College Newsletter 20 February - Marist College Kogarah

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Dear Parents, Staff and Students
Wednesday, 20 February 2013 Term 1 Week 4
Our Assistant Principal, Mr Anthony Boys used this reading and reflection to commence our staff meeting this week. It has so
much relevance to our College theme for 2013 — “Called” that I thought the College community should have the opportunity to
read it.
Prayer
Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something
to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave
you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the King
will answer, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did this to one of the least of these who are members of
my family, you did it to me.
Some thoughts from Courtney Kincaid . . .
In reflecting on the Gospel, we see that it is not enough to just not do certain things. We need
to do something. We need to care for those around us who are in need. This doesn't mean that
we all have to become missionaries and devote our lives to serving the poorest of the poor in our
world. As Mother Teresa said, "None of us can do anything great on our own, but we can all do
a small thing with great love". This could be something as simple as holding open a door for
someone or picking up a pen they dropped.
Courtney Kincaid . . .
Everyday we are presented with these small opportunities to love those around us. These
people might be family and friends, co-workers, neighbours or even total strangers. They are
people that we like and people we don't like. But we are called to love them just as Christ loves
them, as Christ loves us.
High Achievers’ Assembly
Last Monday, the College community had the opportunity to recognise and congratulate our high achievers from the HSC Class of
2012. These young men were extremely pleased that their results had contributed to the College being the highest ranked
Catholic systemic boys’ school in the Sydney Archdiocese. It was clear that they had great affection for MCK and this
achievement was something they were proud of as a group. It was a wonderful opportunity for our current students to see these
fine young men as role models and hear firsthand from the College Dux, Andrew Tjoe, about our excellent teachers and how
some hard work can result in success beyond expectation.
MCK High Achievers’ are as follows:
Anthony Aronis
Liam Bajic
Nicholas Blackley
Matthew Bova
Jake Cassell
Nathan Doherty
Anthony El Hage
Nickolas Eleftheriou
Christopher Escobar
Luca Giovanangeli
Evans Gomes
Reece Hagan
Juan Paulo Jose
Anthony Kalinovski
Christopher Kamper
Nicholas Kamper
Dimitrios Kappatos
Christopher Keegan
John Kostovski
Alexander Kottas
Alexander Koulizakis
Jayden Koulizakis
David Leung
Luka Maric
Daniel Marino
Nathan Markovski
Mathew Murray
Alex Nikolovski
Andrew Pacini
Jarrod Parkinson
Kenneth Phang
Jordan Russo
Nelson Sam
Trent Tarbey
Francisco Tinoco Silva
Andrew Tjoe
Benjamin Trainor
Michael Vera
Brendan Walz
Johnathan Wu
College Principal Mr Riordan
presenting the College Dux Award
to Andrew Tjoe
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Parents’ and Friends’
The first meeting of the P&F for 2013 will be held next Wednesday, 27 February at
7.00pm. The venue is the O’Driscoll Centre (under the Chapel) and all parents are
most welcome to attend.
Open Afternoon
The College’s Open Afternoon will take place on Wednesday, 6 March. This is
primarily for parents and their sons who may be considering an application for
enrolment for Years 7 and 11 in 2014. Everyone is invited to come along and have
our students show people around the school. Many subjects will be on display and
parents will be able to see for themselves the excellent facilities at the College.
Enrolment packages will be available at this time.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, 27 February:
Friday, 1 March:
Wednesday, 6 March:
Friday, 8 March:
Advisory Council (4:30pm)
Parents’ & Friends’ Meeting (7.00pm)
Year 11 Reflection Day
Open Afternoon (3.00pm – 6.00pm)
College Swimming Carnival
Mr John Riordan
Principal
INAUGURAL COLLEGE MASS 2013
On Wednesday, 6 February 2013 Fr Xavier Barry, College Chaplain celebrated our Inaugural
College Mass. We welcomed Br Robert O’Connor Spiritual Director,
Consultant Marist, Mission and Life Formation, and thanked him for his
interest and support of MCK. The Liturgy was a great celebration to start
the new year with the Marist Centre being transformed. College
Captain, Sebastian Quinn processed into the Marist Centre holding
a Champagnat Heart. This heart contains the names of all members
of the MCK community and it is our intention that Our Lord will walk
with us in 2013.
College Vice Captain, Jarryd Bradley carried the College candle
inscribed with the theme for this year ‘CALLED’. Peter Mavroidis,
Michael Nicolas, Andrew McAdam and Dominick Bondar proudly
carried the College House banners. The musicians and the choir
were marvellous. All students are to be commended on the
reverent and respectful manner in which they conducted themselves,
their singing and their responding to the Liturgy. A special
thanks to Fr Xavier, Ms de Andrade, Ms Georgiou,
Sr Catherine, Ms O’Laco, Mr Frazer and Mrs Belle. My job is
always made so much easier by the fact there are so many people
around me who are willing to help. It is the combined efforts of all that
ensured a very prayerful and joyous beginning to the school year.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Last Wednesday marked the beginning of the Lenten Season in our Church – Ash Wednesday. We
began the day with Mass in the College Chapel. Fr Xavier commissioned the senior students of the
College to lead prayer services in each of the Homerooms with the distribution of ashes. The
students in Year 12 are to be commended on the prayerful and reverent way in which they
conducted these Liturgies.
PROJECT COMPASSION
During Lent, Marist College Kogarah supports Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Students
can make donations on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays during Homeroom.
Project Compassion gives expression to the Gospel imperative to pursue justice and help those
suffering from poverty and disadvantage.
Mrs Catherine Roebuck, Religious Education Coordinator.

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WOT (WHAT’S ON TUESDAY) is an after school activities program that commences
at 3.10pm and concludes at 4.10pm on Tuesday afternoons. College staff volunteer their time
after school, to run one hour activity programs to support the pastoral needs of students in our
College. Activities like homework club, boxercise, software design, You can Cook!, sports arvo,
science club, basketball competitions and clean up MCK are but some activities that have been
conducted in the past. Each Term, the timetable for these activities will be posted on the
College website and on noticeboards around the College.
If your son is interested in participating in any of the activities offered, he will need to
register his interest at the College Library by seeing the Library staff at lunchtime. You MUST
register for the activity by Monday lunchtime the day before each WOT day.
WOT will commence this Term from Tuesday, 26 February. The timetable of activities will be
on the website by the end of the week. Mrs Roebuck, Religious Education Coordinator
Earlier in 2012, Marist College Kogarah (MCK) and Bethany College Hurstville
(BCH) commenced a combined Youth Group Fire and Light, with the aim of
connecting students to the local parishes in the St George Deanery. Fr Brendan
Quirk, Parish Priest, St Mary Mackillop Parish, Rockdale City and Anita Finneran,
Project Officer, Evangelisation, CEO Sydney, have been instrumental in providing
support and assistance with the establishment of Fire and Light.
The heart of Fire and Light has been to reach the generation of today with the timeless
message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God enters our lives offering grace,
mercy and love at the Cross.
Crystal Hillier, Youth Ministry Co-ordinator BCH, as well as myself, have both willingly
supported Fire and Light amongst respective communities. It has been a great
initiative for all parties involved, as we witness enthusiasm to grow with the
students. Each month the group alternates between the local parishes of MCK and
BCH and celebrate the Eucharist together, along with a gathering afterwards.
To date, Fire and Light have met on five occasions. The inaugural ‘Fire and Light’
Youth Group gathered in August with 20 students viewing a live performance of
Fiddler on the Roof at the Seymour Centre, followed by Mass at St Michael’s
Hurstville.
The next gathering took place in September at St Francis Xavier’s, Arncliffe, where
25 students celebrated
the Eucharist and Mass together, followed by a BBQ and the
opportunity for students to meet and greet one
another.
In October, Mass was again celebrated at St Michael’s Hurstville.
