Week 10

2 April 2026 

Dear Parents/Carers and Students,

We recently concluded our Parent Focus Group meetings (three meetings took place in Term 1). Ms Melinda Alvarez (Assistant Principal) and myself were buoyed by the attendance and feedback from our parents. The affirmations we received indicate we are doing lots of great things at Marist College Eastwood. When we combine the parents’ feedback and also look at the demand in our enrolments, it highlights we are succeeding in so many ways. By no means is this list exhaustive, but some of the key pieces of feedback from parents included:

  • Parents appreciate the emphasis on simplicity and discipline.
  • Teacher and Leader of Wellbeing support for our students has been amazing. Parents commented that the school wellbeing team has been wonderful helping with issues when they arise. The care for the boys feels genuine (i.e. check-ins, being approachable, etc).
  • Good balance of focus on learning and student wellbeing (educating the whole person).
  • Is there an opportunity for students in the middle years of high school to experience/attend a school camp? The time gap between Year 7 Camp and Year 12 Retreat is significant. Some students did not get to experience school camp due to Covid.
  • For senior parents it would be helpful to have a greater understanding of the HSC. Information is shared from Year 10, but some more and/or ongoing information would be helpful.
  • Some time and energy dedicated to supporting parents of neurodivergent students and additional support in (learning) and out (socially and emotionally) of class for those students.
  • Develop the demountable classrooms (into new/permanent classrooms) and AC in the Montagne Centre.

The College Leadership Team will work through the feedback and develop some plans moving forward to ensure we continue to foster our strengths and address any areas that can be improved.

As we conclude an incredibly productive and vibrant Term 1, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our entire Marist College Eastwood community.

To our students: thank you for the energy, dedication and school spirit you have brought to the classroom and the sporting fields. Whether through your academic pursuits or your commitment to our Marist values, you continue to make us proud.

To our parents/carers: thank you for your support and partnership. The strength of our College lies in the “Family Spirit” we build together.

The Easter Reflection

As a Catholic community, we now enter the most significant season of our liturgical year. Easter is a time of profound hope and renewal. Just as St. Marcellin Champagnat taught us to have a simple, practical faith, we look to the Resurrection as a reminder that light and life always prevail.

“To raise children, we must love them and love them all equally.”

St. Marcellin Champagnat

Holiday Wishes

We wish all our boys a well-deserved break. We hope this Easter holiday is a time for:

  • Rest: Enjoy some sleep-ins and recharge after a busy start to the year.
  • Reflection: Spending time in prayer and gratitude.
  • Connection: Enjoying quality moments with family and friends.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back safely for Term 2. May the peace and joy of the Risen Christ be with you and your families this Easter.

Happy Easter!

Respice Finem

Mr David Sullivan
Principal

 

 

MCE Mass at St Kevin’s Eastwood

2 April 2026

Dear Parents/Carers

As part of our ongoing connection with St Kevin’s Parish in Eastwood, the College community will host the 9.30am Mass on Sunday 26 April. This is a wonderful opportunity for boys to establish relationships with other members of the parish as well as contribute to the community through reading, altar serving, music and many other ways.

We would like to formally invite any member of the community to attend Mass with us that day. If you would like your son to participate as a reader, server, musician, or to do the Offertory or money collection, we welcome any assistance. Please simply email me if you and your son are interested.

Please direct any questions or expressions of interest you may have to – colm.mccaughan@syd.catholic.edu.au

Kind regards

Mr Colm McCaughan
Religious Education Coordinator

 

Reminder – Mother’s Day Mass & Breakfast

27 March 2026

Dear Parents/Carers

Mother’s Day Mass & Breakfast

On Friday 8 May 2026 we will be celebrating a special Mass to honour our Mothers, Grandmothers, Stepmothers and Carers before Mother’s Day.  I would love for you to join your son/s in this celebration at St Kevin’s Church, commencing at 8.00am.  We include in this invitation fathers or other family members who take on special roles in our boys’ lives.

After the Mass, we would like to invite you and your son/s to a light breakfast to be held in the Montagne Centre.

To plan for this morning, could you please RSVP here by no later than Friday 1 May so that we can finalise catering and arrange for your son/s to be released from class on Friday morning. 

Students attending Breakfast will return to class in Period 2 (9.45am). Should your son/s not attend Mass and/or Breakfast, they will attend Homeroom and Period 1 as per their normal timetable.  

We look forward to sharing this occasion with you.

Yours sincerely

Mr David Sullivan                                                    Mr Colm McCaughan
Principal                                                                  Religious Education Coordinator

 

Reminder – A Call to Our Parent Community

13 February 2026

Dear Parents/Carers

A Call to Our Parent Community

On Tuesday 28 April 2026 we will be hosting our second Careers Night for students in Years 10-12. While we have a fantastic lineup of alumni and industry partners returning to the College, we know that some of the greatest expertise resides right here within our own parent body.

If you are passionate about your profession and would be open to sitting at an “Industry Hub” for two hours to share your insights with our students, we would be honoured to have you. All professions and skills are welcomed but we are particularly looking to expand our representation in Architecture, Paramedicine, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Hospitality, Aviation and the Creative Arts.

If you would like to join our panel of advisors for the evening, please register your interest here: https://forms.gle/zaCuUAGASHEVXZp37 

Thank you for your continued support in helping our young men find their sense of purpose and direction. We look forward to seeing you there.

Warm regards

Mr. Benjamin Nguyen
Careers Adviser

 

Reminder – Year 7 Camp – Final Reminders

27 March 2026

Dear Parents/Carers and Students,

Year 7 Camp – Final Reminders

As you know, it’s nearly camp time!  The final preparations are being completed. This is just a final letter to outline some of the essential reminders the boys need to remember for their preparation.

  • Where: Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation. Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen
  • When: Term 2, Week 1. Mon 20 April – Wednesday 22 April
  • Time: Students are expected to arrive at the College by normal time on Monday, 20 April, and are expected to be back at the College on Wednesday, 22 April between 2.30-3.00 pm.
  • What to bring: Details on what to bring and what not to bring can be found through the following link – click here. Students are required to bring a separate backpack/day pack. Water bottles, sunscreen and Ventolin puffers etc can be kept in the day pack

Note: Students will be required to bring their own morning tea on Monday, 20 April 

Swimming

Throughout the camp, there will be some activities that involve swimming. To ensure safety is maintained, please complete the following swimming ability form by 10 April 2026. 

Student Medication:

All student medication must be given to Mr Flew on the morning of Monday, 20 April. Parents who indicated that their son was required to bring medication on camp need to have completed the medication consent form (this is located under the resources tab on the year 7 Camp event on Compass), so that the Nurse from Kemp recruitment can administer this while on Camp.  

We ask that you place medication in a clear zip lock bag, clearly labelled with your son’s full name and Homeroom. Student medication/medical supplies kept at the College will be taken on camp. Students requiring asthma puffers are asked to carry puffers in their day pack. Any student who is required to carry an EpiPen at all times (as per their individualised management plan) are asked to do so.

Valuables, mobile phones, electronics  and money:

Valuables (electronics, air pods, earphones, expensive watches, jewellery, etc) and mobile phones are not permitted on camp. Students will not have the opportunity to purchase items/food whilst on camp.

Note: The Office of Sport and the College take no responsibility for the loss or damage to students’ personal property, including money or other valuable items.

Emergency Contact:

In case of emergencies, parents are asked to contact the College on 9858 1644. 

For further details, refer to the Parent information – school camps | NSW Government

Kind regards,

Ms Linda Codamo                                                                              Mr Stephen Flew
Director of Wellbeing                                                                       Year 7 Leader of Wellbeing

 

Reminder – Years 10, 11 & 12 – 2026 Careers Night – “Your Futures, Unfiltered”

13 February 2026

Dear Parents/Carers

Subject: Invitation: “Your Futures, Unfiltered” – Careers Night 2026

At Marist College Eastwood, we believe that the best career advice doesn’t just come from a textbook – it comes from the real-world experiences of those who have walked the path before.

We are excited to invite you and your sons in Years 10, 11 and 12 to our upcoming Careers Night: “Your Futures, Unfiltered.”

This evening is designed to pull back the curtain on the professional world. We have curated an incredible panel of over 40 advisors – ranging from Surgeons, Lawyers and Politicians to Carpenters, Engineers and Tech Innovators – who are ready to share the honest realities, challenges and rewards of their respective fields. University representatives will be there too.

Event Details:

  • Date: Tuesday 28 April 2026
  • Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
  • Location: Montagne Centre (entry via Gate 5 on Terry Road)
  • Who should attend: All students in Years 10, 11 and 12 and their parents/carers
  • RSVP: Please confirm your attendance here

This is a unique opportunity for your son to move beyond “what” he wants to be and start discovering “how” to get there through meaningful face-to-face networking.

Warm regards

Mr. Benjamin Nguyen
Careers Adviser 

Reminder – Years 11 & 12 – Changes to SBAT & TAFE Schedules

27 March 2026

Dear Parents/Carers

Changes to SBAT Work & TAFE Schedules

Thank you for your ongoing support of the students as they commence and progress through their School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. Based on my conversations with them and their employers, it appears the boys are starting the year strong and keen, genuinely enjoying their learning and gaining valuable insights to their respective fields.

To ensure consistency for students undertaking a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT) and to effectively manage the balance between school commitments and workplace requirements, I would like to outline the process for any changes to previously agreed work and/or TAFE days.

All requests to change a scheduled SBAT work day must be submitted via email to the Careers Adviser, Mr Benjamin Nguyen (benjamin.nguyen004@syd.catholic.edu.au), at least one week prior to the proposed change. This timeframe allows for appropriate consultation between the Leader of Wellbeing, Director of Curriculum and Careers Adviser to ensure there are no clashes with assessment tasks or other compulsory school commitments.

Students are also expected to consult with their Leader of Wellbeing and relevant Leaders of Learning to confirm that any proposed change does not conflict with published assessment schedules, as outlined on the Compass Calendar and in the Assessment Handbook.

In accordance with the College’s SBAT policy:

  • Year 11 students are permitted one day of work and one day of TAFE per week.
  • Year 12 students may undertake two days of work per week once TAFE has concluded.

If a student wishes to undertake a third day of work in any given week, a formal application for leave must be submitted by both the student and parent/carer. This request must be made at least one week in advance by emailing the Director of Curriculum, Ms Monique Brame (monique.brame@syd.catholic.edu.au) and the Careers Adviser. Approval will be granted only where the student is up to date with all coursework and assessment requirements.

Thank you for your support in ensuring clear and consistent processes for our thriving SBAT students.

Yours sincerely

Mr Benjamin Nguyen
Careers Adviser

 

Reminder – Year 12 – Holiday Seminar Information

20 March 2026

Dear Year 12 Parents/Carers

Year 12 Holiday Seminar Information

I would like to begin by commending the collaborative approach that the cohort of 2026 has taken this year in preparation for their HSC. Research indicates that learning growth is strongly linked to collective efficacy. This, combined with high expectations from teachers and the students’ shared belief in their ability to succeed, significantly enhances their potential for achievement.

During the upcoming school holidays, we have a variety of opportunities for our students to continue their collaborative and supportive approach in what we know is a challenging year. We have SCS Zoom sessions by HSC specialists that students can attend from home. Additionally, we have allocated time for workshop classrooms to be open for students completing major works. Our dedicated teachers will run some workshops at the College and this year, we have included Old Boy Tutors for exam question practice across various subjects. The HSC School Holiday seminar Timetable is being finalised and will be sent to both parents and students early in Week 9 by Ms Stojic, our Leader of Student Life and Co-Curricular.

We will be asking students to complete a google form to indicate which sessions they will be attending to ensure appropriate rooming and for site safety at this time. Students are not required to wear school uniform, however they need to ensure they are in appropriate footwear and clothing for their learning environments.

I strongly encourage you to talk to your son about these upcoming holidays and which seminars, workshops or HSC exam question practice sessions they will attend.

Kind regards

Ms Monique Brame
Director of Curriculum and NESA Accreditation

 

Uniforms

2nd Hand Uniform Shop – Next open: Thursday, 30 April (Week 2 Term 2) from 1.30pm-3.00pm. Located at the rear of Cottage 3 – entry via Gate 4 on Hillview Road. Cash & EFTPOS accepted.

Please note:

  • As the school has changed uniform suppliers, uniform sizing has changed and is no longer consistent with previous sizes
  • We strongly encourage parents to bring their own measurements when purchasing from the second-hand uniform shop
  • The second-hand uniform shop is not responsible for sizing issues, and all sales are final — no refunds or exchanges are available

Donations to the Second Hand Uniform Shop can be dropped off to the College Front Reception during normal school hours. Year 12’s your blazers would be very much appreciated after you graduate.

For more information, please refer to Compass > Community tab (2 heads) > School Documentation > Parent Information and Forms > Uniform Price List & Second Hand Uniform Shop Information