Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstones

Liberating Education

We open hearts and minds, through quality teaching and learning experiences, so that through critical reflection and engagement each person is hope-filled and free to build a better world for all.

Outdoor Education Program

It has been very pleasing after the interruption caused by the pandemic to see our boys attend camps again this year. Year 9 attended their camp in Term 2, while Years 7, 8 and 10 have been organised for this term.  The College Outdoor Education program provides our boys with physical, emotional and social learning experiences which are enjoyable, while at times taking them out of their comfort zone. The camps aim to develop deeper learning, confidence, independence, responsibility and a sense of community. Boys are encouraged at all times to participate at a level in which they feel comfortable, especially with some of the more physically demanding activities.

The camps provide boys with an opportunity to foster positive relationships with their peers and teachers and create lasting memories of their time at St Edward’s. A great deal of thought and planning has gone into each program, ensuring that the activities progressively build skills each year.  All camps are organised in a different location providing boys with the opportunity to experience different regions of the state.

Further details about the College Outdoor Recreation Program are available on the College Website at Camps and Retreats

Year 7 Camp

Year 9 Camp

Year 10 Camp

Attendance

Parents of children from Kindergarten to Year 12 must ensure their children attend school every day. On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• being sick or having an infectious disease
• having an unavoidable medical appointment
• being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
• exceptional; or urgent family circumstances eg attending a funeral

NSW legislation requires parents must provide an explanation for absences to the school within 7 days from the first day of any period of absence. Where an explanation has not been received within the 7-day timeframe, the school will record the absence as unjustified on the student’s record. Parents are reminded that they can inform the College of a student absence in the following ways: email info@stedwards.nsw.edu.au (This is the preferred option), respond to an SMS which is sent home on the day of absence or phone the College on 4321 6400.

Family holidays which are planned during the school term do not qualify as a justified absence and parents are discouraged from booking extended holidays during these times. If a student is absent from school during the school term and subsequently fails to complete an assessment task or examination, in most instances they will be awarded a zero mark for this task.

We also ask that parents not contact the College to remove their son from class through the day.  We understand that last minute medical appointments do arise, however this is not the norm, and it is very disruptive to the administration staff in the office, the class and the student when parents call or drop in to ask to pick their son up unexpectedly. If this occurs, your son will be referred to the Pastoral Leader before leaving, to discuss the reason for leaving, unless he provides a note that morning.  This includes leaving at lunchtime on Fridays before activities.

Parent Consultation Meetings

The Parent Consultation meetings which were held last week were a great success. Parents were able to provide the College with great feedback about our Anti-Bullying policy and the newly created Learning Profiles which will take effect in 2023. Further meetings will be scheduled in 2023 in each term on a variety of topics and I encourage all parents to consider attending so that you may have a voice in the operations of the College.

Important End of Year Dates

Listed below are some important dates for the remainder of the year.

• End of Year Academic Assembly:  December 13
• Christmas Liturgy – Last day of School Year: December 14
• Semester 2 Reports Available on the Portal: December 16