Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstone

Gospel Spirituality

We invite people into the story of Jesus and strive to make his message of compassion, justice and peace a living reality within our community.

As a Catholic school conducted in the traditions of Edmund Rice, it is important that we take time as a community to reflect on the important sacred stories that underpin our faith and our values. Easter and the sacred story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is the most important Christian festival and the one that is celebrated with great passion. As Christians, we believe that Christ undertook suffering and death willingly on our behalf, in obedience to God the Father, so that all humans may live in hope for a new life with Him and God the Father in Heaven.

Today, the St Edward’s and St Joseph’s communities joined in celebration of Easter and Holy Week, through a powerful and meaningful liturgy. The exceptional talents of students from each school were on display in musical items, liturgical dances and a drama representation of the Stations of the Cross. This annual event and the telling of the story of Jesus’s death and resurrection in a relevant and engaging way, combined with prayerful reflection, is designed to foster the spirituality of all community members and to deepen our understanding of the importance of Easter.

I would like to thank the many staff and students from each College who planned and performed in this wonderful celebration of our faith.

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Statement of Intent: Our Shared Commitment

The recent testimonies that have been shared by young women have highlighted the important role that schools must play in partnership with families in raising awareness about the prevalence of sexual assault, sexual violence, sexual harassment, consent and inequalities which exist in society today. Staff at St Edward’s believe strongly in our responsibility in strengthening our boys understanding of the underlying problems associated with these issues and the importance of establishing healthy and respectful relationships. Leaders across all sectors of education in NSW have recently collaborated on the development of a Statement of Intent (link below) which outlines our shared beliefs which will guide our response into the future.

The founding values which underpin the EREA Touchstones of Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity lies in the development of respectful relationships. Relationships in which the dignity and worth of all individuals are considered. I look forward to sharing with you the many ways in which we will continue to work with our boys in developing their understanding of the important role they play in establishing relationships with the women in their lives that are based on respect. Empowering them to call out the behaviours of others who do not promote equality and respect.

At the recent Year 10 Retreat, boys engaged in conversations about what they value to be important in their lives and the characteristics of good men. Witnessing these conversations instilled in me a great faith in our young people and we plan to continue to work in partnership with families in building good men of the future.

Interim Reports

The Term 1 Interim Reports have been uploaded to the College Portal. These reports are the first formal feedback provided to parents and students for the year. The focus of this report is to provide you and your son with specific information in relation to his level of application and effort to his studies and not on his performance in terms of a mark or grade. The descriptors in this report are based on the College Code for Learning, which outlines the expectations of all students in relation to their learning. These reports will be provided in Term 1 for students in Year 7-11 and Term 3 for students in Years 7-10.  The semester reports at the end of Terms 2 and 4 will continue to provide more detail including a grade, achievement of course outcomes, a classroom profile based on the Code for Learning and a comment by class teachers in each subject. Year 11 students will receive a more detailed report at the end of the Preliminary Course, which they complete by the end of Term 3. Year 12 students and parents will be provided with a report early in Term 2 based on their performance in the Mid-Course Examinations and Course assessments to date as well as a Trial HSC Examination Report.

End of Term Holiday

Term 1 has once again been a very busy start to the year. I would like to congratulate and thank many of the boys who have applied themselves to so many of the academic, spiritual, social justice and extra-curricular activities throughout the term. 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 2 will begin on Monday 19 April with all classes scheduled as per normal. This day is not a Staff Development Day and all students are expected to be in attendance.

Full winter uniform is required for all students for Terms 2 and 3, including the College blazer, tie and long pants.  Year 11 students will be presented with their senior tie on the first day of term.  Please refer to the College Uniform page on the website for full uniform requirements.  For purchases of new uniform items, please visit the Cowan & Lewis warehouse at West Gosford, Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm. The warehouse will be open throughout the school holidays and will only be closed for Good Friday and Easter Monday. Appointments are not required.  Alternatively, parents can join the St Edward’s College Second Hand Uniform Facebook page, where families can buy and sell uniform items, reducing the volume of unneeded uniforms going to landfill.