15 December 2023
Principal’s Report
Dear MCK Community,
As we come to the end of 2023, I offer my congratulations to all students for their wonderful achievements over the year. 2023 has been a fantastic year for the College with outstanding student achievements academically, on the sporting field, in the arts and much more. I am incredibly proud of our students.
At our Advent Liturgy on Monday, I spoke to students about the concept of opportunity and how blessed we are simply to live in Australia. I spoke about the year that has been and asked the students if they have made the most of the many opportunities given to them. I spoke about the fact that so many millions of children around the world are unable to attend school or have the opportunity to be educated and in particular, those children who are living amongst the devastation of war in the Ukraine and Palestine. My hope for 2024 is that all students at the College truly grasp the concept of opportunity and reflect on how they can continue to improve and grow as students and as people.
I thank and acknowledge the wonderful teachers and staff of the College who have worked tirelessly to ensure the highest quality education for students of the College. We are blessed with such wonderful teachers who truly have the best interests of students as their priority. I also thank parents and carers for your partnership throughout 2023. I thank you and acknowledge the support you have given to your son’s education and to the College this year.
This year has seen some major new initiatives at the College, including the introduction of a suite of new elective subjects in stage 5. These new subjects have given students the chance to learn exciting, real-world content in areas such as journalism, architecture, entrepreneurship, engineering and more. Our College has also engaged in a range of new student wellbeing programs and social justice activities this year, supporting those in need. 2024 will see further growth in this area with an immersion experience to Timor-Leste being planned.
2023 has also seen some major upgrades to facilities at the College and this will continue in 2024 with work already commenced on new College toilets, a new science laboratory, a new woodwork room and further upgrades to classrooms and infrastructure. I look forward to the opening of these new facilities as we commence the 2024 school year.
2023 HSC Results
Congratulations to our 2023 HSC cohort on their fantastic achievements. Some of the highlights are:
- 97% of all HSC Courses were above state average (31 out of 32)
- 10 courses were more than 10% above the state average
- There were 118 Band 6 results (90-100%)
- Two students were “All Rounders” achieving a band 6 in every subject studied
- 54 students were distinguished achievers - achieving at least one band 6 result
- 67% of all results were in bands 5 and 6 (80% and above)
- 95% of all results were in bands 4, 5 and 6 (70% and above)
- Harrison Lee ranked 4th in the state in Information Digital Technology
- MCK ranked 73rd in the SMH HSC rankings
There have been some outstanding ATAR's which include:
Luca Colarusso - 98.75 (Dux) | Aydan Pang - 94.60 | Calen Hearne - 92.10 |
Brendan Mabbutt - 98.75 (Dux) | Dean Christie - 94.40 | Daniel He - 91.80 |
Luca Caristo - 98.35 | Spencer Martelletti - 94.25 | Simon Carey - 91.65 |
Marcus Lazevski - 97.80 | Michael Vissaritis - 94.00 | Jarred D'Argenio - 91.00 |
Jesse Saidi - 97.40 | Bronson Reuben - 93.45 | Harrison Lee - 90.80 |
Christian Watson - 97.05 | Steven Konjarski - 93.05 | Gabriel Carnuccio - 90.75 |
Harry Bletsas - 96.35 | Oliver Ferraz - 92.90 | Kyan Perez - 90.70 |
Lewis Mabey - 96.00 | Darcy Flood - 92.55 | Jordan Gacomi - 90.55 |
Evan Hronis - 95.20 | Jake Mrencevski - 92.50 | Dean Sozomenou - 90.40 |
Zachary Jonathan - 94.75 | Luke Refalo - 92.35 | Jason Yohana - 90.25 |
2023 Celebration of Excellence
Our 2023 Celebration of Excellence Student Award Ceremony was a fantastic event to end the academic year on Tuesday evening. Congratulations to all our award winners and thank you to parents and carers who attended to celebrate their son’s achievements. Our major award winners are listed below.
Year 7 Year 7 DUX - PANAYIOTI YALIZIS Overall 2nd Place - SAMUEL SHIDIAK Overall 3rd Place - EDEN NIKOLOVSKI & ALEXANDER RYLAND Marcellin Champagnat Award for Special Achievement - DOMINIC GALVAN |
Year 8 Year 8 DUX - ALEXANDER AGHABI Overall 2nd Place - NICHOLAS LOIZOU Overall 3rd Place - COSTA ANGELOPOULOS, SAM AVERSA & CHRISTIAN BOLANCA Marcellin Champagnat Award for Special Achievement - MICHAEL ELHAGE |
Year 9 Year 9 DUX - JAMES EPPS Overall 2nd Place - BENJAMIN RYLAND Overall 3rd Place - JACKSON JAMHOUR & JAKE POLITIS Marcellin Champagnat Award for Special Achievement - GEORGE FESTA |
Year 10 Year 10 DUX - LUKE MARTELLETTI Overall 2nd Place - ALESSANDRO COLARUSSO Overall 3rd Place - RYAN MORTON Marcellin Champagnat Award for Special Achievement - ELIO FORNASIER ADF Long Tan Award - RYAN MORTON ADF Future Innovators Award - MITCHELL TADROS |
Year 11 Year 11 DUX - ALEXANDER D'ACUNTO Overall 2nd Place - ROLAND HARBAND & ANSON TSANG Overall 3rd Place - GEORGE KORAKIS Marcellin Champagnat Award for Special Achievement - JOSHUA BAROUDY Victor Chang School Science Award - DANIEL McEGAN VET Excellence Award - MASSIMO SERRA |
Staffing Changes for 2024
This year we farewell two teachers (temporarily). Mr Hildebrandt will be working for Sydney Catholic Schools Sport in 2024 and Mr Nguyen will be undertaking further studies in Mathematics in 2024. We farewell our long-standing Maintenance Officer, Mr Peter Nash who is retiring after more than 25 years of service to the College. I thank Mr Nash for his great contribution to Marist College Kogarah and wish him well in the future.
We have some wonderful new staff commencing with the College in 2024. They are, Mrs Gebron (Mathematics), Mr Steel (HSIE) and Mrs Cranney (Diverse Learning). We also welcome back Mrs Gambian who returns as the Leader of Community Engagement from maternity leave. Our new staff are excited to be joining the MCK community and I look forward to welcoming them at the commencement of the 2024 school year.
Mobile Phones 2024
Changes to the Mobile Phone Policy have been very successful in 2023. A reminder that the use of mobile phones by students is prohibited while at the College. Mobile Phones are not to be seen or heard from the moment a student enters the College gates until they leave the College grounds at the end of the day. Parents should not contact students via mobile phones during school hours. Please continue to support us in our endeavour to ensure students are not using mobile phones at all while at the College by contacting the administration office should you need to contact your son during school hours.
Readiness for 2024
The 2024 school year commences for Year 7 and our College Senior Leaders on Thursday, 1 February and Years 8-12 on Friday, 2 February. Please see Mrs Roebuck’s section below for more details. All students must be in full summer uniform for the start of the 2024 school year. Students’ hairstyle must adhere to the College guidelines as outlined in the student diary or they will be sent home to rectify.
Student Wellbeing Over the Holidays
Although we often talk about how great holiday periods are, for some, these periods can be difficult with students away from their friends and the usual school supports causing some students to feel isolated and alone. There is always plenty of support available for young people during the school holidays, and you can find links to these resources on the College Website under Student Wellbeing. This page has some great resources for young people who are in need of some support. The direct link to this page is https://www.mckogarah.catholic.edu.au/student-wellbeing
CatholicCare also provides Counselling services over the holidays and this can be arranged by contacting CCareline on 13 18 19.
Below is a link to a fact sheet from headspace entitled “Supporting your young person during the holidays” which gives great advice to parents to help their children stay in a healthy headspace during school holidays.
Merry Christmas
As we move toward the celebration of the birth of Christ, I wish all College families a safe, happy and holy Christmas and a wonderful holiday period with family and friends. I hope that the Christmas break is filled with joy and may God watch over you and your loved ones.
God Bless.
Mr Simon Ghantous
College Principal
Assistant Principal’s Report
2024 Media Consent Form/Student Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement
Your 2024 Media Consent Form / Student Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement is now available in Compass Insights. You will see an invitation to complete an Insights Cycle when you log into Compass. Click on the blue link to open the cycle, select your responses and ‘save’ - you will receive a ‘Thank you’ when completed. If you can’t see the link, go to the ‘More’ icon on the bottom right of your home page and then select ‘Insights’.
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Only one parent from each family is required to complete the cycle and when finished the alert will disappear for the family.
2024 Return to School
Some important information for our 2024 return to school:
Thursday, 1 February 2024 | Year 7 students commence |
Friday, 2 February 2024 | Years 8 - 12 students commence |
We will begin the day on Friday 2 February, Week 0, Day 5 at 8.45 am with a Principal’s Address, followed by Homeroom and Year Assemblies. All students will need to ensure they have writing equipment for Period 2 - 5 on this day, as normal lessons will commence. Your son’s 2024 Timetable will be available on Compass on Thursday, 1 February 2024.
The College maintains high standards and expectations about how our students present themselves. It is important that students present themselves on return to school neat and presentable in full Summer Uniform.
Older students are expected to attend the College clean shaven. The College policy on haircuts is very clear. Extremes in haircuts and the use of a blade number lower than “2”, are unacceptable. All haircuts should be blended and uniform in appearance, therefore any excess style trend will not be tolerated. e.g skin fades.
Students who attend the College with inappropriate hairstyles and poor grooming may be sent home.
College Tutor Program
The College Tutor Program will begin again in Term 1, Week 2. The program takes place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm in the College Library. No booking is required.
I would encourage all students to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity in the new year for support with homework, assignments or understanding of content. Year 12 students will be sent a booking link in Week 1, to enable them to begin planning their support.
Thank you
Thank you to all members of the College community for your support this year. I commend the students for their wonderful attitude to their learning and their fantastic achievements. To our parents/caregivers, thank you for the trust you place in our care of your son’s wellbeing and learning.
I wish everyone a very happy and holy Christmas and a restful holiday with family and friends.
Mrs Catherine Roebuck
Assistant Principal
Religious Education Coordinator
Advent Liturgy
On Monday, 11 December, we came together for our annual Advent Liturgy at the Marist Centre. It was a simple yet powerful gathering, focusing on the Nativity story and the essence of Christmas.
Students led the narration, with student musicians, filling the air with Christmas carols.
The Advent Liturgy isn't just a ceremony; it's a chance to witness students' growth in understanding the world and their place in it. It reminds us that education goes beyond academics, shaping character and fostering empathy.
As we head into the holidays, let's carry the spirit of the Advent Liturgy with us in the classrooms. May the values of compassion and gratitude cultivated during this celebration extend warmth and joy throughout our community.
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Termly Parish Mass
In the spirit of the season, our student leaders, accompanied by the vibrant energy of our primary school students, took part in a heartwarming Advent Mass at St. Joseph's Parish, Rockdale. This special occasion not only marked the advent of Christmas but also commemorated a significant milestone – Fr Yacub's 30-year ordination.
Our student leaders played an integral role in the Mass, contributing to the solemnity of the occasion. It was a proud moment for Marist College Kogarah as our students actively participated in the service, reflecting the values instilled within our school community.
As we celebrated Fr Yacub's three decades of dedicated service, it was an opportunity for us to express our deepest gratitude for his unwavering support and tireless work at the College. Fr Yacub's commitment has been instrumental in shaping the spiritual fabric of our community, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for his enduring presence and guidance.
Following the Mass, the festive spirit continued as our students took part in a heartwarming gesture. They served food to the parishioners, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. The joyous atmosphere reached its peak when our students, adorned as Santa Claus, delighted young children by distributing candy canes. Their infectious smiles and the twinkling eyes of the little ones added an extra layer of warmth to the day.
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Purpose Conference
On December 7-8, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney with the support of Sydney Catholic Schools invited students from Years 9-12 to the inaugural archdiocesan youth conference – Purpose Conference.
The Purpose Conference included 1250 high school students, giving students an opportunity to dialogue, socialise and connect with like-minded young people in a safe, positive and faith filled environment. Ten students from Years 9 and 10 attended the two days with Ms Kirk and Ms Appleyard. I thank them both for agreeing to attend and for their time supporting these students. I thank Mr Ward for his organisation of the event.
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Marist Noel Gift Wrapping
Marist180 belongs to the wider global Marist community of schools, welfare agencies, universities and colleges, youth advocacy, and young adult ministry that has a presence in eighty-one countries. They provide a range of programs and services to help a young person create positive change in their lives.
Marist180 seeks support from the wider community to participate in their inaugural 'A Marist Noel'. Our hope is to provide the children and young people in our residential care homes with a meaningful and memorable Christmas.
Thank you to Mr Almeida and ten Year 10 students for participating in this initiative. The students spent several hours wrapping gifts at La Valla. Their focused, energetic, positive and collaborative teamwork was excellent-and made such a difference to the logistics of getting items sorted, wrapped and ready for distribution.
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Night Patrol
In the spirit of giving, our dedicated staff recently participated in the St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Night Patrol, embodying our commitment to community service. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each staff member (Mrs Rodgers, Ms Appleyard, Ms Kirk, Mrs Crehan, Ms Tarabay, Mr Rodriguez and Mr Kounnas) who generously contributed their time and compassion to this meaningful initiative.
Your presence made a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, and your commitment to the SVDP Night Patrol reflects the values we hold dear at MCK. Thank you for being a shining example of service and compassion.
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2023 Christmas Appeal
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Many Sydney families need extra help over Christmas. Some can’t afford even the most basic food items to make a healthy meal, let alone Christmas dinner. And some need extra assistance because their family is in crisis.
But you can change that.
This Year MCK will again work together with Sydney Catholic Schools, CatholicCare and St Vincent De Paul at Christmas to help people facing poverty and hardship.
The Gift of Goodness campaign works in collaboration with Harris Farm Markets to provide fresh fruit, vegetables and grocery Christmas Hampers.
If you wish, you can make a donation to support this campaign. Below is a link where a donation can also be made towards a Christmas Hamper:
https://fundraise.catholiccare.org/event/gift-of-goodness/donate
Your Gift of Goodness shows Sydney families in need that they are not forgotten.
Parish of St Gabriel’s, Bexley and St Mary Mackillop’s Rockdale City - Christmas Mass Times
CHRISTMAS MASSES AND RECONCILIATIONS RECONCILIATIONS Rockdale (Italian/English) Wednesday, 20th December 10-10.45am Bexley Saturday 23rd December – 8.00am Arncliffe Saturday 23rd December – 4.00pm Rockdale Saturday 23rd December – 5.30pm MASSES Christmas Eve, Sunday, 24th December Bexley 5.00pm Arncliffe 5.00pm Rockdale 6.30pm “Midnight Mass”, Sunday night Rockdale 11.00pm (Carols from 10.30pm) (N.B. Note the time change!!) Christmas Day, Monday, 25th December Arncliffe 9.00am Bexley 9.00am Rockdale 9.00am Italian Rockdale 10.30am NO 5.00pm Mass at Bexley on Christmas Day |
As the school year draws to a close, I would like to thank the College community for their generosity of giving to this year’s St Vincent’s Christmas and Gift of Goodness Appeals. These annual fundraising campaigns not only raise much needed funds they bring thousands of Australians together in solidarity to support those who are less fortunate at this time of year. Thank you again for your continued support at this time.
Please see above the Christmas mass times for the parishes of St Mary MacKillop's Parish, Rockdale City and St Gabriel's Parish, Bexley.
I wish you and your families a very safe and Holy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Ms Lauren Abihanna
Religious Education Coordinator
Leader of Teaching and Learning
Celebrating Growth and Learning: A Farewell to the School Year
As we come to the close of another academic year, I reflect on the incredible and varied learning experiences of students at the College throughout the year.
Our students have exhibited a dedication to their studies, extracurricular activities, and personal growth. Many varied learning opportunities have been provided to students throughout the year both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities offered by the College. Students have been challenged to cultivate their curiosity, creativity and critical thinking. This year our new Stage 5 Electives have been extremely successful in enhancing student engagement and endeavouring to allow students to be actively involved in their learning.
This year, we have seen our students shine in various academic pursuits. Whether it is achieving outstanding results in examinations, showcasing talents in the arts and music, technology or excelling in debating and public speaking. Every accomplishment is a testament to the collaborative spirit and success and growth of our students.
Our teaching staff has once again demonstrated unwavering commitment to fostering an environment of learning and discovery. I thank them for their dedication and tireless support provided to students. Many additional extra-curricular activities and holiday seminars for our Year 12 students is due to the generosity of staff in giving of their time.
As we move towards the summer holidays, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all students, parents, teachers, and support staff. Everyone’s collective efforts have created a vibrant, nurturing, and dynamic learning environment throughout the year.
Wishing everyone a joyous Christmas with family and have a restful break.
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Mrs Gina Stavropoulos
Leader of Teaching and Learning
Year 7 Australian Reptile Park Incursion
This term Year 7 Science have been learning about the classification of organisms as part of their study of ‘The Living World Around Us.’ To support this learning, Year 7 students and their Science teachers took part in an incursion run by the Australian Reptile Park. Keepers provided an insight into the specific adaptations different animals have which allow them to survive in their environment. Students were provided with a hands-on experience, holding a range of animals, including snakes, tortoises, and lizards. It was a memorable day, sparking interest and excitement throughout the College.
Ms Eugeena Pantelis
Science Teacher
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Bayside Council Photography Competition
Congratulations to Dylan Veljanovski in Year 10 for winning first place in the Transport category of the Bayside Council Photography Competition. Dylan's photograph titled "Speeding Through" depicts Banksia train station in a unique and creative way. The speed of the passing train is captured in contrast against the static station bench, reflecting the business of our day-to-day lives and the beauty in moments often overlooked. Dylan was also a finalist in several other categories of the competition. Well done Dylan!
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Ms Sophie Kirk
Photographic and Digital Media Teacher
Year 8 Italian Pizza Making Day
In a kitchen filled with excitement, us Year 8 students recently ditched our usual textbooks for aprons and chef hats in a lively pizza-making session. With a base, sauce, cheese, and various toppings at our disposal, we became mini pizzaiolos, creating pizzas to our preference. Many giggles erupted as the class turned into a bustling pizza kitchen. As the pizzas baked to golden perfection, the anticipation grew. When the ovens dinged, signalling the pizzas were ready, we gathered around, admiring our handcrafted creations. Each pizza was a unique masterpiece, and the joy on our faces was as excited as the delicious scent that filled the room. The fun continued as we sat together, eating and flexing on how our pizza was the best. The pizza-making day wasn't just about creating tasty treats; it was a bonding experience that brought smiles, laughter, and a sense of camaraderie among the Year 8 class. Overall, this was a very enjoyable experience and session for us Year 8 students.
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Alexander Aghabi 8.1
MCK Chess House Cup
Over the last few weeks of term students across Years 7-11 have participated in the inaugural MCK Chess House Cup to finish up the first year of representative chess. Years 7-8 faced off in one half of the draw and Years 9-11 in the other half with the goal of crowning a junior and a senior House Cup champion. After some close and valiantly fought matches Marcus Gao (Year 7) and Roland Harband (Year 11) emerged as our Junior and Senior champions respectively. These two champions then faced off in a champion of champions grand final. It was a closely fought game, but Marcus emerged victorious!! Ever gracious Roland declared that the future of chess at MCK looks bright and I couldn't agree more.
To end the tournament a friendly teacher vs student games were held. Mr Scali volunteered to represent the teachers and did so fantastically playing our senior champion Roland, the captain of the junior SCS conference 3 champions Dominic Gibbons (Year 8), Captain of the intermediate A team Dylan Veljanovski (Year 10) and new up and comer Ivan Zhang (Year 7). The students emerged victorious winning every game, but Mr Scali played fantastically, and the students thoroughly enjoyed the games as did the spectators who gathered in the library to watch the games.
Congratulations to all students who entered the tournament, the spectators and supporters at each game and a huge thankyou to Mr Scali.
The future of chess at the College certainly is bright and I look forward to another successful year of Chess in 2024.
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Mrs Amiee Hesson
MCK Chess Coordinator
Leader of Student Wellbeing
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As the year draws to a conclusion, I have reflected on the year that has been. Wellbeing at MCK has aimed to build a culture where students and staff feel supported, valued and connected to the College, where all members of our College community are active participants in building a welcoming school culture that values diversity, and fosters positive, respectful relationships. Our wellbeing practices align with the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework, based on evidence that demonstrates the strong association between safety, wellbeing and learning.
Throughout the course of 2023, there have been a number of initiatives and practices put in place to meet the aims of wellbeing at the College. They centre around:
- Student Leadership
- Student Engagement
- Staff Professional learning
- Intervention programs
- Student Voice
- Awareness & Advocacy
- Parent Engagement
- Alternative educational opportunities
- Belonging
Our boys have demonstrated a strong connection to the College and a sense of belonging evident by their involvement in so many of the opportunities available to them. We have had many bumps along the way, however with determination, grit and strong relationships between the College and Parents, the boys have grown through their experiences and will continue to do so.
The boys of MCK have been supported incredibly by the Leaders of Wellbeing. They work tirelessly, always with the students' best interests at heart. I sincerely thank each of them for their care and expertise:
Year 7: Ms Davies
Year 8: Ms Gomes
Year 9: Mr Kazanis
Year 10: Mr McGufficke
Year 11: Mr Kalodikis
Year 12: Ms Lloyd
Finally, I wish the entire MCK community a happy and holy Christmas and a fantastic 2024.
Mr Shane Duff
Leader of Student Wellbeing
Sport Report
SCS Representative Sport finished for the year in Weeks 8 and 9 of Term 4. There were a number of our teams who made it through to the Conference 3 finals day along with one team in particular who nearly took out the Sydney Championships. Sydney Catholic Schools also ran 3 Gala Days in Week 9 which MCK took part in. Along with this we had two very exciting Individual Achievements from MCK students. Let’s have a look at our final recap for the year.
OzTag
Senior Team
The MCK Senior OzTag Team won the Conference 3 Competition in Week 8. The boys beat a strong St Pats side before facing Aquinas Menai in the final. They came away 4-3 winners thanks to an extremely impressive defensive effort with the boys defending their line on multiple occasions and Sam Duncombe scoring the match winner with 60 seconds to go.
As a result of this achievement, the boys qualified for the SCS Finals Day and made light work of Clancy College in the Semi Final 15-4. This set up a Grand Final against an old MCC foe Marcellin College Randwick. This was a hard-fought game and thanks to a Sam Duncombe first-half double the scores were tied at 3-3 at halftime. Shortly after the break, Jacob Fong broke through and the boys were leading 4-3. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for the team as Marcellin scored a few tries in quick succession as the boys ran out of gas on what was a very warm afternoon with the final score being 7-4. A big congratulations to all the boys involved on what was a very enjoyable and successful term of sport and a big thank you to Mr Jake Gallagher for coming along with myself and the team on Finals Day!
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Mr Ryan Ziegenfusz
Coach
Intermediate Team
The MCK Intermediate OzTag team came up against De La Salle Caringbah in their SCS Conference 3 Semi-Final in Week 8. The boys took the field at full strength and were positive in having a strong start against an opposition who had been the best team in the competition all season long. Whilst the Intermediates made crucial tags early on and managed to remain level with Caringbah in the first half, too many simple errors gifted the opposition great field possession which resulted in easy tries. The game didn’t go our way and Caringbah walked away as 6-2 winners. All students should be proud of their efforts throughout the term and we’re looking forward to seeing their improvement in the year to come.
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Mr Chris Raptis
Coach
Volleyball
Intermediate Team
MCK Intermediate Volleyball were up against old rivals Aquinas in the semifinals. The game was competitive from start to finish with both teams working hard for every single point. Kogarah won the first set 15-13, the team setting out to try and win in straight sets. Unfortunately, a few questionable calls and some minor errors saw Kogarah very narrowly defeated in the second and third sets.
A big thank you to the Intermediate team this year. The boys not only trained and played well each session, but the commitment to Volleyball as a new school sport is to be commended. Numerous times the Junior, Intermediate and Senior team members turned up to each other’s training sessions and helped each other out to build the Volleyball culture across all teams. Watch this sport as Kogarah sets out to dominate future competitions.
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Mr Robert Almeida
Coach
Junior Team
The Junior MCK Volleyball side ‘sneaked’ into the Semi-finals in equal 4th place, due to a count back. As a result, they came up against First Place, a very confident De La Salle Revesby Team, at Hurstville Aquatics Centre. As clear ‘under dogs’ the boys had nothing to lose and played above their previous performances to narrowly ‘go down’ 2 Sets to 1 in a closely fought Semi-Final. All 3 sets were very even, and it was only a few serving unforced errors that proved to be the difference between a win and a loss. Revesby went on to take out the competition, so the boys should be very proud of their performance. Congratulations on a solid season gentlemen.
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Mr Stephen McGufficke
Coach
Cricket
Junior Team
The MCK Junior cricket team unfortunately lost their semi-final against a strong Marist College Eastwood side. Sent into bat, it was tough going from the start losing wickets at regular intervals while being unable to keep a consistent run rate. In a shortened 16 over game, the boys made 7/64 and Alexander Karanastasis top scored with 31. Tight bowling and fielding at the start of the bowling innings gave the boys a glimmer of hope, however some class batting from Eastwood saw them chase down the runs only 2 wickets down.
Overall, it was a successful season for the team. Winning every game of the regular season was a significant achievement especially given the number of Year 7 students playing in their first season of SCS cricket. The future of cricket at MCK looks promising! Congratulations to all the players on their commitment to the team throughout the season.
Mr James Stirton
Coach
All Abilities TeeBall
We are excited to share the wonderful achievements of our boys who participated in the inaugural SCS All Ability Tee Ball competition this term. The season was filled with growth, camaraderie, and impressive displays of skill.
Throughout the season, our boys dedicated themselves to honing their throwing, catching, and hitting abilities. It was truly heartening to witness their progress and development in these fundamental aspects of the game. The commitment and effort demonstrated by each player were commendable.
One of the standout performers of the season was Adam Harpley, who emerged as our main run scorer. Adam not only hit multiple home runs but also showcased his powerful hitting ability by sending balls soaring onto the road—an extraordinary feat that left spectators in awe.
Another notable contributor to our success was Logan Thompson, whose outstanding fielding skills made a significant impact on the team's performance. Logan made numerous catches, showcasing both athleticism and strategic acumen on the field.
As the coach, I took immense pride in observing our MCK players give their all in each game, exemplifying true sportsmanship and the Marist spirit. While winning was a goal, the emphasis on fair play, teamwork, and positive attitudes was equally important.
Our season results were a mixed bag, with victories and defeats balancing each other out. A particular highlight was our thrilling win against Clancy College. In this memorable match, all the boys played pivotal roles, contributing with runs or making crucial run-outs. The collective effort and synergy displayed during this game reflected the growth and unity the team had achieved over the season.
The students who played a vital role in the success of the SCS All Ability Tee Ball team are:
Dylan Duong
Oliver Fairbrass
Indiana Flood
Haysam Ghazzaoui
Gabriel Giaouris
Adam Harpley
Joshua Istafanous
Logan Thompson
James Tuohy
Justin Youssef
We congratulate each player on their achievements and commend their dedication to the team. The Tee Ball season was not just about wins and losses; it was a journey of skill development, sportsmanship, and the joy of playing together. Thank you to Mrs Crehan and Mrs Rodgers for their continuous support on gameday!
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Mrs Cathy Crehan and Mr James Drahalivas
Coaches
SCS Futsal Gala Day
We are delighted to share the outstanding success of the Kogarah Marist Futsal Team at the recently concluded Conference 3 Futsal Gala Day held at the Menai Indoor Sports Centre.
The day was filled with high level competition and true sportsmanship as schools from the region battled it out on the futsal court.
The Kogarah Marist Futsal Team displayed exceptional skill, teamwork, and determination throughout the tournament, securing a well-deserved championship title. The results speak for themselves:
Match Results:
5-3 win vs Aquinas College Menai
9-0 win vs De La Salle Caringbah B
4-1 win vs De La Salle Revesby
5-1 win in Semi Final vs De La Salle Caringbah A
3-1 win Grand Final vs De La Salle Revesby
A special congratulations to Lucas Catanzariti, who showcased incredible talent by scoring an impressive total of 8 goals throughout the tournament. Lucas's contribution was instrumental in the team's success, and we commend him for his dedication and skill on the futsal court.
We also extend special recognition to Louis Bitas, our outstanding goalkeeper, who has been named the Player of the Tournament. Louis's exceptional skills and unwavering dedication were evident throughout the competition, and his performance in the final was nothing short of heroic. He made critical saves that played a pivotal role in securing our victory and bringing home the championship.
As the last line of defence, Louis's contribution to the team cannot be overstated. His focus, agility, and ability to make crucial saves under pressure were instrumental in our journey to becoming champions. Louis truly exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship and excellence that we value at Kogarah Marist.
This achievement reflects the commitment and hard work of our students. We are immensely proud of the team's accomplishments, and we want to acknowledge the following students for all their efforts:
Mark Awad
Xavier Bernard
Louis Bitas
Lucas Catanzariti
Jayden Coert
Sam Gregoriou
Adam Kotb
James Pagonis
Anesti Papalexandris
James Petrovski
Pater Samos
Jacob Trajcevski
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Mr James Drahalivas and Frank Lauria
Coaches
SCS Badminton Gala Day
Eight MCK students from Years 8-10 competed in the SCS Badminton Gala Day on Thursday, Week 9. Whilst our boys gave their best effort, we unfortunately didn’t have any place getters on the day. Congratulations to our Intermediate team which consisted of Daniel Carino and Alexander Aghabi who won two matches on the day.
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Mr Kevin Pham
Coach
SCS Mountain Biking
Monday Week 8 we had eight students travel out to Waratah Oval in Sutherland to compete in the SCS Mountain Biking Gala Day. Congratulations to Ashton Huynh of Year 8 for winning the Intermediate Age Group and to Adrian Gramatkovski of Year 11 who placed 4th in the Seniors.
Individual Achievements
Alexander Zafiris Year 11
On Sunday, 10th December Alexander Zafiris of Year 11 competed in the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian National Schools Athletics Finals in Perth! Alexander competed in the Open’s Boys Shot Put event and managed to finish 7th overall. The MCK community is extremely proud of Alexander’s achievements in Athletics throughout the year, especially making it to the National level!! Well done Alexander and we’re looking forward to following your success once again next year!
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Samuel Skrabak Year 8
On Monday, 11th December Samuel Skrabak of Year 8 competed in NSW Senior State Swimming Championships. Samuel put on a show that shocked his coaches and even himself. He swam the Under 13 Boys 50m Freestyle in 24.61 seconds!! Not only did he win the Gold medal in this event, he is now ranked the 3rd fastest 13 year old boy in the 50m Freestyle in Australian history after Kyle Chalmers. He is also now the title holder for the fastest Under 14’s 50m Freestyle Swimmer in Slovakian history. Words can't express how proud we are as a College community. Extremely excited to see what 2024 holds for Samuel!
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Mr Jason Booth
Sports Coordinator
Career Corner
Careers Newsletter
Mr Peter Fitzpatrick
Careers/VET Leader of Learning