From the Principal
- Reflection
- 2024 High Achievers Assembly
- Cocurricular Program recommences
- Open Day (bookings now open)
- Key Dates Week 4
Reflection
On Wednesday, 12 February, the College gathered at our Oxford Falls campus to celebrate the Commencement Mass. The Christian Brothers Centre was beautifully transformed into a sacred space, creating a respectful and reverent atmosphere for our Eucharistic celebration. In his homily, Fr David once again encouraged us to unite in solidarity with the call of the Year of Jubilee, inspiring transformation that brings hope and strength to our community. Below is an extract from his homily:
Commencement Mass
Pius X College
12 February 2025
Fr David Ranson
'The Christian is first and foremost one who believes in the future. We believe that there is always a new beginning, because one man’s trust, that of Jesus, overwhelmed the threat of darkness and nothingness and burst forth into a life lived with and for others, creating a new community which now holds his life so that it can present now. It is in community that all things become possible. It is in community that we are enabled to live the truth of ourselves: that we learn the lesson that we exist in relationship or not at all, and that the greater quality of our relationships the more we become fully ourselves, fully alive.
This year the College theme is Unite to Ignite. In fact, we can only truly ignite when we unite. Yes, as individuals we can have brilliant ideas, we can shine with a lot of personal talent and competence. But our real opportunity is in the strength that comes from our shared solidarity with one another. And our leadership will truly be known not by our own accomplishments but rather how we gave of ourselves to create communities of solidarity and care which become the true beacons of hope in a fragmented and ever fragmenting world.
So, this year as we take the College theme to heart, let’s consider:
How do I create space for someone else, especially someone who is different to myself, to share their story?
Do I welcome that story with reverence and respect?
Do my actions work to create the experience of community, or do they send and keep others isolated?
What are the elements that might give our College community a genuine sense of belonging for everyone?
What are the things that inhibit a sense of belonging for everyone?
Every one of us has a part to play in this. Let us be the community we can be, so that together we might ignite a flame of hope in our world.'
On behalf of St Pius X College, I sincerely thank Father David, for his unwavering support of our mission and values. His presence and encouragement are deeply appreciated by our entire community, inspiring us to uphold the Catholic ethos and live in accordance with our faith. We are truly grateful for Fr David’s dedication and support.
Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us
St Pius X - Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
Principal address to commence the school year
At the Commencement Mass I delivered my key message for the students as we embark on our 2025 journey. Below is an extract from the address:
'As we all embark on this new school year, there is a sense of great optimism and opportunity permeating throughout our College community. 2025 presents each of us with the chance to grow, to learn, and to become the best version of ourselves. It is a blank canvas, ready to be shaped by the choices we make and the effort we put in.
This year, our College theme, 'Unite to Ignite,' reminds us that true growth happens when we come together. It resonates deeply with the values of Blessed Edmund Rice, who believed in the power of unity - standing in solidarity with others, lifting each other up, and using our gifts to serve those in need.
To succeed this year, we must first unite as individuals - committing ourselves to personal excellence by engaging in our learning, stepping outside our comfort zones, and embracing challenges as opportunities to grow.
You have the power to transform into the person you aspire to be, but that transformation begins with effort, hard work, perseverance, and a mindset of growth.
As the great philosopher Aristotle once said, 'We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.' Every small effort you make this year will shape your future success.
But our journey is not one we take alone. We must also unite with one another - demonstrating kindness, respect, and integrity in all that we do. A strong, connected community is built on these values, and when we support each other, we all rise together. Let’s make 2025 a year where every student feels valued, included, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Beyond our College gates, we are also called to unite with those in need - recognising the dignity and worth of every individual. There are many in our wider community who rely on our compassion and action. As students of St Pius X, we have a responsibility to be voices for justice, to serve with humility, and to stand in solidarity with those who need support.
Finally, we must unite our faith with our learning - embracing a holistic education that nurtures not just our minds, but also our hearts and spirits. True success is not just about knowledge; it is about wisdom, compassion, and the courage to make a difference in the world.
So, as we step into 2025, I encourage each of you to put your best foot forward. Engage wholeheartedly in your learning, challenge yourself, and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Unite with your peers, your teachers, and your community, and together, let us ignite a year of growth, purpose, success and hope.
Thank you and let us always live Jesus in our hearts.'
An event such as the Commencement Mass takes a whole village therefore, I would like to thank the following:
to our musicians lead by Ms Westhoff and superbly supported by Mr Cummins, Mr Jones, Mr Saar and Mrs Gan.
to Mr Stephen Cummins and Mr Jones, our ICT Department Mr Stephen, Mr McGowan, Mr McGaw, Mr Cummins and Ms Mutch.
a special mention to our altar servers Dominic D’Souza (Year 12), Marko Fry (Year 10), Patrick Hu (Year 9), Xavier Lines (Year 9) and Oliver Ibrahim (Year 9).
to members of our mission and identity team; Mr Di Sano, Mr Balboa and Mr Carrow
to all our maintenance team: Mr Munday, Mr Williams, Mr Pasatovic, Mr Willoughby and Mr Noort
to our College student leaders and a band students helpers who dedicated their time to ensure the Christian Brothers Centre is extremely well presented as our sacred space.
To our support staff who assisted with preparations for the Mass: Mrs Arena, Ms Mendel, Ms Masters, Mrs Cheney and Ms Sutton.
to our wonderful staff, for supporting our Commencement Mass and for your continued support of our students and their aspirations,
a special thanks of appreciation and congratulations to our Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity, Mr Petrie, whose dedication over the past weeks has ensured that we had a truly meaningful liturgical experience. Mr Petrie continuously provides opportunities for our community to deepen our faith through these joyous celebrations.
Thank you also to the parents who join us in this wonderful celebration.
From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank all those who contributed to our beautiful celebration.
2024 HSC High Achievers Assembly
We were delighted to welcome back our HSC High Achievers to the College to celebrate their outstanding success I the 2024 HSC. Their dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence have not only brought them well-deserved recognition but also serve as an inspiration to our current students.
Below I have included the message from my address to the community at this most prestigious ceremony:
'One of the greatest lessons we can take from our high achievers is that success looks different for everyone. While today we celebrate those who have reached the highest academic results, it is just as important to recognise that true success is about doing your personal best - striving each day to improve, to challenge yourself, and to step outside your comfort zone.
There is a quote by John Spence that states, 'What you do today determines who you will be tomorrow.' To our younger students listening today, I encourage you to reflect on this message. How will you shape your own journey? How will you challenge yourself to be the best version of yourself - not just in academics, but in your character, your friendships, and the way you contribute to our community?
Success is not simply defined by an ATAR or a final exam score. It is defined by effort, growth, and the choices we make every day. Our high achievers have shown us that with dedication and a growth mindset of continuous improvement, remarkable things are possible.
Of course, no student reaches this level of success alone. Behind every high achiever stands a network of support - teachers who have guided, challenged, and encouraged; families who have provided unconditional support; and friends who have been there to share in both the struggles and triumphs.
To our teachers - your unwavering commitment to our students is truly inspiring. You have not only imparted knowledge but have also nurtured confidence, resilience, and a love for learning. On behalf of our entire school community, thank you for your dedication.
To the parents, guardians, and families - thank you for your endless encouragement, patience, and belief in these young men. Your support has been instrumental in their success, and today is just as much a celebration of your efforts as it is of theirs.
To our high achievers, today marks the culmination of one journey, but it is also the beginning of another. As you step into the next phase of your lives - whether in university, vocational education, or the workforce - I encourage you to carry with you the lessons you have learned here at St Pius X.
Continue to strive for excellence, but also remember that true success is measured not just by individual achievements, but by the impact you have on others. As you embark on new opportunities, lead with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference. Uphold the values of the Gospel, seek inspiration from Blessed Edmund Rice and remain faithful to the core values of our College in all that you do.
To our current students, let today serve as an inspiration. The individuals we honour today were once in your shoes, sitting where you are now, perhaps unsure of what they were capable of achieving. Let their journey be a reminder that with dedication, discipline, hard work and a growth mindset, you too can reach your own version of success.
Once again, congratulations to our 2024 HSC High Achievers. You have made us incredibly proud, and we cannot wait to see all that you will accomplish in the years ahead.
As you move forward, remember, success is not just about what you achieve but more about the gentleman you become along the way. Keep striving, keep growing, and always do your personal best, and remember to always live Jesus in your hearts.'
We take great pride in their achievements and look forward to hearing about their future endeavours as they embark on the next chapter of their journeys.
Cocurricular Program recommences
Last Saturday saw the recommencement of all our cocurricular program. Though we had some mixed results it was great to see that everyone had returned filled with enthusiasm and determination to do their personal best for the team.
With only a few games left in the ISA summer season, I wish all teams ever success this week as we match towards the finals.
Open Day
We are pleased to announce our Open Day will be held on Saturday 22 March from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Bookings are essential and are now open through the College website. Please click on the image below to take you to the booking page.
Key Dates
Week 4
Monday 17/2: Junior School 'Get to know you meetings'
Tuesday 18/2: Junior School 'Get to know you meetings'
Friday 21/2: Year 5 Formation Day
Saturday 22/2: ISA R9 / IPSHA R2 / NSTA
Sunday 23/2: Youth Mass 5:30 pm
Fide et Labore
By Faith and hard work
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal