Year 10 – Parent Welcome

6 February 2026

Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome to the 2026 academic year.  In particular, I offer an extended welcome to our Year 10 families who are new to our Marist Community.  I hope the Christmas break has given time to strengthen and renew relationships with family and friends and your sons are excited about their return to school. I am Mr Mark Barroccu and will be your son’s Leader of Wellbeing. Supporting me in this role this year will be Ms Christenson and Mr Daniel Viana as the Stage 5 Assistant as well as Ms Linda Codamo, the Director of Wellbeing. The homeroom team supporting your son is:

1001	Mr Daniel DePasquale
1002	Ms Dani Spurr
1003	Ms Ashleigh Kidd
1004	Ms Deanna Di Costanzo
1005	Ms Lynne Higgs
1006	Mr David Brancatisano

The purpose of writing to you is to keep you informed to ensure a smooth start to the year and allow us all to focus our energy on our core business: Faith Formation, Learning and Wellbeing.  Our theme for this year is Boys to Men, which reflects their short journey to becoming adults. Your sons are entering an extremely important year of their schooling. At Marist College Eastwood, we see our Year 10 students entering their first year of senior school. This is reflected in the high expectations set for them in the classroom, homework, assessments and in the playground. The first step for the students in Year 10 is the Stage 6 Subject Selection information evening this term. Later in the year, the students will also complete work experience. The relevant forms and information are currently available on Compass. I encourage parents to have a conversation regarding this to start finalising a choice of employer and the completion of the relevant forms.

The College has a well-established Grooming Policy, and these expectations are to be upheld each day. Our policy is clear and consistent for all of our students. Boys are expected to be clean-shaven each day and have hair that is well-kept with no extremes. Students who are unable to wear the full Sports Uniformon Thursday must wear the normal College Uniform and bring something to change into for sport.

I ask for parent support in ensuring that your son is at school each day, unless he is unwell. Every school day is important, and as well as regular attendance, students are expected to be present and to contribute to our community events such as our Carnivals, Reflection Days and at Mass. These dates are available on the College Calendar through Compass.

Attendance and punctuality are key for academic success and are also important traits for students to develop before they enter the workforce. We ask that you complete an attendance note on Compass if your son is sick as soon as you are aware that he will be missing from school.

Mobile phones are not to be used at the College. If your son needs to make a call during the day he may seek permission in the following areas: My office or our Student Reception. To minimise disruption, parents who need to contact their son during the day are asked to call the College rather than calling your son directly. Your support with this is very much appreciated and provides a clear and consistent message to your son. 

The importance of communication between family and the College cannot be overlooked. If you have any concerns about your son’s wellbeing, academic progress, or are experiencing any difficulties outside of the College that may affect your son’s learning, please feel free to contact me directly via the school number 9858 1644 or my school email mark.barroccu@syd.catholic.edu.au

Finally, I would like to remind you of the Year 10 Parent Information night regarding HSC subject selection on Tuesday 17 February from 6.00pm-7.00pm in the Montagne Centre, where we will go through the options your son has for 2027. A letter was posted on Compass Friday 30 January,  with more specific information from Ms Brame the Director of Curriculum. Your son is expected to attend.  Please save this important date in your calendar. 

I look forward to working with your sons this year to continue their journey as they make important decisions about their future.

Kind regards

Mr Mark Barroccu

Leader of Wellbeing – Year 10