To the community of St Edmund’s College,
We had two wonderful Edmums events last Thursday – a lunch event and an early evening event. I thank the mothers and grandmothers who attended these for taking a little time out of their day to share with us. There was such a positive and vibrant mood in the Edmund Rice Centre for both events. In my words of thanks to the mothers who attended, I spoke about my thoughts on what makes the Eddies community. We are truly a Catholic community in every sense of the word – we are defined by the way we are inclusive and accepting, we are characterised by the way we interact with each other and we are shaped by the nature of our relationships.
I am looking forward to further strengthening the nature of our partnerships here at St Edmund’s – of being able to work alongside parents in the significant task of raising our boys and seeing them become mature young men. A crucial element in being both a parent and an educator is the quality of humility – being able to take a step back and admit an error of judgement or being able to confidently say that we do not have all of the answers. It is only through humility that we seek and value the perception, wisdom and guidance of others around us. Education should not be a competition where teachers and parents are battling it out to see who is right – education is a humble partnership where teachers and parents are walking alongside each other, supporting each other as we question and stumble, knowing that together we provide a strong and positive context in which our boys are being raised and educated. Clear communication is the key to growth and understanding in any healthy and loving relationship, and I continue to encourage this sense of open and constructive communication that already exists in the Eddies community.
In writing about humility, Blessed Edmund Rice tells us to pray to God for “… the virtue of humility is so necessary in every station, but particularly for those who have the care and direction of others. If you only acquire this virtue, it will always guide you safely, let your paths be ever so cross or difficult.” Humility opens us to serve, to learn and to guide and be guided.
Jesus encourages us to be humble and open to others. His words in last Sunday’s Gospel encourage us to walk alongside others and treat them as we would treat our own family – to be in partnership with others and to demonstrate humility so we are open to the direction and wisdom of others. The end of the particular Gospel story has the crowd informing Jesus that his mother and the apostles are looking for him. This is how the Gospel account ends, “In looking about at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.’ ” (Mark 3:34). We are in a Catholic educational community in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice doing the will of God – hence all of us are mother, father sister and brother to each other.
I thank Mr Germaine Muller, Ms Rachel Smith, Ms Rebecca Jarman, Mr Alex Hausen our senior Hospitality students (lunch) and our Year 7 Food Science students (evening) for their great efforts with the Edmums events this year, and I look forward to seeing many more of you at the next Edmums events.
Last Friday was the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:
Lord, you deserve all honour and praise,
because your love is perfect and your heart sublime.
My heart is filled to overflowing with gratitude
for the many blessings and graces you have bestowed upon me and those
whom I love.
Forever undeserving, may I always be attentive
and never take for granted the gifts of mercy and love
that flow so freely and generously from your Sacred Heart.
Heart of Jesus, I adore you.
Heart of Jesus, I praise you.
Heart of Jesus, I thank you.
Heart of Jesus, I love you forever and always.
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our Hearts, forever.
EREA (Edmund Rice Education Australia) Survey
As a parent or carer of a student at St Edmund’s College, we are interested to know the reason you chose St Edmund’s for your son. This survey is part of a wider study of school choice currently under way across Edmund Rice Education Schools Australia (EREA). Your feedback will help us as a member school of EREA plan well for the future. Your comments are important.
All parents were emailed this survey on Tuesday 29 May. There is a link below if you would prefer to access the survey here.
Please take your time to answer the questions thoughtfully. It should only take you between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. Your comments are anonymous and collected by an external consultant – no individual respondent will be identified by the survey. Once all member schools have completed the survey we will look forward to sharing the results with you.
The survey will remain open for one more week. https://www.research.net/r/EREA_School_Choice_Survey_Canberra_2018
End of Term
Please note that the College will be closed on Friday 6 July – there will be no staff on the College site to answer telephone calls or respond to emails. College Reception will be open as normal from Monday 9 July (vacation hours).
Christus Lux Mea
Joe Zavone (Principal)