31 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Important Emails

Yr 7 & 8 Co-ordinator: Mr Matthew Giliberto mgiliberto1@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Yr 9 & 10 Co-ordinator: Mr Matthew Schrodter mschrodter@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Yr 11 & 12 Co-ordinator: Mr Claude Cianciullo ccianciullo@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Acting Assistant Principal Pastoral Care: klahtinen@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Acting Assistant Principal Administration & Curriculum: jdevietti@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Assistant Principal Religious Education: ctimms1@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Principal: jnuttall@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au

Gilroy on the Go

Maraka Float

Maraka Float!! 60 Years of Music and Fashion. A big thanks to all staff and students for helping and joining in the fun!

Social

The final Social of the year with the theme of G.S.M.C.

Crazy Sock Day

Wanted for Science Department

Ice cream containers are needed for the Science Department. Please drop at the Labs or Student Reception.

GSM Cup 2019

From the Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

Last week we welcomed three directors from the Townsville Catholic Education Office, who visited our school to present us with our School Renewal Certificate. Mr Ross Horner – Director of Leadership and School Development, Mrs Jennifer Blackshaw – Director of Organisational Services and Mr Peter Stower – Director of Learning and Teaching were our guests for the day where they not only presented our certificate, but also met with parents, staff and students.

The presentation of our School Renewal Certificate is the culmination of a five-year school improvement cycle. School renewal is a process to ensure that schools continue to review and improve their practices to better serve and educate our students. It started with us as a community rating ourselves against the ten characteristics of an effective catholic school. Then we had two visiting teams that interviewed students, parents and staff. They collected data on our performances and examined our procedures and many other documents. Eventually a report was prepared which detailed our strengths and recommended areas for improvement. From this report a Strategic Plan was developed. Below are the eight points we have identified as our major aims for the next five years:

1. Continue to strategically embed practices that maximise our Catholic Identity.
2. Continue to ensure that the Indigenous story and culture are embedded in the college life.
3. Provide a safe and inclusive College environment that recognises the importance of positive relationships and their contribution to student outcomes and personal wellbeing.
4. Continue to improve and enhance an already strong academic culture.
5. Provide modern facilities and infrastructure to ensure the best possible teaching and learning environments are provided to our college community.
6. Continue to build the capacity of all staff
7. Continue to develop effective strategies to successfully differentiate learning and cater for strengths and challenges of all students.
8. Continue to ensure that current teaching and learning programs align with the requirements of all relevant stakeholders especially in relation to the New QCE System.

This week there was a hive of activity happening at the College, a highlight in particular, was of course our annual Awards night, held for the first time in the new SMC. Whenever you move an event to a new location, there are always things that pop up and need to be solved. Our great staff did a tremendous job to ensure that the Awards night went smoothly. Congratulations to all students who received awards, you should be very proud of your efforts and achievements.

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 2020. We have had excellent applicants this year. It gives me great pleasure to announce that Josh Spina and Alicia Galipo will be our School Captains, while Ethan Costabeber and Emily Firth will be Vice-Captains. The next phase of our student leadership process will be the selection of prefects and house captains.

In more staffing news, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Mr Matthew Schrodter will be our new Assistant Principal Pastoral beginning 2020. Matthew has been a Pastoral Middle Leader at our school for many years. He brings a great understanding of the role, has high expectations but at the same time a care and concern for our students.

Good luck to our Yr 12’s who begin their final exams next Wednesday 6 November. Our Yr12’s are quickly ticking off many “last times” as they count down towards their Graduation on Friday 15 November. We wish them all the best for their exams.

God Bless
John Nuttall
jnuttall@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au

From the Assistant Principal (Religious Education)

Last week we had Crazy Sock Day for Mission Month. We had many students support the day, wearing some of the loudest socks I have ever seen. One student wore black socks and when I questioned the craziness he explained that every other day black socks drove the teachers crazy. It certainly made sense after that. We raised $255.00 that will be donated to Australian Catholic Mission for the Ghana Appeal.

This week we have a number of our school community travelling to Townsville to witness the Ordination of Emene Kelmete. It promises to be a beautiful and uplifting experience. Deacon Emene’s family is Tokelaun and their catholic culture will contribute to the ceremony. Please continue to pray for Deacon (soon to be Father) Emene.

We are coming up to the special time in which we farewell our Yr 12 Cohort for 2019. We hold two masses; a whole school ‘Thanksgiving’ Mass on Wednesday, 13 November at the Santa Maria Centre at 10:10am and the Graduation Mass on Thursday evening at St Patrick’s Church for the seniors and their families. All are welcome to attend and join in celebrating all the wonderful things that have happened through the year and to farewell our senior students.

This Saturday is All Souls Day. It is the commemoration of all the faithful departed, especially those Christians who have died over the past year. This week’s prayer is a prayer for all relatives and friends that have left us and returned to our Heavenly Father.

Blessings

Christine Timms

From the Business Manager

Reminder School fees are due 15 November 2019. 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
Detail – (Family code from statement)

Ros Giuliano

Sports News

Reminder Sports Awards:

The Sports Awards assembly is on Wednesday 6 November. Parents are invited to join the celebration in the Santa Maria Centre from 1:25pm for approximately a one-hour ceremony. During this event we will celebrate students sporting success throughout the 2019 calendar and name the Sportsman and Sportswomen for this year.

Students who are receiving an award need to check the list outside the Student Reception and Coordinators Office during the week.

Tuckshop News

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 – 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

Ingham Region Catholic Parishes Newsletter:

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

What’s On

Catholic Deb Ball 2020

Frosty Mango is Turning 30

Andy’s Country Christmas

Hi Everyone,

Andy’s Roadhouse is doing a fundraiser for local charities on November 30 and we are looking for local performers to join the fun.

The night comprises of entertainers to do a ‘walk-on’ and perform 2 songs on stage. If you would like to join us, please be at Andy’s Roadhouse at 6.30pm. It is a family night and you are guaranteed of a great night.

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