Dear Families and Friends of St Edmund’s College

Sadly, I farewell you after three years as Principal of St Edmund’s College. Next year the College will be in safe hands with Mr Ray Celegato taking on the role as Acting Principal for the year to lead the College staff in continuing to serve the families of Ipswich and the surrounding region who choose to enrol their sons in this wonderful place of learning.

For me the last three years have gone too quickly. I have loved every minute of my time here working with a dedicated staff and partnering with you, the passionate mums, dads and carers of Eddies’ boys and the many friends of the College. I will serve out these final days with you reluctantly. Thank you for your support and friendship throughout the past three years. Eddies has been a blessing for me and my family and I will be forever grateful for having had the experience of being your Principal.

As we come to the end of the 2019 school year I refer you to our 2019 Annual Growth Goals Report which is attached. This provides you with a report of how we have fared against the goals that we set at the start of the year. You will see that 2019 has been a year of achievement and growth across many aspects of College life. We can all be very proud of the many accomplishments this year, in the pursuit of delivering an educational experience for our young Eddies’ men, inspired by our Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstones.

Some notable highlights include the successful completion of the Edmund Rice Building Refurbishment and Extension; a recommendation from Queensland Catholic Education Commission to support our application for a Federal Government grant to assist in the construction of a new Library (Open learning Centre) in 2020; the trialling of Rugby League and AFL in our sporting competition; improvements in NAPLAN and the outstanding academic results of our Year 12 students; the effective implementation of the first year of the new QCE system for Year 11 students; the expansion of our Rookies program; a multitude of cultural and performing arts opportunities and the broadening of immersive and community service learning experiences. These are all reflected in the 2019 Annual Growth Goals Report.

2019 Annual Growth Goals Report (PDF attachment)

Staff Farewells and Thank You

We farewell the following staff and thank each of them for the significant contribution they have made to the life of St Edmund’s College:
- Ms Louise Baldry - Finance Officer Accounts Payable - moving interstate
- Mr Sel Dennis - Manual Arts Teacher Aide - retiring
- Ms Madelyn Hall - Psychology/Math Teacher - appointed to St Laurence’s College
- Ms Motoko Shimokawa - Maths Teacher - changing employment to be a Counsellor
- Mr Sam Sprenger - Maths/Biology Teacher - appointed to Padua College
- Mr Anthony Walsh - English/SOSE/Legal Studies/RE Teacher - Casual Relief Teaching
- Mr Matthew Yates - Maths/RE/Healthy Living Teacher - appointed to St Laurence’s College

Please be advised that the following staff will be taking Leave in 2020. We wish them well as they take on new adventures.

- Mr Ben Litchfield - Leave for 12 months
- Ms Jean Yates - Leave for 12 months
- Ms Natasha Teitzel - Maternity Leave commencing mid-Term 1, 2020
- Ms Paula Turner - Maternity Leave commencing mid-Term 1, 2020

Finally, we keep in our thoughts and prayers the following staff and students who will be travelling interstate and overseas for College related activities:

- Mr Tim Fergus and Mr Andrew Kirk – departing next week to China for a four-week immersive experience teaching English at Southwest Weiyu Middle School in Shanghai
- Mr Chad de Waard and Mr Nic Aldridge who will be taking an Eddies Track and Field squad to the 2019 Coles Nitro Schools Challenge in Perth, Western Australia being held on 9 December
- Mr Dan Robinson and Volleyball Coach Mr Steven Burton will be taking a team to the National School Volleyball Championships held at various venues around South-East Queensland from 7 December to 9 December.

Year 9 Drama Production Unearths Rare Talent

Congratulations to the Year 9 Drama Extension class who performed Where in the World is Frank Sparrow by Angela Betzien on Wednesday evening in the Drama Room. The performance combined various theatrical and stage techniques such as screen projection, music, lighting, costume and props to tell the dark tale of Frank Sparrow. It was a fabulous performance and underlines the emergence of prodigious dramatic ability within our Year 9 Drama class. Thank you to Ms Hannah Douglas, Drama Teacher, for her directorial skills and overall organisation of the evening. What a brilliant way to end the year. Well done.

Prayer

Please keep praying for rain for people affected by drought. You may wish to use the prayer below; especially written by our Catholic Bishops as part of their National Prayer Campaign.

Eternal God
In wisdom and love you created our earth to sustain us and give us life.

We turn to you now in faith, hope and love,
asking you to look with favour on our drought-stricken land,
on our starving animals, on our failing crops.

Strengthen, sustain and give new heart to our farmers
and to all who are affected by drought;
Be with those who support them

In your loving providence send abundant rain and restore our parched earth.

Father of all compassion, hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ your son,
In whom the promise of new life has dawned,
and through the power of the Holy Spirit,
the Lord the giver of life:
Renew your faithful people;
Renew the face of the earth.

Our Lady of the Southern Cross,
Mary, Help of Christians – Pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop – Pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts - Forever

AMEN

Diarmuid O’Riordan, Principal

As we come to the end of this academic year, it is with pride that we can look back on the many achievements of our young men and staff. The many values that have been displayed throughout 2019 have particularly come to the fore as we end the year. Centred around our four Touchstones, the year has been filled with formative experiences that help to shape our ‘kind men, strong men, gentle men, Eddies’ men.’ Throughout the year, guided by the staff, we have encouraged our students to be open to opportunities and make the most of every aspect of school life. We have been challenged to ‘Own It’. It is through these opportunities that we hope the students are strengthened in character, leading them towards the Eddies’ men we hope them to be.

Of course, it takes careful organisation, planning and goal setting to be able to provide for our students, experiences that will help them to grow. In all areas of College life, teams of staff set goals to provide direction for the year. There were several goals that led to what was a successful and enriching year for the Identity and Mission team. Of these goals, driven by our Strategic Directions, three were given significant attention:

- Enhance engagement in our Catholic faith traditions and practices with a focus on Christian meditation, retreat programs and the use of the Edmund Rice Chapel facilities

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice Tradition, our faith, traditions and practices are central to our vision and mission. In our Edmund Rice and Heritage Masses, liturgies, retreat days and assemblies, there have been poignant moments throughout the year where the community was able to gather, celebrate and mature through ritual and prayer.

- Enhance social justice and outreach opportunities for students to develop more authentic and immersive service experiences with clear progression across year levels

This year we initiated new local immersive Service Learning experiences supported by authentic relationships with community groups including: Head2Heart program through Edmund Rice Camps; Street Van with Rosies; Inclusive social days with DanDaLion; Outreach afternoon teas with the Brassall Aged Care facility and Winter Sleepout with Blind Eye Ministries. The Caritas and St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Winter and Christmas Appeals were re-imagined also to provide our community with greater understanding of purpose and effect. All these programs were supported by a total of 2,012 logged Service hours to the College and community from students across all year levels.

- Celebrate and embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural traditions across the College

Finally, as part of our 2018-2020 Strategic Directions and Priorities and 2019 Growth Goals, St Edmund’s College is committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards Reconciliation and Justice. As a result, in collaboration with the College Leadership Team, we formed a working committee to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for St Edmund’s College. The committee completed a review and developed a vision for the plan so it can be approved and launched in 2020.

Thank You to Staff

I would like to thank the staff who have been a part of the Identity and Mission Team. Firstly, thank you to our Director of Mission, Miss Adrianna Rimland. Miss Rimland has shared her endless passion and energy, ensuring our students are actively engaged in a wealth of authentic opportunities. Mrs Anne Artesi, Head of Department: Religious Education has worked tirelessly to make curriculum links with all our activities. I thank her for the way she has encouraged our students to engage in dynamic ways.

New to the team this year was Mrs Kylie Biddle who has demonstrated wonderful support, care and concern for our Defence students. In her first year she has hit the ground running, implementing new initiatives and building relationship with Defence families. I would like to congratulate her on a successful first year at Eddies. Finally, we were aptly supported by our administration assistant Ms Claire Currey, who along with a number of support staff ensures our programs and events run smoothly. I am very grateful for her assistance and the assistance of all members of the St Edmund’s College staff who support all our service, outreach and formation activities. Through their assistance we are helping to shape strong, kind and gentle Eddies’ men.

Aboriginal Prayer for the End of a Journey

Lord God, bring us together as one,
Reconciled with you and with each other.
You made us in your likeness.
You gave us your Son, Jesus Christ.
He has given us forgiveness from sin.
Lord God, bring us together as one,
Different in culture, but given new life in Jesus Christ:
Together as your body, your church, your people.
Lord God, bring us together as one,
Reconciled, healed, forgiven, united as a community
Sharing you with others as you have called us to do.
In Jesus Christ, let us be together as one.
Amen.

© Prayer by Bishop Arthur Malcolm taken from APBA.

Christmas Blessings from the Assistant Principal Identity

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of ‘getting ready’. As Christmas draws nearer, preparation is going on at many levels and it is hard not to become caught up in or weighed down by the holiday spirit. As we ‘get ready’ for Christmas this year, let us take some time out to reflect, be ready in our heart and remember the deeper meaning of Christmas.

Christmas brings joy because our God has come to us in the birth of Jesus. This shows that human nature is gifted and valued. As we celebrate this Christmas we are called to remember that the birth of Jesus was a gift to us, a gift of love. During the busyness of the holidays and throughout the year, we can rise from the everyday challenges and be there for others because we are supported in love - God loves each of us personally and we are asked to share that love.

My prayer this Christmas is that we will see beyond our present challenges, to the joy and hope that we are called to bring to others. May we keep in our prayers, those who experience hurt or suffering at this time. I hope that every family will have a safe, blessed and joyful Christmas. We look forward to a new year when we return refreshed, renewed and ready for 2020.

Happy Christmas from my family to yours.

God Bless.

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Blessing For The Christmas Tree

Dear God, two thousand years ago, you brought your son, Jesus into this world
to teach us the power of love and sacrifice.
As we raise this tree, we remember his birth and the meaning of his life for us.
Bless this tree as a symbol of our celebration of Jesus’ birth and our gratitude for his sacrifice.
May the joy this tree brings and the gifts we place under it remind us of the many gifts you have given us.
We ask your blessings upon our loved ones, this day and always. Amen.

Source: Catholic Prayers Online.

Marysia Rice, Assistant Principal Identity

As I write this final newsletter article for 2019, I pause to reflect on the year that has been and look forward to the Christmas Season. Thank you to all parents for your assistance as we have worked with your sons to achieve not only the best academic outcomes for them, but also to be a part of their overall development. Thank you to all who attended curriculum information evenings and interviews when needed. Each of these provides the mix of opportunities and support offered to you.

Years 7 to 11 Reports

As exams draw to a close this week, teachers are marking. Reports will be posted to the SEC Web on Friday 6 December. Take time with your son to reflect on his performance. Together celebrate his achievements and then look at those areas where he has opportunities to set new goals and grow in 2020.

Year 12

Year 12 students are not issued a Term 4 College report as they will receive a Senior Statement from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA).

QCAA will post Year 12 Senior Statements to designated student home addresses on Friday 13 December 2019, and final results will be available in QCAA student learning accounts from 9.00am, Saturday 14 December.

Christmas and Advent

The Foundation Room at the College is overflowing with Christmas hampers and the Giving Tree is surrounded by gifts for members of the Ipswich Community. It is beautiful to behold and to reflect on the joy that our College community will bring to so many others in our wider Ipswich community.

I also love to read the words of Dylan Thomas, an author from Wales who wrote about his experience of Christmas:

“One Christmas was so much like another, in those years around the sea-town corner now and out of all sound except the distant speaking of the voices I sometimes hear a moment before sleep, that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve or whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve nights when I was six.

All the Christmases roll down toward the two-tongued sea, like a cold and headlong moon bundling down the sky that was our street; and they stop at the rim of the ice-edged fish-freezing waves, and I plunge my hands in the snow and bring out whatever I can find. In goes my hand into that wool-white bell-tongued ball of holidays resting at the rim of the carol-singing sea.”

Through beautiful imagery and alliteration, Thomas captures his Christmas experience. We won’t be experiencing snow, but there might be trips to the beach, backyard cricket, barbecues and happy times with family and friends.

I wish you all a blessed, happy and relaxing Christmas season as we remember the birth of our Lord.

Carmel James, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

I am pleased to detail the results of students who competed in the Australian Mathematics Competition held late in Term 3.

Ninety-seven students from Years 7 to 12 competed against hundreds of thousands of schools from thirty countries. The competition tests everything from basic numeracy skills through to advanced problem solving.

Our most successful student achieving in the top 1% of the State and receiving a High Distinction and Best in School award was Year 8 student, Noah Bertram.

Approximately 70% of our participants received a Credit certificate or better.

Congratulations to the twenty-two students who achieved Distinction certificates:

Year 12: Dominic Boyle, Lucas Sampson, Kristian Williamson, Henry Abkin
Year 11: Thomas Parker, Connor Cash, Miguel Clutario
Year 10: Haydon Caunce, Patrick Dinte, Matthew Brown
Year 9: Oscar Garcia Boyd, Jack Stewart, Lincoln Brown, Blake King
Year 8: Damian Jendra, William Eiby, Fletcher Brown, Finlay Rose
Year 7: Harry McCarney, Austin Smith, Daniel Curtis, Connor Doherty

A further forty-seven students received Credit certificates. All students who participated received their certificates from their Mathematics teachers this week.

Congratulations to all students on their outstanding achievement.

Ms Natalie Henness, Head of Department: Mathematics

All Stationery Lists for 2020 are located on the College website using the following links:

Year 7 students:

https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amaz...

Years 8 to 12 students:

https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amaz...

St Edmund's College 2020 Kokoda Trek

Saturday 19 September 2020 is the departure date (Week 1, Term 3 holidays) for the Kokoda Track 2020. St Edmund’s College will be seeking interest in taking a group of students, parents and teachers across Papua New Guinea to complete the legendary Kokoda Track. To accommodate for varying levels of fitness, we will allow ten days to make the crossing. Although physically demanding, trekking Kokoda is more a journey within, than a physical challenge.

The trek will be run by Trekking Kokoda who will take us across PNG with the event essentially tailored to our group and its requirements. Trekking Kokoda has been taking people across the Kokoda Track for more than ten years, including St Edmund’s College community and has a reputation as the safest trekking company. In addition, the company owner, Nathan is an ex-Eddies parent, lives in the Ipswich region and understands our community. Nathan’s company uses local guides only, many of whom are descendants of the legendary ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’ of the 1940s.

The Kokoda Trek is an opportunity open to students in Years 10 or 11 in 2020. Training will begin in February and continue throughout the year up until our September departure.

All interest should be directed to Mr Nigel Raddie at the College.

Email: nraddie@sec.qld.edu.au

Mobile: 0401 265 328

As the Performing Arts Department finishes up for another year I cannot help but look back and feel proud of all students involved in our various College ensembles.

Our co-curricular program is considered to be one of the best in the Ipswich region due to our committed teachers and staff. I thank all the students and staff involved in these ensembles for their on-going hard work and efforts and wish them an enjoyable holiday break.

Instrumental

Instrumental Music lessons have finished for the year and I thank all the tutors for their hard work and look forward to an even bigger year for the Instrumental Music Program in 2020.

Instrumental Tutors 2019

- Linda Corcoran – Brass and Woodwind
- Sandra Randall – Strings
- Ben Henshaw – Piano
- Scott Barker – DJ
- Louise Wasalski – Guitar
- Claire Walters – Voice

As the 2019 school year comes to a close, I would like to thank all of the students involved in the Performing Arts Department and Instrumental Program for a wonderful year. Thank you to the staff involved in the department for your hard work and efforts.

I look forward to a bigger and better 2020 with a new cohort of Year 7 students joining the department to make wonderful music.

Best wishes for a safe and prosperous Christmas break.

Mr Tim Kirkwood, Director of Music

St Mary’s Church - Sunday 1 December 2019 - Installation of Fr Stephen Bliss to St Mary’s Parish - Archbishop Mark Coleridge is celebrating Mass with the community.

I would love to have singers who normally attend this Mass (8:30am Sunday morning), or those who just love to sing, to come along and sing with us!

We are rehearsing from 7:45am and songs are relatively well-known.

Please email fosullivan@sec.qld.edu.au if you would like further information.

Ms Frances O’Sullivan, Head of Department: Creative Arts

Thu 30 Jan: M Low

Fri 31 Jan: D McGuire, F Sippel

Applications are invited for the following Level 3 School Officer positions commencing 20 January 2020:

1) Inclusive Education Teacher Aide: Term-time, Continuing, thirty (30) hours per week. A six-month probationary period applies

2) Inclusive Education Teacher Aide: Term-time, 2020 Contract, eighteen (18) hours per week

Characteristics of the successful applicants: Understanding of the needs of special needs students; self-motivated and directed; good communication skills.

Essential: Certificate III in Educational Support or equivalent, or appropriate experience in working to support students with special needs.

A Queensland Working with Children Blue Card is essential for these positions.

Please refer to the College website www.sec.qld.edu.au for mandatory application requirements.

Applications should be addressed to The Principal, Mr Diarmuid O’Riordan and emailed to secmail@sec.qld.edu.au

Applications close at 3.00pm, Wednesday 4 December 2019

YEAR 7, 2020

All new students requiring uniforms must make an appointment. Uniforms may be purchased at the time of fitting. Dates and times are shown on the SEC website and listed below.

CURRENT YEAR 11, 2019 STUDENTS - ***AN IMPORTANT REMINDER

Blazer Pockets must be embroidered before students commence Year 12 on Wednesday 29 January 2020. Your NAME and HOME ROOM should be pinned to the pocket before handing to the Uniform Shop or Student Office no later than Thursday 28 November. It will be the student’s responsibility to have his blazer pocket embroidered if handed in after 28 November. Please contact the Uniform Shop if further information is required.

2020 Uniform Shop Times

The Uniform Shop will trade as normal commencing Monday 13 January 2020 and will be open on Saturday 18 January 2020 from 8.00am to 1.00pm.

UNIFORM SHOP HOLIDAY OPENING TIMES
2019
The Uniform Shop will trade as normal until Thursday 28 November 2019
Open Saturday 30 November 2019 - 8.00am to 12 noon

2020
The Uniform Shop will commence normal trading on Monday 13 January 2020
Open Saturday 18 January 2020 - 8.00am to 1.00pm

UNIFORM SHOP PRICE LIST

There has been a small increase in prices on some Uniform Shop items. Please see the new Price List and updates on the College Website and App.

NORMAL OPENING HOURS

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

TERM 1

Wednesday 29 January – Year 7 and Year 12 only

Thursday 30 January – All Year levels Years 7 to 12

Concludes: Thursday 2 April 2020

TERM 2

Commences: Monday 20 April 2020

Concludes: Friday 19 June 2020

TERM 3

Commences: Monday 13 July 2020

Concludes: Thursday 17 September 2020

TERM 4

Commences: Tuesday 6 October 2020

Concludes:

Year 12 – Friday 20 November 2020

Years 7 to 11 – Friday 27 November 2020

CHRISTMAS EVE — Tuesday 24 December - Vigil Mass

4.30pm—Immaculate Heart, Leichhardt

6.00pm—St Brigid’s, Rosewood

6.00pm—St Mary’s, Ipswich

6.00pm—St Joseph’s, North Ipswich

8.30pm—Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights

MIDNIGHT MASS - St Mary’s, Ipswich

CHRISTMAS DAY – Wednesday 25 December

7.30am—St Joseph’s, North Ipswich

8.00am—St Brigid’s, Rosewood

8.30am—St Mary’s, Ipswich

* There will be no evening Mass in the Ipswich Catholic Community on Christmas Day

NEW YEARS DAY - Wednesday 1 January 2020

St Mary’s, Ipswich 9.00am

St Brigid’s, Rosewood 9.30am

Bus Queensland, in partnership with Translink, will be making several improvements to school services effective 28 January 2020.

Attached is a notice to parents and students regarding the changes.

Bus Qld website: https://www.busqld.com.au/ was updated 27 November 2019 with the latest run sheets .

Please contact Bus Qld should you require further clarification on (07) 3802 1233.