Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Friends of the St Gregory’s College Community,  

Welcome back to Semester 2. I hope that all families had a restful mid-year break! We have now turned the corner after Semester One; we have shifted into the next gear for a busy term ahead. Semester 2 is marked by a significant focus on the academic intent of our students. We have HSC Trials starting next week, Subject Selections for Year 10 underway and Year 8 subject selection for next year is just around the corner and of course the very much anticipated PYP Exhibition for our Year 6 students. Term 3 is well and truly underway, and we are looking forward to our students and staff enjoying their learning together. 

NAIDOC ASSEMBLY 

For those members of the community who were able to be present for last week’s K-12 NAIDOC Assembly, I am sure you walked away as impressed as I was.  

Here at Greg’s, we are blessed to have school where the First Nations culture is celebrated, it is witnessed, and it is promoted. The work of our First Nations leader Mr Humphries and staff who have supported him along the way, has been vital, and the liaison officers Mr Ashby and Mrs Robinson who have come before him, have also had a crucial part to play.  

The great thing about a place like Greg’s is that celebrations like you have seen at this assembly are not one-offs. Our celebration of First Nations culture from K-12 is something that we are proud of and is actioned regularly as you can see through the reflections shared at the assembly.  

Last week’s NAIDOC celebration is one that we should all be proud of – how good… to have a school culture that is so accepting that First Nations events, celebrations and experiences that are the norm. The theme this year urges us to ALL be proud of this culture that is such a large part of who we are at Greg’s. Our First Nations boys and girls in the Junior School, young men in the Senior School and First Nations staff are an integral part of this school.  Please ensure you visit the Director of Mission's page of this Newsletter to see some wonderful photos of our NAIDOC Assembly.

For those families wishing to see the Assembly, simply log into YouTube to watch the stream of this event. 

HSC TRIALS 

The HSC Trials commence next week and run for two weeks. I hope that the students are well prepared as they enter this testing time for them. After the Trials, I will send home a letter outlining some of the requirements for  Year 12 as they move towards Graduation Day.  As a College community, we wish Year 12 all the very best as they embark on these trials. 

YEAR 10 SUBJECT SELECTION INFORMATION EVENING 

The Year 10 Subject Selection Information Evening was held last Wednesday. I thank the many staff members who were present to help and offer of advice regarding subject selections for Year 11 2025. A lot of time over the next few weeks will be given to ensure that students choose a pattern study that will meet their needs. I want to thank Mr Bullock for leading this informative evening and all the families that made this night a priority. 

YEAR 7 – YEAR 10 SEMESTER ONE – ACADEMIC AWARDS ASSEMBLY  

Today at our Assembly we rightly acknowledged and affirmed our highest performing academic achievers from Year 7 to Year 10 at the completion of their Semester 1, 2024 studies.  

In almost all cases, the students who graced the stage were students who had made sacrifices to ensure they are successful. They were hardworking, dedicated students driven to be the best they can be. Their successes are built on strong foundations – such as, great support from their parents and their peers, the willingness of these students ‘to go the extra mile’, and a strong culture of resilience from each student – the ability to bounce back and move on and upwards.  

 We are blessed at Greg’s to have an absolutely wonderful staff who educate our students from their heart. They give everything they can give to provide our students with opportunities so they can be the best they can be. Greg’s staff do an amazing job each and every day!  

As Nelson Mandela often said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Let’s make sure we heed these famous words and make a difference in this world through the education we offer our students at St Gregory’s.

Dear Members of the St Gregory’s College family,  

Welcome to Term 3. I am honoured to serve this community this term as the Acting Assistant Principal and Head of Senior School. I am looking forward to the challenge of working across the community in a broader capacity outside of my usual role, leading the boarding community. 

New College Staff

This term we welcome two staff to the Senior School. Mark Van Ommen joins us in the Mathematics Department, and Anne-Marie Neylan joins us in the English Department. We wish both staff all the best in their journey at the College.

Trial HSC Exams

We wish all of our Year 12 students well as they commence their Trial HSC Exams next week. This is an important step in their preparation for the completion of the HSC. Good luck gents!

Student Leadership 2025

In Week 3 we will commence the process with our current Year 11 students who look to seek student leadership in 2024/2025. Voting will occur at the end of Week 4. The leadership program at the College is ever evolving, and I look forward to seeing what the young men of the Class of 2025 will contribute to this important space.

First Nations Round

After the success of the NAIDOC celebrations last week our annual First Nations Round fixture in Rugby Union against Kinross Wolaroi School from Orange will occur this weekend. Games will commence at 11:00am at the College, with the First XV fixture kicking off at 1:15pm. Some of our boarding students have designed this years Jersey which the boys will be playing in this weekend. I encourage all community members to get out and support this fixture.

