6 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Gilroy on the Go

DATE CLAIMERS

Fun Run

Yr 6 Parent Information Night

Orientation Day

QCS

Congratulations to all QCS Students. After a hearty breakfast and a group Prayer and meditation, the students went into QCS confident and happy.

Year 12 QCS Students

Meditation

Christian meditation is an important part of our Religious Education Program. It is good for the body and the soul.

The beautiful weather has made meditation even more enjoyable and beneficial especially for students who are perhaps stressing about assessment.

Meditation helps lower blood pressure and enables students to have some quiet time to reflect in the busy, sometimes tumultuous lives that they lead. Students also enjoy getting out of the classroom for a short while. It is recommended that students meditate for a minute for each year of their age, but we usually find that 10 minutes is sufficient, especially for some Yr 9 boys.

Below are some photos of students meditating in the great outdoors.

Mr Matthews

World Junior Motorcross

Deegan Mancinelli participated at the World Junior Motorcross titles that were held in Horsham, Victoria. Deegan will soon be travelling to Tasmania to compete in the Australian Junior Motorcross Championships. Deegan was unlucky at the World MX titles due to bike issues. Congratulations Deegan.

Interschool Athletics

Gilroy Santa Maria College was extremely successful on Friday 24 August 2018. Our athletes descended onto the track in high spirits and a willing attitude, ready to compete against Ingham State High School and St Teresa's College Abergowrie.

The GSM girls were victorious, being awarded the overall female champions for the second year in a row! This was contributed to by the large participation rates and high number of placings in the various events.

Special mention goes to Janae Pearce who broke the 12 Yrs Long Jump record and Kate Butcher who broke the 12 Yrs Triple Jump record. A further congratulations goes to Janae Pearce 12 Yrs, Kaila Marino 13 Yrs and Trenyce Pearce 15 Yrs who were crowned age champions of their respective age groups.

From this competition, GSM had a large number of students selected to represent Herbert River at the NQ athletics trials on Friday 7 September 2018. To all competitors, we wish you good luck!

Ms Castellaro

Foodies Club

The winner of the GSM Foodies Club Logo Competition is Rachel Morelli. The Club would like to thank all those students who submitted an entry. The new logo will be used for the newsletter and to label foodstuffs that will be available for sale for Christmas time. The profits from this fundraiser will be used to further enhance the Foodies Club in 2019.

Ms Coyle

Ms Coyle has been busy collecting submissions for our “design a logo for Foodies Club” competition. It has been decided on the winner to use for our newsletter items and for our products we are making and selling, as shown above. Thank you to all students who submitted a design, it was a very hard task.

This week in Foodies club, we started to prepare Christmas items to sell at our upcoming stall, using ingredients leftover from hospitality. This week we made cinnamon sugar & bottled some Christmas dried fruit with flavoured liquid to infuse for a wonderful Christmas cake come holiday season. Next week Mr Giliberto is coming to demonstrate how to make healthy acai bowls.

Below is a list of “Non-Sandwich” lunch ideas. Most students have had their share of sandwiches by the time they get to high school. Below is a list of ideas to make ahead and have in the fridge, which saves time when making lunches, or making unwanted sandwiches. They can be healthy using lots of nutritious ingredients and can even be used as dinner options the night before and utilised as lunch. Some items can be insulated warm using a food flask if teenagers prefer warmer options.

Home Gardening Tip

As spring warms up and the sun becomes hotter, replant lettuces and tomatoes under shade cloth in a cool place, to continue utilising home-grown organic salad ingredients.

Ms Mastrippolito & Ms Coyle

Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

We have been waiting for a long time for all details and costings to be finalised but this week the refurbishment of our MPH commenced. The project includes a new tuckshop, performing arts facilities and the enclosure of the building. When completed it will be a great asset for our school and the wider community. The project is due to be finished in time for the beginning of the 2019 school year weather permitting.

This week our Yr 12 OP-eligible students have been sitting the annual Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test. The QCS is a statewide test designed to contribute to the calculation of Overall Positions (OPs) that are used to rank students for tertiary entrance. Our eligible students have been preparing for several months. This will be the second last time students in Queensland sit the QCS Test. From 2020, the QCS Test will cease and instead students will sit external exams for individual subjects they study.

Congratulations to our students and their contributions in two important community events recently. Firstly, many of our students were involved in the Ingham Arts Festival which was wonderful to see. We certainly have some talented students as many received prizes and commendations. Secondly, was the performance of our athletes at the recent Interschool Carnival. The level of participation was exemplary and there was a terrific attitude and spirit. We achieved great success with our girls winning the Junior, Senior and Overall Trophies. This year our girls have won all three trophies at the Interschool Swimming, Cross Country and now Athletics. The boys also performed well and should also be proud of their efforts Thanks again to Ms Castellaro and Mr Schifilliti for preparing our team.

Important moments in the lives of our staff members in recent weeks. Congratulations to Matt Schrodter and Kate Stringini for their respective weddings recently. Also best wishes to Cassie Venturato and Corina van den Dolder who both begin maternity this week.

God Bless
John Nuttall

From the Acting Assistant Principal
(Administration & Curriculum)

Hello everyone,

QCS Testing

The Yr 12 OP Students have now completed their QCS testing. I would like to congratulate the students on their effort and positive attitude. It was a gruelling 2 days, but I can honestly say that all students have performed to the best of their ability. Thank you to Father Damian and Mrs Timms who join the students for Prayer and Meditation before each QCS test day and the Yr 11 Students and Staff who provided the them with a substantial and nourishing breakfast. I’m sure the students felt truly supported.

Exams

Students should be very busy completing assessment and preparing for exams. Yr 12 exams commence on Wednesday 12 September and Yrs 7-11 on Monday 17 September. All students have already received their exam timetable. These timetables are also available in COMPASS. A medical certificate should be obtained if a student is unable to attend school for an exam. Also, any student in Yr 11 or 12 who has outstanding school work or assessment will forfeit their BLOCK exam privileges. These students will be made to attend school to complete their work.

SET Planning

On Wednesday 29 August, Yr 10 students and parents attended the Senior Schooling Subject Selection evening. Students have now submitted their proposed subjects. Careers Advisor, Mrs Douglas and I will continue to meet with the Yr 10 students to discuss their SET Plans. In the next few weeks, based on the submitted subject choices, we will also set the subject lines for Yr 11. Early in Term 4, each student will be interviewed, and subjects will be closely reviewed as part of the SET Plan finalisation. Interview booking times will be available on COMPASS.

FUN RUN

On the last day of term, we have the Gilroy Fun Run which has historically been a great day enjoyed by all of our students. Students will complete a walk from Forrest Beach to Cassidy Beach, followed by lunch and some games and activities. I hope to see all of our students there enjoying the last day of term together.

God Bless

Joan Devietti

From the Assistant Principal
(Religious Education)

At this moment our Mission Trip students and staff have started counting down the days until we depart. Fifteen more sleeps to be exact. In anticipation everyone is now starting to get either very excited, like myself, or slightly anxious about leaving family and friends and what they will be dealing with in the Philippines. All the emotions are very natural and expected with such a big undertaking. If you happen to meet any of our young mission students, a pat on the back and an encouraging word would certainly go a long way. Please continue to keep in your prayers Jalanda Bright, Aden Comas, Emily Firth, Mary Galletly, William Hardy, Ethan Hillyard, Allanis Melvin, Anthony Reitano, Matthew Timms, Rachel Torrisi, as well as, Miss Linley Cerqui, Mr Tony Giliberto, Father Damian and myself.

This weekend we will be fundraising behind Coles from 8:00 am to 12 noon selling cakes and raffle tickets in the trailer. We will also be selling raffle tickets at this weekend St Patrick’s Masses. Thank you all for your continued support over the past few months.

Last Sunday we celebrated another Youth Mass at St Patrick’s Church. It never ceases to amaze me how truly lucky we are in our school and parish communities. These events have become one of the highlights of Parish Masses and the support given by both schools and the parish is overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who feels young at heart and joins in the celebration. A big thank you always goes to our band and ensemble groups and choirs from Gilroy and St Teresa’s accompanied by Mrs Vera Di Bella and Luis Piotto.

By the time this is publish some of our Yr 12 students will have sat their QCS Exams. This morning (Tuesday) we invited Father Damian to lead prayer for the students and ask God to watch over them during this stressful and anxious time. The prayer we concluded with is the prayer I leave you with today. Hopefully this will not only help our QCS students but all our students preparing for exams over the next couple of weeks.

Dear Lord,
as I take this exam,
I thank you that my value is not based on my performance,
but on your great love for me.
Come into my heart
so that we can walk through this time together.
Help me, not only with this test,
but the many tests of life that are sure to come my way.
As I take this exam,
bring back to my mind everything I studied
and be gracious with what I have overlooked.
Help me to remain focussed and calm,
confident in the facts and in my ability,
and firm in the knowledge that no matter what happens today
you are there with me. Amen.

God Bless
Christine Timms

Assistant Principal
(Pastoral Care)

Two weeks in Term 3 is a very long time and there has been so many things happening within our school. Three of the bigger events that have been in our calendar were the Interschool Athletics carnival, the Ingham Arts Festival and the annual “GAMIN” camp for our Indigenous students. While these events were a massive undertaking for our students and staff, many other significant events have dotted the calendar over the last two weeks including, debating, the annual Confraternity and QISSN presentation dinner and the Rugby League Gala day. All of this in two weeks!!!!

The Ingham Arts Festival is a huge undertaking by students and staff and from the results that I saw and heard of, our students were outstanding. While I didn’t get to see everything, one of the items that I was very fortunate to attend was the choir performance from Mrs Vera DiBella’s School Choir. To be brutally honest, I am not exactly the world’s greatest follower of the Arts scene, but that is not to say that I don’t appreciate a good performance when I see one. To see a group of Gilroy students pulling off a choir performance that was “GLEE” worthy, almost brought a tear towards my very Arts-deficient eyes and ears. A massive congratulations goes out to all of the students and especially Mrs DiBella for the hours of practice that went into making this performance a professional and standout presentation. These guys are definitely booked in for Awards night.

The Interschool Athletics was held at the end of week 6 and this was a really nice day to attend and be a part of. Once again, our girls lead the way by taking out the Junior and Senior sections. While the boys didn’t bring home any silverware, their efforts in filling lanes and giving their absolute best were no less impressive than the girls. Congratulations to Miss Castellaro and Mr Schifilliti for their hard work before and during the carnival. A big thank you to all of the students for the excellent participation, sportsmanship and spirit throughout the day. As a teacher and a parent, you can really feel a positive vibe reverberating throughout our school, and days like the sports carnival truly emphasise this special feeling. Well done students!!!

As I am writing this article, I have just come off a two-day camp with our Indigenous students at Abergowrie. The GAMIN camp (Gilroy Adolescent Mentoring for Indigenous Needs) is something that we first trialled last year and on our second attempt it is really developing into a must-attend event for our students. This year we made some positive connections with the boys from Abergowrie College to attend the evening session on Thursday night. After sharing a meal together, all 50 students gathered around our campfire and engaged in our first GAMIN camp liturgy. A highlight of the liturgy was the placing of their handprints on the official camp banner that was created by Christine Stephensen from Abergowrie. This banner is to be displayed at events that are uniquely Abergowrie and Gilroy in nature. A massive thank you must go out to Abergowrie College for the use of their Dairy and to staff members Paula Henderson, Angus Galletly and Nazzim Khan for their great assistance in ensuring that Abergowrie was able to be a part of this camp. Thank you also to the Abergowrie Principal Mr Michael Conn.

Blessings

Peter Groundwater

From the Business Manager

REMINDER

Term 3 School Fees are now overdue!!

Please ensure payment is made before the end of term. Reminders will be issued towards the end of this week.

If you are paying by direct debit, please ensure you include the family code located on your statement.

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.

BANK DETAILS are as follows:

WESTPAC Ingham
BSB - 034-187
Account Number – 145 925
Name – Gilroy Santa Maria College
Detail – (Family code from statement)

Ros Giuliano

Careers

The following businesses are currently taking applications:

Hemmetts Electrical - Apprentice 2019
Carta & Co - Apprentice 2019
Tropixx Motel & Restaurant - 2/3 Nights per week
KFC - After school, weekend, school holidays

There are also opportunities available to obtain School-Based Traineeships.

Please see Miss Spina or Mrs Douglas in the careers room for assistance and more information.

Nancy Douglas & Ashley Spina

Academic Support

Indigenous Homework Support

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED!!

Tuckshop Volunteers are only needed to work from 8:30am to 12:00pm.

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 regarding this roster or you are unavailable to attend, please contact Sandra Benedetto Home [4776 5321] Jodie Lino Home [4776 5718]

What’s Happening in the Parish

Spring Afternoon Tea

St Patrick’s Women’s Group will be holding their Spring Afternoon Tea on Sunday, 9th September @ 2:00pm at Mercy Hall Fashion Parade by Rockmans, Raffles & Cent Sale, Cost $15.00 per person, Prize for the best spring outfit Tickets available from Parish Office from Monday, 13 August 2018. If any parishioner is able to donate a prize to be used in Cent Sale for upcoming Spring Afternoon Tea, please have these prizes into the Presbytery Office by Monday, 27 August. If you are able to make a sweet or savoury dish for the Afternoon Tea, please let Jeanette Cockburn know on 0447720740 or email: a.c.glas@bigpond.net.au Philippines

Mission Trip Cake Stall

2018 Mission Trip participants are holding a cake stall to raise funds for their September journey. Donations of cakes, biscuits and slices will be gratefully accepted. Baked goodies must be wrapped and labeled with name and ingredients and can be dropped off between 7:30am – 9:00am on the day of the Cake Stall. When: Saturday 8 September; Where: Coles (back entrance); Time: 8:30am- Noon Contact: Paula 47 980 14; Christine 0488 757 717

First Reconciliation

The end of one programme of the sacraments means the beginning of another. Invitations are going out to families to attend one of two parent meetings for the next Sacramental Programme. Parent meetings will be held in Mercy Hall on Monday 17 September at 9:00am and then again at 7:00pm. If you know a child in grade 2 at one of our State Schools, or an older child who has not completed the sacraments, please invite their family to contact the office on 4776 2600.

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

District News

Hinchinbrook Swimming Pool

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