“I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Dear Parents and Carers,

A recurring theme throughout the Bible is the encouragement to live bravely and without fear. In last Sunday’s first reading, we were reminded through Isaiah (35:4-7): ‘Courage! Do not be afraid.’ Over and over, we hear these timeless words: “Fear not,” “Be not afraid,” and “Have no fear.” These teachings call us to be people of hope, grounded in faith rather than weakened by fear.

In today’s society, where we are constantly bombarded by the relentless cycle of ‘breaking news’, it is our College motto, God is my Strength, that takes on even more significance. I firmly believe that as educators and parents, together we play a vital role in providing our young people with a genuine sense of reassurance and optimism. This may sometimes seem countercultural, but openly celebrating our joys, and our small wins and expressing our collective gratitude can serve as a powerful antidote to the negative influences presented through modern media.

Together, we can guide our young people to a hope-filled future. Just as our Year 12 students are currently using feedback from their HSC Trial exams to continue learning and growing, we, too, are strengthened by life’s lessons when we trust in God’s guidance. The character of our Year 12 students and their commitment to perseverance, even when faced with setbacks, reflects their determination – and has been a great example for our younger students.

As we approach next week’s Year 12 Graduation, I commend the Class of 2024 for their consistent effort in each lesson and their commitment to each other. Congratulations to those who have recently completed HSC major projects. Their dedication, seen in recent events like the outstanding Hospitality Dinner and Industrial Technology Showcase Exhibition, exemplifies the spirit of a liberating education in action. Thank you to our VET and TAS teams, led by Mr Brooks and Mr Edmondson, for their guidance and amazing commitment to these students. We also wish our Year 12 music students all the best in their upcoming HSC performances next week and thoroughly enjoyed their recent performances ably supported by Mr Haybittle.

***

Bon Voyage!

In less than ten days, a group of staff and students from Years 9-11 will be embarking on the 2024 Edmund Rice College History Tour. This exciting journey to Belgium, France, and Italy promises to be an unforgettable experience for these passionate historians.

From the solemn battlefields of Ypres, the Somme, and Normandy – where the group will honour those who fought bravely – to the historic landmarks of Paris, such as Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, each student will walk in the footsteps of history.

In Italy, the group will explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, visit the Colosseum in Rome, and have the privileged opportunity to celebrate Mass at the Vatican, organised by the Christian Brothers based in Rome. Every stop on this journey offers a chance for growth, reflection, and connection to the past.

I have no doubt that our students will represent ERC with respect and curiosity. I am very grateful to the dedicated staff, enthusiastically led by Mrs Helen Lothian (Head of History and Languages) who will each ensure that this journey is both enriching and safe. I wish all our travellers a safe and enjoyable trip, and we look forward to hearing the wonderful stories upon their return.

Bon voyage and safe travels!

Dr Gough

MY RETURN – MENTAL HEALTH, R U OK?

It has been overwhelming the amount of support and positivity I have received since my return from a period of absence due to illness. The number of students and parents along with my fellow colleagues, who have commented or gone out of their way to show their support, is truly one of the many reasons for my own mental health that returning to this wonderful ERC community remained one of my priorities. So when people ask R U OK? of me; I’m not fully recovered and have some hurdles to overcome, but I’m getting there. Mentally, being back provides me with a sense of purpose and gives me something which shifts the focus of my attention. Throughout the process I have placed my faith in those who have carriage of my health management and am extremely fortunate for the technology and genuine care of those individuals. We are blessed to be in a country where treatment is accessible and available for those in need. Furthermore, I am also pleased to be able to witness the upcoming Year 12 Graduation ceremonies having been welcomed back so genuinely by this group of fine young men, in the last few weeks.

YEAR 12 – GRADUATION & STUVAC

Completing thirteen years of schooling is a wonderful feat and one which must be recognised and indeed celebrated. To the Year 12 students, for your final week, take time to reflect on your achievements thanking your teachers but most importantly your attention should especially be focussed on your parents for their investment in you. Not only in your education but for their support in providing the best opportunity available for you to develop your talents, academically shine and allow you to be ever present in a learning environment which is full of support.

Preparing for the completion of your HSC examinations, rounds off this journey so preparing and planning is essential in the coming weeks. Some overall guidelines, advice and study tips may help you make the most of stuvac include: Creating a Study Schedule, Setting Clear Goals, Using Effective Study Techniques, Staying Organised, Taking Breaks, Staying Healthy, Seeking Assistance, Using Technology Wisely (limiting distractions), Staying Positive and Managing Stress, Review and Revise, Simulate Exam Conditions, Stay Consistent, Stay Motivated and most importantly Stay Informed.

Remember that stuvac is a valuable opportunity to identify areas of improvement and refine your examination techniques before the final exam. Stay committed, remain focussed and adopt a positive growth mindset, should only assist you in your overall performance. Time waits for no one, it will pass quickly. Believing in your abilities, staying on track and maybe sacrificing some social elements now, may pay dividends and be beneficial down the track.

CATHOLIC MISSION MONTH – DIOCESAN LAUNCH

Yesterday I had the privilege to accompany two fine young men from Year 7, Claude Vincent (Rice House) and Luca Astone (McMahon House), at the request of the Bishop to attend the Diocesan Launch of Catholic Mission Month held at St Michael’s Catholic Parish Primary School Thirroul.

The launch has a very clear and underlying message – ‘Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet’. A focus for 2024 is on Somalia, where the youngest Bishop in the world is evangelising 1500 – 2000 Somali people who are being introduced to the life of Jesus. The Most Reverend Bishop Brian, highlighted for everyone at the diocesan launch that this group is smaller than many of our parish communities here in Wollongong. So perhaps keep an eye out for some initiatives in place next term like – ‘Socktober’.

Mr Walsh
College Deputy Principal

This fortnight has been filled with activities and learning that reflects the central character of an Edmund Rice community. A valid question for any school activity is what are we meant to learn from engaging in this activity? Learning how to be men for others is a primary goal for all Edmund Rice students. It helps us to focus on what an education is for. As a Catholic school community, that certainly includes understanding how we can learn to build the conditions of the kingdom of God ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ We say this every time we repeat the Lord’s Prayer, but do we stop to wonder how God is making a way for us to do this. In a world where so many things are beyond our control, the one thing we can do is to put our faith into action. This week’s reflections are about liturgy, prayer, CSL, social justice and learning, all ways we can make a difference in the world today and leave a legacy for those coming behind us.

In fact, one of the activities this week was supporting the Legacy collection and events. Some of our Year 9 and 10 students collected for Legacy in the Mall supported by former CBC Wollongong alumni. I would like to particularly mention College Vice Captain Patrick Sirianni who played the last Post for the Legacy luncheon for the last time as an Edmund Rice student. Patrick has been faithful in his dedication to supporting the veterans with his talent and this is a sign of a truly liberating education, when we use our talents to contribute to building up our community.

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

This week we started our latest partnership with Edmund Rice schools across the world. Students have been undertaking the Tutu Foundation Courageous Leadership course and have been partnered with students from St Patrick’s Kimberley, South Africa; St Columba’s, New Delhi, India; and St Dominic’s College, Kingswood, Australia. Recognising that the charism of Edmund Rice is lived out in different ways across the world, in different contexts, the program aims to encourage students to follow the example of leaders like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela to create the conditions of the kingdom of God ‘on earth as it is in heaven’. Through partnership, we are exploring what it means to be a leader in our various contexts.

“Taking part in the first EREBB video conference was an incredibly interesting opportunity. The platform to talk to students from South Africa, India and Penrith gave me an understanding of how education varies across countries, as well as the importance of social justice in the respective countries. I was most interested by learning how students and their schools actively work towards creating positive change within their communities. I am excited to take part in the next conference to further connections with the global ERE community.” (Harrison Macdonald)

“Representing Edmund Rice College in a conference call with international students was an honour. I learned that even though Edmund Rice was just one person, his influence in helping young students globally was tremendous. The core values of Edmund Rice, such as brotherhood, charity and kindness, resonated with the students we interacted with. Much like Desmond Tutus’s ideology of even making a slight difference in the world has its impact, the core values of Edmund Rice reverberated through the short conversations we had with the students in India, South Africa and Penrith. I look forward to the exciting future conversations and connections we will create with the ERE community.” (Jaeden Soncy)

“The EREBB video conference was a great experience for us to not only see and interact with other people of the world, but understand what social justice initiatives they are interested in and how they are being put into practice.” (Nicholas Aivaliotis)

“It was an amazing experience to take part in the EREBB video conference and connect with people from all around the world with different ideas, opinions, cultures and traditions. The Tutu Foundation Courageous Leadership course was a great opportunity to learn about the incredible leadership of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I especially enjoyed hearing about a school in India with 3600 students and how they advocated the principles of Tutu in their schooling life. Additionally connecting with a school in South Africa, where these principles are embedded in their educational approach which was inspiring to hear. It has left me looking for more inspiring discussions in the later future. As the saying goes “small ripples make a tidal wave,” I’m excited about the potential changes these small interactions might spark globally. “ (Christiano Haddad)

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

Last week, 40 senior students made a commitment to sleeping out and standing in solidarity with the charities they have chosen for their Pastoral groups. As it was coupled with the Reflection Days for Year 10 and Year 12, the students had heard from their organisations and so the sleep out presented an opportunity to engage with the idea of courageous leadership from the Tutu Foundation course. We explored the concept of ubuntu and that we are people through other people; it reflects the Golden Rule that every religious tradition has in some version, to ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Importantly, it highlighted issues of homelessness, caring for our environment and caring for our own mental wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. Thanks to all the staff members who made this event possible.

Year 10 – Raising money and awareness of the Homeless Hub. So far, $1831, with top contributors Rhys Barnes, Harrison Macdonald and Riley Edgar. You can donate to the team here:

• Apart from the snoring, the sleep out was a really good experience to understand and advocate for homelessness. It is a really fun experience and hopefully next year we can get more blokes in on it raise more money. (Nicholas Aivaliotis)
• I think it was a pretty good experience to see what homeless people go through and it showed that it was quite difficult sleeping on the floor especially with a bunch of boys around you. (Leo Attorre)
• The night was extremely fun, socialising with friends through sports, and learning about the causes in which we were raising funds for. It was extremely fascinating learning about the poor conditions that homeless people face. Would highly recommend for anyone to do, it is a great experience. (Rhys Barnes)
• Participating in the sleepout taught me the importance of Ubuntu, showing that we all have the power to lead and make a difference by supporting those in need. (Riley Edgar)
• I enjoyed the sleepout and had a lot of laughs with my mates while still making sure that I was doing this sleepout for a good cause (William Hiscox)
• I liked learning about the experiences of other people and what they have to go through. And Being around friends made the experience more fun. It was a good experience to better understand the things we take for granted. And learning the new concept of Ubuntu ( Nate Jennett)
• Doing the winter sleepout was an opportunity to truly experience the hardships of the homeless. I developed another level of gratitude for the things that I have and shouldn’t take for granted. (Conor Mathie)
• The sleepout was a super fun opportunity to spend time with my mates while experiencing the hardships of the homeless. (Harrison McDonald)
• Very surreal experience, and would not like to do it on daily basis. (Nathan Mihalopoulos)
• It was pretty crazy. I could barely sleep because of all the snoring but aside from that it was fun playing sports with my friends and learning about ways we can help. (Xavier Oborn)
• I always think that activities such as these shed a valuable light on all the hidden challenges of having to sleep out in the cold every night. The lack of comfort, the cold air. All of these struggles together provided significant insight to all the boys here, teaching us what some real struggles may be like (Christian Yeo)

Year 11 – Raising money and awareness for Bush Heritage Australia, so far $1800 with top contributors Jayden Washbourne, Henry Jones, Daniel Sawan and Digby Woods. You can donate here:

• Sleeping out was an insightful experience of the harsh reality that unfortunately many people face in our Illawarra community. As a collective school community across the senior years, we learnt about the concept of Ubuntu, the idea of non-self and a common humanity shaped for the common good. In so helping to raise money for charities and communities in our local communities in issues such as homelessness, environmental protection and men’s mental health, through the Wollongong Homeless Hub, Bush Heritage Australia and Talk2MeBro. (Henry Jones)
• It was a very eye-opening experience to see what homeless people go through night in, and night out. Most if not all of us who have a comfortable, warm bed to sleep on every night, often take it for granted. Not only myself, but all the other boys who participated, felt the strong need to support the charities we were raising money for, totaling over $3000. Showing this compassion for others circumstances is very important I feel, as we truly now understand when we are “ in their shoes “. (Jayden Washbourne)
• I Participated in the sleepout to raise awareness for homelessness. It was an enjoyable night. (Digby Woods)

Year 12 – Raising money and awareness for Talk2MeBro, so far $702, added to the $1000 donated earlier this Term through the Year 12 soccer match event, with top contributor Julian Eckermann. You can make a donation here:

• The sleepout was a extremely fun activity in which we learnt the value of teamwork and showed solidarity for those in need through a fun night of information and sports. (Zane
  Al-Salih)
• The sleepout allowed us to undertake an uncomfortable experience, it was enjoyable as we were able to have fun, playing sports and bonding with mates. We also went through a leadership lesson where we focussed on how we can help ourselves by helping others, following the principle of ubuntu. We were able to appreciate how privileged we really are. (Isaac Atinga)
• A great opportunity to leave the comfort of home and truly empathise with those less fortunate than us. Nevertheless, it was still great fun to spend time with mates. (Julian
  Eckermann)
• It was a great way to connect with friends whilst still having the experience of sleeping in uncomfortable conditions. (Brooklyn Faucett)
• I don’t understand how people less fortunate than us can do this on a day to day basis, I was tossing and turning just waiting to fall asleep yet my internal clock woke me up around 4. But I still enjoyed playing sports with everyone and I feel more empathy for the people who are less fortunate than us. (Timothy Fenech)
• The sleepout was a valuable experience where we showed strong empathy for those without a place to sleep at night, and learnt first hand of the conditions they have to endure on a day-to-day basis. (Caiden Steele)
• I liked learning about the experiences that other people have to go through and widen our understanding and make us face the challenges others go through. (Taj Tegart)
• It was a good experience to better understand the things we take for granted. (Jack Wilson)

Mrs Hurley
Director of Identity

The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are an annual program aimed at recognising the incredible dedication, effort and community service of our state’s volunteers, volunteer leaders and volunteer teams.

Within our College Community Julian Eckermann has volunteered well over 200 hours in various roles also assisting the wider community during his 6 years at Edmund Rice College. Considering this he was nominated for NSW Volunteer of the Year and even though Julian was not chosen just being nominated is a great achievement. There were over 150 nominees in Julian’s category.

Congratulations Julian, we are all very proud of you here at the College.

Mrs Schodde

Each week, during the first 10 minutes of lunch on Friday, students and staff have the opportunity to attend the Chapel and participate in a reflective prayer. During Term 3, we have been using the practice of the Ignatian Examen – a spiritual exercise developed by Saint Ignatius of Loyola (whom Edmund Rice chose as his namesake when he became a Brother) – in which participants are called to stop and reflect on their encounters and thoughts throughout the day.

I would like to commend the growing number of students who are availing themselves of this opportunity, and who are supporting our Friday Prayer initiative on a regular basis. I would particularly like to note the commitment of our Liturgy SRC members across the year-groups who have led by example in this regard, modelling themselves on the excellent leadership of Liturgy Prefect Matthew Carolan, who – building on the work of his predecessors Ben Binoy and Thomas Carolan – has played an integral role in refining this ritual practice so that it has become respected and encouraged by the student community. During the past 2 year of his leadership, Matthew has truly embodied the values and characteristics of our Blessed founder and has been an exemplary role model for both his peers and the younger students of the College. We thank him for his dedicated and humble service, and for the way in which he has lived out the Touchstone of Gospel Spirituality through his daily wards and actions.