After the Mass, students were eager to meet in Bethany’s Yallunga
Hall and enjoy pizza and karaoke. The students sang and laughed
but, most importantly, had a great time.
The last gathering coincided with the St Mary Mackillop Rockdale
City Parish Christmas Carols held on Saturday, 15 December.
MCK had 30 students attend, helping out with the bbq and singing
along to the Christmas Carols. During Mass, students
assisted with readings, prayers and the offertory.
In 2013, the Youth Group Committee will meet to discuss the new
and exciting initiatives for future events to be held. The next ‘Fire
and Light’ Youth Group gathering will meet in March: dates to be
announced soon.
Miss Natasha Mohamad, Religious Education Teacher
RSL ANZAC AWARD
Congratulations to Adam Constantinidis
(pictured left) who received a Silver Award
Distinction in the RSL Anzac Art Awards.
Adam entered the secondary Years 7 – 8
division where the theme was poppies.
Mrs Catherine de Andrade,
Creative and Performing Arts Coordinator.
OLF PARISH KINGSGROVE DANCE PARTY
FOR STUDENTS IN YEARS 9 AND 10 ONLY
Friday, 15 March 2013 at OLF Kingsgrove Parish Hall,
89 Shaw Street, Kingsgrove from 7.00pm—10.30pm.
Cost $15.00.
Tickets will be sold at Student Services during recess
and lunch. Dance tickets will be sold from Monday, 11
March.
No tickets sold at the door and no entry into the dance
party after 8.00pm. No exit from the dance party before
10.30pm. Photo ID must be presented for entry. For
more details contact Lisa on 0403 069 051.

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The Class of 2012 achieved outstanding results in the Higher School Certificate and were
congratulated on their success at the High Achievers’ Assembly held on 18 February 2013.
Andrew Tjoe (pictured right) achieved the highest ATAR of 97.55 and 2012 College Dux. Nineteen
students gained an ATAR of 90 or above:
Anthony Aronis
92.25
Liam Bajic
91.4
Matthew Bova
96.9
Anthony El Hage
95.5
Luca Giovanangeli
92.1
Evans Gomes
94.1
Juan Paulo Jose
94.65
Christopher Kamper
91.9
Nicholas Kamper
96.7
John Kostovski
93.15
Alexander Koulizakis
91.1
Jayden Koulizakis
95.5
Luka Maric
94.0
Nathan Markovski
97.15
Andrew Pacini
90.05
Jordan Russo
95.4
A further 18 students received a Band 6 (90 plus score) for an individual subject:
Nelson Sam
96.3
Benjamin Trainor
90.35
Nicholas Blackley Jake Cassell Nathan Doherty Nickolas Eleftheriou Anthony Kalinovski Dimitrios Kappatos
Christopher Keegan Alexander Kottas David Leung Daniel Marino
Mathew Murray
Jarrod Parkinson
Kenneth Phang
Trent Tarbey
Francisco Tinoco Silva
Michael Vera
Brendan Walz
Johnathan Wu

The following students have achieved good results in the HSC and gained an apprenticeship or traineeship in their
chosen field, while combining study at TAFE or University.
Mathew Murray was ranked in the top ten in the State in Industrial Technology.
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Liam Bajic
Nathan Doherty Christopher Escobar Reece Hagan Mathew Murray
Alexander Nikolovski
Students from the HSC Class of 2012 High Achievers’ Assembly
The Arcadia Musical Recital Series
A special recital of
Gregorian Chant
featuring the widely acclaimed choir:
The Gregorian Schola of Sydney
At St Benedict’s Monastery
121 Arcadia Road, Arcadia
Sunday, 24 March 2013 at 2.00pm
Tickets $25.00
MARIST COLLEGE KOGARAH
52 WOLSELEY STREET BEXLEY, NSW 2207 TELEPHONE 9587 3211 FACSIMILE 9556 1790
WEBSITE: www.mck.nsw.edu.au
EMAIL: info@mckogarah.catholic.edu.au