Dear members of the St Greg’s family,

Welcome to 2024! A particular welcome to our new families who have joined us for the first-time last week. I trust that your first two weeks have been enjoyable.

This year’s MSA theme, First Light, ties in very closely with our local theme – 2024 a new beginning. We have been through the year of the reset ABC for 2023 and this is the year we start afresh, full of possibilities and with a great sense of optimism and positivity. The vibe throughout the community has been openly recognised and discussed by staff and students alike, and yesterday’s singing practice and today’s liturgy was a beautiful example of that. There is much to be grateful for as a member of this community. A real area as a community this year we will be focussing on is the concept of belonging.

For the senior school, Year 7 began their journey with a new program, titled ‘Life as a Greg’s Man.’ The purpose of the program is to ensure the students start their high school journey equipped with the tools and knowledge to thrive in the Greg’s environment. It involved a three-day workshop at school, before heading to camp at Narrabeen. It has been wonderful to see the new friendships being formed and the increased confidence as they began formal classes yesterday.

Our Kindergarten students have also started very well, after best start meetings last week and half days Monday and Tuesday before full days started on Wednesday. The annual Tissues and Tim Tams Morning Tea Monday was a highlight and all the children left ready to explore. I certainly have enjoyed engaging with them this week.

The College Opening Mass was a wonderful celebration last Friday. Almost 2000 staff, students, guests and families joined in the blessing of the new year. Fr Fergi spoke beautifully about the Marist theme and its importance to us as a community. The Junior School Leaders received their badges and College Captain, Hollins Eastgate, gave an outstanding first speech in the role. The Mass can be viewed via this link.

College Opening Mass

I have also included for parents an article written for parents on the importance of keeping our children active and academic success. I encourage you to have a read. Read document here.

It is with great excitement that I look forward to what 2024 will be for this community, a faith-filled, Catholic, Marist community. Let us be curious, not judgmental and continue to strengthen our family spirit, so all members of our community feel they belong.

May Mary Our Good Mother and St Marcellin continue to watch over our community.

Mr Matthew Brennan

College Principal K-12

Dear Members of the St Gregory’s College family,  

Well, we are off and running for 2024 and there is so much to be grateful for with our new year upon us. The students across the K-12 College have started strongly and with them has come energy, life and vibrancy. I must say that the College is empty without them! 

We have a handful of new staff who have blessed us with the opportunity to work with them this year as they take up their post at St Gregory’s College.

You can view all new staff here. 

In the Senior School we welcome:

• Mr Sam Duncan – College Counsellor - Due to Mrs Renee Centraco heading off on Maternity Leave, Mr Duncan has taken the role of counsellor. Mr Duncan comes to us from ‘Youth Off the Streets’ and ‘Top Bloke Foundation’. 
• Mrs Caitlin Guy – Inclusive Education Teacher 7-12 - To join a growing team in our Inclusive Education Department, Mrs Guy joins us from Camden High School and is looking forward to her time at St Greg’s.
• Mr Igor Pletikosa – Religious Education Teacher - With a wealth of experience in teaching Religious Education, Mr Pletikosa comes to join a dynamic team in the RE Department. Mr Pletikosa comes to us from Christian Brothers High School, Lewisham. 
• Mr Adrian Quig – Head of Philanthropy and Fundraising - To begin a new role at St Gregory’s College, Mr Quig will be looking at the projects, sustainability and fundraising of the College over the coming years. Mr Quig comes to us from his previous role as a Portfolio Manager with Raine and Horne.
• Mrs Sherrie Rodricks – Science Teacher - Joining a great team of Science educators, Mrs Rodricks has come to us after teaching at St Patricks College, Strathfield for many years as a Science Teacher. 
• Mrs Crishelle Donley – Accounts Receivable Assistant - We welcome to our College Finance Department, Mrs Crishelle Donley who comes to us from Scotts Refrigeration Logistics as Accounts Receivable Officer.
•  Jake Rule – Boarding Supervisor - Mr Rule is an Old Boy of the College who will be one of our Boarding Supervisors for 2024. Knowing the College Community is essential in this role and we welcome Jack to the role.
• Mr Lachlan Finch – GAP Student - Mr Finch comes to us from the UK and has spent the last 6 months in a school in New Zealand. He comes with enthusiasm and will be a great asset to the College and Boarding Community.
• Blake Truman – GAP Student - Mr Truman has joined the staff this year after finishing Year 12 with the College in 2023. He will be a GAP Student for Term1 before heading to the UK to play cricket.
• Mrs Rachael Tweedie - As a way of broadening her scope from K-12, Mrs Rachael Tweedie will be coming up from the Junior School and spending 2024 as an Inclusive Education Officer in the Senior School. 

