Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we conclude a very rewarding first semester, I reflect on what has been a sustained period of student learning and achievement across our College. Across all year levels, students have engaged meaningfully within their individual learning journeys and have demonstrated clear progress. Whether in the classroom, through assessment tasks, or personal projects, our students have continued to grow in confidence.
This growth and commitment to College life extended beyond the classroom earlier this week, with some very enthusiastic displays of school spirit. Hopefully you have already heard about how the entire school body marched down to Shepherds Oval, to what has been a recent catch cry to “Fill the Hill” in celebration of our Centenary year.
The vision for this event came directly from our Student Representative Council (SRC), driven by College Captain Harrison along with Vice Captain Nicholas, who wanted to create a special moment of unity for our Centenary year. What they established will hopefully always be known in coming years as the Centenary Shield, featuring our Opens Rugby League team against one of our brother schools, St Edward’s College, Gosford. With both schools sporting red and black, it was a match played with great spirit and some very loud cheering from the sidelines. The match lived up to the hype with ERC claiming a hard-fought 34-20 victory to secure the inaugural Shield.
A massive thank you to the players and staff from St Edward’s for making the trip down. They were fantastic competitors, and the camaraderie shown embodied true sportsmanship.
The energy continued off the field with this week’s House Public Speaking Competition and in the NSW Law Society competitions where our Mock Trial and Mock Mediation teams excelled. Adding to their success, our Model United Nations team has progressed to the Grand Final of this competition.
Earlier today, we kept the momentum going by allowing students to gather, watch, and cheer on the Socceroos during their World Cup match against Paraguay.
These events highlight the incredible value of co-curricular life at ERC. They foster a deep sense of belonging and help students cultivate a strong social network outside of their normal year groups. Seeing the whole school united on the hill this week, packed together cheering for their school, while actively supporting our public speakers and debaters showed exactly what Harrison and Nicholas’ SRC is all about. Our students, your sons, didn’t just ‘Fill the Hill’, they showed what it truly means to be part of the ERC family.
Finally, we have high hopes for our Year 11 Debating team, who have successfully made the CSA Debating Quarter Finals against Bethany College later tonight. We wish them the very best of luck.
I wish all members of our College community a safe and restful winter’s break.
Best wishes,
Dr Stephen Gough
Deputy Principal's Message
Parent/ Student/ Teacher Interviews
● School Reports for Years 7-10 will be published by Tuesday 30 June 2026.
● Parent/ Student/ Teacher bookings for Years 7-11 are open and will close at 12pm on Wednesday 1 July.
● As this is an official school event students are expected to wear their school uniform for these interviews.
Term 3
- Staff and students return to school on Monday 20 July. The Staff Professional Learning Day for Term 3 will be held on Monday 3 August, (Week 3). This does not impact on the Yr 12 Trial HSC Exam
- All students are expected to return in full winter uniform, with haircuts and personal presentation that adheres to our policy.
- A reminder that if you have changed addresses / email addresses or mobile phone numbers the beginning of the term is the perfect time to update these via the College Office. Similarly, if there has been any change to your child’s health please ensure that the College is updated of this, allowing us to provide the best opportunity to support your son.
As you would be aware, last week under the direction of Mr Sirianni we were able to provide significant education on Internet Safety to all members of the community.
We are pleased to advise that our school community also has access to a 24hr a day CyberSafety Hub provided by Internet Safe Education (ISE).
Families will have exclusive access free of charge to all the support, resources and education you will need to raise your child in the online world and create a safe, fun, education and productive family. The HUB is available to you on any device and applies to school aged children of all ages. The Cyber Safety Hub is the only one of its kind in Australia and is designed to provide all you need and nothing you don’t.
Access will include:
- Courses for you as a parent or carer that will guide you to setting up the ideal home technology environment.
- Dozens of targeted downloadable resources including conversation starters, victim indicators and a home technology contract for computers and phones.
- Live webinars throughout the term.
- Webinar library covering specific topics.
- Monthly articles that are recent, accurate and relevant.
- Latest App updates.
To access the HUB:
- Click on the link below or copy and paste the website into your browser –
https://www.internetsafeeducation.com/hub-home/ - Enter our unique password – EdRice26
Mrs Hughes
Deputy Principal
Internet Safety and Cyber Education Report
On Tuesday the 16th June, 2026, the school hosted a comprehensive Internet Safety and Cyber Education event featuring renowned guest speaker Brett Lee (https://www.internetsafeeducation.com). The sessions were led by Brett Lee, a highly credentialed cyber safety expert with 22 years of law enforcement experience, including 16 years as a detective. His extensive background includes 5 years as an undercover detective and work with the FBI Cyber Crime Centre (Department of Homeland Security). He has also trained police forces internationally, bringing unparalleled real-world insight into the misuse of technology and cybercrime.
The day was structured to engage the entire school community, with specialised student sessions conducted throughout the school day followed by Staff Professional Learning and an informative evening session for parents .
Student Presentations
The student presentations were appropriately tiered by age group (Stages 4, 5, and 6) to address the specific online risks and responsibilities relevant to their developmental stages.
Years 7 & 8 (Stage 4): “Dangers Behind the Screen”
The primary focus for younger students was shattering the illusions of the internet and teaching foundational safety principles.
- The Grand Illusion of Privacy & Anonymity: Students were taught that hiding behind a screen does not offer true anonymity. A face behind a screen is just as real as in the physical world.
- Permanence: Every choice made online is permanent (e.g., Snapchats are not truly private; JPEGs are stored on servers).
- Core “Remember” Principles taught to students:
1. The online space is public and permanent.
2. My identity is valuable.
3. People I only know on the internet are strangers; I must be careful where I give my trust.
4. Online rules and laws are real.
5. I will talk to a trusted adult face-to-face if I have an online problem (feeling angry, upset, sad, scared, or embarrassed).
Years 9 & 10 (Stage 5): “Protecting Myself & Others”
This session tackled more mature themes, specifically the legal and social consequences of choices made online.
- Sexting & Image-Based Abuse: It was clearly defined that possessing, creating, or distributing sexually explicit images of anyone under 18 is against the law.
- Key Survey Insight: When surveyed on what would stop them from sexting, students identified “Not wanting to disappoint family” as the number one reason, ranking above embarrassment or legal consequences.
- Sextortion: Highlighted as the biggest growing crime online, increasingly targeting young men.
- Cyberbullying: Students were instructed on how to properly handle harassment. If an issue occurs on a carriage service or gaming site, it can be a legal offense.
Years 11 & 12 (Stage 6): “Freedom of Speech vs. Accountability”
For graduating students, the focus shifted to long-term impacts, digital reputation, and rights vs. responsibilities.
- Digital Reputation & Careers: Students were warned that online choices impact future opportunities. Case studies were shared showing how a digital footprint can affect everything from career applications (like the ADFA) to international visa approvals.
- Accountability: “Everything is supposed to be private” is a myth. Students were reminded that communicating negatively about others (like teachers) online can lead to being held accountable in the physical world.
Parent Presentation
The evening session aimed to equip parents with the knowledge, courage, and strategies to guide and educate their children in the digital world, prioritising health and well-being. The following themes were highlighted by Brett Lee:
The 5 Core Principles for Parents to consider:
- Set clear rules & boundaries: Establish expectations for internet and computer use.
- You make the final decision: Parents have the right to check devices and ask questions to ensure their child’s safety.
- Use management controls: Utilize software to help manage choices (not just to “spy”). Recommended tools include Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, Qustodio (Familyzone), Bark, and Net Nanny.
- Stay up to date with their usage: Be aware of what platforms and games they are using.
- Communicate with your kids: Keep an open dialogue about their digital lives.
Screen Time & Gaming Guidelines
- Australian Government Recommended Limits:
○ Under 2 years: 0 hours
○ 2–5 years: < 1 hour/day
○ 6–17 years: < 2 hours/day - Gaming Risks: Games are designed using a “sales funnel” approach with fast-moving graphics to provide instant gratification. Parents were warned to watch for signs of gaming disorder and aggression, managing this through strict time limits. Platforms like Polybuzz and Discord, as well as unmonitored AI chatbots, were flagged as specific areas of concern.
Reporting Incidents (The eSafety Commission)
Parents were taught the official escalation path for cyberbullying and image-based abuse:
- Report to the platform first.
- If the platform takes no action within 1 day, take screenshots.
- Submit the report to the eSafety Commission, who have the authority to ensure rapid deletion of harmful content.
Legislative Updates
The presentation briefly touched upon the upcoming Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, noting that future age restrictions (e.g., 16 years old) are designed to make it highly inconvenient for underage users to access platforms like Facebook and Snapchat, thereby reducing risk and harm.
Mr Sirianni
Director of Information Technologies & Innovation
Identity
The Courage to Do Good: The Jnr and Snr Annual Winter Sleep Out
The College is again offering a great opportunity for students to stand in solidarity with those who are less fortunate than us this winter.
Students from Years 7, 8 and 9 are given the opportunity to participate in the Junior Winter Sleep Out on the 30 of July (Thursday Week 2, Term 3). Funds raised by students will go towards the great work of Supported Accommodation Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI) in their “support for women and their children who are impacted by homelessness or domestic violence”.
Following the successful advocacy during Refugee Week, Years 10,11 and 12 students will continue it’s efforts of fundraising for the Edmund Rice Foundation during the Senior Winter Sleep Out on the 20th of August (Thursday Week 5, Term 3). These funds will go towards building safer and more prosperous communities in Kenya, where many have been exiled and displaced due to conflict, persecution and violence.
To participate, each student must raise a minimum of $50.
On the day, the students arrive at 7:00 p.m. and will be able to participate in fun activities in the ERC Centre, before they are provided with supper and take part in a series of activities to help them understand the importance of advocacy. Students will sleep on the floor in the ERC Foyer. Cardboard boxes are encouraged to be brought from home to sleep on with a blanket/sleeping bag. Students will be provided breakfast on Friday morning, before they go to classes as usual.
Students who wish to participate must fill out the Google form on the Student TASS Portal.
More information will be provided afterwards, along with a permission note sent to parents.
I look forward to seeing many students participating this year!
Stand in solidarity. Raise awareness. Make a difference.
Tyler Boggiss, ERA For Change Prefect.
First Nations My Future Matters Incursion
On Thursday the 18 June our Year 7 to 10 First Nations students had the opportunity to participate in an incursion with the University of Wollongong’s Woolyungah Indigenous Centre team. The My Future’s Matters program Mentors helped the Year 9 and 10 boys with considering their dreams, goals, and next steps. The Year 7 and 8 boys drew trees and wrote on the roots who their support people were, and the branches were their goals. While at the College the Woolyungah Mentors were also welcomed into our Lunchtime Yidaki group and encouraged the boys to continue learning. At the end of the day the boys learned to play some Indigenous Games out on the oval. We look forward to our excursion in Term 4 to continue the My Future Matters program at the UOW Campus.
Mrs Jennison
Compassion Without Borders for Refugee Week
Week 9 marked the annual Refugee Week, coordinated by Student Leaders to promote greater awareness of refugees, the issues they face and the contributions they make to the broader community.
Committed to fostering social transformation within our community, ERC took part in raising funds for the Edmund Rice Foundation to support key projects providing humanitarian aid in communities receiving large numbers of refugees, such as those in Kenya.
This initiative is more than charity work; we believe it is collective action through generous almsgiving that can truly make a difference, and we wanted everyone to be part of it. Our College community raised a remarkable $736.30, a reflection of our students’ willingness to stand in solidarity with those less fortunate. We are also pleased to see that funds raised by the Year 9 Commerce Market Day will also be donated to the Edmund Rice Foundation.
We extend our thanks and appreciation to everyone who donated. Every dollar is going towards a wonderful initiative helping families build the confidence to create brighter futures.
Mrs Haines
Student Learning
HSC Trial Examination Preparation Study Sessions
As we head into the break from regular school days, it is also a time when the HSC students will be preparing for their Trial Exams that begin in Week 3. The timetable ( shows the dates and times for exams).
In order to support students to prepare, there are a number of study sessions planned here at the College and by the University of Wollongong. Students in the Year 12 courses are encouraged to make a personal plan for study leading up to the Trial Examinations and these sessions may be valuable in supporting their preparation.
Mrs Hurley
Acting Director of Studies
Three from Three: Mock Trial Team Advances to the Knock-Outs
Our Mock Trial team has won all three rounds of the Law Society of NSW Mock Trial Competition, completing a perfect regular season and securing a place in the knock-out stages.
The team has defeated Frensham, St Mary Star of the Sea College, and St Gregory’s College. In every round they have come out ahead on point score and won the case as well, a result that reflects their careful preparation and the strength of their arguments.
Their most recent victory, a hard-fought civil case against St Gregory’s College, captured everything that has made this team so successful. After weeks of preparation, the students delivered their arguments with confidence and thought quickly on their feet, raising objections in the moment as the case unfolded. Their cross-examination was particularly sharp, with well-crafted questions that pressed the opposing witnesses, exposed weaknesses in their evidence, and steadily built the case in our favour. Every member played their part, and each role was carried out with precision to secure the win.
That result brings the team to an outstanding three wins from three for the season. Congratulations to Beau Rejske, Leo Halios-Lewis, Sean Zhai, Matthew Harriman, Anderson Rowles, Finn Ardita, Jonathan Bendeich, and Jarrah Longbottom, whose dedication and teamwork have made the College proud.
They now carry this momentum into the knock-out rounds, taking with them everything they have learned along the way. We wish them every success.
Mrs Haines
Lecture in Humanity
What is a human being? This was the question posed to Year 12 English Advanced students by Dr Julian Lamb – a senior lecturer at the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, at University of Wollongong.
Students were challenged to consider how Shakespeare presents versions of humanity in his play The Tempest, which they are studying as part of their HSC course.
Dr Lamb’s informed knowledge of the ideas and preoccupations of Shakespeare’s own time, helped students build transferable techniques of critical analysis. In particular, the lecture considered the play’s consideration of the idea of the human in relation to the discovery of the new world and Renaissance humanism. Students were left wondering whether it is our capacity to be nurtured, or socialised that differentiates us from beasts?
Mrs Guest
Capturing Creativity: Years 9 & 10 PDM Incursion
On Thursday, 26th June, Year 9 and 10 Photographic and Digital Media students participated in an intensive, full-day incursion designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional practice. The event welcomed Catherine Vicki, a renowned photographer and artist with over 20 years of experience in editorial, commercial, and contemporary visual art.
Throughout the day, students were split into two groups to rotate between highly technical and creative workshops. Under the guidance of Catherine Vicki and Mrs Rampe, students explored the mesmerising “Painting with Light” technique, using slow shutter speeds to create distinctive, visually driven imagery. Simultaneously, Mr Tognetti led a practical masterclass in Latex Special Effects (SFX). Students learned the intricacies of tissue building and texturing, creating realistic character transformations that served as the subjects for their afternoon photoshoots.
The afternoon sessions focused on professional workflow, where students moved to post-production. They worked on downloading and editing their captures, followed by a showcase where they received constructive feedback on their composition and technical execution. The students also participated in a short Film Music workshop to give them some insights into soundscapes and the importance of music and sound effects for their film projects.
This incursion provided our PDM cohort with a unique opportunity to work alongside an industry professional and experiment with advanced equipment and techniques. We look forward to seeing how these new skills are integrated into their upcoming digital media projects.
Mr Bonaccorso
Acting Head of Creative Arts
Pastoral Care
Year 7 Cohort News
As we reach the final week of Term 2, it provides a great opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey our Year 7 cohort has had so far. The initial uncertainty of the transition into high school is most certainly behind them and this term, we have seen many of our Year 7 boys step up with confidence and enthusiasm, both in and out of the classroom.
Earlier this term, we also had the opportunity to celebrate the outstanding efforts and achievements of our Year 7 students, through the awarding of the College’s Commendation Certificate. These certificates demonstrate students’ consistent effort and dedication across a variety of subjects and positive attitude towards learning and school life. We are incredibly proud of the hard work of these boys. The next round of Commendation Certificates will be presented early next term.
This term, we also had the pleasure of interviewing students for election of our Year 7 Student Representative Council. Stepping up to represent the cohort takes courage and commitment. We are extremely proud of all the Year 7 boys who nominated themselves for a position on the Year 7 SRC team for this year and wanted to remind the Year 7 boys that you do not need an official badge to be a leader; every single student has the power to lead by example through everyday kindness, respect and responsibility. Congratulations to the following students:
- Liturgy – Oscar Perez Macdonald
- Sport – Koa Lulia
- Social Justice – Jed Dwyer
- ERA For Change – Finn Kelley
- Sustainability – Hugo Segrave
- Community and Culture – Malakai Lemon
- First Nations – Rydah Woolley
- Wellbeing – Felix Davidson
- Keira House – Kobe Weir
- Rice House – Oliver Closter
- Ignatius House – Sebastian Harlock
- Crown House – Astin Kapur
- McMahon House – Eli Brooks
- Waterford House – Hugo Rees
We wish all Year 7 and their families a safe, warm and restful winter holiday. Take the time to relax and recharge and we look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for Term 3.
Mr Panozzo // Mrs Field
Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinators
Sport
Diocesan Volleyball
On the 17th of June, 10 students from Year 11 and 12 represented the College at the Diocesan Volleyball Championships, held at the Illawarra Hockey Centre. We were competing against nine other schools and got through our pool games with two wins, one loss and a draw. Thankfully our for and against placed us second overall, putting us into the Semi-Final. The boys fought extremely hard and were five points clear over the eventual competition winners, being Mt Carmel College. The boys went down in the Semi-Final, meaning we finished 4th overall. It was a great day, with the students also being required to officiate other games with professionalism and great judgment. Mr. Sullivan was super impressed with all students for their respect, engagement and representing the College with pride and passion. Sir sends a shout out to his man of the day, Nicholas Rebikov-Vincent.
Mr Sullivan
ERC Hockey
ERC Opens Hockey Team
The Edmund Rice College Opens Hockey team recently completed an intensive, highly competitive tournament schedule, representing the College with immense pride across two major regional championships.
NSWCCC Hockey Championships (Taree) — 10 & 11 June
The Opens team travelled to Taree to contest the NSWCCC Championships. Playing four round-robin games across both traditional grass and synthetic fields, the boys put on a defensive masterclass, conceding only a single goal. This performance secured 2nd place in their pool and a spot in the state semi-finals. In a relentless, end-to-end battle against St Joseph’s, ERC narrowly went down 1-0. Despite missing the grand final, the boys drew praise for their skills being such a young team and outstanding sportsmanship.
Diocesan Hockey Carnival (Narellan) — 15 June
Refusing to let the Taree heartbreak linger, the squad reassembled days later in Narellan. ERC dominated the group stages, winning all round games to top their pool. They carried this momentum into the semi-finals, delivering a clinical 4-0 victory against Holy Spirit College. The Grand Final proved to favored the opposition, leaving ERC just short in a cruel 1-0 defeat. Finishing as Diocesan Runners-Up capped off an incredibly successful and proud campaign for the College.
Opens Hockey Team Roster
Lachlan Choice, Harrison Clarke, Grady Farrugia, Marley Flynn, Archie Galvin, Hugh Hogan, Malachy Hurley, Finlay Kilpatrick, Ike Minns, Archie Russell, Ethan Seaberg, Jack Thompson, Zeke Thompson, Emmett Turner
Congratulations to all the players for their hard work and impeccable representation!
Mrs Timmins
Xavier Chilko - NSW All Schools Basketball Selection
Edmund Rice College is incredibly proud to announce that Xavier Chilko has been selected for the U16 NSW All Schools Basketball team. The talented guard put on an outstanding performance at the recent All Schools trials, showcasing both his signature high basketball IQ and a relentless defensive presence on the court. This state selection positions Xavier perfectly as he prepares to represent NSW and push for national honors at the upcoming Australian Championships later this year.
Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator