College Newsletter - 28 March 2024

Principal’s Report

Dear MCK Community,

As we move into the holiest time of the year for our Catholic faith, the celebration of Easter, we reflect on and give thanks for the great sacrifice Christ made for all of us. In his Lenten message for 2024, themed “Through the Desert, God leads us to Freedom”, Pope Francis speaks of the love of God and the love of neighbour as one love – encouraging us to be sensitive to one another, rethink our lifestyles and contribute to a better society.

This Easter as we commemorate the Passion and death of Christ and celebrate the resurrection, let us pray for those who are suffering throughout our world and consider our own lives and what we can do for others.

This morning, at our Stations of the Cross Liturgy, I spoke to the young men of the College about the meaning of Easter and the concept of "Agape" - the Ancient Greek word that describes the universal love of all people, the love that Jesus spoke about when he commanded us to love our neighbours as ourselves. The world certainty needs love and as a community we continue to seek avenues to show compassion and support for those in need. I hope and pray that Easter is a time of rest and renewal for all families in our College community and that we are strengthened in our faith and touched by God’s grace.

Project Compassion

Thank you to those families that have contributed to Project Compassion. We are inching closer to our target of $5000. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Caritas Australia has been able to assist communities around the world through income generation, water and sanitation, food security, education and disaster risk reduction programs. You can continue to donate to Project Compassion online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion

2024 Immersion Opportunity to Timor-Leste

I am pleased to announce that in 2024 the College will hold our first ever Immersion to Timor-Leste. Over the past 3 years Marist College Kogarah has been supporting Australian Marist Solidarity in Timor-Leste and contributing through fundraising to development and building projects of local schools.

We now have the opportunity for our students to see first-hand the efforts they have contributed to and the tangible way our College has supported the community. 

The immersion aims to provide students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Catholic Social Teachings and Marist charism and experience the work of the Marist community in Timor-Leste.

The immersion will take place from September 27^th to October 5^th and will be for students in Years 10 and 11 only travelling with College staff.

There are a limited number of student places available on the immersion. For any student interested in attending, there will be a parent information session at the College early in Term 2. More information will be forthcoming regarding the parent information session via Compass.

Amadeus Program

This week, the College commenced the Sydney Catholic Schools Amadeus program. The program commences with Year 7 students and will include Year 8 students in 2025. The Amadeus program is run across all Sydney Catholic Schools and provides Year 7 students with access to an orchestral instrument. The Year 7 students will participate in weekly ensemble/small group tuition led by classroom music teachers and specialist music tutors. For more information regarding the Amadeus program, see the link below or contact the College office.

Marist Basketball Carnival

Congratulations to our senior basketball team who travelled to the Gold Coast for the 32^nd annual Marist Basketball Carnival. The Carnival was hosted by Trinity College Beenleigh and commenced with a mass and tournament dinner. The team played well and competed against some very good teams from across Australia. I thank Mr Kazanis and Mr Kounnas for travelling with and coaching the team.

A report from the carnival will feature in our Week 10 Newsletter.

2026 Enrolments

A friendly reminder to please remember to submit your enrolment form if you have a son you are wishing to enrol at the College in Year 7 in 2026. Applications close on April 5^th, so if you haven’t already done so, please submit your application online.  

A Happy and Holy Easter

I wish all students, parents, carers, and staff a happy, holy and safe Easter filled with love and care for one another. I encourage families to engage with your local parish during Holy Week. Times for Easter masses at our local parishes are available in Ms Abihanna’s section below.

May God bless all staff, students and families.

Mr Simon Ghantous
College Principal

Assistant Principal’s Report

College Tutor Program

It has been wonderful to see so many students attending the College Tutor Program.   I encourage all students to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for support with homework, assignments, understanding of content and some wonderful conversations.

Tutors are available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm in the College Library. I would ask parents to please ensure suitable arrangements are made for your son to get home after the library closes at 5.00 pm. 

There is no supervision at the College from 5.00 pm and students are not to remain on the premises after this time.

Student Equipment

A reminder to parents that students should attend school with all required equipment for that day. Please ensure your son brings a fully charged laptop to school, as the College chargers have not been returned and are consequently no longer available to students.

Not Present/Late to School

As we are approaching the end of term, a reminder to parents to add an Attendance Note in Compass for unexplained absences. This will resolve outstanding attendance issues for Term 1 and avoid unexplained absences being recorded on your son’s semester reports. Over the course of next week, the College will email those parents whose sons still have unexplained absences.

Happy Easter

This week we remember the final days of Jesus's life, his death, and his resurrection. I wish all families a very happy and holy Easter.

Mrs Catherine Roebuck
Assistant Principal

Religious Education Coordinator

Project Compassion 2024

Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal is an extraordinary, ongoing demonstration of the faith, love and generosity of the Catholic congregation and caring supporters throughout Australia to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

The theme of Project Compassion 2024 is ‘For All Future Generations’. 

This year, the theme For All Future Generations is inspired by the story of the burning bush in the book of Exodus (Exodus 3:1–20). In this story, God tells Moses that he has heard the cry of the people. God responds to injustice and chooses Moses to speak to Pharaoh. 

Though Moses is afraid, God promises to be with him. Thus, God says, ‘By this name I shall be invoked for all future generations.’ As God called Moses, so now God calls us to work for all future generations.

For over 55 years, Caritas Australia has worked together with many communities in Australia and around the world. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long term solutions to global issues.    

As Lent draws to a close, I would like to thank the College community for their generosity of gifting to this year’s Project Compassion Appeal.  Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising and awareness-raising appeal that brings thousands of Australians together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

We have raised a remarkable $4163.55. 

I thank you all for your contribution to this wonderful initiative. 

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

On Wednesday, 20 March, Patrick, Adrian, and Laurence attended the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Training. With earnest hearts and a commitment to serve their community, they immersed themselves in learning the sacred responsibilities of their role. Together, they embarked on this journey with humility and determination, ready to enrich their community with their service.

Year 8 Mass

On Wednesday morning, 20 March, Fr Yacub, our Parish Priest celebrated the Eucharist with the Year 8 Homeroom Teachers and the Year 8 cohort. Each fortnight every cohort will have the opportunity to celebrate mass in the College Chapel at 8.10 am on a Wednesday, however all students are welcome to attend any service. Thank you again to Fr Yacub for always being available to our College Community and for being a model for staff and students. It was a lovely way to start the day especially during this season on Lent. 

Interested in becoming a Catholic?

We extend a warm invitation to families who are interested in exploring the Catholic faith or participating in the sacraments (Reconciliation, Confirmation, Holy Communion). If you or your family members wish to learn more about Catholicism or express a desire to engage in the sacraments, we encourage you to reach out to either myself or Mr. Ward. We will then pass your names to Father Yacub who will be able to support you in the St Joseph’s Parish, Rockdale. 

Good Friday Stations of the Cross - St Gabriel’s Parish, Bexley

On Good Friday each year some of our students come together to re-enact the Stations of the Cross for our local parishioners. The students do an outstanding job, and it truly is a commemorative and moving event. 

You are all most welcome to attend on Good Friday, March 29, at 10am at St Joseph’s Parish Rockdale (Hot cross buns, tea and coffee are served after). 

Easter Mass Times

Please see below the Easter 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 happy and a Holy Easter to come.

May the Risen Christ be hope for all.

Ms Lauren Abihanna
Religious Education Coordinator

Leader of Teaching and Learning

Empowering Voices: Debating

The College has commenced preparation for the Debating Competition which begins in Term 2. As we strive to cultivate critical thinking, effective communication, and a spirit of respectful discourse among our students, debating serves as an invaluable platform for developing these skills and fostering a culture of intellectual engagement.

Why Debating?

Debating is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop excellent oral, written skills and teamwork. By engaging in structured debates, students have the opportunity to:

Sharpen Critical Thinking Skills: Debating requires students to analyze complex issues, weigh evidence, and construct logical arguments. It challenges them to think critically and consider multiple perspectives on a given topic.

Enhance Communication Abilities: Effective communication is essential in today’s world. Debating hones students’ abilities to articulate their thoughts clearly, persuasively, and with confidence, whether they are speaking or writing.

Cultivate Research and Preparation Skills: Debating encourages students to draw on contemporary knowledge, gather evidence, and formulate well-informed opinions. It teaches them the importance of thorough preparation.

Promote Empathy and Understanding: Through debating, students learn to listen actively to opposing viewpoints, understand differing perspectives, and engage in constructive dialogue. This fosters empathy, tolerance, and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.

Last week many of our debating students participated in the 2024 University of Sydney Union Debate Training Day.  Teams have already commenced collaborating with peers and expert coaches. Thank you to Ms Adamson for her coordination and Mrs Plummer and Mr Chantler who are currently supporting the College teams. 

We invite all students who are passionate about exploring issues and advocating for their beliefs to join the College Debating teams!

Mrs Gina Stavropoulos
Leader of Teaching and Learning

Year 11 Investigating Science visit Taronga Zoo

On Tuesday, 12 March, the Year 11 Investigating Science class, along with Mr Almeida and Mr Pratt, visited Taronga Zoo to observe the resident animals and survey their behaviours.

The first activity was a Free-Flight performance where they showcased the red-tailed black cockatoo as it gracefully swooped over our heads. We were also introduced to the rangers of the zoo. The zoo rangers then explained the need to understand the behaviour of every animal to help to manage the animals in the zoo and understand their needs.

We were then able to traverse the zoo to observe specific animals, as well as to observe other animals of our choice. The goal was to create an ethogram, which is a list of species-specific behaviours, categorised into a table format. These ethograms were scaffolded in workbooks which we filled in as we worked our way around the zoo. 

Some of the animals observed included chimpanzees which were resting in shade after playing and also sunbaking on the warm day. Red Pandas with their vibrant colours were resting deep in the branches of trees where some were observed moving to more comfortable locations. 

Seals swam around the large pool in laps, glistening in the water, as it looked at us with curiosity. The seals began to do a few tricks like spinning around in the water as if they were showing off.

Vicious tigers with their imposing figures and large eyes were observed walking around, sniffing their surroundings and scavenging bits of food. One of the tigers got tired and was sleeping on top of a van, which allowed us to take a closer look when suddenly one of the other tigers pounced on the van with no intention of scaring everyone, but students leaped out of the van in fear it would attack them.

Thank you to Mrs Cordwell and the science teachers for organising this excursion and allowing us to investigate science in the real world. 

Maxim Costa
Year 11

Year 11 Geography Investigation of Earth’s Natural Systems

On Friday, 15 March, our Year 11 Geography students visited several locations along Woronora, Georges and Cooks Rivers. The focus of this study is a geographical investigation of earth's natural cycles and processes.

This investigation explored:

• Burnum Burnum Sanctuary
• Revesby Beach
• Yeramba Lagoon
• Deepwater Park
• Gough Whitlam Park
• Kyeemagh

At each site the students tested the pH levels of the water, temperature and wind direction compared to the airport nearby, river velocity, and an analysis of the soil profile.  In addition, they analysed the exotic and native plants in the area.  By comparing the sites, the students were able to observe, analyse and assess differing types of cycles and processes and how these mould each aspect of the waterways.

The students' positive feedback of the day was an indication of the success of this excursion, despite the inclement weather.  They were able to deepen their knowledge and practise their skills, and enthusiastically expressed their enjoyment in participating in this investigation. 

A special thank you to Mr Gallagher for accompanying us on our field work. 

Mr Daniel Azzi
Assistant HSIE Leader of Learning

Year 12 Geography Investigation of Urban Dynamics impacting Pyrmont.    

On Friday, 23 February, our Year 12 Geography students visited the Sydney suburb of Pyrmont. The focus of this study is a geographical investigation of the urban dynamics impacting a country town or suburb.

The investigation explored the processes of Urban Decay, Urban Renewal, Urban Consolidation, Urban Villages and Spatial Exclusion along several locations such as -

• Union Square
• Miller Street
• Mount St
• Jones St
• Harris St
• Gadigal Avenue

At each site students observed and analysed the area, focussing on the levels of renewal, consolidation, community interaction as well as patterns of advantage, disadvantage and culture of place. 

The day was a great success in which the students could learn authentically about a suburb which has changed dramatically in recent history. They were able to deepen their understanding of the HSC content and practise the important skill of synthesising and evaluating fieldwork data. 

A special thank you to Mr Gallagher who assisted us throughout the day. 

Mr Daniel Azzi
Assistant HSIE Leader of Learning

Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts

On Thursday, 14 March, Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts students went to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to explore the Louise Bourgeois and ARTEXPRESS 24 exhibitions. The students experienced the strange beauty and emotional power of Louise Bourgeois' art, in the largest exhibition of her work ever seen in Australia in the new North Building of the gallery. The ARTEXPRESS 24 exhibition featured a selection of outstanding student artworks from the 2023 Visual Arts HSC class. On display was Cristian Varvakis’ collection of works, "Whispers of Light and Noise". He presented his work to us, and provided insight into his creative practice, process and success. Students have been inspired by the works of established artists and their peers to create individual bodies of work for their preliminary and HSC courses. 

Miss Sophie Kirk
Visual Arts Teacher

Year 10 Photography Excursion

On Wednesday, 27 March, the Year 10 Photography and Digital Media class attended an excursion as part of their 100 hour elective. The day began with a photography workshop run by multi-award winning photographers Daniel Linnet, a commercial photographer who led a session on camera techniques and architectural composition, and photojournalist Glenn Lockitch, who ran a street photography seminar. Students then put their technical skills and creativity into practice in a photo walk through the historical laneways of the rocks, and along the harbour foreshore to capture both the overlooked, and the iconic Sydney architecture.

SCS HSC Visual Arts Showcase

Last Friday evening, the opening of the SCS HSC Showcase was held at the McGlade Gallery Strathfield. The exhibition celebrates a selection of exemplary artworks from the 2023 Visual Arts HSC including Keiran Cadornigara and Darcy Duncan’s bodies of work. Keiran, who is currently studying architecture at UTS applied his graphic design and digital painting skills to creatively explore the physical impacts of stress on the human body in his piece As Pressure Unravels My Mind . Darcy, studying technical theatre and stage management at NIDA used his short film and monochromatic photographs to place a spotlight on the often unseen experiences of theatre in his work Production.

Upcoming: 2024 Portrait Prize Exhibition 

Last week, we were notified that Samuel Dimovski of Year 12 has been selected to have his beautiful portrait of his grandfather showcased in the SCS Portrait Prize, at the McGlade Gallery ACU Strathfield. The virtual gallery for this exhibition features 373 unique portraits from students across 57 schools. Only 80 of these artworks have been selected for the live exhibition at ACU, so congratulations to Sam on this fantastic achievement! The exhibition will run from May 2nd to May 16th, 2024.

Ms Katrina Appleyard
Visual Arts Teacher

Leader of Student Wellbeing

Cultural Diversity

Following the celebration of Harmony Week, it is of great importance that we continue the conversations around cultural diversity and inclusion. Cultural diversity encompasses the variety of cultures, beliefs, and traditions present globally, contributing to a rich tapestry of human experiences and perspectives. By valuing every child's cultural background, we enable them to excel in all facets of life. Nurturing an environment of curiosity, open-mindedness, and respect for all cultures, will to only promote unity but a deeper appreciation of the nuances that distinguish us.

Inclusion is about more than just words; it's about fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for every child, regardless of their cultural background. When children and adolescents feel seen and valued for who they are, they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Valuing and understanding cultural diversity, helps our communities benefit from a wealth of perspectives and experiences, enhancing our collective capacity for empathy and innovation.

As parents and adult carers, instilling an appreciation for cultural diversity is vital to equip young people with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Through leading by example and showing that kindness and understanding knows no boundaries, we can encourage them to embrace multiculturalism. This will not only prepare young people for personal success, but also for contributing to a world that views diversity as a strength. Through collective efforts, we can help pave the way for a more accepting and vibrant future.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how best to embrace and celebrate cultural diversity with your children. 

Mr Shane Duff
Leader of Student Wellbeing

Sports Report

Our Representative Basketball, Touch Football and European Handball teams have well and truly reached the back end of their regular seasons with only one round left to play before finals. Meanwhile, seven students from the MCK Swim Squad progressed through to the SCS Swimming Championships. Let's see how our boys are going…

Remember, results and ladder positions can always be checked on the SCS Website throughout the term.

Mr Jason Booth
Sports Coordinator

Touch Football

Senior Team

Round 5 saw the Senior MCK boys face De La Revesby; it was easily the most intense game of the season with great strategic play from both sides. After a tough start, the boys started to bounce back, and just before the half time break unfortunately the boys conceded a try down the sideline. It was try for try in the second half, with great play from Elias Kazzi, Micheal Elazzi and William Pappas. It ended up being the first loss of the season which was unfortunate, but the boys are ready for the next match up with De La in the future.

Round 6 saw the Senior Boys take on St Pats Sutherland in another tough match. The boys worked hard to coordinate their skills, talk to each other throughout the game and make excellent plays that saw them take the lead in the first half. St Pats were looking fatigued in the second half, which the boys used to their advantage by evening up the score. The boys were able to claim a 9-7 victory but will need to clean up their defence leading up to the finals if they’re a chance of winning the Conference 3 championship.

Mr Jake Gallagher and Mrs Helen Tarabay
Coaches

Intermediate Team

Round 5 saw the Intermediate team come up against De La Salle Revesby in a match of two halves. MCK raced out to a commanding 2-1 lead at halftime, only to capitulate and succumb 5-2 with Jake Batten again winning the Players player award. Learning from our mistakes and knuckling down at training the boys knew they had to pull up their socks against premiership contenders St Patrick’s Sutherland. Despite being down 2-1 at halftime the boys were full of confidence knowing they had the momentum swing going into the 2nd half. MCK recovered and held a 4-3 only to fall to a momentary lapse in concentration, resulting in a 4-4 draw. Despite the neutrality, the Intermediate team are full of confidence going into round 7 knowing a win against Aquinas Menai may be the beginning of a classic ‘Steven Bradbury’ level comeback!

Mr Luke Rodriguez
Coach

Junior Team

In Round 5 the Junior Boys Touch team had another dominant performance against De La Salle Revesby. All 13 players worked hard in the hot conditions. Wingers Marcus Naguib, Simon Berhe and Jake Kalinovski all scored multiple tries on the wing showing their speed and agility to beat defenders. The boys ran out 11-4 winners.

Round 6 saw the Junior Touch team play St Patrick’s Sutherland in a battle of 3rd versus 4th. In an error riddled first half the Junior boys were down 3-1 at half time. The team had lots of opportunities that were not taken, and this led to frustration creeping into the boys minds. The second half was a tight tussle with both teams driving from end to end. Alexander Borg produced a special solo try which brought the score back to 3-2. With Jake Kalinovski patiently waiting on the bench for the majority of the game he came on with 15 minutes to go and made some inspirational plays he made some crucial touches, a critical pass interception with St Pats attacking the Kogarah try-line and finally scoring the match levelling try with only seconds left on the clock to make it 3-3 at full time. Jake was awarded the player of the match for Marist College Kogarah.

Mr Chris Raptis
Coach

Basketball

Senior Team

The MCK Senior Basketball team suffered a convincing defeat against De La Salle Revesby in Round 5. The boys started the game with high levels of energy but unfortunately fell short during the 2nd half which saw the margin blow out. Momentum was turned in Round 6 when we secured a nail biting 37-35 point win against St Patrick’s College Sutherland. Well done to Tate Finnegan who secured a late rebound which ensured St Pat’s weren’t given the opportunity to tie or potentially win the game on the last possession. The boys are currently enjoying their participation in the annual Marist Basketball Carnival up in the Gold Coast. We’re looking forward to sharing the report for the trip away and hopefully holding on to 4th spot in Conference 3 so that we’re playing finals Basketball.

Mr George Kazanis and Mr Kristian Kounnas
Coaches

Intermediate Team

De La Salle Revesby were the opposition for Round 5 of the season. Thank you to Mr Pham for taking the team in the absence of Mr Zilich. Revesby were too strong for Kogarah that day and unfortunately Kogarah went down 59-29.

Kogarah faced St Patrick's College Sutherland in a Round 6 of the competition. Kogarah had some fleeting moments of brilliance, but these occurred not as often as we would like. St Patricks took an early lead as a result of 5 unanswered 3-pointers but a flurry of intense defence and fastbreaks allowed Kogarah to make a comeback to be within 2 points at halftime. The second half mirrored the first with St Patricks stretching out their lead and then Kogarah making another comeback, but unfortunately it was too little, too late and Kogarah eventually went down 47-58.

Nikolas Tsouris had an outstanding game and was confident in attack and solid in defence. Jayden Dimagmaliw was once again selected by the opposing team as the Players’ Player, adding another medal to his collection.

Mr Christian Zilich
Coach

Junior Team

Round 5 we played De La Salle Revesby. We were expecting a challenge from the traditionally big team, however, even on home turf, they were outplayed by a very determined Kogarah team who absolutely dominated with the rebounding of Latrell Aurelio and Cooper Alexander who found an extra foot of vertical jump when going up against a few old rivals. There was a clear score to settle there…Alex Shen came through with excellent ball handling prowess - a few drives through to the rim paying off with convincing fakes en route. Another notable defensively solid performance from our footy turned Basketball McKenzie twins and Luca D’Albora who show no mercy.

Round 6 our opponents, St Patrick’s Sutherland looked to be getting the better of us in the opening half, clearly coached to know they were up against the wall with the dynamic Kogarah Junior team. Once again the long and underestimated reach of Brandon forced a few very handy turnarounds. As expected, Kogarah’s superior rebounding and relentless man to man defence led to a win once we dealt with the out-of-position outliers. A commanding second half saw us secure the win with a 19-point margin 47-28. 

Next round we are up against the only other unbeaten team - Aquinas College Menai. Wish us luck!

Ms Tracey Adamson
Coach

All Abilities European Handball

The European Handball team experienced a mixed bag of results over the past fortnight, securing two wins and enduring two losses.

In Week 6, an undermanned MCK team faced off against Marist College Penshurst and De La Salle Revesby. In the first match, the game remained closely contested in the initial half. However, with no fresh substitutions available and the heat taking its toll, MCK succumbed to a 12-7 defeat.

In the subsequent game, a strategic shift towards a Barcelona-style approach saw the team swiftly manoeuvring the court with short, rapid passes, resulting in a resounding 15-12 victory. Notable performances included Adam Harpley's impressive 8-goal haul and Thomas Boyd's stellar defensive displays, forcing turnovers aplenty. Frankie Trunzo excelled as a formidable goalkeeping presence, thwarting numerous close-range shots.

Week 7 saw a determined MCK squad facing off against De La Salle Revesby and St. John's Bosco in a catch-up round. Buoyed by their previous success against Revesby, the team maintained their short-passing strategy, bolstered by the return of key players, culminating in a convincing 17-6 triumph. Multiple players contributed goals, with Haysam Ghazzaoui notably notching his first of the season courtesy of astute playmaking from the rear.

The subsequent match against Bosco proved to be a physical encounter, with both sides fiercely contesting possession. Despite a tightly contested fixture for the majority of the game, MCK was unable to capitalise on opportunities, succumbing to a 12-7 defeat as Bosco capitalised on errors and displayed efficiency in front of goal.

Mr James Drahalivas and Mrs Kristina Rodgers
Coaches

SCS Swimming Championships

Seven students from the MCK Swim Squad progressed through to the SCS Swimming Championships which took place on Monday 25th March at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Those students were Jordan Gentile, Ethan Loreto, Matias Soca, Ryan Morton, Matthew Mitchell, Samuel Skrabak and Ethan Siu. Results from the night are below. A massive congratulations to Samuel Skrabak of Year 9 who was awarded “Male Swimmer of the Swim meet”, Under 15’s Age Champion and broke 4 SCS records. Sensational effort Samuel!! A massive thank you and congratulations to all of our Swimmers on the night!

Mr Robert Almeida
Coach

Career Corner

Work Placements and Work Experience

We want to ensure that you and your child are well-informed about an important aspect of their education: work placements and work experience. As part of their studies in a Vocational Education and Training (VET) subject, students are required to complete 70 hours of work placement, mandated by NESA (the NSW Education Standards Authority).

Understanding what work placement and work experience entails and how it contributes to your child's career pathways is crucial. It not only provides practical experience but also helps them explore potential career options.

For students interested in work experience, it's essential they grasp the concept of Duty of Care. This ensures that all stakeholders involved, including students, employers, and educators, prioritize safety and well-being during work experiences.

To assist you and your child in understanding these requirements thoroughly, we have provided two documents that outline key information regarding work placements and work experiences. We urge all parents, caregivers, and students to read through these documents before embarking on any work placement or work experience opportunity.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in preparing our students for their future endeavours.

Click here to access the Workplace Learning Guide for Parents and Carers
Click here to access the Workplace Learning Guide for Students 

Careers Newsletter

Mr Peter Fitzpatrick
Careers/VET Leader of Learning

Community Announcements

Georges River Youth Festival 2024