Identity
Centenary Mass
The Eucharist is the ‘source and summit’ of our lives as a Catholic school community (CCC 1324), which means that we are nourished by through the Eucharist and it is the “…culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ…” and the way in which we worship the triune God as a community. (CCC 1325) It was appropriate, then, that as we intend to celebrate a centenary of life as a community of faith and learning, we opened the year with our Centenary Mass. We are grateful to the many present and former staff, students, Brothers and community members who joined in the celebration and especially those who reminded us of the significant aspects of the road we have travelled and the road that yet lies before us. You can watch a recording of the mass here.
Most importantly, as I remind our students each time we participate in a liturgy, the liturgy literally means ‘ the work of the people’ – and it is in the planning, gathering, practicing and participating that the liturgy has its fullest expression. Thank you to the many staff, students and community members who supported the preparation of the mass so that it was truly a celebration befitting the occasion. We are so grateful to Bishop Brian and Fr Duane who continue to support the liturgical life of our College.
Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity
Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving
Our daily prayer this week on Wednesday drew our attention to the fact that Ash Wednesday and the start of Ramadan have coincided this year. In both the Christian and Muslim traditions, the day marks the start of a period of Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving designed to assist adherents to focus on repentance and coming back to God and His precepts. As people of God, we share this discipline as a way of returning to what is important: of learning to wait and to hunger. We think of the Beatitudes when Jesus extols the virtue of hungering and thirsting for justice (Matt 5:6).
In our liturgies, we reflected on the message of Pope Leo for Lent to start with listening to hear those who are seldom heard, to fast, not only from food but from harsh words and to be sure that whatever we do, we do it together. This is particularly important as both Christians and Muslims undertake this time of solidarity together. We change the cloth on our cross to purple to remind us of the call back to God. Thanks to Mrs Knowles and all the student volunteers who helped bring the liturgies to life.
Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity
Student Leaders’ Lenten Project
During Lent we will all be making an effort to support the work of the Catholic charities Caritas and Catholic Mission. Both work in vulnerable communities to create a world that more resembles the conditions of God’s kingdom ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ The student leaders have been planning activities to help us all realise the impact we can make if we unite in solidarity. They have learned that $3.50 per person is the absolute poverty line and that many live on even less than this per day. Please gather any coins you have at home as we are going to have a ‘coin trail’ challenge later in the term to see which class can build the longest line with coins that we will then donate to our Lenten Appeal.
Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity
Student Learning
Year 7 Music Club Hits a High Note!
Our Year 7 students have started the school year with a rhythmic bang! We are thrilled to announce that the Year 7 Music Club is officially in full swing, and the response has been nothing short of spectacular. In just the first two weeks, over 20 talented students have joined the club.
Every Friday at lunchtime, Music Room G1 transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity and sound. The club provides a fantastic space for our newest students to:
- Connect with like-minded peers who share a passion for music.
- Practice their instruments in a supportive, collaborative environment.
- Share their musical skills and learn from one another.
We can’t wait to see how these students develop their skills and confidence throughout the year.
Mr Bonaccorso
Pastoral Care
From the Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing
Goal setting – A collaborative approach
As we settle back into the rhythm of packed lunches, sports training, and the morning rush, there is often a pressure to “start fresh.” We naturally encourage our boys to set big goals: Study harder. Get an A in Math. Make the school footy team. Keep the room tidy.
A Foundation Already Laid Students from Year 7 to Year 11, have already taken their first formal steps toward a successful year. During Pastoral Care sessions, every student participated in our Formal Goal Setting Process, identifying specific Academic and Wellbeing targets for Semester 1. These goals are currently being refined with their PC teachers to ensure they are actionable and meaningful.
While these formal goals provide a roadmap for school life, research suggests that the most lasting change happens when school and home environments align. The suggestions below are intended to complement the work done at school this week, offering a way for you to engage in informal goal setting at home.
Building Habits that Stick
Research suggests most New Year’s resolutions have a limited lifespan—often fading by mid-February. This year, rather than a complete overhaul, we encourage an approach based on positive psychology: Micro-Habits and Strength Reinforcement.
Here is how you can support this approach at home:
- Small Wins Beat Big Promises Boys often fall into an “all-or-nothing” mindset. If they miss one study session, they feel they’ve failed.
The Strategy: Encourage “Micro-Resolutions.”
Instead of: “I will study for 3 hours every night.”
Try: “I will clear my desk and study for 45 minutes before and after dinner.”
Why it works: Small wins trigger dopamine, and success breeds success. - The “Success Audit” (Look Back to Move Forward) Before adding new pressure, help your son identify the “breadcrumbs” of his own success. Ask him: “Think of a time last year when you felt proud or ‘on top of things’. What was happening?” Was he active? Was his phone in another room? Help him recreate the conditions that already worked rather than inventing a new routine.
- Starting with a Vibe, Not Just a Grade, “get better marks” can feel like a chore; “feeling confident” is a motivator. Help your son pick a “word” or a feeling for the year:
Calm: Not rushing assignments at 10 pm.
Focus: Getting work done efficiently to have more time for gaming or sport. - Rituals over Willpower Willpower is a finite resource. Routines, however, are automatic.
The “Phone Fence”: Try a ritual where devices stay on charge in a common area from 9:00 pm. This is a ritual to protect his sleep and energy, not a punishment.
The “Friday Debrief”: A 5-minute chat on the drive home: What gave you energy this week? What’s one tiny thing we can tweak for next week? - Flip the Flaw We often criticize traits that are actually strengths—just misused.
“He’s too argumentative” → Translation: He values critical thinking. (Goal: Work on tone, keep the logic).
“He’s stubborn” → Translation: He is determined. (Goal: Help him direct that determination toward his own goals). - Be the Cheer Squad, Not the Drill Sergeant It is tempting to be the “accountability manager” (Did you do it? Why not?). This often leads to shame and withdrawal. Instead, shift to being a supporter. A successful 2026 comes from smart choices, repeated gently.
New Resource: MyStrengths Parent Portal
In 2026, the College continued its partnership with the MyStrengths group. Students in Years 7, 10, and 11 will receive explicit training from their team this year.
As part of our commitment, the College has secured access to the MyStrengths Parent Portal. This resource offers specialised courses to help parents navigate the challenges of raising teenagers in the 21st century. I highly encourage you to make the most of this sought-after resource:
Access here: https://mystrengths-parenting.mykajabi.com/ERC
Mr Ferguson
Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing
Year 11: Stepping Up with ‘Honour’
It has been an incredibly productive and purposeful start to the academic year for our Year 11 cohort. As the boys transition into their final years of secondary schooling, we have challenged them to “step up” into senior leadership, reflecting on our pastoral theme to “Honour One Another and be Be Men of Honour.”
The maturity displayed by the cohort has been most evident in their role as “Big Brothers” to our new Year 7 students. Watching the Year 11s facilitate the Peer Support Program with such empathy and enthusiasm has been a highlight for me as their Pastoral Coordinator. They are setting the tone and creating a culture that is supportive and fostered by kindness.
I have observed and had members of our community point out positive leadership being demonstrated through Year 11’s interaction with Year 7 students, whilst at school and also commuting on public transport, assisting Mr Forshaw during the Year 9 Social Day, and through their wearing of the College uniform with pride. I commend these students for the positive way in which they have started the year.
During this week’s Pastoral Care lesson, students engaged in a structured and meaningful goal-setting lesson. This allowed them to reflect on their aspirations for the Preliminary year and establish tangible habits for their study and classroom engagement. It is pleasing to see this focus already translating into a diligent work ethic across their subjects as they settle into the demands of senior secondary life. I encourage all parents to discuss these goals with their son, bringing them up at home and helping them to remain motivated.
We are proud to officially introduce our Year 11 Student Representative Council (SRC) for the year. These students were presented with their badges at last week’s High Achiever’s and Leadership Assembly.
Congratulations to Isaac Mitrevski, Ben Pearson, Bowen Saunders, Baxter Roper, Jonathan Bendeich, Sam Stevin, Sean Zhai, Leo Hallios Lewis, Cale Parr, Nathan Washbourne, Finn Ardita, Jasper Jacobs, Bear Holland and Jasper Hasham, who will use their talent and leadership to ensure the values of our College are reflected through the ‘voice’ and action of our students.
To see these values in action, I invite you to read the following piece by Jonathan Bendeich, our Community and Culture Representative. Jonathan has been speaking with Year 11 students who are using their unique gifts and talents to find meaning and accomplishment within our community. This includes a feature on Mitchell Wilson, who has generously shared his talent in photography to capture the spirit of our cohort.
Community and Culture in Year 11
In early Term 2, 2025, Nicholas Rebikov-Vincent and Isaac Mitrevski were notified about an upcoming Channel 10 TV show called “Ultimate Classroom” that combined scientific skills and collaboration to complete multiple hands-on STEM challenges. Intrigued, they decided to sign up for the audition and send in an introductory video detailing their interests in STEM. Their personalities really set them apart from all the other auditions, where they were swiftly invited to Sydney to commence first-round callbacks in person. After showing off their scientific skills, knowledge, and teamwork to the producers over a series of two challenges, they were accepted to cast in the tv series.
Filming commenced during the October holidays last year, with Isaac and Nick both placed on team aqua, showcasing their unique STEM skills and talents to the show’s hosts and some special guests from the Australian Defence Force. The challenges were difficult, engaging, and tested the knowledge and strengths of the entire team. One of the hosts is Eddie Woo, an Australian school teacher, writer, comedian, and, most importantly, the 2018 recipient of Australia’s Local Hero Award.
Ultimate Classroom will be airing on Nickelodeon at 6 pm on Saturday, February 21st, where Isaac and Nicholas’ caliber of skills will be showcased. The finale episode will be airing on Saturday, March 7th at 6 pm on Nickelodeon.
It is fair to say that this experience will be truly memorable and significant to them both.
We are proud to celebrate the phenomenal success of one of our own Year 11 students, KJ Sullivan. KJ has proven that talent and hard work can reach far beyond the classroom. His latest musical collaboration, “I’m Barred Again,” has taken the music industry by storm. This track wasn’t just a local hit—it has been climbing the charts for 14 weeks, incredibly holding the Number 1 spot for 6 weeks straight! The song is a powerful collaboration between KJ, his father Kevin Sullivan, and the renowned Indigenous singer-songwriter from Alice Springs, Stuart Joel Nuggett. It was recorded under the expert guidance of ARIA Golden Guitar-winning producer Matt Fell at Wilder Studio in Tasmania and officially released on November 7th, 2025. We are so inspired by KJ’s dedication to his craft and his ability to balance his studies with such a high level of professional success.
Jonathan Bendeich
Year 11 Community and Culture SRC
Mrs Russell
Pastoral Care Coordinator
Sport
Student Achievement - Taj Caldwell
At the 2026 Surf Life Saving Illawarra Branch Championships held at Thirroul Beach, the 2026 Illawarra Junior Lifesaver of the Year was announced. Out of 3 finalists, Year 8 student Taj Caldwell was named the male Junior Lifesaver of the Year for 2026. Taj, a member of Bulli Surf Life Saving Club who is 4th generation member is carving his own name in both surf sports and lifesaving.
This season alone he has this season already performed over 65 volunteer patrol hours. Taj now turns his attention to the state Junior Lifesaver of the Year where he is up against 10 other young men from the 10 other branches across NSW. Congratulations Taj!
Mr Timpano
Mountain Biking - Thredbo Interschools
If your son is an advanced or intermediate mountain biker, please register him at the Thredbo website for the 2026 Interschools Competition, 2nd to 6th March.
It’s a great event, over a few days, with 2 or 3 different tracks to race on. Join the other ERC boys who have already entered, as it will sell out soon. Please contact Mr Griffiths for more details.
Mr Griffiths