From the Principal

• PRAYER:  All Saints Day and All Souls Day
• P&F AGM:  Monday 5 November at 7.30pm in the Sarto Centre
• The energy in the school at present is amazing!
• Year 9 Camp Update​
• Volunteers' Christmas Gathering
• Upcoming Events

Prayer

All Saints Day- 1 November

All Souls Day - 2 November

These days we celebrate 31 October as Halloween which is an interesting phenomenon given that it really hasn’t been much of an Australian tradition. It was originally a Celtic festival to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. It has of course become a fun time in the UK and especially USA when activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating sweet treats has become popular with children.

'Hallows' means Saints, and the meaning of Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day which is 1 November. On All Saints Day, the Church honours all Christian Saints as models of faith and fidelity. We give thanks and praise.

On 2 November we celebrate All Souls Day and pray for those who have passed, especially those who may have passed unknown, unexpectedly and tragically. We remember our own family, friends, colleagues, students, those we don’t know but know about, and those unknown who have passed away.

Our prayer today focuses on All Souls Day this Friday 2 November.

Merciful Father,

On this day, we are called to remember those who have died,

particularly those who have died in the past year,

And pray for their joyful reunion with you, their loving creator.

For those in our own family who have passed, especially those in the past year

For victims of war – Remembrance Day,

For those migrants who have died seeking a haven ,

For victims of hunger,

For victims of AIDS, Malaria, Ebola, and other infectious diseases,

For those refugees seeking asylum from war,

For victims of emergencies and calamities everywhere – Indonesian airline tragedy,

Philadelphian synagogue victims.

May perpetual light shine upon them

May they rest in Peace.

As we do each year, our College Foyer has a Remembrance Book located under the crucifix where students, parents and staff can write the names and anniversary of lost ones and we pray for them throughout the month of November.

P&F AGM:  Monday 5 November at 7.30pm in the Sarto Centre

We have a very full meeting planned for next Monday evening and I invite all parents to come along and have your say.  The major items for the Agenda are:

• Parent Consultation Forum – Brainstorming the Future (I will be leading this session.)
• Presentation from the P&F regarding a possible new school Blazer
• Election of Office bearers for 2018

All parents are welcome.  Full details can be found on the P&F page of this newsletter. 

The energy in the school at present is amazing!

The College has so many wonderful activities going on and I congratulate the boys on their efforts. The Performing Arts Festival continues throughout the week and I thank Ms Bates, the teachers and tutors and congratulate the students for their performances.

Our Summer ISA competition has begun and the boys are training and competing so well.  Our new Year 12, 2019 leaders are doing a fantastic job and I look forward to the Investiture of all Year 12, 2019 tomorrow (Thursday 1 November) in The Concourse.

Above all the boys' learning is paramount. We are pushing the boys at school and I ask parents to push them at home. This is a short term and every lesson is important.  Their assessments this term will come upon them soon, so the boys need to follow all those study skills and do their homework to demonstrate their best learning.

Year 9 Camp Update

The Year 9 camps are presently in progress and each Year 9 class will spend time at our shared Retreat centre at Wamberal.   Please see the Pastoral Care page of this newsletter for a report and photos.

Volunteers' Christmas Gathering

Tuesday 20th November, 5.30-7.30pm in the Junior School Playground

Please see the invitation below for details.

Upcoming Events

Please refer to the 'Upcoming Events' page of this Newsletter for full details of the term's events and calendar dates.

Mr John Couani - Principal