College modifications for 2023

• Stage 5 Sport remains on alternate Wednesdays – Year 9 Week A (not Week 1) & Year 10 Week B
• Stage 4 Sport moves to Thursdays: Year 7 Periods 1 & 2 with Year 8 Periods 3 & 4 (pending timetables)
• Afternoon detentions will be conducted, Thursday 2:05 – 3pm and Friday 2:05 – 3:30pm
• Lunch detentions in C17 will be held twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday (scheduled)
• Stage 6 will have Pastoral Classes in Houses e.g. 11 Rice, 11 Ignatius, 12 Waterford, 12 Crown
• Year 7 will bring Apple devices replacing the Chromebooks

End of year – Advent message

Earlier this week we were able to celebrate our Thanksgiving and Advent Assembly where we recognised the significance of being present together again, in the Edmund Rice Centre, returning for the first time after a couple of years of absence. As a College community coming together to reflect, celebrate and be thankful for our families and all that we have as a College, but more importantly as a community.

Before signing off for another year and recognised the achievements of so many of our fine young men, acknowledging the significance of the upcoming Advent season.
During this Advent season I too, hope and pray that you and your family find an opportunity to pause, from the busyness of life around us to celebrate and rejoice in the birth of our saviour, Jesus Christ. The Christmas season always encourages joy and happiness. This year, unlike last year and the year before, we will have the freedom to embrace the good will of the season, and I trust it will be appreciated more than ever with family, friends and loved ones. However, the season continually reminds me that this festive season is not always a joyful reality for all within our community; especially the lonely, the marginalised, the poor and the homeless.

Our College focus this year has been on the EREA Touchstone – Justice and Solidarity. Recognising the role that compassion and service play in calling us forward to be our best selves, following in the example of Jesus to stand together in order to create the conditions of the Kingdom of God “on earth as it is in heaven”.

Throughout the assembly we witnessed extreme generosity, selflessness and genuine care for others. Epitomising a ‘faith and spirituality in action’ approach, striving for hope, possibility and being that helping hand for others – being your best self. Students certainly committed to being in solidarity with each other, prioritising those who are marginalised, left out or who are poor in wealth or spirit in need of our support – so thank you.

The assembly gave us the opportunity to recognise the achievements of so many. Edmund Rice College is blessed with a number of quality young men who are expressive in their skills, talents and gifts both in and beyond the classroom environment in the areas of service learning, leadership and pastoral care of others. The College provides so many areas of individual growth and development for all students to excel. The many options presented to students each and every week to be involved, simply requires them to accept the challenge. The adoption of a Strengths Based approach allows each and every individual to focus on their own top five strengths, finding and developing ways to make a difference for others along with themselves. The continual struggle at times, to make those better choices, to be that good person and possible leader that others see each and every day. Taking that challenge to make someone’s life a little easier by your actions and the decisions you make, for it costs nothing to smile or do something nice for others, but could be worth a fortune for someone to receive in need.

Let’s rejoice on the wonderful opportunity of giving that we have witnessed here today. Congratulations on your generosity for the betterment of others in preparation for the birth of Lord Jesus Christ.
After our first full year without the disruption of COVID lockdowns and Off-Campus Learning enforcements – congratulations on the completion of a challenging year.

I would like to wish all our community a holy and joyful Christmas and may 2023 be filled with love, peace and happiness. May we all receive the greatest gift this Christmas, the gift of Christ’s love for all of us. Perhaps we can set a place for Him at our Christmas table as we celebrate his birth.

I look forward to celebrating the academic successes from this Semester 2, along with welcoming everyone back early in Term 1, after a safe and enjoyable break in 2023.
Thank you and God Bless.

Mr Walsh
College Deputy Principal