From the College Principal 

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

The 2021 academic year is off to a great start and we are hopeful of another very successful year ahead. It was wonderful to welcome back our staff and students last week after the Christmas and New Year holiday break. There has certainly been a ‘spring in the step’ of our staff and students as they settle into the new school year. 

I pray that you have experienced a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year period, and that good health and happiness follow you throughout 2021.

WELCOME TO NEW STUDENTS, FAMILIES & STAFF MEMBERS - A particularly warm welcome to all the new families joining the St Gregory’s community for the first time. This year we have close to 220 new enrolments in the College – 30 new students in the Junior School and 190 students in the Senior School! It is fantastic to have so many families wanting to join this great College. On behalf of the St Gregory’s community, I wish each of our new students and families a wonderful journey with us here at the College. We are extremely proud of what this College has to offer young men and women. Please be assured of our support, direction and encouragement for the children you place in our care.

This year we also welcome a number of new members of staff to the College. It certainly is an exciting time for these new staff as they begin their journey in the St Gregory’s community. I provided details of the new staff to the College in my ‘Letter from the College Principal’ prior to the commencement of the term. I know you will be supportive of the new staff as they face the early challenges of working in a new school.

YEAR 12 – 2020 HIGH ACHIEVERS’ ASSEMBLY - Congratulations to the teaching staff on the outstanding results attained by St Gregory’s College Year 12 students in the 2020 Higher School Certificate. Strong academic results are the result of long-term commitment and hard work by both student and teacher. Many thanks to all staff for their dedication and desire to get the best from each student. The College jumped 115 places in the State rankings, placing St Gregory’s in 127th place in 2020. Our aim this year is to maintain this momentum and further improve our academic performance.

On Friday 29 January, the College held the Annual High Achievers’ Assembly to acclaim and affirm our highest achieving students from the 2020 – Year 12 cohort. It was a great occasion and lovely to witness our fine young men from St Gregory’s returning to receive their awards. We were blessed to have as our special guest, Brother Darren Burge, Vice Provincial, Marist Brothers Australia. Brother Darren and our Stage 6 Academic Coordinator, Mr Stephen Bullock provided stirring speeches which provided great motivation and incentive for all our students to achieve to their potential.

At the assembly, we acclaimed our high achievers who attained an ATAR over 90, our Band 6 (over 90 in a subject) recipients and our special awards recipients. A highlight of the assembly was the recognition of David De Vecchis as the 2020 Dux of St Gregory’s College. David received an ATAR of 99.85, he placed 3rd in NSW in Geography and was recognised for his inclusion on the All-Rounders’ Achievers List for NSW. David’s acceptance speech was inspirational and the students in this year’s Year 6 – 12 were able to gauge from David’s speech his commitment, his will to succeed and his pride in being a St Gregory’s student.

I include David’s Dux of the College speech below: - 

Earn the right.  

The first time I heard these three words was from my U12’s soccer coach. After one training session, our theory homework for that week was to go home and write those three words – earn the right, earn the right, earn the right – over and over again in our workbooks.  

Of course, it seemed a little ridiculous at the time, considering we were a group of young and elite athletes aspiring to pursue a pathway in soccer.  

But the wisdom of this simple act has been proven to me many times over.  

Mr MacMaster, Brother Darren Burge, special invited guests, members of the College Leadership Team, members of the St Gregory’s Marist Brothers’ Community, parents and caregivers, staff, students and fellow Year 12 High Achievers.  

Good morning. Today, we gather to celebrate the outstanding 2020 HSC Results. More importantly, we gather to acknowledge the self-sacrifice, hard work and resilience of not just the young men sitting before us today, but all 123 young men who completed the HSC here at St Greg’s last year.   

When I think about last year, we were men who were focused and determined and disciplined to the task that lay ahead. We constantly checked in on our mates. We were able to laugh easily. We had balanced lifestyles. We were respectful to staff and our families. We appreciated all of their support and were extremely grateful for all of their never-ending belief to achieve our goals. 

