Boarding News

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has always been my experience that St Gregory’s boys have a great sense of occasion. Monday’s funeral for Old Boy Adam Fitzpatrick was no exception. Around 30 members of the Class of 2017 made the trip to Jugiong to farewell their mate. Even after nearly 3 years out of school, these boys represented themselves and their former College with great pride. They were asked to sing together and were announced as the ‘St Gregory’s Choir’. The first hymn was incredibly rusty, to say the least, but they found their stride in the last two. It was a moving tribute to Adam and a wonderful display of the impact of a St Greg’s education; the values instilled, and the character developed. It was a difficult day but also one that made staff and parents quite proud.

We are working towards getting some meaningful summer sport organised for Term 4. The Independent Sporting Association (ISA) has arranged schools into geographical zones to meet the NSW Health guidelines. We will be playing basketball, cricket and touch football against Chevalier College, Oxley College and Blue Mountains Grammar School. The hope is to revert to the usual ISA competition in Term 1, 2021, however, this would likely mean just basketball and cricket continuing. Touch football maybe a Saturday sport option in the future within the ISA competition.

We wish Year 11 well as they commence their Preliminary HSC exams next week.

Congratulations to Daniel Canellis (Year 8) on his Distinction in the Australian Maths Competition. A brilliant result Dan!

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

Max Spencer

Director of Boarding

Senior Boarding Report

The past two weeks have been challenging. The passing of Adam Fitzpatrick (Class of 2017) was tragic news that has affected the entire Boarding School community. On Monday 8 September it was my honour to attend Adam’s funeral and read at the Mass. The spirit of Adam’s classmates was on show with the boys showing tremendous courage in a difficult situation of losing their classmate. The burial and wake were beautiful and something that encompassed Adam’s spirit. It was difficult for our Year 12 students to have to be excluded from the ceremony due to COVID-19, but it was wonderful so many of them could attend the live-stream at school. Adam was a popular and respected member of our community who impacted the lives of many of those students younger than him. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. We wish Peter, Pip and the whole family all our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Congratulations to our Year 12 students on the successful completion of their Trial HSC exams. This is an important step on the journey to the completion of their HSC. I have spoken to the boys about their need to remain focused with the HSC exams on the horizon – they still have 50% of their HSC to go.

The Senior Boarding House has enjoyed some quality relaxation time on the weekends. With winter sport cancelled the boys have turned their attention to preparing for our summer competitions. The boys have been busy with basketball and cricket training. The last couple of weekends have also seen some quality COVID-19 safe outings with visits too various bushwalking tracks and outdoor driving ranges. The next few weeks will see the boys complete their Responsible Service of Alcohol and Responsible Conduct of Gaming certificates, as well as attend some outings in the lead up to their Graduation. We wish them all the best at this exciting time of their lives.

Luke Morrissey

Senior Boarding Coordinator

Years 7 & 8 Boarding Report

As we approach the final few weeks of this term, the Year 7 & 8 Boarders have been working on assessment tasks to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and understanding in each subject. I am constantly reminding the boys to reflect on their previous effort and the SMART Goals they have established to motivate them to finish the term strong. Last week we celebrated the Feast Day of St Gregory the Great, as well as acknowledging the Student Leadership Team 2021. This was a great opportunity to discuss leadership with the boys and what makes a great leader? I believe that there are future leaders in the Valens House, and I will be guiding and empowering those boys to lead their peers.

Unfortunately, there have been a series of negative occurrences in Years 7 & 8 Boarding that need to be addressed. Poor decision making and peer pressure are themes at the top of the agenda, as I aim to support these boys in becoming fine young men. I have conducted 1 on 1 meetings with the boys to reiterate my expectations and the expectations of the College, as well as listening to the students and their thoughts on matters. This presents an opening to further strengthen my relationship and rapport with the boys, as well as challenging them to be better.

On a personal note, I would like to thank the Years 7 & 8 Boarding families for your prayers and kind wishes as my wife (Effie), son (Ami) and I welcomed Joy Mary-mae Kiana to the family. I extend my deepest sympathies to the Fitzpatrick family on the passing of their son Adam Fitzpatrick (Class of 2017).

God bless

Tevita Halaifonua

Junior Boarding Coordinator 

Years 9 and 10 Boarding Report

The past 2 weeks have flown by as we are approaching the end of Term 3 and the boys have been preparing for and completing assessment tasks during their study time. I have encouraged the boys that if they have finished assessment tasks, that they go over it again and utilise their study time to ensure they meet the marking criteria and do the best job possible.

Last weekend the boys had a quiet one on the hill where they started their Summer ISA sports preparation with Cricket and Basketball training/trials. Sunday incorporated a walk to Gregory Hills shopping centre and back to enjoy the nice weather on offer.

This weekend Mr Fox and I will be taking them on an outing to Penrith to have some fun at a couple of locations of their choosing -Ten pin bowling/laser skirmish and Aquagolf.

The past Monday was the funeral of Adam Fitzpatrick an old boy from the graduating Class of 2017. The funeral was held in Jugiong with many staff members attending, however, due to COVID-19  restrictions boys were not allowed to attend. The funeral was live-streamed in the La Valla centre at school with some boys going to watch and pay their respects to ‘Staunch’. Many of our Year 10 boys were very fond of Staunch and were certainly saddened by his passing. May he Rest In Peace and be in the safety of God the Father.

The last 2 weeks of term involve many assessments, so our boys will have to ensure they are as prepared as possible for these assessments and to finish the term off strong, deserving their break back home.

Michael Bullock 

Junior Boarding Coordinator