EDMUND RICE COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT LEADER 2011

This has been a hard year, 2011, but I think that we've done well to get through it. At the leader's retreat in Hanmer, we had grand plans of all the things that we could do this year, both Richard and I, and the leadership team as a whole. With the shortened year, however, we soon realised that many of these goals were unattainable, so had to change our approach to making our school a better place for all students.

The first two things that I was involved in this year were the junior dance and the College Ball / leavers' dinner. The junior dance involved much planning and after managing to get all the sound, lighting and music (thanks Mr W.), Jermaine, I and the team of year 13s involved ended up driving round Christchurch for hours inviting schools, delivering and picking up tickets and posters. The dance seemed to go well and I must apologise to the junior boys that we couldn't manage more in this crazy, busy year. I was also involved in the early stages of planning the Ball this year, and between Jermaine, Henri, Hamish and myself, managed to find many great venues, but unfortunately none that could hold an event on the scale of our Ball. Luckily, though, Riccarton Park made an exception to their rules, which let us have a great night at their Showgate Room.

Due to the shortened terms, many of the ideas that we wanted to implement unfortunately couldn't happen. Richard and I had wanted to hold as many community events as possible for the school, especially the juniors, such as year group barbecues, sports and cultural activities, and events combined with Catholic Cathedral College. This didn't happen as we would have liked though, and because of the timetable and lack of access to venues and resources, we had to cancel most of these. We will, however, pass on these ideas to next year's school leaders so that they can carry on from our 'planning' stage. One thing that has happened has been the simple things that we set out to do, like setting good examples around that school, like encouraging other students to work hard in the classroom, and respect our school.

One positive change that I have seen in the last year, however, is the disappearance of the STC negativity. The whole school seems to have forgotten the problem that has held us back in previous years, of thinking "we're just a small school" or "we can't do that." The excuses are gone, and the achievement in all areas of school life has skyrocketed. If St. Thomas' can continue this then there is nothing we can't achieve in the future.  Here is the incentive for next year's leaders to push the school to succeed and for every individual to work hard at everything that they do in the name of St. Thomas. To the younger years, goodbye, and to my fellow year 13 leavers, good luck.

St. Thomas' sons we shall remain.

SAM JONES

 

EDMUND RICE - TEACHER'S REPORT 2011

 

I think if Edmund was alive today he would have been in his element this year. Even though we are in a different country at a different time in the world's history I think he would have fronted and worked his backside off to help others in our community. This year has been different than most as we are all well aware. Paptuanuku provides but also takes away. This year the effect has been felt by all in Christchurch, New Zealand and the wider global community. As a whole we have had as a planet a lot of major natural unrest. Maybe it is time that we pull back as humans and realise how we are affecting our planet in positive and negative ways. Pull ourselves back together as a community and strive to find a middle ground, help those on and below the bread line realise what the world has to offer and those in power to live the true dream of empowering others less fortunate who are working hard for their families and community.

This year has been a real mixed bag at school. The leadership team struggled to get off the ground and when they did, were smashed again in June. However as a school we have worked collaboratively within the community. Sports teams, individuals and old boys helped clean-up in September, larger effort in February and still in June boys ventured beyond their usual personal boundaries to open there hearts towards others. We are all looking forward to next year when we have two gardens growing and developing nutritional strength within our school and wider community. The leadership programme has taken a positive turn and will be held in Dunedin for the first time allowing the Auckland students the opportunities to broaden their horizons and a different region to show embrace the programme of service within leadership.

The Edmund Rice conference will be held for the first time in Christchurch and will be focused around our youth and the part they have to play within our world. The place these young people are in the world and the opportunities available to them strengthened by those who are currently in the system and have lead programmes previously. Sam Drumm once again led a strong Edmund Rice Justice weekend for the young leaders of the Edmund Rice schools in Aotearoa. His focus on justice and the ability to broaden thinking is an asset to Edmund Rice New Zealand. He will be greatly missed while he has a break to refocus and extend his studies. His knowledge and connections are crucial to the future success of justice programmes in New Zealand, we look forward to his return.

I look forward to the 2012 leadership team being proactive within the school and wider communities. The initiatives they have already discussed sound fantastic as they are positive and true to a kind heart and soul. We pray that those with nothing realise they have everything and that only with nothing do we truly realise what we truly need. Those with everything truly realise what it means to have nothing and that needs out weight wants!  

Paddy Dowling

Edmund Rice Coordinator