Dear Parents and Carers,

Within the commencement of another term, I hope that, like us, you are proud of the extraordinary efforts of our students as they continue to work with their teachers and with each other in the Off-Campus Learning environment. Their efforts to date have been nothing short of outstanding. I particularly commend our current Year 12 cohort, who have endured a significant interruption to their HSC program with continued changes in dates and approach for HSC trials and final exams. As a community, we all pray for them as they head toward November. 

Last week we shared with you our roadmap to return to the classroom. As restrictions begin to lift, we know that while there will be great anticipation and excitement, some will also be uncertain about being back together at the College. However, we are confident that the work of our teachers and students during Off-Campus Learning has prepared us for a successful return to school. Our priority, as always, is to provide a safe environment for all our students. We have applied the NSW Health guidelines to develop our COVID-safe plan to return to the College site. We have developed effective practices to support this, including staff vaccinations, mask-wearing, a reduced mingling of staff and student groups, and continued hygiene and cleaning protocols.

In recent months C, D, E, F Block classrooms have been fitted with energy-efficient commercial grade ducted air conditioning systems. Importantly, these systems will automatically monitor CO2 levels and introduce fresh outside air as required to ensure an optimum learning environment for our students. These systems have been fitted with the highest quality filtration available for the installed ducted systems. 

Please be assured of our ongoing communication. The College will continue to monitor and review our risk assessments to minimise the impact of any potential COVID exposure should this occur. I am confident that our school community will adhere to the COVID safety measures in place and continue to support each other.

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During the past three days, the College has been involved in a formal EREA School Renewal process. As I have described in a previous newsletter, School Renewal is a comprehensive process leading to continuous improvement in key areas of school life related to the EREA Charter and Touchstones. Primarily, School Renewal presents a structure to our accountability in celebrating our achievements as a College from recent years while also providing a strategic opportunity to capture meaningful information in contributing to future planning and improvement. I would like to thank the School Renewal Panel and Mr Ray Paxton (National Director Liberating Education) for chairing this process. Thank you also to those who contributed: staff, students, parents, Old Boys, Advisory Council members, and local Catholic principal colleagues. Once finalised, the panel’s insights will be shared in a future newsletter.

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I am delighted to announce the Student Leadership Team for 2022.

In congratulating these student leaders, I am confident they will be outstanding ambassadors for our College. 

Best wishes,

Mr Gough

Principal

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.

20% Discount on Sports & Co-Curricular Group Photos available until 19/10/2021

Dear Parents,

These school sports and co-curricular groups were photographed on 20/05/2021 and 27/05/2021:

You can now view and purchase the group images listed above and if you place your order before 19/10/2021 you will get a 20% early order discount. Just click on the link. Please note the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

ERC Family Business Network

Please join us in supporting the following local businesses run by Edmund Rice College Families.

This list has been complied to assist the wider College community in supporting businesses run by ERC Families. If you have not already joined we would like to invite local business owners to join our network by completing the following form.

JOIN OUR ERC FAMILY BUSINESS NETWORK