A New Term: A Journey of Gratitude and Community
As we embark on this exciting new term, I am filled with gratitude and enthusiasm for the journey ahead. It is my privilege to step into the role of College Principal, and I have been deeply moved by the warm welcome I have received from students, staff, and families alike. This strong sense of community spirit is truly a hallmark of St Edmund’s College, and I am honoured to be a part of it.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our dedicated staff. Your commitment to fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for our students is truly commendable. Your ongoing support and guidance have been instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition for me, and I am grateful for your collaboration and dedication.
We also welcome with open arms our new students and colleagues who have joined us this term. We are thrilled to have you as part of our community, and we look forward to seeing the unique contributions you will bring to our College.
As I walk through the halls and visit classrooms, I am consistently impressed by the pride our students take in representing St Edmund’s College. The neatness and care with which they wear their uniforms, coupled with their respectful demeanour, speak volumes about their commitment to our community values. Thank you, students, for being such exemplary ambassadors of our College.
The term has commenced with a true sense of calm and cooperation. This positive atmosphere is a testament to the collective efforts of everyone involved—students, parents, staff, and the wider community. Together, we are building a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.
Last weekend, I attended the Mass for Consecrated Life ‘Pilgrims of Hope for over 165 years’ with the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn at St Christopher’s Cathedral. “Hope” in the Bible means “a strong and confident expectation” of future reward. St Paul the apostle argued that Christ was a source of hope for Christians: ‘for in this hope we have been saved’. The Archbishop spoke of an ancient message bringing “hope shown to the hopeless, so hopeful they may be”.
On Monday, February 10, the College had the privilege of hosting the EREA Board of EREA Colleges Ltd. This provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the foundations of our school to the eight members in attendance and engage in discussions about our identity and the modernisation program.
We have recently updated our house displays in the courtyard, and we have included a connection to our Irish heritage by including a symbol of a shamrock with the EREA Colleges Ltd logo and Blessed Edmund Rice Portrait. This is to represent Blessed Edmund Rice starting his ministry in Waterford, Ireland and to celebrate our Irish heritage.
New installation of our Irish heritage:
Next Thursday 20 February, we are excited to welcome His Grace Archbishop Christopher Prowse, who will concelebrate our Opening Mass of the year here at the College. I am looking forward to being commissioned as Principal alongside the blessing and induction of our College Leaders and being able to share this important moment with our community.
At the heart of all we do are our Edmund Rice Touchstones, which continue to guide us in every aspect of College life. Our focus for this year is Liberating Education. Each week, I will highlight the significance of the messages our touchstones represent and their importance in shaping our educational journeys.
Empowered by liberating teaching and
learning experiences, we open our hearts and minds,
so that we are hope-filled and free to build a better
world for all.
As we begin planning for the year ahead, I would like to collaborate with our community as we prepare to begin the consultation process to develop our Strategic Plan (2026-2030). Additionally, I invite feedback as we conduct a consultation to further refine our Master Plan (2025-2032), focusing on the development of capital works to meet the evolving needs of our learning community.
We are working closely with APG, with whom I have had the pleasure of collaborating on several occasions during my time in Sydney, to finalise the Modernisation Project for our Master Plan. Members of our community with relevant interest, skills, and expertise are encouraged to submit expressions of interest to the Executive Assistant, Mikhala Andersen, via principal@sec.act.edu.au to be a part of this project.
Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of our administration team if you have questions or suggestions. Your feedback and engagement are invaluable as we strive to make St Edmund’s College a place of excellence and growth.
Thank you once again for your warm welcome and continued support. Here’s to a successful and inspiring term ahead!
Tim Cleary
Principal