As much as we would like to believe that the HSC is purely an individual effort, it is also a team effort. Every student, every subject, every mark matters. 

All the recent successes are a credit to all of us, as we have earnt it. 

But how did we earn it?  

What does it mean to earn the right?  

To earn the right means something bigger. It means something better.  

To earn the right, is a journey. It is the way you go about doing things. It is how you take accountability for your actions. It is how you take ownership of your mistakes. It is how you apply yourself, to whatever your goal is and completing all the necessary steps required and more to solidify your worthiness of such a result. It is a will to make sacrifices. It is a will to work hard and persevere through the difficult times in order to reap the rewards. 

By no means is this limited to an academic environment. Whether it is sport, co-curricular or work, in short, earn the right simply means, if you want something, you got to roll up your sleeves, go out there and get it. 

So how do we do it? 

If you want to earn the right, you need to ask yourself what do you want; what do you really want. 

If you do not know what you want to achieve, what are you actually earning? 

It doesn’t have to be HSC-related; it could be scoring a try, it could be making the debating team, it could be getting that apprenticeship. Whatever it is, once you decide what you want, write it down.  

Writing down your goals helps you on that journey to earn the right. In fact, a recent study conducted by Dr Gail Matthew at the Dominican University of California concluded, that if you write down your goals, you are 42% more likely to achieve them. 

So, dream big, because you never know how far your goals may take you. 

If you want to earn the right, you must be honest with yourself.  

It is easy to get confused into thinking we know everything, that we are capable of everything and nothing will stop us. But the reality is, there are things we simply do not know, there are things we simply cannot do and there are obstacles which can stop us.  

Early last year, there was so much to study and learn, there were so many things to juggle at the same time and, of course, COVID-19, that this truth hit us like a ton of bricks.  

I found myself asking these questions, I don’t understand this? I don’t know what I am doing? However, in being honest with myself, I added one little word at the end of those questions, which made all the difference. That word was yet. I don’t understand this… yet. I don’t know what I am doing… yet. In other words, I don’t know it now, but if I put the time and effort, I certainly will.  

Don’t compare yourself to others, because everyone is different. What works for me, may not work for you. If you put in the time and effort, you will get there.  

If you want to earn the right, don’t take short cuts.  

Throughout the HSC and school in general, many students – including myself at times - were in such a hurry to achieve a certain result, that we started to consider short cuts; those tiny tricks to make work easier. But the reality is, there is no substitute for time and effort. The key to any goal is to simply acknowledge what is required, face it and take one step at a time, day by day. In this way, I was able to steadily develop myself and my skills which will continue to benefit me in the future. 

I want to tell you a good example. For homework once, we were required to complete a handwritten response, but we were given the option of typing it. The majority of the class typed it and saved time. However, I handwrote my response. Although it took me double the time, that skill benefitted me when I was in an HSC exam room, handwriting for three hours straight. So, don’t take short cuts. 

I started today with three words. I went on to explain those three words in being a journey. Just like those three words, the HSC is also journey. During the HSC you will have many problems to solve, many lessons to learn and many experiences to enjoy, but I believe the greatest achievement anyone can accomplish is the courage you develop, the belief you manifest, the character you build and above all, the man that you become.  

But if you fall as you will get bruises along the way, if your habit is to get up again, your destiny will be one of success. By holding positive thoughts, habitually taking positive actions, you create a character destined for upliftment, a character destined for earning the right. 

Just like all journeys, it begins with one step forward.  

I have said it many times before, and I will say it again, it starts with you and you only.  

So, earn the right. That is your choice. The challenge is over to you.  

YEAR 7 – 10 AWARDS (2020) PRESENTATION ASSEMBLIES – On Wednesday 3 February we were able to celebrate the academic successes of our students from Year 7 – 10 for 2020. Unfortunately due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, we are required to implement at the College, we could not hold our planned celebrations of academic success for these young men as scheduled on Friday 29 January.

Our Awards Assemblies on Wednesday were a great opportunity to affirm and congratulate our students who placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a course in 2020; the students who earned Merit Medallions for 75 + Merits in 2020; the students who gained Academic Effort and Consistency awards; the students ranked from 2nd place to 10th place in their year cohort; and our Dux of each Year level.

Congratulations to the fine young men who graced the stage on Wednesday. I am in awe of your academic success and I acknowledge your dedication, commitment and diligence.

I noted in my address to the students and staff present, and the parents and carers viewing the live stream the following ….. “I think each award recipient today realises that engaging in all the opportunities this College presents for you has significant benefits. What you give every lesson, each day, each week comes back to you in so many rewarding ways. You recognise the need to do your best at all times, to seek and take teacher’s advice, to complete your homework and assignments on time and to love what you learn. You recognise that learning can be fun and can set you up for life if you give all you have to the process! Students, never be frightened or ashamed to succeed academically – be proud to achieve your ‘personal best’ in all you do. Congratulations on continually building your education here at St Greg’s.”

UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS AT THE COLLEGE - PARENT FORUMS, COLLEGE OPEN DAY, etc. 

Over the first five weeks of the term at the College there are a number of opportunities for parents and carers to join with our staff for Parent Information sessions, Parent Forums, weekend ISA Sport, and the College Open Day (Sunday 21 February) to name but a few of the key events. These occasions are so important at the commencement of the school year to welcome our parent community, establish clear lines of communication and to lay the foundations for quality teaching and learning for the coming year. Equally important is the opportunity for parents and carers to meet and know staff directly involved in the education and care of their children. The pastoral element of the College is paramount as we continually strive to ensure our students are happy at the College and enjoying all the College has to offer them. Please check the dates of the events in the 2021 College Calendar – we look forward to our engagement with the College for the benefit of your child.

YEAR 7 – YEAR 10 – WEARING OF SPORTS UNIFORM TO & FROM THE COLLEGE

From Monday 8 February and for the remainder of Term 1, 2021, the College will be implementing with students in Year 7 to Year 10 students, the wearing of their College sports uniform to and from the College on days when designated practical PDHPE / PASS classes are scheduled on their timetable.

The College sports uniforms is only worn to and from the College on days of the timetable on which designated practical periods for the subjects PDHPE and Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) are scheduled. By the end of this week (Week 2 – Term 1), students will be informed of their practical classes and a label will be placed in the front of their Student Diary to indicate the days of the timetable cycle for practical classes.

The College sports uniform is to be worn to the College every Thursday for participation in the College sports program.

The College sports uniform is NOT to be worn to the College on days of the timetable which are designated theory classes in both PDHPE and Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS).

The College sports uniform is NOT to be worn to the College on any Friday. Every Friday of the year, the full College formal uniform must be worn. 

If a student is studying a practical class in the Technology learning area (e.g. Industrial Technology – Timber, Agricultural Technology, etc.), on days coinciding with the wearing of the College sports uniform, students must bring in their bags their black leather shoes to change in to and wear in their practical Technology class (for WHS regulations). Students not in uniform will be given alternate theory work for the lesson and a lunch detention.

FINAL THOUGHTS 

1. I encourage parents and carers of the St Gregory’s community to support the College and to become actively involved in the life of this wonderful school. Never hesitate to contact me or our staff with issues or concerns about your son or daughter. We welcome your involvement.
2. Please join us for the College Open Day on Sunday 21 February – 9am to 11am in the Junior School & 10am to 1pm in the Senior School.
3. Please remember that if you are onsite for any reason, please wear a face mask.

As we conclude Week 2 of Term 1 at the College, I have witnessed on many occasions already this year, the commitment by our staff and students to their work. Each day I have been impressed by the way our staff and students go about their work and the passion they show.

On behalf of our Marist Brothers Community, the College Leadership Team, the Teaching Staff and the School Administrative Staff, I take this opportunity to wish each of you the very best for the challenges and excitements of the year ahead. We are here to support you at all times, and we look forward to working with you throughout 2021. Remember please, our work is always in partnership.

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.

Quae Seminaveris Metes – “You will reap what you sow."

Lee MacMaster 

College Principal (K-12)