Graduating from Oakhill College in 2019, Mr Jackson Ryan immediately pursued a career in Secondary teaching at the University of Notre Dame Australia. Over the course of his degree, he had over 30 weeks of practical experiences in the classroom across three different schools. His very first practical and teaching experience was at Redfield College. This experience stoked his passions for teaching and inspired him to return to Redfield College as soon as he finished his Bachelor of Secondary Education degree. Beyond his love of teaching Mathematics, Jackson has a background in the performing arts, acting in multiple plays and musicals such as Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, Starlight Express, Strictly Ballroom, and the university production of Joseph K and the Cost of Livingto list a few. Additionally, Jackson is an active member of his parish at St Bernadette's, Castle Hill. He volunteered as a youth group leader for over three years and has acted in the Passion Play on Good Friday as Jesus Christ. He also has volunteered at Vinnies for 100 hours, helping to make a difference in his local community. Jackson is looking forward to making a positive difference in the lives of the students at Redfield College and to continuing to grow as a teacher.

Jakov Pavlovic

Mr Jakov Pavlovic rejoins Redfield as Teaching & Learning Coach and Head of History after a few years of teaching at another school. In his role this year, he is assisting the Director of Teaching & Learning in the improvement of teaching practice at the College, including the focus on developing literacy across all grades this year. Jakov also teaches History and English from Years 7 to 12, including Modern History and Advanced English in Stage 6.

Daniel Blazevic

Mr Daniel Blazevic joins Redfield one day a week as a mentor, alongside working as a chiropractor and doing some volunteer work (also mentoring) at a non-for-profit organisation. Passionate about helping young men discover their potential (both academically and in character), Dan sees his work in mentoring and chiropractic as deeply connected. As a chiropractor four days a week, he helps people develop confidence in their health and strength, both physically and mentally. Dan is a Wollemi College Old Boy, and has been involved with PARED since he was a small boy. His hobbies include playing soccer for the Redfield Old Boys team, playing guitar and reading non-fiction.

Li Liang

Mr Li Liang has been teaching Chemistry and Biology since 2010, and he now joins the Science Department in Secondary. Over the years, he has loved helping students to think creatively and critically in order to reach their potential. His goal is to make learning meaningful and useful for the world in which the students will grow up.

• Assembly presentation- In Week 7, the National Manager of Mary’s Meals will address all students in Years 2 to 12 to explain their work and impact.
• Blue Shirt Mufti Day- On Wednesday, 9 April (Week 10), all boys in Years 2 to 12 are to come to school in a blue shirt (Our Lady’s colour) and casual clothes. Each student is to bring a gold coin donation on the day.
• Sponge the Teacher- At lunch on Wednesday, 9 April (Week 10), students will have the opportunity to throw a wet sponge at a teacher for a small donation.

SECONDARY

• Breakfast Buckets- Every Friday in Weeks 6 to 9, our Year 12 House Captains will be collecting their House’s loose change during Morning Admin. The House that raises the most money will win House points and a special House reward!
• Weekly fundraising activities- Various activities for students to get involved in for small donation will include Shooting Buckets(a basketball shoot-out competition) and Passing Buckets(a rugby passing competition).

If families wish to make a contribution to Mary’s Meals, we have set up an online donation facility through this link.

More information about Mary’s Meals can be found on their website.

Year 10 Catechism Program

Our faith is a central part of life at Redfield. I am excited to announce that our Year 10 Redfield students have been invited to participate in teaching the SRE (Special Religious Education) Catechism class for students in lower Primary at Dural Public School. Catechism classes aim to share the richness of our Catholic Faith, our beliefs and how we live it.

On Tuesday, 4 March, Mrs Helen Zammit from Parramatta Diocese addressed our Year 10 students about the Catechism Program. We are currently inviting expressions of interest from our Year 10 students for this program. Year 10 parents received a letter in Week 5 about this opportunity and how to lodge their son's interest in the program. Expressions of interest close on Friday, 14 Marchand can be submitted via this form.

What better way to live God’s love than by serving others and sharing our faith? These students will contribute to the Church’s mission and develop and mature in faith.

If you have any questions regarding the Catechism Program, please contact Mr Milad Khalil (milad.khalil@redfield.nsw.edu.au).

Year 7 Leadership

The development of leadership and service is an important part of our student’s formation at the College. As part of our leadership program, each year group in Secondary has House Captains.

Our Year 7 students currently have the opportunity to apply for Year 7 House Captain for their respective Houses.

All Year 7 students were sent a link via email in Week 5 to apply, and they have until 3:00pm on Friday, 21 March to lodge their application. After this time, applications will be reviewed and shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

I encourage all our Year 7 parents to discuss this leadership opportunity with your son.

David Vassallo, Head of Pastoral Care & Service Learning

On Friday, 28 February, I was fortunate enough to participate in Redfield’s first Vinnies Van of 2025, alongside a few of the students in the Leadership Team: Isaac Chee(College Captain), Joseph Assaf(College Vice Captain) and Jordan Hatcher(Mission & Service Vice-Captain). Together with Mr Vassalloand Mr Hatcher, we travelled to Gladesville to greet and converse with those who gathered, distributing snack packs and drinks. It was truly an incredible experience to be able to engage with and help those who are often overlooked in our society. Visitors to the Vinnies Van come from a wide range of circumstances, including homelessness, disadvantage, social isolation and marginalisation, and there are also individuals who are facing financial struggles or simply finding it difficult to make ends meet. The warmth and gratitude we received from the people we met truly helped us conceptualise the profound impact that small acts of kindness can have.

All of the boys involved agreed that this experience was very beneficial and, upon reflection, we realised that it aligns deeply with the Lenten call to both prayer and action. It gave us cause to reflect on our own faith not only through personal penitence but also through actively serving others. Coupled with prayer and fasting, charity and almsgiving are integral expressions of our Faith. The Vinnies Van is an opportunity I recommend for all Stage 6 students, as it allows us to mirror the teachings of Jesus, who continually emphasised the need to care for the less fortunate, as written in 1 John 3:18:

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

Christopher Gebrayel, Mission & Service Captain

In the afternoon, the boys had free time to enjoy the swimming pool and various games. We were fortunate with the weather, as it rained a little but held off just enough for us to complete all the activities and make the most of the pool.

Later, we gathered for Mass celebrated by Fr Frank, who shared inspiring words with both students and parents during the homily. Special thanks go to Mr Sleiman, a very talented dad who played the piano and sang during Mass with his son Haydn.

That evening, while the parents had a talk about new technologies, the boys played night games and started a campfire with me. While waiting for the parents to join us for the Rosary, we shared funny stories. When everyone arrived, we prayed the Rosary together around the fire.

On Sunday, fathers and sons had more time to enjoy each other's company before finishing the weekend with a bushwalk. Due to the humid conditions, we had to keep an eye out for leeches - some of us even found a few on our socks!

A big thank you goes to all the parents and students for making this such a fantastic success. The Father & Son Camp is one of the highlights of the year, and the students always remember this special weekend.

Francisco Nodrid, Primary Formation Leader

As you’re all aware, we are well and truly into Term 1, and things are starting to heat up in terms of our workloads. Assessments are flooding in, and it is important now that we maintain our focus and work ethic in the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity to offer up your work, especially now in the season of Lent. Whenever you’re feeling under pressure, think of an intention to offer up your focused attention to, and be inspired by the words of St Josemaria: "An hour of study, for a modern apostle, is an hour of prayer." (The Way, 335). It’s easy to see our study as another chore, another burden to juggle, but St Josemaria reminds us that it can be so much more: an opportunity to grow closer to God. Every time you push through a tough problem, when you finally grasp a complex concept, you're exercising the potential God gave you. At the same time, while it is important to keep up good study habits, it is also crucial that you make time for family and friends, and keep a good balance between work and recreation. Although it sometimes feels like everyone else is doing more than you, you are in charge of your own life and should see time with loved ones as a blessing that you won’t be able to enjoy forever. Remember, your purpose is not to achieve a 99.95 ATAR, it’s to spend the time we are given wisely, and to help each other to grow closer to Our Lord.

Tobin Kroeger, Castor House Captain

Lastly, the battle to be crowned the 2025 Swimming Champion House was a two-horse race; however, we will wait for Mr Perrottet’s Swimming Carnival recap video to announce the winner at the next whole-school assembly on Wednesday, 19 March.

Nick Georgiou, Head of Sport

• Sergio Mulkeen-Suarez(U12s): 2nd50m Backstroke, 3rd100m Freestyle, 3rd50m Breaststroke, 3rd50m Freestyle, 3rd14 Boys & Under 50m Medley Relay and 3rd6 x 50m Freestyle All-Age Relay
• Xavier Ting(U13s): PB50m Butterfly, PB50m Freestyle, 3rd14 Boys & Under 50m Medley Relay and 3rd6 x 50m Freestyle All-Age Relay
• Alexander Siau(U14s): 3rd50m Butterfly, 3rd200m Freestyle, 4th50m Backstroke, 2nd100m Freestyle, 1st50m Breaststroke, 4th50m Freestyle, 3rd200m Individual Medley, 3rd14 Boys & Under 50m Medley Relay and 3rd6 x 50m Freestyle All-Age Relay
• Michael Haifa(U14s): PB50m Backstroke, 4th100m Freestyle, 3rd14 Boys & Under 50m Medley Relay and 3rd6 x 50m Freestyle All-Age Relay

Intermediate(15s & 16s):

• Angus Bowen(U15s): PB50m Butterfly.
• Ruben Mulkeen-Suarez(U15s): 4th50m Backstroke, 5th50m Breaststroke, 5th50m Freestyle and 3rd6 x 50m Freestyle All-Age Relay
• Samuell Al Suhairy(U15s): 3rd6 x 50m Freestyle All-Age Relay

Seniors(17s & 18s):

• Marcus Alloggia(U17s): PB50m Backstroke, 5th100m Freestyle and PB& 1stin heat 50m Freestyle
• Joseph Assaf(U18s): 4th50m Butterfly, 5th200m Freestyle, 4th50m Backstroke, 4th100m Freestyle, 2nd & School Record50m Breaststroke, 5th50m Freestyle and 3rd6 x 50m Freestyle All-Age Relay

Nick Georgiou, Head of Sport

*Flag Football is a non-tackle version of Gridiron but with all the similar strategies. It is one of the world’s fastest growing sports and has recently become an official Olympic Sport, set to debut in LA in 2028 and be played in Brisbane in 2032. Many US universities now also offer Flag Football scholarships. There is the intension to develop some local competitions, so watch this space!

Big thanks go to Darcey Lancaster and Isaac Kailea for joining our event and encouraging the next generation of Rugby stars. Their participation truly made the day memorable for everyone involved. Thanks also go to Trytime Rugby for hosting the skills session and helping to make the Juniors Come and Try Daysuch a success.

We can’t wait to see many of the junior players back on the field with the Redfield Lions Rugby Club, continuing to develop their skills and love for the game. Go, Lions!

Natasha Doherty,Redfield RugbyPresident