Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstone

Inclusive Community

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, we acknowledge the service and contribution of the Christian Brothers, teachers and support staff who work in partnership with Edmund Rice Ministries in furthering the Charism of Edmund Rice within our school.

 Celebrating the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice

On May 5, we celebrate the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice, a day dedicated to honouring the life and legacy of a remarkable man whose contributions to education and social justice continue to inspire many around the world.

Who Was Blessed Edmund Rice?

Blessed Edmund Rice was born on June 1, 1762, in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland. He was a pioneering educator and the founder of two religious institutes: the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers. His work was driven by a deep commitment to providing quality education to the poor and marginalised, particularly in a time when access to education was limited for many.

His Mission and Legacy

Edmund Rice’s mission was rooted in his profound faith and compassion for those in need. He believed that education was a powerful tool for social change and dedicated his life to establishing schools that offered not only academic instruction but also moral and spiritual guidance. His schools emphasised the importance of character formation, discipline, and a sense of community.

Today, the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice lives on through the numerous schools and educational institutions around the world that continue to follow his vision. The Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers remain active in many countries, working to provide education and support to those who need it most.

Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB)

Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB) is a global network of over 280 Catholic schools in more than 20 countries, educating almost 200,000 young people from diverse faiths and cultures. EREBB believes that education is a catalyst for a just world for all people and the planet. Inspired by the life and vision of Jesus and the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, EREBB aims to inspire and activate global connections and action through education.

Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Vatican Global Compact on Education, and UNESCO’s Futures of Education Initiative, EREBB contributes to their realisation by focusing on:

• Educational Leadership and Formation: Bringing leaders together to share experiences, collaborate, and develop leadership capacity.
• Student Global Engagement: Providing opportunities for students worldwide to learn with, from, and about each other while collaborating on educating for a better world.
• Educational Capacity Building: Linking schools globally to support educational development in learning and teaching.

St Edward’s lives out this commitment to the vision of the EREBB global network through our partnership with Edmund Rice Ministries in Nairobi, Kenya and St Boniface High School in the Kimberley region of South Africa.

Celebrating His Feast Day during the Month of May

The Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice is a time for reflection and celebration. It is an opportunity to remember his contributions and to renew our commitment to the values he championed. Many schools and communities mark this day at various stages throughout the month of May, with special masses, educational activities, and community service projects that embody the spirit of Edmund Rice. We will celebrate Founders Day on Thursday May 29. The day will commence with Mass, students will be provided with a BBQ lunch and we are introducing an Inaugural Open Rugby League Match to be played on our College Ovals against a combined team from St Peter’s Catholic College, Tuggerah and MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale in which the whole school will be spectators.

As we celebrate the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice, let us remember his unwavering dedication to education and social justice. His life serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on the world. May his legacy continue to inspire us to work towards a more just and compassionate society.

 

Prefects proudly showing the World Map of Edmund Rice Schools

Ms Bailey during her visit to St Boniface, South Africa

Mother’s Day

I would like to wish all mothers and significant women in the lives of our students at the College a very happy Mother’s Day for Sunday May 11. Today we celebrated this occasion with our Year 7 families through a special assembly that was held in the Edmund Rice Centre to acknowledge the wonderful contribution of the significant people in the lives of our Year 7 boys.  The love, care and support that mothers and significant others provide their boy each day, helps foster in him a respect for others in a way that no-one else is able to do and for this he will be eternally grateful.

I hope your day is filled with great love and happiness.