It's that time of the year again to start thinking about our Home Room Christmas Hampers. Coast Shelter and St Vincent de Paul are seeking a variety of goods for Christmas to be given to local families who struggle to provide for their loved ones.  See Daily Notices in Home Rooms for more information.  

We are delighted to share the highlights of the Aboriginal Cultural Program that has unfolded over the past six weeks, providing our Aboriginal students with a rich and meaningful exploration of their heritage. Cultural Learning with Aunty Beth, Uncle John, and Fletcher Aunty Beth, Uncle John, and Fletcher from Cultural Choice Association have taught the students much about Aboriginal culture, imparting invaluable insights into various aspects of culture from bush foods and medicines to creation stories. These sessions not only deepened their understanding but also fostered a strong sense of pride and connection to their culture. Wellbeing Workshops In addition to cultural education, Fletcher led empowering wellbeing workshops focused on teenage mental health. The sessions provided essential tools and strategies for our students to navigate the challenges of adolescence while promoting a positive and resilient mindset. We believe that fostering mental health awareness is integral to nurturing well-rounded individuals, and these workshops were a crucial component of the program. Collaborative Artwork Reflecting Identity Throughout the program, students engaged in a collaborative art project that beautifully captures the essence of their identity, the spirit of our College, and the richness of their cultural heritage. This artwork stands as a visual testament to the unity and diversity within our school community, showcasing the unique perspectives and talents of each participant. As we conclude this transformative six-week journey, we extend our gratitude to Aunty Beth, Uncle John, and Fletcher for their dedication and expertise. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on our students, fostering a deeper appreciation for their cultural identity, and equipping them with valuable tools for personal growth. We look forward to future initiatives that continue to celebrate and honour the diverse heritage within our school community.  

In a poignant and solemn whole school assembly held on Remembrance Day, we came together as a united community to pay our respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts around the world. The assembly was a powerful reminder of the importance of remembrance and honouring the legacy of our service men and women. The assembly commenced with a heartfelt prayer, focusing on the theme of peace and commemorating the lives lost in conflicts. This moment allowed us to collectively reflect on the profound impact of war and to express our gratitude for the bravery and sacrifice of those who served. Following the prayer, we acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land with a solemn Acknowledgement of Country, recognising and honouring our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women. This gesture emphasised the significance of unity and inclusivity in our remembrance. The heart of the assembly was a video presentation that beautifully encapsulated the essence of Remembrance Day. This moving visual journey took us through the significance of the day, reminding us that every poppy, every ceremony, and every moment of silence holds profound meaning. The video not only educated but stirred a sense of duty and gratitude within our students. Let us carry the spirit of remembrance forward, embodying the values of peace, unity, and gratitude in our daily lives. [embed]https://youtu.be/-ipn0z_Hh78[/embed]

Our White Ribbon Day assembly will be held on Friday 17 November, a dedicated moment to raise awareness about violence against women and empower our students to take a stand. Led by our College Prefects, they are setting an example for the rest of the student body. During this assembly, we will shine a spotlight on the importance of breaking the silence and fostering a community of respect and support. Through meaningful discussions and a call to action, we aim to inspire our students to be advocates for change. Let's stand together on White Ribbon Day, united against violence and committed to creating a safer, more compassionate world. The following are extracts from the assembly speech by the prefects, which highlight the messages and meanings of the day: “Every woman has the right to live free from men's violence, and it is everyone’s responsibility to make it happen. Understanding what drives men’s violence against women is extremely complex. Broad issues such as structural inequalities, affirm attitudes and social conditioning all contribute to the overarching prevalence of the problem. The Central Coast has the highest percentage of domestic violence within NSW. This is a statistic that needs to change. White Ribbon Australia knows that the foundation for changing social attitudes, behaviours and systems lies in being curious, getting informed, and promoting and delivering evidence-based actions for change. The Australian Bureau of statistics reports that one woman is killed by an intimate partner every 10 days. They also state that 1 in 3 women have experienced violence by a partner, other known person or a stranger since the age of 15 and that 1 in 4 Australian women have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15. If you are someone who says ‘Oh but men experience violence too’ then you are missing the point. Yes men also experience violence within the home, and yes this also needs to end. However, 95% of all victims of violence, whether women or men, experience violence from a male perpetrator. Historically, this statistic has been higher. Whilst much of today’s speech has been confronting and negative, it is important to recognise that this is not a time to feel ashamed of being a man. You may not be a part of the problem, but you can definitely be a part of the solution. For the remainder of this school year, I challenge you to be aware of the way in which your peers treat women. Rethink your perceptions of women. Rethink your current attitude and vocabulary towards the girls and women in your life. And most importantly rethink what it means to be a man. Call out sexist and derogatory behaviour. Stand up to those around when the wrong thing is being done. You determine the culture of the world you live in, and if you want to live in a world where women are no longer abused by men, then take action, because the world is not going to change if you wait for it. If you feel the need to talk to someone about this issue, please see your pastoral leader, one of your teachers, or our College Counsellors.”  

Year 12 Graduation A wonderful night was had by all in attendance at the Year 12 Formal held at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal on Monday evening. Again, a great success and fitting final farewell for our Year 12 students. Some fine dining and dancing mixed with a sugar overload at the lolly bar. A huge thankyou to Mrs Kellie Atkinson for her work in organising this event with the support from Mrs Cathy Ginsburg and Mrs Meagan Armstrong.  Thanks also to the staff who attended the evening, your support of this important night is greatly appreciated.   [foogallery id="48500"]

Year 8 Reading Lessons 2023 saw the start of our Year 8 reading lessons. When data was collected in 2022, we noticed the Year 7 cohorts borrowing rates were fantastic and these started to reduce in 2023. In an effort to combat this, and hopefully develop a love of reading in the meantime, Miss Moon and Miss Moulton have run lessons with Year 8, three times a term which focus on all things reading! We are proud to say that Year 8 smashed the borrowing record and even beat Year 7. A big thank you to the students who came in each lesson wanting to push themselves in regards to reading and thank you to the teachers who recommended books and role modelled great reading. Below is an image of some of the ‘surprise books’ that were selected for Year 8 based on a reading survey they completed. We hope they enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed selecting them.   Read with Me St Edward’s College Library would like to invite you to participate in a shared reading experience with your son over the school holidays. All you have to do is complete the attached survey where you will choose a book for you and your son to read together, and the library will do the rest. Your son will bring home two copies of the book you have chosen, and you can read and discuss the book at your leisure. This is a great way to encourage reading for pleasure as stories are always better when you have someone to share them with! Please discuss this with your son and hopefully choose the book together. The form will close on Friday 17th November. Happy reading! Click Here to Register

The 2023 junior boys basketball team won the BBSSSA title at Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium in Terrigal on 14 August. In the round robin, the St Edward’s College squad defeated teams from MacKillop Catholic College, St Leo’s Catholic College, St Paul’s Catholic College, Mater Maria Catholic College, St Brigid’s Catholic College and St Peter’s Catholic College. In the grand final, the boys started out a bit slow but blitzed Mater Maria in the second half, winning by a score of 42-23. Throughout the tournament, St Edward’s boys averaged 35 points a game, allowing only 18 points per game. With their win at the BBSSSA tournament, the St Edward’s junior basketball squad next competed in the NSWCCC finals at the Bankstown Basketball Stadium in Sydney’s southwest on 30-31 October. The boys won Pool B games against St John’s Catholic College Dubbo, St Mary’s Cathedral College, and Edmund Rice College Wollongong. In the quarter finals, the Eddie’s boys were soundly beaten by St Francis de Sales College, who would go on to win the grand final. In the state tournament, the junior team averaged 25 points a game while allowing their opponents 28 points per game. Oscar McMahon, Austin Romain and Max English led the team with their scoring. Aden Tillot, Joel Washington and Fletcher Bush played great defence and were tasked with keeping the opposition in check. Jonah Bromfield, Ike Diffin and Rasmus Borg dominated the defensive boards. Nate Frohmuller, Joshua Fenton, Joshua Winter and Mason Potesta provided offensive assists and showed great all-around hustle each game.  

The Team travelled to Bankstown basketball stadium full of confidence after another successful Broken Bay campaign, However, the group was missing a few players during the first day and this was reflected in our results. Although the Team started strongly and fought hard to secure an opening victory against La Salle Academy from Lithgow, we found the going tough in the next three games. A close loss to McCarthy College from Tamworth was followed by an even closer defeat at the hands of John Terry Catholic College from Campbelltown. Despite the good play from Kaine Hieber and Neo Thompson, the group struggled for consistency at both ends of the floor. Mackay Jackson and Brooklyn Roberts lead the way against St Pius X from Adamstown and the half time score saw us leading by 2. However, the opposition proved too strong in the last few minutes to pull away on the scoreboard and we recoded an 11 point loss. St Dominic’s Catholic College were next and this was always going to be a tough challenge. The boys pressed hard, but St Dominic’s found an extra gear offensively to pull away to a resounding victory. Cruz McMahon and Max James both contributed much needed points, but we didn’t defend well enough to halt the oppositions forward progress. The boys all tried hard in difficult circumstances and are looking forward to an exciting Opens season in 2024. NSWCCC Basketball Results: St Edward's vs La Salle College, Lithgow Win 27-24 St Edward's vs McCarthy College, Tamworth Loss 18-26 St Edward's vs John Terry College, Campbelltown Loss 23-32 St Edward's vs St Pius X College, Adamstown Loss 29-40 St Edward's vs St Dominic’s College, Kingswood Loss 25-46    

This Week in Sport   Week Event Venue Date 8 CSBB Tennis Championships Queenswood Tennis Centre Tuesday 28 November 2023 8 Wombat's Cup Water Polo Woy Woy PLC Thursday 30 November 2023 9-10 No Events   * Dates for the Berg Shield and Downie Shield Cricket Competitions will be communicated via the boys in the team.

Please see the links below for the latest apprenticeships, traineeships and positions avaliable.   The ATO Are Recruiting   The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is recruiting APS 2 and APS 3 Service Delivery officers, including Indigenous affirmative measures. These entry-level roles are a great opportunity to start and grow a rewarding career, and roles are available across Australia. The benefits of working at the ATO include healthy working hours, a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, generous leave entitlements, and much more. We’re looking for people who are passionate about customer service, have experience using computers to find and record information, and enjoy a fast-paced environment. If you know someone who is ready to take the next step in their career, encourage them to visit ato.gov.au/careers for more information. Applications are open now until 13 November 2023. Join Now! The Australian Army Cadets is a leading National Youth Development Organisation with character and values of the Australian Army, founded on a strong community partnership that fosters and supports an ongoing interest in the Australian Army. The Australian Army Cadets adopts the values of the Australian Army – Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence, to empower youth to achieve their potential. ERINA Recruiting Brochure     We are excited to introduce them to the endless possibilities of a degree in Tourism and Hotel Management, a field that opens doors to global adventures and exciting career prospects. As they approach the pivotal moment of choosing their career path, deciding their future area of study can be tricky. Whether they dream of managing luxury hotels, overseeing one-of-a-kind events, or starting a global career, The Hotel School's Southern Cross University courses can transform that passion into a rewarding career. We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Associate Degree of International Hotel & Tourism Management at our Hayman Island Campus for enrolment in 2024. Students can learn more about our courses and offers, by registering to the Online Information Evening session via the 'Register Now' button below. Online Information Evening    Wednesday, 22 November 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm (AEDT)  VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM Register Now Pre Apprenticeship Carpentry Program)

The relationship between a parent/caregiver and child has a major influence in determining the type of young adult the child will become. For a child to become a secure, resilient, and loving young adult, they must have a secure and healthy attachment with the parent/caregiver which will guide them through life. The attachment that parents/caregivers have with their child will determine their understanding of them – the stronger the attachment the more parents will understand their child, the weaker the attachment the less is understood. In the book “Hold Onto Your Kids” (Nuefeld and Mate), the authors write about the importance of the parent role and the attachment to their children: “The secret of parenting is not in what a parent does but rather who the parent is to a child. When a child seeks contact and closeness with us, we become empowered as a nurturer, a comforter, a guide, a model, a teacher or a coach. For a child well attached to us, we are his home base from which to venture into the world, his retreat to fall back to, his fountainhead of inspiration. All the parenting skills in the world cannot compensate for a lack of attachment relationship. All the love in the world cannot get through without the psychological umbilical cord created by the child’s attachment”. Nuefeld and Mate, Hold Onto Your Kids In our digital world today, with an ever-growing dependency on technology, attachment is more important than ever. As parents, we battle to compete with phones and computers, but never under estimate the importance of your connection with your sons. Replace the technology with your time and attention and strengthen the attachment. Invest in the growth of your relationship with your son. The rewards will be endless. Terase and Marcus College Counsellors

Please see the link below for the latest position vacant at St Edward's College.   [embed]https://www.stedwards.nsw.edu.au/our-college/employment/positions-vacant/[/embed]

Please see below correspondence emailed home in Term 4, 2023.   Year 10 2024 Laptop Rollover - Sent 22 November 2023 2024 Fees Notification - Sent 22 November 2023 Year 10 Iluminate Challenge - Sent 20 November 2023 Year 12 - Permission to Arrive Later or Leave Early - Sent 10 November 2023 Year 12, 2024 Goal Setting - Sent 7 November 2023 Year 10 Camp - Sent 6 November 2023 Year 10 Minimum Standards - Sent 6 November 2023 Read With Me - Sent 2 November 2023 Year 12, 2024 Parent Information Evening Summary - Sent 24 October 2023 Year 8 Camp Medications - Sent 24 October 2023 Year 8 Camp - Sent 24 October 2023 Year 12, 2024 Information Evening Reminder - Sent 9 October 2023 2023 Year 10 Camp Information and Consent Form - Sent 22 September 2023