St Gregory's College Newsletter

Boarding News

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

The final two weeks of the Academic Year have been filled with activities and events that have kept your sons focused as we moved towards the end of the year.

 

Boarding Awards for 2020

It was a pleasure to celebrate our final Community Mass for 2020 in such wonderful circumstances last Sunday. The return of the boys singing brought with it much excitement for staff, parents and most importantly the boys. They take pride in their singing and it was so wonderful that the Chapel was in full flight again and that those watching at home on the live-stream could hear the boys again.

 

The focus of our celebration was recognising those students who, through their hard work and commitment this year, were successful in winning awards. Congratulations to the following students who were successful this year:

 

Director of Boarding Award for Academic Effort and Consistency in Study

  • Year 7 – Tyler Salis, Deklin Jarrett
  • Year 8 – Daniel Canellis, Jack McDonald, Archie Nott, Marcus McGuiness, Nicholas Platts, Mason Rope
  • Year 9 – Wilson Hickey, Hamish Minehan, Will Stimson, Jake Wright
  • Year 10 – Trae Fitzpatrick, Riley Brayshaw, Benjamin Kelly, Thomas Fletcher, Charlie Guymer, Cooper Cross
  • Year 11 – Thomas Smith, Patrick Star, James Sykes, Benjamin Elworthy, Marty McGrath, Matthew Canellis, Lachlan McGufficke, Samuel Corkhill

Director of Boarding Award for Service to the Boarding Community

  • Charlie Fuller

Director of Boarding Award for Spiritual contribution to the Boarding Community

  • Benjamin Kelly

Senan House Award 

  • Thomas Smith

Edgar House Award

  • Brock Freeburn

Fingal House Award 

  • Steven Moran-Briggs

Valens House Award 

  • Marcus McGuinness

 

Jamberoo

Our annual end of year celebration to Jamberoo action park occurred last weekend, prior to the commencement of Semester Two examinations. We were blessed with fine weather and a relatively quiet park, meaning the boys got unfettered access to the rides throughout the day. 

 

ISA Sport

The completion of the South West Bubble for ISA Sport occurred last weekend. The home and away competition, between St Gregory’s College, Blue Mountains Grammar, Oxley College and Chevalier College has been hard-fought. Throughout this competition, we have achieved some amazing results.

In Basketball, we finished in a tie for 1st place in 1st Grade, U/17’s and U/14’s and in 2nd place in U/13’s and U/15’s. We won both the Junior and Senior Touch competitions undefeated and finished 1st in the 1st XI Cricket competition. 

 

In Term 1 we will move into a normal ISA competition with games being played across the Sydney region.

 

The Spencer family

The end of the term will coincide with the Spencer family departing ‘The Hill’. Much has been said in relation to the wonderful contribution Max has made to the Boarding Community and he and his family will be missed by everyone. We wish them well on their new adventure in the Nation’s Capital.

 

Staff

As we sign off the year, I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the staff that have contributed to the care of your sons this year. Our live-in supervisors Ms Santa-Maria, Mr Allen, Mr Hackett, Mr Kmet, Mr Singh and Mr Kripal have done an amazing job. Mr Hill, Ms Doherty, Ms Kent, Ms Keith and Mr Vetrano have also provided invaluable support to our Boarding Program.

 

I would like to thank both Mr Bullock and Mr Halaifonua for their contributions this year. These men have had anything but a normal year in a boarding environment and must be congratulated for the way in which they have handled this unique year. I look forward to working with them again in 2021 and thank them for their support, particularly to me this term as I transition into my new role.

 

I would also like to highlight Mrs Jaime Underwood. The role of College Nurse is, in my opinion, one of the most important roles in our College, particularly for our Boarding families. Mrs Underwood does an amazing job daily, managing the Health Centre, organising all appointments for our students, liaising with parents and doctors, and generally providing invaluable support to the Boarding staff in managing the students in their care. I thank you for the sacrifices you make going above and beyond for our boys. We are so lucky to have someone of your calibre working with our families and staff to provide exceptional care for our Boarding students.

 

2021 Return

A reminder to all parents that the return date to Boarding for 2021 is on Wednesday 27 January 2021. New Boarders will arrive on site at 11:00am and existing Boarders will arrive on-site at 2:00pm. Please adhere to these times to make it easier for us to welcome the new members to our community.

 

End of Year Reminders

  • Wednesday 9 December – last day for Year 11. Parents will be able to pick up students on Wednesday afternoon from 3:05 pm or on Thursday morning 10 December.
  • Parent Accommodation is now available onsite. This is managed by Brother Peter Conolly of our Marist community. To enquire about accommodation please send an email to badgally.house@stgregs.nsw.edu.au.
  • Please subscribe to our St Gregory’s Boarding Facebook page and follow us on Instagram for notices on what is happening in Boarding and for photos of Boarding life.

Finally, I would like to thank all our families for their support this year. We have all operated under challenging circumstances and we have appreciated the support shown as we have tried to care for your sons in an ever-changing environment.  I wish every family a happy and safe Christmas and a wonderful New Year and look forward to reconnecting with everyone again in 2021.

 

Kind regards,

Luke Morrissey

Acting Director of Boarding

 

 

Senior Boarding Report - Years 11 & 12

It has been a hectic end to a very challenging year. It has been wonderful for COVID-19 restrictions to be eased these last few weeks, which has allowed the whole Boarding Community, led by our Senior Boarders, to enjoy some outings and activities. After assisting with the Graduation Mass and Formal Awards Dinner our Year 11 students in the Senan House have enjoyed our annual end of year Jamberoo outing, swimming in the pool, touch football, using the gym, playing ISA Sport, visiting the local shops and this weekend will spend time at Raging Waters theme park.

 

In ISA Sport, the boys have completed the Spring COVID-19 bubble competition. The Senior sides again performed well with victories in 1st V Basketball, Cricket and Senior Touch. Our Year 11 students have also strongly led our vertical teams’ competition. We completed the ongoing touch competition with Alec McDonnell, Sterling Cooper-Duck and Jack Rule helping the Wolfpack to victory over the Cattledog team, led by Ben Elworthy, James Sykes and Jett Jarrett. Further, the boys were influential in the swimming competitions with Jett winning the biggest bomb competition and Alec McDonell and Sam Corkhill dominating the underwater swim.

 

With all of the fun being had, it is important to note that the boys have not lost sight of their study requirements. The final two weeks of term have seen the boys complete the first of their HSC assessment tasks in the majority of their subjects. They have maintained focus in study and made great use of the tutors to assist in their preparation.

 

I would like to congratulate those boys that were presented with awards at our final Community Mass for the year on Sunday. Thomas Smith, Patrick Star, James Sykes, Benjamin Elworthy, Marty McGrath, Matthew Canellis, Lachlan McGufficke and Samuel Corkhill all received awards for effort and consistency in study. 

 

A huge congratulations also to Thomas Smith who was awarded the Senan House Award for Year 11.

 

As the year comes to a close it would be remiss of me to not thank everyone involved in Senan House this year. COVID-19 has obviously presented numerous challenges to everyday life, and this has been felt in the running of the Senior Boarding House. I would like to thank the boys for their maturity and patience in dealing with the routine changes and what many considered a lack of freedom. 

 

To the parents, thank you for working with me throughout the year to ensure protocols were followed and the needs of your boys were met. The last term, in particular, has been difficult as I have also acted in Max’s role. Thank you for your patience and understanding at this time. 

 

Finally, I would like to thank the staff of Senan House who do a tremendous job caring for your sons daily. To Mr Singh, Mr Kmet, Mr Kripal, Ms Keith and Ms Doherty a massive thank you for the work you do and the care you show our young men. They are fortunate to have such wonderful supervisors and I am fortunate to have had such a wonderful team. I would also to wish Mr Kripal well for 2021 as he steps into my shoes as the Stage 6 Boarding Coordinator. 

 

I have loved my time working with our young men in Stage 6 over the past 5 years and thank everyone who has made my time in this role so memorable. I am excited for the opportunity to lead this wonderful Boarding Community in 2021 and I know that in Mr Kripal our parents and students will get a Coordinator as caring and passionate as I have tried to be over the last 5 years.

 

I wish all of our Senior Boarding families a wonderful holiday season and look forward to working with you again in 2021 as you count down to your son’s graduation.

 

Kindest regards,

Luke Morrissey

Senior Boarding Coordinator

Junior Boarding Report - Years 9 & 10

As the end of the year approaches life in the Boarding House has been hectic. The boys enjoyed our annual end of year trip to Jamberoo Adventure park on a hot and sunny day last weekend. With smaller numbers in the park due to COVID-19, the boys had easy access to every ride in the park. Every boy is to be commended for their behaviour throughout the day. I would like to thank Mr Halaifonua and Mr and Mrs Fox for supervising base camp for the day and for cooking lunch for everyone.

