“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,
Our students in Year 10 and Year 11 are needing to make some very important decisions in the next few weeks.
Year 10 moving into Year 11 2023
Year 10 students will soon commence the process of discerning the direction of their senior study. This is a significant process, with students considering their senior pathway and package of subjects. They will of course be guided carefully through this process by a number of people within the College – the Heads of Faculty, Heads of House, the Careers and VET advisers and our Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning.
Of great interest to students this year is the number of partnerships we have to enhance student pathways.
- The College has partnered with the University of Canberra through the new St Edmund’s College Sports Academy. This provides an opportunity for our students to consider a sports-focused pathway that offers direct, non-ATAR entry to a number of undergraduate courses at the University of Canberra. This means that a tertiary pathway is now open to students who may not have necessarily considered a tertiary education, or who were wanting a more tailored, individual approach to their tertiary pathway. Students interested in this pathway should speak to Mr Joel Richardson (Head of Health and Physical Education) in the first instance. Please feel free to inform families not currently at the College of this great new partnership and invite them to contact the College for further details.
- St Edmund’s College is partnering with the Canberra Raiders through our Sports Science program. The Raiders partnership will provide a clear connection between St Edmund’s College and the Canberra Raiders for students playing Rugby League, maintaining and engaging these students at a high level both academically and physically. Regular on-field training will be developed by College staff and the Canberra Raiders. Students will participate in Rugby League Gala Days and have a clear representative program. Whilst this partnership is aimed more at students in Years 9 & 10, it also has significant benefits for senior students. Students interested in this pathway should speak to Mr Justin Giteau (Health and Physical Education teacher) in the first instance. Please feel free to inform families not currently at the College of this great new Rugby League pathway and invite them to contact the College for further details.
- The College is also in partnership with the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra. This partnership will allow our Hospitality students to immerse themselves in all aspects of the Hospitality industry, engage in real work opportunities and work alongside experts in the Hospitality field to develop their skills and competencies, be mentored and coached and build their professional network. This is a wonderful initiative for our students, providing a unique opportunity for them to broaden their skills and options. Students interested in this pathway should speak to Ms Rebecca Jarman (Hospitality teacher) in the first instance. Please feel free to inform families not currently at the College of this great new Hospitality pathway and invite them to contact the College for further details.
- Of course, we continue our pathway for gifted students through the Yarwun Gifted and Talented Program. If you are aware of a family outside of the College who may benefit from the Yarwun Gifted and Talented Program, please advise them to contact the College (Mr Tim Bibbens in the first instance) to discuss this program.
There will be a Year 11 2023 Information Night at the College on Wednesday August 17 commencing at 6pm (see this link). We will be providing an overview of the pathways available to Year 11 and 12 students at St Edmund’s College and some information with regards to study packages and course selection in the lead-up to subject selection meetings. Head of Faculties and other members of staff will be on hand to answer questions about specific courses and to offer their advice and expertise.
This evening is open for all current Year 10 St Edmund’s Students and new, prospective families who are looking at enrolling at St Edmund’s College in Year 11, 2023.
Student Leadership – Year 11
Students in Year 11 have commenced their discernment of student leadership positions for next year. This is always a very exciting time in the life of the College, as we witness a large number of students wanting to represent their fellow students by leading the College in some way.
Our model of leadership at the College is based on the concept of servant leadership. St Edmund’s College strives to teach and to embody the pattern of servant leadership exemplified by Jesus Christ. Jesus explained to his followers that their practice of leadership was to be distinctly different than the self-seeking, self-serving, and domineering style of leadership often found in the world: “Whoever would be first among you must be servant of all” (Mk 10:42-44; Mt 20: 25-28).
Good leadership motivates and mobilises others to accomplish a task or to think with creativity, vision, integrity and skill for the benefit of all concerned. Servant leadership serves others by investing in their development and wellbeing for the benefit of the common good. Thus, good servant leaders serve their community through investing in others so that together they may accomplish a task for the greater good.
To best exemplify the concept of servant leadership, since last year our Captains positions have been aligned to one of the four Touchstones from the Charter of Edmund Rice Education Australia. The College Captain has stewardship for Inclusive Community; the Academic Vice-Captain has stewardship for Liberating Education; the Mission Vice-Captain has stewardship for Gospel Spirituality and the Service Vice-Captain has stewardship for Justice & Solidarity. Thus, by their very nature, the Captains lead the school in areas that are very closely related to gospel values and Jesus’ mission. The Captains will be supported in their stewardship roles by the House Captains and Vice Captains, and by their peers and teachers.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Mr John Owens, our acting College Advisory Council Chair, who has now been appointed as our permanent Advisory Council Chair. We look forward to working closely with John and the Advisory Council in setting the direction and vision of the College for the next few years.
Solemnity of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Each year at around this time, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s beloved first saint. We celebrate the important role Mary Mackillop played in making education accessible for children in our country. Mary MacKillop devoted her life to ensuring a holistic Catholic education for children from rural, poor families. She was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Square, Rome on Sunday, October 17, 2010.
Mary MacKillop was an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life. She was born in Fitzroy, Melbourne on January 15, 1842 to Scottish immigrants Alexander and Flora MacKillop and died in North Sydney on August 8, 1901.
After living what she described as “a most unhappy” early life, largely due to financial hardship, Mary moved to Penola, South Australia at age 18 to work as a governess for relatives. There she met Fr Julian Tenison Woods and they set up a school for underprivileged children before going on to establish the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart – the first religious institute established by an Australian. The Order grew and the Sisters travelled the countryside setting up schools, orphanages and other good works for those in need.
In 1871 Mary was excommunicated following a dispute with the Bishop of Adelaide, but the following year, the Bishop lifted the excommunication order and exonerated Mary of any wrongdoing. She travelled to Rome by sea in 1873/74 to have the rule of her Order approved by the Pope himself.
Today, there are about 800 Sisters of St Joseph, still working with the poor and marginalised in Australia, New Zealand, Timor Leste, Scotland, Ireland and Peru.
Even at the time of her death, those who knew her, or knew of her extraordinary work, spoke openly of her holiness – her heroic goodness. The official Cause for the Canonisation of Mary MacKillop was begun in 1925. In January 1995, Pope John Paul II beatified Mary during a Mass at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney. This followed official recognition of a woman being miraculously cured of cancer after praying for Mary’s intercession. The recognition in December 2009 of a second miracle, also a woman being cured of cancer, ensured Mary’s path to Canonisation.
St Mary MacKillop’s impact on Australian education was remarkable. She was a trailblazer and a leader who passionately advocated for the education of underprivileged children and children in remote areas where others either would or could not go. For such children and their families, Mary opened a door of hope into the future.
Source: https://www.columban.org.au/media-and-publications/articles/features/2019/saint-mary-mackillop-feast-day
Prayer
Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
to live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop,
we ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit
so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea