Dear Parents and Carers,

Last week, our College community, led by Bishop Brian Mascord, came together to celebrate and bid farewell to the Graduating Class of 2024. This special occasion was a reflection of the spirit that defines our Catholic learning community – one that is embodied by the fine young men who have reached this significant milestone. As we say goodbye to Year 12, we are filled with pride for the character, unity, and example they have shown throughout their journey.

The Class of 2024 will be remembered not only for their exemplary leadership and positive influence on younger students but also for the genuine friendships and strong sense of camaraderie they fostered across the College. Their commitment to each other and to living out the values of Blessed Edmund Rice has left a lasting impact on our school. From their academic achievements, and their industrial craftsmanship to their contributions in sport, the arts, and social justice, these young men have truly lived out our College mission.

A special thank you goes to Mr Bourke, Ms Stella, and the Year 12 Pastoral and classroom teachers, whose collective guidance and dedication have been instrumental in preparing this cohort. Their hard work and support have been invaluable in ensuring that these students are ready for the upcoming HSC examinations and beyond.

I would also like to express my deep gratitude to the parents and carers of our Year 12 students. Your unwavering support and partnership with the College have played a crucial role in shaping their success. Together, we celebrate not only their accomplishments but also the values they have embraced along the way.

Finally, congratulations to the following Year 12 students for their outstanding achievements and for receiving awards:

Christian Service Learning Medal – for giving over 100 hours of voluntary service to the wider community during their senior years at the College:

Zane Al-Salih, Beau Anderson, Isaac Atinga, Liam Baulman, Oliver Campbell, Matthew Carolan, Jonah Dannoun, Julian Eckermann, Brooklyn Faucett, Mohamad Futaina, Zac Gringeri, Muhemed Hassan, Marcus Henriques-Thakur, Rohan Hicks, Samuel Jones, Jonah Kaiser, Isaac Kari, Elijah Moir, Noah Parr, Patrick Sirianni, Taj Tegart, William Wigan, Jack Wilson, Louis Wojewodka.

First Place in Subject – during their HSC Studies:

Zane Al-Salih, Timothy Arthur, Alexander Attorre, Alan Augustine, Levi Calleja, Oliver Campbell, Matthew Carolan, Kascha Cervoni, Yoan Ciugureanu, Jonah Deane, Julian Eckermann, Liam Franklin, Braydon Garrash, Odin Heferen, Marcus Henriques-Thakur, Isaac Kari, Joshua Keir, Eamonn Lewis, Noah Lintescu, Matthew Marning, Patrick Sirianni, Gabriel Stranges, Miles Thompson, Jack Wilson

Year 12 Major Awards:

Noah Parr – ADF Youth Long Tan Leadership Award
Jonah Kaiser – ADF Future Innovators Award
Chase Grant – Sportsman of the Year
Taj Tegart – Peter McGovern School Spirit Award
Julian Eckermann – Brother Oakley Award for Leadership through Service
Patrick Sirianni – David Lear Memorial Award
Jack Wilson – AMPOL Medal for All Round Achievement
Matthew Carolan – Edmund Rice Leadership Award
Beau Anderson – Pastoral Care Coordinator’s Award
Oliver Campbell – Gospel Spirituality Award
Marcus Henriques-Thakur – Justice and Solidarity Award
Isaac Atinga – Inclusive Community Award
Zane Al-Salih – Liberating Education Award

In the spirit of Blessed Edmund’s heritage, I offer Year 12 the following Irish blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

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As we conclude this Term, we also bid farewell to Mr Lee Morley who has taken up a new position from Term 4 as a Careers Adviser at St. Joseph’s College, Albion Park. In congratulating Mr Morley, I would like to express my thanks to him for his contribution to teaching at ERC over these past (8) years – and for his positive example as a role model to boys.

Wishing students and their families a restful spring break.

