“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,
It is wonderful to be back after a relaxing break of four weeks (six weeks including the school holidays). My wife and I were very fortunate in being able to enjoy a driving holiday before the COVID situation worsened in NSW and Victoria. This was my very first driving holiday and I must admit I enjoyed it greatly. We travelled down the south coast of NSW to Lakes Entrance in Victoria, with a brief stopover in Melbourne to see the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (we were the lucky few to be chosen for the 50% audience capacity). We then made our way along the Great Ocean Road, stopping in a number of beautiful small towns (Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, Warrnambool). From the Great Ocean Road we travelled inland to Halls Gap in the beautiful Grampians, Daylesford, Echuca then back into NSW to Albury (on the very same day that a lockdown was announced for Victoria). We were so very blessed to be able to travel during this time just before lockdowns and restrictions, and I will always remember the absolutely stunning sights we came across – the ruggedness of the coast along the Great Ocean Road, the magnificence of the Grampians and the simplistic beauty of the Murray River. I was also taken aback at the stunning scenery on our way home around the Hume Highway south of Canberra from the Snowy Valley area. I have never travelled on the Hume south of Canberra and was in awe of the beautiful soft undulating hillsides in this area. It was a privilege to be able to travel for six weeks and immerse myself in God’s creation, seeing the beauty of our Earth and our country around every corner.
My deepest thanks to Mr Ian Garrity who was Acting Principal during my long service leave for his care, time and attention in ensuring that the College was running smoothly.
I have been welcomed back to Canberra with very cold and wet weather. Unfortunately this has also caused the postponement of our Heritage Day activities last Saturday. This is normally a very busy day, especially with a number of our old boys meeting up for their reunions, culminating in the First XV Rugby match against Marist College. The decision to postpone the activities was certainly not done lightly and was undertaken with a great deal of discernment and in consultation with key parties. The ACT Government and other schools had already made the decision to close all their fields for weekend sport. It was therefore disappointing to read a small number of negative and spiteful comments on our social media regarding the postponement of activities. We easily could have gone ahead with the Old Boys Mass and morning tea, but we did not wish to make the event a fragmented, piecemeal event. We would rather have a whole day of activities which is in keeping with the spirit of the day. We will inform the College community as soon as possible of the new arrangements and details for the Heritage Day.
There are a number of important events in Term 3 of which the community needs to be aware. This coming Thursday (29 July) we have our annual Careers Information Night for our older students and their parents. Not only is this event important for students to start exploring their future pathways, but it is also a great showcase for the businesses and programs of our old boys, parent community and local community in general. This is followed by an important Information Evening for Year 10 and parents on Wednesday 11 August, focusing on the important requirements and processes for the transition to Year 11, with individual interviews for students and parents taking place on Monday 23 August. This is an extremely important time for Year 10, and our aim is to be able to meet the needs of all of our students as best we can for their two years of senior schooling. If parents of Year 10 students are planning on enrolling their son in another school for Years 11 & 12, I would strongly urge you to please have a conversation with us first to see if we can tailor your son’s learning to his specific need and desires.
As Mr Garrity mentioned in last week’s Vortex, we will have surveys for our parents, students and staff to complete over the next week or so. These surveys will provide us with valuable data to use in shaping the next stage of our Strategic Vision 2022 – 2024. I would urge you to please complete the survey so we have some good, solid information with which to work, ensuring that your views and perceptions have a place as we shape the next few years of the College vision.
It is with much excitement that we recognise the achievements of old boy Lewis Holland (Class of 2010). Lewis represented the school in Rugby each year during his time here and is now a professional rugby player. Lewis is representing Australia in the Tokyo Olympics in Rugby 7s. He also participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Eddies community sends Lewis and his team our very best wishes.
I have once again written to Chris Steel, Minister for Roads and Active Travel and Andrew Crichton, Director of the School Safety Program, regarding the progress of the consideration of making the area of Canberra Avenue outside of the College a 40 km school zone. I noted with interest that since my initial request to Minister Steel last year (18 February 2020), the ACT Government has introduced 40 km speed limit in areas around the ACT of high pedestrian and cyclist activity to improve safety for all road users. The web page detailing this introduction states that “research shows that the introduction of a 40km/h area significantly reduces the risk of death for vulnerable road users. A 10km/h decrease in speed can reduce the risk of death from approximately 80% (50km/h) to 30% (40km/h).” https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/roads-and-paths/traffic. I find it extremely frustrating that these changes have been made to ensure pedestrian safety, but no consideration has been made to our students crossing a busy road every morning and afternoon. I will keep you updated of the progress regarding this issue.
I have also been informed by one of our parents about another travel / transport issue which is most frustrating. Students who stay behind after 3.25 to attend a school-based activity (e.g. sport training) and then catch a bus home are not permitted to use their bus pass and need to pay a fare. I have commenced correspondence with key government authorities regarding this issue as it is most unfair that students who are involved in the co-curricular life of a school are then penalised for this by not being permitted to use their bus pass and being asked to pay for the trip, especially as they have been nowhere else between the end of school and the bus trip home. The parent involved has had a number of communications with key government authorities and I thank this parent for initiating this communication.
Last Sunday (25 July 2021) was designated by Pope Francis as the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It coincides with the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus, on 26 July. In this inaugural year Pope Francis takes the day’s theme from Jesus own words: “I am with you always” (Matt 28:20). These words, he writes, “are also the words that I, as Bishop of Rome and an elderly person like yourselves, would like to address to you… The whole Church is close to you – to us – and cares about you, [and] loves you…” The day draws attention to the vital role grandparents and the elderly play in our communities and in the mission of the Church. I grew up very close to my maternal grandparents Caterina and Paolo, and know what it is like to have a very strong, positive bond to one’s grandparents – it is indeed a very special relationship. The Pope writes that grandparents and the elderly “… remind us that old age is a gift and that [they are] the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young … The prayer of the elderly can protect the world, helping it perhaps more effectively than the frenetic activity of many others.” St Edmund’s College is grateful for the important contribution grandparents, senior family members and friends provide to our young men.
Also at this time we think of the communities in other states who are enduring a lockdown, especially people and businesses who are struggling financially, and schools and students who are in the midst of extended remote learning. This is not an easy time, and we continue to pray for these communities and in fact all communities across Australia to find their way out of lockdowns and restrictions and start to enjoy the basic freedoms we take for granted.
God of compassion,
Jesus taught us to love our neighbour,
and to care for those in need
as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength …
strength to comfort the fearful, strength to tend the sick,
strength to support our sisters and brothers in lockdown.
Be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through Him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with You in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea