Welcome to Semester 2
I hope that families were able to have a safe and restful break over the recent school holiday period. As is always the case, it was wonderful to welcome the boys back to the College last week and to feel the energy around the grounds. The semester has started well and we have now settled into our regular routines.
Heritage Round / Reunion Day
One of the significant events of the year is happening this weekend – Heritage Round. The annual rugby fixture at St Edmund’s versus Marist College has always been well supported and attended by both College communities. It is a healthy and positive rivalry between the two schools. The Heritage Round contains a full list of fixtures for Football and Rugby at the College. These fixtures conclude with the First XV playing Marist College on Owens Oval at 3.00pm and the First XI playing Woden on Standen Oval at 3.10pm.
The celebrations around Heritage Round have grown over recent years and the College uses the weekend to host a number of events and activities for our current and past families. These events are jointly organised and hosted by the Old Boys and Friends Association and the College. I would like to thank Matt de Jongh, President of the Association, and the many committee members, who have generously given their time in organising these events. Thank you also to the many staff involved in planning and running the various activities. It is a great team effort, and we are looking forward to the weekend. We have over 200 attendees for the Blue and White Ball on Friday night and several graduation classes have arranged to use the weekend to get together.
I encourage parents and carers to visit the College on Saturday for one or more of the following events.
10.00am Mass in the College Chapel
11.00am Morning Tea
12.00pm Tour of the College
All day Football and Rugby Fixtures across all College Ovals
The Heritage Round /Reunion Weekend supports a local charity. Funds will be raised through various activities on Saturday and a number of items will be auctioned at the Ball on Friday night. This year we will be supporting Rise Above Capital Region Cancer Relief. Rise Above provides financial assistance and support to cancer patients and family residing with them within the ACT, Queanbeyan and surrounds.
One of the items that will be auctioned on Friday night is a Heritage Round jumper. Each year, the First XV play in a unique jumper designed for the round. The jumper for this year was designed by College staff member, Mr Peter Fatupaito. St Edmund’s College embraces its rich cultural diversity. The 2023 Heritage Round jumper has been designed to celebrate our diversity. In Peter’s words, “The design on the jersey was influenced by a common Polynesian tattoo that covers majority of a man’s body, starting from the ribs, down to the knee caps. This significant tattoo is given to many men of importance who would receive it in a traditional manner. Each strip of pattern resembled the most common pattern/shape to each Polynesian country, hence each representing and being symbolic of the four Polynesian countries represented in the First XV team – Samoan, Tongan, Maori, and Fiji.” Supporter t-shirts with Peter’s design are available for students, parents and carers. I sincerely thank Mr Trent Masters and his colleagues for their vision and work with developing the partnership Rise Above and developing the items of clothing for this weekend. Thank you also to Mr Lee Boswell, our Co-curricular Manager, for all of his work involved with this weekend. It is a big day!
When I asked the boys at assembly this morning who was attending this weekend, about 80% of hands went up. This was really pleasing and was a great confirmation of the spirit that exists amongst our students. In addressing them this morning, they were encouraged to support in the right way, always showing support for our teams and displaying respect for the opposition and officials. They were also reminded of the expectation regarding their dress on Saturday. All students are to wear their full school uniform on Saturday which includes blazers for High School boys. Further information for Junior School boys is included in in Mr Kelly’s article for Junior School.
Edmund’s to the Fore!
Dear Lord,
Grant that we may live each day to the full, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Let us cast away all worries and concerns into your divine care.
Christus Lux Mea
Give us strength to confront all challenges that we face with hope and faith.
Let our community seek truth in all that we search for.
Christus Lux Mea
Let us stand for others always giving generously without counting the cost.
Blessed Edmund Rice
Pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts
Forever
Amen
Ian Garrity
Acting Principal
Christus Lux Mea