Alumni – Where are they now?

Victoria Holt (née Cullen) Primary Teacher at St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace, Brisbane – an
Edmund Rice school, former pupil of St Edward’s College, Liverpool.

My Edmund Rice journey started over 35 years ago in 1988 as I walked through the gates of
Sandfield Park to join the sixth form at St Edward’s College Liverpool. Little did I know that
three decades later, I would be teaching at an Edmund Rice school in Brisbane, Australia
some 16 000 kilometres away from where my journey began in Liverpool. I was lucky
enough to be able to complete my A Levels and spend 2 memorable years at ‘St Eddies’
making new friends and sharing experiences together-yet it offered me so much more than I
was expecting. It offered me a sense of belonging and community. An invitation to feel part
of an extended family which has embraced me across the miles. I loved my time at school
and was able to immerse myself in studying for my A Levels and having the opportunity to
participate in social justice programs led by the Brothers and Br Sassi. This was such a happy
time filled with so many rich experiences which helped shape me on the beginning of my
Edmund Rice Journey.

After a time away teaching in Liverpool and Leeds, my family and I returned to the Wirral
where I taught for ten years at a school where many of the boys were fortunate enough to
gain a place at St Anselm’s College. It was here that I started to witness the great work of
the Edmund Rice charism in creating people of faith and learning. From listening to past
pupils and family friends and sharing in their stories; the community created, and the
lifelong bonds of friendships formed, I could feel that connection once again.

My son was lucky enough to gain a place to start his year 7 journey at St Anselm’s College in
2015, but circumstances took us to Brisbane, Australia and a new Edmund Rice school called
St Laurence’s College. It was here on my first visit that I felt what I had done all those years
ago as a 16-year-old walking through the gates at Sandfield Park…the sense of community
and belonging was powerful amongst the staff and students and it was evident that this
would be the place for him to start his ‘Lauries’ journey…one which he would finish in 2021
as Vice-Captain. We were astounded by how welcoming and inclusive this community was –
they embraced us as a family and helped shape our son into the person he is today. It was
here that I reignited my Edmund Rice journey.

During this time, I was fortunate enough to start work at St Joseph’s College Gregory
Terrace, Brisbane. This was the first school founded in Queensland by the Christian
Brothers, led by Brother Ambrose Treacy. Withing days, the memories of St Edwards were
reignited as I walked the corridors of the school and listened to stories of the Brothers who
came from Ireland and established the communities in Australia. I felt an instant connection
with the school and was welcomed with open arms. It was here that I learnt the story of
Edmund Rice…one that I had a very vague recollection of from my days at school. Listening
to the stories of Edmund as told by Br Damien Price, I was able to gain a valuable insight into
who Edmund was, and how we can do his work. The story of Edmund, as depicted on the
Icon, explains his life so beautifully and is the starting point for the Year 5 boys as they
commence their Terrace Journey. Through the formation programs from Year 5-12, the Icon
serves as a reminder of the example of Edmund as we live out our ‘faith in action’ through
the various immersion and outreach programs. Edmund Rice is at the heart of what we do
at school. The College Prayer, which we say at the end of each day, has a line which
says…’so forgetful of self, that we might simply become the place where you and they
meet.’ This serves as a daily reminder of the Edmund story.

It is without a doubt that my connection with the Edmund Rice story through St Laurence’s
and St Joseph’s here in Brisbane, has made me feel at home. The familiarity, sense of
belonging and welcome that I have received in my 6 years of teaching at an Edmund Rice
school only further deepens my connection with the Edmund story and the journey which
began for me as a 16-year-old at St Edwards’ all those years ago. A surprise visit in August
2022 from Ann and Roisin on their Edmund Rice International visit to Oceania, strengthened
the bonds of community and connection even further. It was with great joy that they were
welcomed into the Terrace community and my year 5 class. I felt blessed that they had
taken the time to witness the provision of an Edmund Rice Education here in Brisbane and
experience the sense of connection and community across the miles.

I hope to forge these bonds of international friendship and develop them further when I
return home to Liverpool on my next visit. To know that sense of connection and
community, the bonds created and friendships made, make me feel proud to work in the
Edmund Rice network and call this place home.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.