Mission

During this week we were privileged to present the Champagnat Awards of 2020 to students of the Senior School. This is an award which recognises young men who demonstrate a strong mind and gentle heart in their interactions with teachers and peers. Students are nominated by the staff of the Senior School, with final recipients chosen by the Year Coordinator and the Pastoral Team of each Year Group, supported by the Leadership Team of the College. 

It is not an award for popularity, academic excellence or sporting achievement but one which recognises the characteristics which we look for in a true Marist man - a joyful manner, compassion for others, a sense of faith, exemplary manners and appreciative of the gifts and talents of others. One student from each year group is then chosen to receive the Champagnat Medallion. This is a highly prestigious award.

The recipients of the Champagnat Certificates for 2020 are 

Year 7

Brayden-John Bowen

Riley CliftonOnitoni Large

Mervyn Stone

Year 8

Kieran Foran

Travis Martin

Lincoln Parmeter

Anthony Zappia

Year 9

Adam Fordham

Angus Limbrey

Joel Offord

Rory Penman

Year 10

Leo Degeling

Jordan Messer

Montell Muiruri

William Potts

Year 11

Rohan Chretian

Lachlan McInerney

Jack Rule

Jack Stewart

Year 12

David De Vecchis

Lindsay Munro

Martyn Phan

Jake Quodling

In 2020 the recipients of the Champagnat medallions are:

Domenico Cocco – Year 7

Tom Dzevlan – Year 8

Patrick Ward – Year 9

Emanuel Aquilina – Year 10

Lachlan McGufficke – Year 11 

Dylan Ruiters – Year 12

I would like to celebrate each of these young men over the next few newsletters by publishing the citations written for them by their Year Coordinators. Today we celebrate the 6 Champagnat Medallion recipients.

Domenico Cocco  is a polite and dedicated student who embodies the Pillars of Marist Identity. He demonstrates Presence among his classmates. He is respectful, thoughtful and attentive to the needs of others. He is a valued friend and an approachable member of the year group. Domenic is eager to engage in conversation and is well respected by his peers and teachers alike. He demonstrates Simplicity by ‘doing good quietly’, he is straightforward and genuine, humble and modest in an impressively consistent manner. It is through these qualities that we can say, without hesitation, he has a truly gentle heart. 

Through his participation in Public Speaking and Debating, Domenico has shown himself to be a fine example of an intelligent and confident young man. He has developed a Family Spirit of acceptance and belonging among his peers. 

He is a most deserving recipient of this award in recognition of his disciplined and consistent approach to all areas of school life. 

Tom Dzevlan is an exceptional young man.  He is outgoing with a strong sense of selflessness, compassion and consideration, put simply, he cares about others. As a result of these qualities Tom has many friends and is well respected by his peers and other members of the College community. Tom is recognised by staff as hardworking, always the first in the room to put his hand up to help and a positive influence on all his peers. 

It is Tom’s positive engagements and encouragement with both peers and staff that capture his strong Marist traits of presence, family spirit and love of work. Staff have repeatedly commented on Tom’s ability to work with others and demonstrate he is a ‘team player’. On the cricket pitch, Tom has also made a great contribution to the College’s co-curricular life. 

Staff have commented on Tom’s positive outlook with others and that he often asks for help and then shares his knowledge with peers. On top of this, Tom was identified as always helping with homeroom to ensure it runs well. This proves Tom is enthusiastic, keen and eager to assist in everything he involves himself in. 

Tom can be proud of his nomination as it demonstrates the high regard in which others hold him. He is a credit to his school, his family and, most importantly, himself. Tom epitomises the Champagnat spirit in all aspects of the sense and is extremely deserving of the Champagnat Medallion for Year 8 in 2020.

Patrick Ward  is a student who strives to achieve his very best in all endeavours.  He quietly contributes to many facets of life at the College without fuss or the need for recognition.  Patrick has a trustworthy nature and is appreciative of the gifts and talents of others.

Patrick’s modest demeanour is aligned with genuine personal pride and a commitment to excellence.  His sense of humour, humility and compassion is well-grounded in the strongest of principles instilled in him from a young age. 

The sacredness of the school day is not lost on Patrick, as his attendance is sitting at 100% for the year. Patrick is a credit to his school, his family and, most importantly, himself.

Emanuel Aquilina is a very generous young man who goes about his work quietly at the College.  He is hard-working, diligent and always a pleasure to teach.  Emanuel has excelled in all areas through his commitment and dedication.

His strong values and morals are constantly evident and highlight his sense of community, family and faith. Emanuel is a respectful, kind and well-mannered young man who has earned the utmost respect of his peers and teachers alike.

Emanuel is indeed a credit to his family, himself and the College community.  His daily interactions with both staff and students exemplify the qualities of St Marcellin Champagnat.

Lachlan McGufficke is a young man of integrity and maturity. He is honest, hardworking and well respected by staff and students alike. He demonstrates love, compassion and joy in his relationships with others and is always obliging to assist in any way. Lachlan is a quiet achiever who strives to accomplish his best in all endeavours. He has demonstrated values such as leadership and teamwork in the many areas of the College life of which he is involved. He takes pride in his school, in the classroom, and in the yard. He strives to foster the family culture amongst his peers.

Lachlan is a friendly, respectful and reliable young man who, through his actions and relationships, strives to reflect the gentleness, humility and acceptance that Mary and Marcellin Champagnat showed in their lives. He is a young man of strong mind and gentle heart who is truly deserving of this Champagnat Award.

Dylan Ruiters is a confident young man with a genuine sense of commitment. His positive nature and general presence aligns perfectly with his actions and sense of responsibility. Through this and his sense of compassion, Dylan has gained the respect of all within the St Gregory’s College community; staff and students alike. He is mature, respectful and a positive role model to students of all ages. 

Dylan’s modest demeanour is on par with a genuine personal pride and determination to achieve his best. He is a friendly, honest and reliable young man who displays a strong sense of community. As this young man strives to live in the mould of a true member of a Marist community, he epitomises the Champagnat spirit.

Mrs Cathie Clarke

Director of Mission/RE Coordinator