18 March 2021

Newsletter Articles

Essential Emails

Around The School

Whole School Trivia

Musicals Rehearsals

Where Are They Now?

We love hearing what our past students are up to! This week we focus on Ethan Costabeber from the Graduating class of 2020:

2020 GSM graduate Ethan Costabeber joined the Royal Australian Navy on 28 January 2021. He was offered the role of Maritime Aviation Warfare Officer and is currently undertaking the New Officer Entry Course (NEOC) training at HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay, ACT. He will commence his Bachelor Degree next year at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. Best wishes Ethan!

From the Acting Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community,

Today, we, along with many Australian schools, united to celebrate the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Many of our students wore orange, encouraging all students to “take and stand together” against bullying and violence in the classroom, in the playground and beyond. Our mental health and wellbeing program that we are running this year, The Resilience Project, helps to reinforce this important message.

Last night we had our annual Interschool Swimming Carnival. It was a great night and we were lucky with the weather for this event as it didn’t rain until after we were home and dry. It was another successful event with our boys and girls filling lanes and being very competitive in the pool. It is always beautiful to see the sportsmanship both within schools and across them. Thank you to all of our parents who attended this event. Thank you also to the Confraternity parents/carers and students who ran the canteen to fundraise towards their competition in the September holidays. I’d also like to thank all of our staff for giving their time to help run this event and to Mrs Meagan Cantoni who both organised and ran last night’s event. It is reassuring and positive that we are again able to have these types of events.

Next Thursday 25 March, we will have our Board AGM meeting. This year we welcome two new members to our Board committed; Mr Frank Galipo and Mrs Kim Clemments. Thank you to both Frank and Kim for joining our Board team this year.

In the last week of this term we also have our Yr 12 Retreat at Genazzano. This is traditionally an excellent experience for our students where they are able to reflect on their lives and their future.

As we look towards the end of this term, students will be submitting assessments and be busy studying for their upcoming exams in the next few weeks. Our Yr 12 students have now all completed their first internal assessment for year 12 and have been receiving their unconfirmed results in classes. Mrs Joan Devietti and Mrs Louise Costabeber, our Careers Advisor, have been busy meeting with yr 12 ATAR students and their parents for tracking interviews. Although we only have last year’s data to begin providing us with information for the new QCE system and ATAR calculations, it does give everyone some information to provide advice for how students are tracking and if they are on track of what success looks like for them. Thank you to both of these ladies for conducting these valuable interviews.

Some key dates for Weeks 1-3 Term 2 include –

God Bless

Melissa Carr
Acting Principal

From the Acting Assistant Principal
(Administration & Curriculum)

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community

As we rapidly progress through the school term, students are totally immersed in assessment.

Years 7 - 10 have many assignments under way and will end the term with exams in week 10. All students should be aware of their exam schedule and can go to COMPASS to view their personal schedule. Should students have any concerns about locating their exam timetables, please seek assistance from their homeroom teacher as soon as possible. The exam schedule is visible on the COMPASS homepage, is included in this newsletter and has also been emailed to students and parents/carers.

Year 11 students are currently in the middle of their exam schedule.

Below are some study hints and tips, taken from The Resilience Project which is a resource being used by the College in all grades.

Study hints and tips

Tips for effective study?

• Minimise distractions and interruptions.
• Turn off mobile,
• Not in front of TV,
• Find a good study place
• Quiet
• Eat and drink before beginning
• Have healthy high energy snacks (such as nuts or fruit)
• Have a glass of water with you.
• In regular small chunks

What to do when studying?

• Review the course outline for information about what you are expected to learn in the course
• Review previous quizzes, assignments, papers, labs, etc. to pinpoint where you’ve had difficulty in the course. Make sure you understand that material since you may see it again in the next exam
• Learn by doing. Do practice questions based on old exams, or create and answer your own test questions
• Write practice exams under exam-like conditions (timed and with your books closed)
• Study with a group if that works for you, but choose study partners who have the same general level of knowledge of course material and commitment to the course

Study techniques

It is a good idea to implement a study technique. This will stop you aimlessly flipping through notes. The following techniques are good places to start.

• SQR3 method
• Flash cards
• Reading aloud
• Make an infographic
• Mnemonic devices

NAPLAN - Years 7 & 9

All students in years 7 & 9 will complete a practice NAPLAN online test on Thursday 1 April. This test is to ensure that our students get experience navigating the online NAPLAN platform and gain exposure to the type of questions and knowledge required in these tests. This process is purely formative to both students and teachers. Students are required to have their own personal earphones or earpieces and if they use a mouse then their personal mouse. The school will not provide these due to hygiene issues.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN Online is tailored or adaptive testing, in which the test presents questions of higher or lower complexity depending on a student’s performance. Tailored (or adaptive) testing is designed to assess a wider range of student abilities and to measure student achievement more precisely.

Students are scheduled to undertake their practice readiness test on Thursday 1 April (Week 10).

All students in years 7 and 9 are expected to participate in the annual NAPLAN assessment unless they have applied for formal exemption to the College. This occurs in Term 2 from 11 - 21 May. Students with a disability may qualify for adjustments that reflect the support normally provided for classroom assessments. It is very important that students are present at school on the days of the NAPLAN tests. If students are unwell - when they return, they will be required to complete the test.

More Information about NAPLAN online can be found at the below link:

Alternatively you are welcome to experience for yourself what NAPLAN online will look like by visiting the public demonstration site at the below link:

EXAM SCHEDULE Yr 7 - 10

God Bless,

Joan Devietti
Acting Assistant Principal
(Administration & Curriculum)

Our New Catherine McAuley Centre

Our brand new building which we have been temporarily calling the Hospitality Centre, has officially been named the Catherine McAuley Centre. Students will still know the classrooms as C1, C2, C3, C4, Dining & Hospitality.

This name has been approved by Townville Catholic Education and it will honour Venerable Catherine McAuley. The official opening & blessing ceremony for this building will be held on 9 June. It will honour our founders the Sisters of Mercy who hold significance in the history of Gilroy Santa Maria College.

Lions Youth of the Year Zone Finals

After winning the Ingham Lions Youth of the Year competition, Darcie Spina competed in the Zone Final held at the Royal Hotel on Saturday 13 March. Darcie competed against students from Ingham High, Tully High and Innisfail High schools.

While she didn't win the competition, Darcie represented our school brilliantly in both her prepared speech entitled 'What happens when we dream' and the impromptu speeches. The judges commented on the high standard of competition amongst all contestants.

Congratulations Darcie, we are so proud of you!!

Ms Paula Rand (Yr 11 & 12 Co-ordinator)

Staff News

It is with pleasure, that we formally welcome Matthew Spina to the position of IT Service Delivery Specialist at Gilroy. Matthew has already been doing a fantastic job in this role whilst the recruitment process was undertaken and is therefore already demonstrating his ability to lead in the IT department.

Alongside Matthew's recruitment, we have Brennan Caruana, who will be working on Mondays and Fridays to assist Matt in the IT department. This is a casual position that Brennan will fulfill until he begins his tertiary studies in Semester 2.

Mulkadee

Students must see Mrs Mary McLaren (Teacher) if interested.

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community,

It was wonderful to be able to celebrate a youth mass on Sunday night. The combined choir and band have an amazing way of lifting the spirits of all present. I believe the older parish community get as much out of it as our youth. The buzz is always around when is the next one? Hopefully, we can start to plan for two next term with the easing of COVID.

Father Damian homily was centred around St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, “We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.” Father has a way of explaining the Gospel to our students that leaves me in awe. I do not have that knack but will try. We are God’s work of art and he loves us, not because we are perfect, but despite all our imperfections. We were also created to live the good life. We have many ups and downs, triumphs, and defeats, that shape who we are. Wherever we are in the path God has laid out for us, we are asked to be good, to chose to do the right things in the face of adversity and to continue to be the presence of Jesus on earth today.

In the coming week let us continue to be the best person we can be and embrace all that we are and those around us in care and compassion.

It is that time of the term again and students are studying frantically for exams. Our prayer this week is dedicated to our students as they revise for their subjects.

Lord,
Help our students at examination time
to think clearly and remember the things they have studies.
Help them to try their hardest and do their best.
Amen.

God bless
Christine Timms
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Collection Notice for Parents

From the Guidance Counsellor

P & F NEWS

Biology

Our Yr 12 Biology class recently ventured to Paluma for their annual Biology Excursion. Looks like they had a great time!

Sports News

Inter-School Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to our Swimmers who represented Gilroy Santa Maria on Thursday night, you should be extremely proud of yourselves. Well done to all of our students that came along to support their peers on the night. A big thank you must go to all staff for their help on the night, in particular Mrs Cantoni who organised this event.

We would also like to thank the Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre for allowing us to hold this event.

It was a huge success!

CONGRATULATIONS to our Age Champions from Gilroy: Rocky Jensen, Lucy Tento, Adele Jensen, Sean Moloney and Eve Tento.

CONGRATULATIONS to Rocky Jensen for breaking the 12 Years boys 100m Freestyle Record!!

Embed images F16 – F23

RUGBY LEAGUE

Well done to the U14 and Open Rugby League teams that played against Abergowrie last Wednesday afternoon. Our boys won in both age groups and showed fantastic sportsmanship on the day!

SURF LIFESAVING

Louise Kaurila and Ellie Lahtinen were part of the North Barrier Branch March Past team placing 3rd at the State Youth Championships. The team was made up of competitors from the different clubs in North Barrier Branch which meant they only had a chance to train a couple of times together before the event, with Lenny Chiesa doing a fabulous job as coach, producing a polished performance.

Well done girls!!

From the Business Manager

Dear Families,

School fees are now overdue.

Thank you to all that have paid school fees to date. If you are making regular payments thank you as well.

If for any reason your situation changes and you are unable to pay the full amount please contact me and we can work out a payment plan.

There are many ways to pay fees and we are happy to find a way that best suits you.

BPAY is our preferred way of making payment but you can also pay by Compass pay, credit card, cash or cheque.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your fees. Please feel free to contact me on 4776 2888 or by email rgiuliano@girloysm.catholic.edu.au

2021 School Fees

God Bless
Ros Giuliano
Business Manager

What’s on

Hair & Fashion Show

Musical

Careers

ADF

Are you currently in Year 12 and a little unsure of your plans for 2022?
DISCOVER YOUR PATH IN AN Australian Defence Force GAP YEAR.

Spend an exciting 12-months in the Navy, Army or Air Force, where you'll get paid for meaningful work while travelling around Australia, gaining skills for life, and making lifelong friends. Applications & available job details for the GAP Year Program are now open and available at the link below:

ADF Recruitment will be visiting Gilroy Santa Maria College next Tuesday, 23rd March from 10.55am-11.20am in the Dining Room. Please use this opportunity to come and ask the recruitment team any questions you may have about the GAP year program, ADF trades & ADF university.

LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Wild Local Prawns have a junior shop assistant position available, working some weekday afternoons and on Saturdays. Duties include: taking orders, serving customers and general cleaning. Email wildlocalprawns@gmail.com with a letter explaining who you are & any previous experience you may have. Please see/email Mrs Costabeber if any assistance is required.

PART TIME JOB WITH CERTIFICATE III IN BUSINESS TRAINEESHIP

Please contact Belinda Spina from Lisa Maree for more information or email Mrs Costabeber or Mrs Venturato if you are interested.

Louise Costabeber
Careers Advisor

Academic Support Program

PLEASE NOTE: 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 11:30am.

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 – 11:30am 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]

TUCKSHOP MENU

What’s Happening in the Parish

Ingham Region Catholic Parishes Newsletter:

Father Damian McGrath
Parish Priest
Ingham Region Catholic Parishes

What’s on Around the District

For parents:

eSafety’s parent guide to cyberbullying

Join the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence and the eSafety Commissioner to support your child through cyberbullying.

The webinar will explore the latest research, and will look at how parents and carers can support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships, as well as what to do if things go wrong. It will cover conversation starters with your child about online friendships, understanding the rules around social media use, and where to seek help if your child is involved in a cyberbullying incident.

Free webinars are available from 16 to 22 March 2021. Register your interest today.

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