Dear Parents and Carers,

Tomorrow, the wider Church celebrates the solemnity of All Saints. A time when we honour the many men and women, known or unknown, who modelled their lives on Jesus and his great commandment of love. It is also a time when we are each asked to consider our attitudes towards our neighbours.

Within our College community, I am privileged to regularly witness practical examples of how our school embodies this spirit by reaching out in solidarity with those in need. Whether it be through fundraising for a range of charitable organisations or the missions, or through students and staff volunteering their time in Christian Service Learning (CSL) to assist those in need, the ERC community demonstrates a genuine level of care and empathy for others within our society.

This spirit of service aligns with the broader message coming from Pope Leo XIV. As recently as this week, Pope Leo noted “the huge array of Catholic saints throughout the ages who insisted that learning to read and write and add and subtract were matters of human dignity…” In his very first week as Pope, Leo featured quotes from a range of saints, from St. Ignatius of Antioch to St. Gregory the Great, to remind us that a life well-lived is a life lived in service to others.

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Earlier this week, we proudly celebrated our Year 11 students, who have completed their Preliminary HSC courses and are now considered Year 12 as they undertake their HSC coursework. At the awards ceremony, we recognised students who placed first in a course, demonstrated academic excellence, showed consistent dedication in particular subjects, as well as those who made meaningful contributions through our CSL program.

During this time, we also held the “pinning of the badges” ceremony, where parents presented our newly elected senior student leaders with their badges. This annual ceremony is a symbol of the essential partnership between parents and the College in highlighting the shared learning journey that parents and teachers walk together alongside our young people.

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We look forward to connecting with the parents and carers of Year 7 2026 during next Wednesday’s information evening. Interest in joining ERC remains very strong as we officially welcome these new families into our community. During this gathering, we will share key information to assist families in preparing for next year and outline the exciting learning opportunities and new facilities that will come online throughout next year. Mr Panozzo (Year 7 Pastoral Coordinator) and Mrs Field (Year 7 Assistant Pastoral Coordinator) will support this year group in our Centenary year.

Best wishes for a restful weekend,

Dr Stephen Gough

Every day, our teachers go above and beyond:

• They ignite curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning.
• They provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for every student.
• They adapt their approach to meet diverse needs and inspire resilience.
• They are mentors, counsellors and innovators,

We see their passion and commitment in every lesson, every encouragement, and every moment they dedicate to shaping the future.

Today we celebrated World Teachers Day, in our school this is not limited just to those with formal teaching positions in the classroom but extends to every member of our community who plays a part in teaching the fine young men that become the graduates of ERC, be it about the importance of good manners, caring for our environment, how to care for each other and multiple other skills to navigate life’s journey.

The theme for this year “Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession”. This theme emphasizes the importance of collaboration among teachers and all staff who work in schools. It highlights the importance of teamwork, shared expertise, and mutual support that are evident daily at ERC,

The P & F committee hosted a magnificent morning tea for our staff, on behalf of all parents. A special thanks to the President of the P & F Belinda Caruana, Lisa Marie Ryan and Vanessa Davis. The beautiful cake was cut by Mrs Josie Cadorin, our newest teacher.

Today we recognise what a privileged role we play in collaborating with parents in the education of their sons and thank all parents for the privilege and the trust. Happy World Teachers Day to all the Teachers in our community.

Mrs Hughes
Deputy Principal

On Friday, 31st October, the Parents and Friends Society was delighted to host a special morning tea in celebration of World Teachers and Staff Day.

As a P&F community, we wanted to take this opportunity to show our heartfelt appreciation for the incredible dedication, passion, and hard work that our teachers and support staff bring to our school every single day. They inspire, nurture, and support our children, and we are so grateful for everything they do.

We were thrilled to welcome Deputy Principal Mrs Hughes, along with all our wonderful staff members, to enjoy a morning of delicious treats and refreshments. It was truly special to see everyone come together in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

The response from our staff was overwhelmingly positive, and their appreciation for the gesture made all our efforts worthwhile. Seeing their smiles and hearing their thanks reminded us once again of the strong and supportive partnership that exists between parents and staff at our school.

On behalf of the Parents and Friends Society, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our entire teaching and support staff. You make an extraordinary difference in the lives of our children, and we are so fortunate to have such a dedicated team.

Thank you so much for all that you do!

Belinda Caruana
President, Parents and Friends Society

We would like to extend our congratulations to the Year 11 students who received awards at the recent Year 11 Academic Assembly. A special thank you to the parents, guardians and families who joined us to witness their sons receive these well-deserved awards.

YEAR 11 PRELIMINARY HSC ACADEMIC AWARDS

Mrs Bell
Director of Studies

The College is incredibly proud that Emma Shumack was recently asked to present at the distinguished Differentiation in Teaching and Learning Conference in Melbourne. The conference is a national event that brings together educators from across the country to share innovative strategies and best practices in creating engaging and effective learning environments for all students.

Emma shared her expertise on a topic that is central to fostering deep understanding and critical thinking in our students: Integrating Higher Order Thinking Skills in Mixed Ability Classrooms. Her presentation offered practical and insightful approaches to ensuring that every student, regardless of their ability, is challenged and supported in developing essential academic skills.

Emma’s work in this area is a testament to her dedication and commitment as she continues to lay the foundations at our College for every student to be provided with the opportunity to succeed and grow, not just academically but in their overall well-being.

The feedback from the Conference was praiseworthy of Emma’s talents and we are confident that this presentation will be the beginning of more to come.

Mrs Lothian
Head of Humanities and Languages

What a spectacular end to the year for our College Stage Band! The final tour performance on Friday 24th October at St John’s Primary School in Dapto was a huge success, thanks to the incredible talent and dedication of our young musicians. With many senior students unavailable, the spotlight shone brightly on our Years 7, 8 and 9 performers who stepped up to fill in the gaps. Their commitment and courage were truly inspiring. They performed an admirable set of upbeat and exciting tunes that had the younger audience captivated from the first note to the very last.

This performance marked a fantastic achievement for these younger students, showcasing their rapid development and readiness to take on a leading role. They performed with a maturity beyond their years, earning enthusiastic applause from the primary school students. Congratulations to all the Stage Band members on a triumphant final tour—you’ve not only entertained but also demonstrated the depth of musical talent we have in the College!

Students who performed at St John’s Dapto:

Year 7: Reuben Rossetto – Vocals, Kunwarbir Singh – Vocals, Finn Boswell – Drums, Fabrizio Massa – Saxophone

Year 8: Emerson Eckermann, Lachlan Eckermann, Jayden Cheema – Vocals/Guitar

Year 9: Luca Thomas – Trumpet, Flint Kim – Piano/Keyboard

Mr Haybittle and Mr Bonaccorso

Hosts Bowen and Isaac sit down with Year 10 student Daniel Morozov to unpack his incredible experience as a recipient of the Premier’s ANZAC Memorial Scholarship (PAMS). This fully-funded, history-focused trip sent Daniel overseas, and in this episode, the team delve deep into his journey through South Korea and Singapore.

Daniel earned this prestigious scholarship by writing a compelling essay on how war memorials help young people understand the experiences of Australians at war. Listen in as he shares his most vivid memories, the unforgettable experiences that shaped his time abroad, and everything he learned on this life-changing historical tour!

Link to Ep 17 on Spotify

Mr Bonaccorso

Students in Years 7 – 10 will be sitting their Semester 2 Examinations this Term. A live timetable will be shared with students and staff.

• Year 10 from Thursday 23 October – Monday 10 November
• Year 9 from Tuesday 11 November – Monday 25 November
• Year 8 from Thursday 13 November – Monday 24 November
• Year 7 from Monday 10 November – Monday 24 November

SEMESTER 2 EXAMINATION TIMETABLE

Expressions of interest are now open for the Year 11 Timor Leste Immersion in 2026. Information packages will be available. You can view the itinerary here:

Indicate your interest in applying for the Immersion experience here:

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

The Year 12 College retreat was a thrilling 3 day experience and was truly an astonishing milestone in my journey from Year 7-12. The retreat was a testament to exploring my individuality and facing challenges of learning to be a good man. Not only did I learn about myself from a different lens from my peers, but also from my teachers which was an undeniable cherished moment of the retreat. The food was plentiful and delicious and was devoured whilst all of us bonded and laughed.

I believe the retreat was the transition from boys to young men in which everybody respected and admired each other as we learnt about ourselves. However, the retreat was topped with free time ranging from Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, swimming in the pool and unwinding in the sauna, but if that didn’t top it all, we also had hot showers and comfortable accommodation.

Lastly, not only do I believe this experience was about finding our true self but also about overcoming obstacles. As a group we all collectively climbed over a rope which was shoulder height without touching it and all boys of different sizes and heights all got over (from the collaboration of all boys to work out how to get over without touching the rope). This metaphor represents our college journey of overcoming obstacles together as a cohort no matter the difficulty. (Jack J)

The Year 12 retreat was a great bonding experience and a very unique and versatile way to help us as young adults find ourselves through our faith and to also help us grasp a deeper understanding of the individuals around us, bringing to light that not everyone is the same and we all experience things differently and have our own problems, including the teachers, but we can all help each other to over come them. The retreat really opened up my outlook on life and helped me to feel more comfortable around other people I don’t regularly associate with! (William M)

The retreat was an inspiring experience that helped us connect as a community and reflect on who we are. – (Christiano H.)

The year 12 retreat was a deeply reflective and enjoyable experience. Through the various activities we reflected on our lives and what type of men we want to become in the future, as well as deepened our relationships with fellow classmates. We also had the opportunity to spend some time relaxing and enjoying ourselves, whether that be on the beach volleyball court, in the pool, or on the touch footy field. – (Luke D.)

I really enjoyed my time at Winmalee I learnt things about the blokes in my cohort that I did not know and also strengthened my friendships. I personally enjoyed being able to work together during the small group activities and also cannot wait to see everyone’s tapestry piece made into one big piece on the day of our graduation mass. (Stirling R.)

The retreat was very beneficial to my journey into becoming a man that I want to be. (Leo A.)

The retreat was a good opportunity for me to discover more about myself and put me on the path to finding out who I want to be. (Brodie K.)

The retreat was a truly once in a lifetime type experience. It helped us students realise what we want for our future and the support we have from our parents and teachers. I will cherish the memories of those three days and carry the lessons I learned with me throughout my life. (Jacob H.)

The reflection camp was something that I was originally hesitant to go on, but something that I am extremely grateful to have gone to. It provided myself with the opportunity to discover who I was as a person, enabling myself to gain a sense of trust and confidence in myself. This was one of my favourite camps throughout my time at Edmund Rice College, and something that I highly recommend all students do. (Rhys B)

This retreat helped me to realise just who I am. (Samuel C)

The Year 12 retreat was an incredible opportunity to work on ourselves beyond the classroom. It is not often we have a space to reflect on the men we want to be, but it proved to be one of the most valuable aspects of the retreat. (Harrison M)
Helpful. (Jake L)

Retreat seemed pointless to me until I actually experienced it, and saw how it moulded me. I learnt more about myself and became more spiritually sound. – (Jay J)

Year 12 Retreat at Winmallee was an amazing experience that allowed us to connect with one another and develop a stronger sense of mateship. The activities aswell as student-run sports games allowed us to understand our own individual qualities and sense of belonging to the cohort. (Koen M)

“Our recent College Community Retreat was an incredibly valuable time for all who attended. The retreat truly provided a vital opportunity to step away from the daily routine and recharge both individually and as a group. We engaged in meaningful discussions, collaborated on future goals, and strengthened the bonds that make our college community so special.
The sense of connection and shared purpose that emerged was powerful, and I’m excited to carry that renewed energy and collaborative spirit into the academic year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making it such a successful and enriching experience. (Ben K)”

This reflection helped me bond and get close to my peers and teachers. (Sebastian S)

The retreat was a great experience to help guide us to become young men of honour, respect and integrity by providing us with a range of activities that taught us these values. I will remember it as an experience that moulds us into becoming a better person. (Xavier O)

The Year 12 retreat provided plenty of fun that allowed us to get away from everything and be with friends, become a better person and think about our relationships with God. This was achieved through activities such as drawing our own faith journeys and having a mass in the meeting hall. We all made closer relationships with each other through playing pool + table tennis in the games room, as well as going to the outdoor pool and playing volleyball (my team won). (Alex Z)

The year 12 retreat was the perfect way to initiate our experience as leaders at Edmund Rice College. We were called to take time to reflect on our journey with faith, then challenged to consider how we may become men of honour in our school community. Many valuable lessons were learnt through interactive activities with small peer groups, as well as taking in information from our staff leaders. I will remember the year 12 retreat as one of my best experiences I have had at the college, I come away from retreat with ambition to live a better life filled with faith, in order to become a better son, sibling and friend. (Tyler B)

The retreat was a great way to spread kindness and appreciation towards everyone around me, my teachers, peers and parents. (MIlo H.)

The retreat was an awesome experience to socialise, make new friends, and reflect on your current situation heading into Year 12, it was a great time to hang out and enjoy the views and all the enjoyable activities offered. (Anthony S.)

The retreat allows us to become vulnerable with classmates and teachers in new ways building on our faith. (Nikolas J.)

The retreat provided a powerful opportunity for deep self-reflection, clarifying who I aspire to be. It also instilled a profound sense of gratitude for the people and blessings already present in my life. (Mohammad C.)
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The retreat was very enjoyable experience. (Archie O.)

My experience on the retreat can be summed up in a simple sentence. It was fun refreshing and though not life changing was memorable. What I learnt during my retreat the boys who I came to know better, those factors will stick with me and perhaps Ive become more thoughtful and less stressed about my life as a result. (Christian Y)

Second best ‘camp’ that I have gone on at school. (Ethan F)

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

During Term 4 we are reminded to be grateful for everything we have and realise that others do not enjoy the same. At this time, we are launching our annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal. For the past number of years, St Vincent de Paul conferences in Gwynneville and West Wollongong, along with the Vinnies Van that serves those living rough on the streets have been so grateful for the overwhelming support of the College.

Last year we collected over 50 bags of groceries, 35 dignity bags for women and men and were able to make a monetary donation of $1000 each to the Vinnie’s Van, West Wollongong Vinnies and Gwynneville Vinnies for an amazing $6250 to support these local services over the Christmas period.

This year we are inviting students to do the same. Very simply, we are asking each person to donate $5 and the items listed on the posters below and in classrooms. Each day, different groups of student leaders will be around with the tap machines so they can donate, or they can bring cash. Try to bring items in on a Wednesday or Thursday so we can easily collect and store them.

• Year 7 – Please bring Long life Milk, crackers, biscuits, cereal or breakfast food
• Year 8 – We are asking you to donate dried pasta, bottles or tins of pasta sauce or other ready to eat meals or tinned food
• Year 9 – Please bring coffee, tea, Milo, Nesquik or cup of soup.

In Year 10 & 12, we are collecting bags and items to create dignity bags.

• Year 10 will bring items for teenage boys or young men

• Year 12 we are collecting sanitary and other items for teenage girls and young women.

At Christmas, many people donate things for children, but not many people donate things for young people your son’s age. With the money we raise, Vinnies will provide gifts and support to families with teenagers and to men and women who are on their own. Please give generously, from now until 2 December so we can prepare the items for our end of year assembly. It’s a great thing to do and it’s a great way to start your CSL commitment for 2026. As we approach our hundredth year, let’s get 100% participation.

