“Let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Dear families and friends of St Edmund’s College,
It was a pleasure to welcome our students back to school at Tuesday’s assembly. It was also wonderful to welcome fourteen new students to the College community. It is always heartening to see such large numbers of new students commence at the beginning of a new term and inspires confidence in what we do here at the College and how we do it.
I received some exciting updates on two of our old boys during the last few days. Eddie Osei-Nketia (Year 10 Class of 2017) ran the 100 metres heats at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon in 10.08 seconds, not only qualifying for the semi-finals but also breaking national record that had stood for 28 years, achieved by his father Gus. Finlay Bealham (Class of 2009) played in the Irish Rugby team that beat New Zealand last week, when Ireland secured its first Test series victory over the All Blacks, winning the deciding international 32-22 in Wellington. We are very proud of Eddie and Finlay, congratulate them on their remarkable achievements and look forward to many more great achievements to come.
We have two significant events at the end of July. The Blue and White Ball is being held on Friday 29 July at the Hellenic Club. This is a great opportunity for current parents, former parents and old boys to get together for a dinner, dancing and a chance to catch up. I look forward to seeing as many parents and old boys there as possible. Link for further details: Blue and White Ball
On the following day (Saturday 30 July) we have Heritage Day, our annual Rugby match against Marist College but also a day of reunions and catch-up for old boys. Heritage Day commences with an Old Boys Mass, morning tea and a tour of the College, followed by opportunities for old boys to reunite with their peers and watch the First XV game against Marist followed by privately organised reunion activities. Link for further details: Heritage Day
We will have a special assembly on Friday 29 July to clarify with students the appropriate behaviour and attitude for the Heritage Day games on Saturday 30 July, and especially for the First XV game in the afternoon. I will share these expectations with parents and carers next week and ask that you support us in these expectations of maintaining and displaying a positive sporting spirit as well as respecting the players and spectators of the opposing side, culminating in an enjoyable and collegial day full of positive experiences.
Parents and carers are by now aware of the attempts of the College to ensure a safer way for students to cross Canberra Avenue. If you have not yet contributed to the e-petition (which means that the issue will need to be raised and discussed at the Legislative Assembly) and would like to do so, please click on this link: ACT Legislative Assembly – Current e-Petition I am well aware of community attitudes to 40k zones, but I don’t think we are asking too much for the Government to consider this or other options for the safe crossing of our students.
Today we held a very special NAIDOC Week Assembly with special guests Aunty Matilda House and Wendy Brookman. It is of great importance for us to dedicate a special assembly to the issues of recognition, respect and reconciliation. The theme to this year’s NAIDOC week is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! I explained to students at the assembly that it is important to look at the language of this theme – the use of imperative sentences here is so relevant, “get, stand, show”, strong action words. Get up! Don’t just sit down and allow these experiences to continue to happen to our brothers and sisters. Don’t just sit and think about it – do something. Stand up! Be seen, be visible, be loud in your support and advocacy of our brothers and sisters. Don’t just talk about it – do something. Show up! Walk alongside our Aboriginal sisters and brothers. Be with them. Have the strength to be seen to be an advocate, a supporter and a fighter for equal rights, human rights, respect, recognition and reconciliation. At the moment Australia is not getting up quickly enough, it is not standing up tall enough and it is not showing up often enough to ensure that the history, culture and achievements and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are celebrated, recognised and supported. We are Edmund Rice people – we are people who, like Edmund Rice, stand for others in a strong and practical manner. Our Touchstones, our College prayer and even our College song talks about who we are – so let us be the best Edmund Rice people we can be by supporting the goals of NAIDOC Week with the ultimate goal of everyone in this country being in right relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week Prayer
God of all wonder,
we pause in the busyness of our days to listen deeply to the wisdom of this land and those who belong to it.
May our minds be open to dialogue,
may our hearts be open to transformation and
may our hands do the work of reconciliation.
We ask that the Spirit accompany us on our journey of healing on these lands, seas and waterways;
We also ask the Spirit of peace be with all those who are living a life of fear, dispossession and distress.
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus our brother and friend.
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea