“If we walk in the light, as he is the light, we have fellowship with one another.” 1 John 1:7
To the family and friends of St Edmund’s College,
We are now about halfway through Term One. The excitement of starting a new year has settled down and we are well and truly in the depths and detail of our learning experiences and co-curricular opportunities. I would encourage our parents to continue to discuss your son’s learning with him and give your son regular opportunities to reflect on his learning and his time at school – what he is enjoying, what he is finding challenging and how he feels he is progressing so far.
The American education reformer, John Dewey stated that “We don’t learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” Reflection is a such integral part of the learning process. It allows us to learn more about ourselves and how we learn, but it also aids us in improving academic skills. Without reflection, it is very difficult to have genuine learning.
There are many opportunities provided at St Edmund’s for students to reflect on their learning by noticing and correcting their own mistakes as well as focusing on the activities and behaviours which allow them to be successful. This is a vital part of the learning experience. Reflective practice becomes an even more valuable tool when it is supported at home, with parents having regular conversations with their sons about the learning process and progress. What did they learn today? What was easy and what was difficult? What sort of learning does your son engage in best and why? How is the progress with upcoming assessment tasks? For boys in Junior School and in Years 7 & 8 – how are the College dairies being used and are they up to date with homework and assessment information? Once these reflective discussions become the norm, then students will find it easier to see the benefits of reflecting on their learning; to examine what they have learned and how they have learned it; to demonstrate how their thinking grows and develops over time; to assist with making connections between what they already know and what they are learning; to help them learn from mistakes by identifying how they would do things differently next time and recognising that some risk-taking is necessary in the learning process. As our boys progress through their learning and with the encouragement of reflective practice both at school and at home, they will develop their reflective practice and gradually learn to reflect at a deeper, more critical level.
Buses
The last couple of weeks has seen a flurry of activity on a social media group page concerning the actions of some students of St Edmund’s and St Clare’s at a local interchange. As usual, what may have been a valid concern in the first place deteriorated into false and malicious accusations made about the nature of the schools and their students. It is now commonplace that social media pages become a dumping ground of misinformation and personal bias, all communicated in a hateful, vile manner. I sincerely thank some of our parents who endeavoured to correct some of the misinformation expressed in the group and add some truth and clarity to an otherwise muddy discussion.
The original concerns about the timing of busses and consequent overcrowding are being dealt with in a direct manner, with staff from St Edmund’s, St Clare’s and Q City Transit meeting this week to discuss possible ways forward. Had the two schools been informed of these issues directly, rather than through social media, then more immediate attention would have been given to this matter.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Junior Tupou (Class of 2020) on his selection in the Junior Wallabies squad. Junior is an exceptional sportsperson and athlete, and well deserves this acknowledgement and recognition of his skill and talent. We look forward to following Junior’s progress in his rugby career.
Enrolments 2021
Enrolments are open for our 2021 intake. Over the past couple of years we have been fortunate to have had a boost in enrolment numbers in particular year groups. If you are thinking of enrolling your son next year, I would strongly suggest you contact our Enrolments Officer as soon as possible to conform your place in the enrolment process. Similarly, if you know of someone who is interested in St Edmund’s for next year, please inform them that they need to contact the College as soon as possible. Contact details for enrolment enquiries are: (02) 6239 0660 or enrolments@stedmunds.act.edu.au
We have an Information Evening for all prospective families on Tuesday 30 March from 6pm – 7pm. We expect all prospective families to attend this evening to obtain information about the College, its curriculum structure and co-curricular opportunities, its pastoral care and wellbeing program, student expectations and requirements and the nature of the College. Our Open Day this year is on Saturday 1 May from 11.00 – 2.00, and we have two opportunities for prospective students to experience life at St Edmund’s with our Experience Eddies Days on Tuesday 27 April and Tuesday 20 July. More information will be available shortly about these events. If you are aware of any prospective families, please ask them to keep a careful eye on our Facebook page for further specific information.
Summary of Important Dates:
- Information Evening for Prospective Enrolments: Tuesday 30 March, 6pm – 7pm
- Experience Eddies Day 1: Tuesday 27 April
Please see https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/experience-eddies-day-tickets-143600570171 - Open Day: Saturday 1 May 11.00 – 2.00
- Experience Eddies Day 2: Tuesday 20 July
Lent and Project Compassion
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Our school-wide Mission focus for Term 1 is Project Compassion which is the work of Caritas Australia. Caritas Australia is the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia and is part of one of the largest aid and development networks in the world – Caritas Internationalis – working in over 200 countries and territories.
Each year, thousands of schools across Australia participate in Project Compassion which runs during the six weeks of the Church season of Lent. People across Australia are invited to help raise awareness and stand in solidarity with the millions of people across the world with whom Caritas Australia works. Project Compassion goes a long way working towards building a more just and fairer world: a world in balance, at peace and free of poverty.
I would encourage all families at St Edmund’s to give generously to Project Compassion. Students can donate through their Junior School class or tutor group class. I would hope that by the end of Len, students here at Eddies have donated enough to have made a significant difference in the work of Caritas Australia and in the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves. Some of the work of Caritas Australia can be found at this link: https://lent.caritas.org.au/schools
Swimming Carnival
We have our Swimming Carnival scheduled for this coming Friday, with the Junior School at Queanbeyan Aquatic Centre and Years 7 to 12 at Canberra Olympic Pool. The Swimming Carnival is an important community day, fostering a great sense of competitive spirit, collaboration and friendship. No student should be absent from the carnival unless in the case of genuine illness or injury.
Second-hand Uniform
Many parents would be aware that we have a second-hand uniform collection which is used for families in need. There is absolutely no financial transaction for these items; we provide these items to our families as the need arises. I would ask you to please consider donating pre-loved items of uniform to our second-hand uniform collection so we always have items on hand to use with our families. Items should be washed and ironed and can be left with our Reception staff. Families who might be in need of our second-hand uniform collection can contact my office or their Head of House to facilitate this process.
Prayer for the Second Week of Lent
God of Love, God of Peace,
this fractured word cries out in pain,
burns deep into my soul
and challenges me to make a difference.
God of Love, God of Peace,
God of this world,
scarred by grief and tears,
ignorance and fear,
soften hearts of stone
and begin with mine.
God of Love, God of Peace,
Create within me a heart for people,
a desire for change,
for new beginnings
to start this day.
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea