From the Principal

• Reflection
• Bon voyage to our travelling students and staff
• Staff Updates - Farewell and Appreciation
• Year 12 Graduation - an amazing celebration
• Looking Ahead to Term 4 - School resumes on Monday 13 October
• Issue with last week's Woodchatta
• Key Dates 

Reflection

Working in Partnership

I dreamt I stood in a studio,

And watched two sculptors there.

The clay they used was a young child’s mind,

And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher - the tools she used,

Were books, music, and art.

The other, a parent - working with a guiding hand,

And a gentle loving heart.

Day after day, the teacher toiled

With a touch that was deft and sure.

While the parent laboured by his side,

And polished and smoothed it o’er.

And when at last, their task was done,

They were proud of what they had wrought.

For the things they had moulded into the child,

Could neither be sold nor bought.

And each agreed they would have failed

If each had worked alone,

For behind the teacher stood the school,

And behind the parent, the home.

Author Unknown

As we celebrated the Year 12 Graduation and as the students walk the final stages of their journey at St Pius X College, we are reminded of the powerful partnership between school and home. The poem above speaks to this shared responsibility where both families and educators play a vital role in shaping the hearts and minds of our young gentlemen.

Together, we have worked to nurture students who are open-minded, compassionate, and committed to building a better world, one where all people feel valued and included. Throughout their time at the College, it has been our hope and prayer that each student has felt the freedom to be their authentic self, supported by the care of their teachers, the friendship of their peers, and the unwavering love of their families.

I encourage each Year 12 student to reflect on the canvas they have been painting this year. With the journey almost complete, what still needs to be added to ensure the final picture reflects the goals they set at the beginning of the year? There is still time to add depth, colour, and meaning to their story.

May our Year 12 students walk humbly with their God as they now prepare for their final examinations knowing they are supported, celebrated, and deeply loved.

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Bon Voyage to Our Travelling Students and Staff

As Term 3 comes to a close, we extend our best wishes to all students and staff who will be travelling overseas as part of the Philippines Immersion and the UK Football Tour.

These incredible opportunities offer our students the chance to experience new cultures, broaden their perspectives, and grow as individuals. Though the nature of each journey is very different one rooted in service and reflection, the other in sport and teamwork both promise to be deeply enriching and memorable.

We would like to sincerely thank Mr Petrie, Mr Di Sano and Mr Balboa for their leadership and organisation of the meaningful Philippines Immersion. Their commitment to providing students with a transformative experience is truly appreciated.

Likewise, we thank Mr Lacey and Mr Yue for coordinating the UK Football Tour and creating an exciting and enriching sporting experience for our students.

May all students and staff travel safely, embrace the opportunities ahead, and return with stories, insights, and memories to share with their families and our College community.

We look forward to hearing about their adventures upon their return!

Staff Updates – Farewell & Appreciation

As Term 3 draws to a close, we acknowledge two staff members who will be transitioning from their current roles.

Mr Tassone will be leaving the College at the end of this term to take up a new teaching opportunity. We thank Mr Tassone for his valued contributions, especially his pastoral care and support of our Year 7 students. His presence and guidance have made a lasting impact, and we wish him every success in his new school.

Mr Cunneen, a long-standing member of our College since 1983, will be taking well-earned Long Service Leave for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026. During this time, he will assist with our archives. As our Head of Publications, Mr Cunneen has been instrumental in producing our major publications. His deep historical knowledge and storytelling have helped shape the College’s identity.

We extend our best wishes to Mr Tassone in his new role and hope Mr Cunneen enjoys a restful and rewarding break.

Year 12 Graduation – an amazing celebration

The graduation of our Year 12 students is a truly special and memorable occasion - not only for the College but for each of our graduates and their families. This year, we redefined the way of farewelling our Year 12 cohort, with a series of meaningful ceremonies to honour their time at St Pius X College.

On Tuesday 23 September, we began with a College Assembly where we formally acknowledged and celebrated our Academic Award recipients. Later that day, we gathered for a beautiful Graduation Mass. Students wore a yellow stole to symbolise their graduation and received a cross pin as a keepsake of their journey.  I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Fr David for presiding over the Mass, and to Mr Petrie and the Mission Team of Mr Di Sano, Mr Balboa and Mr Callow, for their thoughtful planning and support in making this celebration so meaningful.

On Wednesday 24 September, we held our Graduation Farewell Assembly at the Oxford Falls campus. This change allowed the entire College community and families to witness and celebrate the graduation of our young gentlemen. Each student was presented to the community one final time. As each graduate stepped forward, I was struck by their respectful presence and the pride they carried. They stood as a testament to their families and to the values of the College. Between homeroom presentations, we were treated to outstanding musical performances by three of our talented Year 12 students. A heartfelt thank you to Patrick Elliott, Aiden Perez and Jorge Gomez de Membrillera Perez for sharing their incredible gifts with us.

Following the homeroom farewells, we recognised the recipients of the Major Awards. The citations spoke volumes of the character, leadership, and achievements of these exceptional young men. Congratulations to all award recipients!

To conclude the ceremony, the students processed out of the assembly for the final time. Led by our drumline, they walked through an honour guard formed by our Junior School students, before gathering together to sing the College War Cry one last time a powerful and emotional moment for all.

During my address to the community, I made many references to many aspects of College life and the importance of this milestone. I would like to share a short extract of my speech:

'Graduation Day is so much more than a ceremony. It is a celebration of every step, every challenge, and every triumph that has brought us to this moment. As we gather here today, I’m filled with immense pride and admiration for each and every one of our Year 12 students. You’ve faced adversity, embraced growth, and become the extraordinary young gentlemen we see before us.

This moment isn’t just the end of your time at St Pius X College, it is the beginning of something new, something exciting, something uniquely yours. So, take a breath. Look around. Reflect on the journey that’s shaped you: the friendships, the lessons, the laughter, and even the challenges. Think about the people who have stood by you, your teachers, your families, your mates and the memories that will stay with you long after today.

And as you step forward into the next chapter, carry with you the courage, the character, and the spirit that defines a St Pius X graduate. The future is yours to shape and we could not be prouder.

One of the most defining and admirable qualities of our students at St Pius X College is their unwavering commitment to living out our motto, Fide et Labore, ‘By Faith and Hard Work’. This isn’t just a phrase etched into our crest; it’s a way of life embraced wholeheartedly by our young men.

Faith means believing in yourself, trusting in your abilities, and having the courage to follow the path that God has laid before you, even when the way forward isn’t clear. It is about holding onto hope, leaning into purpose, and knowing you are never alone.

But faith alone is not enough. Our students understand that true success demands effort, resilience, and grit. They show up, day after day, ready to work hard, to push through setbacks, and to strive for excellence, not just for themselves, but for their peers and their community.

Together, faith and hard work form the foundation of every achievement, every breakthrough, and every dream realised. As our graduates step into the next chapter of their lives, may they carry these values with pride and conviction. Trust in God’s plan. Stay true to your purpose. And never stop working towards the future you believe in.

I leave Year 12 with the following words:

Year 12, as you step into this new chapter of your lives, do so as young men formed in the spirit of St Pius X grounded in the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice, with Christ walking beside you. You are no longer just students; you are gentlemen of substance, shaped by faith, hard work, and the values that have defined your journey. Continue to walk the path less travelled, the one that leads to your unique purpose, with courage and conviction. You have shown us what it means to live Fide et Labore, and now, it is your turn to carry that light into the world. Hold close the traditions, the friendships, and the lessons that have made you who you are. Let the spirit of St Pius shine through you in all that you do.

Goodbye, God bless, and remember you will always be sons of St Pius X College.'

Looking Ahead to Term 4 – School Resumes Monday 13 October

I would like to take a moment to thank all students, families, and staff for their contributions to our College community over the past ten weeks.

It has been a term filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences from classroom achievements to cocurricular successes and community events. Your ongoing support, engagement, and spirit help make St Pius X College a vibrant and welcoming place for all.

A reminder that school resumes for Term 4 on Monday 13 October. We encourage everyone to enjoy a safe and restful break, and return refreshed and ready for the final term of the year.

As we enter the final term of the school year, it’s a good time for students to reflect on their personal journey. How is your canvas developing? Three quarters of your canvas is already painted with effort, experiences, and growth. What still needs to be added to complete the picture? What goals did you set at the beginning of the year, and how can you ensure the final strokes reflect those aspirations? Term 4 is your opportunity to bring clarity, colour, and purpose to your canvas.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back and continuing our journey together and hopefully finalising the canvas you pictured at the start of the year.

Issue with last week's Woodchatta

We discovered yesterday that last week's Woodchatta had technical problems from the software provider's end. This meant that many of the emails to parents did not send.  We extend our apologies to all who were affected by this issue.  You can find this, and all previous publications of Woodchatta on the College website and also via the College app.

Key Dates

Term 4

Week 1

Mon 13/10 Term 4 commences for students / Year 12 seminar program

Tues  14/10 Chapel Mass (Pius) / Year 12 seminar program

Wed 15/10 Year 7 vaccination clinic #1 / Year 12 seminar program

Thur 16/10 HSC commences - til 7/11 / Staff meeting (early finish day for students)

Sat 18/10 ISA summer sport pre-season games / IPSHA summer sport commences / MWJCA / NSTA

Dates for your diary

Tues 21/10 Year 12 2026 Parent Information Evening (6:00 pm), Gym / SPX Football AGM and Information Night (6:30 pm), Sarto Centre

Week 2 and 3 Performing Arts Festival Week

Fide et Labore

By Faith and hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal