Dear Members of the St Edmund’s Community,

Welcome to each of you for the beginning of the school year. On Wednesday morning 201 young men sat under a bright although sticky January sun near the College tuckshop. Some sat with parents, others sat with friends, a few were a little nervous, but all were excited. These were Year 7 students who, after graduating from Rookies last year, joined the College full-time as young Eddies’ men. They begin 2020 as new members of a big team. A team that includes all of us in the College Community; staff, peers, parents and caregivers and most importantly, themselves. As these young men acquire and develop new skills, I am sure they will learn what our current students already know: that they will not journey alone.

I am honoured and proud to serve the College as the Principal in 2020 as one of the team working with you and your sons. I look forward to an exciting and productive year.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019

Congratulations to the Year 12 Class of 2019 for achieving outstanding results. Over the course of last year they worked diligently and consistently to achieve excellent Overall Position (OP) scores with the following students receiving OPs in the 1 to 5 range:

OP 1: Nicholas Rumpf
OP:2 Henry Abkin, Lachlan Dutney, Kristian Williamson
OP:3 Kane Barry, Blair Chisholm, William Day, Luke Franz, Flynn Morris-Shute, Lachlan Stacey, Bowen Walker
OP:4 Dominic Boyle, Jack Field, Sebastian Howie, Dylan Palmer, Oliver Schmidt
OP5: Patrick Cavanagh, Deakin Jennings, Riley Steinhardt

Overall percentages of OPs 1 to 15 are as follows:

• 1 to 5 - 27%
• 1 to 10 - 58%
• 1 to 15 - 92%

Impressively, 98% of the class received a Queensland Certificate of Education

We are presently awaiting information about our young men who sought traineeships and apprenticeships. St Edmund’s has always been a trusted institution and our students are well regarded. The achievement of these young men highlights the hard work done by all who have worked with them over their five or so years at St Edmund’s. We will celebrate the successes of this cohort at the Academic Assembly in week 4.

Welcome New Staff

We welcome the following new staff to the College.

Teaching Staff
- Ms Rachael Campbell - Inclusive Education
- Mr Craig Cronan - RE/English/History/Geography
- Mr John Emerton - Maths/Science/RE
- Ms Kara Freckleton - English/SOSE, Geography/RE
- Ms Madelyn Healy - English/RE
- Ms Amrisha Jonah - Maths/Science/RE
- Mr Nickolas Klimowsow - Maths/Psychology
- Ms Sara Lodder - Biology/Science
- Mr Christopher Pender - Business/Accounting/Economics
- Ms Angela Sten - English/SOSE/RE
- Ms Hashina Tarafdar - Physics/Maths/Science/RE
- Ms Robyn Taylor - Maths/Science

School Officers
- Ms Loyola Hovenden - Relief Administrative Assistant
- Ms Rebecca McDonald - Inclusive Education Teacher Aide
- Mr Tom Murray - Trade Training Centre Teacher Aide
- Ms Miriam Pronk - Inclusive Education Teacher Aide
- Ms Jessie Scarabello - Inclusive Education Teacher Aide

They join an active and professional learning community and will no doubt contribute much to our young men by assisting them to develop their knowledge and skills for the future.

Year 7 Information Evening

I commend to you the Year 7 Information Evening presented at the College on Monday 3 February. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions about all aspects of College life. Proceedings will commence at 6:00pm in the College Hall.

Ray Celegato, Principal

Updated Novel Coronavirus Queensland Health Information

Further to the Queensland Health information emailed to St Edmund's Parents earlier this week, please refer to the attachment: Updated Novel Coronavirus Queensland Health Information, issued 29 January 2020

NB. We have been advised that if a student has travelled overseas and has been in transit through an airport, they may attend school.

At the start of each year there is a lovely feeling of warmth and welcome shared with those new to our community. Some might attribute this to the hot January weather; however, we know it is something that comes from the spirit that is at the core of our College.

The Eddies culture is built on our Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Touchstones. They are referred to often and by the end of each year you will know them well: Inclusive Community, Gospel Spirituality, Justice and Solidarity and Liberating Education. Each term throughout the year, we spend time focusing on these Touchstones and it is fitting that we open the year with a focus on building a warm inclusive community, based on respect and hospitality.

Hospitality is something that Blessed Edmund would have experienced from a young age. In the icon of Edmund Rice, there is a small image of Edmund sitting in front of the family home with a mentor. In the image, the traditional thatched farmhouse has a warm glow on the windows suggesting comfort and hospitality. From a young age, Edmund’s family strongly upheld the ancient Irish tradition of welcome to the stranger, the visitor and those in need. It was here in his early years that Edmund learnt not to draw distinctions between rich and poor.

Offering hospitality can be as simple as a smile or a handshake. Hospitality for the young men of our College may be offered through helping a new student who is lost, or offering to help a staff member who is carrying a large pile of books or papers. As we begin this new academic year, getting to know people and settling into routines, I would encourage the College community to extend the gift of hospitality which is already truly embedded in the life of the school.

Building a community that is welcoming and inclusive to all people is something that takes time and energy. It is not something that is achieved through a single action. Whether it is making time for our students to get away and grow as a community of strong, kind and gentle Eddies’ men, celebrating a service with students who will become our competition in sport, or remembering the importance of an apology, we know that building an authentically inclusive community is an ongoing process. Therefore, throughout this term we will continue to challenge and be challenged to foster positive relationships, committed to the common good.

I would like to offer two questions for your consideration:
- What challenges does our community face in aiming to be an inclusive community?
- How can I help to build an inclusive community?

Prayer for Community Built on Love

Let Your love play upon my voice and rest on my silence.
Let it pass through my heart into all my movements.
Let Your love, like stars shine in the darkness of my sleep and dawn in my awakening.
Let it burn in the flame of my desires and flow in all currents of my own love.
Let me carry Your love in my life as a harp does its music, and give it back to You at last with my life.
Amen
(Rabindranath Tagore. Via the EREA Touchstone App)

House Breakfasts and Year 7 Induction Liturgies

This week we opened the school year by gathering in our Houses to build community spirit and induct the new Year 7 students. Over Thursday and Friday each House united to enjoy a breakfast or celebrate a Liturgy. There was a wonderful warm spirit and a sense of joy shared at these events, which set a wonderful tone for the year.

Key Term 1 Highlights - Mark your diaries!

Year 12 Commissioning Mass - Friday 7 February 2020
Parents/Caregivers of Year 12 students are invited to attend this Mass in the College Hall, followed by morning tea adjacent to Pender House on the College grounds. The Liturgy will run for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Guests are asked to be seated by 9.30am.

Combined Colleges’ Parish Mass - Sunday 16 February, 6.00pm.
All are invited and welcomed to join us at Mass: St Mary’s Church, Elizabeth Street. There will be a pizza supper after Mass.

Year 12 Retreat - Between 24- 26 February at the James Byrne Centre Toowoomba
This year our Year 12 students will be divided into two groups for their Retreat.
- Group 1 (Ambrose/Finn/Ignatius/Treacy) will depart the College at 2.00pm on Monday 24 February and return on Tuesday 25 February by 2.45pm.
- Group 2 (Callan/Elliott/Morgan/Rice) will depart the College at 2.00pm on Tuesday 25 February and return Wednesday 26 February by 2.45pm.

Live, Jesus, in our Hearts. Forever.

Marysia Rice, Assistant Principal Identity

A big welcome to all Year 7 students who are joining the Eddies community. On Wednesday morning, we had over 200 new and excited faces eager to start their high school journey. Over the first two weeks, all Year 7 students will complete an orientation program to help them settle in. This will include organising laptops, lockers, setting passwords and goal-setting activities. In the past we have found that allowing students time to organise themselves sets them up well for a successful term.

Year 7 Parent Information Night - St Edmund’s College Hall - 6.00pm

This Monday 3 February we will have our Year 7 Parent Information Evening. I encourage all Year 7 parents and caregivers to attend the evening with your sons. The evening will commence at 6.00pm sharp.

I would also like to welcome back our other cohorts. I hope you have all had a nice and relaxing break. Now that school has started, it is important to hit the ground running. Last year we finished strongly with some of our best academic results; however, there is always room for improvement.

Eddies is a busy place with many wonderful opportunities available for our boys. Therefore, it is crucial that from day one all students prioritise their time to include all their academic obligations and extra-curricular activities. Setting early goals and creating a plan develops a strong and positive tone for the remainder of the term.

I wish everyone a happy start to the year.

God bless.
Mr Luis Marin, Director of Middle School

It was a pleasure to welcome our new Year 7 students this week. The students will participate in a Learning to Learn Program with their Core teachers prior to attending camp. This is designed to assist them with their transition to secondary school and will include topics such as organisational skills, computer usage, understanding College routine, basic Word and establishing a Study Program. These are skills that the students will need across their subjects to ensure a positive start to the year.

Other News

It is exciting to welcome Ms Tara Newlands as the Head of Department: English and Ms Nicole Parslow as Head of Department: Mathematics. Ms Natalie Henness moves into the role of Director of Senior School. She will be working very closely with our first senior cohort to graduate in the new Queensland Certificate of Education system, and with our students in the new Trade Pathway and Variable Pathway.

St Edmund’s College staff have participated in workshops over the last three years, both externally and internally, in readiness for this system. Ms Mulkerin in her role as Year 12 Support Teacher will be working with Ms Henness to ensure best outcomes for these students.

Year 12, 2019

I add my congratulations to that of Mr Celegato to the Year 12 graduating OP cohort from 2019 on their excellent results. It was a privilege to work closely with them on their QCS preparation in which they participated so positively. I look forward to welcoming OP1 to OP5 recipients back to the College on 21 February to celebrate with them.

Best wishes to all for the year ahead.

Carmel James, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

We are very excited to announce our musical for 2020, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock. This year, St Edmund’s will run the musical and we have made the decision to employ the wonderful Mr Timothy Wynn, a former St Edmund’s student (2005), as our Director. Since 2009 Timothy has fashioned diverse and imaginative seasons of theatrical experiences as the Artistic Director of THAT Production Company. He has directed over twenty productions, including the Australian premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Ruined by Lynn Nottage (at Studio 188, Ipswich), Saved by Edward Bond (Old Courthouse, Ipswich); Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Roundhouse Theatre, Kelvin Grove); and Spring’s Awakening (Metro Arts, Brisbane).

Mr Timothy Wynn, Director

Timothy studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York and trained at the JUTE Theatre Company’s Director Development Program facilitated by Dr David Fenton. Timothy has also worked as an Assistant Director with Backbone Youth Arts, JUTE Theatre Company, Spotlight Theatre, and Fractal Theatre Company.

The rehearsal schedule is located on EDE - Co-Curricular - Musical and this outlines the commitment that this musical requires. Auditions begin Friday, 7 February in the Peforming Arts Centre, St Edmund’s College, from 3.00 to 5.00pm. Auditions are also occurring Monday, 10 February for those who cannot audition during the Friday session. All information required for this audition is also located on the EDE page outlined above. Further information or questions can be directed to fosullivan@sec.qld.edu.au

Please do not hesitate to contact me if there are any concerns.

Ms Frances O’Sullivan: Head of Department Creative Arts

This year is shaping up to be an exciting year for sport at St Edmund’s College. This week our Year 7 students and their parents have heard a lot about the benefits of being involved in sport. I would like to take this opportunity to remind students of all year levels that sport plays a major role in the life of the College and many physical, social and emotional benefits come from being involved in a team environment with your mates. Please take some time to think about what sports you (students) or your son (parents) will commit to in 2020.

As always, we have had a busy start to the year with many activities taking place as early as 6 January. Thank you to the staff who have given up their holiday time to assist in preparing our students for competition.

Christian Brothers Cricket Week / Associated Independent Colleges (AIC) T20 Cricket Carnival

Our Firsts Cricket squad which was put together late last year competed in the Christian Brothers’ Cricket Week hosted by St Joseph’s Nudgee College. The students played well winning three of their four games. Congratulations to Caleb McDonald who was the leading St Edmund’s wicket-taker and Patrick Schmidt who was the leading run-scorer for the week.

Thanks to our First XI Coach, Mr Tony Potbury and First XI scorer, Ms Leanne Potbury, for their efforts with the team over this period. In addition to the Christian Brothers week, a team of Years 9 and 10 students played in a T20 Carnival at Marist College, Ashgrove. They played exciting cricket and won one game after narrow defeats in their first two games. Thanks to Mr Davis for his work with this group.

AIC VOLLEYBALL

Clinics and trials for the Volleyball season commenced on 14 January and ran for two weeks leading into the start of the school year. Students are asked to pay close attention to training schedules and fixture information as we start the season and organise teams ahead of the St Peter’s trials on Saturday 1 February.

Volleyball players are reminded to purchase the Wolfpack crew socks from the Uniform Shop by Round 1 (Saturday 8 February).

AIC CRICKET

Teams for the St Peter’s trials were announced at training either Thursday afternoon or this afternoon. Students are reminded to purchase the College Cricket shirt from the Uniform Shop as soon as possible. Best of luck to all cricketers on Saturday. Our normal training schedule will commence from Monday, Week 2 (3 Feb).

AIC Australian Rules

Australian Rules trials commenced late last year and training sessions have been held in the last couple of weeks as we prepare for AIC Round 1. There will be trial games for our Years 8/9 team as well as our Firsts this Friday night (31/1). Our Year 7 side will not have a trial on Saturday (1 Feb) due to St Peter’s not fielding a Year 7 team. Training will continue in Week 2 with Years 8 to 12 on Wednesday afternoons and Year 7 on Friday afternoons.

AIC Swimming

Invitational Carnivals and the AIC Swimming Championships are fast approaching. While we have good numbers in the pool from Years 7 to 9, our numbers for Years 10 to 12 are of concern. It would be good to see these numbers improve starting next week.

AIC Swimming training is open to ALL students. Training details can be found on the Swimming EDE Page as well as the College App.

COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION

Please note that the best forms of information around sport at the College are:
• College App
• Weekly Newsletter
• Co-Curricular EDE Pages
• Sports Noticeboard

WESTERN DISTRICT SWIMMING AND ADDITIONAL TRIALS

Students wishing to trial for Western District Swimming should see Mr Luxton by 2:45pm on Monday 3 February. Students and parents are encouraged to look at the ‘District and Regional Sports’ page under Co-Curricular on EDE for further information on upcoming trials.

Urgent Trial Notices now published:
- 19 Years Softball
- All Ages Swimming

Any student who wishes to trial for Western District / Metropolitan West in the sports above should see Mr Luxton urgently.

STUDENT PICK UP AFTER SCHOOL SPORT

We are lucky to have a large number of staff coaching our sporting teams. They do this on top of their normal day-to-day roles at the College.

It would be greatly appreciated if parents pay close attention to the bus return times for Australian Rules, Swimming and Volleyball, (and all of our sports for the remainder of the year) so that students are collected promptly from the College after a sporting event. This allows our staff to get back to their own families at the end of a long day.

Mr Max Luxton, Director of Sport

St Edmund’s College Ipswich Senior Team finished second at the Nitro National Final held at the Western Australian Athletics Stadium in Perth over the holiday period.

The students started their adventure initially enjoying some sight-seeing in the West, visiting places such as Cottesloe Beach, the WACA, Optus Stadium, Fremantle, Elizabeth Quay and Perth City; then it was down to business.

Our team performed superbly, claiming the Silver Medal in competition against highly-rated schools from across Australia,

Congratulations to the students who once again represented our College proudly at a National event.

- Kerryn Ryan - 6th Hurdles
- Jayden James - 1st Shotput
- Jude Thomas - 1st 1000m + Powerplay
- Callum Gilchrist - 3rd Javelin + Bonus
- Alex Davies and Jude Thomas - 5th 2x2x400m relay
- Kerryn Ryan - 3rd High Jump
- Jordan Hudspith - 4th Long Jump
- Ben Thomas - 3rd 60m
- Oliver Schmidt - 2nd 400m
- Sam Janison, Oliver Schmidt, Kerryn Ryan, Ben Thomas - 1st in Swedish Relay (100m, 300m, 200m, 400m)

FRIDAY 31 JANUARY

BUS INFORMATION

Bus for Years 8 TO 12 Australian Rules players leaves the College at 2:40pm and returns at approximately 7:30pm

Please note: Players are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before the game starts.

BUS INFORMATION

Bus for 10C, 10B, 10A, 11A, Thirds, Seconds and Firsts departs SEC at 7:45am and returns at 2.00pm approximately.

Mon 3 Feb: L Ash, J Just

Tue 4 Feb: K McKew, A Harding, S Vince

Wed 5 Feb: C Sammut, D Schmidt

Thu 6 Feb: K Cooper, M Albion

Fri 7 Feb: J Marsh, N Precians

St Edmund’s College Tuckshop is seeking volunteers to assist with food preparation on a monthly roster. If you could assist, even for a few hours until the students’ first lunch break (approx 11.30am); any offers would be greatly appreciated.

Please direct your inquiry to the College Tuckshop on 3810 4485, (7.00am to 2.30pm), or College Reception on 3810 4400, (7.45am to 3.45pm). Our Tuckshop Convenors, Ms Narelle Rea and Ms Gina Weight, would welcome your assistance.

Thank you letter to St Edmund’s College parents for their very generous support, through their voluntary donation, to the Edmund Rice Foundation Australia.