From the Principal

• World Youth Day
• P&F Trivia Night
• HSC Trials
• Our Champion Debaters 
• Year 10 Saves Lives!
• NSW Premier's Scholarship
• Year 7 Ski Trip

Prayer

WORLD YOUTH DAY COMES TO AN END

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday with over 2.5 million pilgrims in a vast sun-drenched field, wrapping up a emotionally charged trip to Poland which took him to Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz.  High-spirited teenagers, scouts, priests and families had camped under the stars in the vast "Campus Misericordiae" (Field of Mercy) near the city of Krakow ahead of the final mass of a week-long Catholic festival.

Pope Francis whipped out technology metaphors for today's chat and app-happy pilgrims, telling them to "download the best link of all, that of a heart which sees and transmits goodness without growing weary."  He said they should be dreamers who believe "in a new humanity," one that "rejects hatred between peoples" and "refuses to see borders and barriers." They should use the gospel, he said, as their GPS.

Source – CBN News

Below is a message from Mr Virgona who is travelling with out World Youth Day Pilgrims.  We look forward to welcoming them back next week.

"Have just returned from our 'true' pilgrimage to the WYD Final Mass and celebrations. An early start and subsequent 17km hike in hot conditions saw us arrive at the expansive Campus Misericordiae (The Field of Mercy). Our students were faultless in their ability to hike, camp and then engage in proceedings with such a diverse group of young Catholics from 186 nations. They have swapped a myriad of trinkets, built countless new friendships but most of all enjoyed a faith journey with like-minded people from around the World.

'Papa Francesco', as the people have affectionately monikered him in their war cries, delivered two superb homilies pitched directly to the youth. He challenged our young men to leave the couch, take risks and find their faith through life experience and action. Was amazing to be immersed in a crowd of 2 million + in a city that has such a strong Catholic faith yet such a tumultuous history.

We move to Warsaw tomorrow to pause, reflect and workshop our journey before returning home.

We are excited about returning to SPX and sharing our experiences with staff and students alike. Thanks to all have covered for us whilst away and look forward to seeing you all soon. Miss Arlington and her trusty Fitbit have faithfully recorded our many steps through Italy and Poland (more than a half marathon most days!). 

It has certainly been a unique experience for all of us, one that has helped us to consider our own role in our Catholic lives."

Mr Virgona

P&F Trivia Night

SATURDAY 13 AUGUST

This is the one “BIG” night for our P&F and I encourage all parents to try to come along and have a great night. To me, this is the best evening and so much fun. Please come along - we need you!  Bookings can be made RIGHT HERE so don't delay as last year was a sell out!

The cost is only $30 per head and every single dollar raised goes to the Clubs our boys use and love. It's not too late to book your table or come along and sit with other parents from the same year.  There is no need to organise a table; simply choose your Year Group table on the booking page.  If you can't make it, you can still contribute with a cash donation, or donation of items for Auction.  Click here for more information.

All funds go to the SPX Clubs and are spent directly on the boys and their cocurricular program.

HSC Trials

The HSC Trials continue.  Please pray for our boys.

Our Champion Debaters

Last Friday evening our Year 8 and Year 12 Debaters represented the College brilliantly in the Grand Final of the CSSA Debating competition. Our Year 8 team (below) were very narrowly defeated by St Scholastica’s Glebe and the Year 12 students (left) won the coveted Year 12 Debating trophy.

This is a huge achievement by both teams and we congratulate the students and their coaches - Dr Meale, Mr James Camilleri (Old Boy) and Mrs Waterson. 

Robotics 

Congratulations to our RoboCup champions!  Last weekend the College hosted 400 students from 20 schools and this was a great opportunity for our Robotics teams. Thanks to Mr de Silva, Mr ten Seldam and Mr Lai for this program.  A full report can be found in the Department News section.  Well done to all involved.

Year 10 Saves Lives!

Congratulations to the 50 Year 10 students who have donated blood this year through the Red Cross Blood Donations. This equates to 150 saved lives!

NSW Premier's Scholarship

Nikita Papastamatis from Year 10 won the NSW Premier's Scholarship to accompany the Centennial Memorial Tour of the Western Front in France during WWI.  Please see the section in this newsletter 'ANZAC Tour Report' for Nikita's report from this significant recognition of our servicemen and women one hundred years ago. Congratulations to Nikita on an outstanding report.

Year 7 Ski Trip

The news from the snow is very good - it's cold and windy but there has been a fair bit of snow with clear skies predicted today and everyone is safe and well. 

Mr John Couani - Principal