From the Principal

Mr David Sullivan
Principal

Dear Parents/Carers

As we reach the conclusion of a great Term 1, we pause to reflect on the journey our young men have undertaken over the past ten weeks. From the nervous energy of the first day for Year 7 in January to the classroom, to the competition on the sporting fields, this term has been a testament to our College motto: Respice Finem – Strive to the End.

Term 1 Highlights: A Season of Achievement

It has been a whirlwind of activity, and the achievements of our students across all year levels have been nothing short of inspiring:

• New Beginnings: We officially welcomed our Year 7 students into the Marist College Eastwood community. Seeing them navigate their first day of high school with such courage was a highlight for our staff. They furthered this journey during their Year 7 Reflection Day, where they explored what it truly means to be a “Marist Man.”

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Spirit and Sport: The war cries echoed at our Annual Swimming Carnival, showcasing the incredible house spirit that defines Eastwood. On the courts and fields, our summer sports program reached new heights with thrilling Grand Final wins in Basketball and Touch Football. Our Water Polo and European Handball teams also had successful seasons, with a number of teams making it to the finals. Congratulations to our athletes for their discipline and sportsmanship. Our public speakers also excelled in the CSDA Public Speaking competition, with the highlight being Rehan Rasul making the grand final and placing second in the Senior Division.

• Year 12 Leadership: Our seniors have set a magnificent tone for the year. The Year 12 Retreat provided a vital space for spiritual growth and brotherhood, while our 2025 gratitudes attended the High Achievers Assembly, allowing the College to celebrate their academic excellence, inspiring our current cohort to reach for their personal best.

• A United Community: We celebrated Harmony Day, a vibrant reminder of the rich cultural diversity that makes Marist College Eastwood so unique. It was a day of orange, cultural jerseys and a reaffirmed commitment to ensuring everyone belongs.

Community Engagement

Our College thrives because of the partnership between school and home. This term, we successfully hosted our College Open Day, welcoming the next generation of prospective Marist families. We also welcomed the ongoing contributions from our Parent and Community Group (PCG) and Old Boys (via alumni university scholarships), as well as our inaugural Parent Focus Group meeting, which provided essential feedback to help us shape the future of the College.

A Journey of Faith: The Significance of Easter

As we enter the school holidays, we also enter the most sacred period of our liturgical calendar, Easter. It is a time when we move from the reflection of Lent into the profound joy of the Resurrection. For our students, the Easter story serves as a powerful reminder that out of challenge and sacrifice comes new life and hope. We encourage all of our families to find time for stillness and prayer during Holy Week, celebrating the promise of renewal that Jesus offers us all.

Looking Ahead

As the boys take a well-deserved break, I wish all our families a safe, restful and holy Easter. We look forward to seeing the students return refreshed for Term 2, ready to continue their growth. 

I would also like to sincerely thank the hard-working staff that continue to teach and inspire our students. My first term as Principal at Marist College Eastwood has been an absolute joy. I hope that all parents feel they have witnessed our never ending pursuit of excellence in terms of our boys academic and personal growth. 

From the Assistant Principal

Mrs Melinda Alvarez
Assistant Principal

The school year has commenced with a sense of purpose, optimism and community spirit. We extend a warm welcome to all families, particularly our new Year 7 students and their parents and carers. It has been encouraging to see our newest cohort embracing secondary school life with confidence and curiosity.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation for the gracious welcome I have received as the new Assistant Principal. The support shown by staff, students and families has been both humbling and uplifting. I look forward to contributing to the ongoing growth and success of our school.

Our Opening School Mass provided a meaningful beginning to the year, grounding us in our shared values and reminding us of the importance of faith, service and community. Soon after, we gathered for the High Achievers Assembly, where we recognised students whose academic excellence and commitment to learning set a commendable standard for their peers.

The Swimming Carnival added a vibrant and energetic highlight to the early weeks of term. Students demonstrated enthusiasm, sportsmanship and House spirit, contributing to a positive and inclusive atmosphere throughout the event.

We also congratulate our students and families for their outstanding generosity in supporting Project Compassion. Through their collective efforts, more than $10,000 was raised to assist communities in need. This remarkable achievement reflects the compassion, social awareness and commitment to service that lie at the heart of our school community.

As we look ahead to Term 2, we anticipate a period of focused learning, continued growth and renewed engagement across all year levels. The term will bring a range of academic, cultural and co‑curricular opportunities designed to challenge and inspire our students. We remain committed to supporting each learner in striving for excellence and contributing positively to our school community.

New Teachers

We have warmly welcomed some new staff to the team at Marist College Eastwood:

• Mr David Sullivan, Principal
• Ms Melinda Alvarez, Assistant Principal
• Ms Deanna Di Costanzo, Teacher HSIE
• Mr Benjamin Nguyen, Careers Advisor
• Ms Oonagh Lee, Teacher English

We also welcomed teachers Mr Luke McDonald (Term 1 and 2), Ms Kimberley Murphy (Term 1) and Mr Samual Habib (Term 1), who have been with us temporarily this term. We thank them for their dedication to our students and filling in for some of our staff who are on leave.  Meet some of our new staff below:

Religious Education Coordinator

Mr Colm McCaughan
RE Coordinator

Term 1 is one of the busiest in the RE faculty, with a huge variety of significant events taking place. The team have started 2026 with great energy and it is nice to pause and reflect on what has been a huge start to the new year.

Our Opening College Mass was celebrated by Fr Dominik Karnas, one of our new College Chaplains. Although the hall was very warm, it was a powerful way to begin the year, particularly as we were encouraged to live out the chosen Marist characteristic for 2026, ‘In the Way of Mary.’ We also inducted Mr David Sullivan as our new College Principal in a grand blessing.

A couple of weeks later, Lent began with our Back to Parish Ash Wednesday commemoration, in which over 150 boys travelled back to their parishes, for some, a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with their primary school. We also held our own liturgy at the College, where the boys reflected on the concept of ‘sacrifice.’ They learned that it is often the small, unseen sacrifices that matter the most.

Year 7 were formally inducted into the College on their Reflection Day, where they were introduced to the Marist Charism by the Marist Youth Mission team. Along with a range of activities and learning the Sub Tuum, students were given the opportunity to sign up for the Pope Francis Service award. We have had a significant increase in participation, showing that the boys have found another meaningful way to connect with their faith. We hope our Year 7’s continue to grow in their understanding of what it means to be a Marist boy!

The absolute highlight of the term was our Year 12 Retreat.  Retreat is a powerful reminder of God’s love and presence in our lives, as the boys stepped away from their regular routines and spent three days at the Benedict XVI Centre in Grose Vale. The Retreat focused on relationships, first within ourselves, then with our families and friends and finally with God, who always meets us where we are. The boys were encouraged to reconcile with one another and connect with God through prayer and the Sacraments. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and truely edifying to see how many of them encountered God in a meaningful way.

We entered Holy Week upon return from Retreat, with our liturgy offering a powerful narrative re-enactment of Our Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of Matthew. We centred the liturgy on the theme of forgiveness, reflecting on Christ’s words from the Cross: “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Throughout the term, our regular Wednesday Prayer Group and Friday morning Mass have continued to be well attended, as more students and staff embrace the joy of nurturing a regular relationship with God. We launched the 10:10 Project for our Year 10 students, with more than 30 students signing up for the regular events and formation offered by the Sydney Catholic Schools team. I am deeply grateful to our chaplains from St Kevin’s, as well as our Assistant REC, Miss Grace Mathews and our new Youth Ministry, Mr Daniel Viana, for their ongoing support in the evangelisation work within our school.

I look back at the mountain we have climbed in just a few short weeks and thank God for the grace He has poured out on our community. May it continue to flow abundantly.

Year 7

Mr Stephen Flew
Leader of Wellbeing – Year 7

I am very pleased with the positive manner in which Year 7 have begun their high school journey.  The first couple of weeks were certainly a shock to the system, but after navigating new classmates, new subjects, new teachers and finding their way around a new school, our Year 7 students have settled in well and are ready to learn.

The boys began by learning about our pastoral theme of “Strong Minds, Gentle Hearts,” a core pillar of what it means to be a Marist boy.  This theme invites our newest College members to discover their place in our community over the next six years.  Year 7’s commitment to learning about the Marist way was further strengthened during Reflection Day, where the students learned the story of our patron, St Marcellin Champagnat, and his significance to all Marists.  The boys also thoroughly enjoyed singing the Sub Tuum for the first time, accompanied by the very talented Mr Foong.

Other highlights of the term have included the swimming carnival, where the boys experienced belonging to a House and competing in races while cheering on their teammates. I was particularly proud of how the boys enthusiastically joined in the House chanting and how they gave their best effort in the non-championship events to earn points for their House.  The tug of war was especially competitive!

Year 7 has also been busy supporting Project Compassion and raising money for those in our world who are less fortunate.  I would like to thank all the boys for contributing so generously to this initiative.  A special mention must go to Homeroom 703 and their teacher, Ms Finnane, who organised and ran a hugely popular bake sale.

As we approach the end of the first school term, our Year 7 cohort are very excited about their upcoming adventures on camp which will  take place early in Term 2.  We are all looking forward to a fun filled few days with team bonding and new friendships being made!

Year 8

Mr Stephen McNamara
Leader of Wellbeing – Year 8

Compassion, Challenges and Achievement

Term 1 was an exceptionally busy and rewarding start to the year for the Year 8 cohort. The group theme, “Brothers to All,” was introduced and immediately embraced, setting a strong foundation for the standards and expectations of 2026.

As students entered the second part of  Stage Four, their first Assessment Tasks arrived quickly, yet they approached them with confidence and achieved pleasing early results.  Classes settled smoothly into productive routines and it was particular joy to watch the interaction the Year 8 students engage with their ‘sensei,’ Ms Doucet, as they master the first steps in a new  language, Japanese. 

Beyond the classroom, Year 8 threw themselves into the full range of co-curricular activities, always with the enthusiasm, commitment and energy which is the hallmark of the Year 8 2026 group.

• Public Speaking: Henson Tang and Yashaar Rampersad progressed to the semi finals.
• Swimming: Jean Lim qualified for the Sydney Catholic Schools event in both freestyle and relay. 
• Sport: The Sydney Catholic Schools Touch Football, Basketball and European Handball squads all qualified for the Conference finals, an impressive feat in itself.

Service to others remained a defining feature of the cohort, Students led the Marist College Eastwood Vinnies Conference with maturity and compassion, running meetings, raising money and making sandwiches for the Vinnies Van. 

Two major events also shaped the term. The first was the College Open Day, where Year 8 impressed visitors with their warm hospitality and their capable management of the Open Day Café. The second was the launch of Project Compassion, embraced wholeheartedly by the cohort and driven by the twelve Homeroom Leaders. Their creative fundraising, ranging from EPL themed competitions to St Patrick’s Day green jelly treats and QR code dollar matching, made a significant contribution to the College total.

A particularly joyful moment for the year group was the visit from Adeesha Herath, who joined us for a special morning tea and shared the remarkable progress he has made in his recovery from last year’s stroke. His presence was a source of great happiness, especially for his close friends.

Throughout the term, Year 8 demonstrated deep reverence and respect during the Opening College Mass, Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Year 8 Mass and the Holy Thursday Easter Liturgy, clear evidence of their commitment to the values at the heart of Marist College Eastwood.

Best wishes and blessings to all of your families for the Easter Season!

Year 9

Mr Joshua Chasney
Leader of Wellbeing – Year 9 (Acting)

Year 9 has embraced the year with a strong sense of purpose and a growing confidence that has been evident across all areas of school life. Their contribution to recent charity initiatives has been especially impressive. Student leaders have stepped forward with enthusiasm, helping to organise events, motivate their peers and raise funds for Project Compassion. Their willingness to lead with empathy and initiative has set a positive tone for the whole cohort.

Sport has been another area where Year 9 students have truly excelled. Reaching the finals in both European Handball and Basketball reflects not only talent but also teamwork and determination. The highlight has undoubtedly been winning the Touch Football conference final, a result that brought well‑earned excitement and pride to the year group. These achievements show a cohort that competes with Marist values and represents the school with genuine spirit.

In the classroom, Year 9 has made a strong start to their subjects, especially elective subjects, showing steady effort and engagement that teachers are noticing regularly.  A mix of assessment tasks has already begun to shape their learning, including speeches, presentations and exams. These varied tasks have given students the chance to demonstrate their skills in different ways, and many have approached them with growing confidence and maturity. Their willingness to participate, stay focused and take on new challenges is setting a positive tone for the term.

Thank you for all your support with Year 9 and enjoy the holidays,

Year 10

Mr Mark Barroccu
Leader of Wellbeing – Year 10

Term 1 of 2026 has marked a positive and purposeful start to the year at Marist College Eastwood, setting a strong foundation for the academic and personal journey ahead. Students returned to school well engaged and focused, demonstrating a clear understanding of the importance of the next three years of learning. Across classrooms, there has been a noticeable commitment to establishing effective study habits, building respectful relationships and embracing the opportunities that Year 10 students bring. 

A key focus during the term was preparation for future pathways, particularly for Stage 6. Time and guidance were dedicated to Work Experience preparation and Year 11 subject selection, empowering students to make informed decisions about their academic interests and career aspirations. Through structured programs and staff support, students were encouraged to reflect on their strengths, goals and responsibilities as they move toward the senior years. In living out the College’s Marist values, students actively participated in Project Compassion fundraising initiatives. These efforts highlighted the strong sense of compassion, generosity and social justice within the school community, reinforcing the importance of service to others and global awareness. 

The term also included one of the calendar highlights, the Annual Swimming Carnival, which provided a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in healthy competition, House spirit and camaraderie. The carnival showcased impressive participation, enthusiastic support and a vibrant sense of community, with students cheering each other on and representing their Houses with pride. 

Overall, Term 1 has been a successful and encouraging beginning to 2026, characterised by strong student engagement, forward-thinking preparation, community spirit and a renewed commitment to the values that define Marist College Eastwood. The College looks forward with confidence to the learning, growth and achievements that the remainder of the year will bring.

Year 11

Ms Emily Mattick
Leader of Wellbeing – Year 11

Year 11 have begun their senior studies with a steady and thoughtful approach. While the transition to senior schooling naturally looks different for each student, many are beginning to find their rhythm, engage with their subjects and adjust to the increased expectations that come with this stage of learning. The cohort is gradually building confidence and teachers are seeing encouraging signs of students taking greater ownership of their study habits and classroom participation.

Many students have also taken the exciting step of beginning additional pathways alongside their school program. Several have commenced TAFE studies, while others have successfully started School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. These opportunities allow students to gain real‑world experience, explore future careers and develop practical skills, all while continuing their academic studies. Their ability to balance these commitments speaks to their maturity and motivation.

A defining feature of this year’s cohort is the leadership team’s chosen goal of collective efficacy. Collective efficacy is the shared belief within a group that, by working together, they can achieve meaningful and positive outcomes. It is a mindset built on trust, collaboration and the understanding that success is strengthened when it is shared. This idea has become a guiding force for Year 11, shaping the way students support one another and contribute to the wider school community.

Already, this commitment to collective efficacy is visible in the initiatives students have taken on. They have led wellbeing sessions designed to build connection and resilience, creating spaces where peers feel supported and heard. Study sessions have been organised and run by both students and teachers, offering opportunities for collaborative learning across a range of subjects. Year 11 students have also stepped confidently into vertical wellbeing roles, working alongside Year 12 to foster a sense of unity and mentorship between the senior years for students in Years 7-12.

The start of the year has shown that Year 11 students are not only ready for the academic demands of senior study but are also eager to shape a positive, inclusive and supportive culture. Their enthusiasm, leadership and commitment to working together have set a strong foundation for the year ahead and it is clear that this cohort is prepared to make their senior years both successful and meaningful.

Year 12

Ms Linda Burland
Leader of Wellbeing – Year 12

It has been a busy start to the year for our Class of 2026! 

As Year 12 continue their HSC studies, the High Achievers Assembly at the beginning of the term provided some powerful motivation. In particular, 2025 Dux Christian Yacou’s speech emphasised the importance of balance and prioritising your mental and physical health during the stresses of Year 12. His unique insight into how he juggled leadership, extracurricular activities, sport and work – all whilst achieving excellent results in his HSC – gave our Year 12 students inspiration alongside some helpful strategies to help them to achieve their best.

Year 12 marked their last Swimming Carnival at the College with enthusiasm and some creative costumes. Races were intense, chants were heated and tensions were high but at the end of the day Leopold was able to edge out the competition for a convincing win, rallying behind the leadership of House Captain Oscar Fitz Gibbon. The Senior A Basketball team demonstrated Year 12’s sporting prowess by becoming Conference 2 Champions, defeating longtime rivals Casimir Catholic College 38 to 30. Congratulations to the team and their coach Mr Brombal and in the words of one of our star players Tom Boyle: “Winning. This is what we do.”

In Week 8, Year 12 were able to grow closer as a cohort as they embarked on Retreat, a highlight of their final year at school. Students were able to take a break from the pressures of the HSC to focus on spending time with their peers and deepening their faith. Student Alex Lee noted that “the best part of the retreat was the deeper connections I’ve made with unfamiliar people,” a sentiment no doubt shared by many of our Year 12 students.

Throughout the term, our Year 12 students have been getting involved in a range of co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities. Students mingled with politicians and other students from Ryde Council schools at a Parliamentary High Tea, getting the inside scoop from MP Jordan Lane about what it is like to work at State Parliament. To mark International Women’s Day, Year 12 addressed the College about the importance of the women in their lives and fundraised for Project Compassion to support women in need around the world. The College was represented by Year 12 leader Rehan Rasul in the Grand Final of the CSDA Public Speaking competition where he achieved second place overall – congratulations Rehan! 

We look forward to the adventures that await Year 12 in Term 2!