The vision of St Edward's College as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition requires us to seek justice and compassion for others and give a voice to the voiceless. The Waterford Service-Learning Program is a vital part of this vision and permeates throughout the whole school curriculum, reflecting both our Aspiration Statement and College Strategic Improvement Plan. It reflects Catholic social teachings and has unique educational value in providing a transformative holistic educational experience which supports the students both within and outside of the classroom. The Waterford Service-Learning Program also provides opportunities for all secondary students to become involved in a wide range of volunteer activities, catering for different age groups. It allows them to experience the joy of giving and sharing with others and provides a unique learning experience that goes beyond the classroom and school environment, where students can reflect upon their own values and beliefs and develop their character through the act of service. The opportunity and requirement to reflect and give meaning to their service experience are critical to the success of the program. The integration of gospel values and those values demonstrated by the work of Blessed Edmund are the cornerstones of the Waterford Service-Learning Program at St Edward's College. It is expected that all graduates from St Edward's College will have demonstrated a willingness and ability to assist those in their community who are in need. It is important our students develop compassion and empathy for those less fortunate than themselves through active preparation, participation, and critical reflection. A gradual process has been designed to develop these values throughout the whole school. The College has been conducting this mandatory Social Justice program for over 20 years. Each student in Years 8-11 is required to complete at least 15 hours of service for others, by the end of Term 3. Please ask your son to see Mr Rozario or his Religious Education teacher for more information. Please contact Mr Rozario if you have any questions about Waterford. Your son will have the program explained clearly to him in the next week by his Religious Education teacher. Opportunities to earn Waterford hours will be posted within the Daily Notices. Term 1 Waterford Opportunities and Events The list below are just some of the opportunities and events that students can partake in to receive Waterford hours. They are more than welcome to find their own volunteering, community service events to be involved in. It is important that if you are unsure about anything to contact Mr Rozario or ask your Religious Education teacher. Additionally, parental permission is required for all events. Clean up Australia Day, Sunday 15 March Donating Blood - Find a donor centre near you | Lifeblood Earth Hour, 25th March - Earth Hour 2023 - Earth Hour World Water Day, 22nd March - https://www.unwater.org/bethechange/ Throughout the year, students will reflect on their involvement in Waterford activities and events during Week 8 of each term within their Religious Education classes. It is imperative that students can connect the work they are doing outside of school to what they are learning within the classroom, and as such, explicit teaching and learning will be included to allow students to make these connections. Benefits of Waterford and Service-Learning Whilst the list of the benefits of the Waterford Service-Learning Program below does not encapsulate everything that students gain from completing their hours, it does provide a snapshot of the benefits to their development socially, morally, academically, and spiritually. It is through service that we can all embody the Gospel values and live a life that has a positive impact on those around us. It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I am taking on the role of Leader of Justice, Peace, and Advocacy at the College and I look forward to working with the whole of the St Edward’s community in providing quality learning and formation experiences for our students. Mr Alexander Rozario Leader of Justice, Peace, and Advocacy arozario@stedwards.nsw.edu.au

Current Year 6 students are invited to register for A Day in the Life at St Edward's. A Day in the Life at St Edward’s College provides an opportunity for Year 6 students to explore and experience some of the opportunities that the College has to offer. Throughout the day each student will experience a program that could include: Music, Visual Arts, Science, PDHPE, and Industrial Technology. Students are accompanied by members of the St Edward’s staff, and our senior students. Register Now  

Recently the College received a letter from Frederick Were, a 12-year-old from Nairobi, Kenya, who the College has supported for the last five years. Frederick often writes to the College to thank us for the support we provide which allows him an education. Please see his letter below:

Talking About the Elephant in the Room Since 2015, Elephant Ed has been transforming the way consent, respectful relationships and sexuality education is taught across Australia. Elephant Ed send youthful, relatable and highly trained facilitators to deliver interactive, informative and engaging workshops to schools, universities and community groups. Today, Tuesday 7 February, our Year 9 students engaged with Elephant Ed facilitators in interactive workshops to learn and talk about Consent. Our student feedback shows: 99% of students gave this workshop a thumbs up 91% of students want Elephant Ed to return to deliver more workshops 98% of students found it useful having a young facilitator Year 9 students will have another workshop in July on Sexual Relationships.    

What a busy week Year 7 have had! After saying goodbye to family at the school gates on their first day, Year 7 were guided into their Home Room groups by our senior school leaders, meeting their Home Room teacher and receiving their stationery packs and kit bag. After a tour of the school with the Year 11 and 12 students in their Home Room, Year 7 spent the remainder of the day with their Core teachers and classmates, playing games and making new friends. Over the next few days, they received their new laptops, had photographs taken for their student ID cards and mastered the art of opening their lockers – quite a tricky skill! On Friday they joined in the school Swimming Carnival with enthusiasm, both swimming and cheering on their house. Teachers have been very impressed with their composure and positive attitude as they move around the school, and we look forward to really getting to know each student. Congratulations Year 7 on a fantastic start to your high school journey!   [smallgallery fooid="42414"]

To encourage and support our students on their learning journey, the College will be providing a series of study skills seminars. These will be provided by Elevate Education (Home | Elevate Education).  Students will be provided with additional support during the year to help embed the skills that they learn.  Details about the seminars can be found in the table below. A parent information evening about how to best support your child to study effectively will be provided on Thursday 28 February from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm in the ERC.  To register for this event, please complete this form: Click Here to Register. Year Group When Topic Covered 12 Friday, Week 4 (24 February), period 2 Time management – Managing time effectively and overcoming procrastination 11 Tuesday, Week 5 (28 February), period 3 Study Sensei – How to study effectively 10 Tuesday, Week 5 (28 February), period 2 Student Elevation – Helping students get and stay motivated throughout the year 9 Monday, Week 5 (27 February), period 3 Junior Time Management – Helping students take ownership of time and responsibilities 8 Monday, Week 5 (27 February), period 2 Junior Time Management – Helping students take ownership of time and responsibilities 7 Monday, Week 2 Term 2  (1 May), period 2 Study Skills Kick Start – Helping students transition to high school  

Getting to Know Your English Teacher Series The next part of Getting to Know Your English Teacher  is now available.  We hope you enjoyed an insight into the careers of our English Faculty in the last Newsletter. Click the image to read the latest profiles. [caption id="attachment_42686" align="alignleft" width="200"] Keith Mills[/caption] [caption id="attachment_42402" align="alignleft" width="200"] Katie Livermore[/caption] [caption id="attachment_42410" align="alignleft" width="200"] Nevin Odden[/caption]  

Welcome back to all the Year 7 students and families as well as all our other year groups and their families. We look forward to another great year of competition for St Eddies’ teams and individuals in both school-based and external-based events/competitions. Students have been reminded at Year meetings to take note of the Daily Notices for sporting team information regarding when they need to attend meetings/training/selection trials. Depending on the sport, age group and/or number of players trying out – selection trials will be run during lunchtime or after school to try and give all students an opportunity to be selected in the team. However, it is a representative team and, in some sports/events, we are limited in the number of players and teams we can select. In certain instances if students are away, sick, injured, forget appropriate playing gear, or do not turn up to meetings/trials or training – they may miss out on their opportunity to represent the College. All information regarding teams will be conveyed via the ‘Daily Notices’ read out in morning Home Room or accessed by students via the Home Screen/Dashboard on their laptops. Reports for College Teams Team and individual results from school-based events, will be conveyed via the ‘News and Events’ section of the College website. Team coaches and or managers will endeavour to file a report at the completion of the sporting event and a report will also appear in the College Yearbook. Where possible individuals/teams will also be recognised at College Assemblies – if time and schedules permit. Please remember to keep me informed if your son/s achieve recognition in the sporting arena outside of the College. These achievements will be acknowledged via the ‘News and Events/Student Spotlight’ section of the College website. Address all emails with information to jcarpenter@stedwards.nsw.edu.au and/or kfriend@stedwards.nsw.edu.au. Feel free to contact me at the College via email jcarpenter@stedwards.nsw.edu.au or phone 4321 6400 if you have any concerns or questions related to Sport at the College. Mr Jason Carpenter Leader of Learning - Sport      

Information for Representative Sport 2023 can be found from the one central website – CSNSW Sport Click Here Broken Bay BBSSSA Sport On the homepage, scroll down to Diocese/Associations and click on Broken Bay (Secondary). This website will give you access to all the current information for each Broken Bay Sport including dates, venues, information regarding teams and an up-to-date calendar. Broken Bay Representative Sports (Pathway – via a college team) Touch Football Under 15 and Opens Swimming Rugby League Under 15 and Opens (students must register with Mr Carpenter) Soccer Opens Cross Country Athletics Aside from rugby league, students must first make a College team to contest a BBSSSA carnival, before they can register for the next stage in the pathway for that sport. Each sport differs in the pathway it provides. School-based Sporting Events during Term 1 include: Open Touch Football BBSSSA Gala Day (Tuesday 14 Feb) Under 15’s Touch Football BBSSSA Gala Day (Tuesday 21 Feb) NSW All Schools Teams Triathlon (Friday 24 Feb) Under 13’s Touch Football BBSSSA Gala Day (Wednesday 8 March) Open’s and Under 15 BBSSSA Rugby League Selection Trials (Monday 13 March) BBSSSA Swimming Carnival (Tuesday 14 March) Northern Under 15 AFL Trials (Thursday 23 March) Annual Patrician Brother’s Blacktown Rugby League Trial game (Under 14's and Under 15’s – Friday 24 March) Metro Rugby League Selections Trials (Under 15 and Under 18’s - Wednesday 29 March) NSWCCC Swimming Carnival (Friday 31 March) With regards to all sports, students are reminded to be listening to the morning Daily Notices during Home Room for the names of staff who are organising various teams and information regarding those teams/events. CSNSW (NSWCCC) On the homepage  https://csnsw.sport/, scroll down to Sport Search. Step 1 click on CCC Step 2 select the Sport This website will give you access to all the current information for all CSNSW Representative and School-based events including dates, venues, information regarding teams and an up-to-date calendar. It is also the central location that you can register your son for pathway and non-pathway sports. 2023 NSWCCC Teams with Nomination Closing Dates Registrations are open for these sports with closing dates as listed (Please confirm via the CSNSW Sport website as closing dates may have changed) Parents who wish to register their sons for these trials must do so via the  CSNSW Sport website prior to the closing date. Note: These are state level trials and as such students should have a strong playing history. Event Closing Date Event Date Link Cricket: 18 years and under (Years 10-12) 6 February 2023 14 & 15 February 2023 Cricket | CSNSW Sport Portal Softball:  18 years and under 10 February 2023 14 February 2023 Softball | CSNSW Sport Portal Triathlon: Individual - Junior/Intermediate/Senior 15 February 2023 23 February 2023 Triathlon | CSNSW Sport Portal Tennis: 19 years and under 17 February 2023 27 February 2023 Tennis | CSNSW Sport Portal Baseball: 19 years and under 24 February 2023 7 March 2023 Baseball | CSNSW Sport Portal Golf: 18 years and under 3 March 2023 14 March 2023 Golf | CSNSW Sport Portal Diving: All ages 12 to 19 31 March 2023 31 March 2023 Diving | CSNSW Sport Portal Volleyball:  15 years and under 31 March 2023 6 April 2023 Volleyball | CSNSW Sport Portal Volleyball: 19 years and under 28 April 2023 12 May 2023 Volleyball | CSNSW Sport Portal Sailing (NSW All Schools) 19 years and under 8 April 2023 11-14 April 2023 Sailing | CSNSW Sport Portal Rugby Union: 16 years and under 14 April 2023 26 & 27 April 2023 Rugby | CSNSW Sport Portal Rugby Union: 18 years and under 14 April 2023 26 April 2023 Rugby | CSNSW Sport Portal Water Polo: 17 years and under 21 April 2023 1 May 2023 Water Polo | CSNSW Sport Portal Basketball: 16 years and under 28 April 2023 9 May 2023 Basketball | CSNSW Sport Portal Basketball: 18 years and under 28 April 2023 8 May 2023 Basketball | CSNSW Sport Portal Football: 16 years and under 28 April 2023 10 May 2023 Football | CSNSW Sport Portal Hockey: 16 years and under 5 May 2023 15 May 2023 Hockey | CSNSW Sport Portal Hockey: 18 years and under 5 May 2023 15 May 2023 Hockey | CSNSW Sport Portal Canoeing 22 & 23 May 2023 Canoeing | CSNSW Sport Portal Rowing (NSW All Schools) TBC Rowing | CSNSW Sport Portal   Other sports will be promoted closer to their advertised closing date. Further information regarding NSWCCC team selections for all sports is available on the CSNSW Sport website How to Register Individual Students Via the CSNSW Sport Website For parents/families: To register a student on the CSNSW Sport website for a NSWCCC sporting event or trial. STEP 1 Setting up a new account (If you have never registered a child for a Broken Bay or NSWCCC team previously) Go to the Catholic Schools NSW Sport website https://csnsw.sport/ Click on Create Account in the blue box on the top right-hand side of the page Click on ‘Parent’ Complete all the fields Adding a child Once you have logged in as a parent, click on ‘Add Child’ Complete all fields. STEP 2 Register for a sport Once logged into the CSNSW website (top right) Go to your ‘Dashboard’ (top right of page and click on your name/icon) Scroll to your child’s profile Click on ‘Register for a Sport’ Select the Sport from “available sport registration” e.g. RUGBY LEAGUE 15 YEARS – CCC Click ‘Next’  Check that your child’s school and year group are correct Complete all the following information and consent pages The final section will require a payment Once you have completed all sections and payment has been made an email will be automatically sent to your child’s principal for approval. If you have any queries regarding CSNSW, please contact your school Sports Coordinator, jason Carpenter or: Karen Grant Head of Secondary Sport karen.grant@dbb.catholic.edu.au   Combined 2023 CSBB and NSWCCC Calendar      

St Edward’s College is hosting a Careers Pathways Expo. With over 25 exhibitors across universities, colleges, employers, apprenticeship group training companies and TAFE, it is the perfect opportunity for parents and students from Years 10 to 12 to connect with experts.  More information coming in the next issue of Touchstones  

Please see the links below for apprenticeship opportunities.   Here is our most recent list of vacancies showing the apprenticeships and traineeships we currently have available in your state. If you’d like to further tailor your search by industry, job type or region, please use the drop-down menu at the top of the Job Board page. Click Here   Indigenous Apprenticeships - Click for More Information    

Please see the links below for employment opportunities for students:     Thoroughbred breeders Australia has launched the Fast Track program to create a pathway for talented horse people to enter our industry. If you are passionate about horses this is an incredible opportunity: you will be employed and mentored on a respected stud farm; gain a formal qualification, plus have the opportunity to learn from leaders in the global horse industry. Click Here for More Information Central Coast Council are currently recruiting for the following positions. For more information, or to apply, please click on the below links: Casual Umpires and Referees (Program Delivery Assistants) Child Care Caterers - Casual Civil Program Engineer Communication Officer Crew Leader Pavements Customer Service Officers Educator Early Childhood Teachers - Casual Educators - Certificate III - Casual Educators - Diploma - Casual Finance Officer Lead Project Development Engineer Project Development Engineer Reception Officers School Based Traineeship - Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care Section Manager Program Delivery Senior Strategic Planner Swim Coach Swim Programs Instructors - Casual Unit Manager Strategic Planning Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator   Entry Level Program brochure    

Please see the links below for the latest University information. Bond University (Medicine) Are you ready for the Psychometric Test? As you are probably already aware, applicants who will successfully complete the Bond University Psychometric Test will be receiving an interview offer. The selection interview is the final admission stage into the Bond University medical program. Click Here for More Information  

The purpose of Male Connect is to involve fathers, father figures and significant male role models from the community with the College to work with our students and become positive mentors to their own child and others as well. There is an increasing amount of research that shows initiatives like Male Connect, recognise the importance of school partnerships with families. The research shows that by specifically targeting fathers, "schools will see significant additional benefits for the children and for the school as a whole and the connection between father's and their children inevitably becomes stronger". So, we would cordially like to invite all fathers, father figures and significant male role models of Year 7 students, to join St Edward's Male Connect on Friday 10 February 2023 for a pizza and paper plane evening. Please click here to complete the online registration form, if you have not done so already. Location:  St Edward's College ERC Date: 10 February 2023 Time: 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm It would be great to see you all. We sincerely look forward to meeting you and helping build stronger communities and relationships. Marcus Missio-Spiteri School Counsellor  

Please see below correspondence emailed home in Term 1, 2023   Year 10 Parent Letter 2023 School Vaccination Program - Sent 4 April 2023 2023 Student Led Conference - Updated rooms - Sent 31 March 2023 Face to Face Learning Conferences - Sent 28 March 2023 Student Led Conferences Term 1 - Sent 15 March 2023 Year 7 and 10 Parent Letter - 2023 School Vaccination Program - Sent 3 March 2023 Year 9 Camp Packing List - Sent 3 March 2023 2023 College Attendance letter - Sent 28 February 2023 Flexischools Student Process - Sent 27 February 2023 Year 7 Camp Information - Sent 21 February 2023 Year 9 Information Evening - 20 February 2023 Year 7 and 10 Parent Letter 2023 School Vaccination Program - Sent 20 February 2023 2023 Collection Notice for Parents - Sent 15 February 2023 Years 10 to 12 Careers Pathways Expo - 15 February 2023 Years 7 to 11 Elevate Education - Sent 15 February 2023 NAPLAN 2023 Information - Sent 14 February 2023 Year 8 Information Evening - Sent 13 February 2023 Year 9 Camp Information and Consent Form - Sent 10 February 2023 Year 11 Parent information sheet 2023 - Sent 9 February 2023 Year 7 Information Evening - Sent 9 February 2023 Year 7 Camp Information and Consent Form - Sent 7 February 2023 Year 12 2023 - Permission to Arrive Later or Leave Early - Sent 6 February 2023 Year 10 Information Evening - Sent 30 January 2023 SEC Learner Profile - Sent 25 January 2023 Year 7 2023 - Letter to Parents - Sent 25 January 2023 Year 8 2023 - Letter to Parents - Sent 25 January 2023 Year 9 2023 - Letter to Parents - Sent 25 January 2023 Year 10 2023 - Letter to Parents - Sent 25 January 2023 Year 11 2023 - Letter to Parents - Sent 25 January 2023 Year 12 2023 - Letter to Parents - Sent 25 January 2023 Year 11 Information Evening - Sent 24 January 2023 - Sent 25 January 2023