Students and staff have continued to support the Environment Portfolio’s Trash Free Tuesday initiative by beginning Term 4 with over 200 students participating. The portfolio aims to have 300 students on board by the end of the term.  Trash Free Tuesday is simply food that’s not packaged or wrapped which also tends to be healthier food.  Choosing foods with little processing and packaging is best for your health and the environment.  Did you know that over 50% of items in school bins comes from lunchbox food and drink packaging from home?   Nude Lunchboxes Here are some great nude food lunchbox options to build healthy bodies and help reduce waste at the same time.  These are great ways for students to pack their own lunchboxes, learning skills which will set healthy habits well into your future.     Here are some foods with their own packaging and others that can be packed at home using reusable containers. Food with no Packaging Banana Kiwi Fruit Orange Boiled Egg Carrot Beans/Snow Peas Food in Small Reusable Containers Yoghurt Fruit Salad Vegetable Sticks with Dip Sandwiches or Salads Homemade Muffins

National Summer Art Scholarship   Students from St Edward’s currently in Year 11 are invited to apply for the National Summer Art Scholarship held at the National Gallery in Canberra. The scholarship lasts for 8 days and includes intensive workshops in all aspects of art making and criticism, involving some of Australia’s top artists and curators. Only 16 students from around Australia are selected for this prestigious award. St Edward’s has a history of being successful in our application for this scholarship and we invite any current student in Year 11 Visual Arts and Photography to apply. See Ms Evans for further details. The week in Canberra opened my eyes to the art world… everything I learned has been very useful and I am creating better art with greater depth as a result. I am just so thankful for the opportunity you gave me; it was genuinely life changing. – Hamish SA 2019 If you are in Year 11 in 2019 and passionate about art, you can enjoy a week of creative workshops and experiences this Summer at the National Gallery of Australia. The week lasts from 11 – 18 January 2020. Go behind-the-scenes at the NGA; connect with Gallery staff, professional artists, cultural leaders and your peers; discover the national collection; and have fun! Since 1997, over 300 students have participated in the National Summer Art Scholarship, many of whom have gone on to forge careers as artists and arts professionals. Year 11 Photography Senior Photography students have the chance to expand their knowledge of digital photography and film during the second semester. Most students are looking at developing their Portfolio of work in order to start looking for acceptance into Tertiary study or even establish themselves as practicing photographers. Second semester saw a great increase in mini-modules that allow the students to practice a variety of shooting techniques that involve popular social media techniques and using the internet as a platform to launch their own Photographic profile. Students have completed work in stock photography, location shots at Gosford Regional Art Gallery, studio photography, high and low key photography, sports photography and film making. Please enjoy our gallery of work – we have incredibly talented young photographers in our midst!   [smallgallery fooid="22083"]   Year 11 Visual Arts Senior Visual Arts students have now completed all aspects of their Art Making and Historical/Critical studies by finishing their Body of Work based on “Scapes”. By analysing the work of John Wolseley and Fred Williams, the boys created a triptych of aerial beach landscapes, an acrylic and resin pour on round canvas, a lino print in two or three colour schemes and a final layered mixed media work that included a wet watercolour background, acrylic paint details, overlay with lino, details again with Posca pens and finally ink pen and nib writing.   [smallgallery fooid="22127"]   Gosford Private Hospital Artwork The end of Term 3 saw the completion of the Gosford Private Hospital Artwork that St Edward’s was awarded earlier in the year. Students Daniel Osling (Year 11) and Josh Zaia (Year 10) as well as the Photography department produced seven panels of photography, generously framed by Lemon Tree Framing in Gosford. Each panel was a beautiful landscape photo of the local area, overlaid with a white digital drawing based on the Japanese wood carvings of Hokusai (creator of “The Great Wave”). Daniel and Josh were able to meet with hospital CEO, Mr Matthew Kelly and Regional Communications and Marketing Manager, Mr Haydn Murray to officially hand over the work. The panels will now be permanently displayed in the connecting corridors between Post Op and Recovery Rooms, to allow patients to enjoy aspects of the Central Coast surrounds in a less clinical environment.   [smallgallery fooid="22156"]   Stages 4 and 5 Visual Arts and Photography What a busy semester so far! All students participating in either Visual Arts or Photography have been extending their artistic practice using an amazing variety of media – from layered lino prints to multi-faceted ceramics, to digital manipulation and mixed media. Year 7 art students have just completed their graphite and charcoal drawing of their “Lost Thing” or “Uno’s Creature” based on the writings of both Shaun Tan and Graeme Base. Year 8 are mid way through their ceramic Totem Pole and have just completed their lino print using two or three different colours for registering and overlaying. Year 9 Art are moving through mixed media experiments in order to create their “Instagram Wall” and 9 PDM have completed some fantastic polar x/y axis Photoshop collages. Year 10 Art are moving into their final unit after completing their printing and 10 PDM have completed their own 3 minute Conceptual Films using no dialogue and complete with a musical backing track. Please take a moment to go through our Gallerys of work and enjoy the talent we have here at St Edward’s College.   [smallgallery fooid="22163"]

St Edward’s College took part in Reading Hour on the 19th of September and the library was filled with students and members of staff who stopped what they were doing for an hour to pick up a book. The aim of Reading Hour is for Australians to either rediscover or introduce themselves to the benefits of reading and take the time to learn, escape and relax (Reading Hour, 2019). It was great to see the boys engaged in wide reading not only for Reading Hour but throughout the day. Thank you to those who participated, and to the staff, for taking the time to model the importance of wide reading.   [smallgallery fooid="21529"]

A squad of twenty-five athletes from the College representing Broken Bay attended the meet to compete at this State Level Competition. This is a high percentage of athletes from one school representing their diocese and reflects the depth of talent at the College. It was a great day for track and field and the following results show a wide range of talent from the athletes. 12 Years Nate Vaughan: 1500 m,  6:26:37 - 11th Oscar Mahoney: 1500 m, 6:31:13 - 12th Keanu Wells: Long Jump, 4.40 m - 3rd The standout athlete of the meet was Jay Clarke who showed great versatility by placing: 3rd 200 m,  26:64, 1.1 seconds between 1st and 3rd place! 2nd 100 m, 12:90, 0.04 behind 1st 1st 400 m, 1:03:15, a new record! 2nd Shot Put, 10.06 m. 13 Years Keenan White: 1500 m, 5:02:78 -  8th and  800 m, 2:31:83 - 12th Chris Rae: Long Jump, 4.56 m - 11th Lincoln Markulin: Javelin,  31.79 m - 3rd 14 Years Noah Nakadawa: 200 m, 25:42 - 10th Tom Lawton: 400 m, 56:52 - 2nd William Browning: 1500 m,  5:08:78 - 12th 15 Years Gabe Scott: 1500 m, 4:29:88, 3rd Hayden Maher: 200 m,  24:86 - 15th and 100 m, 12:17 - 13th Toby Armstrong: High Jump, 1.71 m - 2nd 16 Years Sean Rae raced the 1500 m of his life sprinting home in second place, gaining on first, only to falter with 30 m to the finish line. Sean had just come back from injury and sickness but managed 4th place with a time of 4:27:86, an amazing effort as he was wheeled off in a wheelchair. Sean therefore had to pull out of his pet event the 800 m. Sam Norris: 200 m,  24:68 -  13th Aaron Antonio: 100 m, 11:83 -  8th Ryan Green: 800 m, 2:09:65  - 3rd Tymana Henry: Discus, 28:32 - 8th Chris Murray: 800 m, 2:35:38 - 14th Cameron Steer, a brilliant sprinter, was in form coming into track season. 100 m, 11:48 sec - 3rd 200 m, 23:56 sec - 4th Long Jump, 5.99 m  - 3rd 16+ Years Cooper Boelhouwer:  Triple Jump, 11.20 m - 8th 17+ Years James Ryan: High Jump, 1.75 m - 5th Ethan Short: 100 m,11:55 - 9th Callum Sutton: Discus, 49.70 m - 1st Tom Herbert: 800 m, 2:06 - 2nd Thank you to the parents, guardians, family and friends who came on the day and supported the athletes. The boys were outstanding in their efforts, support for one another and their behaviour. Thank you to Mr Jason Carpenter for his organisation of the team and transport for the day. I have retired from a permanent teaching position at the College and am now relief teaching at the College and I feel blessed to be given the opportunity to be part of the College as a coach/teacher at the sporting events that I attend with the boys of the College. Mr Tom Ristuccia

Upcoming Sport Report Week Event Venue Date Week 2, Term 4 Berg Shield Cricket (Years 7-9) TBC Week 2, Term 4 Downie Shield Cricket (Opens) Bye Week 3, Term 4 NSWCCC Basketball Championships - Intermediate and Junior Penrith Monday 28 to Tuesday 29 October Week 3, Term 4 BBSSSA Tennis Queenwood Tennis Centre Friday 29 October Week 3, Term 4 BBSSSA Beach Volleyball Manly Beach Friday 29 October  

The end of year is looming . . . .   Some students have a clear idea of their career aspirations and the pathway to get there.  However, many students have questions about their future, and the options available.  See the link below to the MEGT Website for more information.   MEGT University of Newcastle are now hiring Student Ambassadors for 2020. Student Ambassadors are pretty much superstars! They're involved with community engagement, boosting the university's reputation, and build positive rapports and experiences to help inspire students. St Edward's College Old Boys currently attending University of Newcastle are encouraged to apply by Sunday 10 November.  Click Here to Apply  

Purchase of Year 12 Graduation Tickets All graduation tickets must be finalised by Friday 25 October 2019.  Tickets can be purchased from the College Reception for $75 each.  Any dietary requirements should also be given at the time of ticket purchase. Students can visit Reception to organise tables of 16 for the evening.  Please note that there are no stilettos to be worn by guests on the evening.    

