College Prefects 2021

Over the last six years at St Edward’s, we have created so many memories in the classroom, on the ovals, basketball courts and on excursions. We have seen so much success and talent within this year group through academic and sporting achievements along with our contribution to making this world a better place through community service and environmentally conscious behaviour.

Finally, to the class of 2021 - Boys, thank you for making this a place where I felt welcomed, supported and happy. I believe the connections and relationships formed will last well beyond our time at the College, I can’t wait to catch up with you and have fun away from school and build upon the relationships we currently have. I think Nelson Mandela sums it up pretty well ‘it always seems impossible until it’s done’, but boys we’re done and I’m so proud of this achievement. I wish all of you the best of luck in your next chapters, whatever that may be.

My departing wish is, as a cohort who have experienced so much together, ‘let’s not become strangers’, let’s encourage communication. In this world full of social media it is so important to go out and see mates and make memories. So don’t hesitate to give your mates a text and organise a catchup.

What a year! If someone had told us 12 months ago, what we would have to go through, again, many of us would probably simply break down on the spot. However, 12 months later I write this, and as tumultuous as the last year has been, I could not be more proud of my peers, my friends, my cohort, and the entire student body of St Edward’s. Despite the incredible hardships we had to face – over 100 days in lockdown, online schooling, unable to see many of our friends and family – we were equally resilient and came back to school in Term 4 as jubilant as ever.

Before our lives were twisted around and upside down for a second time in two years, we were able to make fantastic steps in our role as a social justice and environmentally minded, healthy and supportive community, through our prefect team, College leaders, and our associated portfolios. As a member of the environment, sport and healthy lifestyle portfolio, I have been able to see our College grow, particularly over the past four years, into a College which is looked upon as a leader in our region for environmental initiatives. And as always, we were able to contribute to social justice in the community, despite the lockdowns, through our fantastic relationships with organisations such as Coast Shelter.

Despite the pandemic interrupting our sport for the year, we were still able to make strides, both individually and as a College in the world of athletics, rugby union, rugby league, swimming, football, and many more. Sport is something which for many, gives school a whole new meaning,

Samuel Beatson - College Vice Captain

College Captain & Vice Captains

and I am proud to have been involved in and still see our College so successful in the world of sport, six years after I came here as a wide-eyed 12-year-old.

I am so proud of my peers. The seemingly endless lockdowns meant a lot of us faced some battles we were never expecting to face. Despite these challenges, every single one of us made it to the other side. No exam mark, university offer, or job offer, will be as impressive, nor as important as that. I feel that through staying connected via social media, group calls, etc we have grown closer than ever, and now, if we see one another outside, we will always give a wave or stop and have a chat. That, for me, is testament to the resilient character of our year group and leaves me with no doubt that we can all achieve amazing things in the future.

Welcoming Year 7

Finally, a thank you to the teachers and staff of St Edward’s. You have shaped us all into the young men we are today. Without your guidance, we would probably be very different people. Yes, you prepared us for exams, assignments, and school events, but in that process, you prepared us for anything life can throw at

Studying for Trial Exams

us. I also want to thank Mr Beattie, Mr Speziale, and Mr McCauley, for being the year coordinators that, although sometimes had to be harsh, ultimately kept our best interests at heart and looked after us over the past six years.

We have completed yet another step in the journey that is growing up. Now, for us Year 12s, we have to take that scary step into the real world - just make sure we keep our smiles on our faces and enjoy the ride as much as we have the past six years.

Joshua Zaia - College Vice Captain

So this is it! The class of 2021 finally reaching the end of our official schooling and moving on into the world. We have finally come to the door at the end of our 13 year journey, and we can now proudly say that we are the latest ‘old boys’ of Eddies. From essays to excursions, sport to assemblies, we have experienced the authentic Eddies lifestyle during the six years since we walked into the ERC in 2016, and now we walk onwards as proud Eddies boys.

College Prefects 2021

College Prefects 2021