Last Friday was an awesome day at St Gregory’s Junior School. During the day, we welcomed over 400 grandparents to the Junior School, to participate in a liturgy, visit classrooms, share morning tea with their grandchildren and visit the Book Fair. Some grandparents had driven up to 5 hours to be there on the day. What a spectacular event, to see so many grandparents walking out the gates grinning from ear to ear.
Later that evening, we hosted 90 new Kindergarten parents for 2023 to a Cocktail evening in the Marion Centre. Amongst them, about ten Old Boys stood in awe, reflecting on their years past at the Senior School. The room stood still as the group of Old Boys joined by the group of Boarding students who were serving on the night, belted out the Sub Tuum, as we all watched with goosebumps. It was certainly something unique.
Earlier that evening, Charlize & Mitchel (Junior School Captains) welcomed our new parents with a speech. They shared:
“When people ask me what it’s like at St Greg’s, the first thing that comes to mind is…I can’t put my finger on it….
I love coming to school every day. It’s like coming to family. At St Greg’s, family is really important – it’s actually one of our Marist characteristics.
…Culture! That’s the word I was looking for Mitchel. What makes us different is the culture.
It’s a bit hard to put your finger on it exactly, but we know that you are going to love the St Greg’s culture. And it starts right here, right now, tonight.”
Culture is what people talk about when they walk through our gates. It is steeped in the rich Marist traditions we hold dear, and it is in the vines that will continue to grow into the history we have not yet made.
You will reap what you sow.
Mrs Diana Ivancic
Teacher Shopping
It is that time of the year as a College when we are starting to look at classes for 2023. It is also the time of the year when parents start to wonder what classes their son or daughter will be in for next year. Teachers are not yet confirmed for 2023, except for Kindergarten with Mrs Scott and Mrs Bowen. Teachers in all other classes in Years 1-6 will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
One thing that I need our whole community to know, is that we will not allow ‘teacher shopping’ at St Gregory’s College. We have wonderful teachers at St Gregory’s who do their absolute best to ensure that the student experience is one that is the best it possibly can be. No requests for your son or daughter next year are to be taken to the classroom teachers. If you have a specific request that is essential for your son's or daughter's learning, please let me know in writing. But there will be no guarantee that this will take place due to the variables. The ‘Move Up Day’ that we have planned for later this term will be the date we have selected to see the classes in action before we make concrete decisions for 2023.
When we are making classes for next year we keep in mind:
- Friendships that are a positive for the learning of the child
- Friendships that may possibly disadvantage the learning of the child in the class or any clashes of personalities that we can avoid
- A good academic mix between the classes
- Specific needs of the child that would suit one class over the other.
Kindergarten Orientation Afternoon
Our final Kindy 2023 Orientation was held on Tuesday afternoon, with all children coming together for a fun afternoon. The parents were put to work as Mrs Limbrey ran a Learning to Read Workshop for all our new parents. This was a great opportunity to learn strategies to help their child read and gain an understanding of the reading materials used at school and what the children will be doing in class. Thank you Mrs Limbrey for running this very detailed and insightful session!
Badgally Beatz
Tuesday 8 November was a magical night under the stars and the pink moon, with the Junior School choirs performing at the Badgally Beatz night. The Junior School Band also debuted, playing so confidently.
Ms Kath Wray organised a wonderful family night under the basketball courts. Our choirs, led by Mrs Limbrey and Mrs Tweedie, sang a variety of songs for family and friends. As Mrs Cosentino and I sat on the hill, we felt truly blessed to be part of this great community. We almost forgot where we were – singing along to great songs and watching the children singing and dancing in the audience. I can’t wait for the next one!
We were so very proud of you all.