Inspiring Minds, Hearts and Spirits

RED BEND CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Principal's Report

Deputy Principal | Mr Simon Martino

Director of Mission | Mr David Eyles

Acting Director of Curriculum | Mrs Kate Hogan

Director of Boarding | Mr Chris Douglass

Principal's Report

MR STEPHEN DWYER | Term 2, Week 6

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of our College community,

As we move through another vibrant period in the life of our College, this edition of the newsletter highlights the many ways our community continues to grow, celebrate and flourish together. From the recognition of our outstanding student learning growth across NSW, to the joy and tradition of our Debutante Ball, and the heartfelt celebration of Mother’s Day, each event reflects the strong sense of community, faith and belonging that lies at the heart of Red Bend Catholic College. These moments are a reminder that the life of our College extends far beyond the classroom, shaped by the partnership between students, staff, families and the wider community.

Celebrating Outstanding Growth in Student Learning

A recent article published in the The Sydney Morning Herald highlighted the top 160 NSW schools for NAPLAN growth from Years 7 to 9. The analysis examined student growth in literacy and numeracy in relation to ICSEA scores, with Red Bend Catholic College recognised within the Lower Middle ICSEA category. ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) is a measure used to compare schools based on the educational and socio-economic backgrounds of their student communities.

Within this category, Red Bend was recognised as the third highest achieving Catholic school in NSW, the highest performing RI/MPJP school, and the highest performing regional, rural and remote school.

This recognition is a wonderful affirmation of the outstanding teaching and learning that occurs each day across our College community. Data reflecting student growth is about far more than test scores; it reflects the dedication of teachers who know their students well, build positive relationships, differentiate learning, maintain high expectations and continually support each student to grow and achieve their potential.

Debutante Balls

Our annual College Debutante Ball, held on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May, was a wonderful celebration of community, tradition and joy. The evenings brought together students, families and friends in a beautiful social occasion, with our young people representing themselves and the College with great pride, elegance and maturity.

The Debutante Ball remains a cherished tradition within the life of our College and is a fitting reflection of the strong sense of community and connection that exists at Red Bend. Events such as these require an enormous amount of preparation and support behind the scenes, and we are deeply grateful to all those who contributed to making the evenings such a success.

A special thank you to Ms Tristin Frost and Ms Matilda Elliot-Den for the extraordinary amount of work involved in preparing our young people and coordinating the evenings so professionally. I also sincerely thank all staff who assisted with the organisation and generously gave their time to help throughout the evenings. Their support and commitment helped create lasting memories for our students and their families.

Mother's Day

It was wonderful to welcome so many mothers, grandmothers, carers and special women to our Mother’s Day celebration. The gathering provided a meaningful opportunity to pause and give thanks for the extraordinary role mothers and mother figures play in the lives of our young people and within our wider community.

As a Catholic Marist community, we recognise that the love, care and guidance provided by mothers is truly foundational to both life and learning. Through their daily example, mothers nurture kindness, resilience, faith and hope, shaping not only their own children, but also the spirit of our community. Our 2026 Marist theme, Full of Grace: Transform the World with God’s Love, reflects this beautifully, as mothers transform the world each day through quiet acts of generosity, compassion and unconditional love.

In the Marist tradition, we look to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a model of faith, courage and gentle strength. Like Mary, mothers help create homes and communities grounded in love, belonging and hope. A special thank you to Mrs Verity Page for presenting a beautiful reflection during our liturgy on the meaning and vocation of motherhood. We sincerely thank all mothers and mother figures for the countless ways they support and shape the lives of our young people. May you know how deeply valued and appreciated you are within our College community.

May Mary our Good Mother and St Marcellin Champagnat continue to watch over our community.

Deputy Principal | Mr Simon Martino

Dear Families,

We are always looking for ways to improve our practice. I recently sent a survey to our families to provide feedback on the Parent Teacher Interviews held on 21 April 2026. I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to complete the survey. This will help us prepare an afternoon/evening that maximises the attendance of our families and supports our decision making moving forward. Your feedback is greatly valued and will help us improve the experience for parents/carers for future interviews. Please take a few moments to share your thoughts. Parent Teacher Interview Feedback Form

Do It For Dolly Day 2026

On Wednesday 13 May, our whole school community came together to recognise Do It For Dolly Day. It was a meaningful occasion that reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring every student feels safe, supported, and able to thrive at Red Bend Catholic College.

The day began with a whole-school assembly, where students and staff wore blue ribbons in support of the message. We thank Lucy Maslin and Holly Hope-Hodgetts for their presentation, which set a powerful tone of reflection, understanding, and action. At recess, our student leaders facilitated an activity inviting students to respond to the question: “How can we stop bullying?”

I am always encouraged by the thoughtful responses students provide, “be kind”, “speak up”, “tell someone”. These show that our students understand the message. However, recent experiences suggest that while many students know what to do, they can sometimes lack the confidence to act.

As a College, we are committed to building that confidence and ensuring students feel supported to speak up. We also value the important role parents and carers play in this. Open communication between home and school is essential in helping us respond effectively and support all students.

At Red Bend Catholic College, the safety and wellbeing of every young person is our highest priority. Bullying is not tolerated, and we are committed to responding to all concerns with care and consistency. We use a restorative approach through our Promoting the Peace framework, which outlines how we address incidents, support those involved, and work towards positive outcomes. We encourage all families to familiarise themselves with this approach.

We strongly encourage students to seek support if they experience or witness bullying, and to speak with a trusted staff member. Equally, if you have any concerns as a parent or carer, please reach out to the College, early communication allows us to act quickly and provide the appropriate support.

You may wish to contact:

Your child’s House Coordinator
The Director of Students
The Deputy Principal
The Principal

Together, we can continue to build a safe, respectful, and inclusive community where every student feels known, valued, and supported.

Please see below the College Promoting the Peace Framework

Director of Mission | Mr David Eyles

Game Changers Sydney Solidarity Experience

Eight of our Year 11 students travelled to Sydney for the (recently re-titled) GameChangers Sydney Solidarity Experience. The students were exemplary ambassadors for our College, We visited several social justice ministries, run by St Vincent de Paul, Marist 180 and the Cardoner Network. Seeing the amazing work undertaken by these organisations left our students with a deep appreciation for people who live their Christian faith through service to the poor and marginalised. While in Sydney, these students also became the first Red Bend students to represent our school at Game Changers Connect night. This was held at Marist College North Shore. It was a wonderful opportunity to share our charism with 160 Year 11 students from across ten Marist secondary schools.

Year 9 Reflection Day

All students at Red Bend Catholic College attend an annual Retreat or Reflection Day as part of the Religious Education program. During Week 5, our Year 9 students participated in a Reflection Day facilitated by Mr Michael Fitzpatrick. Michael has been working with students at Red Bend and other Catholic secondary schools for many years. As well as some communal music making and light hearted sharing, Michael challenged Year 9 to consider how they need to grow to become a supportive and engaged cohort by the time they become Year 12s. Marist Values are intrinsically woven in Michael’s presentation - and in the manner of Marcellin he work assists students to be good Christians and good citizens.

Australian Marist Solidarity

AMS is the international agency for the aid and development work of the Marist family in Australia throughout Asia and the Pacific Islands. It supports over 50 programs in up to 15 countries, including Bangladesh, Bougainville, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Kiribati, Myanmar, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu and Vietnam. AMS works with the people in this region on a combination of long-term and short-term development projects. These projects aim to develop or support locally sustained education opportunities for the young people in these regions. AMS works to bring education and hope to young people living in Asia and the Pacific so that they can build a brighter future.

This term, we are having Thursday morning BBQs at Red Bend to raise funds for the important work of AMS in assisting members of our Marist family who are in genuine need. A bacon and Egg roll for $5 can transform lives in Timor-Leste and beyond.

Families can also donate directly to AMS at https://www.australianmaristsolidarity.org/donate

Acting Director of Curriculum | Mrs Kate Hogan

Year 8 and 10 Subject Information Evening

The subject information evening for parents and carers of students currently in Year 8 and Year 10 will be held in the MPH on Wednesday 10 June 2026 from 6.00pm - 7.30pm.

The evening will include presentations on the Years 9 and 11 course selection process and an opportunity for you and your child to discuss subject options for 2027 with Faculty Coordinators and teachers. Light refreshments will be provided.

Subject selection is a significant step in your child’s secondary education. We strongly encourage you to attend this information evening with your child/ren.

Director of Boarding | Mr Chris Douglass

National Boarding Week 2026 was a wonderful success and provided plenty of opportunities for students to connect, have fun and celebrate boarding life together. The week began with a Pizza Party on Sunday evening, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all students.

Throughout the week, boarders participated in a range of “Give It A Go” activities including mug decorating, escape room challenges, photography, cake decorating, jewellery making, gym sessions, basketball competitions and sweet treat cooking, along with many other creative and engaging activities. A sincere thank you to all boarding staff who generously gave their time to organise and run these enjoyable experiences for our students.

A special dinner was also held in the dining room during the week, with the BRC and senior students keeping everyone entertained through chocolate raffles and prize giveaways. Thank you to the kitchen staff for preparing such a lovely meal and helping make the evening so memorable.

The celebrations concluded with a BBQ breakfast beside the Senior Girls Dorm. Boarders assisted with cooking and everyone enjoyed a bacon and egg roll before heading off for a well-earned EXEAT break after school. National Boarding Week was a fantastic celebration of the spirit, friendships and community that make boarding at Red Bend so special.

The fun continued last Sunday with fire pit smores and archery as the Sunday activities after Mass.

Mrs Mel Thompson recently concluded her time working within the Junior Girls Residence and the Diverse Learning Team in the Day School. Mrs Thompson has been an integral part of the Boarding Team and she will be missed by staff and students alike. Her care, dedication and support of our young people has been greatly appreciated by the entire Boarding community. We wish Mrs Thompson all the very best as she changes roles to be closer to her family.

Upcoming Events

➡️ 3 June - Sorry Day assembly

➡️ 5 June - Champagnat Day celebration

➡️ 8 June - Public Holiday

➡️ 10 June - Year 8 and 10 Subject Selection Evening

➡️ 12 June - Year 9 and 10 GameChangers Retreat

➡️ 16 June - NRL Schoolgirl Trophy, Bathurst

➡️ 18 June - Year 10 Career Development Days

➡️ 30 June - NRL Country Cup and Schoolsgirls Trophy Finals

➡️ 1 July - NAIDOC assembly

➡️ July 2/3 - Real Talk presentations

➡️ 3 July - Last day of Term 2

House Report

MacKillop House

MacKillop House is the new kid on the block, having only been formed in 2025. Unlike the other Houses with long-established traditions and histories, we began by bringing together students from many different Houses, alongside new Year 7 students, to build something entirely new. From the very beginning, we have had to create our own identity, establish a legacy from scratch, and carve out a place for ourselves within the Red Bend community.

But who are we?

Our House proudly takes its name from St Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint. Born in Melbourne in 1842 to Scottish parents, Mary MacKillop founded, alongside Reverend Julian Tenison Woods, the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

Together, they brought to life a new and radical vision of religious life, where sisters lived simply among the pioneering people of the Australian bush, serving communities that were often isolated and in great need. St Mary MacKillop was truly a woman ahead of her time, forthright, courageous, loving, humble and fiercely loyal to the Church, even when faced with hardship, including excommunication and removal from leadership of her Congregation.

Mary devoted her life to the poor and destitute, establishing orphanages, refuges for women and children, and schools for poor and isolated children across Australia. She died in 1909 and was canonised on 17 October 2010 as St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, becoming Australia’s first saint. Her feast day is celebrated on 8 August.

Like our patron saint, MacKillop House is built upon compassion, resilience and community.

We are made up of students from all different spaces, places and walks of life, each bringing unique personalities, gifts and experiences that shape who we are. Yet what unites us is our spirit, enthusiasm, our sense of belonging and the genuine care we show one another.

What has impressed me most about this House is the incredible heart our students have for their MacKillop community. They look out for one another, support each other and give so much of themselves. They are always willing to have a go and never back down from a challenge. We are happy and jovial, full of energy and passion. I have seen this time and time again on the sporting fields, at House carnivals and in the classroom, and it has filled me with immense pride.

While we may not always win every trophy or shield, we succeed in the things that matter most - love, care and respect for one another, supporting those in need, showing up when things are difficult, and pushing through challenges together. That is what truly defines MacKillop House.

Our blood runs light blue, and I could not be prouder to lead this House. This is only the beginning of our journey, and I look forward with great excitement to all that MacKillop House will achieve in the years to come.

I leave you with our House prayer:

God of all blessings,

You revealed in St Mary MacKillop a sensitivity to the rights and dignity of every person, regardless of race or creed.

May we learn from her to overcome the obstacles of prejudice and fear.

Help us to value the goodness of each person and all the blessings of unity in diversity.

We ask this through our bountiful God.