In the Junior School we welcome:

Due to the Junior School expansion, we have a number of new staff who have blessed us with the opportunity to work with them this year as they take up their post at St Gregory’s College.  

• Mrs Katrina Borg – Inclusive Education Teacher K-6 - As a part of our Inclusive Education Team, Mrs Borg will join a dynamic team. Mrs Borg come to us from St. Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park.
• Mrs Amanda Kerr – Classroom Teacher - Mrs Kerr is one of our new teaching staff for 2024 due to our expansion. Mrs Kerr comes to us from St Catherine of Siena Primary School – Prestons. 
• Mrs Melanie Thierjung – Classroom Teacher - To join our teaching staff, we welcome Mrs Theirjung who comes to us from Campbelltown North Public School. 
• Mrs Carley Timmins – Teacher Librarian K-6 - Our new Junior School Librarian is Mrs Timmins. She has a real passion for literature and comes to us from Denham Court Public School.
• Miss Natasha Breski – Teacher Intern - Also to join the teaching team this year is Miss Breski. She spent some time with the Junior School in a casual capacity and takes on the Teacher Intern role in 2024.
• Mrs Elizabeth Cesarin – Inclusive Support Officer - Mrs Cesarin spent time with our Junior School a couple of years ago as a Teacher Aide and we welcome her to a role in 2024 as the Inclusive Support Officer.
• Mr Jordan Carrick – Inclusive Support Officer - As many of you know, Mr Carrick completed his training last year with the Junior School and is excited to move into a role as an Inclusive Support Officer in 2024.
• Miss Taylah Berthaly – Inclusive Support Officer - Like Mr Carrick, Miss Berthaly spent some time in our Junior School in 2023 and is looking forward to being a part of the Inclusive Support team this year.

The Western Entrance  

Thank you for your patience at the drop-off and pick-up points from the Western Entrance. I appreciate that the traffic flow has been busier than usual. Ensure that you utilise the pick up zone for collecting your son and not for parking. Please continue to exercise patience and courtesy when queueing up to wait for your son. We have also asked your sons to exercise extreme caution when walking in and around the Western Entrance.   

Partnership  

I look forward to continuing to work with you as parents and carers in producing outstanding young men and women who, in Marcellin’s words, are good Christians and good citizens.   

Celebrating Student Success 

As I did last year, through the newsletter I will draw your attention to some of the outstanding efforts, successes and ventures that our students achieve that we love to celebrate. 

Events on the Horizon 

Week 3

• Monday 12 February     
  • Senior School Lunch on the Lawn @ 1:25pm
  • Year 12 UOW Discovery Day
• Tuesday 13 February
  • Shrove Tuesday
  • Junior School Meet the Teacher Evening
• Wednesday 14 February
  • Ash Wednesday Liturgies
  •  Junior School IPSSO Commences
• Thursday 15 February
  • Art Attack Opening Night @ 6pm
  • PDS Sport Commences
• Friday 16 February
  • Senior School New Parent Cocktail Evening
• Saturday 17 February
  • ISA Cricket, Touch and Basketball Rd 9
• Sunday 18 February
  • Sunday Evening Mass @ 6:15pm

Week 4

• Tuesday 20 February
  • Year 10 & 11 Information Evening (Online)
• Thursday 22 February
  • Year 9 ‘The Rite Journey’ Launch @ 5:30pm
• Friday 23 February
  • Senior School Assembly @ 9am
• Saturday 24 February
  • ISA Cricket, Touch and Basketball Rd 10
  • Show Team @ Canberra Royal
• Sunday 25 February
  • Sunday Evening Mass @ 6:15pm

Have a lovely weekend and we look forward to seeing you all back for Week 3!  

As our St Gregory’s College motto states, ‘what you sow, so shall you reap’.  

Mr Joel Weekes  

Assistant Principal/Head of Senior School 

Dear Families of the St Gregory’s community,

Welcome to 2024! It is always exciting to begin a new school year with hopes and dreams. It is my hope that every family and staff member feels welcome when they enter our school gates, and it is my dream that we develop students who learn and grow to have strong minds and gentle hearts.

This year we welcome new staff members as our Junior School experiences a growth spurt of 134 new students and 11 new staff members.

• Miss Hayleigh Keogh – Year 2
• Miss Melanie Thierjung – Year 3 job share
• Mrs Amanda Kerr – Year 5
• Mrs Cheryl Gajda – Year 6
• Mrs Carley Timmins – Teacher Librarian
• Mrs Katrina Borg – Inclusion Education Teacher
• Mr Daniel Brennan – Inclusive Education Officer
• Mr Samuel Hackett – Inclusive Education Officer
• Mr Jordan Carrick - Inclusive Education Officer
• Miss Taylah Berthaly - Inclusive Education Officer
• Mrs Elizabeth Cesarin - Inclusive Education Officer

New beginning/new students

Our new students in Years 1 – 3 (as well as one student in Year 5) have made a wonderful start to the year, fitting into their classes well. I have had the opportunity to visit the classes and it is great to see them embracing the change. 

Our Kindergarten students began this week, full of smiles, shiny shoes and delicious lunchboxes! We welcome three Kindy classes this year. They have started the year strong, walking in confidently and ready to embark on the next 13 years of education! Our kindy parents took some time to chat at the Tim Tams & Tissues morning tea. There were more tears from our parents than there were from the children – and that’s ok. It is a special time for families as you drop them off to school and entrust us to help guide them and educate them. Rest assured that every child at St Greg’s is known and loved.

God Bless,

Diana Ivancic

Meet the Teacher & Bootcamp

The key to ensuring a smooth start and a successful and stress-free year for the students, families, and teachers, is to have a clear understanding of the processes and procedures of the school. The purpose of the Meet the Teacher Evening is to be able to meet your child’s teacher/s and gain a clear understanding of the expectations, processes and learnings planned for the year in your child’s class. Regardless of whether your child is in their first year at school or their final year, it is important that a parent representative attends each year as different grades have different experiences and different teachers have different procedures. If, as a community, we are all on the same page, it makes for a great place to be.

The standards we walk past are the standards we accept. 

All staff including support and admin staff have the same expectations of the students at our school. This ensures high standards and consistency. These are all clearly outlined in the parent handbook in relation to things such as uniform, behaviour and procedures.

Information Evening schedule:

• 5:00 – 6:00pm Years 1 -3
• 6:00 – 7:30pm Year 4 (Device Bootcamp & information session included)
• 6:00 – 7:00pm Years 5 – 6 (Device information & cybersafety included)

We have tried our best to accommodate for more than one child; you may wish to split your time across two classes if these clash and contact your child’s teacher for missed information.

Note: there is no session for Kindy.

Year 4 Parent Bootcamp: this is a compulsory session that at least one parent for each student must attend. Matters regarding caring for the device, insurance and cybersafety are very important. 

Year 5 & 6 Device information & cybersafety: parents will be introduced to the program implemented by the school to support online safety for our students at school and home. Bring your phones with you to install the app on the night.

Junior School Leaders presented at the Opening Mass 

The College opening mass held on Friday 2 February was a time to celebrate and welcome new staff and students and present the Student Leaders with their badges.

• Our Junior School leaders for 2024 are:
• Captains: Cara Jones & Kye Harding
• Marist Ministry Leader: Gabriel Yousseph
• Vice Captains:  Olivia Sheedy, Evie Simpson, William Mumford and Jackson Lane

These students have already begun working on new ideas and suggestions during our first meeting this week. I am looking forward to a productive year ahead.

Drop Off and Pick Up

Morning Drop Off: Supervision begins at 8:00am.

No child is to be dropped before there is a teacher on duty at the gate. Please be respectful of this rule which is in place for your child’s safety.

We are blessed to be positioned on a private road. As a community we should all look out for each other. Show respect, patience and kindness. For the safety of all concerned please remember:

• No U-turns on Keiran Geaney Drive
• Always use the pedestrian crossing, even if you are parked down the road
• Indicate before pulling out onto the road
• Rules are in place to keep everyone safe.

Thursday 25th January signified the start of our 2024 academic year with a new staff induction day. The admin reception in the Senior School was certainly a buzz, as welcomed all new staff to the College. New staff were engaged in an induction day, which included: Learning and Teaching at the College, Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Care, College Policies and Procedures, ICT, a tour of the College and time with their mentor. 

The Junior School welcomed Taylah Berthaly, Katrina Borg, Natasha Breski, Jordan Carrick, Elizabeth Cesarin, Hayleigh Keogh, Amanda Kerr, Sharon McPherson, Melanie Thierung, and Carley Timmins, whilst in the Senior School we welcomed Sherrie Rodricks, Igor Pletikosa, and Caitlin Guy.                                      

We also welcomed 2 new GAP students; Lachlan Finch and Blake Truman, and in Boarding we welcomed Jack Rule. Sam Duncan has also joined the College as a College Counsellor in 2024. 

The middle leadership planning day provided an opportunity for both JS and SS leaders to collaborate, with sessions incorporating JS Stage Leaders, SS Leaders of Learning, SS Academic Care leaders and SS Year leaders, as well as Boarding Coordinators. The focus for this day was the College Strategic Plan and priority areas for improvement, particularly the College Teaching and Learning focus for 2023 and beyond. 

Teaching staff from both the JS and SS spent two days engaging in Professional Learning to prepare for the 2023 academic year. The first day began as a community, celebrating Mass and welcoming all back to the College. HSC results were celebrated, and new staff welcomed into the entire College community. The first staff professional learning day was centred around the College’s focus for the year, with all staff engaging in discussion and dialogue around the notion of “Belonging” as well as the Marist theme for 2024 “First Light”.  

The explicit Teaching and Learning focus for 2024 is “Inclusive Classrooms”. Staff spent time using Data to develop class profiles, refining their understanding of “Universal Design For Learning” and the importance of such in lesson planning and development. Staff in the Senior School will continue to engage in Professional Learning Groups throughout 2024, planning and developing their own professional learning goals aligned to the Strategic direction of the College. Professional learning opportunities will continue within these groups, providing cross KLA collaboration. The focus for Semester 1 is “Engaging Boys in Writing”, with all SS staff completing an online course, attributing to 5 hours of NESA accredited PD. A “Marist Pedagogy” will be explored throughout 2024, with all staff completing an online formation course “Our Living Marist Spiritual Heritage”, developed and facilitated by Marist Schools Australia. 

Staff spent time reviewing Annual Review processes, goal setting, discussing, and planning for Quality Assessment Practices and Procedures, as well as attending KLA meetings, Year meetings, and completing individual planning and preparation. Throughout these Professional Learning days, time was also spent with staff re engaging with the College Agile Graduate Model (SS) and Learner Profiles (JS). Staff in the Junior School were engaged in team building activities, workshops as well as collaborative planning and preparation. 

Students returned on Wednesday 31st January with excitement and enthusiasm, with the day commencing in the Senior School with a College assembly, welcoming new students, and new staff, reflecting the wonderful community that St Greg’s truly is. It was certainly exciting to welcome the new Year 7 cohort. This year the year 7 cohort were engaged in a 3 day “Introduction to Greg’s” program, which included orientation, testing, laptop bootcamp, and familiarisation with all things high school. This new program was designed to make the transition to high school both enjoyable and seamless, setting students on the right path for an exciting and successful year. 

It is certainly exciting to be back in classrooms with the students as they commence their 2024 educational journey.

Ms Judith Tolomeo

Director of Teaching and Learning

Dear College community I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new students and their families. It was great to see so many happy and enthusiastic students ready on the first day of school and for the year ahead.

The College Merit System

What is the Aim?  

To provide a structure that students of all year groups will endeavour to be a part of which will assist in the College positive wellbeing program. The Merit System will allow all students to have the opportunity to earn a College medallion.

For further information click here.

The Rite Journey (TRJ) 2024

This week our Year 9 students were introduced to The Rite Journey program. As they prepare for The Calling and Departure stage of the program, parents will be celebrating the opportunity to be a part of the program in week 4. The Rite Journey is a ‘boys to men’ program catering for young adolescent boys as they start to unpack several serious themes that will shape their adulthood as they become strong, resilient young men. The program has been running for a number of years with great success. 

• Acknowledge & celebrate each student’s shift into adulthood.
• Offer conversations & experiences to guide this transition.
• Foster connections with positive adult role models.
• Educate & include parents/carers in the process.
• Connect students with their strengths.
• Build self-awareness.

New counselling team member

The College welcomes Sam Duncan to our counselling team. Mr Duncan is very excited to be starting at the College in the Senior school. 

The P.A.R.T.Y program at Liverpool Hospital

Later this term our Stage 6 students will have the opportunity to attend the PARTY program at Liverpool Hospital, we are very lucky to have been given the opportunity to attend. The program focuses on the prevention of risk-taking behaviours in youth. The whole day program gives students a real understanding of the dangers involved in risk-taking situations. Students visit the trauma unit of the hospital and speak to a number of doctors, nurses and victims of major trauma injuries. The day is not only highly educational but one they will never forget. 

Mr Baldino Vetrano

Director of Students

Upcoming events

• Wednesday 15 February Art Attack Opening Night
• Tuesday 20 February Year 10 Information Evening (6.30pm - Online)
• Year 11 Information Evening (7.15pm - Online)
• Monday 26 February Year 12 Progress Reports Published
• Wednesday 6 March Year 7 Study Skills Evening
• Monday 18 March NAPLAN Tests begin 
• Tuesday 19 March Year 8 Study Skills Evening

Welcome to Year 7 and ‘O’-Week Activities

The College welcomed our new Year 7 Cohort (HSC graduation class of 2030) with a rousing school assembly.

The theme of our Year 7 ‘O’-Week was Thriving as a St. Greg’s Man and students learned about the facets of life at the College. Mr. Coffey and Mr. Weeks introduced our Year 7 gentlemen to some of the important aspects of cultural life at the College. Mrs. Newell delivered a session on academic life at the College and Mrs. Clarke spoke about the importance of Mission and Faith at the College. Students also met their homeroom teachers and engaged in activities with their homeroom classes.

On Wednesday, students picked up their laptops and learned some of the basics about how to use their laptops (who knew setting good passwords could be so difficult). They also met and spent time getting to know their Year 12 Buddies and the Year 12s gave the newest Greg’s gentlemen some insights about College etiquette.  

Thursday’s highlights included whole school singing practice where the boys quickly learned Mr. Malaesilia’s warm-up chants as well as the College’s songs. The boys also completed their laptop bootcamp where they learned how to use and care for their laptops. 

On Friday, students completed PAT testing, picked their Thursday sports, prepared for their camp and finished the day off with a swim in the pool.  

A fitting welcome to our new Year 7 students.

