From the Principal
- Prayer
- Thank You to Parents
- Only Classroom supervision available from 26 March - end of Term 1
- Information on Australian Government Assistance for Businesses and Households
- St Pius X College Online Learning Plan
Prayer
Today, 25 March, is the Feast of the Annunciation. Our Lady gives us a pure example of trust in times of the unknown. We pray to Our Lady for her intercession and for the pandemic facing our world today.
In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Luke 1: 26-38
Thank You to Parents
Let me begin firstly by offering my thanks and appreciation to parents and families of the College for their support of the ways we have endeavoured to work with students and parents in providing the best continuity possible as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop. I will continue to keep you informed of our progress at the College.
We are now scaling back our school operations to enable students, parents and staff to observe healthy and safe practices.
Only Classroom Supervision is available from 26 March to end of Term 1
I emphasise for parents and students that there is only one mode of learning available to students for the remainder of this term. All learning is online and NSW Premier Berejiklian has stated clearly that “parents are encouraged to keep their children at home”.
Consistent with this advice students will work on the same online platform at home as any student who requires supervision at school. There will be no classroom instruction and only supervision available at school for those students who attend. Students will not be in their usual classrooms but be located together in classrooms with a supervising teacher while they undertake their online learning. This will not be their usual subject teacher but a teacher rostered to supervise the group of students.
The College has provided staff with flexible work arrangements and the majority of staff will be working from home in an online environment.
I discourage parents from sending their son to school unless this is essential.
Please Note:
CANTEEN: There will only be online lunch orders available - that is, orders placed online through Flexischools. There will be no over the counter sales of snack items.
UNIFORM SHOP: The Uniform Shop is closed for counter service. Outstanding orders can be collected from the shop on Monday 30 March from 9.00 am til 12.00 noon.
Online purchases can be made via: https://spxchatswood.formstack.com/forms/uniformshop
Information on Australian Government Assistance for Businesses and Households
I share with you a letter from Senator the Honorable Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business regarding government support for businesses and households impacted by COVID-19.
St Pius X College Online Learning Plan
The College's Online Learning Plan is in full operation from Thursday 26 March and I now attach the latest version of the College's plan. In particular I ask parents and students to be aware of the following:
- The ICT Helpdesk is available and all enquiries should be directed to: Helpdesk@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
- If students or staff need repairs to their laptop, they must contact the Helpdesk email and make an appointment to avoid large numbers attending at the same time.
Year 12 and the HSC
I have written separately today to Year 12 students regarding the HSC but I share with all parents the press release from NESA yesterday that Year 12 2020 will receive their Higher School Certificate. I also advise the information received from the University Admission Centre (UAC) that applications for University entrance will continue as scheduled and applications open on Wednesday 1 April.
Mr John Couani - Principal