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

Week 1 of term started with a wonderful celebration of culture at the Northern Illawarra Aboriginal Education Consultative Group’s 10th Annual Deadly Encouragement Awards. These awards are about recognising First Nations students across all of the Northern Illawarra, from preschool to tertiary education. This event celebrates and recognises students who have shown a strong commitment to improvement in areas such as attendance, community involvement, entertainment, sport, music and maintaining a positive attitude toward learning. These awards encourage effort, recognising students who are trying their best, not just those already excelling. Edmund Rice College would like to congratulate Kobi Newton from Year 9 and Spencer Garde from Year 7 on their Deadly awards.

Mrs Jennison
First Nations Education Officer

Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Update: Celebrating Success and Building Resilience

What a dynamic period we’ve had at the College! We recently celebrated the academic success of our Year 11 students following their Term 3 Examinations and formally inducted our dedicated 2025/2026 Student Leaders at a special assembly. Congratulations to all these outstanding young men.

Farewell to Year 12

The final stretch is here for our graduating class! We are nearing the end of the HSC Examinations, which finish next Friday 7 November, followed by the Formal on Monday, November 10.

To our 2025 Year 12 students: After six years of learning and an exhaustive examination period, you have earned this break. We wish you every success as you now relax, focus on your future careers, and enjoy your well-deserved holidays. Go out and embrace this next exciting chapter—once a student, always a part of our Alumni family.

Year 8 Adventure Camp at Killalea

Next week, we are thrilled to wish our Year 8 students and their teachers a safe and enjoyable experience at Killalea National Park! They will be tackling the South Coastal beaches and various activities provided by Southbound Adventures. Outdoor camps and retreats are a long-standing tradition at the College, reinforcing our commitment to student education and mental health and wellbeing. These adventures offer incredible opportunities to:

• Connect with the natural environment.
• Build resilience and overcome personal fears.
• Make new, lasting friendships.
• Develop new skills and practice teamwork through activities like canoeing, surfing, bike riding, and bush discovery.

I am often reminded by past students of how pivotal these camp experiences were in their lives—a true chance to discover themselves while overcoming challenges. We look forward to hearing about the new memories this cohort will create.

Academic and Leadership News

• Year 10 students have commenced their Semester Examinations and will complete them next week. We wish them all the best with their remaining papers.
• Leadership Nominations have been called for our 2026 Student Representative Leaders across Years 7-10. This process encourages all students to consider their potential as young, aspiring leaders. Leadership requires a blend of commitment, courage, patience, flexibility, teamwork, and initiative—qualities that will serve them well in the future.

Informative Webinar for Parents

I have also included details for an important, upcoming webinar provided by Happy Families, which will focus on the topic of Entitlement. If you are interested in joining this session for an informative and useful presentation by Justin Coulson, please use the Happy Families link:

Entitled: Raising Responsible, Respectful Kids
Wednesday 5 November, 7pm AEST / 8pm AEDT

Have a great week! I look forward to our next newsletter, where we’ll focus on the upcoming Year 7-9 Examinations and our plans for the Christmas Hampers for the end-of-year assemblies.

Mr Bates
Acting Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

Year 8 Camp

Next Week (Week 4) all Year 8 students embark upon a three day camp to Killalea National Park, Shellharbour. Students from 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D depart on Monday morning, whilst students from 8E, 8F, 8G, 8H and 8I will attend classes for Monday and Tuesday, followed by attending Camp from Wednesday to Friday. In preparation for next week key reminders include:

• Refer to the packing list distributed with the Year 8 Camp Information Letter.
• If students require medication whilst on Camp, the Medical Distribution Form and Medication should be given to Camp Leaders prior to buses leaving on Monday and Wednesday.
• Students who have submitted the Drop Off / Pickup Permission Form will be allowed to be dropped to and picked up from the venue by a responsible adult.
• On this particular Camp students will not be permitted to use Mobile Phones. Students who require a phone for when they return to school will be required to hand their phone in for safe storage for the duration of the Camp.
• Please note, if there is the need for parents to contact their child or staff for an urgent matter, a College mobile phone number will be made available via email before the commencement of Camp.
• On the first morning of each Camp, Monday or Wednesday students should aim to arrive at the College by 8.00am. Students will then be required to lineup in their Activity Group lines.
• At the conclusion of Camp, students will arrive back to the College well before the conclusion of the school day. If required, students will be able to catch buses home.

I am certain that Year 8 Camp will prove to be an extremely positive experience for all students involved. I thank all staff in advance for giving up time from the families and their busy work schedule to make this valuable experience a reality.

Barry Walsh Cup

Two weeks ago, the ERC U14s team played against St Dominic’s Kingswood in the first ever playing of the Barry Walsh Cup. Barry Walsh, who unfortunately passed away earlier this year played instrumental roles at both schools as Deputy Principal. In honour of Barry, the two EREA College’s came together in a sign of unity to play a captivating and memorable game. Unfortunately for Edmund Rice, we went down in a nailbiter, equalling the score 16-all at fulltime, before conceding a try at the end of Extra Time. This meant that St Dominic’s won the game 20-16. Congratulations to all boys involved, in particular to Lewis McLeod who was awarded player of the match, along with fullback Jackson Fraser who played an unbelievable game.

Mr Marsh
Pastoral Care Coordinator

Edmund Rice College (ERC) proudly celebrates both its 7-9 and 10-11 Boys’ Basketball teams for their exceptional performance at the Diocesan Basketball Championships held in Minto on Thursday, October 23rd. The school saw thrilling victories, hard-fought battles, and outstanding sportsmanship from both squads.

Junior Boys Secure Third Place in Thriller

The Junior Boys (Years 7-9) team demonstrated their strength early on by going undefeated in the group stage, showcasing dominant form leading into the playoffs. Their championship run was unfortunately halted in a tense Semi-Final match against St. Benedict’s, where they suffered an upset, narrowly going down with a final score of 31-28.

However, the boys quickly regrouped, displaying great resilience and teamwork to comfortably win their 3rd vs 4th playoff game. A massive well done to the Junior team on their well-deserved third-place finish — a fantastic result that bodes well for the future of ERC basketball!

10-11 Boys Kick into Gear to Claim Diocesan Title

The Years 10-11 team were equally impressive, also sweeping their preliminary games to remain undefeated in their group stage. Their semi-final was a hard-fought contest against a strong Mt. Carmel side, which the ERC boys controlled to win 26-15.

The Final saw the team face a well-drilled John Therry side. The match was a nail-biter, with only four points separating the teams with just three minutes left on the clock. It was at this crucial moment that Edmund Rice College’s experience shone through. The team kicked into gear, delivering a powerful late surge to run away with the game and claim the title with a final score of 41-29.

A huge congratulations to the team!

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

Edmund Rice College (ERC) hosted a memorable and fiercely contested inaugural Barry Walsh Cup during Week 1 of Term 4, honouring the life and profound contributions of the late Barry Walsh to both ERC and St. Dominic’s College, Penrith.

A Legacy Honoured

The Cup has been established to celebrate the lasting impact of Mr Walsh, who served as a Deputy Principal at both colleges. A passionate advocate for College sport, especially Rugby League, the Cup serves as a perpetual reminder of his commitment to College sport and inter-school rivalry built on respect.

The atmosphere was electric as the Under 14s teams of the two colleges took the field at ERC. With a strong turnout of Mr Walsh’s family and friends, alongside enthusiastic Year 8 and 9 students, the sideline support elevated the game, setting a high standard for this new annual event.

The match itself was a spectacle of exciting league football that perfectly honoured the spirit of Mr Walsh. St Dominic’s started strong, pulling ahead early, but the ERC team showed exceptional resolve and determination. By the half-time break, they had fought their way back into the contest, trailing by a narrow margin of 10-6.

Following some inspiring words from Mr Marsh at the break, the ERC boys returned to the field galvanized. The second half saw a dramatic comeback, fueled by storming runs from Lewis McLeod and Jacob Austin, coupled with great kicking and pressure from Will Bryson. The boys levelled the scores, finishing the regular time tied at a thrilling 16-16.

With the Cup on the line, the game headed into five minutes of extra time. In a moment of high pressure, St Dominic’s seized their opportunity, scoring a decisive try in the corner to claim the inaugural title with a final score of 20-16.

Congratulations to both teams on playing an excellent game of football—it was a magnificent and fitting tribute to honour the legacy of Mr Walsh.

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

On Friday, 17 October, the ERC U14 AFL team made the journey to Shellharbour to compete in the highly anticipated Diocesan AFL gala day.

Facing extremely warm conditions, the young men showcased outstanding football skills and phenomenal teamwork. Their strong performance saw them overwhelm the opposition, progressing through the round games undefeated. The team’s remarkable run included a clean sweep, winning all six of their preliminary matches—a testament to their skill and determination.

While their winning streak, unfortunately, came to an end in a hard-fought final, the boys should hold their heads high. Winning six consecutive games and reaching the Grand Final is an incredible achievement. The entire team should be immensely proud of the effort, sportsmanship, and quality of football they displayed throughout the entire tournament

Mr Bourke

The College is absolutely thrilled to announce a phenomenal victory for our 13’s Boys Rugby League team, who have secured the title of NSW Schoolboys Final Champions!

In an exhilarating grand final, our boys clinched an 18-10 victory against a strong Eagle Vale High School side. The match was a true testament to the teams resilience, hard work and unwavering determination.

The final was a nail-biter from start to finish. Our team went into the break trailing 10-6, but they refused to yield. In a hard-fought ‘arm wrestle’ of a second half, they maintained composure and consistently applied pressure. Their perseverance paid off spectacularly, taking the lead with only four minutes remaining on the clock.

The victory was built on a brilliant collective effort, highlighted by these crucial try scorers: Beau Tagliapietra, Jack Kauter & Quade Nelson.

A massive congratulations to the team, who have gone undefeated in all major events this year. Also, thank you to Mr Sullivan & Mr McBriarty for coaching the team this year! Bring on 2026.

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

Edmund Rice College is proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of four of our students who competed at the NSW State Championships for Go Kan Ryu (GKR) Karate in Penrith during September.

These dedicated martial artists competed in both individual and team events across Kata (choreographed martial arts movements) and Kumite (point-scoring fights), bringing home an impressive haul of medals for the College.

The students demonstrated outstanding skill, contributing to a Team Kumite Gold sweep shared by Max Hemmy (Year 11), Yousef Achaechi (Year 11), and Phillip Tran (Year 9).

In the individual events, Yousef was particularly dominant, earning an impressive Individual Kumite Gold medal. Archie Oyston (Year 12) secured a strong Individual Kata Silver.

Max also claimed two individual medals, securing a Bronze in both Individual Kata and Individual Kumite, while Phillip matched that achievement with Bronzes in both Individual Kata and Individual Kumite.

On to Nationals

The students are now focused on training for their next major challenge: the National Championships being held in Melbourne in November. We wish Archie, Max, Yousef, and Phillip the very best of luck as they prepare to compete on the national stage. Go get them, boys!

Mr Timpano
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

2024 Edmund Rice College Yearbook

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CANTEEN MENU

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EDMUND RICE COLLEGE CALENDAR 2025

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TERM DATES 2025

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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 6, 7, 30 and 31.

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.

Senior School Blazer Fittings

Students in Year 10 are invited to book a fitting time for their Senior School Blazer on the following dates:

UOW 50th Anniversary

UOW’s 50th Birthday Party – Saturday 15 November
Join the University of Wollongong’s 50th Birthday celebrations for a day of live music, great food, and fun for all ages!
Enjoy live performances (featuring Harry O’Brien from Pacific Avenue), explore the IMB Bank Play Zone, and celebrate 50 years of learning and community in the Illawarra.
Register your interest for your chance to win a $250 visa gift card.

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Community Fun Day 

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Empowering Parents Information session: Respectful Relationships

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Learner Driver Events for November 2025

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Disabled Surfers South Coast – Thirroul ‘Smiles on Dials Day’

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2026 Wollongong Aquathon