It was great to see all the boys back in their winter uniforms and stunning purple blazers!

Students were given reminders at the Edmund Rice Mass Day about making sure they present with shirts tucked in and neat ties.

Furthermore, cold mornings mean that students are often tempted to wear a ‘hoodie’ to and from school. This is not part of the uniform policy. The new uniform means that students can find a solution to layering uniform, to cater for the colder weather, especially in the mornings. Thermals are also a great solution to keeping warm without detracting from the beautiful purple blazer!

Please, please, please also ensure that all uniform is clearly labelled – particularly jackets which tend to get discarded throughout the day. It is impossible to reunite lost uniform to the rightful owners if there is no name on the clothing!

Finally, CBC bags are to be used for carrying items to and from school, and only laptop bags during school.

Students should also be clean-shaven (in exceptional circumstances, religious or medical exemptions can be given – please contact me or your Head of House to discuss). No jewellery should be worn, except for;

• A medical alert bracelet and/or necklace which must be always worn.
• Watch
• A necklace that sits below the top button of the shirt with or without an acceptable religious icon attached.

Make Bullying History Presentation

On Friday, 16th May, as part of the Pastoral Care program, the Year 7 and 9 cohort attended the 'Make Bullying History' workshop. Presented by Brett Murray, Australian of the Year nominee and former State Champion Boxer, the program is designed to raise awareness and conversations about bullying in order to address this scourge in society, which is not just in schools, but also in the wider community. What makes the workshop engaging is that Brett draws on his own life experiences to communicate a message of hope as well as understanding. After his parents’ divorce, Brett experienced chronic bullying throughout his High School life, and he teaches students that their past does not dictate their future.

'Make Bullying History' Presentation by Brett Murray

Brett enabled the students to understand bullying and its impacts in more detail. The boys learnt that the consequences of bullying are profound. Victims may experience anxiety, depression and a decline in academic performance. They might also suffer from low self-esteem, and, in severe cases, consider self-harm. However, bullying affects not just the victims but also the perpetrators and bystanders, creating a toxic school environment.

Students further understood that:

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. It can occur in person or online, and it often happens repeatedly over time. Bullying can manifest as:

• Verbal Bullying: Name-calling, teasing, or making inappropriate comments.
• Physical Bullying: Hitting, pushing, or damaging someone’s belongings.
• Social Bullying: Spreading rumours, excluding others, or embarrassing someone in public.
• Cyberbullying: Using digital platforms to harass, threaten, or humiliate.

Students then explored the reasons why people bully others, even when they know it is wrong to do so. These reasons include:

• Low self-esteem
• Peer pressure
• Lack of power in own life
• Anger management or impulse control issues
• The bully may have been a victim of bullying themselves
• Popularity or attention-seeking
• Revenge
• Prejudices

CBC Commitment

At CBC, we believe that every student deserves to feel safe, respected and valued.  We have a zero-tolerance policy for any bullying, including racist, sexist of homophobic comments. Clear and consistent consequences are in place to address any incidents swiftly and effectively. Workshops, such as Make Bullying History and other PC initiatives, educate students about the effects of bullying and the importance of empathy and understanding. This also develops a sense of community and support for each other at school. The College also implements restorative practices to develop empathy and to assist with restoring any damaged relationships which may have been caused by bullying or associated enabling behaviours.

Our Pastoral Care team which includes our College Counsellor, Director of Students and Heads of House, as well as PC Teachers are always available to support students who may be a victim of, or witness to, bullying of any form. If you see someone being bullied, speak up or seek help from a trusted adult.

Parents – make sure you talk to your children about bullying. Encourage open communication and teach your son to stand up for themselves and others in a respectful way and to always seek support from their teachers.

Remember, your actions can make a difference!  Teachers, students and parents all have a role to play to make sure that schools are a bully-free zone.

Finally, if you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, please reach out to a teacher, counsellor, or any trusted adult. Remember, you are not alone.

Spotlight on Sion House

As we move into the second half of Term 2, I want to reflect on the remarkable progress and energy within the Sion House community. It’s been a term full of learning, growth, and shared experiences shaping our students' character inside and outside the classroom.

In recent House Assemblies, we’ve worked alongside Aaron Burrowes, who led us in an honest and essential discussion around impulse control. These sessions have been engaging and practical, helping our students better understand how emotions can shape their decisions – and how to build strategies to respond rather than react. Aaron’s guidance has sparked valuable peer conversations about accountability, reflection, and resilience.

This term has also seen a renewed focus on e-safety and wellbeing, with students actively engaging with the Wellbeing Wheel. This model encourages them to assess different areas of their lives – from emotional and social wellbeing to sleep, movement, and nutrition – and take ownership of building balance. We’ve had open discussions about managing screen time, navigating group chats with empathy, and building healthy digital habits.

A real highlight was our deep dive into Spud’s Game, the AFL initiative created in memory of Danny Frawley, promoting mental health awareness. Inspired by the message of checking in on your mates, the boys developed their mental health campaign, which will be launched within our House in Term 3. Their student-led initiative will promote the values of mateship, vulnerability, and doing the ‘one percenters’ – the little things that make a big difference in someone’s day. Whether it’s a kind word, a quick check-in, or supporting each other through stress, our students show real maturity and care.

As a House, we’ve embraced a new motto this year:

‘Lean In’

It’s a reminder that we grow not by avoiding difficulty, but by facing it head-on – in academics, sport, relationships, and leadership. Whether stepping up in class, giving your all at training, or simply trying something new, we’re proud that our students are starting to embrace every aspect of school life with energy and commitment.

There’s more to come, and I’m incredibly excited for what the remainder of the year will bring. Let’s continue to lean in, lift each other, and lead with kindness.

Mr Rutai
Head of Sion House

Come and Try Day at CBC – A Taste of Our Community

On our recent Come and Try Day, prospective students had the opportunity to experience firsthand what life is like at Christian Brothers College. With a range of engaging activities, students were immersed in hands-on learning that showcased the vibrant CBC community and the diverse opportunities available.

The day kicked off with delicious aromas from the kitchen as students got creative in the cooking classroom, preparing and tasting cookies. In wood tech, they enjoyed using tools and developing practical skills while crafting a take-home project. The science lab buzzed with excitement as students explored interactive experiments and sparked their curiosity through guided investigations.

A highlight of the day was the Tottenham Hotspur Global Football Program, where students took to the field to develop skills under expert coaching in a fun and energetic session.

Throughout the day, students were supported by welcoming CBC staff and student leaders, helping them feel at ease and connected. The experience provided a meaningful insight into the learning, community spirit, and co-curricular opportunities that define life at CBC. We look forward to welcoming many of these young learners as future members of our College family.

Mr Riley Atkinson
Assistant Director of Students (Middle School)

Come and Try Day at the Senior Campus

School Photos

A reminder that school photos will take place on Monday 19/5 and Tuesday 20/5. 

A schedule of photos will be available in your PC classes.

On Monday 19 May the photos will be:

• All PC classes in House alphabetical order
• Music
• Debating
• Chess
• Badminton 
• Table Tennis

On Tuesday 20 May the photos will be:

• Sibling Photos
• Prefect photos
• Cricket
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Waterpolo
• Basketball
• Rowing
• ESports
• Cross Country
• Football
• Soccer

• All photos will be taken in FULL WINTER UNIFORM
• Students MUST be clean-shaven
• Hair looking nice and neat!

Ms Debra Withers
Director of Students