YEAR 7 (alphabetically); Georgia Bayley, Ethan Brown, Tom Brown, Georgia Conron, Zoe Field, Aisea Folau, Sophie Francis, Cooper Garratt, Olive Hinks, Rose Mayall, Lotti McGirr, Annabella Ruperto and Will Spence.

YEAR 8 (alphabetically); Claire Bayley, Piper Brownlow, Sophia Byrne, Jacob Cranney, Alice Currey, Kelsey Finnegan, Oscar Hendry, Jackson Markwort, Claire Pengilly and Carissa Siju.

YEAR 9 (alphabetically); Campbell Arnott, Dakota Bray, Georgia Campbell, Kristy Emery, Heidi Hajsinger-Waru, Annie Jarick, Aaliyah Kelly, Manny Little, Tyson McLennan, Tsolmon Oyunbold, Andy Press and Hunter Walsh

YEAR 10 (alphabetically); Katie Corke, Katie Galvin, Camley Hapgood, Emily Harley, Thomas Livermore, Brock Maynard, Eilish Neville and Nate Richards

YEAR 11 (alphabetically); Amber Griffin, Will Hamilton, Bronte Hampton, Holly Leighton, Grace MacGregor, Meg Mahon, Beau McMahon, Isaac Page, Max Reid and Hunter Ross

Year Seven participated in a local history excursion on Wednesday 10th September. 

They had the opportunity to immerse themselves in history at the  the following venues:

• The Forbes Museum - a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers guided the students through layers of First Nations and colonial artefacts.

• The Wiradjuri Dreaming Circle: Local elders taught the students cultural basket weaving and painting as well as the significance of signs and symbols at the centre.

• The Forbes Visitor Information Centre: Resident historian, Rob Willis, played old soundtracks to explain local history.

• Victoria Park: students discovered the history of the park and learnt about the different military campaigns that local soldiers have served in. 

• Forbes Court House: students were invited into the Court House to learn about the legal system.

Year Seven is appreciative of the time and effort made by our local historians to ensure that they had a great day.

Our Red Bend chess team travelled to Sydney to compete in the Secondary Schools One-Day Chess Tournament, which attracted a record 115 teams from 43 schools, including several country schools. 

Knox Grammar School won the Open Division and with it the Terrey Shaw Shield, while James Ruse High School won the Junior Division (Years 7-9). Our Red Bend open side finished 46th, and will be much stronger for the experience next year, with our junior team finishing 63rd.

Both sides have gained a lot of confidence out of the experience. And are looking forward to returning next year to test our chess knowledge in 2026.

Great work Josh Morrison, Aidan Mctiernan, William Tandy, Seamus O'Malley, Hunter McMillian, Oliver Mead and Cooper Garrat.

We celebrated our 2025 Vinnies Youth Conference Commissioning Service. Thirty-five student members were inducted into the Society, and we also acknowledged our hardworking 2025 Senior Leadership team.

Over the last two terms, Vinnies members have worked tirelessly, running BBQ breakfasts and selling lollies on Fridays, to raise enough funds to buy 20 wearable blankets for distribution to those in need via the Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin SVDP Conferences.

We were thrilled to present these today to SVDP representatives; Rhonda Keane, Kelly Morgan, Kylie Biggs and Helen Smith.

Term 3 has been a huge one for the CAPA department, with students participating in various shows, eisteddfods and exams in Art, Music, Dance and Drama. Many of our Visual Arts students entered the Forbes Show this term, in the categories of Fine Arts, Photography, Landscape and more, coming away with a host of First place awards. Thank you to art teachers Tracie Axton, Esmarie Boshoff and Georgia Barnes for their support of these students. Term 3 also saw the start of the Red Bend Choir. Students have enjoyed getting together and singing songs from Pitch Perfect, Coldplay and more. 

A massive congratulations to our Year 12 students in Visual Arts and Music 1 for completing their major works and practical exams. We wish these students all the best as they undertake their written exams next term. 

A reminder that we have vocal lessons and instrumental lessons for piano, violin, guitar, drums, clarinet and saxophone available at school. Please email Miss Cairney at creativearts@redbendcc.nsw.edu.au for more details. 

Our Sheep and Cattle Teams competed at Eugowra Show on the weekend with some fabulous results and, as always, some wonderful community spirit and teamwork.

The Sheep Team was made up of 5 rams and 4 students; Kadence Kain, Olivia Bray, Oscar Townsend and Mack Pengilley. They were supported by Tom Lawler, who spent his day helping between the sheep and cattle team. By all accounts things went smoothly - the ribbon tally being a second and two thirds.

The Cattle Team started the day with the qualifying for Parading and Judging at the state finals at the Sydney Royal next year. Many people between the ages of 13 and 24 descend on Eugowra hoping to  fill one of the 10 spots to go onto Sydney.

Alana Haynes, Emily van de Struik, Hugh Crothers and James Haynes were selected to represent our group in Sydney for parading. Alana  also placed first in the Junior Judging final, which sees her off to Sydney to represent us in this state final.

In the Novice Junior Judging Peter Elias placed first, Dakota Bray came second and Jack Billing received a Highly Commended.

Following this the stud cattle judging took place with various ribbons.

Congrats again to Alana and Mrs Wynberg. Alana took out the Supreme Exhibit of the show with a heifer bred by Annika - now owned by Alana.

Marist Oratory Competition 3rd September at St Joseph’s, Hunters Hill, Sydney

Six of our students, accompanied by Mrs. Anne Maree and Mr. Alex Denley, recently took part in the 33rd Marist Oratory Competition at St Joseph’s, Hunters Hill.

They joined students from 13 other Marist schools across NSW, sharing their voices and ideas in what was a truly inspiring day of public speaking. Our students spoke with confidence on a range of thought-provoking topics, including “Two sides to every story,” “The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing,” “The pot at the end of the rainbow,” and “The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity.”

A special mention goes to Chloe Pryor, who took on the challenge of the Impromptu section with great courage. With only five minutes to prepare, she delivered a thoughtful and engaging speech on “The silence between the notes.”

We are also thrilled to celebrate Year 7 student Peter Elias, who came first in his age group which is a wonderful achievement that reflects his talent and hard work.

Congratulations to Sophia Byrne, Georgia Baird, Katie Corke and Gabriella Pereira as well, for their dedication and effort. Each of our students represented the school with pride, and we are so pleased to celebrate their achievements as a community.

We hold a culture class every Thursday. Recently they have been learning Wiradjuri language, dance, and art. They've also made traditional headsets to wear when they dance, made from traditional bark and emu feathers.

The culture group is also creating their own art piece to hang in the school, along with learning how a bull roarer works, known as the very first telephone.

Earlier in September, 13 of our students competed at the NSWCCC Athletics in Sydney as part of the Bathurst Diocese team. We were proudly represented by:

Eli Bowden-Boland

Lenny Iyer

Austin Smyth

Tia Dunn

Toby Morgan

Archie Higgins

Ryker Moore

Macey Frost

Lachlan Rice

Alexander Rice

Isla Mackin

Charlie Wallder

Emmanuel Little

Our students had a fantastic day with some excellent results. A special mention goes to Ryker Moore, who received a bronze medal in the 400m, and Lachlan Rice, who received a bronze medal in the triple jump.

Lots of PBs all round and great team spirit — well done everyone!

Students recently competed in the junior and intermediate Diocesan basketball gala day.

All students were great ambassadors of the college displaying excellent sportsmanship throughout the gala day.

Our Junior girls team 1 & 2 developed their skills throughout the day, improving each game. Our Year 7 team clinching the title as best RBCC team as they beat our Year 8 team when they played each other.

The junior boys team 1 & 2 both played well battling out tight games of basketball. Junior boys team 1 claimed the RBCC title beating team 2 in their game against each other.

Our intermediate girls and boys teams made up of just Year 9 students played impressively throughout their games. Whilst the teams didn’t secure a win, they didn’t stop competing.

Our under 15s Girls Rugby League team travelled to Sydney for the CCC Cup. The team arrived at Penrith Monday afternoon, where we got to have a training session next to the Penrith Panthers Academy.

Upon our arrival, the girls were lucky enough to see the Panthers NRL squad in the carpark. Special mention to Panthers winger Brian To’o who beeped his horn and waved to the girls, and utility player Daine Laurie who shouted “Go Red Bend”. During their training session, the girls were also accompanied by ex-student Billy Phillips (made his NRL debut for the Panthers last week).

On Tuesday, the team travelled to Holy Cross College in Ryde for the CCC carnival.

Game 1 v St Patricks College, Campbelltown

Win 36-8

Tries to Stella Bull, Ruby Coote (3), Sophie Phillips and Amelia McRae. The girls went down to St Pat’s in last year's Grand Final, so this was a huge win for them all and a great start to the day.

Player of the day: Ruby Coote

Game 2 v St Vincents Catholic College, Ashfield

Win 20-0

Tries to Amelia Mcrae, Katie Galvin (2) and Ruby Coote.

Player of the day: Katie Galvin

Semi Final v St Peters Tuggerah

Win 24-16

Tries to Katie Galvin (2), Amelia Grayson, Ruby Coote and Sophie Phillips (2).

Player of the day: Sophie Phillips

The girls undefeated run had them qualify for the Grand Final.

Grand Final v Corpus Christi Maroubra

Loss 26-16

The girls went down in a very close game, nearly pulling off the comeback in the final minutes with the score at 20-16. Unfortunately Maroubra scored on the buzzer bringing the final score to 26-16. Finished with 2nd place for the day. Tries to Ruby Coote, Harpa Martin and Isabelle Nicholson.

Players of the day: Sarah Price and Isabelle Nicholson

The girls are to be commended for their overall performance on the day and the way they represented the College on and off the field.

The NSW Combined Catholic Colleges trials were held in Newcastle in Term 1. 8 students attended these trials and 3 players made the CCC teams which was an outstanding achievement. and from these, 3 RBCC students were selected-Archie Daley, Jagger Gillingham, Sam Westcott for the NSWCCC team. These students went on to play the NSW Combined High School and the NSW Independent Schools sides.

The boys covered the back through Archie and Jagger with Archie positioned in the midfield. This enabled them to play a cohesive unit which were able to defeat the CHS side, the first time for several years. The team finished second to the IAS schools. Archie Daley and Sam Westcott were then selected in the Allschools Merit team unfortunately with no tour this year.   

Jett Johnstone 

Jett was selected in a team to play hockey in the European Easter tour to Amsterdam in the  Netherlands and Belgium and missed the CCC selection trials. In this tournament, Jett played as a striker against Scotland, England, Belgium, Ireland and Germany. He played Belgium first and was defeated by a more skillful team. He then played Ireland and Scotland and won both these games. This placed the team into bronze medal contention against England but was beaten by one goal in a very close match. Jett had a very successful and enjoyable experience over the two weeks, gaining great experience and playing against strong world European teams. Congratulations Jett!  

Best wishes to Jett for his HSC and hockey career as he moves to Goal College, based at Sydney Olympic Park to finish his HSC year. 

Thank you also to Glenn Johnstone for his assistance and ongoing support of hockey at RBCC, helping to develop players skills and confidence, enabling the College to obtain remarkable success at state level.

On Friday 12th September, fourteen students represented Red Bend Catholic College at the Donna Lane Shield held at the Parkes Squash Courts. The competition included strong players from Parkes, Cowra, Canowindra, Dubbo, Rylstone, Kandos and Dunedoo, with many matches going down to the wire. For the first time, Red Bend proudly came away as overall champion school. In the teams event, Laila Kelly, teamed with Chelsea Gallagher from Dunedoo, achieved an outstanding result by winning the Girls Team Champion title. 

Every Red Bend student secured at least a win in either the teams or individual events and a special mention to Claire Bayley who made it to the semi finals for the Girls individuals a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to Claire Bayley, Jack Dunford, Lenny Iyer, Heidi Jones, Cooper Kelly, Laila Kelly, Fletcher Matthews, Frank McMahon, Ashton McQuie, Daisy Rice, Alfie Rosser, Lillah Smith, Jacob Swindle and Noah Webb for their outstanding behaviour, sportsmanship and teamwork throughout the day.