 

Over the past two weeks, the boys have been preparing for their Semester Two exams, with many boys utilising the tutors available during study. We also completed our Spring ISA Sport program well with wins in 14’s, 15’s, 17’s and First’s Basketball, and in the Cricket and Touch Football against Oxley College. Our Junior Touch team won 25-2, which got them a free Slurpee and McDonalds run for lunch. As a reward for their efforts in sport and study, and to combat the heat, Mr and Mrs Fox and myself took the Year 9 and 10 boys to North Wollongong beach for the afternoon on Saturday. The boys hopped straight into the surf and enjoyed an afternoon swim. We then cooked a BBQ for the boys as they played cricket and touch football on the beach. 

 

With the weather heating up we have been opening the pool in the afternoons and on the weekends, the boys enjoy doing ‘Manu’s’ (a type of bomb amongst the young people today) and playing pool footy. Last Wednesday night we finished our Touch Competition off with our vertical teams’ system, where we saw the Wolfpack take the victory over the Cattledogs in the final. We then opened the pool and turned the lights on to have the highest splash bomb competition and relays in teams. This was another great night organised by Mr Morrissey and a welcome relief for the boys from their intense study routine. 

 

Our last Community Mass of the year was a wonderful occasion. Singing returned to the Chapel, which was amazing to hear, and after Mass, we presented our Annual Awards to recognise Boarders that have shown great maturity and effort throughout the year. Congratulations to the following boys from Year 9 and 10 for winning awards: Benjamin Kelly, Thomas Fletcher, Cooper Cross, Trae Fitzpatrick, Charlie Guymer, Riley Brayshaw, Jake Wright, William Stimson, Hamish Minehan and Wilson Hickey. The Brother Fingal House award went to Steven Moran-Briggs and the Brother Edgar House Award went to Brock Freeburn.

 

As I sign off for the year I would like to congratulate all the Boarders for how they have manoeuvred their way throughout a difficult year. I would also like to thank the parents for all of your support in what have been challenging circumstances.

 

I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday and look forward to working with you again in 2021. 

 

Mr Michael Bullock 

Junior Boarding Coordinator

 

 

Junior Boarding Report - Years 7 & 8

The Year 7 and 8 Boarders have been busy preparing for their Semester Two exams that commenced this week. They have been compiling study notes for each subject as well as completing past papers. Daniel Canellis is determined to achieve excellence in Mathematics and he is to be commended for his persistence. Tyler Salis’ notes for Catholic Studies are of a quality standard and I am confident that this will be reflected in his results. Overall, the Year 7 and 8 boys are to be congratulated for their improved attitude and approach during study, as this will hold them in good stead for continued academic growth.

 

There have been some highlights this fortnight in relation to ISA Sport.  Mason Rope was in scintillating form against Chevalier College as he crossed the line 10 times in Touch Football – well done ‘Ropey’. Lindon Monck and Lamontae Banderson continue their stellar form on the Basketball courts, scoring points and setting up their teammates. Archie Nott, Ben Taylor and Nicholas Platts are to be congratulated for making their First Grade Cricket debut against Chevalier. Nicholas was instrumental in their win through his outstanding bowling – well done ‘Platts’. This winning form continued against Oxley College, which concluded a successful term of sport for Year 7 and 8 and all of Boarding at St Gregory’s College. 

 

The Valens House Christmas Dinner is a tradition that is celebrated this time every year. Ms Santa Maria and Ms Burke put together a beautiful evening for the boys that included a pizza dinner with Christmas sweets and ice cream, and a drive around the Macarthur region searching for Christmas light displays. We were very hopeful and observed a few quality displays. The irony is the best Christmas lights of the night were right next to the College and in walking distance too! It was pleasing to see the boys share a meal together, laugh, smile and sing throughout the evening to celebrate the festive season. 

 

Ms Santa Maria and I agree that the highlight of the night was listening to Daniel Canellis, Ben Taylor, Archie Nott, Mason Rope, Lachlan Conradt, Oliver Brennan and Ryan Weston belting their voices to Taylor Swifts’ essential hits. A special thank you to Ms Santa Maria and Ms Burke for planning and organising this wonderful event, and to Mr Hill for his assistance. 

 

The Valens team and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and Happy Christmas. 2020 has reminded us that there is much to be grateful for and I have encouraged the boys to think of those less fortunate. By thinking of others and where possible serving the marginalised, we are being ‘Christ-like’ which is a timely message this festive season. Further, I would like to thank the Valens family for your ongoing support. It has been a pleasure working with you and your son, and I look forward to working with you next year.

 

Pax vobiscum

Mr Tevita Halaifonua

Junior Boarding Coordinator