From the Principal

• Prayer
• Semester 2 Reports - Years 5 - 10
• Staff Appreciation and Farewells
• 2021 Calendar
• End of Year Mass
• SPX Factor
• Year 10 Program
• Eddie Rice Camps Collection
• Junior School Prizegiving
• P&F Welcome Morning Tea

Prayer

We enter the season of Advent with hope-filled hearts as we await the Christ child.

Yet you, Lord, are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter;

we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

Thought to Ponder

If you look for me at Christmas,

You won't need a special star.

I'm no longer just in Bethlehem,

I'm right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me,

Amid the celebrations.

You'll have to look beyond the stores, 

And all the decorations.

But if you take a moment,

From your list of things to do,

And listen to your heart, you'll find

I'm waiting there for you.

You're the one I want to be with,

You're the reason that I came.

And you'll find Me in the stillness,

As I'm whispering your name.

Love, Jesus

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever.

Amen

The above design, by Liam Boswell (Year 8 student) 

was used as the image for our 2020 Christmas Card.

Semester 2 Reports Years 5 - 10

The Year 10 reports were placed on the portal on Friday 27 November and I congratulate Year 10 on their excellent progress this Semester in particular. There are many excellent reports and they are well placed now to enter Year 11.

The Year 5-9 reports are being finalised currently and they will be place on the Portal on Thursday afternoon approximately 3.30 pm. If you have a general question regarding your son’s progress, please contact the Year Coordinator. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this report with the teacher, you are welcome to contact the teacher directly by email.  Their email address is made from their first initial followed by their surname then  @stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.  The teacher’s name will appear on your son’s report.

STAFF Appreciation and Farewells

This year we say farewell to three of our long serving and outstanding staff. I have written of them earlier this year but as this is the last week of term I again offer the College’s deep appreciation for their service and contribution to generations of students at St Pius X College.

Mr Terry Patterson has served in the Junior School for the past 43 years. The students, parents and ex-students always speak of Mr Patterson as a brilliant teacher and above all as a storyteller and poetry reader. His coaching skills are legendary and his end of year tributes to his players are a work of Art. We wish Mr Patterson and his family every blessing in his retirement.

Mr Bernard Batchelor has also had a long and illustrious career across a number of Catholic schools and for the last 19 years, he has served St Pius X College as teacher, English Coordinator, Year Coordinator and Senior Studies Coordinator. Mr Batchelor’s understanding of Ancient and Modern History is immeasurable and his knowledge of Napoleon Bonaparte makes him a prime candidate to take on Hard Quiz in that category. Mr Batchelor has coached more students than he can remember. We thank Mr Batchelor and congratulate him on an outstanding career.

Mr Ross Masters has been on leave during 2020 and has decided that he will now retire. Many students and ex-students will attest to Mr Masters as a Year 12 Coordinator of the highest calibre who has taken so many HSC students through their studies and the challenges of their final year. Mr Masters retires after 42 years of service as a teacher at the College, having also been a student at the College, graduating in the 1970’s. We thank Mr Masters and wish him a great retirement where his fishing skills land him the catch of the day. 

We give thanks and ask for God’s blessing on Mr Patterson, Mr Batchelor and Mr Masters. 

We also thank and wish well Mr Jack Gruber (class of 2018) who leaves us this year at the end of his ICT traineeship. He will take up further studies and University next year. Best wishes Jack.

We thank Ms Genevieve Quoyle (Visual Arts) and Ms Catherine Dignam (French) for their teaching contribution during Term 4 this year.

I also wish to thank and acknowledge Ms Denise Ramsey for her leadership in the role of Year 9 Coordinator this year. Ms Ramsey has worked tirelessly for the wellbeing of Year 9 and her students and she is passionate about the boys achieving their potential. Ms Ramsey is taking well deserved Long Service Leave for Term 1 in 2021 before resuming her Science teaching at the College. Special thanks to Ms Ramsey.

2021 Calendar

Please note the following important dates from the 2021 College calendar.  

The Uniform Shop will be open on the following dates: 

• Wednesday 20 January 2021: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
• Thursday 21 January 2021: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
• Monday 25 January  2021: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
• Wednesday 27 January 2021: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
• Thursday 28 January 2021: 8.00 am to 1.30 pm (Students return this day)
• Friday 29 January 2021: 8.00 am to 1.30 pm

PLD Deployment for Years 7 & 10 

Friday 22 January: 10.00 am - 12.00 noon & 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm

First Day of School for all students

Thursday 28 January

End of Year Mass

On Friday 4 December, the students will join in our closing Mass in the Junior School playground. Fr Jim will preside at this Mass. Unfortunately we are unable to have visitors for this occasion but we will certainly be giving thanks for this challenging year and the many achievements in adapting and rising to each new challenge.

SPX Factor

Our Year 12 2021, felt that with the cancellation of this year’s Founder’s Day we should still have our big talent quest. They named it SPX – Factor. It was all filmed and a lot of fun. I sincerely thank James Baldock, Charlie Hamill, Jared Lohtaja, Liam Kinna, Ashley Johnson and Liam Chang. 

Year 10 Program 

Year 10 have had varied activities program for their final week, which has seen them spend time at Oxford Falls.  They have been having Manners and Style Sessions which, although has not culminated in their Year 10 Formal this year, will certainly stand them in good stead for their future interactions with others.

They have also been undertaking sessions in Peer Support and Leadership as they commence their years as senior students of the College.

Year 10 Eddie Rice Camps Collection

Every year at this time, Year 10 collect for Eddie Rice Camps.  Eddie Rice Camps provide holiday experiences for young people aged 7 - 16 years who would not otherwise be able to enjoy them.    

Thank you to Mr Pawlak for facilitating this and congratulations to the Year 10 students for raising the following:

10H1 - $349.45

10H2 - $302.25

10H3 - $332.75

10H4 - $242.75

10H5 - $451.85 

for a total of $1679.05

Junior School Prizegiving

The Junior School will be holding two Assemblies this week, which can be viewed on-line and will also be recorded to watch at a later date.   The Sports Awards Assembly will be held on Thursday and the Junior School Academic Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday.

Please see the Junior School News page of this Woodchatta for further information. 

P&F Welcome Morning Tea

New and returning parents of students in Years 5, 6 and 7 are welcome to join the P&F Welcome  Morning Tea on Thursday 28 January at 10.00 am at Jamaica Blue at Chatswood Chase after you have dropped your sons off.  This is always a great opportunity to meet and welcome new parents and catch up with others. Please see the P&F News page for further information.  

Mr John Couani - Principal