New Student Information
Welcome
We welcome you to Gilroy Santa Maria College!
"Our mission is to nurture the growth of the whole person in a safe, supportive and inclusive Catholic learning environment "
We are all about working with you and your family to create the best possible learning opportunities by supporting you academically, emotionally and spiritually
Our caring staff - from the leadership team, teachers, learning assistants, office staff to school officers - are all here to support and assist you in any way we can
The following pages include all the information you need to know as you commence your educational journey here at Gilroy.
Please feel free to reach out at any time should you need assistance.
Mr Kevin Barnes College Principal
College Contact Details
Phone:47762888
GeneralEmail:admin@gilroysmcatholiceduau
StudentReceptionEmail:studentreception@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
PostalAddress:P.O.Box1013,InghamQ4850
StreetAddress:17ChamberlainStreet,Ingham
Website:www.gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
OfficeHours
8.00amto4.00pm,MondaytoThursday 800amto330pm,Friday
Santa Maria Centre M Block
(Junior Classrooms)
Chapel of Our Lady
College Leadership Team
Kevin Barnes Principal kbarnes2@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Melissa Carr
Deputy Principal, Administration and Learning & Teaching mcarr1@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Maddyn White
Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care mwhite16@gilroysm catholic edu au
Cassandra Venturato
Acting Assistant Principal, Religious Education cventurato@gilroysm catholic edu au
Roslyn Giuliano Business Manager rgiuliano@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
First Day
On your first day, you will be provided with: chromebook/laptop computer school bag textbooks College diary timetable
For students commencing at the beginning of the school year, text books/diary can be collected from the Library during the week prior to commencement Families will be advised of details closer to that time
Replacement school bags are available for purchase for $65 from the College office.
Bell Times
The school day consists of seven 45 minute periods, plus homeroom and lunch breaks
Homeroom & Morning Prayer
Period 1
Period 2
Period 3
Morning Tea
Period 4
Period 5
Lunch
Period 6
Period 7
End of Day
8 30am (10 mins)
8 40am 9 25am
20am
(25 mins)
Drop Off & Pick Up Zones
Year 7 to 9 students: M Block - turn right as you enter the school and follow the road.
Year 10 to 12 students: the Santa Maria Centre (SMC) - turn left as you enter the school
If there are children in both junior and senior, parents may choose the zone they prefer.
Bus Transport
A number of local bus companies service the school across the district. Arrangements need to be made directly with these companies. Buses depart from the College at 3 05pm each afternoon Contact the College Office for more information
Student Reception
This is the first point of call for all student enquiries, including the sick room The Student Reception entrance is located at the back of the Administration building, facing the Chapel.
Students must present to Student Reception for late arrivals and early departures and will need to sign in and out
Late Arrival & Early Departure
If a student is late (after 8.30am), they must present to Student Reception first to sign in and have their diary stamped, before proceeding to class.
Parents/caregivers must advise Student Reception if they wish to take their child during the course of the school day. The student will need to sign themselves out at Student Reception.
Student Absences
We ask that parents and caregivers please inform the College of any absences no later than 9am each day in one of the following ways:
Via the Compass Parent Portal
By emailing Student Reception at studentreception@gilroysm catholic edu au By telephoning the College Office on 4776 2888 - press 1 for Student Reception
For medical absences of more than two days duration, a medical certificate is strongly encouraged If assessment/examinations occur during this absence, a medical certificate MUST be supplied for Years 10 to 12.
If on any day, a student is away but we have not received notification, Compass will deliver an automated text message after 9am asking families to explain the absence
Student Timetable
Timetables are available on Compass Students will be given a paper copy for insertion into their diary Copies are available upon request from Student Reception.
Diary
Each student is provided with a College diary each year It is important that students have this diary at all times. It is essential for parents to check their child’s diary regularly, to monitor work and to view any communications from teachers. It is expected that the diary be signed by a parent/caregiver and homeroom teacher every week
Replacement copies can be purchased from Student Reception, then collected from the Library.
Lockers & Keys
All students will need to bring their own lock (either keyed or combination) for the school lockers It is a good idea to keep your key on a lanyard, in a safe place
For younger students, it is a good idea to bring a spare key, labelled with a key tag, for their Homeroom Teacher to hold In some cases, locks will need to be cut in order for students to gain access to belongings
Tuckshop
Tuckshop is open from Monday to Friday and ordering is via the Flexischools app
Miscellaneous items can be purchased at lunchtimecash and card. For more information, visit www.flexischools.com.au
ICT & Devices
Students will be issued a chromebook in Year 7 which is returned at the end of Year 9. In Year 10, students are then issued a laptop which they keep at the completion of Year 12. If a student leaves prior to graduation, all devices must be returned to the College office with the charger, and carry bag Replacement fees apply.
All students sign a Laptop Program and Responsible Use Agreement and agree to terms of use set by the Diocese
Compass Parent Portal
The College uses the Compass Parent Portal for:
Reporting and viewing absences Report cards
Important messages Parent/Teacher interview scheduling
The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google play Upon enrolment, parents/caregivers will be provided with login details Please contact the College Office for assistance at any time.
Report Cards
A Term 1 interim report is issued early in Term 2, and report cards are issued at the end of Semester 1 and 2 These are issued via the Compass Parent Portal
Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews
These are held early in Term 2, following the release of Term 1 interim report cards, and bookings can be made through the Compass Portal Families will receive an email with details ahead of time
Term Assessment Planners
These are made available to students and parents at the commencement of each term They are also available on the College website at any time
Assessment/Examinations
The College has Assessment Guidelines & Procedure documents that clearly set out expectations for assessment and examinations. These can be found on the College website under the Policies & Guidelines tab.
Academic Support Program
Additional academic support is provided for all students in the College Library as follows:
Second Lunch each day, Monday to Friday
After school from 3pm to 4pm, Mondays and Wednesdays
Students/teachers may request additional assistance at any time.
College Rules & Expectations
These are clearly set out on the College website under Policies & GuidelinesPastoral Care Guidelines and relate to:
Behaviour
Mobile phone/electronic device usage, including smartwatch
Uniforms & Dress Code
Internet Usage
Motor Vehicle Usage
Uniforms
Day uniform - Tuesday and Thursday
Sports uniform - Monday, Wednesday and Friday
House shirt - Wednesday (optional)
Uniforms can be purchased from local stockists, Menz or Ingham School hats with house colours can be purchased from the Colleg for $17. House shirts can be purchased online - Ask the office fo
Please see our website for detailed Uniform Guidelines
Houses
Rice (Red), McAuley (Gold), O’Meara (Blue)
Students are evenly allocated to houses on a random basis - siblings in the same house
Houses compete in the College’s Interhouse Swimming, Cross Country an Carnivals, together with a variety of activities throughout the year, and ba for the Gilroy Santa Maria Cup, our year-long house competition
Medications
If a student needs to take medication during the school day, it must be administered by Student Reception staff. It will be necessary for parents/caregivers to complete an Authority to Administer Medication Form available from Student Reception
PLEASE NOTE THAT STAFF CAN ONLY ADMINISTER MEDICATION THAT HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR, DISPENSED AND LABELLED BY A PHARMACIST, AND CONTAINED IN ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING THIS INCLUDES ALL PARACETAMOL AND OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS.
For the safety of all, we ask that students are not given medication to carry in their bags and selfadminister during the day
Injuries & Illness During School Hours
StudentsshouldpresenttoStudentReceptionifthey aresickorareinjuredduringschoolhours.Office staffwilladministerappropriatefirstaidbutmaycall parentsandcaregiverstocollecttheirchild
Pleasebeawarethateachstudentiscoveredbya StudentCareinjuryinsurancepolicywithCatholic ChurchInsurance,whichmayassistwithsome medicalexpenses Formoreinformation,visit www.ccinsurance.org.au/studentcare
How to Stay Informed
TheCollegedisseminatesinformationtofamiliesin thefollowingways:
ViatheCompassParentPortal
Newsletter,distributedelectronicallyeverythree weeks
ViaSMS
Lettersrecertainevents/activities,sometimes requiringsignedpermission
Assemblies, School Masses & Special Events
Whole school assemblies and masses are generally held during Period 3 (10.10am) on selected Thursdays throughout the term - dates are advertised in the newsletter Families and community are welcome to attend Special events will be communicated to families.
Up To Date Information
It is the responsibility of parents and caregivers to ensure that the College is updated of changes to family contact details and student medical information. Contact details can be updated via Compass or contacting the College office. Fees
Termfeestatementsaresenthometofamilies electronicallyeachterm.
DiscountsforHealthCareCardholdersandfor thosewithsiblingsatotherCatholicschoolsare availableuponapplication.
Avarietyofpaymentoptionsavailable-please seetheBusinessManager.
Ifyouwishtodiscussfeeassistanceatany time,pleasemakecontactwiththe Principal/BusinessManager.
PleasenotethatsignatoriestotheEnrolment Agreementarelegallyresponsibleforfees-see theCollegewebsiteformoreinformation.
Who to Contact for Help
For school work related enquiries, please contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance
Teachers can be emailed via the Compass app, the preferable method for first contact
For pastoral concerns, please contact the relevant Pastoral Leader in the first instance:
Pastoral Leaders
Paula Rand
Year 7 & 8 Pastoral Leader prand@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Jordan Di Bella
Year 9 Pastoral Leader jdibella1@gilroysm catholic edu au
Jack Dixon
Year 10 Pastoral Leader
jdixon5@gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
Erin Cerutti
Year 11 & 12 Pastoral Leader
ecerutti1@gilroysm catholic edu au
Guidance Counsellors
Kate Stringini & Peter Groundwater
The College has full time guidance support available to students Referrals can be made via our website under the Students tab, by contacting the College office or via Pastoral Leaders Students may also self-refer
College Chaplain
Sandra La Rosa
Mission Statement
" To nurture the growth of the whole person in a safe, supportive and inclusive Catholic learning environment "
For more information, please contact the College office on 4776 2888 or visit the College website at www.gilroysm.catholic.edu.au
