From the College Principal 

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Friends of the St Gregory’s College Community,

The end of Week 6 of the term and only 20 teaching days remaining this term! In Term 4, there are only 33 teaching days for Years 7 – 10; 41 teaching days for Year 11; and, 42 teaching days for Kindergarten to Year 6! The year is certainly marching on. When we count the remaining days of the year, it is essential that every day is important. We still have lots to achieve in 2020!

I don’t think any teaching staff member or student would be in two minds about what our central focus is at St Gregory’s College. Time and time again we talk and write about quality teaching and learning and what that looks like. To ensure we are getting maximum ‘rubber on the road’ with our students, it is critical that learning is the central focus of every lesson. We are clamping down on the 1% of disruptive students who have no place in our classrooms. Poor behaviour is being addressed, and consequences enacted. If we are to achieve our goal of being  ‘A Learning-Centred College’ and see evidence of our efforts in our results, then this is something we all must be committed to – staff, parents and students.

FINISHING TERM 3 IN A STRONG MANNER - Students and staff have heard me mention on many occasions the need to finish whatever you start in a strong manner. I am a true believer in the quote, “Finishing strong is more important than how you start”.

It took me a while to really understand how true this statement was. Common wisdom says you need to make a good first impression. First impressions leave a lasting memory, right? Even a simple Google search for advice on first impressions, and you’ll be flooded by advice on all sorts of “rules “and “tips”. Try the same search for finishing strong and you’ll probably be underwhelmed.

The most interesting thing to me is that we have been taught to finish strong but finishing strong takes more effort. That makes it harder advice to listen to. Finishing strong involves hard work, concentration, and a clear focus on an end goal. Think about it from the athlete’s point of view. What’s more important to the athlete, how they start the race or how they finish? For the corporate executive, is it more important to start a presentation correctly or to finish strong? What do you think would create a more lasting memory? While the start is important, the finish is everything. It determines whether you win the race or lose. A good start will help you get to the finish line faster, but without a strong push at the end, you’ll come up short. This is particularly pertinent as we head towards the end of Term 3 – only four weeks away! Full attendance and full engagement in classes until 3.05pm on Friday 25 September are the keys to finishing strong this term! 

OWNING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEARNING – I love walking into our College classrooms and seeing our students actively engaged in their learning. You only need to watch the face of a student to see how much they are ‘into’ the lesson, and how much responsibility they are taking for their own learning. Conversely, it can be disappointing to observe a number of our students not taking responsibility for their learning. They are disengaged, disinterested and detached from what is happening within the class.

Many students can adopt the attitude that it is totally up to the teacher to ensure that students learn, with little consideration given to the fact that learning needs to be a personal and a collaborative pursuit.

Teachers can’t control learning. Only learners can do that. Learning can’t be imposed upon or given to students. It is something they have to do for themselves. As such, it makes sense that they take responsibility for their own learning.

But what does that mean, exactly? It means learners have to invest the time, energy and focus to develop understanding. They have to define the purpose of their learning and determine how they will wield it in their relationships with themselves and the world. They have to struggle with and overcome the obstacles to learning that exist within themselves and are imposed by society. This is a tall order for any learner.

As an educator for over forty years, it’s my responsibility to continue to learn. I’ve reflected with trusted colleagues, friends, and family on this responsibility as part of my career and life. I have needed their support to learn, even when it required me to do the really hard work of owning my failures. I’m grateful to those who have accepted the responsibility to support me in my learning. With their support as educators, I continue to learn how to create a more just world through teaching.

The successful students at St Gregory’s and in any education setting will always be those who have a strong desire to learn and engage with their teachers; those who can see a purpose for learning and being extended; those who have developed resilience, commitment and persistence; and, those who possess a growth mindset, seeing positivity in the pursuit of learning.

