From the Principal
- Reflection
- Year 11 Preliminary Examinations
- Future Problem Solving (FPS) Global Issues Primary Team
- The importance of staying hydrated and getting enough sleep
- Early dismissal for all students following Year 12 Graduation Farewell Ceremony
- Upstanders Morning Tea
- Year 5 Night of the Notables and Year 6 Day of the Disasters
- ISA Athletics Carnival Success
- ISA U17 Invitational XI Selections
- Dates for your diary
Reflection
The Trouble Tree
Author Unknown
The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tyre made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.
On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
'Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied. 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So, I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again.'
He paused. 'Funny thing is,' he smiled, 'when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.'
As we prepare to farewell our Year 12 students, my hope and prayer is that St Pius X College has been a place where each young man has found joy, belonging, and the confidence to embrace life fully. May they leave with treasured memories of friendship, growth, and opportunity, carrying these experiences with them as they embark on the next chapter of their journey.
As they approach the conclusion of their schooling, I encourage our Year 12 students to reflect on the path they have travelled: the challenges they have overcome, the successes they have celebrated, and the lessons they have learned along the way. Their formation as Pius graduates has shaped them into capable, resilient, and compassionate young men.
Throughout their time at the College, they have come to understand that there are no shortcuts to meaningful achievement. Rather, success is realised through living our College motto, Fide et Labore (Faith and Hard Work). It is through this commitment to faith, perseverance, and service that they have grown as proud sons of St Pius X College.
Together, parents and teachers have supported, encouraged, and challenged them to discover their gifts and fulfil their potential. Now, the time has come for them to spread their wings and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, carrying with them the values and spirit of the St Pius X tradition.
I ask our College community to keep our graduating Year 12 students in your prayers as they conclude their time with us and, next Wednesday, walk through the College gates for the final time as students. May God guide and bless them in all that lies ahead.
Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us
St Pius X - Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
Year 11 HSC Preliminary Examinations
Please keep all our Year 11 students who commenced their HSC Preliminary Examinations this week in your prayers. These important examinations will provide significant guidance for our students as they consider their HSC course of study. May God guide all Year 11 throughout these examinations and the discernment about their future program of study.
Future Problem Solving (FPS) Global Issues Primary Team
We are delighted to share the outstanding achievements of several students from our Junior School, who recently participated in the Future Problem Solving (FPS) Global Issues Program. Their exceptional performance has earned them an invitation to compete at the Future Problem Solving Australia 2026 National Finals at Caulfield Grammar School, Victoria, from Friday 16 October to Sunday 19 October. This invitation is a significant recognition of the team's success in the Global Issues Problem Solving competition and provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to represent the College on the national stage.
The students commenced their preparation for this competition in 2025 and began competing this year. Through their dedication and commitment, the team met twice each week during recess and lunchtime to strengthen their problem-solving skills and prepare their competition submissions. Throughout the competition, they completed three challenging booklets, with their final submission on the topic of Video Games securing their place at the National Finals.
The team comprises Sam Lam, Joshua Wroblewski, Emile Roth, James Rowlands, and reserve team member Tom Selby, all of whom are in Year 6. Their achievement reflects the hard work, perseverance, and collaborative spirit they have demonstrated throughout the year.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Mr Paul Cummins for his outstanding dedication and support. His guidance, encouragement, and commitment to the team have played an invaluable role in helping these young men achieve this remarkable success.
Congratulations to the team on this significant accomplishment. We wish them every success as they prepare to represent the College at the National Finals
The importance of staying hydrated and getting enough sleep
As Year 12 prepare for their final examinations and Year 11 are currently engaged in their Preliminary Examinations, I would like to share, once again, the importance of hydration and sleep. Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep are crucial for young people, especially as they prepare for their final exams, because these factors directly impact their cognitive function, focus, and overall well-being:
Cognitive Performance: Adequate hydration helps maintain mental clarity, concentration, and memory, all of which are essential for studying and performing well on exams. Dehydration, even mild, can lead to headaches, fatigue, and reduced attention span, making it harder to focus on complex tasks.
Memory and Learning: Sleep plays a vital role in consolidating memory and processing new information. During sleep, the brain organizes and stores the knowledge learned throughout the day. Without enough sleep, it’s harder to retain information, recall facts, and problem-solve effectively during exams.
Emotional Balance: Both hydration and sleep are important for managing stress. Lack of sleep can increase anxiety and irritability, while staying well-hydrated supports the body’s natural stress response. Together, these factors help students feel more balanced and emotionally prepared for the challenges of exam time.
Physical Health and Energy: Proper hydration and sleep also ensure that the body has enough energy to function optimally. Fatigue from lack of sleep or dehydration can cause sluggishness, lower stamina, and impact endurance, all of which are necessary to maintain focus during long study sessions or exams.
Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep are key to maintaining mental clarity, emotional strength, and physical endurance are vital for success during final exams. I sincerely hope that all our students prioritise hydration and rest to perform at their best during this period.
Early Dismissal Following Year 12 Graduation Farewell Ceremony
On Wednesday 23 September, the entire college will gather as a community to celebrate and farewell our graduating class of 2026.
Students in Years 5 to 10 will be provided with sausage sandwich lunch following the ceremony before returning to the Chatswood Campus.
Upon their return, students will be dismissed from approximately 1:30 pm.
Please note that all students will be required to leave the College grounds upon dismissal, as no supervision will be available after this time.
Upstanders
This week, we proudly recognised our Term 3 Upstanders, a group of students who have exemplified the values of St Pius X College through their actions, leadership, and commitment to others.
The students recognised as Upstanders have been nominated for a wide range of reasons, each reflecting the strength of their character and their willingness to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Their actions have included supporting members of the public in times of need, demonstrating courage and resilience by standing up for what is right, making significant contributions to worthy causes, and volunteering their time and energy for the benefit of others.
While each student's story is unique, they share a common commitment to living our College values through service, compassion, integrity, and respect. They have shown that leadership is not always about grand gestures, but often about the everyday decisions to help others, act with courage, and place the needs of the community before their own.
We congratulate all of our Term 3 Upstanders and thank them for the example they set for their peers. Their actions remind us that each member of our community has the capacity to make a meaningful difference and that true character is revealed through the choices we make when supporting others.
Congratulations to Kent Sobey, Jasper Weidner, Alex Seifert, Toby Battishall, Henry Auer, Orlando Frino, Jack Treder, Liam Hincksman, Lachlan Yu, Lucas Korth, Conor Barry, Lachlan Huynh, Archie Turner, John Medalla, Matt Oppen and Edward Moss.
Well done to all those recognised. Your commitment to making our College and wider community a better place is an inspiration to us all.
Year 5 Night of the Notables and the Year 6 Day of the Disasters
Congratulations to our Junior School students on their exceptional presentations at two recent showcase events: the Year 5 Night of the Notables and the Year 6 Day of the Disasters.
On Tuesday 15 September, our Year 5 students impressed the school community with their engaging and well-researched portrayals of a diverse range of notable indigenous figures. Their presentations demonstrated a deep understanding of their chosen individuals, while also showcasing creativity, confidence, and excellent communication skills.
Similarly, on Wednesday 16 September our Year 6 students captivated parents and family members with their innovative and informative disaster displays. Through thorough research and thoughtful analysis of real-world challenges, they produced work of an outstanding standard that reflected the high expectations and commitment to excellence that underpin learning in our Junior School. The real-life experiences of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornados, cyclones, tsunamis and bush fires but to name a few, were outstanding.
These events highlighted the enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication of our students, and their achievements are a testament to the guidance and support provided by our outstanding Junior School staff. Special congratulations to Mrs Greenwood, Head of Junior School, along with all teachers involved, for their unwavering commitment to helping students bring their learning to life in meaningful and memorable ways.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the parents and families who attended these presentations and supported our sons throughout the process. Your encouragement and presence play an invaluable role in building students' confidence, resilience, and pride in their achievements.
Congratulations to everyone involved. Your collective efforts continue to make our Junior School a vibrant community of learning, growth, and achievement.
ISA Athletics Carnival success
The ISA Athletics Carnival provided a wonderful opportunity for our athletes to showcase the results of five weeks of dedicated training and to test themselves against strong competition from across the ISA. While we were unable to secure the overall championship, there were many outstanding performances that reflected the determination, resilience, and spirit of St Pius X College.
A particular highlight of the day was the exceptional achievement of our Junior Team, who were crowned Division 1 Champions. This outstanding success is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and teamwork displayed by these young athletes throughout the season. Their victory is a significant accomplishment and one of which the entire College community can be immensely proud.
Across all age groups, our coaches were deeply impressed by the effort and commitment shown by every student. Whether competing on the track, in the field, or supporting their teammates from the sidelines, our athletes gave their very best and embodied the values of sportsmanship and perseverance that are central to the St Pius X tradition.
Special thanks to our coaches, Miss Gilbert, Mr Steimann, Mrs Lee, Mr Stearn and ex-students Ethan Li, Christian Wong, Matteo Dall'Amico and Chris Zilifian for their dedication, expertise, and encouragement in preparing our athletes for the carnival. Their commitment played a vital role in the success achieved on the day.
Congratulations to all our athletes on their efforts and to our Junior Team on their remarkable divisional victory. We look forward to building on this success in the years ahead.
ISA U17 Invitational XI Selections
The College would like to congratulate Charlie Chippendale (Year 11), Darcy Horstead (Year 11), Eddie Stearn (Year 11), and Archie Wragge (Year 10), who have all been selected in the ISA U17 Invitational XI. Additional congratulations to Darcy Horstead who was elected Captain for the team. Further congratulations to Oliver Battersby (Year 9), who has been selected as a shadow player.
The ISA U17 Invitational XI will play the following matches:
Thursday, 1 October 2026 – vs Combined Associated Schools (CAS) @ Knox Grammar School – Curagul Field
Sunday, 11 October 2026 – vs Great Public Schools (GPS) @ St Patrick’s College, Strathfield – Breen Oval
This is an outstanding acknowledgement of these talented cricketers.
Dates for your diary
Week 10
Mon 21/9 Year 11 Preliminary Examinations continue
Tues 22/9 Chapel Mass (Mercy) / Year 12 Graduation Mass
Wed 23/9 Year 12 Graduation, presentation and luncheon
Fri 25/9 Term 3 concludes
Fide et Labore
By Faith and Hard work
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal