College Newsletter | Term 2 - Week 5

Engagement and Community at the College

Mr Matthew Brennan - College Principal (K-12)

Dear members of the St Greg’s family,

Welcome to our latest newsletter. The College has been a busy place in recent weeks with many opportunities for community engagement through Mother’s Day celebrations, Parent Teacher Interviews and our co-curricular program.

The greater engagement of community certainly creates a ‘buzz’ around the College. I have enjoyed my interactions with many of you at liturgies, assemblies, interviews, debating and sport. The common theme has been one of great positivity and anticipation on what the future opportunities will bring.

I wish to share a few extracts of some recent correspondence from different members of the community. Whilst our media tend to focus on all that this wrong, it is wonderful to see our community in a countercultural space to that.

I wanted to say how impressed I was with the players and the atmosphere created at the game. The chanting and support blew me away. From the entry tunnel onto the field, to the celebration after each try for the player that scored, to the players and supporters singing together on the field at the end of the match. You should be very proud of the amazing sportsmanship shown by the not only the players but the supporters too. It demonstrates such a positive culture and one that I’m sure all of the students will remember for years to come. I'm so grateful that my family are attending school at St Gregory's College.

Some highlights of the liturgy include listening to the young men erupt in song and secretly listening to my own son sing, something he would never do outside school. Upon asking him why do the boys sing, he simply answered, it is ingrained from year 7 and it is nice to sing as a group. Another highlight of the liturgy was the mums, sons and group prayers of the faithful, a part of the service I remembered and appreciated at the Year 7 liturgy. The final moment I would like to highlight was the video footage and photos of the Year 7 morning tea. Sitting with a mum who I met at the Year 7 Liturgy, we both reflected on the growth- physical, emotional and spiritual of our two sons and how proud we are of our boys but also the school for nurturing this growth.
We left the morning tea soothed by knowing our sons will thrive upon leaving school and we put this down to the incredible group of friends they have made over the course of their schooling and to St Greg's for fostering the key skills required for success post school.

I have included two links below for parents to consider regarding the importance of knowing what your children are doing on social media, including the access of pornography, despite the difficulties. Open and regular dialogue between parent and child is critical, as well as not succumbing to the temptation to have social media act as a ‘babysitter’ or ‘pacifier’ for you. I’m certainly not saying it is easy, and have been guilty of both myself, but it is an area that is worth the fight.

Social Media Pitfalls

Pornography: Protecting children from porn is simple. So why is making this change so difficult? (smh.com.au)

I wish to acknowledge all the staff at the St Greg's. This newsletter is filled with achievements and opportunities, only provided due to the unselfishness, professionalism, care and expertise of our staff. Enjoy the read!

Finally, there are many opportunities coming up to engage with the community, including the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat, celebrated with a College Mass, on 6 June. It would be great 'o see many of you there.

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

Matthew Brennan

Senior School Wrap Up

Mr Joel Weekes - Assistant Principal

Dear Members of the St Gregory’s Family, 

It is amazing to think that we are halfway through Term 2. What a huge start to the term we have had with so many ‘Greg’s’ events!

So, you have had an interview . . . now what?

It was a great feeling to witness so many parents and students engaging in the recent Parent/Teacher Interviews across both campuses. It was a huge two days of interviews for our staff, 9am – 7pm on Friday followed by another 9am-12:30pm shift on Sunday. This is a massive contribution from our teaching staff to positively engage with the community for the mutual benefit of the students that we teach. As I walked around the hall, listening in, engaging with parents, staff and students, I was humbled to see such positive relationships that have formed this year between families and teachers.

As a teacher, when I reflect on the classes that I teach, I frequently think about how much the students seem to mature during the 38 weeks that I have them in my classroom. I welcome them into the classroom on Day 1, freshly arrived from the previous year and when they leave us in December, I am so proud to note how grown-up, confident and assured they are as a group of young people. Hopefully they have also, all learnt a thing or two along the way!

These developments in our students, of course, are due to a number of factors, not least of which is the encouragement, guidance, love and support that our students get from their parents in terms of becoming more independent, resilient and responsible young men.

So, I would urge you all to sit down with your boys and reflect on the recent interviews. What was the consistent message? What were the positives? What is something that needs to be an immediate short-term goal? Long term goal? I encourage you to celebrate every small success on the path to achieving the goal. As we race towards the end of the term in a few weeks, it is often a time to look at what has been accomplished so far in the first half of the year and think about what you would like to achieve over the next half. Whatever your son decides as his ‘goal’, I would encourage you to help him achieve this. Also, if you let your son’s teachers know, then this can be recognised and celebrated at school as well.

Celebrating Student Success

One thing that we love to do in both the Junior and Senior Schools is to celebrate the successes both inside and outside the school. At morning ‘line up’ of a Monday morning, in Year Meetings or at assemblies, it is always special to be able to celebrate these successes in one way or another.

This week, I would like to celebrate two boys.

Charlie Fuller – Year 11

That the West Tigers have released some images of Charlie Fuller in Year 11.

Charlie was selected and attended this years NRL Indigenous Youth Leadership summit, representing the West Tigers Region. He has had the opportunity to meet and participate in a session with TV presenter Stan Grant (Journalist) and proud Wiradjuri man.

Charlie was also in attendance for the launch of the NRL’s Indigenous round, with Aunty Linda Burney MP as well as meeting with Elders from the La Perouse community. He was lucky enough to be a part of a tour of the Sydney harbour and an opportunity to display his creative and artistic skills and further explore their cultural connections.

Jack Jones – Year 7

Last week, Jack Jones from Year 7 had some fantastic news that we want to celebrate with him. Jack has had some amazing achievements this year in athletics, culminating in winning Sportsperson of the Year last Friday.

If your son or daughter has achieved something that we can help them celebrate and praise, please let us know. Simply contact me at the College as I would love to share this celebration with them jweekes@stgregs.nsw.edu.au

As the St Gregory’s College motto states ‘You will reap what you sow’. 

Mr Joel Weekes 

Assistant Principal/Head of Senior School 

We are a Community

Mrs Diana Ivancic - Head of Junior School

Over the past two weeks, the Leadership team and I have met with over 80 families, interviewing for Kindergarten positions in 2024. One of the questions we ask all new families is “Why do you want to send your child to St Greg’s?”

Apart from being a Catholic school, the next most frequent answer, is that they want to be part of this community. Current families expressed their connection they experience being part of the community; that they feel welcomed and part of a family. New families spoke of the community feel they experience when visiting the school and of the way others speak about the community, the sense of belonging.

This feeling we speak about is our Family Spirit, the characteristic that is unique to our Marist Community. It was St Marcellin Champagnat who stated that “our schools will have a family spirit.” People become Marist by meeting other people; they have a sense of belonging together. How blessed are we to be part of such a community.

God Bless,

Mrs Diana Ivancic

Mother's Day

This year, the Junior School changed things up a little and invited our mums to celebrate Mother’s Day with an afternoon tea and liturgy, followed by some time together in the classrooms. The sun was shining, the conversations were flowing, and the hugs were a plenty.

Family Spirit was certainly alive in our Junior School celebrations. It is a privilege to be able to invite our mums into the school and celebrate the special people they are to our children- they are teachers, carers, role models, taxi-drivers, chefs.

Thank you to all our mums who were able to join us for this special celebration. A special thank you to Mrs Michelle Marks for organising the beautiful events and to our parent volunteers, who were coordinated by Mrs Ally Buckley, for being of service on the day.

I’m sure there were many excited children who were keen to share the gifts they purchased at the Mother’s Day stall. This was made possible thanks to Mrs Jana Stevens, Mrs Christine Denford and their parent volunteers, Mrs Carr & Mrs Grima. It’s always delightful to see the students shopping for their mum and nans.

K-12 Connections

Despite being geographically distanced, the connections between K-12 across the College is evident.

During this Semester we have seen great connections between staff and students. Staff from the Senior School are always generous in sharing their expertise with our staff and students.

Dr James Gersbach taught Year 6 a history lesson as part of their Unit of Inquiry.
Mrs Deb Monte took Year 3 to the Senior science labs to run experiments as part of their Unit of Inquiry.
Mr Michael Ivancic organised for a group of Year 6 students to be part of the Podcast Creation Course and Social Media Content Writing course with the Year 10 students.
Mr Luke Morrissey brought a group of Boarding students to speak to Year 6 about their experiences as boarders.

We are so fortunate to be part of such a giving community; our students are provided with rich learning opportunities across the College.

St Patrick's Girls visit for Community Service

During Term 2 a group of five St Pat’s girls will visit the school every Tuesday afternoon to be of service to our community. These girls (two who are former students) arrive with big smiles on their faces and ready to help out. During their visit they join the students in the playground at lunch break, assist staff in their classrooms and read with students. It is wonderful for our students to have these wonderful young women as role models in our community and wonderful to have some of our “Old Girls” come back.

Billy Dib

As part of the Year 6 “Who We Are” Unit of Inquiry, the students are inquiring into the question around what type of legacy do they want to leave. We invited two-time boxing champion, Billy Dib to speak with the students about his journey from school, as a student that was bullied, to a champion athlete, who had to work hard and display hard work and perseverance in order to succeed. He spoke to the students about focus and about the importance of working not only for yourself but for those in your ‘team’ (parents, friends, teachers).

You're Invited - Cyber Safety Night

You are encouraged to attend a parent information evening at the Junior School around parenting the Cyber Child. In a world where the rate of change is never going to be this slow again, it can be challenging to keep up with technology, let alone stay aware of the changes that our children are facing.

This information session will provide parents with:

An awareness of the changing landscape of the digital playground
An Understanding of the Cyber child
Skills to navigate the difficult questions about adult content, nudity, cyberbullying, and the rest
Strategies and tools to keep your child safe in the digital world
Resources to construct a safer haven for your child when online

There will also be a Q and A session for parents.

Due to the nature of discussion or questions, we ask that students do not attend the meeting.

The evening will be presented by Don Perna (Coordinator of Information and Communication Technologies).

Date: Wednesday 14 June 2025

Location: Junior School Library

Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm

Mission in the College

Mrs Cathie Clarke - Director of Mission

Happy Mother’s Day!

Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers, held a special devotion to Mary and invites all of us as Marists to act like her, in gentleness, simplicity and humility. Since Marcellin established his first community, Love of Mary has been an important part of being in a Marist place and so during the month of May, we pay special attention to Mary as the mother of Jesus and as our Good Mother. One way we do this is by praying a decade of the Rosary each Monday. I thank the staff and young men for the respect and reverence as we joined in prayer from our classrooms.

In our Mums and Sons liturgies we honoured the Mums of Year 7 and Year 12 students, acknowledging them as the ones who give life. We celebrated the love of God and the Holy Spirit which nurtures their love for their sons.

In the Gospel reading chosen for Year 12, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well. In this reading the Samaritan woman has an encounter with Jesus which is totally unexpected. She is tired and hot as is he. She is a woman and a Samaritan so it is unusual for a Jewish man to speak to her. Yet their conversation is real and life giving. Jesus needs the water from the woman as he is physically thirsty. The woman needs the water that Jesus has to offer to fulfill her spiritual needs. It is a reminder to all women that their role of nurturer and life giver is not easy. It certainly wasn’t easy for Mary as the mother of Jesus or for any woman in Roman times and the Samaritan woman in the story reflects that. Times haven’t changed and the demands for women in our society are just as challenging. We remind the women in our community that they too need the water from the well, time to spend away from the demands of being mothers, partners, sisters, daughters and nurturing their own spirit.

During the liturgy, we prayed a special prayer for our young men of Year 12:

We pray in gratitude for the privilege of parenting our sons. Thank you for guiding the time I had with him as a child. Soon I will release him as an adult to your care and guidance. I trust that you will fight for him and delight in him. Bless him and keep him and let your light shine upon him.

Teaching and Learning in the Senior School - Curriculum Reform

Ms Judith Tolomeo - Director of Teaching & Learning

In an ever-evolving world, education plays a pivotal role in equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive. However, traditional educational approaches often fall short in meeting the demands of the modern era. This realisation has sparked a global movement towards curriculum reform, aimed at redefining the way we educate and preparing learners for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Curriculum reform encompasses a shift towards holistic development, acknowledging that education is not solely about academic achievements but also about cultivating well-rounded individuals. By incorporating social-emotional learning, physical education, and arts into the curriculum, students can develop their emotional intelligence, physical well-being, and creative expression.

This comprehensive approach helps create a conducive learning environment that nurtures students' personal growth, resilience, and empathy, enabling them to thrive in various aspects of life.

Students often struggle to connect what they learn in classrooms with practical applications in their lives and future careers. Curriculum reform aims to bridge this gap by integrating experiential learning opportunities, project-based assignments, and internships. By immersing students in real-world scenarios, they can develop a deeper understanding of concepts and acquire the skills needed for success beyond the confines of academia. By incorporating multicultural perspectives, global issues, and languages, students can develop an appreciation for different cultures and become responsible global citizens equipped to tackle complex global challenges.

Curriculum reform emphasises the importance of lifelong learning and aims to equip students with the necessary tools to adapt to an ever-changing future. By instilling a love for learning, critical thinking skills, and the ability to learn independently, students become self-directed learners who are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Additionally, the integration of emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainability into the curriculum ensures that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills required for the jobs of tomorrow.

Curriculum Reform has been discussed in previous newsletter articles, acknowledging the College’s response and timelines for implementation. This is supported by the College’s Strategic Plan, Learning Enrichment focus, and Universal Design for Learning. At the recent TENS (Teacher Expert Network) Conference in Sydney, Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“If we are to give students the strongest foundations for success in life then we need to give their teachers time to get to know the English and Maths curriculum and implement them well.
“Instead of an unworkable release of dozens of syllabuses per term this year, I’ve asked NESA to lead with those that are core to improving learning outcomes for students.”
“With almost 100 syllabuses still to be released, I am confident that we have found the right pathway to ensure a new curriculum is successfully implemented to improve student outcomes.”
“It is essential that we get a new curriculum in front of students and teachers to improve educational outcomes – and our teachers need to be given the right amount of time to do this so they can give their very best to their students.
“We are committed to working with teachers, as we address student learning outcomes across the state.”

Feedback from teachers and advisory groups was that the current curriculum reform schedule was unworkable, that the timeline is too challenging and as a result it is putting more pressure on teachers at a time when NSW is already grappling with a teacher shortage crisis.

Each new syllabus requires teachers to undertake professional learning, develop new lessons and assessments, and ensure consistent reporting to parents - all of which takes time. A strategic rollout will mean teachers have adequate time to consult and get to know the new syllabuses and the time to implement them well. The shift in timeframes means all new syllabuses will be delivered to teachers by 2027 – in line with the intent of the Masters Curriculum Review, that outlined a 10-year delivery timeframe.

Staff at the College will continue to undertake professional learning opportunities throughout this year and beyond, to support current Curriculum Reform priorities.

Ms Judith Tolomeo

Director of Teaching and Learning

Student wellbeing news and events

Mr Baldino Vetrano - Director of Students

I hope this newsletter finds you all in good health and high spirits. We have had some exciting events and important updates that I would like to share with you.

Upcoming Years 7-9 School Dance at St. Patrick's College

Mark your calendars for an upcoming event that promises to be a night of fun and excitement! St. Patrick's College has graciously invited our students to their school dance on Friday 2 June. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to socialise, make new friends, and enjoy a night of music and dance. More details and permission slips have been sent home, so please keep an eye out for them.

College Rugby League Game

I am proud of the way our young men conducted themselves at our recent College Rugby League game. Our entire school community came out to support our talented young men, and the atmosphere was electric. Our team displayed incredible skill, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the game. A special mention goes to our dedicated staff and parents for their unwavering support. We wish the boys the best of luck in their next game.

Parent-Teacher Meetings

Thank you to all the parents who attended our recent parent-teacher meetings. These meetings are an essential opportunity for open communication and collaboration between parents and teachers. We greatly value your involvement in your child's education and appreciate the insightful discussions we had. If you were unable to attend, please reach out to your child's teacher to schedule an alternative meeting.

School Police liaisons officer Senior Constable Allen Clapham Anti-Violence presentation

Senior Constable Clapham has been associated with our College for a number of years. His ongoing support in educating our students about current social issues have always been met with enthusiasm and respect.

This week Senior Constable Clapham presented on anti-violence, the campaign was released by the new police commissioner in 2023 and the message is extremely important.

Unfortunately, violence in the Macarthur region is a problem, everyday we hear stories of violent attacks on young people, the repercussion of violent activity has a major impact, directly and indirectly in the greater community.

Our students were responsive and acknowledged that there are no winners when people turn to violence.

Fostering Wellbeing: Counselling Support and the Ongoing Work of the College Wellbeing Team at St. Gregory's College

In our continued commitment to the holistic development and well-being of our students, I would like to highlight the invaluable support provided by our counselling services and the dedicated work of our College Wellbeing Team.

Counselling Support

At St. Gregory's College, we understand that students may face various challenges and pressures that can impact their emotional well-being. To ensure our students receive the necessary support, our counselling services are readily available. Our team of qualified and compassionate counsellors offers a safe and confidential space where students can express their concerns, receive guidance, and develop strategies to navigate personal or academic difficulties.

Our counselling sessions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each student, addressing a range of issues including stress management, emotional well-being, relationship concerns, and academic support. Whether students require short-term interventions or ongoing counselling, our team is dedicated to promoting their mental health and overall happiness.

The Ongoing Work of the College Wellbeing Team

Our College Wellbeing Team plays a vital role in fostering a nurturing and supportive environment within the College community. Comprised of passionate individuals from various disciplines, including counsellors, Year Leaders, Academic care Leaders, homeroom teachers, College nurse and admin staff in Student Services, the team collaborates to create comprehensive programs and initiatives that promote student well-being.

Insert ‘feeling safe flyer here

The Wellbeing Team meet with students throughout the year to address relevant topics such as mindfulness, self-care, resilience, and mental health awareness. These initiatives aim to equip our students with essential life skills, empower them to make positive choices, and provide a strong foundation for their personal growth.

In addition to these opportunities, the Wellbeing Team actively engages with students, staff, and parents through regular communication channels, such as newsletters, information sessions, and parent forums. We believe that open dialogue and partnership between the College and our community are crucial in addressing well-being concerns effectively.

Looking Ahead:

As we continue to prioritize the mental health and well-being of our students, we are constantly reviewing and refining our support services. We are committed to expanding our resources, enhancing our counselling programs, and staying abreast of the latest research and best practices in student well-being.

We encourage students, parents, and staff to reach out to our counselling services and engage with the Wellbeing Team if they have any concerns or suggestions. Together, we can create an environment that nurtures resilience, fosters positive mental health, and ensures the success and happiness of every member of our College community.

In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to our counselling team and the College Wellbeing Team for their dedication and unwavering commitment. Let us continue to work hand in hand to support and uplift one another, ensuring that St. Gregory's College remains a place where our students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I wish you all a wonderful month ahead.

Warm regards,

Mr Baldino Vetrano

Director of Students

St. Gregory's College

Studies in the Senior School

Ric Bombardiere - Director of Studies

Upcoming events

Friday 26 May - Year 12 Academic Awards
Monday 29 May - Year 7 – 10 Exams Begin
Wednesday 21 June - HSC Minimum Standards Catch-up sessions begin

Homework Help Club

Homework Help Club on Monday afternoons is a chance for students to spend time studying, completing assessments and finishing homework in the inviting environment of the Marian Centre. There are subject and learning support teachers on hand to help students (a different faculty attends each week) and the afternoons are overseen by our Academic Care Leaders. The afternoons begin at 3.15pm and conclude at 4.30pm.

Students from Year 7 – 12 are welcome to attend. Homework Help Club will occur on the following Mondays:

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Week 2 (01.05)

Week 5 (22.05)

Week 6 (29.05)

Week 7 (05.06)

Week 2 (24.07)

Week 3 (31.07)

Week 4 (07.08)

Week 6 (21.08)

Week 7 (28.08)

Week 8 (04.09)

Week 10 (18.09)

Week 2 (16.10)

Week 3 (23.10)

Week 5 (06.11)

Week 6 (13.11)

Week 7 (20.11)

Academic Care Statement

Our Academic Care program is an important initiative of the College that distinguishes it from other schools. Through this program, our Academic Care Leaders – Mrs. Rachel Newell (Stage 4), Mr Glenn Duggan (Stage 5) and Mr Stephen Bullock (Stage 6) - provide a point of connection between pastoral care, key learning areas, learning enrichment, careers and boarding that focuses on the acquisition of academic agency, skills, and strengths.

Over the last six months, our Academic Care Leaders have surveyed students and staff to continue developing their program. As part of this process, they have generated the following statement to articulate key aspects of Academic Care at St Gregory’s College.

Artificial Intelligence in Education – Initial Direction

Over the last few months, new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has emerged that will have a significant impact on education.

Since the world that St Gregory’s students will graduate into will be one in which they will use AI applications, it is essential that the College provides students with exposure to this technology while ensuring that we take steps to help our students avoid potential misuse and negative consequences. The College will continue to adapt its response to this new technology as educational authorities issue new directives. However, it is also important for the College to communicate with our community about this issue and to clearly state the College’s direction.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom

During the last term, the College has engaged in research to find out more about how AI platforms will affect our teaching and learning at the College. In professional learning at the beginning of the term, teachers were provided with information about the possibilities of generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT and the integration of AI into already existing technologies such as Google and Microsoft.

AI platforms now have the ability to generate extended responses to research questions complete with bibliographies and in-text referencing. They can generate whole digital presentations, construct graphic designs, write computer code programs, design artworks, musical compositions and produce detailed business plans. In short, AI platforms have the potential to assist in most facets of education both at school and at tertiary levels. However, there is also the potential that generative AI can be used as a shortcut that would circumvent the processes of student planning, researching, drafting and thinking.

The College’s direction is that it will continue to research and provide staff and students with education about developments in AI and implications for them. We will also regularly provide information on AI and the College’s developing direction. Finally, the College will adjust its approach as new information emerges and as governing bodies such as NESA provide direction.

Artificial Intelligence in Assessment

Assessment is an area in which AI could have a detrimental impact on teaching and learning. To provide our community with clear guidelines, the College has taken the position that students are not to use generative AI in the production of assessment tasks.

At present, our Leaders of Learning and their teams are conducting an audit of assessments and will make changes to mitigate against the misuse of AI.

Our Assessment Policy malpractice statement in Academic Handbooks has been adjusted to include the use of generative AI. A new version has been uploaded to the Sentral Portal. Assessment Task Notification sheets also include a statement about the use of AI.

For assessment tasks in which there is still the potential for students to misuse AI, the College will continue to use the plagiarism/collusion checker Turnitin as one of its strategies. This platform can now detect the use of AI (AI Writing Detection Frequently Asked Questions | Turnitin).

Teachers and Academic Care Leaders will continue to educate students about responsibility, honesty and integrity in assessments, they will continue to use the All My Own Work program (HSC: All My Own Work | NSW Education Standards) in Year 11 and Year 12 and teachers will monitor for the misuse of AI in student work. The College is also investigating other resources and a possible micro-credential in the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence.

When government agencies such as NESA provide new guidelines, the College will adopt these and modify our direction as necessary.

The most important strategy for utilising this new technology while maintaining the integrity of assessments and learning, however, is to enlist our College community. Therefore, we ask for your support and we welcome any feedback you may have.

If you have any questions about our students’ use of Artificial Intelligence platforms, we encourage you to contact subject teachers, Leaders of Learning, Year/Academic Care Leaders or either of us.

Year 7 – 10 Semester 1 Examinations

Students in Year 7 – 10 will complete their Semester 1 Examinations commencing from Monday 29 May. Examination Timetable and Instruction sheets have been sent to Parents, Carers and Students via the Sentral Portal. Students can also access a copy of the timetable through Sentral Messages.

Teachers and Academic Care Leaders have worked with students to help them prepare for these exams by providing students with a study guide as part of their Assessment Notifications and by giving them practice materials in class.

While many courses will hold examinations, other courses may choose to assess students through practical, research or in-class tasks. This means that not all subjects will have a Semester 1 exam.

We wish all students, but particularly our Year 7 students who will be completing Semester examinations for the first time, the best of luck in these tasks.

If your son is absent from an exam, please email the Academic Care Leader (Rachel Newell – Year 7 & 8; Glenn Duggan – Year 9) and provide a medical certificate. In Year 10, students will need to submit a Student Assessment Form with evidence. These forms are available on the Sentral Portal (in documents) and hard copies are available in Student Services. In most cases, there will not be an opportunity for students to complete a catch-up exam and teachers will use other tasks and classwork for reporting purposes. If no documentation is received within five days of the task date, the student will receive zero for the task and a Letter of Concern (Year 7 – 9) or N-Determination Warning Letter (Year 10).

Trial HSC Examination Timetable

The Trial HSC Examination Timetable and Instructions have now been published for students. They are available on Sentral Portal and have been emailed to all students. Year 12 students can also access their individualised HSC Examination timetable and view specific HSC Examination instructions on the NESA Students Online website.

Student Assessment Forms

The College has changed Student Assessment Forms to include assessments missed due to College Representation.

If a student will miss an assessment due to College representation – for College approved sporting, co-curricular or leadership events – they will need to complete a Student Assessment Form before they are approved to attend the event. Students will receive an email once their form has been processed and coaches will be notified.

Student Assessment Forms are located on Sentral Portal (in documents) and hard copies are available from Student Services. They can be submitted to SAF@stgregs.nsw.edu.au or at Student Services.

Study Skills Tip

Year 12 Semester 1 Academic Awards

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who have been recognised today for their efforts in achieving a first, second or third in Course.

We wish all our Year 12 students the very best of luck in their final assessments and Trial HSC Exams.

Student		Course	Place Achieved
Adina	Carlos	English Standard	1
Adina	Carlos	Music	3
Adina	Carlos	PDHPE	2
Adina	Carlos	Studies of Religion II	2
Batten	Sam	Industrial Technology	2
Batten	Sam	VET Primary Industries	Teacher's Commendation
Blums	Justin	Society & Culture	3
Blums	Justin	Legal Studies	1
Blums	Justin	Business Studies	2
Blums	Justin	English Extension 1	2
Brown	Hayden	Investigating Science	3
Brown	Hayden	Engineering Studies	3
Browne	Connor	Studies in Catholic Thought I	2
Burgess	Dylan	Ancient History	1
Carter	Ryan	Mathematics Extension 2	3
Chretien	Oisin	Industrial Technology	1
Connolly	Ayden	Biology	2
Connolly	Ayden	Business Studies	3
Connolly	Ayden	Engineering Studies	2
Dady	Lachlan	Physics	2
Dady	Lachlan	Mathematics Extension 1	3
Dady	Lachlan	Mathematics Extension 2	1
Dady	Lachlan	Studies of Religion II	3
Dewnath	Kemiel	Chemistry	2
Donaghey	Ethan	Geography	2
Drinnan	Toby	Biology	3
Drinnan	Toby	Agriculture	1
Duck	Brandan	English Studies	2
Eason	Adam	English Studies	3
Eason	Adam	Numeracy	1
Eason	Adam	Sports, Lifestyle and Recreation	2
Ellis	Aiden	Investigating Science	1
Ellis	Aiden	PDHPE	3
Elson	Harry	Geography	1
Evans	Zachary	Society & Culture	2
Evans	Zachary	Visual Arts	2
Federico	Joshua	Investigating Science	1
Gee	Thomas	Mathematics Standard 2	1
Gelder	Samuel	Mathematics Standard 2	1
Labbozzetta	Carmelo	Mathematics Advanced	2
Lawrence	Bryce	Mathematics Standard 2	3
Limbrey	Angus	Society & Culture	1
Limbrey	Angus	Ancient History	3
Limbrey	Angus	English Advanced	2
Limbrey	Angus	English Extension 1	3
Limbrey	Angus	Music	2
Limbrey	Angus	Studies of Religion I	1
Long	Daniel	Software Design and Development	1
Long	Daniel	Mathematics Extension 1	2
Mangan	Cooper	Legal Studies	3
McCormack	Jude	Visual Arts	3
Minogue	Kieran	Physics	1
Minogue	Kieran	Mathematics Extension 1	1
Minogue	Kieran	Mathematics Extension 2	1
Nori	Logan	Numeracy	3
Noy	Jack	Industrial Technology	2
Obereigner	Josh	Software Design and Development	3
Pardey	Blake	English Standard	2
Peters	Jack	VET Retail Services	Teacher's Commendation
Power	Elliot	Modern History	1
Power	Elliot	English Advanced	2
Power	Elliot	English Extension 1	1
Power	Elliot	Agriculture	1
Power	Elliot	Studies of Religion II	1
Prenter	Kohan	VET Fitness	Teacher's Commendation
Puse	Isaac	Software Design and Development	2
Rae	Ethan	Numeracy	2
Rae	Ethan	Sports, Lifestyle and Recreation	1
Reardon	Peter	English Standard	2
Reardon	Peter	Studies in Catholic Thought I	1
Reardon	Peter	VET Construction	Teacher's Commendation
Rubain	Macs	Agriculture	3
Ryan	Angus	Industrial Technology	2
Ryan	Benjamin	English Advanced	2
Ryan	Benjamin	Visual Arts	1
Salian	Andrew	Chemistry	2
Salian	Andrew	Physics	3
Salian	Andrew	Mathematics Advanced	1
Saunders	Timothy	Geography	2
Sefo	William	English Studies	3
Sefo	William	Sports, Lifestyle and Recreation	3
Shortland	Sam	VET Construction	Teacher's Commendation
Skillen	Hamish	Biology	1
Skillen	Hamish	Chemistry	1
Skillen	Hamish	Modern History	1
Skillen	Hamish	Studies of Religion I	2
Smith	Dylan	VET Fitness	Teacher's Commendation
Smith	Samuel	Legal Studies	1
Smith	Samuel	English Advanced	1
Smith	Samuel	Music	1
Stanley	Lachlan	Modern History	3
Stanley	Lachlan	Studies of Religion I	2
Susnjara	Jayden	Studies in Catholic Thought I	2
Trevitt	Joshua	PDHPE	1
Trevitt	Joshua	Studies of Religion II	3
Truman	Blake	English Studies	1
Tucker	Oliver	Ancient History	2
Tucker	Oliver	English Advanced	2
Walsh	Liam	Business Studies	1
Winsor	Harrison	Mathematics Advanced	2
Winsor	Harrison	Engineering Studies	1

From the Boarding Community

Luke Morrissey - Director of Boarding

Dear Parents and Friends,

I write to you again from a regional location, this time in Griffith, with a country dinner this evening, followed by a boarding expo tomorrow. Again, it has been a significantly busy time in our community over the course of the last few weeks.

National Boarding Week

On Monday 15 May the boarding leaders launched National Boarding Week at the Monday morning line-up with all students in the Senior School. The week aims to highlight the significant impact the more than 20,000 boarding students have on communities across the more than 200 boarding schools in Australia. Through discussion with our senior students, a fantastic week of activities was planned to engage the entire St Gregory’s Community.

We commenced the week with the boarding leaders cooking 600 sausages for a free lunch BBQ for our College community. Monday evening saw some 'Minute to Win It' challenges in our Vertical team’s competition. On Tuesday the boarders took on the day boys in a touch football game. Unfortunately, some one-sided refereeing from Mr Tyler, saw the boarders go down 6 to 5 in a close encounter. The boys then followed up with a boarder versus staff Volleyball match. Unfortunately, this was timed on the same day as a basketball tournament and 5 of our tallest boarders were unavailable, and the boys went down 2-0. On Wednesday night we had a Vertical team Olympic Challenge which was extremely competitive. Thursday saw a group of remote boarders head to the Junior School to discuss remote communities with our Year 6 students, and the reasons that pushed them towards heading to boarding school. We then concluded the school week with the Bronco’s and Penrith game on the newly purchased outdoor cinema, with the mighty Panther’s coming away with the win.

The week culminated in the Parent-Teacher-Student interviews on Friday followed by the Rugby Gala Festival, Family Mass and Cocktail evening at our Annual Family Weekend, more of this below.

Family Weekend

One of the highlights of the school year is our annual Family Weekend, which was held on Saturday 20 May. It was wonderful to see so many of our families supporting their sons through; Parent-Teacher Interviews, Rugby Gala Day, Family Mass, Cocktail function, various dinners. An important [part of this weekend is also allowing the boarding families to catch up!

The rugby fixtures against St Aloysius College were fantastic to watch, with St Greg’s coming away with 7 out of 8 victories for the day, including a 45-7 victory in the First XV. The singing of the boys in the community Mass was the best I have heard in a very long time, and the atmosphere at the parent cocktail function was awesome as always.

A huge thankyou to all those involved in organising the day, in particular the Hill Family, Alcorn Family, Fuller and Sherd Family, for all of the wonderful donations, as well as Mel Watts, Mary Stepien, Bec Burke, Ally Buckley, and all of our wonderful staff for their work on the day.

A highlight for this year was the introduction of the “Family Spirit” Award. A new annual award to recognise the boarder in each year group who makes the biggest contribution towards ensuring the boarding house is a home away from home, a true family unit. The inaugural winners of this award were:

Year 7 – Billy Corkhill (Boorowa)
Year 8 – Jimmy Smith (Nyngan)
Year 9 – Joshua Harris (Cootamundra)
Year 10 – Preston Smallwood (Bilambil Heights)
Year 11 – Benjamin Taylor (Bourke)
Year 12 – Jesse Rafferty (Perth)

We will be sending out links to the photo’s, video, and a feedback survey form in the coming days. I hope you have the opportunity to review and enjoy these.

On the Road

A huge thankyou to Joel Weekes and Bianca Suraci, our Enrolments Registrar, who represented the College at the Wagga Wagga Boarding Schools Expo. The event was very successful with numerous new families engaging with the College. As we always say, our families are our biggest marketing tool. If you would like us to visit your region, or you have some families you would like us to meet, please contact me directly and we will work something out in the calendar.

Sunday Boarders Mass

Our Sunday Boarders Mass is held every Sunday at 6:15pm in the College Chapel. All community members are invited to join our boarding community for our weekly celebration.

Communication and Social Media

The Australian Boarding Schools Association produce a quarterly magazine called ‘Lights Out’. It is a wonderful resource that has lots of interesting stories relative to Boarding. The e-version of this resource can be accessed on the ABSA website and here . You can also sign up to the website to receive notifications. It is a wonderful resource, and I would encourage all of our boarding families to make use of it.

A reminder about our Facebook and Instagram accounts. These sites are live, so please make sure you get onto them if you have accounts. If it is your first foray into social media, (I do not blame you) perhaps your sons can assist you!

The wonderful boarding coordinators have also set up blogs you can follow showcasing what your son is up to while in boarding. These blogs can be accessed here:

Year 10 to 12

Year 7 to 9

Ad Jesus Per Mariam

Mr Luke Morrissey

Youth Solutions

In Week 3 the First Nations boys in Years 7-9 Boarding began their 4-week Artucation program with the support of Youth Solutions. In this session, the boys were provided with education about the impacts of Alcohol and other drugs. Over the coming weeks, the program will deliver sessions around mental health and resilience, with the program culminating in an Art education workshop to be hosted by Local renowned artist, Danielle Mate.

UTS (Jumbunna) Visit

On 5 May, our First Nations boys in the Senior School were all presented to an introduction to University life from the Jumbunna Centre for Indigenous Education at UTS.

The session was facilitated by Jumbunna Staff who shared a little of what it is like to make the transition to further tertiary education and the support services available on campus for students. During the session boys were also given a run-through on the alternative entry pathways available to them, and then a breakdown of how to commence these pathways was also shared.

The session ended with the team from Jumbunna and our students sharing a meal and connecting. Mr Humphries, said that post the visit, he has continued to support our current senior boys as they commence their journey towards tertiary education, in partnership with Mr Ivancic, Leader of Learning – Transition and Pathways, ensuring that our First Nations boys are aware of the First Nations support and pathways that are on offer.

First Nations Family Day

On Friday 19 May, the College hosted its inaugural First Nations Family Gathering. The day began with an Acknowledgement to country from Senior boy, Gene Wighton (Wiradjuri). The Senior boys then shared with gathering two of their dances they have been practicing. The Gathering was a great opportunity for the First Nations families to come together and connect with the College and the broader community alongside the family weekend celebrations.

Families were then address by Mr Brennan, Mr Humphries and Mr Morrissey and the importance of family, connection and culture were all celebrated. Many families took time to visit the First Nations room and spend time touring the school and visiting teaching staff. Mr Humphries said it was great to hear from families who reflected on watching their boys dance for the first time and proudly share their culture.

First Nations & NRL Indigenous Round Celebrations

Last Wednesday, Our First Nations students from the College, were privileged to host the NRL’s Referees, as they celebrated the NRL Indigenous Round week. Our Junior School Leaders and First Nations Students Performed an Acknowledgment of Country Before the Senior Boys performed 2 dances.

The Senior Boys then hosted a dance workshop for the team of Refs, before the refs hosted a theory session for those students who have an aspiration to become a referee.

Go Foundation Scholarships

On the 4 May some of our Go Foundation Scholars joined Mr Humphries at the University of Sydney Campus to connect and share culture with a number of other scholars from across the region.

The day commenced with Michael O’Loughlin and Adam Goodes sharing with Scholars their journey to success and how they have overcome challenges to now be community leaders and owners of a strong foundation for education for the next generation. All Scholars were then treated to a talk with Goanna Academy founder and former NRL great Greg Inglis who shared his personal journey and stories of resilience to now also set up and provide support in the mental health space with his own academy.

Scholars were then supported to engage in cultural activities and lunch which saw them show of their dancing abilities as well as to continue to connect with other scholars from across the community.

PDS Winter Round 1 Wrap Up

1st Grade League

Loss18-16

A high quality game of rugby league.

An early error on kick reception and a minor defensive issue with spacing resulted in St Dom's scoring in the corner. This was the beginning of a tit for tat period up until halftime. St Greg's led 10-8 at halftime.

St Dom's came out of the sheds strong in the second half. They had a very dominant 10 minutes after halftime. We barely touched the ball. This allowed St Dom's to establish a 12-10 lead. Our St Greg's men fought back to take the lead 16-12 with about 6 minutes remaining. In true coach killing fashion, we did not complete our set following points. This gave St Dom's a chance to win it and they rose to the occasion. Final score 18-16 to St Dom's.

Our four starting middles had a really strong game; Sebastian Sykes, Cooper Clarke, Dylan Smith and Jed Reardon. Callum McMenemy had a strong game in the centres. "

15's B

Win 32-12 (SGC)

"First game against Patrician Brothers Blacktown, the boys were nervous on the way there. We started the game strong scoring off the back of a penalty in our first set. The confidence grew in our team and it felt as if we were running with the winds at our back. Crossing over the white line we had Jacobi Fernando and Jackson Woolford with 2 each, Nicholas Breski and Tyler Gwilliam with one a piece. Our defence was aggressive and we dominated the ruck, playing our brand of footy for the whole 50 minutes. Man of the match went to Xavier young also scoring a try, assisting two and defending everything. Great start to the season. Go Gregs!

13's

Loss 13B's - 26-18

The scoreboard did not reflect the game. In a David Vs Goliath battle, what the St Greg's boys lacked in size, they made up in heart. The boys never stopped trying. We were unlucky to let two easy tried in, which in hindsight could have changed the end result. The boys put their bodies on the line - Lucas Fallon, Zaviah Knight, Max Cowie were next level with this. Reynold Roberts looked menacing with some great runs. Max Defina played with force. However, it was Jordan Mapesone that was this week's dark horse - he was everywhere and in everything! Gun effort by the lads, a promising start to the season.

Intermediate Football Year 10

Draw against St. Dominics

Intermediate SGC Football A faced off against Intermediate St. Dominics Football B in an exciting and closely contested match. SGC dominated the game with most of the possession and numerous opportunities to score, but their failure to capitalize in the first half proved costly.

The match remained goalless until the second half when an unfortunate deflection from a free kick awarded to St. Dominics resulted in SGC finding themselves trailing 1-0 with only 15 minutes remaining on the clock. However, SGC quickly rallied and displayed a moment of brilliance as Chewe Kamufisa showcased exceptional individual skill to equalize, leveling the score.

With 10 minutes left to play, St. Dominics resolutely defended their goal, denying SGC any further goalscoring opportunities. SGC pushed forward relentlessly, but luck was not on their side as they were unable to find the back of the net once more, ultimately preventing them from clinching the victory.

The goalkeeper from St. Dominics deserves special mention for a stellar performance, making crucial saves and thwarting SGC's attempts to secure a win. Despite their valiant efforts, SGC had to settle for a hard-fought draw, showcasing the determination and resilience of both teams throughout the match.

Overall, it was an intense and thrilling encounter, with SGC showcasing their dominance but falling short of converting their opportunities. St. Dominics' defense and the goalkeeping heroics denied SGC a victory in what was a highly competitive and memorable football match.

Intermediate Football Year 9

Win 9-0

As we headed out to Blacktown there was a heightened sense of purpose. We weren’t simply playing in the PDS competition but had in our minds the Bill Turner Cup competition and game next Tuesday. We fielded a squad which had some omissions from our regular side. Some shuffling in positions most importantly Massimo as a false centre forward would pay dividends in the game. The game started in a frantic pace with our 2 Max’s dominating the midfield. It took us some time to get our touches and one twos together. After about 10 minutes, a number of through balls were placed to both Finn and Massimo seeing both of them scoring in quick succession multiple times. The first 10 minutes saw us up by 4 goals with Max Anastasio getting his first of the game also. The backs played a fantastic game limiting Blacktown to their half for most of the first half. Half time blew and we were up by 5.

Second half conversation was a matter of fining tuning and knowing that we were playing for a bigger purpose; wanting to win games through discipline, structure and with key game strategies in play. We also knew that it was a dress rehearsal for Bill Turner Cup next Tuesday.

We started the second half with the same pace and strategies and were rewarded with another 4 goals by Massimo, Finn and Max Anastasio. It was a strong win which was supported by a strong full squad game plan.

Well done lads!

Junior Football

Loss Blacktown - they won 2 - 0 Blacktown

Our Year 7A team are playing against mainly Year 8 teams this year. The boys were extremely competitive against a team physically bigger than us. We were two nil down at half time ( the second goal was of a dubious nature!) The boys dug deep and dominated the second half (10 shots to 2) but just couldn't put the ball into the net. The sportsmanship and effort of our boys was exemplary. The referee spoke to me after the game and said we played the better football and were unlucky to not get a draw. A big thank you to the parents that supported us on the day. Hold your heads high boys - you were a pleasure to coach.

2nd Grade Rugby League

Loss Fairfield 20 - SGC 18. St Greg's scored first try

An amazing effort by a very young and very small team. Despite there being plenty of nerves prior to the game, these boys quickly settled in and made it known they were here to play. A couple of opportunistic line breaks set the standard and an early try to Mason Rope off an unbelievable faceball from Tyson Walker gave us the early lead. Soon after a 70m solo effort by Damon Potts saw us extend the lead to 10. Then the game started to see-saw. Another Walker cut out pass, saw Mason Rope score his second. St Greg's went to the halftime break leading 14-10. Fairfield played really solid rugby league in the opening period of the second stanza and took a 6 point lead into the final 15 minutes. Unfortunately, we were denied on a couple of opportunities until Fred Graham scored in the final minutes. We had the chance to draw the match at 20 - 20, but the difficult conversion attempt, just missed to the left.

A most promising first up encounter where everybody did everything that was asked of them. Looking forward to backing it up with a home game next week.

13's Rugby League

Loss St Dom'sSt Dom's

"There were lots of nerves this week when heading to the ground for round one of the season, with this being the first time many of the boys have represented the college. The goal for the day was to complete sets and learn to play as a team.

Both teams were playing well to begin the first half but unfortunately St Dominic’s were clearly better on the day and that started to show on the scoreboard.

The boys' confidence dropped and they forgot the goal for the day and started to make errors which built up frustration within the team.

At half time the boys were reminded of the goal for the day and although they still let in some tries in the second half they played a lot better as a team and were completing sets.

Denham managed to score our only try late in the second half down the right sideline.

A special mention to Jackson Niamrin and Boen Brincat for putting their body on the line for the team."

4th Grade Rugby League

Win 22-14 22-14.

Victor Simon

After a rigorous term of trials, the mighty St Greg’s 4ths squad was selected with a few additional troops from second grade receiving a late call up on team list Tuesday.

Is there a better game for a season opener than a local derby at home? Up against our own, it was a battle for bragging rights, 3rds V 4ths.

As a new member and coach in the St Greg’s community, I had heard that third grade normally have the wood over 4ths, but the squad were keen to prove the critics wrong.

After a shaky start from both teams, Oliver Minehan showed brilliance in using our forwards to make metres upfield. Ethan K, Jack K and Co-Captain Josh Trevitt were outstanding in attack and defense.

Other co-captain, Joei-Neaves and partners in crime Jack and Hunter did not disappoint. Steering the ship and working with our back rowers to create space on the edges.

The highlight of the match came from fullback Victor Simon, who ran onto a beautiful flat ball to crash over near the post to score the first try. He finished the game with a double, after a scintillating kick return, running 90m to score untouched.

Well done boys. We are on the board and undefeated this season. I hope we can continue our good start to the season.

Coach: Mr Evans.

15's A’s

Win 8-4

In what was a great contest throughout the entire game, defence and willingness to work harder than the opposition proved pivotal to the boys securing a victory. Through some unforced errors and penalties, Penrith had the better share of the ball and were able to capitalise and score first. This also brought about an extra challenge with one of the boys being sent to the sun bin.

The boys responded extremely well during this period and actually started to play some good football. Getting some opportunities down the other end of the field. On the strike of halftime, Ricky Williams crashed over in the corner to go in 4 all at half time.

The second half was just the like the first with both teams getting opportunities to score but the desperate defence kept either team from scoring. Breaking the deadlock Josh Vella secured a loose ball before finding Ricky Williams who used his lighting speed to sprint 60m to score a great try. Losing another player to the sin bin for last ten minutes of the match meant the boys had to find something if they wanted to go on and secure a win. Luckily, they were able to do, starting the season with a 8-4 win.

3rd Grade Rugby League

Loss 22-14 4th Grade

The 3rd and 4th grade game started with both teams suffering nerves and a lot of ball was dropped in the first 10 mins. It would only take one team to complete a set and gain some field position for the first try to be scored. Unfortunately, this would be 4th grade. They controlled the best part of the first half and second half. The edge players Lincoln Parmeter, Daniel Canellis and Tom Tyquin worked hard to break the 4th grade defence. The middle forwards Angus Ryan, Mase Hillcoat, Jack Headley and Bill Elphick tried their best to go forward. It wasn’t till the back end of the second half that 3rd grade would get back into the game and closed the gap to 4 points. But errors would cost the team and 4th grade would score, to push their lead out to 22 -14. Results in victory to 4th grade. Try scores: Salvatore Cavaleri, Cruz Farrar and Benji Leane. Jake Wright kicked one conversion.

PDS Winter Round 2 Wrap Up

13B’s Rugby League

18-14

An absolute nail biter, as good as a Grand Final or State of Origin clash. What our boys lack in size, we make up for in grit and determination. Down 8-0 in no time at all, it was a huge comeback from the 13B's. Jimmy Jones led a cracking attack, ably assisted by tight defense. Ahead until the last 10 minutes, an easy try saw Parramatta back in front. And then, the ultimate end... a Greg's try from nowhere right on the siren! Celebrations all round!

13A’s Rugby League

40-0 Blacktown

The first half started off well against Blacktown with good defense causing some errors our way. Unfortunately after a mistake from our side Blacktown made a break and scored through the middle. Line breaks through the middle became the theme of the game with Blacktowns pure size proving too hard for us to handle. Frustrations were evident throughout the team and the boys were starting to lose their way. The first half ended with 6 tries to 0. After a reset at half time and a reminder to play together, the boys started to play much better as a team. Although we didn't score, the boys held Blacktown to one try in the second half with some very impressive goal line defense.

Junior Soccer Year 7

St Greg's Year 7 Joseph Issa (it was the 3rd goal, our first) Our Year 7 boys played their hearts out and were very competitive against St Greg's Year 8. We lost 2-1 (Joseph Issa - penalty). Stand out performers in a great team effort were Oliver Halkyard, Mateo Parcio, Emerson LaMacchia and Aiden Cameron. The boys' skill on the ball is making us competitive against physically bigger and older boys. I was very pleased with the boys commitment and sportsmanship. We have the Bye next week - a chance to get some set piece organisation and tactics reviewed for the rest of a busy season.

1st Grade Rugby League

Draw 16-16

Playing against Blacktown at Blacktown is always a challenging task. After a tough loss last week, the squad was ready to make amends. First set of the game Jed Reardon broke through the Blacktown defense showing the clear intent that the boys were up for the fight. Just a few minutes later Heath Mason chipped over the top and a flying Cooper Mangan scooping it up and scoring under the posts to lead 6-0.

The rest of the first half was riddled with errors early in the tackle count and penalties allowing Blacktown to come out of their half relatively easily. Having to defend our line set after set eventually wore the line down and Blacktown were able to score to make it 6-4. It was a flawless half for Blacktown not making an error with ball they were again able to capitalize on a loose ball right before half time scoring to put the score to 10-6.

Gameplan was simple going into the second half, cut the errors out and don't give away any cheap penalties and despite a 80m opening set from Blacktown that's exactly what the boys were able to do. With strong carries from our back five and a smart kicking game from halves Heath Mason and Cooper Black opportunities started to appear. Luke Fielding chased a Cooper Black kick to score in the corner to even the game up early in the second half.

We continued to show great desire to work for each other constantly getting numbers into tackles and take tough carries coming out of our own half. A great piece of Indvidual brilliance from Captain Heath Mason breaking the line from 50m out before stepping the fullback and scoring under the posts. The score was 16-10 with about 10 minutes to play. The game was end to end and no team wanted to give an inch. With just under two minutes to play Blacktown chipped over the top before regathering and scoring under the posts to level the match at 16 all. A great team performance and extremely unlucky to not come away with win."

3rd Grade Rugby League

The second round of the PDS competition saw St Greg’s 3rd grade take on Blacktown Patrician Brothers 4th grade. The weather was in fine, and the field was in excellent condition. This week the forwards played outstanding. Bill Elphick led the pack with the support of Jack Headley and Lachlan Stanley. The back row of Rory McGrath and Tom Tyquin defence was excellent. Daniel Canellis and Logan Nori led the team’s attack. Some great individual play from Dwayne Lyons and Cruz Farrar kept the team in the game. Unfortunately, due to some minor errors Blacktown won the game 26-20. Tries: Dwayne Lyons, Tyler Gnany, Daniel Canellis, and Cruz Farrar. Goals: Jake Wright and Dwayne Lyons.

15C’s Rugby League

The boys played their best against a much bigger Pats side. The Greg's boys spent most of the game in defence and gallantly played on through fatigue and pain. Just before half time, the boys put 2 points on the board. Unfortunately, the game was called a little later in the second half. A great effort from all the team.

