Boarding News
Dear Parents and Friends,
At last Sunday’s Mass, we heard from Chapter 14 of Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus walks across the water of the Sea of Galilee to meet his disciples. At first, the disciples are afraid when they see the figure approaching them on the water, but they soon realise it is Jesus. Peter rather impulsively decides to try to join Jesus on the water. As the wind picks up, Peter is gripped with fear and begins to sink. Jesus seemingly chastises Peter for his lack of faith as he grabs hold of him.
I like Peter. I think he would have been a good -person to be around. He was always keen to have a go, he was enthusiastic. He wore his heart on his sleeve. He was confident in his ability but often fell short. He was incredibly human. It is no wonder Jesus picked him to lead the early Church. His faith was tested in fire. He failed regularly and yet, in the end, he comes through it all, stronger than ever.
Right now, we are living through times that are testing our resolve, our patience, or maybe even our faith. Perhaps we can take our inspiration from Peter or perhaps we can listen more intently to the words of Jesus. “Don’t be afraid, take courage, I am here” and “Why did you doubt me”. The reality is we all experience doubt. Mother Teresa once wrote, “Jesus has a very special love for you. As for me, the silence and the emptiness are so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear,” Such thoughts and feelings tormented Mother Teresa. She expressed that she sometimes felt like a hypocrite. Peter probably did at times as well, as can we. The message in Sunday’s Gospel was clear and very relevant for all of us right now. We’ve just got to have faith in and take courage from Jesus.
The return to a basic form of Sunday Mass has been a welcome addition to our week at St Greg’s. Even though we cannot yet sing together, it is good to gather, to reflect and to receive the Eucharist.
In a year where there have been relatively few highlights, we have been fortunate to get a couple of games of Rugby in and it was good to see the 1st Grade Rugby League boys have such a good win this week. It was a great scene in the Dining Hall with boarders and day boys watching together on the big screen at lunchtime and cheering each try. Well done, especially to the 11 Boarders in the team.
During the week we received news that one of our Old Boys, Adam Fitzpatrick (2017) was seriously injured in a car accident. We keep Adam and his family in our prayers.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Senior Boarding Coordinator, Mr Luke Morrissey who has been appointed as the Acting Director of Boarding for Term 4 2020 while I am on leave. Luke and I have worked very closely together over the last five years so I am extremely confident that he will do an outstanding job.
Ad Jesum per Mariam.
Mr Max Spencer
Director of Boarding
*********************************************
Senior Boarding Report
(Years 11 & 12)
It has been a wonderful change to see the boarders participate in competitive sport over the last few weeks. The boys have been noticeably more positive around the Boarding House. Although the results have not gone their way so far with continued match fitness and players becoming available after injury, some improved results will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
Congratulations to the boys who have debuted in the 1st XV in the last few weeks – Angus Herbert, Conlon West, Daniel Watkin, Max Lawson, Lachlan McGufficke, Thomas Carroll and James Sykes.
HSC Trial Examinations
The Year 12 students will be commencing their HSC Trials on Monday 17th August. We wish the boys all the best at this challenging time.
Footy Tipping
Matt Canellis continues to lead the Senan House Footy Tipping competition with various chasers hot on his tail. With a number of tipsters still holding onto Joker rounds, it will be a close finish to this year’s competition.
Mr Luke Morrissey
Senior Boarding Coordinator
*********************************************
Junior Boarding Report (Years 9 & 10)
Our boys are right in the thick of Term 3, in between the 3-week holiday and the boarder free weekend, and this is sometimes a tough period for teenagers who can be a bit restless. There has been some decline in performances and behaviour across the Stage 5 group, however, I need to commend those boys that have continued their excellent behaviour and effort towards their study and adhering to the expectations in boarding.
We have been lucky enough to play 2 Union games in the ISA competition over the past two weekends which has certainly exhausted the boys for the weekend and most chose to order pizzas for some extra fuel to replenish! Sundays have been quiet and consisted of them relaxing as much as possible and recovering from the big Saturday’s at Union. We have also been transporting the Boarders to the local Woolworths and Shopping Village to gather some snacks, resources and personal items to ensure they are as comfortable as possible up on the hill.
We have been lucky enough to have Mass on Sunday nights for the last three weeks, enabling us to reconnect ourselves to God and receive Communion. Unfortunately, this is still without singing due to COVID-19 restrictions which I know all boys and staff are missing.
Assessments will start to hit Year 9 and Year 10 over the next couple of weeks where they will have many tasks due from Week 5 through to the end of the term, so we are encouraging the boys to apply themselves as best possible to their study times to complete homework and work diligently on their assignments.
Another Union day out at Oakhill will take place this Saturday for the boys to have a run around before Week 5 rolls around and they get to head home for the weekend to recharge and be ready to finish the term off.
A special mention to Thomas Fletcher and Charlie Guymer who debuted for First Grade Rugby League on Wednesday, making their families proud and showing what hard work and diligence gets you. This is a massive achievement in Year 10 and the boys I’m sure will continue their success on and off the field. Congratulations to Tyron McMahon who represented his culture and the College in The Australian Newspaper article about AIEF students at the College.
Thank you for all the support and understanding with the COVID-19 restrictions with watching the boys play union and visiting/picking up your boys.
Mr Michael Bullock
Junior Boarding Coordinator
*********************************************
Junior Boarding Report (Years 7 & 8)
It is pleasing to see the Boarders interact with one another and build on their relationships. They are proud to be a part of St Gregory’s College and that is mainly because of the mateship that they share. As a result, the Years 7 and 8 boys feel safe, receptive and motivated to participate in the life of Boarding. Due to the wet weather experienced the past week, the boys have been challenging each other on ‘Wii Games’. As you can imagine, the boys are very competitive and Sam Luppino is currently sitting in first place. Jack McDonald set the standard early, however, Sam continues to be consistent and improving with every shot.
Leon Kelly has set a high standard in the classroom space in terms of ‘green stamps’. Leon has achieved 15 ‘green stamps’ recognising his effort, participation and conduct in various classes – well done Leon! Daniel Canellis has been working hard in Mathematics and attends extension classes in the afternoon for further development. It’s great to see Daniel challenge himself, which sets a good example for the rest of his peers.
The Year 7 Boarders have received Assessment Notifications for Catholic Studies and Science this week, and have been working on both tasks during study. It’s important to note that the boys will need your support in completing their Science task during the ‘Free Weekend’. The task entails planning, designing and making a Science project. We have been working hard to ensure that the planning and design process is completed prior to the ‘Free Weekend’ and if you could assist the boys in completing the practical component that will be much appreciated. The Year 8 Boarders have received their Assessment Notification for Catholic Studies and will receive more tasks this week. A challenge for Year 8 boys is to manage their study and organise their work to ensure that all tasks are completed in a timely manner.
In Rugby, the boys competed against St Augustine’s College last week in very wet conditions and they enjoyed every moment of it. Both the Under 13 and Under 14 Rugby teams came up against a solid and skilful St Augustine’s outfit. Mason Rope is to be commended for his strong defensive effort and Leon Kelly for his excellent skills with the ball in hand. Overall, the boys played some entertaining footy at times in the games and are looking forward to this week’s game against Oakhill College.
‘Serving others’ is the focus in Valens this term and the boys are ‘rolling up their sleeves’ in the Marcellin way to help one another. Charlie Fuller is to be recognised for his willingness to share things with his peers, which brings me much joy and it will motivate others to do the same. As the Gospel of Matthew (20:28) states: ‘Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve’. This underpins our focus on service and we will continue to emphasise this in the House.
Pax tecum
Mr Tevita Halaifonua
Junior Boarding Coordinator