From the Principal

• PRAYER:  Feast of the Annunciation - 25 March 
• Have you done your Blazer Survey?
• Parents & Friends Meeting
• Cocktail Party
• Recent Visitors to our School
• Major Upcoming Events

Prayer:  Feast of the Annunciation - 25 March

This week on Monday, the Church celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation when Our Lady learnt that she was to bear a child, the son of God. The famous prayer, The Angelus, celebrates this and we pray to Mary our Mother to pray for us and comfort us. I invite you to pray this prayer:

THE ANGELUS

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,

And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, ……..

Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

Be it done unto me according to Your Word.

Hail Mary, ….....

And the Word was made flesh,

And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, ……...

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,

Your Grace into our hearts;

that as we have known the incarnation of Christ,

your Son by the message of an angel,

so by His passion and cross

we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.

Through the same Christ, our Lord.

* * *

Parents & Friends Meeting

Last week we had an excellent P & F meeting brainstorming the school’s start to the year.  Attached is the summary of those discussions for your consideration.

Cocktail Party

All parents and friends are invited to join us for this social occasion. If you are new to the school please come along and meet other parents. For those who have been in the school for some time, please come back and get involved!  All are welcome. It is one of the best nights of the year.

Details and booking information are available on the P&F page of this newsletter.

Recent Visitors to our School

This term we have had some brilliant visitors to our school and I highlight just a few for your consideration: 

• Richard Glover, ABC radio Drive-time presenter, gave a Book Breakfast and Book signing.
• Matthew Shirvington Olympic Sprinter and Fox Sports presenter, addressed the whole school on the National Day Against Bullying and Violence.
• Paul Wade Socceroo captain for over a decade in the 90’s and Order of Australia holder talked to the boys at the Year 10 Reflection Day on his Journey in life.
• Nathan Hindmarsh ex Parramatta NRL Captain and media personality presented to the Year 11 Reflection Day regarding personal leadership and stewardship  (including talking in a raw way about a gambling addiction that he developed and overcame).
• Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman addressed the Senior Legal Studies students.
• John Larkin will be returning to the Junior School beginning Term 1 Week 8. He will be working with Year 5 and 6 – writer’s workshops. This is always very generously funded by the P & F.
• Felice Arena – Author will be speaking and visiting Years 5 and 6 on 2 April.
• Numerous University Ambassadors have come to regularly address the senior students. We have had USyd, UTS, ACU and Notre Dame this term.
• Year 10 Wellbeing Team had a presentation from Jonny Shannon, a motivational speaker, on the importance of social skills and positive emotions via live streamed webcast.

Soccer Initiative:  Our Lady of Dolours U6-7 Leopards

Our Lady of Dolours has asked St Pius X College if they could assist them with Football Coaches for the U6-7 Leopards’ Football Team and I was delighted that many students offered to help. Following a selection procedure Will Chen, Gregor Dingley and Michael Fakhoury (all from Year 11) have agreed to coach the team of future champions.

The photo shows the Principal of OLD, Mr Ledlin, with the Team Manager and the coaches. Thanks to these young men and best wishes for the season ahead!

Major Upcoming Events in Term 1, 2019

• 'Great Expectations' Drama Production next week 2-4 April.  Tickets are just $20 and beat anything you see in London’s West End!  Book via  trybooking:   https://www.trybooking.com/482280
• P&F Cocktail Party 5 April

Please refer to the 'Upcoming Events' page of this Newsletter for the 2019 College Calendar and Term Dates. 

Mr John Couani - Principal