Dear Parents and Carers,

You will recall that earlier this year the College undertook an external School Renewal panel validation process. We are proud to share that the review panel has officially endorsed Edmund Rice College for full EREA Council accreditation through to 2031. In our Centenary year this outcome stands as a powerful validation of our identity and ongoing commitment to Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition.

Most notably, the review panel praised the College across all four EREA Touchstones, highlighting several key commendations:

• Liberating Education: Commended for seamlessly pairing academic success with student wellbeing through data-informed pastoral roles and explicit teaching practices.
• Gospel Spirituality: Recognised for embedding faith into daily campus life via meaningful liturgy, ritual, and a thoughtfully redesigned pastoral care program
• Inclusive Community: Honoured for fostering a deep sense of student belonging built on a relational culture, restorative practices, and a strong commitment to First Nations Reconciliation.
• Justice and Solidarity: Applauded for driving real-world advocacy and a Christian Service Learning program that makes a difference to our society.

Building on these strengths, the panel provided insights that will further inform our strategic planning around Identity and Formation, Teaching and Learning, Financial Stewardship, ensuring that our school community continues to flourish.

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This week marked the completion of the Year 12 HSC Trial exams. These important assessments will provide our senior students with valuable feedback and exam experience as they prepare for their final HSC exams in October. I wish to acknowledge the efforts of our Year 12 students who navigated this examination period so successfully. This included the high number of students who managed to complete their HSC major projects during this time.

I also take this opportunity to commend our dedicated teaching staff across all year levels. Their ongoing commitment to high-quality instruction and student-centred support plays a vital role in the academic progress of every student.

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After a detailed selection process, it is my great pleasure to announce the ERC Senior Student Leadership Team for 2026/2027. I would like to extend my thanks to the many Year 11 students who demonstrated their commitment to the College by nominating themselves for these valued positions.

Please join me in congratulating these young men on their appointments

Dr Stephen Gough

As I mentioned in my last Newsletter over the coming weeks I would share some of the key learnings from the Living the Charter – Its Everyone’s Work this week I would like to share some of the material shared by Professor Emeritus Donna Cross (UWA), who highlighted the the importance of building a supportive, safe, and connected environment as an essential element for student success both at school and in life.

Prioritising emotional and mental wellbeing creates a strong foundation for both academic success and personal growth. Research shows that supporting student mental health positively impacts learning, engagement, and long-term achievement:

• Academic Gains – Providing timely mental health support helps students stay on track academically, bridging learning gaps and empowering consistent progress through secondary school. Families are reminded that students may self-refer or maybe referred by their families or teachers. If you would like to make a counsellor referral for your son please contact either one of the College Counsellors or your sons Pastoral Care Coordinators.
• Early Intervention – Because many emotional health patterns develop before age 14, early positive support establishes lifelong resilience and healthy coping strategies.
• Improved Attendance – Nurturing wellbeing encourages strong school attendance and active classroom participation across all year levels.

Reframing Bullying Response: Focus on Impact and Safety

As we have shared previously The NSW Anti-Bullying policy (due for implementation in 2027) highlights a vital principle for school communities: “Not all unkind behaviour is bullying, but all bullying is unkind behaviour”.

Positive relationships and a safe school environment thrive when everyone feels included and supported. We focus on encouraging kindness, open communication, and mutual respect, fostering a school culture where every student can feel confident, valued, and safe every day. By nurturing these connections, we can ensure our community remains a place where everyone can grow and succeed together.

To ensure safety and dignity for every student, our approach follows these principles:

1. Focus on Impact – Support is provided based on the harm experienced by the student, regardless of repetition or formal terminology.
2. Early Disclosure Pathways – Establishing safe, accessible avenues for students to report concerns early.
3. Addressing Risk Factors – Strengthening protective factors, such as school belonging, positive peer relationships, and trusted adult connections subsequently reducing the risk factors associated with Bullying.

The importance of belonging

School belonging, defined as a student’s sense of feeling valued, accepted, respected, and supported, is one of the strongest protective factors against psychological distress. Our school data in this space is exceptional, current data suggests that 92% of students have a very strong sense of belonging. Meta-analyses show that the health risks associated with social isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day and twice as harmful as obesity. Hence promoting a secure attachment to school builds resilience against stressful events and enhances long-term life outcomes.

Doing more for student wellbeing does not mean continually adding new programs. To maximise impact, we are actively reviewing initiatives to determine the level of effectiveness. These evaluative processes allow us an opportunity to ensure time and resources are directed toward high-impact strategies that directly build belonging, safety, and connection. Our regular pulse-surveys help us to track data and know how our students are travelling in real-time, rather than relying on static data collected annually.

Working in partnership with families is essential for sustained wellbeing. We invite parents and guardians to reach out to discuss support options or share feedback.

A reminder of about students who need to leave school early

Parents are reminded that if your son needs to leave school early on any given day are asked to email or phone the office in the morning, unless it is an emergency. This allows us to ensure all of the necessary processes are complete prior to the time your son needs to leave school. Students are not permitted to leave school without an adult who has parent consent to collect them, therefore we respectfully request that parents come into the College Office to collect their sons.

Mrs Hughes
Deputy Principal

First of all, I would like to congratulate the HSC cohort for their engagement in the recent HSC Trial Examinations as an important step in preparing for the HSC exams in Term 4. As we are in a new semester, I want to remind students and parents/carers about the Assessment Procedures that follow the NESA guidelines.

• Years 10 – 12 students must have medical documentation for absence the day before or the day of a scheduled assessment and be prepared to complete the task upon returning to school.
• Years 7 – 9: If you are unwell, the normal procedure would be to seek a medical certificate for any major disruptions to learning.
• For all Year groups: recently we have had some enquiries about allocation of special provisions for assessment due to Illness / Misadventure. If a student experiences an injury, they must seek a medical certificate for any requests for Assessment supports, such as a scribe. As you can imagine, speaking to a scribe is a very different form of assessment than writing. Normally, the student would not complete the scheduled assessment but complete a similar assessment when they are able. In severe or long-term cases of illness, we can always adapt this procedure.

Mrs Hurley
Acting Director of Studies

When: Thursday, 27th August, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Where: ERC Br Pelin Hall (across from the Administration Building)

Once again, the young men of Edmund Rice College continue our fine tradition of producing outstanding major works.

Join us to view an amazing display of Year 12 Industrial Technology projects spanning Graphics, Metals & Engineering, and Timber Technologies—from precise drawings and fine furniture to expert fabrication.

All are welcome!

Mr Edmondson

Our Annual Visual Arts Exhibition opens on Thursday 3rd September in Waruga House, from 5.30–7.30pm.

The exhibition will showcase the creativity of our Year 12 Visual Arts students with their HSC Bodies of Work plus the work of our Years 7–11 Visual Arts and Photographic and Digital Media students. This year, we are also delighted to welcome our HSC English Extension 2 students, who will exhibit their major works alongside the Visual Arts students.

The exhibition will also be open on Saturday 5 September from 10.00am–1.00pm, providing another opportunity to experience the quality of our students’ creative achievements.

We warmly invite everyone to join us in celebrating the skill, creativity and dedication of our students. We look forward to sharing this wonderful celebration of their work with you.

Ms Costello

Recently, Years 7 & 10 were given the opportunity to further their skills and understanding of language with a performance by ‘Poetry in Action’.

‘Words That Changed the World’ enabled Year 10 to understand the power of speeches to persuade and ignite change. Through specific language devices, Poetry in Action used a variety of speeches throughout history to illustrate how language is crafted to unite, divide, protest, and transform societies…and how to harness it themselves.

Year 7 were treated to an energetic performance that brought to life the five core elements of poetry: Rhyme, Rhythm, Imagery, Story, and Theme. This theatrical performance reminded students of why words matter.

The actors brought to life a variety of language & poetic techniques in their performance in order to help young people see that poetry isn’t just about old texts, but an exciting way to speak up, build confidence, and share big ideas. Below are some examples of student voice about the performance:

• Lachlan Ardita: “On Monday, a group of people came to our school and presented an informative performance about poetic techniques and their uses. My favourite part was when they played ping pong using rhyming words. I learned from this presentation about all the poetic techniques such as alliteration, repetition or personification and how they are utilised in poetry.”
• Oliver Closter: “The presentation was slightly unusual yet it conveyed the message that poetry and the techniques we need to use in order to complete our current topic. This presentation could be useful for us as it explained the various poetic techniques and how to use them in a way to create meaning and provide a solid piece of poetry analysis.”

Mr Forshaw

On Friday 7 August, Year 8 students had the opportunity to participate in a Creative Arts Immersion, allowing them to select an area in which they were interested in developing their skills and expertise. Students could choose from Visual Arts, Music, Photography or Visual Design.

Students who selected Visual Arts worked with Mr Tognetti and explored the surrounding landscape as inspiration for a canvas painting. Visual Design students worked with Mr Sunarya and developed their own logos and then brought their designs to life by printing them onto T-shirts and tote bags. Photography students worked with Mrs Rampe and experimented with fast shutter speeds using DSLR cameras, capturing the dynamic movement of water balloons bursting and bubbles in mid-air.

Our Music students, under the guidance of Mr Bonaccorso and Mr Haybittle were fortunate to learn from two former students, Ben Johnston and Michael Dominis, both graduates of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, who generously shared their expertise in singing, performance and musicianship.

Overall, the Creative Arts Immersion was a wonderful success, providing students with an engaging and hands-on opportunity to develop their creative skills, explore new techniques and learn from experienced practitioners.

Ms Costello

Full Circle Community Service: SASSI Gunya House Opening

As an Edmund Rice community, our commitment to social justice is rooted in the belief that faith must be expressed through action. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the official opening of Gunya House, a critical new crisis accommodation facility made possible by local provider SASSI.

This milestone was made even more profound by recognising our top three student fundraisers from the SASSI Winter Sleep Out: Malakai Lemon (Year 7) , Samson Ingham (Year 7), and Theodore Njoku (Year 8). Thanks to their leadership and the generosity of our junior students, the College raised $13,000 this year, bringing our two-year total to over $20,000 dedicated directly to furnishing crisis accommodation for local women and children escaping domestic violence and homelessness.

A moving highlight of the event was capturing a “full circle” moment as our three top fundraisers stood beside the official College plaque alongside ‘Old Boy’ Simon Kersten (Managing Director of Colliers) who partnered with our boys to furnish the very same unit. Seeing our current students standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a committed alumnus – both acting as “men for others”- beautifully demonstrates the enduring legacy of service that exists in our community in our Centenary Year.

Below, the boys share their personal reflections on visiting Gunya House and what it meant to see their fundraising efforts turn into real-world support for women and children in need:

• Walking through the front doors I noticed nice detailed rooms, a clean dining space, and living conditions which I know will help the people staying there feel respected. It made me feel great that the money that we raised as a collective went towards such an important cause. Theodore Ndjuku (Year 8)
• It was a great experience being able to look at how all the money we managed to fundraise will help people that need it. The sleep out helped me realise how much the homeless go through and I’m so proud that I was a part of helping these people through furnishing an apartment. Samson Ingham (Year 7)

Inspiration into Action: Year 10 ERA for Change and Human Rights Reflection Day

Our Year 10 cohort recently engaged in their ERA for Change and Human Rights Day as part of their Religious Education curriculum. Beyond the classroom learning, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the invaluable partnerships we hold with our local community agencies.

We extend our sincere thanks to representatives from the Wollongong Homeless Hub, Vinnies Van, Healthy Cities Illawarra, MCCI, SAHSSI, and The Lighthouse Community Kitchen. Their presence and dedication to our young men provided a profound insight into local social justice work. I was particularly moved by the personal testimony of Ola from MCCI, who generously shared her lived experience as a refugee settling in Wollongong from Syria. Stories like Ola’s put a human face to global issues and inspire our boys to help build a more just and welcoming world for all.

To conclude the day, Year 10 heard from our Social Justice and ERA for Change Prefects regarding pathways for active advocacy within the College. Following recent news that the Edmund Rice Foundation (ERFA) is resuming its operational presence in Timor-Leste, students were also introduced to the upcoming 2027 Timor-Leste Immersion. This will be a transformative opportunity for Year 10 students to walk in solidarity with Timorese communities as Year 11s next year. Expression of Interest forms will be distributed to families next week.

A Lifelong Calling: Community Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering is not simply a school requirement, it is a lifelong commitment to responding to the needs of our neighbors. Having recently celebrated the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, I am reminded of her famous saying which we seek to live by as a College community: ‘never see a need without doing something about it.’

In this spirit I wanted to inform our community that local organisation Women Illawarra is currently seeking community volunteers to support their essential local services. If you or someone in your family has time to give, please consider applying for the following volunteer roles:

Volunteer Donation Coordinator: (Up to 4 hours/week) Managing donated goods and maintaining relationships with local businesses.
Community Pantry Assistant: (2 hours/week) Assisting with the maintenance and operation of the community pantry.

Interested community members can scan the QR code below or contact Women Illawarra directly at wi@womenillawarra.org.au / (02) 4228 1499.

Mr Pullella
Acting Director of Identity

Sixty of our remarkable students in Year 7 to 9 took a brave step out of their comfort zones to participate in the JNR Winter Sleep Out. Swapping their cozy beds for sheets of cardboard, these students came together for an unforgettable night of reflection, connection, and community action. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our College community and the relentless effort of our participants, the event raised an astounding $12,593!

Learning with Compassion & Curiosity
A true highlight of the evening was a visit from special guest Gillian Vickers from SASSI. Gillian spoke to the students about the real-world impact of their fundraising efforts, shining a light on the complex realities faced by women and children experiencing homelessness as well as domestic and family violence.

Our students truly shone during this session. They were exceptionally engaged, asking thoughtful, mature questions and showing genuine curiosity about the lived experiences of vulnerable families. It was wonderful to witness their deep compassion, open minds, and willingness to learn how they can create positive change.

A Night of Community & Shared Purpose
Beyond the powerful discussions, the sleepout offered a valuable chance for students to bond and reflect together. The group gained a small taste of the physical discomfort faced by those sleeping rough by spending the night on cardboard. To stay warm and keep spirits high, they played a range of lively group games and spent quality time catching up with peers late into the evening.

Student Voices: In Their Own Words

• Listening to Gillian speak about SASSI and about all the people they help as well as the services they provide really made the sleepout even more impactful. Isaac Hutchinson, Year 8
• What I enjoyed about the night was that I got to experience the sense of community we all had after the night sleeping on cardboard. Jed Dwyer, Year 7

Making a Lasting Difference: The ERC
The incredible $12,593 raised isn’t just a number – it is turning directly into comfort and dignity for those who need it most.

As a direct result of this fundraising effort, we are proud to announce the creation of the ERC Start-Up Vouchers Fund. This dedicated fund will provide vouchers to help women and families purchase essential household items as they establish a new home.

Thank You!
A massive thank you to all 60 student participants, the dedicated staff who gave up their evening to supervise, Gillian Vickers from SASSI for sharing her valuable insights, and every single person who donated. You have shown what incredible things happen when compassion meets action!

Mrs Haines

2026 Year 10 ERA for Change and Human Rights Day

“Christian love breaks down every barrier, brings close those who were distant, unites strangers, and reconciles enemies… Through your efforts to change unjust social structures, the poor will realize that Jesus is present to them.” — Pope Leo XIV, Dilexi Te

On Tuesday 11th August, Year 10 took part in the ERA for Change and Human Rights Day, a key part of their Catholic Social Teaching studies. The day gave students the chance to hear directly from agencies and individuals addressing social issues such as homelessness, poverty, food fairness, refugee challenges, crisis housing and domestic violence.

The day began with an opening liturgy led by Mrs Knowles with a focus on the theme of the day Love = Action in which the students created a symbolic action of how together we are able to breach the gap between hope and justice action for those in need. The students then had the privilege to be joined remotely by speakers from The Edmund Rice Foundation discussing their work in Nairobi at the Edmund Rice Education Center. Then, in their Catholic Studies classes, students attended workshops facilitated by various Wollongong organisations including The Wollongong Homeless Hub, Vinnies Van, Healthy Cities Illawarra, MCCI, SAHSSI and The Lighthouse Community Kitchen. These sessions provided practical insights into both the challenges faced and the opportunities for advocacy and action.

After a shared lunch, Year 10 engaged with a Q&A panel featuring Zane from Lighthouse Community Kitchen alongside Year 11 student leaders who shared their own experiences of advocacy through ERA for Change. This presentation was a chance to hear about the enriching side of outreach and how sometimes words or simply listening can be the difference for someone who is experiencing hardship in our community. Our current Year 12 students who participated in the 2025 Immersion to Timor shared their personal and heartfelt journey with the students’ reflection on their humbling experiences in Timor that have changed their perspectives on community service in a life-changing trip.

The whole ERA for Change and Human Rights Day gave students a deeper understanding of how Catholic Social Teaching and service and action is how as Christians we show “love of God …and of one another” (Matthew 22).

Mrs Anderson
Head of Department; Religious Education

Forty-two senior students attended the annual Senior Winter Sleep Out, raising an impressive $6,367 to support children living with disabilities in Kenya and the broader work of the Edmund Rice Foundation. By swapping their comfortable beds for a night on the floor, the participants converted local initiative into meaningful global action.

During the event, students heard from Karanja, a representative from the Edmund Rice Foundation, who shared his lived experience growing up in the Kabira slum in Mukuru, one of Nairobi’s most marginalised communities. Karanja highlighted the immense barriers confronting local children living with disabilities, where deep-seated social stigma, safety concerns, and a lack of specialist support frequently keep young people from receiving an education.

The funds raised will directly benefit the Kurt Fearnley Special Needs Unit at the Ruben Centre, an initiative dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where children with disabilities can learn and participate with dignity. These funds go directly to specialised services and education, with Kuranja expressing his conviction that education is the most effective means of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty in these communities. The donation will help deliver tailored educational programs focused on literacy, essential life skills, communication, and personal independence, alongside crucial therapy and psychosocial support for both children and their caregivers.

Students once again demonstrated the importance of service and solidarity, and approached the evening with open minds and compassion. Here are some of their reflections from the students who participated:

• Darius Hamod – Y10 Student: “When I first heard Karanja speak about his experiences in Kenya I was granted a new perspective on how insignificant the challenges are that we face compared to the less fortunate. However, the solidarity and togetherness of the community reminded me that we do make a difference at Edmund Rice, and this legacy continues to be the responsibility of all of us. The perspective I was given will never be forgotten, just as our awareness of the unprivileged will never fade”.
• Malachy Hurley – Y10 Student – “Hearing about the hardship and challenges faced by people such as Karanja in Kenya was a powerful reminder of the things we take for granted in a country as fortunate as Australia. Similarly, sleeping overnight on cardboard with not even a pillow enabled me as a privileged student to step into the shoes of the less fortunate and really allowed me to connect with and understand just what these people are going through and help spread awareness around the issues they face.”
• Isaac Mitrevski – Y11 Student: “The winter sleepout was an amazing night that reinforced mateship between the students at the College whilst allowing us to experience and reflect on the conditions of those living in positions of homelessness. Specifically, the talk with Karanja really opened my eyes to the hope and effort within communities that utilise the fundraising to create more equitable opportunities for children regarding their education and livelihood. Ultimately, participating in the sleepout reinforced my own gratitude to be in such a privileged position, and made me reflect on the little things that we take for granted, like our beds and ability to access quality education.”
• Harrison Placek – Y11 Student: “The Senior Winter Sleepout inspired a deepened insight of what life is like for millions of impoverished families abroad and what we as a community can do to raise awareness and hope as part of a Liberating Education. Having absorbed the words delivered by Karanja from the Edmund Rice Foundation, I now feel as though our potential as a community to work in advocacy and real-world action has been greatly multiplied, realising and appreciating just how far our raised $6300+ can go. I am grateful for the opportunity and am looking forward to continuing our work with the Edmund Rice Foundation.”
• Harrison Macdonald – Y12 Student and School Captain: “Karanja’s personal insights on the liberating power of education and the harsh reality of dense slum living in Kenya provided me with an understanding of a world very different to my own. It was also incredible to hear the role of the Edmund Rice Foundation in helping individuals escape poverty. I’m sure this experience will prompt conversations amongst boys and families in the ERC community, helping all of us to understand the experiences of the marginalised in our world.”
• Oliver Johnson – Y12 Student: “Sleeping on the floor allowed us to reflect on the 100,000s of Kenyans like Karanja, who have to endure impoverished conditions daily and the many others around the world who also experience homelessness. This opportunity made me grateful for my home and my education. Listening to the impact of the Edmund Rice Foundation and their work with disabled people in the slums, truly allows us to appreciate what we have.”

Mrs Haines

As we move through Term 3—our designated Wellbeing Term at Edmund Rice College—our pastoral focus continues to centre on Strengths-Based Development. Positive psychology teaches us that when young men recognise, value, and intentionally apply their innate character strengths, they build authentic resilience, form stronger connections, and step into meaningful leadership. This week on campus has been a vibrant celebration of student growth, safety, and leadership across all year levels.

Announcing Our 2027 Student Leadership Team

A major highlight of our week was the announcement to Year 11 of our new Student Leadership Team for 2026/2027. Stepping into a leadership role at Edmund Rice College is about much more than holding a title—it is an opportunity to use one’s personal strengths in service of others. We congratulate our newly appointed student leaders as they prepare to lead our student body with empathy, integrity, and agency. We look forward to seeing them cast positive votes for our College culture over the coming year.

Stage 4 Assembly: Celebrating Micro-Wins and Growth

This week also featured our Stage 4 Pastoral Care Assembly in the ERC Centre. Gathering our Year 7 and Year 8 cohorts provided a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate their diverse academic, positive behaviour, and co-curricular achievements. By highlighting these milestones through a strengths-based lens, we reinforce to our younger students that success is not an accident; it is the daily accumulation of small, positive choices and focused effort.

Year 10: Driving Safety & Responsibility at RYDA

Our Year 10 students engaged in a crucial off-site educational experience this week, participating in the RYDA Road Safety Education Program alongside our Youth Engagement Officers. As our Stage 5 boys approach the milestone of learning to drive, this practical program challenges them to think critically about personal responsibility, peer pressure, and decision-making on the road. By equipping them with strategies to assess risk and make conscious, safe choices, we help them extend their character strengths into real-world, life-saving habits.

Year 12: Returning from Trials with Growth Mindset.

We also welcome back our Year 12 cohort following the completion of their Trial HSC Exams. Completing an intensive exam period is a significant mental hurdle, and our seniors are to be commended for their focus and stamina. As teachers begin returning assessment feedback, we encourage our Stage 6 students to view their Trial results through a growth mindset lens—not as a final judgment, but as a vital feedback loop. Over the coming weeks, Year 12 will participate in post-trial reflection sessions and graduation preparations, using their report data to refine their revision systems and finish their HSC journey with confidence and clarity.

Thank you to all our families for your continued partnership as we guide our young men to flourish using their unique strengths.

💡 Strength Focus of the Fortnight:

Perspective & Recovery

• “The Habit: When receiving assessment feedback or facing a tough evaluation, write down one thing you learned from the challenge before focusing on the grade.
• The Why: In positive psychology, treating feedback as a learning tool rather than a measure of self-worth builds long-term self-efficacy and prevents burnout during high-stakes periods.

Mr Ferguson
Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

Student leaders from Edmund Rice College and St Mary Star of the Sea College recently gathered for a collaborative morning workshop focused on building positive, safe, and affirming relationships.

Held on Wednesday, 19th August, students came together to tackle critical topics shaping modern youth culture. Participants explored what healthy partnerships look like, examined the nuances of consent and clear communication, and navigated the complex digital landscape of social media and online boundaries. Discussions also unpacked traditional gender expectations and peer pressure, as students listened to each other focusing on how to be “upstanders” within their school communities.

The morning concluded with all students brainstorming ideas and initiatives dedicated to fostering enduring mutual respect across both Colleges. This initiative highlights our ongoing dedication to proactive wellbeing, encouraging student voice and opportunities to champion healthy, respectful relationships among their peers.

Mrs Russell

In this week’s pastoral lesson, Year 11 students attended a valuable presentation led by our school counsellors, focusing on practical strategies for managing wellbeing, stress, and workload as they navigate their senior studies and approach their preliminary exams. The session provided crucial guidance on where to seek support and how to build personal resilience.

Additionally, we took time to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students across academic, co-curricular, and personal domains. It was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge their hard work, highlight positive contributions to the school community, and encourage continued success throughout the term.

Mrs Russell

Across Years 9 and 10, our students dedicate a fortnightly Wednesday afternoon to an elected sport, providing a valuable opportunity to develop new skills, stay active, and enjoy time outside of our College grounds.

In this fortnight’s sports spotlight, our Year 10 golfers took to the green to hone their skills. Each fortnight, the boys spend time hard at work on the driving range refining their drive technique, before heading over to the putt-putt course for some fun and friendly competition to finish off.

It has been fantastic to see the steady improvement in their precision and confidence with every session, alongside the great sportsmanship on display across the group. With so much dedication and enthusiasm every fortnight, we might just have a future PGA Tour champion on our hands!

Mr Woods

The Edmund Rice College community extends its warmest congratulations to Max Hemmy (Year 12) on his extraordinary performance at the Go Kan Ryu (GKR) Karate World Cup Championships in Telford, England.

Competing against a field of over 900 athletes from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Great Britain, Max represented both the College and the Southern NSW Region with outstanding skill and sportsmanship.

Following 18 months of intensive training, Max competed over three days in the Men’s 16–17 Years Brown Belt division across both Kata and Kumite. His dedication and focus culminated in an astonishing double victory, claiming Gold Medals in both Kata and Kumite. Notably, Max distinguished himself as the sole Australian athlete to advance to the finals in his division, competing alongside top athletes from the UK.

Beyond his incredible victories on the world stage, the opportunity to travel internationally and build lifelong memories with his teammates made the event unforgettable.

Congratulations, Max, on an elite sporting achievement that reflects your hard work and commitment!

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

Congratulations to Taj Caldwell (Year 8), who recently traveled to Adelaide to represent the College and compete in the Australian Pool Rescue Championships!

Competing against the nation’s top athletes in his age division, Taj delivered a series of outstanding performances, highlighted by a national medal:

• 100m Manikin Tow with Fins: 3rd Place 🥉 (Bronze Medal)
• 50m Freestyle with Fins: 8th Place
• 50m Manikin Carry: 9th Place
• 200m Obstacle Race: 13th Place

The College community commends Taj on his exceptional dedication, hard work, and achievements at a national level!

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

The Edmund Rice College Parent & Friends warmly invite Father’s, Grandfather’s, Carer’s and your son/s to attend breakfast at the College on:

• Friday 4th September – 6.30am to 8am
• Booking Link: https://events.humanitix.com/erc-father-s-day-breakfast-2026

In celebration of Father’s Day, come and join us for a BBQ, bacon, egg and sausage roll in the Year 12 Cola Area.

• Entry via Keira Park.

** For catering purposes no more bookings can be taken after Tuesday 1st September **

Bar Pellegrini Mobile Coffee van will be providing amazing coffee,

Fathers and father figures of Edmund Rice College are warmly invited to join their sons for our Father and Son Breakfast on Friday, 4 September 2026 starting at 06:30am.

This special event is an opportunity to thank you for your guidance, support, and the positive example you provide to the young men of ERC, while celebrating your valued contribution to our college community.

We look forward to sharing the morning with you.

When booking a ticket, please ensure you book a ticket for yourself as well as one for your son/s that is attending.

Kindest regards
The Volunteers of the ERC P&F Committee.

PROCEDURES FOR PARENTS / CARERS

Student Absences

Whilst the preferred method of communication regarding absences is via the TASS Parent Portal we understand that sometimes access to the portal can be limited. We therefore ask parents/carers to provide daily absence information (Whole day absences/late arrivals/early departure/absence notes etc.) via the following email address: absences@erc.nsw.edu.au

Reminders:

• Leave required for 4-9 days needs to be requested by emailing the College: office@erc.nsw.edu.au
• Leave requests for 10 or more days requires completing an Application for Extended Leave Form (which can be found on the College website under Quicklinks).

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.

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, 28 and 29.

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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.

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2026 TERM DATES

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2026 Calendar of Events

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CANTEEN MENU

SLSC OPEN DAY

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KEIRA CRICKET CLUB JUNIOR REGISTRATIONS

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TOWRADGI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB – JOIN THE CLUB

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SHAMROCKS JUNIOR RUGBY 7’s

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Positive Partnerships, FREE Autism Workshop: 23 September, Austinmer

Positive Partnerships is a government funded program that offers free neuroaffirming workshops to families of autistic young people, including those on the pathway to identification.

A one day workshop is coming up near your school. Go to the Positive Partnerships website for more details and to register:

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KiDSWiSH – Free Family Events