Dear Parents and Carers,

Earlier today marked the launch of the newly revised Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Charter – a foundational document for EREA schools nationwide. This Charter reaffirms our commitment to a Catholic education inspired by the values of Blessed Edmund Rice.

I had the privilege of attending this launch with a selection of our newest senior student leaders: Henry Jones, Jayden Washbourne, Ruben Mayers, and Digby Woods, alongside Mrs Hurley and Ms Neal. Together, we joined this national event at Waverley College. The revised Charter emphasises a liberating education rooted in Gospel spirituality, inclusive community, and justice and solidarity. It aims to inspire schools to cultivate transformative learning environments that foster justice, peace, and mutual respect.

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On behalf of the College community, I would like to congratulate the following groups of students on their recent outstanding achievements:

• The 71 students across Years 7-11 who were recognised earlier this week for their sustained academic commitment in being presented with a Principal’s Award.
• The Year 9 Middle School Ethics Team – Lachlan Choice, Sam Stevin, Jonathan Bendeich, Daniel Morozov, Benedict Carolan and Isaac Mitrevski – defeated teams from Knox Grammar, Cranbrook School, and Wenona College to become National Ethics Olympiad Gold Medal Champions. They will now progress to the international finals online.
• Year 12 students Marcus Henriques-Thakur and Zane Al-Salih were both awarded the prestigious UOW Ramsay Scholarship – an exceptional honour to have two students from one College recognised in this way.
• At the recent Vocational Education and Training Workplace Learning Annual Awards for Illawarra Schools, Muhemed Hassan (Year 12) received a Certificate of Excellence in Business Services.
• Creighton Meafou (Year 11) has been selected to represent the Australian Wallabies U16s after an impressive performance in the NSW All-Schools Rugby Union match.
• The 14 ERC athletes who were recipients of the Secondary CDF Sports Medallions and Secondary Sports ‘Blue’ awards.

This high-quality array of student success reflects dedication and the progressive discipline developed throughout each stage of learning. At this time of year, as students complete various assessments and exams, we encourage parents and teachers to support our young people in responding constructively to the feedback they receive. Together, we can continue to foster well-rounded development in every student.

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Thank you to the parents, friends and family members who have so generously given their time to the P&F meetings and community events throughout the year, including the Thanksgiving Supper held last Tuesday. This was a joyous occasion where staff, parents and the various supporter groups came together in celebration. It was also a time when this group could formally express their deepest gratitude to Mrs Francis Fenech, President of the P&F, for her commitment and energetic level of service to the College community over many years.

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In last fortnight’s newsletter, I shared news about the impact to the College’s funding under the SRS Transition and Capacity to Contribute funding models for independent schools. (AIS School Funding Explained) It is likely that a fee increase similar to last year will be required to offset the continued reduction in annual government recurrent funding received by the College. School fees will increase in 2025 by approximately $25-$29 per week per student, depending on the year group.

We remain committed to maintaining our focus on excellent teaching and learning and thank you for your continued support. The full 2025 Fee Schedule will be included in the final College Newsletter of the year for your reference.

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I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Paul Hughes to the role of Director of Learning and Teaching, effective 2025. Paul comes to us with a wealth of experience in fostering excellence in student learning growth. In his current role as Assistant Principal at Our Lady of Mercy College, Burraneer Bay, Paul is acknowledged as a dynamic educator and leader whose currency in curriculum, pedagogy, learning and teaching is evidenced-based and data-informed. Previously, he served as Education Officer for Secondary School Improvement with the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong.
Some of Paul’s extensive background includes:

• Learning and Teaching Coordinator at St. Joseph’s College
• Senior Pastoral Care Coordinator (Years 10-12) at John Therry College
• Facilitator of Student Growth and Learning at Corpus Christi College

We look forward to formally welcoming Paul in the new year and are excited about the contributions he will bring to our community’s educational journey.

Warm regards,
Dr Gough

Dear Parents/Carers,

At Edmund Rice College, we will continue to prioritise the digital wellbeing of our students and staff. I am writing to inform you about an important security measure we are implementing to enhance the safety and protection of our students while they are using their devices.

Students will be installing a new firewall agent (ZScaler) on their devices. This firewall agent will help to:

• Protect student data: By filtering out malicious traffic and blocking unauthorised access to sensitive information during school time.
• Prevent cyberbullying and online harassment: By monitoring online activity and identifying potential threats during school time.
• Ensure responsible internet usage: By limiting access to inappropriate websites and online content. The firewall agent will also filter internet traffic, even if a device was connected to personal hotspots, providing an additional layer of protection during school time.

In deploying this new firewall agent, teachers will be equipped with additional classroom management tools (Sassyan), which will actively monitor and control student online learning. The software will have features such as focused learning and will ensure students are monitored online with access restricted to specific websites.

Students will not be able access the College network without the agent. The firewall agent will be active only during school hours, from 7:30am to 3:00pm and also when the device is on the College’s network. Please note that the agent will not be active outside of school hours from home. Students will be able to connect to other home networks without any interference from the firewall agent.

This additional security support for student learning may raise questions and we are committed to addressing any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact our IT department (helpdesk@erc.nsw.edu.au) for further information or to discuss any specific questions.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Mr Sirianni
Director of Information Technologies & Innovation

Year 10 Academic Year Updates

Year 10 ROSA grades

At the end of this year, Year 10 students will be issued ROSA grades for courses in their pattern of study. These will able to be viewed via your son’s NESA Students Online Account.

Year 10 NESA Students Online Accounts

It is important that Year 10 students have activated and accessed their NESA Students Online Account to be able to view their HSC Minimum Standards Test Reports and Year 10 ROSA grades. Instructions for activating this account are available to students on the Year 10 Google Classroom. Students can also see me for assistance to activate this account if required.

Eligible Year 10 students who leave school at the end of Year 10 will receive a Record of School Achievement (ROSA). This document will be able to downloaded from the student’s NESA Students Online Account from when it is published by NESA at the end of this year until 30 June, 2025 when NESA will close school leavers’ accounts.

Year 10 – All My Own Work

All My Own Work (AMOW) is designed to give students the opportunity to understand, value and use ethical practices when locating and using information during their studies. This includes following the principles of ethical practice to avoid malpractice when students prepare their work. Essentially, the All My Own Work program helps students follow the principles and practices of good scholarship and academic integrity.

To be eligible for entry into a Preliminary and/or Higher School Certificate (HSC) course, and for the award of the HSC, all students must complete AMOW or its equivalent.

Year 10 students will be completing All My Own Work over two periods on Thursday 28 November and Friday 29 November. Catch up opportunities for those students who may be absent on these days will be held on Monday 2 December.

Mrs Bell
Director of Studies

We are delighted to announce that the Edmund Rice College team has achieved the gold medal at the 2024 Middle School Ethics Olympiad, surpassing Wenona School, who secured the silver medal. Our exceptional team members— Benedict, Jonathan, Lachlan, Isaac, Daniel, and Sam—displayed outstanding ethical reasoning and teamwork throughout the competition.

A special thank you to Mrs Hurley for her dedicated guidance and support. Mrs Hurley has worked closely with these talented students, many of whom are part of the Year 9 Philosophy class.
The Ethics Olympiad is a collaborative and competitive event where students engage in the analysis and discussion of contemporary ethical dilemmas. It fosters critical thinking, ethical awareness, respectful dialogue, and an appreciation of diverse perspectives.

We are excited to share that our team will now advance to the online International Final on 19 February 2025, representing our school and country on the global stage.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our students in this remarkable achievement. Let’s wish them all the best for the next stage of their journey!

This week, the Jazz Band delivered a fantastic performance at the College Assembly on Tuesday, captivating the audience with their dynamic energy and impressive musicianship. This performance served as excellent preparation for their upcoming public performance for the annual Christmas in the Mall performance on December 3rd, where they will be joined by the College Stage Band and talented musicians from the Year 9 Music Class. It promises to be an exciting event that highlights the incredible talent within our school community.

Click on this LINK to watch the video of the Jazz Band’s Assembly performance.

Mr Bonaccorso and Mr Haybittle

Our Year 8C History class had the opportunity this week to analyse the symptoms of the Black Death and devise a cure for the students. We thoroughly enjoyed this practical learning experience as we pretended we were patients or doctors. Thanks to Luke Socratous for the idea and to Mrs Lothian for organising.
By Damon Soccorsi of 8C History

8E History participated in a similar activity. Students were divided into small groups and each played a role of a patient and a doctor. They examined the presented symptoms of each patient and made a decision on an appropriate source of treatment. These treatments ranged from Leeches (curly wurly), Peppermint Herbs, Aromatherapy and Treacle (maple syrup). The students were engaged and really enjoyed this interactive activity.
Mrs Skye Kennedy 8E History

The Year 12 Retreat – Moments, Memories, and Meaning

In this episode of The Rice Bowl Podcast, hosts Sebastian and George are joined by College Vice Prefect Jayden Washbourne to dive into the unforgettable experience of the Year 12 Retreat. This episode, titled Moments, Memories, and Meaning, takes listeners through the highlights of this important school event.

The students share stories of growth, bonding, and self-discovery, reflecting on the meaningful moments that made the retreat not only a spiritual experience but a valuable opportunity to connect with their peers and learn more about themselves. Tune in to hear why this retreat left such a lasting impact on all who attended and find out what makes it such a pivotal part of the Year 12 journey.

You can listen to or watch this episode, and others, by clicking on this LINK.

Don’t forget to share, leave a comment and rate the show. Your continued support helps the team grow and produce more interesting and entertaining content.

Mr Bonaccorso

Join our On-Campus Peripatetic Music Program!

Learn to play guitar, piano, drums or brass instruments from experienced musicians right on campus. Our peripatetic program offers personalised lessons tailored to your skill level and goals, and is conveniently scheduled during the school day for maximum convenience.

Benefits of joining our program:

1. No need for outside transportation: Lessons are held on campus, eliminating the hassle of traveling to a tutor after school.
2. Flexible scheduling: Our program fits seamlessly into your school day, making it easy to balance your music studies with your academics.
3. Experienced instructors: Learn from dedicated musicians who are passionate about teaching and helping you achieve your musical goals.
4. Personalised instruction: Our lessons are tailored to your individual needs and learning style, ensuring you get the most out of your music education.
5. Variety of lesson options: Choose between individual or small group lessons to suit your budget and learning preferences.

Expressions of Interest Form

Mr Haybittle

One of the core values of our community as an Edmund Rice school is service and finding ways to serve the community. We have started the annual Christmas Appeal for St Vincent dePaul to support the Conference at St Therese, West Wollongong, St Brigid’s, Gwynneville and The Vinnie’s Van. To kick this off, we are inviting each person to make a donation of money so that we can assist each service. Additionally, we are inviting each year group to donate items, as outlined in the attached posters. It is food items in Years 7 – 9 and personal care items to create bags (or an entire bag) for men and teenage boys in Year 10 and women or teenage girls in Year 12.

In the world today we are challenged to use our talent, time and resources to make the world a better place. Thank you for everything you are doing to support St Vincent dePaul. All donations should go to the the Pastoral Care Teacher during Pastoral Care Class each morning.

For money donations, you can bring cash or use a card. Each Pastoral Care group will have the tap machine each day.
Monday – Year 8
Tuesday – Year 7
Wednesday – Year 9
Thursday – Year 10
Friday – Year 12

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

At this weeks Assembly we we’re proud to recognise the students of Year 7 to 9 who have shown outstanding commitment to the values of compassion, service, and solidarity through their Christian Service and Solidarity Learning efforts. These awards acknowledge the achievement and dedication of students who have completed over 30 hours of meaningful service, with at least 10 hours in each year at school. Their efforts reflect our shared mission to make a positive impact on the lives of others, embodying the spirit of care and service that is central to our College community. Congratulations to each of you for your remarkable contributions.

Year 7: Gwil Barnes, Leonardo Cavalieri, Emerson Eckermann, Darcy Stepanovski, Nikolas Todorov, Thomas Whitmee

Year 8: Eamon Hinds, Alexander Sjostedt, Cody Wilkinson

Year 9: Harvey Ackerley, Gabriel Arbelias, Isaac Ayers, Austin Browne, Ayden Celebi, Harrison Chapman, Lachlan Choice, Callum Cooney, Callan Dargan, Alkhataab El Hamad, Marley Flynn, Xavier Forlano, Lucas Germano, Cameron Harrison, Jasper Harrison, Jasper Hasham, Omar Hochaimi, Bear Holland, Joel Horley, Caden Lester, Isaac Papakosmas, William Papandreas, Drew Potter, Beau Rejske, Anderson Rowles, Ethan Seaberg, Gabriel Tran-Cervantes, Cosmo Warren, Nathan Washbourne

Mrs Schodde
Christian Service Learning Coordinator

With the schools partnership with the Northern Illawarra Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, two Edmund Rice boys recently received awards from the annual Deadly Encouragement Awards. We would like to congratulate Nate Russell and Jethro Lewin for receiving these awards in recognition of their consistent efforts and application to the improvement of their studies.

Ms Neal
First Nations Education Officer

Awards & Thanksgiving Assembly Wednesday 11 December

Dear Parents and Students as is the tradition of the College we celebrate together as a community the last day of term as we approach Christmas a time of preparation for the birth of Christ. This is a time for us to give back to our community something that will give hope and peace to those who go without many of the essentials and pleasantries we take for granted.

We will acknowledge our students who have achieved success in their academic results for the year and reward those students who have excelled in leadership, service to others, commitment and application to their studies, consistently adhering to the expectations of being a good person for others upholding the touchstones.

I would encourage all families to recognise the importance of ensuring your son’s attend school on the last day of term. We may have completed examinations for Semester Two, however school work, preparation for 2025 SRC elections, Peer Support, White Card and All My Own Work in Year 10, completion of units in Years 7-9 and Year 12 continuing their studies for HSC continues until the last day of term.

Edmund Rice College wishes all students, staff, families and friends a safe, peaceful and time to be together. As St Francis of Assisi said “For it is in giving that we receive.”

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This week we celebrated a number of student’s achievements across all year groups who have continued and consistently achieved success through the Pastoral Care System’s merits recognising those who have attained Principal Award, Community Service Badges for those students who have exceeded the minimum levels in the CSL Program and students who have represented the College in Debating, Stage Band, Extra-Curricular activities and Sport disciplines during the year. Through commitment, hard work, consistent effort, positive and responsible application boys will succeed at Edmund Rice College. Congratulations to each and every student and the staff who have enabled the students the varied opportunities available to participate and prepare for the success these students have achieved this year.

Mr Bates
Acting Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

Congratulations to the following students who have earned the Principal’s Award this week! Your hard work in academics, commitment to positive behaviour, and contributions to the school community reflect qualities that all boys should aspire to. Keep aiming high, and never underestimate the impact of your efforts! Well done boys.

Year 7: Bilal Abdul Latif, Jack Baldassari, Reed Brogan, Daniel Carolan, Aston Di Pietro, Braxton Ewen-Chappel, Sonny Fogarty, Peyton Gelfius, Lewis Green, Isaiah Gugucevski, Markus Henley, Charlie Kerr, Marcus Mitrovski, Sebastian Rodwell, Jake Schulze, Eli Shepherd, Jacob Spencer, William Staples, Nikolas Todorov, Nino Todorov, Alexander Torta, Roman Young

Year 8: Lewis Andrews, William Crampton, Xavier Crapis, Axel Everill, Noah Kanisek, Lachlan Mason, Axl Mollan, Drew Nugent, Flynn Sheahan, Samuel Shum, Felix Stratton, Charles Tabet , Jaxson Vasiliou

Year 9: Harrison Chapman, Lachlan Choice, Liam Crawford, Alexander Falevai, Lucius Green, Jasper Harrison, Ashar Little, Daniel Morozov, Joel Sojan, Sam Stevin, Jaxon Towers

Year 10: Youssef Achaechi, Nicholas Aivaliotis, Rhys Barnes, Tyler Boggiss, Leo Bokolic, Ryder Boyton, Nicola Capasso, Jay Despotoski, Deni Dimov, Riley Edgar, Joshua Edwards, Euan Egerton, Mohamed El-Majdalani, Andrew Fethers, Harry Fraser,  Zaid Hadaya, Oliver Hirst, William Hiscox, James Hurkett, Harry Jackson, Jack Jackson, Jay Jayaswal, Nate Jennett, Nikolas Jurisic, Benjamin Kelso, Kyan Lamb, Harrisn Macdonald, Jack Manns, James Massarella, Blake O’Neill, Asher Percival, Maxim Pupovac, Ashton Reigler, Hamish Robaard, Stirling Roper, Mason Scotti, Chad Semaan, Gabriele Senise, Jaeden Soncy, Anthony Stigler, Lachlan Taylor, Luca Tortorici, Atilla Yalcin

Year 11: Alexander Levy, Christian Sammut, Marc Todoroski

As we continue to navigate towards the halfway point of our Semester 2 Exams and assessment tasks, it is important to stay focussed and keep up the hard work and effort! Remember to allocate and manage your time well, stay organised, take care of yourself and look out for your friends and peers during these times. Your efforts now, will be rewarded with a great end to Semester 2, Year 8 and the 2024 school year!

Mr Panozzo // Mr Crapis
Acting Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator // Assistant Pastoral Care Coordinator

Edmund Rice College is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our student athletes who were honoured at the 2024 Wollongong Diocese Catholic Sports Awards, held on Friday 15th November, at St Mary’s Star of the Sea College.

