Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstone

Liberating Education

As a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition, we promote participation in service and solidarity learning programs in partnership with those on the margins

Season of Lent: Waterford Service-Learning Project

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.

As we enter the season of Lent, a time of reflection, sacrifice, and renewal, we encourage students to dedicate some of their time to completing service-learning hours as part of this program. Lent provides a perfect opportunity to embody the spirit of giving, and by offering their time and talents in service to others, students can make a tangible impact on their community while also growing in their faith and understanding of Catholic values.

Students can find more information about the program, on the College website. Religious Education teachers are also available to discuss service-learning experiences and guide students in finding opportunities that align with their interests and values.

This Lent, let us embrace the call to serve others as an expression of our faith and commitment to living out the Gospel.

For more details, please visit the Waterford: Service Learning and Advocacy Project

Year 10 Retreat

At St Edward’s, the Years 10 to 12 Retreat Program plays a vital role in our commitment to providing a holistic education for our students. This program complements the academic curriculum by offering an opportunity for personal reflection and growth, allowing students to explore their values, faith, and spirituality in a safe and supportive environment.

The recent Year 10 Retreat, held on campus, was a one-day program focused on helping the boys reflect on the importance of relationships with their parents, family, and friends. Through a variety of activities and presentations, students were encouraged to consider core values that shape these relationships, such as respect, honesty, trust, forgiveness, and loyalty. This retreat is just one of the many opportunities at St Edward’s that prompts our students to think deeply about the kind of young men they aspire to become.

A special thanks to Mr Beacroft, Mrs Toomey and our College Counsellors Mrs Killin and Mr Missio-Spiteri, and the Year 10 Religious Education teachers for their dedication in planning this meaningful and reflective experience for the boys.

Looking ahead, the Year 11 Street Retreat and the Year 12 Retreat to Mulgoa are scheduled for Term 2, and I look forward to sharing more details about these transformative experiences in due course.

Year 7 to 12 Student-Led Conferences

We are excited to invite parents and carers to the Year 7 to 12 Student-Led Conferences, which will be held across two dates in Term 1:

• Friday March 28 (Week 8): These conferences will take place in person at St Edward’s College from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Teachers will be located in designated rooms across the College. A map with room details will be sent out prior to the event. On the day, students from the Prefect body will be available to guide parents and carers around the College.
• Wednesday, 2nd April (Week 9): These conferences will take place from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm – These conferences will be held online via Microsoft Teams. Teachers will connect with students at the scheduled time via their Microsoft Teams account. We recommend students use their school laptop for the best experience.

These conferences are a valuable opportunity for parents and carers to engage with their son and his teachers about his learning progress. Throughout this week, students were given support by their Homeroom teacher to set their learning goals for the year. These goals will be an integral part of the conversations during the conferences, helping to focus on areas for growth and development.

It is essential that students attend the conferences with their parents, and we strongly encourage all families to prioritise these meetings. Research shows a strong connection between parent involvement in a student’s education and their academic success. A meta-analysis by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) highlighted that students with engaged parents are more likely to have high self-esteem, motivation, positive attitudes towards school, and strong academic results. Additionally, these students are less likely to face disciplinary issues, engage in substance abuse, or drop out of school. They are also more likely to have higher aspirations for further education and career goals.

Importantly, studies have found that parental engagement has a greater impact on student achievement than other factors, such as parental education, socioeconomic background, or even the quality of the school itself. (Source: ACER)

By attending these conferences, parents and carers demonstrate to their son the importance of his education. We look forward to seeing you there. More detailed information about the conferences will be sent to families early next week.

2026 Enrolments

The College is now accepting enrolment applications for Year 7, 2026. The enrolment process is completed online via the College website:  Click Here

The enrolment information clearly outlines the enrolment criteria. Applications received after Friday May 19, will be processed as late applications. Current families who are aware of family or friends who wish to apply for their son to attend St Edward’s, are asked to encourage them to visit the College website for information about the College and the process of enrolment.