Assistant Principal — Religious Identity & Mission

A Holy Pause: Why Holidays Matter 

As our boys reach the end of a long and demanding term, the coming two‑week break offers more than a welcome pause from timetables and assessments. In our Edmund Rice tradition, rest is not a luxury — it is a gift that helps form the whole person. 

In a reflection on a Theology of Vacations, Catholic thinkers remind us that time away from ordinary work allows space for gratitude, relationship, and renewal. Holidays give our sons the chance to slow down, reconnect with family, enjoy God’s creation, and rediscover joy without the pressure to perform. This kind of rest strengthens not only bodies and minds, but hearts and spirits too. 

St John Paul II captured this beautifully when he wrote: 

“Holidays and vacations can help to balance activity with contemplation, haste with more natural rhythms, noise with the heralding silence of peace.”  

As parents, you play a vital role in shaping how this time is lived. Simple routines, shared meals, outdoor activity, prayer, reading, and moments of quiet all help boys return to school refreshed and ready to learn again. 

We wish your families a safe, restful and life-giving holiday, and we look forward to welcoming the boys back with renewed energy for the term ahead.