Dear Parents and Carers,

Recently, I was once again reminded of our College culture during the recent Year 7 NAPLAN tests. As the Year 7 boys were exiting the Pelin Hall after their first-ever High School test, I asked one student how he thought he did in the test. “Sir,” he said, “the NAPLAN test didn’t work.”

Not yet knowing that this was a nationwide digital issue, the look of concern on my face would have been very obvious. However, the young man quickly clarified: “Don’t worry, Sir. It wasn’t us (ERC).

While his comment did put me a little more at ease, it did make me realise that in less than a full term of schooling, our newest students already see themselves as being part of the “ERC us.”

When he said “it wasn’t us,” he wasn’t just talking about himself. He was speaking for his classmates, his teachers, and the College as a whole. In that one small comment, he showed me that he had already developed a sense of ERC identity.

This sense of identity is particularly poignant as we acknowledge Harmony Day. This year’s theme, “Everyone Belongs,” is more than just a slogan for us as it is a direct expression of our Inclusive Community touchstone. Seeing our Year 7s claim that connection so early in their journey is a powerful reflection of that message.

When a boy knows he belongs to something bigger than himself, he becomes more resilient, more confident, and hopefully more accountable because he wants to uphold the reputation of the “us” he so proudly claims.

This sense of identity was on display this morning during our House Chants. There is a unique energy when the boys gather in their respective Houses. Watching our Year 7s claim that connection so early in their journey is a reflection of the strength of our culture and the inherent goodness of the young men in our care. In this way, I would like to thank the many parents and carers of Year 7 who attended last Saturday’s Year 7 Parent Welcome Barbeque. It was a wonderful way for parents to socially connect with other parents, together with a more casual opportunity to further strengthen teacher / parent relationships.

I would also like to acknowledge the many parent volunteers from other year groups, along with a number of senior students, who together worked tirelessly in ensuring that the afternoon was such a successful and welcoming community event. Thank you one and all!

Following last week’s AGM, I am very pleased to announce the election of the 2026 Parents and Friends Association Committee:

• President: Charmaine McInerney
• Vice President: Melissa Docherty
• Treasurer: Mark Eckermann
• Secretary: Jenny Mitrevski

In congratulating and thanking these generous parents, I sincerely thank our outgoing 2025 P&F Committee, Belinda Caruana, David McDonald, Elizabeth Simeoli and Rachel Nelson. We are incredibly grateful for your wonderful service to the College community throughout the 2025 school year.

Dr Stephen Gough

As we move through our Centenary Year, the energy and commitment on display across the College community have been truly outstanding. This term has been a powerful example of living out our Touchstone of Liberating Education—through the provision of genuine opportunities for learning and improvement.

Last week, at our College Assembly we were proud to highlight the immense diversity of opportunities available to our students, offering everyone a chance to play to their strengths, follow their passions, and find connections, creating that strong sense of belonging that is such a key feature of our community. .

• This week Year 10 participated in the My Strengths program, which forms part of our whole school commitment to a strengths-based approach to learning. Our students are developing personal strengths and these are reflected in a variety of ways including the participation of Year 12 students who are exploring future pathways, through participation in University Masterclass programs, we also celebrated those who competed in the Rostrum Voice of Youth public speaking competition. The central message from one of our public speakers reinforced the power of personal authenticity and empathy, encouraging every student to embrace what makes them unique and engage with the world on their own terms.
• The Music Department provides a huge variety of after-school offerings for students of all experience levels. Whether it is improving improvisational skills in the Jazz Band, performing in the College Stage Band, or developing foundational techniques in the Year 7 Music Club, these ensembles are a fantastic way to pursue creative interests. Likewise, our student-run podcast, The Rice Bowl, continues to provide a platform for student voice, covering everything from College news to social justice issues, and is actively seeking new hosts and recording engineers.
• The Year 7 Camp provided an early experience in developing new skills like teamwork and responsibility. Our Duke of Edinburgh Award program is another key avenue for growth, inviting students to demonstrate leadership through service, physical recreation, and learning a new skill. Similarly, our students are applying their passion for a fair and livable future through the EcoERC, which is leading initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint and address the social justice aspect of sustainability.
• Our College was well-represented in a whirlwind of Term 1 sport, showcasing endurance and teamwork across multiple disciplines. Our senior Triathlon relay team achieved a monumental first-place victory, while our Opens Cricket and Opens Rugby League teams also showed immense grit, with one of the Rugby League squads progressing to the Southern NSW Finals. These collective efforts highlight the commitment of our student athletes and the spirit of competition, culminating in the exciting announcement of the Centenary Shield Rugby League match against St Edward’s Gosford later this year.

The wide range of pursuits—from the sports field to the Stage Band, from public speaking to working in the School Garden—play an extremely important role in our school community. These are the spaces where students can find people who share their common interests, build strong friendships, and reinforce the spirit of our community. As our Student Leaders remind us through the House Competition, involvement drives the House total forward—every contribution, in every area of College life, makes a difference.

We encourage all students to actively seek out and participate in the multitude of opportunities available; it is through this shared engagement that we build not only personal character but also play an important role in sustaining the strong sense of inclusion in our community.

Mrs Hughes
Deputy Principal

This week as we have moved past the half way mark of Lent is a week of reflecting on two important Saints in our Church, St Patrick and St Joseph, who offer us different glimpses of what it means to be faithful. St Patrick, after being enslaved in Ireland and escaping, he returns to the people to bring ‘good news’ of the Gospel in ways that engaged with the culture of the Irish people. His plan for his life changed when he found himself in a precarious situation and heard God’s call. He trusted that he was on the right path.

Similarly, St Joseph had plans for his life that were disrupted by a seemingly scandalous experience of learning that the woman he was to marry was already pregnant. His decency and integrity to protect Mary from certain death, according to the Mosaic Law, was a decision he made even before the angel appeared and explained the pregnancy. This is perhaps the most important lesson we can learn about forgiveness, humility and faith that God is somehow at work in the messiness of our lives.

Both saints show us that we do not always have to know the answers, but we should always trust that God is with us. Ultimately, the message of Lent is that the fasting, praying and almsgiving are ways of strengthening our humility before God: to trust that God has a plan for us to make a difference in the world.

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

Over the next week, Edmund Rice College is coming together to Unite Against Poverty! We are collecting coins to support Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion.

We are asking for students to bring in small change so we can have a big impact, providing life-changing water, food, and education to vulnerable communities globally.

Please bring your spare coins and drop them into the collection boxes in your Pastoral Classes on Monday and Tuesday.

Miss Tomasi

During the Assembly this week, Christian Yeo received his Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. We congratulate Christian who is the current ERA for Change SRC Prefect in Year 12 for demonstrating leadership across the four areas of Adventurous Journey, Physical Recreation, Skill Development and Service.

Year 10 students have been invited to join the Duke of Ed Award program this week. All information is on the Year 10 Google Classroom and can be found here One of the benefits of doing the Award with the College is that we provide the opportunity to complete the Adventurous Journeys within the College program so it is at no extra cost to the students and families. Since the Year 10s are also starting their CSL projects this year, this can be used for their service component and if they are participating in a sport or the College sport activities on Wednesday, this counts as their physical recreation. Completing the Award is one way of demonstrating leadership, resilience and commitment, attributes that employers and universities look for in prospective employees and students. Students can collect an information pack from Mrs Hurley or Mr Bramble. You can start recording as soon as the student has registered on the Online Record Book, and paid the registration fee of $200 through the TASS portal.

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

International Women’s Day is much more than a date on the calendar; it is a global checkpoint for progress, a celebration of how far women have come and a call to action for the work that remains. This year our Year 11 student leaders were invited by St Mary’s to join them for their annual College Assembly and Q&A panel exploring this year’s theme- Balance the scales. Our young men had the opportunity to hear inspiring insights and perspectives from an incredible panel of guest speakers coming from a variety of fields sharing their experiences and perspectives on gender equality, leadership and respect. The discussion challenged us to think critically about the barriers women still face, the importance of representation, and the role all of us, girls and boys play in creating a more equal future. A big thank you to St Mary’s for hosting this thought provoking and engaging event as well as the panelists and students who made this meaningful event possible.

Miss Tomasi

On Tuesday 10 March, Year 11 SRC members visited BlueScope for an International Women’s Day Student Luncheon. Hosted by Bella from i98FM, with the panel discussion led by Bo from WIN News, the event featured an inspiring group of women from a variety of industries.

Aligned with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Balance the Scales,” the luncheon highlighted the ongoing need to create a world in which women and girls are safe, heard, and free to shape their own futures.

Throughout the panel, the speakers shared insights into their industries, reflected on their personal career journeys, and spoke openly about their experiences in the workplace. Their stories were a powerful reminder of the importance of advocacy, representation, and creating fairer opportunities for all women.

This was a meaningful experience and a wonderful opportunity to hear powerful stories, celebrate women who lead with strength, advocacy, and resilience, and reflect on the role each of us can play in helping to balance the scales for a more just and inclusive future.

Cale Parr and Finn Ardita, Year 11 Student Representative Council

On Tuesday March 6, Students from Years 10 and 11 attended the International Women’s Day event to engage with powerful stories of leadership and advocate for a more inclusive future. This experience allowed our young men to reflect on the importance of gender equality and their role in championing respect within both our school and the wider community. By participating in these vital conversations, they returned inspired to lead with the empathy and justice that define the Edmund Rice spirit.

Mrs Schodde

ERC’s First Nations boys spent the day supporting the Yr9’s Cultural Day on Friday March 6th. They had opportunities to learn, participate and demonstrate their culture, with the guidance and mentorship of the lovely staff at Gadhungal Marring. Many took up the opportunity to be part of the Welcome dance, bravely demonstrating their culture in front of their peers. The boys particularly enjoyed painting boomerang shapes, throwing boomerangs, dancing, and learning to weave.

“Making these boomerangs was so awesome, definitely a great experience, I love all my boomerangs since they connect me to country”

Mrs Jennison
First Nations Education Officer

Earlier this month our Year 12 student leaders had the opportunity to join other student leaders from across the Illawarra for the annual Iftar dinner hosted by Amity College, Shellharbour. This gathering was more than just a chance for a shared meal and light conversation, it provided a platform for students to stand in solidarity with one another and break fast together- acting as a clear reminder that our core values are universal. The evening was a great opportunity for everyone to learn about the importance of Ramadan where it provided a space for reflection, conversation and developing a shared understanding that leadership is about more than empathy and humility. It is about our shared responsibility to not simply do what is easy but stand up for what is right. It is through this shared understanding that we can build long lasting friendships.

Miss Tomasi

The Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) celebrated the outstanding achievements of athletes, coaches and alumni from across regional New South Wales at the 2026 Your Local Club Regional Academy Awards on Tuesday, 24th February. The annual event recognises athletes progressing toward national and international representation as Australia builds toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

ERC’s own Baxter Roper of Year 11 was nominated for the prestigious UAA Indigenous Athlete of the Year. RAS Chair, Darryl Clout said the awards highlight the strength of regional sport and the power of the academy pathway.

“These awards celebrate not only results, but character, leadership and commitment. Our athletes and alumni continue to demonstrate that talent developed in regional communities can achieve extraordinary outcomes on the world stage.”

Mrs Jennison
First Nations Education Officer

HSC Minimum Standards Tests Results

Students who have attempted the first round of HSC Minimum Standards Tests this term have been sent their test reports. Students can access their results via the Messages tab on their NESA Students Online Account once they have activated this account. The instructions for the activation process are in each of the Years 10, 11 and 12 Pastoral Care Google Classroom under ‘Assessment Information’. Students may also see me for assistance if required.

Year 7 Interim Reports and Year 7 Student/ Parent/Teacher Conferences

Year 7 Interim Reports will be published via the Parent Portal on Friday 27 March.

A reminder that Year 7 Student /Parent/ Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Tuesday 31 March, 2026 in the College Narandha Learning Centre from 3:00-7:00pm. Bookings will close at 8am on Monday 30 March. This is a valuable opportunity to meet with teachers and share valuable insights related to your son’s learning and academic progress.

Years 8-11 Interim Reports

Interim Reports for Years 8-11 will be published on Tuesday 31 March.

The Enhanced Learning Educational Services Study Skills Handbook

Please find here a link to an interesting document which may support your son’s learning at the College. ‘The Science of Motivation’ document is shared via the College’s subscription to the the ELES Study Skills Handbook.

Mrs Bell
Director of Studies

On Tuesday, 10th March 2026, some of our Year 12 Hospitality students were invited to the prestigious Wollongong Town Hall to assist with the service of the annual Lady Mayoress Afternoon Tea. This significant community event provided a high-pressure, real-world environment for our students to showcase the skills they have refined throughout their studies at the College.

From the moment they arrived, the students demonstrated exceptional leadership and professionalism. Tasked with managing delicate food service and interacting with a wide range of distinguished guests, the group performed with absolute pride. Their technical hospitality skills—including table service and professional communication—were on full display, earning high praise from both the event organizers and attendees.

By representing Edmund Rice College with such distinction, these students have not only bolstered their own professional experience but have also served as fantastic ambassadors for the College community.

We commend the Year 12 Hospitality cohort for their dedication and for setting a standard of excellence that reflects the very best of our vocational programs. Congratulations to all involved on a stellar performance!

Mr Pierro

Last weekend, the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre was buzzing with energy as it hosted the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Southern Cross Regional. Running from March 13–15, the event brought together 42 teams from across the globe, including international competitors from South Korea and Chinese Taipei, to showcase their engineering skills.

Year 7 student Elliot Meurer was among those who headed out to Penrith to witness the action on Saturday, March 14. For Elliot, seeing the scale of the competition firsthand was an eye-opening experience.

“The atmosphere was incredible,” Elliot shared. “I didn’t realise how big the robots actually were until I saw them on the field. It was great to see teams from different countries working together and solving problems right there in the pits. It definitely makes me want to get more involved with our school’s robotics programs.”

Over the weekend, attendees saw robots performing complex tasks like lifting, throwing, and balancing. They also had the opportunity to interact with and learn from international teams. All of the teams involved competed fiercely but treated each other with respect and kindness.

Seeing younger students like Elliot take such a keen interest in these events is exactly what we hope for. It is a fantastic reminder that science and technology aren’t just subjects in a textbook, they are the foundation for exciting, hands-on careers.

Ms. Sinclair

As we approach the middle of Term 1, our students are beginning to encounter their first significant academic hurdles: the initial round of formal assessments. For many, this brings a mix of anticipation and anxiety. While we naturally hope for success, the reality of the learning journey is that things don’t always go as planned.

The “Grit” of Disappointment

As discussed in our previous newsletter regarding “Embracing the Grit,” friction is not the enemy—it is the traction required to move forward. In positive psychology, we refer to this as Grit or Resilience. When a student receives a mark that is lower than expected, it is an opportunity for a success audit rather than a reason for withdrawal.

Disappointment is a natural human emotion, but in our frictionless modern world, boys often struggle to sit with that discomfort. Our role as a supportive, resilient community is to help them reframe this setback not as a failure, but as essential data for their next challenge.

A Lenten Perspective: From Desert to Growth

This period coincides perfectly with our Lenten journey. In the liturgical calendar, Lent is a time of “desert experiences”—moments of intentional friction and sacrifice designed to lead to transformation.

Just as we reflect on the College theme, Liberating Education – Let your light shine before others, we recognise that a boy’s light often shines brightest after he has overcome a challenge. Disappointment in an assessment is a “desert” moment; it is a temporary dry spell that tests his determination and prepares him for the success to come.

The Role of the School: Mentorship and Data

At the College, we move beyond mere compliance with school rules and simply getting assessments done, to a system of authentic academic and pastoral care. Our staff have engaged with boys in the setting of SMART student goals and are key to this process.

• Refining Strategies: If an assessment doesn’t go well, teachers will work with students, provide feedback and areas for improvement.
• The “Work” over the “Grade”: We focus on the work and the ritual—was the study plan strictly followed, or does the goal need to be more realistic or attainable?.
• Support Networks: Our College Counsellors and Pastoral Team are on hand to ensure that “bumps in the road” become opportunities for growth rather than a source of shame.
• The Role of Parents: The Cheer Squad.

As parents, your instinct may be to go into rescue mode. Instead, we challenge you to be the Cheer Squad rather than emergency services.

• Validate the Feeling: Acknowledge the disappointment without immediately trying to fix it. Let him sit with the friction of the moment.
• Audit the good things: Ask, “What was one thing you did well in this task?”.
• Flip the Flaw: If he is stubborn about a bad mark, help him redirect that determination toward a specific strategy for the next task.
• Refer to the Blueprint: Refer him back to his school-based goals and strengths as these provide a shared language for home and school to work together.

The Verdict

A successful 2026 isn’t defined by a run of perfect results. It is defined by how our boys recover from setbacks, how they speak to themselves when they fall short, and how they use the “grit” to build traction for their future.

My Strengths continues at ERC

In 2026, the College continued its partnership with the MyStrengths group. This week students from Year 10, will receive explicit training from the My Strengths team. Each boy will come home with a Strengths Pack, please take the time to go through this with them. This will be a great conversation starter at home. Also be willing to share your own strengths or family stories related to the topic. The art of family story telling is crucial in a young man’s growth. Research tells us that children connected to family through the sharing of family history and stories display higher self-esteem, better emotional well-being, improved resilience, and a stronger sense of identity.

MyStrengths Parent Portal

As part of our commitment, the College has secured access to the MyStrengths Parent Portal. This resource offers specialised courses to help parents navigate the challenges of raising teenagers in the 21st century. I highly encourage you to make the most of this sought-after resource: Access here:

Mr Ferguson
Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

Please be advised of the upcoming College Photo Days, scheduled for Term 2. The purchasing code and ordering details will be distributed as soon as they become available.

PLEASE NOTE: Y7 – Y11 Students who are absent on Tuesday, 26th May will not be able to catch up their individual portrait photos.

College Photo Day 1 – Tuesday, 12th May:
Y12 Cohort Photo and Individual Portraits
Sibling Photos

College Photo Day 2 –Tuesday, 26th May:
Y7 – Y11 Individual Portraits
Y7 – Y10 Pastoral Class Photo
Y11 House Class Photo
Y12 Catch up Individual Portraits

College Photo Day 3 – Groups – Monday, 31st August:
Sport groups
Extra-curricular groups
No individual portrait catch ups will be done this day

Mr Fields
Director of Operations

The annual Edmund Rice College Athletics Carnival is fast approaching, and it’s time for our students to decide how they will contribute to their House points and showcase their sporting spirit.

Please see the following details regarding the two pathways available for the day:

1. The Championship Pathway (Track & Field)

For our competitive athletes aiming for Age Champion honors or selection into the Diocesan Carnival, online sign-ups are now open.

• Action: Students have received an email with the registration link. The link is also available on the Daily Notices. Parents are unable to access this link, as it is only available for members of the College.
• Events: Includes all traditional track (100, 200, 400, 800, 1500) and field (long jump, high jump, javelin, discus, shot-put) events.

2. The Participation Pathway (Novelty Rotation)

Students who do not wish to compete in the Championship events will be automatically entered into a Novelty Sporting Rotation. This is a fantastic way to earn House points through inclusive team games and modified sports.

Please be advised that the Athletics Carnival is a compulsory school day. Full details, including transport arrangements are located on the TASS Parent Portal via the permission note. Students will receive a program of events closer the day.

Important Departure Information:

If you intend to pick up your son directly from the venue, or if he has permission to leave from the venue independently, this must be clearly marked in the comments section of the TASS permission note.

Any student without this specific digital notation will be required to return to the College via the provided bus transport.

To ensure the safety and accountability of all students, no emails, handwritten notes, or phone calls will be accepted on the day of the event.

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

On Monday 9th March, 18 students represented Edmund Rice College at the 2026 Diocesan Swimming Championships at Corrimal Swimming Pool.

2026 College Swim Team: Callum Ardita, Finn Ardita, Gwil Barnes, Harry Birchall, Taj Caldwell, Nash Hawkins, Oliver Johnson, Max Miller, Timofey Pan, Drew Potter, Jye Prem, Harley Schulze, Jake Schulze, Darcy Stepanovski, Milton Stepanovski, Beau Thompson and Jed Dwyer.

The absolute dominance by the College Swim Team was clear by not only successfully retaining the title of Champion Boys School in the Wollongong Diocese, but by winning all 7 relay events. Individually, our swimmers continued to set the pace in the pool again 44 individual placings (14 – 1st places, 15 – 2nd places and 15 – 3rd places). A special mention to Year 12 student Oliver Johnson who has represented ERC with pride and has worn the ERC cap for the last time. The College will miss your leadership both in and out of the pool.

Congratulations to the following Age Champion Results:

• Timofey Pan – Equal 3rd place 13 years age Champion
• Beau Thomson- 2nd place 14 years age Champion
• Jake Schulze and Callum Ardita – Equal 3rd place 15 years age Champion
• Jye Prem – 2nd place 16 years age Champion
• Max Miller – 2nd place 17+ years age Champion

The follower students were selected to represent the Wollongong Diocese at the CCC Carnival:

Callum Ardita, Finn Ardita, Gwil Barnes, Taj Caldwell, Nash Hawkins, Oliver Johnson, Max Miller, Timofey Pan, Jye Prem, Jake Schulze, Darcy Stepanovski, Milton Stepanovski, Beau Thompson, Harley Schulze and Jed Dwyer.

Good luck representing the College and the Wollongong Diocese against other great swimmers in the state.

Mrs Anderson, ERC Swim Manager

Our Opens Cricket Team recently concluded an outstanding campaign in the prestigious NSWCCC Downie Shield, finishing as proud state runners-up.

The Road to the Finals
The journey began back in October 2025, with the squad displaying clinical form throughout the group stages. Dominant victories over Holy Spirit, Corpus Christi, and Trinity College Goulburn set the tone, followed by a high-stakes quarter-final win against Xavier College Albury.

The team’s success was built on a balanced foundation of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling:

Leading with the Bat: Christopher Wojewodka, Lucas Brown, Euan Egerton, and Michael Young.

Leading the Attack: Mitchell Lynam, Harrison Macdonald, and Samuel Shaw.

Semi-Final Thriller
On February 24th, the team travelled to the Central Coast to face Holy Cross College Ryde. Setting a formidable target behind a brilliant 81 runs from Archie O’Hara, the match became a defensive masterclass in the second innings. With the game on the line, inspired late-spell bowling from Euan Egerton and Archie O’Hara secured a tense 7-run victory in the penultimate over, catapulting the College into the Grand Final.

The Grand Final
In the decider against Mt St Patrick College, despite another heroic knock of 64 from Archie O’Hara, the team was restricted to a total of 103. While our bowlers defended the total with great tenacity, the target proved just too small. To finish as the second-placed school in the state is a remarkable feat. This squad, comprising students from Years 10–12, represented Edmund Rice College with grit and sportsmanship.

A sincere thank you to Mr. Sunderland and Mr. Tyler for their expertise and dedicated coaching throughout this long-running campaign.

Written by Harrison MacDonald & Archie O’Hara.

Congratulations to our talented students who have been selected to represent the U14 Southern Country Australian Football team.

Following a high-standard trial process, these boys have earned the opportunity to compete at the NSWCCC Selection Trials in Wagga Wagga early next term. Competing at a NSWCCC level is a significant milestone in NSWCCC pathway, and we wish them the very best as they vie for a spot in the state team.

Aiden Dimitrievski, Carter O’Loughlin, Cooper Roche, Jack Kauter, Jaxson Matthews, Sean Manson, Xavier Murphy

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

The College is proud to announce the selection of Archie O’Hara into the Opens CCC cricket side. This prestigious appointment follows Archie’s standout performances during our most recent Opens Cricket campaign, where his captainship and skill were instrumental in guiding the team to the final of the Downie Trophy. We congratulate Archie on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to his continued success on the representative stage.

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

The College is proud to announce the selection of Cormac Boggiss to the Opens CCC Baseball team. A talented First Baseman and Centre Fielder, playing 1st Grade out of Macarthur, Cormac is ready to make his mark with the respected CCC side. Looking ahead, Cormac has his sights set on achieving further honours with a potential selection to the NSW All-Schools team later in the year. We congratulate Cormac on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to following his continued success with the CCC through the year.

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

The College is incredibly proud to celebrate the recent success of Archie Galvin (Year 8), who delivered a series of elite performances at the NSW Junior Athletics Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park.

Competing in the highly competitive 13 Years Boys division, across three middle-distance events, securing a podium finish in every race:

1st Place (Gold): 1500m

2nd Place (Silver): 3000m

3rd Place (Bronze): 800m

Because of these outstanding results, Archie has officially qualified for the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, which will be held in Brisbane during the upcoming Easter school holidays. He will be representing New South Wales in both the 800m and 1500m events.

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator

We congratulate Archie on his dedication to his training and wish him the very best of luck as he takes on the best young athletes in the country.

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

What a way to continue our 100th year celebrations! This past Saturday, March 14th, the school grounds were buzzing with energy as we hosted the Year 7 Welcome BBQ. This was more than just a welcome for our newest cohort; it was a landmark gathering as our Centenary festivities continue to gather momentum.

The turnout was truly spectacular. Seeing so many new faces mingling with staff and long-standing community members reminded us why this school has stood strong for a century; it’s all about the people.

A Feast for the Ages

The aroma of the grill wafting across the Edmund Rice Centre was enough to draw families from across the Illawarra. Our volunteer “grill masters” were kept busy all afternoon serving up a classic feast of perfectly charred gourmet steaks and the ever-popular sausage sizzle. To top it off, a massive spread of school-coloured cupcakes disappeared almost as fast as they were plated!

Building the Future

Beyond the food, the afternoon was about laying the foundations for the next six years. It was fantastic to see Year 7 students forming new friendships and parents connecting over shared stories. As we look back on 100 years of history, Saturday proved that the future of our school is in very good hands.

“It was wonderful to see the community come together,” noted Dr. Gough. “The energy of the Year 7 group is the perfect addition to our 100th-year celebrations.”

A very sincere thank you to the parent volunteers, students, and staff who helped organise, cook, and clean up. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Ms Sinclair
P&F Association

2026 TERM DATES

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2026 Calendar of Events

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CANTEEN MENU

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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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A Cyber Safety Event for Parents and Carers

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Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal

Wherever there is hardship or injustice, Salvos will live, love and
fight, alongside others, to transform Australia one life at a time
with the love of Jesus.

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Illawarra Flag Football – Registrations Open

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Melanoma Walk

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Wollongong Youth Centre School Holiday Program

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KiDSWiSH – Free Family Events