A brief explanation on the jersey design from Benjo Leane (Year 12) one of the jerseys co-designers – ‘On the back of the jerseys we have the totems of the year 12 indigenous students, from these totems we have tracks leading to the meeting place which represents where we meet today. On the front we have the wirijirbin which is the lyrebird, this is the totem of where our school stands. On the back of the Jersey, you will see the symbols of the 3 rivers that surround the lands of this region which are the Nepean, Georges and the Hawksbury Rivers’.

Dear Parents, 

I’m sure many of you, like myself, have been glued to the television watching our amazing athletes competing at the Olympics. The Olympic Games showcase global sportsmanship and excellence and offer more than just thrilling competitions and record-breaking performances. For our children these games can offer valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the sports arena. As we cheer for our favourite athletes, take opportunities to reflect on the powerful messages these games can convey to our young people.

Hard work and persistence

One of the most evident lessons from the Olympics is the importance of hard work and persistence. Every athlete competing in the games has dedicated countless hours to training, pushing through physical and mental barriers, to reach their peak performance. This can teach our children that achieving their goals, whether in academics, sports or personal interests, requires dedication and consistent effort.

The true spirit of sportsmanship - winning with grace, losing with dignity

The Olympic Games beautifully illustrate that sportsmanship is about much more than just winning, it's about competing with integrity, respecting opponents, and handling both victory and defeat with grace. Our children can learn that it's not always about the outcome, but about how they conduct themselves, showing kindness and respect, regardless of the result.

Learning from setbacks - sometimes you win, sometimes you learn

One of the most profound lessons the Olympics teach is that not every journey ends with a gold medal. Many athletes face setbacks, injuries and defeats yet they continue to persevere, learn from their experiences and come back stronger. This is a great opportunity to teach our children that it's OK to face failures and that every set back is a learning opportunity. The emphasis should be on the growth and resilience that come from these experiences.

Setting and achieving goals - the joy of personal bests

While the ultimate goal for many Olympians is to win a medal, personal bests and individual milestones are equally celebrated. This can be an opportunity to embrace the importance of setting personal goals and taking pride in their own progress, regardless of how it compares to others. It's a reminder that personal growth and self-improvement are as important as a medal or a reward.

As we watch the Olympic Games with our children, let's take the opportunity to discuss these lessons and reinforce the values they promote. The stories of these incredible athletes can inspire young learners to strive for excellence, embrace challenges and grow into resilient, respectful and well-rounded individuals.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. 

In both cases, you achieve growth.

Diana Ivancic

OOSH Zone changes

During the holidays our OOSH area underwent some changes. An external gate leading from the carpark to the OOSH building has been installed, a concrete path and ramp constructed and some changes made to the carpark markings.

This ensures that our gates can remain locked during OOSH hours, and that access has been made easier for our children and parents.

OOSH parking: parents, please note that cars are to be parked in the car park area for OOSH drop off and pick up. Cars are NOT to be parked in front of the gates in the pick up/drop off lane as this can cause congestion. Thank you for your cooperation.

Open Classrooms

On Tuesday 6 August parents and carers are invited to join us for Open Classrooms. 

Gates will open at 1:55pm and parents/carers can visit their child’s classroom from 2:00pm-2:45pm. If you have more than one child, please move from class to class. Children are not to leave their own class to join siblings.

Parents will be asked to leave the classrooms at 2:45pm to allow teachers to pack students up and bring them out for dismissal as usual. Parents are not to take their child from the classroom. Thank you for assisting us in keeping students safe.

Immersion to Timor Leste

During the holidays I had the privilege of accompanying Mr Mark Gannon, Assistant Principal of the Junior School, and 7 Year 11 students on an immersion in Timor Leste. Mrs Julie Sligar and Mr Nicholas Kmet accompanied a second group to Suva in Fiji. An immersion is an opportunity to live the culture of another place with the people, enabling us to see the world from a different viewpoint.  We pilgrims in Timor Leste certainly learned a great deal by being with our Marist family in a place that has undergone a period of devastation in its recent history. 

Timor Leste was brutally invaded in 1975 by the Indonesian army and became an occupied country for 25 years. When the Indonesians finally withdrew, there was civil unrest, the towns were left ravaged and almost 80% of the teachers left the country. Currently, 42% of the population of Timor Leste is below the age of 18, and 57% is below age 25. This young population needs classrooms and teachers. As a privileged Marist community, we hope to continue to support the Timorese people as they rebuild the many schools that are currently shells, and to build new schools to accommodate their young population. Their ability to grow the nation to be independent and self-sustaining now depends on investment and education.

The Immersion experience allowed us to see the positive growth in many schools as a result of the funds raised by Australian Marist Solidarity. The Timorese and Fijian people are faith-filled, humble and grateful for all that we do to support them. We were humbled by them. We are privileged to be ambassadors for our country, and supporters of the work of the Marist Brothers and Australian Marist Solidarity in Timor Leste and Fiji in Australia on our return.

