Last week, I was reminded of the continuous cycle of schooling. At a time when the graduating Class of 2023 are concluding their final HSC exams, we also formally welcomed the future Class of 2029 at the recent Year 7 Information Night.

The choice of schooling for an individual child is, of course, best left to parents and carers who instinctively understand what environment will work best. The strong demand for student enrolment places at ERC clearly demonstrates the importance and value of a single-sex option for boys within the local and broader region. ERC strives not just to be a school with boys in it, but rather a school FOR boys. Schools for boys foster a sense of brotherhood and of lifelong friendships. This strong connection extends to a broader community of what many schools call Old Boys — alumni who continue to be positive community role models for the current ERC generation. Many of our graduates comment on how the friendships they developed with their peers and teachers are among the most important benefits they carry with them from their time at the College. Strong relationships, where teachers are both forthright and caring, are the very mediums through which successful learning and teaching can take place.

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The College is very proud of the Tournament of Minds champions who were victorious at the recent International Finals in Melbourne. While winning the Social Sciences section is a wonderful achievement, it was their progressive learning journey of improvement throughout these rewarding experiences that was most impressive. We are also very grateful to their coach, Ms Emma Shumack (Enrichment Coordinator), for her genuine passion and facilitation of this invaluable opportunity. Congratulations to Aaron Pasztor, Vidath Ranasinghe, Isaac Mitrevski, Daniel Morozov, Sam Stevin, and William Hall.

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Last week, we recognised the impressive achievements of our Year 11 students, who have now completed their Preliminary HSC courses of study. In celebrating students who achieved first place in a course of study, academic excellence, and consistent application in a particular class, we also challenged Year 11 to build on their success in making the most of their future learning opportunities. In honouring student achievement, we also acknowledge the presence and support of parents, who, along with teachers, continue on this HSC journey together.

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The College is actively working on preparing its 2024 budget while upholding its commitment to sustainable stewardship. Early in December of this year, the College will send out our annual school fee statement to each family. It is anticipated that the annual fee increase will be similar to last year as the College continues to experience reduced government funding under the current funding model for non-government schools. Other significant budget drivers are increasing staff salaries and the continued improvement of campus facilities.

Best wishes,
Stephen Gough

Launch of Christmas Appeal

Next week we launch the Christmas appeal for St Vincent de Paul. We live in a world where we are so fortunate to live in peace and enjoy the freedom to choose where we go to school, where we work and how we engage in society. Unfortunately, many people live in circumstances where their lives have moments of significant challenge. Many families experience times when they need help or support. It does not mean that they will always be poor, always need help or always be in situations that challenge their human dignity. So, this year we are asking each person to support St Vincent de Paul and Homelessness Services with food items, money and bags for women escaping domestic violence. A family may also choose to create a dignity bag for a young man / teenage boy who may also be in that situation, as we know that the statistics tell us that teenage boys are often victims along with their mothers.

For all students, you can donate any amount of money, but we suggest $5 each. In Years 10 & 12, you may choose to create a whole bag yourself or you can contribute to your class collection of items. In Years 7 – 9, besides money, we ask you to contribute food items to fill the Vinnies pantry. You can donate money online or at school: https://www.bpoint.com.au/pay/edmundschoolfees

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

Monday 13 November, is World Kindness Day, a day dedicated to promoting and celebrating acts of kindness. This day serves as a reminder of the positive impact that kindness can have on individuals, communities, and the world at large. It encourages people to perform intentional acts of kindness and foster a culture of compassion and generosity. World Kindness Day reminds us every November of what great opportunities we have to make a difference to someone’s life. If each one of us did just one act of kindness every day, that would equate to 9.5 Billion acts of kindness a year (based on a population of 26 Million Australians), that’s 26 million acts for World Kindness Day. The possibilities are endless – together what a great country we can be.

As we head towards a busy period of exams and the end of the term it is a timely reminder of the importance of being kind to one another despite our differences. Treating one another with respect and kindness are the values congruent with our Founder Blessed Edmund Rice. As a community we receive lots of positive feedback about our boys and the kindness that they show to one another and to the wider community. This makes us very proud. This week’s Happy Families article highlights the significance of this day on a National level.

Next year students in Year 11 and 12 will have the option to access a College Diary. Aware of the fact that many boys are choosing to use electronic calendars and planning tools to record homework and assessment tasks it will no longer be compulsory for boys in Year 11 and 12 to use a College diary.

Mrs Hughes
Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

This has been an extremely tough decision to try and name one student for the Pastoral Care Coordinator’s Award. This year group is full of so many great young men that have shown a tremendous amount of growth since the beginning of the year. There have been many examples of the students in this year group stepping up and rising to the challenge laid out before them and demonstrating the values that the College holds dearly. The strength of this cohort in particular is the depth of leadership across the year group and the quality of the young men that they are developing into.

Our Pastoral theme for Year 11 is to become Men of Honour. At the beginning of the year, we unpacked as a cohort what it meant to be a man of honour. The recipient of this year’s award lives out these values each and every day.

• He puts others before himself: His chosen senior CSL project was Peer tutoring at Homework Club where he would help younger students with their homework and assessments.
• Demonstrates respect: The recipient of this award demonstrates respect to both his teachers and fellow students in every interaction he has with them. He listens with genuine care and is always seeking to help those around him.
• Maintains high standards: The recipient of this award has had a tremendously successful year. He has achieved all A’s in his recent Preliminary report, including a mark of 87 for accelerated Studies of Religion 2 and he was first place in 6 of his courses. As well as this, he has also achieved success in the sporting arena, participating in the College Swimming Carnival, representing the College at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival and he represented NSW CCC at the NSW All Schools Cross Country Carnival.
• Fulfils his commitments: The recipient has endeavoured to fulfil his commitments as the College Vice Liturgy prefect through assisting Mrs Knowles in the preparation of liturgical events, including his involvement in College Mass, participation in Friday prayer in the Chapel and organising the Monday morning prayers for the College.

It is with great pleasure that this morning on behalf of Myself, Ms Stella and the Year 11 Pastoral Care Team, the Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator’s Award goes to Matthew Carolan.

Mr Bourke
Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator

The Year 8 camp is a unique opportunity for our students to break free from the confines of the classroom and delve into the wonders of the great outdoors. This year’s camp was held in the picturesque Coolendel, which provided an ideal setting for the young adventurers. Students got to explore nature’s beauty by embarking on hikes, abseiling down an 18 metre cliff, mountain bike riding, canoeing, conquering high rope courses, and trying their hand at archery. The experience of spending time in nature allowed them to develop a deeper appreciation for the environment and learn valuable outdoor skills.

Year 8 camp is not just about fun and adventure; it’s also a journey of personal growth. Students were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges. Many students have had little experience away from home, cooking their own meals and sleeping in tents. They faced fears they never thought they could conquer and emerged from the experience with newfound self-confidence.

Moreover, the camp experience helped our students develop resilience. Whether it was dealing with adverse weather conditions, overcoming physical hurdles, or simply navigating the complexities of group dynamics, they learned the importance of perseverance and adaptability. The Year 8 camp wasn’t just about outdoor activities and personal growth; it was also about creating lasting memories. Campfires, storytelling, and stargazing nights were all part of the experience. These moments of bonding and reflection will undoubtedly be cherished by the students for years to come.

Year 8 would like to express their gratitude to the dedicated teachers and camp staff who accompanied our students on this journey; Ms Kennedy, Mrs Dutton, Miss Bawden, Mr Sunarya, Mr Nolan, Mr Walsh, Mr Panozzo, Mrs Sinclair, Mr Crapis, Mr Pierro, Mr Bramble, Mr Marsh and Mr Volk. Their guidance, support, and commitment were instrumental in ensuring the success and safety of the camp. A heartfelt thanks to Mr Griffiths for the hours he spent assisting me in the organisation of camp and the fantastic leadership he displayed throughout the second half of the camp.

Overall, the Year 8 camp was a remarkable experience for our students. It was an opportunity for them to connect with nature, form new friendships, and discover their inner strengths. We are immensely proud of the way our Year 8 students embraced this adventure and returned as more resilient, self-assured individuals.

Mrs Russell
Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Congratulation to the following Year 7 students on achieving Commendation Level. Consistent hard work and positive application to studies has rewarded these students with attaining this excellent achievement.

Xavier Berriman, Cristian Bussoletti, George Griffin, Aiden Heaton, Xavier Owen, Calvin Perkiss, Jye Prem, Max Protolipac, Jonathan Puildo, Levi Sahin, Hugh Rossit, Federico Senise, Felix Stratton, Max Strauss, Yusuf Unal, Liam Wilton

Mr Bates
Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Congratulations to our students who emerged victorious at the International Final of the Tournament of Minds in Melbourne. Our applause goes out to the outstanding team, composed of Aaron Pasztor, Vidath Ranasinghe, Isaac Mitrevski, Daniel Morozov, Sam Stevin and William Hall, and to the dedicated guidance provided by Ms Emma Shumack as their coach. This remarkable achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication.

We would also 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.

At the assembly, our Year 11 students were encouraged to set new learning goals as they embark on their Higher School Certificate journey. At a College, we firmly believe in the potential of each and every student to learn and grow. It is equally essential for our students to believe in their own capacity for growth and improvement.

As outlined in our Learning & Wellbeing Framework, our mission is to nurture students into curious, compassionate, courageous and critical thinkers. To this end, a pivotal question was posed to all students: “How can you develop these traits as a learner?”

Strategies to Achieve a Growth Mindset

Assessment Calendar Term 4

The Term 4 Assessment Calendar has been released to Year 7 to 11 students. To access the Assessment Calendars for Years 7 to 11, click on the following link: https://lera.erc.nsw.edu.au/calendars

Dr Sozio
Director of Learning & Teaching

From NSW Director’s Choice to international tournament winners, this year’s Tournament of the Minds has been a thrilling journey. The team made up of Aaron Pasztor and Vidath Ranasinghe (Year 7), Isaac Mitrevski, Daniel Morozov and Sam Stevin (Year 8), and William Hall (Year 10), travelled to Melbourne from the 19th to the 22nd of October to compete in the International Final, representing NSW in the Social Science category.

The boys took advantage of the second chance afforded to them, preparing for the competition in the weeks leading to the State and International Finals.

“Knowing that we got into state with the Director’s choice, we wanted to use this opportunity to the best of our ability. We had a lot of practice training sessions during recess and lunch and once we made it to Internationals we did the exact same”. Vidath Ranasinghe

“We improved in our teamwork, cooperation, organisation, cohesion, problem solving, and drama skills.” Daniel Morozov

“Our team has improved in every dimension since the regionals, however, one of the most crucial areas we have improved in is our coordination and trust in each other”. Sam Stevin

Over 500 students converged in Melbourne city on Friday where they enjoyed the opening ceremony, developed team war cries, and competed in an amazing race style “Goose Chase”, completing challenges and taking in the sights of Melbourne.

“It was a great opportunity and we had to break down challenges as a team”. Vidath Ranasinghe

“Despite being exhausting, it was fun, team-building and exciting, also helping us to learn about navigation, the city centre, and the culture of Melbourne”. Daniel Morozov

Competition day started early, with 6:30 am breakfast, then a bus ride to La Trobe University where the preparation, performances and award ceremony was held. The team were given their challenge, which was to develop an explanation of the “The butterfly effect”. Within the three hour prep time they also had to complete a spontaneous challenge where they were judged on their teamwork and creativity.

“My favourite moment was when all of the planning came together and our challenge solution became clear”. Sam Stevin

Over 28,000 students competed in this year’s Tournament of the Minds, so when the boys heard their names read out as winners it was a thrilling moment.

“When ERC were announced as the winners, I felt ecstatic. It was such an amazing feeling when all of our hard work had paid off, and it is a moment I will never forget”. Sam Stevin

“Shocked, in disbelief and awe, excited, elated, happy.” Daniel Morozov

However, while winning was extraordinary, the tournament was an invaluable learning experience.

“I’ve learnt the importance of considering everyone in a team environment and making sure that everyone has a valuable contribution. I feel like I knew of this already but TOM is the reason why I can implement and use this knowledge, which is an essential component to a productive and well-coordinated team”. Sam Stevin

“It was fun meeting people from all around the country and from New Zealand” William Hall

“I enjoyed engaging with the other teams because everyone had a different approach to the challenge and it was really interesting to share ideas and ways of doing things”. Sam Stevin

Congratulations to all of the boys for their wonderful efforts. A special thanks to Dr Sozio for his support of the team, Mrs Preston and the office staff for all their help in organisation, and the family members who came to cheer the team.

“Can’t wait for next year!” Sam Stevin

Ms Shumack
Enrichment Coordinator

Over the first weekend of the Term Three break, Isaac Oldfield, Lucas Mendivil Coelho, Daniel Morozov and Sam Stevin attended the 2023 United Nations Junior Leadership Summit, held at the University of Technology, Sydney. The theme for this year’s summit was “Championing Change”. We covered a range of topics based on advocacy. We also engaged in many activities, such as dissecting compelling speeches, analysing successful advocacy campaigns, creating our own advocacy campaign and competing in an interactive problem-solving task, involving a government and a campaign group negotiating the legal age for voting. The summit provided us with the opportunity to understand the many dimensions of successful advocacy campaigns and to experience a new outlook on the layers behind compelling speeches. I really enjoyed examining Martin Luther King Junior’s “I Have a Dream” speech in greater detail because it allowed us to slow down the speech, look at the message behind each word and understand what the speaker wanted to achieve, and to ultimately understand how the speaker could achieve such a feat with just their words. The interactive problem-solving task gave us great insight into the degree of difficulty behind driving change in society. It also made known some of the many barriers that advocates frequently face, and what is needed to overcome these challenges. Ultimately, the Junior Leadership Summit was an eye-opening experience, leaving us with lasting knowledge and a deepened understanding of driving, and championing, change in society. By Sam Stevin

Ms Shumack
Enrichment Coordinator

The Catholic Schools’ Debating Association (CSDA) is the largest and oldest debating and public speaking competition in NSW. Last week teams from 7 to 11 represented the College in the Wollongong region of this competition travelling throughout the Illawarra. Topics debated included Halloween, Barbie, the voting age, technology and AI. Experienced debaters and first time speakers gained confidence and experienced the joys and challenges of impromptu debating.

“I have learnt how to be a more confident speaker and how to deliver a speech by just reading dot points and being able to write a speech in dot point form instead of needing to write what i say word for word.” Izac Lavis, Year 8

“The process of meticulously sculpting the arguments as to have the hardest hitting punch lines and having the momentum of the debate behind our side” Benedict Carolan, Year 8

“I have learnt to phrase my statements in a way that persuades someone rather than looking over it.” Krishaanth Rajkumar Year 9

“I enjoyed working with my friends during the debate and meeting new people”. Michael da Silva, Year 10

Congratulations to the Year 8 team who were victorious in all of their debates and made it through to the Country Finals. Good luck to the Year 10 Team who are due to compete in the Southern Region Play-offs next week. A big thank you to all of those who assisted through coaching, transport and support, including Mrs Knowles, Mr Booyar-Rybak, Ms Gregorio, Mrs Field, Mr Griffiths and Mrs Anderson.

Ms Shumack
Enrichment Coordinator

Henry Hofman (Year 12 2023) is seeking your help for a scholarship to the University of Canberra to study a degree with the Faculty of Arts and Design.

Students are to submit an artwork for the Peoples Choice Award. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will win a full years tuition towards an Arts and Design degree at Canberra University. Runners Up receive semester scholarships.

We are hoping that you would be willing to cast your vote for Henry and share this with your wider circle so we can send Henry to the University of Canberra.

Please click HERE to cast your vote.

Thank you for your support!

Ms Costello
Head of Creative Arts

The Stage Band recently showcased their musical talents at two more schools in the Illawarra region – St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School in Albion Park and St Therese Catholic Parish Primary School in West Wollongong. The performances were a delight for students and staff alike. The band welcomed our new Year 7 singer, Malachy, to the group, and everyone was impressed with his debut performance. Special thanks to Mr Breeze, who drove the bus on the day, ensuring the smooth transportation of our talented musicians. The Stage Band continues to grow and impress, and we eagerly anticipate their future performances.

Mr Haybittle
Music Teacher

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

In this Issue: MedEntry seminars; ADF open day at Nowra; TAFE Course guide; TAFE Wollongong Courses; UAC Information; UAC Publications; UAC Key Dates; ‘The Good University Guide’ scholarship search; USI (Unique Student Identifier) information; Explore your Career; Careers in Security analysis (Further information can be located at erccareers.com); Early Childhood careers (Further information can be located at erccareers.com)

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

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.

Bookings can be made by emailing thirroul@collinsbooks.com.au or phoning us in store on 4267 1408 during trading hours.

2024 SENIOR STUDENT UNIFORM FITTINGS