4 April 2019

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Gilroy on the Go

Transition Dates

Musical 2019

Social

Lunch Time Board Games

GSMC STEM Club Project

In week six our talented Digital Technology and STEM Club students took part in a computer upcycling project. Students installed a free operating system using old personal computers. The students were given a choice of two OS systems, Lakka or Ubuntu. This hands-on experience was to give new life to old computers, which would have been dumped into landfill had we not repurposed them. This sustainable activity was very rewarding for the students and taught them a sense of purpose in reusing old technological equipment. Each student received an upcycled computer to take home for future use. As a result of taking part in this activity, students have learned some vital new technological skills in installing an OS system and have done something positive for the environment in a world where technology is ever changing. Well done to these students.

A very big thank you to Colin Valinoti, Matthew Spina and Michael Matthews for assisting with the project.

Johnathan Sargent
Information Technology Teacher

Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

It is hard to believe the end of the term is upon us. With the rain our region has received and the days lost, it doesn’t feel like we have been at school ten weeks. As Term 1 concludes there a couple of events early next term that I would like to highlight as they will quickly be upon us. Firstly, on the first week back we have two public holidays, one is Easter Monday and other is Anzac Day on the Thursday. Again, I encourage families to support this important day in our national calendar. Our attendance levels to the various ceremonies in our district is on the rise so it will be great to keep the trend going. The previous morning we will be hosting our Anzac Day Liturgy at 10:10am where everyone is welcome.

In the second week we conduct our Interhouse Cross Country on Wednesday 1 May. Mrs Cerutti has designed an exciting new course which will see our students “more in the country and less on the streets” this year. Participation is what make this event successful so please support this, students can walk if needed.

On the following day Thursday 2 May, we commence our Yr 6 Transitions Days . All children from State and Catholic schools in the district will be invited to attend these sessions which are designed to showcase the subjects and facilities that they will experience here at Gilroy. The program is aimed at not only providing valuable education but also allowing students to become comfortable and excited to be at Gilroy. If you know of any families and friends who have current Yr 6 students in our district, please encourage them to come to these sessions.

I take this opportunity to farewell one of our teachers, Mr Gerhard Bekker from our school community. Gerhard has only been at our school for this term but in that short time formed positive relationships with staff and students alike and it was a pleasure to have him as member of our staff. Gerhard will be moving to Brisbane, we wish him all the best for the future.

We also wish one of our administrative assistants Ms Ashley Spina all the best for the future as she gets married this weekend to Luke. We trust they will have a great day, hope the weather is kind to them.

As we do prepare for our holidays, we reflect on the religious significance that Holy Week represents. Easter is the greatest Feast in our Christian calendar, where we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Celebrate is always a strange word to describe the death of anyone but as Catholics we believe Easter represents the fulfilment of our faith and Jesus’ resurrection as the promise of new life.

I hope everyone has a safe and Holy Easter and look forward to seeing everyone when Term 2 commences on Tuesday 23 April.

God Bless
John Nuttall

From the Acting Assistant Principal (Administration & Curriculum)

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the QCAA Workshop on the New QCE System.

It is very obvious that QCAA is committed to keeping students and Parents well informed and constantly updated on the new system. I encourage all parents and students, especially those from Yrs 11 and 10, to make the effort to continually visit the QCAA website, “my QCE” (link below). This will keep you well informed and also aware of some very valuable resources for students.

I would like to congratulate students on the completion of Term 1. It has not been an easy term with the weather conditions often making attendance difficult. Despite this, students have displayed a serious commitment and made great effort to ensure their schooling and assessment is at the forefront. As students receive their results they will insert these into their school diary, please ask your child for their results. An Interim Report will follow in the second week of Term 2. As always, those students who are putting in the effort both in class and at home are reaping their just rewards and achieving great results. Along with some commendable results there are always some who need to reflect on their commitment to their academic studies. Students who are not achieving satisfactory results should be considering their options and reassessing their approach.

Please take advantage of the extensive after school and lunchtime Academic Support offered by the college. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s progress, then please do not hesitate to contact myself or their subject teacher. Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews will be held in Term 2 Week 5 Thursday 23 May. Please take advantage of this opportunity to discuss your child’s progress.

Students who require a subject change should be completing the necessary form so that these changes are made ready for the new term.

Yrs 7 and 9 NAPLAN

Students in Yrs 7 and 9 will again undergo the NAPLAN testing in Week 4 of Term 2, Tuesday 14 May - 17 May. Students will complete Language Conventions, Writing, Reading and Numeracy tests. To ensure our students are well prepared for these tests, students will have two NAPLAN practice tests on Tuesday 30 April (Term 2, Week 2). While this is a practice, students will undergo the same testing conditions as the 2019 NAPLAN testing.

ANZAC DAY

One of the most important commemorations days of the year is ANZAC Day. On Wednesday 24 April we will hold our own commemoration at the College before Anzac Day on Thursday. In the past, we have been very proud of our students and their commitment to this annual event, so I encourage all students to attend one of the many ceremonies in our area.

I would like to wish everyone a holy and happy Easter, may the risen Christ give you new hope and joy. Wishing you all a safe and restful break.

God Bless
Joan Devietti

From the Assistant Principal (Religious Education)

This week sees the end of Term 1 already. It has certainly been a busy one. We have many events throughout the term, but the highlight for me is our class masses. It has been wonderful to see so many of our students clearly enjoying the celebration of mass with either Father Damian or Father Mobin and their continued involvement in the readings, responses and singing of hymns. I hope they continue to set a high standard.

This week’s Project Compassion story is about Michaela from Alice Springs. Twenty-one-year-old Michaela is helping to build a social enterprise for people with chronic illnesses at The Purple House in Alice Springs. The young Alywarr woman cares for patients as they receive dialysis and helps them to feel at home and remain hopeful during treatment. Patients in turn pass on traditional knowledge to Michaela. With the help of staff like Michaela, the Aboriginal-controlled service gives patients the opportunity to stay connected with their culture. They do this through traditional healing practices and income-generating activities, such as making bush balms and soaps. The program is run by the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation, with support from Caritas Australia. To find more information about this project and donate to Project Compassion please go to the link below.

This week our Yr 11 students started their Social Justice Campaigns in response to the assessment they are doing in the school-based religion program run by our school. Students are asked to identify a social justice issue in our community, nationally or globally and pitch a campaign that raises awareness within our school community. This program is new for Gilroy and for our diocese and is one that puts a focus on the students putting into action the idea of ‘walking the walk’ and being actively involved in changing the lives of people in need. I look forward to keeping everyone updated on the campaigns our students are running.

As one term finishes, we start looking towards the next. There are already so many events in place. The Diocesan Youth group is holding a Breakthrough Camp for teenagers aged 13-17. It will be held over three days with fun, games, music and spiritual activities to experience an encounter with Jesus. It will be held at Ryan Community Centre from Friday May 24 at 5:00pm – Sunday 26 May at 1:00pm. All meals are provided for and the cost of the camp will be covered by the parish. If your child is interested, please contact me or register at . Registrations close on Monday 13 May.

We are also sending a group of students to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) in Perth at the end of the year. Many students have approached me about attending this great event. It is a national gathering of Catholic young people which provides them to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples of the world today and to encounter the vitality of the Church today through social action, liturgy, prayer, catholic music and vocation. Again, if anyone is interested in more information please contact me or visit the website.

As we come to the end of Term 1, I would like to wish everyone a happy and relaxing holiday and a holy Easter. If you are travelling, please keep safe and I look forward to seeing you all next term.

God Bless
Christine Timms

From the Acting Assistant Principal (Pastoral Care)

Bullying Survey:

The National Day of Action Against Bullying was on the 15 March, 2019 and as part of this a bullying survey was emailed out to all students. So far, just over 160 students have responded to the survey; however, in order to get an accurate representation of bullying in our school we would like more students to respond. We have extended the deadline in order to gain more feedback, so if they have not done so already, please encourage your child to complete the Google Form that has been emailed to them by the last day of Term 1. We will share the information that we have collected along with some ideas to help minimise and prevent bullying with you early next term. Just as a reminder, the national definition of bullying for Australian schools is “an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause harm.” If you have any concerns or questions about this topic, please do not hesitate to come and see myself or any of our staff.

Holidays: Relax, Refresh & Reflect

It’s Week 10 and holidays are so close that you can smell the hot cross buns. I hope everyone has a wonderful relaxing holidays, but also gets the chance to reflect. Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over but expecting different results. So relax, refresh and reflect. What changes would you like to see in your life next term and what do you need to do to get there?

Blessings
Karen Lahtinen

From the Business Manager

Office hours over the School Holidays.

The office will be open over the school holidays (except Public Holidays) please see adjusted hours below.

Monday – Thursday 8.00am to 4.00pm Closed for lunch 1.00pm - 2.00pm
Friday 8.00am to 3.30pm. Closed for lunch 1.00pm – 2.00pm

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.

Musical tickets are selling fast. They are still available to purchase from the school office or from Menz.

There are a number of fundraising activities happening around the school so please support them if you can. QISSN are selling chocolates and taking orders for Krispy Kremes, please contact the school if you would like to support any of our fund raising activities.

There are a number of ways to pay for school fees either weekly, fortnightly, monthly or by term and a number of ways to pay, direct debit, credit card, cash or cheque. If paying by direct debit please do not forget to enter your Family Code (found on your School fee Statement). If you have paid without entering a family code, please contact the school to verify payment.

BANK DETAILS are as follows:

WESTPAC Ingham
BSB - 034-187
Account Number – 145 925
Name – Gilroy Santa Maria College

Happy Easter!!

Ros Giuliano

Careers

Creating a Mindful Attitude (Diary Page 127)

Mindfulness is the concept of active contemplation and understanding, which clarify your thought processes in a deeper way than usual – in short, it is intentionally being aware of the present moment.

You can become more aware of the people and environment around you, while also making you open to new experiences, as well as your own faith, beliefs and wishes. This can aid you in discovering new hobbies, deciding future plans and choosing what to study while you’re in school.

Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness can be used to decrease stress, enhance clarity and to improve the way that you deal with emotions and relationships.

A lot of people have defeatist attitudes, such as thinking that they are not able to do oral presentations because of nerves or not focussing on essay writing because of trouble with grammar.

Mindfulness can help you concentrate on the areas you struggle with and help you reject the idea that you can’t do something. This way, you make the most of your years in the classroom.

Activities to enhance your mindful attitude could be:

• Gardening – fresh air and a simple activity can help clear your mind
• Be in silence – focussing on your breathing can aid not only your physical body but also your mental state
• Eat food slowly – appreciation of the small things in life is one of the basics of mindfulness – be thoughtful about the flavours
• Observe more – if observing is not active enough for you, drawing what you see in your environment can increase your thought process

Mindfulness isn’t something that you can acquire overnight. Rather, it is a mindset that can be cultivated over a steady period of time through different activities. Just like exercise increases your fitness, practicing mindfulness helps you become mindful.

NEW INFOGRAPHIC - Generation Z: Life at 17

This new infographic provides a snapshot of how study, work, and living arrangements are tracking for young Australians aged 17 in 2017 as they acquire the skills and experience they need to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Generation Z: Life at 17 uses data from the Y15 wave 3 (2017) Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth interviews to showcase some of the new measures collected as part of the Y15 survey instrument, including soft skills, gig work, and living arrangements such as homelessness.

View Generation Z: Life at 17 on the LSAY website now.

Click the link below to see the whole infographic:

Best wishes to you all for a safe and relaxing break over the Easter school holidays. I hope that you find time to increase your mindfulness and have many opportunities to appreciate the both the big and small joys in life.

Nancy Douglas

Sports News

NQ Squash: Congratulations to Alana Romano, Kate Butcher and Jason Bisson making it through to NQ Squash Championships. These students will be departing on May 22 to travel to Bundaberg to compete in the State Championships from May 23 – 26.

NQ Swimming: Yr 7 students Lucy Tento, Cara Elliott and Codey Masters travelled to Brisbane recently, as they had been selected in the North Queensland swim team earlier in the year and were representing North Queensland at the Qld State Swimming Championships.  They were all competing for a place on the Queensland Swimming Team.  Although they were not selected on the Qld swim team, they all swam personal bests and at the meet, Lucy was appointed one of the captains of the NQ swim team.  Congratulations to all three students.

North Queensland Representatives: On the 31 May, Brayden Spina, Lucy Biviano and Damien Marino will travel down to Ayr for the NQ Touch Trials from all of us here at Gilroy Santa Maria we wish you the best of luck at your state competition events.

Cross Country: Our annual Interschool Cross Country will go ahead Term 2 Week 2, Wednesday, periods 1-3. Students will take part in the course which will see them running through cane paddocks and if this rain sticks around it could be a very wet and muddy run. But it will still go ahead!

Erin Cerutti
Sports Coordinator

Academic Support

PLEASE NOTE: All students welcome for Homework, Assignments, Academic Tutoring and Organisation.

Indigenous Homework Support

Tuckshop News

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED!!

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

Please note: The NEW lunch times are as follows:

1st Lunch – 10:55am – 11:25am
2nd Lunch – 12:55pm finish 1:25pm

Start time is preferably 8.30 am - 12.00pm or 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 [0427 765 321] - Jodie Lino [0407 904 918]

What’s Happening in the Parish

Ingham Region Catholic Parishes Newsletter

UP Coming Events:

• St Patrick’s Day—Monday 18 March.
• Mass of the Holy Oils, 7.00pm Thursday 11 April, Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

District News

St Peter’s School Silver Circle

For Sale

Athletics spikes:
Size 7½, Good condition, $20-00

Athletics spikes (no spikes)
Size 8½, $10-00

Please see Mrs Woolley if interested

Youth Ministry Initiatives in the Diocese

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