The Loop - Issue 10

Keeping you in the loop at Gilroy

From the Principal


Dear Families, Staff and Students,


As Advent and 2019 draw to a close it allows us a little time to reflect and as Pope Benedict XVI said ‘awaken our heart’s memory”.  Pope Benedict explained “Advent’s intention is to awaken…….the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory, it brings hope.” Often today, if we only listen to the media and social media we could be forgiven for thinking that our world is on the precipice of losing all hope. I am exceptionally lucky though, as I only need to speak to the wonderful young people of our Gilroy community to know that hope burns brightly for the future and the world is in very good hands. Our young people show us faith in action everyday and we know that with faith in Christ everything is possible. 

The end of the year is also the time that we often say goodbye to some of our staff. This year I would like to thank the following staff who are leaving us for all their hard work and wish them well in their new positions:


Permanent Staff:

Patrick Abouchaaya

Brett Fuoco

Sayde Hadchiti

Elyse McDonough


Temporary Staff:

Adam Babinski

Elie Haddad

Dana Logiudice

David Obradovic

Wesley Warren

 

Finally, I want to congratulate our 2019 Year 12 cohort for their amazing HSC results! This year’s HSC results reflect the commitment and hard work of the teachers and students at the College. It is collaboration between teachers and students with the support of our parents that ensures all students are able to achieve their personal best.  We are very proud of all our Year 12 students. 

 A snapshot of information:

The percentage of Band 6’s attained by our students was 11.3% and band 5s was 37.2%. 

Three students placed in the top ten in a subject:

  • Sarah Hatton placed 10th in Community and Family Studies

  • Eden Cole placed 2nd in Mathematics Standard 1

  • Makenna Cordery placed 7th in Mathematics Standard 1


Two students were placed on the All Rounders List which means that they achieved band 6 in 10 or more units:

  • Sarah Hatton

  • Olivia Milne


I congratulate all our Year 12 students and wish them all the best for the future.


As I announced at our Stage 4 and 5 awards ceremonies we will begin our building project next year so the College will look very different. We are very excited as the new building will provide us with contemporary learning spaces for Stages 4 and 5. The first phase will include building a new carpark so access to the school is going to be very limited. I ask for your patience as we work around the construction and the inconvenience that it will bring. We will provide more information regarding the changes early next year.

I thank you all for the privilege of working within this community and I hope that Christmas brings an opportunity for peace, joy and happiness to all our families. I wish you all a very happy, holy and safe Christmas and a wonderful New Year.


God bless,

Cheryl Merryweather

From the Assistant Principal

Holiday Homework!

What holiday homework should students be doing? I think it’s fair to put away the study books for the holidays (although not completely for our HSC students). However, please encourage your children to read, read and read some more.

Looking for Christmas presents? Give a book. We want to encourage enjoyment of and confidence in reading. Take your child to a good bookstore and ask for recommendations that meet their reading level and interests. If every child at this school returned from the Christmas holidays having read at least two books, that would be a wonderful outcome and the best “homework” we could expect.


Stage 4 and 5 Awards 

In week 9 and 10 of this term we held our annual Stage 4 and 5 Award Ceremonies. Both occasions were marked with a sense of formality and respectful celebration - honouring the efforts of our hard-working students. Once again, congratulations to all our students for fully engaging with their learning throughout the year. 

I would like to publicly thank the staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure all of our 2019 Gilroy award celebrations were superbly organised. I know many parents would agree that our ceremonies leave our students with memories (and, at times, certificates and trophies) that will last a lifetime. 

A special thank you to:  Mrs Debra Andrews, Mrs Rebecca Dawes and Ms Nicole Geha!


Thank you 

I would like to extend my thanks to the many parents who regularly contribute their time, energy and resources to the various events that occur throughout the year. Your support is invaluable. Thank you to every family who entrusts their child to our care. I wish for you and your family the peace and joy the Christmas period, and that you return to the College ready for a new year of learning in 2020.