I congratulate the young men who accompanied me and faced some different and challenging experiences, and those who represented us at the Champagnat Institute in Fiji. In Term 4, we hope to present more about what we learned to the College community at assembly, and we will call for pilgrims to be a part of the Immersion program in 2025. 

Mrs Cathie Clarke.

More photographs of the immersion in Timor Leste can be accessed via this link Timor-Leste 2024 Photos

Fiji Immersion

During the first week of the recent school holidays, a group of seven Year 11 students and two staff experienced Immersion in Fiji. 

We encountered the Fijian culture and people who we found to be so openly friendly, welcoming and inclusive. We strongly felt the Marist characteristics in our encounters with the community that we joined for the eight days of our visit. During the week, we lived in the Brother’s House and we visited the Marist Champagnat Institute, St Marcellin Primary School, Marist Angels Kindergarten and Marist High School, Suva.

The time spent in the Institute was particularly special as each St Greg’s boys was assigned a buddy who they spent time with throughout the school day and even had the opportunity to go home with for dinner one night. This unique experience gave us a first-hand experience of life in Fiji.

Our time in Fiji was truly something we will never forget, thanks to the people we interacted with. We felt a strong Marist spirit which was evident in the actions of everyone there. Although we were all put out of our comfort zone at many points, we were all made to feel like we belonged, and we felt a strong connection due to our shared Marist values. The Immersion week was an incredible opportunity for not only personal growth but also an increasing global awareness amongst the participants.

St Gregory’s College 2024 Fiji Immersion Group:

• Brayden-John Bowen

• William Degeling

• Ben Dolan

• Marcus Federico

• Nicholas Larsen

• Jason Lee

• Zach Moroney

• Mr Nicholas Kmet

• Mrs Julie Sligar

Mr Julie Sligar 

Staff Professional Learning in schools is a crucial aspect of maintaining and enhancing the quality of education. The College Staff Professional Learning Day on Monday 22nd July 2024 encompassed a number of key focus areas. All Middle Leaders K-12 spent the day engaged in the Marist Middle Leaders program, facilitated by Br Tony Leon, from Marist Schools Australia. The Year 8 Home Room team, along with some staff from the Year 9 Home Room team spent the day immersed in “The Right Journey” program, in preparation for the commencement in Term 4 with the Year 8 Pastoral Care Program. The remaining 25 staff attended a Boys’ Educational Conference at De La Salle Caringbah. Several staff from the Junior School went offsite, completing their “Making the PYP happen” training, whilst the remaining staff completed “Our Living Marist Spiritual Heritage” online modules, as well as engaging in collaborative planning for PYP. 

Developing middle leaders in schools is essential for creating a strong leadership pipeline and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Middle leaders, such as heads of departments, heads of year, academic care leaders, and other roles, play a crucial role in implementing school policies, leading teams, and driving student achievement. Developing leadership skills among middle leaders can prepare them for future leadership roles and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement within the school. By investing in the development of middle leaders, schools can ensure a robust leadership structure that supports effective teaching and learning, promotes innovation, and enhances student outcomes. The College is committed to ensuring all middle leaders have access to ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with educational trends, policies, and best practices.

Targeted boys' education focuses on addressing the specific educational needs and challenges faced by boys to improve their academic performance, engagement, and overall well-being. By implementing targeted strategies and creating supportive learning environments, schools can help boys achieve their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally. The Boy’s Educational Conference provided sessions throughout the morning that included Keynote Speakers: Dr John Best, Chris Lawrence, Josh Reynolds, Aaron Woods and Renowned educators – David McInnes, Paul (Cotta) Leary and Gabrielle Rose, as well as Presentations by: Mrs Gemma Moore,  Mr Paul Cooper. The latter part of the day comprised of a series of workshops, where staff from St Greg’s were able to choose and attend based on their own professional learning goals and interests. These workshops comprised:

- Leveraging AI to enhance learning in boy’s education. 

- Exploring masculinity in boys through the lens of a broad liberal education.

- An Auspicious Life Wellbeing and Learning Framework (Be your own GENTLE man). 

- Engaging boys in Creative and Performing Arts / Music.

- What does Cricket have to do with behaviour management strategies in boy’s education?

- Spiritual curiosity through social justice immersions (Street Retreat) in boy’s education.

- The future of boy’s education.

- My Life Design: Empowering young people to unlock their unique potential so that they can thrive in their wellbeing, learning and career.

Learnings from these workshops will be shared with all College Staff in staff meetings throughout term 3 and term 4. Creating a supportive environment where professional learning is valued and encouraged by school leadership can foster a culture of continuous learning and development.

Ms Judith Tolomeo

Director of Teaching and Learning

Dear College community,

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable break, and are now ready to dive into the new semester with energy and enthusiasm. This term marks an important phase in our academic year, as we continue our journey towards achieving our goals and aspirations.

