Year 12

Eamonn McCauley

Congratulations on thirteen years of schooling! This year in particular is just as much a celebration for your parents and carers, who have supported you through your educational journey. I thank and congratulate them for their job in supporting you. Over the last 12 months they have raised a teenage boy who turned 18 (most), got his license (maybe lost his license?), worked part-time, made a ‘few’ impulsive decisions and relationships. Then throw in COVID and the HSC - surely a year of bliss and harmony? There should be an award ceremony for parents.

I started the year with a message of ‘There are no surprises boys! We know when the HSC is, everything is timetabled, plan your year etc, etc’, well, didn’t that change. Although a lot of uncertainty was created, you persevered. They say the HSC is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, pace yourself. You gents ran a marathon, crossed the finish line, and were asked to run a few extra kilometres, and you did this admirably.

Your theme this year was to be ‘Young Men with Purpose’ and it is fitting because you are young men, not boys anymore, and about to take on life’s many challenges and responsibilities. To do this you must find your purpose, which this year was defined by the demands and expectations of Year 12 and exacerbated by the isolation of home-based learning. Learning from home was a difficult time for all but, I want to say how incredibly resourceful you were during that time, how you displayed time management skills, communication skills and most of all resilience. Resilience that allowed you to overcome the adversity faced and hurdle the obstacles thrown your way. Lessons that have set you up for life.

One of the privileges of being a teacher is to see the growth and development of students over time. Since taking over in Year 10, I have witnessed many individual and collective achievements that have inspired and taught me. Amongst you there are leaders in academia, sport, social justice, the cultural pursuits of performance and music, leaders in the classroom, in right thought, speech and action. Remember, your success, maturity, preparation and achievements are not just the product of your time in Year 12 – it has been the many, many people who have had anything to do with you since you first came here in 2016.

Thank you especially to the teaching staff who have challenged you how to think each day. They have persevered and performed to keep you interested and engaged knowing as William Yeats said ‘education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire’. Your teachers turn up every day believing in the words of Blessed Edmund Rice; ‘Have courage, the good seed will grow up in the children’s hearts later’. It is this belief in your potential and goodness that forms the cornerstone of what they do and what St Edward’s is about.

Year 12

To the Captains, Kai Wheelock, Sam Beatson and Joshua Zaia, thank you for your leadership, warm friendliness and humility. Kai, seemingly unflappable, a bastion for the environment and a true servant leader. Sam a great support and voice for social inequity and Josh, the cool, calm and collected voice of reason. Combined you reflect a tone that exists amongst the whole cohort of Year 12, I believe you were elected by your peers because you embody who they are and what they believe in, Year 12 you are all a credit to the College.

The Prefect group and College Leaders have set new benchmarks and standards for future leadership groups to aspire to. You have been absolute positive role models for our younger students. Your work on SECTV continued to set new standards, weather reports will never be the same without Jack and Cooper. Thank you to Mrs Emmett for the many hours of work behind the scenes. Thanks also to Mr Herringe for his support of the Prefect body, his daily connections, positive attitude and ‘Manly Sea Eagles’ propaganda were important ingredients to their grounded approach and success. To the College Leaders who quietly and tirelessly volunteered their time to work behind the scenes in the different portfolios, you have made an invaluable contribution to many aspects of College life.

In addition to the work of the leadership team, many others have been excellent role models and have found your purpose and committed to be the best version of yourself, not only academically, but in school service, sport, cultural and social justice activities. Some of you have continually excelled academically and should be very proud. We have local, state and Australian representatives in sport, creative flair in the Arts - including drama, photography, music, art and wood technology as reflected in the splendid major works and performances. One of your strengths as a Year group has been the genuine leadership and commitment displayed by many of you. They may not be the highflyers or award recipients, but they are at the core of the graduating class, the friendly, supportive, and cooperative young men who make valuable contributions to College life and the community. Your efforts have been much appreciated.

Another fine example of the character of this cohort has been the number of Year 12 students who were still able to receive Edmund Rice Honours. Seven students on their own have completed thousands of hours of community service over the years. Thank you to Mr Dell for your continued inspiration and commitment to challenge all students in the area of social justice and advocacy for the marginalised.

This year in particular I want to thank Mrs Carolina Murdoch for her boundless energy and support on all matters of curriculum and her care and attention to detail for individual students. To Mrs Juliana Dignam who continued her support for the boys in helping them make informed choices about their future pathways. A number have completed work placements and completed a VET TAFE course. We also successfully processed quite a few early entry applications to university.

Year 12

During these challenging times the help and support of Ms Terase Killin and Mr Marcus MissioSpiteri, our College Counsellors, has been invaluable. Their care, compassion and discernment has been critical for the boys and foundational to my role.

Let me take you back to Thursday 28 January 2016, a stormy and rainy 21 degrees, when 192 Year 7 boys entered the ERC for the first time, and you were greeted by your Pastoral Leader Mr Beattie. A time full of excitement, anticipation and nervousness. A time when shoes were shined, shorts were too long and shirts too baggy. Today, there are 128 of you, the shoes barely holding together, shirts and shorts much more fitted and facial hair always a cause for conjecture but a style the ‘musketeers’ would be proud of.

The highlight this year was the Year 12 Retreat at Mulgoa. Little did we know that time together would be the last major gathering without restrictions. It was a time where you shared your personal stories, affirmed each other, were challenged to be better men, to respect women in your lives and reflect on your own path in life. We found a commonality that galvanised you as a year group. Young men with dreams, aspirations, fears and frailties but also a capacity to bounce back, persevere and support each other. Thank you to Mr Beacroft and Mrs Palmer Brown and teaching staff that attended.

Coming back face to face for two weeks prior to the HSC exams was ‘restorative’ and I witnessed a camaraderie beyond measure. Although revision was a priority, the main focus became the intense basketball games at every moment possible (at a safe distance). The benefits of being with your friends and peers for those last days will always be remembered and never be replaced. I imagine the coming months for you: those preparing to travel and see the world (fingers crossed), those who have secured apprenticeships, in your new high viz outfits and steel capped boots, remember the difference between a left and right-handed screwdriver or hammer and don’t be afraid to show off the home-made lunch while you can, the other workers will be jealous. Those going on to further study at University, back your ability, it may seem lonely to start with but be yourself and like-minded people will find you in the crowd. To those entering the workforce, take pride in everything you do, work hard at even the simplest tasks, they don’t go unnoticed, and the rewards will come, but remember to tuck your shirt in! Those linked to elite sports, I wish you an injury free career and every success and maybe a couple of tickets to the odd game.

Life won’t be perfect, it will challenge you in so many and inconvenient ways and you will still make mistakes but acknowledge and learn from them. Surround yourself with people who will support, challenge and grow you. We have encouraged you to be men of service to others, but don’t forget your own family, they have given so much to help get you here, too often we can take them for granted because they are there every day.

Remember the values we have taught you as you navigate life, compassion, empathy, inclusiveness, love, kindness, peace and humility, true attributes that will make you a better man, husband, partner and potentially one day a better father. Plan, but make the most of every day’s opportunities, every moment is precious as this life only happens a day at a time so what you do in a day sets up your tomorrow. There’s an old Irish saying: “Dance as if no one’s watching, sing as if no one’s listening, and live everyday as if it were your last”.

To the lunchtime social groups, the ‘shenanigans’ under the sails, the ‘touch footballers’ on oval 1, the ‘basketballers’, those under the bus shelter, front of the ERC, the concourse and canteen crew, the ‘thespian’ handballers, the Library enthusiasts, where more of you should have been, and everyone in between, I wish you every success.

Remember “if you’re lucky enough to be an Eddies boy, you’re lucky enough”

An Old Irish Blessing ...

May the road rise up to meet you May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Slan go foil – Bye for now!

