From the Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School

In the previous Newsletter, information was provided about some of the new members of staff who have joined the College in 2021. In this edition, I wish to share details about a further five new members of the teaching staff. 

Jorgia Cecil

Ms Jorgia Cecil has joined the teaching staff in the Junior School. Jorgia is a Year 5 Classroom Teacher, in a job share position with Amanda Morgan. Jorgia has previously completed her final internship with St Gregory’s College before taking on a position at Emu Plains Public School as a Science Specialist. 

Prateek Kripal

Mr Prateek Kripal has commenced as the Senior (Stage 6) Boarding Coordinator. Prateek is well known amongst the Boarding community having been employed by the College as a Live-In Boarding Supervisor since 2015. In these six years, he built very strong positive relationships with the boarding students and their families and provided wonderful support to the boys pastorally and academically. Prateek also comes to the College in a teaching role and he will be teaching Mathematics. Prior to joining St Gregory’s as a fulltime member of staff, Prateek was the Head of Mathematics at Mount Carmel Catholic College.

Christian Marchegiani

Mr Christian Marchegiani has joined the staff as a Science teacher. He was most recently employed at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill as a teacher, Boarding House supervisor and Convenor of AFL and Rowing. 

Before commencing as a high school teacher, Christian was involved in delivering exercise and sports education programs in high schools as well as Tertiary education programs to AFL & NRL athletes. He has also held numerous Strength and Conditioning and Fitness Coaching positions with the Sydney Swans, Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers and NSW Blues Cricket. 

Myron Papadopoulos

Mr Myron Papadopoulos has also joined the College’s Science department in 2021. Myron has studied and worked in a number of countries in research-based roles and teaching. He is a passionate educator with a strong commitment to providing students with a dynamic and engaging learning environment and helping them to excel in achieving their learning goals. Outside of his teaching career, Myron has completed volunteer work at the Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond in Zanzibar, Tanzania as well as Ionian Dolphin Project in Greece. He has also volunteered for the Vets-in-the-Wild project Ecolife in Pretoria, South Africa.

Melina Sangster

Mrs Melina Sangster rejoins the staff of St Gregory’s College as the Acting Leader of Learning - Learning Enrichment, having previously been employed from 2007-2010. Since 2011, Melina has been employed at The Illawarra Grammar School as the Director of Teaching and Learning, a role which has included responsibility for supporting all students with diverse learning needs. Melina is a passionate and committed advocate for students with diverse learning needs and someone with a great depth and breadth of experiences that will serve the students and the College well.

We thank each of these new staff members for accepting the opportunity to work at the College and we wish them a very enjoyable and rewarding time at St Gregory’s. 

College Reports – Community Events

From 2021, the College will be recording and reporting on student attendance at specific College events. These events are deemed to have special significance for this community. A list of the College events that will be included on the Semester One College Reports in the Senior School are set out below:

• College Opening Mass
• College Swimming Carnival
• ANZAC Day Assembly
• Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews
• Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat Mass

In addition, year-specific events such as camps and study skills evenings, where applicable, will be included. 

Open Day

A very successful Open Day was held last Sunday 21 February. Across the Junior and Senior School, close to 1000 visitors attended. Sincere thanks to the parent volunteers who contributed to the success of the day. We also had a significant number of students who contributed on the day in areas such as parking attendants, greeting visitors, conducting tours, participating in learning displays and playing in the College Concert Band. I thank each of the student volunteers on Open Day for their very generous contributions to the community. 

Finally, thank you to the many staff who also supported this event through their preparations and involvement on the day.

Staff Professional Learning Days

As parents and carers would be aware, there are two Staff Days occurring in the middle of the term. This week, all members of staff will be involved in a Staff Spirituality Day on Friday 26 February. Members of the Marist Mission and Life Formation Team will be facilitating the day as the staff explore the theme for 2021 – Breathe: The Spirit of Life. On Monday 1 March, annual first aid and CPR training will take place along with sessions for the teaching staff covering academic and wellbeing areas. 

Mr Paul Brooks

College Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School