Setting High Standards

As we enter Semester 2, I want to emphasize the importance of setting high standards for ourselves. Whether it’s in academics, sports, arts, or any other area of interest, striving for excellence is key to personal growth and success. Remember, high standards are not just about achieving top grades but also about developing a strong work ethic, resilience, and a positive attitude.

Let's make this semester a time to challenge ourselves, support one another, and strive to be the best versions of ourselves. Together, we can create an environment that encourages learning, creativity, and respect for all.

Celebrating Success: PARTY Program Completion

In week 1 this term the College sent 24 brave individuals to complete the program and I am thrilled to announce that our students recently completed the PARTY (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) program at Liverpool Hospital. This program has provided invaluable insights into the consequences of risk-taking behaviours and the importance of making safe and responsible choices. A huge congratulations to all participants for their commitment and engagement in this critical initiative!

Here is a short recount form one of our students: 

‘Throughout the day, a group of 24 of us, keen to find out what was in store at Liverpool Hospital, were spoken to by a wide array of staff, ranging from surgeons, nurses, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and counsellors. Each speaker gave us an insight into the inner workings of the hospital and their role, which was especially insightful to me and many of the boys when considering career pathways. We were able to walk through a hospital wing that mirrored an ICU ward, practicing CPR, hoisting a patient into a harness and dealing with trauma-induced injuries. 

While this was a memorable and enjoyable experience, the main focus of the day was about remaining safe and avoiding unnecessary risk taking, where all the hospital procedures we observed reminded us of many real-life consequences pertaining to drink-driving and other forms of risk taking. As the staff kept repeating throughout the day, “Live once, think twice.” The day culminated in the mother of a car-crash victim speaking to us, where we understood that we have the privilege of making the right decisions, that so many wish that they could have made. The Party Program run by Liverpool Hospital was certainly an eye-opening experience that I am glad to have participated in.’

Domenico Cocco Year 11 student.

Upcoming Events

Friday 2nd August – 7-10 Academic Awards Assembly

Monday 5th August – Year 12 Trial HSC Exams commence

Wednesday 14th August – Year 10 Course Selection Mentor Interviews begin

Wednesday 21st August – Year 8 Electives Introduction (PC)

Monday 9th September – Year 12 HSC Showcase Evening

Stage 6 Course Selection

It has been a very busy start to the term for our Year 10 students, as they begin the important process of Stage 6 subject selections. During Week 1, our Heads of Department provided a series of presentations to students, followed by the important Information Evening and Expo on Wednesday evening. This was a chance for students and parents to have important discussions with staff and gain a further understanding of the 37 subjects on offer for 2025. For those students who were absent on the evening, they will need to see Mr Duggan as soon as possible and engage fully in the selection process. Whilst some students have their sights on moving into employment at the end of the year, these plans can change and we do not want your son to be left in subjects that are not preferable for them in their senior schooling. The next stage will begin in Week 4 when mentor interviews are undertaken.

Year 7-10 Academic Awards Assembly

On Friday, we will recognise our outstanding academic achievements from Year 7-10 at the Academic Awards Assembly. These awards are based on Semester 1 results and all students who take the stage should be very proud of their efforts during Term 1 and 2. It has been wonderful to see so many students show improvements in grades and application to their study, and we look forward to seeing many proud parents at the Assembly.

Stage 5 Course Selection

Commencing this term will be our Stage 5 Subject Selection process when our Year 8 students have the opportunity to choose their elective subjects for Year 9 and 10. Further information regarding this will be communicated to our Year 8 parents shortly. 

Homework Club and Maths Study

A reminder of our Homework Club and Mathematics Study, which are two of the fantastic out-of-school opportunities that the College offers students. 

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

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

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

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

Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome to Term 3, generally the busiest term of the calendar year. With Trial HSC exams, Preliminary exams, general assessments, completion of winter sports, and commencement of summer sports trials, as well as the daily activities of the boarding school, the term has much to offer our community members.

New Boarding Students

It is fantastic to welcome four new boarding students to the College:

• Jonah Short (Year 8)

• Thomas Clarke (Year 9)

• Jordan Briar (Year 10)

• William Bolwell (Year 11)

We look forward to welcoming these young men.

Congratulations

• Stage 4 and Stage 5 Students: Congratulations to our students who worked hard in Semester 1 and achieved significant growth and results.

• 1st Grade Rugby League Team: Well done to our team on their PDS success, which included a significant number of boarding students.

• Indigenous Students: Our Indigenous students represented the College and their culture with pride at the NAIDOC Assembly.

First Nations Round

Our First Nations Round will be held this weekend. A special thank you to Mr. Shaun Humphries for his work and support of our Indigenous students in boarding and at the College. There will be many significant highlights on the day. We hope you 

will be able to join us for what promises to be a wonderful spectacle from both schools.

Western Families’ Dinner

A reminder that our “Western Families Dinner” will be held on the 10th of August. We will be playing St. Stanislaus College in Bathurst on the same day. It will be a great day of rugby and community. Further details about the dinner will be sent to parents.

