From the Principal

• Prayer - The Joy of Springtime
• Installation of Bishop Anthony Randazzo - Monday 4 November 7pm at the Light of Christ Centre, Waitara

Major Building Project – Upgrade of C Block (Starts November 12)

Letter from the Board Chair – Fees For 2020

Canteen Helpers – We Need More Helpers Urgently

• Date Claimers & Upcoming Events

Prayer - The Joy of Springtime

This is one of my favourite times of the year. It is warming up, the gardens are starting to brighten up (even despite the lack of rain), even people seem to be that little bit brighter and happier. It is also a time to look ahead and as we do towards the future – Christmas and of course for the planning for a year ahead. And so we pray with gratitude and hope! I was reminded of a prayer that had been part of my own education. The prayerful poem from William Wordsworth. It is of course in language of another generation but certainly a beautiful expression of the joy of Springtime.

A Prayer for Spring: Daffodils

Wandered lonely as a cloud, that floats on high o'er vales and hills.

When all at once I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretched in never-ending line along the margin of a boy:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance, tossing their heads in sprightly dance

The waves beside them danced, but they out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay in such a jocund company;

I gazed - and gazed - but little thought what wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie in vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils

- William Wordsworth

Installation of Bishop Anthony Randazzo - Monday 4 November 7pm at the Light of Christ Centre, Waitara

On Monday evening at 7pm our new Bishop for Broken Bay will be installed at the Light of Christ Centre, 28 Yardley Avenue, Waitara.  Bishop Anthony is very welcoming of anyone who would like to attend.  Families are invited and I ask that any students who will be attending wear their formal school uniform.

Major Building Project – Upgrade of C Block (Starts November 12)

It is very exciting that the commencement of our major upgrade of C Block is imminent. The HSC exams will conclude on Monday 11 November and on Tuesday 12 November, Grindleys Interiors will occupy the building. In preparation for this we are removing furniture and equipment including lockers in the week before they take over the building.

Classes will continue as normal with some re-rooming and the site will be managed consistent with all safety and security provisions.

The building works will be completed ready for the commencement of the 2020 school year.

Letter from the Board Chair – Fees For 2020

Attached is a letter from the College Board Chair, Mr Brian Populin regarding the College’s fees for 2020. As parents would be aware, funding for the College from commonwealth and State Governments has decreased and as a result fees will rise by a modest 6.75%. The Board has very prudently and successfully managed the transition to lower funding with a modest fee increase while still maintaining a program of continued improvement of facilities and educational provision. I thank Mr Populin and all the Board members for their stewardship of the College’s resources.

Canteen Helpers – We Need More Helpers Urgently

The canteen has operated this past week with very small numbers of volunteers on certain days. On one day last week we had no-one but the canteen manager. Another day we only had one helper.

We need your help.

Please contact Anna or Marianne on 9414-4301 or email acoombs@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or merickson@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au  if you can help even for just one day before Christmas.  We really appreciate the help of all parents and we do have a generous spirit in the school.

Remember:   “Whenever the call of duty sounds…..”.

Upcoming Events

Thursday 31 October:  Investiture 2020 Senior Leaders at The Concourse

Monday 4 November:  P&F AGM - Re-election of Committee Members

Monday 11 November:  Remembrance Day Assembly

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

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