Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstone

Liberating Education

As a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition, we serve the individual needs of each person, providing teaching and learning experiences that are authentic, relevant, rigorous and creative

Year 10 Work Experience and Skills Development Program

Dates: Monday 24 November – Wednesday 10 December

As part of our commitment to preparing students for life beyond school, we are excited to offer the Year 10 Work Experience and Skills Development Program. This initiative is designed to help students develop essential work readiness and employability skills, while also encouraging them to explore a wide range of career pathways.

During this period, normal timetabled lessons will be suspended, allowing students to fully engage in one or both of the following options:

Option 1: Work Experience

Students may undertake a placement in a workplace of their choice, gaining valuable insight into professional environments, expectations, and responsibilities. This experience helps build confidence, communication skills, and a clearer understanding of potential career interests.

Option 2: School Activities Program

For students not undertaking work experience, the College will run a structured program on campus. This will include:

• Career workshops and guest speakers
• Resume writing and interview preparation
• Team building and leadership activities
• Industry immersion experiences
• Vocational tasters and enterprise challenges

Combination Option

Students may choose to participate in both options, but this must be done in weekly blocks (eg one week of work experience followed by one week of school activities).

If you have any questions or need assistance with organising a work experience placement, please contact Mrs Dignam at jdignam@stedwards.nsw.edu.au or call 4321 6400.

Year 12 Alumni Event

We are proud to host a special event for our Year 12 students on Friday 7 November, featuring nine Eddies Old Boys, who will return to share their post-school journeys. These alumni represent a diverse range of industries and professions, including trades, business, health, education, and the creative arts.

This event is designed to:

• Inspire students as they prepare for life after school
• Provide real-world insights into various career paths
• Encourage networking and mentorship opportunities

Students will have the chance to ask questions and hear honest reflections on the challenges and successes experienced by our alumni.

The North Challenge

We are thrilled to announce that five of our Year 10 students have been selected to represent the College in The North Challenge, an entrepreneurial and career immersion program facilitated by North Construction and Building.

This initiative brings together students from across the Central Coast to tackle real-world issues, with this year’s focus on housing affordability. Participants worked in teams over a period of three months to develop an innovative business solution, guided by industry mentors and professionals.

Our representatives in this program were: Harrison Evans, Gabriel Aborro, Jorge Chavez, Thomas Williams and Philip Yoon.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the students involved in The North Challenge for their thoughtful and innovative solution addressing affordable housing for families in need. Through their dedication and creativity, these young men have truly embodied the core values of St Edward’s College—compassion, integrity, and a commitment to social justice.

Their work is showcased in the video accompanying this newsletter item, which highlights not only their impressive ideas but also their maturity and sense of purpose. If these students are any indication of the socially conscious youth emerging in our community, then the future is indeed in capable and caring hands.

Year 11 Preliminary Reports

We wish to inform parents and carers that the Year 11 Preliminary Reports were uploaded to the College Portal on Friday, October 31.

These reports provide important insights into your child’s progress throughout the Preliminary HSC year. They include:

• Assessment and Preliminary Examination marks and ranks
• A summary of how well your child has achieved the learning outcomes in each subject
• Personalised comments from each subject teacher, offering both affirmations and suggestions for improvement

We encourage parents and carers to discuss the information contained in the report with your son. They are a valuable resource to help guide decisions about subject choices and study patterns heading into the HSC year.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s progress further, please don’t hesitate to contact class teachers or Mr Lachlan Butt the Director of Curriculum.

Important End of Year Dates

Listed below are some important dates for the remainder of the year.

• End of Year Academic Assembly:  Tuesday December 9
• Christmas Liturgy – Last day of School Year: Wednesday December 10
• Semester 2 Reports Available on the Portal: Friday December 12