Marist Service Awards 

Marist Service Awards 2020

These awards recognise dedicated service by staff members both at St Gregory’s College and also in other ministries of the Marist Brothers. 

10 Years 

In appreciation of 10 years of committed and dedicated service to Marist education, we extend our congratulations to the following staff:

Mr Robert Bisset                                                                                       

Mr Robert Bisset is a member of the ICT Team at St Greg’s, working as an IT Support Engineer and part of an excellent support team. He commenced his employment in 2010 and he has provided tremendous service to the College. In this time, Rob has been at most of these events behind the scenes making everything just work from an IT perspective. Rob is a quick thinker on his feet, solving the issue before most even notice one exists. Rob has worked closely with staff and students, but most would not know that he has listened to many people over the years to take on their perspective on IT-related issues. Many improvements have been made because Rob has taken the time to listen to students and staff about issues they face and he has worked to develop solutions. Rob is also part of the frontline Help Desk for IT, answering calls, responding to walk-ins, troubleshooting and resolving technical issues to keep our IT network and systems functioning. We congratulate and thank Mr Bisset for his great service to Marist education and St Gregory’s College. 

Mr Riccardo Bombardiere                                                                      

Mr Ric Bombardiere is the College’s Director of Studies, having joined the staff in 2020. Prior to commencing at St Greg’s, Ric worked as the Assistant Head of English and the Head of English at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill from January 2000 to October 2010. He is an outstanding educator with a real passion for learning, especially in his teaching area of English. Ric has made a very significant impact in a very short space of time, since joining our community at the start of this year. His meticulous attention to detail, complete thoroughness in all that he undertakes and willingness to look for improved ways of approaching tasks are some of the hallmarks of this fine leader. We look forward to his continued association and contributions to St Gregory’s College in the coming years. 

Mr Gregory Cave                                                                                       

Mr Greg Cave is a member of the College’s TAS Department. He commenced at St Gregory’s College in 2014. Prior to this, he was a member of staff at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill from January 2009 to December 2013. Greg has taught a majority of the courses in the TAS Department and he has been the major influence and contributor to Stage 5 Engineering, giving the course a STEM focus. He is a highly regarded teacher and very generous with his time after school with students undertaking major projects. In addition to his teaching role in his time at the College, Greg has also been a Live-In Supervisor in Senan House for over four years and he has coached Rugby League and ISA Rugby Union teams, including the ISA Under 16 Representative Team. Congratulations and thank you Mr Cave. 

Mrs Cathie Clarke                                                                             

Mrs Cathie Clarke is the College’s Director of Mission and she also holds the position of Religious Education KLA Coordinator. Mrs Clarke commenced her employment at St Gregory’s College in January 2010 and she has given over a decade of excellent and dedicated service to this community. We are well aware of Mrs Clarke’s many talents and significant impact in her time at St Gregory’s College, in a variety of areas. Most notably through her development of the spiritual life of the College as expressed through outstanding Liturgies, Masses, Reflection Days, Retreats, Immersions and in many other ways. Another part of her role is to work closely with the Student Leadership Team and her work in this area is also greatly valued and appreciated. We sincerely thank and warmly congratulate Mrs Clarke for all that she has done and continues to do for the College. 

Mr John Dinnen                                                                                         

Mr John Dinnen is currently the College’s Assistant Science Coordinator. John re-commenced his employment at the College in January 2015, having been previously employed at St Greg’s from January 2002 to December 2007. John has also relieved as the Science Coordinator from 2017 through to 2019. During his ten years of dedicated service to the College, John has led a number of initiatives to increase student engagement in Science, including organisation of excursions and Science Week activities. John has also contributed to the co-curricular program through his coaching of both Rugby Union and Rugby League. Above all, John is a highly regarded and valued member of our community. Congratulations and thank you, Mr Dinnen, for your commitment to Marist education. 

Suzanne Santa Maria                                                                               

Mrs Sue Santa Maria is a Live-In Supervisor in the Boarding community, working in Valens House. She provides wonderful care and displays a great commitment to Years 7 and 8 students in particular in this role. Sue commenced here at St Greg’s in August 2010 and therefore has supported hundreds of boys through their journey living away from their homes. She is kind, caring and considerate of all of the boys and goes out of her way to provide a stable and comfortable environment for the boys. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Sue and she is most definitely a very valued member of the College staff. We congratulate and thank Mrs Santa Maria for her tremendous commitment to St Gregory’s College and, in particular, the boarding community.

Danielle Thelander                                                                                   

Mrs Danielle Thelander is a valued member of the College’s Finance Department, working as the Accounts Payable Officer. She commenced her employment at the College in October 2010. Danielle is currently on Maternity Leave until early 2021. 

In her role, Danielle shows an excellent work ethic and takes great pride in ensuring all the College’s accounts are kept up to date and orders are placed promptly.  Mrs Thelander is a very organised and confident employee with great attention to detail. She is happy to help wherever she can and there are never any issues she cannot resolve.  Mrs Thelander is the smiling face the boarders are met with when withdrawing their money and she always enjoys conversing with the students.  It is an absolute privilege for the College to have Mrs Thelander as a staff member and we are looking forward to having her back in the Finance Office next year. 

Karen Wright                                                                                              

Mrs Karen Wright is a member of the College’s Facilities Team, working as a cleaner. She commenced her employment with St Greg’s in January 2010. Karen is dedicated and committed in her work, with a high level of attention to detail. She is valued and a loyal member of the staff and she is always a pleasure to work with. Above all, her commitment and performance in the role has been first class! Karen is always willing to help out wherever needed and she takes great pride in her work. Although Karen would not be known to a large number of the College community, given that she undertakes the afternoon and evening shift, she is always there working away with great tenacity and an enduring commitment to her work, never looking for acknowledgement and always being very humble. We congratulate and sincerely thank Karen her for wonderful contributions to the St Gregory’s College community over the past decade. 

20 Years 

In appreciation of 20 years of committed and dedicated service to Marist education, we extend our congratulations to the following staff member:

Paul Putland                                                                                               

Mr Paul Putland commenced his employment at St Gregory’s College in April 2013. Prior to St Greg’s, Paul worked at Marcellin College Randwick from 2000 to 2013, making his contribution to Marist education in excess of twenty years. He is a valued member of the ICT Team at St Greg’s, working as an IT Support Engineer and also as part of the frontline IT Help Desk. His knowledge and understanding of IT systems in a school environment is outstanding. In a very fluid environment, Paul has the ability to provide crucial insights into the overall IT landscape and manage the different systems. Paul has provided excellent support for teaching and learning at the College, working and meeting very tight deadlines to allow students and teachers to get on with the job. Paul’s work behind the scenes is second to none and he has given the College tremendous support over the years with his presence at many events. He has also provided many hours of technical support after hours over the phone to many staff on site to get systems working. He has great patience working with people with all different levels of IT skills, yet he is still able to communicate with them all. Paul has given outstanding service to Marist Education and to St Gregory’s community in particular.

25 Years

In appreciation of 25 years of committed and dedicated service to Marist education, we extend our congratulations to the following staff member:

Julie Sligar                                                                                                   

Mrs Julie Sligar currently holds the positions of Assistant Mathematics KLA Coordinator and also the Convenor of the College’s Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat. She commenced her employment at St Greg’s originally in 1995 until 2002 and then again from April 2010. After leaving St Greg’s in 2002, Mrs Sligar worked at the Marist Ministries Office in Drummoyne from 2003 to 2011. 

Two of Julie’s defining qualities, among others, are her embodiment of the Marist qualities of Family Spirit and Love of Work. She displays these qualities through a dedication to her students, always working to support them to achieve the best possible results and her passionate and unwavering commitment to the profession of teaching. In addition to her interactions and commitment to her students in the classroom, Mrs Sligar has been heavily involved in various sporting competitions as a coach of St Greg’s cricket teams, managing the Cross Country and Triathlon teams as well as involvement with the AFL. Julie supported staff through the online learning time with a range of prayer resources and she has also arranged collections for the Marist Wardrobe Appeal by encouraging staff to donate clothing. We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Mrs Sligar on achieving this very significant milestone of twenty-five years of service to Marist education.