All students are always welcome and encouraged to come along to the Friday Prayer, which will continue under the new leadership of incoming Prefect Timothy Armitage.

Mrs Knowles
Liturgy Coordinator

This week was marked by activities that promote wellbeing for staff and students, in acknowledgement of R U Ok Day, this year the R U Ok Day? Campaign reminded us of the importance of asking R U Ok Any Day.

The focus of our Pastoral Lesson was “Friend Better” helping the boys to recognise the signs of stress in their mates, the importance of building and maintaining strong connections and the ways in which you can be present to one another, particularly when you notice that something is not right. The focus was on the four steps of conversation.

• Ask R U Ok?
• Listen
• Encourage Action
• Check in

The boys were encouraged not to wait until they see a friend struggling but rather ask early and ask often.

Our various lunchtime initiatives were designed to foster connection, inspire creativity and provide examples of how you can alleviate stress by taking a moment to unwind. The smiles were contagious! It was heartwarming to see the young men at our College supporting each other, whether it be by tackling challenging origami, colouring together, joining an early morning wellness walk, participating in a lunchtime yoga session, or coming together in prayer on Friday. It was a wonderful, uplifting experience for all involved and a fitting way to celebrate RUOK Week.

As educators we also took the opportunity to remind ourselves of the value of sharing a conversation, spending time together, setting an example for our students by making sure we are supportive of not just our students but also of each other.

Many thanks to the Pastoral Team who took leadership of the various activities throughout the week and to the staff who wore yellow to mark the day.

Mrs Hughes
Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

The Year 12 Reflection Day was an important milestone for our senior students, offering them a unique opportunity to pause and reflect on their personal journeys as they approach the end of their time at the College. This day was not only about looking back on their achievements but also contemplating the future, setting intentions, and finding clarity in their next steps.

The day commenced with a cohort liturgy, where students gathered to centre themselves. This was followed by an inspiring session with Jack from Talk2MeBro, a mental health organisation focused on encouraging open conversations and emotional well-being. Jack’s message resonated with the students, urging them to be mindful of their mental health and to seek support when needed, especially as they prepare to transition into the next phase of their lives.

Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of workshops designed to foster personal growth, connection, and resilience. The African drumming workshop was a highlight, teaching students the value of working together in unison. The rhythmic beats not only created a sense of harmony but also emphasised the importance of being in tune with one another—an essential skill as they move into adulthood.

In another workshop, Talk2MeBro led a session focused on mindfulness, breathing techniques, and the importance of maintaining external connections beyond school. Students were encouraged to develop practices that would support their mental health and well-being in the years to come. They were also offered the opportunity to participate in the ice baths and practice mindful breathing in this situation.

One of the most impactful parts of the day was the mentor talks, where past students returned to share their experiences and insights from their own HSC journeys. These alumni offered valuable advice on navigating the challenges of Year 12 and beyond, providing the current cohort with practical tips and a sense of reassurance as they face their own upcoming exams.

The day concluded with sporting activities, allowing students to unwind and bond with their peers. These activities reinforced the themes of connection and teamwork that had been woven throughout the day, leaving students with a sense of camaraderie and collective strength.

Overall, the Year 12 Reflection Day was a powerful experience that provided students with the time and space to reflect on their past, connect with their peers, and prepare mentally and emotionally for the future.

Some student feedback on the day:
“The combination of activities was a great way to relieve any unwanted stress and understand that the HSC is a group effort.” – Julian Eckermann
“It was a great way to reflect on the past and anticipate our future in terms of HSC and where we end up after school.” – Kalani Thompson
“Having the opportunity to hear from past students, receiving advice and setting goals was the best part of the day” – Isaac Atinga

Mr Bourke
Year 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator

As the Year 11 Assistant Coordinator, I have spent the past term working closely with students looking to enhance their time management skills whilst overcoming procrastination. The importance of this support has been underscored by recent assessment tasks and the current preliminary examinations.

A common challenge many face is that of procrastination with a variety of reasons stemming from anxiety, feeling overwhelmed or simply underestimating time required to complete tasks. Our sessions initially focused on the possible reasons for procrastination followed by the impacts ranging from poor work quality, last minute stress and lack of submission/ submission of incomplete tasks.

To combat this, we explored various strategies such as setting small achievable goals, creating visual time plans and prioritising tasks according to factors such as importance and urgency. The importance of an immediate start towards assignments and strategies of creating a sense of urgency early on was also explored.

The feedback from boys has been overwhelmingly positive and I look forward to continuing to work with them and seeing how these techniques will benefit them throughout their future studies.

Lastly, as the Year 11 Assistant Coordinator, it is important to note that I am here to support all students in areas such as time management, study strategies and exam preparation. Students are more than welcome to email me or visit my office to arrange a support meeting.

Mr Breeze
Year 11 Assistant Coordinator

Year 11 Preliminary Examinations

Year 11 students have been completing their Final Preliminary Examinations this week and will continue to do so until next Friday, 20 September. Following their last examination, Year 11 students have been reminded that they are required to remain at school to attend the Graduation Mass in period 3 on Friday 20 September. They are expected to attend in full winter uniform to celebrate the educational journey of Year 12 students with the College community.

Year 12 Students Preparing for the Higher School Certificate Examinations

The Year 12 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences were held at the College on Thursday, 12 September marking the final conferences to discuss their academic progress and preparation for the upcoming Higher School Certificate Examinations, which commence on Tuesday 15 October.

A reminder that Year 12 students are able to access their personalised HSC Examinations Timetable on their Students Online Account. They will also be issued a hard copy of the 2024 Higher School Certificate Examination Timetable next week. We wish them all the very best in their preparation for these upcoming examinations.

Mrs Bell
Director of Studies

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity for Music students at ERC. The annual Music Night, held on the 27th, showcased the incredible talent and dedication of our musicians, captivating the audience with a diverse range of performances. Meanwhile, the Year 12 cohort has been preparing for their upcoming HSC performances, fine-tuning their pieces and demonstrating their passion for music.

Our recent school assembly showcased the incredible musical talents of several of these Year 12 Music students. Patrick’s solo classical guitar performances were inspiring, demonstrating a mastery of his repertoire. The energy then soared when Kobey, Cooper, Julian, and a special guest, Mr. H, took the stage with their electrifying rendition of “Misirlou”. See the video here – “Misirlou” Kobey W

Michael’s invitation to the College to enjoy his original composition Michael’s Comp was met with enthusiastic applause from the Year 12 students and Joshua’s performance of his HSC piano pieces brought the assembly to a beautiful close, leaving us all inspired by the dedication and artistry of our musicians.

A surprise awaited students and staff in the Narandha Learning Centre during lunchtime last Thursday, as Year 12 Music students Beau and Kobey treated everyone to a range of performances on both acoustic and electric guitar. The somewhat impromptu concert was met with widespread appreciation and admiration, creating a truly special atmosphere. The talented duo’s musical offering was greatly appreciated by all, leaving a lasting impression on both students and staff. This wonderful initiative will undoubtedly become a cherished tradition in the future, bringing music to the heart of our school.

On Monday, September 9th, the Year 12 Music class presented their pieces at the HSC Major Works Expo. This exciting evening showcased the culmination of both Music and TASS projects, offering a glimpse into the creativity and dedication of our senior students.

The Year 12 musicians enthralled the audience with their performances, showcasing a diverse range of genres. We are proud of their contributions to this evening and wish them all the best for their upcoming HSC exams.

Adding to the busy schedule, it’s heartening to see numerous musicians volunteering their time and talents to prepare for the Year 12 Graduation Mass. Their dedication and commitment to ensuring a memorable event with high-quality music is truly commendable. The collaborative spirit and enthusiasm displayed by these students is a testament to the vibrant music culture at ERC.

Please see Week 8 Term 4 Music Newsletter Photos for photos taken at all these events.

Mr Haybittle

This year was the 51st year anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. In order to commemorate this event a group of Year 11 students worked on identifying and contacting past veterans from our local community in order to discover their stories.

Michael Da Silva, William Hall, Ali Hadi and Matthew Armitage had worked on this project for over 6 months, commencing their research and booking veterans for a Q & A session at the College from 2023.

With the aim of bringing to light the experiences of past veterans the boys were able to invite a panel of local Vietnam veterans who spoke to a Year 10 audience about their experiences – both the friendships formed as well as the trauma of war. It was interesting to note that most veterans had agreed that Australia should not have become involved in trying to contain the possible threat of communism. These interviews were recorded and became the foundation of the competition.

Unfortunately, the boys did not win the competition, but their outstanding efforts have been acknowledged by the Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel.

The boys are to be congratulated for their outstanding achievement in commemorating the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service men and women and for the legacy they have left the College via the interviews as well as the commemoration plaque of past students who have served in the armed forces. Their work is a credit to the fine young men that they have become.

Mrs Lothian
Head of Humanities

Apart from competing for Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, boxer Harry Garside and high-jumper Nicola Olyslagers also share something else in common. And that is – their love of writing. Garside, who has just published a book about his boxing career, writes poetry, and Olyslagers writes meticulous reflections in a notebook – after every single jump.

Writing is a form of expression – whether a poem, speech, story, essay or journal entry – it’s a way to convey something through words.

Each year, we recognise students who have managed to compose something with imagination and purpose through the Gabrielle Condon Creative Writing Prize. Named after a former English teacher at the College, the prize (which is judged by Ms Condon) is given to a student for their compositions. The 2023 prize for Stage 4 was awarded to Darius Hamod for his poetry. The Stage 5 prize was awarded to Angus Allen and the runner up to Marc Todoroski – both for their short story writing.

This term, our students continue to experiment with various writing styles. Essay writing has been the focus for Year 7 and 8 students. Year 7 have been busily refining their drafts on how Shakespeare creates comedy through his characters, while Year 8 have been looking at how authors portray themes through characters in science fiction stories.

In Year 9, our students have been exploring the techniques used in documentaries to raise issues and influence perspectives. Their task was to create a 60 second documentary trailer for Netflix on a topic of their choice. We have received a great variety of subjects ranging from great sporting moments, the benefits of fishing, historical events, environmental concerns and gaming.

Meanwhile, Year 10 produced podcasts discussing the relevance of poetry, specifically the war poet Wilfred Owen and the romanticists such as William Blake.

Finally, our senior students have just completed their major exams requiring them to complete several extended pieces of writing under timed conditions. We have seen some outstanding writing produced during the HSC Trials by our Year 12 Advanced and Standard English students. We wish them the very best of luck in their upcoming HSC.

Mrs Guest

Year 8 E History designed an Renaissance Escape Room as part of their Assessment Task. The students designed and submitted some outstanding tasks, where the students made models of the rooms, created riddles, puzzles and challenges. Below are some examples of the student’s escape room descriptions.

Lucas Mendivil:
My history escape room is based on the Italian Renaissance. It starts with a labyrinth combined with a ping-pong ball, and you have to lift up the escape room, where you have to get a ping-pong ball and answer questions written on the door that leads you to the next door. After that, you will see a map of Italy that has screws with small sections of a quote in Latin which is from Leonardo Da Vinci. After you figure out the meaning, you have to lift the entire box, and you see another map of Italy with the answers written in invisible ink that gives out the English translation. After describing the English translation, you then get to wear the crown of Medici.

Christian Da Silva:
My Escape room has a broad aim surrounding the Italian Renaissance, presented as a lock box. To escape, you must complete three puzzles to find three answers: a sliding puzzle of the Mona Lisa, a Caesar cipher describing key areas of the Renaissance and a riddle about the map of Florence. The sliding puzzle is solved by finding the year the painting was made. To solve the Caesar cipher, you will have to use the code given to decrypt the word ‘MZIVDNNVIXZ’ Lastly, you can use a clue you find on the box to help solve the riddle on Florence. once you find all three answers, the box will open, and inside are thousands of dollars worth of Renaissance-themed money.

Preston Apps:
My escape room is aimed to provide insight into the Renaissance era and teach about the Medici Family. First the players are provided with a message about the Medici Family, which decodes into ‘BOOK’, then players must open the fake book which holds a key to the Medici Treasure Chest. Once the treasure chest is open players discover a message about the Renaissance which decodes to ‘Florence Cathedral Dome’. The players’ next step is to lift the dome from the paper model of the Florence Cathedral and uncover a note from Leonardo Da Vinci himself, stating that the Mona Lisa on display is fake and providing the coordinates for the real Mona Lisa.

8 E History
Mrs Skye Kennedy

As you start to prepare for the 2025 school year the following information may assist you with electronic device purchases.

Should you require any information about Apple Macbooks and/or assistance in using the online portal to purchase a device, please do not hesitate to contact me (fsirianni@erc.nsw.edu.au) at the College.

Mr Sirianni
Director of Information Technologies & Innovation

During August 2024, the Go Kan Ryu (GKR) Karate World Cup Championships were held in Homebush, Sydney where 1500 athletes competed from Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. There were individual and team events in both kata and kumite (kata being a series of choreographed martial arts movements and kumite being point scoring fights). Six students from ERC who all attend at the Wollongong Dojo competed at the event and as a result of their intense training and preparation, were all proud to win medals in the following events:

Cooper Hemmy – Year 12

• Individual Kata – Gold
• Individual Kumite – Gold
• Team Kumite – Silver

Beau Anderson – Year 12

• Individual Kumite – Silver

Max Hemmy – Year 10

• Individual Kumite – Gold
• Individual Kata – Silver

Youssef Achaechi – Year 10

• Individual Kumite – Silver
• Team Kumite – Silver

Phillip Tran – Year 8

• Individual Kata – Silver

Ash Anderson – Year 8

• Individual Kata – Gold
• Individual Kumite – Bronze

A lot of hard work, sweat and dedication went into preparing for the World Championships, with focus beginning a year and a half ago. The next World Cup Championships will be held in Birmingham, England in 2026.

Written by Cooper Hemmy

Please access the Careers Website: which provides the latest information to help students make decisions about their future careers and life beyond school.

• Go to erccareers.com
• Then to important information
• Click on to School Careers newsletter

Mr Cajar
Careers Advisor

The College is delighted to announce the inaugural Alumni Golf Day, set to take place on Friday 11th October 2024, at the distinguished Wollongong Golf Club. A warm invitation is extended to all past students, staff and families who have been or are currently affiliated with the College.

A great day is planned with the inclusion of breakfast, lunch, an 18 hole – 2 person Ambrose, gifts, prizes and so much more!

Players of all levels are welcome. Register as Hole Sponsor with a team of 4 or as an individual with the choice of your Ambrose and group partners.

Date: Friday, 11th October 2024

Time: 8am Tee Off (Shotgun) – 7am breakfast

Where: Wollongong Golf Club

Please complete the registration form by clicking on the link here: https://www.edmundricecollege.nsw.edu.au/alumni-cup/

For more information, please email office@erc.nsw.edu.au

Edmund Rice College looks forward to welcoming you to our very first Alumni Golf Day.

UNIFORM SHOP OCTOBER HOLIDAY – TRADING HOURS

******

2025 SENIOR STUDENT UNIFORM FITTINGS

The College Uniform Shop uniform supplier, Noone will be conducting Senior student uniform fittings on Thursday 17 October, Thursday 24 October and Thursday 31 October. Please see further details HERE 

Lisa Wellington
Store Manager

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.

******

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.