Special Character
Faith, Service, & Community
Those who teach justice shall be like the stars forever.
- Daniel 12:3
Edmund Rice education has a vision for justice and peace for all. Faithful to the call of Jesus and inspired by Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers, we aspire to offer hope to a world where the dignity of humanity and the integrity of creation is often diminished. Through holistic education, we form passionate and compassionate young men who are not only aware of the structures that prevent all creation from being fully alive but also have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and spirit to act and advocate for a better world for all.
Living the Values of Edmund Rice
We acknowledge and take responsibility for nurturing and celebrating our Catholic identity and sharing the intellectual and cultural traditions of our Catholic faith. We are welcoming and inclusive of all faiths traditions. We acknowledge the complexity of the modern world and therefore we seek ways to create a Catholic identity that is meaningful within the modern world.
‘Edmund Rice schools are called to be places of love and compassion and places where the priorities of the Christian Gospel are brought to bear on every facet of life. They are places where individuals form relationships with Christ, and hearts and minds are forever changed. The Jesus we proclaim described his mission as bringing life in its fullness to the whole of humankind. Our schools need to be places where students and teachers – all of the community – can experience Christ the Liberator and the power of that presence to make deep meaning of life.’
The Catholics Schools’ Youth Ministry International Programme
The College and parish want to grow leaders who can evangelise.
CSYMI is a faith-based leadership programme run in schools, with local parishes, and across the diocese. It is based in Australia and now runs in many countries around the world.
St Thomas of Canterbury College is a pilot school for CSYMI in our diocese.
At the heart of CSYMI are a bunch of people who are passionate about working together to connect with teenagers and show them Christ’s love.
Year 12s and Year 13s in the Mission Team are trained to lead, manage and guide through different events. Just like senior students help coach or tutor junior students for sports and culture, the Mission Team guides the little brothers at STC on their spiritual journey.
Sacramental Programme
In collaboration with the Catholic parish of Holy Family, the College offers the Sacraments of Initiation to students:
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
All students in Year 9 complete the Sacramental Programme in their Religious Education classes. They are then invited to receive the Sacraments with whanau support, parish guidance and mentoring from the Mission Team students. The Mass for the Sacraments of Initiation is a highlight of the College calendar.