From the Principal

• Prayer for the World
• Great News!  Full Return to Face-to-Face learning from Monday 25 May
• Student Travel on Public Transport
• HSC Calendar Modifications
• Enrolment Applications for 2022 
• Staff Day - Friday 5 June

Prayer for the World

Let us all pray together for the sick, for the people who are suffering.

We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.

Do not despise our pleas - we who are put to the test - and deliver us from every danger.

O glorious and blessed Virgin.

I thank all Christians, all the men and women of good will who pray at this moment,

in unison, whichever religious tradition they belong to.

Pope Francis

Attached is the  link to the video of Pope Francis' prayer: https://thepopevideo.org/prayfortheworld/

Great News!  

Full Return to Face-to-Face Teaching from Monday 25 May

I am very pleased with the news that all students will return to face-to-face teaching full time from Monday 25 May. 

Once again I acknowledge with deep thanks the efforts of the College staff who have worked so consistently to deliver our Online Learning Program. The transition to face-to-face teaching over the past weeks has been very successful and I thank all staff and students for the way that they have worked so well together.

Following the guidelines from NSW Health Department, NSW Education Department and Catholic Schools NSW, the College continues with the following safety and hygiene procedures:

• Additional cleaning has been employed at the College
• Regular use of hand sanitiser and washing of hands. There will continue to be a major emphasis on health practices, hygiene and additional cleaning
• Water bubblers and water fountains are still disabled and students should continue to bring their water bottles from home
• School equipment such as musical equipment, learning and sporting equipment should be cleaned between use
• No parents and visitors are permitted on the school site unless it is essential
• No school Assemblies
• School excursions are on hold
• No school camps
• No school sports training or competition yet
• Physical distancing does not apply in schools but  we continue to emphasise the need for good personal space and “hands off” rule with the boys
• Oxford Falls – commences this week with Years 5, 6 and 9 and next week as per normal class schedules.
• School buses to Oxford Falls do not need to be as per public transport regulations for social distancing but we are ordering additional buses to ease seating congestion.
• Performing Arts Ensembles are back in normal operation from next week.  Music tuition is also back in normal operation from next week.

I also attach the two documents which were sent to all parents on Tuesday 19 May regarding students' return to school from myself and the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian.

Student Travel on Public Transport

I understand that a good number of students are travelling on public transport. I repeat what the Premier and NSW Transport have communicated to schools that “school students will be given priority access and will not be left behind at bus stops and train stations.”

HSC Calendar Modifications

Year 12 parents would be aware that the HSC calendar has had some modifications. 

The HSC Trials will now commence in Term 3 Week 5 to give students two additional weeks to prepare. This has had an impact upon the Year 12 Retreat program which will now be held over two separate days at Oxford Falls. At this point in time we have maintained the planned program for Graduation and the Formal.

The actual HSC exams now commence on Tuesday 20 October and conclude on Wednesday 11 November.

The College will be conducting a range of additional workshops and online seminars during the various holiday periods and in the week prior to the commencement of the HSC.

Enrolment Applications for 2022

REMINDER – Applications close Monday 1 June.

Staff Day - Friday 5 June

The College did not take the many staff days that Government and systemic schools took during the end of Term 1 and the start of Term 2 and we will still hold our Staff Day on 5 June. The program for that day is to work with UNSW on a significant program for Gifted and Talented Education.  All our teachers are involved and this is the second day of their program which needs to proceed.  

Mr John Couani, Principal