Year 12 Visual Arts took part in a Smoking Ceremony last week, to introduce a new unit studying Work and History of Contemporary Indigenous Art and Artists. The smoking ceremony our students were involved in is an ancient aboriginal custom that involves burning various native plants to produce smoke which has cleansing properties and wards of evil spirits. By walking through this smoke our students were preparing themselves for their unit on aboriginal art. An Acknowledgement of country in Darkinjung/Yurri language was also performed.

Reconciliation Week The College highlights this important national event each year, via a range of in-class and outdoor activities, in Religious Education and across other Curriculum areas, as we: REMEMBER RESPECT ACKNOWLEDGE MOVE FORWARD as a nation, so affected by our past injustices for our First People. The riots in the USA create a sad connection and reminder of the paralleling two stories. We remember the 432 Aboriginal deaths in custody since 1991, the massacres, the Stolen Generation and dispossession of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. We move forward together culturally,  full of hope, optimism and pride in what Australians have achieved together for so many years. The College is proud to work with and support our local Aboriginal community, our Indigenous students and our ongoing connection with Walgett, University of Newcastle Wollotuka Institute and other connections. We also show support through our signs and symbols throughout the College which serve to remind us, on a daily basis, of our connection with Aboriginal land and our First People.       Waterford Please check with your son about his progress with Waterford, which he can achieve at home in 2020. A reminder that each bag of clothes or food donated to Coast Shelter, St Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army or any other charitable group, earns 1 Waterford hour.  If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me on 4321 6439. Pat Dell Leader of Learning - Social Justice

What has remote learning looked like in Stage 4 Technology at St Edward's? Year 7 Digital Technology The commencement of Term 2 presented itself with an interesting opportunity for our students – independent learning. This presented certain challenges that our Year 7 boys had to face, requiring them to problem solve. Working alongside our specialist teachers and the support of Microsoft TEAMs and CANVAS, we were able to practice our coding abilities and explore with our Microprocessors, Micro:bit. An example included working through GROK, an online course, to sample and test code for a soil moisture system. [embed]https://youtu.be/Ztey4rdDNfw[/embed]   This activity allowed students to demonstrate a process called the Design Process working through design development of drawing up a soil moisture system to implementing code and testing their ideas. Students were also introduced to a way of documenting these processes through an online platform know as a blog – Microsoft SWAY. Students have applied several skills with recording information on their blogs. These have included reflecting on processes and posed questions, taking images and video and screen capturing their evidence of learning and inserting to their blogs. For the remainder of the term students will continue developing skills and explore their Microbit and be introduced to a text-based programming language know as Python. Through activities students will demonstrate skills and reflect on their learnings in their blog.   Year 7 Food and Agriculture Year 7 have made an excellent start towards their studies in Technology Mandatory. Term 1 began with the students learning about workshop safety. They also have been investigating food and fibre production within Australia. During the practical aspects of the course the students started to produce a Planter Box project using a combination of timber and metal technologies. The transition to online learning has seen the introduction of modified tasks. These have been developed so that the “eggshell garden” and a recycled “planter box” have been worked on in recent weeks. The students will also, have an opportunity to prepare a food related task at home as well. The TAS department would like to congratulate Year 7 during the transition to online learning and we are looking forward to seeing everyone back for face-to-face learning.   Year 8 Project Base Learning In Year 8 we change the course to a project-based approach where students were given a fortnightly challenge. This deliberately took the students away from their screens and improved their understanding of the Design Process in the context of Engineered Systems. Bottle Rocket Challenge (Weeks 1 and 2) While considering the forces at work on buildings, including wind and earthquakes, teams plan out and build the tallest tower they can with the smallest footprint possible, using only a tape measure, scissors, 10 sheets of A4 paper and masking tape. Slender Tower Challenge (Weeks 3 and 4) Students designed and produced a water bottle rocket to travel as far as possible using approved resource/recycled materials. The bottle rocket not only needed to fly the farthest but also needed to present an aesthetic appeal using only 1.25 litre PVC bottle (s), 3 pencils, duct tape, a cork, baking soda and vinegar. [embed]https://youtu.be/ENk1Rl-kPtM[/embed]  

Every year, students at St Edward's participate in the Education Perfect Languages Championships, competing against students from all around the world to shine in French on an international platform. This year, students did exceptionally well! St Edward’s ranked 1st in French in NSW out of 30 schools in our category (size of school) and St Edward’s ranked 4th in Australia out of 134 schools in our category. Special mention to Benjamin Stansfield (Year 9) who came 1st at St Edward's, Blake Downs (Year 9) who came 2nd and Hayden Maher (Year 10) who came 3rd. Congratulations also to our dedicated French faculty, Ms Elsa Ribal-Vigneau and Ms Selena Maloney.   [caption id="attachment_25379" align="alignleft" width="200"] Benjamin Stansfield[/caption] [caption id="attachment_25380" align="alignleft" width="200"] Blake Downs[/caption] [caption id="attachment_25381" align="alignleft" width="200"] Hayden Maher[/caption]                     EP LANGUAGES CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS  

School Sport Australia (SSA) The Board of School Sport Australia (SSA) has decided that due to the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent restriction on school sport programs, all SSA Championships for the rest of the year are cancelled. This includes: 14 Years and Under Boys and Girls Australian Football - Darwin, NT - 8 to 15 August Combined (12 Years & Under and 18 Years & Under) Boys and Girls Basketball - Bendigo, Vic - 15 to 21 August 10 to 19 Years Boys and Girls Cross Country - Adelaide, SA - 21 to 24 August 10 to 19 Boys and Girls Years Diving - Brisbane, Qld - 21 to 27 November 16 Years & Under Boys Football - Sydney, NSW - 13 to 18 September 18 Years & Under Boys and Girls Golf - Bellarine Peninsula, Vic - 23 to 28 August 12 Years & Under Boys and Girls Hockey - Canberra, ACT - 16 to 21 August 16 Years & Under Boys and Girls Hockey - Hobart, Tas - 1 to 8 August 13 to 19 Years Boys and Girls Swimming - Brisbane, Qld - 5 to 9 August 15 Years & Under) Boys and Girls Touch Football - Wagga Wagga, NSW - 1 to 6 November 15 Years & Under Boys and Girls Volleyball - Brisbane, Qld - 15 to 21 August CSNSW (CCC) Sport: Please continue to monitor the CSNSW sport website for updates and the most current information regarding suspended events. Refunds will be processed as soon as possible from the Catholic Schools Office for all NSWCCC Sports that have been paid. A few parents have emailed, but if you could update the parents whose children have been selected in our events (Touch and Rugby League) I would appreciate it. NSWCCC have suspended events up until 12 June 2020, including the NSWCCC Football Championships at Valentine Park. We are also currently suspending: NSWCCC Junior Basketball Championships NSWCCC Open Basketball Championships NSWCCC Knockout Football CSNSW Sport Website   Broken Bay (BBSSSA) Sport: All Broken Bay Secondary Sport events in Term 2 are suspended, with the hope that we can reschedule some for later in the year. Broken Bay will not make any decisions regarding Term 3 sport until there is a more accurate understanding of the COVID-19 situation. Term 2 BBSSSA Events  

Macquarie University now has videos to learn about the University. See the link below to view. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRl3LQExZ1f1KlLJXNNmcwlOmQ1PgbMO8[/embed] Newcastle University now have an HSC4Me app to provide support resources developed by HSC teachers and markers to assist HSC students. Click the link below for more information. [embed]https://inspired.edu.au/hsc4me/[/embed]

