It was exciting to watch Year 7 arrive on their first day! They looked terrific in their new uniforms and sharp haircuts. After a few words of welcome from our Principal, Mr Mark Bonnici, the boys received their book packs, met their Home Room teacher and headed off to join the world of high school. A busy day lay ahead, with tours of the school led by senior students and a full day of orientation activities with their Core teachers. Meeting new friends was a highpoint for many, although lunch time exploring the new canteen, the well-resourced library the basketball courts and the ovals came a close second. A big welcome to our latest crop of Eddies boys! [smallgallery fooid="23353"]

Congratulations to Mrs Evans' Home Room 49 who had the most students with trash free lunch boxes this week.  

Homework Help and Additional Mathematics Support As the new academic year begins, parents and students are reminded that Homework Help and task support continue each morning in the library from 8:00 am until 8:45 am. Students may access assistance and, in particular, receive additional maths support. Students should introduce themselves by visiting the Innovate Room which is located alongside the quiet reading area in the central part of the library.   Ms Betty Kiekebosch Leader Diverse Learning  

Disability Provisions in the HSC are practical arrangements designed to help students who could not otherwise make a fair attempt to show what they know in an exam room. These provisions granted, are solely determined by how the student’s exam performance is affected. Each school is responsible for determining and approving their own Disability Provisions for all school-based assessment tasks while NESA determines Disability Provisions for the external Higher School Certificate examinations. For students to apply for Disability Provisions, schools must submit an online application to NESA. This application indicates and must include recent evidence. Evidence may include medical reports, reading results, spelling results, writing samples and teacher comments. Provisions that can be applied for include separate supervision, access to reader and/or writer, rest breaks and extra time. Strong evidence is needed in support of the application in order to be successful. Access to in-school provisions does not guarantee equal or similar provisions being granted by NESA for all formal, external exams held at the end of the year. Generally, online applications are applied for during Term 1 but can be applied for up to the day prior to the formal exam period. If you have any queries regarding these provisions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via College email. bkiekebosch@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Betty Kiekebosch Leader of Diverse Learning

Annual College Swimming Carnival As advertised in the annual calendar, we will be conducting our swimming carnival on Friday 7 February at Peninsula Leisure Centre, Woy Woy.  The following are some important practical details regarding the carnival. Transport Normal school buses will run in the morning / afternoon and students will catch a bus from the College to the pool and back again in the afternoon. Other students may make their own way to the carnival if appropriate. All boys making their own way to the carnival need to be at the pool by 8.45am, unless they are competing in the 200 m events (see next point). Any student competing in 200 m events need to be at the pool by 8.30 am at the very latest. Buses will not be at the pool by 8.30 am so these students will need to make their own transport arrangements. All students requiring afternoon bus transport will return by bus to the College and catch the afternoon school buses under supervision as normal. Uniform For identification purposes, it is imperative that all students in Years 7 – 10 attend the carnival in their College sports uniform as they would do on a normal Friday.  They can change into their colour house clothes at the pool.  Only Years 11 and 12 are allowed to wear mufti/casual clothing. General Directions As maximum participation is the aim of the day, points will be allocated for every student entering an event. Any boy who attends the carnival is required to participate by: Swimming in all events appropriate to his ability level; Assisting teaching staff in conducting the carnival in some capacity ie: official duties; For supervision purposes when boys are not in races, they are to remain in the stands grouped according to their age divisions. Only the Years 10,11 and 12 will be permitted to gather on the grassed area. Boys need to be equally prepared for cool or warmer weather and bring appropriate sun protection ie sunscreen, as the marshalling area is outdoors. Limited canteen facilities will be available – boys are encouraged to bring their own food & drink for the day. It is imperative that students do not bring large sums of money or valuable audio equipment such as Ipods etc. In these situations, it is impossible for the College to take responsibility for items that may go missing. As the carnival is held indoors, it will be held even in the event of obvious inclement weather. Boys who live locally or who are being picked up by their parents can leave to go home directly from the pool at the conclusion of the carnival, which should be at 2.30 pm. No boy will be permitted to leave the pool precinct prior to the conclusion of the carnival, as rolls need to be marked and the usual important formalities carried out.  I particularly ask that we have parental co-operation in this matter. Parents, carers and relatives are more than welcome to attend on the day however it is recommended you bring your own chair as seating is at a premium. The College Prefects and Leaders will be required at the pool early in the day to assist with carnival set up and again at the end of the day to assist with packing up of the carnival. The co-operation of boys and their families with these guidelines will ensure that it is an enjoyable day for all in attendance.

