I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Headmaster’s

News

1

Mission 2

Year 9 News 2

Student

Profiles

3

Teaching and

Learning News

3

Sports News 4

Other News 4

St Gregory’s College

Campbelltown 2 8 J U L Y 2 0 1 7 V O L U M E 4 9 , I S S U E 1 0

U P C O M I N G

E V E N T S

31 July

Trial HSC Exams

commence

4 August

Year 7-11 Academic

Awards assembly 9am

7 August

Years 10, 11 and 12

Parent Forums

9am and 7.30pm in

The Hermitage

11 August Year 11 Dinner

Dance

Headmaster’s News Dear Members of the St Gregory’s Family, You are the difference

I was at a conference during the break and the theme of the conference was, “You are the Difference”. I was reading something from the Gospel of Matthew about a woman who was trying to get the right mix of leaven dough in order to make the best bread. Our lives are very similar; it is our contribution, whether it be big or small, to the community that helps to make it a better place. Each one of us whether that be a member of staff, parent or student, can play a part in producing and developing a wonderful community. It could be acknowledging something positive that someone has achieved; it could be acknowledging someone by simply saying hello. We do not realise the power of such a simple act, as we do not know what the other person is experiencing at that moment in time. You can be the difference!

Term 3

Welcome back to Term 3. It is pleasing to see everyone well rested and ready for another term of activity. How the landscape of the College has changed in ten weeks: Mr Brennan going to Parramatta, Mrs Jeffcoate moving to Mater Dei, Mr Lantz on leave for the rest of the year as well as Mrs Bunce, not to mention an internal reshuffle due to the changes in personnel. I am thankful that other staff members have been willing to step into the various positions so that we can keep moving forward as a College.

Junior School

The Junior School is on track for our first classes in 2018. Mr Weekes has done a marvellous job of keeping the project moving forward. I saw the final uniforms last week before they go into production. There will be other tasks that need to be addressed this term and then I will organise meetings in Term 4 with the new parents for induction and orientation.

Apprenticeships

We have lost a number of students during the year, many have moved on to take up apprenticeships, which is what they want, and most probably the best thing for them. The positive is that employers, once they realise they are St Greg’s students, are more than happy to take them on and give them a chance. Our reputation amongst employers is very positive and that is something that we can all be proud of.

Co-curricular Activities

I noticed that the College has been travelling well in this area over the last term with many victories on the sports field and in other areas such as the Sheep and Cattle Shows and the Musical. The 10A Debating Team is in the Final of the CDSA Competition. The First Grade League side is still undefeated in the GIO Cup. Congratulations to Ethan Parry who was been selected in the Australian School Boys Rugby League side to tour New Zealand in September. The term has started well and I will look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming events. Quae Seminaveris Metes.

Damien Millar Headmaster

Mission During the school holidays, a group of Year 11s, accompanied by two staff, experienced an immersion in Fiji. I had the privilege of meeting with those young men on their return and hearing of their experiences. Whilst many of us may know the Fiji which exists in the travel brochures and the resorts where Westerners holiday, the reality of life for the Fijian people is very different. During their stay, the boys visit and work in a school known as the Champagnat Institute. It is a school for young people who, for many and diverse reasons, have failed in the regular education system. Their experiences in this school and their overnight stay with a family in the village is an opportunity to see the world from a different viewpoint. The boys and staff came back as they always do with different perspectives on many issues. The boys spoke of the poverty they witnessed, but were quick to point out that the people themselves don’t speak of this. The lack of materialism and the bonding between people in their relationships is what our boys noticed and admired as they immersed. The size of their homes and the number of things in the home don’t matter as long as it is filled with family. Their joy is found instead in family and in relationship with each other.

When asked to list the highlights, the sense of welcome they receive is always high on the boys’ list. They described a bus which certainly would not pass our safety standards, with glassless windows and reggae music playing, and all the passengers singing along. They describe Br Kees’ simple cooking, yet made and served with so much joy and always shared around a table. They listed sightseeing and how the Fijian people everywhere spoke to them and wished them well. They also included tackle rugby league games where the boys and girls played together. Another interesting observation is how the Marist story and culture is entrenched in a school which is government run and staffed by teachers who identify as Hindu, Christian or even non-religious. It is a clear lesson for all of us that what makes us Christian or Marist is predominantly what makes us good at being human. From my perspective, listening to the boys and what they learn, and hearing of the work of the Brothers in these places, I am encouraged for us to continue our work of fundraising and contributing to MAPS, which enables these communities to continue to grow.

Cathie Clarke,

Director of Mission/RE Coordinator

They do not have

much. Whilst we

may be rich

financially, they

know that their

richness really

lies in family

and in spirit.

Aidan Limbrey

(reflection on

Fiji Immersion)

Year 9 News

Student welfare in society today has been a focus during recent Year 9 Pastoral Care periods. Last Term the Year 9 cohort started viewing the documentary/movie, “The Cyberbully”, which highlighted the need for awareness and vigilance when monitoring social media activities. As a follow up, Ms Jane Coupland will be presenting a thought provoking and hard hitting presentation on cyberbullying, sexting, online activities and grooming. These issues have a major impact on much of the population—not just our students! Ms Coupland’s experience and expertise in dealing with these concerns is a valuable asset as young people struggle with this daily pressure.

Advice to parents from experts in these fields includes:

No technology in bedrooms overnight!

Know where your children are and who they are with.

Ask questions of your children: What Apps do they use and have access to? (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat)

Monitor and regulate all social media and online interaction

Discuss online gaming activities.

Do you know your children’s passwords?

Do you have filtering on your internet?

Peter Hogan, Year 9 Coordinator

Student Profiles

Congratulations to the following students who represented the College at the NSW All Schools State Cross Country:

Teaching and Learning

MATHSCRAFT – Monday 26 June

While others were enjoying their first day of holidays, three of our best junior mathematicians made the journey to Mosman High School with Mrs Hackett to attend the Mathscraft workshop – How Mathematicians Work. This workshop was sponsored by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical & Statistical Frontiers and gave students the opportunity to learn how mathematicians think about and solve problems by working with professional mathematicians on a range of interesting and challenging problems. Ryan Woods (Year 10), Joshua Lo Cascio (Year 9) and Sanjiv Weerasingham (Year 9) worked on a variety of problems with the guidance of Craig, a Scottish mathematician currently working at UTS on infant growth rate research. All three boys were called upon by the facilitators to share their ideas and insight with the group and did so with confidence, showing students and teachers from other schools what they had discovered about the problems set. The boys were also inspired to meet a young mathematician who is currently developing the sonar systems for the Royal Australian Navy’s new submarine fleet. He spoke about his career path, university mathematics courses and the wide range of options a mathematics degree provides. Sandra Hackett, Mathematics Teacher

Joshua, Ryan and Sanjiv with Craig (their mathematician)

Cody Salter

(Year 9)

Blake Ciscato

(Year 7)

Liam Neeson

(Year 12)

Mitchell Carter

(Year 12)

Will Limbrey

Marcus Bombardiere

Hayden Wulff

Angus Rochester

Good luck to the following Year 10 students who will represent the College at the CSDA Debating Grand Final to be held tonight, Friday 28 July, at Mercy College, Chatswood:

Sports

Events

3 August

MCS AFL and Touch Football

10 August

MCS AFL and Touch Football

17 August

MCS AFL and Touch Football

24 August

MCS AFL Semi Final and Touch Football Grand Final

31 August

MCS Athletics

Sports News Term 2 Conclusion

Going back to the end of last Term, a big congratulations to the following teams on winning their MCS finals in the last week of school: Rugby League: 1st Grade Under 13A Under 13B

Soccer 2nd Grade Year 9A Year 8B Term 3

The start of Term 3 has been a busy one with the Athletics Carnival, two 1st Grade GIO Cup games and the start of the MCS AFL and Touch Football. GIO Cup

In week 1 of this Term, the Rugby League 1st Grade team had a convincing 30-10 win over Hunter Sports High followed by another very convincing 66-6 win on Thursday 27 July over All Saints College, Maitland. The team now proceeds to the quarter finals of this competition.

MCS Sport

In the first three rounds of Touch Football, we have had five wins (including one by forfeit), one draw and two losses. The first round of AFL resulted in wins to both our Under 14 and Opens teams. College Athletics Carnival

The Athletics Carnival was a successful day. Blessed with great weather, the College community enjoyed an action packed day filled with high levels of student involvement and school spirit. Congratulations to Kilian House, 3725 points who continue their dominant sporting performance over the last decade. Second placed House was Molloy, 3512 points, followed by Laurentian 3356 points and Donovan 3355 points. New Sports Options

The College now offers the following four new options during Thursday sport time:

Jump Zone Tag Archery Cross Fit ‘Korrupt’ Skate

Mitchell O’Brien, Acting Sports Coordinator

The full sport report including details of results and representative honours can be found at Sport

Fiji Immersion

School

Photos

Change of

Date

The date for

class and some sports photos is

now

Friday 8 September

The date for extra-curricular

photos

to be advised