From the Principal

• Reflection
• Seven days later...
• Maintaining high standards and expectations
• Welcome Mass and BBQ
• Acknowledging our High Achievers
• Staffing Update
• Key dates
• Cocurricular program

Reflection

A Wise Old Teacher

Once a wise old teacher was speaking to a group of young and eager students. She gave them an assignment to go out and find a small unnoticed flower

by the side of some lonely road.

She asked them to study the flower for a long time. 

“Get a magnifying glass and study the delicate veins in the leaves and notice the nuances and shades of colour. Turn the leaf slowly and observe its symmetry. 

And remember: this flower might have gone unnoticed and unappreciated if you had not found and admired it.”

When the class returned, after carrying out the assignment, the wise old teacher observed: “People are like that. Each one is different, carefully crafted, uniquely endowed. But you have to spend time with them to know this.  So many people go unnoticed and unappreciated because no one has ever taken time with them and admired their uniqueness."

ln a true sense, each one of us is a unique masterpiece of God.

As we commence the school year and with so many new faces to our college, perhaps we could spare a couple of minutes this week to consider those who might go ''unnoticed and unappreciated’, in our community. 

What can we do to provide the right ''climate” 

for these unique flowers to grow and develop? 

They are just there waiting for the gentle touch of a helping hand, the soft rain of a kind word and the sunshine of a friendly smile.

Try to appreciate a “flower” this week.

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

 Seven days later …

The school year is definitely off and running with each day since our commencement day providing new experiences for our students. Events such as:

• School commenced with the staggered return of students to the school that proved to assist all students in particular our new students
• Meeting their new Homeroom teachers
• Students becoming familiar to the new bell times
• Welcome to all our new staff at our first College Assembly
• Welcome Mass, P&F BBQ and Year 5, 6 and 7 Information Evenings
• 2023 HSC High Achievers Assembly followed by the Inaugural HSC Symposium
• Year 10 & Year 11 Information Evenings

Along with this, students have commenced to establish study routines for 2024. Though it has been a busy start, students have returned in good spirit and commence their learning journey with an open mindset. Congratulations to all our students for they manner in which they have commenced 2024. 

Maintaining High Standards and Expectations

Throughout this week at our Information Evenings for Year 7, 10 and 11, I have been stressing the importance of high standards and high expectations in everything that we do. During our College assembly on Wednesday, I needed to remind students of the role they play in ensuring these standards and expectations are maintained.  This was not the original intention of my address to the College community, but several things prompted me to reaffirm our commitment to these important elements of school life. 

As I was approaching the podium for our assembly, I had to collect several pieces of rubbish that had been left behind on some seating.  This followed the announcement yesterday by Ms Watson about maintaining a clean and tidy school yard.

Following this, I noticed a number of students who were wearing rain jackets while it wasn’t raining. This then led to the number of students who entered the College with their socks down, shirts hanging out and top buttons undone.  Students can only wear the rain jacket if it is raining or as part of their sports uniform.  I know I asked Year 9 students to take off their jackets this morning but that was for consistency of today’s message. 

All this followed a concern that was shared with me that some students were not well behaved during a class yesterday thus not adding valuing to our learning environment.

I also reminded the students of the importance of being on time rather than late.  I have noticed several of the same students who are turning up late for school.  It is not a great way to commence the day.  I do understand that public transport and traffic, at times, is at fault, but I strongly encourage our students to catch the earlier train or bus so that they can take these factors out of the equation and therefore they will always be on time.

As you can see why I had to change my address to the students.  It was a gentle reminder. Can I please ask that our parents continue to support us by reinforcing the importance of high standards and high expectations with their sons.  It disappoints me to mention these things considering how well students have returned generally, and that 95% of our students are endeavouring to do their personal best and maintain these standards and expectations.

Welcome Mass and welcome BBQ

The inaugural Welcome Mass / BBQ and Information evening for Year 5, new Year 6 and Year 7 students and families was an outstanding success.  The celebration of the Eucharist by Fr David was a wonderful way to welcome our families to 2024.  Fr David shared with us the importance of light and how we are all called to share our light with those around us especially as we start a new school year.

Following the Mass, we celebrated with a meal (sausage sizzle) as we continued to welcome everyone to St Pius X.  It was great to see so many families with not only their sons but with many other members of their family sharing in the St Pius X spirit. The evening concluded with Year 5 and Year 6 students and families meeting their sons’ teachers while Year 7 attended a valuable information evening.

