As a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition, we nurture and encourage the spiritual growth of each person through reflection, prayer, symbols, sacred stories, rituals and sacraments.
Season of Lent
On Wednesday March 2 we will celebrate the beginning of the season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday presentation. Ash Wednesday is one of the most important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday takes place forty-six days before Easter Sunday, and opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
The concept of fasting promotes the notion of giving up something throughout the Lenten period. With this theme in mind, we extend the challenge to members of our community to give up some of their time to help others. Students are encouraged to make a concerted effort to complete some of their Waterford hours, to give up some of their time and reconnect with their parish, to devote some time to pray for those that are disadvantaged, in need and at the margins of our society. In keeping with the Catholic tradition of fasting, no meat products will be available for purchase in the canteen each Friday, throughout the Lenten period.
We will conclude the season of Lent with our Easter Liturgy on Thursday April 7. COVID-19 restrictions pending, this Liturgy is held in conjunction with the students from St Joseph’s College and traditionally incorporates a powerful performance of the Stations of the Cross, by students from both Colleges.
Student Leadership Opportunities
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. Students are regularly encouraged to access these opportunities as a way of developing key skills such as public speaking, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. The various opportunities available include:
Leadership Portfolios
Included in the role of prefect is the involvement in one of the College’s Leadership portfolios. These portfolios see teachers working with students in the organisation of a variety of activities that occur throughout the year. Students from all year groups are encouraged to become members of these portfolios. In doing so, they are able to develop excellent leadership qualities in organisation, public speaking and promotion. Students who aspire to a prefect role at St Edward’s are required to have been a member of one of the portfolios throughout Years 10 and 11. The portfolios are: Spirituality, Liturgy and Social Justice; Culture Publicity and Social Events; Environment, Sport and Healthy Lifestyle; Literacy and Academia
Year Group Leaders
Students in Years 8 to 11 can apply to be representative leaders for their Year group. Students are able to apply to their Pastoral Leaders to be considered for this role. These leadership roles are designed to foster the leadership capacity of younger members of the College community, providing them an opportunity to work with senior student leaders in implementing many of the portfolio initiatives.
Year 11 Max Potential Program
The Max Potential program is an initiative of Clubs NSW, which offers twenty-two weeks of personal leadership development, including coaching, to young leaders from schools, TAFE, University and the community to help them maximise their potential during the final years at school and beyond. Max Potential also encourages students to focus on the local community and ways that they can develop a program to serve the community. Participants in this program are allocated a mentor, who guides them in the development, promotion and implementation of an initiative designed to assist members of the local community.
Completion of Waterford
One of the major aims of the College’s Waterford Project is to provide students in Years 8 to 11 the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Completion of these hours fosters in students an understanding of the servant leadership example of Jesus.
Application, Effort and Leadership
Students are encouraged to demonstrate leadership throughout their everyday school life. Students can lead by example in class, on retreats and camps, on the sporting field and excursions. This approach to leadership promotes the notion that “true leaders demonstrate leadership all the time”.
College Prefect
Students in Year 11 who aspire for leadership are encouraged to apply for a position of College Prefect. Year 11 students are elected to this role by staff and students and continue in the position until Term 3 of the HSC year. Students elected as prefects provide wonderful service to the College community through leading weekly assemblies, representing the College at important religious and cultural community events, volunteering at Open Day, assisting in the organisation of College carnivals and discos. The role of College prefect allows students to develop public speaking, leadership, organisation and promotional skills. Year 11 students must have demonstrated leadership potential through participation in a College Portfolio.
2023 Enrolments
The College is now accepting enrolment applications for Year 7 2023. The enrolment process is completed online via the College website at: https://www.stedwards.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/
The enrolment information clearly outlines the enrolment criteria. Applications received after Tuesday April 26, 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.