Marist College Kogarah eNewsletter

Principal’s Report

Welcome to the latest edition of our College Newsletter. It has been a fantastic last two weeks at MCK with so many opportunities for our students. Some highlights over the past two weeks include the Year 9 Camp at Milson Island, our 2024 Celebration of Sporting Excellence Awards Ceremony, Science Week, the inter-schools Chess Tournament, Marist Oratory competition and much more. You can read more about these events and activities in this newsletter and about what’s coming up over the next few weeks.

Last Sunday was Social Justice Sunday. It is a day observed by the Catholic Church in Australia and when the Bishops issue the annual Social Justice Statement. The Social Justice Statement encourages our Catholic community to reflect and act on social, economic and ecological issues and reminds us of the importance of the Catholic Social Teachings. This year’s Statement is entitled Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World with the focus on the promotion of peace.

Over the past two years, our College has expanded our social justice and outreach programs, with the hope of providing support for those in need whilst educating students on Catholic Social Teachings. We have developed a Social Justice Club for students and been engaged in various outreach activities. I encourage students to join our MCK Social Justice Club which meets weekly and looks at ways our College can support people in need and get involved in activities

In the upcoming school holidays, 12 students and 5 staff will be travelling to Timor-Leste on an Immersion, providing students and staff with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Catholic Social Teachings and Marist charism and experience first-hand the visible work of the Marist community in Timor-Leste.

MCK Showcase

On Thursday afternoon 5^th of September, the College will hold our annual CAPA and TAS Showcase. This is an opportunity for parents to visit the College, see some of the remarkable work of students in Art and Industrial Technology Timber and enjoy the catering of our Hospitality students. HSC major works will be on display as well some of our junior students work. I encourage parents to come along and see the fantastic talent on display at the Showcase which will be open from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Celebration of Sporting Excellence

Congratulations to our sports award recipients at our annual Celebration of Sporting Excellence Awards ceremony which was held this past Tuesday. This awards ceremony recognises the commitment of students to represent the College in a multitude of sports and their sporting successes. It was wonderful to have Paul Alamoti, MCK graduate from 2021 and current NRL First Grade player with the Penrith Panthers, attend the ceremony and present awards to students.

Major awards at the ceremony includes the Sportsman of the Year for each year group, which for 2024 were:

Year 7: Tyler Parnell
Year 8: Alexander Borg
Year 9: Vinnie Pirrello
Year 10: Jake Batten
Year 11: Marcus Raad

And congratulations to our overall College Sportsman of the Year for 2024, Marat Nahas of Year 12. Congratulations!

Student Leadership

Over the coming weeks we will be selecting our new Senior Student Leadership Team, including the 2025 College Captain, Vice-Captain, House Captains and other senior leadership roles. I thank those Year 11 students who have applied for these significant student leadership positions and look forward to announcing the new senior student leaders early in Term 4. I take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Student Leadership Team who have been fantastic College leaders, and they will be formerly recognised at the upcoming Year 12 Graduation events.

Year 12 Graduation

The Year 12 Graduation is fast approaching. Our Year 12 students are working very hard as they approach their final weeks of school and Higher School Certificate Examinations. All the details for the 2024 Graduation events have been posted on Compass for Year 12 parents and families. Graduation is a very special time on the College Calendar and a milestone event in the lives of the young men of Year 12. The 2024 graduating class is the 115^th Year group to graduate at Marist College Kogarah.

May God bless our MCK community.

Mr Simon Ghantous
College Principal

Assistant Principal’s Report

College Tutor Program

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my day is supervision of the students that attend the College Tutor Program. I would encourage all students to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for support with homework, assignments, understanding of content and some wonderful conversations.

As Year 12 students have now completed their Trial HSC examinations, we hope that the Tutor Program will help them continue to focus on their studies as they prepare for their final HSC examinations.

A reminder the program was opened up to Year 11 students to book tutors. With the Year 11 Assessment period beginning in Week 8, the students will benefit from this program.

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

Lockdown/Evacuation

Today we had our Lockdown and Evacuation rehearsal. The drill was a success thanks to staff and student participation. Students are well aware of what to do in an emergency.

Mrs Catherine Roebuck
Assistant Principal

Religious Education Coordinator

Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast

On Friday, 30 August, the College community gathered to give thanks for our fathers, grandfathers and carers. Many thanks to Father Yacub, our Parish Priest who always gives so generously of his time to be with us. Congratulations to our hospitality staff and students for their wonderful contribution to this celebration.

As we gathered to celebrate this special Mass, we give thanks for the love, guidance, and strength our fathers, grandfathers and carers bring to our families and our school community. May this celebration be a reminder of the profound impact you have on their lives and a source of spiritual renewal for you.

“St Joseph is the model of the educator and the dad, the father.
I, therefore, entrust to his protection those who are fathers.
Best wishes to you on your day!
I ask for you the grace to be ever closer to your children, allow them to grow, but be close, close!
They need you, your presence, your closeness, your love.
May you be for them as St Joseph was: guardians of their growth in age, wisdom and grace.
May you guard them on their journey: be educators and walk with them.
Thank you for all you do for your children: thank you.
May St Joseph bless you and accompany you.”

Pope Francis

On Friday, 23 August students from Sydney Catholic secondary schools across the Archdiocese were presented with awards for excellence from Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP. Alexander Francis Noun of Year 12 is the 2024 Marist College Kogarah recipient. Forty-nine students were individually recognised across the Archdiocese during a ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral.

The following citation was read at the Archbishop’s Awards:

Alexander Noun is a young man of strong faith and deep commitment, evidenced by his authentic witness to the Catholic faith both in his local parish and the College Community. Alexander currently attends Saint Charbel's Parish where he is part of their Youth Group that meets weekly to discuss the Gospel and how to apply it to everyday life. Alexander is one of the House Captains and demonstrates his commitment to the Catholic ethos through his leadership of liturgy and social justice. He is an enthusiastic young man who has supported the various social justice initiatives within the College, including Project Compassion, St Vincent de Paul and Marist Solidarity. Alexander lives out his Catholic faith by participating in Eucharistic celebrations.

Congratulations to Alexander on this wonderful achievement!

Ms Lauren Abihanna
Religious Education Coordinator

Leader of Teaching and Learning

Marist Oratory Competition

This week students represented the College at the Marist Oratory Public Speaking Competition held at Parramatta Marist. Marist Oratory is a prestigious and tough competition, this annual event sees Marist Schools come together for one evening to showcase their finest orators. The competition offers students a chance to engage with important issues and use their voices to inspire others.

This year, the College is proud to announce that Matteo Colarusso of Year 7 came second in his division along with Ryan Morton of Year 11 who came second in the Senior Division. Their speeches, which touched on important social issues, resonated with the judges and audience alike, earning them well-deserved recognition. Congratulations to both these students!

Thank you also to Mr Chantler and Mrs Plummer who accompanied the boys and acted as adjudicators on the night and to Mrs Adamson for her coordination.

2024 College HSC Showcase

Parents/carers and members of the College community are invited to the Marist College Kogarah 2024 HSC SHOWCASE on Thursday, 5 September from 4.00 pm-6.00 pm. The College will be transformed into an exhibition space for our Year 12 HSC Major works in Industrial Technology (Timber), Visual Art, Music and Visual Design. Students from the College will be performing live musical performances for all to enjoy, and culinary delights will be prepared and served by our hospitality students.

Our talented students have engaged in learning that is rigorous and challenging to produce these major works. Through their belief, passion and interest in these creative disciplines, they have applied their knowledge and skills towards their own inspired journey.

This showcase will provide an opportunity for our school community to meet the students behind these innovative works and acknowledge their hours of commitment.

Parent Webinar series from Elevate Education for Term 3

Click here to register

Mrs Gina Stavropoulos
Leader of Teaching and Learning

Science Week

Lego Masters

The inaugural MCK Lego Masters Competition was a great addition to our Science Week celebrations. Five teams battled it out to see who could create the best depiction of a habitat linked to the Science Week theme 'Species Survival - More than just sustainability'. Students had one hour to build and then describe their habitat and how it showcased the theme. Recreating a range of biomes from forests to jungles, swamps to the arctic, students created the perfect habitat for endangered species to thrive.

Congratulations to joint team winners Henry Rowand/Christian Pillay (Year 7) and Leon Dai/Dustan Pham (Year 11).

Mrs Jackie Cordwell
Leader of Learning Science

Science Week Photography Competition

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology that runs in August each year. The theme for Science Week 2024 was Species Survival - more than just sustainability.

MCK students were given the challenge to get outdoors and take photos of their favourite local animals, plants or fungi. There were a wide variety of species photographed, including flowers, magpies, wild mushrooms and lizards.

MCK staff were asked to vote for their favourite photos and the prize winners are:

First Place - Nicholas Galanis (Year 11) - Rainbow Lorikeets

Equal Runner-up - Thomas Boyd (Year 8) - Southern Marbled Gecko

Equal Runner-up - Justin Lin (Year 12) - Common Wombat

Thank you to all the students that entered this year’s competition.

Mr Christian Zilich
Science Teacher

Geography Excursions

Year 10 Changing Places Geography Excursion to Pyrmont and Barangaroo

Year 10 Geography students are currently studying the topic of “Changing Places”. An inquiry into the urban dynamics shaping our cities, specifically Sydney. This provided us with an opportunity to undertake field work in Pyrmont and Barangaroo to observe the urban dynamics of decay, renewal and consolidation first-hand.

The students were able to take measurements of the processes impacting the atmosphere and biosphere as well as see first-hand the impacts of these changes, both good and bad. The ferry ride across the harbour was also enjoyed by all.

A big thank you to all Year 10 Geography teachers and staff that attended.

Year 8 Water in the World Geography Excursion to “The Rocks”

The Year 8 students experienced an exciting day around Sydney’s stunning harbour as they discovered the environmental and sociological impacts of the city’s waterways and water resources. Students were presented with a unique perspective on the geographical and historical importance of the choice of Sydney Cove as the location for Australia’s first penal settlement, and learned how water resources have been managed in Sydney by Aboriginal inhabitants, convict settlers and contemporary governments.

Students visited the site of Sydney’s original water source, The Tank Stream, traced the original coastline of Sydney Cove along Circular Quay and discovered the history of Indigenous and convict settlement along the headland. The students then discussed the connection between port cities and water sources, the evolution of water treatment and the issues with water scarcity facing Australia.

Many thanks to the team of teachers for assisting with a successful Geography excursion.

Mr Daniel Azzi
Assistant HSIE Leader of Learning.

Year 9 Camp – Milson’s Island

It was a stunning warm and sunny day when our lively Year 9 students arrived on Milson’s Island, their laughter and carefree energy filling the air. Each eager to dive into the various exciting activities planned for the three-day camp. Some students embraced the shimmering waters of the Hawkesbury River for a kayaking adventure, where they not only learned the fundamentals of paddling but also shared moments of joy and camaraderie. Others experienced the thrill of teamwork during the competitive Archery Tag, where every arrow shot was met with shouts of encouragement and friendly rivalry. Meanwhile, several groups pushed their limits through the obstacle course, motivating one another to conquer challenges they never thought they could face. A bushwalk immersed everyone in the beauty and significance of our indigenous Australian nature, providing a living lesson about the environment and its heritage. And, of course, the campers learned the age-old skill of fire-building, culminating in the delicious reward of freshly made damper.

Camps like this are more than just a fun getaway; they offer invaluable lessons in independence and self-reliance. In this new and unfamiliar setting, students took on responsibilities for themselves and each other. They learned to make decisions, manage their time, and care for their belongings – skills that would serve them well beyond the confines of this adventure.

Amid the activities, students also found precious time to connect with one another. This camp was not just a break from technology; it was a chance to engage in meaningful experiences that expanded their horizons. Spending several days together, away from their usual routines and support networks, allowed them to develop deeper friendships and hone their communication and collaboration skills. They learned to work together, develop empathy, and rely on one another, all of which are vital for success in every aspect of life.

These moments of laughter, challenge, and connection on Milson’s Island created lasting memories and fostered personal growth, ensuring that each student returned home with not just newfound skills, but also cherished friendships and a sense of accomplishment.

Sport Report

It’s halfway through the term and our Rugby 7’s, AFL and Tennis competitions are well underway. Along with this, we had 32 students represent the College in the Conference 3 Athletics Carnival. Let’s see the results so far this season.

Representative Tennis

The MCK Tennis team picked up from where they left off last season, opening with two weeks of dominant displays against Aquinas and Caringbah. Both the Junior and Intermediate teams won convincingly, whilst our Seniors have been coaching from the sidelines due to two consecutive BYEs. If the team can keep this up, they may be a shout for the Davis Cup!

Mr Chris Raptis and Mr Luke Rodriguez
Coaches

Junior Rugby 7’s

The MCK Junior Rugby 7’s team delivered an outstanding performance, securing victories in both of their games against St Patrick's Sutherland and De La Salle Revesby whilst keeping their opponents scoreless. Their exceptional ruck control was a key factor, allowing them to dominate possession and maintain pressure throughout. With this solid foundation, they showcased their defensive prowess and strategic play, setting a high standard for future matches. Special mention to Matthew Beretin and Logan Thompson for being named player of the match.

Mr Kevin Pham
Coach

Intermediate Rugby 7’s

The Intermediate team was eager to play after Round 1 was washed out. Despite missing some Year 9 players due to school camp, the team got involved and made some great plays. However, our lack of experience playing Rugby 7’s showed, and we went down in both games against St Pat’s Strathfield and De La Salle Revesby. The team will take this as a learning curve and go again next round. Special Mention to Makaiden Ilievski who was player of the match for both games.

Mr Robert Almeida
Coach

Senior Rugby 7’s

The Senior Rugby 7’s side looked to continue on from their success last year when they came up against St Patrick’s Sutherland in their opening game for the Term. The boys were dominant from the get-go, Fred Safi leading the charge up front and crafty ball skills from Marat Nahas ensured the boys crossed for plenty of tries. The final score was 42-0. We look forward to our next clash and what the season has installed for the Seniors.

Mr Jake Gallagher
Coach

Intermediate AFL

The Intermediate boys showed up ready to stamp their authority early in the competition and didn't disappoint! Matthew Elek and Adam Kotb scored freely as Oscar Clarke and Jett Brinkman dominated the midfield. With Year 9 on camp, some Year 10 rookies stepped up to the plate and made the most of their AFL experience, enjoying every minute of the convincing 83-9 victory!

Mr Frank Lauria
Coach

All Abilities 7-A-Side Football

Our All Abilities Soccer teams faced off against one another in their first clash last Thursday afternoon. The game had a semi-final intensity about it with both teams creating chance after chance. Manuel Sousa saved a penalty in the dying minutes to ensure both teams walked away with a point each. The Player's player medal went to Marcus Sanfedele for his impressive skills in both attack and defence. MCK Team 1 turned on the razzle dazzle in their second game, stringing multiple passes up the pitch where Adrian Salopek opened the scoring. Lucas Manera then finished off the opposition as the boys came away 2-0 winners. MCK Team 2 displayed outstanding defence in their second game against Aquinas but unfortunately went down in a close encounter. Daniel Burton received the players player award.

Mr James Drahalivas, Mrs Cathy Crehan and Mrs Clarissa Cranney
Coaches

Conference 3 Athletics Carnival

We had 32 students represent the College at the Conference 3 Athletics Carnival on Wednesday, 21 August out at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Track. All competitors displayed true Marist spirit throughout the day, and we managed to place 2nd or 3rd in the overall standings for each age group. Well done to Jayden Taylor who took home 6 medals on the day including 3 new Conference 3 records along with Jacob Fong who broke the Open’s 400m record by 2 seconds. Three of our relay teams placed 1st or 2nd meaning they’ve progressed through to the Sydney Championships. We wish all our athletes who have progressed through to the next level the best of luck!

Celebration of Sporting Excellence

The Celebration of Sporting Excellence took place on Tuesday, 27 August where we came together as a community to acknowledge our success on the sporting field and individual achievements. Congratulations to those teams who have won competitions in the 2023/24 season and to those students who claimed major awards:

Junior Chess Champions, Intermediate Chess Champions, Junior Table Tennis Champions, Junior Football Champions, Senior Football Champions and Senior OzTag Champions.

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS:

Year 7 Sportsman of the Year - Tyler Parnell
Year 8 Sportsman of the Year - Alexander Borg
Year 9 Sportsman of the Year - Vinnie Pirrello
Year 10 Sportsman of the Year - Jake Batten
Year 11 Sportsman of the Year - Marcus Raad
Robert Windle Senior Swimmer of the Year - Matias Soca
Cross Country Senior Runner of the Year - Cooper Daley
Br Baptiste Senior Athlete of the Year - Alexander Zafiris
Senior AFL Player of the Year - Noah Blundell
Senior Tennis Player of the Year - Jayden Lim
Senior Volleyball Player of the Year - Harrison Lehmann
Senior OzTag Player of the Year - Jacob Fong
Senior Rugby 7's Player of the Year - Marat Nahas
Senior Touch Football Player of the Year - Marat Nahas
Senior Basketball Player of the Year - Joel Tesoriero
Senior Footballer of the Year - Nicholas Dogias
Robert Stone Rugby League Player of the Year - Marat Nahas
Kerry O'Keeffe Cricketer of the Year - Elio Fornasier
2024 Sportsman of the Year - Marat Nahas