Week 4

15 May 2026 

Dear Parents/Carers

Parent Teacher Interviews

Covid taught us the importance of connection and the value of talking face-to-face. For the past few years, Marist College Eastwood offered a hybrid model of Parent Teacher Interviews with online and face-to-face options. 

Not by design, but rather by necessity, Marist College Eastwood has moved away from the use of Zoom (Sydney Catholic Schools direction) to using Google Meet or Microsoft Teams.  To prepare for this change, all teaching staff are going to be undertaking some Google Meet training in the coming weeks which will allow us to provide both models for interviews. 

As a result, the interviews (Year 10/11) next week on 19 May, will only be face-to-face. However, from that point on, staff will have been trained and a hybrid model will be offered when appropriate to allow interviews to take place either in-person or online.

We apologise for the changing nature of these offerings to date in 2026. But we hope that by training staff in the use of these new systems, when we move to the hybrid model, you will experience a smooth transition when connecting with the teachers. 

Quote for the day

“Good is the enemy of great”

This quote is the foundational premise of the 2001 business management book Good to Great by Jim Collins. It is such a simple statement, but I see it also as a personal challenge to all members of our community. We are all part of a brilliant school and incredibly supportive community, but we can always strive for improvement.

Respice Finem

Mr David Sullivan
Principal 

 

TTFM Survey

15 May 2026

Dear Parents/Carers

In the coming weeks we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at Marist College Eastwood.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The survey will open on Monday 18 May and close on Friday 12 June 2026.

You will be able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

http://tellthemfromme.com/mce

Yours sincerely                                                                                      

Mrs Melinda Alvarez
Assistant Principal 

 

Champagnat Day – 5 June 2026

15 May 2026 

Dear Parents/Carers

On Friday 5 June for the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat, we will celebrate Champagnat Day as a College Community. 

The day will begin with Mass, followed immediately by our Champagnat Day Assembly and Awards presentation. These events will be live-streamed for parents and a link will be provided via Compass on the morning of Friday 5 June. 

Following the morning celebrations and recess, students will participate in a range of community-building activities, which will be led by the Year 12 Student Leaders. Students will have lunch in their Year groups, lunch will be provided on the day.

At the conclusion of the day, students will have a staggered dismissal from approximately 2:30pm. 

Please note this is a compulsory school day and it is the expectation that all students are present. It is our Marist charism to be Present and to embrace Family Spirit and this is nowhere more apparent on a community day honouring the feast of St Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist’s. This is a key community day for our school and as such non-attendance on this day will be recorded on student reports. 

When: Friday 6 June (8.30am-2.30pm)

Dress: Full College winter uniform. Including Blazer. 

  • Students participating in sport activities on the day may bring their school sports uniform to change into prior to our activities. 
  • Students must be in their full College winter uniform for our Mass and awards celebration

Student Equipment: No laptops or books will be required.

Recess: Minimal canteen facilities will be available, students are encouraged to bring their own recess and water bottles.

Lunch: Will be provided to students. Lunch will be provided by Aussie BBQ- Sausage in a roll. Students are to bring their own water bottles.

Please complete the following google form if your Son has any dietary requirements 

We are looking forward to celebrating Champagnat Day with your sons.

Yours sincerely
Linda Codamo                                                                    Colm McCaughan
Director of Wellbeing                                               Religious Education Coordinator

Year 10 – 2026 Murgon Immersion Trip

15  May 2026

Dear Parents/Carers,

Year 10 2026 Murgon Immersion Trip

The Murgon immersion for Marist College Eastwood has been going for over 15 years. It is an important part of our pastoral, religious and social justice program for students in Year 10. 

This year’s Immersion will take place in Week 6, Term 4, from Sunday 15 November to Friday 20 November.

Murgon is a small town, approximately 3.5 hours north west of Brisbane. In Murgon there is a small Catholic School, St Joseph’s which is a Marist school which is how the relationship started, initiated by Br Mark Murphy (Marist Eastwood). 

During the immersion, students will stay on-site at St Joseph’s, assist teachers in classrooms, participate in activities at the Barambah Environmental Centre and visit the Ration Shed Museum in Cherbourg to deepen their understanding of local Indigenous history and culture.

The advantages of going on this life changing immersion include:

  • First-hand experience for students to witness and participate in traditional practices, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation. 
  • Breaks down stereotypes and challenges misconceptions about indigenous communities
  • Promotes Empathy and cultural sensitivity (supporting the staff cultural competency training) 
  • Provides holistic learning opportunities around indigenous culture
  • Promotes social justice and advocacy for indigenous communities
  • Provide personal growth opportunities for students to reflect on their own lives.

The College is now seeking expressions of interest from Year 10 students who wish to be considered for the Murgon Immersion. Ten students from Year 10 will be shortlisted. 

Students are asked to complete the Murgon Immersion Application  google form by Friday 22 May.  

Kind Regards,

Mr Martin Mooney and Miss Katie Stern
Murgon Immersion Coordinators

                                       

 

Reminder – Early Dismissal – 19 May 2026

8 May 2026 

Dear Parents/Carers

Early Dismissal – 19 May 2026

On Tuesday 19 May 2026 all students will be dismissed early to accommodate Year 10 & Year 11 Parent Teacher Conferences. All students will be dismissed at 12.15pm.

Research clearly indicates the importance of collaboration and strong working relationships between schools and parents for improved student outcomes. This strong parent engagement leads to improved wellbeing and academic student outcomes and at the College we value and prioritise the opportunity for parents and teachers to meet and discuss the growth and development of students.

Supervised study will be available for students who require it until 2.50pm in the Learning Centre. If your son will be staying at school for supervised study, we do ask you to complete the attached form by Friday, 15 May so that staffing and rooming arrangements can be made.  

Please note that Homeroom Club will not be running on this day and the Learning Centre will not be available after school. 

The school canteen will not be available at lunchtime. 

Students have been informed they are to go directly home and to be conscious of their behaviour and movement on public transport considering the differing dismissal time from the normal. This is a great opportunity for students to complete individual study tasks or prepare for any upcoming assessments.

Yours sincerely 

Ms Melinda Alvarez 
Assistant Principal 

 

Reminder – Year 10 – Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences – 19 May

24 April 2026 

Dear Year 10 Parents/Carers 

The Year 10 Parent/Teacher and Student Conferences to discuss your son’s learning, will be held on Tuesday 19 May from 1:15pm–7:00pm in the Montagne Centre.

An important part of learning at Marist College Eastwood is the feedback that will inform students on how well they are progressing with their learning goals. Often this will afford an opportunity for affirmation of your son’s efforts so far. 

Optimal learning performances will be achieved by students who:

  • Reflect critically on their learning goals and lead the discussion on strategies to enhance their learning.
  • Seek feedback from their teachers on ways to improve their achievement in all future assessment tasks.
  • Attend all scheduled classes and engage with the classwork in every lesson.
  • Complete all assigned classwork and homework and seek feedback on the quality of the work.
  • Ensure that time is spent each day on exercise and relaxation, or stress-reducing activities

All Parent/Teacher Conferences will be booked via Compass. The Compass portal will be open to make bookings for interviews on Monday 11 May at 8.00am and close Monday 18 May at 8.00am. To book interviews please log into Compass, select the Community tab (2 heads) and then select Conferences.  

Yours sincerely 

Ms Melissa Williams
Director of Learning and Teaching

 

Reminder – Year 11 – Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences – 19 May

24 April 2026 

Dear Year 11 Parents/Carers

Your son’s Year 11 Progress Report will be distributed via Compass, Tuesday 5 May at 3.00pm. This Progress Report provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their academic progress in Term 1. Your son also has access to their report via their Student Compass Portal. Early in Term 4 a Year 11 Academic Report for the year will be published. For the purposes of this Progress Report, students are assessed under the headings:

  • Using feedback effectively
  • Diligence and sustained efforts with set tasks
  • Engagement and classroom application
  • Managing timeframes and meeting deadlines 

Student performance is recorded as either:

  • Consistently
  • Usually
  • Sometimes
  • Rarely

The Year 11 Parent, Teacher and Student Conferences to discuss your son’s learning, as detailed in his Year 11 Progress Report, will be held on Tuesday 19 May 2026 from 1:15pm–7:00pm. These will be conducted in the Montagne Centre.

An important part of learning at Marist College Eastwood is the feedback that will inform students on how well they are progressing with their learning goals. These discussions often provide an opportunity for affirmation of your son’s efforts so far. 

Optimal learning performances will be achieved by students who:

  • Reflect critically on their learning goals and lead the discussion on strategies to enhance their learning.
  • Seek feedback from their teachers on ways to improve their achievement in all future assessment tasks.
  • Attend all scheduled classes and engage with the classwork in every lesson.
  • Complete all assigned class work and homework and seek feedback on the quality of the work.
  • Ensure that time is spent each day on exercise and relaxation, or stress-reducing activities.

All Parent/Teacher Conferences will be booked via Compass. The Compass portal will be open to make bookings for interviews on Monday 11 May at 8.00am and close Monday 18 May 8.00am. To book interviews please log into Compass, select the Community tab (2 heads) and then select Conferences. 

If you have any immediate queries about your son’s progress report, please contact the relevant teacher directly. 

Yours sincerely 

Ms Melissa Williams
Director of Learning and Teaching 

 

 

Reminder – Year 7 – Study Skills Evening – 20 May

24 April 2026

Dear Parents/Carers of Year 7

Study Skills Evening – 20 May

On Wednesday evening, 20 May 2026 from 6.00pm–7.30pm, the College will be holding a special information session in the Montagne Centre that will take parents and students through the essential skills required to achieve academic success in high school and how students can integrate these skills into their current approach.

The evening will be presented by Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning who has specialised, for over 15 years, in the area of study skills and is in high demand as a presenter of study skills sessions. Prue developed the study skills website our school subscribes to and has written many other study skills resources.

This year the main areas that will be covered are:

  • Managing homework and assignments effectively by efficient time management.
  • Learning to be more organised for school and at home using structures and routines.
  • Working and studying effectively in high school and becoming a more powerful learner.

Dr Prue Salter will share with you some simple but powerful strategies to implement at home to help students cope with the academic demands of school and achieve their personal best. You will be discussing together what might work best for your family.

This is an interactive evening for parents and students that outlines tools and techniques for students to achieve their personal academic best. Please arrive 5-10 minutes prior, to collect the family handout. Please also bring at least one pen and you may also like to bring a highlighter and the College diary.

Please complete the google form here to indicate attendance and assist with resourcing.

Yours sincerely

Ms Melissa Williams
Director of Learning and Teaching 

 

Reminder – Years 8-12 – Study Skills Evening – 20 May

24 April 2026

Dear Parents/Carers of Years 8-12

Study Skills Evening – 20 May

On Wednesday evening, 20 May 2026 from 6.00pm–7.30pm, the College will be holding a special information session in the Montagne Centre that will take parents and students through the essential skills required to achieve academic success in high school and how students can integrate these skills into their current approach. This evening will provide an opportunity for students and parents who could not attend in previous years to attend. It will also provide an opportunity for a refresher in study skills. This evening was offered last year, with an emphasis on Year 7, however, we would like to offer it again for anyone that may have been unable to attend or who might like a refresher.

The evening will be presented by Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning who has specialised, for over 15 years, in the area of study skills and is in high demand as a presenter of study skills sessions. Prue developed the study skills website our school subscribes to and has written many other study skills resources.

The main areas that will be covered are:

  • Managing homework and assignments effectively by efficient time management.
  • Learning to be more organised for school and at home using structures and routines.
  • Working and studying effectively in high school and becoming a more powerful learner.

Dr Prue Salter will share with you some simple but powerful strategies to implement at home to help students cope with the academic demands of school and achieve their personal best. You will be discussing together what might work best for your family.

This is an interactive evening for parents and students that outlines tools and techniques for students to achieve their personal academic best. Please arrive 5-10 minutes prior, to collect the family handout. Please also bring at least one pen and you may also like to bring a highlighter and the school diary.

Please complete the google form here to indicate attendance and assist with resourcing.

Yours sincerely

Ms Melissa Williams
Director of Learning and Teaching 

 

Reminder – Year 9 – Duke of Edinburgh Program Parent Information Night – 26 May

 

1  May 2026

Dear Parents/Carers,

Year 9 2026 Duke of Edinburgh Program
Parent Information Night

Thank you for completing the initial Expression of Interest form for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Program. We are pleased to share that we have received interest from a large number of families in the Year 9 cohort. 

We kindly invite you to an information evening about the Duke of Edinburgh Award Program for our Year 9 students. This meeting will be held on Tuesday 26 May (Week 6) in the Montagne Centre from 6:00pm to 7:00pm – please enter via Gate 5, Terry Road.

The purpose of the evening is to provide families with an overview of the Duke of Education Bronze Award program, including:

  • What the program involves 
  • The skills, service and physical activity components
  • The Adventurous Journey requirements
  • The benefits for students’ personal development and leadership
  • The costs involved and what these cover
  • Key dates, expectations and next steps

There will also be an opportunity for parents and students to ask questions about the program.

Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend and we encourage you to bring your son so he can hear the information firsthand and begin thinking about if he would like to participate.

We look forward to seeing you there and supporting our Year 9 students as they take on this exciting opportunity.

Kind Regards,

Mr David Sullivan           Miss Katie Stern                                    Mrs Sarah Davis
Principal                       Duke of Edinburgh Leader                 Duke of Edinburgh Leader 

 

Uniforms

2nd Hand Uniform Shop – Next open: Friday, 19 June (Week 9) from 8.00am-10.00am. 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