ERC Newsletter - Week 8 Term 2 2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

Recently, the College installed a new sign in the front office reception, showcasing the College Touchstones. Turning abstract values and mission statements into concrete actionable terms is key to building a collective sense of purpose. These four Touchstones guide our direction and goals, helping us bring the Gospel to life in our community.

At ERC, students are encouraged to excel in academics, sports, culture, Catholic Social Teaching, and wellbeing. However, our most essential goal is building character based on faith and integrity, for our young people to become both ‘men for others’ and ‘men of honour.’ Our graduates, who make significant differences in their communities, are a testament to our mission and vision and a practical expression of our Touchstones.

As teachers prepare to report and comment on student achievements within the Semester Reporting process, it’s crucial that all students maintain not only their school performance but also their strong connection to the Edmund Rice community. I acknowledge the contributions of all students, staff, and parents to the learning experiences this semester.

Important Dates:

Monday, 22nd July: ERC staff will participate in professional learning at Waverley College with EREA schools from across NSW.
Tuesday, 23rd July: First day of Term 3 for students.

As we approach the final week of classes, I thank our generous teaching and support staff and congratulate all students on a productive and very rewarding Semester.

On behalf of the College community I would like to sincerely congratulate Ms Patricia Hayman who after 42 years of service to ERC as a Science Lab Assistant has announced her retirement at the end of this Term. We wish Pat all the very best, and hope she enjoys every moment of this next phase of her life.

I wish each of you a restful and safe winter holiday.

Warm regards,
Dr Gough

Over the past few weeks a number of parents/carers have received correspondence regarding their son’s attendance. As Semester 1 draws to a close, parents and caregivers are reminded of their responsibilities to inform the school of the reason for their son’s absence within 7 days of the first day of absence. Parents will receive written notification when their son’s attendance falls below 90%. Whilst for a small number of families these absences are explained, we believe that it is extremely important to notify you of our attendance concerns as we are very aware of the correlation between wellbeing, (including socialisation), academic achievement and attendance. Parents and caregivers whose son(s) are experiencing challenges with attendance are encouraged to contact your son’s Pastoral Care Coordinator at the start of Term 3 to allow us the opportunity to work collaboratively with you to support your son(s).

For all our students who have just completed a number of assessment tasks, these school holidays provide an important opportunity to have a rest and recharge for Term 3. Many of our Year 12 students will use this time to work on major works and prepare for the upcoming Trial HSC Exams. Thanks to the generosity of our staff we are pleased to offer a small number of holiday classes on offer for our Year 12 students. Parents of Year 12 students will receive a letter outlining the specific details of these classes early next week.

The holidays are often a time when young people spend an increased amount of time on social media. When used properly this is an excellent way for young people to stay connected with one another across the break. Unfortunately, young people don’t always make the best choices when online, similarly they don’t always know how to ask for help when they are upset by what they read or see online. Please find here a link to the eSafety Commissioner’s website which has some excellent resources to support both parents and young people in relation to online behaviour, topics covered include:

Cyberbullying
Gaming
Mental health
Privacy and Security
Online abuse
False accounts
Understanding consent
Unwanted contact
Digital reputation
Violence
Inappropriate images
Helping others

Most importantly if you or your son need to report an issue there is a red button in the top right hand corner of the screen labelled Report Abuse, clicking on this button allows you to report abuse under 3 specific categories

Cyberbullying
Image- based abuse
Illegal and harmful content

Making a report through the eSafety Commissioner can action the removal of content immediately. This is the fastest and most effective way to address inappropriate content. I encourage you to have this conversation with your son to ensure he is aware of this service.

Congratulations to all of our boys on a fabulous Semester 1. I have been impressed with their commitment to learning, their enthusiasm and participation in a range of extracurricular activities, as well as their support of one another. In Week 2 we will have an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and efforts of Years 7-10 on Wednesday 31 July, period 1 (Year 7 & 8) and period 2 (Year 9 & 10). I wish you an enjoyable school holiday period, and to those travelling, safe travels. Term 3 commences for students on Tuesday 23 July.

Mrs Hughes
Acting College Deputy Principal

Student Learning

Years 7-11 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences

As we near the end of Semester 1, a reminder that Years 7-11 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday 4 July in the Edmund Rice Centre from 8:30am – 7:00pm. This is an excellent opportunity for Students, Parents/Carers and Teachers to discuss each student’s academic progress during Semester 1 and to share valuable insights into particular areas of strength and/or any areas for improvement in Semester 2.

Years 7-10 Reports will be published on Monday, 1 July three days prior to S/P/T Conferences so parents and carers are encouraged to book your appointments next week, prior to receiving your son’s Report during the course of Week 9 (next week) as bookings close at 12:00pm on 3 July. Parents can book for interviews via the TASS Parent Orbit Application.

Stages 4 & 5 Academic Assemblies

We will be celebrating the outstanding achievements of Years 7-10 students in Semester 1 at these assemblies to be held on Wednesday 31 July as follows:

Stage 4: 8:15-9:15 am
Stage 5: 9:15-10:15 am.

Term 3 – Stage 6 Assessment

Year 11 students are commencing their preparation for their Final Preliminary Examinations. These are scheduled to be held in Weeks 8 and 9 of Term 3, while Year 12 students are busy preparing for their HSC Trial Examinations which will be sat during Weeks 3-5 of Term 3 from 5 – 19 August.

