Principal, Mr Graham Leddie
St Patrick’s Day
Happy St Patrick’s Day for this Sunday to all those with Irish heritage, and to Catholics and Christians who celebrate the feast day of Saint Patrick. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. The day is a significant day for Edmund Rice Schools, seeing our founder started his mission work in Waterford, Ireland.
On Friday lunch time, a game of Gaelic Football was played between the staff and students on the tennis courts and the spirit of celebrating the day was certainly on display. The staff team was stacked with Irish teachers and the student team was stacked with AFL players. Youth may have gotten up…
“May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”
Irish Blessing
International Women’s Day Event
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the Waverley Council International Women’s Day Event held at the Bondi Pavilion. The keynote speaker for the event was Diana Olsberg, a dedicated financial equality advocate and esteemed resident of Bondi. She delivered an inspiring address centred around this year’s United Nations Australia International Women’s Day theme, “Count Her In: Accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment.”
Diana Olsberg, the recipient of the 2024 award, shared her remarkable journey and insights. Diana is a member of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research and a passionate campaigner against social isolation.
Diana’s compelling story is showcased in the Waverley Council’s interactive digital exhibition, the Bondi Story Room. Delve deeper into her narrative HERE.
2024 Harmony Day – Thursday 21 March
Next week we’ll celebrate Harmony Day, a celebration of cultural diversity and unity marked annually on 21 March. This day is about inclusiveness and ensuring that everyone feels that they belong.
Our DJ was such a hit at our 2023 Harmony Day, that they will return this year, as we enjoy a BBQ ($3) in the Senior School Centenary Quad with refreshments ($2). Junior School students will celebrate their cultural diversity by bringing in a plate of food from home that best represents their culture, to share with their fellow classmates.
Did you know that Harmony Day originated in Australia? As one of the world’s most successful multicultural countries, it was first celebrated here in 1999 to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It’s now celebrated globally.
Whole School Mother/Carer & Son Dinner
The College for a number of years has run a Year 12 Mother/Son Luncheon and this year we are trialling a whole school event, which the Parents’ Association are organising – the Parents’ Association Mother/Carer & Son Dinner.
This will be held on Friday, 17 May 2024 at Randwick Racecourse, 6:30pm-10:30pm. Tickets are on sale at 9am on Monday, 18 March through TryBooking and seats are limited so act fast!
More information is HERE.
Swimming and Diving Championships
Congratulations to our Swimming and Diving Teams who performed admirably at the 93rd CAS Swimming and Diving Championships, held last night at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC).
Congratulations to Knox Grammar who won the swimming competition and Trinity Grammar, the Diving competition. We placed 5th in swimming and 4th in diving.
Competition was tough and close in both competitions and we’re very proud of all our competitors. Thank you to every one of our energetic supporters in the stands!
Australian Olympic Selection – Paris 2024
Congratulations to alumnus Noah Havard (2018) on being selected for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics where he’ll be competing in the K4 500m Flat Water Sprint Kayak Event. At last year’s World Championships, Noah’s team were 0.722 behind Germany who won the event and 0.448 off the bronze medal, so they are considered medal contenders.
Whilst training at an elite level, Noah has also managed to complete a project management degree (construction major) from the University of Sydney. He aims to work in mining or construction after his sporting career.
You can read more about Noah HERE.
Lester Prize
Congratulations to the very talented Renato Rovacchi (Year 11) on his selection as a finalist in the 2024 Lester Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious portraiture fine art prizes. This is his self-portrait.
Good luck, Renato!
Renato Rovacchi (Year 11) self-portrait
NSW Curriculum Reform Program
Exciting changes are underway in the educational landscape of New South Wales, as the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) embraces a knowledge-rich approach to curriculum development.
You can read more in the article by Ms Lynsey Porter HERE.
We Need Your Second Hand Laptops!
Do you have a working laptop and charger that you no longer need?
Our friends in schools and communities in Fiji and Timor-Leste desperately need working laptops with chargers. As part of our 2024 Immersions to both these locations, we will take any donated working laptops with us.
Donations received until Friday, 12 April – the last day of Term 1 2024.
Read more in the article by Ms Sue Walsh HERE.
Consent Required – Year 10 Vaccinations
Vaccination Day for Year 10 students is fast approaching – Wednesday, 3 April 2024.
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) has advised that we currently only have 30% of students consented for the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine. Meningococcal disease occurs worldwide, with the highest incidence of disease found in the ‘meningitis belt’ of sub-Saharan Africa. However, it does occur in other places like Europe, the Americas, and Australia. The highest incidence of the disease occurs in two age groups; 0-4 years, and 15-25 years.
Australia implemented conjugate meningococcal C immunization in 2003 with a single scheduled dose at age 12 months and catch-up for individuals aged 2-19 years. In 10 years, after adjusting for changes in diagnostic practices, population invasive serogroup C incidence declined 96%.
Having lost two students in 2001 to Meningococcal C within six weeks of each other, I have seen first hand the devastating effects of this disease and how quickly it can take hold. Both boys sadly passed away within hours of first feeling sick and noticing symptoms.
I would encourage you to consider seriously for your son to receive this nationally-recommended vaccine which is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council. You can give your consent by viewing the article from our College Registered Nurses HERE.
