26 June 2020

Newsletter Articles

Essential Emails

Transition Day Information for YR 6 families

Take a walk with us:

Link to enrolment information:

Cross Country

Inter-house Cross Country was a great success!!
Congratulations to the Overall Winners RICE

Age Champions

12 Girls Georgia Biasi
12 Boys Jack Butcher
13 Girls Cara Elliott
13 Boys Codey Masters
14 Girls Ella Camilleri
14 Boys Bodhi Matsen
15 Girls Laura Poggio
15 Boys Harry Hardy
16 Girls Paige Benfell
16 Boys Luca Adornetto
Open Girls Lexi Tessieri
Open Boys Ethan Costabeber

English Writing Competition

Final day to submit. Link for all details: Jacaranda Writing Competition

Got a story to share? You’re invited to put your writing skills to the test! Jacaranda’s writing competition is now open to current English teachers and their Years 7-12 students until June 26th, 2020.

For the first time, Jacaranda will be publishing winning stories in our new English titles, making this a truly once in a lifetime opportunity to have your work published while helping teach future students the art of writing. We have a broad range of categories to suit all writers (short story, essay, poetry, flash fiction or micro-fiction) and plenty of prizes to be won.

What are you waiting for? Submit your entry today!

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE JUNE 26 2020

Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community,

To say it has been a different semester in these COVID times is an understatement. But as we prepare for our mid-year break, we reflect on a semester that has had many ups, downs, changes, cancellations, restrictions, rules, and isolation. It has challenged everyone’s ability to adapt in so many ways and I am sure some of us have thrived while some of us have struggled. If you are like me it is a bit of both.

I do know it has been a long term for our staff. Most worked over Easter holidays to prepare for online learning and online learning itself was hard work. Because the students were not in front of you, the whole learning and teaching cycle was more time consuming. Planning the online tasks, checking for understanding and providing feedback was so much more difficult than having your class in front of you.

I also acknowledge it was difficult for students and parents too and as I have said before, I am very proud of our whole community for their cooperation and resilience. From a principal’s point of view, people were reasonable and although issues arose, everyone respected the unique situation we all were in and demonstrated patience and understanding.

I cannot conclude discussing the impact of COVID without mentioning as I touched on above, that some children would have thrived during online learning while others found it difficult. The reality is that this may affect their report results for Semester 1. The reports cards will be distributed in Week 2 of next term and I am sure some children will have done better, and some may have done poorly in comparison to previous report cards. I think we must expect these things will happen and be understanding of it.

I am pleased to announce that our first Yr 6 Transition Day is confirmed for Thursday 16 July. We have been interviewing many Yr 6 students already and they are excited for the Transition Days to commence. The visiting Yr 6 students will be some of the first students to use our new Hospitality Centre, one of many highlights for them over the three days they will be our guests.

It is sad to announce that two of our long serving teachers, Mr and Mrs Bullock are moving to Townsville over the holidays. Chantal and Clint have made a significant contribution to the life of our college since beginning here in 2011. Under Chantal’s guidance and promotion, our business and accounting courses are extremely popular and successful here at Gilroy. Chantal also led our VET program and introduced dance to our junior Arts program. Clint has been a leading teacher in our English department for many years and in recent years played a huge role in improving the Digital Technology skills of our teachers and setting up structures that has enabled all our students to have their own device. I thank them both for their service to our college and wish them all the best for the future.

This will be my last newsletter for a while as I begin a stint in the Townsville Catholic Education Office from Monday 20 July. I will be back at school on Monday 19 October ready for many of the end of year events, the Yr 12 Graduation conducted in our Santa Maria Centre for the first time one I am particularly looking forward to.

I wish all students and staff a deserved break.

God Bless,
John Nuttall
Principal

From the Assistant Principal (Administration & Curriculum)

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community,

I would like to congratulate students on their examination efforts this week. It is great to see so many students taking advantage of our academic program both during and after school. Students who are seriously committed; putting in effort both at home and school will always reap their rewards. Along with some commendable results, some students will need to reflect on their efforts and approach to their studies so far this year. Semester One Reports will be both on Compass and mailed home in Week 2 of Term 3.

A Year 12 Letter to parents and students has been made available on compass. Parents should have received a notification. Year 12 students have gone through this letter in detail during their Year Level Assembly yesterday so they are familiar with all the content. This letter contains some very important information pertaining to student examinations and results so please ready it carefully. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope everyone enjoys their holidays and stays safe.

God Bless
Melissa Carr
Assistant Principal
(Administration & Curriculum)

Assistant Principal (Religious Education)

Father Vinoj started his sermon on the weekend with this story:

A new boy joined the school. As he got ready to sleep, he knelt to say his prayers in a dormitory with twelve other boys. Some of the boys were looking forward to making fun of the newcomer. Tom noticed a heavy shoe flying in the air to hit the praying boy. But it missed his head. Laughter and ridicule followed. The incident shook Tom and he could not sleep for some time. He kept thinking of his mother and the prayers she had taught him, prayers he had not said since coming to the school. So, encouraged by the example of the fearless newcomer, the following night Tom also knelt to pray. The other boys who planned to bully the new boy the second night, immediately noticed what their leader and hero was doing, and they withdrew with respectful silence. Soon, the courage of two boys won the respect and admiration of the entire class.

