Latest News from EREA NSW

🌟 Future leaders in action! In November, School Captains and Prefects from EREA NSW schools gathered at the Edmund Rice Retreat Centre for an unforgettable Student Leadership Network Event. From bushwalks and reflective liturgies to inspiring speakers, Jack Brown from Talk 2 Me Bro, John Brogden AM, and Br Jeff Regan, students explored leadership, mental health, and the power of service.

Retirement Honours for Mr Mark Pawlak on 48 years of dedicated service on the St Pius X College Teaching Staff: 1978 - 2025. Esteemed Year Coordinator, Geography and Religious Education Teacher, Cadet Officer, mentor & masterfully succinct communicator to students, staff & families.

Through secondment opportunities, educators can challenge themselves, experience fresh perspectives, and strengthen their leadership journey. Jodie Connor exemplified this spirit by taking on the Acting Deputy Principal role at St Patrick’s College, bringing her expertise from St Edward’s College.

Secondment opportunities offer educators a unique chance to step outside their familiar environment, broaden their perspective, and strengthen their leadership skills. Damian Chase recently undertook an opportunity to act in the role of Deputy Principal at St Edward's College, Gosford.

In 2025, a number of staff from across our EREA NSW school participated in the Edmund Rice Beyond Borders Leadership Symposium in South Africa.

Through 2024 and 2025, EREA NSW has had a number of staff participating in the Catholic Schools New South Wales Avila Leadership Program. Across the course, participants engaged with expert facilitators, explored critical leadership challenges, and developed insight into strategic school leadership.

We are pleased to welcome John Allen as the new Deputy Principal – Students at Waverley College. John brings a wealth of experience in boys’ education and a deep commitment to holistic student development.

We are thrilled to welcome Natalie Devenish as the new Principal at St Dominic’s College starting in Term 3 2025. With a wealth of experience in educational leadership, Natalie brings a fresh perspective and a deep commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment in the Edmund Rice tradition.

The 2025 International Boys' Schools Coalition (IBSC) Annual Conference took place in Boston at Belmont Hill School from June 22–25, bringing together boys’ education professionals worldwide. Themed “Better Together,” the event featured 120+ workshops and presentations on topics like character development, leadership, and student well-being. Waverley College staff presented their school’s innovative whole-school well-being initiatives—such as the Kanyini program, CCC Time, and an age-appropriate well-being framework—demonstrating impactful approaches to supporting boys’ learning and development.

Doco in a Day 2025 united 289 students across Australia to create 87 short documentaries in just one school day — each tackling global issues like gender equality, sustainability, and access to education. The initiative combined creativity with advocacy, raising funds for the Edmund Rice Foundation, which supports education in six countries and impacts over 50,000 lives annually. The winning team, Team UNT from St Patrick’s College, Strathfield, will travel to East Africa in 2026 to witness the impact of their fundraising firsthand. With expert judges Sal Balharrie and Archie Chew blown away by the quality and heart in every entry, this year’s challenge proved that storytelling can be a powerful force for change.