From the Principal

• Prayer 
• Welcome Back Mr Casey
• COVID-19 Update
• EREA Change of Leadership
• National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II - 22 September
• Appointment of new College Prefect
• Year 12 Drama OnStage Nomination
• STOP PRESS!  ISA Athletics Carnival
• P&F Trivia Night
• Student Leaders Visit NSW Supreme Court
• Old Boys' Mass and Dinner

Prayer 

Tomorrow, 15 September, is The Feast Day of Our Lady of Dolours, which is often referred to as Our Lady of Sorrows. We pray to Our Lady of Dolours for special understanding in times of deep trouble and sorrow.  As a mother herself who lost her only son she gives peace and consolation to those in pain and suffering and to those in grief. We pray to her for our families.

Memorare to Our Lady

Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary,

that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,

implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, we turn to you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother.

To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, do not despise our petitions,

but in your mercy hear us and answer us.

Amen.

Welcome back to Mr Mark Casey

We welcome back Mr Mark Casey, our Deputy Principal, from his professional leave this week.  We also take this opportunity to thank Mr Sean Brannan, Mr Paul Ticli and Ms Denise Ramsey who stepped up to take on acting roles of responsibility during Mr Casey's leave.

COVID-19 Update

Further to the NSW Government's updated Public Health Order last week around isolation periods, I forwarded to parents and carers an SPX COVID-19 Bulletin (No 8) yesterday. The main change around the Public Health Order is that the isolation period for positive COVID-19 cases has decreased from 7 days to 5 for those individuals who have no symptoms at 5 days.

I include the COVID-19 bulletin below.

National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II - Public Holiday - Thursday 22 September

As you would be aware, Thursday 22 September has been designated as a National Day of Mourning Public Holiday to allow people to pay their respects on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.  This means that the final day of term for students will be Wednesday 21 September, as Friday 23 September is a Staff Day (pupil free day).  Students will return for Term 4 in summer uniform on Monday 10 October.

New College Prefect Announcement

I announced to the College today the appointment of Isaac Elms as a new Year 12 College Prefect.

Year 12 students can be appointed prefects at any time during their final year at the College.  Isaac has been proactive and supportive of the Student Leadership Team throughout Year 11 and 12, and has consistently aligned himself in support of the actions of the Student Wellbeing Prefects and other student leaders throughout their tenure of leadership.  The College congratulates Isaac on this appointment.  Isaac will be badged during our College Assembly on Monday 19 September.

OnStage Nomination

The College was advised last week that our Year 12 Drama students, William Ramsbottom, Joshua Squires, Jamie Todd and William Walsh-Penny, have had their HSC Group Performance of 'The Monster Within' nominated for possible inclusion in the 2022 HSC Showcase - OnStage. 

Congratulations also go to William Ramsbottom for his individual piece entitled 'Death of England', which has also been nominated for possible inclusion in the OnStage 2022 HSC Showcase.

This is a wonderful achievement for these students and special congratulations also go to our Drama Coordinator, Ms Penny Lindley for her work with the students.

STOP PRESS!  ISA Athletics Carnival

Our Athletics Team travelled to Homebush yesterday to compete in the ISA Athletics Carnival. They returned home victorious, in a bus full of very excited students and teachers, carrying  3 shields.  The team won the Intermediate Shield, the Senior Shield and won the overall Athletics Shield, for the first time since 2012!  What a marvellous result. Congratulations to our students and their coaches.

P&F Trivia Night

The College gym was packed with 'many Mr Couanis', including hi-vis vests, sun hats and cameras at Saturday's P&F Trivia Night.  It was a wonderful evening and a great opportunity to spend time with the parent community for my final college trivia night. Thank you to the P&F President, Sarah Gillard, the P&F Committee for all their hard work in organising such a fantastic event, which raised money for our College clubs.

Year 12 Student Leaders visit NSW Supreme Court

The 2022 Year 12 student leaders visited the New South Wales the Supreme Court to see a court case presided over by former student at the College, The Hon Michael Slattery AM. The students visited His Honour in Chambers before the morning session  where the current legal case before Justice Slattery was explained to them. They then entered the court room on his invitation and  were permitted to sit on the Bench next to the judge. It was a wonderful opportunity for the three  student leaders to view a court case  in action. 

Following the court visit the students attended a reception at Parliament House on the invitation of local Member for Willoughby Mr Tim James MP. Mr James had invited students from a range of schools in his electorate including Mercy College and St Pius X College. 

The College is grateful to Justice Slattery and Tim James MP for the time and advice they gave to our students. 

Old Boys' Mass and Dinner

Last Friday the Old Boys' Mass and Dinner was held at the College and the Chatswood Club.  Prior to the dinner, there was an observance and time for remembrance of those Old Boys and others who had passed away in recent times.  The Last Post was played by Anthony Elliott.  The College thanks Fr Paul Roberts and Bishop Peter Ingham who celebrated Mass in the College Chapel.  We were also pleased to welcome Br Carl Sherrin to the event.

Mr John Couani - Principal