Mission

The school year of 2020 is nearly behind us. Students are completing exams and other assessment tasks, maintenance and administrative staff are completing to-do lists and planning for 2021 and teachers are marking, grading and report writing. It is a busy and productive time. However, in the midst of this, before we come to the end of a challenging year and the new calendar year, we begin the 2021 liturgical year with the Season of Advent. It is a time of anticipation – of hope, of joy, faith, joy and peace. 2020 has given us ample opportunity to be at home, to find new ways of filling our days. Advent asks the same of us – that we be contemplative, go into the desert as Jesus did before he began his ministry.

Earlier this year, I invited families to learn a little about the Marist Association of Marcellin Champagnat. Essentially, it is a group of people who come together as Brothers and laity to ensure that the Marist mission is alive in their part of the world. The members are: men and women who find that their faith journey and way of knowing and relating to God continues to be shaped, defined and energised by Marist values and the Marist characteristics of presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work and In the Way of Mary.  

During the Season of Advent, the Association has made available resources which are most helpful. Attached is the Advent resource for week 1.  Please take some time to read the four Advent reflections in preparation for Christmas: 

http://www.maristassociation.org.au/advent-prayer-week-1

We have not been able to host guests at our end of year liturgies, but all are available online if families would like to share in them. The final Boarders’ Mass for the year was a time of great joy and celebration, as was the Christmas Mass celebrated today in the Senior School. We await the Graduation Mass for our Year 6 students which takes place on Monday.

Campbelltown Celebrates 200 years

2020 is a significant year for the city of Campbelltown, marking the 200th anniversary of European settlement in this area. On Monday morning, we were able to present a 2020 pin to each of our students from Kindergarten to Year 11. The pin marks the end of a year-long celebration of the local cultural and built heritage of Campbelltown. 

Whilst we recognise 200 years together, we also acknowledge the 40,000 years of the traditional owners of the land on which Campbelltown is built – the Tharawal people and we pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. 

We have planted some fringe lilies in the gardens near the Senan car park. These lilies symbolise a commitment to ensuring that the Aboriginal storytelling and histories are remembered.

More information about these community events can be found on the Council website:

https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/AboutCampbelltown/Campbelltown2020.

Wishing all our families the hope, joy and peace which is the promise of Christmas.

Cathie Clarke

Director of Mission

Student Leaders Gathering via Zoom

On Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 November, five members of the 2021 Student Leadership team participated in a Zoom gathering, along with Marist schools in NSW/ACT. 

This two-day Zoom format was a new experience not only for those involved but the Marist Youth Ministry team running the Student Leaders Gathering, nevertheless, the experience was still incredibly beneficial for those who took part. It allowed, after a few busy weeks, of starting our leadership journey to reflect and consolidate what we understood of leadership and focus on leadership in a more Marist context then maybe we had before. 

Having the two days run heavily by recently graduated students of 2019, created a layer of relatability and confidence in the advice and experiences they were sharing. The Marist Youth Ministry did a brilliant job in connecting the diverse group of schools through light-hearted games and discussions on each school's different tactics to achieve a common goal; leading our schools this year through the Marist characteristics and be successful in leaving a positive mark on our schools once we end our schooling journey at the end of 2021.

A huge thank you to Miss Kent, who throughout the two days, was there supporting the leaders present and participating in the gathering herself through an insightful look into the importance of balance in this coming year. 

Other thanks to those members of our College Leadership Team who made time to join us for lunch on Tuesday, to discuss the ideas and goals we had been forming throughout the gathering.

Written by The 2021 Student Leadership Team 

Community Service Project 

Thank you to the many Year 10 students who participated in a number of community service initiatives as part of the Community Service Project for 2020. 

For our ceremony this year we were fortunate to be able to invite Rosemary Kariuki, a member of our St Gregory’s family, who has been awarded the 2021 Australian Local Hero of the Year. Rosemary shared with Year 10 her passion for working with refugee families and particularly how she empowers women within the community and welcomes them to Australia with open arms. 

As part of our Pastoral Care period, Declan Byrum and Connor Fownes received the Dr Mike Freelander MP Community Service Awards for 2020. Both students went above and beyond the expectations of the Service Project by helping out at home, virtually participating in ANZAC Day celebrations, collecting money for the virtual Red Shield Appeal, assisting with the College Open Day, supporting the Maths faculty with Problem of the Week and, through their local communities, by volunteering with sporting clubs such as The Royal Surf Life Saving and Tae Kwon Do. Declan and Connor epitomise what it means to be a student of St Gregory’s College through their commitment and integration of service in all aspects of their lives. 

I asked Year 10 at the beginning of the year if they were throwers of starfish and I hope they are able to definitely say yes to this call. 

Emma Kent

Marist Solidarity Coordinator