27 June 2019

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

Again, it’s amazing how quickly the year goes. It only seems like yesterday that we welcomed everyone back to the new school year. I am sure everyone including students and staff are looking forward to a break from lessons, as it has been a very busy term.

During the first week of the holidays, we have our Open Rugby League Team competing in the Annual Confraternity Carnival and our Open Netball Team competing in the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Carnival. Both carnivals are being held in Bundaberg this year hosted by Shalom College. These carnivals are the culmination of many hours of preparation by many people. Hours of training, playing lead-up games, fundraising and overall organisation have been taking place all year. Thanks to the commitment of numerous staff members, students and parents, I am confident that the carnivals will be an unbelievable experience for all involved. Special thanks to the staff who give up their holidays to ensure that participation in these two carnivals remain a permanent fixture on the school calendar.

I read with interest today that the Victorian Education Minister has moved to ban mobile phones in Victorian schools from the first to the last bell. They will be instructing that all phones must be kept in lockers unless a teacher has explicitly allowed a student to use a device in class. We already have similar expectations here at Gilroy. We expect our students to put their phones in their lockers or school bags between 8:30am and 2:55pm. They should not be in their pencil cases or pockets and should not be used during lunch breaks or class unless given permission by the teacher to do so. Consequences of breaking these rules will be that the phone will be confiscated for the day, if this is repeated students must hand in their device to the office every day for a ten-week period. I ask parents to support this expectation by not texting or ringing your child during school time. As has been the case for many years if you need to contact your child, please ring the office and staff will pass on a message. Also, students are welcome to ring parents at any time using the school phone.

While discussing mobile phones, the topic of cyberbullying is often raised. I’m sorry to say that our school community is not immune from it. If cyberbullying occurs during school time, there will be serious consequences. However, the changing landscape for me as principal is what to do when cyberbullying occurs between students after school hours, on the weekends or the holidays. In such out of school hours cases, if this cyberbullying is impacting on relationships at school we will try to intervene and sort things between students and consequences may be given especially if negative behaviours arise at school. In some serious cases, we are obliged to report it to the police. At the very least, we will let parents know as soon as possible and we would expect that parents follow through with some consequences at home. Many would say that what happens on the weekends and holidays has nothing to do with the school but my attitude is that if that was my child doing the wrong thing, I’d want to know and that is why I think it is our duty to at least inform parents.

I hope all community enjoys the two-week break. Please follow our “Confro” and “QISSN” Teams performances in Bundaberg via our GSM Facebook page.

God Bless

John Nuttall
jnuttall@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au

From the Acting Assistant Principal
(Administration & Curriculum)

Hello everyone,

Thank you to all those who attended “Gilroy on Show” and to the Staff and students who participated. It was a great exhibition of what happens at Gilroy. The subject displays highlighted the variety and quality of our educational programs and facilities here at Gilroy. The entertainment and catering by our students not only emphasized the many talents of students but also ensured a great night was had by all.

Term 2 Exams and Reports

I would like to congratulate students on their examination efforts this week. Students who are seriously committed, putting in the effort both in class and at home will always reap their just rewards.

Along with some commendable results, there will also be some students 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 afterschool 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 their subject teacher or myself. Semester One Report Cards will be mailed home to parents in Week 2 of Term 3.

As I stated in previous newsletters, the New QCE System demands that students are very aware of certain verbs called Cognitive Verbs. Teachers will use these verbs in their teaching and assessment for all subjects across all grades. It is vital that students understand what the verb is asking them to do in order to answer the question correctly. All verbs and their definitions are in the school diary and on the walls of each classroom. The cognitive verb for this newsletter is INTERPRET, please use this link to get to the poster. Interpret

Of particular interest is the suggested “sentence starters” which students may find useful.

Happy holidays

God Bless

Joan Devietti

From the Assistant Principal
(Religious Education)

The readings from last weekend’s mass centred around the Feast of Corpus Christi, celebrating the importance of the Eucharist and the sharing of a meal. During the time of Jesus, people were judged by whom they shared a meal with. Jesus broke many rules during his ministry, sharing meals with those in society seen as outcasts and rejected by those around them. He was often criticised for his actions, however, his message was clear, the Kingdom of God was an inclusive community.

As the term ends, we can reflect on how far we have come and think back on the many joyful experiences we have shared with those around us: ‘Hairspray’, Cross Country, Gilroy on Show, Reconciliation Week Liturgy, Retreats, Mary Help of Christians Mass, Class Masses, netball and football matches, as well as, the many individual achievements over the course of the last couple of months. As a community, we share our many gifts and talents making our school a great place to be.

I wish our students, families and staff a safe and relaxing holiday and look forward to seeing all again in Term 3.

Christine Timms

From the Acting Assistant Principal
(Pastoral Care)

Top 4 Tips for Overcoming Bullies:

1.Understand the bully:

There are several reasons why people bully. More often than not, it is a coping mechanism for dealing with stress in their own life. People who bully often have low self-esteem, lack confidence are insecure or jealous. The bottom line here is that you are not the problem.

2.Confront the bully (if you feel safe enough):

In today’s society, bullying is often done behind the perceived safety of a screen or keyboard. Many people act one way online but wouldn’t confront someone about an issue face to face. We often refer to people who act like this as ‘keyboard warriors’. Because bullying is a subjective experience the bully genuinely may not realise just how they are affecting you. By confronting the person, you may be able to solve the issue. If this is something you would consider, make sure you have a plan and feel safe before doing so!

3.Seek help:

If you are ever feeling unsafe or that the situation is out of your hands, seek help. You can approach any staff member at Gilroy Santa Maria College for Assistance. Your teachers, homeroom teachers and pastoral leaders are all here to help. Our school safe person Mrs Squires, school counsellor Ms Stringini, our College Principal Mr Nuttall and I are also always available to help anyone who needs it.

4.Look after yourself:

Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep each night and exercising can improve your physical and mental health and reduce stress. If your mental health is on track, you are more likely to think clearly and better deal with difficult situations. Meditation, reducing screen time and hobbies can also help when it comes to overall happiness. Bullies prey on people who will give them a reaction. If you are feeling mentally strong enough to deal with the bully you are less likely to be victimised. Make sure you do not isolate yourself from others as this can make the bullying (and how you deal with it) worse. Be kind to yourself and remember you are not the problem.

Blessings

Karen Lahtinen

From the Business Manager

School fees are now overdue with reminder notices were sent out last week. Please contact the school so a payment plan can be arranged. The school office will open during the holidays. Good luck to the Netball and Rugby League teams travelling to Bundaberg next week.

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

Engaging in Career Conversations with your child: Helpful hints

As a parent, you have significant influence on your child’s career choices and can assist your child in many different ways to help develop their knowledge around careers. From a young age, your child will start to explore the world around them, including their understanding about work. There are many resources that can assist you and your child to begin to find out more about the world of work, the latest job trends, labour market information, and tertiary and training options. Always remember that your first point of contact should be the Career Development Practitioner at school.

Please make contact with our Career Development Practitioner, Nancy Douglas, for further information.

Careers Expo

The Townsville Careers Expo will be held on Monday 5 August and provides an opportunity to source information about the variety of study options, career opportunities and new trends in education, training and employment.

As Yr 9, 10, 11 and 12 students have already participated in the Hinchinbrook Careers Expo, our College will not be attending the Townsville Careers Expo, but information on the exhibitors can be accessed through the website links below and parents are welcome to attend.

• Allara Learning
• Australian Child Care Career Options
• Australian Council for Private Education & Training (ACPET)
• Australian Institute of Music
• Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute
• Australian National College of Beauty
• Atira
• Aviation Australia
• Billy Blue College of Design
• Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
• Bond University
• CATC Design School
• Career Employment Australia
• Career Planet – NEW in 2019
• CIM Employment
• CQUniversity
• Defence Force Recruiting
• Defence Work Experience Program
• Destination Spatial
• Edinburgh Business School
• EducationUSA US Consulate General Sydney
• Griffith College
• Griffith University
• HTMi Australia
• IGLU Student Accommodation
• International College of Management Sydney
• International College of Hotel Management
• International House – UQ
• Indigenous Youth Mobility Program
• James Cook University
• Jansen Newman Institute
• JMC Academy
• The John Flynn College
• Laureate International Universities
• Learning Partnerships
• Life Without Barriers
• Monash University
• Mylestones Employment
• My Pathway
• New York Film Academy
• NQ Employment
• Osmac Apprenticeships  – New in 2019
• PRESCARE
• QTAC
• Queensland Corrective Services
• Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA)
• Queensland Police Recruiting  – New in 2019
• QUT
• Racing Queensland
• Real Skills for Real Careers
• Raymont Residential College
• Saints Catholic College
• Schoolies.com
• Skil360 Australia
• Smart jobs and careers: QCS positions
• Southern School of Natural Therapies
• STEPS Group Australia
• Student One
• Study Assist (CASSU)
• TAFE Queensland
• Tec-NQ
• The Australian National University
• The Hotel School
• The University of Queensland
• THINK: Education Group
• TORGAS Inc
• Townsville Bulletin
• Townsville Creative Technologies College
• Townsville Helicopters
• Torrens University
• Townsville City Council
• Townsville Correctional Complex
• Try Surveying
• Uniresort
• University of Southern Queensland
• Urbanest
• Volunteering North Queensland
• Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia
• William Blue College of Hospitality & Management
• Wilmar Sugar Pty Ltd
• Workways Ltd
• World Education Program

Please contact me if you would like further information or would like to discuss information once you have looked at the websites.

Nancy Douglas

P&F News

Parents & Friends Committee:

We encourage all members of our community to be a part of the Gilroy Santa Maria Parents and Friends Committee, which has been, and continues to be an integral part of our College. Please keep an eye out for the P & F Section of the newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events. Our next meeting will be held in the first week back of Term 3, on Wednesday 17 July at 7:00pm in the Staff Room and we would love to see you there!

Please see myself, Mr John Nuttall or P & F Committee President, Mr Peter Staples if you have any questions, concerns or ideas for our College.

Karen Lahtinen

Academic Support

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

Indigenous Homework Support and English 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 8:30am - 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

Office Hours: 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday, 1pm to 3pm Monday to Thursday

Ingham Region Catholic Parishes Newsletter:

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

Around the District

Australian Army

On Monday 1July 2019, the Australian Army is providing a presentation and display to our Hinchinbrook Emergency Service Cadets of some of the armoured vehicles and weaponry used by them in this current Military Exercise in our area.

We would like to extend an invitation to all students and their families to join us in this presentation. It is scheduled for 5:30pm on Monday 1July 2019 at the Coastguard Base, 19 Patterson Parade, Lucinda (Cadet HQ).

The presenters will include several recent graduates into the Army whom can answer any questions from students who may be considering a career in the Australian Army.

Cane Train Safety

Australian Italian Festival

Apprentice Chef – Enrico’s

First Year Apprentice Chef wanted: We are looking for a person who is passionate about food and willing to work hard to achieve their dreams, who understands that this is a career that can take them all over the world with the skills and knowledge that they acquire. If you know of such a person please direct them to our restaurant or call the restaurant on 07 47761109.

Tracy Mingon

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