From the Principal
- Prayer for HSC Students
- November - the Month of Remembrance
- Year 12 2022 Investiture
- Year 12 Graduation
- New College Hat
- College Fees for 2022
- Building Program Update
- Whenever the Call of Duty Sounds - Well Done Isaac Elms (Year 11)
Prayer for HSC Students
Next Tuesday 9 November, the HSC commences with English Paper 1. We pray for all our HSC students that they present their learning to their very best.
It has been a long wait to sit these exams and we wish them every success.
Dear Lord, we ask for your blessing on our students
undertaking the HSC examinations over the coming weeks.
Grant them the confidence they deserve from their years of diligent study.
Grant them the ability to comprehend questions and effectively plan
and articulate their responses.
May they be enriched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit -
Wisdom, Understanding, Fortitude and Knowledge.
May their faith and piety give them the strength
to face the challenges of this examination period
and the satisfaction of achieving their personal best.
We ask these things through Christ our Lord.
Blessed Edmund Rice, Pray for Us
St Pius X, Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts, Forever
November - Month of Remembrance
Monday 1 November was All Saints Day and Tuesday was All Souls Day. Throughout November we remember all those who we have lost and gone before us. We pray especially for Year 12 2020 student Liam Vinci whose funeral was held last Monday and for Thomas Van Dijk.
There is a Remembrance Book in the College Foyer and families are invited to list their loved ones for our prayers this month.
May perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace.
Leadership Investiture
On behalf of the College I warmly congratulate our Year 12 2022 on their Investiture today and for our Student Leadership Team led by Will Staber, Ronan Crispe and Ben Cullen. I ask God’s blessing on every Year 12 student and pledge the support of the school for their Year 12.
Every Year 12 student is a leader and was presented today with their Year 12 tie and Senior Leader badge.
This Year 12 has enormous capacity and I have great hopes for their final year. They possess a true balance of intellect, culture, musical and dramatic talent, sporting prowess and enormous spirit with the potential to succeed in all aspects of our school and then the potential to make a difference in the world ahead.
May God bless them as they enter their HSC year.
Year 12 Graduation
After a senior experience far more challenging than any others, the Year 12 Class of 2021 graduated with style and a sense of accomplishment at the Treacy Centre, Oxford Falls on a warm Thursday, 28 October. Year 12 were at the Treacy Centre for two days prior to the Graduation, working through organisational and study skills particularly related to exams, as well as a Retreat program which allowed them to reconnect as a group. The boys were models of thoughtful cooperation as they worked through the various activities, and this continued into the Thursday formalities.
The usual restrictions curtailed the extent to which people could assemble in the one venue but due to the excellent organisational work of the Year 12 Pastoral Team, College Administration and the ICT Department the roll classes of graduands were able to settle into the different venues and come into the Christian Brothers’ Centre at the appointed time. The complex movement was conducted faultlessly.
Graduations are moving occasions – boys come onto the stage and leave it as men. On Thursday, we were able to celebrate all the successes of the cohort, inspired so ably by the Student Leadership Team. In addition, our special guests Mr and Mrs Van Dijk were able to receive the graduation pack awarded posthumously to their son, Tom. Later, they were able to present the inaugural Tom Van Dijk "Spirit of St Pius" Award to the first recipient, Austin Cleary.
One theme stood out from the many speeches and accolades – the way the Year 12 cohort had come together as a group in the face of adversity to support one another. The many challenges of the past two years in particular had reinforced the bonds of friendship and care which are a mark of the College’s senior years.
The College is extremely proud of the young men who graduated in such fine style. They are a credit to all who have worked with them.
Please also find attached the listing of Major Award Recipients.
New College Hat
We are pleased to advise that following discussion with the College community, we will have the new College hat for sale in the Uniform Shop from Monday next week. This new hat offers students an alternative option to the College cap for protection from the sun. This is in response to good sun safe practices and the response to the Annual College Survey. Please see the Uniform Shop page for more information.
College Fees 2022
The College continues to receive reduced Government Funding each year under the Gonski Reforms to school funding. Attached please find a letter from the Chair of the St Pius X College Advisory Council regarding the School Fees for 2022-2024.
Building Program Update
The two projects are going along extremely well.
The Learning Hub site has been cleared with the demolition of the houses on 39-41 Anderson Street.
B Wing has been fully gutted and the internals are being installed. This may even be completed before Christmas!
Whenever the Call of Duty Sounds - Well done Isaac Elms (Year 11)
I was delighted to be called by the Sydney Trains Area Manager this week who advised me of the outstanding response from Isaac Elms of Year 11 towards a Year 9 boy from another school. The boy had collapsed at Gordon Station and the quick thinking Isaac responded immediately with CPR, and along with another member of the public and station staff, they were able to revive this young man who was taken by ambulance to hospital where he continues to receive treatment and improve. Isaac’s assistance certainly helped to save this young man’s life. Interestingly, Isaac had received his First Aid Certificate that day from Year 11 PD/H/PE under Mr Virgona’s instruction. This important training saves lives and we congratulate Isaac.
Mr John Couani - Principal