Inclusive Community

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, we seek to provide opportunities for involvement in immersion programs in which students and staff form relationships, work with and learn from those on the margins, leading to mutual transformation.

 Year 11 Street Retreat

The first of the Year 11 Street Retreats will be held next week and will once again prove to be a very challenging and insightful experience for staff and students.  Visits to a variety of organisations such as the Wayside Chapel, Baptist Care and St Canice’s Church, to explore issues associated with drug addiction, mental health, domestic violence and homelessness are designed to take students out of their comfort zone and raise awareness about the plight of those at the margins of our society. Students will also visit a Jewish Synagogue to engage in inter-faith dialogue and the Jewish Holocaust Museum where they meet holocaust survivors.  At a workshop presented by the Catholic Mission in North Sydney, students discuss the plight of children in detention, are engaged in a question, and answer session regarding alternative ways to assist people seeking asylum.  I would like to thank Mr Tony Beacroft, Mrs Fran Palmer Brown, Mr Alex Rozario and the teachers who attend both the Retreats for their detailed planning and organisation, and the support they provide the boys while on this experience.

Fostering strong relationships with our Primary Catholic Schools

St Edward’s College is committed to maintaining strong connections with our local Catholic Primary schools and has implemented a range of initiatives to foster a positive relationship with young people in these schools. In partnership with St Joseph’s Catholic College, we have invited students from each of the Catholic Primary Schools to enrichment days at St Edward’s in Robotics and Music and have planned further days in Visual Arts, Science and Drama.

Throughout the year several students have assisted in the running of gala days and carnivals by officiating as referees in a variety of sports including Football, Oztag and Touch Football. The feedback that we receive about our boys is always positive, identifying them as being outstanding role models for the younger students. Our boys also comment on their enjoyment in working with young people.

In addition to the enrichment days and refereeing initiatives, Year 10 students are currently participating in a learning assistance program at St Patrick’s Primary School East Gosford. As part of this program, students from St Edward’s and St Joseph’s assist students in Years 1 and 2, once a week with their literacy and numeracy skills. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for our students, and I congratulate and commend them for their willingness to represent St Edward’s in this program. The students participating in the program this term are, Brendan Ratay, Xander Byrne, Thomas Perham, Eden Pearson

Below are some of the reflections of our Year 10 boys.

Xander Byrnes

“During my time participating in this program, I found that I enjoyed the new and unique experience of teaching to kids who are only just beginning their schooling lives, not to mention the rapport that I build amongst them as the weeks go on”.

Thomas Perham

“Assisting in the learning journey of younger primary students has broadened my understanding of teaching and has been an inspiring, fulfilling experience.”

Year 10 Students Assisting at St Patrick’s Primary

Edmund Rice Education Eastern Region Networking Day- Monday July 22

St Edward’s Teaching staff will be participating in an Edmund Rice Education Eastern Region Networking Day on Monday July 22, the first day of Term 3. Members of staff will travel to Waverley College where teachers in each faculty will meet with teachers from EREA schools across NSW, to share best practice in teaching and learning. This biannual event provides an excellent opportunity for teachers to not only showcase the excellent teaching practice at St Edward’s but to learn new and innovative ways of engaging our boys in their learning. Term 3 will therefore commence for all students on Tuesday July 23.