Year 12 – Study Skills

Year 12 Study Skills Sessions are scheduled to be held at the College next Tuesday and Wednesday 25-26 June from 2:00 – 3:00 pm for interested students. This will also be an opportunity for students to prepare study notes for their upcoming examinations.

Year 10 into 11 2025 Parent and Student Interviews

Year 10 students have submitted their subject selections for Year 11 2025. All Year 10 students and at least one Parent/Carer have been invited to attend an interview with a College leader to discuss the College’s expectation of senior students and the suitability of their selected pattern of study.

If you have not already done so, Parents/Carers are reminded to please make an appointment for this interview to be held on Wednesday 24 July between 2:30-6:30pm. Please feel free to contact Mrs Christina Jenson or myself at the College should you have any questions about these interviews.

I look forward to meeting you at the upcoming Years 7-11 S/P/T Conferences and Year 10 Interviews and wish everyone a safe and well deserved winter holiday!

Mrs Bell
Director of Studies

Pastoral Care

As we prepare ourselves for the end of yet another term, it is a great time to reflect on the terrific achievements of the Year 8 students. Term 2 for Year 8 was quite busy; significant events such as the Year 8 Social Day, as well as Founders Day, to the daily academic, sporting and extra-curricular success of our students all resulted in the term to pass by quite quickly! It is safe to say Term 2 has been a time of growth, learning and memorable experiences.

Earlier this term, we had the pleasure of recognising both academic and pastoral success through awarding both our College Commendation and Principal’s Awards. This celebrated the exceptional achievements and personal growth of our Year 8 students. The Commendation Awards highlighted those who have excelled all round, demonstrating outstanding effort and achievement across various subjects. Meanwhile, the Principal’s Awards honoured students who have shown exemplary character, leadership, and continued success, contributing positively to our school community. These awards not only celebrate individual accomplishments but also inspire all students to strive for excellence and embody what it means to be an Edmund Rice man

The Year 8 Social Day earlier this term, was a fantastic opportunity for students to build connections and strengthen friendships. The day was filled with many activities, where students fostered a sense of community, collaboration, and mutual support, creating lasting bonds that will enhance their connections, not only with each other, but also with the St Mary’s College students. Beyond the classroom, students showed their athletic talents across various sports; including Futsal, Soccer, Rugby League, Basketball and Athletics, just to name a few. Their dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship made this a memorable term for all students involved. Students also demonstrated their talents through our many extra-curricular activities; through events such as House and South Coast Public Speaking competitions, Chess tournaments and Di Vinci Decathlon where our students placed a strong 2nd place in both the Science and Cartography disciplines. These activities honed students confidence, critical and strategic thinking skills. My challenge to all of Year 8 next term is to go beyond your comfort zone, participate in an activity that you never thought you would… you never know what you are capable of until you give it a go. Grow your comfort zone! Be ambitious!

“We would also like to acknowledge Lucas Mendivil-Coelho for winning the National Judo competition earlier this month. We extend our huge congratulations to Lucas.”

As we celebrate these achievements, we also look forward to next term with anticipation and excitement. Year 8, your hard work, talent, and enthusiasm has made this term a success, albeit with different challenges along the way. Continue to strive for excellence both in and out of the classroom, support one another, and make the most of the opportunities ahead. Enjoy a well-deserved break and return refreshed and ready for the new challenges that lie ahead!

As always, “…do good, be good, make smart choices!”

Stay Safe and God Bless,

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

On the 18th of June the Year 9 students had the privilege to have Mike Hayes come to talk to us about resilience and growth. Mike starred in season 2 of the SBS survival show ‘Alone’. He explained what it was like to audition for the show and what he had to do to get onto it. He also talked about the preparation he had to undergo to be physically ready to cope in the wilderness by himself. Mike notably went on to talk about many moral principles for becoming a better person.

One of the things that he spoke about was how important growth is to human life. He stated that the only reason he wanted to go on the show was to become a better and stronger person and to become happy being himself. He often pointed out that going out of your comfort zone and trying something new is a great way to better yourself as a person and to be happy with who you are.

Before going on the show Mike trained for over 2 months to get into peak form, and he expected that he was going to get past 60 days in the wilderness without leaving. Only 48 hours in the competition Mike was feeling intense pain in his chest and thought that he was going to have a heart attack so he had to leave. He went on to talk about how difficult it was to battle the thought that he had one chance but he severely under met his expectations even though he knew that he could have done better. What Mike did as soon as he got home, was that he got the same things that he had on the show and went back out into the wilderness without the cameras, to prove to himself that he could have done it. This taught us to always give 100% because we will regret it if we don’t.

Mike then closed off his talk by enriching us on how important it is to have a certain place where we can get rid of the mental pollution in our heads and be present in the moment. Having a place where we can disappear from reality can help cure anxiety and help us be thankful for what we have. Mike spoke about going into nature as his sanctuary. Going out into the wilderness by himself helps distract him from the problems that he has playing Rugby and other jobs. Being present in the moment can help you focus on the task at hand and be more productive.

Overall, it was an amazing opportunity to meet and hear from Mike Hayes about the challenges that he has faced in his life, how he got through them, how growth is a necessary part of human life, to put in 100% at everything we do, and to find a sanctuary that makes us present at the moment.

Written by Leo Halios- Lewis
( Year 9)

Sport

Community Announcements

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.