everyone had a relaxing break with family and friends. It was especially great to see everyone return to school safely and ready to start the new term.

During the holidays, we celebrated Holy Week and Easter. On Good Friday, a number of students helped with the re-enactment of the Lord’s Passion. It was particularly wonderful to see so many of them present to play big and little roles so respectfully and solemnly. It truly shows the strong link our school community and families have with the local parish.

As we enter into the season of Easter, we are reminded in Sunday’s gospel of the story of Thomas, the disciple who did not believe Jesus had returned after his resurrection because he had not seen him when he had appeared to the others. Every day we are called to follow Jesus and his teachings without seeing. May we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and be guided by his merciful ways through our words, actions and our faith.

Remember, we have the ‘Leuven Survey Parent Night’ next Thursday night, May 4 at 7:00pm in the library. Everyone is invited to attend, especially if you are having any difficulties accessing the survey or do not have access to the internet at home. A light supper, tea and coffee will be provided as well as a $200 Woolworths voucher raffled off for those who attend. Details for accessing the survey are as follows:

Navigate to the following website

Click ‘To the Surveys’ box.
Click ‘New User’ box (only if this is the first time you are logging in).
Enter the general code Ghj654 (it is case sensitive). This code is used when you first go into the site.
'Select the group you belong to’ (Gilroy Santa Maria College).

If you have any queries feel free to contact the office for more details.

The prayer this week is for Anzac Day. Our prayer is to not only remember those Australians who served and died in wars and operational services, but for us to become a generation who looks for peaceful resolutions to conflicts and continue to be Jesus present in the world today.

God of the living and the dead, console and encourage those for whom this day is one of profound significance.

Be with the families, friends and communities, who together with the dear and honoured dead have sacrificed so much.

By your grace, work in the hearts and minds of men and women who today are reliving the agony, courage and compassion of war service.

Help all of us to honour those who have made so great a sacrifice, yet save us from ever glorifying the evil of war.

Enable us to be peacemakers. Hasten the great day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

This we pray in the name of the One who sacrificed his all for the sake of the world.

Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord. Amen

Please find below the links to both the Evening Prayer and the Ordination of Bishop-Elect, Fr Tim Harris.

The Evening Prayer will commence at 6pm on Tuesday, 2 May 2017, and the Ordination will be on Wednesday, 3 May commencing at 10.30am.

God bless

Christine Timms

From the Assistant Principal
(Administration & Curriculum)

I hope that everyone had a relaxing, enjoyable, Holy Easter break, and welcome back to Term 2. This term is set to be busy and exiting with our School Musical Production, ‘Back to the 80s’, on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 May. Tickets are on sale now.

ANZAC DAY

One of the most important commemorations days of the year was ANZAC Day this week. On Tuesday 25 April, we remembered all Australians who served and died in war and on operational service. There were various ceremonies and services held across the district and it was excellent to see so many of our students give their time in remembrance of this. In recognition of this day, we held our own commemoration on Monday. Thank you to Dianne Leonardi for organising this. As always, it was very well organised and served as an honourable dedication. Thank you also to Diane Giliberto and her Food Technology classes for baking the scrumptious ANZAC biscuits that everyone enjoyed.

Term 1 Exams – Yrs 7-12

Last term all students completed their exams. All parents/care givers of students who failed their exam would have been notified by their child’s teacher either via email or via phone. Students also recorded all subject results in the back of their diary so please check this if you haven’t already. Please contact your child’s teacher should you have any questions regarding how your son/daughter is progressing in their class. In Week 6 of this term we have Parent/Student/Teacher interviews (Wednesday 24 May) so please note this in your diary.

Assessment Planners – Yrs 7-12

On the first day back of Term 2, students received their assessment planners. These provide dates and details of all their assessment this term.

NAPLAN Testings – Yrs 7 & 9

This week students in Yrs 7 and 9 undertook practice NAPLAN testing. This provided invaluable exposure of what students require for this exam and what type of questions they may see in their ‘real’ NAPLAN test in Week 4 – Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 May. The Schedule for the NAPLAN Tests in Week 4 is attached below. Students are required to bring a 2B pencil, rubber, sharpener and calculator. Students who are exempt from this exam have already been notified and will have alternate programs during these times.

