Community
DOGS CAMP
This year's Dads & Kids camp was a huge success.
A total of 106 (44 kids and 62 dads) descended upon YMCA Wyuna in Queenscliff on Saturday 18th November. The early 9am start didn't deter our eager pups from waking early to make the 1.5hr drive down from Melbourne. The anticipation of fun-filled activities with school friends unleashed at the beachside location was too much for some; I received many reports of pups rising well before their alarms and then urging DOGS into vehicles wearing PJs.
Perfect weather set the stage for another fantastic edition of DOGS camp. Dads arriving well caffeinated and pups primed with drive-thru breakfast, the crew swung into the morning's activities. Swan Bay's calm waters boarded by sweeping hills and brimming with seabirds provided the picturesque backdrop for our canoeing session. Archery was a new installment for this year's camp, proving a favourite for many. Freshly handmade woodfire pizza was the perfect compliment to round out the trio of activities.
Choc muffins (& fruit) for morning tea and a brief pause for salad rolls for lunch, the kids continued to play hard all day and well into the afternoon. In their free time kids took the opportunity to explore the campground bush walk trail, play volleyball, basketball, table tennis, feed the chickens and trek over the dunes down to the beach with Dads in tow. The older kids participated in what's claimed to be the world's longest running game of tiggy lasting around 5 hours!
As the sun began to lower the pups were slowly drawn back to camp HQ beaconed by the aeromas of BBQ dinner expertly grilled by the DOGS' tong-masters. Re-fuelled with snags, burgers and salads, a final run around before the kids began to settle down at the campfire for roasted marshmallows and ice cream.
As the evening progressed, exhausted pups progressively peeled off to bed, and the remaining dads gathered around the campfire enjoying each other's company, bonding, making friends, swapping stories and relaxing.
I'm sure all who came would agree it was a wonderful weekend full of experiences our kids will remember for their whole lifetime. The Galilee Dads & kids camp offers a truly unique opportunity for Dads and their kids to get away, connect, form friendships and grow. The camp's ongoing success is testament to the school's vibrant and engaged parent community.
Thanks to all those who attended. Can't wait for next year's installment.
James Eagle
Thank you from the GPA!
Thank you from the GPA!
2023 has been a BIG year for the GPA, with the help of our volunteers we’ve created many special memories and moments for both our students and the school community. Most importantly we helped raise a staggering amount of fundraising dollars for Galilee, over $60,000! To everyone who contributed, either by giving their time or a donation, thank you! This year’s fundraising contributed to two projects - library refurbishments (which are well underway) and upgrading digital technology in our classrooms.
For the library, we have been able to refurbish with painting the entire interior of the library - including downstairs foyer, stairwell, upstairs foyer and the library space. We also purchased new furniture including shelving for fiction and non-fiction books, browsing book bins for picture story books to make these books more accessible for students and low book bins. We also purchased new books for the school.
In upgrading our digital resources, we were able to contribute to the increased number of iPads for Prep and Year 1 students and one-to-one chromebooks for Years 2 - 6 students. This means that from 2024, every student from Year 2 to Year 6 will have access to their own chromebook thanks to your incredible efforts and donations. This is a huge boost to our digital technology access and infrastructure across the school for our students.
We take this opportunity to extend a special thank you to our incredible executive/subcommittee members and year level reps:
Jodie Hoefer
Natalie Calafiore
Sonia Pandolfo
Margaux Bonne
Carmen Carnovale
Peta Langford
Danielle Gordon
Jean McGann
Yvette Crawley
Rachel Di Leva
Jo Simmonds
Sally Pizzini
Rebecca Coventry
Emma Van Haaster
Olivia Johnson
Sarah Gerrand
Alison Hoggan
Tracey Hutson
Alyson O’Shannessy
Irene Budino
Samantha Scanlon
Samantha Low
To all our Friends of Galilee, that includes Galilee families and businesses from across our extended community. Our ‘Soiree by the Sea’ Gala event could not have happened without your support and generous donations that help make our fundraising efforts such a resounding success.
Each year, the GPA approaches businesses for donations in support of our fundraising. It’s important we look to pay it forward – we ask that you do as much as you can to help support the businesses that support us. Follow them on socials, stop by their stores, or just pop in and say hello.
Scroll down to see a photo montage of the year that was!
Special mention to our two community sponsors Chisholm & Gamon and Marshall White.
Galilee Parents Association
Second Hand Uniform Shop
We anticipate that some uniforms that fit your children this year will not fit them next year. If you would like to donate them to the second hand uniform shop, please bring them into the office. School bags that are not needed from children leaving Year 6 would be gratefully accepted.
Year Level Representatives 2024
We are calling for nominations for the 2024 Year Level Representatives. Our parent community is very important to us at Galilee and our Year Level Representatives play an integral role in this community. If you are interested in being a Year Level Representative for 2024 please see the attached documents:
- Year Level Representative Application Form
- Year Level Representative Registration Form *to be completed once application has been accepted
- Year Level Representative Role Description - Code of Conduct
- Parent Communication Group Guidelines
- Please note that as this role is a Year Level Representative position (not a class representative) your child’s 2024 class allocation has no bearing.
- All parents/guardians are more than welcome to apply to be a Year Level Representative for 2024, provided you haven't been that year level's rep in the previous year - for example, if you were the rep for Prep 2023, you cannot be the rep for Year 1 2024 but you could be a Year Level Rep for your other child's year level. This allows a sharing of responsibilities and roles amongst the parent community.
- In situations where a year level does not have any applications, the school will approach parents or guardians on a more direct basis in order for new volunteers to take up the vacancy. In such instances, a role share or role term rotation may be created.
Please register your interest by emailing a completed application form to Community Partnerships and Parent Liaison Leader, Carmen Carnovale - ccarnovale@gsm.vic.edu.au
SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWS
Please see a letter from St. Mary's College St Kilda East, regarding vacancies
