From the Principal
- Prayer
- Welcome Back
- Roadmap back to Face-To-Face Learning
- Founder's Day
- Year 12 End of Year Program
- Building Update
- NAPLAN Results
Prayer
The month of October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, whose Feast Day is celebrated tomorrow, 7 October.
The feast was introduced by the Dominican Pope St Pius V (1504-1572) in the year 1571 to commemorate the miraculous victory of the Christian forces in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571.
Legend tells us that the Rosary as a form of prayer was given to St Dominic (1170-1221) by Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, who entrusted it to him as an aid in the conflicts with the Albigensians. St Pius V did much to further the spread of the Rosary and it thereafter became one of the most popular devotions in Christendom.
We Pray:
Lord, as we prepare for the coming of a new term,
make us ready, attentive and available to hear you.
Thank you for the gift of being able to rise each day
with the assurance that You walk through it with us.
Thank you for the gifts of creativity and uniqueness,
and the energy to put them to good use.
May all that we are today, all that we try to do today,
may our encounters, reflections, and even our frustrations
and failings all be placed in your hands.
May the work we do and the way we do it,
bring new hope, new life, and courage to all we come in contact with this term.
We thank you Lord.
Let the light of Your example shine upon all teachers:
to build up with their words, to love with their mind and to share with their heart.
We pray to Mary to assist us in our endeavours.
As we pray the Hail Mary please keep any intentions in your heart.
Hail Mary, Full of Grace....
Blessed Edmund Rice, Pray for Us
St Pius V and X, Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts, Forever.
Amen
Welcome Back
Welcome back to all students, staff and families for Term 4. I especially welcome Mrs McCormack and Ms Janes who return from leave.
This week at Assembly, I emphasised the need for all students and staff to reset their goals for Term 4. The clear focus is on completing the Semester and learning in classes and achieving their best efforts. Please discuss with your son his goals for Term 4.
We also know that with the return to face-to-face teaching, many students will need to be “re-schooled” in a sense; to re-establish routine, uniform and study habits. Again at Assembly, I emphasised with the students the need to start today! Every lesson counts and is essential so that we complete the Academic Year to the best of each person’s ability.
Roadmap Back to Face-To-Face Learning
A reminder that face to face classes with re-commence as per the NSW Government Roadmap. Students will need to follow all COVID-19 protocols as they return.
The College is excited and we look forward to welcoming students to the College Campus.
Monday 18 October Year 12 return
Monday 25 October Year 6, 11 and 12 return
Monday 1 November All students return
Tuesday 9 November HSC commences at Oxford Falls
Founder's Day
This year we will conduct Founder’s Day differently and most likely in Year Groups whether it be at Chatswood or Oxford Falls.
The aim of Founder's Day is to raise funds for our partner communities. They really need our support and we provide them with significant funds every year from the proceeds of Founder's Day. In previous years we have donated approximately $10,000 to each of St Mary’s Bowraville, St Joseph’s Walgett and Callan Services PNG. Callan Services comprise over 20 schools for students with disabilities. These are essential for these Christian Brothers lead communities.
There has been a cost of $35.00 charged to the Term 4 fees and I appreciate the generosity of families towards our social justice activities. These funds are deeply appreciated by our partner communities.
Year 12 End of Year Program
All Year 12 parents and students should have received the attached letter today.
Thursday 28 October 10.00 am: Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony at Oxford Falls. (live streamed for families).
Building Update
The College will send a full Building Bulletin in the coming weeks. It is very exciting to report on the progress of the school with its Building Program. I share with you a few photos of the work as well.
- B Wing – the program has commenced early! We were able to bring the builders forward and the site has been occupied since Tuesday 21 September. This will be completed early in January. This will be a full refurbishment just as we have done for A Wing and C Wing.
- The Learning Hub - 39-41 Anderson Street. It is wonderful that this program too has come forward and we will be commencing this project on Monday 11 October. It is expected that this will be completed later in 2022 for the commencement of the 2023 school year.
- A Wing - we have also completed further work in upgrading A Wing including a new lift. Hallway access areas have also been improved.
- The windows and classroom refit has been completed.
The College’s facilities continue to improve and I look forward to these improvements benefitting the learning program for all students.
NAPLAN Results
On the last day of Term 3 we received the Year 7 and 9 parent letters from the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) with the student results. Please contact your Year Coordinator if you have not received your son’s results.
The Year 5 results arrived yesterday and have now been mailed to parents.
Next week, we will include a general report on these results.
Mr John Couani - Principal