On October 22, the Prime Minister delivered a National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. As an Edmund Rice College, we strongly support this much awaited and long-overdue moment in the history of our nation. For too many years, the victims who were horribly betrayed by the people entrusted with their care have fought for justice, acknowledgement and remorse.

Over the last school holidays Mr Jon Paul Grant, Grant Offner, Rory McIntosh, Miller Irwin, Tyrone Mafohla, James Rigas, Luke Keiler, (students form Year 11) and I attending the annual Immersion to Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the Immersion is Kesheni, which means ‘Stay Awake’ in Swahili.

On Friday September 15, I had the honour of attending the John Lincoln Youth Community Awards at Government House. These awards are presented on behalf of the Order of Australia Association to twenty students from across NSW for their excellent commitment to community service.

St Edward’s College responds to the challenge of developing student leadership through the community service program the Waterford Project. As all students and families are aware, this program encourages students to look beyond themselves through acting selflessly in the service of others in need within the local community.

The 21st century continues to present educators with new horizons and schools are challenged to prepare students for our rapidly changing world. The recent Gonski 2.0 report called for our education system to develop a creative, connected and engaged learner in a rapidly changing world. These ideas were very much the context behind the English task that Year 7 students are currently working on.

Prefects were selected through a rigorous process involving a detailed written application and student and staff voting. Last Tuesday, Mr Gill, Mrs Pearson and I led these boys through a Leadership Induction Day at Avoca Surf Club. I was instilled with great confidence of the potential of these fine young men to lead the student community at St Edward’s over the next year.