From the Principal

• Prayer 
• Founder's Day 
• Year 12 Formal
• Speechcraft
• Vale Mr Tom Casey
• Volunteers' Christmas Gathering
• Current Employment Opportunities at the College
• Date Claimers & Upcoming Events

Prayer: 

Our focus at Founder's Day this year is Mental Health and Wellbeing. 

I share with you this prayer on the theme.

Loving God, we pray today for those who are confronted by the sadness,

ambiguity and confusion of mental illness, and for those upon whom they

depend for attention and compassionate care. Look with mercy on all

whose afflictions bring them weakness, distress, confusion or isolation.

Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give to them understanding

helpers and the willingness to accept help.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Founder's Day - Friday 22 November

This is a compulsory school day and attendance will be noted on the End of Year Report

This year's Founder's Day promises to be another wonderful community day and I thank the many parents, students and staff who have worked solidly to prepare for the day’s activities.

Our special guest this year will be Johanna Griggs, former Australian Olympic Swimmer, World Record Holder, Media Personality and Director of Beyond Blue. Johanna will be speaking to the community at approximately 10.30am in the Christian Brothers’ Centre at Oxford Falls and any parents or friends who wish to attend are welcome. You’re invited and you are welcome.

The College is raising funds for our partnership schools: St Mary’s Bowraville, St Joseph’s Walgett, St Edmunds Wahroonga, St Gabriel’s Castle Hill, Callan Services in PNG and Beyond Blue. I thank parents for their generous commitment.

Please see the section from Mr Mulheron in Mission & Identity for details of the day.

Year 12 Formal

Last Thursday evening a glittering evening of over 400 hundred students and their partners, along with parents and staff enjoyed a celebration of their end of year at Miramare Gardens.

Congratulations to all as we now await their HSC results to be released on 17 December.

Speechcraft

Last Wednesday evening, the Year 12 2020 School Leaders graduated from their Speechcraft course which has given them great skills for their leadership and life beyond. The College thanks the Old Boys' Association and particularly Mr Jeff Clarke and Mr David Bullard for their support in funding this course as well as their presence on the evening.

Vale Mr Tom Casey

It is with deep sadness that the College learnt of the passing of Tom Casey, previous Principal of the College from 1979 – 1981.  As you may know, Mr Casey was a Christian Brother during this time and left the Brothers in the 1980’s to marry his loving wife Helen and become father to her three children. Tom died peacefully at the age of 90 years. We had the pleasure of welcoming Mr Casey and Helen to the school’s 80th Anniversary Celebrations.

The funeral for Mr Tom Casey will be held at St Paul the Apostle, Winston Hills at 10.30am on Monday 25 November. Fr Paul Roberts - SPX Old Boy School Captain 1979 will preside at the funeral. Mr Rick Russo will attend the funeral and will offer Words of Remembrance as part of the Eulogy. I will attend also with students from the College. Any ex-students would be welcome to attend.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and may perpetual light shine on him.  May he rest in peace.

Volunteers' Christmas Gathering

Tuesday 3 December from 5.00pm - 6.30pm in the Junior Library

Please see invitation below for details:

Current Employment Opportunities at the College

The College is looking to employ staff for the following positions for 2020:

Canteen Manager – 2 days per week (for the 2020 year)

Science Laboratory Assistant – 2 days per week 

Student Services Officer – 7 days per fortnight 

These positions are advertised on the College website.  Please complete the non teaching application form and upload along with the required documentation.  Applications close Friday 22 November 2019.

Revision to 2020 Term Dates

An important change has been made to the Term Dates for Term 2 in 2020.  ALL staff and students will return to school on Monday 27 April and the Staff Day (Pupil-Free Day) scheduled for Monday 27 April will now take place on Friday 5 June.  This is the Friday before the Queen's Birthday long weekend which will give students a four-day break from school.  This change has been highlighted in the document below.

Upcoming Events

Friday 29 November:  SPX Rugby Supporters' Club Golf Day at Roseville Golf Club from 1pm.  Details can be found on the Sports Pages.

Monday 9 December:  SPX Rugby Supporters' Club AGM at the Sarto Centre commencing at 7pm

Please refer to the 'Upcoming Events' page of this Newsletter for the 2019 College Calendar and Term Dates.   Information on how to download the College App is also included so you can stay up-to-date.

Term Dates for 2020 are also available on this page.

Mr John Couani - Principal