Operating as Ipswich’s premier Catholic school for boys over the past 127 years, the College provides learning from grades seven through to twelve. Principal Diarmuid O’Riordan says St Edmund’s education is guided by four core touchstones that make up the strong ethos and culture of the school: liberating education, gospel spirituality, inclusive community relations and justice, and solidarity.
There’s a strong emphasis on fostering an inclusive community within St Edmund’s, not just as a Edmund Rice Learning Centre but also as an educational institute thoroughly underpinned by equity and equal opportunity. Principal O’Riordan describes St Edmunds as Catholic school for everyone, and he is proud of the diversity as well as the wide range of learning abilities that are welcome and supported. Flexible learning spaces and hours that are accessible to students who require this flexible approach are complemented with teachers who are able to accommodate all learning levels. All students, therefore, have the opportunity to achieve success.
These ethical foundations are further extended by the school’s opportunities for immersive education, sports, service learning programs and new facilities. Students are able to engage in service learning programs that encourage involvement in charities like St Vincent de Paul, Little Kings along with community activities such as reading to primary school children, visiting retirement villages, Defence Force cadetships and other community services.
Immersive experiences extend to travelling overseas to provide outreach, and past trips have included building community wells in Timor, providing resources for schools in Samoa and visiting orphanages in India.
State of the art learning facilities are continually being upgraded, and a new master plan for the school sees the introduction of new learning technologies. Other enhancements include refurbishment of the Edmund Rice building, a new College hall and the welcome addition of Australian Rules and Rugby League to the extensive sporting program.
St Edmund’s offers a broad curriculum for boys who want to pursue an academic career as well as those who wish to seek employment pathways. The Trade Training Centre provides training in construction, automotive studies and engineering and has a high success rate with over 90 per cent of students securing employment or a TAFE position. Students who undertake studies in the Trade Training Centre also have access to apprenticeship opportunities and employment pathways running for two days a week.
Parents interested in viewing all that the College has to offer are welcome to attend Open Day on Sunday May 26. A guided student tour will operate throughout the day giving parents the opportunity to have an insight into the forthcoming year, meet the student body, see the resources available, watch class demonstrations and enjoy a sit-and-chat over tea and coffee. The school band and the choir will be performing also as part of the demonstrations.
St Edmund’s boys leave their education well equipped to forge ahead and succeed in the outside world as kind men, strong men and gentlemen.
