From the Director of Students

Mr Baldino Vetrano

Dear College community,

Over the last eight weeks, our students, staff and parents have seen some challenging and difficult times. I am constantly impressed with the way students, staff and the wider College community always come together in difficult situations. As our Year 12 students continue to prepare for their HSC exams and the rest of the students finish off what has been a very unique term of learning, we stop to pause and thank everyone in our lives who have been part of this journey.

St Greg’s Wellness Week 2021 and R U OK? DAY

In acknowledging R U OK? Day 2021, the College decided to hold a ‘Wellness Week’ for students and staff.

Earlier this week I sent an email out to all our students regarding wellbeing and supporting one another:

Dear students,

Hope you are all well.

Staying mentally healthy is a growing issue as we navigate through periods of isolation, change and uncertainty. It is very clear that lockdowns, restrictions and remote learning have thrown things into disarray. We all know this already.

What we need to do is keep a healthy mindset, this at times may be difficult, especially for young men. Poor mental health in our community can present as heightened anxiety, depression, self-harm, low self-esteem and a low sense of worth. Identifying these changes to your usual self and TALKING to someone about it is key.

Gentlemen, as students of St Greg’s I am very proud of you all, you ALWAYS rise to the occasion and It is no different in the way you support your mates, especially the ones who may not be travelling so well at times. Over the last 10 years, I have seen the power of a ‘Greg’s boy’ who will never leave anyone behind or allow them to suffer in silence. At the moment we may not be together at school physically or in the yard or a classroom or on a bus, but we are together in spirit and ONLINE.

Next week we will spend time in Homeroom each day engaging in wellness and positive mental health activities.

This year the R U OK? DAY MESSAGE IS: Are they really OK? Ask them today.

Do you know how the people in your world are really going?

Life's ups and downs happen to all of us. So chances are someone you know might be struggling. Your genuine support can make a difference whatever they are facing, big or small. So, don’t wait until someone’s visibly distressed or in crisis. Make a moment meaningful and ask them how they’re really going.

During Homeroom this week we will all pledge a promise… what is your mental health promise? We need to make RUOK? DAY every day and I need your support in letting this movement take a stronghold in our College community.

The message of positive mental health is not just about supporting students but everyone in our community including your families and loved ones. Have you ever asked your teacher how they are travelling at the moment? Or how your parents or sibling/s are going?

I hope to have all students really get involved next week during Homeroom discussions and uphold your mental health promise throughout the year.

I would also like to thank our College Counselling team and staff members who have contributed to the wellness week activities.

Students and Staff engaged in meaningful discussion and completed activities throughout the week.

The aim of ‘starting a conservation’ and knowing how to ask how someone was travelling? was top of the agenda.

Students also pledged promises on a ‘promise card’ to uphold a message of motivation and positive wellbeing moving forward.

Finally, today students watched a short clip created by St Greg’s Staff pledging their RUOK? DAY promise.

We hope that EVERY DAY is RUOK? DAY!

College Merit System update

Over the last 4 weeks, we have had an amazing number of students obtaining positive merits in their classes. Many students are achieving significant milestones with Blue, White and Maroon Merits being achieved.

The aim is to achieve 75 points to receive the College Medallion for 2021.

Top 10 students 7-12