College Newsletter - 5 July 2024
Principal’s Report
Dear parents and carers,
As we come to the end of the semester, I offer my congratulations to all students for the wonderful semester it has been at the College. I am always so impressed by the achievements of the young men of our College and their contributions to our school, parishes and the wider community. I also take this opportunity to thank all parents and families of the College for your ongoing support.
This past Tuesday I had the great pleasure of presenting students with academic and service awards at our semester 1 Celebration of Excellence ceremonies. These awards acknowledge the hard work and commitment of students throughout the semester who consistently do their best to achieve. Well done to all students who achieved awards from semester 1.
SCS Winter Sports Finals
Congratulations to all our Rugby League and Football teams who competed in the Sydney Catholic Schools Winter Sports competition. Congratulations to our Junior and Senior A Football and Intermediate B teams who both won the Conference Championship. Our Junior and Senior A team have now also won their SCS Championship Quarter Finals. Congratulations to our Intermediate Football team who had a wonderful season, but unfortunately lost on penalties in their SCS quarter final. Both our Intermediate and Senior Football teams will now compete for the Sydney Championship in Term 3. Our Junior and Senior Rugby League teams are also competing for the Sydney Championship next term after great seasons, and I wish all teams the best of luck.
The full sports report is available later in this newsletter.
Student Textbooks
A letter was sent home to all families through Compass earlier this week regarding a change of online platform for student textbooks. The change of platform to “Box of Books” will not incur any costs to families and the letter below gives instructions for students to access their online textbooks.
Year 11 2025 Subject Selections
I thank parents and carers of Year 10 who attended the important Year 11 2025 Subject Selection evening earlier this week. Year 10 students can now make their Stage 6 course selections and 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.
Surviving Year 12 for Parents
With the Higher School Certificate Trial Examinations only a few weeks away, students may be feeling anxious about the upcoming examinations. The HSC can be a stressful time for both students and parents with students feeling an enormous amount of pressure. This is an excellent article that provides practical advice for parents and carers to support their child through the HSC.
A reminder that HSC holiday seminars are running throughout the school holiday period at the College. Students have a schedule of dates and times for these seminars generously being run by Year 12 teachers.
I wish all students a safe and restful holiday. I remind all families that school returns on Monday, 22 July.
May God bless all staff, students and families.
Mr Simon Ghantous
College Principal
Assistant Principal’s Report
Celebration of Excellence
On Tuesday this week we acknowledged those students who have achieved academically and in the areas of service in Semester 1. Congratulations to all students on their effort this Semester and I encourage you to maintain your commitment to hard work in order to do your very best.
College Tutor Program
The College Tutor Program will begin for Term 3 on Tuesday, 23 July. A reminder to all families the tutors are available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm in the College Library. I remind all parents/carers to make suitable arrangements for your sons to get home after the library closes at 5.00 pm.
Not Present/Late to School
Just a reminder to parents, that if your son is going to be late to school or is absent from school, you are required to add an Attendance Note in Compass to explain this absence/lateness. This week, the College will email those parents whose sons have had unexplained absences for the previous term. Those parents are required to add an Attendance Note in Compass providing reasons for these unexplained absences. Failure to do so will result in his attendance record reflecting unexplained absences. All unexplained absences will be recorded on your son’s Semester Reports.
Return to School Term 3
A reminder that students will return to the College for Term 3 on Monday, 22 July in full winter uniform, including the College blazer. Students should also be reminded of the College’s regulations around hair and grooming. Guidelines for hair and grooming are able to be found in the College Student Diary.
Thank you to all families, staff and students for your support this term. Wishing you and your families a safe and happy school holiday break.
Ms Lauren Abihanna
Acting Assistant Principal
Religious Education Coordinator
Studies of Religion HSC Masterclass
Across 2024, the Secondary Religious Education Team at Sydney Catholic Schools, in conjunction with RECs and Interreligious agencies, have provided a series of online HSC Masterclasses.
These Masterclasses have been recorded and can be found via the link.
I trust that these resources will be an invaluable tool as you prepare for your HSC. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Ward.
Years 7-9 Evangelisation Day
On Wednesday, 26 June, 15 students from Years 7, 8 and 9, accompanied by Ms Kirk and Ms Appleyard, participated in an Evangelisation Day at Trinity Catholic College Auburn. On the day there were students from all across the Sydney Archdiocese sharing in a day of music, prayer, activities and presentations from a variety of speakers. The theme for the day was "We journey together as joyful witnesses to the faith."
Vinnies Winter Appeal 2024: The Working Homeless - Mufti Day 21 June
Thank you to everyone for your support on Friday, 21 June with our mufti day to raise funds for the 2024 Vinnies Winter Appeal. The College raised a remarkable $1600 that will go towards helping the homelessness in our community.
Vinnies Winter Sleepout
On Friday, 21 June, we held our second Winter Sleepout raising much-needed funds and awareness for homelessness in our community. The students managed to raise a remarkable $1,937 for the cause. It was a wonderful community night that saw the students involved not only in braving the cold conditions but also coming together in solidarity.
Student Voice Consultation Forum
On Wednesday, 3 July, five Year 10 students joined Mr Ziegensfusz at the Sydney Catholic Schools Student Voice Consultation Forum. This forum focussed on student voice which allowed students to actively participate in decision-making at school on things which shape their educational experiences. As a system of schools, Sydney Catholic Schools encourages student voice and is keen to hear from students on matters that are impacting their lives today.
I hope everyone has a restful break and a wonderful time spent with family. Looking forward to Term 3.
Mr Mitchell Ward
Acting Religious Education Coordinator
Leader of Teaching and Learning
Year 8 Subject Selection Taster Day
Year 8 students had a fantastic day last Friday engaging in a subject ‘taster day’ to provide them with an understanding of subjects being offered to assist them in their subject selection for 2025. The snapshot day led by staff teaching these electives provided students with the opportunity to be involved in hands-on experiences related to electives on offer. It was wonderful to see students’ enthusiasm and engagement in their learning.
Stage 5 Elective offerings at the College empowers all students to select subjects they have an interest and passion for, allowing for greater student engagement. When students are actively engaged and encouraged to explore their curiosity and creativity, they become more motivated, develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter, and are better equipped to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
A reminder the deadline for elective choices is Friday, 2 August by 5.00 pm (Term 3 Week 2)
Celebrating Academic Excellence- Honouring our students’ success
The Celebration of Excellence assemblies this week celebrated academic excellence of those students who have not only excelled in their studies, but also demonstrated dedication and perseverance. Academic success is not solely measured by grades or awards is a reflection of hard work, resilience, and a passion for learning. These occasions not only recognise individuals’ achievements, but also motivates all students to strive for their personal best creating a supportive environment for continuous learning and growth.
Congratulations to all the award winners!
Reflecting on Learning Growth and Future Learning Goals
As the end of the academic semester approaches, the College has sent via Compass the Years 7- 11 reports. This is an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and progress your son’s have made throughout the semester. Parents/carers are encouraged to celebrate their son’s progress as grades are not always indicative of a student's growth, effort and engagement. Take the time to acknowledge their accomplishments and areas they may have improved. Positive encouragement can help to motivate students to aspire for growth and improvement in their learning. Reports and parent/teacher interviews provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning experiences, discussing with their teachers their strengths, aspects of growth, and areas where improvement is required.
Teaching staff at the College are always happy to support students in achieving their learning potential and goals. Setting clear goals for individual learning can provide students with motivation to work harder, seek help when needed, and stay consistent with their work. Building a strong partnership between parents and teachers is crucial for student success.
Year 12 Support for HSC Trial Preparation
College Holiday Seminars
To support all Year 12 students, teachers at the College have generously given their time during the July holidays to conduct Year 12 Holiday Seminars. These seminars will assist students in preparing for the Trial HSC Examinations in weeks 3, 4 and 5 in Term 3. Students are encouraged to utilise these valuable learning opportunities. This can be a stressful time for students feeling the enormous pressure of the HSC Trial exams. Students can seek support from staff during this time as they prepare over the holiday break. Please find attached a link to the schedule.
SCS Masterclasses
Sydney Catholic schools are providing revision workshops for a range of subjects delivered by HSC Specialist Teachers during the July holidays in addition to the College holiday seminars. All masterclasses are free. These sessions will be delivered live via Zoom, recorded and then placed on the CANVAS Student Masterclass page. This will allow all students who cannot attend the live sessions to access these workshops at another time. All relevant information, dates and links have been included in the holiday schedule attached above. Please ensure if students would like to attend, they register prior to the masterclass.
This is an opportunity for students to engage in activities that will refresh their understanding of content and develop their skills in applying their knowledge. As part of these sessions, students will engage in HSC style questions that will encourage their participation and preparation for the HSC Trial examinations in Term 3.
Mrs Gina Stavropoulos
Leader of Teaching and Learning
Leader of Student Wellbeing
Resilience
“Resilience is important for a child’s mental health. It is their ability to bounce back from failure, challenges, adversity and stress. It’s not something that kids have or don’t have but a skill that kids develop over time as they grow. Building resilience not only helps a child deal with current difficulties, but it also helps develop a resilient mindset that will help them deal with challenges later in life. All children are capable of working through challenges and coping with stress, but they require guidance and support from a charismatic adult role model.” (School TV)
Our boys at MCK regularly demonstrate resilience with the various challenges they face in life. Some simple things make a significant difference in being able to bounce back when things go wrong. Connection to school is critical and those students who have excellent attendance are better connected and have forged stronger relationships that help them to cope when things go wrong. Adequate sleep is another factor that assists when dealing with adversity. Studies show that those who have good sleep routines are better able to regulate their emotions and solve problems when presented with challenges.
Parents and carers also have a role to play. Our students need to learn to manage simple matters at school such as receiving detention for a misdemeanour, getting a mark in an assessment they are not happy with, forgetting their sports uniform for practical lessons, not being selected for a team as examples. They need to be able to navigate through these issues without parents/carers coming to their rescue. As a parent, we always want the best for our kids but sometimes we do them a disservice when always coming to their aid for matters that would not be considered life changing! Of course, when more significant matters arise, such as bullying, loss of loved ones, and other mental health issues as examples, parent/carer support is vital.
School TV has an excellent edition on resilience that can be found at this link
Mr Shane Duff
Leader of Student Wellbeing
Sport Report
Conference 3 Football concluded in Week 9 of the term with 4 of our 5 teams making it through to Grand Finals. Our Rugby League sides concluded their regular seasons and have all progressed through to SCS Championships. Let’s see if we brought any silverware home from our Grand Finals.
Football (Soccer)
Senior A Team
In Week 8 we faced Marist Penshurst. A repeat of a previous round game just the week before. It was an intense start, very even with us in control but Penshurst pressed very quickly to win the ball back and to stop letting us play our passing game. As the game progressed, we started to take more control and a quick team passing move to Jake Laskovski resulted in him scoring. We continued to press and created good chances for Alex Papalexandris to take a few quick touches around Penshurst defenders to score and send us to the Grand Final 2-0 winners.
Week 9 was the Grand Final against St Pat’s Sutherland. This was the first time we faced St Pat’s in the competition as the round game was called off due to bad weather.
We started the game extremely well, in control with lots of possession, the movement and passing was excellent. A fantastic pinpoint long ball from Lucas Nadal out wide to Dylan Nadal, he showed great control, dribbled past two players into the box where he was brought down. Penalty to us. Dylan stepped up, slotting it into the bottom corner. 1-0 up within 10 minutes and the Kogarah crowd cheering on loudly. Five minutes later a through ball to Dylan who was more central this time slotted it calmly into the net 2-0.
A couple of changes for St Pat’s and they began to press higher up the field putting us under a lot of pressure and pulling back to 2-2 by half time. Second half was very even to start with both teams creating a number of chances but not scoring. Late on in the half we started to take a little more control and Oliver Chrisimos headed in a goal with just 7 minutes to go 3-2 up and our supporting crowd going wild. St Pats pressed again crossing multiple long balls into the box, but our defence was standing strong to clear. With the final minute to go in the game, our keeper Lucas Elek bravely came out to save another cross which denied a St Pats equalising goal. The game ended within the minute, sending us home 3-2 Grand Final winners. Well done boys awesome effort.
Mr Simon Fisher
Coach
Intermediate A Team
In Week 8 we faced St Pat’s Sutherland in a knockout Semi-Final. We finished the competition undefeated in first place and St Pat’s scraped into fourth place, but we had more to lose in this do or die semi-final. We played aggressively, and our passing was excellent from the opening whistle. We dominated all aspects of the game. With 2 goals from Adam Kotb and 1 from Reno Luis we ended up convincing winners 3-1. We were all looking forward to the Grand-Final the following week, relieved knowing that after securing a top two conference position, we automatically qualified for the Quarter Finals of all SCS Football Championships in Week 10, regardless of the Grand Final result.
In Week 9 we faced Revesby in the Grand Final of SCS Conference 3. We were confident going into the game, although we were missing 4 of our 15-man squad. Thanks to Jaiden Yazbeck for filling in for us in the GF in front of nearly 1000 supporters at Ilinden Stadium. Revesby came out fired up and matched us in aggression and teamwork to start the game. They created an opportunity down the right side of the field and with a good cross managed to head home a goal about 15 minutes into the game. From then on, we lifted our effort and created a few good chances. In the second half a long-range cracking shot on goal from Reno Luis hit the woodwork and the back of their goalkeeper’s head, who was beaten by the shot. Somehow it stayed out of the goal. Our boys kept trying to equalise and played hard until the final whistle in front of about 500 MCK supporters but the clock beat us. Revesby ended up Premiers with the 1-0 win, and in our first loss of the season we were runners up.
We look forward to some redemption next week in the Quarter Finals of the Sydney Champs when we face Freeman College.
Mr Paul O’Brien
Coach
Junior A Team
In Week 8 the Junior Football A team faced a strong Aquinas College side who beat us two weeks prior. The boys started a little slowly and were down 1-0 after five minutes, however a goal from Julian Catanzarati levelled the score. Aquinas then scored early after half time but Lukas Ligdas scored from the kick off to level it 2-2 with 15 minutes to go. It was a tense ending until Julian scored his second goal of the game and sealed the win sending the boys into the Conference Grand Final.
Last week the boys played the undefeated De La Salle Caringbah side in the Grand Final. With a full complement of players for the first time in a long while the boys dominated the game from the first whistle with Julian Catanzariti setting up Luke Fraccaro for the first goal and then scoring two himself on either side of halftime. The game would eventually end 3-1 with Caringbah pushing hard until the end but a very strong defensive effort from Connor Buckley and Samuel Ghattas ensured the trophy was MCK’s. The boys now progress to the SCS Championships Quarterfinals and face Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton.
Mr Ryan Ziegenfusz
Coach
Intermediate B Team
To ensure a place in the grand final Inter Kogarah B had to overcome Casimir Catholic College in the semi-final. A dominant performance saw the team convincingly win 8-1 with Jaiden Y scoring 4 goals, Sam G 2 goals, Jacob M and Andrew A with a goal each. A positive, well-rounded performance that put us in good stead for the big dance against Rosebank College.
Grand final day was a momentous occasion with Gaffer Rodriguez stressing the importance of unity and memories. For some this was just a B Grade final, but to the team it was the Champions League final at Wembley. The Gaffer firmly stressed to the team that not many reach grand finals and to make the most of it, especially with some Year 10’s who will be playing in their final representative football game for MCK. With this the boys were fired up and poised for a confident performance, however, so too were Rosebank. Inter Kogarah made chances but were not clinical enough and nearly succumbed to counter attacks, but our defence came up clutch. A penalty in the second half was given to MCK after Thomas Bazan made a break in the box, though nerves got the best of Sam Gregoriou and his effort was saved. The final moments of the game were locked up in the midfield where, ultimately, the only thing that could separate the teams at the final whistle would be a penalty shootout.
The atmosphere was tense, and the boys looked weary. The gamble of the penalty shootout is often unkind and torturous, though, Gaffer Rodriguez calmly selected individuals who he knew had the composure to dig deep in these nervous moments. Winning the toss, Xavier Bernard took the first penalty for Inter Kogarah and calmly slotted it home giving a piercing glare to the opposition goalkeeper. Rosebank then dispatched their first penalty past Louis Bitas; however, this unearthed prime Jerzy Dudek ala 2005 Champions League final for Liverpool. Walking up for our second penalty, Sam felt the weight of his shoulders after already missing one in regular time, but he brushed this off and smashed the ball past the reach of the keeper into the bottom left. Louis, hoping to redeem himself, came up with a crucial save of Rosebank’s second penalty to give us the advantage; Kogarah 2-1. The midfield engine Kaylan Balzarano stepped up for the most important penalty kick of his career thus far and effortlessly sent the keeper the wrong way. 3-1 Kogarah. Rosebank were nervous and clearly intimidated by Louis skied their next spot kick, leaving Kristian Hronopoulos with a chance for victory. Cool as a cucumber, Kristian smashed the winner home, leading to an eruption of celebrations from Inter Kogarah B and the Junior B side who ran on to join in. The team triumphantly lifted Keanu Goncalves up for his swansong which epitomised the camaraderie of Inter Kogarah B.
Overall, Inter Kogarah B finished the season as undefeated premiers and grand final winners capping off a stupendous season, one of which they will all look fondly back on and cherish forever.
Mr Luke Rodriguez
Coach
Junior B Team
We had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows this fortnight. Despite dominating the semi-final they conceded a late goal which would have discouraged many teams, but our Juniors found the spirit to equalise in regular time and bring the game to penalties, only to lose 2-4.
The chance for redemption came the following week as again, the side dominated the entire game to score twice very late and take-home 3rd place.
This team scored 19 goals and conceded only 1 all year and many of these boys will back up next year knowing well and truly what Marist Solidarity is all about.
Mr Frank Lauria
Coach
Rugby League
Open’s Team
MCK took on old rivals CBHS Lewisham in Week 8. After conceding an early penalty, MCK took back the lead with some exceptional play from Marat Nahas. Roman Raffo and Jake Battan were exceptional on the wing scoring the teams tries. Week 9 proved to be a difficult task when we faced Marcellin Randwick. Starting the match off lethargically and missing a number of players, Marcellin ran away convincing winners. We look forward to competing in the SCS Championships.
Mr Marc Vassallo and Mr Angelo Scali
Coaches
Under 15’s Team
The Under 15’s League side played a home game against Lewisham at Scarborough Park in Week 8, followed by an away game at Heffron against Marcellin Randwick in Week 9. Both fixtures posed themselves as a test for the boys who have had a difficult season in the A division against some of the best schools in Sydney. Lewisham was an evenly contested matchup. The game started with the boys struggling to complete their sets and forcing pressure on themselves. This resulted in a halftime lead of 10-0 to Lewisham. However, the second half saw a dramatic turn as the boys forced an error from the kick-off and began to mount pressure, with Max Bazouni crossing for two early tries which placed us in the lead at 12-10. Solid defence in the middle and holding the ball was the key. With 10 minutes remaining, Kogarah found themselves holding on to the lead with desperate try saving attempts from Bazouni. Unfortunately, this spirited defence could no longer hold and Lewisham scored with minutes on the clock, taking the lead to 16-12 and resulting in a narrow loss for the 15’s. In Week 9, Kogarah faced old foe Marcellin Randwick, who unfortunately outclassed our boys from start to finish and took the victory 40-0. Bukhosi Hlambelo and Albert Lenehan were the standouts, both in attack and defensive as they continue to put their body on the line week after week. Despite facing some heavy losses, the boys continue to show up to training and maintain a positive morale which is fantastic as we look to finish the season on a high.
Mr Jake Gallagher and Mr Stephen McGufficke
Coaches
Under 13’s Team
The Under 13’s Rugby League side got their first win of the season in Week 8 against Christian Brothers Lewisham with a dominant 46 points to 6 win. Everyone performed exceptionally and contributed to the win, though performances from Filip Talevski (3 tries) and Logan Thompson (2 tries and player’s player medal) were the standouts. Leo Ndaira and Sam Taufateau shared the goal kicking with 8/9 conversions including many from out wide. The boys now move onto the first week of finals action.
Mr Chris Raptis and Mr James Stirton
Coaches
All Abilities OzTag
MCK Team 1 played Aquinas Menai for third place and were up against it from the kick off. Within the first four minutes Aquinas had scored three tries. Admirably, the boys didn't let this ruffle their feathers. In the fifth minute of the game, Marcus S put MCK on the scoreboard, then we were off and running...literally! Cruz F, Billy T, Manuel S, Christian D and Oliver F all scored (at least) once during the game and there were some very close calls from Austin B and Aiden O. Stefan's tagging was relentless as usual, however, Aquinas' age and experience paid off for them in the end. Despite losing 13-8, the MCK boys should be very proud of their effort and improved teamwork. They did very well for a team that had just come together this term. Well done boys.
Mr James Drahalivas and Mrs Clarissa Cranney
Coaches
SCS Chess Championships
After hosting the SCS Conference 3 Gala Day on Tuesday, 18 June, sixteen MCK students progressed through to the SCS Chess Championships which took place on Tuesday, 2 July. Our Junior A team finished equal 2nd on points and 3rd on count back by half a point! Excellent work to both our Junior A and B teams (2nd and 5th respectively). A tough day for MCK Senior and Intermediate teams against the top chess players in Sydney Catholic Schools but the boys kept pushing to the end! A special mention to Jordan Chow who was undefeated all day!!
Mrs Amiee Hesson
Coach
Career Corner
Year 10 VET Subject Selection Booklets
This booklet will provide information regarding VET subjects at Marist College Kogarah as well as providers away from our College.
In this booklet I have also provided a link to the new Sydney Catholic Schools VET Website. This new site also has invaluable information regarding the extensive courses available within our Diocese.
- For students wishing to apply to study a VET course away from MCK please use this FORM and return to Mr Fitzpatrick.
- For students wishing to apply for a School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship please use this FORM and return to Mr Fitzpatrick.
- For students wishing to apply to study a VET course at a TAFE College (St. George, Gymea, Ultimo or Randwick) please use this FORM and return to Mr Fitzpatrick.
IMORTANT NOTE:
- If you are selecting a VET course away from MCK make sure you indicate your intentions as per your school subjects online as well as complete the written application and return this to Mr Fitzpatrick. These will need to be submitted by the return date indicated in the booklets. Failure to do so will not guarantee a place in your preferred course.
- Applications to courses are only an Expression of Interest. Different courses have specific conditions. For example, passing an entrance exam. Plan B will need to be thought through in case you are not successful with your initial plan.
2024 Apprenticeship/Traineeship & Jobs Expo
Apprenticeship/Traineeship & Jobs Expos is back providing opportunities for your students they will not receive anywhere else.
The annual Apprenticeship/Traineeship & Jobs Expos attract over 20000 visitors and 400 exhibitors combined and are widely accepted as the premier expos of their kind in NSW.
The timing of the expos is a hit with families as it allows parents to attend with their children and have those all-important career chats with industry experts.
The expos kick off the recruitment process. Exhibitors get the chance to collect resumes and promote their organisation for upcoming recruitment drives.
With many major infrastructure projects underway there has never been a better time to start your journey on a rewarding career path.
This is the perfect chance to meet experts representing industry, businesses, group training companies, registered training organisations and many more and apply for apprenticeships, traineeships, jobs and further education pathways.
Whether you are at school and looking for a career path, a parent hoping to give your child the best opportunities in life, looking for a career change or a job-seeker looking to commence a rewarding career, the 2024 Apprenticeship/Traineeship & Jobs Expos have all the answers you need.
Bring copies of your resume and get in first.
**Free entry and registration not required**
Sutherland Shire Apprenticeship/Traineeship & Jobs Expo
Tuesday 10 September 2024 – 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm
Tradies Gymea, 57 Manchester Rd, Gymea NSW
Click here for further information.
Suttons Apprentice Information Evening
Careers Newsletter
Mr Peter Fitzpatrick
Careers/VET Leader of Learning
Community Announcements
Bayside Council July Holiday Program
Bayside Council NAIDOC Week Celebrations
Voyager Tennis School Holiday Camps
