It has been a privilege to begin my role as House Coordinator for McAuley House. I would like to sincerely thank the students for their warm welcome and patience as I settle into the position and learn the ropes.

I have been highly impressed by the way McAuley students embrace opportunities to participate in all aspects of school life. Their enthusiasm, commitment, and school spirit are evident across a wide range of activities, and they are to be commended for their positive involvement.

Most importantly, the students of McAuley House play a vital role in creating a safe, supportive, and happy environment. Through their kindness, respect, and willingness to look out for one another, they contribute to a strong sense of belonging within the House. This positive culture is strongly supported by our hard-working Pastoral Care teachers, whose ongoing guidance and care help nurture student wellbeing. I look forward to continuing to encourage and empower students to take ownership of this environment as we build on it together.

McAuley students continue to be recognised for their outstanding contributions across a wide range of areas. This includes achievements such as Champagnat Medals, ACE Awards, and Age Champion titles at the athletics carnival. Many students are also actively involved in co-curricular pursuits, representing the school in rugby league, netball, and equestrian events (to name but a few). The depth of talent within the House is further showcased through student involvement in the school musical, Annie Jr., with many performing on stage while others contribute behind the scenes. It is also pleasing to see the strong House spirit and excellent attendance demonstrated at school carnivals, reflecting a positive and engaged student community.

As we approach the halfway point of the year, our Year 12 students are drawing ever closer to the conclusion of their journey at Red Bend. I encourage all McAuley students to take the time to connect with their Year 12 peers and cherish the opportunities to learn from and share in their final months at the College. Red Bend is a truly special place, and it is the people within it who make it so. The students of McAuley House play an important role in creating a strong sense of family, contributing to the supportive and connected community that makes our House such a valued part of Red Bend.

On Friday 26th and Saturday 27th of June, 45 students from Years 7-12 performed and took part in the Red Bend production of Annie Jr the Musical. 

With over 500 tickets sold, the production was a huge success. Students of both the cast and crew made exceptional efforts in contributing to a smooth-running and entertaining show. A huge thanks must also go to the staff who contributed countless hours and expertise. Without them, the production would not have been possible. Below is a list of cast, and an assortment of photos from the production.

On Thursday 18 June and Friday 19 June, our Year 10 students participated in two engaging Careers Development Days designed to help them explore future career opportunities and make informed decisions about their HSC subject selections.

Thursday saw students rotate through a series of interactive workshops including Hospitality, Horticulture/Agriculture, Health & Fitness, Finance 101, and an exciting Virtual Reality Career Exploration experience facilitated by MindFlight. These hands-on sessions encouraged students to consider the wide range of career pathways available to them and how these pathways connect with subjects offered at Red Bend Catholic College for their senior years.

On Friday, students had the opportunity to hear from a range of guest speakers who shared their unique career journeys, highlighting the many different pathways that can lead to fulfilling careers. Students also completed self-reflection activities, career suitability assessments, and created vision boards to help identify their interests, strengths, goals, and aspirations for the future.

A special thank you goes to Parkes News & Gifts and News On Rankin for their generous donation of magazines and newspapers, which provided the inspiration and resources for our students' vision boards. Your support was greatly appreciated. 

A big thank you also, to Kate and Dimity from Macrocarpa Landscapes for facilitating the Horticulture workshops via the Next Gen Nature Program funded by Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, supported by Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. Your passion and knowledge was inspiring.

These two days provided valuable opportunities for students to develop a greater understanding of themselves, explore the world of work and begin planning with confidence for their future education and career pathways.

Our Year 10 students will continue building on this experience during the next Careers Development Days on Thursday 3 September and Friday 4 September, before putting their learning into practice during Work Experience from Monday 14 September to Friday 18 September. These upcoming opportunities will allow students to further explore career options, develop workplace skills and gain valuable firsthand experience in industries of interest.

The 2026 St Vincent de Paul Youth Conference Commissioning, led by Father Harry, was held on Monday the 29th of June. Students were presented with Membership Certificates and badges by Jess Easthope, Vinnies Schools and Youth Engagement Officer and Mr Jim Rogers, outgoing SVDP Wilcannia Forbes Central Council President. We were thrilled to also be joined by Mrs Rhonda Keane, the incoming Wilcannia Forbes Central Council President; Kelly Morgan Regional Director West and local Conference members Mrs Val Maunder and Mrs Barbara Brook.

Our RBCC Youth Conference has now grown to 50 members with students from Years 7 to 12 participating in a range of fundraising and service activities. The focus for Term 2 has been a Winter Collection Clothing Drive with 109 bags of donations being collected and distributed between the Forbes and Parkes Vinnies retail outlets. Our weekly Lolly Shop has been very popular enabling the team to raise enough money to support four students through the Vinnies “Assist a Student” program.

It is wonderful to see the Youth Conference continuing to grow and engage in good works. As we celebrate 100 years of Marist education in Forbes, we also reflect on 91 years of Vincentian tradition and service in our school. The first Vinnies group commenced with Principal Br. Avellino Power in 1935 with some past students still volunteering in local Conferences today. We are proud that our current students continue to embrace Vincentian service and walk in the steps of those that came before them.  

Mrs Janice Little, RBCC Vinnies Coordinator

This term, Year 9 iSTEM students have been exploring the exciting world of Tiny Homes, combining creativity, problem-solving, and engineering design to develop innovative housing solutions.

Throughout the term, students investigated the concept of tiny homes and examined how these compact living spaces can provide sustainable, affordable, and efficient housing options. They considered important design factors such as functionality, space efficiency, sustainability, and the needs of different users.

Using the engineering design process, students worked to develop their own tiny home concepts. They began by planning and designing detailed floor plans using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, carefully considering how to maximise space while maintaining practicality and comfort.

Students then transformed their digital designs into physical prototypes by using 3D printing technology to create scale models of their tiny homes. This process allowed them to see their ideas come to life and provided valuable opportunities to evaluate and refine their designs.

The project challenged students to think critically, work creatively, and apply STEM skills in a real-world context. It was fantastic to see the innovation, problem-solving, and persistence demonstrated by students throughout the design process.

Year 9 iSTEM should be very proud of the effort and enthusiasm they brought to this project. Their final designs showcased an impressive range of creative and practical solutions, highlighting the skills they have developed in design, engineering, and technology.

On Wednesday 17 June, the Year 9 History students travelled to Cowra as part of their study of Australians at War. Throughout the day, students visited a number of important sites connected to the Prisoner of War camp and the Cowra Breakout during World War II.

Our first stop was the former Prisoner of War camp, where military personnel and civilians from countries including Japan, Italy, Indonesia and a number of other nations were held during the war. Students listened to a recording explaining the events of the Cowra Breakout before exploring the site, which still has remains of the original camp and a range of informative displays.

The students then visited the Cowra War Cemetery, where many of the Japanese prisoners who died during the breakout are buried, along with several Australian soldiers.

Next, we visited the Australian World Peace Bell, which was gifted to Cowra by Japan in 1992 as a symbol of peace and the strong friendship that has developed between Cowra and Japan since the end of World War II.

Our final stop was the Cowra Visitor Information Centre, where students watched a hologram presentation about the Cowra Breakout and learned more about its significance.

It was a great day, with students showing a high level of interest and engagement at each location. They represented the school well and gained a deeper understanding of this important part of Australia's wartime history.

Year 12 Modern and Ancient History students spent two enriching days at the University of Sydney attending the HSC History Study Days, where they participated in a series of expert-led sessions designed to strengthen their understanding of key syllabus concepts. Students engaged with historians, explored new perspectives, and refined their analytical and writing skills in preparation for their upcoming examinations. The atmosphere was lively and positive, with students enjoying the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom and deepen their confidence in both Modern History and Ancient History.

After Thursday’s lectures, both groups visited the Chau Chak Wing Museum, where they explored a wide range of exhibitions, including artefacts from the renowned Nicholson Collection. Students were able to connect their classroom learning with real-world historical evidence, discovering ancient and contemporary cultures through artworks, objects and archaeological material. It was a highly valuable and enjoyable experience, leaving students inspired, informed and well-prepared for the HSC.

On Thursday 25th and Friday 26th June the Year 12 Business Studies and Geography students accompanied by Mrs Morrison, Mrs McMillan and Mr Ryan headed to Sydney to visit a number of sites around the Sydney CBD so students could gain a better understanding of some of the major case studies they have been learning about. 

On the Thursday we visited Urban Green which is an environmentally sustainable vertical farm located in a disused car park in Barangaroo. Urban Green supplies high end restaurants in Sydney with micro greens that are all packaged in cardboard and delivered on e bikes throughout the city. Next we went on a walking tour of Darling Harbour and Barangaroo. Guided by Mrs McMillan we walked around the foreshore to Walsh Bay looking at urban renewal and development in the area. 

After a big day we ventured down to Circular Quay for dinner and enjoyed the nice views around the harbour. Friday started with a walk around the Opera House, then we took a Ferry ride to Luna Park where we enjoyed a day of rides and adventure. We focused on the operations and safety procedures that were in place at Luna Park and also how they promote and market the business to the public. Overall it was a great trip and all had a lot of fun.

Girls Years 7 & 8

On Tuesday, 23 June, our Girls Years 7 & 8 Touch Football team travelled to Dubbo to compete in the Orana All Schools Touch Football Carnival. The girls represented the school with great enthusiasm, sportsmanship and determination throughout the day, competing against several strong teams from across the region.

The team enjoyed an excellent carnival, recording impressive victories over Parkes Christian (6–0), Mudgee High School (6–1), Delroy Campus (6–0), and Dubbo Christian School (8–0). The girls faced strong opposition from St John’s College and MAGS, going down 0–2 and 0–7 respectively.

Following the completion of the round games, the team finished 3rd overall, narrowly missing out on a place in the grand final. This was a fantastic achievement against a very competitive field and reflected the hard work and commitment shown by the girls throughout the day.

All players contributed positively to the team’s success, displaying excellent teamwork, skill, and sportsmanship. Special congratulations go to Luca Barnes, who was the player of the day for our team.

Across the six matches, the team scored an impressive 26 tries while conceding just 10, highlighting both their attacking flair and strong defensive efforts. The girls represented the school with pride and should be congratulated on a wonderful day of touch football.

Results:

• Parkes Christian – Won 6–0

• Mudgee High School – Won 6–1

• Delroy Campus – Won 6–0

• St John’s College – Lost 0–2

• MAGS – Lost 0–7

• Dubbo Christian School – Won 8–0

Congratulations to all players on a successful carnival.

Year 9/10 Girls Touch Football

The Year 9/10 Girls Touch Football team had a fantastic day at the Dubbo Gala Day, winning four of their five pool games and drawing 2–2 with St John’s. Their results included victories over Dubbo Christian (7–0), Parkes Christian (5–0), MAGS (4–2) and St Mary’s (9–1).

The girls progressed to the Grand Final, where they defeated St John’s 6–1 to claim the title. Throughout the day, the team displayed excellent sportsmanship, determination and fairness. Congratulations to Stella Bull, who was named Player of the Day.

By winning the Grand Final, the team has qualified for the State Finals in Sydney this September. All students are to be congratulated on the positive and proud way they represented the school.

Year 9/10 Boys Touch Football

The boys represented the school with great pride, sportsmanship and determination throughout the day, competing against strong opposition from across the region.

The team enjoyed an excellent carnival, recording impressive victories over St Mary’s Wellington (5–0), Dubbo Christian School (7–1), Parkes Christian School (7–2), and Delroy Campus (7–2) during the pool rounds. Their only defeat in the preliminary matches came against eventual champions St John’s College, where they went down 1–6 in the opening game of the day.

Following the completion of the pool matches, the boys finished second in their group and progressed to the semi-finals. 

They produced one of their strongest performances of the carnival, defeating Delroy Campus 6–0 to secure their place in the grand final.

The grand final saw the team once again face St John’s College. Despite a determined effort and competing strongly throughout the match, St John’s proved too strong on the day, with our boys finishing as runners-up after an 8–2 result.

All players contributed positively to the team’s success, displaying excellent teamwork, skill, resilience and sportsmanship throughout the carnival. The boys represented the school exceptionally well and should be congratulated on their efforts.

Special congratulations go to our Player of the Day award recipients:

3 Points: Lennox

2 Points: George

1 Point: Toby

The team’s Players’ Player awards for each match were:

• St John’s College – Toby

• St Mary’s Wellington – Lennox

• Dubbo Christian School – George

• Parkes Christian School – Jett

• Delroy Campus (Pool Match) – Lennox

• Delroy Campus (Semi Final) – Sam

• St John’s College (Grand Final) – Toby

Across the seven matches, the team scored an impressive 35 tries while conceding just 20, highlighting both their attacking flair and strong defensive efforts. Finishing runners-up in a highly competitive carnival was a fantastic achievement and reflected the hard work, commitment and teamwork shown by the boys throughout the day.

Results:

• St John’s College – Lost 1–6

• St Mary’s Wellington – Won 5–0

• Dubbo Christian School – Won 7–1

• Parkes Christian School – Won 7–2

• Delroy Campus – Won 7–2

• Semi Final: Delroy Campus – Won 6–0

• Grand Final: St John’s College – Lost 2–8

Congratulations to all players on a successful carnival and an outstanding runners-up finish.

Years 7/8 Boys Touch Football

The Yr 7/8 Boys Touch team had an excellent day finishing runners-up, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork, and determination throughout the tournament. The team improved with each game and continued to grow in confidence as the day progressed. Their best performance came in the semi-final against MAGS, winning 7-4. They played exceptionally well, driving the ball, running their set plays and working hard in defence to secure a place in the grand final. Unfortunately, they were defeated 6-1 in the final by a strong St Johns team. The students should be extremely proud of their efforts and the way they represented the school.  

Results:

• Delroy Campus - Won 6-2

• St Mary's - Won 10-1

• Parkes Christian - Won 9-0

• St Mary's - Won 5-1

• Semi Final - MAGS - Won 7-4

• Grand Final - St Johns - Lost 6-1

Special congratulations go to our Player of the Day award recipients:

3 Points: Logan

2 Points: Hunter

1 Point: Connor

Our Open Hockey teams enjoyed an outstanding two days of competition at the CCCNSW State Hockey Championships in Taree, representing the College with pride, determination and sportsmanship throughout the carnival.

The Open Girls team competed strongly across the tournament, finishing 5th overall after recording two wins, one draw and one loss. The girls displayed excellent teamwork and resilience throughout the competition, consistently challenging their opponents and supporting one another in every match.

The Open Boys team produced an impressive campaign, progressing through the pool rounds undefeated and finishing first in their group. Following a narrow semi-final defeat to Trinity Goulburn, the boys showed remarkable character to earn a second opportunity against the same opposition in the Grand Final.

In a high quality contest, the boys battled hard and showcased some excellent hockey. Although Trinity Goulburn claimed the championship with a 5–2 victory, the Red Bend side can be incredibly proud of their efforts in securing the runners-up position against schools from across the state.

Beyond the results, both teams were exceptional ambassadors for the College. Their conduct, commitment and support for one another throughout the championships reflected the values of Red Bend Catholic College and earned the respect of players, officials and spectators alike.

Congratulations to all students involved on a fantastic tournament. A sincere thank you also goes to Hannah Demamiel and Georgia Barnes for their organisation and leadership, as well as everyone who contributed to making the trip such a success.

Earlier this month, our U14’s and U16’s Boys Rugby League teams travelled to Dubbo to compete in the Country Cup Gala Day. It was an excellent day of rugby league, with all players demonstrating strong sportsmanship, teamwork, and determination.

The U14's A’s had an outstanding day, going undefeated across all three matches. They recorded impressive wins over Dubbo South and MAGS before finishing the day strongly with a victory over St John’s in the final. Their efforts have earned them progression to the next round, which will be held in Parkes in the coming weeks, a fantastic achievement.

The U14's B’s faced tough competition throughout the day but continued to improve with each game. Taking on St John’s, Dubbo Delroy, and Dubbo South in a consolation final, the team showed great resilience and commitment, finishing the day with plenty of positives to build on.

The U16's played 3 pool games and came away with 3 impressive wins. 22-0 over Dubbo Delroy, 22-12 over Wellington and 10-6 over St. John's 1. The final was against St. John's 2 and was a tight match. The boys showed resilience in defence and some fantastic attack early on. Errors & discipline meant they were on the back foot for the majority of the second half and after playing 60 minutes of pool games, the team conceded 12 points to our 4. The team should be commended for their training efforts leading up to the Gala Day and they demonstrated great sportsmanship and determination throughout the day.

Across all teams, players represented the school with pride and should be commended for their effort and attitude. We wish the U14's A’s the best of luck in the next stage of the competition.

This month, players and coaching staff attended the NSWCCC Rugby League dinner.

The girls were presented with their playing jerseys for the Australian secondary school rugby league championships, which are held from the 4th-11th of July in Coffs Harbour.

An amazing achievement for Ruby, Malia and Grace. Good luck in Coffs Harbour

12yrs Boys - Saxon

12yrs Girls - Nellie

13yrs Boys - Logan and Harper

13yrs Girls - Georgia

13yrs Boys Multi class - Harry

14yrs Boys - Jace

14yrs Girls - Holly

14yrs Boys Multi class  - Toby

15yrs Boys - Mack

15yrs Girls - Macey

16yrs Boys - Manny/Lenny

16yrs Girls - Ruby

17yrs Boys - Kolby

17yrs Girls - Hannah

Winning House - BASIL

U14 Girls

The U14's team had an outstanding day, remaining undefeated with victories over both St John’s teams and Macquarie Anglican Grammar School. Their success has earned them a place in the finals in Parkes during Week 11.

U16 Girls

The U16's team also went through the day undefeated, recording impressive wins against both St John’s teams, Macquarie Anglican College, and Nyngan High School. They too have secured a place in the finals in Parkes.

U15 Girls

Our U15's girls have been crowned Western NSW Area Champions and have now qualified for the Inter-Area Play-Offs in Albury!

Results:

Game 1: Defeated Macquarie Anglican Grammar School 3–1

Game 2: Defeated Mackillop Bathurst 3–0

U15 Boys

The boys faced a strong James Sheahan team in their opening match. After a hard-fought first half that ended 1–1, James Sheahan proved too strong in the second half, with our boys going down despite a determined and spirited performance.

The intensity of the first match took its toll, and the team was feeling the effects in their second game against South Dubbo. Despite the challenge, the boys never gave up, showing great resilience and teamwork to score three goals.