Recent Activities

CWA Public Speaking

On May 19, seven students from Years 7 to 10 participated in the Country Women's Association Public Speaking competition. The event was held at Parkes Uniting Church Complex.

All over we had great speeches from all students with Sasha McCarthy (Year 7), Peter (Year 8), Georgia (Year 10) and Georgia (Year 10), coming away with Highly Commended and will continue to the next round in Narromine on June 22.

– Alex Denley, English Teacher

"Vietnam Dusted Off"

On May 12, Brett Hunt visited to perform his one man play about The Vietnam War for our Year 10 History students. It is titled “Vietnam Dusted Off.”

Brett is a singer, songwriter, playwright and historian who has researched the Vietnam War extensively. The entirety of his performance is based on primary sources and real events. Brett has spent many years refining his monologue which has resulted in a serious yet humorous performance that included songs, monologues and various dramatic techniques. His performance both captivated and educated our Year 10 History students who are currently studying Australia in the Vietnam War

Brett held the student’s attention with a very personal performance of the Vietnam War that told the story of Brett’s father, Frankie. Frankie is the subject of the song ‘I was only 19’ by the band, Redgum. The most memorable line of the song, ‘Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon’ refers to Brett’s father. In the performance, Brett retold Frankie’s story from the time he signed up in 1969 to the day of the ‘Welcome Home’ parade in 1987. Brett’s dramatic performance held the students spellbound as he described how Frankie stepped on the mine and then was winched into the helicopter. Frankie’s friends came alive with Brett’s characterisation, sound effects and songs. The students were still talking about the performance and Vietnam veterans throughout the week, many relating stories of their own in their History classes.

Overall, the day was highly entertaining and educational, and Brett said he could not have asked for a better audience. He commended our students on their interest and empathy. Brett was very impressed with the quality of questions that students asked him. Congratulations to Year 10 History students on their manners and participation in this melodrama.

– Gillian McMillan, HSIE Coordinator

Vinnies Youth Conference

The Vinnies Youth Conference is a group of students from Years 7-12 inspired by the Vincentian tradition to help those in need through good works. Our RBCC Conference currently has 42 active members and is continuing to grow. Vincentian values align with the Marist Charism upon which Red Bend is founded, particularly the Marist pillars of doing good quietly and family spirit.

Our Vinnies group was thrilled to recently present a cheque for $1000 to St Vincent de Paul representatives Mrs Helen Smith, Mrs Kelly Morgan and Ms Jess Easthope. These funds will make the lives of those in need this winter a little easier and it was incredibly rewarding for students to see their many hours of volunteering culminate in such a substantial donation to the Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Vinnies students have undertaken a range of activities to raise the presented funds including coordinating and running a weekly lolly shop, a mega Easter Egg Raffle in Term 1, sales of Bacon and Egg BBQ breakfast rolls on Thursday mornings and Zooper Dooper sales at the Swimming Carnival. Many hands make light work and the student members share the load of preparing, setting up and running fundraising projects. The Youth Conference is most grateful for the generous support received from Bernardi's Marketplace and Woolworths Forbes who both kindly sponsored the 2026 Easter Egg Raffle with amazing prize donations.

The majority of our Vinnies members have also opted to register for the Vinnies Service Medallion allowing their service to be officially recognised by the Vinnies organisation.

Our Youth Conference is currently undertaking a Winter Appeal Clothing Drive and all RBCC students are invited to contribute by bringing in donations of clean clothing, in good condition and free from stains or tears. All donated items will be sorted and delivered to our Forbes and Parkes Vinnies shop outlets. Donations should be placed in a plastic bag and dropped off at the Library front counter with every student who donates receiving House points for the Spirit Cup. At present, MacKillop House is in the lead! Clothing donations will be accepted until the end of Week 10, Term 2 so we encourage everyone to help out by having a winter clean out and bringing in good quality clothing items that are no longer required.

– Mrs Janice Little, RBCC Vinnies Youth Conference Coordinator

Debutante Ball

The Red Bend Catholic College Debutante Balls, held over two evenings on May 22 and 23 at the Parkes Leagues Club, were a wonderful success.

Across the two nights, 38 young ladies and their partners were proudly presented to Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green in what was a warm, elegant and highly successful occasion for all involved.

The evenings were warmly enjoyed by all in attendance, with beautiful catering provided by Eat Your Greens, bouquets by Farmhouse Florae, entertainment by Gracey Denham Jones, and memories captured through Country Booths Photo Booth.

A beautiful dance routine, choreographed by Emily Jack and Emily Piper, was a highlight across both evenings and showcased the hard work, commitment and dedication involved throughout the many practices leading up to the event.

A sincere thank you is extended to everyone who contributed to the success of the evenings, with the Debutante Balls serving as a wonderful fundraiser for our school community.

– Tristin Frost and Matilda Elliot Den, Deb Ball Coordinators

Creative and Performing Arts

The CAPA department is getting so very excited about our upcoming performance of Annie Jr! The shows are on June 26th and June 27th at 6:30pm, with tickets available for purchase here. The production involves students from Years 7-12. Students have been dedicated to their singing, acting and dancing - it is sure to be a great show!

Last week, members of the RBCC Drumline and Rock Band provided music for the Ride for Country Kids fundraiser celebration for Royal Far West.

The event raised a whopping half a million dollars towards supporting country kids with developmental and mental health needs.

Members of the public were most impressed with the professionalism of our musicians.

Sport

Champion Marist Netball Team

Congratulations to our Marist Netball team, who won the Challenge Division Grand Final at the 2026 Marist Netball Competition in Bendigo. Their win was against Newman College, with a score of 17-11.

We are thrilled with their success, and especially poud of Grace, who was the recipient of the Marcellin Champagnat medal, and Jessie and Sara, who were selected in the Highly Recommended Team for the Challenge Division, made up of girls from all 9 schools.

We would like to say a huge thank you for everyone’s support of the girls. They really felt it out on the court. Thank you also to everyone who supported the girls’ fundraising efforts. These experiences can’t happen without it.

Mountain Bike Team

Rocky Trail Academy Mountain Biking Schools Event – Cringilla MTB Park, Wollongong

Last Thursday and Friday, the RBCC Mountain Bike Team travelled to Cringilla MTB Park in Wollongong to compete in the Rocky Trail Academy Schools Mountain Biking Competition, taking on challenging trail conditions and a highly competitive field of riders.

Following overnight rain, the event began with slick, muddy trails, deep puddles and slippery berms, creating difficult riding conditions for all competitors. As the day progressed and the tracks began to dry out, the trails became faster and tackier, allowing riders to gain confidence and improve their times with each run.

All riders demonstrated outstanding determination, resilience and consistency throughout the demanding enduro format, improving their performances across all four trails during the competition.

Bryce achieved an impressive 5th place overall in the Senior division. In the Intermediate division, Jack finished 24th, while Xzavier and Hugh also performed strongly in a highly competitive field of approximately 120 riders. In the Junior division, Jace continually improved his times throughout the day to finish an outstanding 12th overall, with Rowan placing 28th and Ethan showing excellent persistence and improvement across every stage.

The team should be extremely proud of their efforts and sportsmanship in such challenging conditions.

A special thank you to Mr Caleb Hanrahan for attending the event, sharing his downhill riding expertise and helping the team further develop their skills and techniques. Thank you also to Mr Chris Tandy and Mrs Melissa Chittick for their ongoing support and encouragement of the students and the RBCC Mountain Bike Team.

The team would also like to extend a sincere thank you to the Orange Mountain Bike Club for their ongoing support through the loan of their Shingleback trailer to transport the bikes to and from events. Their continued generosity and support are integral in allowing the team to attend competitions such as these and provide valuable opportunities for our students.

Opens Basketball

Last week our Opens Basketball teams headed to Bathurst to compete in the DIO competition. All students displayed excellent College spirit and represented with pride, giving their best effort throughout the day.

Opens Girls Results:

The girls played three round games against St John’s Dubbo, James Sheahan Orange, and MacKillop College, followed by a semi final against MacKillop College.

Although we were unsuccessful in securing a win, the girls did themselves and our College proud by never giving up and consistently displaying our Marist values. The day was a fun and rewarding experience, with the girls showing great courage, determination, and teamwork throughout the competition.

Opens Boys Results:

Game 1: 44–8 loss to a very strong James Sheahan side

Game 2: 39–33 loss to St John’s. The boys showed significant improvement in this game, with the result just slipping away late.

Game 3: 55–22 loss to St Matthews

Game 4: 21–13 win against La Salle. The boys finished the day strong, with a fantastic team effort.

The Opens Boys team also had four key players unavailable today and only three players on the bench. Considering this, the effort and attitude shown by the team was very pleasing.

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