2 November 2021

Newsletter Articles

Essential Emails

From the Principal

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College community,

World Teachers Day

On Friday 29th of October we celebrated World Teachers Day. I would like to acknowledge the work of our teaching staff and the support staff who do so much behind the scenes to allow our College to function effectively. We are fortunate to have dedicated, resilient and hardworking teachers who work with our students. The teaching profession is an ever changing environment with new challenges and techniques being introduced which requires staff to regularly learn new skills and processes to provide students with the best opportunities for their future lives.

Awards Night

Following our Awards Night ceremony, I received several comments of support regarding statements I made as part of my Principals address. On reflection of these conversations, I wish to repeat some parts of my speech to share the message with the entire community.

I am truly honoured to deliver the Principals address and I feel privileged to lead such an exciting and vibrant school, which offers great opportunities for students.

I believe the annual Awards ceremony is the most significant event on the school calendar as it provides us with an opportunity to celebrate student achievement, recognise the contributions of many people and share the success of students with their parents.

Whilst tonight is about rewarding top performing students it is important that we acknowledge that every student is on their own learning journey and not all students will achieve the A’s and B’s necessary to meet the criteria for an academic achievement award. However, all students need to be aware that a quality education program provides students with much more than a grade, it includes essential skills such as communication, reliability, problem solving, creativity, leadership and a can-do attitude which are sought after skills in the employment market.

At Gilroy Santa Maria College we are very proud of our supportive, inclusive ethos where we set high standards and expectations for all students.

It is our goal to continue to develop the courses and teacher competence to provide every student with opportunities to become confident, thoughtful young people who are prepared for future challenges in an ever-changing world.

The parents of our students are an integral part of the smooth operation of the College. I regularly have conversations with parents which are focused on improving our service or supporting the development of our students. It is an unfortunate fact of life that at times we have to have conversations that challenge decisions, but I am grateful that I have always felt this College and our parent body all want the same outcome, and that is to help our young people grow as a person and graduate with a good education.

Tonight we will award the meritorious achievements of our students and mark the ongoing progress of the College. Having access to a new library, science lab and classrooms will provide a great buzz for the commencement of next year. To start 2022 we will see an increase in our student numbers and we look towards considerable growth over the coming years. Our College has a bright future.

Year 12 Final Weeks

As we approach the final weeks for our year 12 students, I remind students that your schooling days do not end until Friday November 19. With the excitement of the ongoing formalities and farewells, Send-off Assembly, Graduation Mass and Graduation Dinner, students may be easily distracted from what is most important at this time of year. Keep your eye on the prize and stay focussed to the end.

God bless

Kevin Barnes

Meet our Principal Mr Kevin Barnes:

Awards Night

Congratulations to all Award Winners at our Annual Awards Night held on 21st October

Yr 12 Herbert River Farmers’ League Scholarship Ingham

Attention Year 12 Students, Please read the below information Herbert River Farmers’ League Scholarship Ingham.

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College Community,

As I write this article our Year 12 students are in the middle of their external exams. This time, for all, can be very stressful and our thoughts and prayers are with them and all year 12 students sitting external across Queensland.

Before our year 12 students went on externals, we had the chance to celebrate our last whole school mass. The Thanksgiving Mass is the opportunity for the College to give thanks to God for the many blessings bestowed on us during the course of the year. Father Damian described how we learn to be grateful and that sometimes we may spend time in our lives more worried about missed opportunities and the brokenness around us. Let us remember to take some time in our day to reflect on the extraordinary blessing we have in our lives and give thanks to God for the opportunities He gives us.

A reminder about the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Below is an outline of what each year level needs to bring in for their Christmas boxes.

Year 7 – Pantry Goods e.g. biscuits, chips, jelly crystals, sugar, flour
Year 8 – Canned Goods e.g. soup, vegetables, lentils, beans, tuna
Year 9 – Breakfast Foods e.g. cereal, powdered milk, rolled oats, powdered eggs
Year 10 – Hygiene Products e.g. toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, soap
Year 11 – Packaged Goods e.g. pasta, pasta sauce, instant noodles, rice
Year 12 and staff – Christmas Foods e.g. fruit cake, custard powder, candy canes

The prayer this week is dedicated to our senior students.

God bless,

Christine Timms
Assistant Principal Religious Education

Maraka Helpers

We wish to thank the many people that helped with the P & F Committee stall at the Maraka on Saturday. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.

MARAKA FLOAT – BEST SECONDARY SCHOOL

Thank you to all students and staff that assisted with the GSM Float this year. Many students dedicated a lot of time to help and it was a terrific afternoon for all involved.

Gamers@Gilroy

For the last time this year, C-Block became a gaming mecca for both PC gamers and console gamers.

This term we welcomed back former students Kublai Beaumant-Auld (Kubby), David Marolla, Luke Gori and Chris Aquilini. The senior boys occupied the dining room area while the rest of the gamers filled up the remainder of C-Block.

Many enjoyed the retro Nintendo 64 Console that Kubby brought with him and Mario Party was a hit with all ages.

As usual, the original Call of Duty and the original Halo games were popular with gamers vying for chocolates for the player with the highest score.

Brendan Bogotto was probably the best player on the night.

Dominos Pizza store was kept busy with another huge order of around 20 pizzas. Once again, Mrs Sheree Marano collected the pizzas for the hungry masses, Thanks Sheree.

The funds raised this term will go towards more equipment - LAN cables, consoles etc.

So that’s it for another year. Thank you to all of the students and parents who have supported this event throughout the year. Have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. See you all back again in Term 1, 2022.

Mr Michael Matthews

School TV

School TV

Just a reminder to check out our SchoolTV platform on the Gilroy website homepage. This is an integral part of a whole school approach to student wellbeing. It is available to our parents and families. Each topic or edition addresses key issues using brief interviews with expert specialists, fact sheets, parent quizzes, recommended apps, books and much more.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the reading achievements of students across years 7 and 8 who successfully completed and participated in the Premier's Reading Challenge 2021. Students were presented with certificates at our whole school assembly.

Congratulations to Sahara Shaw, Elina Alappatt Dajo, Zoe Kite, Ashlee Barnes, Nevaeh Gardener, Jordan Cobb, Charlotte Liddle and Justin Roveglia for completing the challenge - a wonderful effort!

Young Vinnies Cook up

Final Cook up for 2021

Last Friday the Young Vinnies students participated in their final cookup for 2021. The students prepared two delicious meals: chicken stew and a savoury mince.

Thank you also to Mrs Giliberto’s year 10 Hospitality class who have journeyed with us in this project this year. They prepared a Mexican chicken recipe. The meals were delivered to the HUB and were very much appreciated.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Thank you to Saint Patricks Parish Women’s group for their generous donation to our Gilroy Cook up Club. This donation is very much appreciated and will allow us to buy ingredients and continue with this worthwhile venture.

Thank you also to Galipo’s Midtown Meats who have donated the meat that we use in our cooking. It is wonderful to have such great community support.

Sports News

On Friday 16th October, 14 students headed to Townsville Sports Reserve to take part in the 3rd annual Queensland Mental Health Week 9s Carnival, "The Bishop Putney Shield". The open boys team played well in their pool games to end the day 3rd in their pool.

In the inaugural girls division, Adele Jensen joined the Combined Catholic Schools team, made up of girls from St Margaret Mary's College, Ryan Catholic College, Gilroy Santa Maria College and St Anthony's Catholic College to be undefeated in the pool games and then take the win in the grand final. Well done Adele.

Thank you to all staff members who made this event possible for our students.

Abergowrie 9’s Rugby League Carnival

On Friday 22nd October, 3 teams travelled to Abergowrie to compete in the Abergowrie 9’s tournament between Southern Cross (Townsville), St Teresa’s College and Ingham State High.

We had two U13 teams and one U15 team. Our teams played extremely well - our U15’s were defeated in the final, however, they can be proud to come away as runners up.

Our U13's A team won the carnival in their age group and Shaun Devietti was named player of the Carnival.

Well done boys!

Emergency Services Excellence Week

Bailey Marini, Year 10, was chosen as one of the State’s Top Twenty-Two PCYC Emergency Services Cadets and was invited to attend ESCape Week (Emergency Services Cadets & Associates Program of Excellence) representing our PCYC Emergency Services Hinchinbrook Unit. ESCape Week was held in Brisbane during the school holidays from the 26th September through to 1st October 2021 and is the most prestigious event on the Cadet calendar – a once in a lifetime opportunity that involves five days of intense hands-on training and gaining experience in the life of an Emergency Services Personal.

Bailey gained Training Experiences in:

• Queensland Police Services
• Marine Rescue
• Surf Life Saving
• Queensland Fire & Emergency Services
• Rural Fire Brigades

Bailey participated in his training at The Police Academy, Bribie Island Marine Rescue Unit, Coochiemudlo Island Surf Life Saving Club, The School of Fire and Emergency Services Training Facility, and Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy.

On day 4 of ESCape Week Bailey was honoured to be awarded as ‘Cadet of the Day’ (only 5 out of the 22 Cadets were given awards). Bailey was awarded in ‘Recognition for his participation, enthusiasm, commitment and exemplary behaviour’.

Well done Bailey!

Term Dates

Year 12 Graduation FRIDAY 19 NOVEMBER
Year 7-11 Final Day FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER

From the Business Manager

Dear Gilroy Santa Maria College community,

Term 4 school fees are due Friday 5 November.

Just a reminder that our preferred way of payment is now BPAY and those details are on the statement. As always, you can pay by credit card, cheque or cash or we can set up a direct debit through Pay way.

If the statement does not look, quite right and you do not agree with balance or if you have any issues or questions regarding the statements please do not hesitate to see me.

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.

Lost & Found

We have a large number of lost and found items at student reception – including many school jackets. LAST CHANCE to collect them by the end of this week.

Italian Speaking

Complimenti Couper!

Couper Giuliano participated in the Italian Speaking Competition for 2021 which was organised and judged by the Italian Language Centre (ILC) in Brisbane. This year, due to COVID, all entries were required to be submitted online. Couper was required to write a speech within a set structure / guideline, then learn and deliver his presentation online. He spoke about himself, his family, hobbies and interests. Couper entered the Year 8 section of the North Queensland Division which includes Townsville, Cairns and surrounds and placed second in this field. What a great achievement.

Couper Giuliano, Year 8

Year 9 Subject Selections

All Year 9 students of 2022 (current Year 8 students) have been email an important link to make their subject selections 2022.

Please read this letter of information from Mrs Melissa Carr.

Tuckshop News

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED!!

Tuckshop Volunteers are only needed to work from 8:30am to 11:30am.

Please note: The lunch times are as follows:

1st Lunch – 10:55am – 11:20am
2nd Lunch – 12:50pm - 1:30pm

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 Else is Happening?

Please find attached a flyer for the Hinchinbrook Bluelight’s Day for Daniel Event to be held on Sunday 7 November 2021 from 2.00pm until 7.00pm at the Blue Light hall in Halifax.

For any further details please contact Gio Tantalo at the Halifax Police Station.

Hinchinbrook Blue Light are hoping students can volunteer to face paint on the da until 7pm. Please ask Mrs Sartor at the Gilroy front office for details.

Council are now inviting Nominations for Australia Day Awards 2022.

The Nomination form for all categories is attached for your information. Award categories are as follows –

• Citizen of the Year;
• Young Citizen of the Year;
• Senior Cultural;
• Junior Cultural;
• Senior Sport;
• Junior Sport;
• Community Event of the Year; and
• Individual Achievement.

Please consider who in your school/organisation/association/club, or just within the community, may be worthy of an Award nomination.

A person can be nominated for more than one category. You may also nominate more than one person for any category (on separate nomination forms please).

This is a great opportunity to provide recognition to people who are making a significant contribution and/or achieving success within our community. Please consider nominating worthy recipients prior to the closing date of Wednesday 5 January 2022. An advertisement calling for nominations will also be placed in the Townsville Bulletin (Hinchinbrook Section) in the near future. Nomination forms and further information regarding award categories are also available on Council’s website if required under Community and Environment – Australia Day Celebrations.

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