I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Headmaster’s

News

1

Mission 2

Teaching and

Learning

2

Student Profiles 3

Year 10 News 3

Sports News 4

Other News: 4

St Gregory’s College

Campbelltown 2 4 J U L Y 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 4 7 , I S S U E 9

U P C O M I N G

E V E N T S

27 July Trial HSC commences

Years 8 and 9 Parent Forums

29 July Year 8 Etiquette evening

3 August Years 10, 11 and 12 Parent Forums

11 August

College Photo Day

Dear Members of the St Gregory’s Family,

Keeping hope alive for people is very important especially people who are in dire circumstances and where one stands in relation to this thought is all relative. The story of the loaves and fishes made me reflect on this idea. It must have been an amazing experience for the people standing in the desert with nothing to eat but five loaves of bread and a few fish. To lead this group must have been very depressing with so few resources. Christ gave them the resources that they needed to get through the crisis which must have been a great relief for the leaders as well as for the people who were very hungry. How many times do we see people who are in desperate need of attention and in need of positive support? There was a story about a political prisoner who for all intensive purposes was never going to be released and did not have any hope left. She was eventually freed and upon release she made it plain, that without all the letters and postcards from people encouraging her not to give up, she would not have got through her ordeal. Similarly, people who struggle around us can be given encouragement from unlikely sources and it is enough to spur them on. I listened to an ex-student last Friday evening telling Mr McMahon, (former College Headmaster) how a comment Mr McMahon had made to the student ten years before, had spurred him on to be the success that he was. Mr McMahon did not remember the comment, understandably as he would have made many in the intervening years to encourage students I am sure. We all need to remember that we can all make a difference and at times we don’t realise the effect that we will have through a comment or a kind gesture. One loaf of bread made a difference many years ago and I am sure we can do the same now.

Prayers Sadly, I reported at the College Assembly, that Mr Jeff Miezio, father of Nic in Year 12, passed away suddenly last Sunday. I would ask that we all keep Nic and the family in our thoughts and prayers as they come to terms with their sudden loss.

Activities We have only been back for two weeks and in that time the College has held its annual NAIDOC Assembly, the Opening and Blessing of the newly renovated Brother Luke Hall, the Careers Forum and two Old Boy functions (10, 20 and 30 Year reunions), all in the space of two weeks. Thank you to all those people who have coordinated these events and to the people who have supported them for without that support, the College is just a group of empty buildings without a heart.

Welcome Welcome to a number of new staff members who are joining us for the first time. Mr Shaun Shepherd, College Maintenance Manager, Mr Daniel Thomas, Maintenance Team and Mr Simon Baird who has joined the teaching staff. They are all most welcome and I am sure that we all look forward to welcoming them into our community and working with them to ensure that they have a successful time during their stay at the College. Welcome back to Mrs Allan, who returns from maternity leave and best wishes to Mrs Patten, who has just given birth to a baby boy. Welcome also to two new students, Liam Batty who is joining us in Year 8 and to Benjamin Brown who is joining us in Year 10.

Congratulations to Tom Sowden on his recent selection in the U16 Australian Cricket Team and also to Bailey Dickinson who was named Captain of the U16 Australian Cricket Team.

Next week, the Year 12 students commence their HSC Trial exams which then only leaves them with six weeks of school until the end of Term. The time goes very quickly!

Building The work on the renovation of the Donovan Centre commenced this week. This will be the Boarders’ Dining Room come January and then the work on the new Learning Centre can commence.

Quae Seminaveris Metes.

Damien Millar Headmaster

Headmaster’s News

Mission Each year we are privileged to be able to send groups of students to immerse themselves in places around the Pacific where the Marist Brothers are working with communities, particularly in schools. During the last holidays, two groups of seven boys from Year 11 set out, one to Suva in Fiji and the other to the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. An immersion is an opportunity to see the world from a different viewpoint. As Christians and as Marists, we believe we have a responsibility to work in service not only for each other, but for the wider community in Australia and the global community. The boys and staff came back with wonderful stories of the welcome they received in these communities and what they learned. I’d like to share some of these reflections with you: Murray Cooke: We quickly learnt that having little does not worry these friendly people much and they were more than happy to give to us… Immersing with the culture of the people of Vanuatu would have to be the greatest part of the trip. The people told us stories about their ancestors as well as giving us many of the tasty local foods…The immersion trip has made me open my eyes a lot more to what is important in life … I have learned that there is more to life than attaining assets … I have also developed a strong craving for coconut juice.

Bailey Ivancic and Mitchell Duncan: Conditions and facilities in the school were very basic, and luxuries we sometimes take for granted in Australia were certainly not to be found, like hot water! The school day was a long one starting at 5:15am for prayer, followed by morning duties. After 3 days at the boarding school we ventured an hour away to our homestay experience in Port Olry… how kind and respectful the locals were to us… We were always cared for and looked after, and they always made us feel very welcome. Despite being outsiders we were treated as family… during our trip, we discovered that these people truly are happy. This happiness does not come from material possessions, it comes from their sense of community and family spirit, and these are the things in their life that they truly value. Our immersion experience, has given us many valuable lessons and understandings that will stay with us for life…Some of the money raised for Vanuatu is being spent on a washing machine for the Hospitality students. The full reports and many photos can be found on the College website. They are worth viewing! From my perspective, they are an encouragement for us to continue our work of fundraising and contributing to MAPS, which enables these communities to continue to grow with the support of the Brothers.

