As we begin the 2021 school year I extend a very warm welcome back to everyone in our St Edmund’s Community. January is a month of reawakening here at the top of Mary Street. Empty grounds, silent for weeks — even the crows seem to have been on holidays — slowly come back to life. Gradually Services staff return, spreading through the various offices, firing up dormant computers and setting the foundation for the year. Teaching staff, having already commenced their preparation for lessons while at home, take their places at workstations amongst happy conversations about Christmas and New Year. Then…finally, the day arrives, our young men return.
On Wednesday our 2020 Rookies class commenced their first day as full time Eddies Men along with our Year 12s who look to their culminating experiences at the College. The next few weeks for our Year 7s will be a time to acclimatise to a new ‘home’ and new ways here on the hill. It was truly heart-warming to see little groups of students exploring the grounds. Blue shirts topped by wide-eyed, excited faces followed their Year 12 buddies, listening intently and demonstrating a remarkable understanding of the College. Building locations — especially the Tuckshop — classroom names and lesson times all seemed well established and securely embedded.
The rest of our student team, Years 8, 9, 10 and 11, commenced on Thursday refreshed, prepared and ready for the year ahead. After exploring a rather different 2020 we hope 2021 is a more familiar landscape. No matter what the year may present, with the support of our Eddies Team and our Ipswich community I’m sure that our young Eddies Men will go from strength to strength on their educational journey here at St Edmunds.
On a personal note, this year I am privileged to formally take up the role of College Principal. Over thirty years working, initially in Christian Brothers’ schools and now with EREA, I cannot say that I have felt more at home in a community nor more proud to take on the role that I have here at Eddies. I look forward to being part of our Eddies Team for many years to come.
New Staff and Appointments 2021
Welcome to the following staff who join the Eddies Team this year.
- Mr Benjamin Carter Pastoral Dean – Rice House
- Mr Peter Cook Deputy Principal
- Ms Samantha Daley Teacher – English/Social Science
- Mr Patrick Denkes Teacher – English/Social Science/Religion
- Mr Jackson Frawley School Officer – Inclusive Education
- Ms Suzanne Garvey HOD - Mathematics
- Ms Eliza Harris Director of Pathways
- Mr Jeremey Hawkins Teacher – Humanities/Religion
- Mr Benjamin James School Officer – Inclusive Education
- Mr Nigel Lucas Pastoral Dean – Ignatius House
- Mr Fady Milik Teacher – Humanities/Religion
- Mr Alexander Nicholson Teacher – English/Social Science/Religion
- Ms Christina Petit Teacher – Science
They join an active and professional learning community and will no doubt enrich the lives of our young men by assisting them to develop the knowledge and skills they need for the future.
I would also like to acknowledge the following newly appointed staff and wish them the best of luck in fulfilling their roles at St Edmunds.
- Chad De Waard 2021 Assistant Principal Activities
- Natalie Henness Director of Senior School
- Jo Lunney Executive Assistant (supporting the Principal and Deputy Principal)
- Crystal Adams Executive Support Officer
- Tracey Stringer School Officer Administration Pathways, Skills and Training
- Nathan Manttan 2021 Pastoral Dean - Elliott House
- Simone O’Shea Assistant Principal Administration
Class of 2020
Congratulations to the Class of 2020 who managed competing priorities, rules and restrictions to achieve excellent results in both academic and vocational education and training pursuits.
Analysing the ATAR data from the students who made their score available to the College, 10.34% achieved ATAR scores of 95 and above, 22.41% achieved scores of 90 and above with 46.6% obtaining 77.85 and above, and finally some 77.6% scoring 62.55 or above.
Particularly I would like to acknowledge, Tom Parker, Max Banditt, Tom McIntyre, Connor Cash, Zac Pennell and Sam Burling all of whom achieved ATAR scores of above 95.
We are still collating data with respect to our young men who pursued skills and training pathways; however, we are aware that a significant number of our young men have been successful in gaining full time employment (qualified) or full time apprenticeship positions in the following fields: Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, Engineering Fabrication, Tiling, Automotive Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic and Diesel Fitting. A number of Eddies Men were also successful in gaining full time traineeships in retail and hospitality.
We will be celebrating these achievements later this term at our Honours Assembly.
Year 7 Information Evening
Thank you to all our Year 7 parents and their sons who attended the Parent Information Evening on Thursday. These evenings are an excellent opportunity to share information, to meet and build relationships with College staff and strengthen the partnerships that will lead to successful outcomes for our young men.