Samuel Schweinheim College Dux Lennox Taylor College Dux

Tyler Moriarty Sportsman of the Year

Year 12

Adrichem, Jai Attard, Joshua Austin, Boyd Barbeler, Liam Barber, Nathan Beard, Jaden

Beatson, Samuel Bell, Alexander Bell, Connor Bilham, Noah Bird, Byron Biscan, Dominic

Borg, Koby Boyce, Cooper Brandon, Luke

Burfitt Johnstone, Declan Butt, Joshua Cairns, Jamie

Campbell-Taylor, Adam Campbell-Taylor, Jake Clayton, Jonty Cohen, William Collis, Joshua Conroy, Luke

Costa, Thomas Crimmings, Charlie Cross, Joel Crotty, Alexander Dawson, Levi Dixon, Hunter

Year 12

Farrell, Oliver Farrell, Brian Farrugia, Otis Fenwick, Joshua Flaherty, Owen Foster, Dylan

Fotofili, Ulysses Francis, Tyler Fuller, Hudson Garcia, Owen Gatt, Samuel Goodwin-Moore, William

Gower, Jack Gower, Joshua Graham, Kyle Guest, Marlon Hanna, Jack Hansen, Luke

Hart, Benjamin Hartle, Bryson Hayhurst, Luke Hoban, Harrison Irwin, Cooper Jacobsen, William

James, Samuel Jeans, Logan Keating, Joshua Kelly, Declan Kingman, Jae Knight, Zachary

Year 12

Marsters, Matthew Martin, Harrison McArdle, Samuel McCrae, Aidan McIntosh, Lachlan McKeon, Malakai

Meissner, Luke Mercado, Jordan Middleton, Finn Missen, Brendan Molin, Thomas Moriarty, Tyler

Murphy, Iestyn Newlands, Beau Newman, Harrison Nguyen, William Nix, Oscar Ogundana-Watson, Theo

O’Sullivan, Maurice Owen, Thomas Paea, Lulu Partier, Joshua Paterson, Tobias Peters, Daniel

Powell, Fletcher Prazauskas, Andrew Price-Jones, Angus Richardson, Cooper Rickard, Eli Ridges, Ethan

Year 12

Smith, Hayden Springett, Kye Stanley, Nathaniel Steer, Cameron Taylor, Benjamin Taylor, Lennox

Toohey, Nicholas Tracey, Samuel Umpad, Girard Ure, Jacob Vodicka, Harry Wells, Cody

Wheelock, Kai Whitton, Max Woods, Kane Zaia, Joshua Zocher, Jamie Zurita, Sebastian

