Archived Newsletters - St Edward's College

08.05.25

Touchstones – 8 May 2025

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.

10.04.25

Touchstones – 10 April 2025

On Friday April 11, the communities of St Edward’s and St Joseph’s will come together to celebrate a liturgy that emphasises the profound Easter messages of love, hope, and sacrifice. Students from both Colleges will lead the event, showcasing their talents through outstanding music and drama performances.

27.03.25

Touchstones – 27 March 2025

A recent study has investigated the impact of attending a Catholic school on various post-school outcomes. This research is part of the HILDA Survey, where respondents indicate the type of school they attended, allowing for a detailed analysis of their post-school achievements.

13.03.25

Touchstones – 13 March 2025

The Waterford Service-Learning and Advocacy Program is an integral part of the values-based curriculum at St Edward's, deeply rooted in Catholic social teachings. This program offers students the opportunity to engage in meaningful service that extends learning beyond the classroom, helping to develop a deeper understanding of social justice and community responsibility.

27.02.25

Touchstones – 27 February 2025

At St Edward’s, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where young men are empowered to grow and excel. Central to our mission is the development of key values that will not only guide them through their time at school but will also shape the men they become in the future.

13.02.25

Touchstones – 13 February 2025

Our staff are deeply committed to continuously improving our practice. Together, we focus on working collaboratively to meet the individual learning needs of each student. By sharing expertise, strategies, and insights, we aim to ensure that every student receives the support they need to succeed.

11.12.24

Touchstones – 11 December 2024

On Tuesday, December 10, we gathered to celebrate the academic achievements, talents, and dedication of our students at St Edward’s. The Awards Ceremony honours the hard work and commitment of boys in Years 7-11 throughout the school year.

05.12.24

Touchstones – 5 December 2024

The performing arts are an essential part of our students' overall educational experience. Many of our boys possess exceptional talents in these areas, and they are nurtured and supported by our dedicated and passionate Performing Arts faculty.

21.11.24

Touchstones – 21 November 2024

At St Edward’s, we are deeply committed to creating a supportive learning environment where all students feel welcome and cared for. Over the past two years, the majority of our staff have participated in a Mental Health First Aid course, facilitated by our qualified College Counsellors, Marcus and Terase.

07.11.24

Touchstones – 7 November 2024

Year 10 will soon embark on a three-week Work Experience and Skills Development Program, starting on Monday, November 25. This program offers students a valuable opportunity to engage with the real world and develop essential work readiness and entrepreneurial skills

24.10.24

Touchstones – 24 October 2024

Over the last school holidays Ms Terase Killin, Mr Alex Powell and Mr Alex Rozario, Harvey Olsen, Max Judd, Oscar Woolford, Max Oteiwi, Nicholas Husk, Jonte Wicks, Jaden Roesch, Logan Treble (students from Year 11) and I attended the Immersion to Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the Immersion was Kesheni, which means ‘Stay Awake’ in Swahili.

26.09.24

Touchstones – 26 September 2024

This week we say goodbye to our Year 12 students as they conclude their formal classes and shift their focus to final preparations for the HSC Examinations. This remarkable group of young men has upheld the tradition of excellence that defines our school.

12.09.24

Touchstones – 12 September 2024

The College Founder’s Day celebration last Friday was a truly memorable event, marked by a vibrant community spirit. Staff and students came together for a day filled with enjoyable activities, all aimed at supporting our Edmund Rice partners in Kenya.

29.08.24

Touchstones – 29 August 2024

On Friday September 6 the College will be participating in our biannual Edmund Rice Founders Day. This day is set aside every second year to celebrate our Edmund Rice charism. This day highlights our commitment to the two touchstones of Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity

15.08.24

Touchstones – 15 August 2024

These prefects were selected through a rigorous process involving a detailed written application and student and staff voting. On Wednesday August 14, these students participated in a Leadership Induction Day at Killcare Surf Club facilitated by Mr Powell, Ms Connor, Mr Herringe and me.

01.08.24

Touchstones – 1 August 2024

On Wednesday July 24 the College Community gathered to celebrate the academic achievements of students throughout Semester 1. A new process for acknowledging student academic achievement has been introduced this year to align more closely with the College Learner Profile which was implemented throughout 2023.

04.07.24

Touchstones – 4 July 2024

On Saturday June 26 the most Reverend Bishop Anthony Randazzo celebrated Mass at St Patrick’s Parish, East Gosford during which six students from St Edward’s received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation or Holy Communion.

20.06.24

Touchstones – 20 June 2024

The first of the Year 11 Street Retreats will be held next week and will once again prove to be a very challenging and insightful experience for staff and students. Visits to a variety of organisations such as the Wayside Chapel, Baptist Care and St Canice’s Church, to explore issues associated with drug addiction, mental health, domestic violence and homelessness are designed to take students out of their comfort zone and raise awareness about the plight of those at the margins of our society.

06.06.24

Touchstones – 6 June 2024

The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will - and must - continue.

23.05.24

Touchstones – 23 May 2024

Developing leadership skills is an integral component of the educational experience offered at St Edward’s. A variety of leadership opportunities are available to students in all year levels.

09.05.24

Touchstones – 9 May 2024

On Friday May 3, Father Vince from Terrigal Parish led the College in Mass to celebrate Blessed Edmund Rice Founder's Day. This is an important day in the life of the College as we take time to acknowledge that we are part of a global Edmund Rice family which is united by a specific charism and values that underpin the quality and type of educational experience that we offer to young people.

04.04.24

Touchstones – 4 April 2024

On Holy Thursday the St Edward’s and St Joseph’s communities came together to participate in a liturgy that highlighted the important Easter messages of love, hope and sacrifice.

21.03.24

Touchstones – 21 March 2024

As a Catholic school conducted in the traditions of Edmund Rice, it is important that we take time as a community to reflect on the important sacred stories that underpin our faith and our values. Easter and the sacred story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is one of the central Holy Days of Christianity.

07.03.24

Touchstones – 7 March 2024

An integral component of the educational experience offered to students at St Edward’s is the Years 10 to 12 Retreat Program. These programs compliment the holistic education that underpins the work that we do with our boys.

22.02.24

Touchstones – 22 February 2024

On Thursday February 22, we gathered as a community to celebrate the 2024 Commencement Mass. Father Vince, the Parish Priest from Terrigal Parish, led this special celebration.

08.02.24

Touchstones – Thursday 8 February 2024

Welcome to the first edition of Touchstones for 2024. I welcome all students and families, in particular new families to our community. We welcomed a new cohort of Year 7 students to the College, and it has been great to see how well they have already begun the transition to high school.

12.12.23

Touchstones – 12 December 2023

On Monday 11 December, we took time to celebrate the academic success and wonderful gifts and talents of our boys at St Edward’s. The awards ceremony is designed to acknowledge the application and effort of boys in Years 7-11 throughout the year.

30.11.23

Touchstones – 30 November 2023

Visual and Performing Arts play a critical role in the overall educational experience offered to our students. Many of our boys maintain wonderful gifts and talents in these domains and they are supported by the passionate and talented members of our Performing and Visual Arts faculties in developing these gifts.

16.11.23

Touchstones – 16 November 2023

St Edward’s College prides itself on partnering with families in supporting our boys in developing an understanding of core values that will guide them throughout their lives. This year, the College launched the new Learner Profile which has been used throughout the year to guide boys with their learning, and progress made in association with this Learner Profile has been reported to students and parents with each of the academic reports.

02.11.23

Touchstones – 2 November 2023

It with great pleasure that I share with our community that Mrs Juliana Dignam, College Leader of Careers and Vocational Education and Training, was awarded the Careers Advisers Association of NSW and ACT, Careers Adviser of the Year at a ceremony held in Sydney last Friday.

19.10.23

Touchstones – 19 October 2023

As a member of the Edmund Rice Education Australia network of schools, St Edward’s is required to participate in a process of Cultural Renewal. The purpose of the Renewal Process is to provide the College with feedback in the form of commendations and recommendations in relation to how the College is fulfilling its responsibilities

21.09.23

Touchstones – 21 September 2023

This week we farewell our Year 12 students as they complete their formal classes and begin their final preparation for the HSC Examinations. This group of fine young men have continued the strong tradition of excellence in relation to their commitment to achieve their personal best

07.09.23

Touchstones – 7 September 2023

On Tuesday September 5, we gathered as a community to acknowledge the appointment of the newly elected prefects for 2023/24. We also took time to thank the outgoing Prefects for their wonderful contribution to the life of the College during their term of appointment.

24.08.23

Touchstones – 24 August 2023

It is with immense pleasure that I announce the following students as Prefect Leaders for the 2023/2024 School Year. These prefects were selected through a rigorous process involving a detailed written application and student and staff voting.

10.08.23

Touchstones – 10 August 2023

I am honoured to announce to our community that Mrs Juliana Dignam, the College Leader of Learning in Careers/VET Education, has been nominated as a finalist for the NSW/ACT Careers Adviser of the Year award.

27.07.23

Touchstones – 27 July 2023

On Wednesday July 19, the College Community gathered to celebrate the academic achievements of students throughout Semester One. Students received awards in the following three categories: Consistent Effort, Academic Achievement and Outstanding Academic Achievement. Students who received a Consistent Effort Award have been nominated by their teachers for their continued application and effort across all their subjects.

29.06.23

Touchstones – 29 June 2023

On Thursday June 15, the College held a Musical Performance Night to mark the 70th Anniversary of the College. The evening, which was held in the Edmund Rice Centre, was a huge success, providing an opportunity for past and current students to perform musical items.

15.06.23

Touchstones 15 June 2023

The first of the Year 11 Street Retreats will be held next week and will once again prove to be a very challenging and insightful experience for staff and students. Visits to a variety of organisations such as the Wayside Chapel, Baptist Care and St Canice’s Church, to explore issues associated with drug addiction, mental health, domestic violence and homelessness are designed to take students out of their comfort zone and raise awareness about the plight of those at the margins of our society

01.06.23

Touchstones – 1 June 2023

Reconciliation Week is a time to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute in a positive way to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week is “Be a Voice for Generations”.

18.05.23

Touchstones – 18 May 2023

We are honoured to share that our college has been invited to the EREBB Schools for World Congress in Dublin this year, and we are proud to have Mr. Bonnici representing our school as EREA school leaders from around the world gather to explore the theme of "Educating with Hope in Our Hearts and Hands".

04.05.23

Touchstones – 4 May 2023

Most Reverend Bishop Anthony Randazzo of Broken Bay joined us on Thursday April 27, along with Father Greg from St Patrick’s Parish, to celebrate Blessed Edmund Rice Founder’s Day. This year’s Eucharistic celebration was of even more significance as we took the opportunity to also celebrate the College’s 70th anniversary as a school.

06.04.23

Touchstones – 6 April 2023

As a Catholic school conducted in the traditions of Edmund Rice, it is important that we take time as a community to reflect on the important sacred stories that underpin our faith and our values. Easter and the sacred story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is one of the central Holy days of Christianity.

23.03.23

Touchstones – 23 March 2023

An integral component of the educational experience offered to students at St Edward’s is the Years 10 to 12 Retreat Program. These programs complement the holistic education that underpins the work we do with our boys

09.03.23

Touchstones – 9 March 2023

We are constantly working with and encouraging our boys to develop greater control and responsibility for their learning. The move to a learning conference approach over the last few years is an important strategy employed by the College to support our boys in developing this greater autonomy. Throughout this week, teachers are working with students on establishing learning goals for each subject.

23.02.23

Touchstones – 23 February 2023

On Thursday February 16, we gathered as a community to celebrate the 2023 Commencement Mass. Father Greg, Parish Priest from St Patrick’s East Gosford, led this special celebration as we began the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of St Edward’s College.

09.02.23

Touchstones – 9 February 2023

I welcome all students and families to the start of the 2023 school year. We welcomed a new cohort of Year 7 students to the College and it has been great to see how well they have already begun the transition to high school. We have an exciting year ahead, with a number of initiatives that have been in the planning stage to be implemented this year as we continue our school improvement journey.