27 September 2024

Principal’s Report

Welcome to the final edition of our College Newsletter for Term 3. It has been an exciting term with many highlights and fantastic achievements of students. There have been incredible achievements in their learning, wonderful works of art, fantastic musical performances, great feats on the sporting fields and much more. It has been a term which has showcased the amazing students at MCK and their incredible talents.

Year 12 Graduation

On Monday of this week, we farewelled our Year 12 students - the 115^th graduating class of Marist College Kogarah. It was a wonderful day of celebration, commencing with a Year 12 breakfast and a final assembly where the students and staff of the College said their goodbyes. Families of Year 12 returned in the afternoon for a beautiful Graduation Mass, followed by a formal graduation dinner at Le Montage in Lilyfield. As always, the graduation events were filled with emotion - pride, joy, nostalgia and a little sadness in saying farewell. We are all very proud of our most recent graduates and offer our prayers as they prepare for their Higher School Certificate examinations commencing in Term 4.

Excerpts from the outgoing College Captain, George Lahoud’s speech give part of his wonderful message to the community:

Looking back on our time at MCK, we can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the special people and experiences that have shaped us.

Along our journey, our school leaders, teachers and mentors have been our guiding lights, nurturing our curiosity, challenging our intellect, and guiding us with passion. We are extremely grateful for their unwavering support and dedication as they have not only imparted knowledge, but also instilled in us the values that are at the very essence of a Marist education. 

I express my deep pride in being part of such an extraordinary group of young men at such an extraordinary school. In the world that awaits us, let us carry with us the valuable lessons we have learned at MCK. We will face both opportunities and obstacles. We will face moments of triumph and moments of doubt. But as we step into the future, we do so equipped with the tools to make a positive impact in our world. 

Graduates of Marist College Kogarah - my congratulations. Know that whatever comes next on our separate journeys, we will always share a bond that is held together by the great Red and White and by the memories that we will take with us forever. 

May our futures be filled with success and prosperity.

Finis Coronat Opus - The End Crowns the Work.

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2024 Student Leaders

After an extensive process, our 2025 Student Leaders have been selected. This group of fine young men will certainly do our College proud following the great tradition of student leadership at Marist College Kogarah. Early next term, their roles will be announced to the College community, including the new College Captain and Vice-Captain and they will be inducted in a formal ceremony.

Congratulations to our 2025 College Student Leadership Team, who are:

• Konstantinos Benetatos
• Anthony Catanzariti
• Nathaniel Chandra
• Damien Do
• Marcus Edwards
• Elio Fornasier
• Harry Koralis
• Jayden Lim
• Luke Martelletti
• Eoin McNally
• Ryan Morton
• Marcus Raad
• Matias Soca
• Sebastian Vanega

Timor-Leste Immersion

Today marks the beginning of our first MCK Immersion experience to Timor-Leste with twelve students and five staff flying to Timor-Leste. The Immersion will provide students with the opportunity to experience the rich history and culture of Timor-Leste and to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Catholic Social Teachings and Marist charism, experiencing the visible work of the Marist community in Timor-Leste. The College community have been supporting Australian Marist Solidarity in Timor-Leste for the past 4 years and contributing through fundraising to development and building projects of local schools. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our students and staff to see the efforts they have contributed to and the tangible way MCK has supported Timor-Leste. 

We wish them all the best on their journey and look forward to hearing of what I am sure will be remarkable and impacting experiences. May God bless them on their travels.

Wishing all students and families a safe and restful holiday.

School resumes for Term 4 on Monday, 14 October with students in full summer uniform.

Mr Simon Ghantous
College Principal

Assistant Principal’s Report

Not Present/Late to School

Last week, Not Present/Late to School letters were sent home to families. Please ensure you have added an Attendance Note in Compass to explain this absence/lateness. 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.

Attendance at College Events

Students are required to attend all College events including but not limited to, excursions, swimming carnival, athletics carnival, reflection days, retreats, camps and community days. If your son is absent on any of these days, he will require a Doctor’s Certificate to explain his absence.

Return to Term 4

A reminder that students will return to the College for Term 4 on Monday, 14 October in their full summer uniform. Sports uniform is to be worn on Thursdays only.  Students who wear their sports uniform any other day, will receive a uniform detention.

Students should also be reminded of the College’s regulations around hair and grooming. The College Policy on hairstyles is very clear.  Any use of a blade number lower than “2” is unacceptable. All haircuts must be blended and uniform in appearance, therefore any excess style trend will not be tolerated including skin fades. Students who present with haircuts that do not comply with the College Policy may be sent home until it is rectified.

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.

Mrs Catherine Roebuck
Assistant Principal

Religious Education Coordinator

Year 9 Reflection Day

On Friday, 13 September, Year 9 students and staff participated in the Year 9 Reflection Day at Stanwell Tops Conference Centre. The students participated in some team building activities in the great outdoors and then took some time to service the wider community through an indoor session facilitated by Marist 180 and Catholic Mission. Students learnt about the needs within our community.

Many thanks to Mr Ward and the Year 10 RE teachers that accompanied the cohort on the day. A great day was had by all!

Year 12 Final Wednesday Morning Mass

On Wednesday, 18 September, the Graduating Class of 2024 celebrated mass together in the college Chapel with Father Yacub, for the last time. It was a wonderful way to start the day.  Many thanks to Father Yacub for his attentiveness to the needs of the College community. Hopefully there will be other occasions when these young men will celebrate the Eucharist again in the College Chapel.

HSC Primary School Prayer Packs 

On Thursday, 19 September, we welcomed the staff and students from Mater Dei Primary School Blakehurst, St Gabriel’s Primary School Bexley, St Mary Star of the Sea Primary School Hurstville, St Patrick’s Primary School Kogarah, St Joseph’s Primary School Rockdale, Regina Coeli Primary School, Beverley Hills and St Finbar’s Primary School Sans Souci to the College.  Over the last few school terms, the staff and students in our Parish Primary Schools have been working on a Prayer initiative in support of their fellow students in Year 12 preparing for the Higher School Certificate. This initiative not only offers prayerful intentions for our Year 12 students, it also strengthens our relationship with our Feeder primary schools. We thank them for their ongoing support. 

Year 12 Graduation Assembly 

On Monday, 23 September, the College Community farewelled the graduating class of 2024. The morning saw many wonderful speeches by George Lahoud, College Captain and Dimitrios Yalizis College Vice-Captain. A musical interlude from the Year 12 music class and many moments that allowed the cohort to reflect on their time at the College. 

Year 12 you are in our prayers and thoughts, especially through your upcoming Higher School Certificate exams and wish you well in your future endeavours as you move beyond our College community at Kogarah.  

We thank you, Year 12.  Embrace the journey ahead and in the words of our founder Saint Marcellin Champagnat “I leave you in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.”

Year 12 Graduation Mass

On Monday, 23 September the parents and friends of the graduating Class of 2024 gathered in the Marist Centre in the celebration of the Eucharist to farewell the Graduating Class of 2024. It marked the end of thirteen years of education and the promise of many wonderful opportunities ahead.

MCK Timor-Leste Immersion Program

On Friday, 27 September, Mr Duff, Mr Lauria, Mrs Danzey, Mr Ziegenfusz and Mr Gallagher will embark on the 2024 Immersion Program to Timor-Leste with 12 students from Year 10 and 11. I want to thank them for their support of this program and wish them well on their trip. I know this will be an incredibly enriching experience both spiritually and culturally. 

Ms Lauren Abihanna
Religious Education Coordinator

Leader of Teaching and Learning

Celebrating Year 12 Success: Embracing the Final Chapter and Preparing for the HSC

Congratulations to all our Year 12 students for reaching this significant milestone in their schooling journey. This week, we came together to celebrate their remarkable achievements and personal growth. Throughout the year, our Year 12 students have demonstrated resilience, determination, and a strong commitment to their academic pursuits. Their dedication to learning and striving for personal excellence is truly commendable.

As they approach the HSC Examinations, we hope they continue to believe in their potential and embrace the opportunities ahead. Preparing for the final exams is both an exciting and challenging time. It is essential for students to maintain a positive mindset and stay motivated. As students’ study and complete past HSC papers they are encouraged to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Students are reminded that staff are available to support students in preparing for their final exams. 

The entire school community wishes our Year 12 students’ success in their HSC Examinations and in their future endeavours as lifelong learners.

Academic Excellence

Year 12 students who placed first in their course.

Year 12 Holiday Seminars and Sydney Catholic School Masterclasses

To further support our Year 12 students, teachers at the College have generously offered their time during the school holidays to conduct final Year 12 holiday seminars. These seminars are designed to assist and refine their preparation for HSC examinations, which can be a stressful time.  Students can seek support from staff during this time as they prepare over the holiday break.

Additionally, Sydney Catholic Schools is offering revision workshops and online lessons during the Term 3 holidays, led by HSC specialists. 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 to HSC style exam questions.

 Please find attached   Year 12 Holiday Seminars and SCS Master classes  schedule.

Atomi

Year 12 students are reminded they all have access to Atomi until the end of their HSC Examinations. Students may wish to use this additional online tool as a resource for revision and access to exam style questions in preparation for their HSC Exams. Atomi offers a wide range of resources, including instructional videos, practice quizzes, and detailed explanations across various HSC subjects. This platform is designed to support students’ study by breaking down complex topics helping to strengthen students' knowledge and exam techniques.

We encourage all students to make the most of this additional resource to maximize their success. Good luck with your preparations!

Finis Coronat Opus – The End Crowns the Work

Mrs Gina Stavropoulos
Leader of Teaching and Learning

Year 7 English Incursion: Enriching Cultural Understanding of Honey Spot

On Tuesday, 24 September, Year 7 students participated in an engaging English incursion led by Nyumbar Education, aimed at preparing them for their study of Jack Davis’ play Honey Spot. The incursion highlighted key themes from the play, such as connection to Country, kinship, and the cultural significance of song and dance, which are central to the narrative. Through powerful storytelling and interactive experiences, students gained valuable insights into Aboriginal history and culture, enhancing their understanding of the characters, themes, and context of Davis' work. This immersive introduction is set to deepen their appreciation as they begin their exploration of Honey Spot.

Ms Stephanie Todeski
Leader of Learning English

Leader of Student Wellbeing

Year 10 My Strengths

Recently, Year 10 students worked with Dan Hardie and his team from My Strengths. Dan utilises Positive Psychology principles when endeavouring to get the best out of students:

“Dan observed that so many teens know their weaknesses, but how many know their strengths? They would come to Dan with all kinds of negative labels that were damaging their self-esteem and confidence. But he wondered, “What if instead of diagnosing what is wrong, we could diagnose what is right? What if I could shift the self-perception from deficits and weakness to strengths, beauty and uniqueness?” It has had such a dramatic effect on adolescent mental health, self-esteem and identity that this has become Dan’s life passion – and it’s changing the school landscape for thousands.” (https://inspiremybusiness.com.au)

Our boys demonstrated the following top 5 strengths across the year group:

1. Practical
2. Winner
3. Loyalty
4. Responsibility
5. Hard working

The student evaluation of the program was extremely positive. This is what they said:

How accurate did you find your 'Top 5 strengths' results to be?

23.6%- Nailed it
66.7%- Mostly accurate
9.8%- Some were accurate, others not so much

Did the program help you grow in your self-esteem and confidence?

29.3%- Yes, significantly
43.1%- Quite a bit
16.3%- A little
7.3%- My self-esteem was already strong
4.1%- Not at all

Do you feel like you understand other people better by learning about different personalities and strengths?

13%- Yes, significantly
60.2%- Quite a bit
22.8%- A little
4.1%- Not at all

Mr Shane Duff
Leader of Student Wellbeing

Sport Report

Representative Sport at Marist College Kogarah has come to an end for Term 3. There were a couple of SCS Gala Days that we were involved in over the past fortnight along with Conference 3 Finals and SCS Championships. Some momentous results were achieved by our Senior Rugby 7’s and Intermediate Tennis teams. Let’s have a read of our most recent results.

Representative Tennis

The MCK Tennis team entered their final round against De La Salle Revesby with everything on the line, knowing that winning their respective Conference titles would be the key to advancing to the prestigious Sydney Championship semi-finals. Much like in tennis, where each match can turn on a single point, every team—the Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors—had to perform at their peak to secure a place in the next stage of the competition. The pressure was immense, but so was the opportunity, and the team did not disappoint, achieving a remarkable hat-trick of Conference victories to book their semi-final places at the Sydney Championships.

In the semi-finals, though our Junior and Senior teams were outmatched, unable to fully return the heavy volleys from their opponents, they fought hard and left everything on the court. However, our Intermediate team, led by captain Daniel Carino, rose to the challenge in a tough semi-final match-up against Marist Eastwood. With incredible precision and focus, they took control of the match, ultimately defeating Marcellin Randwick in the final to secure the Intermediate Sydney Championship.

This season has been a journey of grit, growth, and determination, much like navigating a long rally in tennis, where patience and skill are tested with every stroke. It has been an honour and a privilege to coach this group of players, whose ability and tenacity have shone through in each match. All players involved should be commended for their resilience on and off the court.

As we look back on the season, we can say with pride, "Finis Coronat Opus"—the end crowns the work. These boys have certainly earned their crown.

Mr Chris Raptis and Mr Luke Rodriguez
Coaches

Junior Rugby 7’s

In the Junior Rugby 7s competition, the team fought hard but narrowly lost their semifinal match against De La Salle Caringbah, falling short of the final. Despite the setback, they regrouped with determination for the third-place playoff. In the consolation match, the team put on an impressive display, securing a strong victory to claim 3rd place. Their resilience and teamwork shone through, ending the competition on a high note.

Mr Kevin Pham
Coach

Senior Rugby 7’s

What a remarkable couple of weeks it has been for the MCK Senior Rugby 7’s team!

In Week 8, the boys faced Bosco in the ‘Conference’ final after comfortably defeating Caringbah 19-7 in the semi-final, despite being reduced to five players for a significant portion of the game due to two yellow cards. In the final against Bosco, the team appeared to be on the verge of defeat, trailing for most of the match. However, with just three minutes remaining, they staged a stunning comeback, scoring two quick tries to turn a 19-7 deficit into a 21-19 lead. Special recognition goes to Eliaz Kazzi, whose game-winning play involved a brilliant turnover and a sprint down the sideline for a bonus try with only a minute left on the clock. His game awareness and determination to secure the bonus point try were instrumental in clinching the victory. There was a tense moment at the end when Bosco launched a kick downfield as the final siren sounded, but Jacob Fong’s blistering speed allowed him to narrowly win the race to the ball, preventing Bosco from scoring a try that would have reversed the result. With this incredible performance, Kogarah was crowned ‘Seniors Conference Champions.’

This victory set the stage for the ultimate challenge in Week 9: the Sydney Championship Finals, where they would face the top teams in the region. The boys entered the competition with confidence sky-high after their dramatic come-from-behind win the previous week. In the semi-final, they faced Marist Eastwood and, once again, dominated from the start, racing to a 21-0 lead and securing their place in the final with ease. However, they knew the true test awaited them in the form of Holy Cross Ryde, a formidable opponent in the Sydney Championship Grand Final.

Prior to the game, the team embraced their underdog status, using it as motivation against a Ryde side expected to win comfortably. This resolve was evident early on when Marat Nahas scored a swift try to give Kogarah the lead, sparking belief throughout the team. Ryde, true to their reputation, responded quickly with back-to-back tries, leaving Kogarah trailing at halftime. The second half saw a thrilling, back-and-forth contest with Ryde narrowly maintaining their lead. But Kogarah’s resilience and skill shone through when it mattered most. Michael Elazzi delivered an outstanding performance, channelling his inner Josh Mansour, and scored a sensational hat trick that left Ryde unable to respond.

Kogarah emerged as Sydney Champions, defeating Ryde 34-28 in what was a monumental achievement for a team primarily composed of Rugby League players. This victory is something they will cherish for years to come. I wish them all the best in their future endeavours and congratulate them on an exceptional season.

Mr Jake Gallagher
Coach

Junior AFL

With not many Juniors playing AFL outside of school, this team of brave young men faced a formidable task of learning the basic skills and rules of the sport on the run against more seasoned opposition. 

The team bravely took the field each week led tirelessly by Josh Davies who inspired a majority Year 7 team to respectable results. Alexander Michael put in a Man of the match performance on the 3rd place playoff day. The team has unfinished business going into 2025.

Mr Frank Lauria and Mr Steven Gorscak
Coaches

Intermediate AFL

The Intermediate MCK AFL team unfortunately went down in their grand final last week against a red-hot St John Bosco Engadine side. With a massive breeze behind them down at Barden Ridge, Engadine started very strong to get out to a big lead. The boys however showed plenty of resilience to pull their way back, even making a game of it by half time. Jake Batten was excellent as per usual in the middle and Oscar Clarke was superb to claim the player’s player medal, awarded by the other team. Goals were also scored by Mark Awad but the final score was 60-25. Enormous effort to make it this far in a sport which not many boys have played before!

Mr James Stirton
Coach

All Abilities 7-a-side Football

The two MCK All Abilities Soccer teams faced off against one another in the semi-final In Week 8. Having recently drawn 0-0 a few weeks prior it was once again another close encounter. The scores were locked up at half time and with MCK Team 2 hungrier for the win it was Captain Cruz Fernandez who found the top corner and put his team in front. This was enough for the boys to claim victory and progress through to the next final. Unfortunately, both of MCK’s oppositions forfeited the following week which meant that MCK Team 1 finished in 5th position and MCK Team 2 claimed the Bronze medals!

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

SCS Hockey Gala Day

On Tuesday 17th September, our Senior Hockey side went to Moorebank where they competed in the annual SCS Gala Day. Having a combination of both experienced and rookie players, the boys gave it their all during their 4 matches and managed to finish second. Marcus Raad was explosive all day and Elio Fornasier and Dino Di Paolo found the back of the goal multiple times, well done boys!

Mr Frank Lauria and Mr Thomas Saludo
Coaches

SCS Baseball Gala Day

The MCK Senior Baseball team delivered a commendable performance at the SCS Gala day on Wednesday 18th September, finishing 4th overall. They secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Marist College Eastwood and defeated Penshurst Marist 8-5 in a close sudden death playoff. Despite a tough 10-7 loss to St. Vincent's Ashfield and a controversial 5-2 defeat to Casimir College in the semi-finals, the team displayed resilience and tenacity. The third-place match saw a narrow 5-3 loss to Holy Spirit Ryde, who used time to their advantage. Special recognition goes to the cricketers who adapted quickly to the baseball setting, making crucial saves, and to the baseball players who stepped up to help them adapt. Congratulations to the team for their effort and determination, showcasing true Kogarah Marist spirit!

Mr Robert Almeida and Mr Dimitri Athanaseris
Coaches

Community Announcements

Bayside Council Spring Youth Holiday Program

Voyager Tennis School Holiday Camps