From the Principal

• Prayer 
• Thank you for Term 1
• P&F Cocktail Party
• Term 2 Staffing
• Welcome to New Business Manager
• Our Lady of Dolours Easter Mass Times
• Project Compassion
• Winter Uniform

Prayer 

This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  As we commence Holy Week, the most important week in the Christian calendar, we look to enter more deeply into the mystery of God's unconditional love for all of mankind.

Lord, on this day of great rejoicing,

when we welcome You as our King and Saviour,

we also walk in the shadow of Your cross.

Hosanna! we cry.

Blessed are you who come in God's name to save us.

Strengthen our faith on this Palm Sunday

so that when the time comes 

we might still call out to You with heartfelt praise.

Give us the grace and the courage

to follow You this Holy Week

from death to resurrection,

from darkness to the fullness of light.

Thank you for Term 1

As Term 1 comes to its conclusion this Friday, I offer my appreciation for a full term of face to face learning.  It has been a particularly full term for students and staff with a range of sports, Performing Arts activities, excursions and camps once again being held. We have had our challenges with staff and student absenteeism due to COVID-19 but we have managed in every case. I particularly thank the College staff for their dedication over the term and especially these past weeks with ensuring that students who have been isolating at home have been able to access work to keep their learning in progress.

We look forward with positivity to Term 2 and the opening up of the school playground which we hope can be done over the holidays and the first week or two of Term 2. The weather has been a huge challenge and has continued to thwart our efforts to put the finishing touches to this program.

P&F Cocktail Party 

Last Friday's P&F Cocktail Party was a wonderful event, with over 300 parents and carers meeting up once again with old friends and enjoying the opportunity to make new friends.

Thank you to the P&F President, Mrs Sarah Gillard, and the P&F Committee for their hard work to make this event such a wonderful night.

Term 2 Staffing

All the news in recent days about the challenges of staffing in schools is consistent with St Pius X College and I am again very grateful to the staff of the College for their continued efforts during times of significant rates of COVID-19 in the student and staff ranks. We thank the number of retired staff who have returned to assist us in Term 1. I know that students, parents and staff would want me to thank Mr Terry Patterson, Mrs Annie Bryant, Mr Bernard Batchelor, Mr Ross Masters and Mr Tom Garvey who have returned to ensure the continuity of learning while others have been unwell.

For Term 2, I am pleased to announce the following appointments:

English Faculty

Mr David Webster has decided to stand down from his role as English Coordinator for personal and health reasons. Mr Webster was considering retirement but I am especially grateful to him as he has agreed to my request to continue as a teacher and he has graciously agreed especially with his Year 12 classes foremost in his decision. Mr Webster is an excellent teacher and he currently teaches Year 12 Extension I, Year 12 Extension 2 and Year 12 English Advanced. It is testimony to Mr Webster’s dedication and commitment that he will continue to teach this year and see the present Year 12 students complete their HSC. Thank you Mr Webster on behalf of your students, the College staff and with my personal appreciation.

As I result, we have expanded the leadership of the English Faculty and I am delighted to announce a strong and dynamic English Faculty leadership team consisting of:

• Mr Daniel Quilty – English Coordinator
• Mr Alex Listo – English Assistant Coordinator
• Mrs Jacqui Loughman – English Assistant Coordinator

Further to this, for Term 2 we welcome additional staffing with Mrs Ann Clough (part-time) and Mrs Karen Keighery who will also assist in teaching English.

This further strengthens the English Faculty and I thank all English staff members for their on-going commitment to the students and their learning. I congratulate Mr Daniel Quilty, Mr Listo and Mrs Loughman on this new Leadership Team.

Careers Education

We have happy news to share with you that Mr Joe Madani and his wife have welcomed the arrival of a son last week.  Mr Madani has taken a combination of Paternity Leave and LSL for Term 2. Ms Laura Coombe will look after the Careers Advisor position during Mr Madani’s leave.

Mathematics Faculty

During Term 2 both Mr Madani and Mr Greg Bell are on LSL and we welcome very experienced and qualified teachers in Mrs Jennifer Tran and Mr Philip O’Sullivan to take their Mathematics classes. Mr Garvey will continue to teach Mathematics in Term 2 at the College.

Diverse Learning Teacher

At the end of this term, we farewell Mrs Petah Jamieson who leaves us to join Knox Grammar School.  Mrs Jamieson is a talented teacher and will be missed by her students. We wish her well. In the short-term the Diverse Learning Team, under the Leadership of Mrs Annabel Gunns, will manage Mrs Jamieson’s students. The College has advertised this position for applications from suitably qualified and experienced teachers. The advertisement is on the College website and more broadly advertised online. 

Science Faculty and Year 11 Coordinator

Mr Paul Ticli has taken 3 weeks' LSL at the start of Term 2 and we will welcome Mr George Catchpole back to the College during that time. Mrs Denise Ramsey will be the Acting Year 11 Coordinator during Mr Ticli’s leave.

Welcome to New Business Manager

On Monday the College welcomed our new Business Manager, Mr Lachlan Skeen.  He was warmly welcomed by students and staff at our Assembly.

Once again, we thank our outgoing Business Manager, Mr Nick Carson, for his dedication and work over the past 6 years and wish him well for his retirement.

Easter Mass times at Our Lady of Dolours Church

Mass Times for Easter are as follows:

Project Compassion

As we near the end of term, I encourage students to bring a gold coin or any donation for the Project Compassion collection each morning until the end of this term.

Parents may also make a donation through

 https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/spxchatswood

Winter Uniform

Due to the current COVID-19 landscape, the College Uniform Shop is experiencing delays in deliveries of uniform items.  We appreciate parents’ patience while we await these deliveries. We understand that a small number of students will be unable to return in Term 2 with their full winter uniform.  Please visit the Uniform Shop page for some suggestions on how to address most uniform issues.

Mr John Couani - Principal