If you’ve been watching Netflix over the past few months you’ll have seen many offerings, rom coms, dramas, action movies, thrillers, mysteries comedies. etc. etc. As entertaining as these video streaming offerings may be there are some that are also thought provoking and…downright disturbing. In my discussions with staff recently one such title came up more times than is comfortable, Adolescence.
This four-part miniseries tells the tragic and troubling story of a young man who commits a terrible crime. Without going into the minutia of the plot; Adolescence highlights many aspects of modern youth culture as it relates to boys and casts light on the path of toxic masculinity. The term Toxic Masculinity was coined by psychology Professor Shepherd Bliss in the 1980s suggesting that boys, if unable to express healthy male emotions, will default to aggression. He expressly used the word toxic as he foresaw that there was a cure; compassion, connection, curiosity, and courage to call out harmful ideas.
As an all-boys school, at Eddies we are acutely aware that the aspects of boys’ culture that can build and strengthen the positive nature of young men, can also fall away and sink into a mire of toxicity. For this reason, we emphasise the importance of right relationships in all we do. On The Hill, we strive to create a space where our young men have positive mentors and role models; where they interact with emotionally literate staff and where they are immersed in an environment of diversity and respect.
On our website, as parents you will have access to a platform called School TV. This site contains many useful and interesting videos by renowned Psychologist Michael Carr Gregg. While I can wax lyrical about this insanely relevant topic it might be best left in the hands of an expert to offer relevant information and strategies on approaching this 21st century problem. Please follow the link below.
Year 12 Formal
On Thursday night the red carpet will roll out for our College Formal. Year 12 students and their partners dressed in their finery will gather at Hillstone St Lucia for an evening of good food, excellent conversation and…dancing. We wish them all the best for a wonderful night.
Parent Handbook 2025
I’m pleased to announce the launch of the St Edmund’s Parent Handbook. This quick reference document is designed to provide answers to many of the “how to” and “what’s that” Eddies questions.
An electronic copy will be emailed to all parents in the next few weeks. The Handbook can also be found on EDE. Go to the Policies tab on your Home Page then click Edmund’s Parent Handbook. Access will also be available via the College App.
Complaints and Communication
A team working toward one end, will have moments when there is agreement and hopefully not as often, disagreement. That is the nature of working closely together. Communication as always, is the key.
I would encourage parents and caregivers to contact the College when there are concerns. For academic matters please contact subject teachers, Heads of Department or Directors and for pastoral matters Homeroom Teachers and Pastoral Deans.
If further assistance is required contact should be made to the appropriate Assistant Principal, then to the Deputy Principal and me as Principal. St Edmund’s follows complaints handling processes according to the Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Complaints Handling Policy and Guidelines.
For more information refer to these documents found on the College website.
At all times please be assured that regardless of whether we agree or disagree we remain committed to ensuring, that as a team, the best possible opportunities are afforded to our Eddies Men.
