From the Principal

• Reflection
• Reminder
• Thank You
• Blessed Edmund Rice Icon
• Red Dirt Immersion
• Term 3 Staffing
• Young Writer's Award
• Outstanding Achievement
• The Value of the Upcoming Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews
• Senior Rugby Tour
• Debating

Reflection

The Emmaus Journey

In the final chapter of the Gospel of Luke, there appears a beautiful story about two men, distraught over the death of Jesus, who find themselves in deep conversation with the Teacher Himself — only they don’t realize it is Him.

There, as they walk the road to Emmaus, these two men learn about 

Christ directly from the source. And when they finally realize who they had been talking with the entire time, they rush to tell the 11 apostles the good news: The Lord had indeed risen!

It’s a powerful tale, one filled with lessons about discernment, hope, and the truth.

A Journey to Remember

That very same day, a group of them were on their way into a common future, which lay just ahead beyond what, they could see. 

As they lived into the future, they talked together about all the happenings among them. 

But something kept them from seeing and understanding that it was really happening that ordinarily. 

God entered into their hearts and asked, “What is it you are troubled about? What are you wondering? What questions are unsettling to you.” 

The group stopped full of fear and anxiety. And one among them said,

We thought it would be simpler.  We thought it would have been clear.

We thought that the choices would be more evident. 

We thought we would agree more easily on what decisions to make. 

We thought we knew how things would be. 

We thought God would lead us more directly

We thought the way would have no conflicts, doubts or confusion. 

We had hoped our future would be more uncomplicated. 

We had hoped things would not be so messy. 

We had hoped the power to choose would be easy. 

We had hoped our experience would confirm what we knew, not change it again. 

We had hoped that familiar theories would still fit. 

We had hoped. 

We had hoped.

And now some among us are saying that things are not as we first imagined them to be. Now some are saying that future conditions challenge us in different ways. 

And God said, "How slow you are as a group.  How hard it is for you to trust. 

Have I not promised from the beginning to be with you, to sustain you, and to continually reveal to hearts that are open my plans? Have l not promised you more than you can ask or imagine?"

Luke 24:13-35

Listening For God

The story of the road to Emmaus is a powerful encounter.  The story encourages us to ask the question, how is God revealed to us, today?  How would you answer this question?  The readings from last Sunday connects with this story as they encouraged us to reflect on our relationship with our God.  God reminds us constantly of this relationship, of the commitment we share to our relationship and that God walks with us.  God remains faithful to this relationship.  Are we able to keep faith to this relationship?  God only invites us, are we able to say ‘yes’.  As you journey the road to Emmaus, what questions are you asking God?  What challenges are you facing?  Are you submitting yourself to God’s love.  God calls us by our name.  God is always there for us.

End of Term for Students

Where has the term gone.  Thank you to our staff

Below is an extract of my address to the College community on Monday:

I can recall talking to the community at the beginning of the term about the importance of Term 2.

Well, Term 2 has come and gone and much has happened over the course of the Term.  The numerous Assessment tasks, Winter Sports, Debating, Chess, Eisteddfods, Musical performances, Social Justice initiative – Winter Appeal, excursions and the numerous other activities organised by the College.

Throughout all these events two things remain constant students, as participants and Teachers, as facilitators.

Without the staff, students would not be able to enjoy these events; students would not be able to share or express their talents and skills without their support and guidance.

On behalf of all the students, I would like to thank all the staff for everything they do for the sons of St Pius X.

I then went on to reflect on exhilaration and disappointment of Sport.  Last Saturday, I started my Cocurricular day watching the First XI Football at Moore Park.  After a disappointing first half, the Pius players rallied and won the game on the very last kick of the day.  An exhilarating feeling for all present!  From there, I viewed numerous games at Oxford Falls or having a similar experience, either feeling disappointed or a sense of exhilaration.  This roller coaster feeling continued to the very last kick of the day.  After a most impressive first half by the First XV, the second half proved a little more challenging to the point that the matching winning score happened with the very last kick of the day.  Disappointment for all the Pius community, exhilaration for the St Pat’s community.  My heart sank as the kick was going over the goal post. The day was not about whether we won or lost, it was how our young men demonstrated outstanding qualities of sportsmanship, how they truly demonstrated College spirit.  I was so proud of all our sons on Saturday.  There was an amazing atmosphere throughout the day.  It made me proud to be the Principal of this great College.

Special thanks to Martin Gillogly for the organisation of our Rugby Supporters Day; to the Rugby Club for the merchandise and cup cakes and to the Old Boy’s Association for the delicious BBQ.  Great day was had by all.

I pray that all our students have had a successful term.  Whether it be in the classroom, or on the football field or on tennis court or in a debating or chess room or just being at school, I hope that you have experienced the loving nature of God.  Hope staff and students have a restful and rewarding break.

Blessed Edmund Rice Icon

‘Give to the poor in handfuls’

The Bake House

Edmund had a bake house established in Mount Sion, and also a tailor’s workshop: he was deeply sensitive to the wants and feelings of his pupils, and he did not wish them to experience either the pangs of hunger or the shame of being clad in rags.  He would bake bread for his students to eat.

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Red Dirt Immersion

Between Sunday 25 June and 1 July, forty young people from St Pius X College will visit Coonabarabran, Baradine, Coonamble, Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke and Dubbo as part of the Red Dirt Immersion. Throughout this wonderful immersion, our students will share their experiences with students from Mater Maria, Warriewood, Christian Brothers High School Lewisham and Brigidine Catholic College, St Ives. The itinerary allows students to immerse themselves into a variety of First Nations communities as well as experiencing the wonders of our outback.  Safe travels to all our students and may the experience be filled with many great memories.  Special thanks to Mr Sean Brannan who leads this expedition and to Mr Stollery, Mr Mendez, Mr Adrian Brannan, Mr Cummins and Mr Naidoo for sharing in the experience with our students.

Term 3 Staffing

Commencing next term, we have some new and exciting staffing appointments:

1. Welcome Mr Daniel Petrie to the position of Assistant Principal: Mission and Identity
2. Welcome Mr Darian Johns as our new Music teacher
3. Mrs Stefania Baguley has been appointed to the Acting Assistant English Coordinator position
4. Mr Jack Kovacic will pastorally care our Year 7 students as their Year Coordinator for Semester 2 (Commencing from Week 3)
5. Mr Ben Ryan will be Acting Year 7 Coordinator for Weeks 1 and 2
6. Mr Nicholas Westhoff, Teacher Librarian
7. Mr Rob McEnallay in the PDHPE department
8. Ms Danielle Winning, Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach
9. Mr Lucas Lung, Casual Strength & Conditioning Coach
10. Mr Brett Kaplan, Casual Strength & Conditioning Coach

Young Writers Award

Recently, students from St Pius entered the Stanton Library and North Sydney Council Annual Young Writer’s Award.  These awards celebrate the writing talent of young people in our community.  The Nan Manefield Young Writers Award is for young people 11 to 18 years and is judged in five age categories. In each category there are major cash prize winners: Winner(1st), Highly Commended(2nd) and Commended(3rd). The judges also award a maximum of ten Merit certificates in each category as encouragement awards. At our assembly recently we acknowledged the amazing successes of our students.

16-18 Years Winner

Ethan Li

16-18 Years Commended

Cameron Masters

16-18 Years Merit

Jack Casey Lonergan

Congratulations to Ethan, Cameron and Jack for demonstrating their writing ability and being great ambassadors of writing for our young people.

Outstanding Achievement

Last week we received the amazing news that Matthew Hunt from Year 11 was selected for the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in August.  What an outstanding recognition and acknowledgement of Matthew’s talent.  On behalf of all the College we wish Matthew all the success at the Commonwealth Youth Games.  May God guide and protect you throughout. 

Senior Rugby Tour

During the middle week of the holidays (July 3 – 8) our Senior Rugby Team will be travelling to Queensland on their annual Rugby Tour.  The Team will have two games against fellow Edmund Rice Schools – St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace on Tuesday 6 July and Nudgee College on Saturday 8 July.  This is a great opportunity for our senior Ruby players to show their skills and talents against quality opposition in Queensland.  This tour has become a highlight for rugby players as they get to wear the St Pius X Indigenous jersey.  A tradition that has become part of all our touring teams.  I would like to thank Mr Stearn for his organisation and commitment to the tour.  Mr Stearn will be supported by Mr Mike Cross (Coach), Mr Sean Brannan, Mr Gates, Mr Mark Smith (Indigenous Officer) and Mr Adrian Brannan.  I look forward to hearing about some outstanding performances and the over all experience of being on tour.

Debating 

Last Friday the Year 11 B Debating team debated against Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton in the Elimination Round of the CSDA Debating Competition.  Unfortunately, even with a strong argument, the opposing team where awarded the victory.  Congratulations to Christopher Abbott, James Leo and Jose Monk for representing St Pius X College with so proudly.  Special thanks to all the students who acted as Chairpersons and Time Keepers as we hosted three debates. Congratulations to Ms Leigha Zervakos and the Debating coaches for all their support of our debaters throughout the term.

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - Principal