Red Bend Catholic College 2023 Prospectus

RED BEND CATHOLIC COLLEGE

“We aim at something better” … and share the intuition that “to bring up children properly, we must love them, and love them all equally”. From this principle flow the particular characteristics of our style of educating: presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and following the way of Mary. We seek to adopt these attitudes and values as our way of inculturating the Gospel. It is their sum and their interaction which gives our Marist style its Spirit-inspired originality.

In the Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat

FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

Red Bend Catholic College is a vibrant Catholic school in the Marist tradition aiming to be an inclusive community of faith, life and learning. Inspired by the example of St Marcellin Champagnat, the College embraces God’s mission with Marian joy, hope and audacity, striving to make Jesus Christ known and loved.

We aim to develop young people of character, integrity and compassion who will in turn become Good Christians and Good citizens. Our particular Marist approach is marked by simplicity in style, a relational family spirit, a love of the work we do and presence in the midst of those whom we are called to serve.

The college promotes learning that is relevant, purposeful and engaging; connecting learning with real-world experiences. We aspire for every student to have success in their learning and to become active and discerning citizens who contribute to society. Our HSC results are strong and we offer various pathways that cater for varied career options in life. Learning at the College is optimised when students have a strong sense of wellbeing where they experience safe and trusting relationships. When students come to Red Bend, they join an inclusive, supportive family that fosters resilient learners with a deep sense of connection and belonging.

The College provides extensive opportunities for the students to develop their strengths, enhance their character, extend their interests and expand their talents. We host a comprehensive sports and co-curricular programme having wonderful facilities and committed professional staff. As well as sport, we offer involvement in music, public speaking and debating, show cattle and sheep, agriculture, equestrian, ministry and community outreach, to name only some of the activities that engage the students and build that wonderful spirit of cooperation and sharing between the students, staff and parents.

I thank you for taking interest in our College, as we look towards the future, inspiring the minds, hearts and spirits of those in our care.

Stephen Dwyer Principal

MISSION STATEMENT

Red Bend Catholic College inspires an inclusive and engaging Catholic education in the Marist tradition, nurturing enlivened Christians who are audacious, resilient and ethically informed global citizens.

VISION STATEMENT

Red Bend Catholic College fosters educational excellence within a Christian environment. Through our Marist charism, we engage minds, hearts and spirits, inspiring our students to live well-rounded, ethical lives of respect, service and compassion. The College community invigorates critical thinking and interdependent learning in our students. Our students thrive in a safe environment which nurtures wellbeing and a sense of belonging. We promote Catholic values through our family atmosphere and community partnerships, where Jesus Christ is known and loved.

MARIST CHARISM

The mission of Marist Schools is to lead young people to know and love God in the way of Mary, in the belief that they all can become good Christians and good citizens.

Inspired by Marcellin Champagnat, Marist educators before all else, love their students. Their approach is marked by simplicity, family spirit, love of their work and presence in the midst of those whom they are called to serve.

Marist schools welcome all young people, whatever their circumstances, offering each one an education which draws faith, culture and life into harmony.

The distinctiveness of Marist Charism in the form of an educational style is found in the following features:

* A sense of family

* A love of our work

* Simplicity

* Presence

* In the way of Mary

A Marist school is a place where ...

* Hard work and excellent achievement are valued

* The individual is genuinely loved and prized

* There is a warm environment and strong family spirit is evident

* There is lack of pretence

* There is simplicity and calm determination

* There is a special concern for those students who find school most difficult

* The Gospel is at the heart and students are encouraged to respond to it with the same faith and generosity that Mary did.

HISTORY

Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes is a co-educational day and boarding school established in the Marist and Mercy traditions.

Red Bend is a co-educational day and boarding college that caters for Years 7 to 12 students. Providing for both weekly and weekday boarding.

Prior to 1977, the Catholic education of students in this region was provided by three secondary schools: Our Lady of Mercy College, Forbes; Our Lady of Mercy High School Parkes; and Marist Brothers’ College, Forbes.

In February 1977, these three schools combined to form one co-educational Secondary School, with the name of Red Bend Catholic College, at the site of the former Marist Brothers’ College, on the banks of the Lachlan River. This merger, as symbolised on the College crest, brought together the great teaching traditions of the Mercy Sisters and the Marist Brothers. Since that time, the College has expanded in numbers, in teaching areas, and in facilities. These days the College educates 850 students and offers nearly 170 boarding places.

