Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstones

Liberating Education

As a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition, we provide a holistic education integrating faith with cultureand learning, while instilling an appreciation of the need to strive for the greater good of all society.

EREA Cultural Renewal

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 in accordance with the strategic mission of a school conducted in the traditions of Edmund Rice. The EREA Touchstones of Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity, frame this process and the final report.

A panel of representatives from EREA National Office, the EREA NSW CEO and Director and a colleague Principal visited the school throughout this week to meet with staff, students, parents and other members of the community connected to the College, to gain feedback to inform the final report. Last term staff and students completed an online survey to provide further information and to guide the process throughout this week.

The information gathered will be used in 2024 in the development of the next phase of the College Strategic Improvement Plan. We look forward to receiving the outcomes of this process as it will provide valuable information in guiding our strategic directions for the next five years.

HSC Commences

The HSC commenced last week and will continue until Friday November 3. I wish all our Year 12 students the best of luck in these exams and we pray for them during what can be a challenging time.  I look forward to celebrating the end of their time at St Edward’s with them at their formal in early December.

Year 11 Commencing HSC

Year 11 students have commenced work on their HSC Courses from the start of this term. It is important that students in this year begin to establish some clear routines, ensuring that they manage their time between, schoolwork, part time work, a social life and sport so that a healthy balance is maintained. The Preliminary reports will be made available to students in the coming weeks and this report provides some valuable information to assist boys in establishing learning goals in each of their courses as well as their pattern of study for the HSC Year.

Parents of Year 11 students are reminded of the important information session which is being conducted this evening (Thursday 19 October) in the Theatre commencing at 7.00pm. This session will provide valuable information regarding a range of aspects associated with the Higher School Certificate credential.

Additional advice to support parents as their son embarks on the HSC Year is available at the NSW Government Department of Education Website at:   HSC help for parents and carers

Attendance

Parents and carers of children of compulsory school age are responsible for ensuring their child attends school every day. Children must commence school by age 6 and then complete Year 10.

Parents of children from Kindergarten to Year 12 must ensure their children attend school every day. On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• being sick or having an infectious disease
• having an unavoidable medical appointment
• being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
• exceptional; or urgent family circumstances eg attending a funeral

NSW legislation requires parents to provide an explanation for absences to the school within 7 days from the first day of any period of absence. Where an explanation has not been received within the 7-day timeframe, the school will record the absence as unexplained on the student’s record. Parents are reminded that they can inform the College of a student absence in the following ways: email info@stedwards.nsw.edu.au (this is the preferred option), respond to an SMS which is sent home on the day of absence or phone the College on 4321 6400.

Family holidays and outside sporting commitments which are planned during the school term do not qualify as a justified absence and parents are discouraged from booking extended holidays during these times. Unjustified leave which impacts on the completion of a piece of assessment may have implications on students’ final grades. Parents and students are encouraged to read the information included in the College Assessment Policies available at College Assessment Policies, if they are planning for an extended absence from school.