In the gospel readings on the weekend Jesus warns the apostles that following him will come with risk. He asks them to preach the good news without fear, to go and be witnesses for Him in the world. The apostles faced many challenges in the beginning and encountered persecution for their faith.

We face many challenges in our lives. Like the new boy at school and the early disciples, there are many situations that will test us and give us the opportunity to show who we truly are. ‘Our’ courage might also give others the opportunity to show the world who they are. Sometimes it only takes one person’s act of bravery to influence the actions of others. The question is then, ‘will you say yes?’ Will you be the person, in the light of adversity, who has the nerve to stand up for the wrongs around you knowing that God is there for you, leading and supporting you in your life. Be brave!

I hope everyone has an enjoyable and relaxing holiday break. Keep safe.

God Bless

Christine Timms
Assistant Principal
(Religious Education)

Assistant Principal (Pastoral)

Wow what a term! Although it has been challenging, staff, students and parents have all learnt a lot about educating children in changing times. Thank you parents and carers for all of your support over the past term through these changes. Unfortunately, COVID-19 did have an effect on our Pastoral program planned for the year. However, we are re-booking it for next year as it is a full-year program. This will allow us, in conjunction with the providers, to incorporate additional elements. We have planned to run alternative programs for the rest of the year which will be just as valuable to the students’ wellbeing.

Our final day this term was the school cross country. Thanks to our two neighbouring farming families the Scotts and the Reinaudo's who have once again given the school permission to use their farms to allow the students to experience a more authentic course. The feedback was that the students loved the course and cannot wait to do it again.

I hope that everyone has an enjoyable break and we come back to the start of term 3 refreshed, excited, and take advantage of the skills we learnt in term 2 during our online learning and teaching phase.

God Bless
Matt Schrodter
Assistant Principal (Pastoral)

Business Manager

School Fees are now Due.

Thank you to all who have paid fees to date. If you have not paid recently please do so ASAP. 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.

I have recently had a number of payments paid to the school bank account without a name attached so I am unable to allocate them to anything. If you have paid an amount towards school fees but they are not reflected on your statement can you please contact the office.

As of Term 3, Gilroy is moving to a new accounting system. This means that school fees for Term 3 will be issued early in week 1. Please keep an eye out for them in your emails.

Office hours over the School Holidays.

The office will be open over the school holidays please see adjusted hours below.

Monday – Wednesday 8.00am to 4.00pm Closed for lunch 1.00pm - 2.00pm

Thursday & Friday 8.00am to 3.30pm. Closed for lunch 1.00pm – 2.00pm

BANK DETAILS are as follows:

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

God Bless
Ros Giuliano
Business Manager

Gamers @ Gilroy

Last Saturday night, Gamers@Gilroy turned CO1 and CO2 computer labs into a haven for computer and console gamers. With COVID restrictions only allowing 20 people to gather, spots for the night filled quickly. A great night was had by all and Gamers@Gilroy was able to donate $300 to local group, Audrey’s Angels of Hope, to assist with looking after cancer patients and their families. Gamers night will be back on at the end of week 5 next term where hopefully we will be able to have a larger group.

Mr Matthews

Counsellor’s Corner

POSITIVE PARENTING TIP
SCREEN TIME AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Checklist for a healthy approach to screen time:

These questions can help you check whether your child is using screens in a balanced and healthy way.

Is your child:

• Sleeping enough?
• Physically healthy?
• Engaged with school?
• Connecting socially with family and friends, online and offline?
• Enjoying a variety of hobbies and interests?
• Having fun and learning while using screens?
• Using quality content?

If you answer yes to most or all of these questions, your child is probably using screens in a balanced way as part of a healthy lifestyle. Here are some important tips:

Use rules about screen use – where, when, how long.
Aim for short screen time sessions – 30 minutes
Make physical activity part of your child’s day
Look into extracurricular activities
Encourage socialising and friendship that is FACE to FACE
Avoid screen time before bed – Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep per night
Keep screens out of bedrooms at night to avoid disrupted sleep

Physical Activity

Aim for 60 minutes or more per day – the more you huff & puff the better!

For further information go to the following links:

God Bless
Simone Cook

Cane Train Safety

Careers

Dear students and families,

The College has invested in a comprehensive career development link that provides access to a diversity of career and life skills information.

Accessible through the main college webpage under the Student tab, the Career Planning link enables easy access for students to create their USI (Unique Student Identifier) or go to the ATO website to start the creation of their Tax File Number.

For Year 10 students and parents entering into subject selection and SET Planning next term, the links for Senior School and Post School options will provide a host of information for you to explore.

Best wishes for a restful and restorative holiday break.

Nancy Douglas

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 – 11:20am

2nd Lunch – 12:50pm - 1:30pm

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 can be found here:

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

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