Vibrant Spirit. Strong Character. Tailored Learning
To the friends and families of the St Edmund’s community,
After the damage caused by the hailstorm, the College buildings took yet another battering last week with the couple of days of heavy rainfall. The tarp protection that was placed on the roof after the hail was not effective, resulting in more damage. I must sincerely congratulate our students and staff for their resilience and flexibility as we closed the top floor for two days. Classes were relocated and there was some sharing of larger spaces, but this was met with a positive attitude and our learning and teaching continued as normal. The top floor is open this week and things are nearly back to normal!
Open Day, Saturday 9 May
We have our annual Open Day coming up on Saturday 9 May. There will be more information about Open Day being released very soon. If you are aware of any parents who are thinking of sending their sons to St Edmund’s, please inform them of this event so they have the opportunity of being part of a vibrant, strong and growing community.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Nichole Overall, our College Board Chair, on being named Monaro’s Woman of the Year for 2020. Following is the announcement from John Barilaro, MP for Monaro and Deputy Premier of NSW, regarding Nichole’s achievement, “While many know Nichole through her work as a historian she is also a strong advocate for our region, having given countless hours back to the local community. Nicole is involved in a number of local organisations including Meals on Wheels and Headspace Queanbeyan. Yesterday marked International Women’s Day and it is so important we celebrate the achievements of women. Nichole is one of a number of inspiring women we are lucky to have in the Monaro”.
Second Sunday of Lent
Last Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 17:1-9) gives us the account of the Transfiguration. Jesus appeared before Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves, “his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light”. Appearing with Jesus were Moses and Elijah, very strong symbols of Israelite tradition. This sacred conversation identified Jesus with the law and the prophets. It showed how Jesus had the same authority as these two pillars of Israel’s tradition and how that authority came from the same God. My favourite part of this reading comes directly from God, telling the apostles that “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The phrase “listen to him” gives us an extremely powerful message and has a very strong connection to our scriptural theme for 2020, “Whatever you have learned, received or heard from Christ – put it into practice”. Listening is more than just hearing – listening requires a level of discernment and discipline, it requires effort and a level of obedience and it requires clarity of thought and intention. God tells the apostles to listen to Jesus. The implication here is that the apostles should act as Jesus desires them to act, to follow the model that Jesus sets before them and to lay the path for others to do the same. There is no better life to live than to live in the light of Jesus and to move others into that light as well. This is a most powerful message to consider as we move into the second week of Lent and move more closely towards that special individual transformation and conversion which is our aim for the Lenten season.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for schools, students and parents.
Printed below is the latest communication from the Australian Government Department of Health:
People who have returned from a country or region that is at high or moderate risk for
COVID-19 should monitor their health closely. If you develop symptoms including a fever and cough you should isolate yourself immediately and urgently seek medical attention. Go to www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers for the list of at-risk countries.
People who think they may have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus should also monitor their health and seek urgent medical attention.
Can students or staff members attend schools and early childhood centres?
Specific requirements are in place for people who have returned from a country or region that is at high or moderate risk for COVID-19, or think may they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus. Go to www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers for the list of at-risk countries and isolation requirements.
The relevant school should be notified. Students may want to seek alternate arrangements for remote learning keeping in mind the isolation period, provided the person remains well, is a maximum of 14 days.
What does isolate in your home mean?
People who need to isolate must stay at home and not attend public places, in particular work, school, childcare or university. Only people they usually live in the household with should be in the home.
Do not see visitors. Where possible, ask others such as friends or family, who are not required to be isolated, to get food or other necessities. If the person in isolation must leave the home or residence, such as to seek medical care, they are instructed to wear a surgical mask if they have one.
What if a student or staff member becomes sick while in isolation?
Symptoms include (but are not limited to) fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.
If a student/staff member develops mild symptoms, they must:
- Isolate themselves from others at home and use a separate bathroom if available;
- Put on a surgical mask and if they don’t have one, practise good sneeze/cough hygiene;
- Practise good hand hygiene; and
- Call a doctor or hospital and tell them the recent travel or close contact history.
If they have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing:
- Call 000, ask for an ambulance and notify the officers of the recent travel or close contact history.
If unwell, staff and students should be excluded from attending the school until they are assessed by their primary care provider. The primary care provider will liaise with the local public health authority to determine when it is safe for them to return to usual activities.
How can we help prevent the spread of coronavirus?
Practising good sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should:
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet
- cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser
- and if unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people).
More information
While coronavirus is of concern, it is important to remember that most people displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or tiredness are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness – not coronavirus.
For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450. If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.
Prayer for the Second Week of Lent
Loving God,
there is so much darkness in our lives
and we sometimes hide from you.
Take our hands
and lead us out of the shadows of our fear.
Help us to change our hearts.
Bring us to your truth
and help us to respond to your generous love.
Let us recognise the fullness of your love
which will fill our lives.
Free us from the darkness in our hearts.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our Hearts, forever.
Joe Zavone
College Principal