Dear Parents and Carers

Last week, our College community came together to observe the beginning of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Liturgies. As we embark on this period, Lent is a time to draw closer to Christ through fasting, penance, and almsgiving, guiding us towards a deeper connection with our faith.

But within these practices, it is also important to consider the words of Pope Francis, who this year reminds us of the significance of pausing and taking the time for moments of stillness during Lent. Finding time to pause and reflect in prayer can often be a challenge within our busy daily lives, including the whirlwind of a new academic school year! So, with each other’s help, let us embrace this season of Lent with open hearts and minds and draw ourselves closer to the love of God and our fellow neighbours.

***

We recently had the opportunity to acknowledge the success of our 2023 HSC High Achievers at a formal assembly. As a College, our results were outstanding. Whether students selected an ATAR or non-ATAR Pathway, each boy’s journey was unique. As a community, we are proud of the individual efforts of every boy and the personal milestones that have been achieved. Many of our former students and their parents joyfully returned to the College to receive awards, offer advice to our current students, and express gratitude for the support of both their teachers and parents throughout their HSC journey.

In congratulating our students, I acknowledge Alec Steele, who received the 2023 Dux of the College Award, presented by special guest Mrs Rachael Cortie from Acorn Lawyers. I am also pleased to announce that Juan Kuhn received the John Joseph Pollock Science Scholarship Award. Thank you to Alex and Juan for their thoughtful and inspiring speeches to the student body.

We look forward to the achievements of our recent graduates as they begin the next chapter of their lives. Fittingly, this assembly led straight into the formal goal-setting process for all ERC students across the College. I thank each pastoral teacher for facilitating this important element of student learning and encourage parents and carers to discuss these learning and wellbeing goals with their son(s).

***

On Wednesday evening, the Parents’ and Friends Association (P&F) met for the first time this year. I thank those parents and carers who could attend and encourage new members to consider joining what is both a collaborative and thoughtful community group at the Annual General Meeting, which will be held on the evening of Tuesday, 19th March.

Thank you in advance to the members of our P&F who each year generously organise the ‘Year 7 Parent Welcome Barbecue’ to be held at ERC on the afternoon of Saturday, 16th March. Year 7 parents and carers are asked to ‘save the date.’

***

The annual ERC ‘Try Year 7 for a Day’ and Open Day will be held next Tuesday, 27th February. This promises to be an extremely well-attended event and an excellent way for prospective students and their parents to see our College in action. This is another reminder that this is a pupil-free day for students; however, I thank the many students who have volunteered as tour group leaders for the visiting Year 5 and Year 6 students or those actively involved in supporting individual subject areas. Please note that students who participate as volunteers will require parental permission to confirm their involvement.

Best wishes,
Stephen Gough

Transport Matters

A reminder to all families in relation to school buses. The blue Opal Card, covers travel on the designated bus route, determined by Transport for NSW according to a student’s home address. This information assists the bus companies to determine the number of buses required for each service.

If your son requires a new or replacement Opal card this is done directly through Transport NSW and can be accessed at this link:

Due to a number of services having now reached capacity students who need to catch an alternate service will need a note from their parents and a Green Opal card. Students may be permitted to board an alternate bus if ….

• They have a note from their parents
• They have a Green Opal Card and
• Providing the bus has not already reached capacity.

Of note is the SO95 and SO88 that travels to Wollongong Central and Wollongong station. While it may be desirable or convenient to go into Town, unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to cater for this and parents are advised that they are also able to pick their children up from the College.

In the interests of student safety there is a bus that leaves the College at 2.30pm going directly to the train station, limiting the time spent waiting at the station.

I also wish to remind families that students should not be in Wollongong Central in their school uniform unless they are in the company of a parent/ carer.

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.

Mrs Hughes
Acting College Deputy Principal

Welcome to 2024, over the past 4 weeks we have as a pastoral team very much enjoyed welcoming the boys back to school. We were delighted to meet a number of students across Year 8-11 as well 225 eager Year 7 students. We know you will thoroughly enjoy being a part of our Edmund Rice Family. Thank you to all those families who have supported us by ensuring that the boys have returned well attired and ready for a great year of learning.

Our week-long transition program for our Year 7 students was a huge success thanks to the extraordinary efforts and planning of Mr Andrew Marsh and Mr Marco Panozzo, who worked tirelessly to ensure the boys had a smooth start. Our Year 11 Peer Support Leaders also played a huge role in the facilitation, on behalf of all of the Year 7 students I sincerely thank Mrs Dianne Schodde and the team of teachers that played a pivotal role in the facilitation of their training. Congratulations and thank you to the Year 11 students who generously gave of their time to support our Year 7 students, you did an extraordinary job.

This week Year 10 ventured into the wilderness of the Shoalhaven for their 5-day expedition at Coolendel. The week is the pinnacle of the year for Year 10 and the staff who work together and build long lasting friendships and take fond memories of the challenges and the funny moments while kayaking, mountain biking, bush walking, preparing and cooking their meals and sitting around the camp fires of a night. Our heartfelt thanks to Mr Preeo, Mr Belsito and all the staff who have contributed to the success and enjoyment of this once in a lifetime opportunity. The Outdoor Camps would not occur if we did not have the support of staff who attend these camps leaving loved ones and families to supervise and share these wonderful experiences with your sons. Daily life continues back at school and the staff and the whole community continue to cover each other’s work loads to ensure life and learning continues in the classroom. We are blessed for the generosity and tireless work each person offers the College at these time we are called to give more of our ourselves. We look forward to hearing about the stories and seeing photos of the Camp in our next edition.

One of the greatest privileges of our role is to work in partnership with parents to ensure that each boy is supported to become the best version of himself. In support of this very important relationship I am pleased to share with families that in 2024 we will continue to partner with the My Strengths Team and with the Happy Families (formerly known as Parenting ideas). Please find the first article for 2024, Starting the year right. Additionally, in 2024 our counsellors will write regularly for the College newsletter, sharing valuable insights and advice for supporting the boys. It is our hope that you find something in these valuable offerings to help support you in your parenting journey.

Each year Catholic Care offers a range of parenting courses, both online and in person specifically designed to support a range of challenges facing the parents.
Please find here a link to the Catholic Care Parenting courses on offer this year.

As mentioned above we are delighted to continue our partnership with My Strengths and strongly encourage families to take advantage of the MY Strengths Parenting Courses available free of charge to ERC families, click on the link here and go to find my school, then select Edmund Rice College, then scroll down to access this course and register your details and you will be ready to go.

Our Pastoral program this Term offers a school wide opportunity for the boys to set SMART goals for Semester 1, celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the graduating class of 2023, gather for our College Opening Mass, College Assembly and Easter Liturgy. Additionally, Term 1 sees the commencement of Outdoor Education program for the year with Year 10 and Year 7 currently preparing for camps this term. Other opportunities will include sessions facilitated by our College Counsellors, House based activities, Peer Support activities for Year 7 and cohort liturgical celebrations to name just a few.

Our school is now subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership! Owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, the membership offers a wealth of parenting education and resources.

We will regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time using the below URL (unique to our school) and password.

URL: https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/erc
PASSWORD: happyerc

We recommend bookmarking this link. You should only need to put the password in once and the site will remember you.

INSIGHTS ARTICLES

A new Insights article is released weekly during the term and we will include these with the school newsletter. Insights articles are written by Dr Justin Coulson and other leading experts and provide parenting education and support for a wide variety of traditional and contemporary parenting challenges. You can also access 300+ previous Insights articles on our school’s URL.

PARENT WEBINARS

You have access to 4 live webinars a year (one per term). We will announce upcoming webinar details in the Insights articles. You’ll have access to the recording via our school’s URL but as the webinars are live, we recommend you watch them in real time so that you can ask Dr Justin and / or the guest presenter any questions you may have.

We hope you enjoy the Insights and webinars!

This fortnight’s article by Dr Justin Coulson talks about Consequences

Mr Bates
Acting Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

NSW SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM:

The following vaccines will be offered free to students at school:

• Monday, 11th March: Year 10 – meningococcal ACWY vaccine
• Friday, 21st June: Year 7 – diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV)

Please read the information from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. This document takes you through how to provide consent online.

Mr Fields
Director of Operations

A Year of Prayer

As a Catholic school community, we are inspired by the messages and direction of Pope Francis. On January 21, he called on all people of faith to dedicate this year to be a Year of Prayer and “to intensify your prayers in order… to experience the strength of God’s hope.” Explaining the purpose of the Year of Prayer, the Pope said the year is “dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, and in the world.” In his Lenten Message on Ash Wednesday, the Pope said that the Lenten practices of “almsgiving, prayer and fasting are not mere external practices; they are paths that lead to the heart, to the core of the Christian life,” he added, encouraging Christians to “love the brothers and sisters all around us, to be considerate to others, to feel compassion, to show mercy, to share all that we are and all that we have with those in need.”

During Lent we often give things up as a sacrifice to remind ourselves of the abundance we normally enjoy. However, perhaps a greater sacrifice might be the sacrifice of more time spent in the contemplation of God through sincere prayer and in being the hands and feet of Jesus for those who are in need, helping us to be humble of heart.

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

This week we look at the Year 8 Pastoral Care & Identity theme. Each of the themes have been developed to support the Religious Education program and to support the students in their personal development. In Year 8, all of our activities are focussed on supporting the students to know their own value, equal to all other people, made in the image of God. Their liturgy in Week 6 will focus on this theme and we encourage parents and carers to talk to their sons about the experience and what it means to feel valued so that they can enter into respectful relationships that also value each other person.

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

One prayer resource that we have been using this year is based on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Interestingly, it is called ‘Jailbreak 2024’ and aims to help us see what aspects of our lives bind us or imprison us and then to use prayer as a way to set us free. This is a free program and you can sign up here or by using the QR code. “Every lent is a dying and rising, every jail holds a seed of liberation.”

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

During Lent the Friday prayer will focus on the Stations of the Cross. We gather at the beginning of Recess 2 to share some time with each other and with God. All students and staff are invited and it is a visible sign of our solidarity with each other, Pope Francis and the Church as we strive to be good news for the world.

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

All Pastoral Care groups are collecting their mission money for Caritas Project Compassion during Term 1. Every student is encouraged to bring in some money each week so that together we can make a bigger impact. Recognising that many students do not carry cash, the SRC leaders have also arranged to have the Card Tap machine in a Pastoral Care group each week so that students who want to use their cards to make a donation may do so. During Week 5 the Tap Machine will be in Year 11.
Parents can also donate through our College website here: Choose Missions / Charity and enter your son’s name and Pastoral Care class.

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

As a school for young men, one way that we can focus on being an inclusive community is to support our community in providing opportunities that support women. As part of our commitment to Illawarra People for Peace, an initiative of the Diocese of Wollongong in cooperation with other religious and faith communities, we have hosted this event for the past two years. Now in its third year, and under the guidance of Healthy Cities Illawarra, the event has moved into Wollongong Town Hall so that it is more accessible to all people via the public transport system. One of the hopes of the event is that it will encourage women from diverse backgrounds to get to know each other and to form friendships and support networks. All women are invited to come along on Friday, March 15 to share a meal, culture and friendship. You can book individually or get a table together. We are grateful to the College for supporting this event and hope to see you there!

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

Volunteers Required!

The Illawarra Reptile Society are seeking volunteers to assist with cooking the BBQ from 9am-3pm on Sunday 7th April. You can volunteer for a 2-hour shift, or for the whole day – CSL hours will be awarded accordingly.

For more information, please see Mrs. Knowles

Mrs Schodde
CSL Coordinator

Every year Year 7 participate in the annual Clean Up Australia event. This is held within the College grounds during P5 on Friday 1st March. While this is a CSL opportunity for our students it also gives them a sense of being a sustainability champion. There will be a number of teachers actively supervising our students. Can you please send your son to school on that day with some gardening gloves to minimise our waste.

Should you not wish your son to participate in this event, please contact me by email. dschodde@erc.nsw.edu.au

Regards
Diane Schodde
Sustainability Facilitator

Important Assessment Information 

In Week 7 this term, Year 7 and Year 9 students will participate in the following NAPLAN Tests:

• Wednesday, 13th March: Writing Test 42 minutes
• Friday, 15th March: Reading Test 65 minutes
• Monday, 18th March: Convention of Languages Test 45 minutes
• Tuesday, 19th March: Numeracy Test 65 minutes

Students will be required to use their own device and also headphones (preferably NOT bluetooth).

A reminder that while excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended, students can use the public demonstration site to practise the tools and types of questions they will experience in NAPLAN.

The Edmund Rice College Stage 4, Stage 5, Preliminary and HSC Assessment Handbooks have now been emailed to parents and students to read and become familiar with the College’s assessment policy and procedures. These contain valuable information about the type, weighting and scheduling of each of the assessment tasks that your son will be required to complete throughout the year.

Parents can also access the College Assessment Calendars via the Parent Orbit to help and support your son/s with their planning and organisation so that they are well prepared to achieve their personal best in their studies.

Please also find here some excellent tips for developing MOTIVATION:

Mrs Bell
Director of Studies

VPN Software on Student Devices

We would like to remind you of our school network policy regarding the use of VPN programs. This can be located in the Student Diary (Acceptable Use of ICT by Students – Pages 31 to 33 of the Student Diary).

Our firewall restricts the usage of VPN software on devices connected to the school network. It is important to note that even if the VPN program is not actively running, devices with VPN capabilities will be detected and banned from accessing the network.

Additionally, when considering anti-virus software for your child’s devices, we advise against selecting packages that include VPN services. For instance, Norton offers Norton Antivirus as a standalone product solely for antivirus protection. However, Norton 360 includes a VPN program along with other software components.

Cyber Safety Parent Education Workshop: Untangling Teens from Technology

As indicated in previous correspondence earlier this term, we hope to continue promoting acceptable and safe technology use for learning both in school and at home. To support this, we are offering a Cyber Safety Parent Education Workshop: Untangling Teens from Technology. The event will occur on Wednesday 10th April at 6.00pm in the ERCentre. The presenter “Jocelyn Brewer, a Sydney-based psychologist, will introduce her Digital Nutrition philosophy to positively reframe our love/hate relationship with the online world”.

The 90-minute workshop is designed to empower you to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of parenting in a digital age. From the session we hope to give practical tools and strategies to foster healthy screen habits, navigate online challenges and build strong connections with your children in a world increasingly dominated by technology. This engaging session will offer expert insight and advice, open discussions and actionable steps to nurture a balanced and positive tech environment for your family.

To sign up, please use this link: https://forms.gle/A3k9AKh32Dk9UoLN6

Student Goals (Years 7 – 9)

At Edmund Rice College, we believe in fostering a collaborative approach to education where parents/carers and teachers work together to support each student’s growth and development.

The goal-setting framework this year encompasses three key areas:

• A Learning Goal – A specific focus on academic improvement and achievement.
• MyStrengths Program – Using the my strengths identified through the My Strengths Assessment to help achieve a student’s goal.
• A Wellbeing Goal – Emphasis on a student’s overall balanced approach to learning.

You can access your son’s personalised goals through two possible platforms:

• The Parent Orbit Mobile App – Download the app for easy mobile access to all areas pertaining to student experiences at the College.
  or
• Parent Lounge Desktop Website – Log in to our secure portal for a similar experience to the mobile application.

To facilitate open communication and collaboration, we ask you to:

• View your son’s goals
• Discuss these goals with your son at home.
• Collaborate with your son’s pastoral care teacher by “approving” your son’s set goals on the site.

In order to modify and “approve” your son’s goals please follow these steps:

• Go to the Student Goals Link on the Home Screen (button/link)
• Select your son’s year group.
• Login with your parent account credentials

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your son’s Pastoral Care teacher.

Mr Sirianni
Director of Information Technologies & Innovation

ArtExpress Opening

On February 10th, I joined Henry Hofman (Year 12 2023) and his family at Hazelhurst Art Centre for the Opening of ArtExpress, showcasing Henry’s HSC photographic work, ‘De Voor En de Na’ (The Before and the After). The exhibition runs until April 7th, and I highly recommend visiting to appreciate the excellent HSC artworks from 2023.

Visual Arts

It has been delightful to see students actively participating in Visual Arts and Photographic and Digital Media. Years 9 and 10 Photographic studies have been learning the technical aspects of the Digital Lens Reflex Camera. This week we focussed on shutter speeds and the students used water balloons to ‘freeze’ the moment in time. It was a fun lesson which the students enjoyed, and they made some wonderful images which will be shared in a future newsletter.

Ceramics Club and Film Club have begun and are being well attended. If your son would like to join, please ask him to see myself or one of the visual art teachers for a permission note. Film Club runs on Monday afternoon’s in J3 from 2.15pm until 2.55pm. Ceramics Club runs on Thursday afternoon’s in J4 from 2.15pm until 2.55pm.

Stage Band

The Stage Band is held each Thursday afternoon in G2 with Mr Bonaccorso and Mr Haybittle. They are working on an exciting repertoire and have been rehearsing for the Primary School visits. If your son would like to join the Stage Band as a musician or singer, please ask him to see Mr Bonaccorso or Mr Haybittle for further information.

Ms Costello
Head of Creative Arts

We are thrilled to announce the debut performance of our College Jazz Band at this year’s Open Day on Tuesday 27th February. Comprising students from Years 7 to 11, this dynamic ensemble has come together after only a few rehearsals, showcasing the incredible musical talent within our College community.

Led by our dedicated music teacher, Mr Bonaccorso, the College Jazz Band represents a melting pot of creativity and passion for jazz music. Despite their limited rehearsal time, these young musicians have worked diligently to craft a short set that promises to captivate and entertain the audience.

The Open Day performance is an excellent opportunity for parents, teachers, and fellow students to witness the progress and talent of our budding jazz musicians. It’s a celebration of dedication, teamwork, and the joy of creating music together.

Mr Bonaccorso
Music Teacher

During Week 2 Brass instrumental lessons began with notable success at ERC. Ten students now receive individual weekly lessons on either Thursdays or Fridays, seamlessly integrated into the school day with minimal disruption to regular classes.

Under the guidance of Des Cannings, the students are already making steady progress, refining their skills and techniques. These lessons not only enhance musical abilities but also foster qualities such as discipline and teamwork.

The successful introduction of brass instrumental lessons in the peripatetic music program reflects a significant step forward in the school’s musical offerings. Please see attached photos of the boys enjoying their lessons. If you have any questions regarding instrumental lessons for your son, please contact ghaybittle@erc.nsw.edu.au.

Mr Haybittle
Music Teacher

We are thrilled to announce the establishment of our brand-new College Podcast Team! This initiative aims to provide a platform for our students to express their creativity by engaging in meaningful conversations with special guests. Episodes will explore a wide range of topics, interviews with inspiring individuals, and a glimpse into the vibrant life of our College and broader community.

Under the direction of Mr Bonaccorso, the Podcast Team will be immersed in comprehensive training sessions over the next few weeks, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to produce high-quality content. From scriptwriting to sound editing, our students will be exploring various aspects of podcast creation. This training period will not only empower our students with technical expertise but also foster teamwork, communication, and creative thinking.

Stay tuned for updates on the official launch of our College Podcast. We anticipate that the first episode will be available towards the end of Term 1.

Members: George Newell, Brooklyn Smith, Sebastian Corolla, Christian Vigorito, John-Paul Bridger, Ethan Faddy

Mr Bonaccorso
Music Teacher

At the end of Term 4 2023 students in Years 7 to 10 participated in a 45 minute online national cyber safety and the results are in.

A special mention and big congratulations to Fabian Gaudiosi – Year 8 (Year 7 last year) for being the only student awarded a High Distinction.

Congratulations to the following students for being awarded a Distinction in their category. Their certificates have also been printed, and students will receive them at a cohort assembly in the near future.

Farbod Ghafarnezhad, Jedd Thompson, Xavier Owen, Isaac Campbell

All students can access their result and print their certificate by logging into GrokLearning and following these steps.

Step 1: Log in www.groklearning.com

Step 2: Click on the name of the course (in the yellow section)

Step 3: Once you arrive at this screen, scroll down until you see Congratulations! You ‘ve achieved a ……
Click on the download certificate button

You will be taken to a pdf version of the certificate which is easily printable.

We look forward to our students’ participation in the next competition in November, and anticipate more wonderful results.

Remember to stay safe online by protecting your personal information. Use strong passwords, keep an eye out for scams, and know where to go for help if you get into trouble.

Lourdes Ndaira
Teacher Librarian

The ERC Swimming Carnival at Western Suburbs Pool on Thursday 15 February was a hit, with students and staff as it kicked off the sporting calendar year.

Students from our six houses competed in the various swimming events, with the atmosphere being lively, throughout the day!

The senior house relay races added to the excitement of the day, with all participants demonstrating great teamwork and sportsmanship, win or lose! Thanks to the hard work of the ERC staff, who allowed the event to run smoothly.

The following students have been named age champions, and will receive their trophy at an upcoming school assembly.

U12 – Nixon Blake
U13 – Jake Schulze
U14 – Jye Prem
U15 – Oliver Johnson
U16 – Preston Hadfield
U17 – Jayden Beaumont
U18 – Jack Maunsell & Jack Wilson

Congratulations to the following students who have earnt an individual spot on the ERC Swim team to compete at the upcoming Diocesan Swimming Championships:

Riley Anthes, Callum Ardita, Finn Ardita, Gwil Barnes, Jayden Beaumont, Nixon Blake, Cameron Browne, Harry Fraser, Edward Guest, Preston Hadfield, Oliver Johnson, Declan McCann, Max Miller, Drew Potter, Jye Prem, Sebastian Rodwell and Jake Schulze.

Thanks to everyone involved, and here’s to more great events in the future!

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

The Diocesan Tennis Championships were held on 7 February 2024 at MacArthur Tennis Complex.

The Edmund Rice Team, which consists of Deni Dimov, Zane Cross, Aston Rowles and Sean Zhai were looking to go back to back to back, after the College team has won the titles in 2022 and 2023.

The Edmund Rice College demonstrated outstanding performances throughout the day, dropping minimal sets. They secured victories against John Therry Catholic College in the quarter-finals and Corpus Christi Catholic High School in the semi-finals. In the final match, Edmund Rice College emerged triumphant over Holy Spirit College, clinching the championship title and with that, they have progressed to the NSWCCC Championships later this year in Bathurst. Congratulations boys!

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

The College is thrilled to announce that two outstanding athletes from Year 10 – Will Mason and Harry Fraser, have showcased their incredible talent at the NSW All Schools Triathlon and have earned well-deserved spots to compete at the Nationals in Perth!

In a display of determination and skill, Will Mason secured a magnificent bronze medal, Not far behind, Harry Fraser exhibited remarkable athleticism, clinching a fantastic 5th place finish among tough competition. Congratulations boys!

The College’s intermediate team; consisting of Will Mason, Harry Fraser and Zane Ashcroft took home the gold medal in the relay event! The boys held off a strong field, with a highly impressive win by over 250m. Congratulations!

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

The Inaugural 2023 NSWCCC Aquathon was held at the end of the schooling year. This marked a thrilling event where young athletes showcased their endurance and skill. Milton Stepanovski of Year 8 clinched first place in the U14 category, displaying remarkable determination and speed. Zane Ashcroft made it a ERC 1/2 as he secured second place, demonstrating commendable performance and resilience.

In the U16s, Harry Fraser’s outstanding effort earned him a well-deserved third place. Congratulations to these talented boys on their impressive achievements, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing their continued success in this year’s Aquathon.

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

2024 NSWCCC Sport registrations are now open. Students wishing to trial for the various NSWCCC individual pathways, please see the information attached.

Please note that before registering for Rugby League, Open’s Football, Cross Country, Swimming, Touch Football and Athletic pathways, students will need to be selected in the Wollongong Diocesan Team first.

Key ERC sport dates, events and information are also on the attached flyer.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College.

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

The College Open day consisting of both Try Year 7 for a Day and the College Expo will be help on Tuesday 27th February 2024.

Year 5 & 6 boys from all primary schools are invited to join us for a real experience of high school at Edmund Rice College for a day. Students will participate in a range of activities from subjects they will actually do in Year 7 such as Technology and Applied Studies, PDHPE, Science, Visual Arts, Music and Food Technology. It’s fun and it’s free.

After Try Year 7 for a Day, families are welcome to enjoy the College Expo and find out what makes ERC unique. Check out the learning spaces, performances and demonstrations on show and take a guided tour with one of our senior students.

The College Expo gives you insight into the variety of experiences available at ERC, designed to support boy-centred learning, while providing you with the opportunity to ask questions from our dedicated staff and students.

Guided tours can be booked below and operate at 3.30pm, 3.45pm, 4.00pm, 4.15pm, 4.30pm, 4.45pm and 5.00pm.

REGISTER NOW

The University of Wollongong (UOW) Summer Master Class

This three-week program allows high school students to experience university life and complete a university subject. The program is designed to give students a taste of what it’s like to study at UOW and help them decide if they want to pursue a degree there. This year 16 year 12 students participated in the program and achieved some excellent results. 10 students gained a High Distinction in their subject and all students have given themselves a distinct advantage when applying for admission in August this year.

From left to right.
Back row: Muhemed Hassan, Daniel Meafou, Mitchell Manevski, Yoan Ciugureanu, Mohamad Futaina, Alan Augustine, Patrick Sirianni, Lennox Roodenrys, William Cooper, Joshua Crapis.
Front row: Bobby Gorgijevski, Harry Taylor, Marcus Henriques-Thakur, Joshua Keir, Caiden Steele, Brooklyn Faucett, Isaac Atinga.

More information about Summer Master Classes in the Careers Newsletter.

UOW Discovery day

Discovery Day events are often organized by universities to showcase their programs, facilities, and campus life to prospective students. It was an opportunity for our students to explore the University of Wollongong (UOW), learn about their academic offerings, meet faculty and staff, and get a feel for campus culture. Students were able to:

1. Plan Ahead: Look at the schedule of events and plan which sessions they wanted to attend. This might include academic presentations, campus tours, or information sessions about student services.
2. Ask Questions: After presentations or when speaking with faculty, staff, or current students to make informed decisions about your education.
3. Explore the Campus: Take advantage of the opportunity to explore the campus. Get a feel for the facilities, residence halls, libraries, and other amenities.
4. Take Notes: Jot down important information or things you want to remember later. This can include details about programs, deadlines, or contacts you make during the event.
5. Talk to Current Students: Current students provided valuable insights into what life at UOW is really like and any advice they have for incoming students.
6. Follow Up: After the event, follow up with any contacts they made or unanswered questions. This might include reaching out to admissions counsellors, faculty members, or student organizations.

Although our usual number that attend these were down from previous years the general opinion was that it was a very worthwhile day and allowed students to make valued decisions about their future aspirations.

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

Transport for NSW is currently seeking input on how to increase the proportion of school children using active transport to travel to school. The link below will take you to the “Have your say” page, where you have several options for providing input. The page is open until Thursday February 29th.

https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/active-travel-to-school

The Edmund Rice College Parents and Friends committee wish to invite Year 7 families to a Welcome BBQ on Saturday 16 March 2024 from 12.30pm – 3.30pm.

Further details and booking information can be found below. Provided is a QR Code to register your interest for this event.

PARENT HELPERS NEEDED – Many hands make light work! If you can help on Saturday 16 March 2024, please contact Francis Fenech (francis.fenech77@gmail.com)

Kindest regards,
Francis & P&F Organising Committee

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.

2024 TERM DATES

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EDMUND RICE COLLEGE CALENDAR 2024

Shellharbour City Festival of Sport

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GreenFest Sustainability Expo