15B’s Rugby League

16 - 14 (Penrith)

This was a game of the proverbial 2 halves. St Greg's were slow to come out of the blocks in this game with very little impact early on. We gifted St Dom's, who are a quality side, with great field position and possession through careless errors and poor defense. They rolled up our middle and then struck out wide to go over for the first points of the match. Momentum was definitely not our side and St Dom's got out to a 14 - nil lead at half time. The emphasis at the break was to stay in the fight and stick to our original game plan. Ryan O'Grady lead by example, driving up the middle with some excellent tip-ons to spark our attacking sets. This allowed us to get into a position to play our attacking style of footy and some great footy work and strength by Jacobi Fernando got us over to get us back into the game. This inspired our boys, in particular our halves, Rhys Parmeter and Jack Jobson, who both scored a try each. With about 5 minutes to go at 16 - 14 to us, we put the pressure back on ourselves by not completing our next 2 sets. Luckily, our defense held on and we came away the victors, keeping St Dom's scoreless in the second half. A great effort by the boys to comeback from the deficit but it goes to show what they are capable of if we play our brand of footy. Players player for the week was Jacobi Fernando.

PDS Winter Round 3 Wrap Up

First Grade Soccer

2-1 - St Greg’s win

The boys started on fire with Valande scoring Worthing 30 seconds from a good win in midfield by Dady and quick counter to put us up 1-0. Boys controlled the game with some good combination play. Unfortunately, some sloppy defending on a corner provided Pats with an equaliser. Continued to dominate possession and field position for the rest of the half, with a few half chances. The second half was pretty even but with Pats having no subs we started to keep the ball for long periods and win it back quickly when we didn’t have it. We played well and created some big chances but we were unable to capitalise on them. The second goal came via Valande again via some great work on the wing from Cameron finishing with a shot that Pats were unable to deal with and Valande managed to get the scraps and put the ball in the net for a 2-1 score line with 6 minutes to go. The boys defended stoutly and kept Pats a bay to walk away with a 3 from 3 start to the season.

4th Grade Rugby League - 26-12

Round 3 saw the mighty 4th Grade take on St Paul's, Greystanes. For the third week in a row, we had missed the jump and kept handing the ball back to the opposition. We had not got our hands on the ball for the first 10 minutes in what seemed like a tackling practice session.

Our first touch of the ball saw Joei breakthrough, running 40m and offloading to Alex J, who was unfortunately taken into touch. On a positive note, our defence and line speed had improved significantly since rounds 1 and 2. Patty Birdv played out of his skin, snapping in half anything that moved and taking multiple hit-ups each set. This was backed up nicely by strong runs from Riley, Billy, Jack Ben & Alex M.

We eventually got off to a comfortable 10-0 lead but St Pauls didn't go away, taking the lead not long into the second half going up 12-10. Some big hit ups from Mav. Trev and Log helped us get onto the front foot, with Alfie Walker and Olie Minahan making great use of quick play-the-balls, snaring a try each.

Cooper West made his debut with great footwork and multiple tackle busts each time he ran the ball. Kaylan once again let nothing past, cutting everyone who ran his way in half. The game was over with one minute to go when Alex made a 1 on 1 tackle following a great kick-chase effort, raking the ball off his opposing winger, only for the ball to bounce and find the hands of none other than #1 Victor Simon to scoot over and score under the post.

Well done this week boys.

Man of the Match: Oliver Minehan

2nd Grade Soccer

3-0 St Gregs

A fantastic result for the boys winning 3-0 against Harris Park. In a shortened match, we started off well having most of the ball but some sloppy passing and off target shooting resulted in no score before half time. In the second half we came out firing on all cylinders and Mason Hunter bagged all three of our goals. Zac Emerton would cross the ball twice to Connor Gray who in turn would set up Mason for a goal on the first two occasions. Mason hit a rocket into the goal right on the full time whistle. Special mentions to Ryan White who has a great shot cannon into the crossbar and to Anthony Zappia for keeping a clean sheet with some great saves. Well done everyone.

A special mention to Mr Kemet who accompanied the team an refereed the match for us.

Thanks!!

Junior Soccer Year 7 Team

We found we were playing a team around the same age and size as us. We started strongly and started to dominate the mid field. We raced out to a 3 nil lead. We then became a little disjointed and let in a sloppy goal. This gave the opposition some hope and they began attacking us with some good play. Connor Dawson in goal pulled off a great save and the momentum shifted back to us. We dominated play again and won the game 7- 1. The boys were very happy and deserved such a good win.

Intermediate Soccer Year 9 Team

2-1

Another hotly contested game between us and Patrician Brothers Blacktown. Going into these games is always an unknown of how many players from Year 10 and Year 9 make up the side. In this case there were a number of Year 10 players that made up their side which showed in their dominance in the air. That being said the strong mid positions of our players from Ben and Jesse, and the 2 Max’s saw us dominate the mid field and have a very solid back line. We dominated the first half not allowing them much ball and space to move into our half. This was rewarded with some clever work up within the midfield and a through ball by Max Glavan to Dominic. Dom took on 2 of their players weaving and dribbling pass them to slot the ball into the net. Within unfortunately 10 minutes they hit back against play which saw our back line spread too thin. A Pats player got the ball within the box unmarked and his shot at goal was unable to be saved by Lucas. Half time was a draw.

We made some minor changes in the formation of the side which saw us bring Dom back as a false forward and the 2 midfield wingers take on more of an attacking game. The second half was marked with a tight tussle in the midfield for most of the half. However, the return of Byron saw him instrumental in the build up of a play in the 23rd minute to provide Finn with a lovely through ball which he cracked a sweet hit of the ball that was unstoppable and probably the goal of the series thus far.

Intermediate Soccer Year 8 B team

On a windy day in Penrith St Greg's Year 8b team ran against the wind in the first half. This played a major factor in the game being played in our half for the majority of it. Our goalkeeper Tex Thornton made multiple saves from close range and distance to keep the score respectful at 0-0 after 10 minutes. Not long after soaking up some pressure a long range worldie goal was scored by St Dom's that no keeper in the world could have saved! This deflated our team. A second well-constructed goal from St Dom's ended the half at 2-0. The second half began with us using the wind to play the game in St Dom's half. We created some good chances but just couldn't convert. It didn't seem to be our day. Multiple opportunities resulted in near misses or keeper saves. Antonio Cortes and Dustin Nott carved up the St Dom's defensive line but just couldn't convert. With time running out we committed more players forward to try and get a goal but this made us vulnerable at the back, which St Dom's capitalised on with some very nice passes into some speedy wingers. 2 goals later, St Dom's simply wanted the victory more than us. Credit to the team for never giving up and running all the way to the final whistle. The first half damage was too much to come back from. 4-0 final score.

Junior Soccer Year 8 A Team

2-0 St Greg's

In our third game of the season we came up against a strong St Paul's team.

St Greg's started on the front foot, Alex Hoare working tirelessly up front and setting a great tone for the match. We created some great chances after strong build up play from Cooper Bangs, Brendan Clarke and William Beale. On the 10 minute mark the ball fell to Alexander Truong who skillfully beat two players before firing a shot from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner, continuing his excellent form.

The half finished with chances to both teams, however St Greg's defense led by Adam McElhone and Jayden Suffell, would not be breached.

The second half began in a similar fashion, however we failed to talk our chances. Thankfully with 10 minutes some sustained pressure led to a forced handball in the box against St Paul's resulted in a penalty kick. Goal scoring machine Alexander Truong stepped up and calmed blasted the ball past the opposition.

As the game came to a conclusion the physical nature of the game stepped up and I was very proud that the St Greg's boys showing great character and class to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Go Greg's!

MVP: Alexander Hoare

Coach: Mr Daniel Goodhew, Manager: Tobias Power (Year 9)

Intermediate Soccer Year 10 team

SGC Intermediate A - 5-0

In a thrilling soccer encounter between SGC Intermediate A and St Paul's A, it was SGC who emerged victorious with a dominant display from start to finish. The match took place at an undisclosed venue on [date], captivating the spectators with an intense battle between the two teams.

From the opening whistle, SGC Intermediate A showcased their intent to take control of the game. They dominated possession and mounted a barrage of attacks, constantly testing the St Paul's A defense. Despite their relentless pressure, SGC Intermediate A struggled to convert their chances into goals, with the opposing goalkeeper putting up a valiant effort.

However, in the first half, SGC Intermediate A finally broke the deadlock. Chewe Kamufisa displayed his scoring prowess by finding the back of the net, sending the SGC supporters into a frenzy. The goal served as a testament to SGC's persistence and determination, rewarded with a well-deserved lead.

As the second half kicked off, SGC Intermediate A maintained their stranglehold on the match. Their dominance in possession allowed them to dictate the rhythm of the game, constantly probing the St Paul's A defense. The relentless pressure paid off handsomely, as SGC Intermediate A found the back of the net on four more occasions.

Chewe Kamufisa continued to be a potent threat, adding to his tally with another goal in the second half. His clinical finishing showcased his proficiency as a striker, cementing his importance to the team. Luka Mandalinic, Mervyn Stone, and Xavier Dalpra also contributed to the goal fest, displaying the depth and diversity of SGC Intermediate A's attacking options.

Throughout the match, Nathan Salter and Aiden Richards stood out as outstanding performers for SGC Intermediate A. Their exceptional displays in both defense and midfield were instrumental in maintaining SGC's dominance. Salter's and Richards composure and defensive solidity made them worthy contenders for the man of the match award.

In the end, SGC Intermediate A emerged as the well-deserved winners, showcasing their superiority in all aspects of the game. Their relentless attacking intent, combined with a solid defensive display, overwhelmed St Paul's A. The final score reflected SGC Intermediate A's dominance, triumphing with a commanding 5-0 victory.

SGC Intermediate A's performance serves as a testament to their skill, teamwork, and tactical astuteness. They will undoubtedly look to build upon this resounding victory as they continue their campaign in the soccer league.

Man of the Match: Nathan Salter and Aiden Richards (SGC Intermediate A)

Rd 1 - Peter Mulholland Cup

In our first Peter Mulholland Cup game for the season, the First XIII were excited to get on the field and make the home crowd proud yesterday.

We were thankful to have Mrs Mulholland and Peter’s eldest son Heath with us yesterday morning to wish the boys well, followed by former First XIII skippers Charlie Guymer (2022) and Trent Peoples (2016) who presented the jerseys to the boys.

We knew the game would be a close one, having played St Dom’s in the PDS comp a few weeks earlier, and it started that way. Some tired defence in the middle lead to a couple of quick tries which put the boys on the back foot but we were confident in our ability to put points on and tighten our defence. A controversial disallowed try to Luke Fielding didn’t help, followed by a second soon after a ball bounced off his head and that was the story of most of the afternoon. After another close missed opportunity to Lachlan Dooner we gave away a 7-tackle set then two penalties for St Doms to go 14-0 up.

From there we chased our tail and probably tried a little too hard at times, we could see the boys were frustrated but they never gave up. St Doms were just the better side on the day, with too many crucial errors at bad times likely the difference.

The boys and myself would like to thank the Leadership Team and all staff for their support and well wishes, we didn’t get the biscuits but we gave the boys a great experience they will still always remember, and it was great to see the school spirit around us as the crowd cheered on.

It’s not the end of our chances in the Cup, we have two more games and if some results go our way there is still a chance to progress, but we will need to be better next time, and we will be.

Mr Thomas Morrison

NSW - Winners of the Australian All Schools Softball!

NSW won the Australian All Schools Softball Tournament held last week in Melbourne, VIC.

Oliver Stewart (Year 12) and Joel Byrne (Year 11) are key players in the NSW team and were the catcher/pitcher combination in the ‘Semi Final’ and ‘Grand Final’ of the Championship for NSW.

New South Wales came away with the win to Queensland in the Grand Final 9-0 on Friday, which was fantastic having lost to them last year by 1 run!

In addition, and to top off a great week of softball, Oliver and Joel were both named in the Australian All Schools team for 2023 – A fantastic achievement!

Parramatta Diocese Cross Country Carnival

It was a pleasure to accompany the competitors to the Parramatta Diocese Cross Country carnival at the Sydney Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park.

The sun shone warmly and we had an extremely successful day.

The top six places in each age group progress to representing Parramatta Diocese at the CCC carnival later in the term with 7th and 8th being reserves for the team. This means that we have 9 students in the Parramatta team as well as 3 reserves.

NSW CCC Rugby League State Trials

It was my pleasure to be a part of the NSW CCC Rugby League trials on the 19th and 20th of May. The boys involved have been through a selection process earlier in Term 1 and were deserving participants. Our students have two possible teams to be selected in. The traditional pathway is the PDS team as well as the Metropolitan team which is a combination of students from PDS as well as students from the Broken Bay diocese. In total the College had 16 boys attend the carnival across the 4 teams, the largest representation in my 5 years involved and possibly the largest group of St Greg’s to attend the carnival.

Agriculture and The Farm!

It has been another busy few weeks around the farm!

Years 7 and 8 MT technology have harvested their veggies

Year 9 Agriculture have been to the south coast steer comp with their four steers and also compared and consumed their meat birds. St Greg’s homegrown were much larger and tastier!

Year 9 Agriculture have been as a part of their course have training and preparing 4 steers for the competition at South Coast. They then got the chance to see how their steers competed against 12 other schools. Amazingly all steers received ribbons for their class! We had 3 seconds and 1 fourth.

Year 10 Science & Engineering Challenge

On Friday 12 May, 32 boys from Year 10 entered the Macarthur Science and Engineering Challenge.

The Science and Engineering Challenge is a national program organised by the University of Newcastle. Over 1000 schools enter the nationwide competition. Students compete in teams against other school groups engaging in science and engineering-based activities. The fun and hands-on activities involve principles of science, engineering, and technology. The concept is to engage students in the activity with minimum introduction and theory as students explore scientific principles themselves.

Year 7 Experience Day

The Year 7 Experience Day is currently taking registrations. Bookings are almost full and with only a few spots left, once we reach capacity we will close the registration opportunity.

This day is specifically for boys currently in Year 5 at any school. They will spend an afternoon at St Greg's and experience life as a Year 7 St Greg's student.

Dubbo Show Wrap Up

The sheep team, along with Miss Wilson and James Dalton headed out to Dubbo show over the Family Weekend. The team had some great results;

Ram (2112) won his class and then went on to win champion woolly ram and then Grand Champion Corriedale Ram!
Pair of ewes winning pair (we were also third in this class)
Group of three lambs – 2nd place

English News – The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards – Senior School

The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards are once again underway. Students from Years 7 – 12 are encouraged to enter the competition. The theme this year is ‘The Winding Road’ but as stated on the competition site:

“Our poets are encouraged to take inspiration from wherever they may find it, however if they are looking for some direction, competition participants are invited to use this year's optional theme to inspire their entries."

English teachers have been discussing the competition with their classes. It is highly recommended for students in A-classes (including Literature Circle) to submit an entry, but all students are welcome to have a go at the competition.

The competition closes on June 30th and entries need to be submitted to English teachers by Monday 20th June for collation. Alternatively, they can be emailed to Mrs Arentz. The entries should be word-processed in a distinguishable font such as Arial, Calibri or Times Roman. Poems should be no more than 80 lines. Students need to include their full name, age and year group.

Michelle Arentz

Assistant English Coordinator

More about the competition, prizes and conditions of entry can be found by going to the competition website.

https://www.dorothea.com.au/

English Comes Alive at St Greg’s

Recently students from Years 7, 8 and enjoyed performances from the theatre group, Poetry in Action. A trio of actors visited St Gregory’s College on the 16th May and performed two different shows. The shows complemented units of work currently being taught in our Stage 4 and 5 classrooms and the launching of the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition earlier this term.

The first, Elements of Rhyme (Years 7 and 8) was an engaging, comedic performance that taught the students the five key elements of great poetry: rhyme, rhythm, imagery, narrative and theme. The script made references to several famous poets, musicians and films. Students were amazed by the hilarious antics of the actors and the informative and educational script that was part of the show. Max Morris in Year 8 said it was a “fun way to learn about poetry.”

The Year 9 show, International Anthem was a dynamic and interactive performance that drew upon an extraordinary heritage of poetry and literature in defining a sense of national identity. This tied in perfectly with our current Year 9 Poetry Program, Various Voices – Multiculturalism in Poetry and gave voice to the multicultural aspects of our rich and diverse nation. The show engaged our students with an incredible range of poetry from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Mrs Michelle Arentz

Year 1 Excursion to Fairfield Museum

This term, Year 1 has been inquiring into the past under the theme ‘Where We Are in Place and Time’ and understanding how the past informs the way people live today.

We have inquired into:

Technologies in the home and community
Similarities and differences of technology from the past
The effects of changes on people’s live

On Tuesday 2 May, Year 1 visited Fairfield Museum and immersed themselves in the day. They experienced firsthand the types of houses people lived in, schooling, the clothes they wore, the variety of children’s games played and how they did their laundry and shopping.

On returning to school, Year 1 were reflective and wrote any statements, amazements and questions they had from the excursion.

At the excursion I saw the Blacksmith make a butcher’s hook using fire. - Luke B
I was amazed by the store because it had everything and was so small. - Riley H
I liked when we got to dress up in the clothes from the past. - Ricci Y
I was amazed by the ink pens we used at the school when writing. - Gisele S

Year 1 will continue to be inquirers by learning more and asking questions to compare the past and how we live today. By the end of the term, we will develop our creative-thinking skills by creating posters, brochures, speeches and interviews about the similarities and differences of technologies from the past.

Mrs Limbrey and Miss Cecil

Year 1 Teachers

Year 5 - The Arts

In our most recent Unit of Inquiry, Year 5 studied how ‘Communities are defined through their expression of self’.

We unpacked our understanding of ‘The Arts’. In this line of inquiry, we explored the concept of form, and how there can be many types of art forms. The students concluded that artistic expression can be seen in the design and composition of many things - poetry, theatre, visual arts, dance, fashion and music just to list a few.

Through our reading and writing, we interpreted Australian poetry in its many forms and wrote our own Haiku, Cinquain and Ballads.

We then explored the concept of perspective by interpreting and appreciating creative choices. We observed a variety of artists' work ranging from Monet to Picasso and Banksy. We concluded that graffiti could be either vandalism or art depending on its location, style and permission status - and wrote persuasive texts to convince others of our personal opinions. Inspired by the work of Picasso, we made our own cubist style portraits.

Lastly, we investigated the concept of connection through our line of inquiry into how emotions are expressed within different communities. We looked at our own relationships though the Highway Heroes program, Connecting 4 Friendships: Playground, Resilience and Wisdom. We were visited by our Indigenous Liaison Office, Mr Shaun Humphries at the Marian Centre and Wiritjirbin Garden where he walked us through how ideas, emotions and culture is expressed from an indigenous perspective. We learnt about how the First Nations people connect through story and art to express belonging. We explored totems and how they represent their connection to country.

This culminated in the creation of a joint artwork where Mr Humphries led Year 5 in creating a communal artwork, representing our belonging to the St Gregory’s College community. Our senior school mentors Charlie Fuller (Year 11) and Connor Rose (Year 9) led our Year 5 First Nations students in adding Indigenous symbolism to our final artwork.

Here is a reflection on this from Marley Jensen:

Hand OCHRE Spitting Art - That the first nations did
By Marley Jensen 5B
In the First Nations art we had a lot of symbols and signs. I will be telling you what they are and what they mean. First of all the hand ochre spitting, The hand ochre spitting was done with a spray bottle. The bottle had ochre in it and it was sprayed onto our hands. Once the spraying was done we’d take our hands off of the canvas and it would leave an amazing pattern on the canvas. The traditional way to ochre spit is to mix the ochre in water, then tip the water into your mouth and spit on to your hand.
When Mr Humphries came down he gave us several options to do the hand spitting. There was tracing and hand prints too. You would do the tracing with Poscas and for the printing you would paint your hand and print it onto the canvas.
Symbols:
The first symbol was the line work. Line work is where you do dot painting and do lines over and under the dots. Then there were males and females. The males have an upside down U shape with a spear next to it. It looked like a UI. And then the female was just a U without the spear. However in some places the female has a coolamon on top of her head. Then there were the animal footprints. Firstly The goanna it is an E shape, the line in the middle representing the tail, and the 2 ones on the outside representing the legs. Then there was the kangaroo looking like a Y but it had another line going through the middle. And then there was a deep sea barramundi which has two curved double-u’s on top of the others. Now all I have left to explain is the two water-based symbols. The first one is the water hole the aboriginal people used to dig a hole in the dry ground and a hole of fresh water would appear. It is a swirly O you will see it in the picture. Lastly there is the creek; it is like the deep sea barramundi but it has 3 lines. It is one of my favourites as it is my totem.
THANKS FOR READING

Year 4 – Commemorating ANZAC Day

During Week 1, Year 4 engaged in learning experiences where we explored the events of the ANZAC landings and the spirit of the soldiers who took part in the landings.

Fortunately, Year 4 was chosen to take part in the whole college ANZAC Day Ceremony. During the ceremony, every student in Year 4 took a poppy and placed it on the wall of the hall to form the letters of ANZAC. The students performed their duty reverently and with utmost respect.

In our classes, we completed art activities; explored written and visual texts looking at different perspectives from World War 1; and completed a research task to create an infographic text that showed World War 1 statistics (that answered questions from our Wonder Wall).

“I really enjoyed the College’s service as I learnt a lot about ANZAC Day and the Vietnam War. It’s important we remember what happened and to remember the soldiers who didn’t return home. It’s also important because hopefully we can learn from it and prevent it from happening again.” Jessica Ruksens

“Learning about ANZAC Day is important because we pay respect to people who went to war, so that we can live our lives as happy as can be, in a free country.” Imogen Mahony

“On ANZAC Day people go to different areas to participate in ceremonies. I marched in Sydney in the British Merchant Navy and I held the French flag. I have family members that have served in wars, so it is important to me.” Zachary McMullan

Junior School Sport Wrap Up

For a full wrap up of IPSSO Winter Results - read more below!

On Wednesday, 10 May 2023, our teams competed against Oran Park Anglican College.

Junior AFL

Score SGC 37 - 6 OPAC

Special Mention

• Harrison Oldfield for his impressive forward pressure and kicking a remarkable goal on debut.

• Tiana Eva for her effective tackles on debut

• Alessia Siracusa for her great bursts of speed on both sides of the ball on debut.

Junior Boys Soccer

Score: SGC: 1-0 OPAC

Special Mention

• Mason Navratil for tremendous strength and poise in both defence and attack.

• Santino Oliveri for his determination in the 50/50 challenges and clearing the ball decisively from our area.

• Johan Jackson for making smart decisions in defence and feeding the ball quickly to our halves.

Junior Netball

Score SGC: 31 OPAC: 4

Special Mention

• Amelia Gillard for playing in an unfamiliar position, showing resilience and strength in defence.

• Mia Stevens for some amazing goals that were taken from the edge of the goal circle.

• Sophia Murialdo for her reliability and commitment in attack and defence.

Newcombe Ball

Score SGC 3-0 OPAC

Special Mention

• Alexander Sheedy for a strong all-round performance and supporting his teammates.

• Zac Bruce for his strong serves and putting the ball into space.

• Charlotte Avendano for her catching and return ball service that won us numerous points.

Senior AFL

Score SGC 129 - 0 OPAC

Special Mention

• Humza Khan for his impressive marks and accuracy at goal on his debut

• Isabella Tolomeo for her work rate at stoppages and for scoring multiple goals on debut

• Finn Dumesny for his direction and leadership on the field. He was also accurate at goals scoring multiple goals.

Senior Boys Soccer

OPAC 2 - 1 SGC

Special Mention

• Eli Piaud for showing his strength in defence and breaking down an attacking piece.

• Christopher Blyton for his energy in both attack and defence.

• Zane Mallinson for his skilful play resulting in a goal.

Senior Netball

Score SGC 23-10 OPAC

Special Mention

• Olivia Sheedy - accurate shooting and teamwork in the goal circle

• Addison Day - driving to make space and for her sure passes

• Ivy Bushy - fluid passing, shooting and teamwork in the goal circle

Volleyball

Score DRAW SGC 1- 1 OPAC

Special Mention

• Noah Forsyth for his powerful, dominating serves, gaining us valuable points in succession.

• Mikayla Faro for her game awareness and determination in getting to the ball.

• Archie Putland for his impressive agility on the court in his debut match.

IPSSO Results Week 4

On Wednesday, 17 May 2023, our teams competed against Broughton.

Junior AFL

Score SGC 71-0 BAC

Special Mention

• Jacob Myers for his efforts in attack

• Tiana Eva for scoring her first goal

• Beau Stephens for his use of speed to break away from would-be defenders

Junior Boys Soccer

Score: SGC 1 - 0 BAC

Special Mention

• Marcello Torcaso for his skill and determination on the wing and for scoring the winning goal

• James Dash for his wonderful free kicks and strength in attack and defence

• Johan Jackson for outstanding defence, stopping nearly every attacking raid from the opposition before it began.

Junior Netball

Score SGC 11 - 0 BAC

Special Mention

• Lia Solylo for her reliable defence and vision.

• Sofiya Hegarty for her support in the goal circle.

• Chloe Jones for her strong defensive effort as Goalkeeper.

Newcombe Ball

Score SGC 1-1 BAC

Special Mention

• Estelle Paki for her reliable catching and service into space.

• Annabelle Benad for winning us many crucial points that kept us in the game.

• Nneka Fashoyin for her game awareness to return the ball to the gaps.

Senior AFL

Score SGC 105 - 2 BAC

Special Mention

• Ivy Smith for taking some great marks

• Armando Traino for working hard in the midfield

• Indianna Vaccaro for her great performance all game.

Senior Boys Soccer

Score SGC 1 - 4 BAC

Special Mention

• Kye Harding for putting his body on the line in defence.

• Joshua Suffel for maintaining possession of the ball when under pressure.

• Charlie Farias for making confident decisions to attack the ball as Goalkeeper.

Senior Netball

Score SCG 20 - 28 BAC

Special Mention

• Taylah Kenney for controlling the ball, finding loose passes and finding space through tough opposition.

• Olivia Sheedy for her versatility in both attack and defence, controlling the ball and delivering solid play throughout the whole game.

• Ivy Bushby finding form and finesse in the goal circle, cementing the strong defensive play of the team to comprehensively win the fourth quarter.

Volleyball

Score SGC 0- 2 BAC

Special Mention

• Jackson Lane for a strong all-round performance.

• Nuala Fashoyin for improvements in all aspects of the game.

• Ruby Harrison for her positive team morale.

IPSSO Results Week 5

On Wednesday, 24 May 2023, our teams competed against Oran Park Anglican College. OPAC senior teams forfeited due to a school camp.

Junior AFL

SGC 45- 6 OPAC

Special Mention

• Georgie Wilson for her accurate kicking on goal

• Jake Stephens for his dominant display in defence

• Alessia Siracusa for her effort and determination all game.

Junior Boys Soccer

Score: SGC 2-1 OPAC

Special Mention

• Joshua Vella and Ryan Reynolds for their excellent challenges and on the ball skills

• Mason Navratil for excellent attack and the ability to force the opposition into making mistakes

• Josiah Pereira for wonderful defence and Ben Devlin for excellent attack and shots on goal.

Junior Netball

Score SGC 26-4 OPAC

Special Mention

• Stella Jensen for being tenacious in the goal circle and scoring some important goals.

• Cleo Lane for her creative vision, which helped us move the ball around the court.

• Jessica Ruksens for being strong and reliable in defence.

Newcombe Ball

Score SGC 2 - 0 OPAC

Special Mention

• Zac Bruce for his dominant serves, resulting in 13 unbroken points.

• Lincoln Watling for his strong returns

• Annabelle Benad for a strong all-round performance

Wollongong Pathway Representative Sport

Well done, to our Cross-Country representatives who ran in the Wollongong Trial on Tuesday, 30 May, at Nowra. You all should be proud of your efforts. Congratulations to Ivy Smith on qualifying in the 11Years Girls to represent Wollongong in June.

Last week Sabah Paki, Keira Eagles, Ivy Smith and Charlize Potts represented Metro South West at the AFL NSWPSSA Trial in Batemans Bay. Congratulations to Keira and Sabah on their selection in the NSWPSSA team. What a fantastic result!!

Good luck to Ivy Smith and Keira Eagles, representing Wollongong in the Mackillop Soccer Trial today. We look forward to hearing how you went.

Athletics Carnival

Today the Junior School held our annual Athletics Carnival at the College. It was great to have it back on-site after it was washed out last year and forced to hold a twilight carnival off-site.

Thank you to our wonderful Ally Buckley and our parent volunteers that assisted in the running of the Years 3-6 carnival.

Thank you to Motiv8 Sports for their implementation of the K-2 Athletics Carnival. The students had an amazing time.

We look forward to celebrating the winning house and age champions of the meet next week.

Mr Darryl Howe

Maroon and Blue Dance

ROLL UP! ROLL UP!

We warmly invite our current and past parents, along with their friends, to roll up, be dazzled, amazed and whisked away for a magical night under the big top at our annual Maroon and Blue Parents Dinner.

Date: Saturday 22 July 2023

Time: 6.30pm - 11.00pm

Dress: Cocktail with Circus flair

Tickets: Early Bird tickets $60pp (purchased before the long weekend 12/6/23) or $70pp if purchased after this date.

Entry includes; themed arrival canapes, dinner and dessert from a scrumptious assortment of food vendors

Purchase a Table of 10 or individual tickets

Complimentary drink on arrival, with beverages available for purchase (beer, wine, champagne, premixes & soft drink)

To book your tickets click here

St Marcellin Walk - 4th June 2023

Have you ever driven through Gregory Hills and wondered what the sculptures are and why they are there? Well, wonder no more! As part of the College's Champagnat Day celebrations, we are hosting "St Marcellin's Walk".

The walk will begin at the Chapel of Annunciation on the College grounds. We will walk as a group and visit the various artworks and learn more about their Marist story. The land on which Gregory Hills is situated has a rich historical association with St Gregory's College and the Marist Brothers. There are many public artworks throughout the suburb which celebrate this connection.

So, gather the family and meet us at 9am on Sunday 4th June. The walk is mostly flat and is considered easy. After the walk, there will be a shared BBQ breakfast at 10.30am. Parking is available onsite.

To be part of the walk you must RSVP. Please email Cathie Clarke our Director of Mission at cclarke@stgregs.nsw.edu.au

We look forward to welcoming you and your family!

Old Boys Reunions

Saturday 24 June: This event is an Old Boy's reunion for the following year groups:
1983, 1993, 2003, 2013 and 2018.

The evening will be held in the Br Luke Hall, commencing at 6.00pm.
The cost includes canapes upon arrival, a short tour of the College, a buffet dinner, a class group photo, and transport from the College by bus.
Beer and wine will be available to purchase on the night.

The bus will depart at 10.15pm to the Campbelltown Catholic Club to continue your celebrations.

RSVP by Monday, 19 June 2023
Ticket Cost $100
Dress Code: Smart Casual

https://www.trybooking.com/CHHLF