As young people spend increasing amounts of time online, their social lives and emotional well being become increasingly entrenched in the digital world. As they journey through adolescence in this permanently public landscape, dealing with the effects on self-esteem, friendship issues, self-worth and well being can be challenging to say the least. Join Martine Oglethorpe, a technology expert who is an accredited speaker with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. Martine has a background in secondary education and a Masters in Counselling. This webinar will look at how we can best equip our young people to thrive both online and in real life as they grow up immersed in online spaces. Key learning outcomes from the webinar will include: How young people use social media to socialise The effects of social media on self-esteem and well being How young people can avoid the pitfalls of social media Nurturing self-esteem and digital resilience – learning to thrive online When Wednesday 30 October 2019 8:00pm - 9:00pm AEDT. How you can register Click this link: https://www.parentingideas.com.au/parent-resources/parent-webinars/webinar-strengthening-kids-self-esteem-in-a-digital-world Click ‘Add to cart’ Click ‘View cart’ Enter the voucher code DIGITAL and click ‘Apply’. Your discount of $37 will be applied to the order. This voucher is valid until 30 November 2019. Click ‘Proceed to checkout’ Fill in your account details. These are the details you will use to login to your account and access your parenting material Click 'Place Order'  

As the end of year approaches many young people will start to experience the stress that comes with impending examinations. As the end of year approaches many young people will start to experience the stress that comes with impending examinations. Young people respond differently to the pressure that exams present. Some will see an exam as challenge that they need to rise to, some will be nervous if they feel they haven’t done enough preparation, and many will experience real stress as they see exams as that time of the year that determines their future. The notion of exams, particularly final-year exams, as life-defining events can be very real for students who’ve spent 13 years of schooling leading to this single moment in time. At least that’s how many see it. So we need to help young people take a realistic view of examinations and remind them that they shouldn’t pin all their hopes on one option. As generations of young people have found, life after finishing school doesn’t always take the path they imagined when they were secondary students. Parents also need to keep our options open and be flexible about potential future pathways for our young people. No matter how rational parents and students manage to be, exam stress can be very real. So let’s look at some ways you can help your young person manage their stress and prepare well for their coming examinations. Help them study smarter Your young person’s teachers have more than likely spent time helping them to develop smart study habits so you might want to check in and follow the teachers’ advice. However you can also pass on some of these smart study tips: Minimise the clutter around workspaces. For each study period, plan what you want to cover. Use mind maps and other aids to assist memory and organise thoughts. Take regular five-minute breaks to refresh. List issues you are unsure about and ask for help at school. Develop a relaxation strategy Your young person needs to take regular breaks from the pressure and resultant stress of pending examinations, which is code for rest and relaxation. In a perfect world your young person would have already established a healthy relaxation habit that recharges and replenishes his or her batteries and allows them to take a break from the pressure of work. If not, it’s never too late to encourage your young person to exercise each day, relax to music or even practise meditation and mindfulness to clear their mind of mental clutter. Make sure they look after themselves Good physical health affects exam performance and wellbeing. So make sure your young person gets 30 minutes of exercise each day, eats regular healthy meals and takes care of their sleep. Having enough sleep is extremely important to wellbeing and exam performance. Set a routine of going to bed and waking up at regular times. Aim for between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Take 10 minutes time out before bed to process the day and put thoughts aside. Play gentle, slow music to slow their heart beat down before bed. Steer clear of stimulants It’s tempting for a young person to turn to stimulants  to lift study performance. Reinforce to your young person that these short-term fixes inevitably lead to poor performance in the longer term. Make sure they don’t drop out of the family Keep your young person connected to the family at this stage by expecting them to join you for family meals, help out at home and not to spend all their time in their bedrooms. Meal times can be therapeutic as they provide the opportunity for the student to talk. They’re also a good chance for parents to keep an eye on their young person’s wellbeing and mental health. And on the day of the first exam…. If you’re a veteran of young people’s exams then you’ll probably know how a low key, matter-of-fact, the-sun-will-rise-tomorrow approach will help. If you are new to the exam game as a parent then you can help your young person to be calm and positive by taking this approach yourself. Kids of all ages take their cues from their parents, particularly so when they are under stress. Also encourage your young person to organise what they need the night before, to focus on relaxation techniques such as deep breathing to deal with the butterflies, and to steer clear of speaking to nervous and anxious friends on the morning of the exam to minimise their own anxiety. Make sure you also do a little reality check yourself to make sure your expectations are in line with your young person’s interests and abilities so that they don’t leave home with the added burden of excessive parental expectation. The pressure to succeed that many young people place on themselves is often high enough as it is. And of course, hearing “I love you no matter what...” should be the last words that your young people hears from you before he or she heads off to their exams.

My name is Denise Andrade, I am currently the College Psychologist at St Edward’s College, working alongside Terase Killin, College Counsellor. What do College Psychologists/Counsellors do? College Psychologists/Counsellors help students to understand and deal with social, behavioural, and personal problems. Counselling can help promote overall wellbeing by providing students with the skills needed to deal with everyday problems. Who Can Refer to the College Psychologist/Counsellor? Students Teachers Parents Students can see a team member via College Reception or their Pastoral Leader and if parents would like to speak to the College Psychologist or Counsellor regarding any student concerns they should phone reception on 4321 6400 alternatively they may email directly  dandrade@stedwards.nsw.edu.au or tkillin@stedwards.nsw.edu.au.