Week 1 Term 3
24 July 2026
Dear Parents/Carers
Staffing
This term we were excited to welcome Mr Darren Kelly (Mathematics), Ms Gabriella Khachigian (Religious Education) and Ms Annette Magee (Science) to our teaching staff. I know everyone will make them feel welcome as they join us to support and educate your sons to the best of their ability.
As some of our community is aware, Mr David Foong is a longstanding Mathematics Teacher at Marist College Eastwood. In addition to being a gifted Mathematics Teacher, he is a very humble, other-person centred and faith-filled man. He wants what is best for his students and works tirelessly to support their learning to the best of his ability.
Mr Foong has struggled with some health challenges throughout Term 2 and unfortunately it came to light over the holidays that his health has continued to deteriorate. As a result, Mr Foong will not be available to teach for what is likely to be the remainder of 2026 as he focuses on his health and the treatment plan provided by his treating specialist team. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Foong as he tackles these challenges.
I have contacted all of Mr Foong’s classes and assured them we are working tirelessly to ensure their sons are supported and provided everything they need to succeed in Mathematics. The majority of his classes have already been covered by Mathematics teachers and any shortcomings in our timetable will be covered as a matter of urgency. A number of other staff will assist with supervising and supporting our Chess competition students throughout Term 3 in Mr Foong’s absence.
Attendance
Throughout the year I will return to the topic of student attendance. It may come across as repetitive in nature but I can’t underestimate the importance of attendance and the endless possibilities that arise when students put themself in a position to learn each and every day. At the beginning of term, attendance data traditionally has a positive spike and when students get tired and the term progresses, we see a gentle dip.
Year 12, this is their time to thrive and put their foot on the metaphorical accelerator as they prepare for the HSC. The potential value add (in terms of marks) from the conclusion of the Trial HSC to the end of Term 3 is significant. Anecdotally I can with certainty assure parents (and students) that a 10-20 mark increase is possible in those final weeks. But vice versa, I’ve seen just as many students go backwards in Year 12 in Term 3 if they don’t show resilience and turn up every day. In simple terms, turning up and working hard is as important for Year 12 now as it’s ever been.
Year 8 and 9 have some work to do at the moment to improve their overall attendance rates. Parents, please don’t put the morning battle to get your son to school in the ‘too hard basket’. It is a battle worth tackling head on.
Our goal is for each student to attend school at least 95% of the time to give themselves the best chance for success. I can’t recall a student who has achieved an ATAR above 90 in the last few years having an attendance rate below approximately 93-94%. And in terms of preparedness for their adult life in the workplace, most places of employment offer between 10 (minimum) and 15 days of paid sick leave.
In Australia’s landmark research project (LINK), Student Attendance and Educational Outcomes: Every Day Counts (Telethon Kids Institute), researchers analysed thousands of records and made some crucial findings regarding attendance:
- Academic performance begins to drop with any cumulative absence, meaning a student at 98% performs better on average than one at 92%.
- Every 5% drop in attendance in secondary school was associated with a measurable, permanent drop in NAPLAN performance – particularly in Numeracy, where concepts build sequentially week-by-week.
Parents, please don’t underestimate your importance in supporting and monitoring attendance in our boys. Your efforts to assist the boys to get to school (and on time) are essential and greatly appreciated.
Respice Finem
Mr David Sullivan
Principal