Best wishes,
Dr Gough

Greetings from Belgium, where we have been immersed in the idyllic town of Ypres and the country’s rich history and culture! The first leg of our journey so far has offered us a firsthand look at significant events that shaped the world.

One of the most poignant stops on our tour has been the historic battlefields of World War I, particularly the Flanders Fields Museum. We reflected on the immense sacrifice of soldiers from all over the world, many of whom were not much older than ourselves.

Highlights of our first day included climbing the Belfry Tower to take in the Panasonic views of Ypres and visiting the Menin Gate Memorial, where we attended the Last Post Ceremony. Here, we stood in silence as buglers played the haunting notes of the Last Post, honouring the memory of soldiers who have no known grave. The ceremony, held every evening since 1928, left us with a sense of deep gratitude for the peace we now enjoy.

As we continue our travels into France, we look forward to sharing more of our experiences and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Best wishes from Belgium,
The ERC History Tour Group

HSC Study Workshops

We wish Year 12 students all the very best for their upcoming Higher School Certificate Examinations. A reminder that there are a number of HSC Study Workshops running this week during STUVAC and in the Holiday break. All students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities.

Year 11 Reports and Year 11 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences

Year 11 students returned from their Preliminary Examinations to normal lessons this week. Preliminary Yearly Reports will be issued at the end of Week 1, Term 4, with Year 11 Parent/Student/ Teacher Conferences scheduled for Thursday, 24 October from 3:00-7:30pm in the Edmund Rice Centre. This will be a valuable opportunity to discuss your son’s academic progress in Year 11, and to receive valuable feedback on areas of strength and advice on any strategies for success to be implemented in the HSC year.

Year 11 S/P/T Conference Bookings via the Parent Orbit App will remain open from 25 September – midday on 23 October. If you need assistance to access this APP, please email the College Information Technology Team via helpdesk@erc.nsw.edu.au

Parents/ Carers are asked to please register your attendance when you arrive, and to contact the College office if you are unable to attend your scheduled appointments.

The Year 11 Academic Awards Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, 29th October from 8:15-9:15am in the Edmund Rice Centre.

Year 7-10 Term 4 Assessment Tasks

Students from Years 7-12 are to be commended for their dedication and application to their studies throughout Term 3.

Hopefully, the upcoming break will be an opportunity for students in Years 7-11 to rest and re-energise in preparation for the academic focus required for Semester 2 Assessment Tasks.

Core Examinations for Year 10 students are scheduled from 28 October – 8 November, and for Year 9 students from 15 – 22 November. There will be a number of other Years 7-10 assessment tasks in Term 4 and students will receive notifications for these in due course.

Study Skills Handbook

The following link offers advice on ‘What Drives Your Approach To Your Studies’ provided through the College’s subscription to the Study Skills Handbook for all Edmund Rice College families.

Wishing all members of the College community a well deserved, relaxing and enjoyable holiday!

Mrs Bell
Director of Studies

On Monday 2nd September, Ryan Tang in Year 9 was recognised in an Awards Ceremony at Sydney University in the 2024 Minister’s Awards for Chinese Language.

The school is proud of Ryan’s achievements and for being selected to deliver a speech in both Chinese and English to the audience.

Mrs Lothian
Head of Humanities and Languages

As we conclude another successful term, we are delighted to celebrate the achievements of the Year 8 boys. The recent assessments have demonstrated the hard work, dedication and preparation of our students and teachers. We are particularly proud of the outstanding results achieved by many students in various subjects but always remember, learning is a journey, there will be ups and downs along the way. Keep trying your best, stay focused on your goals, and seek help from your teachers and peers when needed. With perseverance and hard work, everyone can achieve great things!

We would also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the recipients of the Principal’s Awards. These students have consistently demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership qualities, and a positive contribution to our school community. Well done boys!

On the sporting field, we have had boys represent the College in AFL, Rugby League, Rugby 7’s, as well as the College Mountain Biking team. A huge congratulations to all those students who have represented the College, both in participating but also volunteering their time for other students to have the opportunity to complete, as we saw in the Primary School Basketball Gala Day held last Friday. These opportunities have allowed for our boys to foster a sense of sportsmanship and community involvement!

This term, we marked R U OK Day and Bullying No Way Advocacy Week. These initiatives provided valuable opportunities for our students to learn about mental health and wellbeing, and to develop empathy and understanding for others. Our students enjoyed participating in a variety of activities held at lunchtime throughout these two weeks. We encourage our students to continue to look out for their peers and to support one another!

Looking forward to Term 4, we commence the term with the Year 8 Outdoor Education Experience in Week 3. Events such as these provide our Year 8 students with a unique opportunity to bond with their classmates, develop new skills, and create lasting memories whilst at the same time providing foundational knowledge for our boys, which they will use in a couple years at the Year 10 Camp.
A gentle reminder to complete the TASS and Optimum Experiences permission forms. These forms are essential for us to obtain the necessary approvals for student participation in various activities. All information can be found on the permission note posted to TASS.

A reminder to parents and guardians, students should be returning to school in Term 4 wearing their Summer School Uniform. We would like to thank the Year 8 boys for their effort and hard work this term. We wish you all a restful break and look forward to welcoming you all back in Term 4.

Please enjoy some photos from our recent Extended Pastoral Care lesson where students were out and about for some physical and mental fitness, all in support of the Wollongong Hospital Children’s Ward with a gold coin donation.

Stay safe and Kind Regards,
Mr Panozzo // Mr Crapis

On Thursday, 19th September, Edmund Rice College’s U/13s Rugby League team traveled to Gosford to face Wadalba Community School in the final of the NRL Schoolboy Trophy Competition. In a thrilling and hard-fought match, Edmund Rice emerged victorious, winning 36-28 to claim the state crown.

The game started with a dynamic display of skill and sportsmanship from both teams. Wadalba’s fullback was a standout, scoring four tries and keeping his side in contention throughout the match. After conceding a try, Edmund Rice struck back, with Aidan Martin crossing the line after some brilliant lead-up play by Sonny Wheeler, who beat his opposite centre and delivered a well-timed pass to Martin for a corner try. Wadalba responded quickly with two tries, taking an 18-6 lead.

Just before halftime, ERC’s Sonny Wheeler again showed his class, scoring out wide to keep his team in the hunt. Mason Spedding, who had already converted one sideline kick, added another just before the break, reducing the deficit to 18-12 at halftime.

The second half saw both teams dig in defensively. Unfortunately for ERC, one of their key defenders and ball runners, Hunter Pantsos, went down with an injury just six minutes into the half. His replacement, William Synott, made an immediate impact. In just 18 minutes, Synott made three line breaks, scored a try, and provided an assist, turning the tide for Edmund Rice.

With 18 minutes left and ERC still trailing 18-12, a sweeping move involving Roman Young and Mason Spedding sent Jake Schulze over in the corner to level the scores. Spedding, calm under pressure, nailed the sideline conversion, and the cheers from ERC supporters echoed through the stadium.

The momentum shifted firmly in ERC’s favour after that, with William Synott, Jacob Austin, and captain Lewis McLeod all crossing the line in quick succession, taking the score to 36-18. Despite Wadalba’s spirited fightback, scoring three late tries to bring the score to 36-28, the resilience and determination of the Edmund Rice side saw them hold on for a famous victory.

Mason Spedding’s remarkable goal-kicking, including six conversions (three from the sideline), was instrumental in securing the win. His composure under pressure proved decisive in keeping ERC ahead when the game hung in the balance.

