Dear St Edmund’s College Family and Friends

We launch into the final term of 2019 with great hope and optimism. Blessed Edmund Rice was known as a supreme optimist. He would greet the boys daily with a hand shake and always had a positive word to help lift their spirits. He was passionate about unlocking the power of education to make a real difference to improve the lives of young people. Edmund’s rock was Jesus who he returned to time and time again as his ultimate teacher. This too is our calling as an Edmund Rice Education Australia College in Ipswich. I wish all our Eddies’ young men well for the term ahead and encourage them to immerse themselves fully in the life of the College.

2020 College Captains and Senior House Leaders

Congratulations to the newly elected 2020 College Captains and Senior House Leaders who were announced to the College community today. Next Monday we will hold a special assembly to induct our 2020 College Captains and Senior House Leaders. It will be an opportunity for the 2019 Captains and House Leaders to symbolically hand over the mantle of responsibility to the new Captains and Leaders who will assume their leadership roles in earnest next year.

2020 College Captains

Liam Kember
Luc Van Meurs
Max Banditt
Thomas Parker

2020 Senior House Leaders

Ambrose
Callum Dillon
Patrick Towne

Callan
Thomas Chandler

Elliott
Joseph McKew
Zach Pennell

Finn
Jake Hoare
Nathan Curr

Ignatius
Connor Cash
Ethan Lopez

Morgan
Jett Young
Seth Bishop

Rice
Callum Rose
Merrick Small

Treacy
Declan Jolly
Denzel Gurira

Staff News

Please join me in welcoming the following staff who join us this term:
Mr Liam Mole - English, SOSE, RE, replacing Mr Dale O’Connell in Term 4 while he is on leave
Ms Jenny Mueller - New position of Administrative Assistant Inclusive Education and Laboratory Assistant

I also congratulate Ms Crystal Adamson who has been appointed as Vocational Education Training (VET) Administrative Assistant

We acknowledge and farewell the following staff who have recently resigned and thank them for their significant contribution to the College:

Ms Jodie Dunning - leaving us this term to take up a position as Defence School Mentor at Ipswich State High School
Mr Sam Springer - Not returning from 12 months Leave and taking up a teaching position from 2020 at Padua College

Shanghai Overseas Immersion

Over the holiday break I was in China and was fortunate to meet with the Eddies Shanghai Immersion staff and students at their host school South-West Weiyu Middle School. Everyone was in good spirits following a very full program in the week prior to their arrival in Shanghai. While there, we were introduced to the school community via a televised assembly conducted in a studio and broadcasted to each classroom. I also accompanied the group on a day excursion to Zhou Zhuang Water Town. We were treated like honoured guests by their Principal Mr Zhang and the staff who hosted us for a traditional Chinese meal. There is no doubt that our 20-year partnership with South-West Weiyu Middle School is very strong indeed.

Photos of the Week - Concert Tour

Prayers

Please keep in your prayers Year 11 student Noah Atley who sustained a serious spinal injury over the holidays. Noah is recovering in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery. He is making astounding progress and keeping an upbeat attitude.

We also keep in our prayers, staff member Yvette Knoetze who is recovering from major spinal surgery.

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Diarmuid O’Riordan, Principal

Throughout this year, we have used a Touchstone as a focal point each term. This term we delve into 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.

The Touchstone of Liberating Education rests in an understanding of liberation: our own and that of others. We aim to move continually towards removing oppression, and in building a society where justice and peace are central for all. As educators we strive to educate in a way that builds awareness and skills with which our students can critique and build a better world for all.

Equally, we acknowledge that some of our students face marginalisation and poverty within our own communities. As an EREA School, we aim to liberate students by providing an education which supports them to see and achieve beyond oppression.

Edmund Rice was inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, the Liberator. He saw education as the way to liberate the young men of Waterford from a future that held lifelong poverty, lack of employment and rejection. Through their education these boys would in turn, seek ways to bring hope and liberation to others who were oppressed.

This is our hope for the young men of St Edmund’s College. As we move to the end of the year and celebrate academic achievements, we encourage all our students to consider how they can share their gifts and talents with the community around them to build a better world for all.

St Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Christmas Hampers

Each year at Christmas, St Edmund’s College joins with St Vincent de Paul to provide support for families in our community. This year we will be supporting 55 families. Each of our forty-eight Homerooms will collect a hamper along with teams of College staff.

There will also be a Giving Tree in the Identity/Learning and Teaching Reception. The tree will have 62 tags, one for each of the children under 12 years who are part of the families we are supporting.

The specific list of items required for the hampers will be provided in Homerooms next week. All students will be asked to bring in specific items from the list as agreed upon in each Homeroom.

If your family would like collect items for a hamper, or take a tag from the Giving Tree, please contact the AP Identity Assistant Ms Claire Currey via email: apmissionassistant@sec.qld.edu.au, or phone 3810 4453.

Thank you in advance for your support of our 2019 Christmas Appeal.

Term Four Highlights

2020 Student Leaders’ Induction: Monday 14 October
On Monday we will commission the 2020 student leaders. This will take place at a liturgy in the College Hall. Parents and families of the 2020 Leaders are invited to attend to celebrate this special milestone.

Rite of Passage Liturgy: Wednesday 16 October
The Year 10 Rite of Passage program will conclude with an evening ceremony on Wednesday 16 October to which Year 10 parents/caregivers have been invited. Further information was sent out last week and RSVPs are being collected at the Deans’ Office.

Combined Colleges Parish Mass, 6.00pm, Sunday 20 October
Come along to celebrate Sunday Mass with the College community. Students are invited to sit in the choir section and sing during Mass even if they are not regular members of the College Choir. There will be a pizza supper after Mass. Dress is smart casual.

Twilight Tours: Wednesday 23 October
We are inviting students to volunteer as tour guides. This service to the College is an opportunity for our young men to demonstrate their pride in the College to prospective future students and their families. Please direct your son to contact Ms Adrianna Rimland: arimland@sec.qld.edu.au if he would like to be involved.

Blessing and Opening of the Edmund Rice Building Refurbishment and Annex by Bishop Ken Howell: Friday 25 October

Awards Nights:
Sporting and Cultural Awards Night: Tuesday 29 October
Academic and Service Awards Night: Thursday 31 October

Combined Colleges’ Parish Mass, 6.00pm, Sunday 3 November
This is a special Mass as students from St Edmund’s and St Mary’s Colleges will be receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and Communion. We would appreciate your support for these young people.

Students are invited to sit in the choir section and sing during Mass. There will be a pizza supper following Mass. Dress is smart casual.

Walk to Remember: Monday 11 November
On Remembrance Day 11 November, St Edmund’s and St Mary’s Colleges will participate in the Walk to Remember before school. More information will be provided in coming weeks. All students are encouraged to participate.

Year 12 Valedictory Mass and Dinner: Tuesday 12 November - Senior Photo 5.30pm - Mass 6.00pm

The Valedictory Mass, which is part of our College farewell ritual, will be held at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 12 November, commencing at 5.30pm with the Senior cohort photo outside the church. This is a special event for the community and all Year 12 families are invited to the Eucharistic Celebration. Please place this date in your diary if you have a son in Year 12.

Places for the Valedictory Dinner are restricted to Year 12 families only. Please ask your son to see his House Dean for further clarification.

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Marysia Rice, Assistant Principal Identity

Every year, Ignite Youth Brisbane hosts one of Australia’s most powerful Catholic youth conferences. Ignite Conference draws together a network of high school students, young adults, ministry leaders, families, teachers, priests, and religious from around the country, sending them out with a passion for authentic faith in Jesus.

During the first week of the September school holidays, five young Eddies’ men: Callum Rose, Joseph McKew, Jhi Durston and Adair McNamara from Year 11, and Isaac McKew Year 10, experienced four days of real-world formation, encouragement in faith, great people and powerful worship at Ignite Youth 19, themed ‘New Again’.
Also present were Ms Anne Artesi – Head of Department Religious Education, the Hive Youth Group from St Mary’s Parish Ipswich and ARISE Youth Group from All Saints Boonah Parish.

This was a conference that impacted positively on everyone involved, from infants with oversized headphones to senior citizens and everyone in between. Keynote speakers from around the world, musicians from ‘Emmanuel Worship’ and ‘Blind Eye Ministries’ and comedians like Paul J Kim entertained the 3000 attendees over the four days. You could not help but be moved by the welcoming and friendly atmosphere of the crowd. It was simply ‘electric’ and ‘engaging’. Father Rob Galea, a successful contestant on ‘The Voice Australia’, spoke about his struggles as a teenager growing up in Malta and how he found his faith, ultimately devoting his life to God.

If you would like to be involved in the 2020 Conference, themed ‘Unleash ‘, please speak with either Ms Rimland, Mrs Rice or Ms Artesi to get more information. More details can be found on the website https://igniteyouth.com/confer...

Here is some feedback from the Eddies’ men involved:

The IGNITE Youth conference gave me the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the Catholic religion, allowed me to meet and make friends with teenagers who share similar religious beliefs and to broaden my horizon in terms of how I can practise my beliefs. The conference was focused around the ideas of how we as teenagers and the future leaders of the world, can make a difference, both in a religious and a secular way. It also showed us how we can be better people leading better lives.

Callum Rose

Flashing lights, loud music, dancing in the mosh pit! We joined 2000 other teenagers and young adults over the holidays at the 2019 Ignite Youth Conference to learn more about God in a modern context. This is our fourth conference and the experience keeps getting better. It’s a way to experience God differently to a Sunday Mass. It’s fun, exciting and alive. Come next year and discover yourself.

Isaac and Joseph McKew

This term our Year 7 students will have their first opportunity to choose their subjects for 2020. A Subject Selection Information Evening will take place on Tuesday 22 October. Each student will be provided with a booklet which outlines the different subject offerings for 2020. This is a very exciting opportunity for our students as they can take control of their learning. When choosing subjects I encourage the students to choose subjects they enjoy; however, also make sure to try something different. You never know what hidden talents you may have.

NAPLAN Online School Readiness Test

Yesterday our Years 7 and 8 students participated in a NAPLAN Online School Readiness Test. This test was performed to ensure that our Wi-Fi system can handle the large amount of internet traffic that will take place during the real test in 2020. I am happy to announce that our technical systems and procedures passed with flying colours. Individual student results from the practice test will not be available as we are not provided with those results.

God bless.

Luis Marin, Director of Middle School

Welcome to Term 4. I hope that all students and families had a relaxing holiday leaving everyone refreshed. A new term brings new opportunities and goals and now is the time to think about these.

Year 9 Information Technology – Programming Drones

A review of Middle School Information Technology courses has led to the development of a Year 9 unit where the students learn how to fly drones to complete a specific task. Some real-world applications of drones include:
• Surveying land
• Agriculture
• Oil, gas and mineral exploration
• Delivery of parcels
• Commercial and motion picture film-making
• Commercial aerial surveillance

Year 9 students are learning to program drones for a special project. I had the privilege of visiting the class and watching the students at work on this task. I look forward to returning later in the term as their skill levels increase.

REPORTS

Reports for Term 3 are complete and reports have been posted to the web. Please take the time to discuss your son’s progress with him. Topics to talk about could include:
• Where has he done well? (Celebrate these successes)
• Academic goals for Term 4
• Areas where improvement is needed
• Strategies for improvement – writing notes, practising questions, having a parent hear questions about the work
• What he would like his Term 4 report to look like

Year 12 and Reporting

Year 12 reports have been posted to the web today. Both Year 12 parents and their sons should note that the results for Authority Subjects on reports for Term 3 are an indication of your son’s achievement at this time. These results are subject to the external Verification of Results for Authority Subjects that takes place through the panel process in October. As such, results may change. I have sent an email to parents explaining this.

Year 12 students should be mindful of the last piece of assessment in their Authority and Authority Registered subjects this term. For OP students, results can move up or down based on the last piece, and students need to be working hard to the end to ensure their best results.

IP and EP students should ensure that they complete their certificate courses. I spoke to all students this week about the need to finish well.

Year 11

Next week Year 11 students will have their one-to-one interviews about their progress in their academic work. ATAR students will discuss their progress towards their General subjects. Interviews with VP and EP students will consider subject results, progress in Certificate Courses at TAFE and Work Placement. The aim of these conversations is about a focus on improvement as the students move towards the end of the year and as they commence Unit 3 this term.

Learning Hub

The Learning Hub opens again next week from 2.45pm to 5.00pm with two tutors in attendance and afternoon tea provided.

Best wishes

Carmel James, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

AN INVITATION TO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY

YEAR 11 CHRISTIAN MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY – ART INSTALLATION DISPLAY - WEEK 3 TERM 4

ALL WELCOME - Open Each Lunch Break - Tuesday 22 October through till Friday 25 October in the Performing Arts Centre

As part of the Year 11 Christian Ministry and Theology course of study, Module 2 ‘The Bible’, the students were required to create an Art Installation piece, which they have done either solo or in groups of two or three. This piece has been based on a character from the Christian Bible, making connections with the Vision and Mission of St Edmund’s College and EREA. Installation Art is an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that often are site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. In Week 3 Term 4, the exhibition will be open to the entire College at lunch breaks in the Performing Arts Centre. Please feel free to come by and view the work of the students.

Ms Anne Artesi, HOD Religious Education

On Wednesday the Year 12 students were introduced to the Safe Drive Training program to be held on Thursday 14 November (Week 6 Term 4).

The course covers a wide range of practical situations to maintain safety related to motor vehicle control and awareness of fellow road users.

The program is a practical day of driver training which is invaluable for all who attend. Numbers are limited to a maximum of 60 participants. All who attend must have the ability to drive a car and possess, at least, a Learner’s Permit. It is not a learn-to-drive course but a course designed to instruct participants in how to control a motor vehicle more effectively.

The College Parents and Friends’ Association has kindly offered to subsidise the cost of the Safe Drive student course. An information brochure and Enrolment Form are available from the Deans’ Room. If students wish to participate they should complete the Enrolment Form and make a payment of $90 to the College Reception as per the information on the Enrolment Form. Enrolments will close Friday 18 October (Week 2 Term 4).

The following links provide a good insight into the Safe Drive Training program, the company providing the training and the course brochure:

http://www.sdt.com.au/docs/SDT...

Further details are available from Mr Mills on 3810 4400 during College office hours.

Mr David Mills, Morgan House Dean

Tertiary News

QTAC Applications

Year Twelves planning to apply for tertiary entry next year need to complete their applications by next Monday. I will provide feedback on the suitability of their choices to all boys who apply.

QTAC application course preference checklist

Have you submitted your QTAC application? While the final date to apply and to submit documents for the January offer round is 13 December 2019, it is recommended that Year 12 students apply early. Some courses have early and/or fixed closing dates (see pages 20 and 21 of the 2020 Year 12 Guide). Also, if you are competitive (OP results) you may be offered a place before the major offer round in January. View the key dates here.

Did you use the ‘desired – back-up - pathway’ plan when organising your preferences? Go to the QTAC website and scroll down to ‘How should I order my preferences?’ for information about this plan. Your sixth preference should be one that you have a very good chance of gaining entry given its previous adjusted OP/rank threshold and your results. You also need to check the offer round dates of your preferences and make changes if the dates differ (preferences need to be chronologically organised according to the offer round of the courses you are applying for). Courses you are offered in early offer rounds can be conditionally accepted and your preferences can be changed for subsequent offer rounds if necessary.

Have you deleted all wasted courses? Wasted courses include those that:

• You do not meet the entry requirements
• You would not do if you got an offer for them
• Are full-fee or located in regional centres that you have not consulted your parents/guardians about
• Are too difficult or impossible to commute to given where you live
• Are very competitive and you listed them below much less competitive courses.

Access and Equity Schemes for entry to university

These schemes aim to assist applicants who have experienced some form of educational disadvantage - particularly financial difficulties. Some of these schemes provide bonus points to aid entry into courses and/or scholarships. Some of these schemes use QTAC’s Education Access Scheme (EAS) as part of the application process but check out each university for details of their Access and Equity schemes.

Elite athlete entry adjustment factor schemes for students applying to university

Elite athlete programs recognise sporting excellence. Successful applicants have usually competed at the state, national or international level in their chosen sport. While many universities are recognised as ‘Elite Athlete Friendly’ institutions and offer sports scholarships and support to athletes, the following universities offer adjustment factors for elite athletes:

• Australian Catholic University’s Elite Athlete and Performer Program
• Queensland University of Technology’s Elite Athlete Entry Adjustment Scheme
• Griffith University’s Elite Athletes Program through the Griffith Sports College
• Southern Cross University’s Elite Athletes and Performers Scheme
• University of the Sunshine Coast’s Elite Athlete Adjustment

AIS Local Sporting Champions program

This program provides financial assistance for young people aged 12 – 18 years towards the cost of participating as an athlete, coach, or match official in either

• an official state championship (endorsed by the relevant national sporting organisation)
• an official national championship (endorsed by the relevant national sporting organisation); or
• an international competition as a member of an official Australian team

To find out more, visit the website.

Study in New Zealand at the University of Otago

The University of Otago offers a broad range of courses including Commerce, Health Sciences (including Medicine), Humanities and Sciences. Australian students pay the same domestic fees as New Zealand citizens. Click on ‘International’ on the home page of the website for details about studying at Otago.

Year 12 students need to know about Tax File Numbers

Prospective university and TAFE students will need a Tax File Number (TFN). Students who gain entry to a university or TAFE course must have a TFN to be able to defer their fee payment through HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP or a VET Student Loan. These loans are made on the basis you pay it later through the tax system. So, if you don’t have a TFN, you won’t be able to finalise a government loan for study. There are several ways to apply for a TFN. Visit the Australian Tax Office website for details. You need to apply early as it will take some time to receive your TFN.

Post Year Twelve Options

The Year13 website

Year13 is an online resource for post school options. It provides information on Jobs, Gap Year Programs, Job Vacancies, Studying, Money Advice, Internships and more. The site has a ‘Get Advice’ section with many articles you might find interesting and informative. Visit the ‘Study’ section for useful information about industries and occupations.

Connect to Your Future

Year Twelve studnets have been emailed about the opportunity to Connect to your future, an information evening hosted by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training Metropolitan Region.

A range of stall holders will be available to provide information on career planning, apprenticeships and traineeships, vocational education, university pathways, Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs, federal government programs and local entrepreneur organisations.

Students will be provided with the opportunity to present their resumes to Australian Apprenticeship Support Networks and Group Training Organisations. Students can also seek clarity with stall holders on the services they provide in the training and employment arena.

Students can register their attendance on the link in the email.

Mr Mark Currie, Careers Guidance Officer/Adviser

Once again, a very busy term with a number of performance events taking place. These include the Combined Colleges’ Cultural Showcase, Sporting and Cultural Awards, St Mary’s College Awards, Silkstone Eisteddfod and the College Academic Awards. An information note regarding these performances will be handed out next week.

Primary Schools’ Performances

It was a big day on Wednesday with several of our Performing Arts ensembles on the road for the day to perform at three local primary schools. The ensembles involved in these performances included the Jazz Band, Senior and Junior Contemporary Ensembles, the College Choir and the Combined Colleges’ Choir. This was a great opportunity for the students in theses ensembles to perform for a younger audience. They were well received with the primary students clapping and singing along to the popular songs performed by these groups.

I would like to thank the students for their hard work and efforts in the lead up to this event. Thank you also to Ms Frances O’Sullivan, Mr Jesse Gold, Mr Chris Barton and Ms Courtney Fook for their hard work in preparing the ensembles and for their assistance on the day.

Instrumental Lessons

Some instrumental lessons recommenced this week with the remaining lessons to resume next week. Students should keep checking the notice board outside Room K205 for their lesson times.

Mr Tim Kirkwood, Director of Music

At the end of last term, our Firsts Basketball team competed in the Champion Basketball Schools of Queensland tournament. The tournament is comprised of over 120 different schools within four divisions. Each year, results from the various divisions determine which schools will be promoted to a higher division or, relegated to a lower one.

After beginning in Division 4 three years ago, strong results at the tournament combined with a general presence in the upper echelon of Basketball schools in Queensland, our St Edmund’s team competed in Division 1 for the second straight year – a huge achievement in its own right.

This year’s tournament was far and away the College’s best result, finishing in fourth place overall. The team had strong wins against Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Brisbane Boys’ College, Nudgee College and Brisbane State High School. It is worth noting that the team went down in a nail-biting overtime loss to The Southport School in the final pool game as well.

The team, led by Logan Atkins and well supported by Year 12 students, Jordan Hudspith and Zac Butcher, can be extremely proud of their efforts all year in preparing for such a difficult tournament. While the three departing Year 12 students will leave a significant hole, next year’s team can be buoyed by the fact that nine players from either Years 11 or 10 played this year and gained valuable experience. The strength of players coming through each of our AIC teams will no doubt make selections extremely difficult in 2020 as the team looks to take the next step and contest for the Gold.

Mr Mark Aiken, SEC Basketball Coordinator

Mon 14 Oct: M Glen, L Ash, J Just

Tue 15 Oct: K McKew, A Harding, S Vince

Wed 16 Oct: C Sammut, D Schmidt

Thu 17 Oct: D Sanders

Fri 18 Oct: J Marsh, K Evans

Throughout this year a select group of Year 12 students has been training hard and raising money for the annual St Edmund’s College Skool2Skoolies ride. They have managed to juggle the commitments of their final year studies and a huge involvement in other co-curricular and service learning commitments with the challenges of seeking sponsorship and training on bikes.

These efforts have reaped huge personal rewards and also for the charities for whom they are raising money. The 2019 riding apparel sponsorship is officially closed as no further placements are available on the team kit. Donations will still be accepted and appreciated from businesses and members of the Eddies community. Thank you to the businesses who have generously sponsored or donated to the 2019 Skool2Skoolies event. The big question now is – What will the kit look like?

St Edmund’s College thanks our 2019 Skool2Skoolies Sponsors

Riding Apparel Manufacturers

BlackChrome

Champion Sponsors

Apprenticeships Queensland
Choices Flooring by Mallets
DV Electrical Services
Gibson Architects
Greena Business Solutions
Limestone Dental
Potter Landscapes
Strybos & Sons Electrical
Trek Ipswich

Breakaway Sponsors

KSB Australia
McNamara & Associates
PM Landscapes
TAE Aerospace
Tridan Electrical

Peloton Sponsors

Binnacle Training
Defining Glass
Grandview Stud
Ipswich Real Estate
McMahons Swim Factory
Options Cabinets
Pender Accounting
PhysioActive
Sammut Bulow Accountants
Surreal Signs
Walker Pender Group

Donations

Early Bird Accountants
Osmoflo
St Mary’s Parish

Unfortunately, the Uniform Shop has sold out of the Year 11 Ties. Due to delivery changes from our supplier, they will not be delivered before Wednesday 16 October.

The white Senior shirts are available to purchase for the Rite of Passage ceremony - $32

OCTOBER SALE IS NOW ON

Cricket gear – 20% off
Hoodies – $43 Now $40
Pullover and Vests – 20% Limited sizes left
Rugby Training Shorts - $20 Limited sizes left

OPENING HOURS

MONDAY – 8:00am to 12:30pm
TUESDAY – 8:00am to 3:30pm (Closed 12:30 to 1:30pm)
WEDNESDAY – 8:00am to 3:30pm (Closed 12:30 to 1:30pm)
THURSDAY – 8:00am to 12:30pm

P: 3810 4489
E: uniformshop@sec.qld.edu.au
Visit the SEC Website- www.sec.qld.edu.au

Registration from 8.00am. Please contact Kath Creedy in Enrolments for any further information 3810 4400.