2020 Start Dates

Tuesday 28th January - Staff Professional Learning day. No student attendance.

Wednesday 29th January - First day of school for Year 7.

Thursday 30th January - All year groups return 7-12. 


Thank you for your support in 2019 and best wishes for a beautiful break.

I look forward to seeing you in 2020 when we return.

Mr Jaie Skinner

Assistant Principal

Gilroy Catholic College

From the Business Manager

Dear Students, Parents and Teachers

 Following a review of operations and services by Gilroy Catholic College, we write to advise that the College has very recently engaged Georges Apparel (incorporating Midford Schoolwear), to manage operations and supplies for the school Uniform Shop.


Changes to our Uniform Shop for 2020:

Midford are proud to announce the opening of the Uniform Shop at Gilroy Catholic College, effective Tuesday 21st January 2020.

 Since 1946, Midford has provided Australian schools and students with innovative and high-quality school wear.  Now after more than 70 years we are Australia’s leading school wear supplier.  Midford School uniforms are designed to be both good looking and hard wearing and our dedication to quality has stood the test of time.

 Having a Midford Uniform Shop at your school brings with it many benefits;

  •  A friendly and professional retail environment.
  • A one-stop shop for all your school uniform needs in a convenient location.
  • Uniforms of the highest quality.
  • The ability to touch and feel each piece of the uniform before you purchase.
  • Experienced staff that will provide expert advice and friendly service.
  • Personalised fittings by appointment.
  • An online shopping platform, including live stock figures and a home delivery option.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact our Shop Manager, Jenny Owens, who will be more than happy to help you with all of your school uniform needs or answer any questions you may have regarding any of the services we offer.

 

The Gilroy Uniform Shop will be open every Tuesday and Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm during school term and extended hours during term holidays (see attached extended trading days). 

Please note:  the uniform shop has relocated to the demountable next to the basketball courts (access via Gate B at the rear of the College).

 Uniform Shop Phone:           (02) 8853-8206                                         

Uniform Shop Email:             gilroy@midford.com.au

Everyone at Midford is excited to be working with Gilroy Catholic College and becoming part of the school community. We look forward to welcoming you to the new shop over the coming weeks.

 Yours Sincerely,

The Midford Team

Holiday Trading Hours - Uniform Shop

League In Harmony

In Term Three Mrs Robinson chose 25 students out of Year 9 to participate in a new program called “League in Harmony”. It went for 6 weeks, every Friday.

 In this program we were part of developing leadership values, and motivation which can be interrelated with every aspect of our decision-making, life and wellbeing.

The focus was on respect, responsibility and inclusiveness, the NRL's In League In Harmony (ILIH) program aims to promote social cohesion by addressing issues such as social disengagement, racism, gender inequality and bullying; empowering youth to be agents of change for a more cohesive society.

This program gave us the opportunity to experience theory-based and practical activities which have been designed around the NRL’s four core beliefs. Through these experiences, we were given a greater capacity to positively contribute to a more socially-cohesive society.

Throughout the program, each week we learnt about a new topic which included

-       culture

-       Support network

-       Value

-       Leadership

-       Good choices

-       Ownership

Each week there was a new message being taught which made you think about the way you acted.

 League in Harmony is an inspirational program as it made learning enjoyable because you participated in discussions about the topic of that week but you also were given games to play which taught us messages about life and how to deal with situations. The last half of each lesson we got to play Touch Football, which was our training leading up to the Gala Day that we would compete in at the end of the 6 weeks.

 

During the 6 weeks we were lead by Paul Franze ex professional football player and Joe Galuvao. Thank you so much for coming to our school and spending some time with us, we all loved it.

 

We also got the privilege to meet the Minister for Police and Emergency Services – The Hon David Elliot, Nevo Rom from the Crime Prevention Unit with the NSW Police Force,  Bianca Halloran RISEUP Coordinator Youth and Crime Prevention Commander and Meghan Manuzic - NRL Game Development Officer, Western Sydney. All of these representatives came to Gilroy to see how League in Harmony ran and we felt very honored.

 

On the 11th of September 2019, we all attended a gala day which we got to show our skills we had learnt within the program, played games of Oz Tag and also met people from outside our community. We were introduced to the founding President who was a survivor of the Halocast and he shared with us a very touching and inspiring story.

 

Within the 25 students who participated in the course, 6 of the students were chosen to represent Gilroy Catholic College as Ambassadors for League in Harmony. The Ambassadors continue with the course until Year 12 and then could have a prosperous future within the NRL.

 

Thank you to Mrs Robinson and Mr Carlson for sharing this experience with us and giving us the opportunity. We certainly have learnt the importance of leadership, personal development and sustainable social change.

 

Written by Jemma, Piper and Julia.

 

 

League in Harmony

League In Harmony Ambassadors Report

We were lucky enough to be selected to participate in The League of Harmony Program run by the NRL for 6 weeks in during Term 3.   We were selected as we demonstrated positive behaviour and  leadership skills throughout the six week programme.   We were then invited to  the Youth Ambassadors Day at Rugby League Central for a leadership workshop with other chosen Ambassadors throughout NSW.

The induction was to help youth understand what being part of the Youth Advocate Program (YAP) entails and the opportunity to build  confidence in their leadership and also for students to be aware that they can make a difference in their communities. 

As ambassadors we now have the opportunity to take part in accredited courses such as coaching, refereeing and sports training. This opportunity can also lead to future job opportunities and working with the NRL. This is a massive achievement as we have been recognised as mature and well behaved students. This has taught us to lead by example through the values of Respect and Community.

 We are also interested in implementing "Harmony Go" which is working with the primary schools.

We all look forward to the continuation of this program next year and beyond.

Special thanks to Mrs Robinson for giving us this opportunity and believing in us.

On behalf of Gilroy’s League in Harmony Ambassadors,

Gemma Bateup

Piper Watson

Lachlan Schneider

Judd Mclean

Julia Oglivie

Casey Cruden

League In Harmony Ambassadors

Now Accepting Enrolment Applications for 2021

Enrolment Applications for Year 7 2021 are now open.  

All current families of the College who have a student wanting a position in Year 7 2021 must complete an Enrolment Application.  

Enrolment Application Packages will be available from the College office from Term 1 2020, during business hours (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm).

When lodging your application please allow 15 minutes for the process to take place, please bring with you all original documents to be sighted and a photocopy of those documents for our records. Unfortunately, photocopying is not available at the College office.                   

Applications close on Friday 27 March 2020.

For enquiries regarding enrolment please contact our Registrar, Mary McBain:  mmcbain@parra.catholic.edu.au

Executive Director's Summer Reading Challenge

Looking for a fabulous way to relax these holidays?

The Executive Director's Summer Reading Challenge is back with some fabulous prizes on offer. Students can read anything they like to enter the challenge, whether it’s a comic, play, a piece of poetry, book, e-book or animated novel. You can check for our latest reads in the Gilroy Library Catalogue here or access to our E-Library for digital and audiobooks can be found here.

Taking part in the Executive Directors Summer Reading Challenge is easy! Students just need to read something they enjoy and tell us in 50 words or less why they loved it. The more a student reads, the more times they can enter the reading challenge and the more chances they have of winning one of two Chromebooks or one of thirty runner-up gift vouchers to the value of $30. Students can enter online by visiting the CEDP website.

Entries open on 2 December 2019 and close at 5pm on 2 February 2020. Terms and Conditions can be found here.

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Gilroy Catholic College

Opened in 1980 with immense parent, parish and community support, Gilroy Catholic College was founded on the site of St Gabriel's School for hearing impaired students which occupied the site from 1922.