Vortex Term 3 Week 8
To the friends and families of the St Edmund’s Community,
Vibrant Spirit. Strong Character. Tailored Learning.
We had a great weekend of rugby union grand final games last weekend at Viking Park in Erindale. Our senior teams (First XV, Second XV and Third XV) had a clean sweep of victories along with Under 13 Div. 2 and Under 14 Div. 1. Congratulations to the senior coaches, Mr Neil Roberts (First XV), Mr Andrew Castrission (Second XV), and Mr David Mead (Third XV). We also acknowledge the fine work of our runner up teams, Under 10 Div. 1 (coached by parent Mr Aaron Cordina) and Under 13 Div. 1 (coached by parent Mr Stuart Lachlan). Of course we also celebrate all of our rugby teams who have played their best throughout the entire season. My most sincere thanks to all of our coaches, managers and assistants, and especially to Ms MJ McLeod for her tireless efforts in co-ordinating the rugby union program this year and to Mr Denzil Fox for sharing his expertise and wisdom with our teams.
The weekend at Viking Park had its highs and lows. It was so encouraging to see our senior students support our junior rugby teams. There was a great deal of positive interaction here and some outstanding role modelling. The crowd of spectators for our senior games on Sunday were well dressed in complete uniform and were of great appearance. Our boys were generally well behaved, although there were moments throughout the First XV game in which I was disappointed with some our students and the way in which they interacted with some students from the opposing school. I regularly remind our boys that we do not raise ourselves up by putting others down, yet it was this very behaviour that I was greatly disappointed with at moments on Sunday afternoon. We can do so much better than this in terms of understanding and strengthening our sense of good character.
We also wish our First XI Football (Soccer) team well as they enter their semi-final game which will be held this Saturday 14 September at 3.10pm at the Calwell Playing Fields. I would encourage as many of you as possible to support this important game.
In the context of our sporting program, the College has received two lovely letters during the week praising the way in which our senior boys work with our younger students. It is encouraging to have a member of our community praise our senior students in such a positive manner. One of the great benefits of a boys’ school is the opportunity for older boys to share their skills and provide a positive role model for our younger students. It is a pleasure for me to share these two letters with you.
“I would like to acknowledge the St Edmund’s students who coached and managed the Under 12(Division 2) rugby team for this season. The students are Kai Bower (Year 11, Mulrooney House), Ryan Hoare (Year 11, Mulrooney House) and Tyler Chan (Year 11, O’Brien House). The conduct of the students in coaching and managing the team throughout the season was excellent. Their presentation and general politeness were very impressive. Their coaching and leadership of the team was very good, often short of numbers and having to borrow junior boys made their task challenging. The patience shown in explaining the skills to the boys, particularly as there was a significant range of skills throughout the team was also noteworthy. Their language in talking to the boys was always instructive and encouraging, which significantly contributed to the success of the team this season. The commitment and values demonstrated by the three students throughout the rugby season are a credit to the College and themselves.”
“I am writing today to express my thanks and appreciation for the three young men who coached the St Edmund’s Under 10 White rugby team this year, Eamon McCoola (Year 12, Treacy House), Andre Lopilato (Year 11, Mulrooney House) and Josh Davis (Year 11, Treacy House). I was fortunate enough to coach the U10 White team alongside these young men and they showed a level of commitment, passion and patience that was beyond their years. Coaching is not an easy task, there is a lot to manage and all three handled our young and mostly novice team exceptionally well. I believe that Eamon, Andre and Josh should be greatly commended for the time and effort that they put into this team. The younger boys look up to them and they are an absolute credit to the College. The College should be proud of their conduct all that they have achieved this year.”
Staff members were also sent this email during the week from one of our teachers on duty on the oval. It continues the positive theme of the letters above in terms of the manner in which our senior boys interact with our younger boys. “At lunchtime today, Alan Malibe (Year 11 O’Brien House) and Junior Tupou (Year 11, Treacy House) were playing touch football with a large group of Year 7s. This might not seem remarkable, but all students looked extremely happy, and the Year 7s were obviously in awe of these two seniors for taking the time to play with them and mentor them, particularly in the context of how well they played on Sunday”.
The positive College spirit commenced on Friday at lunchtime with our senior Business classes holding a Market Day in which they put their business and entrepreneurial skills into real practice. The Market Day consisted of various food stalls, custom shoe painting, yabby races and the like, culminating in some of our senior boys organising a very successful dance for Years 7 & 8 that evening to raise funds for our India immersion. Congratulations to our Head of SOSE, Ms Kylie Rose and her team of teachers and students for a day of real learning and vibrant spirit!
Our boys were also quite successful on the weekend with the RoboCup Junior Competition. RoboCup is an international effort whose purpose is to foster Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics research by providing a standard problem where a wide range of technologies can be integrated and examined. Our team were runners up in this competition and were led by Ms Margaret Maher. Congratulations to Lachlan Vearing (Year 8 O’Brien House), Rakai Murray (Year 9 Rice House) and Allen Ferguson (Year 9 Haydon House).
UNIFORM
As we approach the final four weeks of Term 3, parents may be starting to think about donating winter uniform items to the College for our second hand uniform collection. Our new uniform supplier Ranier will soon take over the second hand uniform collection. Parents will now have two options in dealing with used uniforms:
(1) DONATION You may wish to donate your used uniform items (without any form of reimbursement). If you are interested in donating used uniform items, please ensure the used uniform items are washed and ironed. You can leave these items either at Reception or hand them over to the uniform shop at the times prescribed below.
(2) CONSIGNMENT You may wish to sell your used uniform items on consignment (i.e. turning your used uniforms into cash). To assist the St Edmund’s community in the lead up to the uniform stock arriving, Ranier will sell your pre-loved items in store. Simply follow these steps:
- Wash and iron your pre-loved uniform.
- Determine your sale price.
- Deliver the items to the uniform shop with your banking details (at the times prescribed below).
- Ranier will sell your items and deposit 70% of the sale price into your account (30% fee to cover administration costs).
Please note that the second hand uniform items that have been already donated to the College will remain as donations. They cannot be retrospectively sold on consignment. Families in need are still encouraged to communicate directly with the College regarding second hand uniform item arrangements.
UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS
Last week of Term 3 2019:
Monday 23 September: 8.00 am – 11.00 am
Wednesday 25 September: 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Hours for Term 4 2019:
Mondays 8.00 am – 12.00 pm
Wednesdays 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Fridays 8.00 am – 12.00 pm
Loving God,
In every age you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
May your gracious care be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our Hearts, forever.
Christus Lux Mea
Joe Zavone (College Principal)