St Gregory's College, Campbelltown
Quae Seminaveris Metes
(What you sow, so shall you reap)
Established | 3 February 1926 |
---|---|
School type | Independent All Boys Private Catholic School |
Principal | Br James Sweeney |
Location | Badgally Hill, Campbelltown, NSW Australia |
Enrolment | Approx. 900 Day students, 200 Boarders |
Campus | Semi-Rural, 4 km²) |
Homepage | www.stgregs.nsw.edu.au |
St Gregorys College is a Catholic secondary school in Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia. The College was founded on 3 February 1926 and has been conducted by the Marist Brothers since 1929.
Location
The College is located in Claymore, in the suburb of Campbelltown and approximately 43 km from the Sydney CBD. St. Gregory's is located on Badgally Hill, the highest peak between Sydney and the Great Dividing Range.
History
Early days
St Gregory's College commenced operations in 1925. The property on which the College is located was owned by Thomas Donovan who was a generous benefactor to the Catholic Church. In the early 1920’s he contacted the Marist Brothers about starting a school for boys to help them learn the skills to have careers on the land.
St Gregory’s commenced operations as a boarding school on 3 February 1926 with five brothers as staff, and two students. By the end of the year the student numbers had climbed to ten.
In 1929 the estate was gifted to the Marist Brothers by Mr Thomas Donovan. Mr Donovan intended that St Gregory's College should exist for country boys whom he would endow with bursaries. Much of the early infrastructure was also donated by Mr Donovan, for example the Chapel, classrooms and the first dormitory.
The foundation Principal in 1926 was Br Felix. However before the end of the first year he was recalled to his position at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill. Br Laurentius who was on the staff took over the position. Br Laurentius was only 27 years old but suffered from ill health. Enrolments climbed to around 50 students despite the college not having mains electricity or a reliable supply of water.
The Great Depression saw enrolments drop to ten students and the college was threatened with closure. Principal Br Laurentius died in 1933 after a long illness. Br Antoninus was appointed the new principal and led the College during the Depression years.
Post-Depression era
In 1937 Br William Molloy was appointed. Br Molloy had much experience as a principal as he had been a successful leader in several Marist schools before he came to St Gregory’s.
Br Molloy did much to progress the college. He registered the college as an agricultural high school making it the first Catholic agricultural high school in Australia. Br Molloy also chose the College’s motto: Quae Seminaveris Metes which is translated form Latin to mean ‘What you sow, so shall you reap’.
Enrolments rose steadily but the perceived threat of Japanese invasion of Australia during the Second World War saw numbers rise dramatically. Br Ambrose Payne led the College during the difficult war years and during this time the main building for class rooms and dormitories was constructed.
Post World War Two era
The period following the war saw Br William Molloy return to lead the college for a few years, followed by Br Valens and then Br Angelus. The College was stretched to its capacity with over 226 boarders. In 1957 the College welcomed back its first old boy principal, Br Coman Sykes. This time saw much growth and development. Ovals were levelled, the swimming pool was started and in 1962 the college chapel was opened. The college chapel was sponsored by old boys after Mr Len Sykes rallied ex-students across New South Wales in a massive fund raising tour.
Br Anselm became Principal in the 1960s. At that time the Campbelltown area was booming with a growth rate of 13% compared to the state average of 2%. The Wyndham Scheme changed the New South Wales schools system to provide for six years of secondary education instead of five. This caused great demand for places at the college. The number of day boys soon challenged those of many boarders.
Br Anselm built a new class room and dormitory block in 1963 began a new project nearly every year. This period was of unprecedented change and growth. Br Anselm contracted cancer and he died in May, 1970.
In the years ahead Br Frederick for one year and then Br Clarence, Br Ernest, Br Geoffrey and Br William followed as Principals. Br Ernest initiated a comprehensive building programme of class rooms, computer rooms and dormitories. When Br William Connell opened the Year 12 boarding house the programme was complete.
During the 1970s and 80s the College enjoyed the successes in terms of academic results and sporting competitions. It was during this time that the college earned a reputation as the nursery for young National Rugby League (NRL) stars. The college dairy closed in the early 1980s.
The 1990s and beyond
For much of the 1990s St Gregory's was led by Br Paul Hough who has served the longest term as principal at the college. During this time he built new boarding houses for junior students and the college’s reputation was enhanced through success in public speaking and debating, musicals and agricultural competitions. Br Paul left the college at the end of 2000 to become principal at St Joseph's College Hunters Hill.
In 2001 Mr Marshal McMahon was appointed as the first lay Principal of St Gregory’s. Mr McMahon has initiated several building projects including the Donovan Centre and the road reworks. The implementation of computer technology within the college has increased greatly during this period.
At present the College is undergoing large building renovations aimed at providing better facilities for the school body. These works involve the relocation of the Study Hall, Library, staff room, administration and reception facilities.
Past principals
- Br Felix (1926)
- Br Laurentius (1926-1933)
- Br Antoninus (1934-1936)
- Br William Molloy (1937-1942, 1946-1951)
- Br Ambrose Payne (1943-1945)
- Br Valens
- Br Angelus
- Br Coman Sykes (1957-1999)
- Br Anselm
- Br Frederick
- Br Clarence
- Br Ernest
- Br Geoffrey
- Br William
- Br Paul Hough (1992-2000)
- Mr Marshal McMahon (2001-)
College mottos
- "Manners Make thy Man" 1926 - 1937, Inherited from the Donovan family
- "Quae Seminaveris Metes" (Latin - What you sow, so shall you reap) 1937 - Present, Chosen by the principal at the time, Brother William Molloy.
Organisation
Marist Brothers
As a Marist school, Marist brothers have their own accommodation on the school grounds at the Br William Molloy building and Marist Brothers are also amongst the teaching staff. Saint Marcellin Champagnat was the founder of the Marist Brothers. In 2001, Mr Marshal McMahon became the first lay headmaster of the College.
Boarding
St Gregory’s provides accommodation during the school term for nearly two hundred students from Year 7 to Year 12. The philosophy of boarding at St Greg’s models the wishes of Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers. Marcellin implored the early Brothers to teach their students with great care, as if they were their own sons. The desire to build strong family connection between the boys, their families and the school is very evident at St Gregory’s.
Boarders live in five houses named after significant Brothers in the College’s history – Br Valens, Br Fingal, Br Edgar, Br Alfred and Br Senan. Attached to each boarding house is a residence for a family who look after that house. Within the boarding house is accommodation for a live-in supervisor. This structure creates a strong partnership between the people in each house. The boys are cared for by a small number of people who spend a lot of time with their group of boarding students.
The boarding accommodation and facilities are second to none. The modern buildings provide single room accommodation for all students. As well, each house contains bathrooms with a laundry, a common room equipped with kitchen facilities and internet in each boarding house and in each room in the yr 12 boarding house.
Sport
St Gregory's College has a strong reputation in Sport over its 81 year history. St Gregory's is well known for its success in Rugby League and also Cricket. With this years First XI winning the MCS competition, 2007 Australasian Marist Carnival and joint priemers in the CCC Downey Trophey, with an impressive 22 wins and 0 losses all season. Rugby League is very strong at the college as St Gregory's compete in the MCS competition and the Arrive Alive cup who have been champions on a record 9 occasions and Runners Up twice. Strong vocal support from the college community especially from the boarding is present at semi-finals and finals in the MCS competition and all Arrive Alive Cup matches. Rugby Union is also becoming part of the sporting culture at the college which the boarding community represents the college against teams in the GPS and ISA sporting competitions. The college provides excellent facillities for the students in the college with providing 8 rugby league/union fields, 3 cricket fields, 3 football (Soccer) fields, swimming pool, tennis courts, cricket nets, outdoor and indoor basketball courts and a college gymnasium.
Sport that is played at the college includes:
- Rugby League
- Cricket
- Football (Soccer)
- Basketball
- Rugby Union
- Australian Rules Football
- Touch Football
- Golf
- Tennis
- Athletics
- Cross Country
- Swimming
- Softball
- Chess
St Gregory's College is known as a nursery to the NRL with some notable players representing several NRL teams along with State and National honours with more recently Ryan Hoffman gaining selection in the Australian Test side which will come up against New Zealand on October 14th. Also grand final day 2007 each 3 grandfinals Jersey Flegg, Priemier League and the Nrl Telstra Premiership had a representative from St Gregory's College. The notable NRL players include:
- Trent Barrett
- Ryan Hoffman
- Chris Lawrence
- Tim Sheens
- Jason Taylor
- Peter Cusak
- Simon Bonnetti
- Stuart Flanagan
- Robbie Mears
- Matt Seers
- Eric Grothe (until year 10)
- Luke Quigley (Les Catalans)
- David Howell
College House Competition
In 2007 the college adopted new sporting houses to the college community with several name changes and introduction of the Champagnat House Cup. The college house competition provides the chance for all boys to contribute to the success of their house, not just in sport but in every part of College life. The Four 'new' houses that were established are:
* Laurentian House (Red) Motto: 'Edurance produces character.'
* Donovan House (Gold) Motto: 'To share with generosity.'
* Molloy (Blue) Motto: Stand firm in your faith, act with courage.'
* Killian House, (Green) Motto: 'To be first, you must be a servant.
College Song
Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, confugimus
Sancta Dei Genetrix, Sancta Dei Genetrix.
Nostras deprecationes ne despicias ne despicias
In necessitatibus nostris,
sed a periculis cunctis,
libera nos semper,
Virgo gloriosa,
et benedicta.
Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, confugimus
Sancta Dei Genetrix, Sancta Dei Genetrix.
A new more personal school song was written by Mr Jude Hennesey and first sang during mid 2007.
The cross on our hill shines for all to see,
it stands proud and stron forever may it be,
a sign of our bonds our strength our unity,
in God who gave all for us to live eternally.
Chorus:
Saint Gregory's Saint Gregory's,
Quae Seminavaris Metes,
Saint Gregory's Saint Gregory's,
Strong minds gentle hearts we seek,
stand together and defeat,
Saint Gregory's.
Men of the bush who know and love the land,
with city mates join who come to understand,
a life is God fullness we are called to dream,
rise up together, together as one team.
United as one, divided we fall,
the past holds our wisdom, the future holds our goles,
young men of Greg's who never turn in fear,
with faithful hearts cherish this home we hold so dear.
Debating and public speaking
Debating and public speaking has had a long history at St Gregory's College.
Debating co-ordinators
- 1989: Mr Steve Lo Cascio and Mrs Lindell Bailey (Tutors)
- 1990 - 1991: Mr Steve Lo Cascio
- 1992 - 1993: Ms Rogan Burns
- 1994 - 1999: Mr Peter Baz
- 2000 - 2004: Mrs Vivienne Hayle
- 2005 - : Mr Tom Greally
Debating and public speaking captains
- 2000: Joshua Scott
- 2001: Michael Gleeson
- 2002: Matthew Willis and Pat O'Doherty
- 2003: Robert McCarthy
- 2004: Dayne Kayem and Josh Tipping
- 2005: Denis Hunter
The highlights in recent years have been the year seven A team of 2001, captained by Geoffrey Sykes, winning the CSDA competition undefeated, and Kyle Sheldrick representing his school and state at the National Public Speaking championships in Adelaide, where they won the impromptu section.