From the Principal

• Prayer for our HSC Students
• The HSC Begins
• P&F AGM - Monday 26 October at 7.00 pm online
• Proposed Tracksuit Pants
• New Signage at the School
• Founder's Day - Friday 20 November
• Year 11 Snowy Hike
• Saturday Sports

Prayer for our HSC Students

Prior to the commencement of their HSC exams, the Year 12 students prayed the prayer below which is personalised to them as they sit each of their exams.

Prayer for our HSC Exams today

Dear Lord,

We ask your blessing on us as we face our HSC exams commencing today. 

We know that you are with us always.

Grant us the quiet confidence to draw together our focus, 

diligence and learning over our years of study.

Grant us the clarity of mind in our exam

today to comprehend questions, 

effectively plan and clearly articulate our responses.

May we be enriched with the gifts of the Holy Spirit 

including Wisdom, Understanding, Fortitude and Knowledge. 

Let us face the challenges of these exams and 

achieve the satisfaction of reaching our potential.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen 

Blessed Edmund Rice – Pray for Us

St. Pius X – Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever!

THE HSC BEGINS!

It has been a long time coming for our Year 12 students and they were keen to get started on their exams, and on Tuesday and Wednesday, English Paper 1 and 2 were completed. Understandably, there were nerves and some anxiety but largely the energy for getting started was very evident. Other exams this week include Music, Ancient History, Construction, Economics and French. The HSC is well underway!

We have a full COVID-19 set of protocols in place to keep the boys and the supervisors safe.

We continue to pray for our students and all those facing the HSC this year.

P&F AGM

PROPOSED  NEW TRACKSUIT PANTS

At the P&F AGM next Monday evening on TEAMS, we will be discussing the new tracksuit pants as proposed by the newly elected school leaders for 2021. The tracksuit pants match the rain jacket that is so popular with the boys. The new tracksuit and pants are shown in the photos attached (please note that the image shows the pants in dark navy. When produced, the pants will be in the same blue as the new College sports shirts) and will cost $60 for the pants and approx. $180 for both the jacket and tracksuit pants.  At present the rain jacket costs $125 and the tracksuit costs approx. $125, so the new tracksuit with pants and jacket will be a considerable saving for parents.

We welcome your feedback via feedback@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

Come along to the meeting and have your say. This would be phased in over 2 years and the students could continue to wear the current tracksuit throughout that time.

NEW SIGNAGE AT THE SCHOOL

During the last holidays, new signage was put into the school yard. These were recommended by the newly elected 2021 leaders and they look great. The aim is to promote the House system, Indigenous Reconciliation and our EREA touchstones.

FOUNDER’S DAY – FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER 

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions we are unable to hold our Annual Founder’s Day on Friday 20 November. 

We always look forward to this as a great community day for the whole school with guest speakers and a whole school BBQ.

Of greatest significance has been our fundraising from the day for our social justice partners namely St Joseph’s Walgett, St Mary’s Bowraville, Callan Service in PNG supporting Edmund Rice schools for students with Disabilities, St Edmund’s College Wahroonga and the Edmund Rice Centre at Homebush.

In anticipation of the day, the College had levied each student $30 being for the day and most of this was contributed to the fundraising for the day as many of our sponsors usually donated food and drinks for the students as well as transportation for the day.

We have contacted our social justice partners and they certainly have many needs and would appreciate any assistance we can give to them. As you would recall, we were unable to send our Kokoda Expedition to PNG and Callan Services this year and our Year 10 Immersion program was also cancelled. But we would especially like to support our partners.

As a result, I would ask all parents for their agreement to donate the $30 for Founder’s Day to our partners. I can certainly accept if this does not meet with the agreement of any family. If you would rather have the $30 credited back to your account please simply email fees@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au and we make this adjustment.

I offer my sincere appreciation for your understanding of this request and for the many ways we reach out to communities in need.

YEAR 11 SNOWY HIKE

Last Friday I regrettably informed Year 11 that the 2020 Snowy Hike was cancelled. The students were disappointed but realistic and understanding that it was not possible to fully ensure that the party of 80 would be COVID-19 safe.  In the event that any student or staff exhibited COVID-19 symptoms they would be unable to access testing, isolation or health support services. It has been a year of changes and adaptations to the situation and I appreciate the support of the students, parents and staff in this matter. 

SATURDAY SPORTS 

A big thank you to parents for complying with the new regulations and our protocols that are enabling the Summer Sports Program.

I do need to remind parents that Oxford Falls is a “Dog Free Venue”. While I understand what a lovely place it is to walk a dog, it is not possible for us to allow dogs on the site.

Mr John Couani - Principal