Here are some ways our teachers and students can work together to encourage students to take increased responsibility in their learning: -

• Teachers should allow choice, encouraging students to make decisions about how they learn best. Teachers should create opportunities for students to pursue their own interests and practise skills in a variety of ways, catering for different learning styles. Teachers should not expect everyone to respond in the same way. Integrate technology to encourage creative expression of learning.
• Teachers should ask open-ended questions, with plenty of possible answers which lead to further questions, acknowledging all responses equally.
• Teachers should minimise standing out front and talking at students. Arrange the desks and seats so that students can communicate, think together, share ideas and construct meaning by discussing and collaborating.
• Teachers should model being an inquirer, making their thinking process explicit. Teachers should be an active participant in the learning community, modelling and encouraging enthusiasm, open-mindedness, curiosity and reflection. Teachers should show that they value initiative above compliance.
• Teachers should test less, providing opportunities for applying learning in a variety of ways. Teachers should place as much value on process and progress as on the final product.
• Teachers should help students to define goals for their learning, and to provide opportunities for ongoing self-evaluation and reflection.
• Teachers and students must know the reason for every learning experience.

END OF TERM 3 REMINDER - A reminder that all classes conclude in Term 3 on Friday 25 September at 3.05pm for our Kindergarten – Year 11 students. All students are expected to attend classes until the end of Term 3.  We all need to finish each term strongly and work in a sustained fashion until the last period of the final day of term. I request that parents/carers wishing for their son/daughter to finish the term prior to Friday 25 September write to me to in advance to request leave for your child.

CONGRATULATIONS – To the following College teams and groups: -

• Our First XIII Rugby League squad and the coaching staff for their 60-2 win over Bass High in their first-round clash of the Australian Schoolboys Cup recently at Campbelltown Sports Stadium – a fantastic result! Unfortunately, with the new COVID-19 measures in place, our second-round clash with Patrician Brothers Blacktown has had to be delayed.
• Our Year 11 Mock Trial team who unfortunately were defeated by Camden High recently. Their coach, Mr Stephen Bullock indicated that our team battled hard in the trial but unfortunately did not get the winning verdict going their way.
• Thanks to our CSDA Debating Coordinator, Mrs Maris Santos and her wonderful team of coaches Ms Lydia Khoury, Mr Greg Bond, Mr Glenn Nelson, Mrs Michelle Arentz, Mr Michael Ivancic for our debating season. This year we had ten debating teams across Years 7 -12 and each week they showed great determination and commitment in their debates. We are hopeful some of our teams will progress to the CSDA semi-finals soon.
• Our ISA Rugby Union teams have experienced a short season due to the COVID restrictions. Many thanks to Mr Max Spencer for his leadership of the ISA Sports program at the College and our coaching staff, managers and boarding staff.
• Mrs Sandra Hackett and the students in the Maths Enrichment Group on their Maths Challenge for Young Australians Challenge Stage results. This was a problem-solving competition that the boys worked on in their own time. Their submissions were well thought out, showed great insight and demonstrated their exceptional mathematical ability. Congratulations to Declan Byrum (10) – High Distinction; Matthew Fitzgerald (7) - High Distinction; and, Ryan Carter (9) – Distinction.

PRAYERS & THOUGHTS FOR: 

• The repose of the soul of Adam Fitzpatrick (Old Boy - 2017) who passed away this week after his recent serious car accident. We keep his parents, Peter & Pip, his relatives and friends in our prayers May Adam rest in God’s love and peace.
• We pray for the repose of the soul of Brother Daniel McEwen, former Marist Brothers staff and Marist Brothers’ community member here at St Gregory’s (for 17 years). We also pray for his family, friends, colleagues and the Brothers’ communities in which he served. Brother Daniel passed away on Saturday 22 August aged 72.

Finally, thank you again for your ongoing support, encouragement, friendship and wise counsel. The support you provide assists me greatly. 

I wish you God’s blessings always. May Mary, our Good Mother, Saint Marcellin Champagnat and Saint Gregory continue to guide us and inspire us on our journey.

Mr Lee MacMaster  

College Principal (K-12)