Thank you to all those in attendance and a heartfelt thanks to all those who assisted with the Mass, the BBQ (the P&F Association and staff) and Mr Ryan, Year 7 Pastoral Leader, Mrs Jill Greenwood Head of Junior School, the Junior School teachers and all our staff who were in attendance.

Acknowledging our HSC High Achievers

On Tuesday 6 February, the College celebrated, recognised, and admired the wonderful achievements of our 2023 HSC class.  The assembly was not just a recognition to their hard work, dedication and resilience but also a testament to the extraordinary potential that resides within each of our students at St Pius X College.

It was truly a pleasure to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding students who had showcased exceptional achievements. Their dedication, hard work, and talent have not only brought honour to themselves but have also enriched the entire academic community of St Pius X College.

To Henrik Hogg and Caleb Hanrahan, their nominations in ArtExpress and Drama OnStage, respectively, are a tribute to their creativity and skill. The competitive nature of Visual Art and Drama only amplifies the significance of their accomplishments.  I commended Conner Lynch for securing 4th place in the state for the Business Services Examination, and to Hunter Thornton for achieving 5th place in the state for Retail Services Examination. Any ranking in the top 10 in such competitive fields is a remarkable accomplishment.

We heard from our 2023 Dux, Darcy Keenlyside who addressed the students so eloquently with exceptional advice.  I hope the students were listening because it provide an insight in how to be successful in your studies.  Darcy, Jack Lonergan and Joshua Bewley, were congratulated on achieving ATAR scores above 99. These were exceptional scores that reflected not only their intellectual expertise but also their commitment to academic excellence.

It was important to note, that behind every successful student, there is a support system that played a crucial role in their journey. To the parents, guardians, and family members, whose encouragement, sacrifices, and guidance were instrumental in their success. They have been pillars of strength, providing the necessary support to nurture these bright minds throughout their learning journey at St Pius X.

I also recognise the teachers who have worked tirelessly to impart knowledge, inspire curiosity, and cultivate a love for learning throughout their time at the College. Their guidance has not only shaped these young minds but has also instilled in them a passion for learning that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on their lives.

The assembly was a moment of pride for the entire community. It was a reflection of the collective effort, collaboration, and commitment to academic excellence. The success of our high achievers is a beacon that lights the path for future generations, inspiring all our students to strive for their personal best.

Following our assembly, the inaugural HSC High Achievers Symposium provided an opportunity for all our High Achievers to share some of their wisdom to support our future HSC classes.  Year 11 and Year 12 students asked numerous questions about how to successful navigate the HSC year. The advice provided by our High Achievers was invaluable. I hope that our students were listening to their peers and are able to implement some of their advice into their study routines for 2024.

Thank you and best wishes to our HSC High Achievers and all the Class of 2023.

Staffing update

It has been a challenging start for several members of our staff. 

• Mr Alex Damo will be absent from the College for at least Term 1 for personal reasons.  In his absence, Mr Stephen Davidson who was our Curriculum Coordinator will replace Mr Damo as the Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning. Mr Greg Bell has returned as the Curriculum Coordinator will assist Mr Davidson in leading teaching and learning throughout the College.
• Ms Lisa Proc remains on personal leave as she is dealing with a family tragedy.  Please keep Ms Proc and all her family in your prayers.  Miss Jennifer Tran will replace Ms Proc during her leave.
• Mrs Jacqueline Loughman had a serious accident during the holidays.  Though Mrs Loughman was desperate to return to teach her classes, her injury is preventing her to return at the moment.  Mrs Loughman will be absent for at least the next two weeks.

Please keep all our teachers in your prayers as they recover to full health and rejoin our wonderful community.  The College will attempt to maintain consistency with the replacement teachers of our absent staff.

Below is a photo of new staff to the college (with two staff absent).  We again welcome these new staff. 

Key Dates

Cocurricular Program recommences

The final rounds of the summer season commenced last week and it was great to see so many students happy to be back playing for the College.  The smiles on the faces of all our students was priceless even if we didn’t win. Being back in a team environment was something that all students missed while they were on holidays.  Though we had mixed results, I was impressed by the determination and effort displayed by all students and the respect they showed to all the opposition and officials.  Thank you to all our students for being the respectful people we are trying to form.

May all our students perform to the best of their ability this week and hopefully have some wins along the way.

Fide et Labore

By Faith and hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - Principal