Year 10 Subject Selection

We will be in touch to discuss subject selection and how we can best support your son moving forward.

Year 12 Trial HSC Exams

Trial HSC exams commence in Week 3 of this term. The schedule has been emailed to all families and students. The College is preparing the boys with the assistance of tutors and through their hard work in study. We wish our Year 12 students the best of luck at this challenging time.

Year 11 Preliminary Exams

Year 11 will have their first major exam block in Week 9 and 10 of this term. These exams are vital in preparing for the HSC next year. The timetable for this has not yet been finalized, and we will send further information as it becomes available.

Year 12 Graduation

Graduation for our Year 12 students will occur at the end of this term. More details about this event will be provided throughout the term, however, can I please ask our Year 12 families to plan for the following events:

• Thursday, 26 September: Final Boarders Mass and Parent Graduation Cocktail Evening

• Friday, 27 September: Graduation Assembly, Graduation Mass, and Graduation Dinner

We hope all families can attend both events.

Prateek Kripal

Acting Director of Boarding.

On the evening of Thursday, 27th June, our Year 10 cohort, along with their parents, attended the Homecoming to mark the completion of their 18-month program – The Rite Journey.

The ceremony began in the Indigenous garden, where we learned how the lyrebird – the Wiritjiribin – is the voice for all the animals. Our hope is that the young men who have emerged from The Rite Journey will become the voice for the marginalised as they develop their sense of self in the world.

As the smoke rose and the didgeridoos played, we had the chance to be present with families and mentors, truly immersing ourselves in the evening. From there, the parents moved into the Hall and heard about the boys' feelings and experiences as they moved through the Journey within the classroom and, of course, on their two outdoor camps.

We were grateful that a mentor was able to share his experience as he walked alongside his mentee, building various timber works and entering the world of financial literacy. There were plenty of tears, plenty of laughs, and plenty of hugs.

A huge thanks goes out to the parents for supporting their sons during this time and connecting with the homeroom teachers. This village truly allows our young men to feel supported through this time of growth.

Thank you to:

- Mrs. Clarke for her amazing soup that warmed our bellies and the scrumptious brownies that warmed our hearts.

- The maintenance team for their amazing efforts setting up and packing down the different seating configurations that were required (over 1000               chairs placed out and packed up for the night)

- Mrs Buckley for her vision and hands on approach in every aspect of the evening.

- IT team  for ensuring the AV ran smoothly.

It takes true commitment and passion to deliver a program such as The Rite Journey and do it full justice – this was certainly achieved by Mr. Goodhew and the homeroom team. We thank the leadership team for their support throughout and look forward to continuing to expand the program over the coming years.

If you would like to read more about the program itself, head to www.theritejourney.com.au.

Thank you,

Mrs. Debra Monte

The Rite Journey Project Officer

This year marks the St Gregory College, 30th Annual Celebrity Sports Dinner. 

Our sold out black tie event welcomes Jessica Fox & James Tedesco to our major event for the College Foundation. Funds raised through the event assist the College in making outstanding opportunities availing for the students at St Gregory’s. We appreciate your support, how can you get involved?

The Preliminary Investigating Science class recently conducted a depth study where they were required to research and construct a model of a scientific concept or phenomenon. They then used their models to explain their chosen scientific phenomena to the class.

I would like to extend my congratulations to the following students for their outstanding work:

• Ethan Antala – Bohr’s Model of ‘The Standard Model of the Atom’.

• Corey Arentz – Black holes and Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.

• Riley Ayres – The human digestive system.

• Ethan Bond – The scale of the Universe.

• Harvey Clissold – Aerodynamics using a model wind tunnel.

• Jack Elliott – The Magnus Effect.

• Lucas Gowing – Electromagnetism.

• Mase Hillcoat – The effect of dimples on a golf ball.

• Jason Lee – Modelling cymatics.

• Nathan McCarthy-Cox – The aerofoil (Bernoulli’s Principle and Newton’s Third Law of Motion).

• Riley Perham – Volcanoes.

• Nathan Simpson – Modelling the relationship between tyre surface area and friction/grip.

• Noah Walker – The water cycle.

• Rory Wilson – Surfboard wax and its effect on friction.

Mr Edward Stefanski

Science Teacher

On Friday, July 26th, 7END had the privilege of welcoming Mrs. Lauren Armbruster, an experienced Drama and English teacher, who brought a wave of excitement and creativity to our classroom with a series of Theatresports-inspired games to introduce students to the new Drama program in the Stage 4 course. From the moment Mrs. Armbruster introduced the activities, the boys were energetic, engaged, and positively competitive. The session began with warm-up exercises that had everyone laughing and ready to dive into the fun. The games required quick thinking, teamwork, and a lot of imagination, and our students rose to the challenge brilliantly.

Theatresports, a form of improvisational theatre, is known for its ability to foster creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Mrs. Armbruster expertly guided the students through various games that tested their spontaneity and storytelling skills. The boys embraced the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones, creating hilarious and memorable scenes. The lesson was filled with laughter and learning, and it was evident that the boys thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Mrs. Armbruster’s visit not only provided an entertaining break from standard classroom routine but also highlighted the importance of drama and the arts in developing critical thinking and social skills.

A big thank you to Mrs. Lauren Armbruster for her time and enthusiasm. We look forward to more lessons like this that inspire and engage our students in new and exciting ways!

Natasha Patao 

English Teacher

After a serious toe injury in late 2021, sprinter Josh Azzopardi nearly abandoned his 2022 season, but fortunately he persevered, going on to run PBs and be selected for his Australian senior debut at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Since then, there have been strong performances and progression, including a semi-final at the World University Games, an Oceania title, a 100m PB of 10.15 and regular appearances on the national 4x100m relay team, which has qualified for the Paris Olympics.

Josh joined Camden Little Athletics Centre in the under-6s as a bit of fun with some school mates. Around the same age, he started playing AFL, switching to rugby league and Oztag in 2014 when he was 15. He would continue to play league over winter, Oztag on Monday nights and compete in Little Athletics in summer.

“My mind was always on league though, I played winger and I always had a dream of playing in the NRL,” he said. No surprise that he was attending a rugby league school, St Gregory’s College in Campbelltown.

“My mindset switched over the 2016-17 summer when I ran my first sub 11 (10.78) at the Little Athletics Zone. Rob (his coach) was stoked for me as training was very inconsistent.”

Then he won the Little Athletics state title in the 100m, with a time of 10.81.

His coach then spoke to Josh about focusing on the world juniors the next year. “I didn't really know what world juniors was until I did some research into it and saw that it was in Finland and it was an event for the best under-20 athletes in the world,” he said.

Over the summer of 2017-18 he would run under the world junior standard (10.50) with a 2.1m/s illegal wind, and despite hamstring issues would manage third at nationals and a place on the relay team for the world juniors. In the lead-up in Europe he ran 10.41 in the 100m and was added to the individual 100m.

“Juniors was amazing, but I was dirty as I missed the 100m semi by 0.01 seconds and in the relay we didn't get the baton around so that was tough,” he said.

Josh persevered in the transition years, particularly showing some glimpses in 2021, ahead of his brilliant 2022 campaign.“Making that step into senior teams was a long time coming from 2018 to 2021, but perseverance and determination is what has got me where I am today.

But it was not smooth sailing, and he nearly abandoned his 2022 season.

“As we came out of lockdown in late 2021, I had an accident doing a stair session where I tripped and kicked my big toe and bent the joint back on itself, causing a significant injury that put me in a moon boot for eight weeks and on the bike and in the pool for 13 weeks before I was able to run again.

“I made my comeback to racing after long discussions with my coach and physios about whether the 2021-2022 season was even worth trying.”

After a tough start, running just 11.05, a week later he progressed slowly with 10.57 and felt positive about the direction he was going.

“Over the next weeks and months, there were PBs, scalps, and Australian medals,” he said. “Coming second in the 100m final at nationals was a highlight of the season alongside being called into the Oceania team for the individual 100m, where I then ran another PB of 10.27."

He was named in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games team.

The Year 6 students have officially embarked on their exciting journey through the PYP Exhibition, exploring the transdisciplinary theme of "Where We Are in Place and Time." This theme invites students to delve into the evolution of human societies, cultures, and perspectives over time.

The launch began with the students receiving their exhibition journals and engaging with the thought-provoking picture book *Room on the Rock*. After reading this text, they reflected and journaled their personal interpretations, sparking initial thoughts on their lines of inquiry.

Following this, Year 6 students were immersed in a variety of stimuli that prompted them to think critically about changes in societal attitudes across different periods. Topics ranged from gender equality and racism to shifts in fashion, lifestyle, and the influence of social media. A dynamic gallery walk allowed students to jot down their ideas on post-it notes, sharing and expanding on each other’s thoughts.

This collaborative and reflective process marks the beginning of their journey. Over the next eight weeks, the students will formulate their lines of inquiry and develop their Central Idea, leading up to the culmination of their efforts at the Exhibition evening on 24 September.

We eagerly anticipate the insights and discoveries that will emerge as our Year 6 students navigate their final year of the PYP program, exploring the rich diversity of human experience through time and place.

Mr Fuser and Mrs Gajda

This term, our Kindergarten students are diving into a captivating exploration of the transdisciplinary theme, ‘Sharing the Planet’. Their inquiry focuses on how ‘Living things play a role in our lives’, offering a fantastic opportunity to understand the fascinating world of flora and fauna.

Each week, our young learners will embark on a journey to investigate the characteristics, environments, and needs of various plants and animals. This hands-on exploration not only enriches their knowledge about living things but also ties in seamlessly with our English unit, through our chosen texts.

