To the family and friends of St Edmund’s College,
Along with Mr Carlo Sorrentino, last week I had the pleasure of attending a function at Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra in Kingston to celebrate the employment of current Year 12 student Joshua Meli. This company is owned by old boy (and current parent) Frank Morella. It is so encouraging to see our old boys support our current students in mentoring and employment opportunities and I hope that we can see more of these opportunities between our old boys and current students in the future. My sincere thanks to Frank Morella for his wonderful support of the College and our students.
It is with mixed blessings that our 2018 College Captain Zane Hogan is unable to attend the Year 12 Graduation events with his classmates. Zane has been selected to participate in the Australian Schools Rugby UK tour, and at the time of this publication will be in the UK with his fellow Australian schoolboy rugby players.
Zane has been outstanding in his role as College Captain – a role he has fulfilled with pride, dignity and respect. This is very clearly evident in his final address to the student body at the last College Assembly. I am sharing Zane’s address with you today, as it exemplifies perfectly what it is to be an “Eddies boy”. This is a phrase that is used a great deal here at the College, and Zane has articulated clearly in a tangible sense what this means and how he exemplifies the values of the College so well.
“Let’s start with three simple words: St Edmund’s College
This is quite an emotional time for myself, as this is the last time I will speak in front of you all; the last time I send a message to you all, not as your Captain but as your brother.
Because that’s what we are… brothers, we are brothers. All bound together through one thing, that being our school.
We all need to remember that, whether we are in Manuka for lunch, within the fence or at sport on the weekend. We are the pulse that beats the heart of the school. A band of brothers connected as one is a very powerful thing, and as Eddies boys moving forward, we need to stay connected and use our strengths to create not only a better College but a stronger community.
So here’s the challenge I lay to you all today.
No matter where we go or what we do, there are challenges ahead of us. What I’m asking from each of you, and from myself, is to meet those challenges straight on with your head held high and your heart wide open. It’s not enough to simply try to get by in life. That doesn’t move the world forward. You must try to excel in everything you do; strive for excellence in every task, large or small.
Although it may not be easy to see, every accomplishment you achieve is added to the world’s accomplishments. Your individual successes benefit society as a whole because when you succeed, you lighten the burden on your fellow man. When you succeed, you are in a position to give rather than take.
The best thing about the future is that it’s in your hands, it’s your story to write, your canvas to paint and your try to score. Just think to yourself as we move on from this wonderful community how you want to be remembered.
The thing I’ll miss about this College is you boys. That’s the truth. It’s the community that makes my heart fond. I come to school every day because you fellas are my motivation. I’ll miss high fiving all you junior school boys and getting my phone, wallet and keys taken when I walk across the oval. I’ll miss talking to all the boys in high school about life, and where you want to go after school. It’s never easy to say goodbye”.
I sincerely thank Zane for his wonderful contributions to the College both as College Captain and through his involvement in many activities and initiatives, and we wish him well in his future endeavours and pathways.
Eternal Rest
In the last few weeks the St Edmund’s community was informed of the news of the passing of some of our family members. We pray for the repose of the souls of the father of Blake Sadler (Year 11) and the sister of TJ Mahoni (Year 11).
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Live Jesus in Our Hearts, forever.
Second-Hand Uniforms
I would like to establish a second-hand uniform facility for parents to have another option for the purchasing of the College uniform (only the new uniform, not the old uniform). Now that we have some of our Year 6, Year 10 and Year 12 students coming to the end of their time in the new College uniform, I would ask parents to give careful consideration to donate these uniforms back to the College. I also extend this invitation to parents of students in other years who have grown out of the new College uniform.
If you would like to participate in this program and be of assistance to other parents, I would ask that you please ensure that shirts, trousers, shorts, jumpers, blazers and PE/sports clothing are in good condition and cleaned prior to being donated to the College. We will store these items and make them available to other parents at a reduced cost. Please note that the College is not in a position to repair donated items or to have them cleaned. It is important that items are in good condition and cleaned prior to being donated back to the College.
These items can be left at Reception during the December/January holidays (in our office holiday hours) or left at either Reception or Student Services when school commences in 2019. Please note that second-hand uniform items are not to be left at the Uniform Shop nor can second-hand items be purchased from the Uniform Shop. We will advise you when the second-hand uniform service is up and running in terms of location and process.
Christus Lux Mea
Joe Zavone (College Principal)