This prestigious evening brought together the very best athletes from primary and secondary schools across the Wollongong Diocese, highlighting their outstanding contributions to sport at NSWCCC, NSW All Schools and Australian levels.

We are thrilled to announce the following students as recipients of the Sports Medallion for their 2024 NSWCCC and NSW All Schools selections:

• Riley Anthes – Swimming
• Rylan Angel – Baseball
• Zane Ashcroft – Triathlon
• Nixon Blake – Cross Country
• Lucas Brown – Cricket
• Callum Cajar – Cross Country
• Patrick Carolan – Cross Country
• Fletcher Couchman – Touch Football
• Bailey Everett – Hockey
• Chase Grant – Athletics
• Joe Hinds – Cross Country & Athletics
• Jack Manns – Rugby Union
• Cooper Morrison – Rugby Union
• Jake Schulze – Swimming
• Patrick Smith – Cross Country
• Darcy Stepanovski – Cross Country
• Milton Stepanovski – Cross Country
• Aksel Thomsen – Golf

Furthermore the following students were award the prestigious blue award, for being selecting in a NSW All Schools Team in 2024:

• Harry Fraser – Triathlon
• Henry Jones – Hockey
• William Mason – Triathlon
• Creighton Meafou – Rugby Union

These talented athletes have not only excelled in their chosen sports but have also demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to representing the College and their teams.

Congratulations to all our medallion recipients!

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

Edmund Rice College proudly congratulates Creighton Meafou on his remarkable achievements in Rugby Union. A talented dual-code footballer excelling in both Rugby League and Union, Creighton has demonstrated exceptional skill and determination through the Schools Rugby Union Pathway.

The younger brother of Nahni (Class of 2023) and Daniel (Class of 2024), Creighton’s journey has been extraordinary. His stellar performances earned him a place in the Combined Catholic Colleges side, leading to selection in the NSW All Schools 2 team. Creighton’s impressive form further secured him the starting winger position for the Waratahs Gen Blue U16s.

In the recent final, Creighton delivered a game-changing intercept try, shifting momentum and contributing to a thrilling 31-29 victory. Alongside his outstanding defensive efforts, this achievement earned him the honour of representing the Australian Wallabies U16s.

This is a remarkable milestone for an incredibly talented and hardworking young man. On behalf of the entire Edmund Rice College community, we extend our congratulations to Creighton and look forward to supporting him as he continues to excel on the field.

Well done, Creighton!

Congratulations to Lucas Brown on his selection in the 2025 NSWCCC U15 cricket team! This marks the talented batsman’s second time making the team, a testament to his hard work and ability! Lucas will now compete at the State Championships at the end of November, aiming for a spot in the NSW All Schools team. Well done, Lucas, and best of luck!

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

Any students that are interested in participating in the NSWCCC 2024 Aquathon – please see the attached flyer.

Thursday 19th December @ Max Parker Leisure Center Revesby. Students will need to register on the CSNSW Website.

Students will need to make their own way to and from the venue for this event.

If you have any further questions please Mr Timpano know.

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

Individual nominated sports for Term One – Expression of Interest registrations will open by the end of November – including softball, baseball, tennis, volleyball – 15s & 18s, cricket – 19s.

Look out for further updates via the CNSW Sport website and on the ERC TASS DAILY NOTICES.

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

Gather 2024: A free family-friendly community Christmas Carol evening will be held at ERC on Monday 16 December. BYO picnic from 5pm, entry via Mt Keira Rd, followed by carol singing from 7pm. For more information please contact Fiona 0413121383

Student at the College are invited to register for the following CSL Opportunity.

Mrs Schodde
CSL Coordinator

PROCEDURES FOR PARENTS / CARERS

Parent Appointments

As a College we respectfully request that any parent wishing to discuss a matter of concern with a member of staff contacts the relevant staff member via email or via telephone through the College Office and requests an appointment. Staff members will get back to you at their earliest convenience. Parents presenting at the College Office may be asked to make an appointment and return at a mutually convenient time. For specific information about who to contact please refer to your son’s diary on pages 20 and 21.

Collecting your son from school

A reminder to all families that should a circumstance arise where you need to collect your son from school before the end of the school day we require you to come to the College Office. Students will not be permitted to walk to the carpark or the street to be collected. If they leave to attend a pre-arranged appointment we request that this is communicated to the College Office in writing via note or email. If you wish to have someone collect your son that is not currently listed on TASS then you will be required to communicate this clearly in writing, you will also receive a call to verify that you did in fact authorise this arrangement. All students arriving late or departing early are required to sign in and out through the Student Office.

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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.