Senior School Cocurricular Program 

• Fixtures
• From the Assistant Principal, Cocurricular
• Basketball
• Chess
• Cricket
• Cross Country
• Football

• ISA Tennis

   

Fixtures

Please see attached this week's fixtures.

From the Assistant Principal, Cocurricular

Senior Swimming Carnival

I congratulate and thank everyone for their efforts and response to today's Senior Swimming Carnival.  Our House Patrons, Mr Carroll, Mr Gates, Mr Quilty and Mr Dawson, along with their outstanding House Captains and the Year 12 cohort, ensured school spirit was excellent and the levels of participation superb.

The College staff were amazing and ensured that the Carnival ran smoothly. 

At the conclusion of a wonderful carnival, Mr Ronchetti presented the Senior Swimming Carnival Trophy to Rice Captain, Ben Hillsdon, finally breaking the Treacy House dominance.  

Our final points tally (shown below) proves that participation is as important as peak performance.

We congratulate Rice House, our 2025 Senior Swimming Carnival winners!

Congratulations to our Senior School Age Champions as follows:

12 Years: Fletcher Steele

13 Years: Ben Crichton

14 Years: Jack Dunk

15 Years: Luca McCarthy

16 Years: Jayden Law

17 Years: Archer Ferguson

Opens: Derek Jung

Mr Matthew Stearn - Assistant Principal, Cocurricular

Basketball

After the long and needed summer break we were back up and running with Round 7 of the ISA. It was another action-packed weekend of basketball for St Pius X, with plenty of thrilling performances across all age groups. A huge congratulations to the teams that secured victories, your hard work and determination are paying off!

Standout performances came from our 13Ds, 14Bs, 15As, 15Bs, 15Cs, 15Fs, 17Bs and the 2nds, who all put in dominant displays on the court.

For teams that faced tough opposition, your effort and perseverance were evident, and every game provides valuable experience for the season ahead. A special shoutout to our 13As, 14Cs, 17Es, and 7th/17Fs, who fought hard but just missed out, keep pushing, and the results will come!

A massive thank you to the teams who travelled to away venues, including those who made the trip to Oakhill, St Augustine’s, and Central Coast. Your commitment to representing SPX with pride is truly appreciated.

Well, done to all players, coaches, and supporters for another great round of basketball. On to the next round. 

Training and Game Attendance Expectations

We appreciate families proactively logging absences via Clipboard and notifying us by email. Again, this week, some teams had low numbers without explanation, putting unnecessary strain on players and coaches. Commitment to training is not optional and thank you to the students who were injured and still managed to be at training to support the team. We hope to see a further increase in numbers next week. Please continue to log absences in advance to help coaches adjust their training plans. The same goes for Saturday fixtures, as we need to ensure all teams are appropriate numbered. Thank you for supporting the success of the season.

Uniform Expectations

A reminder that full SPX branded attire must be worn on game days, including travel to and from matches. Non-uniform items like Crocs, white t-shirts, hoodies, or track pants are not permitted. Let's maintain high standards and represent the College with pride.

Clipboard Reminder

Remember to use Clipboard for training schedules, Saturday fixtures, absences, and important updates. Regularly checking this platform ensures you stay informed about updates and changes to the schedule.

Development Opportunity: Luminate Sports

With the success of several SPX basketball joining the Luminate Sport Training last week they have offered to attend our Saturday Development Games to provide additional support to our players. Over the coming 3 weeks a session will take place during scheduled match times, where students will be guided by highly qualified coaches to work on their skills, game play and shooting. 

Quote of the Week

"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard." – Tim Notke

Fide et Labore – Faith and Hard Work!

Mr James Bourke - Basketball Convenor

Chess

Attention all students wishing to participate in Chess for 2025.

Chess helps develop higher-order thinking skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and planning.  

St Pius X College participates in the Sydney Metropolitan Secondary Schools Chess competition, which takes place on Friday afternoons from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, during Term 2. 

Students compete in the North Shore Zone and as such are required to travel in their teams to various schools within this zone. Students are also required to attend training provided by Sydney Academy of Chess on a Monday afternoon, throughout Terms 1 and 2.

Clipboard is currently open for all students wishing to register to play Chess in 2025.

Students play in the following levels:

Seniors                   Years 11 & 12

Intermediates       Years 9 & 10

Juniors                     Year 7 & 8

Training is held Monday afternoons in the Blue Room 

• Time: 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
• Afternoon tea will be provided

Ms Denise Ramsey and Ms Janelle Dempsey - Chess Convenors

Cricket

ISA Cricket

The 1st XI wearing Indigenous reconciliation shirts

Saturday 8 February 2925 – ISA Division 11st XI 94 (Zachary Rapa 25) lost to St Patrick’s College 5 for 95 (Flynn Mansbridge 3 for 9)

The 1st XI travelled to Strathfield. The toss was won and Ollie Freeman decided to bat on a dry wicket. Early wickets were lost before Zachary Rapa batted maturely in the middle order. Regular dismissals meant that the innings never gained momentum. 

With a small total to defend, Flynn Mansbridge led the way with the ball with two wickets in his first four overs. Alex Burke bowled a probing spell and the captain took a fine catch standing up to Charlie Chippendale. 

St Patrick's reached the target, however, despite our work to make batting difficult for the home side. The 1st XI has finished third in this regular part of the competition and look forward to bouncing back next weekend.

ISA Round 8 – Saturday 15 February 2025 

1st XI v Oakhill College @ Damien Oval, Castle Hill (10:00 am start)

2nd XI v Oakhill College @ Oxford Falls #1 (10:00 am start)

Monday 17 February 2025

T20 1st XI v I’Zingari @ Oxford Falls #1 (4:00 pm start. Approx. 7:00 pm finish)

Note: 2nd XI train as per normal. 

Please note:There is no transport back to Chatswood after the 1st XI T20. 1st XI players will need to make arrangements to get home.

Mr David Reay - ISA Cricket Convenor

MWJCA Pink Stumps Day - supporting the Jane McGrath Foundation

Following the ongoing success of the SCG Pink Test, Manly Warringah Junior Cricket Association are excited to launch a month-long fundraising effort in support of the Jane McGrath Foundation culminating in Pink Stumps Day on 15 February, an initiative proudly supported by the College. Tickets can be purchased via the QR Code on the left below.  If you would like to make a donation you can also do that via the QR code on the right below. 

Match Reports

Mr Ryan Balboa - MWJCA Cricket Convenor

Cross Country

Cross Country training commences in Week 4 - Monday, 17 February. Join us for fun, varied and challenging sessions. 

When: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings

Where: Beauchamp Park, Chatswood 

Time: 7:15 am – 8:15 am 

Who: All Senior and Junior School students welcome

Meet at the Beauchamp Oval Grandstand in comfortable running gear and with a water bottle. Bring your school uniform to change into afterwards back at The College.  All students are encouraged to join training, whether it is to prepare for the IPSHA Cross Country Competition, the ISA Cross Country competition in Term 2 or to simply improve your general well-being. 

Please email Mr Scott Steinman ssteinman@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or Ms Leanne Lee llee@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au to sign up or simply turn up in the morning.

2025 Run2Cure Fun Run

The college will be participating in the Run2Cure Fun Run in support of Neuroblastoma Research on Sunday 6 April.

Please see the attached document for further information.

Ms Leanne Lee – Cross Country and Athletics Convenor 

Football

A reminder that Football (soccer) grading trials for all Year 7 to 12 students will be held on Sunday 16 February 2025 at Oxford Falls Campus. Students must attend grading day at their allocated time (see below).  If you have any issues with this please contact Mr Simon Yue, Senior Football Convenor syue@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. 

The 2025 SPX Football Program includes the Winter ISA Football competition and the SPX Internal Football Development Program. All students wishing to play SPX football for the 2025 season will be graded in a SPX football team. 

There are limited ISA teams, typically 2 or 3 teams per age group.  All students who do not make an ISA side are able to partake in our internal competition run by COERVER Football.

There is an expectation that students who participate in Football at SPX attend trainings on both Monday and Wednesday afternoon as well as a Saturday game.

All students wishing to participate in the 2025 football season should have registered via Clipboardlink by Wednesday 12 February 2025. The Clipboard registration assists the grading process run by the COERVER professional football coaches. The following link can will direct you to clipboard: https://portal.clipboard.app/stpiusx . 

Please note that payment for the season will be made upon registration.

Grading times for Sunday 16 February 2025 at Oxford Falls Campus, Dreadnought Road, Oxford Falls are as follows: 

Year Registration Desk Check in Time Grading Time Oxford Falls Sporting Grounds.

• U13 (Y7) Arrival: 7:45 am, on field 8:00 am - 9:15 am 

• U14 (Y8) Arrival: 9:15 am, on field 9:30 am - 10:45 am 

• U15 (Y9) Arrival: 10:45 am, on field 11:00 am - 12:15 pm 

• U16 (Y10) Arrival: 12:15 pm, on field 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm 

• Opens (Y11 + Y12) Arrival: 1:45 pm, on field 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Students must be collected promptly at 3:00pm)

The Football Supporters Club will be running a BBQ and coffee cart so please support these. (A reminder that we are cashless.)

What to wear and bring to be able to play football at the SPX grading day 

It is compulsory to wear sports clothes, football shin pads and football boots. Please also bring a water bottle. Any wet weather notifications are notified on the SPX College App. Please download the SPX College App and you can check any wet weather notifications by tapping on the sports icon. 

We are looking forward seeing everyone at the SPX Football Grading Day 2025. 

Mr Simon Yue - Senior Football Convenor

Sydney FC and St Pius X Partnership

I am excited to announce a new partnership that St Pius X College has entered into with Sydney FC. Sydney FC, our local A League club, happen to be the most successful team in the history of the A-League Mens competition, winning four Premierships and five Championships.

St Pius X is building on the already strong connection it has with Sydney FC. Nick Susko former Old Boy of St Pius X was the Junior Academy Manager at Sydney FC for many years and was instrumental in facilitating the partnership. We currently have Reef Farias from the graduation class of 2024 playing for Sydney FC in their NPL team.

The partnership will help to develop the SPX football program and establish a link with Sydney FC in order to:

• Offer morning football coaching at Gore Hill Oval (Starts on 4 March - sign-up through Clipboard)

• Provide coaching for Senior PDHPE at Oxford Falls and Junior Sport

• Support the delivery of Football PASS and offer excursions

• Provide opportunities for game day tickets

• Please view the attached Sydney FC flyer for further details. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Mr Richard Lacey - SPX Football Development

Football Information Evening and AGM

All are welcome to attend the Football Information Evening and AGM which is being held on Thursday 20 February.

Information will be provided regarding the ISA season, the new Sydney FC development program, the UK Tour for U15 and U16s.

The AGM will follow the information evening.

Start Time:  6:00 pm

Venue:  Sarto Centre 

ISA Tennis

Applications for ISA Winter Tennis are now open!

ISA Tennis is a senior school sport for students in Years 7 to 12. St Pius X teams compete against other ISA schools on Saturday mornings. If boys are selected and commit themselves to a team, they must be available for all weeks of the competition and to travel regularly for games. 

This competition runs through Terms 2 & 3 with four grading sessions late in Term 1.

All students intending to play in the 2025 season must attend all allocated grading/training afternoons, running in Term 1, Weeks 7, 8, 9 with Queenwood Tennis and Sporting Centre (Oxford Falls).

Students will be advised whether they are required to attend the Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon sessions once registrations are closed.

Please click here for more information regarding ISA Tennis: ISA Tennis Enrolment information. Should you have any queries, please contact Ms Bamber - vbamber@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Veronica Bamber - ISA Tennis Convenor

Senior Swimming

Our first carnival of the year is the Annual Christian Brothers Carnival on Friday night 28 February. After today's school carnival a team will be selected to swim competitively. Your son will receive a letter outlining the carnivals he will compete in for 2025. If your son is selected, he is expected to attend and compete at all the carnivals outlined in the letter. The competitive swimming squad is chosen by selection only from the School carnival. In some instances boys will be asked to volunteer so if your son isn’t selected immediately after today he may still have opportunity to participate.

Training continues every Tuesday and Thursday mornings over at Fitness First from 7:15 am  - 8:15 am.

Ms Leisa Proc – Swimming Convenor