Special mention goes to the ERC middle defenders, who stood strong against a formidable Wadalba attack. Lewis McLeod, Leon Atinga, Jacob Austin, Alexander Villiami, Hunter Barrett, Roman Young, and Nate Ryan were all crucial in stopping Wadalba’s advances. Hooker Hunter Barrett, in particular, worked tirelessly in defence while helping to orchestrate the ball movement that opened up opportunities for his teammates. Eli Stephenson’s energy after coming on in the second half also inspired his teammates as they fought back into the contest.

A huge thanks to Mr Meafou and Mr Otley for their efforts in coaching and preparing the team for this remarkable achievement.

Mr Marsh
Coach

The College would like to congratulate all of the athletes who competed for the Wollongong Diocese at NSWCCC Athletics held on Monday 16 September. As usual, our competitors did the College and themselves proud, leaving nothing on the track.

Some notable achievements on the day were;

• Chase Grant (Year 12): Chase competed in the Boys 17+ 100m, 200m and 400m sprints. Coming away with Golds in all three. Additionally setting a new state record in the 400m with 48.23s.
• Joe Hinds (Year 12): Joe competed in the 800m and 1500m races just coming shy of first in both, placing second in two very contested races.
• Milton Stepanovski (Year 9): 3rd 13yrs 1500m
• Darcy Stepanovski (Year 7): 3rd 15yrs 1500m
• Alexander Torta (Year 7): 4th 13yrs 800m

Once again the college is extremely proud of their efforts and achievements and wish the boys best of luck at the next stage.

Mr Jardine
Acting Sports Coordinator

Please access the Careers Website: which provides the latest information to help students make decisions about their future careers and life beyond school.

• Go to erccareers.com
• Then to important information
• Click on to School Careers newsletter

Mr Cajar
Careers Advisor

Student at the College are invited to register for the following CSL Opportunity.

Mrs Schodde
CSL Coordinator

The College is delighted to announce the inaugural Alumni Golf Day, set to take place on Friday 11th October 2024, at the distinguished Wollongong Golf Club. A warm invitation is extended to all past students, staff and families who have been or are currently affiliated with the College.

A great day is planned with the inclusion of breakfast, lunch, an 18 hole – 2 person Ambrose, gifts, prizes and so much more!

Players of all levels are welcome. Register as Hole Sponsor with a team of 4 or as an individual with the choice of your Ambrose and group partners.

Date: Friday, 11th October 2024

Time: 8am Tee Off (Shotgun) – 7am breakfast

Where: Wollongong Golf Club

Please complete the registration form by clicking on the link here: https://www.edmundricecollege.nsw.edu.au/alumni-cup/

For more information, please email office@erc.nsw.edu.au

Edmund Rice College looks forward to welcoming you to our very first Alumni Golf Day.

UNIFORM SHOP OCTOBER HOLIDAY – TRADING HOURS

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2025 SENIOR STUDENT UNIFORM FITTINGS

The College Uniform Shop uniform supplier, Noone will be conducting Senior student uniform fittings on Thursday 17 October, Thursday 24 October and Thursday 31 October. Please see further details HERE 

Lisa Wellington
Store Manager

PROCEDURES FOR PARENTS / CARERS

Parent Appointments

As a College we respectfully request that any parent wishing to discuss a matter of concern with a member of staff contacts the relevant staff member via email or via telephone through the College Office and requests an appointment. Staff members will get back to you at their earliest convenience. Parents presenting at the College Office may be asked to make an appointment and return at a mutually convenient time. For specific information about who to contact please refer to your son’s diary on pages 20 and 21.

Collecting your son from school

A reminder to all families that should a circumstance arise where you need to collect your son from school before the end of the school day we require you to come to the College Office. Students will not be permitted to walk to the carpark or the street to be collected. If they leave to attend a pre-arranged appointment we request that this is communicated to the College Office in writing via note or email. If you wish to have someone collect your son that is not currently listed on TASS then you will be required to communicate this clearly in writing, you will also receive a call to verify that you did in fact authorise this arrangement. All students arriving late or departing early are required to sign in and out through the Student Office.

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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.