St Gregory's College Newsletter

From the College Principal 

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

 

When you receive this Newsletter, we will be at the end of Week 2 of Term 4, with only seven weeks remaining until the College breaks up for 2019 on Thursday 12 December. Each week seems to fly by, and it is important to acknowledge the work that needs to be done by staff, students and families between now and the close of the 2019 academic year. As usual, our aim must be to finish strong, to achieve our goals and to finish the year with impetus for the year ahead.

 

This term I have once again asked our staff to focus on quality teaching & learning and building positive relationships with the students they teach. Teachers are the most important element in ensuring the students they teach get an outstanding education. As William Arthur Ward quotes, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” I have asked our teachers to be the ‘superior’ teacher throughout the term – to inspire our students to be the best they can be – and to accept no slackness and no excuses on their part.

 

YEAR 12 – HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS – Our Year 12 students have now completed their second week of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Examinations. I congratulate our students for their dedication and commitment to their exams, and I thank the teaching staff for preparing our boys so well. Thank you also to the families of the boys for your ongoing support – this partnership will ensure our young men approach their exams with an appropriate balance. The HSC Examinations conclude on Monday 11 November, and the HSC Results and ATAR Results will be available on Tuesday 17 December. The College will prepare a communique for our College community following the analysis of the results.

 

FUNERAL FOR MR JOHN VARDY – On Wednesday 16 October, Mr John Vardy, our previous Grounds and Facilities Manager was farewelled from the College Chapel in a fitting and dignified Funeral Mass. John passed away after an illness leading in to the first week of Term 4. John had previously served the College with great distinction for a period of over 20 years. John’s Funeral Mass was attended by over 500 guests and I am sure John’s wife, Karen and John’s family felt very much at home in the Chapel for John’s final passage. The College was blessed to have John as a member of staff for such a long period of time. We are now with him and his loved ones in prayer.

 

STAFF UPDATE FOR TERM 4 - A very warm welcome to our new members of staff and returning members of staff.

  • Mr Michael Ivancic - Acting VET Coordinator for Term 4 for Mr Luke Morrissey
  • Ms Charlotte Landini - replacing Ms Maria Santos for Term 4
  • Mr Nicholas Kmet - Technology Teacher for Term 4
  • Mr Greg Serone - returning from leave for Term 4
  • Mrs Julianne Ball - returning from leave for Term 4
  • Ms Kylie Clarke - replacing Mrs Julie McGovern for Term 4
  • Ms Adrienne Phillips - replacing Ms Renee Hajjar for Term 4
  • Mrs Lee Ursino - Assistant Year 10 Coordinator for Term 4

 

COLLEGE CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE - It was great to see some of our capital projects completed over the recent school holiday period.

  • The path from the Junior School to the Senior School has now been completed – 429 metres of pathway providing a fantastic 2.5m wide path for foot and small vehicle traffic. The project was funded by the College with a significant contribution of $20,000 from the Campbelltown Catholic Club.
  • The two College buses also had their signage added during the break.
  • Installation of the Boarding and Residences alarms and PA’s have now been completed.

 

The following projects are now being considered and budgeted for in the 2020 budget:

  • Covered student waiting area at parent pick up on the western entrance
  • Conversion of old canteen in the Senior School to the Sports Office
  • Development of the vacant land adjacent to the College gymnasium / Technology block for a new teaching and learning block - STEM & robotics; GLAs; open learning spaces; theatre style classroom
  • Further refurbishment & air-conditioning in the boarding houses
  • Shaded creative play and seating areas at the Junior School
  • Redesign and refurbishment of teaching classrooms 010 to 014, including furniture
  • Refurbishment of classroom 203 as a kitchen / hospitality space
  • Shelter over two outdoor basketball courts and the addition of an artificial grass futsal size playing area adjacent to the Brother Luke Hall
  • Outdoor covered seating for students - both Junior School & Senior School
  • Development of a covered basketball / All-purpose court for Junior School

 

The College is working towards each of these projects and looks forward to enhancing our wonderful campus continually.

 

The Stage 2 development of the Junior School is nearing completion. Our eight new classrooms, new Library and covered way will be ready to occupy early in Term 4. Landscaping of the land around the new building will provide additional recreation space for the students in Term 4.

 

CAR PARKING & STUDENT DROP-OFF & PICK UP – Please note that the five parking spaces on the driveway at the rear of the old building (100 Block) are now out of action permanently. These five spaces have been designated and marked as ‘Brothers’ Community Parking Only.’ Please do not park in these spaces as the Brothers require additional spaces for carers cars, etc.

 

Please support the use of the Western Entrance drop off and pick up for students in the Senior School. No cars should be dropping off and picking up students via the Main College Entrance off Badgally Road / Gregory Hills Drive. The top car park is only for staff parking and hence is not a drop off / pick up zone. I ask for your support as this is becoming a real safety issue with parents not adhering to the directions in relation to student drop off / pick up. Thanks to the parents who continually do the right thing – this is greatly appreciated.

 

26th ANNUAL CELEBRITY SPORTS DINNER – FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER – I would like to extend to Melissa Watts, Mary Stepien, Elizabeth Carrasco, Bonnie Dolores, Gerard Fetterplace, Bruce Hanrahan and the Celebrity Sports Dinner Committee members my personal thanks and the gratitude of the College for the outstanding 26th Annual Celebrity Sports Dinner at the College last Friday night. Wow, what an amazing event to be part of! I take my hat off to you all for the work you have done individually