Absent: Max Davis, Ethan Falconer

Year 12

Back Row: Dane Kondrat, Noah Bilham, Logan Jeans, Dominic Biscan, Joel Evans, Samuel Gatt, Jaden Beard, Luke Meissner, Cody Wells, Ethan Ridges, Hudson Skirka, Liam Barbeler, Ryan Magri, Ulysses Fotofili, Jai Adrichem, Samuel Tracey, Nicholas Toohey, Samuel James, Samuel Schweinheim, Levi Dawson, Luke Conroy 6th Row: Fletcher Powell, Tyler Moriarty, Harrison Newman, Aidan McCrae, Joshua Collis, Angus Price-Jones, Reilly Eagles, Marlon Guest, Cooper Richardson, Beau Newlands, Jonty Clayton, Tobias Paterson, Andrew Prazauskas, William Goodwin-Moore, Harry Vodicka, Owen Flaherty, Joshua Attard, Maximus Davis 5th Row: Lennox Taylor, Jamie Zocher, Tyler Francis, Hunter Dixon, Daniel Rosine, Boyd Austin, William Jacobsen, Finn Middleton, Jamie Cairns, Samuel McArdle, Alexander Crotty, Adam Campbell-Taylor, Hayden Smith, Benjamin Hart, Luke Hansen, Daniel Lackner, Luke Hayhurst 4th Row: Declan Burfitt Johnstone, Luke Brandon, Cooper Irwin, Zachary Knight, Dylan Foster, Benjamin Taylor, Daniel Peters, Thomas Owen, Nathaniel Stanley, William Cohen, Joshua Fenwick, Theo Ogundana-Watson, Flynn Lamont, Malakai McKeon, Oscar Nix, Hudson Fuller, Joshua Keating, Jack Campbell-Taylor 3rd Row: Cameron Steer, Oliver Farrell, Lulu Paea, Alexander Bell, Iestyn Murphy, Matthew Smith, Connor Bell, Declan Kelly, Max Whitton, Lachlan McIntosh, Eli Rickard, Brian Farrell, Thomas Costa, Koby Borg, Aydin Ercan, Riley Marotta, Calvin Edwards 2nd Row: Sebastian Zurita, Kye Springett, Bryson Hartle, Kane Woods, Girard Umpad, Joshua Butt, Owen Garcia, Maurice O’Sullivan, Nathan Barber, Jae Kingman, Jack Gower, Joshua Schonkala, Jacob Ure, Beau Searle, Thomas Molin, Jasper Langford-Martin, William Nguyen Front Row: Harry Ellwood, Joshua Gower, Otis Farrugia, Cooper Boyce, Jordan Mercado, Joshua Partier, Jack Hanna, Harrison Martin, Mr Eamonn McCauley, Mr Mark Bonnici, Mr Jay Sutton, Joel Cross, Kai Wheelock, Harrison Hoban, Joshua Zaia, Byron Bird, William Drennan, Samuel Beatson, Charlie Crimmings Absent: Kyle Graham, Matthew Marsters, Brendan Missen

Year 12

, Cody Wells, Ethan Ridges, Hudson Skirka, Liam Barbeler, Ryan Magri, Ulysses Fotofili, Jai Adrichem, Samuel Tracey, Nicholas Toohey, Samuel James, Samuel Schweinheim,

6th Row: Fletcher Powell, Tyler Moriarty, Harrison Newman, Aidan McCrae, Joshua Collis, Angus Price-Jones, Reilly Eagles, Marlon Guest, Cooper Richardson, Beau Newlands, Jonty Clayton, Tobias Paterson, Andrew Prazauskas, William Goodwin-Moore, Harry Vodicka, Owen Flaherty, Joshua Attard,

5th Row: Lennox Taylor, Jamie Zocher, Tyler Francis, Hunter Dixon, Daniel Rosine, Boyd Austin, William Jacobsen, Finn Middleton, Jamie Cairns, Samuel McArdle, Alexander Crotty, Adam Campbell-Taylor, Hayden Smith, Benjamin Hart, Luke Hansen, Daniel Lackner, Luke Hayhurst , Benjamin Taylor, Daniel Peters, Thomas Owen, Nathaniel Stanley, William Cohen, Joshua Fenwick, Theo Ogundana-Watson, Flynn Lamont, Malakai McKeon, Oscar Nix, Hudson Fuller, Joshua Keating,

3rd Row: Cameron Steer, Oliver Farrell, Lulu Paea, Alexander Bell, Iestyn Murphy, Matthew Smith, Connor Bell, Declan Kelly, Max Whitton, Lachlan McIntosh, Eli Rickard, Brian Farrell, Thomas Costa, Koby Borg, Aydin Ercan, Riley Marotta, Calvin Edwards 2nd Row: Sebastian Zurita, Kye Springett, Bryson Hartle, Kane Woods, Girard Umpad, Joshua Butt, Owen Garcia, Maurice O’Sullivan, Nathan Barber, Jae Kingman, Jack Gower, Joshua Schonkala, Jacob Ure, Beau Searle, Thomas Molin, Jasper Langford-Martin, William Nguyen Front Row: Harry Ellwood, Joshua Gower, Otis Farrugia, Cooper Boyce, Jordan Mercado, Joshua Partier, Jack Hanna, Harrison Martin, Mr Eamonn McCauley, Mr Mark Bonnici, Mr Jay Sutton, Joel Cross, Kai Wheelock, Harrison Hoban, Joshua Zaia, Byron Bird, William Drennan, Samuel Beatson,