To the family and friends of St Edmund’s College,
I was so pleased to have been informed of some great work carried out over the holidays by members of our College community. Mr Neil Roberts organised a few people to refresh our home change room in the Moloney Grandstand. The change room was looking quite tired, but with some work from our old boys and parent community we now have a home change room which reflects the strong spirit and energy of the Eddies teams. I would like to thank old boys Curtis Van Duren and Stewart Lachlan and his son Thomas Lachlan (Year 11) and of course Neil Roberts himself who painted and cleaned the space to an appropriate level. I believe there is still a little more work to be done here.
The holidays also saw the installation of an electronic scoreboard for Owens Oval. The funding for this scoreboard was organised and co-ordinated by Matt De Jongh (President, Old Boys and Friends Association). Matt also co-ordinated the voluntary work that went into installing the scoreboard – my thanks old boys Rodney Skvorc, Grant Jones and Tom Boyton for their specialist work in installing the scoreboard, and of course my thanks to Matt De Jongh for organising this significant addition to the life and culture of the College.
Last Saturday saw a great deal of activity on our ovals with the Pink Stumps Day. Funds raised for this event are being directed to the McGrath Foundation, with the event reminding us of the significant issues and effects surrounding breast cancer and the important of continued research in this area. It was wonderful to have old boy and Australian rugby union great Matt Giteau (class of 2000) as a special guest on the day, presenting the First XI and the President’s XI with their specially designed shirts prior to their game. The shirts were designed last year by Junior School students Sebastian Hillier (Year 6) and William Robinson (Year 6). Congratulations to Sebastian and William for such a special achievement. The shirts and other photos from this great event can be seen on the Facebook page of the St Edmund’s College Old Boys & Friends Association. Congratulations to Matthew Spackman (class of 1991) and Deborah Clayton-Baker from the St Edmund’s College Cricket Club and their great team of assistants for organising a successful and memorable community event.
Blue and White Ball
Our annual Blue and White Ball is being held at the Hellenic Club in Phillip on Friday 17 May. This year’s Blue and white Ball will be a key event in the celebration of the College’s 65th anniversary. It be wonderful to see as many members of our community attend this event and join us in celebrating St Edmund’s College as Canberra’s oldest continuing Catholic school. I invite all current parents and old boys to consider forming tables to enjoy the evening and share the festivities. How special would it be to have a table formed of old boys and their families for each year of graduation from the College’s opening, and for tables of current parents to celebrate and acknowledge their special place in the history and tradition of the College. Tickets are $125 each and include a three course meal, drinks package (beer, wine, soft drink) and music. Tickets can be purchased from this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/259205331616527/
College Calendar
I am pleased to announce that the College Calendar can now be accessed from the College website. To access the calendar, simply go to our website and click on About -> Calendar -> View Full Calendar. This will keep you up to date with College events and activities. This is a quick link to look at the calendar now: https://sec.act.edu.au/calendar
Surveys
At different stages throughout last year, members of the College community were asked to participate in surveys about College life. During Term 2, parents were asked to participate in a survey conducted by Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) in an attempt to gather information about EREA schools across Australia. During Term 4, the College community was invited to complete a more detailed, boarder school wide satisfaction survey, giving its views on the education and opportunities we provide at St Edmund’s College. Members of staff were also invited to complete a similar survey. We would like to thank the parents, students and staff who participated.
The surveys covered a number of areas of College life, including: College operations, pastoral care, teaching and learning, spirituality and social justice. There was also the opportunity to provide more general comments and feedback.
Survey responses were reviewed and analysed. It is pleasing to see that the large majority of students reported feeling safe, encouraged and challenged in striving for academic excellence and enjoyed the co-curricular offerings available. We are also pleased to see that the large majority of parents believe their sons enjoy school and that, as a College, we are striving to provide a safe environment. Parents commented on their satisfaction around the subject selections available to and academic performance. Parents also provided positive feedback regarding our Catholic teachings, Social Justice programs and camp/retreat programs.
The analysis of the survey also identified a number of areas needing improvement and need to be addressed. We appreciate this constructive feedback will use it to guide us through our annual improvements and strategic directions. It is worth noting that we compare current data with previous surveys to see how we are tracking on key identified areas from year to year.
Below are some interesting findings from the surveys from students, parents and teachers.
- According to students, components of College life that we do well include: sport and PE, quality teachers and teaching and the co-curricular program. (This also rated highly in the EREA survey).
- Students would like to see an improvements to College facilities/grounds/classrooms, and in the standard of discipline and behaviour. (The perceptions around facilities and classrooms were also reflected in the EREA survey).
- The majority of students and parents would support more interaction with St Clare’s College.
- Almost 30% of students claim to do no reading outside of school.
- Parents selected St Edmund’s College for their sons because they like the College values and it has a strong sense of discipline and student accountability. They also believe quality teaching and learning is provided, that students are cared for and the College has a positive reputation. (This also rated highly in the EREA survey).
- Around 90% of staff believe that St Edmund’s has a positive culture and provides a holistic, liberating education.
- Over 85% of staff enjoy working at St Edmund’s and find the work they do rewarding.
New 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 (College Principal)