College Newsletter - 21 June 2024

Principal’s Report

Welcome to the latest edition of our College newsletter.

It has been a fantastic two weeks at the College with some incredible achievements by students. We have had success in Chess with our junior and intermediate teams taking out the Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 3 title and our senior team runners up. In Debating our Year 7 team made the semi-finals which is a fantastic accomplishment in their first year. In sport we have seen our Rugby League, Football and All Abilities Oz Tag teams do very well with all three Football teams making the SCS Conference 3 Final next week.

Congratulations to all MCK students for your achievements and above all, for always giving of your best for the Red and White!

In the last week of the term, we will hold our Semester 1 “Celebration of Excellence” assemblies. These assemblies recognise and celebrate the fantastic academic achievements of students in Semester 1 and are attended by staff and students. Our end of year “Celebration of Excellence” in December is held in the evening for parents and carers to attend.

Charitable Works 2024

Thank you to all families who donated to our annual Walkathon. The donations have now closed and we raised around $25,000 which is fantastic! This money will go to Marist Solidarity for their work in Timor-Leste, Marist 180 for their work with young people at risk and the Catholic Education Foundation who support families to ensure all students can enjoy the benefits of a Catholic education in Sydney.

Tonight is our annual Winter Sleepout where students and staff sleep out and brave the cold for the St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal. This is always a great night and a very worthwhile cause providing food and shelter for those in our society in need. For more information about the Winter Appeal and to donate, please visit
https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/winter-appeal-nsw

I am always very proud of our College for the work we do to support others in need, be that through hands on activities or fundraising. As a Catholic school we are called to proclaim the dignity of each person and support the vulnerable. I thank all students and parents for supporting our MCK outreach program.

Year 11 2025 Subject Selections

Next Monday evening is the second of our HSC subject selection information sessions for students and parents and carers of Year 10.  The evening will commence in the Marist Centre at 5:30pm on Monday which will then be followed by A ‘market’ style information session on each subject area. During this time students and parents will be able to speak directly with Leaders of Learning and teachers of HSC subjects about what is involved in each specific subject for Year 11 and Year 12. 

Selecting the correct subjects for Years 11 and 12 is a very important part of being successful in the HSC and as such this is a compulsory event for all students in Year 10.  I encourage Year 10 students to engage with the NESA website which has excellent resources regarding the HSC including syllabus documents which outline course content.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN results for Years 7 and 9 will be available and distributed in term 3. Information for parents and carers regarding NAPLAN results and the proficiency standards from NESA can be found here.

Semester 1 Reports and Parent/Teacher Interviews

Years 7 – 11 student reports for Semester 1 will be sent out in the last week of the term. Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Thursday, 4 July (afternoon/evening session) and Friday, 5 July (day session). The interviews will be conducted via Zoom and bookings made through Compass. I encourage all parents and carers to book interviews to discuss your son’s academic progress. More information about these sessions and booking times will come via Compass.

May God bless all staff, students and families.

Mr Simon Ghantous
College Principal

Assistant Principal’s Report

SCS OOSH Program

This term, Sydney Catholic Schools facilitated a Martial Arts Program for 5 weeks at the College after school. Students from the College and our neighbouring schools in Years 4 - 9 were invited to attend the program. Students were introduced to the sport and developed basic skills.

Next term the College will be hosting a 5-week Basketball Program, again after school. Further information will be communicated prior to the commencement.

College Tutor Program

The College Tutor program will conclude for the term on Wednesday, 26 June. It will recommence on the first day of Term 3 on Monday, 22 July.  It is available for all students to access on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons in the College Library from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm. 

Students in Years 7 -10 are not required to book a tutor and should arrive at the library at 3.00 pm if they wish to seek help from a tutor.  Students in Years 11 and 12 may book a tutor. The tutor roster will be shared with them in Week 10. Please encourage your sons to access this support.

A reminder to all parents to make suitable arrangements for your sons 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.

Not Present/Late to School

This week, the College emailed those parents whose sons have had unexplained absences this year. Those parents are required to add an Attendance Note in Compass providing reasons for these unexplained absences.  Please do this as soon as possible, as the Semester 1 Reports are currently being finalised. Failure to do so will result in his attendance record reflecting unexplained absences.

Lockdown/Evacuation Drill

Due to wet weather, the College’s Lockdown/Evacuation Drill will take place in Term 3. Students have been briefed on what to do in the event of a Lockdown/Evacuation and the expectations required of them.

Mrs Catherine Roebuck
Assistant Principal

Religious Education Coordinator

Year 8 Reflection Day

On Friday, 14 June, Year 8 students participated in their annual Reflection Day. The day was facilitated by the SCS Church Engagement Team, Vinnies and some of our staff. The students engaged in meaningful activities that involved teamwork and group discussions around self-image, self-perception, respect and their own relationship with God.  An enjoyable day was had by all!

Celebrate Jesus Concert - Christian Alliance 

On Saturday ,15 June, a number of local parishes and schools came together for a concert to celebrate Jesus as part of the Christian Alliance group that was formed last year. Ruben Robert of Year 7 gave an outstanding performance that had many members of the audience on their feet. It was a wonderful day that saw many people come together with the one goal - love of our God. 

Marist Youth Ministry - Super Connect

On Wednesday evening, 19 June, our College hosted the Marist Youth Ministry Super Connect event, welcoming 125 students from Marist schools across NSW. This gathering provided an invaluable opportunity for students to form meaningful relationships with peers, all while celebrating the theme of diversity: "We have our own gifts that make up the one body of Christ." Through engaging activities, inspirational messages, and interactive sessions, students appreciated and embraced the diversity within their community. The event reinforced the values of unity and support that are central to our Marist schools, fostering both personal and spiritual growth in a vibrant and nurturing environment.

Vinnies Winter Appeal 2024: The Working Homeless - Mufti Day 21 June 

MCK will again support the 2024 Vinnies Winter Appeal. This Appeal aims to help people currently, or at risk of, experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives. This year, our Winter Appeal focuses on the Working Homeless, an emerging group of people who are experiencing housing hardship and disadvantage despite being in employment.

The College will host a Mufti Day this Friday 21 June encouraging students to donate $2 that will contribute to the Winter Appeal. I thank you all for your support of this wonderful initiative.

Vinnies Winter Sleepout

The Vinnies School Sleepout allows students and school communities to get a glimpse of the realities of homelessness on a personal level by ‘sleeping rough’ for one night. The Sleepout encourages students and teachers to gain a deeper understanding of homelessness, raise awareness of the realities faced by people experiencing homelessness and raise funds to support Vinnies homeless services in the local community.

MCK will be hosting a winter sleepout on Friday, 21 June from 7.00 pm on the BBC. Students from the Social Justice Club, as well as our VSM students will be participating in the night to raise much needed awareness and funds for the homelessness in our community. 

If you would like to donate and support our students, please click on the link below. 

Ms Lauren Abihanna
Religious Education Coordinator

Leader of Teaching and Learning

Year 8 Subject Selection and Subject Taster Day

It is an exciting time for students in Year 8 as they embark on their first subject selection process. This year, the College continues to implement a revision of traditional Year 9 elective subjects to offer contemporary, real world learning opportunities for students in Year 9, 2025 and Year 10 in 2026. A letter has been sent via Compass to all Year 8 parents providing all the relevant information.

The College offers a variety of electives featured below:

A “Taster” day will be held for Year 8 students on Friday, 28 June 2024 to introduce students to elective subjects and help inform their choices. Students will wear their sports uniform for this day as there will be many ‘hands on’ learning experiences.

Hopefully students will enjoy the day!

Mrs Gina Stavropoulos
Leader of Teaching and Learning

Year 9 and 10 Electives in Action!

Palaeontology Excursion: A day at the Australian Museum

Our Year 10 Palaeontology students had a fantastic visit to the Australian Museum this week! They explored the dinosaur exhibit, studied geological changes over 4.6 billion years, and learned about the evolution of life from early microbes to modern humans. They investigated why birds are the closest living relatives of dinosaurs and what early humans looked like. They also discovered how Australia, the oldest surviving continent, has changed, how First Nations people have cared for the land for centuries, and how megafauna once thrived here.
A rawrsome learning experience for all!  

Mrs Aimee Hesson
Assistant Leader of Learning - Science

Emerging Entrepreneurs YES (Young Entrepreneurship Summit)

The Year 9 and 10 Emerging Entrepreneurs students had an inspiring experience at the YES (Young Entrepreneurship Summit) on Friday, 14 June. The Summit was hosted by the Australian School of Entrepreneurship in Annandale and was a fantastic experience for our students. This event provided a platform for our budding innovators to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas and engage with industry leaders.

Students actively participated in workshops led by seasoned entrepreneurs, gaining valuable insights into business strategies and real-world challenges. The summit encouraged creative thinking and problem-solving, empowering our students to envision and articulate their own business ventures.  Some of our students were chosen to participate in challenges and games, and also pitch their own great ideas such as Max Galea of Year 10. Through networking opportunities and interactive sessions, our young entrepreneurs honed their communication skills and learned to pitch their ideas effectively. This hands-on experience not only broadened their understanding of entrepreneurship but also inspired them to pursue their passions with confidence. 

Mr Ryan Ziegenfusz, Mrs Helen Tarabay and Mrs Niki Danaskos
HSIE Teachers

Journalism: Exploring the World of Reporting

In Year 9 Journalism, students embarked on an exciting journey into the world of journalism. Throughout this introductory unit, they explored the fundamentals of reporting, writing, and media ethics. For their first assignment, each student researched and composed a compelling opinion piece on a contemporary global issue, demonstrating their ability to analyse current events, form insightful arguments, and express their viewpoints effectively. This task not only honed their writing skills but also fostered critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world's complexities. Below is Nicholas Loizou's excellent opinion piece on the impact of inflation on Australian families.

Mr Luke Rodriguez
English Teacher

Commerce Market Day:  A Hub of Innovation and Enterprise

Wednesday this week, our school's annual Commerce Market Day transformed the campus into a bustling marketplace of creativity, enterprise, and community spirit. This eagerly anticipated event showcased the entrepreneurial talents of our Commerce and Emerging Entrepreneur students, who have eagerly planned and prepared for the big day.

Commerce Market Day was more than just a marketplace; it was an experiential learning opportunity that allowed students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. It fostered creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, preparing our students for future endeavours in the business world.

The students demonstrated remarkable initiative, collectively raising a total of $2938.35, resulting in an impressive profit of $1,237.33, all of which will benefit our chosen school charities. I commend the students for their exemplary coordination and collaboration, which undoubtedly contributed to their outstanding success. It was a memorable day for all involved, and we extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to and supported this event.  

Mrs Helen Tarabay and Mr Michael Steel
HSIE Teachers

Education Perfect Sustainable Oceans

Marist College Kogarah's Year 10 Geography classes have clinched the top spot in the state for the Education Perfect Sustainable Oceans Competition!

From June 5th to June 7th, our students participated in the competition, engaging with the 'Sustainable Oceans' lessons to deepen their understanding of global sustainability issues, coinciding with World Ocean Day.

Their dedication and hard work paid off as they emerged victorious, showcasing their commitment to environmental stewardship and academic excellence. This achievement is a testament to the efforts of our students and teachers alike, highlighting our school's ongoing commitment to fostering awareness and action around sustainability.

Congratulations to all involved in this fantastic accomplishment!

Year 10 Geography Teachers

Chess Tournament: Kogarah boys shine at Chess Gala Day

Ten schools from across the Sydney Catholic School Conference 3 gathered in the Marist Centre for the Conference 3 Chess Gala Day. Thirty-two boys from Kogarah proudly represented the College in a fiercely fought tournament. Our teams played six rounds of chess throughout a full and challenging day, achieving outstanding results.

Kogarah boys took home the crown in both the Junior and Intermediate divisions and secured 2nd place in the Senior division by just one point! Our Junior A, B, and C teams placed 1st, 3rd, and 5th, respectively—an impressive feat, especially for those playing their first tournament in Year 7. The Intermediate A team claimed 1st place in their division, with the B and C teams narrowly missing the top three. The Senior B team earned 2nd place, and the Senior A team tied for 3rd.

Congratulations to all players for their exceptional performance and exemplary sportsmanship in welcoming and assisting our visitors. We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to your future successes as we continue to build our chess team at MCK. Go Red and White!

Mrs Aimee Hesson
Chess Coordinator

Leader of Student Wellbeing

My Strengths - Dan Hardie

Over the last 3 years, Dan Hardie and his team from My Strengths have been working closely with groups of students at MCK and most recently with the whole staff at our Professional Learning Day in Week 7.

Dan has a counselling degree majoring in Positive Psychology and has been an adolescent counsellor for over 13 years. After working with hundreds of teenagers, Dan saw too many young people who could only describe themselves by negative labels: dumb, nerdy, too bossy, too loud, too quiet. He discovered that genuine and lasting change only occurred when positive self-esteem and confidence were built. This is why he developed the program “My Strengths”. To help adolescents identify their strengths and reframe their perceived weaknesses.

Dan and his team have completed the My Strengths program with Year 10 students in 2022 and 2023. This year, he will work with Year 8, Year 10, and Year 11. An outline of the programs can be seen at this link.

Dan also provides support for parents and carers. Information can be found at the following link.

Student Sleep

Children seem to be going to bed later and later. Distractions such as TV, computer games, internet, texting friends and social media are all having a negative impact on a child’s sleep time.

Sleep is vital to a child’s wellbeing. When children sleep well, they are more settled, happier and ready for school the next day. Sleep also strengthens their immune systems, supports overall development and their ability to function properly on a daily basis. Children who do not get enough sleep show increased levels of aggressive behaviour, are less attentive and are much less active. Trying to catch up on sleep on weekends is not the answer and can still lead to severe sleep deprivation. Recent studies have shown than many children, especially teenagers, are missing out on vital REM sleep, which is particularly important for memory and learning.

School TV addresses the issue of sleep and the edition on this topic can be found here. There is also a PDF that provides more information on the topic.

headspace

headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.

Each year, headspace helps thousands of young people access vital support through our headspace centres in communities across Australia, our online and phone counselling services, our vocational services, and our presence in schools.

headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.  

Current Wait Times and Capacity (Hurstville and Miranda)

Wait times for our mental health streams are low with increased appointments at both sites.

• Initial Triage Phone appointment: 2-3 days. 
  • A short phone call conversation to assess eligibility for headspace and current risk factors.
• Intake assessment: 1-2 week wait. 
  • The first face to face contact and biopsychosocial assessment after the triage call called a HEADSS Assessment.
• Psychiatrist: 2-3 month wait for initial appointment.
  • General psychiatry, medication reviews and assessments (excluding ADHD/ASD)
• Brief Intervention: 1-2 week wait. 
  • Short-term counselling (6-10 sessions) with a youth access clinician.
• Psychologist (Miranda only): 1-2 week wait (after completing the intake assessment). 
  • We currently have two psychologists working under the Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) using a Mental Health Treatment Plan, offering 10 sessions per calendar year. Mental Health Care Plan required from GP.
• Mental Health Clinician: 1-2 week wait at Hurstville, currently not taking on new referrals at Miranda. This stream offers up to 20 sessions for more specialised treatment and support. 
• Drug and Alcohol: Immediate availability. Miranda and Hurstville continues to offer free drug and alcohol counselling for young people. To refer, a young person will need to complete an initial triage phone call. 
• Family Therapy: 2 month wait. Currently not taking on new referrals at Miranda, but new referrals can be put on waitlist.

How to refer to headspace Hurstville and Miranda:

If you are a young person or carer, please call us on 02 9575 1500 (Miranda) or 02 8048 3350 (Hurstville) to get more information and book in your first appointment. Alternatively, you can click the relevant link below to self refer:

headspace Miranda Self Referral Form

headspace Hurstville Self Referral Form

Mr Shane Duff
Leader of Student Wellbeing

Sport Report

Our Rugby League sides have approached the final stages of their seasons in A grade and our regular season has concluded for both our A and B grade footballers. Let’s see if we have any of our teams in the upcoming semi-finals…

Football (Soccer)

Senior A Team

Round 6 was a rain-soaked game under difficult conditions but the skill and speed demonstrated by both teams was top quality. Both teams were passing the ball around well at high tempo and creating chances from one end of the pitch to the other. We took the lead with a good passage of play, Evan taking a long shot from outside the box 1-0 up.  Shortly after Aquinas pulled a goal back from the left side of the pitch. Second half Aquinas took the lead but within 5 mins George Korakis scored for us and the score was 2-2  with only  5 minutes to go.  Aquinas threatened from the left side of the pitch often during the game and managed to score again shortly before the end. This was a very close game which could have been won by either team. Look forward to hopefully facing them again in the finals.

Round 7 was a local derby game against Penhurst. From the first whistle in this game we looked composed and controlled much of the play. The team looked up for this challenge passing the ball around very well, with great movement on and off the ball, with everyone looking to get involved. A fantastic long range shot from our captain Nicholas Dogias firing for the first goal and also George Korakis taking us 2-0 up and a well-deserved lead. We continued throughout the game in control creating lots of chances but could not find the back of the net.  Penhurst pulled one back with a few minutes to go from a long pass over the top to their striker.  2-1 win to us which was well deserved.

We look forward to facing them again now in the finals.

Mr Simon Fisher
Coach

Intermediate A Team 

It was pouring with rain as we kicked off round 6 to play Aquinas College Menai. We played outstanding football to be leading at the break 2-0 with excellent goals from Peter Samos and Adam Kotb. We kept dominating in the second half with precision passing and aggressive defence to score a 3rd goal via Jacob Trajcevski. In the final few minutes, we missed a set penalty and conceded an unlucky goal but still there was so much to like with the 3-1 win. Peter Samos was given the player of the match.

In Round 7 we played a strong opposition in Penshurst Marist. We were down on troops with only one reserve but the boys dug deep and played with plenty of determination and passion.  Two good team goals, both scored by Jacob Trajcevski, saw us leading 2-0 at halftime. Matt Elek pulled off some great saves and our defence was very strong. The only way they were going to score was if we gifted them free kicks or corners. Unfortunately, we gave away too many free kicks and they scored a goal back in the second half with 10 minutes left. We were still creating plenty of chances but failed to put them to the sword. With 30 seconds to play we gave away a corner and they managed to score a decent header to draw the game a 2- 2 which is how it ended. 

The result still saw us finish the regular season in 1st place (still being undefeated) and sees us playing 4th placed St Pat’s Sutherland in our Semi Final in Week 8. We wish the team the best of luck for the Finals.

Mr Paul O’Brien
Coach

Junior A Team

In heavy rain, the Junior Boys' Football side faced Aquinas College Menai at McCarthy Reserve. Despite two great second-half goals from Gabril Danil and Luke Fraccaro the boys could not peg back the three-goal deficit and the game finished 3-2. 

Last Thursday the team then faced a strong Marist Penshurst side in the local derby at Poulton Park and with a number of players returning from injury and sickness. The boys dominated the game from the first whistle. It took two set pieces from Julian Catanzariti to break them down, however, the boys will take significant confidence from this as they move into the finals where a showdown versus Aquinas College awaits!

Mr Ryan Ziegenfusz
Coach

Intermediate B Team

Inter Kogarah B continued their fine form against an old rival from the past MCC competition CBHS Lewisham. The coach gave an impassioned speech, akin to Phil Gould’s state of origin wind up, of the glory days of the famous ‘MCK vs Lewo’ rivalry. Fuelled with desire the team ran out convincing 4-0 victors with a goal to Albert Ajaka and a hat trick that even Theirry Henry would be proud of from Sam Gregoriou. The whole team’s synergy was perfect, with a special mention in defence to Santiago Jolly who thoroughly deserved the clean sheet. Coming into the finals next week will be a test of composure and wits to keep our goal of winning alive!

Mr Luke Rodriguez
Coach

Junior B Team 

After a washout round due to the heavy rain in Week 6, the Junior B side eagerly returned and proved their abilities in a close game against Rosebank. Nikki Howley used his strength to get to the ball first and score both goals in what was a strong team performance.

Mr Frank Lauria
Coach

Rugby League

Open’s Team 

After competing against two powerhouse  Rugby League Schools, MCK took on old rivals Marist College North Shore. WIth the two sides looking for their first win, North Shore took the lead late in the first half with a penalty goal leading 2-0. After a quick play from Marat Nahas and Jacob Fong in our own 10 metres, MCK held possession and with a quick run from dummy half, Samuel Duncombe crossed the line. MCK took the lead 6-2 to the break. With the hard work not over, MCK started the second half uphill and against the wind. Strong defence led by Hadi Said ensured the opposition were battered and bruised and the crafty skills of our halves then led the way to claim a 28-6 win! Jacob Fong put William Pappas through a beautiful hole early on in the second half and Noah Blundell displayed true MCK  strength as he palmed off 2 defenders down the sideline and crossed for a 40 metre try. Jake Batten and Marcus Raad also finished off great tries in the corner with some acrobatic skills.

Mr Marc Vassallo and Mr Angelo Scali
Coaches

Under 15’s Team

The Under 15’s had their first home game of the season against Marist North Shore at Bexley oval. The home advantage looked to play a part early in the match with the boys managing to get a drop out from the first kick-off, courtesy of Jayden Tuione. This set the tone for the match as Kogarah took an early lead and continued to dominate through the middle. Michael El-hage, Lewis Yaxley and Sebastian Makarouun took ownership of the centre of the field and ensured they laid the foundation for our ball movement out wide. After taking the lead with a couple of tries early, the boys did look to take the foot off the gas a little in the second half and let in a couple of North Shore tries to keep the coaches on edge. Another try was saved by Justin Liu who showed outstanding commitment to chase down a North Shore line break that started from within our own half, just 10 metres from the try line. Vinnie Pirello was also exceptional at fullback by putting his body on the line as the last line of defence on multiple occasions. With that being said it was fantastic to see the boys rewarded for their efforts at training, with the final score finishing 28-16. 

Mr Jake Gallagher and Mr Stephen McGufficke
Coaches

Under 13’s Team

The Under 13’s team had a washout round in Week 6 due to the rain and a BYE in Week 7 as they watched their older peers (Under 15’s and Open’s) claim wins against North Shore. We look forward to strapping on the boots again in Week 8 when we take on CBHS Lewisham at Clemton Park.

Mr Chris Raptis and Mr James Stirton
Coaches

All Abilities OzTag

All Abilities Oztag Team 1, had a convincing win against De La Revesby in Week 7, with Christian D (Year 7) scoring an impressive try in the first minute of the game. The early try was a sign of what was to come as MCK dominated and came away with a 10-3 win. Special mention to Oliver F (Year 8) for his commendable sportsmanship, supporting an opposing player off the field after a fall and taking himself off the field, to even out the teams. Despite losing game 2 against Bosco Engadine 11-7, MCK showed grit and endurance as they boosted their tries in the second half of the game, scoring 6 of their tries in the second half. Well done to the player of the match medal winners today: Cruz F and Nicholas M for their notable effort and teamwork and to all players for supporting each other and representing our school with pride.

Mr James Drahalivas and Mrs Clarissa Cranney
Coaches

Career Corner

Subject Selection “Drop In” Night

Careers Newsletter

Mr Peter Fitzpatrick
Careers/VET Leader of Learning