St Pius X College Newsletter

Student Wellbeing

  • Screens & Teens
  • White Knight Foundation
  • Running for Rowie Festival BBQ
  • Buddies Bush Walk
  • Snowy Hike
  • Lads and Dads Tuesday Term 4 Morning Boot Camps

Screens & Teens

 

Congratulations to Mr Russo and the St Pius X College Counselling team in coordinating with the University of Technology Health and Psychology Unit to host the “Screens and Teens” presentation by Parenting Expert and father of 6 girls Dr Justin Coulson last Wednesday evening. At late notice UTS Facilitator Ms Rachel Murrihy realised that the event was over-subscribed and enlisted Mr Russo who came to the rescue to host the audience of over 200 parents and students in our College Gym. A quick turnaround from our Strategic Planning Staff Meeting saw the Gym set up and a highly successful and informative presentation. Dr Coulson will supply a copy of his presentation content over the coming weeks and if there is sufficient interest we may be able to repeat the presentation in 2017. Any feedback gratefully accepted for the benefit of our School and wider community.

 

White Knight Foundation

Let’s get behind LIAM KNIGHT and THE WHITE KNIGHT FOUNDATION and consider walking against YOUTH VIOLENCE on SUNDAY week, 25th September.  Please consider supporting this event!!   

 

Running for Rowie Festival BBQ

Our Year 10 Student Empowerment Team now turn their attention to the Running for Rowie, St Thomas’ Willoughby community festival this Sunday. They will hold the BBQ and Children’s Games at Willoughby Bowling Club, as families return from the Blackmore’s Running Carnival Sydney Marathon. This event supports the local community in raising money for ‘A friend's place’ a charity network which supports children dealing with grief or bereavement. CIP students and any other student from Year 9 - 12 looking to volunteer can see Ms Allington, Mr Russo or Mr Brannan to support/ join the MindMatters Team this Sunday. The Monte students who also support the event add to the sociable nature of the day.

 

Buddies Bush Walk

Thanks to Mr Russo, Mr Stollery and representing the Maintenance Team, Mr Darbin and his son Chase, who led the 12km Buddies Bushwalk from Acron Oval to Davidson Park last Saturday. Well done to the many Year 12, 11 and 10 Peer Mentors who connected with their Junior Student Mentees along this picturesque bushwalk taking in the Middle Harbour foreshore made the event a great community builder. Newly elected Prefect Andrew Jackson led the way in collecting a huge garbage bag full of rubbish to make the environment and track a better place. Thanks also to the parents including Mrs Kate Vacher and Mrs Jane Trupiano who coordinated the BBQ and school vehicle transport respectively to support this event. 

Our next Buddies Walk will be the Beachwalk from Collaroy to Dee Why via Long Reef Headland walk following the Founder's Day Festival on 25th November. Always a great day for a walk and a swim with your peer mentor! See Mr Russo to enlist in the MindMatters Peer Mentoring ranks. With Year 12 about to take on the HSC exams there are spots available for students from Year 11 to 9 to mentor our Juniors. See Mr Russo to apply.

 

Dads and Sons Boxing

A second morning of Father and Son Boxercise preceded our RUOK Day festivities last Friday morning under the guidance of Mr Russo and our Year 10 Exercise Leaders led by Martin Hopkins, Griffin Kirwin and Pat Cass. It was a great way to start the day with boxing gloves and focus mitts flying in all directions. Despite the energy and enthusiasm on display from the Dads and sons I am glad to report there were no black eyes or noses put out of joint. It was a win, win for all involved, and a huge testament to the well-being value of School Counselling mastermind Mr Russo’s MindMatters Boxercise program.

 

Lads and Dads Tuesday Term 4 Morning Boot Camps

Mr Lynch is enthusiastically commencing another MindMatters Father and Son SPX community building initiative in the form of a Boot Camp weekly on Tuesday mornings 7.30 – 8.15am in the Sarto gym. Students are invited to register with Mr Lynch and bring their Dad along for a weekly morning workout beginning Tuesday 18th October (Week 2 Term 4). With the Sarto gym in action already for senior students on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, Term 4 Tuesdays is a good opportunity to come along, participate, and see the gym in action. The generous support of the P & F, Old Boys Association and PDHPE faculty over recent years has ensured the development of a valuable Boys Education Resource of which we are immensely proud and it’s great that we share it though the generosity of our trainers in Mr Lynch, Mr O’Byrne and Mr Cullimore. Look forward to seeing you there and extending the invitation from Boot Camp to our Father and Son weekend on 11th-13th November at Huntington House, Terrigal.  

 

Mr Rick Russo - Coordinator

Mr Sean Brannan - Head of Student Services