6 August 2020

Newsletter Articles

Essential Emails

Transition Day Information for YR 6 families

Take a walk with us:

Link to enrolment information:

YR 10 Information Night

Around the school

BRAND NEW FACILITY

YR 9 HASS - 09HASS02

In Civics and Citizenship studies, students have been learning about the workings of the Australian government and our system of voting. 4 students nominated to "run" for class leader and presented a mini speech to the class, followed by a voting ballot with all students taking part in preferential voting.

From the Acting Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community,

Last Friday we held our Interhouse Athletics Carnival. It was, again, a great day for all our students and an important community event. It was well attended with excellent spirit amongst all the house groups. Student participation was commendable; it was great to see students getting in and ‘having a go’. We had some records broken on the day which is always a great addition to these days. I thank Mrs Cerutti for the great work she has done in organising both Friday’s events and all of the preevents in the last couple of weeks leading up to this. I’d also like to thank our staff who support Erin in the running of these events.

It has been a pleasure for our Leadership Team to be interviewing the many Yr 6 students in our district who have enrolled for Yr 7 for 2021. We are looking to have around sixty students in Yr 7 next year from all over our district from both State and Catholic schools. Many of these students have been attending our Yr 6 Transition Days and becoming familiar with our school environment and routine. Feedback from students is that they are enjoying all the hands-on experiences and learning how to navigate their way around the College. We have recently opened our new building, known as ‘C Block’, which includes our new commercial kitchen. Some of our Yr 6 students at their first transition day were lucky enough to be one of the first groups of students cooking in this kitchen. Importantly, they share that they feel welcome and are part of a safe and caring environment. A reminder to families that our next Yr 6 Transition Day will be Thursday 20 August, 8:30am-11:30am. We also have our Yr 6 Parent Information Night on Thursday 10 September which will provide both families and students with important information in preparation for transitioning into secondary school. Yr 6 students were given a letter outlining key dates in their packs during their first transition day. If anyone would like a copy of this letter, we have them available at the front office.

On Thursday 13 August at 6:30pm in the Santa Maria Centre, we will be conducting an information evening for current Yr 10 parents and students regarding Senior Schooling. This night will include information regarding subject selections for Yr 11 and 12 as well as important information pertaining to their work experience block coming up in week 2 of next term. There will be important information presented that families will need to consider before making decisions regarding the subjects and courses students may wish to study. We have already had some career sessions with the Yr 10 students where teachers of senior subjects have come to give students some information on the senior subjects we have on offer.

We have been fortunate to be able to resume our Chapel Masses at school this term, where Fr Damian is able to again celebrate mass with each of our year levels.

We also had a whole school fire drill on Wednesday of this week. Students were very well behaved and we are now prepared in the event that students need to evacuate their rooms (hopefully this day will never come though).

God Bless,
Melissa Carr
Acting Principal

Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum & Administration

Hello Parents/Carers and Students,

I trust that students are busily completing assessment tasks and constantly revising. Revision should never be left for the last few weeks; it should be constant and consistent throughout the term. The second half of the term is always busy with assessment. Term 3 Assessment Planners have been emailed to all parents/carers and students and should be constantly referred to.

Successful students:

• have good organizational skills
• can manage their time well
• consistently and constantly revise practice
• seek help when needed

Organisation is the key to success.

Organise yourself by:

• Create a study space that is free of distractions and has everything within reach.
• Keep a calendar on your wall and list the dates of your assessments.
• Get into a routine and set aside blocks of study time each day.
• Build 'free' time into each day for something you enjoy.
• Take regular breaks and move around to keep your mind and body active.
• Limit distractions such as social media.
• Allocate time each week to catch up with friends and family.

Organise your work by:

• Forward planning — understand the components of each task and how long they might take.
• Time management — make a plan and allow for unexpected events such as technology issues (they will always happen!) or changes in personal circumstances.
• Manage multiple deadlines — divide each assessment task into smaller 30-minute tasks (essay plan, essay introduction, essay body, etc.) and slot these into your calendar.

Year 10 Information Night

“Success in Senior” information night will be held on Thursday 13 August at 6.30pm. The information delivered on this evening will be vital for all year 10 students and their parents/carers. The evening will include an explanation of the New QCE System as well as guidance on selecting subjects for year 11.

Each student in year 10 will have a mandatory individual SET (Senior Education and Training) plan interview early in Term 4 to discuss their subject selections.

The Year 6 Transition Day will be held on Thursday 6 August. It is always great to see Year 6 students visiting our school and enjoying the experience.

Our Interhouse Athletics Carnival was held last week. These days are very enjoyable and highlight the amazing sporting talent of some of our students. Congratulations to all students for their eagerness to participate and make the most of a great day

As always, if anyone has any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me either by phone or email.

God Bless
Joan Devietti
Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum & Administration

Assistant Principal (Religious Education)

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

It was lovely to be able to celebrate mass this week in our chapel, our usual Tuesday morning Chapel Mass and then Year 8 Class Mass on Wednesday. It was brought to my attention last term that our Gilroy Chapel has an official name. The Chapel of Our Lady or Our Lady’s Chapel was originally named Our Lady of Fatima and was changed to The Chapel of Our Lady with the addition of Santa Maria. I will now start referring to the chapel with its correct name.

The celebration of Catholic Education Week at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Townsville was truly intimate and beautiful. Here are some more photos from the mass celebrated by Bishop Tim.

This week is National Vocations Awareness Week. As Catholics, we believe that God has a plan for our lives. He calls some to marriage, some to the priesthood, and others to consecrated life or to live as generous single people. We all have a vocation. The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare, which in English means to call. God calls each one of us to holiness. Being called to holiness means being called to love God and others. Someone’s specific vocation is the particular path or the unique specific way that he or she is called to follow Christ, to be more like him, but with their own personality, and characteristics, their gifts, talents, weaknesses and circumstances. Following God’s call is not about becoming someone that we are not, but about become more fully the ones He created us to be.

During this week, you are invited to pray about how God is calling you to live your own vocation more deeply. We also pray for more and generous vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The question is ‘How am I called to love others, making God’s love present in the world?’

God Bless
Christine Timms
Assistant Principal
(Religious Education)

From the Business Manager

Dear parents/ carers,

Term 3 School Fees are due 14 August 2020

As of Term 3, we moved to a new financial system called Tech1. This means that your family statement will look different. I will endeavour to send out the new statement in the coming weeks so you can see the difference and if there are any issues. It will, however, only show the carried forward balance from the old system. All statements are emailed so please notify the school of any changes to your email address.

Another change is that you will now be able to pay by BPAY. If you have previously been paying your fees by direct debit, please switch to paying by BPAY. This will eliminate the potential for incorrect details or not enough room for details.

If you have been making payments by direct debit please move to using BPAY.

Census day is Friday 7 August, attached you will find a privacy notice for the information that is collected in this report.

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.

God Bless
Ros Giuliano
Business Manager

Careers

For Year 12 students wanting to apply for tertiary study, QTAC is now open for applications.

Applications cost $45.

You can investigate courses through this website:

Please contact Mrs Douglas (ndouglas1@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au) if you have any questions.

Please find below job and apprenticeship vacancies advertised in Ingham. Click the link to find out more information and submit your application. If you would like assistance in apply, please see Mrs Nancy Douglas (Careers Advisor) at the College office.

Honeycombes Sales and Service

Apprentice Diesel Mechanic

Honeycombes Sales and Service

Experience Administrator

Moduline

Cabinetmaker Apprenticeship

Moduline Ingham is seeking an enthusiastic, fit & reliable person to commence a Cabinetmaker's Apprenticeship.

Micks Bread Kitchen

Position Casual junior shop assistant:

• 3.30pm - 5.30pm afternoons
• Saturday mornings (must be able to do early starts)

Please once in store with resume and organise interview.

Enquiries phone 0428 763 932

Counsellor’s Corner

SPORTS NEWS

Athletics 2020 Sports Report

Last Friday, the final day of the Gilroy Santa Maria Inter-house athletics carnival was held in picture perfect conditions. This day was a culmination of all athletics events held for each age group running over the last 5 weeks to determine a champion House to be crowned the 2020 Interhouse Athletics Champions. This year Rice proved far too strong on the day taking bragging rights for 2020.

Congratulations goes out to several our students who broke records:

Alicia Galipo, broke the Open years Female Shot-put record, which had been previously held since 2015, with a throw of 12.44 m. Alicia also broke the Open years Female Discus record, with a throw of 36.59 m.

Brandon Hamilton-Kaurila, broke the 12 years Male Discus record with a throw of 21.61 m.

Shaun Devietti, broke the 12 years Male Shot-put record with a throw of 10.43 m.

Whilst on the track there were also several records broken, Jack Butcher broke the 100m in a time of 14.19sec, 400m with a time of 1:11.26, and the 800m record in a time of 2:44.43. Well done Jack, very impressive effort

Other strong performances on the day came from our various age champions….

These students are to be congratulated on their sporting achievements during our Inter-house athletics carnival.

Thank you
Mrs Cerutti

HERBERT RIVER SPORTS NOTICES

HR U12 SCHOOL CRICKET TRIALS.
NEXT Tuesday 11August 3.30-5pm at ISS.
Forms are in student reception

Thank you
Mr Mendiolea

Running Club

Running club is on every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 4pm to 5pm.

Mondays are held on the school oval and Wednesday’s are enjoyable road runs!

Collect a note from the College office.

Academic Support

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

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]
ALL TUCKSHOP VOLUNTEERS MUST SUPPLY A BLUECARD – PLEASE CONTACT ROS (BUSINESS MANAGER)

What’s Happening in the Parish

Ingham Region Catholic Parishes Newsletter:

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