2016 Yr 12 Work – Must be collected ASAP

A reminder to all Yr 12 students who graduated at the end of last year to contact the office if you would like any of your assessment work back. Please notify the office no later than Monday 15 May. After this date student work will be destroyed.

Yr 6 Transitions Program – Commencing Thursday 4 May

On Thursday of Week 3, we will have our first of five, Yr 6 Transition mornings. All Yr 6 students throughout the district have been invited to attend through flyers and advertisements in the Herbert River Express. This has proven to be an invaluable program for students as it allows them to experience what life will be like at Gilroy in terms of classes, teachers, schedules, friends etc. Students thoroughly enjoy getting to know who their teachers and peers may be when they start in Yr 7. It most certainly eases this transition to secondary school. Please make families with Yr 6 students aware of this program if they are not already. I look forward to seeing these students in the coming weeks.

God Bless

Melissa Carr

From the Assistant Principal
(Pastoral Care)

Welcome back to all of our Gilroy Santa Maria Community for Term 2. The holidays have come and gone and it almost feels like we haven’t left the place. The business of each year is an aspect that we all need to be aware of and we need to find a way to take some time out to think about others and not just be absorbed by our own sets of problems and dramas. On the first weekend of the holidays, I was part of a group of students, parents and staff who ventured down to the cyclone-ravaged area of Proserpine to help the St Catherine’s College community in their big clean up. Although it was a very long day on the road, the gratitude from the entire St Catherine’s community made it a very humbling but rewarding experience and something that we will all remember for many years to come. Another very pleasing aspect of the day was the manner in which our sister schools and members of the Ingham community contributed goods, equipment and monetary donations to support others in need. No matter what we sometimes may think, we do live in a very generous and caring town.

The last school day saw the running of the Annual Cross Country. Rice house were the big winners on the day, but congratulations must also go to all of those competitors who wholeheartedly gave their all and enjoyed a really great day. The afternoon sessions with Bubble Soccer, Water Balloon toss and the tug of war were a huge hit and one wonders if anyone will be able to stop Wesley Gangemi in Bubble Soccer. I am thinking someone like the Rock, Van Damme or Clinton Forden may have a chance. The latest instalment of GTV and the Cross Country on the school Facebook page should give you a very good indication of how much the students enjoyed the day. A big thank you to Mr Schifilliti for all of his hard work and organisation.

On ANZAC day, we were able to officially christen the new Gilroy Cricket pitch. Aptly named the “Anzac Ashes”, the game was a lead up match for the first ever Herbert River Over 40’s versus Under 40’s representative game. Both matches were played in excellent spirit and were fitting tributes as the first ever games on the new pitch. We are hoping that this day will become an annual event in the school sporting calendar for all of our up and coming cricketers. Thank you to Peter Staples and Frank Smallwood for preparing a magnificent playing surface and to all of those parents and students and helpers who helped make the day possible.

God Bless

Peter Groundwater

GTV News: Cross Country

Confraternity Lamington Drive

The Gilroy Santa Maria College Confraternity Rugby League Team Lamington Drive is on again this year. The Lamington Drive kicks off with the great Bake Off (making) 6 May. If you would like some of the best Lamington's going around, please place your order on the attached sheet. Great for Mother's Day.

The lamington drive will take place all through May and cost $12.00 per dozen. Get your money and orders in quickly to avoid the rush or you can purchase them at the Lamington Stall outside of the Royal Hotel, May 13.

Gilroy Santa Maria P&F News

Gruelling Games

Careers

Work Experience Forms – Reminder

Just a reminder that the forms for the Work Experience block is July are due back THIS FRIDAY. Please contact Mrs Douglas if you are having trouble working out where to go.

Congratulations – School Based Traineeship

Congratulations Kiara Di Mauro on your recent sign up at My Family Dental for a Dental School Based Traineeship.

Defence Force Recruiting

The Defence Force will be visiting the School, Tuesday 2 May in the Function Room at 2nd lunch to present information to all students from all grades who are interested in finding out more about careers in the Army, Navy or Airforce. Please come straight after the bell.

Please collect a green flyer from your homeroom teacher if you are interested in attending.

JCU – School Visit

JCU will be visiting the School, Wednesday 3 May in the Function Room at 2nd lunch to discuss study options in both Cairns and Townsville. All interested students are invited to attend. Please contact Mrs Douglas if you would like further details.

Nancy Douglas

Sports News

Cross Country 2017

The last Thursday afternoon of Term 1 saw the red, yellow and blue of Rice, McAuley and O’Meara take to the grounds of Gilroy Santa Maria College to contest the Annual Inter-House Cross-Country Championship. The majority of students did themselves and their houses proud, running (or walking) with great enthusiasm and spirit. Congratulations must go to Rice house, who just edged out O’Meara and McAuley to take this year’s Inter-House Cross-Country Championship.

The first six placegetters in each age group will progress to the HR Cross Country trials to be held at Abergowrie on Tuesday May 2, during the 3rd week of this term.

Congratulations to the following students who were announced Age Champions:

12 Yrs: Dana Kaurila (O) and Bailey Brown (M)
13 Yrs: Katie Groundwater (R) and Tessieri Myles (R)
14 Yrs: Trinity Reinaudo (R) and Kaleb Bridges (O)
15 Yrs: Amaya Fortini (R) and Ethan Hillyard (O)
16 Yrs: Akema Greenaway (M) and Kimo Srb (R)
17 Yrs and over: Emma Castles (R) and Harrison Reinaudo (R)

Under 12 Herbert River Schools Touch Football

Any boys and girls interested in trailing for the Herbert River Under 12 Touch Football teams held on the 3 May need to see Mr Schifilliti at the Year Level Co-ordinators room during break times for a permission note and further details.

Futsal

During the first week of this term, nominations for any and all students at Gilroy Santa Maria interested in playing Futsal have been called for to organise teams to play in the NQ Futsal trials held in Townsville running from Wednesday 17 May through to Friday 19 May, Week 5. Any boys or girls wanting to play Futsal need to see Miss Martino during break times so that teams can be finalised and training can commence for this upcoming Futsal tournament.

Confraternity Rugby League

A reminder that all players involved in Gilroy Open Boys Rugby League need to attend training each Monday from 3:15pm - 4:15pm. Training is important in preparation for our upcoming games against St Anthony’s/Shalom (Wednesday 3 May, Week 3) Ryan Catholic College (Wednesday 17 May, Week 5) and Abergowrie (Friday 9 June, Brothers Cup) have been organised to ensure plenty of rugby league is played before heading to Brisbane to play in the Confraternity Shield.

QISSN Netball

The 2017 QISSN team players are Zeia Artavilla, Emma Castles, Zoe Mina, Rachel Morelli, Jessica Seri, Jade Stevens, Lisa Stokes, Emma Russo and Jessica Timms. With our new captain Emma Castles leading us alongside our coach Miss Meagan Castellaro, we have been training intensely in anticipation for the carnivals ahead. The girls have been training hard for the upcoming Vicki Wilson Competition against the High School and QISSN Carnival. For the Vicki Wilson competition against the High School, we have the privilege of playing with Amaya Fortini and Akema Greenaway.

Ian Schifilliti

GSM Cup

Academic Support

Indigenous Homework Support

Tuckshop News

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED!!

Tuckshop Volunteers only need to work from 8:30am to 11:40am.

Price Increase

Starting Term 2 there will be a price rise in Toasted Sandwiches, Pizza, Potato Gems and Wedges. These will all cost $4.00.

Tuckshop Roster 2017

Please note: The lunch times are as follows:

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

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

Upcoming Events

• Divine Mercy Sunday, 23 April
• Lourdes Fete, Saturday 6 May
• Crowning of Our Lady, Sunday 14 May
• Confirmations, Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 May
• Feast of St Anthony, Bemerside, Sunday 11 June
• Corpus Christi Procession, Sunday 18 June

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

District News

St Peter’s Silver Circle

Lourdes Fete

Ingham Arts Festival

Nominations will close on Friday 16 June. The committee will be taking nominations on Friday 16 June at Conroy Hall from 8am to 5pm and Saturday 17 June from 8am to Midday. Preliminary Program are available at Ingham Newsagency in Lannercost Street.

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