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Principal’s Message: Term 3, Week 7, 2021

“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,

As we near the end of our second week of lockdown, we are becoming more and more aware of the many activities around the College that are in need to review.  Already we have been informed that the Rugby season has come to an end, with the basketball and football authorities still in consideration about the nature of the end of their season. We have already informed our Year 12 students and families of the BSSS decision to postpone the AST until Tuesday 12 & Wednesday 13 October. We still have our own events here at school to consider, with our Father’s Day celebration becoming an online reflection, and the Year 12 Formal (scheduled for Friday 17 September) on the top of our minds at the moment.  We will of course inform students and parents of any changes made to events as soon as possible.

It was encouraging that we could still have our Year 10 students and parents attend their Year 11 Course Selection Interviews, albeit by Zoom.  I sincerely thank our staff for organising this event, allowing our Year 10 students and parents an opportunity to discuss their pathways and packages for senior schooling.

I trust that the online learning experience is going well for most of our students.  I say “most” as I am well aware that not all students can adapt themselves easily to online learning. It is difficult for some of our students to engage in their learning in a positive and constructive manner as some learn best in a face to face environment with their teachers. I would encourage the parents of these students to communicate with class teachers, tutors and Heads of House to discuss the student’s specific situation and consider opportunities and alternatives to best move forward.  I certainly would not want any of our students facing anxiety because of their online learning – communication and open channels are so important at this time; please take the opportunity to contact key personnel  at the College to discuss your son’s particular needs and situation.

In this context, you are all aware by now that we have initiated some student wellbeing time during the week, giving students their own time.  Some students may wish to spend this time catching up on work; organising their work; finishing assessment tasks; etc.  But the time might be just as well spent having students outside in some form of physical activity; engaging in an interest or hobby (hopefully not online) or helping out around the house.   There is always the Photo Competition or the Trick Shot Challenge in which students can participate and have some fun (thanks so much to our College Captain Baden Godfrey for initiating the Trick Shot Challenge!).  Of course we look forward to the Junior School’s virtual Book Week for some great outfits and literary inspiration (by the way, just who was Wally on the Facebook video advertising Book Week? … at least he was wearing a mask!).

I must acknowledge and congratulate our teaching staff for the way in which they have been conducting online learning with their classes.  Our teachers were able to enter into online learning without a great deal of preparation, and I have received quite a number of emails giving us much positive feedback about the hard work of our staff and the nature of our online learning program.  I would make parents aware that often our teachers are not in a position to respond to an email immediately.  Teachers will respond to emails within 24 hours.  We need to keep in consideration that a great number of our teachers also have their own children at home as well as other responsibilities during lockdown which may prevent them from responding to an email as quickly as you would like.

On the day I write this article, the ACT recorded 16 new cases of COVID-19.  Whilst the numbers are somewhat stable each day with no significant increase to date, I am not sure if we will come out of lockdown next Thursday 2 September, as the Chief Minister has indicated that lockdown will only cease when we have zero transmissions.  I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying that it will be sooner rather than later. We need noise in the corridors, we need running on our ovals; we need learning and activity in our classrooms and we need our community to be come together again (and … I desperately need a haircut! I am seriously missing my skin fade cut).

A Light of Hope

Loving Lord of All,
we turn to you as we pray …

For our sisters and brothers who have contracted and are suffering from Coronavirus,
we pray that Your healing hand may rest upon them.

For all doctors, nurses and essential workers who are on the frontline against the pandemic,
we pray that You will sustain them and inspire them to render these life-saving services with due care, love and compassion.

For all who have lost their loved ones due to the pandemic,
we pray that their souls, through Your mercy, may rest in eternal peace.

We pray for peace, dignity and freedom for the men, women and children of Afghanistan;
for courage and generosity of the international community responding to their needs and for tranquillity of mind amongst our own Defence community and its wider family,

God of all healing,
who called the light to shine in the darkness at creation
and in whose eternal light there is no darkness at all,
be yourself a light of hope to those who dwell in darkness.
Be a support to the fearful,
a listener to the lonely,
a purpose to those in despair,
that amongst the confusions and struggles of this world,
they would find the path that would lead them to the fullness of life,
and joy, and peace,
In Jesus Christ or Lord,
Amen.

Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever

Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea