Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstones
Liberating Education
As a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition, we nurture and encourage the spiritual growth of each person through reflection, prayer, symbols, sacred stories, rituals and sacraments.
2023 Commencement Mass
On Thursday February 16, we gathered as a community to celebrate the 2023 Commencement Mass. Father Greg, Parish Priest from St Patrick’s East Gosford, led this special celebration as we began the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of St Edward’s College.
Throughout this year, we have several initiatives planned to reconnect Old Boys with the community as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations. Mr Peter Graham, the very first College Captain of St Edward’s, was invited to join us for this celebration. It was a pleasure to meet Peter prior to the Mass and hear stories of his time at St Edward’s in the 1950’s and introduce him to our College community throughout the celebration.
The theme for our Commencement Mass remains the same each year. We take time to challenge our boys to be the best they can be in all endeavours. Students were encouraged to look to the College Values that are an important component of our newly developed Learner Profile, for guidance about how they can strive to be the best person they can be.
They were asked to take time to reflect on the following values.
Compassion: Do you care for others, are you kind-hearted and do you show empathy towards others?
Forgiveness: Are you understanding of others and do you show tolerance?
Inclusion: What do you do to help create a safe and welcoming environment and be accepting of others?
Resilience: Do you persevere with your work when you find it difficult? Do you actively seek assistance from your teachers to improve your understanding and are you willing to make mistakes and be prepared to learn from them?
Commitment to Personal Growth: Do you take up the challenge to be the best you can be?
Will you step out of your comfort zone this year and participate in new challenges, both in and out of the classroom?
Respect: Do you show respect to your friends, teachers, your family? Do you demonstrate respect for our environment, your own learning, and the right for others to learn?
I look forward to sharing with you information regarding the various celebrations earmarked to commemorate our 70th year.
Season of Lent
On Wednesday February 22, we celebrated the beginning of the season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service. Ash Wednesday is one of the most important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday takes place forty-six days before Easter Sunday, and opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
The concept of fasting promotes the notion of giving up something throughout the Lenten period. With this theme in mind, we extend the challenge to members of our community to give up some of their time to help others. Students are encouraged to make a concerted effort to complete some of their Waterford hours, to give up some of their time and reconnect with their parish, to devote some time to pray for those that are disadvantaged, in need and at the margins of our society. In keeping with the Catholic tradition of fasting, no meat products will be available for purchase in the canteen each Friday, throughout the Lenten period.
We will conclude the season of Lent with our Easter Liturgy on Thursday April 6. This Liturgy is held in conjunction with the students from St Joseph’s College and traditionally incorporates a powerful performance of the Stations of the Cross, by students from both Colleges.
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Year 6 Day in the Life at St Edward’s and College Open Day
The College will hold an Orientation Day “A Day in the Life of St Eddies”, on Thursday March 9 for prospective Year 7 2024 enrolments. A number of students from non-Catholic feeder schools will join the Year 6 boys from Catholic feeder schools and we are anticipating over two hundred and fifty boys on the day. The Orientation Experience will allow the boys to observe and participate in TAS, Visual Arts, Drama, Information Technology, Physical Education, Music and many other Key Learning Areas the College has to offer.
College Open Day
The College Open Day will be held on Saturday March 11, from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. This day provides a wonderful opportunity for families to visit the College to get a sense of the quality of the educational experience that we offer at St Edward’s. Attendees will participate in a student-led tour of the grounds and facilities, meet teachers and view a range of student performances and demonstrations. Well over one hundred current students volunteer to assist on the day by working in each of the faculty areas or as guides. I thank the many students and staff who give up their time to assist on the day.
I encourage current families to promote this event within your own family and friends network, in particular if you are aware of families wishing to seek enrolment.
2024 Enrolments
The College is now accepting enrolment applications for Year 7 2024. The enrolment process is completed online via the College website at: https://www.stedwards.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/
The enrolment information clearly outlines the enrolment criteria. Applications received after Friday May 19, will be processed as late applications. Current families who are aware of family or friends who wish to apply for their son to attend St Edward’s, are asked to encourage them to visit the College website for information about the College and the process of enrolment.