Red Bend Catholic College as a Catholic school aims to foster the full and positive development of all students within a Christian environment. Students are encouraged to acquire self-discipline and self-direction so that they can not only survive in and contribute to the wider society, but also develop those skills which are necessary for sound and sensible judgement.

To effectively promote the students’ active curiosity about learning, the College offers a challenging and diverse curriculum. The curriculum provides for different levels of academic ability, catering for all student needs.

MOTTO “Per Angusta Ad Augusta”

“Through Difficulties to Greatness”

The College prides itself on its Catholic values, family atmosphere and community involvement.

FAITH AND MISSION

Red Bend Catholic College has been built upon the traditions of the Marist Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy. Both of these religious orders have their roots in caring for the disadvantaged youth and have focused on the needs of youth in educational institutions.

Our College offers a variety of faith formation activities aimed at deepening student understanding of themselves, others and our God. Students are educated around values based upon a strong belief in God and an imitation of the life of Christ. Our programs aim to provide a sense of belonging in the Marist Catholic charism grounded in values instilled by the founder of the Marist Brothers, St Marcellin Champagnat.

These values are promoted through the everyday life of our community and include family spirit, a love of work, in the way of Mary, presence and simplicity.

St Marcellin challenges us all today to live out these values by remembering “All to Jesus through Mary and all to Mary for Jesus.”

Faith Formation initiatives include:

* Religious Education Curriculum

* Retreats/Reflection Days

* Mass & Liturgy

* Immersions

* Student Faith Formation

* Fundraising & Service

* Staff Formation

* Prayer

Marist Brothers

MARIST CHARISM

Family spirit, a love of work, in the way of Mary, presence and simplicity.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

As a Marist community enlivened by “love of work”, we engage minds, hearts and spirits in forming good Christians and globally informed citizens.

Red Bend students are curious, creative and inspired to be imaginative critical thinkers. Through a supportive and nurturing environment, built on a culture of high expectations, students are empowered to be confident and audacious deep learners.

Student Centred Learning is engaging, innovative, authentic, future-focused and built on evidence-based pedagogy. We are committed to excellence and equity in learning that builds individual and collective capacity so that every student has success in their learning.

MANDATORY:

Years 7-10

All students in Years 7-10 study Religious Education, Human Society and its Environment (Geography/History), English, Mathematics, Science, and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education.

In addition, in Years 7 and 8, students study Visual Arts, Music, Technology Mandatory (Agriculture, Digital Technology, Wood, Food Technology and Textiles) and in Year 8, a Language (French).

ELECTIVES:

Years 9-10

A wide range of elective subjects include:

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture

HSIE

Commerce and History Elective

TAS

Design and Technology, Food Technology, Information & Software Technology, TAS (Wood and Metal) and Textiles & Design

CREATIVE ARTS

Drama, Music and Visual Arts

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PASS

(Physical Activity & Sports Studies)

LANGUAGE

French

HSC SUBJECTS:

Years 11 and 12:

Board Developed Courses: Agriculture, Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Community & Family Studies, Design & Technology, Drama, English Standard, English Advanced, English Extension I, English Extension II, Food Technology, Geography, Hospitality, Industrial Technology, Legal Studies, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Standard, Mathematics Extension I, Mathematics Extension II, Modern History, Music 1, PD/H/PE, Physics, Primary Industries, Studies of Religion

I & II and Visual Arts.

Board Endorsed Courses: Studies in Catholic Thought, Work Studies & Sporting Lifestyle and Recreation I & II.

PASTORAL CARE & WELLBEING

“To educate young people properly, we must love them; we must love them all equally. To love young people is to devote yourself completely to teaching them and to take all the means that a keen imagination can think of in order to form them in gospel in values.” St Marcellin

Champagnat

The wellbeing of children and young people is enhanced and their learning outcomes optimised when they feel connected to others and experience safe and trusting relationships. Students who feel connected, safe and secure are more likely to be active participants in their learning and to achieve better physical, emotional, social and educational outcomes.

Educators who feel valued and supported are more likely to engage positively with students and build stronger connections within the school community. Enhancing the wellbeing of students and their educators delivers overall long-term social, health and economic benefits to the Australian community.

The House System connects all aspects of life in the College. Each student is allocated to a particular house and joins a Pastoral Care group. This group is a mix of students from Years 7 through to Year 12 with a teacher allocated who stays with the group for their time at the College. One of the main aims of the Pastoral care groups is to allow the students to mix and mentor each other.

BOARDING

Creating a ‘home away from home’ has been an important feature of Marist Boarding. Marcellin’s charism continues to shine today in our modern and vibrant boarding community.

Red Bend Catholic College currently caters for 170 male and female boarders from Years 7 to 12 originating from Rural and Regional NSW and remote areas. A dedicated staff including teachers, nurses, counsellors and supervisors, ranging from a number of professions ensure that those entrusted to us are all known and well cared for.

Our Boarding facilities offer private, individual rooms for students, with large common areas, kitchens and living spaces, all designed to offer students an exceptional boarding experience.

Boarders have access to academic support from a selection of qualified tutors who are available throughout the day. The tutors assist our boarders with their homework, providing direction and enabling students to make the most of their study time outside of the classroom.

During 2022 the new refurbished Boys Boarding facilities were completed. They offer state of the art facilities encompassing privacy and spacious communal areas. We are now working towards a process for the refurbishment for Girls Boarding and it is an exciting time for our College, where we embrace the growth of our Boarding School.

CO CURRICULAR

SPORT

Sport is part of the College curriculum and all students in Years 7 to 10 are expected to take part in this weekly activity. Students in Year 11 and 12 can also get involved in representative sport. Sports include Athletics, Basketball, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, League Tag, Touch Football and Australian Rules Football.

CATTLE AND SHEEP TEAMS

The Agriculture faculty operates a very successful show program exhibiting sheep and cattle at local, regional and Royal Agricultural shows.

CHESS TEAM

Chess is played at lunch times in the Library and there are regular internal school competitions. The team competes in the NSW Country Secondary Schools Knockout Competition for the Western Region.

CREATIVE ARTS

Creative and Performing Arts students have a range of specialised spaces and equipment available to them including three Music classrooms.

A large Drama room is situated opposite the stage of the MPH. This space is designed to provide flexibility in the arrangement of a stage, lighting and sound to best rehearse a performance. The Drama room also has a studio attached where lighting and recording can be managed.

Our large art rooms cater for the diverse range skills students can undertake while studying Visual Arts and Photography. Digital Media is also offered where students can have access to computers, cameras and filmmaking equipment, including industry standard software available to them.

The Creative Arts department are involved in plays and performances each year.

DEBATING

Red Bend Catholic College offers opportunities for all students from Years 7 to 12 to participate in debating.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Students from Years 7 to 10 participate in public speaking. Additional co-curricular activities include Mock Trials, Equestrian and many other activities catering for a diverse range of interests amongst our students.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

Red Bend Catholic College provides excellent teaching facilities and resources for our diverse academic and co-curricular programs.

AGRICULTURE/PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

* Livestock - cattle, sheep and poultry

* Farm shed, cattle yards, sheep and wool room

* Working farm - consisting of 30 acres, divided into 9 paddocks with water troughs and individual gateways

* Hay shed, shearing shed, implement shed, chicken shed, cattle yards and barn

CREATIVE ARTS

* Drama, Visual Arts and Music rooms, all with the latest technology

FOOD TECHNOLOGY/ HOSPITALITY

* Trade Training Centre

* Industry Standard Hospitality Kitchen

* Food Technology Kitchen

PDHPE/SPORT

* Eight lane/25 metre pool

* Multi purpose Hall for indoor sports

* Six ovals and outdoor courts for netball and basketball

SCIENCE

* 4 modern science labs

TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED STUDIES/CONSTRUCTION

* 3 woodwork rooms with integrated machine areas

* 2 metalwork rooms with welding treatment bays

* 2 major project areas

* 3 multipurpose IT rooms

* Textiles room

MARCELLIN LIBRARY AND RESOURCE CENTRE

* Library facility with breakout areas and senior study areas.

* 3 internal classrooms

MULTI PURPOSE HALL

* Catering for approx 1000 guests

* Utilised for assemblies, music and drama performances, examinations, formal occasions, parent teacher interviews and other functions

THE ENROLMENT PROCESS

All enrolments are to be made online via our website: www.redbendcc.nsw.edu.auu

To make the enrolment process as smooth as possible, your application will need to be supported by the following:

* Immunisation Record

* Most recent School Report

* NAPLAN results

* Learning Support Documentation

* Birth Certificate

* Court Orders if applicable

* Photo of student

* $200 non-refundable enrolment fee

An interview with the Principal, Director of Curriculum and or House Coordinator, and as required with the Finance Office, the Learning Support Coordinator and Director of Boarding will be arranged by the Enrolment and Publicity Officer

enrolments@redbendcc.nsw.edu.au