1 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Gilroy on the Go

DATE CLAIMER

Orientation Day

School Captains 2019

Congratulations to our 2019 School Captains, Eliza Carr and Mary Galletly.

World Teacher’s Day

Mrs Randi Pietrobon cutting the World Teacher’s Day cake.

Digital Honour Roll

Arts Day Out

Mr David Price and Ms Linley Cerqui took a group of 17 students for a day of exploration in Townsville to view two art galleries, a bookshop and the theatre.

The art galleries displayed an array of works. The Pinnacle Gallery displayed the best of student work from the region.

After perusing (and buying) books the group headed to Cactus Jack’s for dinner. This was followed by a stage production of Strictly Ballroom in the evening.

One parent said afterwards, “My daughter had the most wonderful time. She had never seen this kind of art.”

Hopefully, she will see much more in years to come.

Mark Mappas Awards

Maraka Festival Float 2018

Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

Recently, I along with several of our Parent and Friends members attended the Mark Mappas Awards Dinner in Townsville. The evening, hosted by Diocesan Parents and Friends Association, acknowledges the hard work of volunteers from all the Catholic Schools in the Townsville Diocese. This year our school community nominated Tom Masters for his tremendous contribution to the Gilroy community over several years. Tom was Parents and Friends President for nine years in two separate stints between 1989 to 2000. During Tom’s presidency many major projects came to fruition due to his lobbying including the installation of train crossing lights at our entrance, fencing being erected along the train track and relocation of pick-up zone within the school grounds. Apart from safety improvements Tom was heavily involved with many improvements to the school grounds including the reclaiming of land to increase the oval space and the construction of tennis courts and cricket nets.

By the time you are reading this newsletter our Awards Night would have been conducted. Congratulations to all students who received awards, you should be very proud of your efforts and achievements. Special guest for the evening was retiring teacher Mrs Randi Pietrobon. Randi has been a tremendous servant of our college for 30 years and a key person in the life and success of Gilroy Santa Maria College. Her contribution especially to The Arts will be greatly missed.

Last Friday was World Teachers’ Day and I’m sure our school community will agree that we are blessed with the outstanding teachers and staff we have at Gilroy. I believe our students genuinely appreciate the great support our teachers offer both academically and pastorally. “Teachers and staff that care” is a common statement you hear that describes our school.

We are currently in the process of selecting our Student Leaders for 2019. Our current Yr 11’s recently attended a leadership camp, they then were invited to apply for school captain positions. Last week four students gave their leadership speeches at our school assembly and each one of them were impressive. Interviews and voting were held this week and school captains will be announced in near future.

Good luck to our Yr 12’s who begin their final exams next Wednesday 7 November. Our Yr12’s are quickly ticking off many “last times” as they count down towards their Graduation on Friday 16 November. We wish them all the best for their exams.

God Bless
John Nuttall

From the Acting Assistant Principal

(Administration & Curriculum)

Hello everyone,

As we move towards the end of the year, the business of school organization really ramps up. It certainly has been a busy, but very productive start to Term 4.

Junior School

The information night for the 2019 Yr 7 students and parents was a very well attended evening. Parents were interested in the information delivered and keen to understand the changes ahead. Yr 8

students have now selected their two elective subjects for next year and Yr 10 students have had their SET Planning interviews and also completed their subject selections for next year.

Senior School

Yr 11 have returned from a great Leadership Camp. They are very keen to take on the role of leading the school. The School Captain presentations on parade were exceptional and I congratulate all students on their sincere speeches.

Next week, Yr 12 students will commence their final exam session starting on Wednesday 7 November and conclude on Monday 12 November (Week 6). On Tuesday to Friday of Week 7, Yr 12 students will have an alternate program to regular classes. On Friday 16th, students will be given their final levels of achievement for all of their subjects. This final result is used to confirm their eligibility for the Queensland Certificate of Education and Senior Certificate. It is also used, if they are OP eligible, to calculate their OP result. Students will need to ensure they have their LUI (Learner Unique Identifier) numbers if they would like to access their OP results online via the QCAA website at the earliest possible time they are released. Students have been reminded of this several times throughout the year. It is a very exciting time for Yr 12 students as they move towards the completion of their secondary education; however, they need to stay focussed right up until the end to ensure they give themselves every opportunity to do their best in their final exams. Please be reminded that should a student miss an exam then a medical certificate is required.

Exam for the rest of the school, will commence on Monday 26 November (Week 8).

God Bless
Joan Devietti

From the Assistant Principal

(Religious Education)

Last night we celebrated the Awards Night for 2018. It is wonderful to see the many students in our community striving to better themselves academically. It is also a chance for the school to acknowledge those students who endeavour to make our school a better place through their involvement in the religious aspects of Gilroy Santa Maria College. Congratulations to our Christian Living Award recipients and to Emma Panzenbock for receiving the Caritas Est Award.

This Sunday is the annual Fun Charity Golf Day to raise money for the Missionaries of the Poor in the Philippines. The day consists of a 4-person Ambrose Golf competition (that tees off at 8:00am sharp), a Monster Raffle (first prize is a fishing charter in the Hinchinbrook Channel with Nathan Kemp of Full on Fish’n Charters - $700), a putting competition at the club house, breakfast and lunch and the serving of refreshing beverages on course during the day. Come along and have some fun.

Today and tomorrow the Church celebrates for All Saints Day and All Souls Day. These days are dedicated to the saints of the Church and to those who have died. Our prayers this week are dedicated to them.

Prayer for All Saints Day

Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints. I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven. Please help me follow their footsteps, and yours, Jesus Christ. Please help me to conform myself to Your image, seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did. Please help me to devote myself, and all that I do, to Your glory, and to the service of my neighbours. Amen.

God Bless
Christine Timms

Assistant Principal

(Pastoral Care)

By the time this newsletter goes to print, the Annual Awards Night will have come and gone. This is a huge occasion in our school calendar for both students and staff. Not only do the students get to celebrate their successes with families, but so to do the staff who have invested their own brand of blood, sweat and tears towards the students’ successes. I would like to share with you an interesting reflection that a student once told me when I quizzed this person about their non-attendance at the awards night. This explained, “Well, I didn’t win. So, what was the point in attending”. At the time, I was a little like a deer in the headlights and my response was one of shock where I tried to explain that our battle shouldn’t be about others, but more about our battle with ourselves. Coaching great, Wayne Bennett, refers to Michael Jackson’s song, “Man in the Mirror”, where the only person who we should be accountable to is the person who is looking at us in the mirror, ….. Ourselves. In hindsight, I know that this is still great advice, but what I should have highlighted was that turning up to these nights is a sign of respect towards others, especially those who have performed better than us in certain subject areas.

We can’t all come first, and in most cases, we never do. But what we can consistently do is show that we are classy individuals who can display a high degree of dignity and respect towards the efforts of others. A few years ago, I watched an Australian story documentary on former Australian golfer and world number one, Greg Norman. One section of the documentary focussed on Greg’s curse in twice being denied the US Open title. On his second failed attempt, he was in front at the start of the day by 5 or 6 shots. What the general public didn’t know was that he had tweaked his back the previous day and always knew that it was going to be a tough day. As the day unfolded, his arch rival Nick Faldo loomed closer and closer until finally overtaking him and taking out the title. Norman was obviously shattered and new that his lifelong dream of winning the open was most likely over forever. Immediately after Faldo made the winning put, Greg Norman put a smile on his face and marched over to Nick Faldo and warmly congratulated him. The commentator at the time said, “Look at Greg Norman congratulating Nick Faldo. That man is all class”. I encourage all students to display the same level of dignity, respect and class that Greg Norman displayed on that day and know that, while it may hurt, your outward displays of congratulations will long overshadow any feelings of pain that you may experience in a moment of loss or failure.

Blessings
Peter Groundwater

From the Business Manager

2019 School Fees

SUBJECT LEVIES

Reminder School fees are due 9 November 2018. If you have not received them yet please contact the office ASAP.

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

Sports News

Many of our Yr 7 and 8 students competed against Southern Cross Catholic College (Townsville) and St Teresa’s College (Abergowrie) in Friendly Football or Netball matches on Thursday 18 October.

Football (Soccer)

Both Gilroy Yellow and Gilroy Blue were victorious against St Teresa’s College Abergowrie in hard fought matches. Unfortunately, both were unsuccessful against Southern Cross Catholic College, going down 2-0 in the dying minutes.

Netball

The Gilroy Gods, GSM Giants and Gilroy’s Golden Gators were all victorious against Southern Cross Catholic College, with the Gilroy’s Golden Gators undefeated, taking out three wins!

Special thanks go to Rachel Morelli and Alana Romano for refereeing and assisting with the games!

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

Upcoming Events

• 5th Annual Fun Charity Golf Day— 4 November
• Official Opening & Blessing New Dorm St Teresa’s College—9 November
• Bishop Tim’s Parish Visits for Ingham, Halifax and Abergowrie— 10 & 11 November
• First Reconciliation—Monday 12 November & Tuesday 13 November
• Gilroy Santa Maria Graduation Mass— 15 November
• Abergowrie Speech Day & Graduation Mass— 16 November
• St Peter’s End of Year Mass—3 December
• Mary MacKillop Kindy Graduation— 4 December
• Lourdes Yr 6 Farewell Mass—5 December
• Lourdes Thanksgiving Mass—6 December
• 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

TYTO Event Programme

Dancers Academy of Ingham

Anglican Debutante Ball 2019

There will be a Debutantes, Partners and Parents meeting on Wednesday 28th November 2018 at 5:30pm at Conroy Hall. Open to girls in Yr 11 or Yr 12 in 2019 who wish to make their debut.

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