Meet School Leaders At Gilroy Santa Maria College School Captain Gemma Di Bella & Vice Captain Couper Giuliano

At Gilroy College, school spirit and peer support are the cornerstones of a vibrant, inclusive, and united community. This year, School Captain Gemma Di Bella & Vice Captain Couper Giuliano have introduced or continued a range of programs that foster strong relationships between students of all year levels and cultivate a sense of belonging among the students.

One key initiative is the Peer Support program, where Year 11 students lead small groups of Year 7 students, helping them transition smoothly into high school life. These mixed-grade groups allow the younger students to connect with both their peers and seniors, creating a supportive environment that promotes teamwork, confidence, and friendship. The program is particularly valuable for students coming from rural schools, providing them with a sense of connection and a network of support as they adjust to the new school environment.

To further strengthen these connections, the school has implemented vertical homerooms, where students from all grades meet once a week. These groups allow seniors to organise games and activities, helping students from different year levels to interact, learn about upcoming events, and build lasting friendships. The vertical homerooms also serve as a support system, offering students a trusted teacher and senior students they can turn to if they need assistance.

By mixing students from different grades, the vertical homerooms promote a sense of unity and foster a community where all students feel connected. This initiative also aims to increase enthusiasm and participation in school events, such as sports days, where students from all year levels are encouraged to cheer for their teams and support one another.

Both Gemma and Couper added that the house competitions compliment this, as they create a healthy sense of rivalry and excitement. Students wear their house shirts on Wednesdays to show their school pride and participate in friendly competitions. These activities not only foster school spirit but also highlight the importance of teamwork, respect, and camaraderie across all grades.

The emphasis on school spirit extends to events and initiatives throughout the year, from community service projects like cooking meals for flood victims to fun activities such as dodgeball tournaments during lunch breaks. The leadership team is focused on making school an environment where students feel supported, engaged, and motivated to participate in school life.

By bringing together students from different grades, the vertical homerooms program and peer support initiatives are ensuring that Gilroy College is not just a place for learning, but a place where students feel a strong sense of community, connection, and school pride.