From the Principal

• PRAYER:  Project Compassion
• International Women's Day
• Open Day this Saturday - Enrolment for 2021 is now open
• P&F Meeting next Monday 18 March
• Restrictions to the College's Student Laptops
• Congratulations to our Basketball Premiers
• Josh Rayner 
• UTS Scholarship 
• ERFA Sydney Long Lunch -Friday 24 May
• Major Upcoming Events

Prayer:  Project Compassion

As has been the case each year our major Lenten fundraising activity is Project Compassion and I invite all families to contribute to this collection. Each day the students are invited to donate to the Project Compassion boxes and to give of themselves. Please help remind them to bring some coinage for this important collection to help those in need.

PRACTICE HOPE!

Creator God,

You are our constant hope!

In the season of Lent, you call us to prayer,

fasting and love of those most marginalised.

As a community of faith and courage, let our gifts to Project Compassion

be symbols of hope and solidarity with our one human family.

Accompany us as we journey with Jesus

to bring 'good news' to all creation and ready our hearts to work

for the common good of all your people.

We ask this in Jesus' name.

AMEN

The College has opened a special donation page with Caritas Australia and all donations are tax deductable. Donations made via this page will also become part of the St Pius X College contribution.

Please use the following link:  https://lent.caritas.org.au/stpiusxchatswood

International Women's Day

Last Friday the College Assembly was dedicated to International Women’s Day and what it means for us. It was a thought provoking opportunity for the school to consider what International Women’s Day stands for and what is at the core of our values.

I sincerely thank Ms Veronica Kugananthan, Mrs Sarah McCormack and Mrs Pip Waters who gave their reflections and I recognise the challenges ahead for our school and our society in realising a truly equitable community.

Tom Jamieson of Year 12 responded on behalf of the students and staff present and offered deep acknowledgement of the messages of standing against sexism and violence towards women and recognising that “Balance for Better”.

It is not simply a matter of wishing women a Happy International Women’s Day and showing genuine respect and appreciation for all  women. It is most importantly committing to authentically working together for gender equality and educating the students and ourselves in the values that underpin it.

College Open Day

All are welcome to the College Open Day this Saturday 16 March from 10.00am to 2.00pm at Chatswood and 8am to 12pm at Oxford Falls. I thank the many P & F members who will be assisting with the BBQ and the excellent numbers of students who will be acting as Guides.

Please click on the flyer below for details.

Enrolment for 2021 is Now Open:  Online applications are now available on our website for students to enter the College in Years 5, 6 & 7  in 2021 with applications closing on 3 May 2019.  The College Registrars will be available on Open Day to assist you with any queries.

P&F Meeting next Monday 18 March

A reminder that our first P&F meeting for 2019 will be held next Monday 18 March at 7.30pm in the Sarto Centre.  Details are available on the P&F Page of this newsletter.

Restrictions to the College's Student Laptops

With so much research telling us that the use of laptops for games and screen time is a major concern, the College is proposing to remove Administrator Rights from laptops for students in Years 5-8 this year and this will be further extended to Years 9 and 10 in 2020. This will be gradually addressed and during the Term 1 vacation, Years 5 and 7 will have their Administrator Rights removed and taken over by the College’s ICT helpdesk. During the mid-year break Years 6 and 8 will have their Administrator rights removed.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback on this proposed decision please send it to noreply@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Congratulations to our Basketball Premiers

Congratulations to our Year 12 ISA Basketball team who won their Final last Saturday to secure the Open E Championship. Congratulations to all our teams who played on the day.

Josh Rayner

I share with you a beautiful article from the recent North Shore Times regarding our 2018 College Dux, Josh Rayner.

UTS Scholarship

Christian Harris was awarded the UTS Brother M O'Connor Scholarship for Academic achievement.  Christian was part of an accelerated Mathematics and Mathematics Extension 1 program.  He has been selected to play tennis for his school and completed a 90km hike over 5 days in Mount Koszciusko.    Christian enjoys going to the beach, doing flips off Many Jump rock, listening to music and is passionate about animals.  Congratulations Christian.

ERFA Sydney Long Lunch -Friday 24 May

Parents and Carers are invited to attend the Edmund Rice Foundation Australia Sydney Long Lunch on Friday 24 May.  The lunch will be a great opportunity to celebrate and fundraise for the people and programs that we support around the world.  Your support in educating the most vulnerable will be most appreciated.Please click on the flyer below for details.

Link on how to register - https://erf.org.au/sydney-long-lunch-2019 

Link to the Facebook event:

 https://www.facebook.com/events/2317540481845050.

Major Upcoming Events in Term 1, 2019

• College Open Day Saturday 16 March
• First P & F Meeting Monday 18 March
• 'Great Expectations' Drama Production 2-4 April

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

Mr John Couani - Principal