Our Services
School
Services
Our school offers a variety of services that supports our student experience and our wider community. We currently offer a school canteen, uniform shop and OSCH after-school care.
Canteen
The College canteen provides an excellent range of food that is both healthy and tasty. The canteen has been described as 'one of the best in the country' and for good reasons. When one considers the importance of our health, then it is clearly understood that attention to this aspect of our lives is well spent.
Currently, the canteen runs 3 days per week; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. All food served at the canteen is vegetarian.
Gilson College has now partnered with Spriggy Schools for canteen ordering and payment through their handy app. Please see below for instructions.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Uniform Shop
Gilson College students have a reputation for maintaining a dress code with a high standard. In addition to affirming one’s self esteem, this also allows a student to represent themselves, their family and their College in a positive manner.
From June 26th 2023, all uniform items will be purchasable from A Plus Schoolwear located in Mill Park. Online ordering is also available. When navigating the website, make sure to enter Gilson College Mernda as your school.
Second hand uniform items will also be available to buy and sell via the Sustainable School Shop online. When registering you need to nominate Gilson College Mernda to receive your subscription.
Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)
Our Aim is in developing the child as a whole, to achieve their full potential with a strong sense of identity and well being, to have a range of skills that build confidence, empathy and abilities. Our wholistic approach ensures strong links in partnership between families, the school and local communities with the opportunity for decision making that promotes safety, encourages optimism, happiness and a healthy active life style and an understanding of nutritional values.
Philosophy
All activities and experiences offered are full of SPICE – Social, Physical, Intellectual, Cultural and Ethical.
The programs are child-centred and play-based, with a wide variety of activities for the children to choose from. The role of staff is to provide the resources and skills training to support the children’s choices.
Core Values
- Respect (for self, for others, for equipment and for the play spaces)
- Responsibility (for self, for others, for equipment, for activities)
- Resilience (be positive, accept consequences, be open to change, be forgiving and patient)
What is OSHC?
OSHC is a form of childcare for children available to all parents of primary school aged children. Parents that may be studying, working or looking for work, or need respite care are eligible to use the program.
Aims
- To provide encouragement for children to grow in all areas of spirituality, language, intellectual, physical and social development in a Christian environment.
- To respect diversity of families and work in partnership with them to provide optimum care
- To provide optimum care
- To provide a safe, happy, comfortable and stimulating inside/outside environment
- To provide care meeting needs of all families using the service
- To provide opportunities that promotes self-worth as a basis for healthy interpersonal relationships.
- Foster healthy living through nutrition, exercise, water, sunshine and rest
- To encourage through all aspects of the program, children’s independence, self esteem and regard for others.
- To invite and encourage parent participation
Partnership with the Families
Gilson College Outside School Hours Care Program welcomes the input of all parents/guardians and children into programming ideas. A suggestion box and surveys are available so that the service receives feedback on its operation and that it is always responsive to diverse needs of the community.
Hours of Operation
Before School Care
7.00am – 8.30am weekdays during school terms
After School Care
3.30pm – 6.00pm weekdays during school terms
Venue
We are located in the Acacia Room, 1st Room on your left of the Junior School building.
Phone number
Direct line is: 9717 7320
Priority of Access Guidelines
Gilson College OSHC uses government priority of access guidelines to determine priority in allocating places. (See Gilson College OSHC Program Policy).
Fee Structure
Permanent Care – Regular specified day/s throughout the year
Casual Care – Care used on a daily basis
Before School Care Program
Permanent: $15.00 per child per session
Casual Booking Fee: $17.00 per child per session
After School Care Program
Permanent: $19.00 per child per session
Casual Booking Fee: $21.00 per child per session
Late Pick Up: $ 10.00 first 5 minutes then $1.00 per minute for each child
Cancellation
Cancellation fee No Charge (with 48 hours notice)
Late Cancellation fee 50% of full fee (less than 48 hours notice)
Secondary Study Centre
The College also operates a study centre which is located in the College Library. From Monday to Thursday and starting at 3:30pm and finishing at 5:00pm this program allows Secondary students to have a place where they can study in a quiet environment with access to study resources. Some parents who are unable to collect their son or daughter before the supervision duty is finished have them in the study centre. Students are expected to use this time for study or homework, not for socialising. Secondary Teachers also run subject-specific clubs during study centre to assist students in their subject area, days vary for these clubs.