Week 2 Term 3

30 July 2026 

Dear Parents/Carers

I recognise that when schools undertake staff development days (Friday 31/7/26) there can be an inconvenience to families as a result of the need to ensure their children are supervised and kept busy. I also recognise that primary parents find it even more challenging than secondary parents due to the likelihood that the older boys are a bit more autonomous and can take care of themselves and are likely to sleep half of the day away.

This week our staff undertake the ‘Hands’ component of a Head, Hands and Heart faith formation program that has been running over a number of years. This week our staff will be off-site and participating in undertaking charitable works all across Sydney. We see this as an important part of the professional, spiritual and faith formation of staff which can impact on our teaching and learning in the classroom.

When school staff engage in professional learning dedicated to faith formation, the primary beneficiary is almost always the student. Rather than just receiving standard academic instruction, students experience an environment where learning, personal values and spiritual development are deeply connected.

When educators undergo faith formation, they don’t just learn what to teach – they reflect on how they teach, lead and interact.

Formed educators are better equipped to help students navigate real-world challenges, doubts and diverse viewpoints while remaining grounded in their school’s faith tradition.

Teachers who are spiritually grounded tend to foster classrooms where every student feels seen, valued and respected as a unique creation. Instead of punitive measures, discipline shifts toward empathy, self-reflection and reconciliation which in turn helps students learn accountability without shame.

Faith formation helps staff weave underlying values (like truth, beauty, ethics and care for creation) across all subject areas (not just in Religious Education). Teachers are subsequently then equipped to help students in turn learn to see the connection between their intellect, emotional wellbeing and spiritual life.

A major pillar of faith formation is putting belief into action. Well-formed teachers and school staff are better at organising service projects, outreach initiatives and reflection opportunities that aren’t just “check-the-box” volunteer hours. Because of their experiences, students can be guided to look beyond themselves, developing empathy and leadership skills aimed at addressing injustice in their broader community.

When staff undertake faith formation events, the school shifts from simply delivering subject content to building a living community. Students gain a safer emotional space, a clearer (faith informed) moral compass and an education that forms the whole person… The head. The heart. And the hands.

Respice Finem

Mr David Sullivan
Principal 

Staff Professional Development Day – 17 August

30 July 2026 

Dear Parents/Carers,

Staff Development Day – 17 August 2026

As outlined in our College Calendar, Monday, 17 August 2026 will be a Staff Development Day. This means it will be a pupil-free day and no classes will be held for students.

Please also note that Homework Club will not operate on this day.

Students have been informed and encouraged to use this time productively – for assessment preparation, revision of key concepts, and ensuring they are up to date with the learning outcomes covered in class. This is a valuable opportunity for students to consolidate their learning in a focused and independent manner.

If you require supervision for your son on this day, we kindly ask that you complete the following google form by Thursday, 13 August 2026, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.

Yours sincerely,

Ms Melinda Alvarez
Assistant Principal

Year 8 – Semester Two 2026

30 July 2026

Dear Parents/Carers of Year 8,

Semester Two

A warm welcome back to MCE Semester II which is the final phase of your son’s educational journey in Stage Four. I am sure that you are aware that each Stage of Learning represents planned and expected achievement levels.

As such the Homeroom Staff and Teaching Team and myself wish to complement your son upon his Semester One Report and the manner in which he conducted himself during  the Parent/Teacher Conferences. We are hopeful that he has begun to think carefully and act upon the carefully considered feedback and advice offered in these conversations as he moves into Semester II coursework and associated assessment challenges.

A simple challenge to all students is to aim to have Consistently recorded in all “Attitudes to Learning” boxes for each course for Semester II. 

As you would have read in the Week One Newsletter address from Mr Sullivan last week, he has challenged students particularly those in Year Eight to be conscious of the importance of regular attendance and the impact it has on their academic success. Presence at the College every day, attempting all classes and approaching learning in a respectful manner is shown as a recipe for being successful.

At the College Assembly on Tuesday Mr Sullivan further developed this focus and outlined the challenge to students of building and becoming the best versions themselves. Students were challenged to be involved themselves in their learning priorities through completing homework tasks, having the correct equipment and engaging respectfully in the learning space. 

The term has begun in a busy fashion with Assessment Tasks for Semester Two Reports already becoming a part of lesson directions.

Reminders are offered about the simple yet key expectations for students in Year Eight wishing to thrive as a member of this vibrant community… The first of these is to make effective use of the College Diary with all of Term 3 subjects written in advance in blue pen and then completed in detail at the end of each lesson with homework or learning details. Students have been challenged to be detailed … a blank entry is not acceptable as there is always classwork, reading or assessment work to be entered. We would ask for your support as parents by sighting your son’s diary regularly, signing it on a weekly basis and hopefully discussing the courses that they are undertaking. 

The young men in the cohort are regularly asked to value the items and opportunities that their parents’ hard work has provided. This in simple terms means effectively attempting all learning and social development elements asked and planned, caring for uniforms and equipment and genuinely trying to the best of their ability.  

Boys are expected to be punctual, attempt all elements asked, particularly treating all with respect and taking pride in the appearance and presentation of their uniform. 

Last Friday the boys enjoyed the Yu Ni On groups Taiko drum performance bringing a cultural element through experiencing Japanese percussive sounds and festive song and dance. Our boys were wonderfully engaged!

I offer my final thoughts regarding the keys to success as a student at Marist College based around a recent conversation with a former student. 

Logan Donnelly (HSC 2024) is employed by the College as one of our ‘Old Boy Tutors’. We spoke about his address to the College Assembly when he was in Year 12. He revealed to the community that he had become a regular reader only in his final school year. He spoke about reading for enjoyment starting and building into an effective habit. Logan revealed that becoming a ‘better reader helped him with his success as a student’. As his  final point Logan reminded me of his 98.3 HSC ATAR score and the great enjoyment he is now obtaining in his university studies.

My challenge for students in Year 8, is to become a regular reader now rather than leaving it to Year 12. A good basis is achievable by building a daily habit for approximately four weeks. For some it is about re-establishing habits from primary school for some boys with parental guidance and support making a commitment for the next four weeks.

Yours in Education

Mr Stephen McNamara 
Leader of Wellbeing -Year 8

MCE PCG – Agenda for Meeting 5 August 2026

MCE PCG – 2026 Term 3 – Agenda for Meeting 5 August 2026

MCE PCG – Minutes from Meeting 5 May 2026

MCE PCG – 2026 Term 3 – Minutes from Meeting 5 May 2026

Sport Report

Upcoming Events:

• Week 3 Thursday – Start of Spring Conference Championships (AFL and Rugby 7s)
• Week 5 Tuesday – Conference 2 Athletics Championships

A reminder from the Sports Department:

All students who represented in Term 2 sports are required to return their sports jerseys as soon as possible please.

Careers – Week 2 Term 3

MCE Careers Website Link mcecareers.com

Term 3, Week 2 2026

Dear Parents/Carers and Students,

Welcome to this week’s Careers Update!

As we roll into August, senior students are entering a critical window for post-school planning. Between early entry schemes, university open days, apprenticeships and subject selection decisions, there is a lot happening.

Because this newsletter is distributed today, Thursday 30 July, all upcoming events listed below take place from August onwards. Please review the key dates with your sons to ensure they don’t miss out on important application deadlines and campus visits.

University Open Days & Campus Experiences

Open Days are the best way for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to explore campus culture, tour state-of-the-art facilities and speak directly with academics and current university students.

Online Information Sessions & Webinars

If you can’t make it in person, these live online sessions offer a great way to get your questions answered from home.

• JCU Exploring Veterinary Science (Tue 4 Aug): Essential for students interested in tropical and rural veterinary practice.
• Applying to Uni of Melbourne via VTAC (Wed 5 Aug): For students looking to study interstate in Victoria.
• STEM + X: Careers in Agriculture (Wed 5 Aug): Discover high-demand careers in ag-tech, data science and biotechnology.
• Architecture & Built Environment at Sydney (Wed 5 Aug): Overview of built environment pathways at USYD.
• UOW Future Talk for Parents (Mon 10 Aug): Covers HSC support, UOW Early Admission, AI in careers and financial planning.
• Why Study Business at Sydney? (Wed 12 Aug): Explore over 100 study combinations and industry internship opportunities.
• UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship Chat (Thu 20 Aug): Overview of the prestigious Co-op scholarship program and scholar experience.

Apprenticeships, Trades & Vocational Pathways

For students aiming for a trade or hands-on career, these expos bring employers, group training organisations and TAFE representatives under one roof.

Parent Tip: Bringing your son’s resume to these expos is highly recommended – exhibitors often recruit on the spot for upcoming intakes!

• South Western Sydney Expo: Tuesday 25 August @ Liverpool Catholic Club.
• Say Yes to the Trades Expo: Thursday 27 August @ Entertainment Park, Bankstown Aerodrome.
• Sydney West Careers & Employment Expo: Friday 28 – Saturday 29 August @ Sydney Showground.

Scholarships & Competitions Currently Open

Encourage your sons to get their applications in early. Free money for tertiary study is always worth the effort!

• 2026 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize: Closes 3 August 2026.
• Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee (Years 3–8): Closes 21 August 2026.
• Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship: Closes 24 August 2026.
• Chevron Nature in Focus Photography Competition: Closes 7 September 2026.
• UNSW Medical Gateway & Endowed Scholarships: Close 30 September 2026.

Tax & Money Matters for Working Students

If your son has a part-time or casual job, the end of the financial year (30 June) means tax returns are officially open.

• Do school students need to file a tax return? If your total income was over $18,200, yes. Even if you earned under $18,200, if your employer withheld any tax from your pay, you should lodge a return to claim that tax back as a refund!
• App/Freelance Work: Income earned through delivery, odd jobs, or freelancing must be reported, as there is no employer withholding tax automatically.
• Deadline: Free online lodgements through myTax (myGov) must be submitted by 31 October 2026. If no return is required, a simple ‘non-lodgement advice’ must still be submitted to the ATO.

 Job Spotlight: Construction Manager

If your son is an organiser who enjoys dynamic environments and building tangible projects, Construction Management is a thriving career path to consider.

• The Role: Construction Managers coordinate building and infrastructure projects from planning through to handover. They manage site safety, subcontractor schedules, budgets and problem-solve daily site challenges.
• Work Style: High site mobility, early starts, clear communication and leadership under pressure. Above-average earning potential with strong industry demand across residential, commercial and civil sectors.
• How to Get There: Typically via a Bachelor of Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or vocational VET pathways combined with site trade experience. Cadetships with major builders during university are very common.

As always, if your son would like to discuss university preferences, early entry schemes, or trade pathways, please encourage him to pop into the Careers Office for a chat.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Warm regards,

Mr. Benjamin Nguyen
Careers Adviser

Online Workshop for kids with disability or developmental concerns

Online workshop for parents and carers of kids with disability or developmental concerns

Happy Families – from Dr Justin Coulson

All Years – 2026 Term 3 – Happy Families Issue 2 Term 3 – from Dr Justin Coulson

Reminder – 2026 August Census Documentation

Dear Parents/Carers

Please find below information, for your reference, for the upcoming August Census:

All Years – 2026 Term 3 – Census privacy collection notice – from the Aust Government

All Years – 2026 Term 3 – SCS Privacy Policy Link

All Years – 2026 Term 3 – SCS Standard Collection Notice – from Sydney Catholic Schools

Reminder – Tuning in to Kids & Teens – 3 Free Parenting Programs

Dear Parents/Carers

Please see below the flyers from Relationships Australia about their free Term 3 Parenting Programs: 

Tuning in to Kids T3 Flyer

Tuning in to Teens T3 Online Flyer

Tuning in to Teens Northern Beaches T3

Reminder – Engaging Adolescents FREE Parenting Program

All Years – 2026 Term 2 – Engaging Adolescents FREE Parenting Program – from the Northern Centre

Uniforms

2nd Hand Uniform Shop – Next open: Thursday, 13 August (Week 4 Term 3) from 1.00pm-3.00pm. Located at the rear of Cottage 3 – entry via Gate 4 on Hillview Road. Cash & EFTPOS accepted.

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