Dear Parents and Carers,

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of conducting an unannounced informal campus tour for a family who recently moved into our local area. As we walked through various classrooms with their son, watching him take in his potential new surroundings, I was reminded once again of the uniqueness that defines our College.

During the tour, the most telling moments didn’t come from the lesson plans or the facilities, but from the spontaneous interactions with our current students. When asked what they loved most about ERC, a common theme emerged from the boys: a deep sense of feeling connected and just how genuinely welcoming ERC is.

Hearing this directly from the boys reinforces the aim of what we strive to achieve for every boy every day. For a young man experiencing a new learning environment, knowing he will be welcomed and feeling a sense of belonging is everything. Hearing some of our youngest students confidently describe that sense of community to a new family they had never met was a proud moment. A boys’ school, done well, does not just educate; it builds a brotherhood. It shapes young men of character, faith, and purpose who are ready to contribute positively to their community.

Within the current high demand for places at ERC, I thank parents and carers for the trust and support you continue to show the College.

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With the recent release of the preliminary NAPLAN data, both our Year 7 and Year 9 cohorts have pleasingly achieved overall ‘strong’ indicators across all assessment components. This is a significant achievement and a testament to the consistent efforts of our students and the commitment of our dedicated teaching staff. Individual student and faculty analysis will be undertaken in the coming weeks, with parents receiving their son’s NAPLAN report from ACARA during Term 3.

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Our building program is progressing well with stage 1 (Centenary Innovation Centre) on track for a completion date by the end of Term 3. All being well, stage 2 (B Block) refurbishment of an additional Food Technology kitchen and learning hub spaces for small group work, is due for completion by the end of the school year.

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Last week’s Centenary Gala Dinner was a spectacular evening where we celebrated the 100 Year journey of CBC to ERC. The Dinner was an overwhelming success, filled with rich history, laughter, and generations of Old Boys, Staff, parents and friends catching up across the tables. In offering my sincere thanks to everyone who attended this milestone celebration, I also acknowledge Mr Steve Sunderland for his outstanding organisation and planning of this large-scale event.

Best wishes,
Dr Stephen Gough

Reminder:

Internet Safe Education Parent Information Evening

Recognising the complexities of the digital landscape, the College accepts its responsibility to partner with and equip parents with essential knowledge and tools for fostering their children’s safe and responsible online engagement. Digital citizenship is a foundational aspect of our student formation, beginning with an intensive focus during the Year 7 bootcamp. The principles introduced in the bootcamp are then reinforced and developed throughout the semester via our pastoral lessons across all year groups, ensuring that students continually refine their understanding of digital ethics, safety, and cyber-wellbeing.

We invite you to attend an upcoming Internet Safety and Cyberbullying presentation delivered by Internet Safe Education. This session is uniquely presented from the perspective of former undercover internet detective Brett Lee, who spent years investigating child exploitation and tracking online predators. Rather than focusing on complex technical programs, the session empowers parents to apply their existing real-world skills to their children’s online lives, providing five key principles to create a safe and productive digital environment. Our goal is for every parent, regardless of their technical experience, to walk away with simple, actionable strategies to set effective boundaries and protect their children in the digital world.
The session will be held on Tuesday, 16th June at 6:00 pm. Please register via the following link.

In addition to the evening session for parents, students and College staff will also benefit from Brett Lee’s expertise. During the school day, Brett Lee will present tailored sessions to both students and staff. The Stage 4 focus will include how to protect yourself online and how to deal with explicit material, Stage 5 sexting and managing others online and Stage 6 managing my digital reputation and protecting my future opportunities.

Mrs Hughes
Deputy Principal

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. In the Scriptures, we encounter the Spirit through many names: the Helper, the Paraclete, the Counselor, and the Advocate. For our community at Edmund Rice College, these are not merely ancient titles but an imperative for how we live. As a boys’ school in the Edmund Rice tradition, we recognise that we cannot fulfill our mission of a “Liberating Education” through human effort alone; we must rely on a transformative relationship with this Spirit.

This relationship is vital during the often-turbulent years of male adolescent development. In the “messiness” of life, where questions of identity, belonging, and purpose often collide, the Holy Spirit acts as an Advocate, reminding our young men of their inherent dignity as children of God. The Spirit is our Helper, not just in good times, but also when we encounter the radical need for conversion of our hearts. By opening ourselves to this presence, we allow the Spirit to become the primary agent for real peace and reconciliation in our own lives and the wider world.

During this week of National Reconciliation, we are reminded of the beautiful depiction of the Holy Spirit by the late Aboriginal artist and Tiwi elder Aunty Marjerie Liddy. Her work, “Spirit of God in the Southern Cross,” portrays the Holy Spirit with a closeness and tenderness that speaks deeply to our Australian identity. It reminds us that the Spirit has always been present on this land, watching over us like a mother, calling us toward healing through a corporate commitment to truth telling and truth listening.

This call to healing in our great south land is echoed in Pope Leo XIV’s recent invitation to join a Global Rosary for Peace. In a world fractured by conflict, we are asked to unite our voices in prayer. Just as the Spirit brought harmony to the diverse tongues at Pentecost, we pray that through the intercession of Mary, the Holy Spirit will guide our global leaders toward the “hard road of compassion” and lasting peace through reconciliation.

Mr Pullella
Acting Director of identity

Joining schools from all over northern Illawarra under the shade of the gumtrees, our boys from ERC participated in the Bellambi Reconciliation Flag Walk, proudly carrying the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag to celebrate First Nations cultures. It was beautiful to see so many people from preschoolers to our Elders showing up and being “All In for Reconciliation”. Aunty Shas gave a heartfelt and powerful Welcome to Country and reflection on the meaning of Reconciliation. We watched an Acknowledgement done in sign language and participated in a Smoking Ceremony by Uncle Peter Button. The girls of Bellambi Public proudly performed a contemporary cleansing dance. Our representatives from ERC, consisting of First Nations students and allies from all year groups, participated respectfully and had a real sense of privilege in being able to attend. Currently we are looking forward to participating in more Aboriginal dance, Yidaki performances and songs as part of Reconciliation Week activities next week in addition to the broader cultural opportunities happening at the College.

For any students wanting to participate and show their commitment to being “All in for Reconciliation,” cultural activities such as art, Yidaki performances and First Nations games will be taking place during lunch on Monday 1 & Tuesday 2 June on the grass area between the Identity Office and F-Block.

Mr Pullella
Acting Director of identity

On Tuesday, the 19th of May, several students from Edmund Rice College attended the Laudato Si Mass at St Mary Star of the Sea College. Students were invited to attend as representatives of the Liturgy and Sustainability groups at the College.

In the event that you are wondering what Laudato Si’: is, it is a time when we mark the anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark letter, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. It is a ‘papal encyclical’ (letter the Bishops but intended more broadly to address all Christians)—a major teaching document that serves as a passionate moral and spiritual appeal to all of humanity. It asks us all to protect the natural environment, combat climate change, and address the systemic inequalities that disproportionately affect the poor. We reflect on Laudato Si’ to recognize that the Earth is a sacred gift that is currently in need of our help. In 2026, the theme From Hope to Action challenges us to move beyond just ‘feeling sorry’ for the what is happening to our precious environment. Hope is the engine that drives our actions.

The Mass brought together students from all year groups to discuss the environmental issues we are currently facing and how we can help mitigate them.

When we arrived, we were welcomed into the chapel where the Mass was held, with Fr Ken Cafe from the Parish of St Michael in Thirroul delivering the homily and communion. He spoke about the social justice and sustainability issues affecting communities across the world today in a relatable and meaningful way. After the Mass, we collaborated with St Mary’s students to formulate and brainstorm ideas on how we could improve sustainability within our schools.

Written in collaboration by Ben Pearson Year 11, on behalf of ECO ERC and Ms Leate, Sustainability Coordinator

Year 10 into 11 Subject Selections

Year 10 students and parents will have received information via the TASS parent portal this week about the upcoming Subject selection process for Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12) starting in 2027, that will take place in Week 9. Students will hear from the Heads of Department during the week and then parents and students will have the opportunity to receive information about the process on Thursday June 11. From 5 – 6 pm, Heads of Department will provide information about what the work in each subject looks like while Mr Cajar, the Careers Advisor, will provide information about University, Apprenticeships / Traineeships and other opportunities like the Australian Defence Force, Creative Arts Schools and other post secondary pathways.

We look forward to seeing all Year 10 students and parents at the event.

Year 12 Higher School Certificate Trial Exams

The Edmund Rice College HSC Trial Timetable has now been released to students and families so that you can plan your approach to preparation for the upcoming examination period in Term 3, Weeks 3 – 5. Students are reminded to check with their teachers for any information or opportunities to engage in practice sessions leading up to the examinations. The College has provided the HSC Excel Co-Pilot and Atomi resources. Please check with your teachers to ensure you have access and are using the tools you have available to support your study.

Year 7 – 10 Examinations.

As we are in the examination period for Years 7 -10, students are encouraged to check their Year group Assessment Calendar so that they can map out their exams and then a study schedule so they can find a balance. All calendars are in LERA:

A student must make a serious attempt at the exam or assessment in order to satisfy the outcomes. A summary of all assessment procedures for all Year groups can be found in this document:

Mrs Hurley
Acting Director of Studies

On Wednesday 27th May, Nick and I had the incredible opportunity to step behind the scenes of state politics for the Secondary Schools Student Leadership Program.

Inside Parliament House
Our day began at NSW Parliament, where we got a front-row seat to democracy in action. We sat in the galleries of both the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) and the Legislative Council (Upper House) during Question Time, witnessing lively debates and heated exchanges between members.

Following the sessions, we connected with our local member, Ryan Park, discussing the issues that matter most to our community. We then viewed a panel discussion featuring a number of other Members of Parliament, giving us a broader insight into the diverse perspectives and policy work shaping the state.

A Regal Welcome to Government House
Next we headed over to the historic Government House. After a captivating tour of the stunning building and its pristine grounds, we were treated to a truly special honour. We were invited to meet and share afternoon tea with Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales. Chatting over tea in such a historic setting was the perfect conclusion to an inspiring day.

The day was a truly powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to engage so closely with our state’s leaders.

Harrison Macdonald, College Captain

The Year 7 Music Club continues to be a vibrant hub of creativity, with student numbers remaining impressively strong as we head towards the end of Semester 1. Every Friday at lunchtime, the music room transforms into a collaborative space where students gather to share musical ideas, experiment with different genres, and sharpen their technical skills. It has been fantastic to see such a dedicated group showing up regularly, not only to practice their instruments but to support one another in their musical journeys. We are always looking to grow our ensemble, so any interested Year 7 students with a musical background or a passion for performance are more than welcome to join the fun.

Mr Bonaccorso

A Cyber Safety Event for Parents and Carers

Mr Sirianni
Director of Information Technologies & Innovation

As we cruise past the midpoint of Term 2, our community is buzzing with activity. This week, we continue our focus on James Clear’s Atomic Habits, specifically looking at how our young men can design their environments to make positive choices easier and negative ones harder. We are reminded that “environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.” When it comes to school life, creating the right structure can be the difference between a student feeling overwhelmed or feeling in control.

Building Study Systems for Assessment Success

With assessment periods approaching across various year groups, many students are focused on the goal of achieving high marks. However, a goal without a system is just a wish. True academic resilience isn’t built during late-night cramming sessions; it is built by establishing stable, daily routines.

We challenge our boys to stop relying purely on “willpower” to study. Instead, they need to build an environment that supports focus. This means setting dedicated, predictable structures around study times at home—treating study like an appointment that cannot be missed. By locking in a specific time and a quiet space each day, the act of learning transitions from an exhausting daily negotiation into an automatic habit.

Co-Curricular Engagement: Choosing to Expand Your Identity

A liberating education doesn’t just happen within the four walls of a classroom. This term, we are strongly encouraging all students to look at how they design their schedules to make the most of the College’s diverse co-curricular activities.

The more deeply we bind a habit to our identity, the more likely we are to stick to it. When a student chooses to join a sports team, sign up for debating, engage with social justice initiatives, or participate in the music program, they aren’t just joining a club—they are casting votes for their identity as a well-rounded, connected, and active member of the Edmund Rice community. We challenge every boy to step up, get involved, and make the choice to explore their unique strengths beyond the regular school timetable.

Year 10 Camp: Stepping into Brotherhood

This identity-building is particularly true for our Year 10 cohort as they head out on their highly anticipated Year 10 Camp next week. By stepping away from the comforts of home, navigating outdoor challenges, and relying heavily on one another, our Year 10 boys are building habits of resilience and authentic brotherhood. We wish them safety and a profound experience on this journey.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we help our boys build the micro-habits that lead to macro-success.

Atomic Habit of the Fortnight: “The Digital Sunset”

• The Habit: Move the phone charger entirely out of the bedroom and set a fixed study time where all devices are placed on ‘Do Not Disturb’ in another room.
• The Why: To eliminate a bad habit (like distraction), we must “make it invisible.” Removing the phone from the immediate visual environment drastically reduces the friction required to sit down and focus on assessment preparation.

Mr Ferguson
Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

Team: Rocco Favretti, Stefen Anagnostopoulos, Lewis Andrews, Darius Hamod, Max Smith, Ethan Dzeparoski, Alexander Bradshaw-Wett, Aidan Rayner

Three dominant displays in the group stage against Bulli High, Woonona High and Amity College resulted in a top place finish in the pool. Goals flowed from all players with Darius Hamod and Max Smith scoring the majority of the goals. Few goals were conceded thanks to Rocco Favretti’s solid performances in goal.

In the quarter final a close game against Figtree High saw ERC go behind in the game twice, although a red card for Figtree High opened the game up and goals flowed for ERC in the last five minutes.

TIGS were dispatched efficiently in the semi final leading to an ERC v ERC final. In the end, the Year 10 boys were victorious.

Mr Jardine

Despite an early departure and several key players away at the NSW CCC Rugby Union Trials, the ERC Open’s Rugby League team delivered a masterclass at the Southern Championship in Ulladulla last Tuesday. With limited preparation, expectations were measured, yet the team surpassed them all by winning every match: 36–0 against St John’s Nowra, 20–0 over Trinity College Goulburn, and a 46–0 clinical finish against UC SSC Lake Ginninderra.

In a staggering defensive feat, the squad did not concede a single point all day. This extends an incredible “clean sheet” streak, having also kept opponents scoreless during the previous Albion Park tournament—marking six consecutive games without a point against them.

Individual brilliance shone throughout the day. Cooper Starr was tireless at fullback, crossing for several spectacular long-range tries. Aston Schott ignited the second game with a blistering first-half hat-trick, while newcomer Declan Whitaker impressed with his relentless, powerful carries. To cap off the day, Christian Yeo brought the crowd to their feet with a stunning double in the final match, cementing a perfect tournament for the College.

Mr Toohey

Last Thursday and Friday Edmund Rice College sent a strong contingent of swimmers as part of the NSWCCC team to compete at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships in Homebush. The College had competitors in both relay and individual events. The boys swam magnificently, earning some great results.

Our most notable results came from Year 8 student, Nash Hawkins who won First place and set new records in the 12-13 years 50 metre and 100 metre  and 12-14 year 200 metre breaststroke. He has now qualified for all 3 events at School Sports Australia in Melbourne this July.

ERC NSWCCC Swim team representatives; Nash Hawkins, Beau Thompson, Callum Ardita, Finn Ardita, Jake Schulze, Timofey Pan, Taj Caldwell, Jye Prem, Milton Stepanovski, Max Miller, Oliver Johnson, Jed Dwyer

Mr Jardine

On Tuesday 5 May, the Edmund Rice College Under 16s Basketball teams competed in the Basketball NSW Championships at the Illawarra Snakepit. Both teams represented the College with immense pride and exceptional sportsmanship.

ERC 1

ERC 1 showcased a fast-paced transition game, proving to be a difficult matchup for every opponent. The team displayed outstanding individual talent alongside unselfish offensive play, consistently looking for the extra pass. Their smart shot selection resulted in a high shooting percentage across the day. Above all, every player demonstrated great character, remaining unified during the tournament’s toughest moments.

Tournament Results:

• Game 1: Won vs. TIGS
• Game 2: Won vs. Endeavour Sports High
• Game 3: Won vs. Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts (WHSPA)
• Grand Final: Lost vs. WHSPA (40–43)

Following their strong local performance, the ERC 1 team progressed to the BNSW U16s State Finals held on 26–27 May at Hills Basketball Stadium. Facing elite competition from across the state, the boys fought hard in every fixture.

State Finals Results:

• Game 1: Won vs. St Luke’s (30–20)
• Game 2: Lost in Overtime vs. Mt St Patrick College (53–55)
• Game 3: Won vs. Kildare Catholic College Wagga (50–42)
• Game 4: Lost vs. Westfields Sports High (30–52)
• Semi-Final: Lost vs. Trinity Catholic College (40–44)

ERC 1 Squad: Lachlan Barlow, Fletcher Browne, Jackson Hill, Harvey Mack, Dominik Raschilla, Darius Risorto, Jacob Svarc, Mitchell Taylor, Claude Vincent, Aidan Webb.

ERC 2

After a slower start to the opening day, ERC 2 continued to improve with every game. Every player contributed positively to the team dynamic, showing a strong desire to build on their skills and teamwork. They significantly increased their defensive intensity in games 2, 3 and 4, allowing them to capitalize on transition scoring opportunities and finish the local tournament on a high.

Tournament Results:

• Game 1: Lost vs. Corrimal High
• Game 2: Won vs. Albion Park High
• Game 3: Won vs. Kingsgrove High
• Game 4: Won vs. Figtree High

ERC 2 Squad: Jayke Childs, Luca Calmasini, Axel Everill, Hari Rajkumar, Chase Ramsey, Eli Shepherd, Bailey Testa, Tane Tupuhi, Yusuf Unal, Michael Watt.

All students are to be highly commended for their sportsmanship and dedication across both tournaments.

A special thank you to Mr MacDonald and Mr Stutchbury for volunteering their time to train the squads leading up to the competition, as well as coaching, driving the bus, and managing the score bench on the day. Without our staff dedicating their time, these sporting opportunities would not be possible.

Mrs Sparks

On Thursday 28th May, the Edmund Rice College Year 9/10 Basketball team headed down to Beaton Park—affectionately known as ‘The Snake Pit’—for the NSWCCC Diocesan Qualifying Tournament.

Our tournament campaign kicked off against a physical St John’s Nowra side on the tight confines of Court 4. The game opened in a highly scrappy fashion, with a heavy whistle count and numerous fouls called against both teams. ERC faced some early adversity when Ryan Davison ran into quick foul trouble, forcing a shuffling of the lineup. Jackson Hill, Claude Vincent and Fletcher Browne stepped up beautifully, being rotated heavily through both games and consistently contributing in all areas of the court to keep the team steady.

While ERC started slowly, the offensive spark the team needed arrived courtesy of Xavier Chilko. Xavier ignited the court by draining back-to-back three-pointers, shifting the momentum entirely and handing our boys a lead they would refuse to relinquish. Another massive turning point in the match came from a courageous play by Jacob Svarc, who stood his ground to take a crucial charge, completely deflating St John’s momentum.

St John’s mounted a final challenge early in the second half, but Ansu Kamara answered the call, converting a series of incredibly tough baskets to provide the critical scoring cushion needed to secure a hard-fought 41-29 victory.

This impressive 12-point win booked the boys a spot in the grand final against St Joseph’s Albion Park.

Moving over to the much larger Court 1 for the decider, the opening 10 minutes proved to be a tense, see-sawing affair. The turning point came with the substitution of Taj Langley, whose injection into the game broke the contest wide open. Taj helped spark a massive offensive surge and con trolled the boards, allowing ERC to blow the game out to a commanding 15-point lead by halftime.

Defensively, the boys were spectacular in shutting down St Joseph’s key weapons. Eamon McCann took on the massive defensive assignment of locking down their main representative player, receiving brilliant defensive help from Claude Vincent and Fletcher Browne. St Joseph’s other major representative threat was also completely contained thanks to a stellar defensive effort from Daniel Tramacco and Xavier Chilko.

The relentless pressure from ERC completely overwhelmed St Joseph’s in the second half, culminating in a dominant 72-36 victory to take out the final.

It was a fantastic team performance across both games, showcasing both offensive flair and grit on defence.

Congratulations to the Year 9/10 team on an outstanding tournament victory!

Thank you to Mrs Sparks who organised the teams and to Mr Stutchbury who also assisted on the day

ERC Year 9/10 Tournament Roster: Fletcher Browne, Xavier Chilko, Ryan Davison, Jackson Hill, Ansu Kamara, Taj Langley, Eamon McCann, Dominik Raschilla, Jacob Svarc, Daniel Tramacco, Claude Vincent

Mr MacDonald

The NSWRL Under-18s City vs Country is a historic annual rugby league representative match where the best junior talent from the Sydney metropolitan area (“City”) face off against the best regional prospects from New South Wales (“Country”). The event is used as a major development pathway for the sport.

Year 12 student Max Van Loo, who plays Laurie Daly Cup for the Steelers was selected as part of the Country team. This is a huge achievement for Max and the College wishes him all the best in his sporting future.

Mr Jardine

Gwil competed in the 2026 Surfing NSW Classic State Longboard Titles at Coffs Harbour last weekend and came away with the win, crowned the 2026 U18 NSW State Longboard Champion.

The conditions were super testing in the double overhead surf, strong winds, wild ocean and a long 350 metre paddle out through heavy water. The whole event was held in serious conditions and the level of surfing across the division was incredible.

Gwil surfed confidently all event and won convincingly against a super tough field of the best junior longboarders in NSW. Huge effort from all the competitors who charged all weekend in some pretty crazy surf.

Mr Jardine

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

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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