From The Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
A warm welcome back to the start of Semester Two. I hope the mid-year break enabled all students and their families the time to rest and prepare for the second half of this school year. This week I have been impressed with how our students have returned and appreciate how the large majority of boys have ensured they adhere to our prescribed uniform standards and high expectations. The beginning of the second semester provides an opportunity for all students to build upon their developing skills and to reflect on the feedback provided through their Semester One Report and the Parent/Teacher interviews. It was great to see record numbers of parents engaged with our Parent/Teacher interviews at the end of last term. I trust these conversations will support your son’s learning. While Year 11 students are now commencing their final Term for the Preliminary HSC course and Year 12 students are preparing for their Trial HSC examinations, yesterday, we gathered to acknowledge Years 7-10 students who achieved Semester One Awards. Congratulations!
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As we commence Term 3, we do so within a COVID-smart setting in continuing to provide a learning environment that prioritises student and staff wellbeing. In keeping our school community safe, we continue to stress the importance of students staying home if they are unwell or showing symptoms and not returning to school until they fully recover. We will continue to distribute available rapid antigen tests to families as they continue to be delivered to schools. While some students and staff are choosing to wear an optional mask indoors, please be reassured that the College will continue to liaise with CSNSW to identify additional COVID-smart measures if ever required.
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As parents and carers would be aware, NAIDOC Week was celebrated by people from all walks of life, indigenous and non-indigenous, during the recent school holidays. Our College community will have our celebration on Tuesday, 26 July, followed by a morning tea with some parents and community members.
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I am pleased also to announce that our Head of Social Studies, Mr Mark Tyler, has been nominated by the College for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) within the category of Outstanding Leadership. The NEiTA Foundation provides a community-centred awards program to recognise teachers who represent excellence within the teaching profession and encourage learning enjoyment for students and their teaching peers. On behalf of the College, I congratulate Mr Tyler and sincerely thank him for his commitment to the learning culture that is ERC.
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The 2021 Annual Report to the School Community has been published and uploaded onto our school website. The Annual Report includes key messages from the school’s leadership regarding our achievements during the previous year. This publication can be found on our College website and accessed through the following link: 2021 Annual Report to the School Community.
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This Sunday, we are gently reminded to honour the grandparents and the elderly in our lives. Pope Francis has established a Church-wide celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, celebrated each year on the fourth Sunday of July to coincide with the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
Best Wishes
Stephen Gough
From the Deputy Principal
Learning & Teaching
Pastoral Care
Sport
Community Announcements
Parents and Friends Committee
Dear Parent & Friends and Staff,
On behalf of the ERC Parents and Friends, I would like to extend an invitation to our next P&F function the ‘ERC Gala Dinner.’ It promises to be a great night with live music, three course dinner and drinks package.
Why not get your friends together and book a ticket or a table. Ticket purchases via https://www.trybooking.com/BYUPX
We hope you can support this event. All money raised on the night will be donated to #talk2mebro.
The P & F will be holding a raffle at the Gala Dinner and ask for your support with a donation of a prize or money. If you are able to contribute, please send your donation directly to the College Office. We would be most appreciative of your support and donations will be acknowledged on the Edmund Rice Facebook page, College Newsletter and on the reverse side of the menu at the Gala Dinner.
Please like the Facebook page ercgala2022 to receive updates for this event.
Please share this event with your family and friends, all welcome!
For further information please email ercgala2022@gmail.com
Kindest regards,
Francis & P&F Organising Committee
Community News
CAREERS NEWSLETTER
Careers Advisor
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Change in Student/Family Circumstances/Contact Information/Medical Conditions
If any change has occurred/occurs in your family – separation, divorce, serious illness, the College should be notified as soon as possible. The College seeks to be supportive of families in such circumstances and such events always have a bearing on a child’s education. Likewise, a change of address, email or phone number (work, home or mobile) or emergency contact should be advised immediately.
If your son suffers from a medical condition it is vital that you inform the office of his condition and what treatment is required in an emergency. An emergency management plan must be developed for any students with serious conditions.
Please verify all information via the TASS Parent Lounge.
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eSafety Matters
The eSafetyCommisioner’s website remains the most current and reliable source of information on all eSafety matters. Have a look at their content specifically published for parents here.
19th July 2022 the eSafetyCommisioner stated that,
“Reports of cyberbullying to eSafety are up 80% this year compared with the first six months of 2021.”
Read the whole media release here
Parents urged to watch out for signs of cyberbullying
Signs that suggest a child is the target of cyberbullying include:
- They appear sad, lonely, angry, worried or upset more than usual
- Unexpected changes in friendship groups or not wanting to be around people, even friends
- Changes in personality, becoming more withdrawn or anxious
- Changes in sleep patterns, eating or energy levels
- Becoming secretive about their mobile phone use or what they are doing online.
“The answer to cyberbullying isn’t confiscating devices but agreeing on reasonable daily use, privacy and parental controls, and when they should come to you for help and support. The threat of ‘device denial’, shame or other forms of punishment or judgment may deter children from confiding in trusted adults when things go wrong online,” Ms Inman Grant said.
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Taekwondo Kickstarters Program
| The College will be offering the Taekwondo Kickstarters program to Year 7 students.
The Taekwondo Kickstarters program is a modified Taekwondo program, developed by Australian Taekwondo, for delivery in schools. The program teaches students the fundamental skills and values of Taekwondo in a fun and safe environment. The benefits of the program include:
Mr Gerry Sozio and Ms Lourdes Ndaira will be delivering the 5 week program at the College during Term 3 on Wednesday of Weeks 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10. The sessions will commence at 2:15pm and conclude at 3:00pm. Students will not be required to purchase a uniform and there will be no cost involved. Further details will be provided once numbers are finalised. Click here to register for the program. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Gerry Sozio (gsozio@erc.nsw.edu.au). |
Introducing Baseball5!!
Baseball5 is a new and exciting 5 a side, 5 innings street version of baseball. Baseball5 requires no special equipment, just a ball. Not only is it a great sport to play anytime and anywhere, it is also a great introduction to the game of Baseball. Baseball5 is also going to be included in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games to be held in Dakar, Senegal in 2026.
Wollongong Cardinals Junior Baseball club is running some “come and try” Baseball5 days every Sunday from 10am to 12noon throughout August 2022 at Collegians Tennis and Squash Club, The Avenue, Figtree. I encourage you to let your students and teachers know about these exciting events. The events are open to all children of all ages, teams are actively encouraged to include boys and girls on the same team.
