“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,
One of my most favourite times of the year is the beginning of each term. There is an extraordinary energy around the College in the first week of term as students and staff return renewed, refreshed and reenergised. It is always a delight talking to the boys about their holiday experiences and what they are looking forward to in the new term. For some it is the beginning of certain co-curricular activities or the opportunity to experience a new subject, and for others it is the chance to catch up with their mates. A new term allows for a fresh start and a return to familiar routines and familiar faces. Term 2 can be a tough term as we move into a much colder season with the days becoming darker sooner. It is important for our young men to continue to reflect on their learning during this term, recognising the strong areas of their learning which need consolidation, as well as focusing on areas that need strengthening and developing. With parent / teacher meetings happening this week, now is the ideal time for students and parents to have a deep discussion about students’ learning progress to this point and what directions need to be taken throughout this term. I wish all of our students the very best for Term 2 and look forward to joining them for the myriad of activities we have planned for the term.
Archbishop’s Visit
We had the privilege of being visited by Archbishop Christopher Prowse in the last week of Term 1. The Archbishop met with all of our student leaders from Year 6 and Year 12, engaging our leaders in discussions about their perceptions of leadership in a Catholic school; their sense of the identity of the College and their role in this and reflecting on their sense of faith and service. It was quite touching when the Archbishop removed the cross he was wearing around his neck and passed it around to all of the boys, allowing them to sit with the cross for a few moments in prayer and contemplation. The boys entered into this opportunity with a good sense of maturity and reflection. I thank Archbishop Christopher Prowse for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit us and spend time with our student leaders.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards Special Event
Ms Tanisha Elliott, our Duke of Edinburgh Awards Coordinator, and Nicholas Odgers (Year 12, Treacy), Duke of Edinburgh Awards Gold Participant, were both invited to the Governor General’s Residence on Wednesday of last week to represent all Australian Duke of Edinburgh Awards participants and leaders, to sign the condolence book and lay a wreath in memory of HRH Prince Philip. They were only two of seven people invited to this special event. Among the seven people invited were the Chair of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Board, CEO of Duke of Edinburgh Awards Australia and the ACT Chair, Bill Sowry. The Governor General even gave Nicholas a Governor General Coin as a late birthday present. Both Ms Elliott and Nicholas were extremely honoured to participate in this significant yet sombre occasion and we are very proud of them for being given this privilege.
Student Spotlight
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in the Rugby Australia Brumbies U18s match program that runs from April to September to select an Australian U18s Squad: Andrew McFarlane (Year 11, Clancy), Fiti Fiti (Year 11, Haydon) and Shane Wilcox (Year 11, Haydon). They played their first match last weekend in Campbell against the Rebels.
Congratulations also to the following students who have been selected to the ACTJRU Brumbies U12 Training Squad for the Southern States Championships: Serafin Caggiano (Year 7, Rice), Darius Cordina (Year 6, O’Brien), Henry Farfan (Year 6, Clancy), Hixen Hemara (Year 7, Treacy), Jack Jamieson (Year 6, Rice), Thomas Keillor (Year 7, Rice), Brayden Kent (Year 5, Haydon), Sonny Lauvao (Year 7, Mulrooney), Campbell Lloyd (Year 7, Haydon), Kobe Pearce (Year 7, Mulrooney), Ezra Taiatini (Year 6, Rice), Rohan Webster (Year 7, Clancy).
Open Day, Saturday 1 May
Our Open Day will be held on Saturday 1 May from 11.00 – 2.00. This is a wonderful opportunity for families interested in enrolling their son to see the College first hand – to view the facilities, meet with teachers and students, engage in subject displays and learn more about our great College. If you are aware of any families interested in enrolling their son in any year for 2022, please let them know about this event. Further information about Open Day can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/145800704833
Consent Education – Seminar for Parents and Carers, Tuesday 4 May
A reminder that on Tuesday 4 May we have Brent Sanders presenting a free seminar to parents and carers. For the past 22 years Brent Sanders has been presenting gender-specific seminars on violence against women to male and female students in secondary schools and at universities throughout Australia. Following a distinguished career in the Police Force, he started his own business presenting seminars and lectures on workplace harassment, conflict resolution and offender psychology. Brent speaks frankly and openly to create an atmosphere where students feel comfortable exploring questions on intimate topics such as the range of definitions surrounding sexual assault. Using age-appropriate language, Brent outlines the legal parameters of consensual sex, as well as the consequences of bad choices.
Brent regularly visits St Edmund’s College to present age-specific seminars to students in Year 9 (in conjunction with students from St Clare’s College), Year 11 and Year 12. We have arranged for Brent to present a seminar to parents and carers. This will reinforce the partnership between parents and carers and the College in the education and growth of the young men who attend St Edmund’s by allowing all of us to present a strong and confident voice in sensitive and vital issues.
We have arranged for Brent Sanders to present a free seminar to our parents and carers on consent education. This is an important part of our overall program on consent education for our students, and provides an invaluable opportunity for parents and carers to join with the College in becoming powerful partners in this sensitive and important area. The seminar will be held on Tuesday 4 May. Please click on this link to register for the free seminar: https://sec.act.edu.au/brent-sanders-seminar-2021
This will be the first in a program of seminars for parents and carers.
Prayer for the Third Week of Easter
Living God,
long ago, faithful women
proclaimed the good news
of Jesus’ resurrection,
and the world was changed forever.
Teach us to keep faith with them,
that our witness may be as bold,
our love as deep,
and our faith as true.
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea