From the Head of Junior School

Dear Members of the St Gregory’s College Community,

Well . . . that’s a wrap on another term. It’s hard to believe how quickly the term has passed. The time seems to fly by with so many wonderful things happening in the Junior School. I want to thank all the students, parents and teachers for their ongoing commitment and positive energy as we make this College become our desired future. It has been another term affected by COVID-19, but I thank you all for your patience in what has been an interesting year.

Students in Action

As parents, I am sure that you have heard me chat about how we love to celebrate student-initiated action. This week through the Newsletter, I write to you to celebrate two students who have shown action in their learning and through their lives. 

Our first is Jake Gotts in Year 4 Blue who has displayed action outside of school. Jake has raised almost $800 for mental health through the Mullets for Mental Health Campaign since starting his effort on 1 September. Jake’s initial goal was $200 . . . what an amazing achievement! As a College, we are very proud of Jake and thought it was great to celebrate his wonderful efforts for this worthy cause. If any families would like to help Jake in his ambition to raise funds for mental health, please click on this link below. 

https://www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraiser/jakegotts

Our second student that we would like to congratulate is Joya Zackary in Year 4 Maroon. Joya has taken action as a result of a discussion I had with the students this week. 

Earlier in the week, all classes were spoken to in regard to the state of one of our toilet blocks. Joya took this message and did something immediately about this by writing this beautiful, heartfelt message and leaving this for the cleaners.

As you can see, Joya’s caring action has led to our College cleaners writing back letting Joya know how that made them feel. Thanks, Jake and Joya for sharing your student-initiated action with us – great examples to our community.

A Proud Head of Junior School

It may be a cliché but it remains true – you get out of school what you are prepared to put into it. Our College motto ‘You will reap what you sow’, is all about that. I see this day-in-day-out, students at our Junior School taking advantage of every opportunity that they are given, even in the adversity that they are currently surrounded by.

I have been teaching in Independent Schools now for a long time. I am sure that I don’t have to tell you that one-hundred-year-old buildings with ivy-covered sandstone walls and 50-metre swimming pools simply do not equal a good education! It’s what happens inside the classroom that is critical. The research on maximising student learning outcomes points overwhelmingly toward quality teaching, high levels of self-efficacy, student engagement and high expectations.

Our teaching staff and what happens in the classroom are our greatest strengths. Our students don’t get lost or become just another number. Our attention is on the whole child, not just the Rugby player, the trumpet player or the gifted and talented student.  That individual student in front of the teacher has more than just a name. Each student has a story, a history, a family, a personality. Each student has interests, fears, things they enjoy, things they simply don’t enjoy. We aim to nurture and develop their social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual skills and abilities. We do that well and I am a Head of Junior School that is proud to be a part of this culture. 

Most importantly, St Gregory’s College is renowned for producing wonderful young men in Year 7-12 who display the core values of the College – young men of character who care about themselves and others, who can communicate and collaborate with others and are engaged in service and society. From the Junior School, we wish our Year 12 boys all the best as they complete their journey at St Gregory’s College, I am sure that these values will remain with these boys as they journey into the future.

Term 4 is Ahead of Us

Term 4 is always a busy term in a school and I look forward to keeping you updated throughout the break with a parent letter which outlines all the great things that are coming our way in Term 4!

As this is our final Newsletter for the term, I wish all our families and students a safe and relaxing break and I look forward to seeing you all back refreshed and ready for Term 4.

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

Mr Joel Weekes

Head of Junior School