Boarding News

Dear Parents and Friends,

‘Social distancing’ is a concept that is almost completely lost on young people. It is easy to assume it is because they think they are ‘bulletproof’ but reflecting on this I came to a more positive, simple conclusion. Young people just enjoy being near each other. It is part of their intrinsic humanity. It’s primal, it’s beautiful and it is something we should celebrate. Perhaps a more appropriate terminology we could have used at this time would be ‘physical distancing’. Sure, we should all be keeping some distance presently but that does not have to mean we disconnect socially. It has been fascinating to see how people have used technology to reach out socially these last few months. For the students, coming back to school is a chance to be more social again and this is exactly what they need. In fact, my observation since the Year 11 and 12 Boarders have returned has been that they are being more social than ever. Mr Morrissey has done an outstanding job providing extra opportunities for the boys to also stay active and I know Mr Bullock and Mr Halaifonua will do the same from next week for the Junior Boarders. 

I know some families have cherished this time together and made the most of such unusual circumstances. For others, it’s almost been business as usual. There have also been challenges. Some of you have faced significant adversity. I commend all parents for their extraordinary efforts in recent months. Hard work and facing adversity are synonymous with life in the bush but I know that recent times have stretched some of you further than ever before. This time round we have faced a challenge that has not discriminated, it has affected each of us in some way and it is something we can all relate to. This virus is an octopus with tentacles that stretch far and wide. It has led to fear, taken lives and taken away livelihoods, changed our lifestyles, crippled our economy and forced us to take shelter. 

Fortunately, this is not where the story ends. Hope is a powerful force, especially for Christians. In a time where we are quite literally called upon to ‘be the church’ in our homes, workplaces and communities, we must live in hope and be a source of hope for others. The following excerpt from a Marist Association prayer resource puts this another way:

For the people we meet each day we seek to be reflections of God. Our desire to be a visible and permanent memory of the loving and merciful presence of God in the midst of people: living signs of the Father’s tenderness. (WFR137) 

“This one thing is undeniable. We are, all of us, thirsty for kindness. Gentleness. And compassion. Let us not pretend. This is not easy - easy is shutting down. Being overcome by weariness. Giving way to numbness. Or pretending not to see. And finding someone to blame”. 

(Terry Hershey)

May we all continue to be kinder, gentler and more compassionate with each other. Let us reach out to those who might be ‘shutting down’, those who are tired or numb. At times this can be all of us, especially in a time of great trial. Let us be physically distant but more emotionally and spiritually connected than ever before.

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

Max Spencer

Director of Boarding

Senior Boarding

All students have settled back into the term well after the shutdown. This is fantastic considering the significant changes that have been put in place including daily temperature checks, allocated seating in the dining hall, social distancing policy and other implementations aimed at ensuring our health and well-being at this difficult time. 

Some of the boys who had missed work whilst online learning was occurring have been working hard in study to catch up. Tutors are back on-site, and the students have also been making use of their expertise with a couple of assessment tasks due in the first week back. 

Despite the significant restrictions that have been put in place on the boys, they are in good spirits, which was to be expected as they are back to some normality in being able to spend lots of time together throughout the days at the College.

I thank the students and parents for their return to the College and encourage them to ensure they maintain their expectations in relation to social distancing and Work, Health and Safety (WHS) requirements.

Entertainment in Isolation

Our first weekend in isolation was extremely entertaining. The boys used the opportunity to entertain each other through various activities. The Senan House Fire Pit has been in use with a fire every night this week; all the boys were put through their paces with a gruelling fitness session with Mr Bullock (including Mr Spencer and Mr Morrissey who were a bit slower than the boys!); the pool table and ping pong table have been in high demand; and the new addition of Spike Ball and Finska to the House have been very popular.

The highlight of the weekend was the knockout nearest the pin golf competition. Played over three gruelling knockout rounds, a course was established around the College grounds with numerous holes of varying difficulty and with challenging rules. After a hard-fought competition, the final was played between six with Matt Canellis, Tom Smith, Joe Ward and Billy Sainsbury pitting their skills against Mr Spencer and Mr Morrissey (who are also in need of entertainment at this challenging time!). It was a tight contest over 18 holes. Coming into the last hole both Canellis and Sainsbury were tied, with glory to the winner. 

Unfortunately for Matt, after an aggressive start, being within 20 metres of the pin, with 2 shots to play a crow swooped down and stole his ball meaning he was disqualified from the hole. Billy played conservatively from that moment to win the hole and the first COVID Cup for 2020. 

A photo of Billy and Joe (who finished last in the final) is below. Congrats boys! 

Gaming Room

We made the decision to build a gaming-specific room in the boarding house. This room will be solely for gaming (don’t worry parents, it is lockable and there will be time limits!). A big thanks to Gerard Fetterplace and the maintenance team and the ICT team for the work they have done in getting the room together so far. We have purchased TV’s and Play Stations. We are hopeful that it will be finished in the next week.

Old Boy News

Congratulations to Max Summers (Class of 2019). Max has recently graduated from the New Entry Officer Course at the Naval College in Jervis Bay and is now a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Australian Navy. The picture below is with his Divisional Officer Lieutenant Lloyd Nash (Class of 2010).

Max will now undergo 3 months of Officer Training at Watsons Bay before a likely 3-month stint at sea on the HMAS Stuart out of Perth.

We wish Max all the best with his future endeavours.

If anyone has any other Old Boy stories, please get in contact.

Luke Morrissey

Senior Boarding Coordinator

Junior Boarding 

Years 9 & 10

It’s nearly time! It is good to see the boys are heading back to the hill this Sunday for a long-awaited return. After speaking with the boys over the last couple of weeks, it is obvious they are looking forward to being back with their mates and back at St Greg’s. 

They have all expressed their disappointment that sport will not be back to normal but at least they will have all the other great facilities and grounds on offer at the College. Something not many teenage boys in Australia are lucky enough to enjoy.

There appears to be some enthusiasm for a return to the classroom and to get some normality in their learning. The familiar routine and structure provided in boarding will certainly help get them back into their studies!

The Senior Boarders have set a good standard in understanding the rules and guidelines we have had to put into place at the boarding house. We hope the Junior Boarders can continue this great start back to their boarding lives at the College. 

Michael Bullock

Junior Boarding Coordinator (Year 9 and 10)

Junior Boarding

Years 7 & 8

It’s wonderful to see students back on-site and the team and I are eagerly awaiting the return of our Junior Boarders. I look forward to building on the relationships that were established in Term 1 and working closely with the students in Years 7 and 8 to maximise their learning, physical and intellectual opportunities here at the College. The journey back for your boys will provide some degree of normality, however, they will experience firsthand the measures that have been put in place to protect their health. 

I am confident that the students will respond positively to these essential changes, as they have proven themselves on many occasions to work collaboratively when it’s needed most.

To support the boys and their transition back to the College, below are some friendly reminders:

• Ensure your son has packed all learning materials, i.e; College Diary, laptop and laptop charger, exercise books, textbooks, pencil case etc.
• Full Winter College Uniform and warm clothes. For winter uniform purchases please click here 
• Hand sanitiser for personal use

On a personal note, I would like to say thank you for your ongoing support and entrusting me with the care of your son. We have all experienced challenges that are unique to each family and their current situation, nevertheless, we share the understanding that your boys need to be back at school and with their mates. 

We are blessed to be part of the St Gregory’s community and the Catholic Church at large, during these times. Drawing upon the Gospel reading from the sixth Sunday of Easter, Jesus reminds us that God and the Holy Spirit lies within. In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jesus challenges us to take the time to ‘tap’ into the spirit within, to free us from isolation in our thinking and our actions. This crisis reaffirms that we cannot control everything and in the face of the universe we are reminded of our place within it. I challenge our young men to focus on things to be grateful for with the hope that it will inspire them and the people around them. A sense of gratitude will be the focus for the students when they return and the driving force that will guide them for the rest of the term.

Pax tecum

Mr Tevita Halaifonua

Junior Boarding Coordinator (Years 7 & 8)