St Pius X College Newsletter

From the Principal

Miss van Riet's Year 9 Religion Class at the Chapel Mass on Tuesday

  • Prayer
  • Welcome Back to Term 3
  • COVID-19 Protocols
  • Return to Saturday Sports, this Saturday, 25 July
  • During the Holidays
  • Maintenance Work at the School
  • Workul Koo
  • Financial Assistance

Prayer

The College began Term 3 with Mass in our College Chapel led by Fr Jim McKeon and Year 9.4 RE as you can see from the photo above. Fr Jim then led the whole school in an opening prayer for the term and he blessed the school as we began once more. We offer all that we do in prayer and seek to do our best for the studies ahead this Semester.

 

Lord, be with me during the impending term ahead.

Guide me to make good decisions with the use of my time 

so that I may achieve to my potential with my study.

Help me to always be mindful of others, ready to assist where possible 

with initiatives related to social justice.

May I grow into the best person I can be through your guidance and 

with the help of my family and teachers.

 

We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord,

 

Blessed Edmund Rice – Pray for Us

St Pius X – Pray for Us

 

Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever!

WELCOME BACK TO TERM 3

A very warm welcome back to term to everyone. It promises to be an exciting and interesting term and in my own goals this term, I aim to give everything I can to Year 12, so they finish well and are well prepared for the HSC. All Year 12 teachers and staff feel the same way. This Year 12 have a final year like no other so together as a community, let’s give them a great final term.

The Parent/Teacher interviews seemed to work very well under the circumstances and I invite all parents to provide any feedback on these meetings through the following link 

feedback@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au 

At our opening assembly over the PA yesterday we emphasised the need for all students to set their goals from their Semester 1 Report and make their best efforts from the first lesson.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

The College has commenced term once again by reinforcing our health and hygiene protocols. We have excellent practices in place with emphasis on sanitiser, washing hands, hygienic toilet behaviours, exercising good distances and additional cleaning throughout. 

The College will still not have full school assemblies, no non-essential visitors, no excursions or camp and school events are minimal.

I have also emphasised for all staff and students that they are welcome to wear a mask if they wish to and that at no point is anyone to criticise anyone wearing a mask.

Unfortunately, we are unable to conduct the Semester 1 Academic Awards Ceremony on Friday 31 July. We will seek a later opportunity to recognise these achievements.

 

RETURN TO SATURDAY SPORTS COMMENCING THIS SATURDAY, 25 JULY

NO SPECTATORS PERMITTED

It is wonderful that we are returning to our first Winter sports competition games this weekend. I ask all parents to observe the protocols and restrictions in place. These have been set down by the ISA for all schools and we support these.

 

Due to the ongoing restrictions in place, please follow the COVID-19 protocols below on our return to Winter Sport at Oxford Falls:

  • Individuals should not attend sport if unwell. If individuals have flu like symptoms, they should be tested for COVID-19 and should not return to sport until a negative result is confirmed and they are symptom free. If a positive result is received or they have had contact with a known case of COVID-19 they should follow all protocols and isolation advice as provided by NSW Health.
  • All players and staff must be listed and contact details be made available.
  • No spectators permitted at any ISA/IPSHA venue, drop off zones will be clearly marked inside the car park. 
  • SPX carpark will be a NO PARKING ZONE.
  • No canteen or afternoon tea provided (students are to bring their own food).
  • All players to bring their own labelled water bottles. Water breaks will be scheduled by the referee.
  • The change rooms will remain closed, students should arrive ready to play. Toilets will be available, but players should refrain from changing in the toilets.
  • Players sanitise hands on arrival and upon leaving the campus. Hand sanitiser provided and available for use at the venue.
  • Hand shaking is not permitted between players.
  • Antibacterial wipes available for wiping of benches, soapy water available to clean equipment.
  • Players and Coaches to leave at the earliest possibility at the conclusion of the match.

The College will continue to review and amend these protocols as we receive directions from the NSW Government and the Independent Sporting Association (ISA).

DURING THE HOLIDAYS

There was a range of sporting activity during the break and I sincerely thank Mr Matt Stearn and Mr Benn McBrearty for leading the return to sports. In particular:

FOOTBALL 

There were Football Clinics involving over 100 students conducted by Mr Richard Lacey and these were excellent. The First XI played games against Knox 1-5, Grammar 0-3 and Kings 0-3. Special thanks to Mr Steve Quilty and Mr Simon Yue. These were very tough games.

RUGBY

There were also Rugby Clinics and they were well supported too with over 100 students. Many thanks to Mr Mike Cross, Mr Joe Lynch and Mr Matt Stearn.

The First XV played games against St Aloysius 24-7 and Redfield College 33-7. The 2nds and 3rds also played a three-way trial with St Aloysius.

MAINTENANCE WORK AT THE SCHOOL

The College continues to maintain its regular scheduled maintenance and improvements and I thank our Maintenance Team for the work conducted these past holidays.

Just some of the many works include repairs to the General Art Room, new touch screen TVs installed in all B Block classrooms, repairs in the main gym at Chatswood, non-slip nosings on the new C Block stairs, LED lights installed throughout the main staff room areas, Junior School, the old Brothers House, and the Administration Building. The remaining areas of D Block as well as Art, Music and TAS and S Block are to be done next holidays. These are all part of our College Environmental Plan.

The Sarto Centre parking area has now been resurfaced and the garden surrounds have new walls.

WORKUL KOO

The College part owns a Retreat Centre (Workul Koo formerly known as Huntington House) at Wamberal on the beach where there has been significant erosion and damage as you will have seen on the news.

This Retreat Centre is owned with CBHS Lewisham and EREA. Through the huge seas last week, our sea wall and frontage has suffered damage as have all the properties on that beach frontage. At this stage it appears that there is no major damage to the house or accommodation. The sea wall will take much consideration for repair and the Local Council and State Government will need to intervene for all the residents. Our property is safe but it has been closed and there will be no use until the seawall is resolved.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

As the Term 3 school fees have been issued, I am conscious that a number of our families may need assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Nick Carson (Business Manager) or myself to discuss your circumstances.

 

Mr John Couani - Principal