Click the link below for the Swimming Carnival Program   2020 Swimming Carnival Program   [caption id="attachment_23302" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Year 12 Class of 2019[/caption]

Welcome to all Year 7 students and families as well as all our other year groups and their families. We look forward to another great year of competition for St Eddies’ teams and individuals in both school-based and external-based events/competitions. The following information relates to reporting on sporting teams/event and school-based sporting events during Term 1 as well as representative sport for Broken Bay (BBSSSA) and NSWCCC Sport. Reports for College Teams Team and individual results from College-based events, will be conveyed via the College fortnightly newsletter, Touchstones. Team coaches and or managers will endeavour to file a report at the completion of the sporting event and a report will also appear in the College Yearbook. Where possible individuals/teams will also be recognised at College assemblies – if time and schedules permit. Please remember to keep me informed if your son/s achieve recognition in the sporting arena outside of the College. These achievements will be acknowledged via the ‘News and Events/Student Spotlight’ section of the College website. Address all emails with information to jcarpenter@stedwards.nsw.edu.au and or kfriend@stedwards.nsw.edu.au. College-based Sporting Events during Term 1 include: Swimming (College Carnival - Friday 8 February) BBSSSA (Monday 16 March) and NSWCCC Swimming (Tuesday 31 March) carnivals Open’s Touch Football BBSSSA Gala Day (Wednesday 19 February) NSW All Schools Triathlon (Individuals - Wednesday 26 February/Teams - Thursday 27 February) Open’s and Under 15 BBSSSA Rugby League Selections (Wednesday 11 March) and SICC (Wedmesday 25 March) Open’s Rugby League NSWCCC Cup Gala Day Year 9 and 10 Touch Football All Schools Gala Day Under 13 and Under 15 BBSSSA Touch Football Gala Day - Thursday 19 March Cross Country (College Carnival - Year 7 and 8 only, Friday 6 March)   With regards to all sports, students are reminded to be listening to the Morning Notices during Roll Call for the names of staff who are organising various teams and for who to see if they wish to enter other  individual competitions. Representative Sport For all new students and families, students compete or nominate for selection via the BBSSSA (Broken Bay Secondary Schools Sports Association) and NSWCCC (New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges) pathways into NSW All School and School Sport Australia teams/events. The 2020 calendars for BBSSSA and NSWCCC are located via the College Website. On the BBSSSA (www.brokenbaysport.org.au/secondary) and NSWCCC (csnsw.sport) websites you will find all the Sports events held throughout the year. There is also a full calendar to check entry and closing dates, selection trial dates, sport specific information for individuals and team events. The websites allow parents/caregivers to enter their child into various events where an individual entry is required and pay the entry fees. If your son is selected in either a BBSSSA or NSWCCC team, they will be given instructions on how to register. Entry fees for College teams and those who represent the College individually at BBSSSA level will be covered by the College. However, once a student goes beyond this level - all costs become their/parent responsibility. Please remember to inform the College if your son(s) is selected in or they are attending selection trials outside BBSSSA or NSWCCC events (eg NSW All Schools) as we do not always receive notification of this. We will only receive confirmation of selection in BBSSSA and NSWCCC teams and events. Mr Jason Carpenter Leader of Learning Sport            

NSWCCC Representative Dates 2020 Term 1 Event Entry Closing Date Selection Date Softball 7 February - Week 2 24 February - Week 5 Cricket Under 19's 12 February - Week 3 18/19 February - Week 4 Cricket Under 15's 12 February - Week 3 9 March - Week 7 Triathlon (Individual) 19 February - Week 4 26 February - Week 5 Tennis 24 February - Week 4 2 March - Week 6 Baseball 3 March - Week 6 10 March - Week 7 Volleyball 6 March - Week 6 11 March - Week 7 Waterpolo 12 March - Week 7 16 March - Week 8 Hockey 16 March - Week 8 23 March - Week 9 Golf 18 March - Week 8 30 March - Week 10 Swimming (Long Distance) 20 March  - Week 8 31 March - Week 10 Diving 27 March - Week 9 31 March - Week 10 Term 2 Event Entry Closing Date Selection Date AFL (Under 14's) 27 April - Week 1 29 April - Week 1 Rugby Union 1 May - Week 1 4 May (U18's) - Week 2 4 and 5 May (U16's) - Week 2 Basketball 11 May - Week 3 18 May - Week 4 Soccer (U16's) 19 May - Week 4 27 May - Week 5 The remaining sports – Swimming, Touch Football, Rugby League, Cross Country, Opens Soccer/Football and Athletics involve selection via College teams that compete in BBSSSA Gala Days. Individual Registrations As you might or might not be aware, NSWCCC have just launched their new portal – www.csnsw.sport.  

Did you know that by law you must slow down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing?   As our students start the 2020 school year, the NSW Government and your local school bus operator Busways is reminding parents, teachers and other motorists about this law which is designed to keep our kids safe. Lights begin to flash when the bus stops and the doors open, and they keep flashing for 20 seconds after the doors close. Children are most at risk in the minutes after they get off the bus as they can be unpredictable in their movements. Fines and demerit points apply if a motorist is caught going over 40km/hr when passing a bus with flashing lights. Motorists can help reduce the risk of an incident and keep children safe by: Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing, Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes, and Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic. For more information click here

Morning and Afternoon School Service Changes for Red Bus See the link below for more information: St Edwards, St Josephs, St Patricks Changes to Red Bus Service  

