4 minute read
Joe Zavone
Principal’s Report
At the time of writing this report we have just commenced Term 2. This term commenced in a very different manner to Term 1. The freeing up of covid restrictions and health orders means that face masks are now optional. Whilst different school sectors responded to the lifting of the health orders in different ways, we made the decision to make face masks optional in light of the frustrations and limitations encountered with teaching and learning by the wearing of face masks in the classroom, and with the confidence we have in continuing our strategies to reduce the risk of transmission at the College. Of course, staff and students were encouraged to continue wearing masks if they chose to do so, particularly if it helped them to feel more protected and if their personal circumstances required the wearing of face masks. We have also now returned to being able to organise whole school events, after a term of postponing and cancelling events. The first of these events was our annual ANZAC Day Commemoration Assembly. We were fortunate to hear from guest speakers (and College parents) Lieutenant Colonel Brian Barba and Colonel Laura Sinclair, who shared with us their insights and stories. It was also a privilege to have the Catafalque Party ritual as part of our special ceremony. Our guest speakers, the Catafalque ritual, our student presenters and visiting guests made for a very appropriate and touching ceremony. It was so encouraging to see our boys so well behaved and demonstrating the appropriate demeanour for such an important event. We also took advantage of the lifting of health orders to celebrate Founder’s Day in a big way. Unfortunately our annual Founder’s Day celebrations have been quite limited over the past two years due to covid restrictions. This
year we were back at St Christopher’s Cathedral with the whole school community and invited guests. Founder’s Day not only allows us to gather together and celebrate the life and times of the founder of the Christian Brothers, Blessed Edmund Rice; it also allows us to recognise and acknowledge various members of our community for their work and service. We recognised individuals in two ways. We recognised individuals through the Br Matt McKeown Faith and Service Awards. Many of you will have fond memories of Br Matt. He is a Christian Brother who was an integral part of the St Edmund’s College community for twenty years. He was the spiritual heart and living touchstone of our Edmund Rice tradition. The Br Matt McKeon Faith and Service Awards are named in his honour and are awarded to those staff, students and old boys who have made a significant contribution to St Edmund’s College and the wider community in service to others. The recipients of these awards are detailed elsewhere in The Pelican. Founder’s Day also allows us the opportunity to recognise the significant service of various staff members. We acknowledged those staff members who have served the College for 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and 40 years. The recipients of these awards are detailed elsewhere in The Pelican, but I must make mention of Mr. Carlo Sorrentino’s achievement of serving the St Edmund’s community for the past 40 years. This is an incredible achievement. Carlo lives and breathes the history, spirit and character of Eddies and is a beloved member of staff by current students and old boys. We congratulate Carlo on the past 40 years and thank him for his outstanding service to our community. I would like to congratulate the former Chair of the College Advisory Council, Nichole Overall, for her successful campaign in the Monaro byelection (NSW) a few months ago. Nichole has now joined the NSW Parliament. Nichole served the College community as a parent, Advisory Council member and Advisory Council Chair and we thank her for the great concern and care she demonstrated for the Eddies community. The end of last year also saw the completion of tenure for two of our long serving Advisory Council members, Christa Gordon and Steve Buckman. I sincerely thank Christa and Steve for their time as Council members and their dedication in always wanting the best for St Edmund’s and its community. The new members of the Advisory Council and the new Council Chair will be covered in the next edition of The Pelican. In mid-Term 1 I underwent my summative review with Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) as my first five-year contract as Principal of St Edmund’s College expires at the end of this year. The review was conducted by the EREA Director of Schools (Eastern Region), a colleague principal from an interstate EREA school and a colleague principal from another local Catholic school. The panel conducted interviews with a selection of students, parents, staff, old boys and key members of the College community. A survey was also conducted leading up to the interviews with all College staff members. I am pleased to say that the review went well and that my contract has been renewed for another five years. This was a significant time of reflection and perception, focusing on what has been achieved for the good of the College and its members, and what needs to be reinforced and strengthened. I look forward to serving the St Edmund’s community for another five years and working with all members of our community in the continued positive growth and development of the College. As always, I am excited to continue working with our students who are at the very core of what we do and here at Eddies. Christus Lux Mea
