18 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Gilroy on the Go

DATE CLAIMERS

Yr 6 Parent Information Night

Orientation Day

School Social

MPH REFURBISHMENT

Look how far the new Tuckshop has come along. Fantastic.

MISSIONARIES OF THE POOR

YR 11 LEADERSHIP CAMP

The Yr 11’s attended their Leadership camp at Echo Creek, Tully from Wednesday to Friday of Week 1. On the first day they had the opportunity to rock climb up and abseil down a 10m tower as well as complete a challenge course. Peter and Cody from Unleashing Personal Potential led sessions with the students on Thursday. Some time was spent on Friday discussing plans for next year. Please find included photos from the camp as well as some quotes from the students about what activities they enjoyed and what they learnt.

I learnt that by encouraging and helping others they can go further – Zara

I enjoyed learning how to work together with everyone; including the people who I would normally not work with – Ava

What I most enjoyed about leadership camp was that I got to work with people I wouldn't usually work with, as well as learning that the smallest bit of encouragement can help a person step out of their comfort zone and try things that they would not usually do – Eliza

I learnt that being a leader doesn't mean you have all the power and the greatest abilities to change things, but is the action of using your abilities to their greatest advantage to deliver a kind service to help others – Lucyanne

I learned that working together you will get further then if you work alone – Amber

I felt like I bonded more with my classmates and am now not shame to talk in front of them and other stuff – Oliver

On the Yr 11 school camp I learnt about what leaderships qualities are needed to make Gilroy a better school – William

I very much enjoyed Yr 11 Leadership camp and learnt that if we pull together as a team in 2019 we can achieve great things for this school – Calem

What I enjoyed the most about the whole camp would probably be the obstacle course. Even though I didn’t want to get all muddy, I still had fun giving it a go. The second thing I liked was the second day there with Cody and Peter (from UPP) doing different activities in groups and working as a team – Lotus

During camp, we learned a lot of stuff about leadership and how we can ASPIRE to do things – Rachel

The thing I enjoyed most about camp was seeing people leave their comfort zones to participate in new activities and connect with people outside their friendship groups – Mary

Working together as a team gets you much further than doing it all on your own - Rachel M

Carina Venturato

BOND UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

College Captain Tina Paton has been awarded the prestigious Vice Chancellor's Elite Scholarship at Bond University.

Each year, outstanding Yr 12 students from across Australia are awarded the Vice Chancellor's Elite Scholarships. These students are selected on the basis of exceptional academic achievement, proven leadership ability and personal character. They have been identified for their commitment to their community and their willingness to help and inspire others.

Over the Term 3 holidays, Tina travelled down to Bond University for a Scholarship Selection weekend along with 23 other students from around Australia. She was 1 of only 10 selected to receive the scholarship which covers 100% tuition for any single or approved combined undergraduate degree.

Every Vice Chancellor’s Elite Scholar is also invited to participate in the Vice Chancellor’s Mentoring Program. The Mentoring Program connects each scholar with an influential corporate mentor, and is intended to cultivate industry links, networks and business acumen for our Vice-Chancellor’s Elite scholars. The mentors are all highly regarded senior executives, who have forged their own successful careers in the corporate world, and generously work alongside each Vice Chancellor’s Elite Scholar for their first year of study, to help prepare them for a phenomenal career beyond university.

Congratulations Tina!!

Ashley Spina

ABA STATE QLD ARCHERY SKILLS

During the Term 3 School Holidays, Bianca and Megan Marano tested their Archery skills at the ABA State (QLD) Archery Titles held at Seaforth (North of Mackay). Over 120 competitors travelled from around the state, some travelled as far as 9 hours away to compete over the weekend. All Hinchinbrook Archers showed their skills and came home with places in their category. Their results were:

Megan – 2nd Junior Girls (Bowhunter Unlimited) C Grade
Bianca – 3rd Junior Girls (Bowhunter Unlimited) C Grade

Anyone interested in having a go at Archery, Hinchinbrook Archery Club has a shoot on Sunday starting at 8.30am. All you need is a hat, closed in shoes & water bottle. Check out the Facebook page “Hinchinbrook Archery Club” for more details.

Ashley Spina

Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

It was a pleasure to listen to the reports regarding the recent Mission Trip to Philippines. Twelve of our students accompanied by Fr Damian, Mrs Timms, Ms Cerqui and Mr Giliberto spent their holidays living among the Missionary of the Poor community in Naga City. In what was no doubt a wonderful experience for all involved. The students and staff helped build a shelter, distributed food parcels to needy families in the area and worked with the children in the local orphanage. Well done and congratulations to everyone involved including so many people in our community that helped raise thousands of dollars for the Missionaries of the Poor and the great work they do.

Last week I attended the Yr 11 Camp at the Echo Adventure Camp near Tully. The Camp had a leadership focus, including discussions and nominating for student leadership positions in 2019. I was impressed with contributions the students made in the sessions I attended. I take this opportunity to thank the Yr 11’s for their excellent behaviour and participation. Thanks to our generous staff members who attended the camp. Special mention to Ms Carina Venturato, our Yr 11 Coordinator, who did an outstanding job in running such a successful camp. The application and election process for our 2019 leaders will take place in the coming weeks and I hope many of our Yr 11’s seriously consider taking on a student leadership role.

It has been a busy start to the term, one which is relatively short. Our Yr 12 students have only four weeks after this week with the rest of the school having six weeks. Two important events in the coming weeks include the Yr 6 Parent Information Night on Wednesday 24 October. The other important event is our annual Awards Night on Wednesday 31 October. I’d ask at this time that everyone keep this date saved knowing that letters will be sent out in the coming days to all students who will be receiving awards on the night. Award winners are currently being finalised.

A reminder that next Monday 22 October is a Pupil-Free Day.

God Bless
John Nuttall

From the Acting Assistant Principal (Administration & Curriculum)

Welcome to Term 4. It is hard to believe that we are already at the final term of 2018.

SET Planning

As previously stated, SET Planning Interviews are a mandatory requirement for all students who are moving into senior schooling. SET Planning interviews will occur with the Careers Advisor, Mrs Nancy Douglas and myself and will take place in the Front Office Meeting room from Tuesday 16 October to Friday 26 October. The interview system on COMPASS is now open to Parents/Carers to make bookings. At these interviews, each Yr 10 student will complete their SET Plan. They will also be provided with information about subject selections for Yr 11, ensuring subjects selections are made wisely and with consideration for each student’s future career plans. Discussion about the New QCE System including QCE, ATAR and work experience will also occur during this time. If for any reason, you are unable to make an interview time, please call the college.

Yr 6 Parent Information Night

On Wednesday 24 October, the Yr 6 Parent Information Night for Parents and Carers of students entering Yr 7 in 2019 will be held. This session aims to ensure the transition into secondary school is a smooth and stressless process for both students and parents. Enrolment interviews have certainly portrayed students who are excited and eager for the next stage of their schooling journey. The transition days held throughout the year were designed to ensure students are relaxed about the transition and it certainly seem to have prepared these students well for some of the changes that lay ahead. If you know of any parents who were unable to attend this session, but would like some information about next year, please ask them to contact the college.

Term 4 Assessment Planners

Yr 7- 9 students were issued the Term 4 assessment planners in homerooms this week. The Term 4 assessment planners have also been emailed to Yr 10 -12 students and to all parents. The assessment planners outline all assessments for this term with the due dates and information about what exams your son/daughter will be required to complete. A link is also available in this newsletter.

Please understand that assessment is a very important part of schooling, hence students and parents should be very aware of these dates when booking holidays.

Important Dates-Coming Up

God Bless
Joan Devietti

From the Assistant Principal (Religious Education)

Welcome back to Term 4.

As you are aware I was privileged again to be a part of the ‘Missionaries of the Poor Mission Trip’ over the September holidays. Words cannot begin to explain the immense joy and gratification I experienced in my time over the two-week period. I must admit that before heading over I am always a little stressed and anxious about what lies ahead. Taking students into various challenging and overwhelming environments, completely different to anything they have ever experienced can be daunting not only for them but for everyone involved. During my time in the Philippines I realised I had nothing to fear.

Each of the ten students that put their hand up for the trip were exceptional. They rose to every challenge, put in a good hard day’s work and immersed themselves into the daily running of the monastery and apostolate. With every day they gained confidence and the bonds of their friendships as a group increased throughout the journey. Each of them represented their school and parish proudly and their parents should be very proud of their efforts.

We are fortunate at Gilroy to have dedicated staff who go above and beyond. Uncle Tony and Auntie Lin Lin (Tony and Linley) were a great support to me and for the students on the trip. I know that they too enjoyed the trip and the relationships built with our students.

A huge thanks, of course, goes to Father Damian for his tireless preparation before during and after the trip. Dealing with the brothers can sometimes be a little frustrating. Everything works on ‘brother time’ and everything is ‘STC’, subject to change or Christ. Father spends many hours coordinating and revising schedules so that we can gain the most from our experiences and come away from it all truly grateful for the opportunity many people never receive. Of course, behind every great man is an extremely great woman. Many thanks also goes to Chella who does a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes making sure we get over there with current passports, tickets for flights and coordinating the finances.

We are having the Report Back Night on Saturday evening after 6pm mass at Mercy Hall. During that time, we will present a little speech about our time there and give everyone a little insight to how it has changed us. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration. Just bring a plate of food to share.

October is the month of Mary. The Rosary is prayed as a devotion to the special events in her life and in the life of her son, Jesus. This week’s prayer is how to pray the Rosary.

God Bless
Christine Timms

Assistant Principal (Pastoral Care)

Welcome back to students, parents and staff for the final term of another very eventful year. As you would be very much aware, a group of our students and staff accompanied Father Damian on the Biannual mission trip to the Philippines. Through reading the blogs and speaking with Christine, Tony and Linley, their journey was one that was not only in distance but in personal growth and fulfillment. Students as well, have all spoken of the immense joy that they received in serving others and the sadness that they felt in having to leave behind those who are desperately in need of help. I would like to congratulate all of those students and staff who had the courage and commitment to help the poorest of the poor in Naga City. While they may think that they have made no difference, I am certain that the lives of those that they touched will be forever moved by the generosity in spirit that was displayed by the MAD (Make a Difference) crew. A big thank you must be extended to Father Damian and Mrs Christine Timms, who together were the guiding forces and inspiration behind a very successful Mission trip.

On Wednesday evening 31 October, the Annual Awards Night will take place at the Menegon Centre at Our Lady of Lourdes School. A big thank you to Mrs Paula Martin, the Principal of Our Lady of Lourdes and staff for allowing us to take over their school hall and other facilities on this day. We have moved the day from Friday to Wednesday in order to free up the weekend commitments of staff and families. The awards night is always a great evening and offers students the opportunity to celebrate their achievements with family and friends. While academic excellence is a major celebration of the evening, I particularly enjoy celebrating with the Academic Effort and Industry Award winners who have given their all and are working hard to make improvements in all facets of their school journey. Often at this time of the year it is time to look at where we are at and to make commitments for next year regarding our work ethic. I would encourage any student who is thinking about working harder next year to take up the challenge and start immediately in Term 4. Achieving a short-term goal will always give people the drive to achieve even bigger goals in the future. Good luck to you all.

The Yr 12’s will no doubt be looking at the finish line as they commence this term. I would encourage students to not only look at the finish line, but to sprint towards it with all the effort and determination that is necessary to achieve that golden feeling of a job well done. While we can all limp home and say that we got there eventually, there is nothing like putting in that final big effort to put the result beyond doubt. I wish our Yr 12’s all the best in their final weeks of schooling.

Our Yr 11 cohort have just come off their annual leadership camp and reports from their Pastoral Leader, Carina Venturato indicated that we have determined and hard-working group of future leaders who are very excited about their up and coming leadership journey. While I didn’t have the opportunity to attend this year’s camp, I have heard from everyone that it was fantastic. Thank you to Carina, John Barbagallo, Chantal Bullock and Claude Cianciullo for giving up their time to attend and supervise the Leadership camp.

Finally, on Thursday evening, Myself and Mr Paul Dezolt attended the Australian Landcare Awards Ceremony at the Brisbane Convention Centre. The Gilroy Santa Maria Ranger program had been previous winners of the Junior Landcare award for Queensland and we were representing the state against all other Junior Landcare winners from throughout Australia. While we didn’t take home the major award, we did see that our program is up there with the best in the country and on another occasion, we could easily have been selected as the winners. A big thankyou to Paul Dezolt and Phil Murray for all of the tireless and innovative work that has contributed to the success of this program within our school.

Blessings
Peter Groundwater

From the Business Manager

School fees were emailed last Friday. If you did not receive them can you please let me know ASAP. As Term 4 is a short term can you please ensure the fees are paid by the due date.

I will be sending reminder notices earlier than usual so please contact the school if there are any issue.

Thank you to all who have paid fees to date. 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

Ros Giuliano

Careers

Woolworths and KFC are urgently looking for students to apply for after school, weekend and holiday work. Please hand your resume in to the stores.

Ashley Spina & Nancy Douglas

Academic Support

Indigenous Homework Support

TUCKSHOP

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

Catholic Debutante Ball 2019

Upcoming Events

• Mission Trip Report Night— 20 October
• 5th Annual Fun Charity Golf Day— 4 November
• Bishop Tim’s Parish Visits for Ingham, Halifax and Abergowrie— 10 & 11 November
• Sr Nina’s Mega Monster Diamond Jubilee
• Extravaganza— Saturday 8 December

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

District News

St Teresa’s College - Abergowrie

Pemulwuy

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. St Teresa's College, Abergowrie presents "PEMULWUY" at the Ingham Picture Theatre. Join Pemulwuy on his journey of discovery and the interesting characters that he meets along the way in the Dreaming.

Also showcasing the talented art students of St Teresa's and Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham. This event is open to the public. Tickets available for purchase from MENZ.

Star Gazing

Vaccine for Yr 12’s

Yr 12’s leaving school and going to schoolies/ uni / work etc t the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is available at Child Health Clinic for free for anyone under 20 years of age. Ring to make an appointment 47203078.

Jane Bortolanza
Clinical Nurse

TYTO Event Programme

Dancers Academy of Ingham

Ingham Theatre Group

Don't miss one of these 2 nights of One Act Plays being put on by the Ingham Theatre Group - next Tuesday & Wednesday evening, 23 & 24 October at the Kelly Theatre.

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