Dear Members of the St Gregory’s College family,
Welcome to the end of Term 2. It’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through the year. What is that saying again? ‘Time flies when you are having fun’. It is extremely rewarding to be able to look back on another successful term at the College. As I reflect on the ‘term that was’, I wonder why so many of us are a little weary... there has been so much packed into 9 weeks of school that has kept us engaged, inspired and motivated to make this College the best place it could be.
Our Weekly Blessings
At the commencement of each week, as a staff we have the opportunity to meet at our regular Staff Prayer and Briefing. Along with the other staff, we use this time to reflect on the successes and highlights of the previous week, always stopping to applaud our teachers, students and families on the wonderful achievements which occur across the weeks. We also use this opportunity to encourage and congratulate our staff, students and families on the upcoming events for the week ahead. What I really love is the spontaneous applause and heartfelt best wishes that our staff show for each other and for our students and families. Br Ernest often has a reflective story to tell which always brings a smile.
We also use our Monday ‘Line Up’ opportunities with the students to emphasise the high standards we set and to congratulate our students on achievements from the past week. These opportunities with our staff and students set the tone for the week ahead. I am blessed to lead within this fine College and to watch it grow in stature. I am blessed to work with outstanding colleagues who really do care about their work as educators. I am blessed to work with students who want to learn and see the College as an ideal place to build their base as young men and women.
Push Up Challenge
Over the past few weeks, from 5 to 25 June, over 216 000 Australians have participated in the Push Up Challenge. The aim from our students and staff has been to improve their physical and mental fitness whilst raising funds for mental health in Australia. I want to take this opportunity to thank Anthony Zappia, our Year 12 Wellbeing Leader, who has motivated and inspired many staff and students within our community to get involved in this worthy cause. Anthony has set up Year Groups to complete the challenge and even wrangled 22 staff who have completed the challenge. As a collective, we have raised over $6275 and this figure is rising. Congratulations to our top 3 students who have raised around $1K each in Anthony Zappia, Cody Weekes and Harrison Collins. Also, a big congratulations to Year 11 who were our most engaged Year Group with 39 students who participated in the challenge.
Congratulations to all the boys who participated in this challenge – you are all amazing!
Student Leadership 2025
‘Leadership is a verb. Leadership is something that you do’.
This year I have had the privilege, alongside Mrs Clarke, to work alongside 7 of our Year 12 elected leaders. These boys have really lived the College motto ‘You will reap what you sow’. The boys individually and as a group actioned and led their leadership portfolios by making this College a better place to be alongside their leadership mentor.
Next term, we look forward to going through the process with our current Year 11 students who look to seek student leadership in 2024/2025. Early next term, I look forward to our current leaders having the opportunity to speak with the Year 11 group on what leadership has looked like for them and why being a leader in this fine College is something to be so proud of.
Over the three-week break, I wish you God’s blessings always. May Mary, our Good Mother, Saint Marcellin Champagnat and Saint Gregory continue to guide us and inspire us on our journey.
As our St Gregory’s College motto states, ‘You will reap what you sow’.
Joel Weekes
Assistant Principal/Head of Senior School