A highlight of this unit will be a special public speaking activity where each student will have the chance to share their favourite animal with the class. This will help them build confidence and improve their communication skills while expressing their newfound knowledge and enthusiasm.

To bring their learning to life, Kindergarten students are eagerly anticipating an upcoming visit to the College farm. This exciting trip will provide them with real-world experiences and a closer look at the animals and plants they’ve been studying.

Stay tuned for more updates as our Kindergarten students continue to explore and celebrate the incredible role that living things play in our lives!

Mrs Bowen, Miss Goode & Miss Walker

Kindergarten Teachers 

Our fourth Inquiry unit for this year is under the theme ‘How The World Works’ and the central idea is Everyday life is improved with knowledge of forces and energy. 

We are inquiring into:

• Forces (contact and non-contact) - causation

• Forms of energy (sound, light and heat) - form 

• The process of scientific investigations - function 

We were lucky enough to go on an excursion to visit Western Sydney Parklands hosted by Ranger Jamie. We learnt about a variety of different forces and took part in many fun experiments such as: 

• Making slime! 

• Launching air pressure rockets 

• Billy cart championships 

• Soda bag explosions 

• Tug o war! 

We all had a blast at our excursion and we gained some great knowledge about applying forces in our everyday lives.

Olivia Cefai, Louise Limbrey and Hayleigh Campbell 

The Annual Camden Mayor for a Day Public Speaking competition was held on Wednesday 31 July at the Camden Council Chambers. 

All primary schools in the Camden Local Government Area nominated one Year 6 student to represent their school and Siena Austin (6M) was chosen to represent the Junior School.  All twenty Year 6 students were formally arranged in the horse-shoe seating arrangement of the local Council chambers and made to feel like they were Mayors for the day.  There was a very high calibre of speakers who presented to Mayor Ashleigh Cagney.  Siena delivered a powerful and entertaining speech on what she would do if she was the Mayor for the day.  Even though Siena didn’t get to take out first place, we are very proud of how competitive and persuasive her argument was.

 A special mention to Siena, Mrs Limbrey and the Austin family, for their collective efforts in participating in this highly anticipated local public speaking competition.

 Mrs Gajda 

Nathan Luff is a popular children's author who is visiting the Junior School students on Tuesday 20^th August. 

This form below will allow parents/carers to scan the QR code to preorder books. 

We look forward to hosting Nathan in the coming weeks. 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Next Friday, 9 August 2024 the school will support the Australian Olympic team and raise money for Marist Solidarity. 

On this day, students are invited to bring in a gold coin donation and wear a splash of 'green, gold or yellow' with their normal school uniform. 

Examples: ribbons, hats, glasses, necklaces, bracelets, coloured socks, tutus etc. 

In Week 3 we will also be holding a 'green and gold' lolly jar guessing competition. 50 cents a guess or 3 for $1. Students will be able to take their guesses each morning in Week 3 near the COLA. The winner to be announced Monday Week 4.

We thank you for supporting this very worthy cause and getting into the spirit of supporting our country at the Olympics.

Mrs Robyn Bowen

Independent Primary Schools Sporting Organisation (IPSSO) 

Winter Teams

IPSSO Results Week 1

On Wednesday, 24 July 2024, we had a bye.

IPSSO Results Week 2

On Wednesday, 31 July 2024, our teams competed against Macarthur Anglican College.

Junior AFL 

Score 

SGC 27 - 3 MAS

Special Mention

• Clara Romeo for her determination and effort all game

• Beau Stephens for his game awareness in crucial moments

• Summer Quinn for her use of explosiveness when in attack.  

Junior Netball 

Score 

SGC  16 - 3 MAS

Special Mention

• Chloe Jones for her tight defensive skills and staying on her player 

• Zarah Rossi for always being ready to get the ball 

• Sofiya Hegarty for playing with a smile on her face and showing great sportsmanship to other players. 

Junior Boys Soccer

Score 

SGC: 2 - 4 MAS  

Special Mention

• Lincoln Barry for his excellent work in the left midfield

• Harrison Fuser for his wonderful bravery and determination in goals

• Benjamin Devlin for his strong defence, saving many attacking raids.

Newcombe Ball

Score 

SGC 2 - 1 MAS

Special Mention

• Lachlan Furness for his efforts today during the 3rd set. He made some pivotal passes and catches to secure us the victory. 

• Abigail Delaney for her incredible serves. She was able to serve the ball 3 times successfully over. 

• Chelsea Hodson for her incredible captaincy. She was able to inspire her team during the 3rd set. 

Senior AFL

Score 

SGC 73 - 25 MAS

Special Mention 

• Georgie Wilson for her impressive mark and being rewarded with kicking the goal

• Armando Traino for his use of speed in attack and defence

• Noah Jardine for the multiple goals he scored. 

Senior Netball 

Score 

SGC 19 - 7 MAS 

Special Mention

• Addison Day for her flexibility and making an impact in any position she plays

• Ivy Bushby for her accurate shooting and positioning

• Georgia Murialdo for her consistent and measured defence

• To the Senior team: for playing as a unit and consistently showing humility. Keep up the great work girls!

Senior Boys Soccer

Score 

SGC 2 - 3 MAS 

Special Mention

• Samuel Brown for his power and precision in shooting to score our first goal of the game

• Michelangelo Torcaso for his efforts in defence, constantly challenging the opposition for the ball

• Joshua Suffell for his skill in attack and leadership on and off the field. 

Volleyball 

Score 

SGC 1 - 2 MAS

Wollongong Pathway Representative Sport 

Congratulations to Beau Stephens for representing MacKillop at the NSWPSSA Cross Country last week. He finished 38th out of 90 competitors. We are proud of your achievements throughout this pathway, Beau. Well done! 

Our Junior School Athletics Team will compete at the Western Region Athletics Carnival at Campbelltown Athletics Centre on Friday, 9 August. We wish the team, Mrs Robyn Bowen and Mrs Alison Buckley, the best of luck at this competition.

• Cooper Fox
• Annabelle Lowe
• Adriana Grados
• Patrick Kempton
• Emilia Simone
• Hunter Stewart
• Nneka Fashoyin
• Stella Jensen
• Francesca Mandarano
• Summer Quinn
• William Simpson
• Beau Stephens
• Riley Byrne
• Hunter Clark
• Noah Jardine
• Darcy Marsden
• Josiah Pereira
• Lia Solylo
• Jake Stephens
• Lincoln Watling
• Georgie Wilson
• Marcus Caprar
• Ryan Delaney
• Jacob Gordon
• Kye Harding
• Marley Jensen
• Cara Jones
• Taylah Kenney
• Eva Luximon
• Audrey Oldfield
• Olivia Sheedy
• Armando Traino

Paul Kelly Cup

On Tuesday, July 30th, our incredible St Greg’s girls’ Paul Kelly Cup team took centre stage at the Regional Finals in Blacktown, facing off against the top teams in the region. With a fierce spirit and determination, our girls were ready to showcase their skills in four action-packed games.

The tournament kicked off with a thrilling match against Holy Family Primary School from Kelso. We set the tone with a brilliant opening kick that led to an early goal, but despite their valiant efforts, the final score was a narrow 22-12 loss as the final buzzer echoed through the field.

Undeterred, the girls powered through their second game against St Michael’s Baulkham Hills, demonstrating their prowess and teamwork with an impressive 22-7 victory. 

Finishing second in their pool, St Greg’s faced off against fierce local rivals St Clare’s Primary School. The game was a nail-biter, marked by the stellar defence, strategic plays, and some lucky kicks despite challenging windy conditions. The score was tied when the full-time buzzer sounded, leading to an exhilarating 10 minutes of extra time. With hearts racing, the match remained deadlocked until a decisive free-kick gave our girls the edge, securing their spot in the Grand Final!

With only a brief 5-minute break to recharge, the team quickly regrouped and prepared for their final showdown against Holy Family. Despite exhaustion, the girls gave their all in this last game, showcasing incredible perseverance and teamwork. Their efforts earned them the title of Runners-Up for the day.

Congratulations to our amazing girls for their outstanding performance, sportsmanship, and resilience. A big thank you to Mr. Tim Herbert and Miss Cecil for their management and support throughout the competition.

Darryl Howe 

PDHPE Teacher/Sports Coordinator

The School Photographer will be onsite to take photos on the following dates:-

• Tuesday 27 August 2024 (Term 3 / Week 6) - Main School Photography Day - Homeroom and Portrait photos. 
• Friday 6 September 2024 (Term 3 / Week 7 ) - Sports and Cocurricular Day 1 - Catch-up session - Sibling Photos Years 7-12
• Tuesday 10 September 2024 ( Term 3 / Week 8) - Combined Junior and Senior Sibling Photos and Catch-up Sibling Photos 7-12 at Junior School
• Wednesday 11 September 2024 ( Term 3 / Week 8) - Sports and Cocurricular Day 2 - Catch-up Portrait session at Senior School.

gather. means creating a welcoming environment, a home away from home, where your college community come together and share a meal, and where students are nourished and fueled to achieve their highest potential, should be at the core of education catering.

We here at gather have been fortunate to been given the opportunity to provide healthy, nutritious meals at St Gregory College both junior, senior, boarding and our online lunch ordering system Flexischool. 

We would like to introduce you to our gather team with a background in hospitality who brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective collectively.

Stay tuned for exciting collaborations and initiatives that will stem from this new partnership. We look forward to exploring the many opportunities this partnership will unlock.

For any questions, or concern including flexi ordering please contact us on 02 46294218

gather. at Cater Care