Mission and Identity

• Year 10 Step Out Week
• Senior Retreat
• Timor-Leste Immersion 2027
• Saint of the Week

Year 10 Step Out Week

This term, all Year 10 students will participate in the Step Out program. This is an opportunity for them to engage with community partners in a hands on way. Opportunities such as these are invaluable to forming the whole person and teach wonderful life skills such as compassion, determination and solidarity.

Staff are currently finalising the out of Sydney immersion lists, and in order to assist the selection process, all Year 10 students have been asked to return their completed Edmund Rice Hours books. These service books were distributed at the beginning of the year and were to be used when completing service hours at school based or personal service activities. There is a box in the Student Centre where these can be placed by the end of the week.

Senior Retreat

The Year 11 students will be participating in their Senior Retreat in Week 3 of this term. The timing of this Retreat will allow the group to spend time away together and create the foundation upon which they can build for the next 12 months.

A reminder to all Year 11 parents to ensure that you have completed the Sentral permission note, made payment and have replied to the formstack request for a photo. Many thanks for you assisting us to ensure that we are able to facilitate a meaningful and spiritual experience for your sons.

Timor-Leste Immersion 2027

Attention all students currently in Year 9 and 10.

In 2027 we are offering an immersion experience to Timor-Leste. This will take place in the July school holidays and is open for all students who will be in Year 10 or 11 in 2027.

Please join us for a parent information evening on Monday 26 October by registering your attendance here: Timor-Leste Immersion 2027 – Fill in form

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at the College (gscanlon@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au)

Saint of the Week

The newly elected Mission and Identity Leaders have initiated a new section for the Mission Woodchatta. This is going to be a Saint of the Week. This will allow us to better understand some of the wonderful saints that have been recognised by the Catholic Church. 

Today’s Saint of the Week: St Carlo Acutis

Feast Day: 12 October

Many of you may be familiar with the story of St Carlo Acutis. Born in London, UK and raised in Milan, Italy, Carlo had an extremely close relationship with God his whole life. He attended Mass daily, had a deep devotion to the Eucharist and used his passion for technology and online media (video games, animation, and website programming) to share his faith with others.

Despite living in a world increasingly shaped by technology, Carlo showed that holiness can be found in the most ordinary moments of everyday life. Using his incredible talent for computers to create a website documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world, he managed to help others grow, develop and deepen their understanding of Catholic faith.

On 12 October 2006, Carlo sadly passed away at the age of 15 after being diagnosed with leukaemia. Canonised in 2025, St Carlo Acutis is a great example and role model for young people to follow today. His life reminds us that we don’t need to accomplish incredible or earth-shattering feats to become saints; instead, we can strive to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.

A question to reflect on this week: Carlo used his passion for technology and the Internet to spread the word of God and ultimately improve his faith and the faith of the others around him. How can you use your own talents, passions, and everyday actions to grow closer to God and make a positive difference in the lives of others?

Peter Haddad, Mission and Identity Prefect

Mrs Gabby Scanlon - Assistant Principal, Mission & Identity