“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,
This week we enter our third week of online learning. It is quite an eerie feeling coming to school every day with only a handful of students and staff. The corridors are empty, the classrooms are quiet, the ovals are still and there is certainly a lack of that energy and vitality that the boys bring the this place every day. I recently came across this quotation, “School is not closed – the building is. If you listen closely you can hear the hum of teachers, administrators and support staff.” Of course, if you listen even more closely, this “hum” extends to the home of every one of our students, where there is much going on. Students are interacting with their teachers in one way or another, progressing with their work in each subject and immersing themselves in their learning programs.
Last week I thanked our teaching staff for the wonderful work they have done in ensuring that our students are purposefully engaged in their online learning experiences. This extends to our Diverse Learning staff who are looking after the small number of boys who physically join us every day. Our Diverse Learning team are making sure that these students are also purposefully engaged in their learning and are guiding them through their work and wellbeing, making sure that the boys have a good balance of school work and physical activity.
Importantly, I would like to particularly thank our parents and carers. Your work in keeping your sons motivated is so important, and I am well aware that sometimes this is very difficult for many of you who are working from home yourselves and may have a number of children at home. I understand the battle for quiet workspaces; the anxiety around meeting your own work deadlines and requirements; the frustration in knowing that sometimes your sons may not be engaged in their work in the best way possible; and on it goes. Thank you for partnering with us in our online learning program – we could not be able to do this without the support and guidance you provide. As I expressed last week, if you feel you son needs further support (or perhaps you need further support), please do not hesitate to contact the College and speak to a key member of staff, whether that be your son’s Head of House or Tutor, the counsellor or a class teacher. It is important to recognise that support is crucial but also reciprocal – we need to support you as a parent or carer just as much as it is crucial that you support us in the online learning program.
Last week we communicated to you regarding some wellbeing time we have initiated for our students. We have allocated every second Monday and every Friday afternoon as time set aside for the boys to do as they wish, whether this be to catch up on their work or to go outside and just enjoy some free time. There are also some interesting and fun activities for the boys to participate in if they wish. The Photo Competition is a wonderful opportunity for the boys to share photos of their pets, their family, their garden or their home. Our College Captain, Baden Godfrey, has initiated the trick shots competition for boys to demonstrate their skills in a range of trick shots. Last week we had boys in our Junior School participate in the online Book Week parade, demonstrating their cleverness in becoming their favourite book character. Mental health experts agree that penciling in some “me time” is an important part of anyone’s life. I hope the boys are making the most of their time and spending it in a way that is very different to the nature of their online learning experience. A good night’s sleep, a healthful diet, and regular exercise can help boost mood and have a positive impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of our boys.
Important News:
- As I write this Vortex article, the Chief Minister Andrew Barr has announced that the ACT lockdown will be extended until Friday 17 September. Online learning will continue for the rest of Term 3, with an announcement made regarding the future of schooling to be made in the first week of the school holidays. We will make email contact with families in the holiday period to advise you of our return to school transition plans, depending on the news forthcoming from the ACT Government.
- The Board of Senior School Studies (BSSS) has postponed the Year 12 AST until Tuesday 12 & Wednesday 13 October.
- The Year 12 Formal was originally scheduled for Friday 17 September. We are unable to hold this event at this time and will continue to look at alternative dates.
- Please keep an eye out for the Father’s Day Reflection on our social media. To all the fathers and father figures in the lives of our students, we hope you have a very special day and we thank you for all you do in the guidance you offer your sons
I am sure that, like me, you are all suffering COVID related news fatigue. I have made myself a promise that for the next two weeks of school I will not devote my Vortex articles to COVID-19 or online learning, and instead focus on other matters, giving us all a good break.
Prayer for Our Time
Come, Holy Spirit,
come as the wind
that blows where it pleases.
Move us, we pray,
to the depths of our being.
May we feel the gentleness
of your breezes,
and be stirred by the power
of your wind.
Come, blow on us,
and purify the environment
in which we live,
so that it may be freed
from what obstructs us
in our journey to you
and be filled with the freshness
of your breath.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
come as the wind
and surround us as you please.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea