c o n t e n t s

Quae Seminaveris Metes

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P u b l i s h e d b y t h e d e v e l o P m e n t o f f i c e in touch

A n e w s l e t t e r f o r P A r e n t s A n d o l d b o y s o f s t G r e G o r y ’ s c o l l e G e

Dear Members of the St Gregory’s family,

2014 has been classed as the Year of Initiative with the major renovation of the College Hall. It is the biggest financial project that the College has undertaken for many years. Once completed the hall will have two indoor basketball courts, showers and change rooms, a hospitality room with a servery attached and a large foyer. The Opening and Blessing of the Hall along with the renovated Music rooms will take place early in 2015.

The College has had another remarkable year in many facets of College life. The HSC results led the way with our 2013 Dux, Dean Boucher, achieving an ATAR of 99.4. On the sporting field there were great successes in Athletics, winning the Championship for the 21st year in a row, Tennis Shield for the first time in ten years, 1st Grade Rugby League Team Finalist in the Combined Catholic Colleges Cup State Final, State Champions in the Rugby 7s, MCS Soccer Finalists and also won all grades in the MCS Cricket Finals. Off the field, great success with the annual College musical, “The Wiz”, in conjunction with St Pat’s, Year 12 Debating Team made the Sydney Final of the Catholic Schools Debating Competition, Ned Mulholland made the State Final of Quota International, Brandon Prince came 1st in the Merino Sheep Judging at the Royal Easter Show. An impressive list of credits for a College that is offering a holistic education.

Year 12 Graduation Mass was held this year on MCS in a Marquee. In historical terms, it will most probably never happen again but I know our families in attendance treasured this memorable day.

As 2014 draws to close, we reflect on the year that was and give thanks for the blessings that we have received. We prepare for the coming of the Lord, who brings us a message of hope, joy and peace.

I wish all members of the St Gregory’s College Family a happy, holy and peaceful Christmas and I look forward to sharing our time again in the New Year.

Mr Damien Millar, Headmaster

A WORD fROm the Headmaster

At the end of this year my term as Director of Boarding will come to an end. I’ve enjoyed my year at St Gregory’s and my decision to leave was a difficult one, but one that I know is right for the family. The staff and students at St Greg’s have left a positive impression, the boys are spirited and welcoming young men.

I wish to congratulate all teams that represented St Gregory’s during the weekend winter and summer ISA sports program. What is obvious amongst all teams is their enthusiastic approach to sport and the high level of sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Boarding provides a pathway for students to nurture their talents, not just on the sporting field, but in their academic endeavours. To see so many boarding students pursue opportunities and develop their talents and to witness a supportive staff who take an active interest in the boys activities is extremely special.

To the St Gregory’s College community; I sincerely appreciate the year I have had at the College. I will leave with fond memories of my time here and value every moment I have had at the College. I wish the staff and the students of St Gregory’s College every future success. Mr Brett Donohoe, Director of Boarding

fA R e W e l l tO b O A R D i n g

Events in Review 2014 2-3

Opportunities for our

Year 10 Students 4-5

InTouch with Old Boys 6-7

In Partnerships 8

Bursary Donations 8

Headmaster’s Thank You Dinner A special dinner acknowledges the contribution of parents who give their time so generously to support the College in a wide range of activities through the Financial Advisory Council, College Foundation, Celebrity Sports Dinner Committee, organising the country dinners and visits, volunteering for the canteen, helping out with the College musical, coaching teams or organising BBQs on Saturdays or assisting at the Open Day, and the list goes on. Our Special Guest at this dinner was Ken Moroney, former NSW Police Commissioner. Ken acknowledged the importance of family and role models in boys’ lives. He highlighted how welcoming our community is and how it is part of the Marist family.

Year 8 Boys and Blokes In Term One, despite the rainy weather, the boys competed in games and challenges. It was a great opportunity for the Year 8 boys and their dads to get to know each other better. Thanks to Ms Loren Keir, Year 8 Coordinator, and the Year 8 Homeroom teachers who supported the afternoon.

Year 10 We’re Half Way There The Year 10 ‘We’re Half Way There’ Cocktail Evening celebrates the past three years for parents of boys in Year 10. The evening provided an opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Foundation Donors. Our Special Guest, Mr Ian Luff founder of Drive to Survive, provided valuable skills to our parents as boys prepare to obtain their driving licence.

New Parent Cocktail Evening At the start of each year the College Foundation warmly welcomes our new parents to a New Parent Cocktail Evening which gives our new parents an opportunity to meet other parents and learn about the traditions, activities and future building works of the College and the work of the College Foundation.

One of the important roles of the College Foundation is to bring together the many groups of people such as parents, old boys, supporters and friends who contribute much to the success of our College. During the year the College Foundation has hosted many events and we wish to thank all for their wonderful support.

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Maroon and Blue Term 1 was certainly socially busy for our parents. In March parents and staff came together to enjoy the annual Maroon and Blue Dinner. It was a wonderful evening enjoyed by all and special thanks to the organising committee led by Mrs Sue Dein.

Year 7 Trivia The Year 7 boys had the chance to spend an evening with their dads and friends at the Year 7 Trivia Night. Quizzes and challenges tested both boys and their dads. Thanks to Mr Stephen Hartnett and the Year 7 homeroom teachers for their support.

Celebrity Sports Dinner - Oh What a Night!!! Our 550 guests were treated to a wonderful comical welcome by Year 10 and Year 11 students, the “Cooke Brothers”,then to top that off student group the “G Boys” entertained us by singing “Que Sera by Justice Crew. Josiah Moehau, David Moli, Jack Shiner and Jack Everett all had an impressive solo piece during the song and when they sang together they were SENSATIONAL!!!

Our hosts Jimmy Smith ’89 and Sarah Ryan were once again extraordinary together with our Special was Brett Emerton, former Australian and International Socceroo.Thank you to the sporting superstars who continue to support our dinner. Throughout the evening there is an opportunity to interview some of the 40 other sports men and women attending. Highlights were from former Gold medallist Olympian, Daniel Kowalski, International Equestrian and Olympian, Shane Rose, Sydney Swifts Netballer, Abbey McCulloch, Australian Tennis Open Umpire, Ben Carter ’05 and Media announcers Debbie Spillane and Lyndal Rogers just to name a few.

This year was again a social and financial success with over $120,000 raised to go to the College Foundation. Tickets are already on sale for 2015 so get in early to avoid disappointment.

Year 8 Etiquette Evening During Pastoral Care lessons in Term 3 Year 8 learn about the art of fine dining and etiquette. The boys then have the opportunity to show off the skills they’ve learnt at a dinner in the Donovan Centre. The boys organise the table setting, display napkin folding and serve their mums a lovely meal. It was a most enjoyable evening.

Year 7 Mothers’ Day Mothers’ Day is also a highlight at the College with our Year 7 students sharing breakfast with their mums, as well as homeroom and a short prayer service to conclude the morning. It was a very special time for the boys to reflect on how special their mums are, this was their time to say “thank you”.

Year 7 Grandparents Day To conclude our year, on Friday, 5 December, Year 7 welcomed 354 Grandparents to the College. It was a special day with grandparents getting a taste of life at St Gregory’s. Commencing with a cuppa, the Grandparents experienced many class room activities, then enjoyed a baked dinner together. The day concluded with a special Liturgy in the College Chapel which highlighted the great contribution that Grandparents do make to the lives of their grandsons.

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The ‘South Passage’ is a 30 metre sailing ship and twenty of our Year 10 students recently embarked on an adventure journey that built teamwork, resilience, responsibility and respect amongst the boys, staff and crew. The aim of the adventure was to learn enough about sailing in six days so that the students could take control and sail us home on the last day. Time on board was spent learning duties and knots and mastering drills, as well as facing the elements of nature and adjusting to life lived in a very small and confined area and getting along.

These novice sailors learnt quickly and for the return journey from Port Stephens to Sydney the boys were in charge of sailing the ship. Back on dry land the lack of sleep, a constant feeling that you are not really sure about what you’re doing and the occasional bout of seasickness fade as distant memories. Instead memories of pods of dolphins diving across the ship’s bow wave, the sound of the wind whipping the sails and the boat slicing through the water become the memories that last, as well as the satisfaction and knowledge gained from being part of a group that had faced fears and discomforts and conquered a real challenge.

Each year a select group of Year 10 students travel to Tasmania to hike the Overland Track. The Track is Australia’s premier multi-day hike, traversing some 85 km across World Heritage Alpine Wilderness. In addition, several side trips are undertaken, the highlights being to the summit of Cradle Mountain, Barn Bluff and Tasmania’s highest peak, Mt. Ossa. Walking in such isolated areas requires careful preparation and the group met each week during Terms 3 and 4 to prepare. Once on the Track, the group is entirely self-reliant on each other and any necessary evacuation is by air. Prior to this hike, as well as their weekly meetings, the boys completed a First Aid Course and a 3-day practice hike in the Royal National Park.

During the 7 days of hiking the boys experienced the pristine and changing landscape that is the alpine wilderness, the abundance of wildlife, met the challenge of the fast changing weather conditions and got to share the Track with dozens of other hikers from all over the world.

Each boy had his own personal challenges to overcome whether that be the sheer physical challenge, the weather or the developing myriad of injuries. The whole hike is as much about the mental challenge as anything else. All boys struggled at times and it was all about that conversation going on inside the head that really mattered. In this respect, the boys will surely be able to apply those same principles of resilience, discipline, organisation and problem solving to other aspects of their lives.

At St Gregory’s College we are influenced greatly by the charism of St Marcellin Champagnat who started the Marist Brothers in France. He had a simple message and mission: to make the love of Jesus and Mary known through lives of service to others. In ‘Water from the Rock’, a book on Marist spirituality, it says, “Our present age is characterised by a thirst for spirituality. We disciples of Marcellin believe that our way to God is a gift to be shared with the Church and the world.” (Verse

42). The message is that everything we do should be a gift to God that should be shared. At St Gregory’s College during the year there is much evidence of this happening.

During the July holidays, 17 students from Year 11 volunteered to participate in immersion experiences. Seven boys went to Fiji and ten travelled to the Solomon Islands. The boys realised early on during their journey how significant the experience was going to be. It opened their eyes and confirmed that the world surrounding us is very different to that of our own comforts and expectations. Immersion is a once in a life time experience and involves being out of one’s comfort zone, adapting to change, experiencing and appreciating other cultures and serving others generously any way possible. Congratulations to the boys, and the staff who accompanied the boys, for sharing themselves with others.

After the Graduation of the Year 12 class in September the Year 11 students then become leaders of the school. One of the special experiences for the Year 12 class of 2015 is the week of the Year 12 Retreat and Insight programme. This year’s experiences were exceptional as an opportunity for staff and students to take time away from the everyday school environment and as a time to reflect, to be honest and open and to set goals. Each retreat is different depending on where the students are at in their lives at that particular moment in time but there is no doubt that this year’s was a fine example of faith expression. During the Insight programme all the boys in Year 11 spent two days working with the young, elderly or vulnerable people in a variety of situations. The challenge was to be simply available to people.

During the year the Community Service Project operated for students in Years 10 and 11. Over 70 students were presented with certificates recognising their hours of voluntary work which took place in their homes and in the community.

o p p o R T u N I T I E S f o R o u R y E a R 1 0 S T u d E N T S

Adventure Sailing on the South Passage

Overland Track

MISSION

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Year 10 camp @ Kincumber

What an awesome experience!!

Watching these young men push themselves out of their comfort zone and achieve the unexpected was the highlight.

For the first time we held a retreat for the mothers at St Gregory’s. The theme of our St Greg’s Mums’ Retreat was the theme of Mary and Martha and it was an opportunity for those present to reflect on the many roles and demands we face in busy lives and how important it is to stop doing and simply be. It was a special time made even more special by the warmth and openness of the group. Hopefully even more Mums will join us next time in what I hope will become an annual event.

Our Marist Solidarity Student Leader, Luke Grosvenor, recently launched this year’s Christmas Appeal for St Vincent de Paul. The society works towards a more just and compassionate society and, especially at Christmas, it is wonderful to see the generosity of our community in support of this. The St Vincent de Paul Society also runs the Matthew Talbot Hostel for men in the city and our Year 11s collected socks, jocks, razors and other products which make the lives of these men more comfortable.

May I make this opportunity to wish all in our St Gregory’s College community a Christmas that is blessed with Christ’s love and I look forward to 2015.

Mrs Cathie Clarke, Director of Mission

This year we saw fifteen Year 10 boys take on the challenge of paddling over 150km from Sandy Falls, just south of Coolac, to Wagga from 1 to 8 December. The students were required to carry their food and clothing, as well as cook and set-up camp each night. The boys learnt to negotiate, at times, fast moving water and many structures in the river. The conditions were extremely varied, from paddling through 35 degree days to heavy rain and winds. Mr Nelson, Mr Millett and Mr O’Flynn accompanied the boys on the trip. Over the week the boys developed many new skills including cooking, paddling and team building.

o p p o R T u N I T I E S f o R o u R y E a R 1 0 S T u d E N T S

Year 10 Camp

Murrumbidgee Paddle 2014

The Vintage Luncheon welcomed Old Boys from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s back to the College on Wednesday, 18 June. It was an opportunity to catch up on old times and talk about life, careers and all that has happened since their St Gregory’s days. The day commenced with a College Liturgy with Year 12 and Year 7 students in the College Chapel. Some of our Old Boys shared with our community the importance of faith, hard work, having good morals and encouraged the students to be the best person they can be. It was then off for a tour of the College and concluded with a lovely lunch in the Donovan Centre.

The Classes of 1984, 1994 and 2004 also celebrated with their reunions over the weekend of 20 and 21 June with record numbers of former students attending the two events and lots of laughter and singing of the Sub Tuum and many friendships renewed.

For the first time the College also hosted a 40 year Reunion for the Class of 1974 held on Saturday, 1 November. It was a great roll up with 50 old boys coming together in the Donovan Centre. Many played Golf the day before, making a whole weekend to catch up with each other.

Reunions

On Sunday 30 March, 120 Old Boys and their families attended the annual Family Footy Day. The day was action packed with Old Boys forming teams from their respective year groups to play a round robin competition of Oz Tag. The 2002 year group were victorious winning the Challenge Cup. The day concluded in the Donovan Centre for a BBQ and refreshments. It was a wonderful opportunity to reunite friendships and we look forward to next year’s event.

Challenge Cup - Family Footy Day

IN TOUCH WITH OLD BOYSOLD BOYS

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Brother Walfrid Cup - Current First Grade Football Team vs Old Boys - Thursday, 26 February 2015 at SGC

Challenge Cup - Family Footy Day at the College. A round robin competition of touch footy, concluding with lunch and refreshments in the Donovan Centre to be held on Sunday, 29 March 2015.

Classes of 1955 and 1965 - Celebrating 50 and 60 years Vintage Luncheon - Wednesday, 17 June – Tour the College, attend a College Liturgy and enjoy lunch in the Donovan Centre.

Class of 2005 - Celebrating 10 years since being at St Gregory’s Friday, 17 June 2015 - Dinner to be held in the Donovan Centre at the College

Classes of 1985 and 1975 - Celebrating 20 and 30 years Saturday, 18 July - College Tour and dinner to be held in the Donovan Centre.

Marshall Rogers Golf Day - In November at the Camden Lakeside Golf Course.

It would be wonderful if Old Boys who are interested in attending any of these events for 2015 could contact the Development Office via email oldboys@stgregs.nsw.edu.au or by telephoning 4629 4132.

Don’t forget to visit our website www.stgregs.com.au for the latest information on what’s happening around the College. Please encourage old boys to register their details at the Old Boys link on the St Gregory’s website – www.stgregs.nsw.edu.au or drop a line to Old Boys Secretary, St Gregory’s College, 100 Badgally Road, Campbelltown NSW 2560.

The sixth Marshall Rogers Golf Day was held on Wednesday, 12 November, and attracted over 120 golfers, including many Old Boys, to the Camden Lakeside Country Club. The Golf Day is organised by Ben Rogers from the Class of 1998 in honour of his late father, Marshall. This year Nathan Johnson (Class of ’98), General Manager of Manhattan Homes, was the major sponsor. Funds raised on the day are donated to the College’s Bursary Fund which assists students with their senior education at St Gregory’s. The golfers were also entertained during lunch by The Voice contestants Chris Sebastian, brother of Guy Sebastian, and Luke Koteras, who were sensational. Thank you to Ben and his family for this generous gift and congratulations on the organisation of another successful Golf Day. If you would like more information on the Bursary Fund or how you can donate, please contact the Development Office at the College.

Marshall Rogers Golf Day

Old Boys events planned for 2015

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St Gregory’s College Campbelltown, Gregory Hills NSW 2557 • Telephone: 02 4629 4222 • Fax: 02 4628 1594

Published by the Development Office • Design & Artwork by Edwell Graphic Design Pty Ltd 02 9630 7703 • Printing by megacolour 02 9516 1786.

Respected motoring expert and founder of the Drive to Survive program, Mr Ian Luff, hosted a Road Safety Forum for parents and students of Year 10 and Year 11. The evening was held at the Wakeling Automotive Hyundai showrooms at Campbelltown. The aim of the evening was to give young drivers and their instructors driving skills and tactics for a greater awareness of the responsibility that is undertaken by getting behind the wheel of a car.

Ian also introduced a Special Guest, 28 year old Jarrad Ingram, who had a car accident whilst driving which left him with a brain injury. Jarrad shared with the forum a very real account of his life prior to the accident at 22 and the challenges he now faces in his life, it was extremely powerful for the boys to witness.

The Road Safety Forum is about saving our most precious resource, Human Life! All who attended were grateful for the opportunity that Ian and Suzy Luff provided.

Since the annual Celebrity Sports Dinner was established some 21 years ago, the generosity of our College community has been extraordinary.

The continued success of the dinner certainly would not be possible without the dedicated committee working together led by Mr Bruce Hanrahan, Mr Paul Wakeling, Mr Steve Carter, Mr Jack Hughes, Mrs Annette O’Neill, Mrs Kate Stott and Mr Greg Field.

A huge thank you to our local businesses and sponsors, without whom we would simply not have this amazing event to host each year. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated by the boys of our College. We thank most sincerely our major sponsors, Wests Campbelltown, Meehans Solicitors, Leppington Speedy Seedlings, Wakeling Automotive, Gregory Hills, Crown Hotel, Thomson Adsett, Campbelltown Catholic Club, Casella Wines and Warburn Estate. Please support these businesses as they support us.

p a R T N E R S h I pI N

Road Safety Forum

Celebrity Sports Dinner – Thank You To Our Sponsors

Bursary Donations

Bursary Donations

All cheques should be made payable to the St Gregory’s College Foundation

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Signature ............................................................................................................ Expiry Date ................................

Direct Deposit: BSB 062 517 ACCOUNT REF: FRANK

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Email ...........................................................................................................................................

Telephone ................................................................................................................................

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I am an Old Boy from the Class of………………….OR I am a past, current

or future parent, or a Foundation friend of the College community.

I wish to support the Father Frank Helping Hand by making a tax

deductible donation.

You are invited to donate to the Father Frank Helping Hand fund to support St Gregory’s College families in challenging times. Donations are fully tax deductible. Old boys are particularly encouraged to contribute and specific year groups may wish to arrange to organise a donation as an ongoing annual project.

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Wests League Club

Campbelltown Catholic Club Dart West Developments Leppington Speedy Seedlings Meehans Solicitors Wakeling Automotive