Homework Club and Mathematics Study

Homework Club and Mathematics Study are two of the fantastic out-of-school opportunities that the College offers students. 

Homework Club is open every Monday afternoon from 3.15 - 4.15pm in the Marian Centre. During this time, students can complete homework and prepare for assessments in the supervised and friendly atmosphere of the Marian Centre. Homework Club is facilitated by the Academic Care Team and different KLA staff are available each week to help students. 

Year 11 and 12 students have their own study area and, there will be specific activities designed to assist our senior students in preparing for their HSC. Our Inclusive Education team will also be on hand to provide Year 7 – 10 students with assistance.

We would encourage all families, but particularly our Seniors and our Year 7 students to come and be a part of Homework Club.

Each Wednesday, the Mathematics staff also offer Mathematics Study from 3.15 - 4.15pm. Again, this is a wonderful opportunity for our boys to receive that extra little bit of assistance that will help them understand and excel in Mathematics. 

HSC Results and High Achievers Assembly

Congratulations to our Year 12 2023 cohort for their achievements last year.

Distinguished Achievers

Academic Care Corner

Our Academic Care Leaders are responsible for the academic care of students in Stages. 

Stage 4 (Year 7 & 8) - Mrs. Newell

Stage 5 (Year 9 & 10) - Mr. Duggan

Stage 6 (Year 11 & 12) - Mr. Bullock

They also work in partnership with the Head of Year, Heads of Department, Boarding Coordinator and 

Boarding staff to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive structure for academic care.  

Academic Care is aimed at encouraging and developing a culture of optimism, positive actions, sound study skills, and a desire and search for academic excellence at all levels. We recognise the importance of each student as an individual and we celebrate personal academic achievements for students.

Academic Care – Objective

The objective in Academic Care is for every student to develop the academic agency, skills, and strengths required to become an agile learner. To achieve this objective, our Academic Care program aims to develop important student and community dimensions. 

What are Academic Agency, Skills and Strengths? 

Academic Agency involves students becoming independent learners who are aware of the importance of their own effort and attitude in the learning process and who take the initiative to meaningfully influence their learning.  

Academic Skills are transferrable tools that students develop to become agile, successful learners.  

Academic Strengths refer to character strengths and thinking frameworks that will help them flourish as learners. 

Academic Care – Student Dimensions 

To foster the Agile St. Greg’s Graduate, our Academic Care program encourages:  

• Growth Conversations and Self-efficacy – understanding and development of Growth Mindsets, Goal-centered GROWTH conversations and the development of self-efficacy. 
• Learning, Planning & Study – attitudes towards and skills in learning, planning and studying, that will help students across the curriculum and as lifelong learners. Students will also gain skills in Academic Scholarship. 
• General Capabilities – skills in cross-curricular General Capabilities such as Creative and Critical thinking, Literacy and Numeracy, Ethical understanding, Digital literacy, Intercultural understanding and Personal and Social capability. 
• Habits of Mind – growth of Habits of Mind and our “5 Rs” that provide students with a framework for approaching academic problems and opportunities.  
• Character Strengths – exploration of Character Strengths and Positive Psychology principles enabling students to flourish. 

HSC Disability Provisions – Year 12, 2024

HSC Disability Provisions are specific forms of assistance that some students are entitled to for HSC Exams. To be eligible for this assistance, the College will need to make an application to NESA and applications have just opened. 

If you believe that your son might be eligible for assistance in their HSC exams, please contact our Learning Enrichment Leader, Mrs. Grant (lgrant@stgregs.nsw.edu.au).

• Disability Provisions address specific student examination needs related to the individual impact of:
• NESA approved, medically evidenced physical or psychological disability
• NESA approved, medically evidenced visual or hearing impairment that may require specialised equipment
• A diagnosed, medically evidenced learning disability, who because of NESA approved testing, may need to use a reader or writer during examinations.

More information can also be found using the below link: NSW Education Standards Authority HSC Disability Provisions

Study Skills Tip

If you are interested in joining the Snowsports Team in 2024 please fill in the expression of interest form

https://forms.gle/ehdyvnN4pu244ggw5 or contact Mrs Ally Buckley (abuckley@stgregs.nsw.edu.au) for details.

A meeting will be held for all Senior School boys on Wednesday 14 February at recess in 014. Junior School parents can email Mrs Buckley directly.

I warmly welcome all our new families and welcome back current families. I trust you had a wonderful break and you're ready for an action-packed year ahead. There is a real buzz around the College today as we welcome back our boys and girls.

The St Gregory's College calendar is very busy and with that comes the much-appreciated assistance of Volunteers. Many events would not be possible if it were not for the amazing support of Volunteer Parents, Carers, Grandparents, and even, our Old Boys. 

The 2024 Volunteer Expression of Interest Form is now open, click here to be taken to the online form. 

To volunteer at the College, you are required to;

• Have a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) number. 
• Indicate your preferences for volunteering at our 2024 events or activities (for example; carnivals, classroom helpers and readers, College Open Day, dances, Mother's Day and Father's Day breakfasts, Grandparents' Day, various BBQ's, exam reader/writer, ISA Weekend Sport, show team truck driver etc). 
• Read through and agree to the Volunteer Policies.

We greatly value and appreciate our volunteer's. Volunteering allows for the smooth running of events at the College, that in turn, directly benefit the students. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me via email abuckley@stgregs.nsw.edu.au. I look forward to seeing you all in 2024!

Warm Regards,

Mrs Ally Buckley 

Parent Engagement Coordinator

Notification of commencement

Term One aligns with the Planning Phase of the annual Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD). St Gregory’s College will commence Personalised Planning Meetings for students with disability in Term 1, 2024 This process will continue throughout Term 1 and possibly into Term 2 if required. During these initial IP meetings, adjustments will be created or reviewed to ensure that students with disability are able to participate in learning and the life of the school on the same basis as their peers. The meetings are a key part of the consultation process with parents and carers and the students who are at the centre of our plans.

It is essential that the broader school community is aware that the 2024 NCCD process has commenced. For further information, please refer to the attached Factsheet. If you have any enquiries about this process, please refer to Eryn Lonergan or Leisa Grant in the Inclusive Education faculty. 

NCCD Factsheet for Parents, Guardians and Carers

Save the Date!

This term's Junior School parent workshop will be an Introduction to the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Primary Years Programme (PYP) at St Gregory's College. Mark Gannon (Assistant Head of Junior School & PYP Coordinator) will be running the workshop. All parents and carers are welcome. It will be useful for new or existing families from all grades who would like to learn more about the PYP at St Greg's. 

When: Week 8, Tuesday 19th of March – 6:00pm 

Where: Junior School Library

More information, including an RSVP will be made available to Junior School families closer to the date.

It’s been a wonderful start to the year for our Year 2 learners who have made the big move upstairs! We have spent the first few days getting to know each other and the classrooms. Our focus is still firmly on mastering the phonemic code so that we can become better readers, writers, and learners.

Our first Unit of Inquiry for this year is under the theme ‘Who We Are’ and the central idea is all about how learners take responsibility to manage and develop lifelong habits.

We are inquiring into:

• our environments (form)  
• how our behaviour impacts others (perspective/causation) and
• our responsibilities to self and others (responsibility)

One of our first tasks was to learn more about each other and how we can show kindness. We did this by reading “The Jelly Donut Difference” by Maria Dismondy which was a delicious way to think more deeply about the way we treat each other. We’ve also had a fantastic pep talk from Kid President, who reminded us that our time is now and we should ALL try to make the world dance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o&t=2s

Looking forward to a great year of learning and learning adventures!

Olivia Cefai, Hayleigh Keogh and Louise Limbrey

As we embark on a new school year, it brings us great joy to welcome our Year 1 students to an exciting journey of learning. The Year 1 students seamlessly settled into the new school year by following routines, fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort within their new classroom environment. As teachers, it has been wonderful to witness kind and caring children, making sure they welcome and support the new students in our school community. 

To kick off the year, Year 1 were given the opportunity to set two goals they would like to focus on for the year. These have been displayed in the Year 1 classrooms and will continuously be referred to throughout the year. Take the time to ask your child what goals they have set for themselves. 

It’s time for Year 1 to blast off and reach for the stars!

We are looking forward to a wonderful year. 

Mrs Fuller, Mrs Borg, Miss Owen and Miss Cecil

Year 1 Teachers

Swimming Trial

Wishing the best of luck to all participants in the swimming trial on Monday, February 12th, at the College Pool. We eagerly anticipate discovering who will represent the College at the forthcoming Western Region Swimming Carnival, our Age Champions and the Champion House for 2024.

Wollongong Diocesan and Mackillop Trials

Good luck to all the students attending the Wollongong Touch Football, AFL, and Cricket trials in the coming weeks. We look forward to hearing how you go.

• Touch Football- Taylah Kenney, Piper Lane, Jacob Gordon and Marley Jensen

• AFL- Jacob Gordon

• Cricket- Samuel Brown and James Dash

Independent Primary Schools Sporting Organisation 

Our students will continue trialing for our Summer IPSSO Teams next week. On behalf of our IPSSO Coaches, we extend our appreciation for the dedication and determination displayed by the students as they strive for excellence during these trials. Wishing the best of luck to all participants.

Wednesday Grade Sport

This year, during grade sports, there will continue to be an emphasis on building house spirit. Students will be encouraged to get as many points as possible for their house. The points allocated to each house after grade sport will contribute to their weekly total, increasing their chance to be the weekly champion house.

K-2 students will be participating in modified ball games and skills this year. 

Years 3-6 students outside IPSSO teams will participate in skill-based sessions through modified games and in-house competitions. The sports they undertake will be the same as the IPSSO seasonal sports.  

Junior School Cross Country 

Our Junior School Cross Country will be held on Wednesday, March 27, Week 9. The K-2 students will run approximately 500m, the 8, 9, and 10-year-old students will run 2km, and the 11 and 12-year-olds will run 3km. 

The increased distance from previously 2km to 3km is to match the distance that competitors will run at the MacKillop and NSWPSSA Cross Country.

Year 2 students turning 8 this year are welcome to run in the 2km race. Next week, in our Year 2 PE lesson, we will walk most of the course to give students an idea of what the 2km course entails. Please discuss with your child if this is something your child would be competitive in and wants to do. Early next month, a Google form will be emailed to you seeking an expression of interest for your child to compete in the 2km race. If your child does not wish to participate in the 2km run or the College does not complete the Google form before the due date, they will compete in the 500m course. 

I encourage students who wish to be competitive in the 2km and 3km races to begin training. The first three placegetters in each category will represent the College at the Wollongong Diocesan Cross Country Carnival in Term 2.

The categories for the event are:

2km

• 8/9 year boys
• 8/9 year girls
• 10 year boys
• 10 year girls

3km

• 11 year boys
• 11 year girls
• 12/13 year boys
• 12/13 year girls

The categories for the K-2 500m event are:

• Kindergarten boys
• Kindergarten girls
• Year 1 boys
• Year 1 girls
• Year 2 boys 
• Year 2 girls

Paul Kelly Cup AFL Trials  

The Paul Kelly Cup Trials are scheduled for Tuesday, February 13th, during Break 2. Best of luck to all Year 5 and 6 students participating in these trials, as this marks our final opportunity to select our boy and girl teams. Please remember to bring your mouthguard, boots, and a change of clothes for the trial.

AFL NAB Auskick 

This AFL clinic will occur on Fridays, March 8 - April 5. The AFL will hold sessions at the College from 3:15 – 4:15 pm. For further information, please refer to the flyer in this newsletter.

Mr Darryl Howe 

PDHPE Teacher/Sports Coordinator