Cowan and Lewis Uniform Shop Opening Times The current hours of operation for the uniform shop at the West Gosford warehouse (3/6 Bowen Crescent, West Gosford) are: Monday and Friday between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm Contact information for Cowan and Lewis is as follows: Telephone:  9449 9777 Email:  sales@cowanlewis.com.au Website:  https://cowanlewis.com.au The following exceptions regarding uniform will continue to apply: Students are welcome but are not required to wear a College blazer A summer uniform is permitted while the temperature remains warm A tie is to be worn if a student is wearing the winter uniform As we move into the colder months, students are to wear either their College jumper or College tracksuit top, if they do not have a blazer On days where a student has the subject PDHPE, they are permitted to wear their College sport uniform or tracksuit to school for the day No non-school uniform items are to be worn at any time.

Our school has a membership with Parenting Ideas, one of Australia’s most trusted sources of parenting education and support. As part of this membership, all the parents in this school community can attend some fantastic webinars in 2020 at no cost. We’re pleased to let you know about an upcoming webinar. Understanding Techno Tantrums In this digital era, chances are we’ve all experienced our children throwing a techno-tantrum. Techno-tantrums are completely normal and often a result of the neurobiological changes that occur when kids use technology. But this doesn’t mean that we have to simply accept that they’re part of our modern parenting reality. In this webinar Dr Kristy Goodwin helps parents and carers understand why children and teens emotionally combust when they digitally-disconnect, and how to establish new, healthy technology habits. Key learning and discussion points include: The science behind why kids and teens have techno tantrums and find it challenging to switch off screens How to establish and enforce firm guidelines and boundaries How to be the pilot of the digital plane Researched based, realistic strategies to help develop healthy digital behaviours so that screen time doesn’t always end in ‘scream time’ Understanding Techno Tantrums Information and Free Voucher      

The recent home-schooling experience of Australian students is about to end with most states and territories transitioning kids back to school. For parents, many of whom have discovered just how complex teaching can be, the return to school will be a welcome relief. For children, going back to school may bring a mixed bag of feelings. Eager anticipation about reconnecting with friends and teachers will probably be accompanied by a level of anxiety about what school may be like upon return. School undoubtedly will be a different experience for students post COVID-19. For a start they’ve just experienced a prolonged period of remote learning and an absence from their friends, which will take time to process when they return to school. With organised extra-curricular activities put on hold most children have had a great deal of free time, which has placed the locus of control firmly in their hands. I suspect many kids will grieve their lack of freedom, as they’ve had a glorious glimpse of what an unstructured life is like. It may take some time for them to get back into the swing of school life. With the return to school imminent here are some sensible strategies to make adjustment easier for students. Get ready for a return Worriers and anxious types in particular like to know what’s ahead so your approach will make a difference. Prepare your child for a return by discussing the safety procedures the school will be implementing. Let young children know that an adult won’t be accompanying them past the school gate. Ask your child what they are looking forward to and check in with how they are feeling about a return. Validate any fears and apprehensions and correct any misconceptions. Go slowly This period will mirror the start of the school year when your child had to adjust to new teachers, different classmates and a new year level. Adjusting to change takes a great deal of personal energy, so you child or young person may become tired, grumpy, even moody at home. Make allowances for these personal changes and make sure they have plenty of free time to unwind after school. Focus on reconnection Make reconnection the theme for your child’s return to school. He or she will have to reconnect with friends, teachers and learning, which takes time. In all likelihood, your child’s teachers will use many strategies to help your child connect with their friends, reflect on their time at home and move them back into full-time learning mode. Support these activities and keep your learning expectations for your child in check. It may take the rest of the term for some children to adjust to their life back at school. Stay calm Anxiety is very contagious, so it’s easy for us as parents to take on our children’s worries and fears. The reverse is true, and kids can pick up our worries, taking them on as their own. As a buffer against anxiety ensure you do something each day that brings you some joy, whether it’s listening to music, going for a walk or having a coffee with a friend. Look after yourself In recent months parents and teachers have been doing significant emotional labour. The learning and adjustment curves have been massive, with little time to relax and take a break. Consider your own emotional resources and make your wellbeing a priority, which will make it easier for you to stay calm if your child experiences difficulties. Communicate confidence It’s a fine line that many parents walk between being flippant (‘you’ll be right’) and showing confidence (‘you’ll do okay’) when kids struggle to adjust to change. My research into childhood anxiety reveals that children and young people want parents and teachers to understand their fears and anxieties, and to coach them to negotiate difficulties including adjusting to change. You can support your child through sharing stories of resilience, focusing on the positives and letting them know that will eventually adjust. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up many difficulties requiring us all to quickly adapt to new situations. Flexibility is a prime characteristic of resilient people, so if nothing else, getting through these challenging times will make us all more resilient.