Cathie Clarke, Director of Mission/RE Coordinator

Teaching and Learning

Year 12 HSC Trial Exams Year 12 begin their Trial exams on Monday 27 July using the timetable set down by the Catholic Secondary Schools Association. A reminder that medical certificates are required in the case of absence from an exam. Subject Selection Thank you to those parents and students who attended the Year 11 2016 Subject Selection night last week. A reminder that forms are due back by Thursday 6 August.

Mrs Dein and I will be available for interviews in weeks 3 and 4—refer to the email sent to all Year 10 parents for the details.

The subject selection process for Year 9 2016 will begin soon. Ms Keir and the Year 8 team will work with the boys in homeroom to look at their interests and talents while KLA Coordinators will present to students information about the subjects they will offer for Year 9 2016. The information evening for Year 9 2016 will be held in the College Hall on Wednesday 26 August.

Catherine Keegan, Director of Teaching and Learning

The full Teaching and Learning report, including Study Skills Tip for July and information on artificial light from devices can be found on the College website at Teaching and Learning.

Murray Cooke

Bailey Ivancic and

Mitchell Duncan

Year 10 News 2015 has seen many of our Year 10 students mature throughout semester 1. A large number of the students in Year 10 have been involved in numerous activities during the first half of the year that have certainly left an unforgettable impression with their peers and staff alike. It is a pleasure to see so many young men putting up their hands to help out and be involved in all parts of College life. Their solid attitude and solid work ethics have been noted by many members of the College community.

As Term 2 concluded, Year 10 students were asked to, over the holidays, find suitable Work Experience and start to consider their senior subject selections for 2016. This can be a stressful process as some students are still discovering their preferred career path. To assist the boys and their families an Information evening was held at school early this Term by Mrs Keegan to further clarify any concerns and questions parents might have. The evening was very successful with many parents attending.

In recent months the students have been exposed to a variety of talks by head of subject departments in preparation for next year. The College was able to support the students further by organising a ‘Careers Market’ afternoon in the Br Luke Hall on Wednesday. The Careers Market was represented by trade schools, private Colleges, universities and law enforcement agencies. The afternoon was loaded with valuable information offered to those students seeking additional assistance in certain career paths. I would like to thank Mrs Dein for setting up the event.

Finally, I would like to remind parents and students of the Community Service Program that has been ongoing since the start of the year. Many students opted to take up the challenge of completing a log card of their experiences. This card will be a stepping stone when students submit applications for leadership positions as seniors later this Term. It’s never too late for the boys to apply and get started but time is slowly running out.

Baldino Vetrano, Year 10 Coordinator

Student Profiles

Congratulations to the following students on their successes as shown:

Robbie Cabungcal Jeremiah Fisher Anthony Robinson

Bailey Dickinson (Year 10)

named Captain of the U16 Australian

Cricket team

Thomas Sowden (Year 10) selected

in the U16 Australian Cricket team

James Hilton

Year 7A Debating Team that reached the Quarter Finals

Sports News

Sports Events

MCS AFL and Touch continue every Thursday 25 July ISA Rugby vs Kinross, Orange 29 July NSW All Schools RL Championship (13yr – 16yr) 13 August MCS Athletics Carnival – Homebush St Greg’s Golf Championship

Other News

NSW CCC CHAMPIONSHIPS - CROSS COUNTRY, TENNIS AND BASKETBALL

In an outstanding effort by the MCS Cross Country team which included 15 St Gregory students, nine of our runners were in the Gold Medal winning 13 years, 16 years and 18 years CCC Age Division teams. From our winning MCS Tennis team a squad of players was selected to participate in the NSW CCC Open Team Championship held in Bathurst. The team finished 3rd in this year’s CCC competition. This was a great effort by the team and coach, Mr Albery. Our MCS Minor Premiers First Grade Basketball team participated in the CCC Regional Tournament where they lost to St Dominic’s College in a close game in the Quarter Finals.

MCS RUGBY LEAGUE AND FOOTBALL (SOCCER)

From the MCS Semi Finals four Soccer and five Rugby League teams have qualified for the Grand Finals. All the Soccer teams and the Rugby League Thirds (“B” Tier) and 15 years “A” teams won MCS Premierships in their competitions. Our First Grade Soccer team will now represent MCS at this year’s NSW CCC Championship.

GIO RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITION

Following a hard fought loss to The Hills Sports High in our first pool game the First XIII played Hunter Sports High in round 2 and had an excellent 36-24 win. In the third round played at the College this week, St Greg’s defeated Farrer Agricultural College 56-12. Congratulations to the team and coaching staff on this great result.

MCS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Under the guidance of Mrs Monte and Mr Wignall, the Year 7 Chess team won the Junior MCS Chess Championship for first time. This week our Year 10 team of competes in the Senior Division.

Joseph Lantz, Sports Coordinator The full sports report with detailed results and Representative Honours can be found in the News section of the website.

The next Youth Mass at St. Anthony’s Church , Tahmoor, is on 25 July at 5-00pm.

So come along on this COLD winter night and WARM your heart with JESUS, with our Big Band, Huge choir and group of dancers.

Bring your family and increase the warmth in the Church.

There will be refreshments after Mass

Margaret Cronin on behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council

The Canteen is now selling

Sushi (on Mondays only)

made from all natural, gluten and

dairy free ingredients

Boxes of 8 pieces (140G)

@ $4.00 per box

Sushi Roll (140G)

@ $3.50 each

Flavours:

Teriyaki Chicken or Chicken Schnitzel