House Patron: EDMUND RICE
Motto: PRESENCE, COMMITMENT, COURAGE
Edmund Ignatius Rice was founder of the Christian Brothers a religious
order which valued the importance of education. Edmund Rice grew up
in Ireland (born 1762) at a time when most Irish Catholics were effectively cut
off from education. In 1802 Edmund Rice took the first steps to
commence a “brotherhood” specifically formulated to liberate poor young boys
through education. Edmund Rice’s belief that God created all humans in
God’s loving image was the foundation of this education, guiding these young
boys to discover that image, through the promotion of self-dignity,
empowerment, faith tradition and liberation. His first makeshift school, in a
converted stable in New Street, Waterford, proved to have difficult beginnings
with teachers resigning due to unruly children. However, Rice was so
committed to the success of his school that he devoted his attention to training
teachers who would also dedicate their lives to teaching and
prayer. In 1808, seven of the staff including Edmund Rice, took
religious vows and where soon known as Christian Brothers. In
1904 the Christian Brothers established a school for boys in Gympie known as
“St Teresa’s of the Little Flower” catering for boys from Grade 5 –
12. In 1983 the Christian Brothers School and the Sisters of
Mercy girl’s school amalgamated to form St Patrick’s
College. Here the Edmund Rice charism lives on through the dedication
of its teachers.
The
Cross: The Celtic cross, symbolic of Edmund Rice’s Irish heritage,
combines the Latin cross with a circle symbolising unity and
eternity. Rice resolved to provide education for
underprivileged boys and took night-time excursions with his lantern to seek
them out. The lantern within the circle illustrates our wish to
follow the example of Edmund Rice in allowing our won light to shine, thus
illuminating the path for others.
Our Rice House Leader is - Lauren Lawley
For the most part, students are in houses along
family lines, and should now remain with the same Coordinator and Home Room
Teacher for a number of years. Hopefully, positive and meaningful relationships
can be built over this time which enhance your child’s overall ability to learn
academically, socially and spiritually at St. Patrick’s.
Should you have concerns about how your student is coping with College
life, or specific parts of their schooling, please contact the College and ask
to speak to the relevant House Coordinator. For issues such as lateness,
absence or minor uniform matters, speaking to your child’s Home Room Teacher
may be more productive initially.
One of the ways in which each house builds a sense of community is through
of the specific sporting carnivals held each year.
As a Pastoral Team, we would like to remind parents to read our Newsletter, emailed to families each week, as well as peruse your child’s
diary. Both are essential means of communicating your child’s daily and weekly
experiences at St. Patrick’s. Please note this in the student diary.
Our Homeroom teachers for 2024 are:
Rice 1 - Kayla Smit
Rice 2 - Joel Welsh
Rice 3 - Michelle Tappin
Rice 4 - Jasmin Pace-Kaddatz
Rice 5 - Miriam Bates
© Brisbane Catholic Education, St Patrick's College Gympie 2022