From the Principal
- Reflection
- White Ribbon Day
- Great honour for Mr Matthew Stearn
- Movember
- Christmas Twilight Concert
- Key Dates
- 2023 Collegian
Reflection
When a community experiences the loss of one of its own, it is truly heartening to see how everyone comes together to support those affected by the tragedy. On Monday, 18 November, the College received the heartbreaking news of the passing of Thomas Cleary, a cherished member of the Graduating Class of 2023.
Thomas was a vibrant part of our College community, actively participating in College life. He was a deeply beloved young man with a kind and generous heart, earning the respect and affection of all who knew him.
As a staff, we came together on Tuesday morning to reflect on the loss of Thomas. Below is the prayer we shared:
We Gather:
Today we gather as one family who share the same realisation. The realisation that grief
is the price we pay for love.
As a Catholic learning community, as a family of educators, colleagues and friends; as a
family united by beating hearts, imaginative minds and beings that breathe in, and
breathe out, we gather in memory of Tom.
We gather not only to mourn but also to reflect and to give thanks for the gift of sharing
part of his journey.
We gather to give strength to one another.
We gather to cherish the fragility of life.
We gather to seek healing for all who bear the cross of loss and yearn for the healing
light of daybreak, of that first Easter Sunday morning.
We Pray:
Father of healing, our God and our home.
Gather in your loving arms all here who are hurting, who are broken and especially,
Thomas’s family.
May the veil of our heavenly mother gently descend and envelop all who mourn today.
May her love whisper and cradle all that needs healing.
May the heart of your Son that guided and shone through Thomas’s journey, and
relationships, burn ever brightly as a reminder that all who follow Him, follow the path
home to eternal peace.
Into your loving arms Father, we place our community today.
We pray this in the name whose arms gather all, heal all and loves all.
Vale Thomas Cleary - Class of 2023
Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us
St Pius X - Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
White Ribbon Day
On Wednesday 20 November, students took an opportunity to reflect on our role in fostering change, supporting respectful behaviour, and building a culture of safety and kindness in our school and community during our White Ribbon Day assembly.
White Ribbon Day is a significant event focused on raising awareness and preventing violence against women and children. The day calls upon everyone, especially men, to pledge their commitment to promoting respectful relationships and standing up against violence.
We were blessed to hear from our speakers who included:
- Inspector Ben Thompson from Sydney Police Area Command
- Nick McArdle – presenter for Stan sports and Ambassador for Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter
- Angelica Molina – Shelter lead at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter.
- Mr James Bourke and Mr Martin Gillogly – Teachers
If you would like to donate to the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter, please see the link below:
https://hkws.org.au/donate/
Where does your dollar go?
$20 helps a woman access education
$45 keeps our Shelter pantry and fridge full of healthy food
$70 provides a woman caseworker support at court
$99 provides a woman in crisis housing for the night
$100 gives a woman access to a caseworker
I would like to thank Ms Bamber for her support of our students in the organisation of this very important assembly and the message that it shares with all of our community.
A great honour bestowed on our own Mr Matthew Stearn
On Sunday 17 November at the annual ISA conference dinner, Mr Matthew Stearn was honoured by the ISA Association. He became the 18th person to be inducted by the ISA Association to Life Membership. Below is the citation read by Mr Stuart Newman, ISA Director of Sport:
Citation for Life Member #18 – Matthew Stearn, St Pius X College
The ISA is honoured to award Life Membership to Matt Stearn of St Pius X College in recognition of his outstanding service, exceptional commitment, and lasting contributions to the development of ISA sport over 16 years.
Since 2008, Matthew has served as Head of Sport at St Pius X College, where his leadership has positively influenced the school’s sports programs and strengthened St Pius X College’s contributions to ISA. Matthew’s role as ISA Cricket Convenor, a position he has held for 12 years, has been marked by his dedication to fostering a high standard of cricket within the ISA, ensuring opportunities for growth, competition, and development.
In rugby, Matthew has made significant contributions as a coach and selector. He served as the ISA Representative Rugby Coach for several teams, including the 16Bs, 3rd XV, and 1st XV, between 2008 and 2013. Since 2013, he has continued to support representative rugby as a selector for the ISA Opens.
His leadership stretches across the ISA Carnivals as well. Matt has been instrumental, when appointed the Convenor for Cross Country and Athletics, organising carnivals that produced legacy items for those after him.
In recognition of his commitment, Matthew received the ISA Service Award in 2017. His long-standing dedication to ISA sport has created a legacy that benefits students, staff, and the ISA community alike.
For his exceptional service and unwavering commitment to ISA sport, we are proud to award Matthew Stearn ISA Life Membership.
St Pius X College has been blessed to have Mr Stearn as part of our community and leading the cocurricular program. Congratulations to Mr Stearn on this recognition of his outstanding contribution to the ISA Association.
Movember campaign update
The Movember campaign continues into its third week with many of those participating showing real signs of facial hair on their upper lip. Yes, they are moustaches. Thank you to all those who have been very generous in donating to a very worthy cause, but we are well short of our target. Please continue to support our team. Now more than ever. Please continue to donate via myMo Space - https://movember.com/t/2024-st-pius-x-college?mc=1 is where you can donate to the St Pius X page – for all the dads, brothers, sons and mates in your life.
Christmas Twilight Concert – Friday 22 November
A reminder of our Christmas Twight Concert on this Friday. This a very joyful concert with our musicians performing some beautiful Christmas tunes for all to enjoy. We warmly invite you to join the St Pius X community, where our talented bands and ensembles will fill the air with enchanting music, celebrating the festive season.
Key Dates
Fide et Labore
By Faith and hard work
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal
2023 Collegian
The 2023 Collegian magazine is out now.
For those families that pre-ordered a printed copy they have been distributed to your eldest child at the college this week.
For all others the link to the digital version will be emailed out this week.
If you ordered a copy but have not received it via your son OR if you would like a printed copy please email
Please include your son’s name and year in email.
The Publications Team