“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,
Last weekend saw a celebration of community and spirit here at St Edmund’s.
The Blue and White Ball was a tremendous success last Friday evening at the Hellenic Club. My sincere thanks to the very large number of parents and old boys who attended and supported the Old Boys and Friends Association. We also had many staff in attendance. I know from talking to parents on Friday night and throughout Heritage Day on Saturday that they had a wonderful time. It is events like the Blue and White Ball that often act as a barometer for community spirit within a school, and we certainly had an extremely high reading on the barometer. Our guest speaker was old boy Troy Gray (Class of 1990) who delighted everyone with his stories. Music was provided by old boy Keiran Sloan (Class of 1994) and his band Big Boss Groove and the MC was old boy Matt Percy (Class of 1991). It truly was a great night, reflective of the strength of our community spirit. We also raised a fair amount of money for Karinya House and Home. Thanks to the committee members who worked hard to get this event up and running after a few covid-related false starts, especially members of staff Mrs Michelle Taylor and Ms Bridget Cusack. We are extremely fortunate to have Matt De Jongh at the helm of the Old Boys and friends Association. Matt is a great supporter of the College and works tirelessly to ensure that the sense of community spirit with parents, the old boys and members of the wider community is strong, healthy and active. My great thanks to Matt for his work with the Blue and White Ball and with Heritage Day.
The Heritage Day events on Saturday were also a great success. We commenced with the Old Boys Mass in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel. My thanks to Mrs Margaret Thomas and Ms Caroline Devlin for the beautiful music at the Old Boys Mass in the morning; to Mrs Rebecca Jarman for catering for the old boys’ morning tea, to Mr Fred Zarb for showing the old boys around the College and to our chaplain Fr Chris Eaton for celebrating Mass. We had a good number of old boys at the morning tea, especially the Class of 2002 who had their 10-year reunion that day. Ms Bridget Cusack prepared a very special display of old photos and memorabilia which was loved by the old boys.
We were blessed with perfect weather and had a wonderful day of rugby, culminating in another victory for our First XV. My deepest thanks to the large number of parents, old boys and staff who attended. The student behaviour was great and there was such a strong display of sportsmanship through the day demonstrated by both our boys and the Marist boys. I was so impressed with the sense of healthy and positive rivalry on the day. I have written to Mr Matt Hutchison, Headmaster of Marist College, to thank him for a day of great sport, sportsmanship and friendly rivalry. School spirit was indeed tangible and strong on Saturday.
My thanks to Co-Curricular Manager Mr Lee Boswell for the set up on Saturday, ensuring everything was ready to go early in the morning; to our First VX manager Mr Trent Masters for his organisation and structure of events surrounding the First XV and of course to Mr Neil Roberts, our First XV coach, especially for the design of the Heritage Jersey, sponsored by Tiffen and Co. The war memorial theme of the Heritage Jersey was a very special touch. Of course, congratulations to our First XV team for their Heritage Round victory, keeping hold of the Heritage Cup for another year. Photos of the day can be seen on our social media pages and Mrs G Photography Facebook page (thanks so much to Kelly Grainger for her wonderful photography and for the many hours she puts into capturing the spirit of the College so beautifully).
Community spirit and school spirit are developed and built both in and out of the classroom, and we are blessed to have a depth of spirit here at St Edmund’s. I was quite proud to hear this from our own community and from visitors on both Friday and Saturday, and through the many emails I have received since the weekend. This was also reflected on Saturday as I walked former principal Br Bob Wallace from the main building to the grandstand; he was quite impressed that every single student who walked past us greeted us verbally – a “very good sign” according to Br Bob!
St Edmund’s College Prayer
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.
Amen
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea