Pastoral Care
Phone Away All Day - update
Youth Leadership Forum
Term 2 Uniform and Hair Policy
Holiday Events
Parent webinars and workshops
Phone Away All Day - update
I would like clarify an important expectation regarding mobile phone use at the College.
As you are aware, St Pius X College has a clear policy that mobile phones are not to be used during the school day. To ensure consistency, fairness, and alignment with this policy, this expectation extends from the moment students enter the school grounds in the morning.
This means that once students walk through the College gates, mobile phones are to be placed in their bags/locker until the end of the school day.
We have observed that a number of students are currently spending time on their phones before the 8:30 am bell. While this may seem harmless, it detracts from several key aspects of school life that we are striving to promote.
By removing phone use at this time, we aim to:
Strengthen a sense of community by encouraging face-to-face interaction between students
Promote a positive and active start to the day
Ensure consistency with our existing expectations around mobile phone use
Support student wellbeing by reducing passive screen time
Improve supervision and overall security across the school grounds
The latest research, supports the College's approach to limiting mobile phone use. For example, see Jonathan Haidt's research The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (2024).
We encourage students to productively use the time before the school day commences, whether that be connecting with peers, preparing for the day ahead, engaging in co-curricular activities, or seeking support from staff.
We appreciate your support in reinforcing this expectation at home. Clear and consistent messaging between the College and home is vital in helping your son to develop healthy, respectful and responsible habits.
If you have any questions or would like further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College.
Youth Leadership Forum
On Tuesday of this week, a group of Year 10 students attended the Student Youth Leadership Conference at the ICC in Sydney. With many speakers and activities, our students represented Pius looking at the topic of future leadership, being change-makers, effective communication and leadership styles. They students engaged well throughout the day and will present their learnings to the whole year group in Term 2.
Term 2 Uniform
A reminder that when students return in Term 2 that winter uniform will be worn. This includes blazers.
If, for any reason, your son does not have a blazer ready for the start of Term 2, please email your son's Pastoral Leader. If you have ordered a blazer, they will arrive before the start of term.
Please also ensure that all haircuts meet the requirements as per the College's Haircut Policy
Hair Policy
Students must have their hair cut according to St Pius X College requirements as follows:
Hair should be neatly cut and maintained at all times.
Hair must be tapered at the back, sides and above the ears blending with the hairstyle. It must be cut and groomed so that the bulk of hair on the top of the head decreases gradually, blending with the tapered back and sides.
It must be worn short enough that no hair touches the collar or extends below the top of the eyebrows. A short all-over hair cut may be acceptable to a minimum No 2 cut.
Extreme hairstyles, including mohawks, step-cuts, under-cuts, radical cuts, dramatic layering, tracks, mullets, dreadlocks, strands of hair or lines are not permitted under any circumstances.
Colouring or dyeing, tinting, bleaching or overuse of product are not permitted.
If the haircut is too short, the student may be asked to wear a hat until the length is appropriate.
When a student’s haircut does not meet school expectations, parents of those students will be contacted, and the students may be asked to leave school to rectify it. Students may return once they adhere to school policy. A Friday detention may also apply.
The Deputy Principal, Assistant Principal Pastoral Care or the Head of Junior School, at their discretion, may make an exemption for a student from complying with the haircut policy. Such grounds for exception may be due to the student’s health, religious beliefs or cultural grounds.
Parents/caregivers of the student seeking an exemption are required to make an application in writing to the College Principal, Deputy Principal or Head of Junior School.
Holiday Events
Job Camp - A two-day hospitality skills training workshop run by Short Course Australia. They will learn barista coffee making skills, resume writing and interview preparation, fine dining waitering skills and order taking.
Date: Wednesday 8 April - Thursday 9 April, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Ages: 14 - 17
Price: $87.50 (50% subsidised by WCC)
Webinars empowering parents and carers to support teen mental health
The Black Dog Institute are offering free mental health webinars designed to provide practical tools, strategies and insights to help them support the young people in their lives.
Upcoming dates:
Tuesday 28 April @ 7:00 pm (AEST) Register here
Tuesday 26 May @ 7:00 pm (AEST) Register here
Thursday 25 June @ 7:00 pm (AEST) Register here
Tweens, Teens & Screens Free Webinar
Mr Martin Gillogly - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care