Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstones
Gospel Spirituality
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
Sacramental Mass
On Sunday June 25, the most Reverend Bishop Anthony Randazzo celebrated Mass at St Patrick’s Parish, East Gosford, in which ten students from St Edward’s received the Sacraments of either Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation or Holy Communion. It is a joyous occasion each year when young men of St Edward’s make this commitment to the Catholic Faith. A key goal of our Aspiration Statement is to provide opportunities and support for our students as they contemplate their own faith and spirituality. The decision that these young men have made with their families in many ways is countercultural in a society where a commitment to a religion is on the decline. I commend them on making this decision.
I would like to thank Mr Tony Beacroft, the College Director of Mission and Identity, for preparing these young men to receive their Sacraments and to Mrs Heidi Englund and Mrs Sarah Evans for acting as sponsors for three of these young men.
Students who received the Sacraments were: Cooper Mackinnon, Cooper Armstrong, Wylie Brock-Fenton, Shenath Fonseka, Rory Markey, Tate Matthews, Darcy Staniland, Riley Stauner-Lumsden, Conor Stevens, Khoa Wignell.
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70th Celebration – A Big Night Out
On Thursday June 15, the College held a Musical Performance Night to mark the 70th Anniversary of the College. The evening, which was held in the Edmund Rice Centre, was a huge success, providing an opportunity for past and current students to perform musical items. Over two hundred ex-students, teachers and support staff along with current staff and students were entertained with a range of outstanding musical performances from different eras and genres.
The evening provided many old boys with the opportunity to connect with old school mates, some of whom had not seen each other for over thirty years. Also present on the evening was the first ever female student to join classes at St Edward’s, Mrs Mavourna Collits. Mavourna attended the College in 1958 to study Latin with Br Shanahan the first College Principal. The “Forever the Black and Red” historical publication was also launched on the night marking the seventy years that St Edward’s has provided a quality Catholic Education to young people of the Central Coast.
I would like to thank Mrs Annette Rankin, the College Leader of Performing Arts, Mr Paul Toole, Music Teacher and Mrs Meagan Armstrong, Event Coordinator, for their work in organising this historical occasion.
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Science Laboratory Refurbishment Program
I am pleased to inform parents and students that the first phase of the College Science Laboratory refurbishment program is now completed, with classes planned to commence in the new laboratories at the commencement of Term 3. This project, which involved researching and visiting other schools to inform the project and working closely with PMDL Architects and Unique Building Partners, has produced state of the art facilities for the delivery of subjects within the Science faculty from Years 7-12. A dedicated space for the delivery of Extension Science in the HSC years is a key feature of this project supporting the growing interest of students in this field of study.
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End of Term Message
I would like to congratulate and thank students who have applied themselves to so many of the academic, spiritual, social justice and extra-curricular activities throughout the term. The Semester One reports for Years 7-10 will be available on the College Portal on Friday June 30 and provide important feedback to students and families on progress made throughout Terms 1 and 2. I encourage students to take time to reflect on the information provided in these reports to assist them in establishing learning goals for the remainder of the year.
The holiday break provides a good opportunity to relax and reflect on the start to the year and to re-energise for the term ahead. I wish all students and their families a safe and happy holiday. Term 3 classes will commence on Monday July 17.
