Wellbeing
Happy Holidays!
After the year that has passed, I am sure we are all glad to finally ‘rejoice’ as we enter this period of celebration. Christmas is a time of faith, joy, love, hope, and spirit, and reminds us of how much we must be thankful for. Considering the year that has just passed, it may sound absurd to think that we have so much to be thankful for, but the very fact that we have managed to survive through this time is a celebration within itself.
I hope that you all spend this time with family and loved ones and look back on the triumphs and difficulties of the year. This year has proved to be difficult more often than it has been easy, however it is these difficulties that provide more reason for us to celebrate. May God's peace, joy, and goodwill be with you and your loved ones during this time and always.
The 2022 Student Leadership Team have put together some of their favourite Christmas songs for all to listen to. We hope that this spreads the joy and spirit of the Christmas season and reminds us of the reason for the season.
It would not be Christmas without a cheesy joke, so here is one to kick start the joy that this season brings:
Did you hear that production was down at Santa’s workshop? Many of his workers have had to elf isolate!
On behalf of the 2022 Student Leadership Team, I wish you and your families a very Merry and Joyous Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you all next year. Merry Christmas!
Michael Bejjani (2022 College Captain) and the Student Leadership Team
Meet the SPC Student Leaders
Oliver Clarke
What is your leadership portfolio?
Cultural Co-curricular Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
As the Cultural Co-curricular Prefect, I am given the role of a figurehead for the non-sport related co-curricular at the college. I encourage boys to participate in activities such as debating, Theatresports, band and the College production.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
The thing I am most excited about is being part of developing the Founder’s Day concert. This has always been a personal highlight of the school year for me, and I am looking forward to making it a concert that the boys will remember for years to come.
What is something about you that others might be surprised to know?
Last year, I decided to chop off all my hair so that I could get an arrow on my head to resemble Aang from Avatar: The last Airbender despite never watching the show.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
I have to say this was a tough question because I love so many songs, but I have shortened it down to two songs, the first one being ‘Sunny’ by Boney M. I feel a connection to this song because it focuses on the theme of positivity which is a virtue that I think should be showed more. The second song would be ‘Same Love’ by Macklemore. I think the lyrics of this song are so powerful and Macklemore's storytelling creates such a connection and shows us the importance of accepting everyone around us, no matter the race, gender, or sexuality.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
I would really love to travel to America. After I finish school, I am considering heading there to become a camp counsellor. The main places I would like to visit are California, New York, and New Orleans. Each of these areas are distinct and I am drawn to them: California has all the shops near the beaches, and it also has all the theme parks; New York has food and Broadway; and New Orleans has the music and culture that is simply unmatched anywhere else.
What are your interests outside of school?
When I'm outside of school, I enjoy hanging out with mates, meeting new people, and skating around on my longboard.
George Cheaib
What is your leadership Portfolio?
Co-curricular Sport Prefect
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
The Co-curricular Sport Prefect includes an array of responsibilities and commitments. These may range from simple leadership commitments such as being an intermediary of students and teachers but particularly for my role, I act as the beacon for all sporting aspects at the College. This entails encouraging and promoting involvement of all boys in all facets of college life, particularly sporting, by being present and visible at as many trainings and fixtures as possible.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
From personal experience, getting involved in everything you can rewards you in ways you would not even think. Personally, I am super excited to be able to encourage as many boys as possible to have the same positive experience of involvement as I have had. To encourage boys in the younger grades, so that they do not reach the end of their schooling life. Although it is cliché, “what you put in is what you get out”, and I really want to advocate this idea to boys. I am excited to see those who chose to get involved reap the rewards.
What is something about you that others might be surprised to know?
As you might guess I have a great passion for sports, particularly basketball and football. Despite having no association with the country on either side of my family, in international football I am an avid supporter of the German national team.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
If I had to choose one song to display my life along with my personality it would be ‘Wings’ by Macklemore. This song resonates greatly with me for two reasons, one of them being that it is a song about basketball and the Michael Jordan brand which is something I love. The song also highlights the idea of setting a goal of any difficulty and doing whatever it takes to reach it, which is something that I try to emulate in my daily life, to work as hard as I possibly can for anything that I wish to achieve.
Name one person with whom you would like to share a meal and why?
Out of everyone I could chose it is a no brainer, Kobe Bryant. Not only was Kobe an elite athlete of my favourite sport, but he is truly an inspiration to me. Kobe’s work ethic was unmatched and had this ‘Mamba Mentality’ which never let anything get in the way of getting to where he wanted to.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
I would go to Manchester England, for one reason and that is to watch a Manchester United game. I have been fortunate enough to watch an NBA game in Los Angeles and the next thing on my sporting bucket list is a Manchester United game.
What are your interests outside of school?
Outside of school my interests are somewhat basic and include playing sport and going out with mates at any given opportunity. No matter what it is if it has to do with either sports or my friends you can count me in.
James Hraiki
What is your leadership Portfolio?
Learning and Technology Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
My role as learning and technology prefect encompasses many aspects of college life, particularly with relation to the ICT components of school administration. Essentially, I will be working with the IT-related staff, as well as the current Director of Learning and Innovation, Mrs Lombardo, to discuss and support relevant initiatives that benefit the school. I will also endeavour to assist and encourage the mentoring of students in ICT support roles. Further, the role entails planning and promoting the appropriate use of ICT in the College, as well as working to embed areas of ICT in the curriculum, through surveys, workshops, and student teams, for instance.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
In my leadership portfolio, I am most excited about exercising my passion for software and technology to create a greater quality and more productive working environment at the college. I am also looking forward to working with my peers in the student leadership team to discuss and create initiatives that benefit the school on a wider scale.
What is something about you that others might be surprised to know?
One thing that others may be surprised to know about me is that there was period in my life, spanning about a few years, where I despised pizza and couldn’t bear to eat it.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
I think that a fitting theme song for my life would be ‘Thunder’ by Imagine Dragons. I feel that this song resonates with me because it represents resilience and overcoming expectations to succeed in life’s obstacles. I find the song so fitting because I hold these qualities and characteristics in a high regard and try to live these out in my own life to better achieve my goals.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
One country that I would like to travel to is the United States, New York City. There’s just something so alluring about the energy and atmosphere that the place seems to provide. I would particularly like to go during the Winter season as I have never been to the snow before, let alone during Christmas time.
What are your interests outside of school?
Outside of school, I have a passion for sports, especially soccer, table tennis and fishing. I also like to play musical instruments in my spare time, namely the piano and the stylophone, and I enjoy listening to music.
Patrick Alphonse
What is your leadership portfolio?
Student Wellbeing Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
As the Student Wellbeing Prefect, the key responsibilities of my Portfolio include developing initiatives as well as working alongside both staff and students to improve the physical, social, and personal wellbeing of every student at the College.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I am most excited to have a chance to collaborate with a variety of different members of the community, as well as the Student Leadership Team to create new initiatives that will seek to build supportive environments for all and make everyone at the College feel welcome. I’m also looking forward to providing numerous opportunities for the student voice to be represented.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
As of right now, Kanye West currently follows me on Instagram.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘Touch the Sky’ – Kanye West. This song really inspires me, and I always feel motivated when I listen to it. It’s about having confidence in yourself to achieve anything you want. The song is a call to work hard and be ambitious in carving out your own dreams. Trumpets and horns are blasted throughout the song, all of which add to the optimistic and uplifting mood created.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
I’d really love to visit Brazil one day. The culture, the food, and the amazing scenery, paired with the great weather all make it a really enticing place to travel to. From what I’ve heard, it also seems to have an exciting and fun atmosphere.
What are your interests outside of school?
Outside of school, I really enjoy binge-watching TV shows, going to the movies, and listening to music.
Lachlan Barton
What is your leadership portfolio?
Berg Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
Getting everyone involved at the House carnivals and making everyone feel they are a part of Berg.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
The competitive nature of house events.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
I was born six weeks early.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘The Gambler’ - gambling is used in this song as a metaphor that is much deeper and something that I can resonate with.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
Bahamas - I think it looks nice and there are a lot of things that appeal to me.
What are your interests outside of school?
Fishing, surfing, and boating.
Jai De Lisser-Howarth
What is your leadership portfolio?
Coghlan Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
To lead the Coghlan House to victory in the College Cup.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
Interacting with and getting to know my peers in the younger years of the college.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘Switching Lanes’ by Pi’erre Bourne as it discusses the significance of family and friendships – two things that are important to me.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
I would love to visit Jamaica. I have a lot of family over there and it would be a good adventure to explore its beaches and rainforests.
What are your interests outside of school?
I enjoy watching and following a variety of sports, including rugby league, football, basketball, and cricket.
Matthew Vucic
What is your leadership portfolio?
Crichton Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
I will lead Crichton House in the upcoming 2022 College Cup season, and hopefully revive our glory from 2017. I wish to heavily encourage the boys to take an active engagement in college curricular activities, particularly the Swimming and Athletics Carnivals. I want to ensure the boys make the most of their time at the college without having regrets.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
Experiencing the atmosphere of the house chants at the Athletics and Swimming Carnivals are up there. However, I am also looking forward to the opportunity to get to know boys from other year groups, and collectively working with them to try and win the College Cup.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
During summer, I love to go down to the beach, and after Year 12, I would love to pick up surfing in my spare time
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘Stronger’ by Kanye West. I love this song as it reflects my ability to overcome the adversity and the mistakes I’ve made throughout my life to only come back improved and stronger through determination and hard work.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
If I could go anywhere, I would visit England to watch my favourite team, Chelsea, and experience the atmosphere of English football
What are your interests outside of school?
Outside school, I love to play and watch football and rugby league. I support both Chelsea and St George Dragons. I also enjoy fishing and watching Netflix.
Emilio Geronimo
What is your leadership Portfolio?
Hanrahan Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
To encourage every boy to in the Hanrahan house to participate at the House carnivals to the best of their ability.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
Over the coming year, I am excited to grow stronger bonds with the boys within my house to collectively win the prestigious house cup.
What is something about you that others might be surprised to know?
In my spare time I like to do minor modifications on cars.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘Give Me Everything’ by Pitbull. It is an uplifting song where it focuses on how we can overcome life’s challenges.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
I would like to visit the United States as it is a country I have never been to, and I would like to go see my favourite basketball team Utah Jazz play.
What are your interests outside of school?
My interests outside of school is fishing, kicking the soccer ball with my mates, formula one and volunteering at my local parish.
Daniel Libro
What is your leadership portfolio?
Hickey Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
To encourage the Hickey boys to try our best in everything we commit to, no matter what obstacles stand in our way. To continue making Brother Hickey proud!
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I am most excited for the rallying and chanting that comes with the school sports carnivals because of the way all the boys shine together, helping to encourage their peers to do their best.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
I am interested in fishing, my favourite fish to catch are kingfish because of their great sizes on average and how tasty they are when cooked.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘It’s Time’ by Imagine Dragons. I love this song due to it being about finding happiness and comfort within yourself. Life can be incredibly difficult at times, which is why I think one of the most important things to do during those times are to pick yourself up and remind yourself that you’re good enough.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
I have always wanted to go to Italy with my family since I have distant cousins who live there. I am also very interested in tasting authentic Italian food.
What are your interests outside of school?
I love almost anything musical and have been playing guitar ever since my dad started to teach me at the age of six.
Jake Milligan
What is your leadership portfolio?
Rice Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
To act as an intermediary between the staff and the students, modelling correct and respectful behaviour. I will also lead Rice at sports carnivals and house rallies, inspiring all students to actively participate in college activities.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I’m most excited about having the opportunity to collaborate and work with so many different people and unique talents. Each person in Rice has their own strengths and I look forward to bringing these to the forefront of the house.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
My best catch in fishing has been when I managed to hook my finger.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘Hakuna Matata’, yes, it is cliché, but the song’s message of acknowledging imperfections and mistakes is powerful. Life is full of adversity, but you must keep getting back up and say, ‘no worries!’
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
I would love to go to Spain. I have family from there and it would be great to go and experience the culture which they are so fond of.
What are your interests outside of school?
I’m very interested in acting, and perhaps pursuing a career in acting after school. Currently, I’m involved in a show with ATYP and Shopfront which recently sold out.