Please see the links below for the latest information regarding COVID19.   Contact Information Mark Bonnici, Principal Email: principal@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Reception Email: info@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Telephone: 4321 6400 Enrolments Email: enrol@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Telephone: 4321 6420 Technology Help Desk Email:  support@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Parent Portal/Social Media/Website Email: kfriend@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Terase Killin, College Counsellor Email: tkillin@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Marcus Missio-Spiteri Email: mmissio@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Paul English, Director of Pastoral Care Email: penglish@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Heidi Englund, Year 7 Pastoral Leader Email: henglund@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Paul Sullivan, Year 8 Pastoral Leader Email: psullivan@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Robert Speziale, Year 9 Pastoral Leader Email: rspeziale@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Alex Powell, Year 10 Pastoral Leader Email: apowell@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Eamonn McCauley, Year 11 Pastoral Leader Email: emccauley@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Scott Beattie, Year 12 Pastoral Leader Email: sbeattie@stedwards.nsw.edu.au Finance/Accounts Email: accounts@stedwards.nsw.edu.au   Parent Information COVID-19 (Term 3 -  Restrictions) - 18 August 2020   Parent Information COVID-19 (Term 2 - Action Plan) - 2 June 2020   Student Information COVID-19  (Returning to School Monday 1 June 2020) - 28 May 2020   Parent Information  COVID-19 (Term 2 - Latest Advice) - 19 May 2020   Parent Information COVID-19 (Term 2 - Returning to School) - 18 May 2020   Parent Information COVID-19 (Term 2 - Reintegration) - 11 May 2020   Parent Information COVID-19 (Term 2 Phase in Process of Face to Face Teaching) - 1 May 2020   Parent Information COVID-19 (Term 2) - 23 April 2020   Parent Information COVID-19 (Easter Message) - 9 April 2020   Parent Information COVID-19 (Last Week of Term) - 3 April 2020   Letter to Students COVID-19 (Last Week of Term) - 3 April 2020   Letter to Students From Jackson Robb, College Captain - 2 April 2020   Parent Information COVID-19 (From Director of Pastoral Care) - 31 March 2020   Parent Information COVID-19 (Financial Assistance) - 27 March 2020   EREA Letter to Parents and Caregivers- 27 March 2020   Parent Information COVID19 (Pastoral Care and Counsellors) - 26 March 2020   Parent Information COVID19 (Off Campus Delivery) - 25 March 2020   Parent Advice for Online Learning   Parent Information COVID19 - 24 March 2020   Parent Information COVID19 Year 12 HSC/Additional Information Assessment Week - 23 March 2020   Parent Information COVID19 Years 7 to 11 - 23  March 2020   Parent Information COVID19 Year 12 HSC - 23 March 2020   EREA Letter to Parents -  23 March 2020   Parent Information COVID19  Year 10, 11 and 12 Only - 19 March 2020   EREA Letter to Parents - 18 March 2020   Parent Information COVID19 - 17 March 2020   Parent Information COVID19 - 16 March 2020   Parent Information COVID19 - 10 March 2020   Parent Information  COVID19 - 27 February 2020