From the Principal

• Prayer for Easter
• Thanks to All
• Surveys
• Term 2
• Term 2 School Fees and the College Budget
• Prayers for Br Jeff Regan
• Interim Reports Years 7 to 11 now on the Portal
• Updated Information on Australian Government Assistance for Businesses and Households
• Happy Easter

Prayer for Easter

This Sunday, as we celebrate Easter, and Christ's victory over death, let us remember to support each other so as to live out our theme for 2020:  "Strength through Support".

Lord the giver of Life,

you defeated death to show us that we too

can rise above that which challenges us on this earth.

May this Easter bring us the hope of a future

where we truly appreciate those in our lives

who offer support along with all that we have.

Blessed Edmund Rice – Pray for Us

St. Pius X – Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever

In the name of the Father and The Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Thanks to All

My sincere thanks to the students, parents and staff for Term 1. We began with bushfires, then massive storms and now COVID-19 and all this in just Term 1. As we journey through Holy Week towards Easter I pray for the good health and wellbeing of all in our school community. My sincere thanks to all for your support and encouragement.

Wishing you and your family every Easter Blessing in the Risen Christ.

Surveys

We have received high response rates to our surveys and as you can see below very good numbers of responses have been received. We will review these and do our best to improve our provision of online learning for all.

The final participation figures are as follows:

Term 2

While there has been no official announcement as yet from the NSW Government, it seems clear that schools will remain in an Online Learning mode for most of Term 2. The staff are planning to continue in this model for Term 2. We await further instruction from the NSW Government and NESA regarding Term 2 and the HSC provision for students. We will communicate those when they are known.

Term 2 School Fees and the College Budget

The Term 2 school fees have been sent to families and I reiterate the communication sent to all families offering the option to defer Term 2 fees to Term 3 or seek fee assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me at jcouani@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or the College Business Manager, Mr Nick Carson, at  ncarson@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

On the Term 2 statement parents will see a rebate of $100 for every student. This is from the P & F Association as a means to support every family and I deeply appreciate the leadership of Mrs Braelen Zwart the President, Mr Thomas Lau the Treasurer and all the P & F Executive. There is an attached letter from the P & F President to all.

On the Term 1 statement there are the charges for any excursions or camps held in Term 1. These have already taken place. For the remainder of the year, the College is looking to reduce any non-essential excursions, camps and activities and this should also reduce costs. The College Board Finance Committee is reviewing the 2020 budget and where possible trimming expenditure to reduce costs.

Prayers for Br Jeff Regan

Please keep Br Jeff Regan in your prayers. Br Jeff served on the St Pius X College Board up until the end of 2019 when his term of office concluded last year. Br Jeff was Principal at St Edward's at Gosford for 10 years and prior to that Principal for 10 years at St Dominic’s Penrith.

Br Jeff has COVID-19 and is in ICU in Nepean Hospital. He travelled to Peru to be a part of the Christian Brothers' World Chapter in late February/early March . This was cancelled and Jeff was in good health on his return to Australia however this came over him after a few days. He lives with the Brothers at Mulgoa. Jeff is a diabetic and an asthmatic. Br Jeff is now in an induced coma to stabilise his respiratory system.

Please keep Br Jeff and all the Brothers in your prayers. I will keep you informed of his progress.

Interim Reports now on the Portal

Year 7 to 11 Interim Reports can now be found on the Portal.  Year 5 and 6 Interim Reports were sent last week.

Updated Information on Australian Government Assistance for Businesses and Households

I share with you now two letters from Senator the Honorable Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, sent to the school last week, regarding government support for businesses and households impacted by COVID-19.

Happy Easter

I wish all members of the College community a prayerful Holy Week and Easter.  It is a reflective time when we give thanks for the gifts we have in our health, our family and our community.

Live Jesus in our Hearts..... Forever

Mr John Couani - Principal