St Edward’s College is hosting its first Careers Pathways Expo. With over 40 exhibitors across universities, colleges, employers, apprenticeship group training companies and TAFE. It is the perfect opportunity for parents and students from Years 10 to 12 to connect with experts. Click the link below for more information. [embed]https://www.stedwards.nsw.edu.au/curriculum-learning/careers-and-vocational-education/careers-pathways-expo/[/embed]  

School-Based Apprenticeship - Automotive Central Coast Group Training have a School Based Apprenticeship position available in the automotive industry with a Host Employer based in Tuggerah. This is a fantastic opportunity for students commencing Year 11 to complete the first year of their Apprenticeship alongside their HSC. Job Advertisement    

The canteen is now offering a breakfast service between 8.00 am – 8.30 am. They currently offer cheese and bacon rolls, cheese and vegemite scrolls, banana bread, fruit salad pots, watermelon slices, yoghurt and granola pots and sushi. In addition to this they offer a range of hot toasted wraps and toasties, hot chocolate and coffee, juices and up and go. If the breakfast service proves successful they plan to expand the range to include hot bacon and egg rolls and breakfast burritos.     See the link below for the full menu https://www.stedwards.nsw.edu.au/parent-community/parent-canteen/

The St Edward’s College mobile app is free and available for download from the Apple App Store and via Google Play for Android devices. Features: Notifications – this system allows instant communication and will feature messages including excursion return times, reminders and general information, users may select class tags to ensure they only get information relevant to their son/s or they may choose to receive all notifications. News – will show all news items featured on our Website Calendar – the calendar features our ‘new look’ calendar on the Website (please note that additional information is available eg permission notes and further details on dates with an arrow feature) Publications – featuring St Edward’s College Newsletters Galleries – featuring the photo galleries from the Website Contact – will enable contact via phone or email to the College Website – a direct link to the College Website Social – a direct link to the College social media applications Setting – will enable personal settings to be made including Notification settings Click the link below to download the app.  Please ensure you have notifications turned on to receive alerts. https://www.stedwards.nsw.edu.au/parent-community/parent-st-edwards-college-mobile-app-available-for-download/

Save the dates: Year 7, 2021 Enrolments are now open Open Day is on Saturday 7 March 2020 Careers Pathways Expo is on Thursday 2 April 2020

Going to secondary school is both exciting and scary for many kids. There's excitement about new friends, teachers and ventures, but this can be overshadowed by anxiety and stress. The sheer size of a high school building can be overwhelming to the uninitiated. The potential loss of status when moving from big fish in a small pond to tiny minnow in a large ocean can be hard to swallow for some. Add the increased number of teachers and the hormonal changes that accompany puberty and drive emotional and cognitive development and it is little wonder the first year of secondary school often sees a plateauing in learning. Most kids are flat out making new friends and getting used to how secondary school works, so learning takes a back seat for a time. While it’s easier for those who have a brother or sister already there who can pass on some tips about how to survive secondary school, many don't have that luxury. Fortunately, there are number of strategies parents can use to make the transition to secondary school easier. Know the School Space Familiarity helps reduce anxiety. Most secondary schools have familiarisation programs for incoming students but it helps to reinforce with your young person where the key spaces are – such as administration, toilets, the tuck shop and drinking taps. A trip to the school during the holidays, if possible, can help reassure a nervous secondary school starter. Make the Leap with Friends Negotiating new friendships can be stressful so it helps to identify some friends from primary school or outside school that your child can travel with or meet up before school, at lunch breaks and during times when classes aren't scheduled. This will give them the opportunity to share and compare experiences, which is therapeutic for kids who are experiencing change. Help with Planning and Organisation Some students can be overwhelmed by the organisational demands of secondary school. If your child fits this category, be prepared to be on hand to coach your young person in the finer arts of being on time to class, organising work in folders, planning homework time, handing in multiple assignments and filling out forms. Set up a Designated Study Space in the Home Now that your young person has hit the big time it’s important that they have a study space to call their own. Keep this outside the bedroom if possible – the bedroom is a space for sleeping and relaxing. Use any area that is reasonably quiet and well lit. Set up a desk with a computer, if possible, along with stationery items. Establish a Work Schedule If your child’s primary school homework was given inconsistently then be prepared for a change. Most secondary schools try to coordinate homework between different teachers but there will be more times than not when your child will come home with multiple homework assignments to complete. Build the homework habit early and choose a regular time that allows for breaks. Encourage them to work quickly so that work does not drag on and become demotivating. Stay Patient and Positive The social and academic demands of going to secondary school can be mentally draining for young people. Some will miss old friends and the relative comfort of primary school. It’s important for parents to be patient with their young person, to expect a few behaviour blowouts and to be prepared to listen and help them process their new experiences. If your young person has negative experiences, point them in the direction of the good things that may happen during the day. Your young person’s coping mechanisms are being tested during this time. They can change on a daily basis. If stress becomes overwhelming or persistent to the point that they don’t want to go to school after the initial settling-in period, consider organising some extra assistance. A year-level coordinator, school counsellor or the local doctor can be good starting points should extra assistance be needed. Starting secondary school is one of many transitions your young person will face in life. With planning and support, your child can make a positive start to secondary school and enjoy an amazing time at their new school.