From the Principal

• Reflection
• Maintaining High Standards and Expectations
• Inaugural EREA Student Leaders Symposium
• Hosting the 39th Christian Brothers Swimming Carnival
• Open Day
• P&F Association Cocktail Evening
• Cocurricular Program
• Key Dates

Reflection

Second Sunday of Lent (Year B)

Heavenly Father,  

We come before you as a community of believers, 

united in our desire to grow closer to you.  

We humbly ask for the gift of attentive hearts and open ears.  

Grant us the grace to listen to your voice amidst the noise and 

distractions of the world this week.  

In the Transfiguration, you unveiled the glory of your Son to Peter, James, and John.  

Through this extraordinary event, you showed them the true nature 

of Jesus and the path to follow.  

Father, we ask for the same grace.  

Open our eyes to see the radiance of your love and the beauty of your plan for our lives.  

May we recognise that through your words and actions,  

you reveal the depth of your compassion and teach us how to live out 

 our true identity as your beloved sons and daughters. 

May the Transfiguration be a constant reminder that you desire 

to transfigure our lives, shaping us into the image of your Son.  

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 

As both God and man, Jesus reveals to us both what God is really like, and who we really are.  If we ‘listen to him’, as in the Gospel from Sunday asks us to do, we will notice that every word that he speaks, every action, shows us one, or both, these things.

‘Pieta’ Lenten Program 2024 published by the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

 Maintaining High Standards and Expectations

Maintaining academic excellence and upholding high standards demands dedication, echoing the ethos of our College motto, 'fide et labore'. Throughout the initial month, I have emphasised the following to all students:

• Utilise their diaries effectively.
• Take pride in their academic endeavours.
• Continuously strive to elevate the standard of their work.

Achieving these goals necessitates diligence and persistence. Both staff and students bear the responsibility of fostering a positive and supportive learning atmosphere where everyone feels empowered to excel in their academic pursuits. This entails students maintaining consistent effort, actively seeking feedback, and embracing opportunities for growth.

The after-school 'Academic Annexe' situated in the Senior Resource Centre serves as an invaluable resource for students to extend their learning beyond regular school hours. Whether it involves completing assignments or preparing for assessments, this space offers a conducive environment for academic progress. I encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity and engage in collaborative efforts with their peers to produce work of exceptional quality.

Inaugural EREA Student Leaders Symposium

On Monday, 26 February, St Pius X College had the honour of hosting the inaugural EREA NSW Student Leaders Symposium at our Oxford Falls campus. This gathering brought together student leaders from both senior and junior levels, providing a platform for collaboration and the exchange of ideas among young minds. Furthermore, attendees delved into the concept of servant leadership through the lens of Edmund Rice, gaining valuable insights and fostering personal growth throughout the day.

A special expression of gratitude goes to Mr Petrie for orchestrating this enriching and productive event. It is our hope that students will return to their respective schools and share the knowledge and experiences gained with their communities. By doing so, we aim to strengthen the bond within our network of schools and further enhance our collective connectivity.

Hosting the 39th Christian Brothers Swimming Carnival

On Saturday, 24 March, St Pius X College hosted the 39th Annual Christian Brothers Swimming Carnival with great pride. The swim team exhibited remarkable commitment and determination, striving to achieve their personal best as they competed against fellow Edmund Rice schools. While our team did not secure any trophies, every swimmer should take exceptional pride in their contribution to team spirit, showcasing numerous outstanding performances. Their achievements are particularly noteworthy considering that many swimmers were actively involved earlier in the day in our co-curricular program. Here are some highlights:

• Robert Oner's inspiring performance in the 200m event, earning thunderous applause and recognition from all teams.
• The exceptional displays in the Senior medley relay and the Junior freestyle relay.  First place in both.
• Nick Gladen's graceful and skilful swimming style, leaving a lasting impression.
• Patrick Connell (U12), who swam up a division to support the U16 relay team, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship.
• The commendable efforts of over 20 Year 11 students who volunteered to assist in hosting the event, serving as outstanding ambassadors for the College and their families.
• The entire team for proudly representing St Pius X College with distinction.

 OPEN DAY - SATURDAY 16 MARCH

The College OPEN DAY is on Saturday 16 March. The Chatswood campus will be open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The Treacy Centre at Oxford Falls will be open from 8.00 am to 12:00 pm.  

Tour bookings are essential via the college website and can be found below:

Following our previous Open Days, the feedback is always positive mainly because of the great student guides who talk so positively of their experience at the College.  Therefore, I would encourage as many students as possible, especially in the senior years, to give back to the College and become tour guides for our Open Day.

Communication regarding the need for student helpers has been conveyed through Canvas (and is also found below), with the closing date for registration being Friday 8 March.  Please encourage your son to register and continue the great tradition of promoting our great College for the next generation of families.

There are various sessions times throughout the morning, commencing at 9:00 am and continuing to the last tour which commences at 1:00 pm. 

Looking forward to seeing many new and existing families and students guides at Open Day.

Application for enrolment - Year 5 and 7 2026

Applications for enrolment for Year 5 and 7 2026 OPEN on Friday 1 March 2024. and can be found on the college website. Applications close on Friday 3 May 2024.

P&F Association Cocktail Evening

On Friday 8 March, the P&F Association will host the annual Cocktail function at the College Gym.

I would encourage all families, especially those new to the College, to join us at this event.  I look forward to seeing you at the Cocktail evening.

Cocurricular Program

We have now advanced to the semi-finals of the ISA basketball and cricket season. While not every team has reached this stage, all teams should take pride in how they represented the College with dignity, honour, and sportsmanship. To those teams who have made it to the semi-finals, may you compete with confidence and fair play, remembering the strength that comes from unity as a team.

Good luck to our CSDA Public Speaking team as they commence their competition on Friday evening.  The college will be hosting this event.

Best wishes also go out to the NSTA (Tennis), squash, district cricketers, and Junior School sports teams as they continue to compete in their respective competitions this weekend.

Key Dates

Fide et Labore

By Faith and hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - Principal