Senior School News

Gordon Fetterplace Public Speaking Competition

On 12 February, our Public Speaking season officially commenced for 2021 with our annual Gordon Fetterplace Public Speaking Competition. A momentous milestone was reached as 2021 marked the 30th year of this competition. We were honoured and excited to welcome 27 students from Years 5 & 6 who participated in this Competition. On this 30th anniversary of the competition, we were treated to a wide range of very entertaining, insightful, and engaging speeches on the night from our students in Years 5 to 12 who displayed their talents in what can be a very challenging undertaking, public speaking!

Junior School Public Speakers Reflections

“I love Gordon Fetterplace because it helps me build up my confidence in public speaking.” (Harrison McInerney – Year 5)

“I loved the Gordon Fetterplace Public Speaking because there were outstanding topics. They were all said with love and compassion and I could tell in a split second that what they were saying, definitely came from their hearts. It was great. Everyone had a go and tried their best. Therefore, that was the best part!” (Annie Jacob – Year 5)

The Senior students had a variety of topics to choose from. The topics were:

• Earn the right.
• It is always darkest before the dawn.
• The dream of justice.
• Uncharted territory.
• A story that matters.
• Caught in the crossfire.
• It’s complicated.
• If only ……
• Ignorance is bliss.
• It starts with you and you only.
• An unexpected consequence.
• One little word can make all the difference.

Speaking times ranged from 3-4 minutes for Year 7 to 6-8 minutes for Years 11 and 12. Speakers in Years 10 to 12 also participated in an impromptu section. Our impromptu topics this year were particularly entertaining.

The impromptu speeches included topics such as ‘Up, up, and away’ and ‘No extra-terrestrial species have found us because …’. This year’s competition was certainly a very memorable and enjoyable evening with lots of laughter and very entertaining speeches. Our Year 12 students provided much laughter and thorough enjoyment when they presented their impromptu topics in front of everyone at the conclusion of the evening. It was a very enjoyable and successful night, as can be seen from the reflections of some of our students involved. 

Senior School Public Speakers Reflections

“My last Gordon Fetterplace was a really surreal experience and it really didn’t sink in just how special it was until I had actually finished my speech on the night. That was it. My last chance to sit with all my friends together in the hall, having a laugh, and telling each other stories. Gordon Fetterplace, to me, was the annual event in which we basically set the tone for the rest of our school year, if it was good (which it always was) you best bet that year would be just as good if not better. It’s the official start of my school year where I gather with all my friends, family and teachers and let out all our creative energy. 

Gordon Fetterplace gave me so much in terms of confidence, friends, connections but above all, a community. Winning wasn’t on any of our minds that night and that’s what was truly special to me. Our collective mindset to not concern ourselves with first, second or third, but our ability to express ourselves together in a creative outlet.” (Declan Foran – Year 12)

“Gordon Fetterplace is always a fun night, for the week prior it consistently becomes the talk of the town, as boys discuss their topics or the predictions of what’s going to happen at the year 12 impromptu section a whole buzz of excitement is created around the event. After just finishing my final Gordon Fetterplace, I think that very feeling of excitement is what I’m going to miss the most, Gordon Fetterplace is the only real moment where public speaking is encouraged and truly enjoyed by EVERYONE. 

This is evident in the surprise speaker each year group will relate to, as the night rolls around there is always a classmate that decides to participate that hasn’t been a public speaker before. This excitement and openness to anyone within the school community is what makes the night so special, it really isn’t just a public speaking competition, it is an event everyone should have highlighted on their calendar, a night of socialising, laughs and most importantly fun.” (Lachlan Mcinerney – Year 12 College Captain)

Our 2021 Gordon Fetterplace Public Speaking Competition Winners

Mrs Maria Santos

Public Speaking & Debating Coordinator

Karting Success!

On the weekend of 6 and 7 February, Kaleb Belak (Year 7) and Christian Faro (Year 6) both finished on the podium in the Eastern Creek Go-Karting Championship. 

The community is very proud of both boys. They were very excited about their podium finish and kept saying "The St. Greg's boys dominated the field! "

Show Team Success Once Again!

Recently, 11 Show Team students competed in the 2021 Rydal Show Corriedale Schools Judging Day. There were over 80 students from 6 schools. The boys had a very successful day, and by the smiles on these faces, they're very pleased with the results!

RESULTS:

• Champion Ewe
• Reserve Champion Ewe
• Supreme Corriedale
• Best Overall Exhibitor
• Corriedale Judging
• 1st, 3rd, 5th Ram lamb under 12 months – Woolly
• 2nd Ram lamb under 12 months – Shorn
• 1st, 2nd Ewe lamb under 12 months – Woolly
• 1st Ewe lamb under 12 months – Shorn
• 1st, 3rd Ewe over 1 year, under 2 years – Woolly
• 1st Ewe over 1 year, under 2 years – Shorn
• 1st, 2nd, 5th Ewe over 2 years – Woolly
• 3rd Group - 1 Ram and 2 Ewes

Junior Handlers Competition

• 1st Thomas Andersen
• 2nd Ryan Saggers
• 3rd Elliot Power
• Finalist Adam Fordham
• Finalist Henry Rathbone
• Finalist Owen Jones
• Finalist Thomas Chell
• Finalist Travis Martin

Pictured here L-R: Elliott Power, Cooper Wray, Owen Jones, Travis Martin, Riley Keogh, Henry Rathbone, Ryan Saggers, Adam Fordham, Joseph Jose, Thomas Andersen and Thomas Chell

Year 7 Immunisation Program

• 1st visit of the 7 Vaccination Program will be on Tuesday 9th March.
• 2nd visit on the 7th October 2021

Year 7 will be offered a 2-dose course of HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) at visits 1 and 2, and a single dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis vaccine (Boostrix) at visit 1. 

Please make sure that all completed consent forms be returned to the school  by the 2nd March 2021 

Students should be in the College sports uniform for the 9th March, as this reduces social contact and supports the process.